The last time the Abyssal creatures rioted, there was no concrete evidence, but Leng Yaozhu saw the truth as clearly as a mirror.
Not only her—many high-ranking officials in the Sun-Moon Federation had their suspicions.
Long Yeyue had just been captured, and immediately afterward, the Abyssal creatures launched an attack. Then, Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect proposed that Long Yeyue atone for her crimes by being sent to the Blood God Legion.
If this wasn't premeditated, if it hadn't been planned in advance, how could such a coincidence happen?
But right now, the Abyssal creatures could break out at any moment.
The Blood God Legion required a significant number of powerful individuals to guard it.
This matter involved not only Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect but also the War God Hall.
If they thoroughly investigated and identified those responsible, how would they be dealt with? And after punishing them, who would be assigned to guard the Abyssal Passage?
These were all difficult questions.
The Federation didn't know how many Title Douluos Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect had, but the War God Hall definitely had more than twenty.
And every one of them was loyal to Chen Xinjie.
The Sun-Moon Federation could not afford to suffer such losses, which was why they never pursued an investigation.
After arriving at the Blood God Legion, Leng Yaozhu conducted some investigations.
Although Cao Dezhi had erased all traces of his actions before she and Skycrosser Douluo arrived, she still managed to uncover some clues.
She remained silent, but she knew that Cao Dezhi had sabotaged the Abyssal Passage to incite an attack on the Blood God Legion—his goal being to save Long Yeyue.
Now that he had achieved his objective, Leng Yaozhu initially thought that he would feel guilty and devote himself to leading the Blood God Battalion, ensuring its unity in defending the Abyssal Passage.
Leng Yaozhu was well aware of the conflict between the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy, as well as the Tang Sect.
Therefore, she kept a low profile, avoiding disputes with Cao Dezhi.
She didn't want her identity to affect the unity of the Blood God Battalion.
However, despite her intentions, trouble kept coming her way.
Now, she fully understood—if she didn't assert herself, the Blood God Battalion would eventually fall apart.
Even though she had chosen to back down, these people still wanted to put her in her place.
Since that was the case, she might as well be strong and take the position of Blood One herself!
Leng Yaozhu lifted her gaze to Cao Dezhi, her beautiful eyes filled with battle intent.
Cao Dezhi's expression shifted multiple times. He knew that Leng Yaozhu was very powerful now, but as a long-established expert, he was no weakling either. Coldly, he nodded, "Very well. In that case, shall we hold the duel before the entire Blood God Legion so all of its warriors may witness it?"
In truth, Leng Yaozhu's challenge suited Cao Dezhi perfectly. He had been waiting for someone to challenge him.
In the Blood God Battalion, strength ruled.
Previously, since he had been the only Limit Douluo, the position of Blood One was his by default.
But now, the Blood God Battalion had four Limit Douluos.
Everyone in the Blood God Legion was abuzz with speculation—among the four, who was the strongest? Who was the undisputed Blood One?
Before the Abyssal outbreak, no one would have questioned Cao Dezhi's right to the position, even if there were other Limit Douluos.
He had spent years building his reputation within the Blood God Battalion, earning immense respect.
Even if other Limit Douluos arrived, he should still hold the Blood One position.
But after the recent Abyssal outbreak—even though no one in the Blood God Legion knew it was his doing—
As the Blood One, Cao Dezhi had failed to detect the danger in advance, and this negligence was an undeniable mistake.
Many people had started questioning his competence, with some even hoping he would voluntarily step down.
Of course, they weren't suggesting he yield to Leng Yaozhu.
Instead, they wanted Guan Yue to take over.
Guan Yue was from the War God Hall and part of the Sun-Moon Federation's forces—having him lead the Blood God Battalion would be the perfect solution.
Cao Dezhi was well aware of these undercurrents. That was why he desperately needed a battle to prove himself.
Between Leng Yaozhu and Guan Yue, the person he most wanted to defeat publicly was Yue Tiandouluo, Guan Yue.
He had long waited for Guan Yue to challenge him, but the man had never shown any intention of doing so.
This left him with no choice.
Even though he couldn't challenge Guan Yue outright, defeating Leng Yaozhu—a fellow Limit Douluo—would still be an excellent way to solidify his position.
"A public match? As you wish." Leng Yaozhu sneered.
Very soon, the news of Blood Three—Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu—challenging Blood One—Merciless Douluo Cao Dezhi—spread throughout the Blood God Legion.
Upon hearing the news, Blood God Legion Commander, Mirror Douluo Zhang Huanyun, hurried over. "Heavenly Phoenix Your Excellency, Merciless Your Excellency, do you realize what you're doing? The Abyssal creatures could attack at any moment! Do you not understand how heavy the burden on the Blood God Battalion is? Why are you fighting amongst yourselves now?"
If this were a normal sparring match, it wouldn't be an issue—stopping after a few exchanges would be enough.
But Leng Yaozhu and Cao Dezhi were different.
Once they fought, it wouldn't be a simple friendly exchange.
Cao Dezhi cast a glance at Leng Yaozhu and coolly said, "Old Zhang, I can put the bigger picture first. But the Blood God Battalion has its rules—the higher-ranked Blood Gods cannot refuse a challenge from a lower-ranked one. Since someone refuses to acknowledge me as Blood One, I have no choice but to accept the challenge."
Hearing this, Zhang Huanyun turned to Leng Yaozhu with a heavy expression and said, "Heavenly Phoenix Your Excellency, the enemy is right at our doorstep. Can you at least wait until the Federation figures out a way to re-seal the damaged Abyssal Passage before challenging him?"
Leng Yaozhu glanced at Zhang Huanyun and said boldly, "Precisely because the enemy is at our doorstep, I must challenge him. The Blood God Battalion must remain united. If anyone refuses to submit, then I'll make them submit."
Confidently, she added, "Besides, you already know—even if I don't challenge him, for Blood One to maintain his position, he must at least defeat either me or Blood Two. Otherwise, even if I don't care, the rest of the Blood God Legion will continue to doubt him. If he's truly capable, my challenge will only serve to establish his authority. Once he defeats me, the doubts surrounding him will naturally vanish."
"You… Sigh, forget it." Zhang Huanyun opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but in the end, he could only sigh helplessly. "Fine, if you must fight, you must ensure that neither of you goes too far. You are the pillars of the Blood God Legion—you absolutely cannot afford to fall at this critical moment."
Though the Blood God Battalion belonged to the Blood God Legion, Zhang Huanyun had no authority over its internal affairs.
At this point, all he could do was minimize the negative impact of this battle.
"As you wish." Leng Yaozhu nodded.
"I know my limits." Cao Dezhi also spoke calmly.
"I hope you mean it." Their attitudes gave Zhang Huanyun a headache.
Helplessly, he glanced at Skycrosser Douluo Guan Yue. He knew that the Spirit Pagoda was at odds with Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, so why didn't he do something to hold them back? How could he just let them do as they pleased?
Both were Limit Douluos, so they needed no battlefield.
Once the news spread and the soldiers of the Blood God Legion were ready, the two shot into the sky, appearing thousands of meters above in the blink of an eye.
Cao Dezhi's terrifying sword aura condensed into a hundred-meter-long greatsword, unleashing an overwhelming pressure. Thousands of smaller swords materialized in the sky.
Nine spirit rings flickered on his body—black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red, orange-gold.
Threads of blue light spilled from his body, swiftly forming a magnificent suit of blue armor. Three pairs of deep-blue wings unfurled.
"Four-word Battle Armor." Zhang Huanyun's face darkened.
He even had the urge to intervene.
Right from the start, Cao Dezhi had activated his four-word Battle Armor.
He was going all out.
What happened to "knowing my limits"?
(End of chapter)