Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

……

Tian Dou City, Imperial Palace Square.

Banners fluttered and armor gleamed! The most elite Royal Knights, Soul Master Legion, and newly formed Soul Guidance Device Force of the Heaven Dou Empire stood in neat square formations, their chilling aura soaring into the sky.

Crown Prince Xue Beng, dressed in military attire, stood on the high platform and, on behalf of his ailing father, Emperor Xue Ye, read out the declaration of war against the Martial Soul Empire.

"...The Martial Soul Empire has usurped our territory, acted against the tide of history, destroyed our millennia-old customs and traditions, and ruined the foundation of our Soul Masters! Their so-called new policies are in fact measures to weaken the people, intended to tame the masses and implement the tyranny of a despot! Today, our Heavenly Dou Empire, in alliance with the Star Luo Empire, upholds the mandate of Heaven to punish the rebels, vowing to reclaim our homeland and restore a bright and clear world to the continent!"

The proclamation was vehemently worded, portraying the Martial Soul Empire as an heinous aggressor and tyrannical regime, while the allied forces of the two empires were a righteous army, and it was only right for them to recover lost territory.

The matter of legitimacy and righteousness was firmly grasped in their hands.

On the square, tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices echoing across the land!

Representatives from countless Soul Master families and ordinary people gathered to watch, their emotions running high, united in their hatred of the enemy.

The fervent atmosphere of war permeated the entire Tiandou City.

……

Inside the liaison office of Qibaozhai.

Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Shui Bing'er, Huo Wu and others have packed their bags.

With the shadow of war looming, there was no point in them staying; they might even become targets.

"Are we really going to let them just leave like this?"

Inside the palace, a minister offered advice to the ailing Xueye and Yu Xiaogang, who was in charge of the overall situation.

"Ning Rongrong is the sect leader of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the others also have close ties to the core of the Spirit Empire. If we can detain them, it will greatly benefit morale and future negotiations!"

Yu Xiaogang's face was pale, but upon hearing this, he slowly shook his head, glancing at Xu Hong, who was resting with his eyes closed, as if it were none of his business.

"Let's not talk about this again." Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with weariness and helplessness.

Some military officers were unconvinced, and their auras subtly locked onto the direction where Ning Rongrong and the others were located.

However, in the next moment, a vast and heavy soul force, like an invisible barrier, instantly enveloped the entire Qibaozhai, easily crushing those malicious auras.

Xu Hong slowly opened his eyes, his cloudy gaze sweeping over the minister who had made the suggestion and the military general. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable power: "I am here as a guest and a witness. If anyone tries to break the rules, don't blame me for not giving the Heavenly Dou Empire any face."

His cultivation as a level 99 Peerless Douluo was on full display, and the overwhelming pressure made all the Soul Masters present feel breathless and filled with awe. The voices suggesting his detention instantly disappeared, and no one dared to question him anymore.

That year, the Heavenly Dou royal family did try their best to win over Xu Hong, offering him great benefits in the hope that he could stand on the side of the two great empires and at least check Xuanming at crucial moments.

Xu Hong's stance remained clear: he would only exchange technical information and not intervene in disputes. He would not help the Spirit Empire, nor would he help the Heaven Dou Empire.

He was fully aware that Tang San was secretly learning from and drawing upon his knowledge of soul tools, but he did not expose it.

This was originally a mutually beneficial transaction. Tang San obtained the technical framework from him, and he also gained a lot of inspiration from Tang San's ingenious Tang Sect hidden weapons to improve his own soul tool system. It was a fair trade.

Before their departure, Tang San, as a representative of the Heaven Dou Empire, came to see off Ning Rongrong and her group, especially Xu Hong.

"Grand Preceptor Xu, thank you for your guidance this past year." Tang San bowed deeply, his tone sincere, yet tinged with a complex emotion.

Xu Hong waved his hand, his expression indifferent: "It's just a matter of each taking what they need; there's no question of giving guidance."

He looked at Tang San, a barely perceptible hint of regret flashing in his cloudy eyes. "Boy, for the sake of this year of exchange, let me say one more thing. You cannot win this war. And... its ultimate fate will probably exceed all of your imagination."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Take my advice and leave this place of trouble. The victory of the Martial Soul Empire is inevitable. Some forces cannot be resisted by technology and determination alone."

Tang San was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes filled with unwavering determination: "Thank you for your kindness, Grand Preceptor. But Tang San... has a reason to stay."

Family feuds, national hatred, his teacher's expectations, and his instinctive aversion to the "powerful order" of the Martial Soul Empire all made it impossible for him to back down.

Seeing the resolute look in his eyes, Xu Hong knew further persuasion was futile, so he simply sighed softly and said no more. Tang San's gaze then turned to Xiao Wu, his expression complex and unreadable.

He had made excuses for Xiao Wu countless times in his heart, telling himself that she stayed by Xuan Ming's side only out of necessity or out of friendship.

But over the past year, Xiao Wu's protection of Xuan Ming, the unconscious gleam in Xiao Wu's eyes when Ning Rongrong and others occasionally mentioned Xuan Ming, and Xiao Wu's frank and firm response after his several tests, all made him completely understand that Xiao Wu's heart had already been given to Xuan Ming, and there was no room for maneuver.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and walked up to Xiao Wu. All the words he wanted to say were condensed into one sentence: "Xiao Wu... take care."

Xiao Wu looked at her childhood friend with eyes full of reluctance and worry: "Xiao San, are you really not leaving? This war... is too dangerous."

Tang San shook his head, his smile somewhat bitter, yet still resolute: "I have reasons why I have to stay. Just like you... you also have people you have to go back to."

Xiao Wu knew Tang San's stubbornness; just as he would always do what he set his mind to. Her eyes reddened, she nodded forcefully: "You must take care of yourself too...you must stay alive."

Without further words, former partners, due to different choices and stances, will ultimately go down different paths, and may even become enemies.

Xu Hong didn't delay any longer. His powerful soul force enveloped Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and the others, transforming into a streak of light that soared into the sky and sped towards the direction of Wuhun City, leaving behind the battle-shrouded Tiandou City and a storm destined to be devastating.

Tang San stood there, gazing at the direction they had disappeared in for a long time, until Yu Xiaogang's voice sounded behind him, pulling him back to reality from his complicated thoughts.

"Xiao San, get ready." Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a resolute determination, "The war is about to begin."

Tang San clenched his fist, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanished, leaving only the unwavering determination and coldness that belonged to the Blue King.

"is teacher."

……

One month later, on the border of the Martial Soul Empire, along the northern and southern lines.

The flames of war have spread.

The allied forces of the Heavenly Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire did not concentrate their main forces for a decisive battle as in conventional warfare, but instead adopted an extremely dispersed offensive strategy.

Dozens of armies, like spreading streams, simultaneously stormed into the territory of the Martial Soul Empire from multiple directions along the long border.

The forces were of varying strengths and launched attacks one after another.

This was clearly a tactic meticulously planned by Yu Xiaogang and others, aimed at using the vast battlefront to dilute the overwhelming top-tier combat power of the Martial Soul Empire, especially the threat posed by the "Crimson Giant" that could breach a city with a single blow.

By dispersing, they at least avoided being wiped out in one fell swoop. As long as one army breaks through, it can cause enormous damage.

However, faced with the overwhelming force of the two great empires, the Martial Soul Empire's response appeared unusually sluggish and weak.

The Soul Master Legion stationed on the border suffered repeated defeats and lost cities and territory in less than half a month of fighting.

The speed of the retreat far exceeded expectations, and many key passes collapsed almost instantly, as if the Soul Masters of the Spirit Empire had suddenly lost their former strength.

Reports of the defeats flooded into Wuhun City like snowflakes.

The atmosphere inside the Papal Palace was somber.

Bibi Dong looked at the battle reports in her hand, each marked with the city that had fallen. Her purple-gold eyes showed no surprise, only a cold understanding and suppressed anger.

In just half a month, many fortresses along the long border of the Martial Soul Empire fell, and the defensive line was torn open in several places by the allied forces of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires! The imperial army suffered heavy losses and retreated in disarray!
The scene described in the battle report was shocking: morale was low, command was chaotic, the Soul Master Legion was cowardly in the face of battle, and there were even organized routs! This was in stark contrast to the high morale and fearless charge of the allied forces of the two great empires.

"On both the north and south lines, nine of the thirteen major passes have been lost in seven days." Bibi Dong's voice was calm, yet it carried a chilling coldness. "The speed of the rout is as if the Soul Masters of my Martial Soul Empire have all become paper figures."

She raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the several Grand Councilors and the Soul Master Legion Commander who stood with their heads bowed in solemn silence in the hall, a cold smile curving her lips.

"Gentlemen, can anyone tell me when my empire's Soul Master Legion has become so vulnerable?"

A general stepped forward, his voice trembling with fear: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! The enemy... the enemy's offensive is fierce, and they have divided their forces into multiple routes. Our defensive line is too long, and we cannot defend both ends..."

"An excuse!" Bibi Dong slammed her hand on the armrest, the aura of the Asura Demon Sword faintly emanating from it, causing the temperature in the hall to plummet. "The defensive line is too long? The enemy has divided their forces? Isn't this what we expected?! Why can't our Soul Master Legion even put up the most basic resistance? Where are their Soul Guidance Devices? Where is their training?!" (End of Chapter)