Deep within the Endless Mountains, gray-white mist lingered year-round.
At the Blood God Legion headquarters, Leng Yaozhu led twenty soul tool technicians into this legendary frontline position guarding the Abyss, receiving a personal welcome from Blood God Legion Commander Zhang Huanyun.
"I heard you've been promoted to Limit, Lord Tianfeng. Congratulations." Zhang Huanyun approached with his people at the headquarters entrance, a hint of envy in his eyes.
He was just one step away from reaching the Limit himself, but had been unable to break through for some time. Seeing that Tianfeng Douluo had finally broken through the bottleneck, he naturally felt a touch of envy.
Leng Yaozhu's lips held a humble smile. "You're too kind, Bright Mirror Douluo. It was merely luck."
"You're too modest, Lord."
Zhang Huanyun waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the twenty soul tool technicians in uniform behind her. "You've come a long way—it must have been a tiring journey. Let's go inside and talk."
He turned to guide the way, leading the group deeper into the headquarters.
As they walked, the soul tool technicians behind Leng Yaozhu observed their surroundings.
The camp layout was simple and efficient. On the wide parade ground, numerous soldiers in uniform passed by—all at least Spirit Ancestor level, carrying military-standard soul tools. Occasionally, spirit beasts could be seen, primarily Emerald Swans.
Looking further, they could see a formation of about twenty Black-Grade Mecha units patrolling around the camp.
At this sight, a technician who'd never been here before couldn't help but twitch his eyes, his heart full of emotion.
Truly the Federation's most elite force.
In other armies, Black-Grade Mech pilots were all arrogant, all pillars of their units. Becoming a Black-Grade Mech pilot meant at least the rank of colonel, at minimum a regiment commander.
But here? Nearly twenty Black-Grade Mecha units patrolling, the pilots like ordinary soldiers.
From this glimpse, the Blood God Legion's strength was evident.
Leng Yaozhu also gazed at the scene and sighed. "Every time I see it, I feel the gap between the Blood God Legion and other legions."
This wasn't her first time at the Blood God Legion.
It was common for the Spirit Transmission Tower to send people like Tang Wulin and the others here for training. Leng Yaozhu had come when she was young too, so she understood the Legion's strength well.
The Blood God Legion's admission requirement was a four-ring cultivation level, and it had a strength of 30,000. Among them, including Three-Word Battle Armor Masters and Red-Grade Mech pilots, there were over twenty Super Douluo-level experts, plus three Four-Word Battle Armor Masters. It was undoubtedly the Federation's strongest legion.
Hearing this, Zhang Huanyun said with pride, "This is where the Federation's elite gather. If we weren't strong, we'd be unworthy of the Federation's and various families' and powers' support—and we couldn't hold back the Abyss creatures."
As he spoke, Zhang Huanyun had already led Leng Yaozhu to a row of silver-white buildings on the camp's east side.
"Here we are." He stopped and turned to face the twenty technicians. "This is the temporary quarters and labs for the technical personnel. The equipment has already been installed. You can familiarize yourselves with the environment and calibrate your instruments. If you need anything, just tell the logistics officer."
He paused, his tone growing more serious: "Mingde Hall's technicians are also here. We're counting on all of you to strengthen our defense and attack systems."
The lead technician, a refined middle-aged man, nodded. "Understood."
Zhang Huanyun signaled his adjutant, who immediately led the twenty inside, their footsteps fading.
Once they'd disappeared from view, Zhang Huanyun withdrew his gaze and led Leng Yaozhu to the conference room on the other side. "These technicians you brought—they're all research institute elites, right?"
He'd spotted eight named Level 9 soul tool manufacturers among them—both human and spirit beast. He had to admit, the Spirit Transmission Tower's foundation was truly deep.
There were fewer than thirty Level 9 manufacturers in the entire Federation, and the Spirit Transmission Tower accounted for at least half.
As expected of the power founded by the Spirit-Ice Douluo.
"Naturally," Leng Yaozhu smiled. "Aside from a few who stayed behind to work with Lord Huo Yuhao and Ling Zichen, and some essential staff left behind, essentially all of the research department's top technicians are here."
Zhang Huanyun's expression shifted slightly, becoming somewhat odd.
It seemed this person still didn't know Huo Yuhao was the Spirit-Ice Douluo.
"By the way, speaking of Lord Huo Yuhao." Leng Yaozhu, unaware of Zhang Huanyun's expression, continued, "Among the juniors he asked me to bring this time, there's one who'll be especially valuable to the Blood God Legion."
As she spoke, they'd already entered the conference room. The three figures inside turned their attention toward her.
"Someone especially valuable? Who?" one of them asked.
He was an acquaintance of Leng Yaozhu's, and she was somewhat surprised to see him here.
"Romantic Douluo, you're here too?"
The three in the room were Smiling Face Douluo, Emotionless Douluo, and Romantic Douluo.
Smiling Face Douluo and Emotionless Douluo were originally the Blood God Legion's Four-Word Battle Armor Masters. Along with Zhang Huanyun, the Legion Commander, they made up the Legion's three Four-Word Battle Armor Masters, each with Limit-level strength.
So Leng Yaozhu wasn't surprised to see Emotionless Douluo here.
Though he was from Shrek, Emotionless Douluo had been stationed at the Blood God Legion guarding the Abyss Passage for years. The Federation wouldn't be overly harsh—he was essentially the first original Shrek personnel to pass review and be reinstated.
But Romantic Douluo—who wasn't part of the Blood God Legion's establishment—being here was somewhat surprising.
Wasn't it said that Emotionless Douluo had come to the Blood God Legion to avoid Romantic Douluo? How had the two ended up together again?
"I've rejoined the military. If not here, atoning at the Abyss Passage, where else would I be?" Romantic Douluo spread his hands, then added, "Though it's partly due to your Spirit Transmission Tower person's proposal at the Federation meeting."
That person?
Leng Yaozhu was puzzled.
Seeing this, Emotionless Douluo spoke flatly to clarify: "The Lord Huo Yuhao you mentioned—the Fire God reincarnation. In his proposal to send more personnel to reinforce the Blood God Legion's defenses, he recommended Zang Xin. He seems to know about our martial soul fusion skill—we're here as insurance."
Romantic Douluo was about to retort, but before he could, Zhang Huanyun nearly burst out laughing, barely holding it in.
The Spirit-Ice Douluo as the Fire God reincarnation—every time he heard it, he wanted to laugh.
"I see." Leng Yaozhu understood.
The fact that Emotionless Douluo and Romantic Douluo had a martial soul fusion skill was well known among the older generation.
But the two hadn't used it since becoming Limit Douluo.
Though many guessed their fusion at the semi-divine level would have divine-level power, no one had actually witnessed it, so they couldn't be sure.
But since a deity had made that judgment, it was certainly correct.
Only Emotionless and Romantic Douluo knew their own situation.
Their martial soul fusion did have divine-level power, but it came at the cost of their lives.
Still, the effect matched the price—if something unexpected happened here, they could hold the line.
"We've digressed. Deputy Tower Master, who exactly is this person you mentioned?" Smiling Face Douluo—who had remained silent until now—smilingly steered the conversation back.
Leng Yaozhu glanced at him and explained, "Tang Wulin. According to Lord Huo Yuhao, he possesses a divine artifact that can kill Abyss creatures and devour the Abyss Plane's energy."
The Golden Dragon Spear's ability to kill Abyss creatures couldn't be hidden in the Blood God Legion, so Huo Yuhao had simply told her many things and tasked her with handling the Legion.
As Leng Yaozhu's words fell, the scene fell silent. Then Zhang Huanyun and Emotionless Douluo's expressions turned excited. Even Smiling Face Douluo's perpetually narrowed eyes widened slightly, revealing a rare sharp glint.
"Devour Abyss energy?" Zhang Huanyun's voice tightened with excitement. "You mean—truly devouring? Not just killing and letting the energy return to the Abyss, but completely absorbing it for our own use?"
"Exactly." Leng Yaozhu nodded.
"Excellent. Wonderful."
Zhang Huanyun paced. "I thought we'd have to wait before making the Abyss pay. Now it seems we can start collecting some debts right away."
He turned to Leng Yaozhu. "Can we borrow this divine artifact?"
Leng Yaozhu had already asked Huo Yuhao about this, so she shook her head. "No. That artifact is called the Golden Dragon Spear—only specific people can wield it."
Without Golden Dragon bloodline, one couldn't use the Golden Dragon Spear's abilities.
"I see."
Zhang Huanyun sighed in regret, then thought of something. "Tang Wulin seems about the same age as those two. If he has his own divine artifact, could he also be a reincarnated deity?"
"Uh... probably not." Leng Yaozhu's tone carried a note of uncertainty.
Truthfully, Tang Wulin did have many unusual traits.
Emotionless Douluo thought of something else, his eyes glinting. "Sending Tang Wulin here now to kill Abyss creatures will draw the Abyss Plane's attention. Lord Huo Yuhao must have another purpose, right?"
"Correct."
Leng Yaozhu explained Huo Yuhao's plan to fish with a long line.
After hearing it, the group exchanged glances. Zhang Huanyun smiled. "Since that person has such intentions, we'll cooperate. Even if the Abyss plays it safe and doesn't send strong attackers, it's still an opportunity to weaken them."
They couldn't use the Golden Dragon Spear, but they could capture Abyss creatures and bring them to Tang Wulin to kill, couldn't they?
The Abyss creatures' undying nature had caused them so many problems—now they could settle accounts!
It would just mean a bit of hard work for that junior who hadn't even arrived yet.
On the other side, Tang Wulin, climbing the snowy mountain, sneezed.
"Ah-choo—"
He rubbed his nose, looked up at the endless snow slope, and exhaled a white breath. The cold wind carried icy crystals that stung his face like blades.
"What's wrong?" Xie Xie, walking beside him, glanced over. "A cold? With your physique, you can catch a cold?"
"No." Tang Wulin shook his head and smiled. "Just a sudden itch in my nose. Maybe a senior is thinking about me."
"Shameless. I'm ashamed to associate with someone who's already in a relationship!" Xie Xie felt uncomfortable hearing that and walked ahead in disgust.
Tang Wulin smiled helplessly and glanced at Xu Xiaoyan and the others.
Among the five, he and Xu Xiaoyan had reached Spirit Emperor the fastest. The others were slightly slower, but the lowest was Level 59—close to Spirit Emperor.
"I heard the Blood God Legion's service period is at least five years. I wonder what level we'll reach by then."
Xie Xie, walking ahead, slowed down and looked back. "Hard to say for us, but you and Xiao Yan might become Soul Douluo—even Title Douluo. You've already started condensing your first soul cores, right? Your cultivation speed has clearly accelerated."
They said cultivation got harder at higher levels, but he felt that didn't apply to Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan.
Their cultivation speeds only seemed to increase. (In *Soul Land III*, cultivation did indeed accelerate at higher levels—Tang Wulin became a Spirit Ancestor at eighteen and a Title Douluo around twenty-four, leaping nearly fifty levels in six years. His contemporaries were similarly prodigious, leaping across multiple levels, and were not far behind Yun Ming's speed in breaking through to Title Douluo.)
Xie Xie couldn't figure it out no matter how he thought, so he could only attribute it to the soul core.
After all, condensing a soul core did help cultivation speed.
As for the rule that only Soul Sages could condense soul cores?
Knowing Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena's situation, he'd long stopped believing that.
"I'm not sure about Xiao Yan, but I did condense a soul core when I broke through Level 60." Tang Wulin shook his head, then added, "You're not slow either."
Becoming a Spirit King in under two years and approaching or reaching Spirit Emperor—that couldn't be called slow.
"It's because you overachievers push us. Falling behind the Boss and Sister Na, I accept—they're not human, they're deities. But if I fall too far behind you and Xiao Yan, what's the point?" Xie Xie rolled his eyes.
Tang Wulin was speechless.
To be honest, coming to the Abyss Passage and using the Golden Dragon Spear to devour Abyss energy would likely accelerate his growth even more. He might really become a Title Douluo at twenty-two or twenty-three, matching or surpassing Atlas Douluo's achievement.
The gap was inevitable.
He'd cheated.
The two chatted as they walked. Though the weather was freezing and the altitude kept rising, their cultivation above Spirit King meant the harsh conditions didn't stop them.
It was just exhausting.
"The highest peak's altitude must exceed six thousand meters—truly not a place for people."
After a long time, reaching the highest peak and seeing the distant camp, Xie Xie panted heavily, wiped his sweat, and couldn't help complaining.
"Save your strength. Time to report in." Seeing flying spirit beasts carrying soldiers approach, Tang Wulin patted Xie Xie's shoulder.
Those flying spirit beasts were Snow God Eagles—guardians of the snowy mountains, inhabiting some peaks, and symbols of the Blood God Legion.
It was because of these rare spirit beasts that the Legion had its name—another symbol of human-spirit beast harmony.
The soldiers traveling with the Snow God Eagles were clearly Blood God Legion personnel.
They'd barely arrived when the welcoming party appeared—fast response.
With a silent sigh, Tang Wulin stepped forward with the others to verify their information. Soon, they were assigned, fifty people placed under various officers.
Fortunately, the five of them stayed together.
After the initial evaluation, a lieutenant briefed them on the Blood God Legion's rules.
One point stood out above all:
"You may not have fought alongside spirit beasts before—here, you will. Don't be surprised. The Blood God Legion has many experts from the spirit beast clans. Even the medical department includes Emerald Swans and other spirit beasts. They've reduced our casualties significantly—respect them."
Though he knew these were Spirit Transmission Tower prodigies unlikely to cause problems, the lieutenant emphasized this point seriously.
"Every spirit beast comrade here has fought and bled in the Abyss tides. Anyone who disrespects them—I won't wait for the Legion's punishment; I'll deal with them myself!"
Tang Wulin nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Lieutenant. We understand!"
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, the lieutenant softened his expression and continued: "You're all geniuses, but don't be arrogant. There are plenty in the Blood God Legion stronger than you."
"Yet even so, when the Legion was first formed, it suffered 70% casualties against the Abyss tides. Even though casualties have dropped, carelessness can still get you killed. Abyss creatures are undying—trading death for injury is normal. Don't lose your life to arrogance."
He'd seen it happen, hence the special warning.
"Any questions? Ask now."
They shook their heads.
Just as the lieutenant was about to dismiss them, he received a message. After reading it, he looked at Tang Wulin with a strange expression.
"Tang Wulin, stay behind. Come with me."
Bewildered, Tang Wulin followed him to meet Zhang Huanyun and the others—and received an order that left him both amused and exasperated.
"From today on, the Blood God Legion will focus on capturing Abyss creatures—all for you to kill."
Tang Wulin: "..."
No wonder he'd sneezed earlier—he'd had a bad premonition.
So he'd become a tool?
Tang Wulin accepted the order with a wry smile and began his life at the Blood God Legion: training at the Abyss Passage by day, "finishing off" captives by evening—painful and joyful.
Endless work, truly endless.
Sometimes he couldn't even refine all the Abyss energy he devoured.
But his cultivation did accelerate dramatically—progressing by leaps and bounds.
And the Blood God Legion's unrestrained killing of Abyss creatures naturally drew the Abyss Plane's attention.
***
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