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"Yi Hongchen, what do you think of the commander of the Soul Sea Fortress?"
On the side of the Sun-Moon Legion, the leading Titled Douluo, gazing at the figure standing on the wall dressed in bright silver armor and wearing a trident helmet, asked the female Titled Douluo beside him.
"He's decent, but their equipment is too outdated. They still rely on cold weapons and Soul Masters for combat; their strength is far inferior to ours." Yi Hongchen glanced at the armored figure, then focused her gaze on Tang San. "However, in terms of danger, none of them combined compare to that blue-haired young man."
"It's the first time I've seen someone more handsome than His Majesty."
Yi Hongchen couldn't sense Tang San's true strength, but her Martial Soul, the Moon Toad, a variant of a toad, gave her a sixth sense for danger.
The threat Tang San posed was no less than that of the emperor of their empire.
"Is that person truly that strong?"
"His exact strength is unclear, but he is definitely not weaker than His Majesty," Yi Hongchen replied seriously. "Ao Long, do not underestimate them. When facing the Soul Sea Fortress, we cannot treat it like we did Xiaohai City. We must first probe their strength; otherwise, even if we take this fortress, the cost will be immense."
This isn't the Sun-Moon Continent, after all. Supplying resources and replenishing troops is a significant challenge for them, and they can't afford heavy losses.
Otherwise, even if they capture it, there won't be enough people left to manage it.
Ao Long nodded and asked, "So, once we get closer, should we challenge them to a duel?"
"A duel?" The Titled Douluo on Ao Long's other side frowned. "Do you think they'll agree?"
"The people of this continent hold the honor of Soul Masters in high regard. They'll likely agree." Ao Long sneered, "What a barbaric civilization."
About thirty miles from the Soul Sea Fortress, Ao Long halted his troops and strode forward. With the deep soul power of a 96th-level expert, he shouted, "Do you wish to surrender?"
On the fortress walls, Ge Long inhaled deeply and replied, "Sun-Moon invaders, petty thieves, don't think your words will sway us! If you want a fight, we will fight, and we will never back down!"
"Surrender? You're dreaming!"
Ao Long wasn't surprised by their response and said to the Titled Douluo beside him, "Jun Youwei, see? These natives just don't know what's good for them."
Jun Youwei still voiced his doubts, "I don't think they'll agree, and besides, they have researched soul tools. They might even have weaponized ones."
"It doesn't matter. They revere the personal strength of Soul Masters. The situation at Xiaohai City already proved that. Even if they have researched soul tools, most of them are for daily use, with few weapons among them." Ao Long confidently smiled, "Now, as long as we can determine the number of strong opponents and their strength, we can forcibly take this city."
"His Majesty and the empire's consecrates are on their way. We must capture this city as a residence for His Majesty."
Why not choose Xiaohai City? Naturally, because it was devastated by bombardment and is now in ruins, rebuilding it would be a hassle. It's easier to capture this intact city.
Yi Hongchen remarked, "Speaking of which, His Majesty seems particularly interested after hearing about the Douluo Continent..."
"Stop speculating; His Majesty can't be wrong," Ao Long interrupted her thoughts, then called out to Ge Long, "People of Tian Dou, Star Luo, and Spirit Hall, to avoid large-scale casualties, do you dare to test our strength in a duel? If you lose, will you retreat?"
Ge Long was furious and cursed, "Damn invaders! You actually want a duel? This is clearly the territory of the Tian Dou Empire! You think we're rats, here to toy with before capturing?"
"Who's toying with whom is still undecided." Tang San suddenly smiled, realizing the enemy intended to test their strength. He said to Ge Long, "Agree to it, but stick to the original plan. Deception is always fair in war."
"Is that so?" After much consideration, Ge Long agreed, choosing to trust Tang San. "Then I'll leave it to you. My Tian Dou generals are at your command!"
Zhu Zhuqing echoed, "The Star Luo Soul Master legion also awaits your orders."
Xue Beng reluctantly added, "So does my new Tian Dou."
Tang San nodded slightly and jumped down from the wall, landing softly.
Xiao Wu, Huo Wu, Guang Ling, Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and Oslo followed closely behind. Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, Bai Chenxiang, and Lan Yinzi stayed on the walls, ready to act. The remaining commanders organized their troops outside the city.
However, the differing armor styles and banners of Tian Dou, the new Tian Dou, Star Luo, and Spirit Hall created a somewhat chaotic scene, making it difficult to form a unified front.
"Tsk!" Ao Long laughed and said to his troops, "Look, the four factions have temporarily united. Individually, they might be considered elite, but together, they're just a ragtag bunch."
But Ao Long's laughter didn't last long. Suddenly, there was a commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw a wall of Blue Silver Grass rapidly growing, reaching over a hundred meters high. It quickly extended to both sides, eventually connecting to the Soul Sea Fortress walls and completely enclosing the ten thousand soldiers of the Sun-Moon Empire.
Some tried attacking with soul bombs but found the wall was incredibly thick, over ten meters at least, and regenerated almost instantly. In a blink, the holes created by the explosions had healed.
"Since it's a duel, how can we not have an arena?" Tang San lowered his arms, his grand voice echoing across several kilometers, startling the entire Sun-Moon Empire army. "You may be our enemies, but as hosts, we must still show our generosity and sincerity."
"What do you think of this arena?"
Ao Long's smile vanished.
Was this a soul skill? Or had they secretly set up some kind of soul tool underground?
"Ao Long, that person is extremely dangerous!" Yi Hongchen's eyelids twitched. "I can't sense any soul power fluctuations, but his strength must surpass that of a typical 95th-level expert!"
"I know!" Ao Long growled. As a 96th-level expert, he felt fear. Even when he first saw Tang San, his mental power almost dissipated, and his soul power became chaotic.
This must be a powerful spiritual-type Soul Master!
But how could he be so young?
Could he have reached a transcendent level and regained his youth?
"Holy Son is Mighty!"
"Holy Son is Mighty!"
"Holy Son is Mighty!"
On the side of Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo shouted, and the Spirit Hall soldiers behind him echoed with fervent cries, their eyes filled with intense zeal.
The Tian Dou and Star Luo armies, influenced by this atmosphere, also joined in the chant.
At that moment, soldiers and generals from different factions spoke as one.
Their thunderous shouts echoed through the sky.
Ge Long, standing on the city wall, was deeply moved. "The charisma of the Silver Blue Earl is truly astounding. But it's this strength that allows him to unite the armies of four different factions into one."
Tang San slowly raised his hand, and the entire army fell silent. He said, "We are the hosts, and you are the guests. The host has already prepared the battlefield as a sign of sincerity. Now, as guests, when you challenge us, you must show us respect."
Ao Long remained silent for a moment before asking, "How should we show respect?"
Tang San turned to Ge Long, who stood atop the city wall, and asked, "Marshal Ge Long, as the Silver Blue Earl, I'm not well-versed in diplomatic protocols between empires. Tell me, how should a small foreign nation show respect to a great empire?"
Ge Long was taken aback, but then he answered, "When a small nation meets a great empire, they should perform a kowtow, prostrating themselves fully to show respect."
"Good!"
Tang San nodded, turned back to Ao Long and his men, and said, "Kneel."
"Kneel!"
"Kneel!!"
"Kneel!!!"
The soldiers of the four armies shouted in unison, their voices growing louder with each cry. The sound was so powerful that, amplified by the walls of Blue Silver Emperor that surrounded the battlefield, it echoed with an overwhelming intensity.
"Aren't you going to act?" Tang San raised his hand to stop the shouting and then addressed Hu Liena, who commanded the Spirit Hall army, "Lend me the Throne of Wisdom and Spirit."
"No problem." Hu Liena removed the fox-head adorned belt from her waist and tossed it to Tang San.
"Snap!"
Tang San caught the belt and threw it into the air. Instantly, it transformed into a tall, silver-white throne, hovering fifty meters above the ground. Rings of silver-white spiritual energy radiated from its base, nearly covering the entire battlefield.
"Awoo!"
With a fox's cry, the white nine-tailed fox's phantom emerged and settled on the throne. The fox head formed a relief at the backrest's core, while its nine tails spread out, curling into nine rings, each containing immense spiritual energy.
Unlike when Hu Liena first controlled this throne, the spiritual pressure it emanated wasn't released. However, everyone who saw it felt a tremor in their hearts.
Ge Long exclaimed in awe, "What is that?"
Ao Long was incredulous, "That thing's design... it's like His Majesty's..."
Buzz—
Tang San ascended the steps toward the throne, and with each step, a wave of spiritual energy radiated outward, striking fear into the hearts of the Sun-Moon Empire's troops. The weaker ones trembled, their brains shaking, blood streaming from their orifices.
Yet, on the Soul Sea Fortress side, they only felt the throne's grandeur without suffering any actual harm. In fact, many noticed their mental states reaching a peak.
When Tang San reached the Throne of Wisdom and Spirit, he sat down slowly. An invisible spiritual pressure instantly covered the entire Sun-Moon army.
"Thud!"
In an instant, nearly half of the Sun-Moon soldiers collapsed to the ground, unable to even support themselves with their arms.
The remaining half either knelt on one knee or struggled to keep their heads held high, but they couldn't withstand the immense spiritual pressure, as vast as the sea of stars, and dared not look directly at it.
Only Ao Long, Yi Hongchen, and Jun Youwei were barely holding on.
"I say—"
Tang San, gripping the throne's armrest, slowly lifted his index finger, then swiftly lowered it. "Kneel."
Crack!
Yi Hongchen and Jun Youwei's spines and thigh bones, which they had been straining to support, instantly shattered, causing them to collapse to the ground. Within a moment, the two Titled Douluo lost all ability to fight, and without immediate treatment, they were likely to perish.
As for why Tang San could use the Throne of Wisdom and Spirit?
Naturally, it was because he had forged the throne. No matter who its final master was, its inherent spirit would always give Tang San special access. In Tang San's hands, it could even exceed its full potential.
"Yi Hongchen! Jun Youwei!"
Ao Long shouted, but the immense spiritual pressure continued to bear down on him, shaking his bones and muscles, rendering his soul power unusable.
Thud!
In the end, Ao Long, a dignified 96th-level Titled Douluo, bowed his head.
He could feel that if he didn't kneel soon, his bones would not be able to withstand the pressure...
(End of Chapter)