The departure of Qian Daoliu along with the spirit master troops also marked the end of the battlefield at Tiandou. Strangely, Tang Chen—who had previously attacked frantically with the intent to kill Qian Daoliu—did not pursue him.
He landed beside Tang San and ignored the calls of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. He simply followed Tang San's movements, staying close to protect him.
Seeing Tang Chen like this, Bo Saixi's tears continuously flowed from the corners of her eyes. The man who was protecting Tang San and restraining her lover—he must be either the Sea God himself or a companion of the Sea God.
The realization nearly shattered Bo Saixi's heart. She walked forward slowly, wanting to touch Tang Chen's cheek, but he stopped her with his hammer before she could get close.
"Tang Chen, do you really not remember me?"
Receiving no response, Bo Saixi could only suppress the sorrow in her heart and return alongside the four Title Douluo of Sea God Island and Sea Dragon Douluo.
Now that Tang San had Tang Chen's protection, even if Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong attacked together, they wouldn't be able to harm him easily.
Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also led his team back to camp. Other forces likewise returned to rest. As he passed by, Ning Fengzhi glanced unconsciously at Tang San and Tang Chen, his thoughts unclear.
Tang San, who was now the focus of everyone's attention, felt somewhat confused. He had seen the Slaughter King in the Slaughter City and never expected that the Slaughter King would actually protect him—and that he was his great-grandfather.
"Father, uncle, is the Slaughter King really my great-grandfather?"
"That's right. Our grandfather was trapped in Slaughter City, and the power of our Clear Sky Sect was greatly weakened, leading to attacks from the Spirit Hall.
Later, we sent many disciples to Slaughter City to search for news of our grandfather. But we never expected that he had become the Slaughter King and had now lost his sanity."
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao looked at Tang Chen—his eyes red and lifeless—and were filled with confusion. They had trained under their grandfather since childhood and never thought things would come to this.
But what could they do? Could they oppose an unmatched Douluo who was clearly protecting Tang San?
---
A battle report from the Heaven Dou Empire was transmitted to the Star Luo Empire. From Emperor Dai Feng of Star Luo to the titled Douluo and clan leaders of various sects and families—everyone was shocked.
It was already unbelievable that Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall, possessed unparalleled combat power—but now Tang Chen, missing for decades, had suddenly appeared?
While most were baffled, Xu Mingxi speculated on the general situation.
Most likely, the God of Asura feared the death of his successor, so he released Tang Chen—who was under his control—from Slaughter City and rushed him over to save the day.
However, it remained unclear whether the blood-red nine-headed bat king inside Tang Chen had been completely eradicated, or if Tang Chen could ever regain his sanity.
There was a world of difference between an unmatched Douluo with rationality and one who could only instinctively protect Tang San.
Fortunately, news from Ning Fengzhi was quickly passed to Xu Mingxi: Tang Chen refused to eat or drink and remained by Tang San's side.
That was enough—for now. It was just a bit troublesome to deal with such an unmatched Douluo.
No one expected the Heaven Dou Empire's first battle to end so quietly. The Golden Crocodile was stunned and ordered the Spirit Master Corps to build a fortress on-site. The next battle would likely become a war of attrition.
Spirit Hall didn't like this result, nor did the two empires. The drawn-out rain of war had drained the empires' strength—they couldn't hold on much longer.
Dai Feng paced in his tent, deeply troubled. Not only because of Spirit Hall, but also because the Star Luo Empire had now fallen behind the once-weak Heaven Dou Empire.
The Heaven Dou Empire, once reduced to relying solely on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, was now capable of resisting attacks from two unmatched fighters. How could he not be shocked?
Now that Spirit Hall had failed to defeat both empires at once, it would be much harder for them to do so later. Dai Feng had already started thinking about how to gain more advantage in a long war of attrition.
Before he could reach a conclusion, Queen Zhu Lin arrived with dinner—and a message.
"Your Majesty, someone from the Star Luo Kingdom wishes to see you. He's outside the tent now."
"Luo Yi? Why is he here? Even though we're at war, our relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire isn't exactly good."
Inside the tent, the goals of the Heaven Dou Empire were being discussed. Outside, Luo Yi waited with a sense of helplessness.
Tang San had somehow learned of his connection to the Star Luo Empire and asked him to act as a lobbyist—to persuade the Star Luo Empire to send troops and strike the Spirit Hall simultaneously.
Luo Yi didn't want to come, but what choice did he have? As a Soul Douluo, what could he do? The Luo family and the Star Luo Kingdom still needed to survive within the Heaven Dou Empire.
He had no choice but to come. Before leaving, he brought along his third son, Luo Yun, hoping he could join the Star Crown Sect.
If something unexpected happened to the Star Luo Kingdom, at least the Luo family would have a descendant.
If Princess Xu Mingya wouldn't leave, he wanted her to return directly to the sect. Right now, Heaven Dou was essentially Tang San's stage, and all other forces could only survive cautiously in the gaps.
Soon, Dai Feng welcomed him inside. No one knew what was said between them. Outside, Luo Yun could only hear countless sighs.
He knew his father's intentions in bringing him here, but amidst the pain, he also knew his responsibility and mission.
He wondered how Mingxi was doing. She had probably already reached the level of Soul Douluo—unlike him, still at the Soul Saint level.
Recalling the days they studied together at Canghui College, Luo Yun couldn't help but smile. Those were the happiest days of his life.
Luo Yi soon came out—his face expressionless—leaving others unsure of what he was thinking.
He took Luo Yun to the territory of the Star Crown Sect, handed him over to the disciples there, and then returned to the tent that Dai Feng had prepared for him, awaiting the decision of the Star Luo Empire.
Meanwhile, Xu Mingxi, who was training in her tent, suddenly heard from the sect leader that Luo Yun was here, and was asked if she wanted to meet him.
"Why is Brother Luo Yun here? Could something have happened to the Star Luo Kingdom?"
Though they hadn't met in years, Xu Mingxi still remembered the care and guidance Luo Yun had given her and couldn't help but worry.
However, this concern seemed a bit excessive. Although the Star Luo Kingdom wasn't particularly strong, it still had Luo Yi, a high-level Soul Douluo.
In addition, the couple Long Gong and She Po, who could perform a martial soul fusion skill that could temporarily resist a Title Douluo, were also stationed in the Star Luo Kingdom's camp. So, they should have no problem protecting themselves.