On the mountain range, nearly two thousand attack points were continuously spewing artillery fire, primarily utilizing soul guidance cannons, supplemented by soul guidance rays.
And this was merely the legions' strategic reserves.
Fortunately, Chen Junting and the others had played the role of thieves earlier, completely cleaning out two armories.
Furthermore, Chen Junting had employed certain methods that caused the Sun Moon Empire's soul guidance cannons and rays to lose their ability for precision targeting. If not for that, the Star Luo Empire would probably have been suppressed even worse.
Meanwhile, in the central military camp at the base of the mountain range.
"What's the situation?" The still-unhealed Dai Hao sat upright behind the commander's desk, a sand table placed before him.
The sand table displayed the Mingdou Mountain Range. Flags of two different colors were planted on the front and rear sides of the mountain range, representing the progress of the Star Luo and Sun Moon Empires. Judging by the current situation, it could be considered a stalemate.
"Commander! This is the latest battle report!"
At this moment, a messenger presented a map.
A general reached out to take it and unfolded it before everyone. Based on the markings on the map, Dai Hao pulled out a few small flags representing the Sun Moon Empire and replaced them with Star Luo flags.
This indicated the Star Luo Empire's achievements in the last half-hour: they had recaptured these few strongholds.
And all of this was scouted using the ultra-high-altitude detection soul tools stolen from the Sun Moon Empire.
It had to be said, these things were incredibly useful. It saved them from having to sacrifice human lives for reconnaissance.
"Good news."
The progress of the situation and the advancement of the Mingdou Mountain Range defense line brought joy to Dai Hao; the other generals felt much the same.
Dai Hao turned his head to look at Chen Junting and said with genuine sincerity, "Thank you truly."
The sincerity of his thanks made Chen Junting want to deflect it. This kind of reputation was really not good.
"Commander, there's no need to thank me." Chen Junting's usually calm demeanor slipped as he broke into a self-deprecating smile. "I didn't come up with the method, nor did I refine the medicine. I'm just the executor at best, so the bulk of the gratitude shouldn't be placed on my head."
This deflecting joke made Dai Hao and the others chuckle, as they repeatedly assured him that the news wouldn't leak out and ruin his reputation.
As it turned out, five days ago—on the very first day of the official battle—even with the assistance of Chen Junting's group, in a large-scale army engagement, the Star Luo Empire, whose hard power was inferior, was still suppressed by the Sun Moon army.
This forced Chen Junting and the others to use other methods—poison.
Taking out a porcelain bottle, he scattered the poisonous powder inside. Carried by the wind, it drifted toward the Sun Moon Empire's side. Then ten passed to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand, a thousand to ten thousand... In no time, even the Rank-9 Soul Engineers among them were hit; no one was spared.
But Ye Yulin and the others had clearly come prepared. Just as Chen Junting had said, having fallen for it on the Heaven Soul battlefield not long ago, how could the Sun Moon Empire fall for the exact same trick a second time?
The Sun Moon Empire's advantage on the battlefield lay in their vast number of soul tools. However, these numerous soul tools required many soul engineers to control them. Even with the support of sealed milk bottle technology, low-tier soul engineers were still needed to control enough sealed milk bottles to continuously unleash the power of mid-tier soul tools.
But the Sun Moon Empire had made thorough preparations. The deployment of linked soul tool formations greatly mitigated this weakness. While it didn't fully maintain their destructive and lethal power to keep suppressing the Star Luo Empire, it at least allowed them to withstand the Star Luo Empire's opportunistic attacks.
The Star Luo Empire even noticed that the Sun Moon Empire's high-altitude detection soul tools had noticeably pulled back, retreating into the range protected by the Mingdou Mountain Range's firepower. They continued to execute their reconnaissance missions, though their detection range had correspondingly shrunk. Thus, the two sides fell into a stalemate here.
However, the Mingdou Mountain Range was like a giant porcupine; even if it slightly retracted its spikes, it refused to let anyone get close.
The Sun Moon Empire's defenses were tight, and the Star Luo Empire was happy to leave it that way. After all, they never expected to control or counterattack the Sun Moon Empire with their current troop strength. All they needed to do was stall for time.
Of course, this wave of poison couldn't hold the Sun Moon army back forever. Based on its effects on the Heaven Soul battlefield, it could only last for about three days at most. The reason the Star Luo Empire managed to hold the advantage on the front lines for five days was that after the poison ran its course, the Sun Moon army still needed two to three days to recover; otherwise, they simply couldn't function as a combat force.
And now, that period had completely come to an end.
But when Chen Junting brought this up, Dai Hao told him not to worry. "Three days ago, news arrived from Xingluo City. The main army has finished assembling and is marching toward the front lines. They should arrive in a day or two."
...
Outside the tents of the Star Luo Empire army, Dai Hao, along with the other experts and generals of the Star Luo Empire, had gathered. Facing the massive army, Dai Hao and the others dropped to one knee. Leading them was the Star Luo Empire's Princess, Xu Jiujiu, dressed in white soft armor.
"Greetings, Princess!" ×N
"Commander Dai Hao, there is no need for such formalities."
Xu Jiujiu dismounted and walked up to Dai Hao. With both hands, she gently lifted his arms, raising him to his feet.
"You have worked tirelessly during this time, Commander."
"For the Empire, how could it be called hard work?" Dai Hao cupped his fists, neither arrogant nor subservient.
He then gestured with his hand. "Princess, after you."
"Commander, after you."
After arranging for the reinforcing army to set up camp, Xu Jiujiu and her entourage were led into the central command tent by Dai Hao and the other generals.
At the same time, they met Chen Junting and the other two.
"Princess, I trust you've been well."
Xu Jiujiu smiled helplessly. Looking at Chen Junting and the other two, a myriad of dazzling lights flashed in her beautiful eyes. "When we received your letter, we honestly couldn't quite believe it."
"But having said that, I will thank the three of you on behalf of my Imperial Brother. Otherwise, the Mingdou Mountain Range defense line would have been completely taken by the Sun Moon Empire long ago."
"Gentlemen, please come inside." Saying this, she made a welcoming gesture.
Even though, compared to Chen Junting's trio, she, Xu Jiujiu, was the one who had arrived late.
Xu Jiujiu walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Dai Hao and Chen Junting. Without a trace of arrogance, she clearly placed Chen Junting on equal footing with herself and the White Tiger Duke, the Empire's Marshal.
The Title Douluo of the Star Luo Empire, along with Gu Tianchen and Huo Yuhao, also walked forward at a leisurely pace.
Seeing this, the few Title Douluo who had arrived with Xu Jiujiu couldn't help but exchange glances. Through their eye contact, they all saw the shock in each other's eyes.
As Title Douluo experts themselves, they could naturally tell just how extraordinary these three young men were. Two Soul Douluo and one Soul Saint.
Moreover, one of the Soul Douluo was only a single step away from becoming a Title Douluo. Yet, judging by their ages, they all appeared to be in their early twenties. This was simply unimaginable!
And that one named "Chen Junting"... his name was like thunder to their ears! Every single deed and accomplishment he had made had reached their ears. Seeing him now, the rumors were clearly not exaggerated!
His cultivation was one thing (which they could vaguely grasp), but his actual combat power... was completely unfathomable to them. Yes, unfathomable! Joining forces to slay a Limit Douluo... Tsk tsk tsk—no wonder.
Xu Jiujiu led Chen Junting and the other two, along with Dai Hao, to a new command tent. Although she wasn't the commander, she held the title of Army Supervisor, giving her a highly transcendent status within the military camp.
After dismissing most of the Star Luo Empire experts, leaving only an old woman, as well as Dai Hao, Xu Jiujiu had the servants bring out fruits and pastries.
Chen Junting and the other two were naturally polite. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they shifted the topic to the old woman beside Xu Jiujiu.
This old woman had a withered face, and her white hair hung down like silver threads. Her face was covered in so many wrinkles that an ordinary person simply couldn't guess her true age.
However, through Chen Junting's observation, beneath that withered body lay an obscure and massive vitality. It seemed like it didn't belong to her, yet it did. It was a contradiction. But truly astonishing!
This immediately allowed Chen Junting to guess the old woman's identity. Looking at her, he asked respectfully, "This must be Her Excellency the Medicine Immortal."
"Correct." Xu Jiujiu nodded slightly, then touched upon the main topic. "Grandma Wang Xian'er, please take a look at Commander Dai Hao's injuries first."
Wang Xian'er naturally didn't stand on ceremony. After all, the entire purpose of her coming here was for Dai Hao.
She raised her right hand, and a faint green light instantly transformed into a barrier, enveloping Dai Hao.
After she withdrew her hand... "It's a good thing it was treated in time. I presume you used quite a few precious medicinal herbs. Otherwise, with the severity of your injuries when you were first hurt, you wouldn't have lasted until my arrival."
The injuries were that severe?!
Hearing this, Xu Jiujiu was startled.
Chen Junting, however, was unfazed. How could it not be severe? In the beginning, just looking at the surface, the wound on Dai Hao's chest was basically a giant hole; you could literally see his heart going thump-thump. If he had been careless and been hit by the shockwave of an explosion, sending some sharp rubble or metal shards flying... a single stab! He would have died on the spot.
And this was just the lightest part. The real trouble was the internal injuries. His internal organs were nearly displaced, and many of his meridians were tangled and broken; it was a complete mess.
Xu Jiujiu realized this at this moment and immediately told Chen Junting that the Star Luo Empire would bear the full cost of the previous treatments. They couldn't return the herbs, but they would compensate him with gold soul coins.
However, Chen Junting refused. "Princess, you are too kind. They were just some herbs. If we really have to calculate their value, they are indeed quite expensive. But since we are currently in a war, it's better to use the gold soul coins where they are truly needed."
Things like gold soul coins were something they didn't lack. Therefore, compared to being repaid in equivalent coins, the favor was what he truly valued.
Xu Jiujiu accepted this reasoning. "Thank you three for your understanding."
While they conversed, Wang Xian'er had also finished her diagnosis of Dai Hao. According to her, there were two treatment options available: one slower, and one faster.
Unsurprisingly, Dai Hao chose the faster one. After all, as the Commander facing a formidable enemy, he couldn't afford to be slow!
"Indeed." Wang Xian'er nodded and looked at Xu Jiujiu. Without overthinking it, Xu Jiujiu stated frankly, "Let the Commander decide for himself."
Hearing this, Dai Hao cupped his hands respectfully to Wang Xian'er. "Then I'll trouble you."
Wang Xian'er waved her hand. A flash of light appeared in her eyes, and her pupils instantly turned a verdant green. However, the green shining in her eyes gave off a feeling brimming with sunlight and life.
Following that, bizarre changes began to occur on the Medicine Immortal Douluo's body. Pairs of wings slowly unfurled behind her back. One pair, two pairs, three pairs, four pairs... a total of five pairs of wings appeared.
Shining with a jade-green light, they somewhat resembled the swan wings of the Jade Swan, Bi Ji. However, the Medicine Immortal's green wings were relatively smaller, though greater in number. And with the appearance of each pair of wings, the vitality in the air grew denser.
By the time all the wings had appeared, the entire space felt like an ocean of life; everyone felt incredibly comfortable.
The next second, a strange phenomenon occurred on her body—every time a pair of wings appeared on Wang Xian'er's back, a few of her wrinkles would disappear, making her look younger. By the time the fifth pair of wings fully manifested, she had transformed into what looked like an eighteen or nineteen-year-old maiden. Her bright eyes were captivating, and she was stunningly beautiful. It was a beauty filled with the aura of life. Anyone who saw her would feel a strong sense of intimacy and couldn't help but want to get closer to her.
She raised her right hand, her palm pressing down toward Dai Hao. Instantly, a rich green light began to slowly converge on Dai Hao's body, causing him to gradually light up. Dots of green light sparkled as a gentle life energy washed over his body, purging the impurities left behind.
One could see strands of black aura slowly drifting out of Dai Hao's body before quietly dissipating. Meanwhile, a gentle green light gradually appeared on Dai Hao, showing that he was absorbing the life energy released by the Medicine Immortal Douluo.
Under the effect of the rich life force, Dai Hao's remaining injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. His own aura continuously climbed, and his spirit and energy recovered along with it.
A moment later,
Phew—
Dai Hao let out a mouthful of turbid air. His tiger-like eyes shone brightly! His aura was overwhelmingly domineering!
"Thank you truly." Sensing his body's condition, Dai Hao immediately cupped his hands in gratitude.
Furthermore, after healing Dai Hao, Wang Xian'er canceled her Martial Soul, reverting from the young maiden back to the appearance of the old woman.
However, he didn't know if it was an illusion. After the treatment, Chen Junting subconsciously took a glance. He seemed to have sharp eyes and noticed that a new wrinkle seemed to have appeared between Wang Xian'er's brows. Moreover, the robust life force within her body had diminished slightly. Of course, only slightly.
But this also meant that this intense level of healing came at the cost of Wang Xian'er's own life force.
However, when she saw Chen Junting's gaze and instantly understood the meaning in his eyes, the Medicine Immortal Douluo herself just waved her hand dismissively.
"Everything is for the Empire."
These words commanded profound respect.
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