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Both the White Tiger Emperor and Tang Xiao's expressions turned cold. As expected, the Holy Spirit Empire, established by the Spirit Hall, would not tolerate a thorn like the Hao Tian Sect.
However, the White Tiger Emperor had never entertained the idea of surrender from the start. With the support of the Hao Tian Sect, he felt emboldened.
Now, it was still unclear who would emerge victorious.
"If you want to fight, then let's fight. Don't dream of my Star Luo Empire rolling over and dying."
"I hope you can back up your words, White Tiger Emperor. Until we meet again."
After speaking, Huo Rui wasted no time in leading her fellow disciples back to their camp.
Watching in the direction of the Holy Spirit Empire, the White Tiger Emperor's mind was heavy with thoughts.
At this moment, Tang Xiao expressed his gratitude to the White Tiger Emperor.
"Thank you for your kindness, White Tiger Emperor. The Star Luo Empire has not abandoned us, and the Hao Tian Sect will follow you to the death."
Though Tang Xiao also felt immense pressure, the fact that the White Tiger Emperor, who sought to recruit him, displayed such courage meant there was no reason for him to retreat.
After all, the Spirit Hall's intent to destroy the Hao Tian Sect was now clear as day. They wouldn't settle for a half-hearted attempt like last time. In this clash, one side would surely perish.
The White Tiger Emperor gave Tang Xiao a slight nod before pulling the other high-ranking officials aside to discuss tactics.
The pressure of facing ten Title Douluos left the Star Luo Empire walking on thin ice. Everyone was discussing how to deal with tomorrow's battle.
Just as their side hadn't concentrated all their Title Douluos at Jialing Pass, the White Tiger Emperor believed that the Holy Spirit Empire undoubtedly had far more than ten Title Douluos.
At the very least, the Title Douluos from the former top three sects were nowhere to be seen.
Though Tang Xiao didn't understand warfare, he was a battle expert. He bluntly stated,
"Injuring ten fingers is less effective than breaking one. Your Majesty, I suggest gathering all our Title Douluos at Jialing Pass. At the start of tomorrow's battle, we'll unleash the Hao Tian Sect's inherited ultimate technique to eliminate several of their Title Douluos, reducing the pressure on the battlefield."
The White Tiger Emperor nodded slightly, finding this plan feasible, but then shook his head.
"It won't work. They've likely known about our intelligence for some time and will definitely be prepared. We might even fall into their trap. Instead, let's launch a surprise attack tomorrow, using the lives of our soldiers to drain the spirit energy of those ten Title Douluos. Then, the members of the Hao Tian Sect can move in to finish them off."
Though the White Tiger Emperor's strategy was somewhat cruel, Tang Xiao didn't dwell on it, instead pondering its feasibility.
Finally, Tang Xiao nodded solemnly and added,
"Your Majesty's plan is much more prudent and follows the grand path of war.
However, considering that Title Douluos have flight capabilities, ordinary civilian soldiers will struggle to hold them back. I suggest deploying soul masters with flying-type martial souls from our main forces to suppress those ten Title Douluos, creating opportunities for us. This way, our chances of success will be greater."
Upon hearing this, the White Tiger Emperor nodded in agreement, completely disregarding the potential casualties among these warriors when facing Title Douluos.
Below, the generals remained silent, but many were pale-faced, their eyes filled with fear.
With the inclusion of the Hao Tian Sect, the original noble faction had been suppressed to the point of having no voice. Now, they could only unilaterally follow the orders of the White Tiger Emperor and his high-ranking officials.
Rebellion? Defection? Mutiny?
Don't dream of it. The White Tiger Emperor had long taken control of their weak family members. If anyone dared to act, their entire clan would be slaughtered.
Hoping for mercy from the White Tiger Emperor to spare their families? Forget it. Anyone who could ascend to this position was ruthless. Otherwise, they wouldn't even survive the most basic power struggles for the throne.
Even those few without family ties had been poisoned—after all, a thousand-year-old empire couldn't lack special methods.
Afterward, the White Tiger Emperor and Tang Xiao discussed further details, ensuring maximum victory in tomorrow's battle.
But there were always those stubborn ones who tried to persuade the White Tiger Emperor to surrender, believing the disparity in strength was simply too great.
The response to that general was the White Tiger Emperor's merciless extermination.
"Whoever dares speak such words again will face the extermination of their nine generations! Hmph!"
Amidst the chilling silence of the generals, the White Tiger Emperor issued one ruthless plan after another.
Sitting alone in the great hall, the White Tiger Emperor, as the ruler of a nation, wore an expressionless face, neither joy nor sorrow.
Without the existence of the White Tiger Dai family, the Star Luo Empire held no meaning. Even if it meant mutual destruction, surrender was out of the question.
Moreover, unlike the already hollowed-out imperial family of Tian Dou, the Star Luo imperial family retained real power. The White Tiger Emperor, putting himself in the enemy's shoes, knew the Holy Spirit Empire would never allow a ticking time bomb like the White Tiger Dai family to continue existing. To him, the idea of surrender was nothing more than a joke.
Though Tang Xiao felt a slight discomfort at the thought of so many lives being lost, he also understood that this was a matter of life and death for his own sect. There was no time to worry about the fates of those insignificant ants.
As Tang Xiao gathered reinforcements, elder members from various sects stationed at other passes also assembled at Jialing Pass, solemnly accepting Tang Xiao's arrangements.
Thanks to Tang Hao's selfless contributions, the elders wielding the explosive ring technique weren't afraid of anyone. They firmly believed that a group of youngsters couldn't possibly reach level 95 at such a young age. Facing the relentless bombardment of their world-class weapon-type martial souls, the enemy would surely suffer a crushing defeat.
As for the Great Mustard Hammer technique, its requirements were far too high. Apart from Tang Xiao, none of the elders had mastered it.
"The enemy consists of the Holy Spirit Empire's vanguard force—all Title Douluos. Fellow elders, do not underestimate them. The Title Douluos trained under that Tian Xing Douluo are no pushovers." Tang Xiao emphasized gravely.
Unlike the shallow-minded White Tiger Emperor who had spent his life secluded in the palace, Tang Xiao understood the true value of such powerful individuals and the terrifying potential of the Ten Elites of Tian Xing Academy.
Though Huo Rui and the others hadn't fully revealed their presence during their declaration of war, their auras were condensed and pure, devoid of any impurities or instability. They had undoubtedly risen through arduous cultivation.
Tang Xiao had no intention of letting the hard-earned foundation of his sect be squandered due to carelessness against these younger generations.
The elders nodded solemnly. Though their strength had surged, they weren't fools. Even a large number of mediocre Title Douluos could still inflict damage on their side.
Not to mention, those ten individuals were once the top geniuses renowned across the continent—the Ten Elites of Tian Xing Academy.
That night, no one on the Star Luo Empire's side slept. Everyone was busy preparing feverishly.
What the Star Luo Empire didn't know was that their every move had been captured clearly by the high-altitude surveillance soul-guided devices Ye Wen had created.
Ye Wen coldly observed the Star Luo Empire's preparations.
"So, you're really planning to use the lives of civilians to fill the void in this war, White Tiger Emperor. No wonder—it's just like you to court death so recklessly."
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