"Good! Then let's do it!"
No one present raised any objections to Xuan Zi's arrangements. On the contrary, their eyes burned with fanatic excitement, as though long-suppressed hatred was finally about to be repaid in full.
In the eyes of these powerhouses from the Three Great Empires, as long as they could cripple the Sun Moon Empire's foundation and erase the looming threat that was Liu Yuan, any sacrifices—or any methods—were acceptable.
With that, the final battle plan was quickly confirmed.
The allied forces rapidly dispersed within the stone forest of the northwestern outskirts. A portion of their combat power, drawn from the Titled Douluo secretly dispatched by the Star Luo imperial family, was assigned to carry out the first phase of the operation.
They donned pre-prepared pitch-black robes and used special techniques to conceal their original spirit power fluctuations. Disguised as Evil Soul Masters, they slipped past the outer patrol lines under cover of night and silently infiltrated Mingdu City.
Meanwhile, Xuan Zi, Poison Undying, and the remaining main force continued to lie in wait beyond the city.
They suppressed every trace of presence, like predatory beasts crouched in the darkness, their gazes fixed firmly on Mingdu.
The moment chaos erupted and drew the attention of the Sun Moon Empire's high command and core Soul Engineer legions, they would strike without mercy.
Time ticked by, minute after minute.
Then, piercing screams tore through the stillness of the night.
The Star Luo Titled Douluo had made their move.
To fully play the role of "Evil Soul Masters" and maximize panic, they cast aside all dignity befitting top-tier powerhouses and launched indiscriminate slaughter in Mingdu's streets and residential districts.
Spirit power flared wildly in the darkness. Every flash of light claimed multiple civilian lives.
Buildings collapsed amid thunderous explosions, and the once-quiet streets were instantly engulfed in flames.
All of this was clearly perceived by Liu Yuan, who stood silently on the terrace of the Duke's Mansion, his perception spread across the city.
He stood in the shadows, emerald-green hair stirred by the night wind. The distant fires were reflected in his eyes—cold, emotionless.
"Massacring civilians?" Liu Yuan's voice was low and icy, filled with undisguised contempt for these so-called 'leaders of the righteous path.'
"To weaken an opponent, they're willing to sink this low."
"They preach about protecting the continent, yet commit acts no different from Evil Soul Masters. What difference is there between them and the beasts of the Holy Spirit Cult?"
Beside him, the ice-blue phantom of the Snow Empress slowly manifested. She gazed toward the distant chaos and spoke calmly, "The Star Luo Empire's people have begun their operation."
"According to their plan, now that the bait has been thrown out, Xuan Zi, Poison Undying, and the others lurking outside the city should be preparing to enter, shouldn't they?"
Liu Yuan let out a cold snort, clenching his fists as the Soul Core within him pulsed with a deep, steady rhythm.
"If they want to play, I'll play with them to the very end," he said coldly. "I just hope they don't regret it."
—
Outside Mingdu City, the flames and chaos within the city caused Xuan Zi, Poison Undying, and the remaining Star Luo Titled Douluo to grow visibly excited.
"The plan worked. Mingdu's defensive focus has been drawn inward," Xuan Zi said, madness flickering in his eyes. The decadence he once carried was gone, replaced entirely by dense killing intent. "Everyone, it's time to move."
"Let's go! Take that old Emperor's head!" Poison Undying roared. His Body Spirit was released instantly, jade-green spirit power surging like a raging tide.
The allied force immediately split into three groups.
Xuan Zi transformed into a streak of light and shot straight toward the Duke's Mansion—his target, Liu Yuan.
Poison Undying led the Body Sect elites, exploiting the gap torn open in Mingdu's defenses to force their way toward the Imperial Palace.
The final group—the Star Luo Empire's Titled Douluo—advanced rapidly toward Mingdu's core armory under the cover of night.
—
On the eastern side of Mingdu City lay the armory district.
As one of the Sun Moon Empire's lifelines, it stored massive quantities of high-grade fixed soul tool cannon shells and the most advanced combat mechas.
The Star Luo Titled Douluo weaved swiftly between guard posts. To their surprise, the defenses here were far weaker than expected.
Aside from a few low-level Soul Engineers patrolling the perimeter, the core area didn't even have its Spiritual Monitoring Network fully activated.
"It looks like our bait worked," the leading Titled Douluo whispered, barely containing his excitement.
"There's practically no real defense here. Once we blow this place up, we'll have accomplished an unprecedented feat!"
Exchanging glances, they began condensing their spirit power, preparing to detonate the unstable energy devices the instant they entered the warehouse and annihilate it completely.
In their minds, they were already envisioning the immense rewards and honors the Star Luo Emperor would bestow upon them.
But just as they were about to take the final step forward—
The surrounding air suddenly turned viscous.
"So many distinguished guests arriving late at night without even announcing yourselves," an elegant yet chilling voice echoed through the void. "That's rather impolite, don't you think?"
In the next instant, countless golden searchlights flared to life, bathing the previously dark armory in blinding daylight.
At the center of the lights, Jing Hongchen stepped out calmly from the shadows, dressed in his red high-ranking Soul Engineer robes.
Behind him, dozens of heavily armored elite Soul Engineers spread out in formation, each holding Rank 8 or Rank 9 soul tool ray cannons radiating lethal fluctuations.
At the same time, the Death Light Formation laid beneath the ground activated instantly. Dense infrared locking beams snapped into place, completely covering the Star Luo Titled Douluo.
The attackers froze on the spot.
The excitement and greed on their faces solidified in an instant, quickly replaced by sheer terror.
"How is this possible?!"
"How did they know we were coming? This was prepared in advance!"
"Our spirit power… it's being suppressed. Could it be—someone betrayed us?!"
The leading Titled Douluo stared at Jing Hongchen's composed smile, a bone-chilling cold spreading through his heart.
If there hadn't been a betrayal, how could Jing Hongchen have appeared here ahead of time—waiting with a perfect ambush?
But who… could it have been?
Seeing their expressions, Jing Hongchen sneered.
"Very well. Since you're all going to die here anyway, I'll let you die knowing the truth."
"The one who sold you out—"
"—was Elder Xuan of Shrek Academy."