The onlookers were equally shocked, their expressions as if they had just eaten something foul.
"Zhongli… he's actually a Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
"Wasn't his martial soul that polite little thing?"
"Are you stupid? Have you never heard of twin martial souls?"
"Who dares call him 'Zhongli'? Do you have a death wish?"
"You must address him as 'His Excellency Zhongli'!"
The murmurs of the crowd made Tang San and the others pale.
Twin martial souls—yes, this powerhouse was undoubtedly a terrifying existence with twin martial souls.
Not only that, but he had already cultivated his first martial soul to the Titled Douluo level.
At any moment, he could add soul rings to his second martial soul—Paimon!
By then, he would become a peerless expert with at least nine soul rings, each over fifty thousand years!
Just thinking about it made the Shrek group shudder.
Wait… he could actually release both martial souls simultaneously?!
"Tch—"
They hadn't noticed before, but now that they looked, it was downright terrifying!
The crowd collectively gasped.
Right! Zhongli's second martial soul was an external beast-type martial soul, so it wasn't strange for him to manifest both at once.
Just then, a voice whispered into Zhongli's ear.
"Friend, could you do me, Tang Hao, a favor and spare these youngsters this once?"
"I will repay you handsomely in the future!"
Offending a twin martial soul user—one who had already cultivated his first martial soul to Titled Douluo and could add soul rings to his second at any time—was…
Damn it!
Even Tang Hao felt his scalp tingle.
This man also had a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!
Though Tang Hao himself possessed one, he knew exactly how he had obtained it.
But this man was different. Judging by his aura, he had actively hunted a hundred-thousand-year soul beast at rank 90!
Anyone capable of slaying a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was a ruthless person among ruthless people—a true monster!
"I need an explanation."
Zhongli's lips barely moved as he transmitted his voice.
His tone was icy.
Even Tang Hao couldn't suppress a shudder.
"…Hmph."
Hearing this, Tang Hao's forehead twitched. His fists clenched—if possible, he would have loved to fight Zhongli right then and there.
But he couldn't.
His hidden injuries prevented prolonged battles. Even if he could win, it would be a pyrrhic victory.
He couldn't jeopardize Tang San's future!
The main reason Tang Hao had intervened was to prevent Zhongli from targeting Xiao Wu and Tang San. As for the others? Whether they lived or died didn't concern him.
But a twin martial soul user like Zhongli, already cultivated to this level…
Wait. Twin martial souls?
Xiao Wu?
Damn it—this rabbit had practically delivered herself to his doorstep. Would Zhongli let her go?
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone!
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring held no allure for a Titled Douluo—why?
Because they couldn't absorb it…
But a hundred-thousand-year soul bone was different. Any soul master could absorb it, even if it was just an ordinary one.
Sure enough, Xiao Wu's face had turned deathly pale, as if she were about to faint.
"I'm dead… I'm so dead…"
Had she known he was a Titled Douluo, she would never have stepped forward.
If she had just hidden behind the others, nothing would have happened.
But now? Not only was he a Titled Douluo, but he also had twin martial souls. How could she possibly escape?
Tang Hao fell silent for a moment, a flash of killing intent in his eyes—but in the end, he relented.
"Friend, if you agree not to pursue this rabbit, I, Tang Hao, am willing to offer you something of equal value in exchange."
Zhongli blinked, momentarily confused.
He hadn't said anything about killing Xiao Wu…
What was Tang Hao imagining?
After a brief consideration, though, he realized Xiao Wu had insulted him earlier. A little compensation for emotional damages wasn't unreasonable.
He nodded.
"Agreed."
"I can form a contract with you: as long as she does not provoke me or Paimon, I, Zhongli, will not hunt her down."
"Contract? Agreement?"
Tang Hao nodded at Zhongli's wording. Judging by the man's previous behavior, he was someone who valued a low-profile existence.
Had it not been for Dai Mubai and the others provoking him, he might never have revealed himself.
From the looks of it, he seemed to enjoy a peaceful life.
"Good. A pact between men!"
Just you wait. Once Tang San breaks through to Titled Douluo, he would reclaim what was his!
The crowd watched Zhongli in confusion. Why had he stopped after releasing his "martial soul"?
But since he wasn't moving, no one dared to act either!
Just then, an ancient-looking box flew out of nowhere, landing steadily before Zhongli.
"Paimon, take this. It's compensation."
"Huh? Oh!"
Paimon, still a little dazed, floated down and touched the box. In front of everyone, it vanished—as if stored away in a soul storage device.
The sight left the spectators stunned.
"Compensation?"
Even the dimmest among them understood now.
Someone in the shadows had struck a deal with Zhongli—one that undoubtedly involved them.
"Dai Mubai."
Hearing his name, Dai Mubai trembled violently.
Even his father, the emperor, wouldn't dare offend such a peerless powerhouse. Yet here he was, blindly crashing into an iron wall.
Damn it! Zhongli's noble bearing and subtle aura should have been obvious. How had he been so blind as to charge in like an idiot?
His rage had clouded his judgment!
Thud—
Without hesitation, Dai Mubai dropped to his knees.
The fact that this lord had accepted "compensation" but still called his name could only mean one thing—
The deal didn't include him!
Slap—
Dai Mubai struck himself across the face, not daring to meet Zhongli's gaze.
"Your Excellency, spare me! I know I was wrong!"
Slap—
Another slap…
A man had to know when to yield. With his life on the line, hesitation wasn't an option.
Even if Star Luo sought revenge for his death, what good would it do him once he was gone?
Flender and the others wanted to speak up, but their mouths opened and closed without sound.
The fact that this lord wasn't holding them, the teachers, accountable was already a mercy.
Even if they all banded together, they wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Yu Xiaogang, however, wasn't thinking about any of that. His eyes burned with fervor as he stared at Zhongli and Paimon.
This man's achievements might one day rival even Tang San's future peak!
Once he added soul rings to his second martial soul, just how strong would he become?
Why?!
Why was this guy blessed with twin martial souls, an external beast-type, and cultivation at the Titled Douluo level—
While also possessing a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?!
Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and Flender had a vague guess about who had just spoken to Zhongli.
Aside from that person, they couldn't think of anyone else who would be watching them from the shadows.
Even the Clear Sky Douluo had temporarily backed down—no, even he had chosen to yield?
It seemed this lord was not to be trifled with!
"Yay! That blond jerk got what he deserved!"
"Zhongli, you're not completely useless after all!"
Paimon crossed her arms proudly and patted Zhongli's shoulder.
The crowd gulped, their gazes toward Paimon shifting dramatically…