"Dong——Dong——Dong——"
On the walls of Heaven Dou City, war drums thundered. The city gates opened, and neat formations of troops slowly marched out from within the city.
These were not the undead army summoned by Lin Xiao, but real, living soldiers.
Every soldier was armed almost to the teeth with soul tools. With each step they took, the power emanating from them faintly connected into one unified whole.
The advantage of soul tools was especially obvious among soul masters with lower soul power ranks. Relying on advanced equipment, even just their aura was enough to clearly distinguish the difference between the Sun Moon Empire and the three great empires.
Several soul masters had already flown into the air, vigilantly watching for the appearance of enemy high-level experts.
"Boom—"
What greeted them was a dense barrage of attacks that almost blanketed the entire sky.
The fear of the three great empires had finally come true. Yesterday, Lin Xiao alone had been able to hold off several experts from the three great empires. Now, with other ninth-level soul mentors from the Sun Moon Empire joining the fight, the moment combat began, the three great empires were forced into continuous retreat.
"Your Highness!"
Outside the tent, Xu Jiujiu gazed distantly at the battlefield. Someone beside her called out, causing her expression to become even more conflicted.
Finally, when Du Busi's figure was once again struck down by Lin Xiao, she clenched her fist tightly and spat out one word.
"Retreat!"
The moment that word was spoken, it meant the three great empires no longer had any possibility of returning to Heaven Dou City.
Lin Xiao stood in midair and did not immediately pursue the retreating forces of the three great empires. Instead, he looked distantly at the army on the ground.
In this world, what truly mattered most was still strength. From the moment he defeated Du Busi, the outcome of this war had already been decided.
As for the rest… the unification of the Douluo Continent under the Sun Moon Empire was now only a matter of time.
"Elder Xuan."
Several days later, in front of the Sea God's Pavilion at Shrek Academy, Cai Meier looked toward Xuanzi, who now appeared much older.
The current Xuanzi had shed his former slovenly appearance. Though his clothes were not luxurious, they were quite neat. However, many more wrinkles had appeared on his face, making him look considerably older than before.
"Meier." Xuanzi also looked at Cai Meier. "How is Shaozhe doing now?"
Cai Meier forced a difficult smile."Ever since he gave up his cultivation to help Xiaotao resolve the hidden danger in her martial soul, he's actually been living quite comfortably these days. He no longer has to worry about academy affairs or put effort into cultivation. Surprisingly, his temperament has improved quite a bit compared to before."
"Sigh." Looking at the smile on Cai Meier's face, how could Xuanzi not understand the bitterness in her heart? After all, without cultivation, Yan Shaozhe was no different from an ordinary person now, and at his age, he was already not particularly young even among ordinary people.
Although they all knew Yan Shaozhe had flaws in his character, none of them had expected that in the end, he would be unable to let go even of himself, leading to such an outcome.
"Speaking of Xiaotao… where has that child gone?"
Cai Meier shook her head. "After she woke up, she has been unwilling to interact much with people from the academy and often runs outside. I didn't stop her too much. Do you need me to send someone to call her back?"
"No need. Given the current situation… when Xiaotao hears about the academy's circumstances, she should return on her own."
Xuanzi spoke and let out another long sigh. "Meier, later, when Lin'er arrives, the two of you should take the academy's disciples and withdraw to other places."
"Elder Xuan—" Cai Meier was about to speak when Xuanzi raised his hand to interrupt her.
"You've also received the news from the front lines these past few days. No one expected that after receiving word from the three great empires, in just a few days, almost the entire territory of the Heavenly Soul Empire would fall."
"It won't be long before the Sun Moon Empire's army reaches the walls of Shrek City. Given our relationship with the Sun Moon Empire, they absolutely will not let this opportunity pass."
"What's more, they have allied with evil soul masters, making it even less likely they will spare the academy. Sooner or later, there will be a battle between them and us."
Xuanzi slightly raised his head and glanced at the golden tree beside him. "When that time comes, no one can be certain what will happen. Only by taking the students away can we ensure their safety."
"Yes." Cai Meier remained silent for a long time before finally nodding in agreement.
"Also, take the children from the Tang Sect in Shrek City along with you."
At this point, Xuanzi's gaze became slightly vacant. "That child Huo Yuhao has limitless potential. A miracle might just happen because of him."
"It's just a pity that he is still too young now. If only he had been born ten years earlier, he would surely have been able to protect the academy."
Cai Meier recalled that child who possessed twin martial souls, a body martial soul, and an ultimate martial soul; all the most outstanding talents seemed to have gathered on him.
And such a child had almost been missed by their martial soul department back then.
"Elder Xuan."
As they spoke, Xian Lin'er's figure also appeared in front of the Sea God's Pavilion.
"Lin'er, you're here. I've already spoken with Meier. The two of you should organize things and first lead the disciples of the martial soul department and soul tool department to leave the academy."
Before Xuanzi could give further instructions, the three of them suddenly seemed to sense something and turned their heads in unison toward the outside of the academy.
"Quick, quick!"
On the walls of Shrek City, soul cannon after soul cannon pointed northward. Thousands of soul masters had already assembled and climbed onto the city walls, watching the vast army gradually approaching from a distance.
Outside Shrek City, on the boundless Pingma Plain, a black line seemed to appear where the sky met the earth. Soon, that black line grew heavier and clearer until everyone could finally make out what it truly was.
It was not a "black line" at all, but the vast, mighty army of the Sun Moon Empire.
In just two days, Lin Xiao had clashed with Du Busi twice, each time repelling him without spending too much time, thus relieving the crisis at Heaven Dou City.
Although some people still felt uneasy about Lin Xiao's methods, he was ultimately just one person, unlike the Holy Spirit Cult of the past, where evil soul master techniques could be seen everywhere.
When those undead were able to help them defeat the armies of the three great empires standing in the Sun Moon Empire's way, the voices questioning Lin Xiao gradually grew quieter.
Within the Sun Moon Empire's military camp, discussion about Lin Xiao had not decreased, but the content had changed, from "another evil soul master" at the beginning to "the Sun Moon Empire's new State Preceptor."
The conversation between Lin Xiao and Du Busi back then had not been concealed from others. As Lin Xiao's words spread, some people even boldly suggested that just because someone used evil soul master techniques did not necessarily mean they were an evil soul master.
Who exactly was spreading these words. Most people did not know. However, those following Ju Zi began to look at Lin Xiao with much kinder eyes.
After all, he was not only the State Preceptor of the Sun Moon Empire but also a teacher at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, and many of the generals leading the army could more or less be considered his former schoolmates.
"Marshal, Shrek City is just ahead."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are chapters available on Patreon."
"From Douluo to Godhood by Defy 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo: Far North Invincibledo 30 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Peerless: Living as an Evil Soul Master 40 Advance chapters."
"Douluo Dalu 2:Peerless Tang Sect Dawn of Sun and Moon 40 Advance chapters."
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)