The White Tiger Duke Arrives, Demanding Our Surrender!?

"That city seemed to have appeared overnight at the border of the Star Dou Great Forest. Its strategic location lay within the Star Luo Empire, near the Mingdou Mountains where Xingluo bordered the Sun Moon Empire."

Xuan Zi spoke in a grave tone, his gaze upon the others carrying a hint of solemnity.

"This location is extremely important. It may well be a strategic force the Star Luo Empire has kept hidden all along."

Yan Shaozhe offered his opinion.

"No matter what, we should secretly send people to investigate. Even if it truly is a hidden force of Xingluo, it should not have appeared so suddenly."

At that moment, everyone turned their eyes toward Mu En. Mu En remained silent, seemingly pondering why a city had suddenly emerged within the Star Luo Empire's territory.

Wuhun City.

When Mu Yunye and Qian Renxue returned to Wuhun City, the city's appearance was no different from before they had crossed through time. Only the era had changed, and it had inevitably been somewhat affected.

Fortunately, it was still under the protection of Spirit Hall.

"In this era, policies such as freely helping others awaken their Martial Souls and Soul Master Subsidies are gone. Treating illnesses may require paying an enormous price."

Mu Yunye spoke softly.

"?"

Qian Renxue frowned, feeling as though she had misheard him.

"Uh... what are you talking about?"

Skydream Ice Silkworm's curious voice rang out. Along the way, he had heard Mu Yunye and Qian Renxue talk about events from ten thousand years ago more than once, as though they truly had come from that distant past.

"It's nothing, Skydream."

Upon returning to Spirit Hall's main hall, they found Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong seated together, seemingly discussing something. Seeing Mu Yunye return, Qian Daoliu took the initiative to speak.

"Yunye, Soul Detection has discovered that the ground beneath Wuhun City's current location contains extremely abundant mineral resources."

"Perhaps rare metals can be mined here!"

Mu Yunye froze for a moment, then his voice grew somewhat lower. "The Star Luo Empire will not simply allow Wuhun City, which appeared out of nowhere, to occupy such a place. Make preparations..."

"Preparations... for war?"

Bibi Dong was stunned. Were they already preparing for war?

"With Aunt Dong and Grandpa Qian standing guard, in this era, aside from the Star Dou Great Forest, there is no other force capable of directly wiping us out."

Mu Yunye smiled confidently.

Even the Holy Spirit Church, with Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao overseeing it, could not accomplish that. Ye Xishui was certainly powerful, but when facing Qian Daoliu, all the power she possessed as an evil soul master...

As for the Clear Sky Sect, that depended on whether those two could draw upon the power of gods. But since they did not involve themselves in worldly affairs, they could naturally be disregarded.

"Does the Star Dou Great Forest truly possess such foundations?"

Qian Daoliu could not help asking.

"If possible, we should maintain good relations with the Star Dou Great Forest. Its strongest known figure is the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian, whose cultivation is close to nine hundred thousand years. His strength could be called invincible beneath the god level."

"And in the shadows, there are genuine god-level powerhouses..."

The moment those words were spoken, all three people present could not help drawing in sharp breaths. Were the foundations of the soul beast race truly so terrifying?

"Grandpa Qian."

Mu Yunye looked toward Qian Daoliu.

"Among Ultimate Douluo, Di Tian's strength can perhaps be called that of a Quasi-God. He also possesses Yin-Yang Complementary Twin Soul Cores. Ordinary Ultimate Douluo merely possess In-Phase Resonance Twin Soul Cores; the difference between them is like heaven and earth."

"But if you possess Twin Soul Cores, then perhaps only by drawing upon Angel God Power can you defeat Di Tian..."

Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong both realized something.

They Titled Douluo from ten thousand years ago truly lacked one great advantage in this era: Soul Cores!

One could even say Martial Soul quality.

After all, from this era onward, the quality of Martial Souls had become increasingly outrageous.

Boom—!

The next moment, space abruptly twisted.

Azure Luan Douluo transformed into a streak of azure light and swept in from the horizon, landing before them. He looked toward Qian Daoliu, his voice carrying a trace of gravity.

"Big Brother, a group has arrived outside the city. They are likely the Star Luo Empire's army. Our existence has been exposed."

Demon Subduing Douluo and Thousand Jun Douluo arrived close behind, both radiating killing intent. They had more than enough confidence to sweep through this force, but Qian Daoliu stopped them.

"Before the other side attacks us first, it is not appropriate to start a war."

Mu Yunye nodded as well.

"That's right. Since Wuhun City has landed in this location, we cannot possibly relocate. What we need now is for everyone to acknowledge our existence. With that premise, there is nothing wrong with being somewhat domineering."

Qian Daoliu smiled.

He told Azure Luan Douluo, "Notify Golden Crocodile and the several elders from the Papal Hall. Send them instead. The members of Consecration Hall should remain a hidden force."

"A display of strength will suffice, but if they insist on making a move, there is no need to show mercy."

Azure Luan Douluo nodded and turned to leave.

Mu Yunye chose to follow Azure Luan Douluo. Before long, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Ghost Leopard Douluo, and Porcupine Douluo had all gathered, landing atop Wuhun City's walls.

"That is..."

"The White Tiger Duke's army."

Mu Yunye recognized the approaching force at a glance. The man at its head wore a solemn expression and rode an incomparably ferocious white tiger that radiated extraordinary might.

Without question, it was the White Tiger Duke, Dai Hao.

Dai Hao led his army to the outskirts of Wuhun City. Soul power surged around him, and in the next instant, he rose into the air. His calm gaze settled upon Mu Yunye and the others atop the city walls.

"May I ask which faction you belong to? This place lies within Star Luo Empire territory. If you do not belong to Xingluo, then I have every reason to conclude that you are occupying another nation's land."

Dai Hao spoke in a deep voice.

"We drifted here and chose this place to settle down. Since you already know our origins, please return."

Golden Crocodile Douluo waved a large hand and replied.

"..."

Dai Hao's expression turned several degrees colder.

Were they intending to disregard all courtesy? However, he could vaguely sense the presence of Titled Douluo among this group, so he still spoke in a composed voice. "If you wish to pledge yourselves to Xingluo, you will naturally be welcome."

"However, this location is special. It is one of Xingluo's few strategic strongholds. If you attach yourselves to Xingluo, I guarantee in the name of the White Tiger Duke that I will find you a new territory."

Dai Hao wished to recruit Mu Yunye and the others. After all, Titled Douluo were immensely valuable. If this group submitted to Xingluo, then that would naturally settle the matter.

"Hehe..."

Golden Crocodile chuckled softly.

"My apologies, White Tiger Duke, but we do not intend to leave! We will remain here and maintain friendly relations with Xingluo. Perhaps we may even engage in an open and honest exchange."

Those words made Dai Hao's expression completely darken.

Boom—!

Vast soul power gathered around him. Then Dai Hao's aura seemed to change in an instant. His White Tiger Martial Soul condensed into form, and a tiger's roar tore through the heavens as surging soul power swept forth.

"Arrogant!"

Yue Guan and Gui Mei simultaneously released nine soul rings, crushing Dai Hao's pressure back.