Chapter 20: The Hall of Nine Stars

“Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul True Form!”

Feng Bailong let out a furious roar. The jet-black seventh soul ring erupted in an instant, enveloping his entire body in intense black light. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a massive blue dragon nearly ten meters long, bearing a remarkable resemblance to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

Feng Bailong’s grandmother had been a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, marrying into his grandfather’s family. His father, however, did not inherit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, and so was never recalled to the clan that prized bloodline so highly. It seemed the two families would part ways, but when Feng Bailong, the third generation, awakened his martial soul, the latent bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan unexpectedly manifested, granting him a dragon-shaped martial soul and an innate soul power of six.

Yet, as his grandmother was but a collateral branch and her bloodline diluted, Feng Bailong’s martial soul, though resembling the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, lacked its signature power of thunder. It was not a pure Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul. The clan sent people several times to test him, but ultimately decided not to accept him into their ranks.

Nonetheless, the repeated visits from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan fueled speculation about Feng Bailong’s background. Using this connection as a banner and with his martial soul and talent standing out in a small kingdom, over several decades he became a local tyrant in the Kingdom of Sylvia.

Now, transformed into his martial soul’s beast form, Feng Bailong struck without hesitation. His enormous body lunged forward, soul pressure exploding and surging over Xiao Yu like a tidal wave. His five fingers curled, and a gigantic dragon claw reached straight for Xiao Yu.

Feng Bailong’s rise to power owed much to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan’s reputation, but his keen observation and adaptability were just as critical. Facing opponents with at least one Soul Douluo among them—a gap he could not hope to bridge directly—he understood that Xiao Yu, clearly the leader, was but a child. Surely this little one could not also be a Soul Douluo or stronger; that meant Xiao Yu held a special status among them. His only chance was to seize Xiao Yu, perhaps bargaining for survival.

It was a good plan in theory—but was there any possibility it would succeed?

Clearly, none.

“Sixth Soul Skill, Crystal Wall.”

Mu made his move. Soul power surged, and countless crystals formed an invisible, impenetrable barrier before them. Unaware, Feng Bailong slammed into it headlong and was sent flying—faster even than his initial charge.

“Sect Master!”

The elders, Soul Emperors and Soul Kings behind Feng Bailong, as well as the disciples below, stared in shock as Feng Bailong crashed heavily into the ground, carving a massive pit. For a moment, not a single soul moved to help him.

“Attack!”

Xiao Yu cared nothing for their thoughts. With a cold command, his people sprang forward to strike.

“Eighth Soul Skill, Dark Sun Glory!”

Huihuo was first to act, unleashing his strongest attack. Raising both hands, he summoned a pitch-black orb, suspended high in the sky like a rising sun, surging toward the Dragon Extremity Sect elders above.

Boom!

A thunderous roar shook the heavens as the orb exploded, transforming instantly into a sprawling, multicolored wave of flame several miles across. It radiated unmatched brilliance and searing heat, as though hell itself had descended.

The enormous energy spread rapidly, its solar-level heat capable of melting even golden armor in another world. What hope had mere Soul Emperors and Soul Kings? In just a few breaths, the Dragon Extremity Sect elders were consumed, not even leaving intact corpses behind.

“Attack!”

Below, Xuanwu shouted, leading the soul masters into battle.

Hundreds of soul rings of various colors burst forth within the crowd, their lights flickering and soon scattering in all directions, raining down upon the enemy. Without doubt, these were soul skills unleashed by soul masters.

“Fight them!”

Only when enemy soul skills detonated among their ranks did the Dragon Extremity Sect finally awaken from their stupor, attempting to retaliate—but it was already too late.

The Saint Domain candidate warriors, transformed into soul masters, had lost their memories of life, but retained their combat training and techniques. They were vastly superior to these pampered disciples of the Dragon Extremity Sect, who only knew how to bully commoners.

Within moments, the sect was awash in blood, screams and wails echoing everywhere. The infamous young sect master, Feng Quan, had his legs shattered by several soul skills, forced to his knees howling in pain. But now, his former cronies were too busy to save him, and in the chaos he was trampled beyond recognition.

After more than half an hour, the battle ended. Save for a few who wisely surrendered, only Feng Bailong remained, lying in the pit where he’d been flung at the outset, unable to rise.

When all was done, Feng Bailong was dragged from the pit and brought before Xiao Yu.

“Who are you people?”

Feng Bailong’s eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Xiao Yu and demanded his answer.

Xiao Yu’s expression was calm as he replied, “Nine Star Hall, Xiao Yu.”

Nine Star Hall!

Yes, that was the name Xiao Yu had chosen for his sect. Whether Saint Warriors or Underworld Warriors, they each had their own corresponding constellations. Nine is the number of extremes between heaven and earth, and Xiao Yu aspired to make his sect the foremost power in the Douluo world. Thus, he named it Nine Star Hall.

“Nine Star Hall, Xiao Yu… Xiao Yu!” Feng Bailong gritted his teeth, as if determined to remember the name forever. Trembling, he raised a finger toward Xiao Yu and said, “Boy, you don’t know your place! One day, you’ll come to a bad end!”

“I never pay heed to the impotent barking of the defeated,” Xiao Yu replied, unconcerned, waving his hand. Having just annihilated the sect, there was no question of accepting their surrender. His people understood, and immediately dragged Feng Bailong away to be dealt with.

“Investigate those who surrendered; see if any are Feng Bailong’s relatives or close kin. The sect is just beginning—no need to keep any ticking time bombs around.”

Xiao Yu gave his orders methodically. “Also, those with deep public grievances must not remain to tarnish our reputation. Strip them of their soul power and cast them out—let the oppressed have their vengeance, settle their scores.

Check the Dragon Extremity Sect’s treasury. Take half and distribute it among those victimized by the sect. Don’t be stingy with wealth; the sect is just starting out, and reputation matters above all.”