Mingdu. Every street and alley buzzed with discussion, all centered on negative news about Xingluo and Douling.
"Have you seen the recent news? Douling is sheltering evil soul masters and helping them hunt their own citizens' souls!"
"Weren't there similar rumors two years ago? Even before Shrek's destruction, it was revealed that Xingluo had ties to the Holy Spirit Cult. It's no surprise Douling is connected to them too."
"Speaking of which, didn't that battle in Mingdu not long ago, and the frame-up of Lord Yuanen Zhentian, also involve the Holy Spirit Cult? Those evil soul masters are audacious!"
"Hmph, they've already dared to invade the Federation and steal strategic weapons. What wouldn't they dare to do?"
"If you ask me, we should have gone to war long ago! Until we wipe out Xingluo and Douling along with those evil soul masters' lairs, we'll never have peace!"
"Funny you should say that. I heard recently that the Sea God Corps has been mobilized. The Federation's higher-ups can't tolerate it anymore either—they're definitely about to make a move!"
"Really? Awesome! Let's beat those bastards!"
Tang Wulin walked along the street, listening to the surrounding chatter, and raised an eyebrow.
He'd heard similar conversations these past few days. From teahouses to restaurants, from streets to alleys—newspapers, broadcasts, soul tool screens—everywhere was saturated with similar rhetoric. Public sentiment had been pushed to the boiling point.
"There's been more and more negative coverage about Douling and Xingluo lately." Xie Xie strolled beside him, hands clasped behind his head. "The Federation is really going to make a move."
"If it really comes to war, it'll likely be a protracted conflict." Tang Wulin mused.
He felt the current relationship between the Douluo Federation and the other two nations was reminiscent of the Sun Moon Empire and the Douluo Three Kingdoms ten thousand years ago.
Back then, the Sun Moon Empire had also held absolute power over the other three, yet it still took many years—and that wasn't even counting the period of Sea God intervention and delay.
Now, though the Federation's strength far exceeded the other two—even more than ten thousand years ago—the three continents were separated by vast distances. A Federation expedition would be a massive undertaking. Even with soul tool aircraft, air superiority alone couldn't fundamentally decide the war's outcome.
A fleet round trip took nearly half a year, with sea spirit beasts potentially harassing them across the vast ocean. Logistics, troop rotation, casualty evacuation, siege warfare—each was a tremendous challenge. Even if the Federation wanted to fight, a quick victory would be difficult.
Hearing this, Xie Xie shrugged. "None of that concerns us right now. We can only support the Federation morally. It's not like they're going to conscript us right now."
As the words left his mouth, they stepped through the Spirit Transmission Tower's doors and joined Xu Xiaoyan, Wang Jinxi, and the others, who'd arrived early, heading together to Huo Yuhao's office.
"Boss, why'd you call us here?" Xie Xie asked casually as he entered.
Huo Yuhao sat behind his desk, looked up at them, and said in a tone as casual as commenting on the weather: "You'll be enlisting in the Blood God Legion."
"Huh?"
Xie Xie's smile froze on his face, his mouth forming an "O."
Tang Wulin also frowned slightly, glancing at Xie Xie in surprise.
Were they actually being conscripted?
Xie Xie's gift of prophecy was growing—he'd become a jinx.
Xu Xiaoyan, Wang Jinxi, and the others were also taken aback. Zhang Yangzi asked in confusion, "Why do we suddenly need to enlist? And what's the Blood God Legion? I don't recall any Federation legion by that name."
"You're around seventeen now—Spirit Kings or Spirit Emperors. You've started forging Two-Word Battle Armor. You've learned all you can at the academy. It's time to graduate early and gain some military experience."
Huo Yuhao first explained the reason for enlisting, then continued, "As for the Blood God Legion—its situation is special. It deals with the Abyss Plane, and details are kept from the public. So it's normal you haven't heard of it."
He then gave a detailed explanation of the Abyss Plane and the Blood God Legion.
"The Abyss Plane is an external enemy from beyond the Douluo Plane. Due to its plane characteristics, Abyss creatures have a certain degree of undying nature. Six thousand years ago, they first invaded the Douluo Continent, and they've never given up since. Currently, the passage between the Abyss and Douluo Planes is located in the Endless Mountains."
"The Blood God Legion is the Federation legion stationed there, specifically tasked with guarding the seal on the Abyss Passage."
Hearing about the Abyss Plane and the Blood God Legion for the first time, the group had varied reactions, but all were shocked.
Especially when they heard about the Abyss creatures' undying nature—Xie Xie's jaw nearly dropped.
He felt the world was full of such beings and planes; he'd seen a ghost.
Fortunately, they'd experienced quite a bit over the years—they'd even seen deities. Their psychological resilience had grown, and they quickly recovered.
Undying nature? Their classmate was a deity!
Xie Xie rested his chin on his hand. "I never expected the Federation to have a hidden enemy."
Honestly, as he'd grown older and witnessed the prowess of the Federation's experts, and had traveled with the diplomatic mission to the Xingluo Federation, seeing their strength—over time, he'd come to think the Federation was unbeatable. He never imagined there was such a terrifying opponent lurking behind the scenes.
"There's no such thing as peaceful times—just people carrying the burden for us." Xu Xiaoyan came back to herself and sighed.
Huo Yuhao glanced at her and continued calmly, "The Blood God Legion has guarded the Endless Mountains for six thousand years to prevent Abyss creatures from breaking the seal. Why do you think the Federation has been conscripting and preparing for war these past few years? It's because the Holy Spirit Cult has allied with the Abyss Plane, and they could help the Abyss invade the Douluo Continent again at any moment."
"Those planetary traitors, selling out their own homeworld." Xie Xie snorted indignantly, then looked at Huo Yuhao. "So we're going to the Blood God Legion to..."
"Participate in the defense." Huo Yuhao said. "Though the Abyss Passage is sealed, the Abyss creatures that can cross over aren't as strong as they once were, but there are still quite a few."
"Now that the Holy Spirit Cult has allied with the Abyss, the situation there could change at any time. There might be more and stronger Abyss creatures appearing, so the Federation plans to conscript more people to guard the passage."
"You're outstanding juniors of the Spirit Transmission Tower. Taking this opportunity to gain experience and participate will benefit you all. It's also your responsibility as members of the Douluo Federation."
Tang Wulin was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. We'll go."
Xie Xie also dropped his joking demeanor, speaking seriously for once: "Don't worry, Boss. We won't embarrass the Spirit Transmission Tower."
Xu Xiaoyan asked softly, "When do we leave?"
"Early the day after tomorrow." Huo Yuhao said. "You're not the only Spirit Transmission Tower personnel heading to the Blood God Legion. Head back tonight, pack your things, and go with the main group the day after."
"Remember, once you're at the Blood God Legion, follow orders and don't be reckless. If you encounter trouble you can't handle, find the senior Spirit Transmission Tower members there."
"Yuhao, you sound just like my mom right now." Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help teasing.
Huo Yuhao: "..."
This girl was calling him naggy.
The office fell silent for a moment. Xie Xie nearly burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth.
Tang Wulin also squinted with amusement, but when he noticed Huo Yuhao looking his way, his expression shifted to seriousness. "Understood, Yuhao. We'll be careful once we're there."
He paused, then asked, "Speaking of which, who's the strongest Spirit Transmission Tower senior at the Blood God Legion?"
When you're out in the world, you need to know your backing. First, figure out who your protectors are.
"Smiling Face Douluo, Hu Jie—a Level 98 Super Douluo and Four-Word Battle Armor Master, comparable to a Limit Douluo." Huo Yuhao's expression was somewhat odd as he answered.
When he first learned that this figure—second only to the Romantic and Emotionless Douluos in the original Tang Sect hierarchy—was actually in the Spirit Transmission Tower, he'd been surprised.
But upon learning the details, that surprise turned into speechlessness.
This Smiling Face Douluo had twin martial souls, both Body Martial Souls. He'd originally been a core inheritor of the Body Sect.
If things had progressed normally, he would have led the Body Sect to prosperity.
After all, though twin martial souls weren't as rare in this era as in the past, Hu Jie's talent was still commendable. With his gifts and the Body Sect's secret methods, becoming a Limit Douluo should have been natural.
With a Limit Douluo, the Body Sect should have thrived.
But this was the Douluo Continent!
The Smiling Face Douluo had fallen for the mother of the previous Body Sect leader—Mu Ye's mother. But because his martial souls were his stomach and buttocks, his appearance was unusual and he'd never been favored by women, so he didn't win her heart.
After seeing Mu Ye's mother choose a Body Sect disciple with ordinary appearance but inferior strength and talent, he'd grown disillusioned and left the Body Sect.
He eventually wandered to the Spirit Transmission Tower and befriended a member—Xiong Jun. Seeing he was troubled by love, Xiong Jun cheerfully gave him a traditional Spirit Transmission Tower "education."
The results seemed decent. Whether it completely cured the aftermath of his romantic disappointment was unclear, but it did bring this Smiling Face Douluo onto the Spirit Transmission Tower's war chariot.
However, the Smiling Face Douluo didn't want to meet or deal with any Body Sect members. Since the Spirit Transmission Tower hadn't established branches in Xingluo or Douling in this world, he'd eventually chosen to guard the Abyss Passage, becoming one of the three Four-Word Battle Armor Masters permanently stationed there.
Huo Yuhao could only shake his head at this story.
He wondered if Teacher Mu Ye knew about any of this, and if so, what he thought.
For someone who wanted to revitalize the Body Sect, losing a potential Limit-level junior uncle because of a romance—involving his own mother—was somewhat melodramatic.
When Tang Wulin and the others learned that a Level 98 Super Douluo was stationed at the Abyss Passage, they were impressed by the Spirit Transmission Tower's depth, but also curious about Hu Jie's title.
"Smiling Face Douluo... that's a strange title." Xie Xie scratched his head. "Is he some kind of smiling tiger? Is he easy to get along with?"
"As long as you don't cross his taboos, you'll be fine."
Huo Yuhao shook his head, then looked at Tang Wulin. "Wu Lin, you're familiar with the Golden Dragon Spear's capabilities by now, right?"
Amid the others' puzzled looks, Tang Wulin nodded. "Yes, I am. It can devour energy and feed it back to me."
Huo Yuhao said directly, "The Golden Dragon Spear can devour Abyss energy."
"What?!" Tang Wulin was startled, then understood. "Can the Golden Dragon Spear solve the Abyss creatures' undying problem?"
"Strictly speaking, no. If the Abyss truly wanted to revive them, it still could. But the devoured Abyss energy is real—it would hurt the Abyss and cause them losses."
"I see." Tang Wulin frowned. "Then if I use the Golden Dragon Spear at the Abyss Passage, I'll become a target, won't I? Wouldn't it be better not to use it?"
His first thought wasn't about the benefits of devouring Abyss energy, but the risks.
For the Abyss Plane, dead Abyss creatures could be revived—no real loss. But if the Golden Dragon Spear devoured energy, that was like taking a bite out of the Abyss itself.
Would the Abyss let him get away with that?
"Don't worry."
Huo Yuhao formed a seal and placed it on Tang Wulin's forehead, smiling. "Use it freely. Kill as many Abyss creatures as you can. If the Abyss gets angry and retaliates, that's a good thing."
Got it. Yuhao was fishing.
Tang Wulin touched his forehead, understanding completely.
No need to worry about safety anymore.
But...
"Will the Blood God Legion give rewards for being bait?" Tang Wulin looked at Huo Yuhao with bright eyes.
Though not as obvious as in the original, he was still a bit of a money-grubber.
Huo Yuhao chuckled. "If you can lure out a Limit-level Abyss Emperor, I don't know about the Federation, but the Spirit Transmission Tower can offer you the chance to contract a 190,000-year Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Soul!"
The office fell silent.
Xie Xie's eyes widened. Xu Xiaoyan covered her mouth. Wang Jinxi's expression shifted.
Blue Silver Emperor—that was the legendary Sea God Tang San's martial soul. It was unquestionably the most compatible Spirit Soul for Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass martial soul. And a 190,000-year Spirit Soul to boot—a treasure countless people dreamed of!
Though it was only a contract opportunity, given Tang Wulin's character and martial soul, the Blue Silver Emperor was unlikely to refuse!
Tang Wulin was also stunned.
If he could obtain a Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Soul, his Blue Silver Grass martial soul would undergo a fundamental transformation.
He'd never expected the Spirit Transmission Tower to have a Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Soul, nor that he'd have a chance to obtain it.
After a long moment, Tang Wulin snapped back, his eyes gleaming. "I'll definitely lure out a Limit-level Abyss Emperor!"
For my Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Soul, offer up your life, Abyss Emperor!
Xie Xie also came back to his senses, eyes bright as he approached Huo Yuhao. "Boss, any other missions? I can do it too!"
He could be bait too. He wanted a Spirit Soul contract opportunity like that.
"Alright, everyone go prepare."
Huo Yuhao glanced at him and shook his head with amusement.
"If you achieve outstanding results in battle against Abyss creatures, when you apply to contract those hundred-thousand-year-plus Spirit Souls in the Spirit Transmission Tower, there's a good chance they'll agree."
"After all, many of the Spirit Transmission Tower's hundred-thousand-year-plus Spirit Souls died in battle against the Abyss Plane. As veteran Spirit Souls, they naturally bear deep hatred for Abyss creatures and favor soul masters who kill them."
The five of them lit up, full of fighting spirit as they headed home to prepare.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!