At the Abyss Passage exit, the soul tools deployed there had all entered automatic firing mode, reacting swiftly. The Blood God Legion soldiers who had gathered also began their assault.
The Blood God Legion was divided into two divisions: the Blood Division and the Divine Division, each with five regiments. The former handled frontline combat against the Abyss, while the latter was a special forces division encompassing various support units and mecha combat groups.
The Blood Division was the first to arrive.
Following Zhang Huanyun's orders, they were already on alert for a possible Abyss tide. Being stationed near the passage, their response was naturally swift.
Over ten thousand soldiers, relying on defensive fortifications and coordinated soul tool firepower, sealed the passage exit.
Countless soul tool beams and dense cannon fire wove a death net, sniping every Abyss creature that emerged.
The thunder of explosions was relentless.
Under the overwhelming firepower, the lead Abyss creatures were shot through and blown apart, their bodies bursting into black mist that was immediately sucked back into the passage.
Yet more Abyss creatures surged outward at an alarming rate, wave after wave, as if endless.
But due to the dense interlocking fire, the creatures couldn't break through for the moment.
However, most Blood God Legion officers wore grim expressions.
They could clearly see that the density of Abyss creatures inside the passage was constantly increasing.
The number of Abyss creatures was still growing.
At first, only four-clawed and six-clawed bats and some common Abyss creatures emerged. Now, higher-level Abyss creatures had appeared.
Even as time passed, many Abyss creatures specializing in ranged attacks and defense appeared, using their abilities to block soul tool beams and shells, creating opportunities for melee-focused creatures.
If not for the advance warning ensuring no soldiers remained inside, such a tide would have cost hundreds of elite soldiers.
With that thought, the officers couldn't help feeling relieved.
Just then—
"ROOOAR!"
A maddened roar exploded from deep within the passage, rattling eardrums. The sound was filled with brutality and pressure, as if from an ancient beast.
The frenzied Abyss creatures below, as if receiving an order, quickly parted to the sides, clearing a wide path. Dense Abyss energy surged out like a tide. Amidst the churning black mist, three colossal figures slowly emerged.
The Six-Claw Demon Emperor, the Three-Headed Demon Serpent, and the Bone Mountain Demon Lord—three Abyss Emperors—stepped forth, surrounded by numerous high-level Abyss creatures.
They raised a protective barrier to shield the attacking Abyss creatures.
"That aura... an Abyss Emperor?" Xu Weitao frowned.
Xu Weitao was the Blood Division Commander, a Title Douluo and Three-Word Battle Armor Master.
Seeing the Abyss send Emperors, he didn't rashly charge based on personal strength. He simply raised his hand and ordered: "First Regiment, First Battalion—proton beams, target the Abyss Emperors' positions, continuous fire to suppress their movements. First Regiment, Second Battalion—high-explosive shells free-fire, target the Abyss Emperors with tiered coverage. The rest maintain fire suppression on ordinary Abyss creatures—don't let the grunts through."
Guns thundered.
The First Battalion's soul tool platforms swiftly changed ammunition, the blue energy at their muzzles turning a blinding white—proton beams, highly effective at penetrating and disintegrating physical forms. High-explosive shells were loaded from the rear, heavy shells pushed into the barrels, their fuses glowing with dangerous red lights.
"Fire!"
At Xu Weitao's command, hundreds of proton beams shot through the gray-white mist like white spears, precisely targeting the three Abyss Emperors. Following were howling high-explosive shells, trailing dense plumes through the air, raining down in a deluge.
Though the three Abyss Emperors were powerful and had numerous Title-level high-level Abyss creatures assisting, facing such concentrated fire, they couldn't hold. Their barriers shattered within seconds, and they quickly withdrew, pushing their Abyss army forward and hiding behind them.
"Damn it, the Blood God Legion was ready!"
Feeling a sharp pain in his body, the Six-Claw Demon Emperor looked down at his chest. Though it appeared unscathed, his internal body had been damaged—and not lightly.
Those proton beams could penetrate physical and energy defenses and cause internal destruction. If it weren't for their physical strength, which rivaled that of hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, a human Title Douluo would have been incinerated by that attack.
"Our recent troop withdrawal may have alerted them. It's not surprising they're prepared. What astonishes me is their soul tool technology—it's terrifyingly advanced compared to six thousand years ago. If this continues, they'll become a major threat."
The Three-Headed Demon Serpent had participated in the war six thousand years ago and remembered the Douluo Federation's soul tool technology from that era. Compared to now, it had improved immensely—incomparable.
"This isn't the time for that. Since we can't break through quickly, let our troops wear them down."
The Bone Mountain Demon Lord interjected. "We'll enhance our warriors, exhaust the Blood God Legion, and establish a foothold. Just be careful not to let that human with the divine artifact take advantage."
Their army wasn't here to fight—it was a vanguard sent to die.
As Abyss creatures fell, their bodies turned into energy that returned to the passage, allowing the Abyss to expand it and let more powerful beings descend.
So whether the Abyss army lived or died, the Abyss came out ahead.
If they lived, they could attack and drain the Blood God Legion's strength and supplies—win number one.
If they died, they'd expand the passage or return to the Abyss as new creatures to attack again—win number two.
By relative logic, if the Abyss won, the Douluo Federation naturally lost.
The Abyss was winning all around.
The only concern was that creature that could devour Abyss energy—they couldn't let it run rampant, or the Abyss would suffer losses.
The other two Abyss Emperors nodded in agreement.
Each let out a roar. Dark red halos appeared around them, spreading to their kin, causing the Abyss creatures to swell in size and transform into bloodthirsty berserkers charging the defenses.
Seeing the three Emperors push their army forward and only enhance them without engaging directly, Xu Weitao stopped focusing on them. He simply held the line while rotating troops for rest, meditation, and recovery.
Battles against Abyss creatures were always protracted—sometimes hours, sometimes days, even over a month. Without proper rotation, they couldn't sustain such attrition.
Just then, the Divine Division's mecha units, Zhang Huanyun, Emotionless Douluo Cao Dezhi, Smiling Face Douluo, and others all arrived at the passage.
Zhang Huanyun descended beside Xu Weitao, surveying the scene with narrowed eyes.
"Abyss Emperors appear from the start—there must be something stronger behind them. Looks like we've hooked a big fish."
Xu Weitao, unaware of the plan, was surprised by "big fish" but didn't pry.
"Should we cover you and the Blood God Camp to kill these Emperors first?"
The Blood God Camp was the Blood God Legion's elite unit—all Title Douluo, Three-Word Battle Armor Masters and above.
These experts had arrived with Emotionless Douluo and the others, but couldn't recklessly charge in.
Aside from friendly fire risks, the three Emperors were deep within the Abyss army, surrounded by over a dozen Title-level Abyss creatures—Black Emperors, Demon Enchantresses, and other high-level types—plus hundreds of Soul Douluo-level creatures and many more lower-tier ones.
Even Three-Word Battle Armor Masters, comparable to Super Douluo, wouldn't fare well if they rushed in—they could even be killed.
Of course, the same applied to the Abyss—the three Emperors had just demonstrated what happened if they charged forward.
But with several Four-Word Battle Armor Masters—especially the veteran commander Zhang Huanyun—Xu Weitao wasn't worried about killing the three Emperors.
"No rush. Wait until he arrives."
Zhang Huanyun glanced toward the camp, seeing Tang Wulin's team had arrived, and smiled.
It seemed there was no need to wait. "Hu Jie."
Smiling Face Douluo Hu Jie's eyes shifted. He smiled with narrowed eyes. "Understood."
Hu Jie flickered, appearing before Tang Wulin and lifting him instantly to the front lines, leaving the startled Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and the other three behind.
At the front, Hu Jie pointed toward the Emperors' position. "Wu Lin, can you devour them all?"
Tang Wulin looked in that direction, sensing over a dozen Title-level and hundreds of Soul Douluo-level auras, and gave Hu Jie a speechless look.
"I think you're trying to kill me."
Devouring those experts would kill him—no, he'd burst from the energy!
Seeing Tang Wulin's reluctance, Hu Jie knew he couldn't do it yet and sighed regretfully. "Then take down one Abyss Emperor first. Get ready."
Without a Limit-level Abyss expert present, killing these experts wasn't hard.
The problem was that killing them was useless—they'd be back in no time.
If Tang Wulin could absorb them all, that would be ideal, but his current body couldn't handle it.
Zhang Huanyun also felt the regret, his thoughts turning to Huo Yuhao.
"Lord Spirit-Ice could probably handle this Abyss energy too. I wonder if he's arrived yet."
Just then, he received a call from his adjutant at headquarters.
"Commander, reconnaissance detected several Title-level energy signatures fifty li southwest."
"Found them?"
Zhang Huanyun's face hardened, about to give orders.
But the adjutant continued: "Additionally, the War Temple Deputy Temple Master has contacted us—he's bringing reinforcements."
Zhang Huanyun was briefly surprised, then thought of the Heaven Favored Douluo and War Heaven Douluo's relationship, and understood.
Lord Huo Yuhao must have notified him.
Since the Heaven Favored Douluo was involved, it made sense for the War Heaven Douluo to come. If not for Yun Ming's deployment with the navy, he'd likely have come too.
"Relay those Holy Spirit Cult Title Douluo positions to the War Heaven Douluo. Let him handle that front—we can hold the passage here."
The adjutant acknowledged and set to work.
Zhang Huanyun refocused on the battlefield.
If the War Heaven Douluo had arrived, Lord Spirit-Ice was probably close too.
Then they could speed things up—force the true Abyss Emperor leading this attack to reveal himself before he arrived.
If it was a lower-ranked Abyss Emperor, they might not even need Lord Spirit-Ice—they could handle this tide themselves.
With that thought, Zhang Huanyun turned to Emotionless Douluo Cao Dezhi. "Old Cao, work with me. First, let Tang Wulin safely kill one Abyss Emperor, then launch the general assault. Old Xu, clear the battlefield."
As he spoke, a mirror appeared behind him, initially half a meter in diameter, but rapidly expanding to fifty meters under his spirit ability.
The mirror's surface rippled with spatial power, reflecting the battlefield and the distant Abyss experts.
Seeing this, Cao Dezhi understood Zhang Huanyun's intent. He nodded, his figure flickering and vanishing.
Xu Weitao, familiar with his commander's abilities, increased artillery output, momentarily clearing a gap on the battlefield.
The Six-Claw Demon Emperor watched the Blood God Legion's defenses coldly, using his Emperor powers to enhance his kin. Suddenly, he sensed something amiss—the space around him seemed cut off by an invisible force.
His colleagues were right beside him, yet none noticed anything wrong.
He seemed trapped in a square spatial cage, isolated, unable even to transmit sound.
What was happening?
Alarm bells rang in the Six-Claw Demon Emperor's mind. He instinctively tried to break free. But four giant swords had silently materialized around him, their blades trapping space. His movements were instantly restricted, and then a dazzling, nearly divine light descended vertically, enveloping him.
The light wasn't hot or harsh, yet it carried an irresistible pull from the depths of his soul.
The next moment, his hundred-meter-tall body vanished as a white beam of light, disappearing into thin air.
Only then did the other two Emperors and Abyss creatures snap back to reality, horrified.
They'd only seen four giant swords appear, then a white light took the Six-Claw Demon Emperor away—too fast for them to react.
"The humans captured the Six-Claw Demon Emperor?"
"How did they do it?"
"Did one of their Emperor-level experts make a move?"
The Bone Mountain Demon Lord's massive body froze, its bone spikes trembling—clearly terrified to the extreme.
The Three-Headed Demon Serpent's three heads turned toward the Blood God Legion's defenses, its eyes flickering, finally confirming: "It's that mirror!"
Yes, Zhang Huanyun's mirror.
Tang Wulin had seen it clearly—Zhang Huanyun's martial soul flashed, and the colossal Abyss creature appeared in the mirror, seemingly trapped in a separate mirror space.
"This... what a sneaky spatial transfer skill." Tang Wulin marveled inwardly.
So this was the Blood God Legion Commander, Bright Mirror Douluo Zhang Huanyun's ability?
He loved it—perfect for ambushes.
"Wu Lin, go in and use the Golden Dragon Spear to kill it."
"Yes!"
Zhang Huanyun sent Tang Wulin into the mirror space and was about to order the general assault.
Just then, he witnessed an unforgettable sight.
Perhaps his move had provoked the Abyss creatures—before he could give the order, the remaining two Emperors had their surrounding experts attack.
At the same time, the two Emperors and all Title-level and above Abyss experts—sacrificed themselves entirely!
Dark red pillars of light shot up from the Abyss army, transforming into dense Abyss energy that began assaulting the passage's seal.
Within the red light, the Three-Headed Demon Serpent looked at the Bone Mountain Demon Lord. "You're decisive."
Immediate sacrifice to expand the passage had been the Bone Mountain Demon Lord's idea.
"We can die, but not at that human's hands with the divine artifact. The Plane Seeds we carry are crucial—if that artifact can destroy them, you know the consequences."
The Bone Mountain Demon Lord said gravely. "The humans now have the ability to capture us silently. We can't wait any longer!"
Their role was to strengthen the army, drain the Blood God Legion, expand the passage, and establish a foothold for the forces behind.
But all this required their own survival. Survival didn't mean surviving Limit-level experts—it meant not being killed by Tang Wulin.
Otherwise, if the Plane Seeds were destroyed, the Abyss's losses would be too great.
With many experts guarding them and their position in the rear, they hadn't been too worried about this scenario.
After all, that human youth wasn't strong. Human experts wouldn't risk charging through their army to kill them—too dangerous.
And they'd never imagined humans could capture them alive and let Tang Wulin execute them. Even if the worst happened, they could self-destruct faster than any Limit could capture them.
But they truly hadn't expected such a sneaky spatial transfer skill from the other side.
Now, as long as they lived, they risked being caught by that sneaky human and handed to Tang Wulin.
Better to sacrifice themselves or die in battle, allowing Lord Blazing Emperor to descend immediately.
Zhang Huanyun, unaware of the Abyss experts' thoughts, watched the scene with bewilderment.
They'd only captured one Emperor—hadn't even killed him yet—and they were sacrificing everything?
Romantic and Emotionless Douluo, sensing the terrifying aura deep within the passage as these Abyss experts sacrificed themselves, felt their hearts sink—a power beyond theirs.
This was no ordinary Abyss Emperor—it was definitely one of the highest-ranked!
As the main passage expanded, a projection appeared before the Blood God Legion.
Seeing that being, Cao Dezhi's pupils contracted sharply.
"Abyss... the Blazing Emperor?!"
***
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