Attack

Attack

The journey was unexpectedly peaceful. Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. The grand convoy had already covered more than half the distance, drawing ever closer to Spirit City.

The escort force, composed of five hundred elite royal knights, wore imposing silver armor while banners snapped in the wind. Its scale and splendor rivaled that of a royal procession. Every city they passed through was on full alert, with local officials personally welcoming them and receiving this group of Spirit Masters—the future of the Heaven Dou Empire—with the highest ceremony.

By day, the royal knights marched in formation as guards, their silver helmets gleaming like snow beneath the sun. By night, campfires lit the encampment brightly, and the crisp clatter of armored patrols could be heard. Under such strict security, even the boldest bandits dared not approach. They encountered no trouble at all along the way.

Throughout the journey, Feng Yao played the qin every day without fail. The melodious zither sound frequently drew sidelong glances from the teams of various academies, who cast inquisitive looks toward the Imperial Dou Team. Yet on this day, as the music flowed, Feng Yao's fingers suddenly stopped above the strings.

"They're here." His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought to himself.

At that moment, the convoy was passing through a narrow road between two low hills. It was a shortcut to Spirit City that could save dozens of miles. Though the mountain road was narrow, it was flat and open, and should have been safe.

Suddenly, a chill aura spread down from the ridges on both sides. The captain of the Royal Knight Order shouted sternly, "Everyone, stay alert!" The well-trained knights immediately formed up, their spears standing like a forest. In contrast, the young Spirit Masters from the various academies looked relaxed—gathered here were the Heaven Dou Empire's most elite Spirit Masters, with more than ten instructors above level sixty or seventy. With such a lineup, even an army of ten thousand would not be feared.

Yet a sudden change erupted. Countless boulders suddenly poured down from the cliffs like torrential rain, every one of them aimed precisely at the convoy. The Royal Knight Order remained calm in the face of danger and immediately tightened their formation. Five hundred spears formed an iron wall. Though the knights were not Spirit Masters, they displayed astonishing military discipline. Their spears flashed and spun, knocking aside each falling rock one by one and forcibly opening a safe path through the rain of stones.

Holding the Fuxi Qin in his arms, Feng Yao's lightning-sharp gaze swept across the cliffside through the carriage window. Within the shadows, dozens of Shadowy Figures could vaguely be seen lying in wait.

The instant the rocks descended, Feng Yao and the Imperial Dou Team flashed out of the carriage. The Fuxi Qin glowed faintly green in his hands, its strings moving without wind.

"Your Excellency."

As the Imperial Fighting Team bowed in unison, a dark green figure appeared before the convoy like a ghost. Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, a sinister sneer appearing on his aged face. In an instant, the pressure of a Title Douluo swept out like a tidal wave. The enormous phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor solidified behind him, its jade-like scales gleaming with a deadly, eerie light beneath the sun.

"Courting death."

Dugu Bo snorted coldly, and the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's massive tail swept out. In an instant, a series of muffled cracks of breaking bones sounded from atop the cliffs. Dozens of black-clad men were sent flying like kites with severed strings, splattering bloody blossoms against the rock walls. Those who had narrowly escaped the serpent tail had no time to rejoice before poisonous mist descended from above, turning them into piles of dry bones in moments.

In an instant, dazzling Soul Power lit up the entire valley. Teachers and students from every academy released their Martial Souls one after another, yellow, purple, and black Spirit Rings reflecting against one another and painting brilliant streams of light through the mountains.

Though there was no coordination whatsoever between the academies, each academy instinctively formed its own battle formation. Faced with the sudden attack, these young Spirit Masters not only failed to retreat, but had their fighting spirit ignited. As one, they charged at the enemy.

However, what happened next shocked everyone. When more than two hundred teachers and students clashed head-on with over fifteen hundred black-clad bandits, these enemies, who looked like a disorganized rabble, displayed astonishing tactical skill. They formed groups of three or four and surrounded individual Spirit Masters with seamless coordination. Their clean, efficient attacks caught the students, who were used to fighting alone, completely off guard.

Just as the battle reached a stalemate, the Zhuge Divine Crossbows in the hands of Shrek's seven members suddenly showed their power. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, and the crisp mechanism of crossbows being loaded rang out. After one dense volley of bolts, the black-clad men surrounding them fell in droves. Immediately afterward, Tang San's wrists flickered, and countless Hidden Weapons poured out like a rainstorm. Every one struck an enemy's vital point with precision, tearing bloody gaps through the ranks of black-clad men.

"So strong!"

The students from the surrounding academies saw this, and fighting spirit ignited in their eyes as their morale surged. Even the members of the Imperial Dou Team could not help clenching their fists, eager to join the battle.

"All of you, stay where you are!" Dugu Bo shouted coldly, icy light flashing in his emerald snake eyes. "There must be someone pulling the strings behind this trash. You lot stay put and stop rushing out to be cannon fodder." Chilly waves of Soul Power radiated from his body as his gaze vigilantly swept across the battlefield. As a Title Douluo, he knew far too well how deep the waters behind this attack ran.

Dugu Yan wanted to argue, but Feng Yao gently stopped her. "Sister Yan," he said in a low voice, subtly pointing toward several faintly visible figures high on the cliff, "the real experts are still hiding in the dark. If we act rashly, we'll only draw their fire. With the seniors here, nothing will happen."

The moment Feng Yao finished speaking, the situation on the battlefield changed abruptly.

Before Tang San, who had just displayed such prowess, three black shadows appeared like ghosts. The Spirit Rings rising beneath their feet flashed with heart-palpitating light—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black; and beneath the figure in the center, who radiated terrifying pressure, two yellow, two purple, and four black Spirit Rings—eight in total—were clearly visible!

"Seven, seven, eight..." Feng Yao's pupils contracted slightly, his voice so soft it was nearly inaudible. "Two Soul Sages and one Soul Douluo. What an extravagant move."

The Imperial Fighting Team collectively sucked in a breath. Their eagerness to fight vanished in an instant, and everyone unconsciously moved closer to Dugu Bo. Poison Douluo snorted, the phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor flickering behind him as he shielded them.

A rare look of gravity appeared on Dugu Bo's aged face. From the characteristics of the Martial Souls displayed by those black-clad men, he had already recognized their origins. But with the situation still unclear, the ever-cautious Poison Douluo chose to wait and see.

When he saw that the black-clad men's attacks were all focused in Shrek Academy's direction, understanding flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes. He narrowed his snake eyes slightly and quietly shielded the Imperial Fighting Team behind him.

"Grandpa, aren't we going to help them?" Dugu Yan asked in a lowered voice, sympathy flashing in her purple eyes.

Dugu Bo glared at his granddaughter irritably. "Yan Yan, you really are such a good granddaughter. Your grandpa still wants to live a few more years." He looked meaningfully toward the sky. "Don't worry. Someone will make a move."

The Imperial Fighting Team exchanged looks. From Dugu Bo's attitude, they had already guessed the background of these black-clad men. Feng Yao noticed that the teachers leading the various academies around them also maintained a strangely silent expression. Not a single person dared expose the truth behind the ambush.

Sure enough, just as the black-clad men were unable to break through, a sharp, piercing eagle cry suddenly tore through the sky. The Golden Eagle, Lordia, spread his wings and cried out, the sound waves ripping apart the clouds like blades.

Immediately afterward, ripples spread through the void, and a figure in snow-white robes with a veil covering his face slowly emerged. He stood in midair, his robes fluttering as faint golden Soul Power swirled around him.

At the sight, Dugu Bo's mouth twitched as he cursed under his breath, "That Ju Hua Guan. Even when launching a sneak attack, he has to dress so flamboyantly, terrified people won't recognize him as that Dead Eunuch." He waved his hand in disgust, as though trying to disperse the cloying floral fragrance in the air.

As the white-robed man appeared, a rich chrysanthemum fragrance instantly filled the entire battlefield. The Shrek group was caught off guard and found themselves unable to move amid the intoxicating scent. Flander, Liu Erlong, and the other teachers desperately circulated their Soul Power to resist, only to see the white-robed man raise a pale hand. Countless golden chrysanthemum petals circled around the Shrek group like blades, forming a deadly cage.

Yet just as the golden petals were about to shred Tang San, a vast, sea-like killing intent suddenly erupted!

Boom—

Violent killing intent swept across the battlefield as though it had substance, instantly tearing the sharp golden chrysanthemum petals to pieces. A longsword tore through the air and plunged deeply into the ground before Yue Guan with a clang. As the blade trembled, rings of Soul Power rippled outward, dispersing all the chrysanthemum fragrance within thirty meters.

"Watch carefully," Dugu Bo said, his eyes blazing as the phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor flickered behind him. "This is a true battle between Title Douluos."

The Imperial Fighting Team held their breath and focused. In the distant dust clouds, a burly figure rode a sword through the air.

Dugu Bo narrowed his snake eyes, a playful smile curling across his lips. "Watch closely. A battle at this level will be greatly beneficial to your future cultivation."

The battle between Chen Xin and Yue Guan was about to begin, and the entire battlefield was instantly divided into two completely different Domains.

Chen Xin stood with his hands behind his back, the Seven Kill Sword suspended before him. As the blade hummed, razor-sharp sword aura took physical form and created a silver-white sword Domain around him. Every strand of sword aura was as condensed as frost, leaving fine cracks even in the air wherever it passed.

Yue Guan snorted coldly, and the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum blossomed in his palm. Golden petals danced through the sky, refracting hazy halos beneath the sunlight. The rich floral fragrance condensed into substance, becoming pale golden mist that enveloped the area. Those seemingly delicate petals contained terrifying cutting power, and wherever they drifted, they carved deep trenches into the ground.

"Chen Xin, even you've come to wade into this muddy water?" Yue Guan's effeminate voice carried a hint of mockery.

Chen Xin's gaze was as sharp as a sword as he said calmly, "You still talk too much. Tang San is a friend of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Before his words had faded, the Seven Kill Sword suddenly erupted. A dazzling sword light poured forth like a silver river, shooting straight for Yue Guan's throat. Yue Guan remained unhurried. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum in his hand spun rapidly, countless petals gathering together to forcibly block the earth-shaking strike.

Boom—

"Fifth Spirit Skill, Gathering of Frost Blossoms!"

Sword aura collided with flower blades, erupting with deafening thunder. Violent Soul Power waves swept outward, sending all the surrounding black-clad men flying. Chen Xin did not move, but the Seven Kill Sword had already split into hundreds and thousands of sword shadows, pouring down upon Yue Guan like a rainstorm.

"Sixth Spirit Skill: Myriad Swords Return to the Sect!"

The flying swords that covered the sky like a pouring galaxy shook the hearts of every Spirit Master present.

The countless sword shadows wove together into a net that covered the heavens. Every ray of sword light was condensed as though solid, reflecting chilling brilliance beneath the sun. The myriad sword shadows split from the Seven Kill Sword fell like stars, turning the entire sky into an ocean of swords. Sharp sword aura ripped through the air with piercing shrieks, and even distant mountain rocks trembled from the aftershocks, showering down fragments of stone.

Brilliance flickered repeatedly in Dugu Yan's purple eyes. Even Ye Lingling, who was usually silent, revealed a rare expression of shock.

The Fuxi Qin in Feng Yao's arms trembled softly, its strings sounding clear resonances on their own. He stared at Chen Xin's godlike, demonic figure, a trace of realization flashing through his eyes—this was the true pinnacle of a Spirit Master.

"Do you see it clearly?" Dugu Bo's hoarse voice sounded beside the Imperial Fighting Team. "This is the power of those standing at the summit of the Spirit Master world. You still have a long road ahead."

The battlefield fell silent. Everyone remained immersed in the aftermath of that soul-stirring clash. Those young Spirit Masters who had once considered themselves geniuses now deeply understood what it meant for there always to be someone stronger. This battle was destined to become an unforgettable memory on their paths of cultivation.

A trace of gravity flashed through Yue Guan's eyes. In an instant, countless golden chrysanthemum petals transformed into streams of light and collided fiercely with the sword shadows filling the sky. The constant ringing of metal upon metal resounded through the heavens, while the blinding light forced the onlookers to squint.

Holding the Fuxi Qin, Feng Yao keenly sensed every change on the battlefield. The clash between the two Title Douluos appeared evenly matched, but he noticed that Chen Xin's sword momentum was gradually compressing Yue Guan's room to move.

Just as everyone remained immersed in the lingering might of Chen Xin's heaven-shaking sword attack, a ghostlike black figure suddenly appeared!

The figure was unbelievably fast, weaving through the crowd like a phantom and leaving only a string of blurry afterimages in its wake. In the blink of an eye, the black figure had appeared beside Yue Guan. Their Spirit Rings began to resonate strangely—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black. Nine Spirit Rings intertwined, tracing mysterious patterns through the void.

"Two Poles Stillness Domain!"

"Even he has come..." Dugu Bo's snake eyes suddenly contracted, and unprecedented gravity appeared on his aged face. The phantom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor shifted uneasily behind him, revealing the turmoil in the Poison Douluo's heart.

It's over. Feng Yao sighed inwardly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the Fuxi Qin strings.

At some point, Ning Fengzhi had quietly arrived near the Imperial Dou Team. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda spun in his palm. Amid flowing seven-colored radiance, countless beams of enhancement light shot through the air. "Seven Treasures turn forth Glazed Tile: first, strength! Second, speed! Third, soul!"

Empowered by the brilliant rainbow light, Chen Xin's sword momentum suddenly transformed. The Seven Kill Sword became a silver bolt of lightning, thrusting at an unimaginable angle toward the point connecting the two Title Douluos. The strike was faster than the eye could follow, and wherever its edge passed, the air was torn apart with a sharp explosive roar.

"Break—"

Chen Xin held two fingers together like a sword and slashed through the air. A sword light stretching across heaven and earth suddenly erupted, its dazzling silver glow illuminating the entire battlefield as brightly as day. Fine black cracks appeared in space wherever the blade passed, as though even heaven and earth had been cleaved apart by that strike. The balance of the Two Poles Stillness Domain was instantly broken. Yue Guan and Ghostly both grunted, blood spilling from the corners of their mouths.

Yue Guan and Ghostly steadied themselves, wiped the blood from their lips, and swept cold gazes across the battlefield. "We admit defeat today. Old Ghost, let's go!"

With that, the two flashed away into the distance. Seeing this, the black-clad men also retreated one after another, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Chen Xin sheathed his sword and stood still, gazing deeply into the distance. "They ran rather quickly."