Returning to Zhenhai City, Xu Tianyang was now alone and once again immersed himself in arduous cultivation.
In the days that followed, he consistently spent his mornings on Tidal Body Refinement, afternoons studying how to make spirit tools, and evenings cultivating his spirit power.
Three months later, his Tidal Body Refinement sessions had increased from less than a quarter of an hour to a full hour. Through this almost masochistic cultivation, his physical fitness, willpower, and spirit power level all rapidly improved… "Bang!"
It was night, and the sound of an explosion was somewhat jarring in the quiet evening.
"Your Highness!" Along with the spirit tool lamp lighting up in the room, Meng Tao's voice came from outside the door.
"Creak!" Fully dressed, Xu Tianyang opened the door, stepped past him, and said, "Let's go see what happened."
"Kill!"
At this moment, the entire Zhenhai City was in chaos. Countless Spirit Masters dressed in gray appeared from all directions, suddenly emerging from every corner of the city and simultaneously rushing towards the City Lord's Mansion.
Although these individuals had different Spirits, they all possessed two spirit rings of cultivation. Among them were even seven Spirit Kings. This force was enough to cause major unrest in Zhenhai City, a not-so-powerful border town.
They killed everyone they encountered along the way, regardless of gender, age, or youth. After killing, they either absorbed the blood or the souls of the corpses, creating an extremely bloody and brutal scene.
These people were a group of Evil Soul Masters.
In an instant, shouts of killing and screams echoed through the sky.
In Zhenhai City, there was a huge clock tower nearly a hundred meters tall. Judging by the traces left on its surface, it had at least several hundred years of history. This tower was named Zhenhai Tower, and legend had it that it could suppress the waves at sea, allowing the people of the city to return safely after going out to sea.
However, tonight, Zhenhai Tower did not suppress the Evil Soul Masters causing chaos in the city.
"Your Highness, it's Evil Soul Masters!" Xu Tianyang and his group moved quickly, reaching this vantage point overlooking the entire Zhenhai City from their residence in just five minutes.
Standing at the top of the tower, with a giant ancient bell behind him, Xu Tianyang's eyes constantly swept across the city, as Meng Tao's angry voice rang in his ears.
The Sun Moon Empire did not have a Slaughter City, a prison for Evil Soul Masters. Although there were departments similar to Spirit Hall that hunted Evil Soul Masters, for many years, due to the war between the two nations, the chaotic border provided an environment for Evil Soul Masters to survive.
After unifying the continent, the Sun Moon Empire's focus was still on consolidating the recovered territories and had not yet shifted to Evil Soul Masters. They hadn't expected to encounter them today.
Although Meng Tao was furious with the Evil Soul Masters, he had not lost his reason. His mission was to protect Xu Tianyang's safety; everything else had to be prioritized after that.
"When did Evil Soul Masters dare to attack an Empire city?" Looking at the slaughter caused by the Evil Soul Masters in the distance, Xu Tianyang's eyes gleamed with a cold light: "Uncle Tao, send people to assist the City Lord's Mansion. Not a single Evil Soul Master in the city is to be left alive."
"Your Highness…" Meng Tao's eyes flashed with hesitation when he heard Xu Tianyang's command.
"This is my command!" Xu Tianyang, at this moment, was uncharacteristically devoid of his usual gentleness. Instead, his eyes were filled with indifference, and an aura of a superior emanated from his young body. The two intertwined, as if he were a born emperor, making people dare not meet his gaze and instilling a desire to submit.
"Are you defying an imperial decree?"
"Your subject obeys!" At this moment, Meng Tao seemed to see Xu Yunxiao's shadow in Xu Tianyang, his heart trembled, and he said in a low voice.
Subsequently, Meng Tao left two Spirit Emperors to protect Xu Tianyang's safety and led the remaining dozen or so Spirit Kings and Spirit Emperors, controlling their spirit tools, to rush towards the City Lord's Mansion.
Those ordered to protect Xu Tianyang were naturally the elite of the elite. Although there were only a dozen of them, they were enough to turn the tide of the battle in the city.
At this time, in the alleys of Zhenhai City, city guards in iron armor, riding iron steeds, and enveloped in a murderous aura, were fighting fiercely with Spirit Masters exuding a strong evil aura.
Unfortunately, Evil Soul Masters employed sinister methods and were inherently stronger than ordinary Spirit Masters. Now, having come prepared, the city defense forces were being pushed back repeatedly.
"Boom!"
With a loud bang, the entire City Lord's Mansion collapsed, and two figures, each surrounded by six spirit rings, rose into the air, engaging in a fierce battle.
"Evil Soul Master!!!" A gritted growl came from Yang Xin, the City Lord of Zhenhai City. Accompanied by a deep roar, his already robust body swelled again, muscles bulging like granite, and his arms and exposed chest and abdomen, which had burst through his tight clothing, were covered in a thick layer of yellow fur.
Yang Xin's Spirit was the Rock Giant Bear, which was considered upper-middle among bear-type Spirits on the continent, possessing immense strength and astonishing defense.
"Hehehehe, Yang Xin, Zhenhai City is finished today. Just become my nourishment for advancement!" A wild laugh came from the opponent's mouth. Behind him was a giant skeleton made of large bones, and strangely, the skull was enormous, with a pair of blood-red eyes gleaming ferociously.
As the spirit rings around him lit up, a gaping, bloody maw opened, and irregular, eerie mist drifted out, emitting a strong foul odor.
Seeing the strange mist approaching, Yang Xin did not dare to be careless and quickly activated two amplification-type Spirit Abilities.
"Kill!"
As the battle continued, the Evil Soul Master's Weird exceeded Yang Xin's expectations. He was no match for his opponent. The opponent's Spirit quality was superior to his, and his strength and defense were stronger. Coupled with the strange, unapproachable mist, Yang Xin quickly fell into a disadvantage.
And with Yang Xin, Zhenhai City's top expert and only Spirit Emperor, being entangled, it was easy to imagine that the people of the City Lord's Mansion faced a one-sided battle.
"How dare you be so presumptuous within the Empire's borders!!!"
Just as the City Lord's Mansion was about to fall, the squad led by Meng Tao finally fought their way through the city.
"Who are you?!"
The sudden turn of events made the Evil Soul Masters uneasy. When they looked up at the sky and saw the figures suspended in the air using flying spirit tools, the hearts of many Evil Soul Masters sank to rock bottom, feeling completely chilled.
The leading Evil Soul Master's face was no better, especially when he saw the seven spirit rings around Meng Tao, his heart sank even further.
"Is it the Empire's reinforcements?" Yang Xin, lying in a pool of blood and struggling to look up, gazed at Meng Tao and his group, and hope instantly ignited in his heart, his eyes somewhat blurry.
"The running dogs of the Sun Moon Empire came quite quickly!" The six-ring Evil Soul Master sneered, and his sixth spirit ring instantly lit up. He roared, "Kill! They only have less than twenty people, and we have over a hundred. One hundred against twenty, the advantage is ours!"
"Hehehehe, kill!"
Upon hearing this, the Evil Soul Masters immediately reacted, smiling cruelly, and each released their Spirit, charging towards Meng Tao and the others.
"Kill them all, leave no survivors."
Meng Tao thought of the tragic scene he had witnessed on the way. If he and his men hadn't happened to be protecting His Highness and training here, Zhenhai City would probably become an empty city by tomorrow. His heart was instantly filled with towering rage, and he spoke in a cold tone.
Having given the command, Meng Tao controlled his flying spirit tool and pursued the six-ring Evil Soul Master who was fleeing in the distance.
After inciting the other Evil Soul Masters to fight to the death, the culprit had fled without looking back. Meng Tao naturally wouldn't let him escape.
"Boom!!!"
Explosions echoed from the City Lord's Mansion, mixed with shrill screams, reverberating through the silent night and reaching the clouds.
The well-equipped squad, whose spirit power cultivation was also superior to that of many Evil Soul Masters, naturally engaged in a one-sided slaughter. The numerical advantage they had just thought of was simply a joke in front of these fully armed individuals… "Evil Soul Master…"
"Damn Evil Soul Masters!"
On a street behind the City Lord's Mansion, a small figure looked at the surrounding scene, which resembled hell, biting her lower lip tightly. The sorrow in her eyes was gradually overwhelmed by hatred that was almost overflowing.
"Hehehehe, there's a little doll here." Just then, a dark figure rushed out from a distance, emitting an unpleasant, strange laugh, like a fierce wolf.
"I don't want to die!"
Looking at the Evil Soul Master charging towards her, the two distinct spirit rings, one white and one yellow, indicated that he was a Spirit Grandmaster, far beyond what she, a ninth-level Spirit Scholar, could contend with.
However, an astonishing will to survive dispelled her fear. Her delicate figure erupted with surprising strength, and countless Blue Silver Grass shot out from both sides, blocking the footsteps of those chasing her.
"Blue Silver Grass?!" Seeing this, the Evil Soul Master's eyes flashed with disdain. What a mere waste Spirit.
"Splat!" In the blink of an eye, the Blue Silver Grass was severed at its roots by the opponent's sharp wolf claws.
In a flash, the Evil Soul Master arrived in front of her. Looking at her bright eyes, a sinister sneer flashed across his lips. His wolf claws, still dripping with blood, reached for her heart.
"I cannot die!" Her beautiful eyes suddenly contracted. Countless Blue Silver Grass surged from her palm, coiling around the opponent's wolf claws. She pulled hard, and at the same time, her small body twisted sharply.
Slightly deflected, although this blow missed her heart, it still struck her shoulder… "Pfft!" A mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, making her lips even redder, and her pretty face instantly paled a shade.
Failing to kill her in one blow surprised the Evil Soul Master. While he was momentarily stunned, the little girl seized the opportunity, endured the urge to faint, took out a dagger from her clothes, and fiercely stabbed at the opponent.
"You little beast!" He never expected to be ambushed by a little doll. With an angry roar, he violently swung his other wolf claw, blocking the incoming dagger. The immense force made it difficult for her to parry, and her body flew high like a broken sack.
"Am I going to die?"
"How unwilling I am!"
"Ah!!!" A shrill scream echoed in her ears, and then her body felt light, a warm sensation spreading. She seemed to be held in someone's arms.
Opening her eyes, those eyes that seemed to speak suddenly contracted. She saw herself lying in the arms of a young man, while the Evil Soul Master was clutching his head, lying on the ground, wailing in pain.
"Are you… are you a god?"
Looking around, a pair of huge eyes floated behind Xu Tianyang. Soft light shone down, making him appear sacred and noble in the darkness.
This scene had completely surpassed her understanding.
"What's your name?" Xu Tianyang looked at the dazed girl in his arms, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.
A Blue Silver Grass Spirit, yet able to cultivate to ninth-level spirit power at this age. There must be some secret behind this.
"My name is Yang Yiyi, big brother, your eyes are so beautiful." Having regained her composure, Yang Yiyi stared unblinkingly at Xu Tianyang's eyes.
"Yi Yi, do you want revenge?" Xu Tianyang found this somewhat amusing. As he set her down, he looked at the twitching Evil Soul Master lying on the ground in the distance.
The opponent had been hit by his first Spirit Ability and was now somewhat disoriented.
As his strength increased, his first Spirit Ability became even more terrifying. Most Evil Soul Masters were lunatics, mentally unstable, so his first Spirit Ability was an enhanced version for them.
This was an unexpected pleasant surprise.
"Yes!" Yang Yiyi was startled at first, then a surge of anger suddenly ignited in her eyes.
"Then go kill him!"
… "It's actually the power of Devour!"
Xu Tianyang looked in surprise at the scene before him. Several thick Blue Silver Grasses whistled out from the ground, coiling around the Evil Soul Master who was rolling on the ground.
The constantly tightening force caused his face to turn liver-colored from lack of oxygen. The continuously contracting Blue Silver Grass tore open the opponent's skin, and trickles of blood flowed out.
And sensing the blood flowing, those Blue Silver Grasses strangely turned black-purple and began to actively absorb the opponent's blood energy and life force.
At this moment, Yang Yiyi stood in the center of the surrounding Blue Silver Grass. Whenever those Blue Silver Grasses pulsed, a surge of life force would return to her along the Blue Silver Grass, and her aura would slowly increase by a trace, making her strength grow stronger.
Her original ninth-level spirit power, as the Evil Soul Master was sucked dry, directly broke through to tenth-level, just one spirit ring away from breaking through to Spirit Master.
Her advancement speed was terrifying.
Even a genius like Xu Tianyang was astonished after witnessing the performance of the power of Devour.
What a genius!
If she were allowed to absorb freely, even Xu Tianyang's leveling speed would be far behind.
"Evil Soul Master!" The guards who had been protecting Xu Tianyang were shaken to see their Highness actually cultivating an Evil Soul Master. They exchanged glances and deeply lowered their heads. This matter was too significant, and before His Highness's attitude was clear, they did not want to be the one to speak up.
"Thank you, big brother. Yi Yi is already at level ten." After dealing with the Evil Soul Master, Yang Yiyi walked prettily to Xu Tianyang and said gratefully.
Looking at the timid little girl in front of him, and then recalling her domineering power of Devour, Xu Tianyang felt a strange sensation in his heart, but he quickly dismissed it.
He was now more curious about her identity. Even though she was already dirty, Xu Tianyang could still tell that Yang Yiyi had a good family background. That fourth-grade spirit tool dagger was not something an ordinary family could afford.
Moreover, her surname was Yang, and this was near the City Lord's Mansion, making it difficult for Xu Tianyang not to ponder further.
"What is the relationship between Yang Xin, the City Lord of Zhenhai City, and you?"