Assassination

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's fall rang like a funeral bell in the hearts of every force opposed to Spirit Hall.

The bloody reality made the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect understand completely that standing alone meant certain death.

Under immense pressure to survive, both sides set aside all their grievances and suspicions, joining forces more closely than ever before at unprecedented speed. They huddled together for warmth, forming mutually supporting positions.

The Heaven Dou Empire threw open its treasury, sparing no expense to arm its three most elite Soul Master Legions and the Royal Knights. They drilled day and night, while large quantities of powerful military Soul Tools were distributed among them.

At the same time, the empire's state-controlled propaganda machine went into full swing, depicting Spirit Hall as "a wicked force, cruel and heartless, slaughtering the innocent and seeking to overturn peace across the continent." They played up the threat to seize the moral high ground, rally the people at home, and win sympathy from the Star Luo Empire and even more neutral forces.

Relying on its wealth that rivaled a nation's and Ning Fengzhi's connections, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sent out invitations to heroes across the continent, offering generous rewards and resources to recruit wandering Soul Masters, small Soul Master clans, and even certain reclusive experts who resented Spirit Hall's overbearing conduct.

The sect also heavily favored its combat personnel when distributing its cultivation resources. All its disciples entered the highest state of readiness, cultivating and practicing combined battle formations day and night.

The entire Heaven Dou Empire and its allied forces had become a rapidly turning war machine, frantically building up strength under the spur of fear and fury, tensely bracing for the next hammer blow from Spirit Hall, which could fall at any moment.

Amid this oppressive atmosphere, with a storm brewing, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Branch Sect remained Lin Yi's ideal sanctuary for cultivation.

He devoted nearly all his time to hard training beside the Ice Spring. Under the tempering of extreme cold, his Soul Power, already at the peak of rank seventy-nine, grew ever more solid as he launched repeated assaults on the barrier to Soul Douluo.

Now and then, he would step away from his monotonous cultivation for a while and enjoy a moment of tenderness with Xiao Wu, who stayed by his side as sweetly as a little bird.

The two of them would stroll through the valley or lean against each other beneath the moon. Xiao Wu would use her increasingly refined cooking skills to make him some snacks, and her tenderness would ease the heaviness in his brow brought on by the pressure of the outside world.

This relaxation was a rare respite for his taut nerves.

Zhu Zhuqing continued to fulfill her duties as his "maid," though she grew increasingly silent.

She kept Lin Yi's daily life in perfect order and never slackened in her own cultivation, steadily improving her Soul Power.

She often stood quietly nearby, watching Lin Yi and Xiao Wu interact. Her cool eyes were like a deep pool, revealing nothing of her feelings.

One day, Bone Douluo Gu Rong received a confidential letter from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. He was required to go to the palace and discuss the details of their joint defenses with Xue Ye and the other high-ranking officials. After telling Lin Yi to be careful, he hurried off.

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the hazy energy mist above the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, casting dappled flecks of light. Lin Yi had just finished a round of cultivation and was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, taking a short rest.

Zhu Zhuqing carried over a plate of freshly baked pastries, still warm and sweet-smelling, and gently set it in front of him.

"Have something to eat." Her voice remained cool, but her movements held a hint of tenderness that was difficult to notice.

Lin Yi nodded and picked up a delicately shaped Lotus Pastry. Before he could bring it to his mouth, his powerful Spiritual Power shuddered!

His Spirit Detection field was like a lake struck by a stone. In an instant, it registered an extremely faint Soul Power fluctuation, carrying a bone-piercing killing intent, rushing toward him from behind and to the side at astonishing speed! Its target was the center of his back!

Too fast! Too stealthy! If his Spiritual Power hadn't far surpassed that of others at his rank, he wouldn't have sensed it at all!

His left hand shot out, and he pulled Zhu Zhuqing, who hadn't yet reacted, tightly into his arms. He turned his broad back toward the deadly ambush! At the same time, all three of his defensive Soul Skills erupted in a furious stack, faster than ever before!

Second Martial Soul, First Soul Skill (Hundred-Thousand-Year): Snow Demon Fury! His defensive power surged by two hundred and fifty percent! A deep-blue phantom of Titan Ice Armor instantly covered his entire body!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul, Fourth Soul Skill: Breath of Ice Sealing! Extreme cold swirled around him, further increasing his defense while freezing and slowing anyone who came into contact with it!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul, Second Soul Skill: Ice Lotus Protection! Crystalline ice-lotus petals blossomed behind him in an instant, forming the innermost energy shield!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul, Seventh Soul Skill: Snow Lotus True Body! He transformed into the Snow Lotus itself, doubling the effects of all his Soul Skills!

BOOM—!!!!

A terrifying crash, like a meteor striking, exploded through the courtyard!

The pale-gray streak slammed into Lin Yi's back, which was protected by several layers of terrifying defenses! The Titan Ice Armor formed by Snow Demon Fury cracked with a sound of being pushed beyond its limits. Ice Lotus Protection vanished in an instant, and the frigid aura of Breath of Ice Sealing was forcibly dispersed!

Lin Yi grunted. He felt an indescribable force and a sinister, icy Soul Power drilling into his body! Despite the four stacked defensive Soul Skills, the doubled effects of Snow Lotus True Body, and his own formidable physique, his throat turned sweet and he couldn't hold back a mouthful of blood. Holding Zhu Zhuqing, he staggered forward several steps, his back a bloody mess, the wound deep enough to expose bone!

Only then did Zhu Zhuqing realize what had happened. She felt Lin Yi's warm blood splash across her face, then saw the horrific wound on his back. Her cool, lovely face went deathly pale, and it felt as if an invisible hand had clenched her heart tight!

"Lin Yi!" she cried out, her voice trembling like never before.

A figure shrouded in a black cloak, its form indistinct, appeared like a ghost in the shadows at the corner of the courtyard.

Apparently surprised that Lin Yi had survived his carefully planned ambush, he let out a soft "Hm."

"Not bad. You really do have some tricks, being Sword Douluo's disciple and all." A hoarse, sinister voice came from beneath the cloak, laced with amusement and killing intent. "What a pity. You're still only a Soul Saint."

Lin Yi forcibly suppressed the churning blood in his veins and turned, fixing the shadow with a cold stare. "A Douluo from Spirit Hall? Hiding your face and attacking from behind—is that all you can do?"

"The process doesn't matter. Only the result does." The shadow laughed darkly. "Boy, His Holiness the Pope values talent, so I'll give you one last chance.

"Join Spirit Hall, and all that came before will be forgiven. You'll be granted an elder's position and enjoy endless resources. Otherwise... next time, it won't be so simple."

His words were full of unquestionable menace, and his chilling killing intent locked firmly onto Lin Yi.

Lin Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes held not the slightest trace of fear, only cold mockery. "Go back and tell Bibi Dong that I, Lin Yi, would rather break than bend!"

"Hmph! I suggest you think it over!" The shadow snorted. He seemed unwilling to linger here, after all, since this was an important branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. His figure flickered and vanished as if melting into the shadows, leaving behind one final threat that echoed through the courtyard:

"Enjoy your last moments... If you refuse to join Spirit Hall, I'll take your life next time!"

Only after that terrifying pressure had completely disappeared did Zhu Zhuqing let out a breath. She hurried forward to support Lin Yi, whose face had gone pale. Clear concern, rare in her cool eyes, showed as she asked, "Are you all right?"

Lin Yi shook his head. He could feel his injuries slowly healing as Snow Lotus True Body and Ice Lotus Protection worked their effects, but his expression grew more grave.