Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 451 Zhongliwu's Demonstration

Hearing Wang Yiheng's words, Xu Tianran, who was initially extremely angry, paused slightly. After a moment's thought, he said, "I remember this person. I recall he possessed a million-year spirit ring and a spirit skill that could freeze space. He led the Zizai Sect all the way to the finals. If it weren't for that incident, they should be the champions now. If it were him, it would be understandable that he could escape from a Title Douluo. But how did he manage to turn the tables? And what was that explosion all about?"

Xu Tianran narrowed his eyes, a cold glint in them. "He actually came back to rescue people too? That means he's also our enemy. Commander Wang, get up. You were only in charge of the rescue. By the time you arrived, the situation was already decided. This matter has nothing to do with you."

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty." Wang Yiheng stood up and stood aside.

Xu Tianran was indeed furious. He wished he could kill the three captains in front of him to vent his anger. However, reason made him restrain this impulse. No matter what, these three captains were all high-level soul masters, especially Wang Yiheng, who was a level nine soul master!

Even for a nation like the Sun Moon Empire, which is rich in Soul Masters, a Level 9 Soul Master is a strategic asset.

Wang Yiheng, commander of the Evil Lord Soul Master Corps, is a key figure in protecting the nation. He himself is a Title Douluo, known as Mad Bull.

Mad Bull Douluo Wang Yiheng is a renowned figure in the world of Soul Masters.

As for the other two team leaders, they were both level eight soul masters. Xu Tianran could not bear to kill them no matter what, but he still had to make them kneel for a while longer, otherwise he would be upset.

Not long after, Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult dressed in black and also the Grand Preceptor of the Sun Moon Empire, arrived.

Zhongli Wu did not come alone; the Second Elder accompanied him.

When the Second Elder returned to Sunrise City and learned that the Fourth Elder and Wu Yu were dead, along with a third of the Evil Lord Soul Master Corps, he knew that things were serious. He immediately returned to Mingdu and informed Zhongli Wu of the news.

Zhongli Wu knew that Xu Tianran would definitely come looking for him, so he simply brought the Second Elder along. Of course, the three Zhongli brothers also came along.

Upon seeing Xu Tianran, Zhongli Wu, the leader of the Holy Spirit Cult, merely nodded slightly in greeting.

Xu Tianran's expression softened somewhat, and he said, "Grand Preceptor, please sit."

Zhongli Wu sat down below Xu Tianran and, before Xu Tianran could ask any questions, took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, I already know about the matter. It happened suddenly, and there are other strange things going on. I'll have my men explain it to you first."

As he spoke, he waved to his subordinates.

At that moment, the Second Elder and the three Zhongli brothers explained in detail what they knew.

After listening to their account, Xu Tianran narrowed his eyes and said, "So it seems the hostages' poison has been neutralized. But, Grand Preceptor, I remember you told me that only you possessed the antidote for that Soul-Destroying Powder poison. How could someone else have developed an antidote? Also, with such tight defenses in Sunrise City, how did these people manage to infiltrate the city and find the water dungeon? They had a meticulous and detailed plan, even launching a large number of soul-guided weapons from within Sunrise City to attack. In the end, they destroyed the soul-guided devices they didn't take. The entire process was clearly divided, and they completed the rescue with extremely strong execution."

"What infuriates me most is that they installed so many soul-guided devices, including level-eight fixed-position soul-guided cannon shells, in Sunrise City without any patrolling soldiers noticing. If that's the case, what if Mingyao is also fitted with soul-guided cannon shells? Does that mean I'll be blown up at any moment?"

At this point, Xu Tianran's previously suppressed killing intent suddenly burst forth again, causing the two Soul Master Corps leaders kneeling below to feel ashamed.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." Grand Preceptor Zhongli Wu said in a deep voice, "I do have some clues about the antidote. There was once a Third Elder of my sect, who was also a Level 9 Soul Master. He went missing within the territory of the Heavenly Soul Empire. When I sent him on a mission, he carried the Soul Extinction Powder and its antidote that I gave him. It seems that among the people being rescued this time, there are people related to his disappearance or death, which is why the antidote for the Soul Extinction Powder was leaked. This matter was also beyond my expectations."

"Most of the powerful figures from the original three kingdoms of Douluo Continent are under our surveillance. The fact that they were able to sneak into our country, carry out such a rescue operation, and take everyone away is not something that one or two people could accomplish. There must be enormous financial, human, and material support behind them. It is likely a joint operation by the original three kingdoms of Douluo, and even Shrek Academy and Body Sect may have been involved. After receiving the news, we dispatched two Beast King-level Soul Master Corps to pursue them. According to the clues, they should have gone to the seaside. After the specific information is sent back, I will have Xiao Feng lead the elite of our sect to cooperate with your Soul Master Corps in the pursuit. We must catch up with them before they escape the country."

Xu Tianran nodded and said, "It's better late than never. Hopefully, we can stop them."

"Report! Your Majesty, there is an urgent message from the border." A guard knelt down outside the palace and respectfully reported.

"Send it over." Xu Tianran was in a bad mood. It was exactly what he feared. Something had happened at the border again.

Soon, a secret letter was handed to him.

A moment later, Xu Tianran slammed his hand on the table beside him, his face ashen. "News has come from the border that all the experts from Shrek Academy and Body Sect have gone missing. Also missing are more than thirty Soul Douluo-level experts from the Star Luo Empire, Heavenly Soul Empire, and Douling Empire that we have been monitoring. No need to ask, these people must have gone to meet those hostages."

Upon hearing this, the Holy Spirit Cult Leader fell silent. The plan was too comprehensive, leaving them no chance whatsoever.

Xu Tianran angrily said, "Before any news of powerful figures going missing came, the hostages were rescued. Who were these people who rescued the hostages? Insignificant little figures in the Soul Master world? Grand Preceptor, it seems your Holy Spirit Sect really needs to reorganize itself."

Although he had left room for maneuver in his tone, in his rage, even the Holy Spirit leader, whom he had always respected, was questioned.

Zhongli Wu was also furious. He stood up and said in a deep voice, "I will give His Majesty an explanation."

After speaking, he turned to the Second Elder and the three Zhongli brothers.

"Right big toe." Zhong Liwu's voice was calm yet chilling.

Blood splattered as the four members of the Holy Spirit Cult tore off their right big toes and threw them on the ground, instantly staining the ground red. These were a Title Douluo and three Soul Douluo level evil soul masters! Just one sentence from Zhongli Wu was enough to force them to mutilate their own bodies.

Zhongli Wu walked slowly forward to the two Soul Masters kneeling on the ground. "Your defenses were inadequate, allowing the enemy to arbitrarily mobilize your resources. You concentrated so many resources, yet let the enemy into the city. You two bear the responsibility."

Upon hearing his chilling voice, the two Soul Masters looked up in fear, instinctively glancing at Xu Tianran. One of them even cried out, "Your Majesty..."

Before Xu Tianran could speak, Zhongli Wu had already moved. Two jet-black bone claws appeared from nowhere and grabbed the heads of the two level-eight soul masters. A powerful aura burst forth from Zhongli Wu, suppressing them and rendering them unable to resist.

Although these two Soul Masters were at the level of Eight-Ring Soul Douluo, all their Soul Tools had been confiscated before they came to see Xu Tianran. As Soul Masters, without Soul Tools, they were far inferior to Soul Masters of the same level, let alone facing a powerful evil Soul Master like Zhongli Wu.

The two didn't even utter a sound before collapsing to the ground, their two panicked souls forcibly pulled from their bodies and compressed into two faintly white orbs of light that disappeared within the black energy emanating from Zhongli Wu's hands.

Zhongli Wu then turned to Xu Tianran and said, "Your Majesty, things have come to this point, and we can only think of a solution as soon as possible. Once our pursuers return, I will send you the message immediately. You should also make plans as soon as possible. War is probably inevitable. Farewell."

After saying this, he turned and left. The Second Elder and the three Zhongli brothers also endured the excruciating pain and followed Zhongli Wu away.

Xu Tianran's face was ashen, and his breathing was noticeably heavier than usual. He stared at the two corpses on the ground in front of him, his fists clenched tightly.

"This is outrageous, Your Majesty! He's far too outrageous!" Mad Bull Douluo Wang Yiheng couldn't help but shout angrily. Although the two level-eight soul masters were not his subordinates, they were still from the same system. The fact that they were killed by the Holy Spirit Cult Master right in front of Xu Tianran made him feel a sense of shared sorrow and sympathy.

Xu Tianran snorted coldly and said, "Commander Wang, go and rest."

"His Majesty……"

"Get down!" Xu Tianran roared, his eyes wide with rage, and a strong killing intent immediately filled the entire hall.

"Yes." Wang Yiheng suppressed his anger and fear, respectfully agreed, and turned to leave.

After Wang Yiheng left, eunuchs immediately entered and carried the two corpses out.

Xu Tianran said calmly, "Consider it as if they died in the line of duty. They should be given a proper burial and their families should receive generous compensation."

"Oh!"

Looking at the bloodstains in the main hall, Xu Tianran suddenly sneered, "The Imperial Advisor is showing off to me! Very well, one day... humph!"

Orange said softly, "Your Majesty, anger will harm your health."

Hearing what Ju Zi said, Xu Tianran's extremely ugly expression softened slightly, and he said softly, "Only you never say a word."

Ju Zi, of course, wouldn't say anything more, because she understood how intelligent Xu Tianran was. He knew everything and didn't need to say anything; he understood everything.

"Ju Zi, go to the military headquarters and convey my decree: summon all generals of the rank of legion commander and above in Mingdu for a meeting. It seems that war is truly about to begin."

(End of this chapter)