"Bibi Dong, do you want to start early? I'll keep you company. How about a duel?" Sword Dao Chen Xin, Seven Killing Sword in hand, issued the challenge.
"Why would I refuse? Today I'll test the power of the continent's number one offensive Douluo!" As the Empress of the Spirit Empire, she could not back down from a challenge—it would crush morale.
Besides, she had to break the wall today; otherwise a frontal assault would cause enormous losses among her soldiers. At this point, high-end combat power needed to act.
Once all her Title Douluo tied down the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Title Douluo, the Angel Legion would strike.
The two Ultimate Douluo flew high into the sky. They both knew that with their offensive power, if they fought here, everyone nearby would die.
Seeing their sovereign take the field, the other Title Douluo did not hesitate.
On the Spirit Empire's side, seven stood up, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo. He had been sent by Qian Renxue to aid Bibi Dong. With their rift healed, the Spirit Empire was far more united than in the original. Behind Golden Crocodile stood Spirit Kite Douluo, Serpent Spear Douluo, Sea Turtle Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Jiang Mo Douluo, and Qian Jun Douluo.
Of the six remaining Elders, four had come; of the seven Worship, three had arrived—this was most of the Spirit Hall's strength.
"Seven Title Douluo? Bone Uncle, lead a team out." Ning Fengzhi ordered.
Led by Bone Douluo, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect fielded four Title Douluo: Thunder Eagle Douluo, Dragon-Serpent Douluo, and Poison Douluo—sect elders all. With Nine Treasure Douluo Ning Fengzhi himself and allied Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, they had six in total, not much fewer than the Spirit Empire.
"Heh, we have the numbers, but with Ning Fengzhi the Nine Treasure Douluo, we can't let his auxiliary light shine on too many. Split up and attack on four fronts—breach the walls everywhere." Golden Crocodile Douluo ordered.
The city had four walls. Breach any one of them and the heavy cavalry could flood in. Though the Heaven Dou Empire had left three hundred thousand troops, they were the routed rabble from Jialing Pass—wounded, crippled, and terrified by the Spirit Empire. They would not stand against heavy cavalry.
And once scattered, Ning Fengzhi couldn't support all fronts. Ordinary Seven Treasure Glazed Tile support was not as terrifying as Ning Fengzhi himself. The Spirit Empire also had auxiliaries wielding the Brightgold Scepters, enough to counter common Glazed Tile disciples.
They only overlooked Ning Rongrong. She was about to step forward when Ning Fengzhi raised a hand. "Rongrong, don't act rashly. Once the Title Douluo begin, you'll be the only one who can hold the city. Our Title strength is no longer inferior, but we have far fewer Soul Douluos—only a dozen, while they have over fifty. According to Xiao Tian, Bibi Dong also hides a flying unit—all Soul Sages or higher—with the power to breach. When we're too busy, the Spirit Empire will send them. Then it'll be up to you."
"Yes, Father. Rest assured—I won't let a single enemy into the city." Rongrong was no longer the willful girl of old; in the big picture, she knew what to do.
Ning Fengzhi sent Yin Yang, Dragon Duke, and Dugu Bo to guard three gates.
Yin Yang had two soul bones; Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady had a fusion skill—each could hold a front.
As for Dugu Bo, his poison was terrifying in mass battle, but only when breaking formations. On defense, it wasn't time to let him run wild—he would simply aid in holding the wall.
The main battlefield would be left to Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Gu Rong.
On the Spirit Empire side, three Title Douluo split off. Spirit Kite Douluo went to the north gate against Thunder Eagle Douluo; Serpent Spear to the west gate against the Dragon-Serpent couple; Sea Turtle to the south gate, his toxin-resistant shell pitted against Dugu Bo.
The east gate would see the three Worships against the Seven Treasure and Blue Lightning sect masters plus Bone Douluo.
With Ning Fengzhi's buffs, Gu Rong at level 97 could solo Golden Crocodile at 98. Yu Yuanzhen at 96 could hold off two peers.
"Heh, Gu Rong—last time it was Chen Xin; this time it's you against me? Do you have the qualifications?" Golden Crocodile sneered.
Gu Rong smiled confidently. "We'll know once we fight. As second Worship, your matchup is me, the Seven Treasure's second elder. Old Sword's opponent is Qian Daoliu."
"Then try me." Golden Crocodile possessed his martial soul; his crocodile tail lashed at Gu Rong. With the wall at Gu Rong's back, he couldn't dodge or the wall would be smashed.
But with the Earth Bone Dragon's defense—so what if he didn't dodge?
The bone dragon took the tail lash without budging, then seized Golden Crocodile's tail in a massive claw and flung him hard.
"Damn it—number one defense under heaven, truly immovable." Golden Crocodile gritted his teeth. He hadn't used a skill, but he had used full strength—yet Gu Rong hadn't even swayed.
What an Earth Bone Dragon.
Elsewhere, Yu Yuanzhen, empowered by Ning Fengzhi and fully dragonized, faced the Qian Jun–Jiang Mo brothers.
By raw power, even without buffs, Yu Yuanzhen outclassed either brother one-on-one. But the two shared one heart; together they were more than the sum of their parts. Even with Ning Fengzhi doubling him, Yu Yuanzhen could only barely fight them to a draw.
Ning Rongrong worried. She could see the situation was unfavorable. Ning Fengzhi was simultaneously buffing two super Douluo; his soul power consumption was immense. In a war of attrition, once he ran dry, they would lose.
Fortunately Oscar was present. If he ate a Mirror Sausage infused with Tianlin's blood and used Extreme Curse Returns Yin and Yang, Ning Fengzhi and the others could recover instantly. But the other side had that Brightgold Scepter Soul Douluo continuously restoring Golden Crocodile's group. In this evenly matched war of attrition, the outcome was uncertain.
"Has every Title Douluo found an opponent? I'm still free." At this moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo led the Spirit Empire's soul master legions in another charge. Their extra Title Douluo was an advantage.
Now was Chrysanthemum Douluo's time to dominate the field.
He hadn't appeared during the massacre—now he was a major problem.
Yue Guan had with him the sect masters and vice sect masters of the Rock Antelope, Fire Leopard, Black Tiger, and other sects, as well as the heads of various Spirit Halls—over thirty Soul Douluos. This was what Ning Fengzhi had feared.
Without Tianlin, these would fall to Ning Rongrong.
"Damn you, Chrysanthemum Douluo. Rongrong, hold the city per Sect Master Ning. I'll meet them." Flender called out as he came to aid his disciple's sect. "Emperor Team, dare you charge with me?"
"Why wouldn't we? I'll lead!" Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi brothers rushed out of the city. Even against many with few, they did not fear.
Behind them stood a solid backline: the now–Soul Sage, Nine-Heart Begonia Ye Lingling—no matter the wounds, she could heal.
Flender knew these kids already surpassed him, but as an elder, he would never let them face a Title Douluo. He raised the banner himself and lunged at Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Yue Guan smirked. "You again. You got lucky in that valley ambush last time. Now you dare come deliver yourself? Or do you think becoming a Soul Douluo lets you contend with me?"
"Heh. 'Those who don't dare stir trouble are mediocrities'—that was my old school motto. As dean, I lead by example. But now I know there's a difference between daring and stirring trouble for no reason. Hongjun's growth taught me: true talent doesn't bully the weak—it faces stronger foes head-on. Today I'll stir up you, a Title Douluo. What can you do to me?" Flender said arrogantly.
Zhao Wuji laughed and leaped from the wall. "Hahaha! Boss, well said. I'll lend a hand!"