Chapter 279. Tang Chen's Resurrection.
The failure of the second war against the Asdeka war zone caused incalculable damage to the prestige of the Star Luo royal family.
The Kingdom of Mester and the Kingdom of Kren successively declared their independence from the Star Luo Empire's vassal state.
However, the Star Luo Empire, preoccupied with quelling internal strife and suppressing the Asdeka war, had no time to attend to these independent duchies.
The soul tools and hidden weapons were eventually confirmed to have flowed into the Asdeka region from the Spirit Hall, so Dai Tianfeng issued a stern protest to the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall's reply was: "This is just a normal military trade transaction."
Dai Tianfeng chose to send his elite White Tiger Legion to the Asdeka region to make a judgment.
This time, the Star Luo Empire mobilized an army of 200,000, while the Republic of Asdeka split its forces into small units, using advanced soul tool technology and guerrilla tactics to weaken the Star Luo Empire's army layer by layer.
The Star Luo army, unable to withstand the relentless attacks during its third campaign, suffered over 40,000 casualties without achieving significant results. Ultimately, it was forced to retreat due to the destruction of its granaries.
These three campaigns severely weakened the Star Luo royal family's prestige, allowing noble forces to rise again and regain power. The entire Star Luo Empire entered an irreversible decline, and Dai Tianfeng never again launched a war against the Asdeka Republic.
In contrast to the Star Luo Empire, the previously weaker Heaven Dou Empire, under Xue Qinghe's leadership, experienced a surge in national fortune.
Xue Qinghe heavily relied on his mentor, Yu Xiaogang, to train a Soul Master legion for the Heaven Dou Empire. Simultaneously, Xue Qinghe used the hidden weapons provided by Tang San to arm a large army and heavily relied on military nobles such as Cao Cao, Ge Long, and Xue Xing to prepare for a series of wars to come.
In the first year, the Heaven Dou Empire obtained evidence that the Barak Kingdom intended to secede and become independent. Xue Qinghe seized this opportunity to strike first, invading the Barak Kingdom and defeating it in a blitzkrieg, bringing it under the rule of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The fall of the Barak Kingdom instilled fear in the other duchies and kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire. With the support of the Spirit Hall, they formed an alliance and formally declared independence, sparking a war of independence.
To defeat this coalition, the Heaven Dou Empire used the defensively skilled Golong to hold off the coalition's attacks, while the military genius Cao Cao deployed his troops behind the coalition's lines, cutting off their supplies and encircling them.
The war ended in victory for the Heaven Dou Empire, which then revoked the titles of these rebellious kingdoms and duchies, restoring their territories to direct control.
Xue Qinghe thus earned the praise of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Meanwhile, some descendants of nobles from kingdoms and duchies fled to the Spirit Hall, prompting the Spirit Hall to send people to protest.
The cardinal said, "Your Majesty Xue Qinghe, on behalf of the Spirit Hall, I hope you will rescind your order. The Michelin Kingdom and the Principality of Reinus are both friendly forces of our Spirit Hall. Their war is merely a war for freedom and independence."
Before Xue Qinghe could speak, the Grand Preceptor Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, fanning himself with his feather fan, and said, "Bishop, you can't say that."
"The Michelin Kingdom and the Principality of Reinus were granted land by the previous emperor of our Heaven Dou Empire dozens of generations ago. They were subjects of the Heaven Dou Empire. Who would have thought that they would not be grateful for the land granted to them in the past, but instead launch a war against the Heaven Dou Empire? Faced with these traitors, our Heaven Dou Empire has only reclaimed the land that our ancestors once granted them."
After Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, he proudly fanned himself with his feather fan. During this time, under his strategy and planning, the Heaven Dou Empire had already achieved unification. It was no longer possible for the Spirit Hall to deal with the Heaven Dou Empire in the same way it had dealt with the Star Luo Empire.
"Then, Your Majesty, what is your opinion?" The cardinal glanced indifferently at Yu Xiaogang before turning to Xue Qinghe.
This feeling of being ignored infuriated Yu Xiaogang, but Xue Qinghe's next words were like a gentle breeze.
"The Grand Preceptor's opinion is my opinion. Since they launched a war against the Heaven Dou Empire, they should pay a corresponding price. The Heaven Dou Empire has already revoked their kingdom's noble titles, and the land will not be returned to them. This matter has nothing to do with your Spirit Hall, and I hope the Spirit Hall will not interfere excessively in the affairs of my Heaven Dou Empire," Xue Qinghe said.
Hearing this, the cardinal said, "Very well, I hope Your Majesty will not regret this."
With that, the cardinal departed.
Inside the main hall, Xue Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the assembled officials, saying, "Now, the Heaven Dou Empire has achieved internal unification, but the Spirit Hall will certainly not let this go. What do you suggest we do next?"
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, besides reforming our internal affairs, developing the economy, and expanding our military to deal with the Spirit Hall, we also need to unite and visit various forces across the continent, establishing an anti-Spirit Hall alliance based on the Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Qinghe said, "The Grand Preceptor's words are absolutely right. Then I will leave this matter to you, Grand Preceptor."
In the following period, Yu Xiaogang visited various forces and sects, attempting to unite those he could. However, to Yu Xiaogang's dismay, his anti-Spirit Hall encirclement network received few responses.
Only the Star Luo Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School responded to his call.
Other smaller forces did not respond, remaining on the sidelines. After all, the Spirit Hall's strength was too overwhelming, and even with a multi-party alliance, there was no hope of victory. Under these circumstances, very few were willing to join Yu Xiaogang in resisting the Spirit Hall.
Master's strategy had failed, and he regretfully said to Xue Qinghe, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I have failed your expectations."
Xue Qinghe replied, "No, Master, this is not your fault. The Spirit Hall's power is simply too great. We cannot yet prove our ability to confront them. Therefore, those isolated forces dare not easily place their bets. Only when we prove we can defeat the Spirit Hall will an alliance be possible."
Hearing Xue Qinghe's words, Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. Was there a possibility of defeating the Spirit Hall? He stroked his chin and said, "Your Highness, I believe that moment is not far off."
When Tang San returned, it would be time for all forces to unite and fight against the Spirit Hall.
Meanwhile, in the City of Slaughter, Tang San and Ye Yang did not encounter Hu Liena.
Hu Liena wasn't highly regarded in this era. She participated in the previous Soul Master Competition and achieved good results. Later, she became a disciple of a Title Douluo elder in the Spirit Hall, and was trained to be a Spirit Hall elder.
However, due to the intersecting Soul Master Competitions, the two who were originally intersecting became parallel lines. Hu Liena didn't become Bibi Dong's disciple, so she naturally didn't know about the City of Slaughter.
She didn't lose to Tang San, so she didn't develop a strong competitive spirit towards him, and she wouldn't have met Tang San in the City of Slaughter, nor would the subsequent series of events have occurred Ye Yang, instead of Hu Liena, became the contestant with a 100-win streak in the Slaughter City Arena. Using the hidden weapons provided by Tang San and Giegie, he achieved this feat, and the two then joined forces to enter the Hell Road.
The King of Slaughter had intended to recruit Tang San and Ye Yang, but both chose to enter the Hell Road. The King of Slaughter could only hope that Tang San and Ye Yang would fail to pass the Hell Road.
"I didn't notice before, but now that I look closely, you really do resemble him," a deep voice reached the King of Slaughter's ears.
The King of Slaughter turned around and saw Tang Hao standing behind him, holding the Clear Sky Hammer.
"The God of Slaughter, Tang Hao?" the King of Slaughter exclaimed in surprise. "Your son has already qualified to pass the Hell Road. Whether he can obtain the title of God of Slaughter depends on his fate. What are you doing here?"
Tang Hao said, "I've come to ask you to return someone."
The King of Slaughter asked, "Who?"
"My grandfather is Tang Chen," Tang Hao said.
"What, Tang Chen—" The King of Slaughter was utterly shocked. The next moment, Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer was already striking. The King of Slaughter unfurled his blood-red wings and his hands transformed into claws to block Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer.
At this moment, killing intent and bloodlust spread throughout the City of Slaughter. Tang Hao, his eyes bloodshot, said to the King of Slaughter, "Grandpa, I am your grandson! I know you are still in this body. Wake up!"
"Hmph, I don't know what you're talking about. I am the King of Slaughter, not Tang Hao!" the King of Slaughter said sharply. Then, he slapped Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer away with one claw and reached for Tang Hao with the other.
Seeing this, Tang Hao withdrew his Clear Sky Hammer, transforming it into a weapon with a diameter of tens of meters, and smashed it towards the King of Slaughter.
The ferocious power even shocked the King of Slaughter.
He didn't force a confrontation, but instead withdrew his claws and flapped his blood-red wings to avoid the Clear Sky Hammer.
Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer, tens of meters in diameter, slammed heavily onto the throne of the King of Slaughter, reducing everything to ruins.
"Damn it, Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King, give me back my grandfather!" Tang Hao retrieved the Clear Sky Hammer and unleashed another Heavenly Strike.
The King of Slaughter flapped its crimson wings, its body transforming into a crimson arc of light, bypassing Tang Hao's front and circling behind him.
Tang Hao, his attack missing its mark, was furious. When had he ever felt so aggrieved? Shouldn't these people have automatically run into his Clear Sky Hammer when he was attacking them?
However, he didn't dwell on it and turned to strike the King of Slaughter.
The King of Slaughter, from his initial hasty response to his current composed demeanor, evaded Tang Hao's relentless attacks.
Tang Hao, on the other hand, was like a powerful but ultimately powerless chimpanzee wielding a stray stick in a primeval jungle.
Even the strongest person's strength has its limits, and Tang Hao was no exception.
The repeated missed attacks left Tang Hao exhausted.
"Tang Hao, your performance is over. Now it's my turn."
The King of Slaughter saw through Tang Hao's feint. With a flash of his bat wings, he appeared behind Tang Hao.
A claw stabbed towards the back of Tang Hao's neck—
Tang Hao tried to defend, but found his movements sluggish due to his previous exhaustion, and there was no time to react.
Suddenly, the King of Slaughter's claw froze in mid-air, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"Damn it... why did I have to wake up at this moment?"
Tang Chen's consciousness awoke at this moment. He realized that the King of Slaughter was going to kill his precious grandson, and immediately tried to stop the King of Slaughter at all costs.
Tang Hao also sensed the familiar presence behind him.
"Quick, Hao'er, attack me!" the King of Slaughter shouted at Tang Hao.
"Grandpa, is that you?"
"Attack me, hurry, there's not enough time."
Hearing his grandfather's words, Tang Hao hesitated for a moment before unleashing the Clear Sky Hammer. With a swift, powerful strike, the King of Slaughter was sent flying hundreds of meters, crashing into the walls of Slaughter City.
Tang Hao swung the Clear Sky Hammer and rushed to the King of Slaughter amidst the ruins.
Before him, the King of Slaughter's blood-red wings had vanished, revealing a face Tang Hao recognized.
"Grandpa, it really is you, it really is you!" Tang Hao exclaimed excitedly, "So you were here!"
"Hao'er..." Tang Chen opened his eyes and touched Tang Hao, saying, "I didn't expect you to have grown to this point. Grandpa is very pleased."
"Grandpa, come back to the Clear Sky Sect with me," Tang Hao said.
"How is the Clear Sky Sect now?" Tang Chen inquired.
However, before Tang Hao could answer, Tang Chen's expression changed drastically. He pushed Tang Hao away and said, "No, no, run! The Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King is breaking free from my control! I don't have time! You have to go!"
"No, Grandpa—" Tang Hao saw Tang Chen's face change again. Crimson wings unfurled behind him, giant horns appeared, and his skin became sallow, gradually transforming him into the King of Slaughter.
At this moment, the blood pool bubbled, and a Shura Divine Sword emerged from it, hovering in front of Tang Hao and the King of Slaughter.
The Shura Divine Sword released a beam of blood-red light. This light had no effect on Tang Hao, but it had a tremendous impact on the King of Slaughter.
Within this beam of blood-red light, the King of Slaughter was driven from Tang Chen's body and transformed into the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King.
"No—God of Asura, you can't do this—"
The Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King's body gradually disintegrated under the blood-red light of the Asura Demon Sword. In its final moments before disappearing, the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King let out a desperate cry—
Above Tang Chen and Tang Hao, the Asura God Sword hovered, and a majestic voice descended:
"Tang Chen, I have helped you break free from the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King's parasitism, but you did not break free through your own power. Therefore, you have lost your qualification to become the God of Asura, demoted from the ninth level of the God-level Trials to the eighth level of the top-level Trials. From tonight onwards, you will serve as the High Priest of the God of Asura."
(End of Chapter)