1329 Battle of Five Gods — The Second Round

"Now, let's have our contestants for today. First, I'd like to introduce everyone to our empire's representative in the second match of the Battle of Five Gods. He's…"

He extended the words on purpose and it was clear that he was trying to create suspense.

"The person in charge of Spirit Pagoda's Star Luo Empire Branch, Spirit Pagoda's Branch Pagoda Master, His Excellency Zhang Geyang. His Excellency Zhang Geyang, Title Hell Flame. He's the most powerful expert from Spirit Pagoda in the empire. He'll be representing the empire in the soul spirit battle."

The spectators' stands were in a furor as these words were heard. Hell Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang was very well-known in the Star Luo Empire. Moreover, as Spirit Pagoda's Branch Pagoda Master, the might of his spirit soul was unimaginable. Like the Smiley Face Douluo, he was also at rank-98. However, his overall combat strength was slightly inferior. He was also an old opponent of the Smiley Face Douluo in a certain sense.

Hu Jie's expression clearly changed upon hearing this name. He turned to look at En Ci and angrily said, "En Ci, you old fart, this is the person you chose? Can he even represent the empire?"

En Ci calmly replied, "Why not? Whether it's the Tang Sect or the Spirit Pagoda, as long as they're situated in the empire, they're part of it. In fact, even you can represent the empire if you're fighting. All you need is the emperor's approval. Do you have anyone more suited to the spirit soul battle than Zhang Geyang? I've had my fair share of trouble persuading him to join before he relented. If your Sect Master can defeat him, it'll prove that your Sect Master's spirit soul is the best in Star Luo Empire."

Hu Jie's breathing hastened briefly. Only a fool would believe in En Ci's words. Tang Wulin had just recently destroyed Spirit Pagoda's Dou Spirit Empire Branch and announced that Tang Sect would be implacably opposed to the Spirit Pagoda. Spirit Pagoda would have loved to have this opportunity to deal with him.

Persuading? They must have clicked the moment they met. He never thought that En Ci would seek out Zhang Geyang. Without a doubt, this was a candidate who the Smiley Face Douluo did not wish to see the most.

Hell Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang was a true expert. He was not someone that could be compared to the Dou Spirit Empire's Branch Pagoda Master. Zhang Geyang was also the deputy Pagoda Master of Spirit Pagoda's headquarters. He was of the same level as the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu.

Hu Jie had crossed arms with him before. Although he was able to suppress him with his Body Sect twin martial soul, his opponent's spirit soul was too powerful and he could not really do anything to him. It was evident from this that Tang Wulin's opponent was very formidable.

The Hell Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang's spirit soul had also left a deep impression in Hu Jie. After all, Tang Wulin had just broken through to a Soul Douluo's rank. At most, he would have three spirit souls. He was definitely at a disadvantage fighting against Zhang Geyang. This spirit soul battle would be dangerous.

Most of the Star Lup Empire's citizens were unaware of the conflict between Tang Sect and Spirit Pagoda. However, many of them had heard of this Hell Flame Douluo before.

The Hell Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang had been serving in the Star Luo Empire for twenty-seven years. It can be said that his roots ran deep in this land. He was powerful and had a strong character. He had a good reputation in Spirit Pagoda and was one of the most powerful ones in the current Spirit Pagoda.

Even Spirit Pagoda's Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng was respectful towards him. They referred to each other as brothers.

Tang Sect's position in the Star Luo Empire was clearly higher than Spirit Pagoda. However, it was unable to completely suppress Spirit Pagoda. The Hell Flame Douluo's presence was the very reason for it. Spirit Pagoda had established its roots in the Star Luo Empire under his leadership.

With the changes in the lighting within the coliseum, the Hell Flame Douluo Zhang Geyang also appeared from one of the coliseum's side entrance. Under the illumination of the lights, this rank-98 Hyper Douluo who appeared to be a middle-aged man slowly walked forward.

His looks were very handsome and his hair neat. Not a single strand was out of place. His long black robe with gold linings had a vintage look to it. He wore no expressions and had his arms folded behind himself. He strolled forward and he seemed to attract all light around him onto his own body. It was difficult not to look at him.

"At the same time, let's invite the Sect Master of the Tang Sect onto the stage. I believe that this spirit soul battle of the Battle of Five Gods will be another clash between a dragon and a tiger. Let's look forward to it."

Tang Wulin walked into the coliseum under another beam of light. His white clothes were a stark contrast with his opponent's black.

When Tang Wulin heard the name of Spirit Pagoda's Branch Pagoda Master Zhang Geyang in the waiting area, he could not help but frown. What did the Star Luo Empire mean by this? Did they want to deal with him by using people from Spirit Pagoda? His opponent's strength aside, his identity as a person from Spirit Pagoda was in itself a problem. Was this a show of protest by the empire towards Tang Sect?

There were too many potential issues regarding this situation. Tang Wulin had to tread carefully.

On the platform, Emperor Dai Tianling's gaze toward En Ci was also filled with discontent. The Battle of Five Gods was already unfair for the Tang Sect. If they involved people from Spirit Pagoda, their oppression of Tang Sect would have been too obvious. This was not a scenario he wished to see. After all, the Star Luo Empire was more inclined towards Tang Sect.

En Ci moved his lips and projected his voice into Dai Tianling's head. After a while, Dai Tianling looked as if he was hit by sudden enlightenment. He nodded toward En Ci beside him. A smile appeared at the edge of his lips.

Hu Jie had been coldly eyeing the interaction between this master and student combo from the side. Without a doubt, En Ci had some ulterior motives in employing Spirit Pagoda's Zhang Geyang. He must have had some reason other than suppressing Tang Sect. This reason should be harmless.

This was the best he could infer from their current situation.

At this moment, both contestants had walked onto the competition grounds.

Tang Wulin focused his gaze on Zhang Geyang. The first thing he felt was a billowy flame. There seemed to be a thick flame blazing from this person's body. It was scorching hot and ice cold at the same time. The sudden burst of heat and cold was highly uncomfortable.

Zhang Geyang was also sizing Tang Wulin up. He had watched Tang Wulin's match against Huang Zhengyang yesterday. However, he was still shocked by Tang Wulin's youth when he finally saw him in person. He was too young. How could Tang Sect allow such a green lad to be their newly appointed Sect Master? This was something that he just could not understand.

Although Tang Wulin had displayed powerful strength yesterday, that was only through a mecha. The way Zhang Geyang saw it, even if a young man in his twenties had a powerful cultivation base, his mind could not have been mature enough. How could he lead a great sect? Did Tang Sect not have anyone else?

He had also heard about what happened in the Dou Spirit Empire. However, he did not know that Tang Wulin was the one who did it. Because according to the memories of the surviving Spirit Pagoda's experts, it was a Blood Dragon that wreaked havoc on them. They did not know what kind of method Tang Sect employed, nor were they aware that it was the Sect Master of the Tang Sect.

Spirit Pagoda had currently been officially suppressed in the Dou Spirit Empire on all fronts. It could even be considered a complete wipeout. Various public opinions arose in the federation from the rumors that Spirit Pagoda was colluding with the Holy Spirit Cult. Even though Spirit Pagoda had a firm footing in the federation, these public opinions still tarnished its good name to a certain extent.

What was Tang Sect's objective for coming to the Star Luo Empire at this point? Many could not help but wonder if the incident in the Dou Spirit Empire was related to this Tang Sect's Sect Master.