Sun-Moon Empire frontline headquarters, top secret room.
The atmosphere was as oppressive as the lead cloud solidified before a storm. Li Jie stood in the center of the room, his face pale, his forehead covered with fine cold sweat, facing the seven or eight sharp, scrutinizing, or implicitly dissatisfied eyes around him.
The owners of these eyes were all Level Nine Soul Engineer at the same level as him, and they were the core pillar supporting this front. At this moment, they were urgently summoned by Qin Yue to listen to Li Jie's detailed report on the theft of "Annihilation Decomposition Ray".
"... That's the situation." Li Jie's voice was dry, and he tried hard to maintain his composure, but the lingering panic and shame deep in his eyes could not be hidden from these old foxes present.
"The seal of the workshop is intact, and there are no abnormalities in the guard records. Soul Tool... is like evaporating out of thin air. I swear on the Spirit Empire and my soul that I am definitely not stealing from you, and I have never been negligent!"
He paused, facing those suspicious eyes, gritted his teeth and said, "I think this is by no means a simple theft! To be able to steal Level 9 Soul Tool without us being aware of it despite our heavy protection, the other party's methods and understanding of the defense system of the empire's Soul Tool workshop have reached a terrifying level! This is likely to be a premeditated and targeted action!"
"Targeted action?" An old Soul Engineer with gray hair and a prim face, who is also a senior Soul Tool security expert in the empire, said in a deep voice, "Li Jie, you mean, Shrek Allied Forces, or the forces behind them, have mastered some kind of sophisticated space stealing technology that is unknown to us, or... the intelligence has penetrated into the core of the workshop?"
"This possibility cannot be ruled out!" Li Jie said eagerly, "What's even more frightening is that since they can steal 'Annihilation Decomposition Ray', what about the other Soul Tool? Especially...'that thing' we are working hard on?"
His eyes subconsciously glanced at Qin Yue. Although the manufacturing of special Fixed Soul Cannon Shell is top secret, everyone present knew it.
As soon as these words came out, everyone's expressions changed. Yes, if even Li Jie's proud masterpiece, which he keeps with him and is heavily fortified, can disappear without a trace, then other Soul Tools, especially those high-level Soul Tools that are used as strategic trump cards and are stored in secret workshops everywhere, wouldn't they be even more dangerous?
"What Li Jie said is not alarmist." Qin Yue, who was sitting in the chair, finally spoke, his voice calm, but with a chill. "This matter has been reported to the highest level of the empire, and His Majesty is furious. Before we find out the truth, find out the mole, or crack the opponent's method, we must prepare for the worst."
He looked around the crowd, his eyes like daggers. "This is my order: From now on, all Level 9 Soul Tool, especially offensive and strategic Soul Tool, except those required by the frontline defense array and under multiple linkage monitoring.
The rest were all transferred to the 'Abyssal Earth' level underground core workshop, and the latest model of 'soul wave' and 'space anchoring' double locks were installed! Each Soul Engineer must properly keep their own main battle Soul Tool, and they must not be easily exposed to others when not in combat, let alone leave!"
"At the same time, the internal security level has been upgraded to the 'Blood Moon' level! All personnel, including us, will undergo three rounds of cross-examination! Anti-space interference and anti-Mental Power infiltration soul guide arrays will be added in all areas of workshops, warehouses, and headquarters!"
Qin Yue's tone was decisive, "Before 'that thing' is completed, there must be no more mistakes! What the opponent stole this time was a weapon. Next time, it may be our life, or even... the winner of the entire battle!"
Everyone was awe-inspiring and agreed in unison. Li Jie also breathed a sigh of relief. At least the attention of the command could temporarily relieve his pressure. But the string in his heart tightened. Soul Tool was stolen. It was not only a loss, but also a humiliation and a warning. Where will the other party's next action be?
"Let's all prepare. For frontline defense, loosen outside and tighten inside." Qin Yue finally ordered, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, "I have a hunch that Shrek's side won't be quiet for long. After losing such a 'good toy', I have to try the 'feel'."
Just when Sun-Moon Empire was in turmoil due to the theft of Li Jie Soul Tool, and internal review and defense upgrades were in full swing, the volcano that had been suppressed for a long time finally exploded in the direction of Shrek Allied Forces!
The mysterious deaths of two level 95 Super Douluos, Yu Qingshan and Yu Zhenyue, were directly attributed to the high-level Soul Tool and sinister methods of the Sun-Moon Empire. This news was like the spark that ignited the explosive barrel, instantly detonating all the anger, fear and hatred accumulated within the coalition forces!
Especially Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the leader of Ning Deyang, after seeing with his own eyes the two small pieces of Rock that Feng Yun brought back, which contained the aura of annihilation., and after sensing the remnants of the same origin as his two guardian elders but being completely wiped out, he vomited blood and fainted on the spot. When he woke up, he was like a madman, his eyes were red, and he screamed for the Sun-Moon Empire to pay for his blood debt!
He almost exhausted the precious resources reserved by the sect, wildly rewarded and motivated all Soul Master who were willing to participate in the war, and pushed Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's auxiliary glory to the extreme. Regardless of his own losses, he seemed to be trying to use up the last bit of vitality of the sect and die together with the Sun-Moon Empire.
Ning Deyang's madness infected many forces in the coalition who were friendly with the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, or who were already afraid and hateful of the Sun-Moon Empire. Coupled with the "ironclad evidence" brought back by Dean Feng Yun, as well as his unabashed murderous intention, which was as terrifying as a volcano about to erupt, the coalition's revenge mood was pushed to its peak.
"Revenge! Revenge for Elder Yu! Revenge for all the comrades who died in the battle!"
"Tamp down the Sun Moon Soul Engineer position! Crush those iron cans!"
"Blood debt must be paid with blood!"
In the wave of fanatical revenge, Dean Feng Yun no longer suppressed. He knew that the coalition at this moment needed a victory, or at least a hearty catharsis, to stabilize the morale of the army on the verge of collapse and to comfort the fallen strong men.
"Since they are fighting without declaring war and using such despicable means to assassinate the pillars of our coalition, let them see what the true anger of Soul Master is!" Feng Yun's voice came through Soul Power, spread throughout the entire coalition camp, like the sound of war drums, "Except Elder Ye who needs to stay behind to treat serious injuries, all other Titled Douluo will follow me to attack!"
"Roar--!!!"
Forty-five terrifying auras rising into the sky like wolf smoke suddenly erupted in the Shrek Allied Forces camp! That was the roar and murderous intent of the forty-five Titled Douluo!
They turned into forty-five sky-shattering rainbows of different colors, carrying the destructive Soul Power fluctuations, like the bursting of the galaxy, towards the core of the Sun-Moon Empire defense line and the most densely defended Soul Tool positions, launching an unprecedented and violent raid regardless of the cost!