Return to Douluo
Xu Zixlong was seriously injured, Xu Yang, being older, also suffered a significant depletion of his Soul Power under Tony's relentless attacks, which came at the cost of his life.
With victory almost assured, they didn't want any unexpected events to drag them down, so they immediately ordered a temporary retreat, planning to launch another attack once they had recovered.
The Soul Tool Master Legion of the Sun Moon Empire gradually retreated, leaving behind soldiers from Two Great Empires who, looking at the devastated battlefield, felt a surge of despair.
They were unaware of how many comrades had died under the enemy's Soul Tool fire, yet the damage inflicted on the Sun Moon Empire was immense, as the difference in Soul Tool technology between the two sides was simply too great.
Not only are the power and range of the turret Soul Tool vastly different, but the Defensive Soul Tool are also worlds apart, with almost everyone on the opposing side wielding a different level of trigger-type Defensive Soul Tool.
In a battle between two sides, even the slightest difference can tip the scales of victory, not to mention the Defensive Soul Tool that determine life and death.
On the upper battlefield, the allied forces of the Two Great Empires could barely hold on, but on the lower battlefield, it was a one-sided rout, morale was low, and there was no desire to fight anymore.
With the only Titled Douluo on the Oran Empire killed in battle, Lance could no longer carry the banner, and the royal family could no longer rule the entire empire. The generals had different thoughts and, seeing no hope, began to harbor rebellious intentions.
The situation is alright on the Otto Empire side, with the title of Tuo Bo in place, and Tony just showing the bloodthirstiness of royalty.
Now that Tony has fallen, Tuo Bo rightfully ascended the throne, gathered the army of the Otto Empire, ignored the Oran Empire, and went straight back to his camp. They needed to discuss their next move.
However, the future of the three empires had little to do with Xu Mingxi. When he returned to the Shark Tooth Mercenary Group, he found that the place was deserted, with only a note left by Song Jiang in his room.
"Mingxi, they went to sea to avoid being conscripted, leaving a message that the Sea Capital City Lord has Soul Tool that can help us return. Let's make our move tonight."
"No, no rush. We need to find a group of navigators and sailors first, and wait for Song Jiang and the others to return. Once we get the Soul Tool from the City Lord, we'll set off immediately."
The four split up: the Three Elders recruited men in the city, while Xu Mingxi piloted the Shark Tooth to the open sea.
When night fell, he flew high into the sky, Starlight, under his control, continuously converged, forming a large Star Crown symbol.
Among the Shark Tooth Mercenary Group roaming the sea, Huo Quan, who possessed the Eye Martial Soul and was on night watch from the lookout tower, spotted the commotion immediately.
After he used his Soul Skill and saw that it was Star Crown symbol, he immediately woke up Song Jiang, and the group steered the boat toward Xu Mingxi.
When Song Jiang and Shui Fu saw Xu Mingxi from the Shark Tooth, he flew over with four crew members and put away the mercenary group's navigation Soul Tool.
"Young Master Xu, is everything done?"
"Yes, I saw the news about you staying at the Shark Tooth Mercenary Group's base. Can the Soul Tool in the hands of the Sea Capital City Lord really draw the route that the Shark Tooth has sailed?"
"Young master, we cannot guarantee that, but the information we have received is indeed true."
"Alright, the Elder are already recruiting sailors. Once everyone is here, we will return to the Douluo Continent immediately."
Everyone was excited; they could finally go home. When they returned to their quarters, the Elder brought another piece of good news.
"Mingxi, we've found everyone."
"So fast?"
"Yes, with Gold Soul Coin paving the way, there will always be someone willing to participate."
"Alright, to avoid any unforeseen complications, we'll launch a surprise attack on the City Lord's Mansion tonight. Eighth Elder, please have Song Jiang and the others wait on the Shark Tooth ship. Once we succeed, we'll immediately come to meet you."
"Ninth Elder, please take those navigators and sailors. If they resist, take action immediately."
Speed is of the essence in war. After nightfall, Xu Mingxi and the First Elder launched a surprise attack on the Sea Capital City Lord's Mansion. Under the Star Domain, the Sea Capital City Lord was powerless to resist, and the Moonlight transformed into chains to firmly bind him.
"City Lord, we have come here for only two Soul Tool. If you hand them over, we will let you go."
"Whatever your requests are, I will certainly fulfill them."
"I heard you have a soul tool that can map out the routes taken by nautical soul tools?"
The Sea Capital City Lord knew perfectly well why these two wanted criminals had come, but he had no choice. To save his life, he had to hand over his treasured Soul Tool.
He took out a long, flat Soul Tool from his Storage Soul Tool and handed it to Xu Mingxi.
"Sir, this is the Soul Tool. As long as you place the navigation Soul Tool on it, it will automatically draw a map of the route he has traveled."
"Alright, and while you're at it, bring out your best long-range Soul Tool."
Xu Mingxi took the long-range Soul Tool named Swordfish, which the Sea Capital City Lord slowly and reluctantly took out, and placed it on the Route Board. Suddenly, a beam of light appeared on the Route Board and began to scan the Swordfish.
Then, a small ship image began to appear on the Route Board. The image moved slowly and gradually drew the route that the Swordfish Route Board traveled.
"Sir, you just need to press the button next to you and the route will disappear, then you can use it again."
The Sea Capital City Lord knew that these wanted criminals were most likely going to escape by sea, but that was even better. By staying far away from the Sun Moon Continent, they would be less likely to be pursued by the Sun Moon Empire, thus increasing his chances of survival.
Xu Mingxi accepted the two Soul Tool generously gifted by the Sea Capital City Lord with satisfaction, and left with the First Elder, not forgetting to give him a word of advice before departing.
"We're leaving soon. You probably don't want to cause any trouble, do you? Xu Zixlong is still on the front lines."
"How could I dare?" The City Lord looked at the Ruins around him, feeling like crying but at least he had survived.
Having obtained what they wanted, Xu Mingxi and the First Elder flew directly to the sea and used the Starlight marker to lure the Shark Tooth over.
Everyone transferred to the faster and more heavily armored Swordfish, and Xu Mingxi picked up the shrunken Shark Tooth and placed it on the route map.
The ship patterns above started from a central point, constantly moving in and out. Finally, starting from this point, they traversed a route many times longer than before, twisting and rotating in the middle, before arriving at another point.
Everyone knew that the first point was most likely Vast Sea City, and the second point was Sun Moon Continent. The middle part must have been when they encountered a storm at sea.
Xu Mingxi summoned a navigator who knew how to draw nautical charts and had him draw a chart between the two points based on the route. Then, based on this chart, he steered the Swordfish in a straight line.