Soul Douluo Legion Blockade, Every Step Through the Bloody Passage Was Difficult

The aftermath of breaking the formation had yet to settle. The cold air still carried the mingled scent of elemental explosions and Golden Dragon King blood essence. Fine fragments of stone continued to fall slowly from the ceiling of the passage, striking the ground with faint sounds. Tang Wulin and Gu Yue stood side by side, the exhaustion from forcefully breaking the Four-Kill Soul-Conduit Restriction still lingering. Their breathing was slightly hurried, almost imperceptibly so, fine beads of sweat covering their foreheads, while their clothes were dampened by sweat and fluctuations of soul power.

Yet before they could even catch another breath, much less calm the surging blood essence and soul power within them, they were completely locked onto by a sudden, icy, oppressive presence.

From the originally dark and empty shadows ahead in the passage, one tall, cold figure after another slowly emerged.

At the forefront stood a sinister-looking middle-aged man dressed in the Spirit Pagoda's black combat uniform. Three dark-gold patterns were embroidered along the hem of his robe, symbolizing his status as a core commander. His gaze was like an ice-tempered blade. When it swept over Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, it held no emotion whatsoever, only mechanical indifference and killing intent. Behind him stood eleven figures in neat formation. Every one of them possessed a steady, condensed, terrifying aura. Soul Rings faintly circulated around their bodies, their flickering light carrying a rank pressure that made one's heart tremble.

Purple, purple, purple, black, black.

Purple, purple, purple, black, black.

Purple, purple, purple, black, black!

Every single one was a five-ring Soul Douluo, without a single exception.

Twelve Soul Douluos.

This was a force capable of making any faction tremble in fear. Even within the continent's top powers, they would be considered core combat strength. Yet within the Spirit Pagoda, they were merely the guards of the fifth underground level, a wall of flesh and blood placed solely to stop Tang Wulin and Gu Yue.

The terrifying foundation of the Spirit Pagoda was evident from this alone.

Tang Wulin slowly raised his head. There was no fear in his golden eyes, but they were utterly covered by an extreme heaviness. He instinctively turned slightly, shielding Gu Yue half a step behind him. The Golden Dragon King's blood essence raced through his body, and the power that had only just settled began boiling again. Golden dragon patterns slowly spread from beneath his collar to his neck and cheeks, carrying an aura of majesty and dominance.

He understood clearly that twelve Soul Douluos joining forces in a battle formation was far more than one plus one equaling twelve.

They had undergone specialized coordinated training. Their soul powers resonated, complemented, and amplified one another, and the combined force they formed was enough to rival an ordinary Titled Douluo.

Moreover, they had expended enormous energy breaking the formation just now. Facing a Soul Douluo Legion waiting in peak condition with their exhausted bodies, this battle would only be more difficult and more dangerous than the fight against the Soul-Severing Douluo.

Memories from his previous life surged uncontrollably into his mind once again.

Back then, he had likewise reached this level and likewise encountered the Spirit Pagoda's elite guards trying to kill him. At that time, he had been alone, far weaker than he was in this life. Though he had barely fought his way through a path of blood, he had also suffered severe injuries and nearly exhausted his soul power, laying the most fatal groundwork for his later disastrous defeat.

And the root of everything had been his desperate wish to reach the seventh underground level as soon as possible and save his parents.

Tang Ziran, Lang Yue.

The two people who had given him life, protected him as he grew up, suffered endless torment for him, and ultimately died tragically in the Spirit Pagoda's conspiracy.

The moment he thought of his parents enduring hunger, torture, imprisonment, and fear day after day in that pitch-black secret prison while waiting for him, and the desperate scene from his previous life of blood filling the sky as his parents fell before him, Tang Wulin felt as though an invisible hand had clenched his heart viciously. The pain nearly left him unable to breathe.

Regret, self-blame, heartache, rage...

All kinds of emotions intertwined, transforming into a frenzied force that coursed through every limb and bone in his body.

In this life, he would never repeat the same mistakes.

In this life, Gu Yue stood at his side, and he possessed power enough to sweep aside everything. Whether twelve Soul Douluos stood ahead, a Titled Douluo, or even the Spirit Pagoda Master himself, he had to force his way through.

"Dragon Emperor Douluo Tang Wulin, Silver Dragon King Gu Yue."

The Soul Douluo commander at the front slowly spoke. His voice was cold and hoarse, as grating as metal scraping together. "By order of the Spirit Pagoda's upper ranks, we guard the fifth underground level and stop all intruders. You trespassed into the Spirit Pagoda's inner sanctum, destroyed restrictions, and wounded guards. Your crimes are punishable by death."

He raised his hand, pointing at Tang Wulin with a finger, greed and covetousness undisguised in his tone.

"The Pagoda Master has ordered that Tang Wulin be captured alive and brought back for the origin of his Golden Dragon King bloodline. The Silver Dragon King is to be killed, eliminating all future trouble."

"You have no path of retreat, nor any path of escape."

As his words fell, the twelve Soul Douluos took a step forward at the same time.

Perfectly synchronized, their momentum soared like a rainbow.

Soul power erupted with a roar. Twelve powerful auras intertwined, forming an incomparably dense wall of soul power that completely sealed the passage, leaving not even the slightest gap. The air was squeezed and frozen solid as terrifying pressure crushed madly toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, making the metal floor tiles beneath their feet creak under the unbearable strain.

"If you want to take him, step over my corpse first."

A cool voice slowly rang out. It carried no emotion, yet it held a dominance and resolve that stood above all living things.

Gu Yue walked out from behind Tang Wulin and stood beside him. Her silver-gray hair glimmered faintly in the dim passage. Six elemental powers flowed silently around her: the sharpness of wind, the fury of fire, the swiftness of lightning, the heaviness of earth, the flexibility of water, and the strangeness of space. The six powers intertwined, forming a brilliant yet deadly elemental domain that protected the two of them at its center.

There was not a trace of fear on her usually aloof and cold face. Her silver-gray eyes were calm and still, yet deep within them lay Icebound Myriad Miles, killing intent blazing fiercely.

Whoever dared touch her man, whoever dared block her path, whoever dared hinder Tang Wulin from saving his parents, she would reduce them to ashes.

After millions of years of waiting and millions of years of protection, she had long regarded Tang Wulin as more important than her own life.

During Shrek's crisis, she had fought beside him and protected their home.

Now, as they stormed the tower to rescue his family, she still walked with him, sweeping aside every powerful enemy.

"Stubborn fools." The Soul Douluo commander snorted coldly. A trace of wariness flashed through his eyes, but he showed no intention of retreating. "Silver Dragon King, even if you command elemental power, you cannot fight twelve alone. Today, your defeat is certain."

"Words are useless." Tang Wulin slowly raised his right hand. Golden dragon scales covered his fingertips as blood essence gathered to its limit. "If you want to fight, then fight."

There was no needless delay and no hesitation.

Within the Spirit Pagoda's inner sanctum, words were the most useless thing. Only power could carve out a path to survival.

"Form the formation!"

The commander shouted lowly.

The twelve Soul Douluos moved in an instant.

Their bodies flickered as they scattered like ghosts, taking positions throughout the passage. Their soul powers drew upon one another and resonated, forming an airtight trapping and killing battle formation. Light flashed as soul skills condensed. The auras of all kinds of soul skills intertwined in midair: sharp blade light, heavy defenses, strange control techniques, and violent attacks.

Twelve Soul Douluos joining forces possessed enough power to destroy heaven and earth.

"Gu Yue, control the field. I'll lead the attack." Tang Wulin shouted in a low voice, his tone steady and resolute.

"Alright."

A single simple word, yet it was their most tacit coordination.

After Sea God's Fate, their hearts had long been connected. They needed no excessive words; one glance, one movement, was enough to understand each other's intentions. Gu Yue would use elemental power to restrain, control, and disrupt their enemies, creating the perfect opportunity for Tang Wulin to attack. Tang Wulin, meanwhile, would launch a frontal assault, using the Golden Dragon King's ultimate physical strength to tear open the enemy's battle formation.

The battle was about to erupt.

"Kill!"

At the commander's order, all twelve Soul Douluos attacked simultaneously.

Dozens of soul skills erupted at once, illuminating the entire dim passage. Airwaves rolled and fierce winds howled as terrifying attacks surged toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yue like a tidal wave.

"Spatial Barrier!"

Gu Yue shouted softly, her hands rapidly forming seals.

An invisible spatial wall instantly unfolded before the two of them. It was as crystalline and translucent as glass, yet unbreakably sturdy.

Boom—!!!

Countless soul skills crashed against the Spatial Barrier with deafening roars. Blinding light exploded and shockwaves rolled as the entire passage shook violently. Broken stones flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.

The Spatial Barrier trembled slightly, but it firmly blocked the first wave of attacks.

"Now!"

Tang Wulin's gaze sharpened, and his body shot forward.

The Golden Dragon King's ultimate speed erupted. His figure left streaks of golden afterimages in the air as he charged like lightning toward the weakest point of the Soul Douluo battle formation. Blood essence condensed around his right fist. Golden dragon patterns roared as he threw a punch without any flourish, containing only the purest, most violent power.

Golden Dragon Overlord Body!

Golden Dragon Fist!

Boom—!!!

The face of a Soul Douluo responsible for frontal defense changed drastically. He hurriedly activated a soul skill to block the blow, but his defense was as fragile as paper before Tang Wulin's punch. With a loud bang, the defense shattered. The Soul Douluo was struck in the chest and sent flying like a kite with a broken string. He slammed viciously into the wall, spat out a mouthful of blood, and instantly lost his ability to fight.

One move, and one person was severely wounded.

Yet the Soul Douluo Legion's battle formation did not collapse because of it.

The remaining eleven reacted swiftly, immediately filling the gap. Their soul powers resonated once more, and their assault became even more violent.

"Bind!"

A control-type Soul Douluo shouted coldly. Countless pitch-black chains of soul power extended from the void, winding toward Tang Wulin.

Wind Blade Annihilation!

Thunder Prison's Descent!

Earth Shattering!

All kinds of attacks descended from every direction, completely swallowing Tang Wulin's figure.

"Wulin!"

Gu Yue's gaze sharpened as elemental power erupted completely.

Wild winds howled, scattering the attacks filling the sky.

Thunder roared as it collided with the enemy's thunder prison.

Flames swept outward, burning the chains of soul power.

The earth rose, forming massive barriers.

With her strength alone, she forcibly withstood the coordinated attacks of ten Soul Douluos. Elemental power crisscrossed the battlefield, and every attack she made precisely dismantled the enemy's offensive. But there were simply too many enemies, their soul power flowing endlessly. Even one as powerful as the Silver Dragon King gradually began to feel strained.

Tang Wulin charged and slaughtered his way through the battle formation. Golden blood essence surged into the sky, and with every punch, another Soul Douluo was severely wounded and forced back.

But the Spirit Pagoda's Soul Douluo Legion was simply too powerful.

They coordinated flawlessly, balanced between attack and defense. Whenever one person was knocked back, another immediately took his place, as though there were no end to them.

Time slowly passed.

One minute, five minutes, ten minutes.

The passage had long become a complete mess.

The walls were covered in cracks, floor tiles had shattered and collapsed, dust filled the air, and fragments of soul power scattered everywhere.

Tang Wulin's clothes had long been torn apart. Several wounds of varying depths had appeared across his body, blood slowly seeping out. His golden blood essence had been consumed enormously, and his breathing became increasingly hurried.

Gu Yue's face had also turned slightly pale. The continuous eruption of elemental power was equally draining for her. Sweat covered her forehead, yet there was still not the slightest retreat in her silver-gray eyes.

They had already severely wounded five Soul Douluos, but the remaining seven continued their frenzied assault, their battle formation not the least bit disordered.

"If this continues, they'll wear us to death." Tang Wulin spoke in a deep voice, his eyes rapidly scanning the battlefield for a flaw in the formation. "Their soul powers can complement one another, while ours are constantly being consumed."

"I know." Gu Yue nodded, her voice calm. "The commander is the core of the formation. As long as we defeat him, the formation will collapse on its own."

"Alright. I'll hold the others back. Find an opportunity and strike the commander directly."

"No, it's too dangerous." Gu Yue immediately refused. "All of their attacks are locked onto you. If you lose focus even once, you'll die."

"Then you..."

"I'll hold them back. You kill the commander." Gu Yue interrupted him, her tone firm and leaving no room for discussion. "Trust me."

Tang Wulin looked at the resolve in her eyes. Warmth rose in his heart, and he nodded heavily.

He trusted her just as he trusted himself.

Gu Yue took a deep breath, and the elemental power around her suddenly surged.

The six elements merged into one, becoming a brilliant torrent of elemental power that swept toward the remaining seven Soul Douluos. This time, she did not defend. Instead, she attacked with all her strength, using herself as bait to draw every attack toward her.

"Stop her!" The commander's expression changed drastically.

Every Soul Douluo immediately redirected their attacks, surrounding and assaulting Gu Yue with all their strength.

For a moment, countless soul skills poured down, completely engulfing Gu Yue's figure.

"Gu Yue!"

Tang Wulin's eyes nearly split apart. Heartache and rage intertwined, transforming into an ultimate force.

He did not hesitate in the slightest. With a flash of his body, he charged straight toward the Soul Douluo commander like a bolt of golden lightning.

The Golden Dragon King bloodline burned, and his power erupted to the limit. Every bit of blood essence, soul power, and will condensed into this single fist.

Golden Dragon—World-Ending Fist!

This punch contained the obsession of two lifetimes, his determination to save his parents, his will to protect his beloved, and the Golden Dragon King's most violent power.

Golden light illuminated the entire passage, while a dragon's roar shook heaven and earth.

The commander's face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with fear as he desperately activated soul skills to defend himself.

But it was all futile.

Boom—!!!

A thunderous explosion rang out as the defense shattered instantly.

The commander was struck in the chest. The sound of bones breaking was clearly audible as he flew backward like a cannonball, slamming viciously into the wall at the end of the passage. He fell completely unconscious, no longer showing any sign of life.

The moment the core of the formation broke, the Soul Douluo battle formation instantly collapsed.

The remaining six Soul Douluos turned deathly pale, their eyes filled with terror. They no longer had any will to fight and turned to flee.

"Trying to run?"

Tang Wulin's eyes were icy as his body flickered. Blood essence swept outward.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang—!!!

Six consecutive dull impacts rang out. All six Soul Douluos were severely wounded in a single strike, collapsing to the ground and losing their ability to fight.

The twelve-man Soul Douluo Legion had been completely annihilated.

Deathly silence returned to the passage.

Tang Wulin stood in the middle of the devastated battlefield, panting heavily. Blood continued to flow from the wounds on his body. His strength was utterly depleted, and his legs trembled slightly, nearly unable to support him.

He immediately turned and rushed into the smoke and dust, his voice trembling faintly.

"Gu Yue! How are you?"

The smoke and dust slowly dispersed.

Gu Yue's figure gradually emerged. She was bent slightly at the waist, one hand braced against the wall, breathing rapidly. Her face was pale, and a trace of blood trickled from the corner of her lips. She had clearly suffered serious injuries as well. Yet when she saw that Tang Wulin was safe, a gentle smile slowly appeared in her silver-gray eyes.

"I'm fine..."

"We won."

Tang Wulin hurried forward and gently pulled her into his arms. His movements were tender and careful, as though he were holding the most precious treasure in the world.

Feeling the warmth of her body and her steady heartbeat, the tension in his heart finally eased completely.

"I'm sorry. I let you get hurt." His voice was low, filled with heartache and self-blame.

Gu Yue gently shook her head. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat. Her voice was soft and tender.

"It doesn't hurt. As long as you're alright, that's enough."

"We still have to keep going... to save your parents."

Tang Wulin held her tightly, his eyes growing slightly hot.

The loneliness and helplessness of his previous life would never return in this one.

She was by his side.

With her beside him, even if mountains of blades and seas of fire lay ahead, even if he had to enter a dragon's pool or tiger's den, he would fear nothing.

He slowly released her and gently wiped the blood from the corner of her lips. His golden eyes were filled with tenderness and determination.

"Mm, we'll keep going."

"Sixth underground level, we're coming."

"This time, I'll definitely bring you to meet my parents."

Within the dim passage, two battered yet still upright figures supported each other as they slowly made their way, step by step, toward the deeper, darker, and more dangerous sixth underground level.

The road ahead remained filled with danger, powerful enemies lurking on every side.

Yet their footsteps were firm and steady, never retreating even the slightest bit.