This novel has been finished on Patreon! Thank you to all my Patrons for the support over this and the other novels <3
------------------------------------------------------
Before Baihu (White Tiger) Pass was breached, Yu Xiaogang had considered escaping in the chaos.
Unfortunately, he had been under Ning Tianchen's constant surveillance from the very beginning.
After the war ended, he was escorted back to the Tian Dou army camp by Feng Xiaotian.
With Baihu Pass broken, the next steps involved gathering the wounded and reorganizing supplies.
Yu Xiaogang was confined to a tent in the camp. Seeing no one guarding him, he began entertaining thoughts of escape.
He knew that Tang San would soon ascend to godhood. If he could escape, there might still be hope for revenge in the future!
In the future, he would personally kill Chen Huayu to comfort Liu Erlong's soul in the afterlife!
"Still thinking about all this nonsense?" Ning Tianchen entered the tent.
Yu Xiaogang had been placed here after prior arrangements were made with Feng Xiaotian.
Yu Xiaogang had done so much and, with his Soul Grandmaster cultivation, served as the Imperial Preceptor of a nation.
Such a "talent" deserved proper handling.
Previously, while observing the battle situation, Ning Tianchen thought Yu Xiaogang might have some hidden ace up his sleeve.
Instead, this guy got so disoriented from a single cannon blast that he started issuing random commands.
Liu Erlong, Feng Bailong, and many of the Wind Sword Sect's strong members shouldn't have died!
At the time, if Yu Xiaogang had stayed calm, voluntarily abandoned the walls, and devised a way to lure Feng Xiaotian and others into an ambush, the battle wouldn't have been so one-sided.
Moreover, after Liu Erlong's death, Yu Xiaogang completely lost his mind.
Facing the Tian Dou army's relentless artillery bombardment, he actually ordered the Star Luo army to open the city gates and charge the enemy ranks.
This battle—any general with even a modicum of ability wouldn't have let it turn out like this.
Having lost the battle, and with such an exaggerated casualty ratio, Yu Xiaogang didn't reflect on his mistakes but instead focused on his own interests. Such a person was beyond redemption.
"Ning Tianchen, it's you!" Yu Xiaogang sneered, adopting a haughty demeanor. "If you know what's good for you, release me immediately. Otherwise, when Xiao San breaks through to level 100, your death will be inevitable!"
"Level 100?" Ning Tianchen feigned confusion.
Seeing him show signs of "fear," Yu Xiaogang immediately adopted an aggressive attitude. "What, scared now? Send me back to the Star Luo Palace and cut off one arm and one leg, and perhaps I'll let Xiao San spare your life."
Chuckle~
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but laugh. "Yu Xiaogang, stop pulling the tiger's skin. I've known since the moment Tang San obtained the trials of the Rakshasa Goddess."
"Do you guess why I've kept him around and even waited for him to complete his final inheritance?"
As he spoke, Ning Tianchen's aura underwent a sudden change. His black hair turned silvery-white, and a chilling presence emanated from him.
Just looking at him made Yu Xiaogang feel as if he were trapped in an endless hell.
The surrounding wails of agony completely shattered Yu Xiaogang's courage!
"No, you can't do this to me! Xiao San won't let you get away with it!" Yu Xiaogang collapsed entirely, soiling himself in terror.
Ning Tianchen coldly stated, "Gods cannot directly interfere in human affairs. If Tang San breaks through to level 100, I can openly kill him."
"You're a god!" Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock.
In a daze, his surroundings suddenly shifted—he was now in the first layer of the eighteen levels of hell.
As the first "guest" of the Asura Purgatory Tower, Ning Tianchen naturally gave him a proper reception.
After enduring eighteen kinds of torture, Yu Xiaogang wasn't granted the privilege of death. His soul would remain trapped in hell for eternity!
…
"What? In just half a day, Baihu Pass was breached!"
In the imperial study, Tang Xiao erupted in fury.
The overwhelming presence of a level ninety-seven Title Douluo instantly killed the guard who came to report.
Baihu Pass had been defended by four hundred thousand troops. Even if they had stood still and let the Tian Dou army slaughter them, they should have held out for at least a day.
But the reality was that under Yu Xiaogang's brilliant leadership, the attack launched by the Tian Dou army after lunch broke the pass before sunset!
Moreover, all the elite forces of the Wind Sword Sect and Liu Erlong had perished on the battlefield.
The Tang Sect's strength was further weakened. Without Baihu Pass to obstruct them, the Tian Dou army would soon arrive at the gates of Star Luo City!
Damn it, how incompetent could Yu Xiaogang possibly be!
After venting his anger, Tang Xiao gradually calmed down.
The Tian Dou Empire's advance had been unstoppable, their momentum fierce. After suffering multiple crushing defeats, the morale of the Star Luo army had plummeted to rock bottom!
Even without using their new weapons, the Star Luo Empire couldn't withstand the Tian Dou army's regular attacks.
Tang Xiao understood that the empire was now at a critical juncture of survival. If they failed to defend Star Luo City, even retreating to the southern cities wouldn't allow them to organize an effective counterattack.
Tang San was on the verge of becoming a god. Tang Xiao had to leave behind a solid foundation for him; otherwise, even after ascending, he'd be nothing more than a fugitive!
Realizing this, Tang Xiao immediately wrote a letter and sent it to the Tang Sect.
Currently, the only force he had left was the Tang Sect's soul master team!
Relying on hidden weapons as a winning strategy was no longer realistic. It was time to make a decisive move—bringing the Tang Sect disciples to defend Star Luo City was the right choice.
Within the Tang Sect, there was still Tai Tan, a high-level Soul Douluo, and the martial soul fusion techniques of the Dragon-Serpent couple. With their combined strength, they could hold off the Tian Dou army's assault for a long time.
Tang Xiao thought of the Dragon Halberd Sect, feeling a sense of helplessness.
After seizing power in the Star Luo Empire, they had betrayed their allies and failed to fulfill their promised rewards to the Dragon Halberd Sect.
Otherwise, with the two Soul Douluo experts from the Dragon Halberd Sect, the chances of defending Star Luo City would have been significantly higher.
Now, Tang Xiao had no idea what had become of the Dragon Halberd Sect, nor did he intend to ask for trouble.
In fact, after the Tang Sect severed ties with the Dragon Halberd Sect, Zhang Erhe and Zhao Wuji returned to the Sky Sword Sect.
The Dragon Halberd Sect had long existed in name only, and aside from the Tang Sect, few on the continent even remembered their existence.
Now, Zhang Erhe and Zhao Wuji were incorporated into the Tian Dou army. When attacking Star Luo City, they would undoubtedly play their part.
Zhang Erhe had previously been a general of the Star Luo Empire, familiar with its conditions. With him around, defending Star Luo City wouldn't be easy.
…
In a state of panic, Tang Xiao waited for ten days.
Only when all the Tang Sect disciples, along with the soldiers of the Baihu Camp and Tiger Roar Camp, entered the city did his nerves finally ease somewhat.
Although Dai Mubai lived a life of luxury in the palace, news of the empire's repeated defeats and the imminent arrival of the enemy army at Star Luo City had reached his ears.
"Lord Xiaotian, what exactly is going on? Didn't Master personally go to the frontlines? Why couldn't he stop the Tian Dou army?" There was a tone of accusation in Dai Mubai's voice.
After ascending the throne, Tang Xiao and Yu Xiaogang had confidently assured him that they would govern the empire well and that he needn't worry.
So why had the Star Luo Empire fallen into such a dire situation?
Tang Xiao ignored him and casually brushed him off. "Mubai, I have my plans—you don't need to worry. Living well is the best thing you can do for us."
In truth, even if Dai Mubai wanted to intervene, he lacked the ability.
He knew he was incompetent. At this point, apart from trusting Tang Xiao, he had no other choice.
A few days later, Tang San completed absorbing all the spirit rings for his Hao Tian Hammer and returned to Star Luo City.
On his way back, he also heard about the empire's current situation, but he didn't have time to get involved. He immediately entered the Heavenly Prison to begin his final trial.
In the upcoming defense of Star Luo City, as long as Tang Xiao could hold out until Tang San broke through to level 100, there would still be room for reversal.
…
Half a month later, the Tian Dou army completed their preparations and arrived at the city gates.
Most civilians in Star Luo City had already fled. Attacking now wouldn't result in massive casualties among innocents.
The intelligence disciples of the Sky Sword Sect had scouted Star Luo City for a long time and drawn up a detailed map of the city's defenses.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao led all the Tang Sect's forces to the city walls.
"Buy time for Xiao San. Once he emerges, we can turn the tide!"
Meng Shu couldn't help but ask, "Lord Tang, are you still planning to keep us in the dark? If you want us to fight for you, at least tell us what Tang San's trump card is!"
Tang Xiao solemnly replied, "Xiao San is confident he can break through to level 100, but he needs time. We must hold Star Luo City!"
Meng Shu suddenly understood.
Breaking through to level 100 meant transcending the realm of soul masters and becoming a god.
With the help of a god, what reason did they have to worry?
Three days later, as the horns of attack sounded, the Tian Dou army's cannons relentlessly bombarded the walls.
War was imminent.
Tang Xiao and the Tang Sect disciples could only defend one gate, leaving the other gates to the city's defense forces.
To prevent anyone from defecting, Tang Xiao forbade the nobles and ministers from leaving Star Luo City.
The sounds of battle terrified these nobles and ministers.
They seemed to foresee their fate once Star Luo City fell.
Why die when they could live? Moreover, all the decisions in the court were issued by the Tang Sect—it had nothing to do with them.
If that were the case, why should they risk their lives to uphold the Tang Sect's decisions?
The combined influence of these nobles and ministers was not insignificant.
While the Tang Sect focused on defending the northern gate, they opened the southern gate, allowing the Tian Dou army to enter the city.
After the fall of the Star Luo Empire, someone would still be needed to manage it—they were ready-made candidates. Loyalty to whom didn't matter; there was no need to hang themselves on one branch!
Upon receiving the news, the Tian Dou army immediately dispatched their soul master legion into the city, launching a pincer attack on the Tang Sect disciples atop the walls.
Though Tang Xiao's strength was formidable—his level ninety-seven power unmatched—
Until the appearance of Chen Xin in the Tian Dou army.
The fateful battle between the Hao Tian Hammer and the Seven Kill Sword was finally about to begin.
Ning Tianchen had killed Tang Chen and Tang Hao. The remaining member of the Hao Tian Sect, Tang Xiao, was someone Chen Xin wouldn't let go of!
This great battle lasted for several hours.
In the end, Chen Xin at level ninety-eight successfully killed Tang Xiao. Thus, the conflict between the Hao Tian Hammer and the Seven Kill Sword came to a definitive conclusion.
As for the Dragon-Serpent couple and Tai Tan, they perished at the hands of Feng Xiaotian and others.
Meng Shu hadn't given up on the idea of "abandoning the dark and joining the light", but he had missed the perfect opportunity—no one paid him any heed.
…
Ning Tianchen sensed Tang San within the Rakshasa Secret Realm. Together with Qian Renxue, they blocked the entrance.
The moment Tang San emerged would be his death.
Inside the city, Zhao Wuji was relentlessly hunting down the Tang Sect disciples, while Zhang Erhe and Yang Wudi stormed the palace and captured Dai Mubai.
Two days later, Tang San's divine inheritance ended.
When he expanded his divine consciousness, he noticed that Star Luo City had already fallen.
Through the divine inheritance, he also understood the rules of the Divine Realm.
Before leaving the Divine Realm, the Rakshasa Goddess informed Tang San of everything.
After the inheritance ended, Tang San couldn't help but curse the Rakshasa Goddess.
By this point, the situation on the continent was beyond saving, and from the very beginning, he had fallen into a trap.
To survive, he planned to ascend directly to the Divine Realm.
He knew that Ning Tianchen wouldn't ascend to the Divine Realm anytime soon to govern the continent.
Before Ning Tianchen ascended, if he passed on his divine position, he might still have a chance to survive.
Unfortunately, while the idea was nice, reality was harsh.
Under the combined assault of Ning Tianchen and Qian Renxue, how could the mere Rakshasa Goddess withstand them?
In the end, Tang San was slain by the super artifact, the Seven Kill Divine Sword. His soul was imprisoned in the Asura Purgatory Tower, where he would endure eternal torment alongside Yu Xiaogang.
As for Tang Xiao, Ning Tianchen bore no personal grudge against him. Moreover, Tang Xiao hadn't participated in many of the things Tang San and his disciples had orchestrated.
Had their positions been different, Ning Tianchen might have sought Tang Xiao's advice on managing a sect.
All in all, Tang Xiao's dedication to the Hao Tian Sect was admirable.
After his death, he didn't receive the same treatment as Yu Xiaogang.
…
One year after the great battle ended.
The reconstruction work within the Star Luo Empire was largely complete. The emperor of the Tian Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe, issued a statement expressing his willingness to respond to the Spirit Hall's call and make the Tian Dou Empire a part of the Douluo Federation.
As for Dai Mubai, he had long been thrown into prison. To save his life, he followed Xue Qinghe's example and made a public declaration.
Thus, the two empires became history, and the Douluo Federation officially took the stage.
In the Divine Realm.
The Rakshasa Goddess had departed, and the Asura God continuously urged Ning Tianchen to ascend to the Divine Realm to catch up with her.
Ning Tianchen had no intention of wasting the precious time before his ascension. Each time the Asura God urged him, he used the same rhetoric.
The hundred years before ascending to the Divine Realm were incredibly valuable to him.
He intended to see every corner of the Douluo continent, ensuring he left no regrets before ascending.
…
In the Divine Realm's prison.
Poseidon crouched in a corner, living in constant fear each day.
Those imprisoned in the Divine Realm were either evil gods from subordinate worlds or criminals from the starry skies.
In the past, Poseidon wouldn't have feared them. Unfortunately, with the collapse of his faith energy, his strength had plummeted to just above breaking through level 100.
In the Divine Realm, with his current power, he was undoubtedly the weakest, without question. Even the divine officials could easily kill him!
But he wasn't the only one in the cell—there were other criminals.
As the weakest, he could only endure the torment of his cellmates.
Until one day, a familiar voice reached his ears.
"Poseidon, you old dog, have you forgotten about me?"
…
The End.
…
A/N: There will be a few side stories written later to fill in previously omitted details.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)