... Overseas, Sea God Island.
At first light, the sea twenty miles beyond Sea God Island showed no sign of life. Hundreds of Spirit Hall warships crouched among the waves like colossal beasts, their hulls covered in dark golden runes that gleamed with a cold, piercing light.
The flagship at the center of the fleet bore the words "Spirit Hall" in letters a hundred feet tall. A statue of a Six-Winged Angel carved into its prow gazed into the distance, its eyes blazing as it looked down upon Sea God Island, shrouded in shadow.
Tens of thousands of soldiers stood in formation aboard the various warships. Their golden insignia snapped in the morning breeze, and even their breathing carried the rhythm of iron and blood.
Inside the flagship, a group of Titled Douluo gathered around a huge sand table, discussing their strategy. The sand table depicted the opposing forces facing off,
Murong Fuhai held a thin stick and traced lines across the sand table as he analyzed the situation,
"Sea God Island's protective barrier is three times stronger than we anticipated. But after months of bombardment and the attacks from everyone here, we can tear a breach in it. The remaining supplies arrived a few days ago, and we have plenty of gunpowder now. One full volley at most, and the barrier will be blasted open."
With Spirit Hall's army bearing down on them, and Haimala in a critical period of seclusion, the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians had used the power of the Sacred Pillars to raise a protective barrier around Sea God Island, covering a radius of ten miles. It was extremely difficult to break through,
They had also sent out troops to confront Spirit Hall. The enemy was highly capable at sea, but Spirit Hall's army had Red Barbarian Cannons. Their long-range firepower had inflicted heavy losses on the opposing forces,
However, because of the maritime climate and the protection of the barrier, many of Spirit Hall's soldiers struggled to adapt. Over the past six months, the two sides had launched several charges. With numerous Sea Soul Beasts supporting them, Spirit Hall had lost nearly ten thousand soldiers to the fighting and the harsh conditions.
Murong Fuhai paused, then went on to point out the problem,
"Although our army has the upper hand, our soldiers aren't suited to fighting at sea. The climate here has also greatly weakened their strength. On top of that, Sea God Island has sent out many Phantom Sound Dolphins to bombard our troops with sonic interference. Many soldiers keep passing out and foaming at the mouth."
Although Phantom Sound Dolphins were weak, they were incredibly numerous, with over ten thousand in a single pod. Their collective sonic attacks had little effect on Soul Masters, but they severely disrupted ordinary soldiers.
"So, I recommend that we launch our all-out assault in two days. Once the barrier falls, the entire army will charge, and we'll begin the final battle!"
Of those present, Murong Fuhai had the greatest military ability, which was why he had been appointed marshal. He surveyed the entire battlefield and offered the clearest assessment of the situation.
After hearing Murong Fuhai's words, Qian Pocheng, who led the group, nodded, then said gravely,
"Marshal Murong is right. This battle has dragged on too long. If this continues, even our tens of thousands of soldiers will eventually be worn down by the interference and lose their fighting strength."
As he spoke, Qian Pocheng looked toward Sea God Island,
"Besides, we don't have much time left."
Qian Pocheng reached out, seized Spirit Hall's battle flag from the sand table, and moved it forward, placing it before Sea God Island. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes,
"Then we attack. The entire army will rest for two days. In two days, we begin the decisive battle!!!"
"We obey!" Everyone cupped their hands in response.
... Sea God Island.
On Sea God Island, Bo Saixi gazed into the distance, with the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians behind her. Sea Horse Douluo spoke up,
"Holy Maiden, the barrier probably won't hold much longer."
"Hmph. Who knows where Spirit Hall found that weapon? Our troops are blasted to pieces from a thousand meters away, before they can even get close. Even our warships can't withstand it." Sea Dragon Douluo snorted.
"The protective barrier has been drained badly by now. If the enemy launches just one more volley, it'll definitely shatter."
"That's right, Holy Maiden. When will the High Priest emerge from seclusion?"
The other Guardians also voiced their concerns.
Bo Saixi stared gravely at the waters beyond the island, then shook her head,
"Teacher is at a critical stage in breaking through. We can only buy more time. Send the order: gather the remaining troops and the Sea Spirit Master Legion. When Spirit Hall launches its all-out assault, we must hold them back!"
"Yes." The Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians cupped their hands in response, then turned and left.
Bo Saixi sighed, then flashed away toward Sea God Hall.
Inside Sea God Hall, Haimala sat cross-legged before the statue of the Sea God. Countless beams of Sea God's Light swirled around him, and his aura was magnificent,
Bo Saixi watched from outside the hall and sighed. "Teacher, Sea God Island is running out of time."
... Two days later.
As the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, the sea suddenly churned. Thousands of Sea Soul Beasts leaped from the depths, led by an enormous Demon Soul Great White Shark.
Behind them came dozens of warships, each carrying six or seven thousand soldiers clad head to toe in crystal-blue armor. They held either tridents or spears.
Bo Saixi and the Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians stood together aboard the flagship.
...,
Woo~
A long, sonorous horn rang out, and the war drums pounded with a thunderous boom, shaking everyone to the core. Murong Fuhai stood at the bow, drew the sword from his waist, and gave the order,
"All troops, advance!!!"
As the war drums thundered, dozens of warships surged toward Sea God Island. Every soldier stood ready for battle, while the Black Flame Army stood in orderly ranks at the front, their eyes blazing.
Qian Pocheng and the other Titled Douluo were also aboard the warships, waiting for the moment to strike.
The warships moved quickly, and soon reached the barrier around Sea God Island. Murong Fuhai saw it and waved his hand,
"Every Red Barbarian Cannon, one full volley! Blast that damned shell open for me!!"
"Yes!"
His deputy hurriedly raised a bright red flag. Since they were at sea, orders were relayed by flags and war drums,
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Three drumbeats rang out. The crews of the various warships received the signal and answered with three heavy strikes of their own drums, acknowledging the flagship and relaying the order to the other ships.
Before long, every warship had received the command. Hundreds of Red Barbarian Cannons stood ready. Spirit Hall had continued manufacturing them even after the battle began, and over the past six months, more than a hundred additional cannons had arrived, along with three or four thousand cannonballs.
At the command, the gunners on each warship set up their Red Barbarian Cannons and aimed them at Sea God Island's barrier,
Murong Fuhai waved his hand. "Fire!"
Boom, boom, boom—
A rapid burst of drumbeats sounded. This time, the crews on the various warships didn't answer with drums. Instead, they lit the fuses of the Red Barbarian Cannons,
Boom! Boom! Boom...
In an instant, hundreds of Red Barbarian Cannons fired, their cannonballs slamming into Sea God Island's barrier and exploding on impact,
Although Sea God Island's soldiers had seen these weapons before, they still couldn't help feeling afraid.
Before you continue