Douluo 2: This Dragon God has too much martial virtue

Chapter 593 Survival from desperate situation?

Xue Lingxun's face turned pale as she finally realized the terrible chain reaction her initial careless handling of the situation had brought. She tried to order severe punishment and even sent her personal guards to execute several low-ranking officers who had led the robbery, but it was too late.

Panic and chaos spread like a plague among the army. Now, they not only had to face external pursuit and hunger, but also had to be on guard against larger-scale riots and conflicts that could occur at any time within the army.

Just when Xue Lingxun and Xu Sanshi were worried and at a loss as to how to advance or retreat due to the loss of control of the army and internal and external troubles, a flying soul master scout responsible for high-altitude reconnaissance rushed back to the camp with shocking news. He didn't even bother with etiquette and rushed directly into the tent.

"Your Highness! Prince! A major discovery!" The scout panted, his face filled with incredible excitement. "Approximately one hundred and twenty miles southwest, we've discovered the ruins of a major city called Erlen! It's incredibly grand, and judging by its layout, it could have housed millions of people at its peak!"

Everyone in the tent suddenly became alert.

The scout continued to report quickly, "I've risked a low-altitude reconnaissance and discovered that the number of soul beasts entrenched in the city is unusually small, completely different from the situation in surrounding areas after the beast tide! Even stranger, there seem to be traces of soul power fluctuations in the city, and vague signs of human soul master activity! Although their identities and intentions are unknown, the entire city doesn't seem to have been completely destroyed by the beast tide. Instead, it feels like it has been cleansed."

The ruins of the main city, which seemed almost deserted, were like a lighthouse in the darkness, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

It was once the undisputed center of this area. Even though some of its towering city walls have collapsed, one can still see its former grandeur. The streets in the city are wide, and although most of the buildings are dilapidated, many of the main structures are still standing, which shows how solidly they were built.

This largely deserted city instantly offered several crucial possibilities. Its massive size and well-developed fortifications, including walls, moat remains, and even the possibility of an inner fort, far surpassed any ordinary village or town, making it an ideal location for establishing defenses and repelling pursuers.

The vast urban area was more than enough to accommodate their hundred thousand men, providing a shield from the desert sandstorms and the sight of pursuers. Furthermore, even if such a large city had been plundered by the beast tide, there might still be undiscovered supplies hidden in corners or underground, providing food, weapons, and tools for the army.

As for the mysterious spirit master... this presents both the greatest risk and the greatest temptation. Is he friend or foe? What's his strength? How does he manage to gain a foothold here? If we could contact him, or even forge a partnership, we'd undoubtedly be saved from a desperate situation.

What they needed most now was a soul master to join them. Xue Lingxun and Xu Sanshi exchanged a glance, both seeing strong desire in each other's eyes.

"Immediately dispatch all flying soul masters to take turns monitoring Erlen City! I want to know how many soul masters are active inside, what levels they are, and what characteristics they have!" Xue Lingxun gave the order quickly, her voice trembling slightly with excitement, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"At the same time, we must rectify military discipline," Xu Sanshi interjected. "Tell everyone that there may be a foothold ahead. Anyone who dares to plunder without authorization, alerting any potential allies or attracting a stronger enemy, will be executed without mercy! All the looted food should be centrally distributed, prioritizing the stamina of the scouts and vanguard!" In their desperate situation, the appearance of Erlen City was like a shot in the arm, temporarily suppressing the army's collapse and giving them a clear objective and a glimmer of hope.

Shortly after the order was issued, another flying soul master scout returned quickly with even more exciting news.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!" The scout's voice was a little sharp with excitement. "I have carefully sensed the central area of ​​Erlen City and detected... an extremely pure and powerful aura of life! Its purity and power far surpass those of ordinary plant-type soul beasts. It's more like... the soul power fluctuations of an extremely advanced healing soul master!"

This news was like throwing a torch into a pile of dry firewood, instantly igniting all the hopes of the military leaders!

"Great!" Xu Sanshi slammed the table, and the gloom that had been on his face for many days was swept away, replaced by an excitement that was almost ecstatic. "There is always a way out! There really is a strong person here! And he is the most precious healing spirit master!"

He immediately turned to his mother, whose face was still pale, and spoke in an urgent and concerned tone, "Mom! Did you hear that? There is a healing spirit master! When we get into the city and find that senior, I will definitely ask him to treat you first! You will definitely get better soon!"

Although Xue Lingxun was a princess, blessed with royal resources and support unmatched by ordinary people, her talent as a spirit master was not exceptional. Throughout her life, despite the advantages granted by her bloodline and the vast resources she possessed, she only managed to reach the level of a Spirit Emperor. While this level would be considered a master by ordinary people, in a continent teeming with powerful individuals, especially in times of crisis when the survival of a nation depends on top-tier combat power, a Spirit Emperor's strength seems insufficient.

Furthermore, Xu Sanshi's mind was already rapidly sketching out the immense benefits this healing spirit master could bring to the entire army. He could heal wounded soldiers, restore combat effectiveness, and perhaps even use his powerful healing abilities to improve the team's health and morale. This was a lifesaver, a crucial figure in turning the tide!

However, blinded by the difficulties of recent days, the pride of being the young master of Xuanming Sect deep in his heart, and the illusory sense of authority brought by being respected as a prince by the army recently, Xu Sanshi was completely immersed in the joy of finding a savior and subconsciously ignored the most critical issue.

Is the other party willing to help them?

He almost took it for granted that as long as he found the other party, revealed his identity as the prince of the Douling Empire and the young master of the Xuanming Sect, explained the pros and cons, or in other words, gave the other party a chance to be loyal to the orthodox royal family and gain the merit of following the dragon, the healing soul master should help him, or even bow down to him.

He even thought to himself, since his father refused to help, the Xuanming Sect's reputation must not be tarnished. Then, he could use the Xuanming Sect and the Imperial Prince's name to ask this senior to intervene. It would be his honor to serve the imperial family and the Xuanming Sect.

But it was this arrogance caused by his background and the recent drastic change in status that made him lose the most basic vigilance and objective judgment, and thus imagined a contact full of unknowns and dangers as a natural recruitment and favor.