Tiandou City in Peril

Qian Daoliu's gaze swept over the newly reorganized Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Corps. Every member was at least level 40, and the ranks were filled with powerful Soul Saints and Titled Douluos. Three thousand strong, they stood with condensed auras and clanging battle intent, while the Spirit Hall's new generation of prodigies, led by Ye Guyi, held the front lines in a display of formidable strength.

Looking upon this elite force poised for action, a surge of immense pride welled up within him. He spoke in a deep, resonant voice that shook the very halls:

"Douluo Continent, the Spirit Hall has returned!"

Afterward, a thought occurred to Qian Daoliu.

He retrieved the soul guidance devices and Invincible Barriers that Kong Deming had entrusted to him from his storage tool.

He handed them to Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, Jin Lin, and Guang Yao, instructing them to distribute the gear among the members of the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Corps.

Once everyone was equipped, the entire army took on a uniform, disciplined appearance. Augmented by high-grade soul guidance devices that shimmered with a biting, cold light, their overall combat power skyrocketed, making them no less formidable than any legion in the Sun Moon Empire, save for the Royal Soul Engineer Corps.

Of course, the practical combat experience of this force still needed improvement, which was precisely why Qian Daoliu was leading them out on this expedition.

As for his other motives, they naturally included the cultivation of Ye Guyi, the successor to the Angel God.

Because he had destroyed his own godhood, Qian Daoliu could no longer condense the Angel God position himself.

But Ye Guyi was different, and there was an entire Tianhun Empire filled with Evil Soul Masters.

Qian Daoliu was confident that he could create another Angel God within his lifetime.

And that candidate was Ye Guyi.

After inspecting the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Corps, Qian Daoliu accompanied Bo Saixi to rest, using the time to recharge for the expedition the following day.

The next day, at the first light of dawn.

Outside the Spirit Hall, a familiar female voice rang out.

"Luan Feng of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion requests an audience with His Excellency the Angel!"

Inside the Spirit Hall's Offering Hall, Qian Daoliu was currently napping with Bo Saixi in his arms.

Hearing the commotion outside, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but frown as he opened his sleepy eyes.

Bo Saixi murmured in his embrace, "Who is it, disturbing someone's dreams so early in the morning!"

As Qian Daoliu's companion, Bo Saixi had also heard that the voice outside belonged to a woman.

Furthermore, it was a voice she found quite irritating.

At this thought, Bo Saixi couldn't help but glare at Qian Daoliu reproachfully. "Qian Daoliu, you're something else! You've already got a little lover knocking at your door!"

With that, she huffed and pushed Qian Daoliu away.

Caught off guard, Qian Daoliu was shoved right off the bed.

The pain brought him to instant wakefulness.

He was also curious as to which blind fool was coming to ruin his mood at such an early hour.

Then, under Bo Saixi's watchful gaze, Qian Daoliu straightened his robes, pushed open the hall doors, and flashed to the main gate of the Spirit Hall.

"It's her!"

Qian Daoliu raised his eyes to focus. The visitor was indeed the commander of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion he had seen at the imperial palace yesterday, the Fire Phoenix Douluo, Luan Feng.

She stood alone outside the Spirit Hall's mountain gate, her crimson battle armor gleaming brilliantly in the morning light. Her posture was as upright as a pine, her brows sharp and fierce.

Though she stood by herself, she carried the chilling, murderous aura of a legion commander, waiting quietly with a demeanor that was neither servile nor overbearing.

Only then did it dawn on Qian Daoliu that he was not only leading the Spirit Hall's corps but was also tasked with commanding the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion. No wonder the commander had come looking for him so early; he had completely forgotten about that detail.

Helpless, Qian Daoliu had to suppress his irritation and walk out to meet her.

"Apologies for the wait, Fire Phoenix Douluo," he said.

Luan Feng showed no sign of displeasure at being kept waiting. A faint, shy flush crossed her heroic features as she replied softly and respectfully:

"Your Excellency is too kind. I came to inform you that, according to the latest intelligence from last night, the remnants of the Tianhun Empire have joined forces with Evil Soul Masters to seize Tiandou City. The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion has already assembled outside the east gate of the Ming Capital, waiting only for your command to depart for the Tianhun Empire!"

Qian Daoliu gave an "Oh!" of acknowledgment.

He signaled his understanding.

"You may return to the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion's encampment first," he instructed.

"The Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Corps and I will follow shortly."

"Understood!"

Receiving her orders, the Fire Phoenix Douluo dared not delay. She acknowledged the command and then bid him farewell, clearly reluctant to leave.

"This subordinate will take her leave!"

Under Qian Daoliu's gaze, the Fire Phoenix Douluo transformed into a streak of flowing fire and departed the Spirit Hall.

Qian Daoliu watched the Fire Phoenix Douluo's impatient nature and couldn't help but sigh, "She really is a hothead!"

Afterward, Qian Daoliu returned to the Spirit Hall to explain the situation to Bo Saixi.

He summoned Ye Guyi and the others to assemble the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion.

Once everyone had finished breakfast, Qian Daoliu waved his hand and announced to the group, "Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion, move out!"

Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi took the lead, followed by the five members of the new generation—Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, Jin Lin, and Guang Yao—each commanding a small squad as they headed toward the outskirts of the Ming Capital's east city.

An hour later, the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion and the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion converged.

If the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion's attire was primarily black, then the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion's was dominated by a deep crimson.

Qian Daoliu cast his gaze over the camp; it was as red as fire, with the glow of the sky illuminating all directions. Every soldier's armor gleamed, their momentum was like a rainbow, and their eyes were sharp, brimming with a fierce fighting spirit. They possessed a majestic presence like a fire phoenix setting the plains ablaze, forming a stark visual contrast to the somber, black-clad Spirit Hall legion.

At the same time, Qian Daoliu noticed that although the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion's overall cultivation was higher than that of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, their collective aura was far inferior.

The reason for this was that the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion consisted of veterans hardened by the battlefield; their eyes glinted with ferocity, and their killing intent was etched into their very bones—a blood-forged sharpness tempered by countless wars.

In contrast, while the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion possessed impressive cultivation, they lacked practical experience. Their presence was green and immature, like raw recruits who had yet to be honed, lacking the biting, blood-soaked intent of true combat.

Qian Daoliu understood this in his heart.

As soon as Qian Daoliu and his group appeared, the Fire Phoenix Douluo flew over to greet them.

She lifted her eyes, her gaze suddenly freezing as her heart filled with astonishment.

This Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion was equipped with exquisite, luxurious gear that far surpassed her own Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, and their overall cultivation level was firmly a cut above her own forces.

She marveled inwardly at Qian Daoliu's terrifying ability to rally such power, feeling an increasing sense of curiosity and awe toward this mysterious and formidable Angel.

To Bo Saixi, this gesture looked like nothing more than a blatant provocation.

Consequently, Bo Saixi let out a cold snort and said, "Qian Daoliu, since the forces have converged, why are we still waiting? What are we waiting for?"

Qian Daoliu felt a slight tightening in his chest and an inexplicable chill down his spine. He immediately halted his idle thoughts, not daring to show the slightest hesitation.

He reined in his aura, assumed a solemn expression, and raised his hand to issue a resonant command to the two legions: "Fire Phoenix Douluo, you shall lead the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion as the vanguard! Proceed immediately to Tiandou City within the Tianhun Empire! You may establish a perimeter and wait for the arrival of the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion!"

The reason for choosing Tiandou City as the first stop was that it was the former capital of the Tianhun Empire. The area was a melting pot of chaos, gathering not only a large number of Evil Soul Masters but also the remnants of the Tianhun Empire.

Furthermore, it was close to the Sun Moon Empire; only by taking this location could they further project their influence across the entire Tianhun Empire.

Qian Daoliu then continued his orders.

"The Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion will split into two!"

"Bo Saixi and I will each lead a team! We shall deploy to the left and right flanks of the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, respectively, and then proceed to Tiandou City!"

As the Great Elder of the Spirit Hall from ten thousand years ago, arranging troops and formations was second nature to Qian Daoliu.

As soon as the order was given, the Fire Phoenix Douluo accepted the command and led the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, utilizing their flight-type soul tools to dash rapidly toward the Tianhun Empire.

As for the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion, just as Qian Daoliu had instructed, they began to split into two.

Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, and Qiangu Zhenxie followed Qian Daoliu to form the left flank.

Jin Lin and Guang Yao followed Bo Saixi to form the right flank.

The entire Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion was also equipped with flight-type soul tools, and they were currently flying at high speed toward Tiandou City in the Tianhun Empire.

Because the Tianhun Empire had already been occupied by the Sun Moon Empire, the Spirit Hall Soul Engineer Legion and the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion faced no obstacles along their journey.

Furthermore, Tiandou City was located in the western part of the Tianhun Empire, very close to the border of the Sun Moon Empire.

Before Qian Daoliu could even find the time to help Ye Guyi slay Evil Soul Masters to improve her strength, they had already arrived at the outskirts of Tiandou City.

The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion had arrived even earlier than the Spirit Hall forces.

At this moment, the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion was already stationed outside Tiandou City.

As soon as Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi's legions arrived, Qian Daoliu discovered that in addition to the Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion, there was also a regular Sun Moon Empire soul engineer division and a large force of main infantry stationed further out from the city.

They consisted of the First Soul Engineer Division, numbering 2,000, and the Central Infantry Main Force, numbering 50,000.

However, both of these units had suffered heavy casualties, suggesting that the rebellion involving the collusion between the Tianhun Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult was no small matter.

The Fire Phoenix Douluo contacted Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi through the Sun Moon Empire's long-range soul communication technology and proposed:

"Your Highnesses, I suggest we surround them on three sides and leave one open!"

"The Fire Phoenix Soul Engineer Legion will surround the west!"

"The Spirit Hall left-flank Soul Engineer Legion will surround the east!"

"The Spirit Hall right-flank Soul Engineer Legion will surround the south!"

"The First Soul Engineer Division and the Central Infantry Main Force shall form a wider perimeter!"

"At the same time, we can set up Tier 7 soul cannons on the south side to prevent the enemies inside the city from escaping!"

"As for the two冕下, you may enter the city to eliminate the Evil Soul Masters!"

Fire Phoenix Douluo was truly a battle-hardened female general; the plan she proposed was so flawless that even Qian Daoliu found it impeccable.

Qian Daoliu agreed immediately.

Qian Daoliu simultaneously mobilized the Sun Moon Empire's High-Altitude Reconnaissance Devices to begin twenty-four-hour surveillance of Tiandou City.

However, Qian Daoliu soon discovered that the High-Altitude Reconnaissance Devices were not omnipotent.

Because, at some point, layers of death energy had shrouded the sky above Tiandou City, a force that firmly blocked all prying from the outside.

With no other choice, Qian Daoliu could only order the main army to deploy according to the original plan.

He, along with Bo Saixi, Ye Guyi, Fire Phoenix Douluo, and the others, entered Tiandou City first to inspect the situation.