Heaven Dou City
The imperial palace grand hall.
Emperor Xue Ye sat with the three Sect Masters of the Upper Three Sects, as well as Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the other Titled Douluo gathered together.
The atmosphere within the hall was heavy.
"Urgent news from the front—the Spirit Master army of the Spirit Hall Empire have been assembled. Their scale far exceeds any campaign to date."
Emperor Xue Ye's expression was somber, his voice carrying suppressed fury:
"Bibi Dong intends to ignite war once more—and this time… it is very likely the final battle."
"The armies of the Star Luo Empire have already traveled through the newly built express route to render aid. The powerful individuals from the various academies within Heaven Dou's borders are also arriving one after another."
"In terms of conventional military strength, Heaven Dou does not fear them."
"But what I worry about is…"
At this point—
He let out a long sigh.
His gaze swept toward Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others.
How could the Titled Douluo present be unaware of Emperor Xue Ye's concerns?
The Spirit Hall Empire's two Limit Douluo were like two invisible mountains pressing on their chests.
They knew better than anyone the weight carried by the term "Limit."
A single Limit Douluo was enough to rival all Titled Douluo Heaven Dou could muster.
These past four months—
Though everyone had secluded themselves to cultivate,
For those at the Titled level—
What kind of breakthrough could be made in just four short months?
"Has there been any word from the Clear Sky Clan?"
Feng Bailong pondered for a moment before speaking slowly:
"Their sect stands upon Heaven Dou soil. They ought to show at least some sentiment for their homeland."
At these words—
Emperor Xue Ye's expression grew even darker:
"I personally traveled 150 kilometer outside Heaven Dou City to 'Clouds Deep, Unknown Place, to invite them."
"But all I learned from the affiliated village was that the Clear Sky Clan has sealed its gates once more, retreating from the world."
"Heh…"
Yu Yuanzhen's face twisted with mockery.
"Given our past dealings with the Clear Sky Clan, their unwillingness to assist—I can understand."
"Even if they simply stood by and watched, old as I am, I would find that normal."
"But now they don't even have the courage to watch the battle. The Clear Sky Clan is finished."
Everyone in the hall nodded.
After a long silence—
Gu Rong asked:
"Bibi Dong joined forces with the Slaughter King to besiege Qian Daoliu, resulting in his disappearance."
"In that case…"
"Can we join forces with the Worship Hall?"
"Perhaps a slim chance of survival can be fought for."
At these words—
Feng Bailong and Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up slightly.
But as if recalling something, both immediately furrowed their brows tightly.
"This is exactly what concerns me…"
Ning Fengzhi's brows were covered by a shadow of gloom.
"If Bibi Dong uses Qian Daoliu's life to coerce the Worship Hall…"
He paused, his voice growing heavier:
"Perhaps the Worshipers would rather die than submit."
"But if Bibi Dong—already half-mad—uses Qian Renxue and the Angel inheritance they protect as leverage…"
His sentence trailed off—
But a chill swept through everyone present.
If things truly unfolded as Ning Fengzhi feared—
Then aside from the two Limit Douluo—
Add in the Worshipers…
Heaven Dou Empire would be doomed.
"Zhexian…"
At that moment—
Dugu Bo's hoarse voice suddenly sounded.
Chen Xin and Feng Bailong's brows tightened even further at the mention.
Emperor Xue Ye hastily spoke:
"I have heard that Lord Sword Wine traveled deep into the Extreme North. Has his combat power broken through again?"
"Could he…"
"Contend with a Limit Douluo?"
Dugu Bo lowered his head and took a sip of tea.
"When Zhexian left Heaven Dou, his Spirit Power was at Level 76."
"In four months… even with his heaven-defying talent, there's no way he's achieved a shocking leap."
"What I meant earlier…"
"Was that I hope Zhexian avoids this war."
He lifted his eyes, sweeping over everyone as his tone hardened:
"You and I both know—one more Titled Douluo may not change the outcome."
"Better to leave one spark of hope for Heaven Dou."
Emperor Xue Ye's hopeful expression instantly froze.
But Chen Xin and Feng Bailong finally relaxed their tightened brows.
Gu Rong and Yu Yuanzhen exchanged a glance and nodded slightly in agreement.
Ning Fengzhi sighed inwardly.
How could he not understand Dugu Bo's true intention…
"Another Titled cannot change the outcome" was only a pretext.
What he truly wanted—
Was to prevent that young man from being dragged into a deathtrap.
It was the protective heart of an elder, wishing to shield him from the flames of war.
"I agree as well."
Ning Fengzhi spoke softly:
"Zhexian is far away in the Extreme North. If he misses the final battle… perhaps it is fate."
As his voice fell—
Suddenly, frantic footsteps sounded from outside the hall.
A guard stumbled inside, dropping to one knee:
"Y-Your Majesty!"
"Lord Sword Wine's mount suddenly appeared in the palace square—it injured several guards and is too violent to approach!"
Emperor Xue Ye revealed a troubled expression.
Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others darkened visibly.
"That Dark Demon Evil God Tiger grows more arrogant without Zhexian to restrain it."
Everyone rose to their feet and strode quickly out of the hall.
...
In the imperial palace square—
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger stood wreathed in churning black mist.
Several pools of fresh blood on the white jade tiles were blindingly stark.
"ROAR—!"
It growled low, filled with impatience.
It had been nearly half a year since it came to the human world.
Aside from the slaughter in Blazing Fire City—
For these past four months, it had not once fed to satisfaction.
If not for Li Zhexian's warning still echoing in its ears, those guards just now would not have been merely injured.
With Li Zhexian absent—
It wanted nothing more than to flee back to the Star Dou Forest.
Just then—
Seeing several human Titled Douluo arrive together, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger showed not a trace of fear. Instead, a hint of contempt flashed in its blood-red eyes.
Aside from that monstrous youth, it believed it could tear any of these Titled Douluo apart.
"Dark Demon Evil God Tiger…"
Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others stood ten meters away, their voices cold as iron:
"Heaven Dou has treated you well."
"A dedicated hall for your recovery, rare Spirit Beast flesh and blood for your consumption—why do you still injure people?"
"ROAR—!"
The tiger suddenly spread its wings and roared, surging waves of dark Spirit Power blasting out, whipping their robes violently.
The killing intent rushing forth made several Titled Douluo's gazes turn icy.
A cold gleam flashed in its bloody eyes.
Its bat wings snapped open, and its figure shot skyward.
It was leaving—returning to Star Dou.
Even if it had to avoid Li Zhexian in the future, that was still preferable to being trapped here.
However—
The moment it reached mid-air—
Five figures had already sealed off its escape.
Chen Xin, Gu Rong, Dugu Bo, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen each took a position, cutting off all routes.
"Before leaving, Zhexian entrusted you to this old man."
Dugu Bo's heterochromatic eyes flashed with a fierce light.
"If you flee, how am I to explain to him?"
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's ferocity erupted completely.
Its scorpion tail lashed out—fast enough to tear space—aimed straight for Dugu Bo's face.
Even though they had all been prepared—
The sheer speed and savagery of this strike still made their hearts clench.
Dugu Bo did not retreat; instead, he surged forward. His green-red robe billowed, and the Ten-Headed Serpent Emperor burst forth to clash head-on.
But at the moment when the scorpion tail was about to collide with the serpent—
A white-robed figure suddenly appeared in front of Dugu Bo.
With a faint lift of his right hand—five pale, jade-like fingers closed steadily around the tail that tore the air apart.
The time-space power wrapped around the tail dissipated like mist within his grasp.
"Zhexian!"
"Young friend Zhexian!"
The others couldn't help but shout in shock.
In the next instant—
They saw Li Zhexian extend his other hand, palm facing the void, five fingers slowly curling inward.
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger—whom they had braced themselves to face together—was suddenly seized by an invisible force, its entire body bound like a fledgling bird.
Cracks boomed across its bones.
Blood mist sprayed from between its fur.
"Whiiine…"
The tiger whimpered, all ferocity collapsing—leaving only terror and pleading.
The youth flicked his arm.
The tiger plummeted like a meteor.
BOOM—!
The ground shook violently, dust blasting skyward.
...
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