After an hour of driving, the outline of the town finally appeared at the end of the deserted road.
After Zhang Qingxuan showed the token specially given by Qian Xunji, the Spirit Hall knight guarding the city paid a solemn salute, and the heavy city gate slowly opened with a creaking sound.
What hit us was not the noisy fireworks that a town should have, but a stench of blood and putrefaction that was too strong to be resolved.
Both sides of the street were densely packed with people.
Wounded soldiers with broken arms and limbs huddled on dirty straw mats, moans, cries, and occasional desperate screams intertwined into a hellish requiem.
There were civilians with sallow faces and skinny muscles, as well as injured people wearing various Soul Master clothing. Most of their wounds had been bandaged hastily, and flies were buzzing and circling, with no one cleaning them.
Zhang Qingxuan's footsteps did not pause at all, but his eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and he continued walking deeper into the town.
His back was as straight as a sword, as if the scene of purgatory in front of him was nothing but withered grass on the roadside.
"Brother, they..." Li Yingxue bit her lower lip tightly, her voice trembling, and the girl's eyes were filled with unbearable tears.
Her cultivation path is still short, and she has never seen such human tragedy.
Zhang Qingxuan stopped abruptly, with a cold voice, directly cutting off her words: "Don't be too busy feeling compassion! Who can tell how many towns like this there are on the mainland at the moment?"
His sharp eyes swept over his sister's pale face. "We saved this one, but what about the others? Besides, the war is far from over, and people are dying and getting injured every moment!"
"What can you change if you show some mercy now? It's just a drop in the bucket!"
His tone was slightly slower, but still unquestionable. "Your task now is to have a good sleep and recharge your batteries."
"Follow me back to Spirit City! Only when Great Worship and the others formulate a comprehensive overall strategy and completely defeat Fallen Soul Master can we truly rescue them!"
After that, he no longer looked at Li Yingxue's disappointed expression, turned around and left.
Xiao Bai followed silently, the huge figure bringing a sense of silent oppression.
Li Yingxue looked at the suffering beings struggling for survival around him, finally sighed softly, suppressed the surging sorrow, and quickly chased after them.
Personal compassion is as small as dust in front of the torrent sweeping across the continent.
Two days later, Spirit City, Pope Palace meeting hall.
The dome is tall, and the amethyst lamp casts a cold light, illuminating every solemn face in the hall.
Pope Qian Xunji is standing on the main seat, and below is the core force of the Spirit Hall - the worshipers and elders are all present. The air seems to be solidified, and only the candlelight crackles occasionally.
"Everyone!" Qian Xunji's voice was deep and powerful, and he pressed a fresh piece of information on the table.
"This is the latest battle report."
"Except for Spirit City, all branch halls were attacked wildly by Fallen Soul Master!"
He looked around the audience, word by word, and continued, "Sixty percent of the temple has been violently destroyed! The remaining 40% are barely supported by the defense system of large towns!"
Wow--!
The hall instantly exploded with shock, anger, and murderous intent, almost overturning the dome.
"These madmen! How dare they attack so many branches at the same time!"
"It seems they are determined to start an all-out war!"
"What are you afraid of! Just hit him! How can I, Spirit Hall, be afraid of him!"
"Yes! Laozi specializes in picking out elites to fight! Those who fight are really elite!"
The crowd was furious and fighting spirit boiled.
However, an invisible but majestic pressure suddenly came, like ice pouring down, freezing all the noise in an instant.
Everyone's breath froze and they looked to the side of the main seat in awe.
Great Worship Qian Daoliu, I don't know when I opened my eyes.
That look seemed indifferent, but it made everyone's hearts tremble.
"I also think we should fight." Qian Daoliu's voice was not high-pitched, but it carried an unquestionable decision.
"We must not only fight, but also completely conquer! Defeat! Let Spirit Hall's reputation shock the entire continent again!"
He stood up slowly and began to deploy combat missions with clear organization and decisive killing.
The meeting ended and everyone dispersed, but the atmosphere was still tense and exciting.
When Li Yuntian returned to the Li Family's other courtyard, Yang Wanqing and Zhang Qingxuan, who had just returned, were already waiting in the hall.
"Father, what is the outcome of the discussion?" Li Yingxue couldn't wait to step forward and asked.
Li Yuntian nodded solemnly. "Very good, Great Worship has set the tone and is preparing for a full-scale counterattack!"
"When will we act?" Zhang Qingxuan asked directly.
"Seven days later, Spirit Hall still needs to coordinate and coordinate with all major forces." Li Yuntian paused and added:
"The scope of Fallen Soul Master's attack this time is too wide. It is difficult for me, Spirit Hall, to complete the attack in one blow."
"Heaven Dou, Star Luo Empire, Two Great Empires, and Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... these top forces must all participate to form an encirclement and suppression campaign."
Zhang Qingxuan heard this, but a hint of worry flashed across his deep eyes. He pondered for a moment and said the key, "Then Great Worship, have you ever considered that once I, Spirit Hall, show my full strength, especially if I unite all the major forces in this battle, and all my trump cards are revealed... will it attract those forces, especially the sect forces, to cause trouble in the rear?"
As soon as these words came out, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Yes, there are already undercurrents between the Spirit Hall and the major sects, and suspicions and checks and balances have never disappeared.
If they use all their strength in this battle and expose their strongest power to the world, what will those sects think?
Will he take advantage of the Spirit Hall's vitality and focus on the front to stab him in the back with a fatal knife?
This possibility is by no means unfounded.
In Soul Master World, where interests come first, the boundary between allies and enemies is often only a matter of thought.
The probability of 98%... is probably an optimistic estimate.
The joy on Li Yuntian's face subsided slightly, and he fell into deep thought.
Zhang Qingxuan's concerns were like a cold needle, piercing the bubble of fighting spirit that had just gathered, revealing a more complex and dangerous chess game in the future.
Li Yuntian was silent for a while, then looked up at Zhang Qingxuan.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
Zhang Qingxuan was silent for a long time, then slowly spoke, his voice low and determined. "Father, this battle is no small matter."
"I suggest that at least 30% of Titled Douluo's combat power must be left to guard the core of the Spirit Hall."
"And among the 30% of the power, there must be a Super Douluo in charge!"
Li Yuntian frowned and said in thought, "Leave 30%! If the war is stalemate, I'm afraid the top combat power will not be enough!"
"That's enough." Zhang Qingxuan said decisively, "This move is by no means a sign of weakness, but a far-sighted move, which has two benefits."
He raised a finger. "First, Zang Feng. I, Spirit Hall, have a profound background, but if I reveal it all to the world at once, it will definitely make Heaven Dou, Star Luo Empire, and even the big sects afraid."
"As the saying goes, 'if a tree is as beautiful as the forest, the wind will destroy it'. Retaining some of our strength can not only intimidate Xiaoxiao, but also make those on the fence unable to figure out our details and dare not act rashly. This will make the deterrence stronger."