Suddenly, the door swung open.
A familiar figure slowly stepped inside, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the expressions of those present varied, their faces shifting unpredictably.
"Ye Hao?" The Grandmaster was visibly shocked. Why would Ye Hao suddenly appear here?
"It's him? Why is he here?" Flender frowned. Ye Hao's presence always signified trouble—things were clearly not as simple as they seemed. He had already braced himself for the worst.
"Young Master?" Salas' eyes lit up. Not long ago, the Spirit Hall had sent out word that Ye Hao was actually the Pope's biological son. After the tournament concluded, the Spirit Hall planned to announce this news continent-wide. As of now, only some high-ranking officials within the Spirit Hall were aware of Ye Hao's true identity.
As the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Temple in Heaven Dou City, Salas was, of course, privy to this information. Moreover, since Heaven Dou City was his domain, he knew that when Ye Hao moved about the city in the future, certain accommodations would have to be made.
"Ye Hao?" Ning Fengzhi was also momentarily stunned. Ye Hao's sudden appearance clearly indicated that the situation was far more complicated than anticipated—this was going to be even more intriguing than expected.
Among all those present, the one who reacted the most strongly was undoubtedly Tang San.
"Ye Hao, you actually dare to show up here!" Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, filled with a murderous aura.
Especially after learning about Ye Hao's background and the deep hatred between him and Xiao Wu, their meeting today was bound to unfold exactly like this. Tang San wished he could act immediately...
"Is Heaven Dou City yours? Does my presence here offend you in some way?" Ye Hao cast a sidelong glance at Tang San, completely disregarding him.
"You… I…" Tang San was so enraged that his chest heaved violently.
"You what? I what? You're so flustered you're speaking nonsense. Looks like you've got a guilty conscience." Ye Hao smirked, then turned to look at Salas.
"Bishop Salas, does a dubious Pope's Decree frighten you so easily? You've weathered many storms—don't you find it odd that you're holding this decree without question?"
Hearing Ye Hao's words, the Grandmaster felt a chill run down his spine. He forced himself to suppress his unease and said with a firm voice, "This Pope's Decree was granted directly by the Spirit Hall. If you doubt its authenticity, then Bishop Salas, please invite respected figures to verify it. The truth will be evident at a glance!"
Then, the Grandmaster turned his sharp gaze to Ye Hao, his tone filled with dissatisfaction. "Ye Hao! You may have grudges against us at Shrek Academy, but there is no doubt that this decree is genuine! I swear upon my identity as a soul master! If you question the decree's authenticity, then you are openly challenging the dignity of the Spirit Hall. I urge Bishop Salas to discipline him accordingly."
Flender's eyes lit up. He immediately stepped forward to support the Grandmaster, "Elder Yu is absolutely right! Bishop Salas, we entrust you to uphold justice!"
At this moment, Salas felt a headache coming on. He struggled to discern the true nature of the situation.
"One at a time. L-let's not rush. Ye Hao, you go first."
Ye Hao nodded, then turned to face Tang San and the others, who were burning with rage. He calmly spoke:
"As we all know, the Pope's Decree can only be held by those of noble status and high standing. Putting aside the decrees owned by the Spirit Hall elders, let's discuss the three that are circulating outside. Everyone here is well aware of the Grandmaster's true identity—Yu Xiaogang, originally of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but exiled many years ago. This fact is widely known."
Having his past wounds exposed in front of everyone again, the Grandmaster felt as though he had been stabbed in the heart. He nearly coughed up blood.
"Ye Hao! You are not allowed to insult my teacher!" Tang San roared furiously, looking like he was ready to fight.
"Enough!" Salas slammed the table, his voice booming. "Did I permit you to speak? Ye Hao is not insulting your teacher—his exile is a well-known fact in the soul master world! If you continue disrupting the proceedings, I will not hesitate to revoke Shrek Academy's qualification for the tournament!"
The Spirit Hall was one of the tournament organizers, and Salas was one of the officials overseeing the Heaven Dou City division—he had the power to make such a decision.
Flender quickly bowed, "I apologize, I apologize. I failed to discipline him properly."
He then pulled Tang San aside and whispered, "Xiao San, stop being so stubborn. We need to focus on surviving this crisis first. Ye Hao and Salas are clearly in cahoots, and Ning Fengzhi is no pushover either. If we don't endure this, we risk everything! You understand that, don't you?"
"But… my teacher—" Tang San protested. He refused to let anyone insult his master.
"Enough!" Flender waved his hand. "Do you think Xiao Gang hasn't suffered enough over the years? His skin is thicker than you think. Now sit down and stay quiet! If Shrek Academy gets disqualified because of you, I swear I won't acknowledge you anymore."
Under Flender's repeated warnings, Tang San finally suppressed his rage and sat down, though his face remained dark. He stared at Ye Hao with murderous intent.
Ye Hao ignored him completely and continued, "The Grandmaster just confirmed that his Pope's Decree is genuine, and I never doubted that. However, what I do question is how he obtained it. I'd like to ask—what exactly qualifies the Grandmaster to receive such an honor?"
"And don't tell me it's because of his so-called unparalleled talent. Everyone here is a soul master—we all know exactly where his theories come from."
"You—!" Tang San was about to speak but was held back by Flender once again.
Ye Hao had played a dangerous move. The Grandmaster's Pope's Decree came from Tang Hao. If the Grandmaster revealed this fact, Shrek Academy would immediately be branded as conspirators with a fugitive. Given the Spirit Hall's methods, the entire academy would be doomed.
Tang Hao's identity was simply too conspicuous. And as his son, if Tang San implicated Shrek, the consequences would be disastrous.
The Grandmaster clenched his fists in regret. Damn it! How did Ye Hao manage to drag this issue into the light?
With a firm tone, the Grandmaster declared, "Since this Pope's Decree is real, there's no need to dwell on unrelated matters. Today, we are here to discuss the matter of Canghui Academy, which has nothing to do with Ye Hao. His intrusion is inappropriate—Bishop Salas, please remove him immediately."
"Silence!" Salas barked. "Ye Hao's presence here is my decision!"
He turned to Ye Hao. "Are you here today regarding the incident with Canghui Academy?"
Ye Hao smiled slightly. "That's correct. I happen to know the truth behind why Canghui Academy's members all became fools."
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi finally spoke up, clearly intrigued.
At this moment, Tang San felt his heart sink. He became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, his eyes once again filled with killing intent toward Ye Hao.
"Since that's the case, please share the details." Salas nodded, completely awed by the young master.
"No problem!" Ye Hao nodded and clapped his hands together.
At that moment, the door swung open again.
This time, the person stepping inside was Zhu'er.
For everyone present, it was their first time seeing her. The first impression she left on them was simply—stunning. She was breathtakingly beautiful, a beauty beyond compare.
Salas coughed, pulling everyone back to reality.
"And this is…?" Salas asked.
Ye Hao's lips curved into a slight smile. "This is my personal bodyguard, Zhu'er. The matters about to be revealed involve some rather important affairs. To prevent any potential troublemakers from stirring up chaos—Zhu'er!"
As soon as Ye Hao's words fell, Zhu'er's expression turned cold. Behind her, her Soul Devouring Spider Emperor martial soul manifested silently. Beneath her feet, nine soul rings appeared in an orderly fashion, slowly rising.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, one red!
The shocking configuration of nine soul rings left everyone dumbfounded. This young woman appeared to be only eighteen or nineteen, yet she was actually a Titled Douluo!
Almost at the exact moment Zhu'er revealed her soul rings, the tightly shut main doors opened once more.
(The doors: …)
This time, Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan entered.
He stepped in front of Ning Fengzhi, gripping his Seven Kill Sword firmly. Beneath his feet, nine soul rings also appeared.
However, compared to Zhu'er's, Sword Douluo's soul ring configuration seemed slightly weaker.
Two yellow, two purple, five black.
"Soul Devouring Spider Emperor martial soul?" Ning Fengzhi was visibly astonished. His gaze toward Ye Hao changed completely.
Salas, on the other hand, was secretly overjoyed. "The Young Master truly is remarkable!" He could barely contain his excitement, even straightening his posture slightly.
But the most shocked of all were Tang San and his companions.
The Grandmaster felt an overwhelming sense of unease.
Flender's scalp went numb.
Tang San? He didn't dare to make a single reckless move.
Who could have imagined that Ye Hao had a Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring as his personal bodyguard?!
How did this guy deserve such power?!
Tang San clenched his teeth, his entire body tense. With a Titled Douluo protecting Ye Hao, how could he possibly make a move against him now?
Sword Douluo's eyes narrowed. His grip on the Seven Kill Sword tightened. "Who are you?" he asked in a deep voice.
Zhu'er cast him a cool glance before replying indifferently, "I mean no harm."
Then, she withdrew her martial soul, her expression remaining cold and serious as she kept a close eye on Tang San and his group—ready in case they acted recklessly.
Seeing Zhu'er retract her martial soul, Sword Douluo finally sheathed his sword, but he still didn't let his guard down.
After all, there was a massive difference between a regular Titled Douluo and one with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. Sword Douluo knew full well—he was no match for Zhu'er.
But what shocked him the most was Ye Hao's true identity.
At that moment, Ye Hao untied the Death God's Heart from his hair and flung it into the air.
Six mirror fragments merged into one, forming a massive screen.
Slowly, images began to appear.
The figures in the recording were instantly recognizable—Canghui Academy and Shrek Academy.
A total of fourteen people stood on the battlefield.
The recording progressed to the moment when Canghui Academy unleashed the Seven Asura Illusion.
At that instant, Tang San's expression changed dramatically.
His entire body trembled uncontrollably.
His left hand clenched tightly into a fist.
Ye Hao shot a glance at Tang San and noticed his extreme nervousness. A faint sweat had begun to form on his forehead, and his entire demeanor exuded anxiety and unease.
"This is the battle between Shrek Academy and Canghui Academy. Everyone, watch carefully."
In the recording, led by Dai Mubai, six members of Shrek Academy fell into unconsciousness.
Only Tang San remained standing unharmed.
What followed was an exchange of words between Tang San and the Canghui Academy members—though the recording had no sound, making their conversation unclear.
The Grandmaster was gripped by an inexplicable sense of dread.
He turned to look at Ye Hao, who remained as calm and composed as ever. What was this guy plotting?
Then—
"That… that's the Clear Sky Hammer!" Salas suddenly exclaimed.
"There's no mistake—it really is the Clear Sky Hammer." Ning Fengzhi nodded solemnly. He stared deeply at Tang San, who was now struggling to remain calm.
The truth was undeniable.
Tang San was a twin martial soul wielder—one being Blue Silver Grass, the other being Clear Sky Hammer.
Blue Silver Grass—a useless martial soul, considered the most basic and trash-tier martial soul.
Clear Sky Hammer—the number one weapon martial soul, an absolute top-tier power.
The combination of these two martial souls in one person was shocking beyond words.
With this revelation, Tang San's true identity was now obvious.
Sword Douluo shifted his gaze to Tang San, sharing the same realization as Ning Fengzhi. The two exchanged a knowing glance—having worked together for years, a single look was enough for them to communicate.
Flender clenched his fists in regret. Damn it!
Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer had been exposed so easily—this would bring endless trouble in the upcoming All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament.
"Damn it!" The Grandmaster gritted his teeth. His hands had been clenched into fists from the very beginning.
He and Flender shared the same fear—
Tang San's exposure would bring disaster to both him and Shrek Academy.
And worst of all… Salas was here.
As the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, Salas was sure to report this to the Pope.
Years ago, the former Pope's death was the greatest humiliation to the Spirit Hall.
With Tang San's true identity exposed, the Spirit Hall would never let him live.
Tang San was as good as dead.
Tang San sat there, his mind completely blank.
His secret had been fully exposed.
He felt as though he had been stripped bare, his worst fears amplified before everyone.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze—only to find that Salas, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo were all staring at him.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's eyes were curious and intrigued, devoid of malice.
The Upper Three Clans had always stood together. Even though the Clear Sky Clan had sealed its gates, it remained the once-greatest clan in the world.
But Salas?
His gaze was dark and dangerous, like a predator about to devour its prey.
The former Pope's death had always been a disgrace to the Spirit Hall.
And now, the perfect opportunity for vengeance had arrived.
This was a heaven-sent chance—how could Salas possibly let it slip away?
As the recording abruptly ended, Ye Hao retrieved the Death God's Heart and secured it back into his hair.
Everything was clear now.
The entire battle between Shrek Academy and Canghui Academy had been laid bare for all to see.
Ye Hao smiled faintly. "This is the complete recording of the match. I happened to capture it by accident—who knew it would end up being so crucial now?"
Ye Hao glanced at Tang San and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Tang San, who would have thought you'd turn out to be a twin martial soul wielder? A rarity seen once in a century! I must say, I'm impressed."
Tang San's gaze turned icy, his eyes brimming with killing intent. "Ye Hao, you did this on purpose! You knew I had the Clear Sky Hammer, which is why you recreated this entire scene!"
Ye Hao smirked, unfazed. "How could I have known you had twin martial souls? Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer—one's a useless martial soul, the other's the number one tool martial soul in the world. Given that, doesn't that make you a member of the Clear Sky Clan?"
"Shut up!" Tang San roared. "Whether I am or not is none of your damn business!"
Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended upon Tang San.
His knees buckled, and with a loud thud, he dropped to the floor, his face twisted in agony.
Seeing this, Flender sighed and quickly spoke up. "Your Excellency, Xiao San spoke without thinking. Please, show mercy and don't hold it against him."
"Zhu'er." Ye Hao's voice was calm.
Zhu'er withdrew her oppressive gaze from Tang San and snorted coldly. Without a word, she sat down, crossing her arms, her sharp eyes locked onto Tang San and the others. If they dared to act out again, she wouldn't hesitate to strike them down.
Having a Titled Douluo present was an absolute advantage—Tang San and his group were completely powerless.
At that moment, Salas cleared his throat and spoke solemnly. "Now that everything is clear, we will discuss Shrek Academy's fate with His Majesty."
Hearing this, Flender quickly forced a smile. "Well, since the truth is out, perhaps we should take our leave now?"
Flender had no choice but to humble himself—the power gap was too overwhelming.
"Not so fast!" Salas suddenly raised his hand, stopping them. "The matter with Canghui Academy is settled. Now, it's time to deal with matters concerning the Spirit Hall."
His sharp eyes turned to the Grandmaster. "Elder Yu, may I ask where exactly you obtained that Pope's Decree?"
The Grandmaster opened his mouth but hesitated.
"Don't tell me it's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, or that the Pope personally bestowed it upon you." Salas cut him off. "The Pope's Decree is a symbol of the Spirit Hall's authority. Elder Yu, I ask that you clarify this matter immediately."
Under Salas' relentless questioning, the Grandmaster was utterly passive.
He frowned deeply, cursing Ye Hao in his heart for meddling in his affairs.
The truth was…
The Spirit Hall had never granted him a Pope's Decree.
The one he possessed had been given to him by Tang Hao when they were at Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy.
This was nothing more than borrowed authority—he had been using it to fake prestige.
The Grandmaster wasn't a real elder of the Spirit Hall, yet he carried the decree around, acting as if he was.
If Ye Hao hadn't exposed him, he might have gotten away with it.
But now that the Canghui Academy incident was resolved, the focus had shifted entirely to him.
This was the final straw—the one that could completely destroy him.
"Salas! Since my Pope's Decree is genuine, why does its origin even matter?" The Grandmaster raised his voice.
Salas was relentless. "Of course it matters! As the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Temple in Heaven Dou City, I have both the right and duty to verify its authenticity. Since you claim to be an elder, let me ask you—have you ever entered the Elder's Hall? What qualifications do you have to hold such an item? Or perhaps… is it stolen?"
"I…" The Grandmaster's face paled, at a complete loss for words.
Salas sneered. "Speechless? You must be hiding something."
For the first time, Salas addressed him differently.
"Grandmaster."
Not "Elder Yu"—just "Grandmaster."
"You are not an elder of the Spirit Hall, yet you carry the Pope's Decree and parade it around, even interfering with the tournament committee's investigation. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"
"No! This isn't what you think!" The Grandmaster hurriedly defended himself.
"Isn't it?" Salas pressed further. "Then tell me—where did you get the decree? If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I will have you detained until you confess its origins."
At his command, Spirit Hall knights entered the room.
For the first time, true panic set in for the Grandmaster.
He couldn't tell the truth.
If he admitted that Tang Hao had given him the decree, not only would it confirm Tang San's identity, but it would also prove that he had been impersonating a Spirit Hall elder to interfere with the tournament.
That would be a crime of the highest order.
The Grandmaster was trapped—a dead end.
"Enough. Since you refuse to talk, I won't be polite any longer."
Salas signaled with his eyes, and the Spirit Hall knights stepped forward to seize the Grandmaster.
Immediately, Tang San and Flender rushed forward to block them.
Flender spoke urgently. "Bishop Salas! You can't just arrest someone without proof! I'll report you to the tournament committee!"
Tang San's eyes burned with fury. "Ye Hao! You planned all of this! I swear I'll never forgive you!"
Ye Hao smirked mockingly. "Don't be ridiculous. Yu Xiaogang brought this upon himself. He isn't an elder, yet he carried a Pope's Decree like a badge of honor, trying to interfere with the investigation. Now that the truth is clear, it's only right for him to be detained. What's wrong with that?"
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Salas nodded. "Ye Hao is absolutely correct."
"The Pope's Decree is a serious matter. Yu Xiaogang is suspected of stealing it."
"Furthermore, this matter is strictly within the Spirit Hall's jurisdiction—it has nothing to do with the tournament or Canghui Academy."
"Spirit Hall never arrests without proof. The decree itself is solid evidence."
"Additionally, Yu Xiaogang refuses to reveal its origin, which makes him even more suspicious."
"Lastly, Yu Xiaogang deliberately obstructed the tournament committee's investigation—this is a major offense."
Salas listed three charges, his voice ringing with authority.
"With these three undeniable crimes, what more is there to say?!"
Finally, he made the official declaration.
"On behalf of the Spirit Hall, I hereby place Yu Xiaogang under arrest. Anyone who interferes will be deemed an enemy of the Spirit Hall!"
"Guards! Take him away!"
"Let's see who dares!"
Tang San roared—but before he could act, both he and Flender collapsed to their knees.
Zhu'er had made her move again.
Salas turned to her and respectfully bowed. "Many thanks, Your Excellency."
"Take Yu Xiaogang away! He will be thoroughly interrogated!"
The fate of the Grandmaster had been sealed.