Chapter 394: Should We Join Spirit Hall?
Thirty thousand Soul Masters, all in black robes, with the emblem of Spirit Hall embroidered on their chests.
A golden scepter crossed with a silver longsword, with the insignia of the Seraphim floating above; it was the military crest designed by Bibi Dong during her lifetime.
After her death, it was retained by the Priest Hall as the symbol of the Spirit Empire.
At the very front of the military formation, six figures walked side by side.
The leader was a burly old man with snow-white hair and beard and a resolute face. Nine Soul Rings circled his body—two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red—a complete set of nine rings.
With every step he took, the ground trembled slightly, as if the earth itself were making way for him.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, the only remaining powerhouse of the older generation in the Spirit Empire's Priest Hall, was a level ninety-eight Super Douluo. After Bibi Dong's death, he became the de facto supreme ruler of the Spirit Empire.
Beside him was a tall woman with a cold and elegant face. She looked to be only in her twenties, but her golden eyes revealed a sense of vicissitude that did not match her age; it was Hu Liena.
Bibi Dong's direct Disciple and the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.
After Bibi Dong's death, she miraculously broke through the Soul Douluo Bottleneck, jumping to level eighty in one go. No one knew how she had done it; they only knew she had spent three months in seclusion. When she emerged, she was already a Soul Douluo and her temperament had changed drastically, losing her former charm and allure, leaving only cold killing intent.
This time, she had volunteered to serve as the vanguard.
The other four Titled Douluos were lined up on either side, each a powerhouse between level ninety-two and ninety-four, their auras as vast as the sea.
Behind them, thirty thousand Soul Masters were arranged in square formations. At the very front were five thousand attack system Battle Soul Masters, in the middle were twenty thousand mixed Soul Masters of various types, and at the rear were five thousand support system and food system Soul Masters, along with dozens of massive Soul Guidance Cannons.
Atop the walls of Star Luo City, Marshal of Star Luo wore platinum battle armor and held a twelve-foot long spear as he stood at the highest point of the gate tower. His Martial Soul was also the Evil Eyed White Tiger.
However, his Soul Power was only at level eighty-six.
Beside him were the only four Titled Douluos of the Star Luo Empire.
(P.S. Fan fiction element; I feel that such a powerful Empire shouldn't be without Titled Douluos.)
Duke of White Tiger Duke of White Tiger, level ninety-two, a member of a collateral branch of the Dai imperial family, had graying hair and beard. He held a White Tiger Battle Saber, his expression solemn.
Imperial Guard Commander General, level ninety-one, with the Pojun Spear Martial Soul, had a cold face and remained silent.
Two elderly worshippers.
One was a level ninety-three with the Sky-Breaking Wolf Martial Soul, and the other was level ninety-one with the Mysterious Ice Turtle Martial Soul. Both were over a hundred years old and their auras were declining, yet they still stood straight on the city wall.
(P.S. Fan fiction element; I feel that such a powerful Empire shouldn't be without Titled Douluos.)
"They're here," Duke of White Tiger said in a low voice.
He instantly tightened his grip on the spear, his knuckles turning white.
Below the city, Golden Crocodile Douluo stopped and looked up at the wall.
His gaze bypassed the dense ranks of defenders and landed precisely on Marshal of Star Luo.
"Star Luo Empire," Golden Crocodile Douluo's voice boomed like a great bell, spreading across the entire city in the morning wind. "The Spirit Empire has no intention of causing unnecessary bloodshed. Open the city and surrender, seal the armory, and this old man can guarantee that not a single citizen in the city will be harmed."
Marshal of Star Luo took a deep breath and said loudly, "Senior Gold Crocodile, the Star Luo Empire has always minded its own business regarding the Spirit Empire recently. Why has Senior raised an army to invade?"
"Minded your own business?" Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered. "The people of the Heaven Dou Empire killed our Spirit Empire's Empress; this enmity is irreconcilable. Do you think this old man doesn't know that your Star Luo Empire has been secretly helping the Heaven Dou Empire? Today, I ask only one thing—will you surrender, or not?"
Marshal of Star Luo fell silent.
He knew that whether they surrendered or not, the fate of the Star Luo Empire was already sealed.
Surrendering might allow them to linger on for a while, but the Spirit Empire would never let any member of the imperial family go. Not surrendering... at least they could die with dignity.
"We will not surrender."
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Golden Crocodile Douluo narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly unsurprised. He nodded and said indifferently:
"Then... as you wish."
He raised his right hand and slowly waved it forward.
"Attack."
Two simple words, yet they were like opening the gates of Hell.
Thirty thousand Soul Masters released their Martial Souls simultaneously! In an instant, the light of various Soul Rings intertwined, illuminating half the sky! Thousands of Martial Soul Abilities erupted at once, slamming into Star Luo City like the heavens were collapsing and the earth was rending!
"Defend!" Duke of White Tiger roared, his White Tiger Martial Soul instantly completing its possession. Immediately after, a white screen of light rose from the city wall, barely managing to block the first wave of attacks!
But the second and third waves followed immediately!
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!!"
The sounds of explosions were continuous, the city walls shook violently, bricks and stones shattered, and dust filled the air!
"Counterattack!" Marshal of Star Luo shouted, and the Soul Guidance Cannons on the wall fired simultaneously!
Hundreds of light beams shot into the Spirit Empire's formation, exploding into clouds of blood!
However, the Soul Masters of the Spirit Empire were well-trained. The attack system Soul Masters in the front row held up defenses while the support system Soul Masters in the back row provided continuous buffs, making their casualties far lower than those of the Star Luo defenders.
The night was as dark as ink at Shrek Academy.
This academy, which was once full of laughter, was now a scene of desolation.
Although the iron hooves of the Spirit Empire had not yet stepped into the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, the clouds of war hung over every inch of the land. Most of the students in the academy had been picked up by their families, leaving only a few people to guard the soon-to-be-abandoned courtyard along with several teachers.
Flender stood at the entrance of the academy with his hands behind his back, looking at the scattered lights of Heaven Dou City in the distance, lost in thought.
He had grown old.
The once shrewd and worldly yet deeply loyal Dean of Shrek Academy now had hair white with frost at his temples, and the corners of his eyes were covered in wrinkles.
After Bibi Dong's death, Spirit Hall did not stop its expansion; instead, it became even more aggressive.
When the news of the Star Luo Empire's downfall reached Heaven Dou City, he didn't close his eyes for the entire night.
Star Luo is gone; who will be next?
"Flender, go back and rest," a gentle voice came from behind him.
Master Yu Xiaogang walked to his side, dressed in gray, his face even thinner than before. His eyes held deep exhaustion, yet he still maintained his refined and calm demeanor.
Liu Erlong followed behind, dressed in martial attire. Although she was middle-aged, the heroic Martial Soul between her brows was undiminished. She glanced at Flender, said nothing, and simply draped an outer robe over his shoulders.
"I can't sleep," Flender shook his head and said,
"Xiaogang, do you think Little San can really rescue Mubai?"
Master was silent for a moment, then said, "That's hard to say."
The three of them fell silent.
The night wind blew, carrying the chill of early winter.
Just then, a black shadow descended from the sky and landed in the open space in front of the academy.
The three of them became alert simultaneously, their Soul Power surging and their Soul Rings appearing!
But after the black shadow landed, it did not attack. Instead, it staggered forward two steps and fell to its knees with a thud. "Teacher... Dean Flender... Teacher Erlong..."
A hoarse voice, tinged with weeping.
The pupils of the three people contracted at the same time!
Under the moonlight, the figure slowly raised its head—it was Tang San!
But the current Tang San was a completely different person from before. His face was as pale as paper, his figure thin, his clothes tattered, and his body covered in scars. Most shocking were his eyes—those once clear and firm eyes were now shrouded in a layer of purple-black evil Qi, looking both strange and eerie.
"Little San?!" Flender exclaimed, instinctively taking a step forward.
Liu Erlong reached out to stop him, her gaze warily fixed on the purple-black aura on Tang San's body. "Wait, his state is not right."
Tang San didn't care about Liu Erlong's vigilance; he just knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Teacher, I... I'm back... but I've failed you all..."
His voice trembled, filled with remorse and pain. To anyone who didn't know the truth, it would seem like a child who had lost his way was repenting.
Master took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said, "Little San, get up first. Tell me, what happened? Where is Mubai? Where is Fatty?"
Tang San's whole body jolted.
He slowly raised his head, the tears in his eyes becoming even more torrential. His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't get the words out.
"They... they..."
Tang San's voice was so choked with sobs that it was almost inaudible.
Flender's heart sank, and he said urgently, "What happened to them? Just say it!"
"They're dead!"
Tang San suddenly threw himself to the ground, his hands pounding the earth as he wailed loudly, "Mubai... Fatty... they're both dead! Killed by Tang Chuan! Killed by that Tang Chuan!"
"What?!"
Flender's expression changed drastically, his body swaying, nearly unable to stand.
Liu Erlong hurriedly supported him, though her own face had also turned deathly pale.
Master stared intently at Tang San and said in a heavy voice, "Explain clearly! What exactly happened?"
Tang San knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably, and began to recount the story in fragments.
He said that while the three of them were searching for Sea God Island at sea, they encountered Tang Chuan.
Tang Chuan's strength was terrifying, and he sought to take their lives as soon as he struck. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun risked their lives to block him to protect Tang San, telling him to leave first. He didn't want to go, but was pushed away by the two of them. When he looked back, he only saw Tang Chuan's Blue Silver Grass piercing through their hearts, and Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun...
At this point, Tang San was already sobbing uncontrollably, lying on the ground with his whole body trembling.
"I... I deserve to die. I shouldn't have left them... I'm the one who caused their deaths..."
His voice was full of self-blame and pain, his forehead striking the cold ground until blood flowed.
After hearing this, Flender felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
His body trembled violently, his face turning from pale to ashen, and then to a flushed red. A surge of violent Soul Power fluctuations erupted from his body, making the surrounding air vibrate!
"Tang... Chuan..."
Flender gritted his teeth, his eyes bursting with bone-deep hatred!
"Tang Chuan—!!!"
That voice was filled with rage and sorrow, echoing through the night sky for a long time!
"Pfft—!"
Flender spat out a mouthful of blood and fell straight backward!
"Flender!" Liu Erlong cried out, catching him in her arms, only to find his face as pale as golden paper and his aura in disarray; he had been overcome by sudden rage, injuring his heart meridians!
Master hurried forward, pressing a finger to Flender's chest and infusing Soul Power to stabilize his heart. He looked up at Tang San with a complex gaze. "Hongjun... is he really dead?"
Tang San raised his head, his face covered in tears and his eyes full of pain:
"Teacher, I saw it with my own eyes... Tang Chuan's Blue Silver Grass transformed into a Clear Sky Hammer... and smashed into Fatty... he... he didn't even leave an intact corpse..."
His voice choked up again, unable to continue.
Master fell silent.
Although his feelings for Ma Hongjun were not as deep as Flender's, the boy had grown up under his watch. That gluttonous, playful Fatty who was always grinning, the possessor of the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul... just died like that?
Liu Erlong, holding the unconscious Flender, had eyes that were red-rimmed as she gritted her teeth and said,
"Tang Chuan... good, very good!"
Tang San wiped his tears, slowly stood up, walked to Master, and knelt down again with a thud.
"Teacher, I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Tang San took a deep breath, a flash of determination in his eyes. "Teacher, I know the Spirit Empire is about to attack the Heaven Dou Empire. With Heaven Dou's current strength, it simply cannot stop them."
Master's brow furrowed. "What are you trying to say?"
Tang San raised his head, looking directly at Master. "Teacher, let's join Spirit Hall."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze.
Master's pupils shrank, and Liu Erlong suddenly looked up, staring at Tang San in disbelief!
"What did you say?!" Liu Erlong's voice was as cold as a knife.
Tang San, however, seemed not to feel her killing intent and continued:
"Teacher Erlong, I know you hate Spirit Hall. But think about it, how strong is the Spirit Empire's current power? Over a dozen Titled Douluos, a legion of thirty thousand Soul Masters—the Star Luo Empire was annihilated in a single day! How long can Heaven Dou last? Three days? Five days?"
"Teacher, you are a Master of Martial Soul theory; you should understand the outcome of this war better than I do. Heaven Dou is destined for defeat and destruction! Instead of dying with them, why not..."
"Why not surrender?" Master interrupted him, his voice terrifyingly calm.
Tang San was startled, then shook his head. "It's not surrendering; it's joining. Spirit Hall needs talent, and you, Teacher, Dean Flender, and Teacher Erlong—you are all top-tier Soul Masters and educators. By joining Spirit Hall, we can obtain better resources and higher status—"
"Slap!"
A crisp slap interrupted Tang San's words.
Liu Erlong stood before him, her palm still trembling slightly, her eyes full of fury and disappointment!
"Tang San! Are those the words of a human being?! Your teacher and your dean taught you the way of the Soul Master and how to be a person—was it just so you could come and persuade them to surrender to their enemy?!"
"Furthermore, the Heaven Dou Empire now has the support of Tianxing Academy, and not long ago they killed the Spirit Empire's Empress Bibi Dong. How could they possibly be unable to resist!"
Tang San clutched his face, an imperceptible cold light flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by grievance and pain. "Teacher Erlong, I just want to avenge Fatty and the others!"
"Tang San, don't say another word!" Liu Erlong shouted sternly.
Tang San's expression changed slightly, but he soon returned to normal, saying, "Teacher Erlong, times have changed. Bibi Dong is dead, and the Priest Hall is now in charge of Spirit Hall. They are different—"
"How are they different?" Master finally spoke, his voice cold. "Spirit Hall is Spirit Hall. No matter who sits in that position, they are all birds of a feather."
"If we don't join Spirit Hall, how can we avenge Fatty and the others?"
Loving Book So Far Check Out 80+ Advanced Chapters At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FicTonic1