"You think you can stop me from leaving?!"
"Roar! The wrath of a True Dragon shakes the nine heavens!"
Old Heavenly Dragon completely unleashed his dragonic might. His massive soul power combined with the power of thunder to condense into nine giant thunder dragons.
Sealing off the skies above, the earth below, and all four directions, they completely locked down the area. If Liao Mengkai dared to dodge, it would mean the annihilation of the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion's soldiers.
Thus, Liao Mengkai had no choice but to forcefully receive the attack.
Lightning flashed, and the blade's aura trembled.
By the time the attacks ceased, the Old Heavenly Dragon was already nowhere to be seen, and even the chaotic camp gradually quieted down. However, Liao Mengkai's expression was incredibly ugly at this moment.
"Commander."
"Go! Tally the casualties of our legion!"
"Yes."
Just then, a series of noises suddenly rang out. Looking toward the source of the sound, a massive number of Sun Moon Empire soldiers were rushing over.
"Old Liao! How are the casualties?"
"Still tallying."
Liao Mengkai looked at the leading Class-9 Soul Engineer, gave a brief reply, and then said with bloodshot eyes: "They haven't retreated far. Lend me some troops; I will make them pay! A few Titled Douluo raided our camp, dealing a massive blow to our army's prestige, yet they escaped without a scratch! How can such an absurd thing happen in this world? If word of this gets out, our Sun Moon Empire will lose all face!"
"Assemble the army! Pursue them!"
This wasn't just to salvage their pride; if they could leave behind even a few Titled Douluo, the difficulty of taking the pass would be drastically reduced!
But what they didn't know was that the eighteen Titled Douluo who raided the camp hadn't returned to the city. Their so-called "retreat" was actually a signal to move on and raid the camp of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion.
And their seemingly returning strike caught the fully armed Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion completely off guard.
"Ninth Soul Skill—The Wrath of a True Dragon Shakes the Nine Heavens!"
"Ninth Soul Skill—Ultimate End!"
"Ninth Soul Skill—Green Flame Reaching the Sky, Dragon Shattering the Universe!"
"..."
"Enemy attack!"
The old woman leading the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion shouted loudly. Raising her right hand, a beam of orange-red light instantly shot into the sky, transforming into an orange-red protective barrier that expanded outward.
One orange-red figure after another also soared into the air, gathering together to activate a red barrier that continuously expanded outward.
The Linked Defensive Soul Tool, activated!
However, such a defense alone was nowhere near enough to withstand the sudden assault. After all, what was crashing down were the ninth soul skills of Titled Douluo. In that instant, everyone in the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion could smell the scent of death.
The leading old woman didn't hesitate, stepping forward! "Everyone, direct your attacks into the sky!"
Fire Phoenix Douluo Luan Feng. Martial soul: Fire Phoenix Sword. A Level 94 Titled Douluo, she was one of the most veteran Class-9 Soul Engineers of the Sun Moon Empire. Her overall strength was considered top-tier even among the Beast King-tier Soul Engineer Legions, perhaps even surpassing the Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen.
And she was precisely the commander of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion.
The Fire Phoenix Douluo didn't dare to hold back in the slightest. Raising both hands, a flash of light occurred as she retrieved a golden-red, phoenix-shaped soul tool from her storage device.
Although this peculiar soul tool wasn't very large, the moment it appeared, it emanated a scorching aura. Its intense golden-red light illuminated the surroundings with absolute clarity.
The fire phoenix was incredibly exquisite, and its eyes were like rubies. It was so lifelike that it seemed like a real phoenix.
With a grave expression, the Fire Phoenix Douluo slowly raised it. Then, her figure flashed as she shot out of the Linked Defensive Soul Tool Great Array.
The soul tool flared with an intense fiery-red light as rings of Soul Rings appeared around the Fire Phoenix Douluo, radiating outward. As she unfurled wings of flame, the intense firelight surged like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, converging into the soul tool in her hands.
At the same time, the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion demonstrated its elite nature. Under their commander's orders, all the soul engineer soldiers swiftly launched their attacks.
Numerous fiery-red beams spewed out almost simultaneously, converging in mid-air. It looked like the head of a fire phoenix crying out, soaring straight up to meet the soul skills raining down from the sky.
Boom—
A violent roar erupted in the sky!
But against the combined ninth soul skills or soul tool attacks of eighteen Titled Douluo, this assault was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. It was swiftly destroyed, failing to create even a single ripple.
Seeing this, the women of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion couldn't help but turn pale with fright. Their linked attack soul tools had always been renowned for being indestructible. When an entire Soul Engineer Legion joined forces, even if they were just channeling Level-4 soul tool Scorching Rays, the combined might was absolutely terrifying.
And for the enemy to withstand so many Scorching Rays, the true power of their attacks was simply unimaginable. Once those attacks fell from the sky, their entire Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion would be annihilated without a trace!
Realizing this, the Fire Phoenix Douluo's pupils shrank! "Everyone, scatter! Retreat!"
Compared to the entire legion being wiped out, preserving their strength was the priority!
"Ha—"
With a loud shout, the Fire Phoenix Douluo forcefully pushed both hands upward. Amidst a resounding phoenix cry, a fire phoenix was released from her hands. Flapping its brilliant phoenix wings, it soared up to meet the sky full of soul skills raining down.
This was the Class-9 soul tool forged by Luan Feng's own hands—
Phoenix Wings Sky Soar.
As a purely offensive soul tool, it could generate temperatures exceeding a thousand degrees and possessed immense explosive power. It was hailed as a disposable consumable among Class-9 soul tools, and the destructive power it unleashed was even greater than that of a standard Class-9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shell.
The Phoenix Wings Sky Soar erupted, like a Nirvana Phoenix spreading its wings. It charged into the ocean of soul skills and then violently detonated, setting off layers of scorching heatwaves!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion's Linked Defensive Barrier was torn to shreds like paper by the shockwaves of the exploding soul skills. Hundreds who failed to retreat in time were directly reduced to ash, and over half of the legion's camp was obliterated.
Mid-air, red light flickered.
The Fire Phoenix Douluo, Luan Feng, hovered in the air looking somewhat disheveled. Seeing the tragic state of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, her face turned ashen with rage.
The next second, Clang— The Fire Phoenix Sword was drawn, a cold gleam slicing past her cheek.
Yang Zihan stood there wielding her spear. With a flick of the shaft, she struck directly at the Fire Phoenix Douluo's face. Joining her in the assault were Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Qing Lan, completely sealing off all four directions.
Clearly, they had no intention of letting the Fire Phoenix Douluo leave here alive.
The remaining fourteen Titled Douluo targeted the remnants of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion. The fleeing soldiers couldn't escape the grasps of Titled Douluo; they were harvested like stalks of wheat.
Soon after, the Vice Commander of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion was struck by a bolt of lightning from the Old Heavenly Dragon, directly turning into a charred corpse.
"You bastards deserve to die!"
The Fire Phoenix Douluo's heart was bleeding! But as the Titled Douluo revealed themselves one by one, completely encircling her with a total of eighteen people, the last shred of hope in the Fire Phoenix Douluo's heart died.
She knew very well that she wouldn't be able to escape.
"Since I won't live, none of you will have it easy either!"
Another phoenix-shaped Class-9 soul tool was retrieved by her. As it lit up with fire, it resonated with the humanoid soul tool she wore, and the flames of the Fire Phoenix Sword in her hand surged violently!
The Fire Phoenix Douluo locked onto a single target. "Kill!"
Her nine Soul Rings pulsated one after another as her aura climbed to its absolute peak!
Seeing this, alarm bells rang in the minds of the Titled Douluo. This veteran Class-9 Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire had been driven into a corner; she was capable of anything now! Thus, Yang Zihan, Xian Lin'er, Cai Mei'er, and Qing Lan immediately shouted.
"Everyone, retreat—"
However, it was already too late.
Those with the highest cultivations reacted the fastest. But just as they retreated, the Fire Phoenix Douluo seemed to completely fuse with that Class-9 soul tool. Her body instantly swelled up, and under the illumination of the firelight, her entire person turned blood-red. With a massive boom, she simply detonated herself.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three consecutive explosions rang out. But the moment the sky-filling blood mist burst apart, it was vaporized by the skyrocketing temperatures and swept outward in all directions. Two Titled Douluo who failed to escape in time were directly engulfed. No matter how they struggled, their bodies were instantly ignited by the extreme heat, turning into charred corpses, and then into ash.
At the same time, several others were caught in the shockwave and suffered significant injuries.
And the commotion here also alerted the main Sun Moon camp.
Yang Zihan and the others didn't have time to overthink it. Although they had lost two Titled Douluo with many more injured, the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion had been completely wiped out, and the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion was half-crippled.
This time, it was worth it!
Thus, the remaining sixteen immediately fled far into the distance.
Meanwhile, with the Sun Moon Empire's pursuing forces.
"We've been duped!" With Jialuo Pass right before their eyes but no trace of the raiders, the leading general and the Terrorclaw Legion Commander, Liao Mengkai, one after another realized something was wrong.
Right at that moment, Boom— A massive explosion and brilliant fireworks suddenly erupted and bloomed in the distance behind them. Faintly, the silhouette of a fire phoenix could be seen soaring into the sky.
At that moment, they understood!
"The raiders' target was also the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion!"
"Not good!"
Sensing that something was amiss, Liao Mengkai was just about to order the army to reinforce them.
"No!" The Sun Moon general directly stopped Liao Mengkai. "In this amount of time, Luan Feng and the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion have likely already fallen. Even if we turn back now, it might be too late. Rather than running back and forth, it's better to set up an ambush here and wait for them like the farmer waiting by the tree stump!"
"Good!"
But just as they finalized their decision...
Swish—
Swish—
Swish—
...
Five streaks of fiery light tore through the night sky, fired directly from Jialuo Pass and raining down upon the Sun Moon Empire's army. They were unmistakably four Class-8 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells and one Class-9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shell.
The Sun Moon general seemed to have anticipated this. "Defensive formations!"
At his command, the soul engineers in the army immediately formed up. Simultaneously, the Class-8 and Class-9 Soul Engineers within the ranks sprang into action, deploying one defensive soul tool after another to block the incoming attacks from Jialuo Pass.
But immediately following that, streaks of fiery light continuously bombarded them. Under this overlapping fire coverage, they actually briefly suppressed the pursuing Sun Moon army. And that brief window of opportunity...
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Over a dozen streaks of flowing light suddenly shot across the night sky, surprisingly heading from the direction of the Sun Moon army's camp back toward Jialuo Pass.
Seeing this scene, Liao Mengkai and the others widened their eyes in disbelief!
Over a dozen Titled Douluo!?
It's over!
The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion was really wiped out!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Right behind the dozen or so Titled Douluo, over ten Class-8 Fixed Soul Guidance Shells tore through the air. Clearly, the commanders of the Sun Moon camp had locked onto their figures the moment they began their retreat. They were using this to intercept the fleeing raiders.
"Aim at them, fire!"
Instantly, thousands of soul guidance rays surged from the ground. From the sky and the earth, it seemed they were going to completely intercept the sixteen Titled Douluo.
However, at the very last second...
Buzz—
Buzz—
Buzz—
Several soul tool defensive barriers fully activated from the front of Jialuo Pass, completely shielding the sixteen Titled Douluo behind them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At this moment, the night seemed to have turned into day.
...
The next day, at the Sun Moon Camp.
"What did you just say?"
Kong Deming, who had only arrived at Jialuo Pass in the early hours of the morning, widened his eyes in disbelief. Even though his mental fortitude had reached an extraordinary level, when he heard the officers' report—that eighteen Titled Douluo had raided the camp last night, directly crippling the Terrorclaw Soul Engineer Legion, completely annihilating the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, and even resulting in the death of the Fire Phoenix Douluo—he could no longer contain himself.
Two Beast King-tier Soul Engineer Legions!
Gone in practically a single night!
Even for a massive empire like the Sun Moon Empire, this was a loss they absolutely could not endure! Not to mention, the Evil Lord Soul Engineer Legion had already been wiped out a while ago!
"You..."
Kong Deming was furious, yet he couldn't utter a single word.
In this moment, his gaze became exceptionally sharp!
"Men! Prepare to storm the pass!"
"This time, I will take the field personally!"
Following Kong Deming's command, the tens of thousands of troops of the Sun Moon Empire mobilized, marching toward Jialuo Pass.
At this exact moment, inside Jialuo Pass.
Li Shuai was currently mobilizing all the soldiers, soul engineers, and Soul Masters within the pass. Because the night raid had inflicted such heavy casualties on the Sun Moon army, they definitely wouldn't let it slide. They would likely launch their first wave of siege attacks today, so they had to be strictly on guard.
However, right at that moment, "Report!"
A scout hurriedly rushed into the command tent. "Marshal, the Sun Moon Empire's army is approaching in force! They will be at the city walls shortly!"
"They're here, just as expected!"
Li Shuai slammed the table and stood up. "Go invite the various Excellencies, and pass down my commander's decree: all men are to defend according to my orders!"
"Those who disobey orders will be beheaded!"
"Yes!"
A short while later, led by Li Shuai, all the generals within the pass mounted the city walls. Even the Titled Douluo who had been injured the previous night did not sit out, showing up alongside the uninjured experts.
As far as the eye could see, there was a dense sea of black.
But before they could even make out the face of the commanding general, a dazzling silver moon unexpectedly rose above the Sun Moon army.
The silver radiance emitted by the silver moon seemed to swallow the daylight in the sky, leaving the silver moon in sole dominion.
The next second...
Swish—
A silver pillar of light violently crashed down, its destructive might far surpassing even a Class-9 Fixed Soul Guidance Shell!
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