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Jialing Pass—
The front line of the conflict between the Holy Spirit Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Facing an unknown and mysterious Holy Spirit Empire, the Star Luo side appeared timid, relying on the natural defenses of Jialing Pass to wait for their enemy in comfort.
Looking at the intelligence reports in his hand, Ye Wen sneered with disdain.
Using mortal-world strategies in a superhuman world—were they really thinking straight?
To be fair, warfare in the Douluo Continent was fundamentally flawed. Even Tang San's plan to strike at the enemy's supply lines had been praised, though it might have just been flattery.
Based on Ye Wen's research into past wars between Tian Dou and Star Luo, this world's battles resembled medieval European skirmishes—direct, head-on clashes that were utterly foolish.
Did they not understand the saying, "Warfare is the art of deception"?
This disregard for human life seemed to have become a point of pride for those old nobles.
After confirming the enemy's intelligence once again, Ye Wen felt even more confident. The advantage was clearly on their side; the Star Luo Empire was already as good as dead.
For this war, Ye Wen had recruited 100,000 ordinary soldiers within the Holy Spirit Empire.
However, these soldiers weren't meant for actual combat.
Over the years, Ye Wen had stepped out from behind the scenes to manage the Holy Spirit Empire alongside Bibi Dong, and his imposing presence had grown even stronger.
Ye Wen glanced at the people before him.
All ten of his direct disciples were present in the tent, along with other high-ranking members of Tian Xing Academy, such as the principal and vice-principals.
Though these individuals were normally just Title Douluos, with the battle armor Ye Wen had prepared for them, they were more than capable of handling this lopsided war.
As for others, like the elders of the Spirit Hall or sect leaders like Ning Fengzhi, Ye Wen hadn't brought them to the frontlines. Their strength would be overkill for this battle; their role was to guard against unforeseen variables in the rear.
Such was Ye Wen's meticulous nature.
What troubled Ye Wen, however, was that Qian Qian had yet to emerge after undergoing her final divine trial initiated by Qian Dao Liu. He wasn't sure what the issue was.
To address this, Ye Wen had even sought help from Poseidon, who was far away in the god realm. However, Poseidon assured him there was no problem and gave a cryptic smile, leaving Ye Wen puzzled.
For this war, Ye Wen had appointed Dao Ba as the vanguard general to lead the main assault.
Seeing Dao Ba's uncontrollable excitement, Ye Wen knew it was time.
Though Dao Ba had been cultivating his mind, the negative effects of his martial soul had always lingered. This was a rare opportunity for him to vent.
Ye Wen glanced at his ten direct disciples, all of whom had now reached the Title Douluo level, and smiled.
"Dao Ba, take your senior brothers and junior siblings to give our enemies a proper introduction."
"Yes!"
This gathering of Title Douluos included not only Ye Wen's ten direct disciples but also other academy principals and vice-principals who had all reached this level.
But—
If they scared the Star Luo forces into surrendering without a fight, that wouldn't do.
Though Dao Ba was the vanguard general, the leader was actually Huo Rui.
After all, she was the eldest disciple.
Years had passed, and the once fragile yet resilient little girl had grown into a striking figure, her streamlined muscles exuding beauty.
Though the Body Sect, as the guardian sect of Tian Xing Academy, had remained relatively obscure, the traces they left behind ensured that the Star Luo Empire wouldn't forget this peerless prodigy.
The White Tiger Emperor sat atop the city gate, his gaze heavy as he observed these ten individuals.
"Has Tian Xing Academy completely sided with the Holy Spirit Empire? It's unclear what level these ten elites, serving as the vanguard, have reached now—Tian Xing Academy has always been so secretive.
And then there's that 98th-level Tian Xing Douluo… This will be a bitter fight, Hao Tian King."
Tang Xiao stood beside him, his eyes fixed on Huo Rui and the others as they approached Jialing Pass.
"Your Majesty, perhaps there's still a chance to recruit such talents. Let's test them first."
As one of the top neutral forces in the past, Tang Xiao still harbored a faint hope of drawing them to their side. After all, the ten elites were the finest disciples of Tian Xing Academy. If they could be swayed, it might mean that the mysterious Tian Xing Douluo could also be won over.
The White Tiger Emperor nodded slightly and called out loudly,
"Huo Sect Leader, are you truly determined to wage war against my Star Luo Empire? If you withdraw now, I can overlook this transgression."
Huo Rui merely gave him a cold glance before her aura erupted violently.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, black—
Nine terrifying spirit rings surrounded this woman, who was barely in her thirties, shocking everyone present.
The words "Title Douluo" echoed in their minds.
But how could the White Tiger Emperor and his men know that Huo Rui's spirit rings had been disguised? If they revealed their true form, it would surely send them fleeing.
The other disciples weren't about to be outdone, releasing their own nine spirit rings. The overwhelming sight of countless ten-thousand-year spirit rings sent a chill down the White Tiger Emperor's spine.
A nearby official, trembling with fear, exclaimed, "How are we supposed to fight?! Ten Title Douluos right off the bat! They've completely matched us!"
The White Tiger Emperor's eyes flashed with ferocity as he crushed the official's skull with a single palm, his voice cold.
"Anyone who undermines morale—death!!!"
He then glared coldly at Huo Rui, knowing that her display of power meant there was no possibility of a peaceful resolution.
Inwardly, the White Tiger Emperor consoled himself. These children, all under forty, must have achieved their current strength through forced cultivation, making them novice Title Douluos.
On their side, they had ten Title Douluos from the Hao Tian Sect, masters of the world's number-one weapon-type martial souls—they weren't powerless.
However, Huo Rui and the others quickly retracted their spirit rings.
This puzzled the White Tiger Emperor. Hadn't they come to fight? Why had they withdrawn their spirit rings?
At this moment, Huo Rui's cold voice rang out.
"Today, we're here only to declare war.
Our Holy Spirit Empire is a nation of propriety—we won't attack without warning.
Of course, White Tiger Emperor, if you surrender, it would spare both sides from casualties. Our Emperor has promised that if you surrender, your remaining years and your family will live in peace."
The White Tiger Emperor clenched his fists tightly, glaring coldly at Huo Rui.
"Give up on that idea. There are no cowards in the Dai family who would surrender.
And surely mere surrender isn't enough, is it? That woman, Bibi Dong, must have other conditions. Why don't you tell me and let me have a laugh?"
Clap, clap, clap.
Huo Rui applauded mockingly where she stood, her voice icy.
"As expected of the White Tiger Emperor. Only an emperor could guess our Emperor's thoughts.
That's right. In addition to your surrender, you must also hand over the people of the Hao Tian Sect. Otherwise, this war will not end."
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