At the same time, Zhao Chong was panting heavily as he stared at the Abyssal Emperor ahead, his chest already bearing several bloody scars!
These were evidently caused by the latter's sharp, bladed arms...
He cursed, "Damn it, how is this guy so powerful!"
He, a dignified Tang Sect Hall Master, had actually been bested by a high-level Abyssal Emperor, something he struggled to accept!
Even Tang Wulin, a young and inexperienced Soul Master, had been able to handle similar threats with ease, yet he faced dire difficulties!
The Abyss ahead was evidently observing him as well. In the next moment, its crimson pupils gleamed with intense killing intent...
"Human, die!"
Its massive form began to spin abruptly, slicing through the surroundings like a meat grinder, slowly closing in...
Zhao Chong clenched his lips tightly and shouted in fury, "Don't underestimate me, bastard!"
A Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up...
Releasing a soul skill, he chose to confront it head-on!
"Bang!"
As the two collided, the disparity in strength became instantly apparent...
Zhao Chong's soul skill was forcibly shredded by the Abyssal Emperor's brutal power, which then wildly tore into him...
Within mere seconds, he had become a bloodied mess...
Feeling his life force draining away, Zhao Chong couldn't help but close his eyes...
"Sect Leader, Hall Masters, I fear I won't be able to return..."
"You're not dead yet, why give up so easily? That's not the Zhao Hall Master I know!"
As a familiar voice rang out, Liang Xiaoyu rushed over at once, releasing his eighth soul skill to forcefully repel the Abyssal Emperor before him...
Zhao Chong reopened his eyes. Staring at the man before him, he exclaimed in astonishment, "Liang... Liang Hall Master, why is it you? No... why did you come?"
He had been under the impression that the Tang Sect had sent only him for this mission!
Liang Xiaoyu chuckled lightly, "Perhaps I sensed you were in danger and rushed here immediately... Just kidding!"
Still, it was fortunate I came, or else I fear I might've lost a friend today!
As Zhao Chong was about to say something, he noticed the repelled Abyssal Emperor charging forward once more and quickly warned, "Liang Hall Master, watch out!"
Liang Hall Master's pupils shrank. He kicked Zhao Chong away and narrowly evaded the strike aimed at his head...
"Zhao Hall Master, stay back for now. Let me handle this creature!"
Zhao Chong, heavily crashing to the ground, recognized he was unable to help and replied in agreement, "Alright, but this creature is extremely formidable. Its varied attack methods are hard to defend against. Be cautious!"
Liang Xiaoyu nodded, his gaze fixed tightly on the Abyssal Emperor ahead, "Understood. Let's see just how strong you really are, nearly managing to kill Zhao Hall Master."
His mood was now extremely agitated!
...
Dou Ling Empire!
A minister burst into the great hall in a rush, his expression pale with fear as he reported, "Your Majesty the Emperor, we've just received news—the Abyssal Creature Army and the Abyssal Emperor seem to have been defeated!"
If only I had known earlier that the Abyssal Creature Army would be dealt with, I would've risked my life to persuade His Majesty not to go to war with Soul Land!
Xue Yuntian, who had maintained a calm demeanor, immediately stood up from the imperial throne upon hearing this, exclaiming, "What?? Are you certain the Abyssal Emperor and the Abyssal Creature Army have been dealt with?"
The minister answered promptly, "Absolutely true! Forces from Soul Land are now deliberating on how to proceed against our Dou Ling Empire!"
Xue Yuntian clenched his fists and stared darkly, "Damn it! That Abyssal Emperor was completely useless, failing at such a critical moment!"
On the whole, the Dou Ling Empire's strength paled in comparison to other empires, posing no threat at all!
If they hadn't taken the initiative to provoke anyone, they could have pretended nothing was amiss. But not long ago, he had ordered a declaration of war against Soul Land!
The nearby Ultimate Douluo took a deep breath and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, should we retract the order to go to war against Soul Land?"
Xue Yuntian shook his head in response, "It's impossible now. Canceling the war at this stage would only weaken the morale of our Dou Ling Empire's Soul Masters—nothing else!"
"What should we do, then? Without the interference of the Abyssal Emperor and those Abyssal Creatures, our Dou Ling Empire stands no chance!"
If there truly is a war, the likelihood of total annihilation is high!
Hearing this, Xue Yuntian slumped heavily onto the imperial throne...
With a dejected expression, he muttered, "At this point, we can only grit our teeth and fight, to at least... find an opportunity for both sides to agree to a ceasefire during the war!"
I truly must have been bewitched to believe the words of that Ghost Emperor!
Once war breaks out, the Holy Spirit Cult will only watch coldly from the sidelines; they won't offer any assistance to the Dou Ling Empire!
The Ultimate Douluo beside him seemed to have thought of something and quickly whispered a few words into his ear...
Xue Yuntian's eyes widened, "This... could this work? The Federation forces won't cease their actions over such an excuse!"
With determined eyes, the Ultimate Douluo replied, "No matter the outcome, trying is better than doing nothing!"
"If it fails, then we'll fight them to the bitter end. Though weak, our Dou Ling Empire fears no one!"
Xue Yuntian weighed his choices and finally nodded, "You're right, let's proceed as you suggested!"
...
Federation!
The Chairman of the Council, brimming with rage, bellowed, "Does Dou Ling Empire truly take us for fools? Attempting to exploit the situation and provoke war before the Abyssal Creature Army was eradicated!"
"And now, claiming their Emperor's decision was made under coercion by the Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Soul Masters!"
The other Council Members also displayed expressions of resentment...
They weren't fools; they could easily discern that this was just Xue Yuntian's ploy to avoid war!
One after another, they retorted, "Hmph, regardless of whether Xue Yuntian was coerced by the Holy Spirit Cult's Evil Soul Masters, declaring war demands a price!"
"Indeed, if we don't teach Dou Ling Empire a lesson, they might actually think our Federation is soft!"
"I think we should use God-killing soul-guided missiles to obliterate the Dou Ling Empire. Now that the Abyssal Creature Army has been completely eradicated, there are no lingering threats!"
"Agreed, that could also minimize casualties among our Soul Masters!"
The Chairman instinctively glanced aside and asked, "Deputy Councilman, your..."
Only to find the seat empty!
Indeed, after the battle with the Abyssal Creature Army had ended, Qiangu Qingfeng had not returned to the Federation and had mysteriously disappeared!
This led them to surmise that he may have already perished!
And in truth, that was precisely the case!!
Letting out a quiet sigh, the Chairman finally declared coldly, "Everyone is right. We cannot let the Dou Ling Empire escape so easily; they must pay the price!"
It's clear that the Dou Ling Empire is secretly collaborating with the Holy Spirit Cult, yet there isn't any concrete evidence to pursue this accusation!
Thus, they can only seize this opportunity to heavily suppress Dou Ling Empire!
Not total destruction, but we must strike a serious blow!!!
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