Any clansmen struck by these crossbow bolts would likely suffer fatal injuries.
The clash of crossbow bolts, the furious roars of the Soul Masters from the Four Single Attribute Clans, and agonized screams intertwined in a chaotic symphony.
Blood blossomed in the air.
After just one volley of crossbow bolts, at least several Soul Masters failed to block the attack, their bodies pierced through and pinned against the mansion's rear wall.
This gruesome scene represented the most devastating loss the Four Single Attribute Clans' Soul Masters had experienced in decades.
But it wasn't over yet.
The crossbow attacks and reloading were executed simultaneously by three rows of Heavy Armored Infantry.
Following the first volley, the next two followed in quick succession.
"Ah!"
Titan roared at the sky, all his Spirit Rings glowing brightly as his entire body swelled in size.
His arms extended to nearly two meters long.
He positioned himself as a human shield before all the Soul Masters.
He wasn't alone - Niu Gao stood with him.
Niu Gao specialized in defense, and now he unleashed his ultimate protective capabilities without reservation.
Meanwhile, Bai He manifested Soul Power Wings on his back, darting and weaving through the air with incredible speed, using his Soul Power to knock the Giant Crossbows aside.
Yet despite their efforts, three more Soul Masters fell.
Simultaneously, the entire front section of the mansion collapsed.
The destructive power of these Giant Crossbows was undeniable.
Following the crossbow assault, the Heavy Armored Infantry advanced in perfect formation, brandishing three-meter-long Halberds as they marched forward step by step.
This overwhelming Killing Intent showcased the Heaven Dou Empire's supreme military might.
Not a single soldier showed fear, even facing Soul Masters, their faith firmly placed in collective strength.
Qian Renxue's heart bloomed with silent laughter - her subtle provocation had successfully misled Prince Xue Xing.
Prompting him to take immediate action.
Now with casualties incurred, her position grew more secure than ever - the Clear Sky Sect would absolutely never side with Prince Xue Xing again.
Prince Xue Xing wore a cold smile - this was the consequence of opposing him.
Whatever schemes they plotted mattered little - capturing them all alive would reveal everything.
"Halt!"
A thunderous voice echoed from the sky as a Blue Giant Dragon descended from above, landing between the Heavy Armored Infantry and the Li Clan's mansion.
Blocking the advancing infantry.
The dragon transformed upon landing into an imposing man clad in Blue Heavy Armor.
Every soldier present recognized him.
This was the empire's Marshal, Ge Long.
"All Heavy Armored Infantry, stand down and return to barracks!" Ge Long commanded loudly.
He should have arrived earlier, but Dugu Feng seemed unhurried, not rushing to the scene, causing this delay of less than a minute.
Yet in that brief interval, three volleys of crossbow bolts had been unleashed, already resulting in bloodshed.
"Second Grandfather, when I arrived I noticed the Fourth Prince appears unwell - his face is cyanotic, possibly poisoned. You must save him quickly!" Dugu Feng had also arrived.
His expression remained calm as he approached Dugu Bo's side.
But his words ignited fury in both Dugu Bo and Prince Xue Xing.
"Dugu Feng, what have you done!" Dugu Bo roared angrily.
Prince Xue Xing's eyes burned with rage.
This was a threat - a blatant, undisguised threat.
"Ah, I've done nothing. When I discovered his poisoning, I immediately came seeking help. If we delay much longer, not even gods could save him."
"Your Highness, Second Grandfather, you must go rescue him now while there's still time!"
Dugu Feng's sincere expression made Prince Xue Xing tremble uncontrollably as he looked toward Qian Renxue.
"How cruel you are! He's your only brother!"
Qian Renxue was thoroughly satisfied with Dugu Feng - his move had been swift, precise, and ruthless.
"Uncle, only the Jade Phosphor Crown can save my brother now. We cannot hesitate any longer. Please act, Your Excellency Jade Phosphor!" Qian Renxue played along perfectly.
Dugu Feng took another step forward, closing in on Prince Xue Xing and Dugu Bo, whispering, "Second Grandfather, don't think about using force. I possess the Eight-Angle Black Ice Herb. Even if you strike, you cannot subdue me, and that would lead to an ugly scene."
"By then, both His Highness and Xue Beng would be like meat on the chopping block!"
Dugu Bo's eyes turned green.
Every time he encountered Dugu Feng, the young man never failed to astonish him.
Last time at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Dugu Feng had relied on that miraculous herb to render him helpless.
Now meeting Dugu Feng again, the youth had already reached Soul Emperor level.
Dugu Bo felt as if ten thousand Jade Phosphorous Serpents were crawling through his heart, leaving him utterly unsettled.
Prince Xue Xing stood frozen in shock.
Dugu Feng actually dared speak to Dugu Bo like this.
The crucial point was that Dugu Bo remained silent, proving Dugu Feng's words were true.
People had always said the Dugu Family had produced a genius destined to become a Titled Douluo, and he had agreed.
He had always admired Dugu Feng. Last time, right here in this same place, they had surrounded the Li Clan together, forcing Yang Wudi to kill Yang Wushuang.
Dugu Feng's decisiveness and ruthlessness had left a deep impression on him then.
Now Dugu Feng had become his opponent.
Only then did Prince Xue Xing feel the overwhelming pressure bearing down on him.
"Let's go save Xue Beng first!"
Dugu Bo said with difficulty.
He had witnessed Dugu Feng's ruthlessness firsthand - the youth trained with reckless abandon, even risking his own life.
How could such a person care about others' lives?
Dugu Bo feared that any further delay would mean Xue Beng's certain doom.
Prince Xue Xing scanned his surroundings and saw the Heavy Armored Infantry, under Ge Long's command, already forming ranks and retreating.
Even Ge Long, that loyal imperial subject, had been won over by the other side. This definitely had something to do with Dugu Feng - after all, they had arrived together.
And now Dugu Bo had been checkmated by Dugu Feng.
Complete and utter defeat! Prince Xue Xing sighed inwardly.
"A hero emerges from among the youth. When we surrounded and killed Yang Wushuang, I already recognized your extraordinary qualities. But I never imagined you would grow to influence the empire's situation so quickly."
"For the Heaven Dou Empire to have a genius like you is the empire's pride. I hope you will become the pillar that supports Heaven Dou Empire in the future!"
Prince Xue Xing patted Dugu Feng's shoulder, then cast an indifferent glance at Qian Renxue.
Without looking back, he walked away.
He understood clearly - this time he had lost, and lost completely.
But he hadn't lost to Xue Qinghe; he had lost to this prodigy from the Dugu Family.
"Don't worry, with me here, no one can harm you or Xue Beng!" Dugu Bo followed and said.
With things having developed like this, no one could stop the Crown Prince anymore.
What he needed to consider now was whether the Crown Prince would eliminate the root of the problem.
The two walked desolately into the city guard troops.
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue, barely containing her excitement, advanced several steps with Dugu Feng until they stood before the Li Clan's mansion gate.
All around them were pitiful cries and nearly ten corpses.
Dugu Feng sneered coldly - this was exactly what he had orchestrated.
Yang Wudi's Medicinal Poison suddenly flared up, triggered by a trace of Overlord Venom Dugu Feng had covertly delivered through the Emerald Dragon Snake.
The Emerald Dragon Snake was so subtle that even Tang Hao and Bibi Dong would struggle to detect it, let alone Yang Wudi.
The brief delay nearly brought catastrophe upon the Four Element Clans.
Then Dugu Feng and Ge Long appeared as saviors.
"You'd better remember this favor."
"When I sell you out later, I'll make it count!"
(End of Chapter)