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When Tang Xiao's vital signs finally stabilized, Tang Yuehua and the three elders all breathed a sigh of relief.
The Second Elder frowned and said, "Your Highness, although the Martial Spirit Hall's Ninth Elder and Porcupinefish Elder have both perished, my fifth and sixth brothers are also dead. The Sect Master may have survived, but his strength has weakened considerably.
Now, the Martial Spirit Hall still has six Titled Douluo. I wonder, Your Highness, what plans do you have next?"
"Honored Elders," Dai Pojun cupped his fists respectfully. As veterans of the soul master world, they were naturally deserving of such courtesy. Then, he revealed his plan.
"From this point forward, we have only two tasks. First, we must fortify the defenses of Clear Sky Fortress and prepare for a prolonged battle with the Martial Spirit Hall's forces. But we don't need to defeat them; we only need to hold our ground. Second, we wait—wait for the Martial Spirit Hall's troops to retreat."
"What? The Martial Spirit Hall retreat?" This time it wasn't just the Second Elder—every elder present was stunned. Why would the Martial Spirit Hall retreat?
After all, they still commanded more than five thousand soul masters. Unless they were struck with fear, why would Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo suddenly withdraw their forces?
"That's right," Dai Pojun said calmly. "On my way here, my father had already mobilized three hundred thousand troops, marching directly toward Spirit City. By now, Spirit City should already be surrounded.
Most of Martial Spirit Hall's soul masters are stationed here, which means Spirit City is virtually undefended. Once the Star Luo Empire launches an assault, Martial Spirit Hall will inevitably suffer catastrophic losses. Naturally, they will order Elder Ju and Elder Gui to lead their troops back to reinforce Spirit City. In this way, the Clear Sky Sect's crisis will be resolved.
At the same time, we have laid ambushes along the border to strike their reinforcements. Once we hit them while they're spread out, the Martial Spirit Hall's army will suffer a devastating blow!"
Hearing Dai Pojun's plan, the three elders' eyes lit up with excitement. If this strategy succeeded, they would certainly be able to tear a bloody piece from Martial Spirit Hall's flesh!
"So, what we need to do now," Dai Pojun continued, "is conserve our strength. There is no need to attack the camps of Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo. As long as they do not provoke us, we will not engage them."
"We understand."
Upon learning of Dai Pojun's plan, the three elders immediately ordered the disciples of the Clear Sky Sect to take turns standing watch at night. The others either went to rest or helped treat the wounded, all in preparation for the battles to come.
At the border of the Star Luo Empire, three hundred thousand troops had already gathered near Spirit City, completely surrounding it on all four sides—east, south, west, and north. The city was sealed so tightly that not even water could seep through.
No fewer than five thousand cannons were aimed directly at Spirit City's walls. Leading them was none other than the Star Luo Empire's Great General, deputy commander of the White Tiger Legion, Lie Tianhu. Now an eighty-eighth-level assault-type Battle Soul Douluo, his power was not to be underestimated.
Behind the White Tiger Legion were the Gale Legion, made up of the Agility Clan, along with other divisions. At Lie Tianhu's single command, those five thousand cannons would fire in unison, bombarding Spirit City and even reducing it to rubble.
Inside the Pope's Hall, upon hearing that the Star Luo Empire's three hundred thousand troops had encircled Spirit City, a cold smile appeared on Bibi Dong's beautiful yet ruthless face.
"Hmph, so the Star Luo Empire couldn't resist after all. They're finally making their move!"
"Your Holiness, the Star Luo army is pressing in fiercely. With all the elders absent, Spirit City has fewer than five thousand soul masters left. What should we do?"
"What should we do? Hmph!" Bibi Dong sneered, casting a cold glance toward the direction of the Worship Hall as the corner of her lips curled upward.
"We'll do exactly what must be done!"
Although she and Qian Daoliu were at odds, the Martial Spirit Hall ultimately belonged to the Qian family. If Spirit City were truly in danger of annihilation, Qian Daoliu and the Worship Hall would never sit idly by.
Just as half a month ago, when Tang Hao stormed Spirit City, killing many soul masters. At that time, Bibi Dong deliberately refrained from interfering, allowing him to wreak havoc.
But when he was about to unleash further carnage, a golden radiance suddenly burst forth, accompanied by a terrifying soul pressure that enveloped Spirit City and blasted Tang Hao away!
The one who had acted was none other than Martial Spirit Hall's Great Worship, the Judgment Elder—Qian Daoliu.
Now, with Spirit City surrounded by three hundred thousand troops, Bibi Dong was certain that if the city were truly at the brink of destruction, Qian Daoliu would not simply sit and watch.
"Come. Let me meet that old fossil Dai Tianxing. I've heard the Star Luo Empire has developed new weapons. I'd very much like to see them for myself!"
As soon as her words fell, Bibi Dong gathered her soul power. Her graceful figure floated lightly into the air, then with a burst of acceleration shot straight toward the southern wall of Spirit City, appearing before the White Tiger Legion.
Accompanying her were over a thousand soul masters from Spirit City, while another three thousand were divided among the east, west, and north defenses.
Facing the massive Star Luo army, Bibi Dong remained unfazed. Her amethyst eyes locked onto the figures of Dai Tianxing and his wife stationed behind the White Tiger Legion, and she shouted coldly:
"Dai Tianxing, since you've come, why bother hiding like a coward? Wouldn't it be better to face me directly?"
"Hahaha!"
Even before his figure appeared, his voice rang out, accompanied by a hearty laugh. "I've long heard that Your Holiness is the greatest genius the Martial Spirit Hall has produced in a hundred years. Seeing you today, your reputation is truly well-deserved. I hid myself so carefully, and yet you still managed to find me?"
As his voice fell, Dai Tianxing and his wife finally stepped forward to confront Bibi Dong. Her expression was far from pleasant, with a trace of anger in her eyes, though she concealed it well.
"Hmph. Dai Tianxing, answer me this! The Martial Spirit Hall and your Star Luo Empire have neither ancient grudges nor recent conflicts. Why then have you brought three hundred thousand troops to attack Spirit City?
Is it simply to threaten me, to force me into recalling the Martial Spirit Hall forces from the Clear Sky Sect?"
Bibi Dong questioned him directly. If Dai Tianxing admitted it, she would hold the moral high ground. Even if she killed him and his wife here, no other power in the soul master world would speak against her. Martial Spirit Hall's reputation among the common people would remain untarnished.
After all, if she attacked the Clear Sky Sect, it was to avenge the fallen. If the Star Luo Empire attacked her, then wiping them out would be nothing more than justice. Who could find fault with that?
Yet Dai Tianxing merely shook his head and calmly replied, "Your Holiness is mistaken. Haotian Douluo wreaked havoc in Spirit City. If you seek vengeance upon the Clear Sky Sect for that, I have nothing to say."
"Oh?" Bibi Dong was stunned. She had never expected Dai Tianxing to respond this way. At once, she demanded, "Then why have you brought three hundred thousand troops here?"
"This time, I am not here on behalf of the Clear Sky Sect," Dai Tianxing declared firmly. "I am here to seek justice for the fallen warriors of the Star Luo Empire."
"What did you say?"
"On the eve of the Continental Soul Master Tournament finals, your Elders Ju and Gui led Martial Spirit Hall soul masters into an ambush at the Jin City mountain range, killing many Star Luo warriors. Even my own grandson was nearly slain by Elder Ju.
Surely, Your Holiness has heard of this incident? That is why I am here—to demand justice for those fallen Star Luo warriors."
Dai Tianxing's eloquence was sharp, never once mentioning any intention of aiding the Clear Sky Sect. Instead, he returned the favor in kind.
Tang Hao killed over a hundred people from Martial Spirit Hall, and Bibi Dong sent her people to strike the Clear Sky Sect. In turn, Yue Guan killed over a hundred Star Luo warriors, and Dai Tianxing brought his army to strike Martial Spirit Hall. Perfectly justified, wouldn't you agree?
(End of Chapter)