Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Bei Miao dives into the sea to fight the Demon Soul Great White Sharks. Skeptics in the Douluo Continent audience assume a land-based Soul Master will be helpless underwater, but he moves just as freely as on land and quickly incapacitates most of the sharks.
• When the remaining beasts refuse to retreat, Bei Miao uses the Meteor Spear’s Raging Waterfall Thrust. The colossal whirlpool parts the sea, destroys the attacking Sea Soul Beasts, and clears a route through the water for the Northern Underworld Empire’s fleet to reach Sea God Island.
• The livestream audience is stunned. Bibi Dong points out that Bei Miao’s strike was aimed at opening a passage—not at killing the beasts—and that its shockwave alone killed three hundred-thousand-year Soul Beasts.
• Bei Minghan identifies Bei Miao as Water Element, one of the Northern Underworld Empire’s Five Elders, renowned for invincible defense. Ning Rongrong realizes this means four other figures may be similarly powerful.

Character developments and interactions

• Bei Miao shows complete mastery of underwater combat and overwhelming strength. He remains calm and confident until the sharks’ refusal to yield irritates him, then ends the fight decisively.
• Liu Erlong is the only one to suggest that Bei Miao may know what he is doing; Yu Xiaogang criticizes her for it. After the display, the other skeptics have little to say.
• Yu Xiaogang dismisses Liu Erlong’s judgment and privately decides to leave the academy soon. His contempt contrasts with her more open-minded response.
• Tang Hao is so shaken by the attack’s scale that he slaps himself to confirm the scene is real. He judges that even ten fighters of his own strength could not match a tenth of the strike’s power; Tang San checks on him.
• The Douluo Titled Douluo, including Bibi Dong, Chen Xin, Qian Daoliu, and Gu Rong, are left speechless. Gu Rong admits his renowned defensive ability would not withstand the blow.

Significant themes

• Underestimating the unfamiliar: The Douluo observers assume Bei Miao’s land-based training makes him ineffective at sea, only to have their assumptions overturned.
• The gap between power and perception: Bei Miao’s attack is so overwhelming that even elite Soul Masters struggle to comprehend it.
• Restraint amid overwhelming strength: The strike is directed at clearing a route, while the Sea Soul Beasts are collateral to its force—making Bei Miao’s power seem even more alarming.
• Reputation and hierarchy: The revelation that Bei Miao is one of five legendary elders reframes the event and hints at a wider group of formidable Northern Underworld figures.

Summary

The Northern Underworld fleet’s demonstration leaves the Douluo crowd stunned. Yu Xiaogang insists the displayed power comes from Soul Tool armor rather than the wearer, but General Long Wei’s deputy, Feng Ying, points out that the source makes no difference: the attack’s force is real, and Douluo’s warriors could not withstand it. Long Wei dismisses Yu’s objections as self-deception and orders the fleet to activate its turbocharging and advance. The ships surge forward.
Far below, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King senses the attack’s shockwave and is shaken by its immense power. Though nearly a god, he fears it could kill him. His wife, the Demon Empress, and their daughter, Lan Fozi, join him. The King rules out Bo Saixi as the source and realizes the display came from the Northern Underworld Continent. He welcomes its attack on Sea God Island, which he resents, but the Demon Empress urges caution. He agrees not to provoke the Northern Underworld forces and considers cooperating with them.

Character developments and interactions

• Yu Xiaogang tries to explain away the Northern Underworld’s strength, but Feng Ying’s blunt rebuttal leaves him unable to answer.
• Long Wei and Feng Ying remain confident and focused on the fleet’s advance; their exchange highlights their contempt for Douluo’s denial.
• The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King shifts from alarm to opportunistic hope, seeing the Northern Underworld as a possible ally against Sea God Island.
• The Demon Empress acts as a cautious counterbalance, warning him not to underestimate the new power.
• Lan Fozi voices fear at the strange aura and the bright sky screen, prompting her parents to explain what they have learned.

Significant themes

• Power matters more than its source: Feng Ying argues that whether strength comes from a person or a Soul Tool, its effects cannot be dismissed.
• Denial versus reality: Yu’s explanations reflect Douluo’s reluctance to accept its disadvantage.
• Fear and political opportunity: The whale king’s terror turns into hope that a powerful newcomer can help him challenge an old rival.
• Caution amid upheaval: The Demon Empress stresses that a potential ally is still dangerous.

Key events

• The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King and the Demon Empress agree to keep Lan Fozi away from the Northern Underworld Continent’s people while they observe them. They then watch the Sky Screen broadcast of Sea God Island’s destruction.
• Bei Miao surveys the aftermath of his attack and collects thousands of Soul Rings and several hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones. He converts most Soul Rings into Demon-Sealing Cards for the Soul Spirit Tower and sends the souls into reincarnation.
• Using Kunpeng’s devouring power, Bei Miao fuses numerous Ten-Year Soul Rings into a single Thousand-Year Soul Ring, astonishing observers across the Douluo Continent.
• Xiao Bai admits defeat and leads the Demon Soul Great White Shark Tribe away as instructed. She recognizes that Bei Miao could have killed far more of them, and that escape would be futile.
• Bei Miao reunites with General Long Wei aboard the Northern Underworld Empire’s warship, orders the fleet onward, and the narrative introduces the empire’s capital, North Nether City, and the continent’s deliberately designed regions.

Character developments and interactions

• Bei Miao displays effortless confidence, treating his devastating attack as a warm-up. He also shows a practical side by gathering Soul Rings and Soul Bones for the empire’s institutions and equipment.
• Xiao Bai shifts from resistance to submission after witnessing the overwhelming gap in power. Her decision to comply is driven by fear, but she also understands Bei Miao showed restraint.
• The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King and Demon Empress take a cautious approach to the unfamiliar continent, while their daughter Lan Fozi is eager to watch the broadcast.
• Long Wei responds promptly to Bei Miao’s return and carries out his order to advance.

Significant themes

• Power and intimidation: Bei Miao’s strength makes resistance—and even escape—seem pointless to Xiao Bai.
• The limits of outsiders’ understanding: Observers are stunned by Soul Ring fusion, while Bei Miao dismisses their disbelief as ignorance of Northern Underworld power.
• Order and utility: Soul Rings, souls, and Soul Bones are assigned practical purposes, while Xiao Bai’s tribe is treated as part of the continent’s biodiversity.
• Deliberate world-building: The Northern Underworld’s diverse habitats—from glaciers and forests to mineral mountains and volcanic ranges—were intentionally shaped by Bei Mingyuan.

Plot points and events

• The Sky Screen shows Bei Miao defeating Sea God Island’s vanguard and absorbing several 300,000-year Soul Rings, drawing cheers and renewed interest in the upcoming Soul Ring tournament.
• Chancellor Di Huaiying and Li Family head Li Erfeng discuss the tournament and their sons, Li Yuanfang and Feng Ying, both powerful young prospects. Feng Ying is close to becoming a Titled Douluo, though his father pretends to doubt him.
• Bei Mingxue orders the empire’s Soul Tool workshops to increase production of Level 9 Fixed Soul Guidance Cannons.
• A Northern Underworld fleet approaches Sea God Island. Bei Miao and Bei Mingyuan argue over the invasion: Bei Miao favors simply bombarding the island, while Bei Mingyuan wants the campaign to be entertaining after centuries of boredom.
• Bei Miao orders the fleet to fire on Sea God Hall. Bo Saixi, hearing his insults through the Sky Screen, uses the temple’s remaining divine power to create a protective barrier and resolves to defend it, even if it costs her life.

Character developments and interactions

• Bei Miao is confident, combative, and openly contemptuous of Poseidon, whom he sees as an unworthy rival for the title of king of the sea. He and Bei Mingyuan bicker like old companions, with Bei Miao recognizing that Bei Mingyuan’s long isolation has left him deeply bored and lonely.
• Bei Mingyuan treats the invasion partly as a diversion from centuries of sleep and solitude, while still directing the campaign.
• Bei Mingxue responds to the impending conflict by mobilizing industry and preparing for a wider war.
• Bo Saixi remains unwaveringly loyal to the Sea God. Though cut off from him and relying on the temple’s dwindling divine power, she prepares to resist the fleet.
• Di Huaiying and Li Erfeng exchange cordial praise while sizing up their sons’ chances in the tournament; Li Erfeng’s modest criticism of Feng Ying masks confidence in his ability.

Significant themes

• Power and scarcity: Exceptional Soul Rings are highly prized, and their limited supply shapes both advancement and competition.
• Loyalty and conviction: Bo Saixi’s willingness to die defending the temple contrasts with Bei Miao’s irreverent challenge to the Sea God’s authority.
• Loneliness and companionship: Bei Mingyuan’s centuries of isolation help explain his desire to make the invasion an event, while his exchanges with Bei Miao provide familiar company.
• War as spectacle: The Sky Screen turns military victories and looming conflict into public entertainment, while the tournament offers another arena for displays of strength.

Bo Saixi prepared to defend Sea God Island as Bei Miao’s fleet arrived, but Long Wei’s dragon bloodline overwhelmed the island’s guardians. Bei Miao ordered the Northern Underworld Empire’s Soul Cannons to break the Sea God’s barrier so he could fight the defenders himself.

• Sea Dragon Douluo and Sea Spear Douluo returned to Sea God Island after sea soul beasts blocked their route, and Bo Saixi recalled their ships.
• Bei Miao led the Northern Underworld fleet to Sea God Island and demanded that its people surrender while declaring his intent to target Poseidon.
• Bo Saixi invoked her Sea God martial soul, but Long Wei revealed his Black Demon Dragon King bloodline and forced her aura back.
• The Seven Sacred Pillar Guardians challenged the invaders, but Long Wei’s true dragon aura pinned them under its pressure.
• Bei Miao ordered the Fixed-Installation Soul Cannons to fire at the divine power barrier.

The Northern Underworld Fleet’s cannon fire brought Sea God Island’s shield close to collapse, while leaders across Douluo reacted to the empire’s growing power. Bo Saixi confronted Bei Miao and challenged the Northern Underworld Empire’s claim to be peace-loving, hoping to find a way to save the island.

• Bei Miao watched the fleet’s shells crack Sea God Island’s divine shield and threatened that Douluo Continent would be next.
• Bibi Dong dismissed the Northern Underworld Empire’s reliance on Soul Tools, then ordered envoys sent to the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire to discuss an alliance.
• Flender watched the bombardment at Shrek Academy and privately wished he could learn to make Soul Tools.
• Ning Fengzhi considered seeking the Northern Underworld Empire’s support, weighing the possible gains against the risk of abandoning the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s place on Douluo Continent.
• Bei Miao offered to spare Sea God Island if Bo Saixi surrendered and stopped serving as the Poseidon Dao Priest, but Bo Saixi decided a duel might be their only chance.
• Bo Saixi appeared before the Northern Underworld Fleet and challenged Bei Miao to reconcile the attack with his claim that the empire would not strike those who did not attack first.

Bei Miao attacked Bo Saixi outside Sea God Island and steadily overwhelmed her, while Long Wei and Feng Ying intercepted the island’s other defenders. The battle left Bo Saixi struggling against Bei Miao as Sea God Island’s Douluo were divided between the two fronts.

• Bei Miao rejected Bo Saixi’s appeal for peace, invoked the Northern Underworld Empire’s precept of repaying attacks tenfold, and charged her in Black Rhino Armor.
• Bo Saixi summoned her Sea God Martial Soul and fought Bei Miao, but his Meteor Spear drove her back despite her use of divine power.
• Sea Dragon Douluo rushed to aid Bo Saixi, but Long Wei intercepted him and suppressed him with his True Dragon aura.
• Sea Spear, Hai Wang, Sea Goddess Douluo, and Sea Horse Douluo joined Sea Dragon against Long Wei, while the battle remained unresolved.
• Feng Ying blocked Sea Ghost, Sea Star, and Sea Maiden as they tried to reinforce Bo Saixi.

As Sea God Island’s forces battled the Northern Underworld Empire, Sea Ghost Douluo fought Feng Ying while observers argued over the Empire’s strength. Feng Ying revealed her Divine Fire Phoenix Avatar and a Hundred Thousand Year eighth soul ring, leaving the Douluo Continent stunned.

• Sea Ghost Douluo charged at Feng Ying while Sea Star and Sea Maiden went to reinforce Bo Saixi.
• Chen Xin, Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, and others debated the Northern Underworld Empire’s strength in the livestream comments.
• Ying Xiao and Lu Hui mocked Yu Xiaogang’s judgments and defended Bei Miao’s power.
• Sea Ghost Douluo unleashed his eighth soul skill, Phantom Demon Heart-Devouring Thorn, and attacked Feng Ying.
• Feng Ying activated her Divine Fire Phoenix Avatar and revealed a Hundred Thousand Year God-Given eighth soul ring, stunning the Douluo Continent.

Feng Ying’s extraordinary Soul Rings and talent stunned the Douluo Continent as she fought Sea Ghost Douluo above Sea God Island. She pinned him with her hundred-thousand-year eighth soul skill and launched her finishing attack.

• Yu Xiaogang saw Feng Ying’s Soul Rings and spat blood after his theories were overturned, while Tang San blamed the Northern Underworld Continent and challenged her achievements.
• Ying Xiao revealed that Feng Ying had reached level 90 at twenty-three, prompting Tang Hao and Bibi Dong to react with disbelief and the five Northern Underworld family heads to name their own prodigies.
• Feng Ying and Sea Ghost Douluo traded soul skills, and their attacks collided in a draw despite his level and elemental advantage.
• Feng Ying used Phoenix Falling Feathers to overwhelm Sea Ghost Douluo’s water needles and began her finishing move, Phoenix Flame Formation.
• Feng Ying pinned Sea Ghost Douluo with beams of light, transformed into a five-colored phoenix, and charged at him.

After Feng Ying defeated Sea Ghost Douluo, Bei Mingyuan chose Xi Zhao to lead a squad to the Douluo Continent and blunt its defenders’ strength. Xi Zhao took the Snow Mastiff Summoner and arrived to meet Bei Mingxue, asking her to choose a few people to accompany him.

• Feng Ying defeated Sea Ghost Douluo, and Ma Hongjun decided to try to become her disciple while Yu Xiaogang collapsed after seeing her break his theories.
• Bei Mingyuan and his avatars decided that Xi Zhao was best suited to go to the Douluo Continent, since Bei Miao could not be relied upon.
• Xi Zhao entered the Northern Underworld Temple, took the Snow Mastiff Summoner, and left before the guards could stop him.
• Bei Minghan told another guard that Xi Zhao had once carved a bloody path across the continent with a Thunderclap Axe.
• Xi Zhao met Bei Mingxue and asked her to choose a few people to accompany him, saying he would handle the rest.

Xi Zhao traveled toward the Douluo Continent aboard a stealth ship with Bei Ming Feng and Qiu Ling'er, who planned to test their abilities there. During the voyage, Bei Ming Feng completed Windchaser Bird No. 1, a Soul Tool built from a mysterious blueprint and a wind-powered crystal.

• Bei Mingxue refused to let Xi Zhao travel alone, then arranged for Bei Ming Feng to accompany him to the Douluo Continent.
• Xi Zhao, Bei Ming Feng, and Qiu Ling'er sailed toward the Heaven Dou Empire aboard the Northern Underworld Empire's nearly invisible Night Raid Fleet vessel.
• Qiu Ling'er told Bei Ming Feng she wanted to see the Douluo Continent and test her Eye of Space, while Bei Ming Feng said they would leave the main battlefield to Xi Zhao and face the younger generation.
• Bei Ming Feng recalled how he had gathered rare ores and a wind-attribute feather to build the Soul Tool depicted in a mysterious blueprint.
• Bei Ming Feng embedded the Wind Stone into the Feather Blade and completed Windchaser Bird No. 1.

Bei Ming Feng completed Bei Mingyuan’s Windchaser Bird Soul Tool after thirteen years of work, then activated it with his Roc Martial Soul and underwent a transformation. As the ship approached Douluo Continent, he emerged with an evolved Windchaser Bird and rank fifty Soul Power, ready to protect Ling'er.

• Bei Ming Feng assembled the Windchaser Bird, but it remained inactive, leaving him and Ling'er uncertain about what was missing.
• Bei Mingyuan told Xi Zhao that the Windchaser Bird was a test for descendants with the Roc Martial Soul and perseverance, and that activating it would raise their talent, Soul Power, and bloodline.
• Bei Ming Feng realized his Roc Martial Soul might be the missing key and placed it beside the Windchaser Bird.
• The Windchaser Bird and Bei Ming Feng's fledgling Roc glowed, merged, and enveloped him in a wind egg while Xi Zhao told Ling'er not to disturb him.
• As the ship neared Douluo Continent, Bei Ming Feng emerged transformed, with an evolved Windchaser Bird and rank fifty Soul Power, and told Ling'er he could finally protect her.

Bei Ming Feng's Windchaser Bird transformed him and his soul rings, and Bei Mingyuan revealed that the treasures were meant to qualify their owners to become the Progenitor's disciple. Bei Mingyuan secretly decided to turn the competition into a real contest, while other treasure-bearers began discovering their powers.

• Bei Ming Feng discovered that his Windchaser Bird had merged with his martial soul and changed his appearance and soul rings.
• Bei Mingyuan appeared before Bei Ming Feng and Qiu Ling'er and explained that the Windchaser Bird's transformation came from its power.
• Bei Mingyuan told them that people who possessed the Progenitor's scattered creations could qualify to become the Progenitor's disciple, and Bei Ming Feng vowed to prove himself.
• Bei Mingyuan explained that the Windchaser Bird could be upgraded, then privately decided that the final winner of the competition would truly qualify to become his disciple.
• Across the continents, children encountered treasures including Heaven Crystal Beast, Storm Falcon, Flame Burst Lie Jia, and Ice Turtle Locke, while a red-haired boy challenged the Fallen One.

Xi Zhao reached the Douluo Continent’s coast and activated Snow Mastiff Armor as the Northern Underworld Empire prepared to attack a Heaven Dou naval fortress. As the invasion drew the continent’s powers into action, Ning Fengzhi decided to go to the Coastal Fortress with Uncle Jian.

• Xi Zhao learned that a Heaven Dou Empire fortress lay ahead and activated Snow Mastiff Armor.
• On Sea God Island, Long Wei drove back Sea Dragon Douluo and three other opponents, forcing the wounded Sea Dragon Douluo to withdraw.
• Long Wei announced that the Heaven Dou Empire Navy would be annihilated, and the Sky Screen showed Xi Zhao entering the naval fortress.
• Xue Ye realized the Northern Underworld Empire had reached the mainland, while Bibi Dong sent Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to reinforce the coast and allowed Hu Liena to go with Xie Yue and the others.
• The Star Luo Emperor and other sect leaders dispatched forces to stop the Northern Underworld Empire, while Ning Fengzhi chose to head to the Coastal Fortress with Uncle Jian.

Ning Fengzhi decided to travel to the coast with Chen Xin to observe the Northern Underworld Empire’s attack and preserve the chance for future contact. At the Seaside Fortress, Xi Zhao’s squad broke through the defenses, and Xi Zhao began a countdown demanding surrender.

• Ning Fengzhi explained to Chen Xin and Gu Rong that visiting the battle could help maintain contact with the Northern Underworld Empire, then left the sect with Chen Xin while Gu Rong stayed behind.
• Xi Zhao transformed into the Snow Mastiff Hero outside the Seaside Fortress, and Zhou Tan led the squad after him as the defenders sounded the alarm.
• The fortress general ordered archers to fire, but Bei Ming Feng used his Windchaser Bird to unleash a tornado that swept away the arrows.
• Xi Zhao struck the fortress barrier with his Thunderclap Staff, shattering its defenses, then demanded the soldiers surrender within ten seconds.
• The Soul Douluo general attacked Xi Zhao, but Xi Zhao’s punch shattered the general’s blade and sent him crashing into the wall.
• As his countdown ended, Xi Zhao turned the dial and summoned the Thunderclap Axe.

Xi Zhao shattered the Heaven Dou Empire’s fortress walls, while Long Wei revealed his Black Demon Dragon King form and defeated three Sea God Island Titled Douluo. Di Tian recognized Long Wei as a Golden-Eyed Black Dragon and resolved to learn more about him and the Northern Underworld Empire.

• Xi Zhao destroyed the fortress walls with Thunderclap cleave, and Zhou Tan led his squad inside to secure the surrendered soldiers.
• Long Wei transformed into his Soul Beast true form after the three Sea God Island Titled Douluo kept him occupied.
• Di Tian recognized Long Wei as a Golden-Eyed Black Dragon while watching the Sky Screen livestream and wanted to report the discovery to their lord.
• Bi Ji and Zi JI urged Di Tian to verify the sighting and avoid disturbing their lord, and Di Tian agreed to observe the Northern Underworld Empire first.
• Long Wei unleashed his dragon might and Demon Dragon Blaze, defeating the three Titled Douluo and stunning viewers across the Douluo Continent.

Poseidon watched the Northern Underworld Empire’s dragon forces overwhelm Sea God Island and resolved to use the Divine Realm against them. The Asura God summoned the gods to the God Realm Committee, where he presented the upheaval in Douluo’s lower realm and the destruction of the Divine Realm’s rules.

• Poseidon saw the Black Demon Dragon King defeat three Titled Douluos and angrily blamed Bei Mingyuan for sheltering the dragon race.
• Poseidon felt the terrifying presence beneath the Northern Underworld Continent and looked away, recognizing Bei Mingyuan’s warning.
• Poseidon decided to report the Northern Underworld Empire to the other gods, but the Asura God summoned all gods to the God Realm Committee to discuss an upheaval in Douluo.
• Poseidon arrived at the committee hall and found both First-Level and Second-Level Gods assembled.
• The Asura God showed the gathered gods the Sky Screen, the Northern Underworld Continent’s advance, and the battles that left Bo Saixi struggling on Sea God Island.

The Asura God summoned the Divine Realm gods to discuss Northern Underworld Continent’s invasion and the dragons appearing there. When the gods tried to observe the continent, its enormous living carrier sensed them and shattered the Asura God’s screen, and Poseidon recognized it as the mysterious creature he had encountered ten thousand years earlier.

• The Asura God showed the gods Xi Zhao attacking the Heaven Dou Empire’s Seaside Fortress and Long Wei transforming into a Golden-Eyed Black Dragon.
• Destruction called for the gods to descend and destroy the dragon remnants, but the Asura God warned that a far greater threat lay beneath Northern Underworld Continent.
• The Asura God revealed the colossal creature carrying the continent, and it sensed the gods’ observation, shattered the screen, and forced him back.
• The Life God King and other gods questioned whether the creature could be real, while Poseidon suggested it might be an enormous fish.
• Poseidon told the gods that the creature was the mysterious being he had reported ten thousand years earlier and revealed that he had nearly died when he encountered it.

Poseidon recounted how a powerful creature from the Northern Underworld Continent defeated him and shattered his Divine Core. Life connected the creature to the ancient Three-Way War and described the three primordial beast clans, leaving the gods to confront the possibility that an ancient power still existed on Douluo Star.

• Poseidon told the gods that a winged fish transformed into a giant bird, shattered his Trident, struck his Divine Core, and nearly killed him.
• Poseidon said he spent a thousand years recovering before ascending to the Divine Realm and avoiding the Northern Underworld Continent.
• The Angel God considered contacting the Northern Underworld Continent while secretly planning to leave her divine position and protect her potential successor.
• Asura and the other gods questioned Poseidon's account, then worried that the mutant beast could defy the heavenly rules.
• Life suggested the beast might come from the Dragon God's era, and Destruction recalled the ancient Three-Way War.
• Life explained that the Dragon God Clan, Phoenix God Clan, and Qilin Clan had dominated the primordial era with their distinct powers.

The gods debated the threat posed by the Mutant Beast and the mysterious Sky Screen, then sent Poseidon's divine consciousness to aid Bo Saixi. As Bei Miao overwhelmed Sea God Island's defenders, Poseidon intervened just before Bo Saixi was struck down.

• The Goddess of Life suggested the Mutant Beast might be an ancient powerhouse from the Dragon God's era, possibly a God King.
• The God Kings agreed that the invasion of Douluo Star and the Sky Screen required investigation, but the Asura God warned that divine rules would limit their forces.
• The Asura God persuaded Poseidon to use Sea God Island's imminent defeat to probe the enemy, and Poseidon sent his divine consciousness into Bo Saixi.
• Bei Miao defeated Bo Saixi, Sea Star, and Sea Maiden, leaving Sea God Island on the verge of defeat.
• As Bei Miao's water blades flew toward Bo Saixi, Poseidon's divine consciousness descended into her and deflected the attack.