The Federation government personnel were traveling to Xingluo City to meet the Emperor of the Xingluo Empire. This was the most important purpose of their diplomatic mission.
Accompanying them were teachers and students from Shrek Academy, the Sun Moon Royal Academy, and several others.
With the reception arranged by the Xingluo Empire, the group quickly boarded a soul-guided train, heading toward Xingluo City.
"They're all aboard." A man standing in a corner made a call after seeing Yun Ze and the others board the train.
"Good." came the simple reply on the other end.
The train sped forward, scenery flashing past the windows. Compared to the Federation's modernization, the Xingluo Continent still looked more primitive—lush mountains, clear waters, shaded green forests.
This was a special train, very luxurious, with abundant and delicious food.
It was already after three in the afternoon. Having skipped lunch, Gu Yuena was eating heartily.
Her table manners remained elegant, not wolfing food down, but the sheer speed of her eating was astonishing, leaving nearby diners gaping.
They were seated at a four-person table. The seat next to Ditian remained empty. Most people didn't dare sit there, and those who dared wouldn't want to.
After all, sitting next to an ultimate powerhouse was hardly comfortable—it was oppressive, unlike the freedom of sitting elsewhere.
Even while eating, Ditian paid attention to his image, but his speed was still faster than Gu Yuena's.
Yun Ze sat by the window. After eating a little, he stopped, drinking water and watching the scenery outside.
The train crossed a city and half an hour later was running through mountains, piercing tunnels one after another.
At first, Yun Ze's gaze was level on the view outside. Suddenly, a sensation hit him. He lifted his head, looked into the distance, and warned his two companions:"Trouble is coming."
Though the skies looked normal, he was certain of it. His intuition never lied—danger was near.
"Mm?" Gu Yuena still had food in her mouth, her cheeks puffed up as she looked at him in confusion.
With Yun Ze's reminder, Ditian focused his senses and also detected something. His eyes turned toward the windows.
As a quasi-god, his vision was extraordinary. He saw them—countless black specks in the distant sky.
"Enemy attack!" Ditian bellowed. Aside from Yun Ze and Gu Yuena, he cared little for the others' lives.
But since he saw it, he couldn't just stay silent. A warning was necessary.
His shout was infused with soul power, penetrating through the cars so that everyone clearly heard those three words.
The instant "enemy attack" was heard, panic spread. People instinctively looked around, scanning for danger.
Even titled-level powerhouses were momentarily at a loss until the black specks drew closer, and the danger became palpable. They too shouted, calling others to prepare for battle.
From afar, hundreds of mechas flew toward them, in all shapes and forms. Many resembled beasts: eagles, giant birds, tigers, bears, wolves.
From their weapons, soul-guided shells launched, arcing across the sky toward the train.
Among them, several shells carried terrifying auras—far stronger than the rest.
Ditian could have already stepped outside to block them, but he didn't. His expression stayed grim, on guard.
He couldn't afford to focus on mere shells. If he acted recklessly, he would surely be ambushed.
"In a while, just fight that one person. Don't worry about me and Gu Yuena—we'll be fine." Yun Ze said calmly.
The "one person" he mentioned wasn't the mecha squad in the sky, but a hidden powerhouse lurking out of sight.
For someone to make Ditian so solemn, they could only be an extremely dangerous figure.
"Are you sure?" Ditian asked Yun Ze. If he fought with full force, he feared he couldn't shield Yun Ze and Gu Yuena. Their safety mattered more than victory.
"Just fight without worry." Yun Ze answered. With the soul tools he'd crafted, his self-protection ability was more than sufficient. He didn't need constant guarding.
"We're not exactly helpless ourselves. Don't worry too much." Gu Yuena added.
"Alright." Ditian nodded. A glint of battle fervor flashed in his eyes. It had been too long since he fought a worthy opponent.
Several Titled Douluo had already acted, releasing soul skills to intercept the incoming shells. The especially violent shells received priority and were detonated midair.
But while attention was on those few shells, many others weren't intercepted.
Hundreds of shells were blocked, but nearly half still fell on the train.
"Boom, boom, boom…" Explosions rang out in succession. The train lost balance. Carriages overturned and derailed.
The blasts tore apart the cars, sending shards of metal flying. Flames erupted, consuming passengers.
Ditian pulled Yun Ze and Gu Yuena into the sky. His narrowed eyes stared ahead, his fighting spirit burning.
Yun Ze and Gu Yuena both unfolded their wings, hovering in the air by their own power.
The train carriages broke apart, slamming into nearby mountains. Metal crumpled, cars twisted out of shape.
The inertia of high-speed travel made the collisions brutal, the crashing louder than the screams inside.
Because of Ditian's earlier warning, many soul masters had managed to react in time, releasing martial souls and leaping clear.
They were battered, clothes torn, several badly injured. Some were engulfed in flames, now screaming and thrashing in agony.
But even so, they were the lucky ones. Ordinary passengers inside the train had almost no chance—survivors would be few.
Behind Yun Ze, phoenix wings beat. Seeing people ablaze, his will stirred.
A phoenix flew forth, ascended, and inhaled—the flames from the burning people streamed toward it, absorbed into its body.
With the fire gone, the victims collapsed, badly burned but alive.
The phoenix then drew in the fires consuming the train, preventing the blaze from spreading further.
"Prepare to engage!" a furious roar sounded. The Xingluo Empire's mecha troops, escorting the envoy, charged at the enemy mecha force.
Seeing the shattered train, the carnage, Federation Secretary-General Pan Wen's eyes reddened, grief overwhelming him.
Judging by the scene, less than thirty percent of the passengers survived. To suffer such losses the moment they arrived in Xingluo—how could he not grieve, not rage?
"All Federation forces, prepare for battle! Kill every last one of them!" Pan Wen roared.
The Federation had sent many powerhouses. The Sun Moon Royal Academy alone had brought four Titled Douluo. All of them now joined the fight.
(End of Chapter)