After knocking Tang San deeply into the wall, Lin Mu didn't eagerly press the attack but calmly waited for him to recover.
Not only that, but Lin Mu also had Ning Rongrong completely amplify Tang San's power.
Although Tang San's overall combat strength was considerably greater than Sword Douluo's, he still didn't pose any real pressure to Lin Mu.
Perhaps with Ning Rongrong's full amplification, the situation would be slightly more interesting.
"Azure Annihilation Thunder!"
As soon as he stood up, Tang San activated the Azure Bull Python's right arm soul bone.
However, this powerful skill wasn't released directly from his arm, but rather channeled through the Sea God Trident, significantly enhancing the raw power of the Azure Annihilation Thunder.
With Ning Rongrong's massive amplification, the condensed thunder power far exceeded that of a typical Titled Douluo's ninth soul skill.
Even Yu Tianheng, whose martial soul attribute was incredibly close to ultimate lightning, could only condense less than a third of the thunder power of this attack under Ning Rongrong's full amplification.
However, standing right before Tang San was the absolute master of thunder, Thunder Atlas Armor!
"Xiao San, playing with lightning in front of me? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" Lin Mu said with a strange, amused expression.
He slowly raised one hand, and as the terrifying lightning carrying immense annihilation power descended rapidly from the sky, it precisely gathered directly into his open palm.
Instantly absorbed!
Watching this impossible scene, Tang San was completely dumbfounded. He knew his master had extremely strong control over lightning, but he never expected him to be able to effortlessly control the very lightning he himself had created.
Not only him, but the entire crowd gathered outside the arena was also absolutely stunned by Lin Mu's casual move.
Looking at the terrifying lightning power completely compressed to its limit in Lin Mu's hand, Yu Tianheng's eyes were filled with deep anticipation.
He secretly thought, "If only I could ever reach Teacher Lin Mu's level."
To effortlessly transform the destructive power of others into one's own, that was truly the highest realm of mastery.
Soon, the crackling lightning power in Lin Mu's hand was fully condensed into a lethal lightning spear, which he immediately hurled straight back at Tang San.
In that critical moment, Tang San decisively unleashed the Sea God Trident.
It was the powerful third move of the Golden Thirteen Halberds: One Goes Without Return.
The Sea God Trident, trailing a brilliant, semi-illusory golden light, seemed to pierce effortlessly through the void itself, actually penetrating Lin Mu's Lightning Spear. Its raw power far exceeded any ordinary ninth soul skill.
Instantly, the violently exploding lightning filled the entire arena, even causing some minor structural damage to the spectator area outside.
Before anyone could fully react, another incredibly loud bang came from the center of the arena.
After the blinding lightning finally dissipated, everyone could clearly see the scene in the arena.
Lin Mu had casually grabbed the Sea God Trident with one bare hand, its sharp tip resting almost flush against his armor.
Although the devastating attack was blocked, a massive, deep trench had appeared beneath Lin Mu's feet, tearing completely through the sturdy arena floor.
This clearly showed just how terrifyingly powerful the attack truly was; if it had been any other Titled Douluo facing it, they would have been instantly blasted to dust.
It was truly worthy of being a divine skill personally taught by the Sea God.
And this was only the first three moves of the Golden Thirteen Halberds. The Sea God hadn't taught Tang San the remaining ten moves yet, strictly saying he'd only teach them after Tang San successfully became a god.
"Little San, you don't even have a weapon anymore. Now it's my turn to make a move."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Mu immediately planted the Sea God Trident firmly into the ground and unleashed a rapid, merciless series of punches directly at Tang San.
Seeing this brutal display, Ning Fengzhi's eyes twitched slightly. He turned to Sword Douluo beside him and said quietly, "Uncle Sword, don't you think Lin Mu has become increasingly cruel lately?"
"Just a bit, actually. Perhaps it's simply his unique teaching method," Sword Douluo said calmly.
To outsiders, Lin Mu's training methods certainly seemed excessively cruel.
But in reality, he deliberately held back his true power with every single punch; this was all specifically designed to brutally stimulate Tang San's hidden potential.
After all, he had personally shattered the previous evolutions of the Eight Spider Lances to force them to grow stronger.
Several days later...
The Star Luo Empire surprisingly sent a formal delegation to Heaven Dou City, led by none other than their Crown Prince, Dai Weisi.
Sending the Crown Prince himself to a technically enemy nation clearly indicated their desperate, ulterior motives.
Faced with the Spirit Empire's massive, continent-wide conscription of soul masters, the Star Luo Empire was utterly unable to withstand the relentless onslaught and had already lost considerable swathes of valuable territory.
To avoid complete annihilation, the Star Luo Empire desperately needed to find a strong ally.
In just three short years, the political situation on the continent had drastically changed.
The proud Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had been completely destroyed by Spirit Hall.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had become firmly allied with the Heaven Dou Empire.
And the reclusive Clear Sky Clan had officially become the Hammer Hall, operating directly under the jurisdiction of the Wuji Sect.
The once world-renowned Upper Three Sects were now long gone, and the new Seven Great Sects were essentially all obedient lackeys of the Spirit Empire.
However, these new Seven Great Sects were largely ineffective in grand warfare. Apart from the Wind Sword Sect, the other six sects all used beast souls, earning them the mocking nickname "the zoo."
After careful consideration of their dire situation, the Heaven Dou Empire was the Star Luo Empire's only viable ally.
Guided by a receiving minister, Dai Weisi led Zhu Zhuyun straight into the imperial palace, proceeding directly to the main audience hall.
At the exact same time, Lin Mu and Qian Renxue arrived from the inner palace chambers.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, General Lin Mu."
The moment the two appeared, everyone in the hall bowed deeply and respectfully, even the proud Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.
In the past, they might not have needed to be so polite, but now they desperately needed their help and had to show the absolute proper attitude.
Otherwise, delaying crucial national affairs would be an unforgivable fault on their heads.
"Rise," Qian Renxue said regally, sitting down on the ornate dragon throne. Her right hand elegantly supported her chin, her sharp gaze sweeping calmly over Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.
Compared to their time at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament several years ago, both of their soul power had improved considerably, almost breaking through to the Soul Saint realm.
They were indeed rare geniuses.
At this moment, Dai Weisi stepped confidently forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the actions of the Spirit Empire are becoming increasingly rampant and unchecked. Only by combining the formidable efforts of our two great empires can we hope to stop the Spirit Empire's evil deeds."
These bold words sparked a sudden flurry of hushed discussion among the gathered crowd, but Qian Renxue and Lin Mu remained entirely calm and composed.
It was no secret that the Spirit Empire was aggressively recruiting massive armies of soldiers; they already knew this well.
The reason the Star Luo Empire was so restless and eager was simply because they had suffered the heaviest losses by far.
"Dai Weisi, I know full well that your Star Luo Empire is currently in a very difficult situation."
Changing her tone abruptly, Qian Renxue's red lips curled into a cold, calculating smile as she said calmly, "But what does that have to do with me? The complete destruction of your Star Luo Empire might not actually be a bad thing for me at all."
Hearing this callous response, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun's expressions changed drastically, their hearts immediately sinking.
From a purely strategic perspective for the Heaven Dou Empire, it would be best if both the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Empire severely weakened each other in a bloody war, allowing Heaven Dou to effortlessly reap the benefits later.
"Your Majesty, don't you know the old saying: if the lips are gone, the teeth will soon grow cold? If our Star Luo Empire is destroyed, the Heaven Dou Empire might not be able to defeat the Spirit Empire alone," Dai Weisi's words carried a clear, underlying threat.
However, Qian Renxue remained entirely unconvinced, confidently stating, "With our Grand General in charge, the Heaven Dou Empire is completely secure."
Dai Weisi opened his mouth to argue, but couldn't find a single logical rebuttal.
After all, he knew very well that this was an undeniable fact.
The Spirit Empire absolutely dared not launch a large-scale invasion of the Heaven Dou Empire's core territory precisely because they deeply feared Lin Mu's terrifying strength.
A moment later, Qian Renxue suddenly changed the subject, saying mockingly, "How about this: you offer up the Crown Princess to me, and I'll actually consider forming an alliance."