Chapter 617: Call It a Victorious Maneuver!
These powerhouses used their formidable strength to spread Xu Jiujiu's orders across the massive Star Luo and Heavenly Soul forces, ensuring that every soldier heard them.
As a result, the armies intensified their counterattack against the two Beast King-level Soul Engineer Regiments. Even those tempted to flee had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue fighting.
A heavy, labored breathing sound, like the bellows of a furnace, suddenly echoed from above, reaching Xu Jiujiu and her entourage.
The nearby royal guards immediately tensed up, drawing their swords and scanning their surroundings. The crisp sound of blades being unsheathed filled the air. The next moment, a thick yellow light and a searing cyan glow appeared.
As the light dissipated, a panting Xuanzi and a tear-streaked Xian Lin'er were revealed.
The guards relaxed instantly.
After all, Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire had always had a strong alliance, and these two were powerful allies who had come to support Star Luo not enemies.
Xu Jiujiu's face lit up with a smile as she prepared to tell Xuanzi about the Beast King-level Soul Engineer Regiments attacking the Star Luo and Heavenly Soul armies. She intended to ask him to lead a force to deal with them.
But before she could speak, her smile froze.
Something was off about Xuanzi and Xian Lin'er. A bad feeling crept into her heart.
Could it be that the others… didn't make it?
Instinctively, Xu Jiujiu activated a soundproof soul barrier, enclosing herself, the powerhouses, the guards, Xuanzi, and Xian Lin'er within it.
Her voice carried a trace of panic as she asked, "Elder Xuan, your left arm… it's gone? And Headmistress Xian, why are you crying? Where are the others?"
Xuanzi avoided Xu Jiujiu's gaze, turning his head away with a heavy sigh. "Princess Jiujiu, the Sun-Moon people were too cunning and ruthless. The others… all died because of Kong Deming. Only Lin'er and I made it back. We need to withdraw our forces immediately, retreat to Yuming City, and minimize our losses."
Xuanzi's words were like a thunderclap in Xu Jiujiu's mind, sending waves of shock through her heart.
Impossible. How could this be?
Fragment Star Douluo, Medicine Immortal Douluo, and Giant Hammer Douluo were all incredibly powerful. How could they have died so quickly on the battlefield?
She refused to believe it.
As the princess of Star Luo, she had grown up under the care of these three revered figures. The thought of their deaths was unbearable.
But no matter how much she denied it in her heart, she couldn't change reality.
Deep down, she knew she was just clinging to the hope that it wasn't true. But Xuanzi had no reason to lie about something like this.
Xu Jiujiu's eyes turned red as tears streamed down her face.
Regret filled her heart.
If only she had insisted on scouting the enemy more thoroughly before approving Xuanzi's plan, perhaps none of this would have happened.
The loss of three great elders wasn't just a personal tragedy it was a devastating blow to the strength of the Star Luo Empire.
Even with powerful sects within Star Luo, so what? Those sect powerhouses wouldn't necessarily obey the imperial family's orders!
The surrounding guards and powerhouses fell into silent mourning. Anger and grief churned within them, and for a fleeting moment, they wanted to storm the Sun-Moon Empire and kill Kong Deming to avenge the fallen elders.
But the thought vanished as quickly as it came.
A man capable of slaughtering so many powerful figures was not someone they could challenge.
Xu Jiujiu wiped her tears, her voice choked as she voiced her doubts. "Elder Xuan, even if Kong Deming is a Rank 10 Soul Engineer strong enough to rival an Ultimate Douluo, how could he have wiped out so many top-tier powerhouses?"
"Princess Jiujiu, this isn't the time for questions. You should be organizing the retreat instead of dwelling on this," Xuanzi sighed, frustrated by her hesitation. "But fine, I'll explain so you don't waste time wondering during the retreat.
Kong Deming isn't just a Rank 10 Soul Engineer he's also a Rank 98 Super Douluo. That's why we were completely defeated. The counteroffensive has failed. We've lost."
Xu Jiujiu was utterly stunned, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Kong Deming… was that powerful?
It felt like he had reached an invincible level.
After a moment, she steadied herself, suppressing her shock, and turned to the nearby commanders. "Pass my order! The Justice Alliance Army will split into three groups and retreat to Yuming City!"
The Justice Alliance Army referred to the combined forces of the Star Luo and Heavenly Soul armies, united to fight against the Sun-Moon Empire.
Because the Sun-Moon Empire's invasion was widely condemned, their coalition was seen as the righteous side, hence the name "Justice Alliance."
Xuanzi immediately shook his head. "Wait! Princess Jiujiu, you can't call it a retreat. Given our dire situation, if we announce a retreat, the Sun-Moon forces on the other side of the Ming Dou Mountain Range will push forward, shattering morale and causing a complete collapse. More people will die."
"What do you suggest?"
"Technically, it is a retreat, but we need to change the wording. Call it a victorious maneuver! Trick your soldiers and officers into believing we're making a strategic move while maintaining morale.
If we run into trouble during the retreat, tell them reinforcements are coming soon. This will keep their fighting spirit alive.
Don't feel guilty about it everything I'm suggesting is for the benefit of Star Luo and Heavenly Soul. If you follow my plan, we'll minimize our casualties!" Xuanzi's voice was firm and resolute.
Xu Jiujiu thought for a moment. He was right.
Gritting her teeth, she nodded. "Fine! Elder Xuan, we'll do as you say!"
Moments later…
The Justice Alliance Army split into three groups and began their victorious maneuver toward Yuming City.
Meanwhile, the Sun-Moon army arrived from the other side of the Ming Dou Mountain Range, joining forces with the two Beast King-level Soul Engineer Regiments to encircle the retreating Justice Alliance Army.
Some time later, under Xuanzi's protection, Xu Jiujiu successfully returned to Yuming City.
The battle's toll was staggering.
The Star Luo army lost 250,000 soldiers, with 50,000 surrendering. Another 100,000 followed Xu Jiujiu to Yuming City, many of them severely wounded.
The Heavenly Soul reinforcements, which had originally numbered 100,000, suffered 20,000 casualties. Another 20,000 retreated to Yuming City, while 60,000 surrendered.
Unlike the Star Luo army, which was fighting for its homeland, the Heavenly Soul reinforcements were far from their own territory. With no immediate threat to their own nation, their will to fight was naturally weaker.
Xu Jiujiu immediately sent messengers to Star Luo City to inform Xu Jiawei of the dire situation and request reinforcements.
She had already accepted the necessity of abandoning several border cities to reduce further military losses.
Right now, their troops were demoralized, and their wounded were numerous. Even if they defended the city, the Sun-Moon army could crush them with overwhelming force.
As for Xuanzi and Xian Lin'er, they didn't return to Shrek Academy right away. Instead, they stayed to protect Xu Jiujiu.
The Shrek reinforcements they had originally brought consisted mostly of Shrek's disciplinary officers. Some of them had already been dispatched back to the academy to report on the front-line situation.
Meanwhile…
In the Heavenly Soul Empire.
At the headquarters of the Body Sect.
Inside the grand council hall…
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