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The Tian Dou Empire, Wu Ping City
The ink-black clouds hung lower still, as if they were about to crash into the earth, casting an eerie gloom over the surroundings.
The torrential rain continued unabated, and the water pooling at the gates of Wu Ping City had already submerged their ankles, carrying with it an ominous crimson hue.
At this moment, the formation of the Tian Dou Empire's army was in complete disarray, utterly torn apart by the forces of the Star Luo Empire.
Though the Tian Dou soldiers still outnumbered the Star Luo troops significantly, every single one of the latter fought like wolves and tigers—fierce and valiant warriors.
Even an ordinary soldier from the Star Luo Empire, wielding a saber,
With each flash of the blade, two or more Tian Dou soldiers would fall screaming to the ground.
Such a disparity in combat strength weighed on the Tian Dou soldiers like an invisible mountain, suffocating them. Fear filled their hearts, and their trembling hands could barely hold their weapons steady.
Yet bound by military orders, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue fighting.
And then, a loud command rang out across the battlefield like a decree: "All troops retreat! Our destination: Golden City Pass!"
Upon hearing the order from their city lord, General Li Jinglong, the Tian Dou soldiers' eyes flickered with relief.
Without hesitation, they turned and fled desperately toward Golden City Pass.
In an instant, blood splattered everywhere. Some soldiers, in their panic, tripped over corpses or debris, emitting muffled groans of pain.
But who cared about pain? They scrambled and crawled onward, terrified of being caught by the pursuing Star Luo soldiers.
As for Li Jinglong, their commander, he sat atop his tall horse, gazing at the retreating backs of his soldiers…
He let out a long sigh, a trace of desolation washing over him as the rain beat down on his face.
"This crushing defeat is my fault… all because I failed to uncover Dai Chengfeng's scheme in time!"
Watching this scene unfold, Dai Chengfeng narrowed his eyes slightly. "Zhu Yan, receive your orders!"
"Your Highness."
Soon, Zhu Yan rode up to Dai Chengfeng's side.
"I order you to lead the pursuit of the remnants of the Tian Dou army until thirty miles outside Golden City Pass."
Wu Ping City was merely a small town, but Golden City Pass was entirely different—it was a major fortress between the Tian Dou and Star Luo Empires, with over two hundred thousand stationed troops.
Even though their army of ten thousand was exceptionally skilled, they stood no chance against such overwhelming numbers.
Thus, pursuing to thirty miles outside Golden City Pass was the absolute limit.
"Yes."
Zhu Yan clenched his fists and bowed, but hesitated for a moment. "Your Highness, what if some of them surrender?"
"Surrender?"
A cold smile curled at the corner of Dai Chengfeng's lips, his golden eyes brimming with killing intent. "Surrender means no death—but…"
"I don't want to hear that there! Is! Any! Surrender!"
With that, Dai Chengfeng patted Zhu Yan on the arm. "Zhu Yan, I believe you understand what I mean."
"Yes, Your Highness. I understand!"
Zhu Yan immediately gave a military salute, then turned his horse sharply.
"Earlier, Zhu Fan told me that our prince has a heavy bloodthirsty nature, but I didn't believe it."
"After all, His Highness treats us subordinates so well. All the widows of fallen soldiers in Wu'an City have been given extra care."
"How could such a kind-hearted prince be so ruthless?"
"But now, damn it, I completely believe it!" Zhu Yan swallowed hard, a sense of relief rising in his heart. "Thankfully, I, Zhu Yan, am loyal to His Highness and don't have to stand against him…"
Then, Zhu Yan roared loudly, "All troops assemble! Follow me to hunt down the remnants of the Tian Dou army… repay this blood debt in blood! Leave no one alive!"
"Hup!!!"
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Zhu Yan had already led the army far away.
Now, only Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Fan, and Dai Chengfeng's personal guard remained in Wu Ping City—the once-thousand-strong vanguard, now reduced to fewer than eight hundred men.
And also, Li Jinglong!
"Old General Li, aren't you fleeing?"
Dai Chengfeng looked curiously at Li Jinglong, seated on his warhorse, appearing defeated but showing no intention of escape.
Li Jinglong gazed at the youthful Dai Chengfeng, his eyes filled with bitterness.
"A defeated general is nothing but a stray dog, unworthy of the title 'general.'"
"As for fleeing?"
Li Jinglong took one last look at Wu Ping City and sighed deeply. "No more running, no more running…"
"Wu Ping City is my home, the place where I was born and raised… and now it has fallen due to my foolishness."
"I, Li Jinglong, feel ashamed before the people of this city who trusted me, and before those soldiers who believed in me. I have no face to meet them."
Li Jinglong removed his helmet and tossed it to Dai Chengfeng. "But boy, you are good! Truly excellent!"
"Though you are my enemy, I admire your stratagem!"
"Losing to you, old man, does not bring me shame!"
Finally, Li Jinglong let out a hoarse roar toward Zhu Fan, "Come, Zhu Fan, former Grand Commander of the Star Luo Imperial Guard!"
"You're only a Soul King, no match for me." Zhu Fan shook his head slightly.
"I, Li Jinglong, General of the Tian Dou Empire and Lord of Wu Ping City, am willing to delay you even for just a minute—or even a second—for my soldiers!"
"I have no regrets!"
Looking at Li Jinglong, who was prepared to die, even as an enemy, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but feel deep respect.
He removed his own helmet and gave a solemn military salute.
Then, he turned to Zhu Fan. "Uncle, give it your all!"
"Mm!"
Zhu Fan nodded firmly, giving a military salute to Li Jinglong as well. Then, eight soul rings beneath his feet lit up brightly. "Old General Li, I, Zhu Fan, will remember you!"
"Eight Soul Skill, Netherworld Blade!"
In an instant, Zhu Fan seemed to tear through space, vanishing from his original position.
When he reappeared, it was behind Li Jinglong—
In his hand, a pitch-black dagger, seemingly capable of devouring all light, had already pierced through Li Jinglong's chest.
Pfft!
Li Jinglong spat out a mouthful of blood, looking down at the Netherworld Blade piercing his chest.
There was no fear in his eyes—only a sense of liberation.
"So this is the power of a Soul Douluo? Incredible!"
Thud
He fell from his horse, crashing heavily into the rain-soaked ground. Blood continuously flowed from his mouth as his eyes gazed skyward.
"I'm sorry… I, Li Jinglong… did my best…"
Dai Chengfeng approached Li Jinglong, crouching down to carefully replace his helmet. "General Li!"
"This defeat wasn't solely at the hands of me, Dai Chengfeng…"
"It was a loss to the strategies of the legendary War Sage, unseen by anyone else."
"You… did not lose unjustly!"
"And I promise you, as long as the citizens of the city do not resist, I will not slaughter indiscriminately!"
"That's good… that's good…"
Li Jinglong smiled faintly and closed his eyes.
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath and stood up. "Uncle, give Old General Li a proper burial!"
"Yes!"
"At the same time, send a letter to inform my father, and have him relay to the Tian Dou Empire…"
"Wu Ping City now belongs to the Star Luo Empire!"
After speaking, Dai Chengfeng gazed at the quiet Wu Ping City, where only the sound of rain filled the air. "The debt of blood has been repaid."
"Now, I must temporarily leave for the Tian Dou Empire… to seek the Immortal Herbs!"
Though his martial soul was the White Tiger, after cultivating the Innate Qi Technique, Dai Chengfeng became increasingly aware of the vast gap between his White Tiger and the legendary Heavenly Sacred Spirit—a deficiency rooted in its origin.
Only through evolution could he bridge this gap in origin…
"I am the White Emperor, the Heavenly Spirit! The Celestial Fierce God! I shall wield dominion over all killing and slaughter in the world, and I am also the Sovereign of Innate Origin Metal! I shall rise above all gods to stand at the pinnacle!"
Dai Chengfeng raised his head, gazing at the darkened sky, his eyes unwavering and filled with determination.
"It shall surely come to pass!"
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