Chapter 376: A Different Kind of Beast Tide
With Qian Daoliu's appearance and the arrival of high-ranking spirit masters who had hurried back to Spirit City to offer aid, the city was in a state of heightened activity. Spirit City symbolized not only the Spirit Empire but also the unity of spirit masters across Douluo Continent—a stability sought by many.
Within the city, preparations were rapidly underway, and weapons were readied while three hundred thousand troops were strategically positioned along the fortress walls. Spirit City itself served as a formidable natural stronghold. Its walls, towering eighty meters high and thirty meters thick, had been constructed with the defense against spirit beasts in mind. Lacking the ability to construct siege machinery like humans, the spirit beast army would find it difficult to breach these defenses without heavy casualties.
While the beast army did have flying spirit beasts, their numbers were limited, and unlike human Titled Douluo, most spirit beasts couldn't take to the sky. Moreover, Spirit City had a contingent of flying spirit masters prepared to launch aerial counterattacks.
At Skywing Academy, several flying spirit masters were pushing their limits to reach maximum speed, and within less than a day, they arrived at the academy to request aid. Leading them was a Golden Eagle Spirit Douluo, whose speed was not far behind that of the Sensitive Clan's White Crane.
The arrival of a Spirit Empire envoy seeking help from Skywing Academy took everyone by surprise. The Spirit Empire had unified the continent and possessed a formidable number of Titled Douluo, so why would they ask for help?
Golden Eagle Spirit Douluo quickly recounted the dire situation in Spirit City, describing the overwhelming beast tide led by Di Tian himself. The revelation left the academy members in silence. Almost everyone there held a deep grudge against the Spirit Empire. Whether it was the Po Clan, the Royal Clan, or even Ning Fengzhi and Sword and Bone Douluo from the former Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, most bore a grudge too deep to forgive.
To many, the Spirit Empire's plea for help seemed like a laughable irony. Ning Fengzhi and the others, having fled to this remote region in the Far North to escape Spirit Empire oppression, were now the ones asked to lend a hand. Some even considered aiding the beasts to eradicate the Spirit Empire entirely. Doing nothing was already a show of restraint.
Seeing that the others were unmoved, Golden Eagle Spirit Douluo turned to Yang Invincible with a plea. "Dean Yang, may I meet with Yang Potian? I'd like to make a request directly to him."
Everyone exchanged glances. They knew Yang Potian might indeed consider lending a hand, yet Yang Invincible finally replied with a regretful tone, "Unfortunately, Potian left the academy some time ago, and not even I know where he currently is."
Still, Golden Eagle Spirit Douluo's account gave the academy members insight into Yang Potian's careful arrangements. Before leaving, he had put in place extensive defensive preparations, even stationing his sister, Yang Tianyue, and his father, Yang Ping'an, at the academy. With Tianyue's power, her mastery of the Seagod's Trident, and the academy's array of spirit weapons, the school would be secure against any threat the spirit beasts could muster.
Impressed by Potian's foresight, the academy members marveled at his preparations, which were seemingly meant to counter a potential beast assault on Skywing Academy. Nonetheless, the resources were for the academy's own defense, not to aid Spirit City.
Yang Invincible, watching everyone's resolute stance, couldn't help but sigh. He realized that if they offered no assistance and the beasts were victorious, Skywing Academy would surely be their next target. Even if the Spirit Empire survived, it would likely pressure them to take a side.
After a long pause, Yang Invincible glanced at Dugu Bo, who had been quietly observing. The Poison Douluo had wanted to sit back and enjoy the spectacle, but upon realizing what was expected of him, he let out a reluctant sigh and said, "Very well, I'll accompany you to Spirit City. I can't promise much, but I'll do what I can."
Golden Eagle Spirit Douluo was overjoyed. Dugu Bo's poison-based powers were ideal for countering lower-level spirit beasts.
Unexpectedly, Ye Lingling spoke up. "Senior Dugu, may I accompany you? I've been stuck at a bottleneck lately, and I could use some practical experience in battle."
As a healer, Ye Lingling's presence in Spirit City might prove invaluable. Although she and Qian Renxue were rivals in love, the two shared a sense of mutual respect. Ye Lingling, as the inheritor of the Goddess of Life, needed to strengthen her combat experience and broaden her understanding if she was ever to step into her destined role as a God.
Eager to join the battle, Yang Tianyue piped up, "Grandfather, Uncle—can I go to Spirit City as well? I'm sure I'd be of some use."
Both Yang Invincible and Niu Gao quickly scolded her. "Don't be foolish! You have an important task here; you're responsible for mastering the Killing Intent your brother assigned you. It's not the right time for you to go to war."
Pouting in disappointment, Yang Tianyue had no choice but to respect her brother's instructions.
Just then, Yang Zhentian spoke up. "Father, I'll accompany Senior Dugu. That way, I can look after Lingling as well."
Yang Invincible considered the proposal. With two of Potian's family members present in Spirit City, their support would be evident, and having Zhentian by Lingling's side was a reassuring choice.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "Uncle Sword, would you mind going to Spirit City as well?"
This decision surprised everyone. Out of all those present, Sword Douluo's involvement was the least expected. After all, Spirit Empire had severed Sword Douluo's arm and destroyed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. His feud with them was as deep as it could get.
Sword Douluo himself seemed taken aback. "Fengzhi, is that really necessary? With the Spirit Empire, I might do more harm than good. Things could go sideways quickly."
Sword Douluo's time at Skywing Academy had been peaceful, and with his arm healed and his power nearing Rank 98, he felt content. The academy's abundant resources made further breakthroughs possible. Fengzhi's request was certainly unexpected.
In the hall of Spirit City's Douluo Palace, or more specifically, the Angel Shrine, Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue stood solemnly before the towering statue of the Angel God. Qian Daoliu turned to Qian Renxue with a grave expression. "Xue'er, are you ready? This trial may determine life or death for you."
Reflecting on her life, Qian Renxue recalled her father Qian Xunji's death, her mother Bibi Dong's hostility, and her own upbringing amidst the intrigue of Heaven Dou City's royal court. But now, she had finally found the person she loved and unlocked long-buried emotions within herself.
Looking determined, Qian Renxue replied, "Grandfather, I'm ready. For the sake of passing this final trial, I'll give everything I have."
Becoming the next Angel God had been the goal of the Angel Clan for tens of thousands of years, a pursuit for which they had sacrificed much. Qian Daoliu, looking at her with pride and concern, gently patted her head. "Xue'er, there's no need to rush. Even if problems arise in the world, I'll bear the burden myself."
But Qian Renxue shook her head. "No, Grandfather. I was naive before, not understanding your thoughts or the purpose of the Angel Clan. I've come to realize that our duty is to uphold peace and justice. Only then can we truly be worthy of the faith placed in us by spirit masters."
With a deep sigh, Qian Daoliu nodded. "You've grown, Xue'er. I'll help open the way for you, but you must be vigilant and careful."
Qian Renxue took out a small vial containing a drop of golden blood, a gift from Yang Potian. This divine blood, rich with powerful energy, was intended to aid her final Angel God trial, without requiring Qian Daoliu's sacrifice.
Qian Daoliu looked on in awe as Qian Renxue released the divine blood, which glowed with radiant light, linking with the Angel God statue. A golden gate opened, leading to a realm seemingly beyond time and space. Gripping her Angelic Holy Sword, Qian Renxue bowed deeply to Qian Daoliu and resolutely stepped into the portal, which vanished behind her.
Watching her disappear, Qian Daoliu offered a silent prayer for her success. With a final glance at the statue, he left the shrine to join the city's defenders.
Meanwhile, in Spirit City, word spread that the beast tide was approaching swiftly, closing in from all directions. The arrival of many high-level spirit masters brought news of an organized spirit beast army, revealing how Star Dou Forest's strongest beasts had united to attack Spirit City.
From the reports, Qian Daoliu learned that the beast army was not only massive but strategically organized. It included over a dozen hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts and was led by Di Tian himself. This formidable force was also accompanied by other high-level beasts, turning the tide into an overwhelming threat.
One thing troubled Qian Daoliu as he scanned the reports: unlike previous beast tides, which were often chaotic and uncoordinated, this assault seemed meticulously planned. The beasts had managed to silence every scout and wipe out every communication line on their path, isolating Spirit City completely.
This wasn't the typical random fury of beasts—it was as though a master strategist were at play, someone who understood warfare deeply and knew exactly how to weaken their enemy's morale. The beasts had even issued an ultimatum, calling on Spirit City to surrender the one responsible for harming their sacred beast.
Di Tian's voice boomed through the skies, his demand echoing across the city. "Humans, you have harmed the sacred beast of Star Dou Forest. Surrender the one responsible, or we shall storm Spirit City and leave none alive."
A chorus of beast roars followed, a symphony of dragons, tigers, and strange creatures joining together in a cacophony that shook the city. Even the resolute Qian Daoliu felt a moment of dread as the army's presence pressed down on them like an unstoppable wave.
Exchanging glances, Qian Daoliu and the Titled Douluo around him knew that the beasts' goal was to break their morale from within. While Qian Daoliu knew that surrendering Bibi Dong was not an option, he could see uncertainty growing in the eyes of many soldiers and spirit masters.
Without hesitation, Qian Daoliu rose into the air, his six golden wings spreading wide as his massive six-winged angel spirit form appeared. His powerful voice reverberated across the city. "Citizens of the Spirit Empire, I am Qian Daoliu, Grand Priest of Spirit Empire. The spirit beast army is deceitful and cruel. To protect our city and our people, we must not yield to their demands."
His inspiring words, combined with his holy form, rallied the soldiers. Raising their weapons, they shouted back, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
As they shouted, the massive Angel God statue in Spirit City emitted a divine light, bathing the defenders in warmth and courage, dispelling their fear and filling them with resolve.
The battle for Spirit City had begun. The city and its defenders prepared for the inevitable clash with the immense tide of spirit beasts.
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