Assassination

The fall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was like a funeral bell, tolling in the hearts of every faction opposed to Martial Soul Hall.

The bloody reality made the Heaven Dou Empire imperial family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect realize completely that fighting alone was a dead end.

Under the immense pressure of survival, both sides cast aside all estrangement and suspicion, uniting closely with unprecedented speed to huddle together for warmth and act as mutual support.

The Heaven Dou Empire opened its national treasury, sparing no cost to arm the empire's three most elite Soul Master legions and the Royal Knights, drilling them day and night while distributing a large quantity of high-powered military Soul Tools.

At the same time, the empire's official propaganda machine went into full gear, painting Martial Soul Hall as an "evil force that is cruel, heartless, slaughters living beings, and intends to subvert the peace of the continent." They played up the threat to the extreme, attempting to seize the moral high ground, unite the hearts of the people, and win the sympathy of the Star Luo Empire and even more neutral factions.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, relying on its wealth that rivaled a nation and Ning Fengzhi's connections, issued hero invitations across the continent. With generous treatment and resources, they aggressively recruited wandering Soul Masters, small Soul Master families, and even some reclusive powerhouses dissatisfied with the overbearing conduct of Martial Soul Hall.

Cultivation resources within the sect were heavily tilted toward combat personnel, and all disciples entered a state of maximum combat readiness, training day and night and practicing combined attack formations.

The entire Heaven Dou Empire and its allied forces were like a high-speed war machine, driven by fear and anger, frantically accumulating strength while nervously guarding against the next heavy hammer that Martial Soul Hall might drop at any moment.

In this oppressive atmosphere where a storm was brewing, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well branch remained the best sanctuary for Lin Yi's cultivation.

He devoted almost all his time to hard training by the Ice Spring, his level 79 peak soul power becoming increasingly solid under the tempering of the extreme cold, launching one assault after another against the barrier of the Soul Douluo realm.

Occasionally, he would take a break from the tedious cultivation to enjoy a moment of tenderness with Xiao Wu, who would accompany him like a bird by his side.

The two would stroll through the valley or cuddle under the moonlight; Xiao Wu would prepare snacks for him with her increasingly refined culinary skills, using her gentleness to dissolve the heaviness between his brows caused by external pressure.

This relaxation was a rare adjustment for his tightly wound nerves.

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

She kept Lin Yi's daily life in perfect order, and she never slacked in her own cultivation, her soul power rising steadily.

She often stood quietly not far away, watching the interaction between Lin Yi and Xiao Wu, her cold eyes like deep pools, revealing no emotion.

On this day, Bone Douluo Gu Rong received a secret letter from the Heaven Dou imperial family, requiring him to go to the palace to discuss the specific details of joint defense with Emperor Xue Ye and his high officials. After urging Lin Yi to be careful, he left in a hurry.

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

Zhu Zhuqing brought over a plate of freshly baked pastries that still radiated warmth and sweetness, placing them gently in front of him.

"Eat something." Her voice remained cold, but her movements carried a hint of imperceptible gentleness.

Lin Yi nodded. Just as he picked up a delicately shaped Lotus Pastry and was about to bring it to his mouth, his powerful spiritual power jolted violently!

His Spirit Detection domain was like a lake surface struck by a stone, instantly feeding back a soul power fluctuation that was extremely subtle yet carried bone-chilling killing intent, attacking from the rear at an astonishing speed! The target was his heart!

It was too fast! Too stealthy! If his spiritual power hadn't far exceeded those of his rank, he would never have noticed!

His left hand shot out, pulling the unprepared Zhu Zhuqing tightly into his arms, using his own broad back to face the lethal sneak attack! At the same time, the three defensive soul skills within his body exploded in a frantic, unprecedented overlap!

Second Martial Soul First Soul Skill (100,000 years), Snow Demon Fury!—Defense increased by 250% instantly! A dark blue phantom of the Titan Ice Armor covered his entire body!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul Fourth Soul Skill, Breath of Ice Sealing!—Extreme cold lingered, further increasing defense and causing freezing and sluggishness to anyone who made contact!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul Second Soul Skill, Ice Lotus Protection!—Crystal-clear ice lotus petals bloomed instantly behind him, forming the innermost energy shield!

Snow Lotus Martial Soul Seventh Soul Skill, Snow Lotus True Body!—Transforming into the Snow Lotus itself, all soul skill effects doubled!

BOOM—!!!!

A terrifying roar like a meteorite impact exploded in the courtyard!

That pale gray stream of light slammed fiercely into Lin Yi's back, which was layered with several terrifying defenses! The Titan Ice Armor formed by Snow Demon Fury emitted a cracking sound of unbearable strain, the Ice Lotus Protection vanished instantly, and the cold air of Breath of Ice Sealing was forcibly dispersed!

Lin Yi let out a muffled groan, feeling an indescribable immense force and a cold, vicious soul power drill into his body! Even with the four defensive soul skills stacked, and the doubling effect of the Snow Lotus True Body combined with his own formidable physique, he still felt a sweetness in his throat, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out uncontrollably. He staggered forward several steps while holding Zhu Zhuqing, his back a bloody mess, deep enough to see bone!

Zhu Zhuqing in his arms only realized what had happened at this moment. She felt the warm blood Lin Yi sprayed onto her face, and then saw the terrifying wound on his back. Her cold, pretty face turned deathly pale instantly, her heart feeling as if it had been gripped hard by an invisible hand!

"Lin Yi!" she cried out, her voice trembling with unprecedented fear.

A figure shrouded in a black cloak, with a blurred appearance, appeared like a ghost in the shadows of the courtyard corner.

He seemed very surprised that Lin Yi could block his long-planned sneak attack, letting out a soft "Oh?"

"As expected of Sword Douluo's disciple, you really have some tricks." A hoarse, gloomy voice came from under the cloak, carrying a hint of playfulness and killing intent. "It's a pity, you are only a Soul Saint after all."

Lin Yi forcibly suppressed his churning blood and turned around, his gaze coldly locking onto the black shadow: "A Douluo from Martial Soul Hall? Hiding your head and showing your tail, is this the only way you know how to conduct a sneak attack?"

"The process is not important; the result is what matters." The black shadow laughed sinisterly. "Kid, His Holiness the Pope cherishes talent, so I will give you one last chance."

"Join Martial Soul Hall, and everything from before will be forgiven. I promise you the position of Elder and endless resources. Otherwise... the next time won't be so simple."

His words were filled with unquestionable threats, and the chilling killing intent was like a physical presence, firmly locking onto Lin Yi.

Lin Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes showing no fear, only cold mockery: "Go back and tell Bibi Dong, I, Lin Yi, would rather break than bend!"

"Hmph! I advise you to think it over carefully!" The black shadow snorted, seemingly unwilling to stay here for long, as this was an important branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. His figure flickered, and like melting into the shadows, he disappeared from the spot instantly, leaving only the last sentence filled with murderous intent echoing in the courtyard:

"Enjoy your final moments... If you do not join Martial Soul Hall, next time, I will surely take your life!"

Not until that terrifying pressure completely vanished did Zhu Zhuqing breathe a sigh of relief. She hurriedly stepped forward to support the pale-faced Lin Yi, a rare, clear concern showing in her cold eyes: "Are you alright?"

Lin Yi shook his head, feeling the injuries in his body slowly recovering under the transformation of the Snow Lotus True Body and Ice Lotus Protection, but his eyes became increasingly grave.