Chapter 556: Silver Dragon King, Part Six
Di Tian reflexively nodded once more, but his face darkened as he scanned the book covers Ye Wen had placed before him:
On Becoming a Qualified LeaderThe Thirty Six Stratagems of KingshipRational Resource AllocationAdvanced Mathematics
It felt like some strange materials had snuck in, but Di Tian understood Ye Wen's intent. And, just like that, he became certain that Ye Wen truly bore no ill will toward the soul beasts. His earlier misgivings faded away, and with deep respect, Di Tian bowed to Ye Wen in sincere thanks. Upon reflection, he recognized that his master did indeed have some "immaturity."
In her deep slumber, the Silver Dragon King had no idea her subordinate was inwardly critiquing her. Though she had slept for tens of thousands of years before, she was now more at peace than ever, slipping into a rare, profound sleep.
Ye Wen's plan to cultivate soul beasts into godhood wasn't without limitations. Even though the Great Star Dou Forest had shrunk in this era, the number of 100,000 year soul beasts had increased. Transforming all of them at once would surely draw the Divine Realm's attention. Thus, only a select group of fierce beasts would undergo transformation in the initial phase.
As he observed a group of young boys and girls, Ye Wen smiled with satisfaction. These newly transformed disciples would, of course, have their auras hidden, and remain unseen by the outside world. A sudden appearance of such a large number of unparalleled geniuses would instantly arouse suspicion.
Ye Wen also refrained from transforming the soul beasts from the Extreme North into human form. Naturally, he had his reasons. While there were certainly human prodigies, they were few compared to the thousands of years of cultivation held by 100,000 year soul beasts. Huo Yu'er, for instance, would need a sizable contingent of her own loyal followers to balance relations between humans and soul beasts, preventing unnecessary conflicts and prejudice from escalating.
With her Ice Sky Snow Empress martial soul as a bridge, Huo Yu'er could easily command the soul beasts of the Extreme North in the future. Additionally, through the sacrifices of the beast kings there, Huo Yu'er's path to high god king status would be more accessible, setting the foundation for harmony between the two races over the eons to come.
With this blueprint for the future, Ye Wen was highly satisfied. After all, it was a strategy he had used in his own journey. However, he couldn't shake off one concern whether the two individuals who inherited the Good and Evil God Thrones had already attained the status of supreme god kings. It wasn't that Ye Wen feared them, but it felt like a potential hassle waiting in the wings.
Returning to Tianxing Academy, Ye Wen found himself at leisure once more. As a neutral institution, Tianxing Academy didn't engage in the same busybody activities as Shrek Academy, allowing for more tranquility. Ironically, this neutrality had boosted the academy's standing on both Douluo and Sun Moon continents.
The appeal of such an institution was self explanatory; the major empires all wanted a truly impartial academy. Without Shrek's sheer muscle, it wouldn't be half as prominent!
During this period, the Advanced Soul Master Tournament took place once more. The results were unsurprising: even though Shrek and the other empires had adopted Ye Wen's soul armor technology, replicating it was far from simple. And even for those who managed, it didn't matter much, as Huo Yu'er had already reached Soul Sage level.
It was well known that soul masters with ultimate elements experienced a significant leap in power before and after becoming Soul Sages. For them, reaching Soul Sage not only accelerated their cultivation but also granted them immense strength.
All in all, that year's tournament was essentially Huo Yu'er dominating every battle, securing the championship for Tianxing Academy. With the competition held every five years, Huo Yu'er would be able to repeat this feat as an 18 year old Soul Sage, firmly establishing Tianxing as the leading academy. An 18 year old ultimate element Soul Sage had set an unprecedented record on the continent.
While some suspected Huo Yu'er of following an evil path, knowledgeable soul masters would immediately retract such claims after sensing the purity of her soul power. Spreading rumors about a future Title Douluo was a dangerous endeavor!
The more perceptive among the empire's leaders recognized Huo Yu'er's potential as a future Peerless Douluo, much like Shrek had done in cultivating its lineage of godlike warriors. Although the empires attempted to recruit Huo Yu'er, she consistently and firmly declined, upholding her neutral stance. In the end, they had no choice but to drop the matter, thankful that she wasn't joining a rival.
Meanwhile, several members of Shrek nursed bitter feelings following the tournament. Beibei and Xu Sanshi had been thoroughly trounced, painfully reminded of the gulf in power between themselves and the likes of Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, leaving them feeling utterly dejected.
However, one man remained steadfast in his resolve.
"Huo Yu'er, you truly are the woman I set my eyes on. Just wait; I'll prove myself worthy." Tang Wulin muttered with unwavering determination, his gaze fiery and unbroken despite his defeat. Twice now, his divine aspirations had been thwarted by Ye Wen. And whenever he sought to boost his cultivation, he discovered his precious herb stash had been stripped bare. Yet, none of this would shake his resolve.
Though Tang Wulin had yet to attain Huo Yu'er's level as a Soul Sage, the depth of the Hao Tian Sect's resources had enabled him to reach Soul Emperor status as a recognized prodigy. Yet, even with his exceptional talent, he remained eclipsed by Huo Yu'er, the favored child of fate.
But this disparity only fueled Tang Wulin's competitive spirit. As the son of destiny, he wouldn't be disheartened by setbacks; instead, he saw them as divine trials to overcome.
Thanks to the resources of the Hao Tian Sect, the Tang Sect which had once been on the brink of extinction had reemerged with a renewed reputation on Douluo. The Hao Tian Sect members were understandably frustrated that their resources were being used to support a rival sect, but they had no choice but to accept it under the unquestionable authority of their new Sect Masters.
After delving into soul device technology, Tang Wulin understood that the era of hidden weapons had passed. Without modernization, the Tang Sect would be left behind. Boldly, he lifted the restrictions on hidden weapons, opening up the schematics. Although the basics had long been understood by various powerful factions, the fusion of hidden weapons with soul technology breathed new life into the Tang Sect.
As the flames of war reignited across the continents, even though Tang Sect's soul tools were merely satisfactory, the empires, eager for any wartime advantage, purchased them without hesitation. Tang Wulin couldn't help but bask in his self proclaimed brilliance.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 557: The Fall of Douling
The Star Luo–Sun Moon Frontline
On this day, the Star Luo Empire's military once again tasted the overwhelming terror of soul guided artillery. After decades of preparation, the Sun Moon Empire had amassed an arsenal of soul guided shells so vast it numbered in the billions, regardless of level.
As tens of thousands of low tier soul guided shells launched in unison and descended like a tidal wave, the Star Luo Empire's frontline was engulfed in their deadly shadow. Though Star Luo had fortified their perimeter with extensive island wide defense barriers, the sheer firepower the Sun Moon Empire brought shattered them in moments. In under three rounds, the once stalwart soul island shields had splintered and collapsed.
The Star Luo defenses were swiftly transformed into a hellish landscape, filled with the metallic stench of scorched earth and strewn with shattered limbs. The White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao, observed the devastation with a grim face; even as a 94th level Title Douluo, he was helpless in the face of such ruthless artillery.
"Send word to withdraw and fortify the defenses," he commanded. "Also, get reinforcements from the capital! We can't afford to lose this line!"
While Dai Hao was often tactical in his ambitions, they were always grounded in the foundation of a stable Star Luo Empire. If it fell, all his efforts would be for naught, no matter how sharp his strategies or how strong his troops.
Fortunately, the first wave of missiles from the Sun Moon Empire had been primarily low tier. As a result, most of Star Luo's high ranking officers remained intact, nearly all of them surviving. But as the day wore on, the second wave of warfare ignited with even greater ferocity.
The Sun Moon Empire employed the same approach, bombarding the ground mercilessly with waves of shells. Yet Dai Hao quickly recognized the threat and ordered his fragmented forces to form defensive units. Each squad deployed high level, single target soul guided shields. Though small in number and spread across the vast battlefield, each unit had the defensive capabilities of a Soul Sage or even Soul Douluo.
Despite these precautions, however, the relentless barrage still annihilated multiple squads. Watching from a distance, Dai Hao's face twisted with frustration as he muttered through gritted teeth, "Curse them! No wonder that defensive barrier shattered so quickly! They mixed high tier artillery into the onslaught, and now they're trying to pull the same stunt again! Do they really think the title of White Tiger War God is just for show?"
A ragged messenger rushed up to Dai Hao and reported, "General! The southern defensive line number three has been breached. The Sun Moon troops are advancing inward; please give us orders!"
Dai Hao's expression darkened further. Though the Star Luo Empire's royal family had changed, the noble structure remained intact, creating a bloated and unresponsive military chain. So, even though Star Luo was the second largest military power on the continent, it struggled to organize an effective counterattack against the Sun Moon Empire's surprise assault.
"Tell them to hold their ground! We're barely keeping it together here if they flee, the emperor will execute them all for treason!"
The frustration Dai Hao felt was palpable. When was the last time he had been forced into such a desperate situation? He could barely remember. Since ascending to his position, the Sun Moon Empire had mostly maintained a defensive stance, rarely initiating aggression. Over time, he'd almost forgotten the true might of their empire and had focused on bolstering the White Tiger Duke's mansion in secret.
But Dai Hao also harbored his own ambitions. Star Luo was no longer led by the Dai family; even though he was the Grand General, he considered only his own territory essential. As for the rest of the battlefields? Those were concerns for the Xu family, Star Luo's ruling clan.
"If the Xu family suffers enough losses, maybe the Dai family will have the chance to reclaim its glory," Dai Hao mused darkly.
There was no chivalry or honor in real warfare everything revolved around victory, and hence, war is the way of deceit. The Sun Moon Empire struck with relentless fury, giving Dai Hao no chance to regroup, pinning him down with relentless fire. Fortunately, the Xu family was neither incompetent nor idle, swiftly mobilizing support.
Though the Sun Moon Empire had also adopted Ye Wen's soul armor technology, their resources were selective. By contrast, both Star Luo and Tianhun empires had princesses studying under Ye Wen, not to mention many commoner students who had come seeking education at Tianxing Academy. Though the number of soul blacksmiths Ye Wen had trained was small compared to the population of soul masters, each Soul Sage significantly strengthened each nation's overall power.
The Star Luo front remained locked in a stalemate.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen lay serenely in a grove at Tianxing Academy, enjoying the evening breeze when his long distance communication device buzzed.
"Master, the Sun Moon Empire is planning to launch a surprise attack on the Douling Empire from the sea. Please inform Senior Sister Wei Na so she can make the necessary preparations."
Ye Wen nodded calmly. "Be cautious and remember to follow the plan. Don't burden yourself with worry."
"Yes, Master."
The soft beep of a disconnect followed. Though communication soul devices had reached early stages of development, none could match Ye Wen's cross continental communications. With Tangzi's own caution and Ye Wen's contingency measures, he had no concerns for her safety.
Ye Wen passed the message to Wei Na, initiating the battlefront on Tianhun's side.
Ye Wen had more than enough pawns to conquer the Douluo Continent. However, the goal wasn't to overwhelm it solely with outside powers. Huo Yu'er and her companions needed to carve out their legacies, gaining renown and momentum to create a new order that could challenge the continent's stubborn establishment.
Among the three empires, the Douling Empire was geographically the farthest from the Sun Moon Empire. Like Tianhun and Star Luo, Douling clung to its ancient nobility structure, weakened by prolonged peace and rife with corruption. The very next day, news reached Ye Wen that the Douling Empire had fallen.
Ye Wen was unsurprised by Douling's fragility, but a whole empire toppled in just a day? He couldn't help raising an eyebrow. Just how deep did the rot go?
Nonetheless, Douling had always been a region Ye Wen dismissed; he hadn't even taken a personal disciple there. Its collapse was inevitable.
After taking over Douling's territory, the Sun Moon Empire refrained from immediately advancing toward Tianhun or Star Luo. Their supply lines were stretched thin, and opening a new front would expose their vulnerabilities. Without their overwhelming supply of artillery, the soul guidance divisions were not invincible.
With Star Luo preoccupied, only able to monitor cautiously, Tianhun Empire took advantage of its position and boldly initiated hostilities. Yet, with Ye Wen's guidance and the Sun Moon's assault coming from the sea, Tianhun's forces did not risk pouring all their power into the Tianhun Douling border.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 558: The Arrival of the Supreme
As expected, not long after the Tianhun Empire began its war with the Sun Moon Empire, reports of Sun Moon attacks along Tianhun's coastline reached the capital. However, thanks to Tianhun's early preparations, the attacks were held off.
The Sun Moon Empire had not anticipated such a quick response from Tianhun. Yet, the commanding officers of the Sun Moon forces were no amateurs; they swiftly decided to double down on their assault, launching a relentless barrage of soul guided missiles. They managed to carve out a foothold on Tianhun's shores, setting the stage for a prolonged, grueling stalemate.
Tianhun Empire, though historically a major power, was not as fortified as the Star Luo Empire. Years of peace had softened it, and now it found itself deadlocked in two theaters of war.
But wars are never decided by low level soul guided weapons or common soldiers alone; they are won or lost by the powerhouses who stand atop the mountain the Title Douluo.
The former Douluo Continent now boasted over a hundred Title Douluo level soul masters. Although half of them belonged to various sects rather than the empires themselves, the scattered forces still collaborated and responded to the nations' draft orders in the face of total war. They knew that if the empires fell, their freedom would too. After all, no one wanted to be ruled by foreigners.
Once the initial defense stabilized, both the Star Luo and Tianhun Empires requested reinforcements from their own sects, igniting the conflict to new heights. Reports of cities razed to the ground soon followed.
This was the world of the extraordinary.
On the third day of war, however, came breaking news from the Sun Moon Empire: Emperor Xu had died, and Crown Prince Xu Tianran had ascended the throne.
The two empires on Douluo initially hoped this regime change would cause disorder, potentially allowing them to reclaim lost ground. However, the Sun Moon forces only intensified their ferocity, catching the Tianhun and Star Luo Empires off guard.
Ye Wen couldn't help but chuckle at the news. While he hadn't chosen Xu Tianran as an heir because of his excessive ambition, there was no denying that, despite being paralyzed from the waist down, he had nearly reached the level of a Title Douluo through sheer will. His determination and ruthlessness were unquestionable.
To secure his position, Xu Tianran had shown he could turn his blade even against his own kin. It was clear that a man like this was no mere puppet ruler.
Indeed, Sun Moon Empire's top protector, Kong Deming, cared little about who sat on the throne so long as his loyalty remained constant. And the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, Ye Xishui, Xu Tianran's sworn godmother, backed him as well.
With two Absolute Douluo supporting him, and Xu Tianran himself a meticulous strategist, Star Luo and Tianhun emperors were in for a bitter struggle.
As one who had reigned over the original world, Ye Wen knew well how wars consumed resources at an astonishing rate. Even with decades of amassed soul guided weaponry, the Sun Moon Empire couldn't afford to squander it.
And true enough, in less than two weeks, the Sun Moon Empire revealed its trump card.
On the Star Luo battlefield, two Level Ten Soul Engineers joined the front lines, directly facing the empire's strongest forces. Though a Level Ten Soul Engineer was not a true god, their power was enough to rival the extraordinary. Within minutes, several Star Luo Title Douluo had fallen.
Despite Ye Wen's influence providing Douluo Continent with technologies akin to "soul power batteries," the energy demands of a Level Ten soul guided weapon were astronomical. Faced with such fierce resistance, even the top level Kong Deming and Jing Hongchen had to exercise caution.
Meanwhile, the Star Luo Emperor grimly sat on his throne, realizing that the time had come to uphold his ancestors' mandate.
"Summon the Dragon God Douluo from Shrek!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." With the Sun Moon Empire's powerhouses wielding the strongest weaponry, even the proud Star Luo Emperor had to admit they needed external aid.
Tianhun Empire fared no better. Both of its fronts now faced an Ultimate Douluo.
The first, attacking from the former Douling Empire, was the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao, once known as one of the Twin Sacred Dragons. His martial soul, the Dark Sacred Dragon, made him a peerless powerhouse, rivaling even Mu En.
The second, coming from Tianhun's coastal front, was none other than the Holy Spirit Cult's Supreme Elder, Ye Xishui.
In some ways, Ye Xishui was more terrifying than Long Xiaoyao or Mu En. Not only was she an Ultimate Douluo, but she was also a Twin Martial Soul holder and a Level Nine Soul Engineer. With the soul guided knowledge Ye Wen had spread, Ye Xishui had even brushed the threshold of a Level Ten Soul Engineer, making her arguably the most formidable warrior of the era.
The people of Tianhun Empire did not recognize the poised, elegant woman, but her Blood Soul Puppet martial soul emanated an evil aura that left no doubt she was an enemy.
Despite her power, a figure emerged to confront her.
"Old hag, you will go no further." Du Busi's voice was cold.
Du Busi was well known as the leader of the Body Sect, the continent's premier sect. Though Ye Xishui's appearance remained beautiful, her voice was raspy with age.
"Du Busi, step aside now, and I might spare your Body Sect. But if you insist on challenging me, I promise to annihilate every last one of you."
Du Busi responded with laughter that rang through the battlefield.
"Wipe out my Body Sect? Don't be so arrogant, you old crone!"
In an instant, Du Busi's aura erupted. Two yellow, two purple, two black, and three red spirit rings appeared a terrifying display that lifted the spirits of Tianhun's forces.
As Du Busi activated his martial soul, the plant life within a thousand mile radius withered, leaving the land desolate, as if in the grip of a dire calamity. Fortunately, Tianhun's forces were familiar with Du Busi's deadly aura, and the low ranked soldiers and soul masters had evacuated before he arrived, leaving only elite forces on site.
Ye Xishui remained unfazed by the spectacle.
"Mere parlor tricks," she muttered.
When she activated her own martial soul, six black and three red rings appeared, leaving Tianhun's side momentarily speechless. Some of the more experienced soul masters felt a wave of recognition.
"She... she's the Death God Douluo, Ye Xishui!"
The crowd erupted in shock. Among the high level soul masters, stories of her power were well known. Unconsciously, the strongest retreated a few steps, wary of being caught in the impending clash.
Here stood a legendary powerhouse from the same era as Dragon God Douluo and Dragon Emperor Douluo. Whether she was at level 98 or something more, one thing was certain her mere aura could easily kill anyone within its reach.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 559: Death God vs. The Body Sect
A fiery glint filled Du Busi's eyes. Since pledging allegiance to Ye Wen, he hadn't faced an opponent that pushed him to his limits. Now was the time.
"Let's make an entrance!" he shouted.
With those words, Du Busi unleashed his full power, charging at Ye Xishui like a green flash of light.
"Secret Art of the Six Forms: Six Kings Poison Dragon Spear!"
As the wielder of a Body Spirit, Du Busi possessed innate advantages when mastering the Six Forms technique. He had quickly attained mastery, and under Ye Wen's guidance, he had even learned advanced techniques. He was eager to test the true power of his new skills.
Ye Xishui maintained a calm exterior, but inwardly, she was taken aback by his strength. With her discerning eye, she could tell that this move was at an Absolute Douluo's level, and she couldn't afford to underestimate it.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Blood Domain Barrier!"
Scarlet blood surged from beneath her feet, solidifying into a massive shield in front of her.
The collision of their powers sent waves of soul force crashing outwards, forcing soul masters miles away to seek cover, lest they be blown away by the impact.
Du Busi's brow furrowed slightly. He had confidence that his attack could shatter a 100,000 year soul skill, and yet Ye Xishui's defenses were proving formidable.
But as Ye Wen's chosen weapon against the Sun Moon Empire's Absolute Douluo, Du Busi had far more up his sleeve than this.
"Secret Art of the Six Forms: Enhanced Six Kings Poison Dragon Spear Flowing Water Blast!"
Bringing his body into perfect alignment, Du Busi adjusted the Six Kings Poison Dragon Spear, giving it a smoother, more fluid form. This refined strike pierced through the Blood Domain Barrier with ease.
In seconds, Ye Xishui's defensive skill shattered into fragments.
"Hahaha! Old hag, your defenses aren't so tough after all!" Du Busi taunted, diving downward, intending to finish her off.
Ye Xishui, however, remained eerily calm, her phoenix like eyes coldly fixed on him.
An alarm flared in Du Busi's instincts.
"It's a trap!"
Ye Xishui's second martial soul, the Blood Soul Puppet, was a unique and fearsome evil spirit. As its name suggested, it granted her power over blood and souls alike. Ye Xishui raised her right hand, making a grasping motion.
"Die here, Du Busi! Ninth Soul Skill: Blood Prison Deicide!"
In an instant, the remnants of her shattered Blood Domain Barrier transformed into countless razor sharp blades, each one streaking toward Du Busi.
The attack seemed straightforward, but Du Busi's sharp eyes picked up on the threat they weren't merely blades; they also carried a mental attack component. And worse, he could sense a potent poison laced within them.
Even with his high resistance to toxins, Du Busi knew he couldn't ignore the threat, especially against an unfamiliar poison.
High above the battlefield, Du Busi found himself surrounded by blades with nowhere to hide.
For the first time, Du Busi regretted his own recklessness. But giving up was not in his nature.
In the original timeline, he'd once attempted to assassinate Xu Tianran, even willing to self detonate to complete his mission. It was proof of his resolve and fearlessness.
"Iron Body Extreme Reinforcement!"
"Second Awakening of the Golden Body Martial Soul!"
Du Busi unleashed every ounce of his strength.
The clash of metal reverberated throughout the battlefield, and for the first time, a frown appeared on Ye Xishui's face.
"Stubborn old fool. But let's see if you can withstand this!" Ye Xishui muttered, her voice laced with malice.
As her ninth skill's blood blades dissolved back into liquid, she employed the power of her forbidden blood magic, turning the weapons back into a viscous liquid that ensnared Du Busi. It felt like being bound in iron chains that had suddenly become as flexible as vines. Ye Xishui's Death God powers were on full display.
Ultimately, Ye Xishui's true strength lay in the forbidden arts she mastered, arts that weren't limited by soul skills alone. This Blood Melting Art was one of her most sinister abilities, using blood refined through dark rituals to devour opponents.
Yet, even entangled in the dense blood, Du Busi's brilliant golden aura continued to shine through.
"Incredible, he's still alive… It seems he's not an ordinary Absolute Douluo," Ye Xishui murmured to herself.
Ye Xishui's gaze remained unwavering. Unlike other Absolute Douluo like Mu En, who had been beaten down, or Long Xiaoyao, who had become mired in romance, Ye Xishui's hatred had only sharpened her focus over the years, keeping her in peak condition.
Clenching her right hand tighter, Ye Xishui increased the pressure. If her Blood Melting Art couldn't end Du Busi, she would simply amplify its strength.
But just as she did, she felt a sudden spike in her spirit sense.
"What?! From Du Busi?"
Inside the blood cocoon, Du Busi's body flared with brilliant lights lights that grew brighter and more intense with each passing second. Ye Xishui could sense his aura growing exponentially stronger.
When the light finally turned a shade of red that matched her blood cocoon, realization struck her.
"He's detonating his rings!"
The Hao Tian Sect had been hidden from the world for so long that people had nearly forgotten it had once ruled supreme. Its famed "Ring Detonation" technique was now almost a thing of legend.
Ye Xishui's blood cocoon struggled to contain Du Busi.
With all nine rings detonated, combined with his Golden Body's second awakening, Du Busi emerged from the cocoon, radiating an aura that was almost divine in its power. The sheer force of it left even Ye Xishui momentarily breathless.
"How did his strength increase to such terrifying levels?" she wondered, shaken.
In the moment it took her to process his transformation, Du Busi was already upon her.
No time to think Ye Xishui instinctively raised her defenses as Du Busi, his face twisted with fury, delivered a mighty punch.
Her mind blank, Ye Xishui felt a wave of dread; she knew she couldn't withstand the attack.
On instinct alone, Ye Xishui activated her Martial Soul True Body, hoping to absorb the impact.
Yet, even as an Absolute Douluo, she was no match for Du Busi in his near godlike state. Her Martial Soul True Body shattered as she was sent hurtling through the air.
The battlefield fell silent as both Tianhun and Sun Moon forces bore witness to Du Busi's overwhelming power.
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 560: Heavenly Cauldron vs. Dragon Emperor
Even from hundreds of kilometers away on the Tianhun Douling battlefront, they could faintly sense the terrifying aura reverberating across the land.
Just as he was preparing to lead a siege, Long Xiaoyao's expression darkened as he looked toward Ye Xishui's direction.
"Whose aura is that? This soul power fluctuation might even surpass Mu En... This is bad! Ye Xishui could be in danger."
The thought of Ye Xishui in danger shattered Long Xiaoyao's calm demeanor. Unfurling a massive pair of black wings, he prepared to fly straight toward her to protect his beloved.
But the next instant, a massive gravitational force descended upon him, causing him to stagger and momentarily halt.
"Who's there?!" he demanded.
Whoever wielded this kind of power, able to affect him so drastically, was no ordinary person. Despite his worry for Ye Xishui, Long Xiaoyao was forced to proceed cautiously.
As the elegant, scholarly looking man appeared before him, Long Xiaoyao searched his memory but couldn't recognize him.
"I don't care who you are; I have urgent business! If you insist on blocking me, I'll fight you to the death."
Yet the refined man before him remained unshaken, as calm as still water.
"Greetings, Dragon Emperor. I am Xiao Ding, Grand Elder of the Tianxing Sect, here at Tianhun Empire's request to intercept you. I ask that you give us some courtesy and go no further," he said, voice steady.
Seeing the man's unruffled demeanor, Long Xiaoyao's face grew darker. The distant aura was unmistakably that of an intense soul power, and it meant something was very wrong.
"Tianxing Sect? Isn't Tianxing Academy a neutral faction? Why are you involving yourself in this war? Don't you fear that the Sun Moon Empire will seek retribution once this war ends?" Long Xiaoyao challenged.
Xiao Ding shrugged dismissively. "The Tianxing Sect is a martial sect, unlike the indiscriminately inclusive Tianxing Academy. And according to imperial law, martial sects are to cooperate with the empire's efforts during wartime. So, Dragon Emperor, your accusation holds no ground."
Long Xiaoyao gave a bitter laugh, seeing through the reasoning. "Enough nonsense! I don't care who you are! Anyone who stands in my way will die!"
His fury ignited, Long Xiaoyao unleashed his sixth soul skill: Dark Dragon Roar Wave.
Though it didn't rival Di Tian's Ultimate Darkness, this technique could reduce most soul masters to ash upon contact.
But Xiao Ding was anything but ordinary.
An ancient, weathered cauldron materialized before Xiao Ding, standing like an unmovable shield that absorbed the impact head on.
As the cauldron emerged, so did Xiao Ding's soul rings: two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red.
This man was none other than Xiao Xiao's father, Xiao Ding, Vice Principal of Tianxing Academy and the Grand Elder of Ye Wen's newly established Tianxing Sect.
Long Xiaoyao's attack had merely been a distraction. His true goal was to break away and rush to aid Ye Xishui.
"Leaving after striking your opponent? You think too little of me," Xiao Ding said coldly.
Xiao Ding's sixth soul ring glowed, summoning immense gravitational force that pinned Long Xiaoyao to the ground.
Long Xiaoyao's face twisted in frustration as a murderous aura erupted around him. His own soul rings glowed fiercely two yellow, two purple, three black, and two red.
Xiao Ding's soul rings couldn't match the impressive configuration of Long Xiaoyao's, which included one more hundred thousand year ring. But Xiao Ding was no ordinary soul master. Resurrected and strengthened by Ye Wen, his foundation was solid, and he wasn't backing down.
"You forced my hand, you fool! Today, I'll show you why I am the Dragon Emperor, known as the equal of Dragon God Douluo Mu En! Seventh Soul Skill: Saint Dragon True Body!"
In an instant, a colossal black dragon appeared where Long Xiaoyao had stood. Although simpler in appearance compared to Di Tian's Golden Eyed Black Dragon King, its sharp claws and the chilling aura of Ultimate Darkness instilled fear in the hearts of onlookers.
This was the power of the Black Saint Dragon.
Yet, Xiao Ding remained undeterred.
In the early stages, Beast Soul Masters indeed had the advantage over Tool Soul Masters. However, once they reached the Soul Sage level, the dynamics shifted. That's when Tool Soul Masters gained the advantage through the augmentation provided by their True Spirit Forms.
Anyone who could reach Absolute Douluo status naturally possessed a powerful martial soul on par with the Black Saint Dragon.
"Seventh Soul Skill: True Form of the Heavenly Cauldron!"
The three legged, two eared cauldron floated in midair, exuding an overwhelming sense of weight. Its presence alone, even without any soul skill activated, was enough to make those around it tremble.
Several veteran soul masters from the Tianhun Empire recognized the cauldron. After all, Xiao Ding's near legendary feats back when he was at level 98 were still remembered across the empire. If it hadn't been for that disastrous beast tide, he would likely have attained a status on par with Mu En.
Seeing him here on the battlefield, however, raised some questions among those who remembered him. Hadn't it been reported that Xiao Ding perished years ago?
This puzzlement was quickly set aside, though. For whatever reason, if Xiao Ding had returned to fight for the Tianhun Empire, it was a welcome turn of events.
Ye Wen's decision to send Xiao Ding into action had its reasoning. In the war against the beasts, Xiao Ding had perished, his body completely obliterated by Di Tian a fate that left no remains to be recovered. This allowed for plausible deniability, making his return a strategic way to reinforce Tianhun's standing while maintaining the delicate balance Ye Wen sought to achieve.
As Xiao Ding and Long Xiaoyao clashed, the true strength of the Heavenly Cauldron was revealed.
Unlike Xiao Xiao, who favored control techniques, Xiao Ding's Three Lives Soul Calming Cauldron was a hybrid of control and brute force. Under the gravitational pull of Xiao Ding's soul skills, the Black Saint Dragon was forced to fight on the ground, denied the freedom of the skies and forced into close combat with Xiao Ding.
Long Xiaoyao's claws slashed across the cauldron, producing sparks, yet they left not a single scratch on its ancient surface.
Xiao Ding wasn't content to merely defend. As a seasoned Absolute Douluo, honed under Ye Wen's guidance, his physical abilities were on par with the best.
Gathering his soul power around the cauldron, Xiao Ding began to spin it with dizzying speed.
"Eighth Soul Skill: Heaven Star Quake + Primordial Force!"
The cauldron, propelled by both his powerful control skill and the unique Primordial Force technique, turned into a spinning juggernaut. The massive cauldron seemed to multiply, leaving afterimages as it smashed into Long Xiaoyao, who couldn't react in time and was sent flying by the impact.
(End of Chapter)
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