The Spirit Hall, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Heaven Dou Empire.
Whether in high-end combat power or low-end forces, they held an absolute advantage.
After Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan poisoned and incapacitated the Star Luo Empire's army of over a million.
Dozens of Title Douluo swept through like a storm, winning battle after battle and capturing countless cities. They were on the verge of descending upon Star Luo City, the heart of the Star Luo Empire.
Although half the territory had yet to be taken, their straight thrust toward Star Luo City—the central hub of the Star Luo Empire—already demonstrated that the Heaven Dou Empire was fully capable of unifying the continent.
After all, with the Star Luo Empire's main army of over a million completely wiped out, reorganizing would not be easy.
"So this is the power of the quasi-god realm?"
Dressed in a black skirt, Zhu Zhuqing stood up. The outlines of the Netherworld White Tiger and Netherworld Spirit Cat appeared behind her.
Her self-martial soul fusion technique had now been fully completed.
At that moment, a black shadow appeared within the palace.
"Congratulations on breaking through to quasi-god, Star Luo Emperor Zhu Zhuqing."
"Since you've returned, it means we've lost, right?"
Gazing at the Wisdom Emperor in her black cloak, Zhu Zhuqing could faintly sense that the Wisdom Emperor's strength had increased considerably compared to the last time she had been rescued from Qian Daoliu's grasp.
"Mm. All the Title Douluo of the Haotian Sect have fallen. The remnants of Sea God Island have become history as well."
"They were too strong." The Wisdom Emperor sighed and handed a black light orb to Zhu Zhuqing. "These are the souls of Title Douluo. With your complete god position inheritance, absorbing them will be enough for you to become a god."
"But be careful of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi and the other three have a martial soul fusion technique with considerable strength. If it becomes impossible, just retreat!"
"They've already entered the trap. Even if something unexpected happens, opening the Abyss passage will suffice."
"Understood!"
The Rakshasa Scythe lightly lifted. The souls of the Title Douluo in the Wisdom Emperor's hand all hovered above the scythe before quickly falling into Zhu Zhuqing's grasp.
...
Inside the main camp.
"Sect Master Ning, the closer we get to Star Luo City, the more uneasy I feel." The speaker was Qian Daoliu.
Tomorrow they would assault Star Luo City. The Haotian Sect's Title Douluo had all perished, and the remaining forces of Sea God Island had become history.
Yet he still felt a vague sense of unease.
"The one who rescued Zhu Zhuqing before was probably not human."
"Across the entire continent, those who could reach quasi-god cultivation and still escape from Senior Qian Daoliu's grasp can be counted on one hand."
"You mean..." Ning Fengzhi's words left Qian Daoliu stunned.
"The black-robed figure might be an Abyss creature." Ning Fengzhi was also somewhat uncertain. The other's aura was completely different from typical Abyss creatures—it looked just like a genuine soul master.
"The Abyss!"
Qian Daoliu's pupils contracted. Finally, he understood the source of his unease.
Not long ago, Ning Rongrong had asked them to investigate the Abyss Wisdom Emperor, but they had found no clues. If there was any most likely place, it would be within the Star Luo Empire.
Moreover, opening an Abyss passage likely required a massive amount of blood sacrifice.
For example, in that other Sun Moon Continent, the fallen Tang San had revived using what seemed to be the Blood River God-Slaying Great Array that Ning Rongrong had mentioned.
"Not good!"
Qian Daoliu's pupils shrank. "Sect Master Ning, immediately prepare the army. I will go scout the situation in Star Luo City right now. If something unexpected happens, it could become a major problem."
"Understood!"
With those words, Qian Daoliu flew out through the window, intending to head toward Star Luo City at maximum speed.
However, he had not flown far before his mind suddenly tensed.
"Clang—"
The Angelic Holy Sword he condensed with soul power blocked the incoming attack. The holy sword instantly cracked. Scarlet blood sprayed from Qian Daoliu's mouth.
His entire body was sent flying backward and crashed to the ground, smashing out a deep crater.
"Boom!"
Qian Daoliu staggered to his feet.
"Pfft—"
"Rakshasa Scythe—you're Zhu Zhuqing!"
"As expected of the Spirit Hall's Grand Worshipper. You recognized me in an instant."
From the darkness, a figure revealed itself.
"I'm sorry—you're too late."
Dressed in a purple-black long skirt, Zhu Zhuqing hovered in midair. Her cold voice rang out faintly. The Rakshasa Scythe emanated an increasingly thick murderous aura.
This aura also drew the attention of the other Title Douluo in the camp.
Because Qian Daoliu had been intercepted before flying very far.
"Nearly thirty Title Douluo. I must say—for dealing with the Star Luo Empire..."
"You've really gone to great lengths!"
"Hmph. Usurping power in a coup, scheming against the Star Luo Empire—you ultimately failed!" The speaker was the Second Worshipper Golden Crocodile, who had already broken through to half-god realm.
"Pfft—" Zhu Zhuqing let out a light laugh. "Usurping power? Your Spirit Hall isn't much better than me. We're both half a catty to eight ounces. I simply refuse to submit to the original fate."
"Do you really think I don't know?"
"Qian Renxue was once Xue Qinghe, right? These things—as long as one puts in a little effort, a nation can still uncover some traces."
"The so-called righteous and glorious Spirit Hall is nothing more than that. And also..." Zhu Zhuqing's gaze shifted slightly.
"Sect Master Ning probably knew Qian Renxue's identity from the very beginning, didn't he? No—even if you didn't know at first, you certainly found out later."
"How pitiful. Emperor Xue Ye was manipulated from start to finish."
"You came here just to say these things?" Qian Daoliu's gaze grew grave as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing in her purple-black long skirt. In that instant earlier, he had actually sensed an unbeatable strength.
Could it be...
Qian Daoliu dared not continue the thought.
"No. I came to send you to your deaths."
The Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul manifested. On her queenly aura, the cat-eared girl form added an even greater succubus-like charm.
Yet this evil intent made everyone present dare not be careless.
Zhu Zhuqing's soul rings appeared.
Black, black, black, black, black, red, red, red, red, blue-gold.
"Ten soul rings—level 100 becoming a god!"
Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted sharply.
Not just him—even the Spirit Hall and Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect forces all tensed as if facing a great enemy.
"How is this possible? Your soul ring colors have changed—how could you become a god so quickly."
Golden Crocodile Douluo cried out in shock. They had investigated Zhu Zhuqing's talent thoroughly in both the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall. She could not compare to Qian Renxue—even among Shrek, she was not at the top.
Yet she had become a god faster than their young master.
"Then you should thank Bibi Dong. If not for her past accumulation, plus the Rakshasa God's rage at losing its inheritor, I could not have become a god so quickly."
"So—you all die here!"
"Divine Skill—Netherworld Slash"
The Rakshasa Scythe swung fiercely. Powerful netherworld aura instantly swept in all directions.
The scythe blade transformed into a devouring black vortex. Icy killing intent filled the sky.
The bone-piercing cold caused the surrounding temperature to plummet sharply.
Under the vast pressure, everyone felt an unbeatable sensation.
However, Sword Douluo and the others—who had weathered great storms—reacted first. Under Ning Fengzhi's buffs, Sword Douluo's ninth soul ring quickly lit up.
"Fusion Ring"
"Ninth Soul Skill—God-Devil Dual Slash, Sword Dao Chen Xin."
Sword Douluo's gaze focused. The long sword in his hand emitted a resonant sword cry. Sword qi shot forth like a rainbow piercing the sun, bursting with brilliant radiance.
The two sides' energies clashed and slowly held in opposition, buying time for the other Title Douluo to retreat.
Ning Fengzhi raised the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Its ninth soul ring shone.
"Ninth Soul Skill—Nine Treasure Invincible Divine Light"
Bone Douluo simultaneously unleashed his ninth soul skill, using spatial jumps to move the three—who had just finished releasing their skills—to a safer distance.
(End of chapter)