Suddenly, Tang Hao's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He poured all his remaining Soul Power into the Clear Sky Hammer and hurled it at the two nearest Titled Douluo: "Want to kill me? Then we'll die together!" The intense light from the exploding hammer engulfed the two men and also submerged Tang Hao in a torrent of Soul Skill.
When the dust settled, only the broken fragments of the Clear Sky Hammer remained at the mouth of the canyon, along with the solemn expressions of the people from the Spirit Hall Empire as they stared at the two corpses. Tang Hao's death bought Tang San others time to escape, and the blood-stained hammer mark became the most tragic symbol Star Luo City.
The dust and smoke in the canyon had not yet settled when Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped over Tang Hao's cold body, his gaze sweeping over the fragments of the Clear Sky Hammer scattered on the ground, his expression still solemn.
Two Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall Empire were dealing with the bodies of their companions who had perished with Tang Hao, while the other five surrounded the remains of the Star Luo Empire Second Douluo. The air was filled with the stench of blood and the aftershocks of their dissipated Soul Power.
"Though Tang Hao is dead, the Clear Sky Sect is not extinct." The Golden Crocodile Douluo's aged voice carried a chill, his knuckles turning white from the force he exerted. "Among the retreating troops, there must be remnants of the Clear Sky Sect's Titled Douluo, and even more so, Tang San — Tang Hao's son. He possesses such strength at such a young age; if allowed to grow unchecked, he will surely become a major threat to our Spirit Hall Empire!"
A Titled Douluo stepped forward and whispered, " Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Star Luo Imperial Palace has not yet been captured. If we divide our forces to pursue the remnants of the Clear Sky Sect, won't that delay the overall situation?"
"The bigger picture?" Golden Crocodile Douluo whirled around, his golden crocodile scales gleaming fiercely in the setting sun. "If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring! If we let Tang San escape today, tomorrow he'll be leading the Clear Sky Sect to hold a knife to our throats!" He raised his hand, his Soul Power transforming into a command, "Pass on my order: three of you stay with me to continue the attack on the Star Luo Imperial Palace; the remaining five, immediately pursue the remnants of the Clear Sky Sect!"
"At all costs, even if it means traversing the entire Star Luo Empire Kingdom, we must eradicate the remaining forces of the Clear Sky Sect! Especially Tang San, whether he lives or dies, he must be dealt with!" Golden Crocodile Douluo's voice was resounding. The five Titled Douluo immediately accepted the order, turned around and transformed into five streams of light, rushing towards the direction where Tang San and the others had retreated.
Under the setting sun, Golden Crocodile Douluo gazed at the retreating figures of his pursuers, then glanced in the direction of Star Luo City. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. " Tang Hao, those you risked your life to protect, I will make them come to accompany you one by one." With that, he led the remaining three towards the Star Luo Imperial Palace, leaving behind only the still-warm bloodstains in the canyon, telling the story of the fierce battle that had just ended.
On the streets of Star Luo City, blood soaked the bluestone slabs. The last resistance force of the Star Luo Empire formed a shield formation, and spears and swords shattered under the crushing force of the army. The soldiers' roars and the clash of weapons intertwined, but they could not stop the enemy from surging in like a tide.
Yu Tianheng, his silver armor stained with blood, pointed his spear diagonally at the ground, drops of blood dripping from the spear tip and splashing into the cracks between the bricks.
Behind him, the soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire stood in neat square formations, with the Soul Master leading the way, their Thunder power forming an electric net that tore open one gap after another in the Star Luo Empire Army's defenses.
" Star Luo Empire has no way out. Those who surrender will not be killed!" Yu Tianheng's voice resounded across the battlefield through his Soul Power. The Star Luo Empire ' will to resist gradually crumbled under the double blow of Thunder and blades.
The white jade lions at the main gate of the palace had long been blackened by the flames of war. Star Luo Empire Dai Mubai of Xingluo personally led his guards to defend the palace gates, but they were routed by Yu Tianheng's attack.
The spear pierced through the armor of the last guard, and Yu Tianheng kicked open the heavy palace gate. The dragon throne inside was empty, for the Star Luo Emperor had already perished in battle.
" The Star Luo Empire dynasty, built over hundreds of years, comes to an end today." Yu Tianheng walked into the hall with his spear in hand, Thunder crackling at the tip.
After the resistance inside and outside the palace ceased, Yu Tianheng climbed the highest watchtower of the palace, raised his spear, and shouted loudly at the armies of the Spirit Hall Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire below, " The Star Luo Imperial City has fallen! The Star Luo Empire is destroyed!"
Cheers erupted in Star Luo City. The setting sun shone through the smoke and onto the dilapidated palace. The former symbol of the empire had now become another stepping stone on the path of the Spirit Hall Empire's expansion.
As the smoke of battle gradually dissipated from the imperial city of the Star Luo Empire, Yu Tianheng, gazing at the dilapidated city walls before him, frowned deeply inside the Heaven Dou Empire's military camp.
As a frontline commander, he knew that the division of territory and the distribution of benefits were of great importance and could not be decided by him on his own.
He immediately returned to his tent, picked up his pen and wrote a letter detailing the battlefield situation, territorial boundaries, and pressing conflicts of interest following the destruction of the Star Luo Empire. He concluded with a solemn note. "This matter concerns the foundation of the nation. I dare not make a decision on my own. I earnestly request Your Majesty to make the final decision." He then dispatched a trusted confidant on horseback to deliver the letter to the capital of Heaven Dou.
Meanwhile, inside the command tent of the Spirit Hall Empire's military camp, Hu Liena was communicating with Bibi Dong through Soul Tool.
Her voice was clear and steady as she reported the distribution of Soul Master resources within the Star Luo Empire, the control of important cities, and the movements of the Heaven Dou Army: "Your Majesty, Star Luo Empire has been destroyed. The Heaven Dou Army seems to be observing the situation. General Yu Tianheng at the front has not yet made a decision, presumably waiting for Xue Qinghe's instructions. If the spoils are to be divided, the monarchs of both countries must discuss it personally."
After listening, Bibi Dong tapped her fingertips lightly on the armrest of her chair. After a moment, she gave the order, "Pass on my command to extend an invitation to Xue Qinghe, arranging a meeting in three days at the main hall of the Star Luo Imperial Palace to discuss the distribution of territory and profits."
The message quickly reached the Heaven Dou military camp, where Yu Tianheng received a reply from Xue Qinghe containing only four words: "Go as agreed." Thus, a meeting that would determine the future of the Star Luo Empire homeland was decided.
Several days later, in the Star Luo Imperial Palace, Bibi Dong, dressed in a purple-gold imperial robe, sat in the main seat, her Soul Power faintly visible around her; Xue Qinghe, dressed in bright yellow imperial robes, was accompanied by Yu Tianheng and Heaven Dou's important ministers, his gaze fixed on the Star Luo Empire territory map spread out in the hall.
"Now that Star Luo Empire has fallen, the fate of our territory must be decided as soon as possible." Bibi Dong spoke first, pointing to the Soul Master Academy and the former site of the Spirit Hall marked on the map. " The Spirit Hall Empire is based on Soul Master. All Soul Master, Soul Master training institutions, and related resources within the Star Luo Empire should be managed by us to ensure the orderly operation of the continent's Soul Master system."
Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, then added, "The Empress's words are reasonable, but after the war, the people have been displaced and need to be properly resettled. The Heaven Dou Empire has extensive experience in governing people's livelihoods. From food and relief to city reconstruction, it is only by having our side take charge of the livelihoods of ordinary people in the Star Luo Empire and local administration that this land can recover its vitality as soon as possible."
A brief silence fell over the hall as the high-ranking officials from both sides discussed the matter in hushed tones, reaching a consensus. Bibi Dong looked up at Xue Qinghe, her tone softening slightly. "Therefore, we shall agree to a joint governance strategy. Soul Master shall belong to the Spirit Hall Empire, and the common people to the Heaven Dou Empire. Each shall fulfill their respective duties, without interfering with the other, and together maintain the stability of the Star Luo Empire territory."
As the words fell, the servants of both countries presented the agreed-upon document, Bibi Dong and Xue Qinghe each affixed their imperial seals. The moment the seals were stamped, sunlight streamed through the windows of the palace, illuminating this agreement that would reshape the destiny of the Star Luo Empire.