Chapter 66 – The Fall of Longxing City
Half a month later.
Longxing City.
Located at the northernmost edge of the Xingluo Empire, Longxing City sat less than 200 miles from the border between the two great empires. As one of the critical gateways from Tiandou into Xingluo, it was a true border city, constantly under military scrutiny.
On this day, a squad of over a hundred iron-armored soldiers and cavalrymen crossed into Xingluo from Tiandou territory. Their formation was steady as they moved slowly towards their destination—the Xingluo Empire's capital, Xingluo City.
However, as they reached the central area of Longxing City, a second group of armed men appeared, blocking the road ahead.
"Stop."
A burly middle-aged man stepped out onto the street, mounted atop a massive steed and wielding a golden broadsword. Behind him stood dozens of warriors, all tall and muscular, each bearing a fierce, rugged appearance.
"What is the meaning of this?"
The commander of the armored unit raised his hand, prompting a soldier to ride forward and inquire.
But before the soldier could say more, the burly man struck—launching a brutal punch that sent the soldier flying. His warhorse collapsed with a horrifying crack, killed instantly.
"When did it become acceptable for Tiandou's army to march freely through Longxing territory?"
The man's voice was full of disdain as soul rings began to rise around him.
He was a Soul Douluo—at least rank 80.
The Ironclad Army Commander's expression darkened with fury, but recognizing they were deep in enemy territory and that the enemy was a Soul Douluo, he tempered his anger and asked coldly,
"We're here escorting your Xingluo Prince. Who are you people?"
"Call your prince out."
The Soul Douluo twisted his neck and sneered.
"How dare the Tiandou Empire detain our prince? Do you think you're worthy? Return him immediately."
Insulting!
The Ironclad Commander's face turned cold.
"Make way!"
The idea of requesting their prince to show himself, as though Tiandou needed to report to them, was utterly humiliating.
"Make way!"
The hundred armored soldiers drew their iron blades in unison, a fierce killing intent emanating from their ranks.
"What if I don't?"
The burly man chuckled.
"You're on Xingluo soil now. You play by our rules."
"I demand Prince Wen come out right now, along with our Xingluo prince. I'll personally escort you to Xingluo City, where you'll bow before the emperor and apologize."
"As for your Tiandou army?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Get out of Xingluo immediately, or I won't leave a single one of you alive!"
The Yu Clan.
Once loyal to the Haotian Sect, one of the three great sects, the Yu Clan had fled to Xingluo after the sect clashed with the Spirit Hall. In the fallout, the Haotian Sect was forced to retreat from Tiandou territory.
The Yu Clan held deep resentment—not just toward the Haotian Sect that dragged them into disaster, but also toward the Tiandou royal family for failing to protect them.
"So it's the Yu Clan…"
The Ironclad Commander gritted his teeth.
"You traitorous dogs—have you already forgotten your Tiandou roots?"
The eight-ringed Soul Douluo leading the Yu Clan was none other than Niu Gao, their patriarch. His eyes narrowed at the insult, but his smirk remained.
"If you're not leaving," he said coldly, "then we'll force you."
"Prepare for battle!"
The Ironclad Commander raised his blade high.
The soldiers behind him roared as one,
"We will never retreat—death before dishonor!"
The clash of blades, the freezing air, and the rising killing intent made the entire street tremble.
"Trash. Just a bunch of foot soldiers," Niu Gao sneered.
The eight soul rings on his body shone brightly as he launched himself forward like a cannonball.
The Yu Clan warriors behind him roared and followed suit, unleashing their martial spirits as they surged toward the Ironclad formation.
It seemed the entire Yu Clan intended to wipe the Tiandou forces off the map.
But then—
Just as Niu Gao reached the Ironclad Army like a raging rhinoceros—
Boom!
His body suddenly exploded in mid-air.
Blood splattered across the pale faces of the stunned Tiandou soldiers.
The Yu Clan warriors halted, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Clan lea—!"
One of them started to shout, but before the words left his mouth, his body exploded as well, a burst of blood replacing flesh.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One after another, the Yu Clan warriors met the same fate.
Not a single Tiandou soldier had been touched—yet the entire Yu Clan contingent had been annihilated in a matter of seconds.
On the blood-drenched street, more than a hundred Ironclad soldiers stood dumbfounded.
What just happened?
Their comrades exchanged stunned glances, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed. Why had the enemy—so arrogant just moments ago—suddenly self-destructed?
Then, the curtain on a nearby cart was drawn open.
Qin Chuan stepped down slowly.
His expression was as cold as frost, eyes fixed on the patrol soldiers and bystanders at the end of the street.
"Tiandou has come all this way to return your prince in peace—and this is the welcome we receive?"
He swept his gaze across them, voice chilling.
"I am extremely disappointed."
He paused, then added,
"Where is the City Lord of Longxing? Will he not come out and explain this insult?"
As if on cue, murmurs came from the far end of the road.
A middle-aged man in luxurious robes stepped forward, his brows furrowed in displeasure.
"A Titled Douluo?"
Qin Chuan narrowed his gaze.
"You're the City Lord?"
Though the man's soul power wasn't weak—around rank 78—it was far from a threat.
"That's right," the man said confidently, projecting authority.
"I demand to see your prince."
"To see our prince?"
Qin Chuan chuckled, stepping onto the cart's shaft.
"You are not worthy."
His smile vanished.
"Prince Qinghe is no longer just a prince. He is the new emperor of Tiandou."
"You should hope he never sets foot in Xingluo again."
"Because once he does—he will flatten this empire in a single sweep."
"How dare you—!"
The City Lord's rebuke was cut short.
Boom!
He exploded on the spot, just like Niu Gao before him—his body reduced to blood and ash.
"Disrespecting the Human King. Death is your only answer,"
Qin Chuan said calmly, shaking his head.
The armored soldiers stood there in awe. Even the City Lord was killed?
Now they understood—it was Qin Chuan who had single-handedly destroyed the Yu Clan.
Their admiration swelled. Each soldier stared at him with reverence and awe.
But on the other side, panic had spread through the remaining defenders of Longxing City.
"The City Lord is dead?"
Whispers turned to shouts among the patrol troops.
"They've killed the City Lord!"
"Revenge! Avenge the Lord of the City!"
The Deputy City Lord bellowed, releasing his martial spirit and raising his weapon.
Longxing's soldiers hesitated, stunned—but eventually drew their blades and charged with a roar.
But before they could even get close—
Boom. Boom. Boom.
They too exploded, bodies reduced to nothing in a flurry of muffled blasts.
In less than ten seconds, thousands of soldiers were dead.
Blood painted the streets of Longxing.
"Longxing City refuses to submit to the Human King and brings destruction upon itself,"
Qin Chuan declared coldly.
He turned to the soldiers.
"Send a rider back to the border. Inform Marshal Ge Long to lead troops here immediately."
"Longxing City will be annexed into Tiandou's territory."
The soldiers were momentarily stunned by the order. Then, slowly, smiles began to spread across their faces.
Ecstasy.
—————-
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