Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 465 Bad News Arrives

Three more days have passed since the Star Luo Empire began its probing of the Mingdou Mountains.

After having breakfast, Ji Lin and Xu Jiujiu went to the command tent of the Northwest Army Group. As soon as they entered, they saw Duke Baihu and Dai Yueheng studying a map. Upon seeing the two of them enter, Dai Yueheng nodded to Ji Lin and gave him a friendly smile.

Ji Lin had met Dai Yueheng on the very first day he arrived with Xu Jiujiu. The two had been teammates in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Battle Tournament and had a fairly good relationship. This was the first time Ji Lin had seen Dai Yueheng since the tournament two years prior.

It must be said that the battlefield and the army are indeed places that can temper a person. Compared with a few years ago, Dai Yueheng has changed a lot in terms of cultivation, spirit, and even personality. He is more mature and steady, and is becoming more and more like Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger. This is something that could not be forged when he was at Shrek Academy.

The two sides met frequently during this period, but were not overly polite to each other.

In the past few days, the Star Luo Empire has also made several attempts to probe the Mingdou Mountains, trying very hard to destroy the Sun Moon Empire's high-altitude detection soul tools. Even Ji Lin intervened several times after being asked for a long time, helping the Star Luo Empire shoot down dozens of high-altitude detection soul tools.

Therefore, the Sun Moon Empire regrouped all its detection soul tools towards the mountains, especially the ultra-high altitude detection soul tools, which were all retrieved. This was because Ji Lin, in a very unethical manner, had Chi Yuan secretly bring back a few more. Even the wealthy Sun Moon Empire couldn't withstand Ji Lin's exploitation. An ultra-high altitude detection soul tool was quite expensive; although it was an eighth-level soul tool, its cost was close to that of a ninth-level soul tool. The Sun Moon Empire couldn't afford such a loss.

Therefore, the Sun Moon Empire not only retrieved all the ultra-high-altitude detection soul tools, but also gathered the other high-altitude detection soul tools into their defense range. Ji Lin and the other titled Douluo dared not get too close to the Sun Moon Empire's position, after all, that white beam of light was too terrifying. Once locked on, even a titled Douluo would have to kneel.

Time passed in this way as both sides made small-scale attempts to probe each other.

"Report—"

Just then, a hurried sound came from outside the command tent.

"Come in."

During this period, because the Sun Moon Empire significantly reduced its surveillance of the Star Luo Empire, Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger was in a relatively good mood, at least the probing over the past few days had not been in vain.

"Marshal, intelligence from the Heavenly Soul Empire." A soldier ran in from outside, knelt on one knee before Duke White Tiger, and presented a letter.

Intelligence about the Heavenly Soul Empire? Has it finally arrived? Both Xu Jiujiu and Duke Baihu were invigorated. Ji Lin and Dai Yueheng also looked over curiously, as they were also very curious about the current situation of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

The situation of the Heavenly Soul Empire is extremely important to the Star Luo Empire, as it can affect the entire war situation!

Dai Hao hurriedly took the letter and opened it. After only a few glances, his face instantly turned pale, and his hand holding the letter trembled unconsciously.

Xu Jiujiu also immediately stood up. Judging from Dai Hao's expression, she could guess that the situation of the Heavenly Soul Empire was probably very bad.

"You can go now." Dai Hao barely managed to suppress his emotions and waved to the soldier.

The soldiers withdrew, leaving only Ji Lin and his three companions in the command tent.

Ji Lin and the others did not ask questions immediately. At this moment, perhaps Duke Baihu needed to calm down. They just needed to wait for Duke Baihu to tell them.

"Your Highness, this time, it seems that our Douluo Continent is truly about to face a catastrophe." Duke White Tiger sighed and handed the letter in his hand to Xu Jiujiu.

After listening to him for a long time, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart. She took the letter and read it aloud to make it easier for Ji Lin and Dai Yueheng: "The capital of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Heaven Dou City, has fallen. The army of the Sun Moon Empire has captured more than one-third of the Heavenly Soul Empire's territory and is still advancing at an astonishing speed. Everything west of Heaven Dou City has fallen into the hands of the Sun Moon Empire. Among them, on the Heavenly Soul Empire's side, the Sect Master of the Body Sect, Du Busi, was severely injured and his fate is unknown. The Body Sect's elite forces have lost nearly half of their strength. Four of the Heavenly Soul Empire's six Soul Master Legions have been wiped out, and the remaining two are protecting the Heavenly Soul Empire's royal family as they retreat eastward."

"The Sun Moon Empire has deployed a total of 300,000 troops, including seven Soul Master Corps. All four Beast King-level Soul Master Corps under the Guardian of the Nation, except for the Evil Monarch Soul Master Corps, have participated in this operation. The Holy Spirit Cult has sent a large number of Evil Soul Masters to assist. Among them, the Body Sect Master, Poison Undying, was severely injured by two Evil Soul Masters working together. One of them seems to be the Holy Spirit Cult Leader, Dark Holy Dragon. Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao did not make a move. At present, the defeat of the Heavenly Soul Empire is a foregone conclusion. Our two supporting Soul Master Corps and the Douling Empire's reinforcements are joining forces with the remnants of the Heavenly Soul Empire."

That's the end of the letter.

Upon hearing these words, Dai Yueheng's expression changed drastically, and Ji Lin's lips twitched. Although he had long known that the Heavenly Soul Empire would suffer a loss, he did not expect the Sun Moon Empire to be so fierce. From the start of the war until now, it has only been less than half a month, and the Heavenly Soul Empire has even lost its own imperial city. This was with the help of the Body Sect. Although the Sun Moon Empire also had the Holy Spirit Sect assisting it, the Dragon Emperor Douluo Long Xiaoyao did not make a move!

It's important to understand that Tian Dou City was already one of the most prominent cities on the continent ten thousand years ago, on par with Xing Luo City of the Xing Luo Empire. The fact that Tian Dou City fell in just over ten days, and the Tian Hun Empire suffered a complete rout, is truly unbelievable. At this rate, the Sun Moon Empire will likely conquer the entire Tian Hun Empire in another half a month to a month. At that point, they will not only threaten the flanks of the Xing Luo Empire and the front lines of the Dou Ling Empire, but also Shrek Academy, located in the center of the three kingdoms!

Now it seems that many people are about to get restless.

Inside the tent, Ji Lin and the other three fell silent. The situation was far more dire than they had imagined.

Ji Lin frowned. Given the speed at which the Sun Moon Empire swept through the Heavenly Soul Empire, it was likely that before his research on that thing could yield results, the Sun Moon Empire would have already conquered the original Douluo Three Kingdoms.

This won't do. He has to cause some trouble for the Sun Moon Empire. He can't let them have it so easy. He must delay their progress, at least until he reveals his trump card.

"Ji Lin, what should we do?" Duke White Tiger suddenly asked. Even he, usually so composed, was a little flustered. At this moment, he placed his hopes on Ji Lin, who had saved him twice and whom he considered unfathomable.

The Star Luo Empire's army, or rather, its entire elite force, was concentrated on the western front, but was held back here by the Sun Moon Empire's reliance on the Mingdou Mountains. Under these circumstances, Duke White Tiger had only a few options, but none of them could fully address the current situation.

Withdraw troops? If the Sun Moon Empire were to suppress the Mingdou Mountains, the Star Luo Empire would lose a large amount of territory, and its people would not have time to evacuate.

Continuing the stalemate would undoubtedly be the most unfavorable situation. As for an attack, they were helpless against the powerful weapons in the Mingdou Mountains. If they were to launch a full-scale attack, they would suffer heavy losses, and it was uncertain whether they could even break through after the losses. If the losses were too great, what would they have left to contend with the Sun Moon Empire in the future?

Rescue the Heavenly Soul Empire? Is it even possible to rescue it now? Besides, if a large army goes to rescue it, what will happen to the Star Luo Empire itself?

If the army continues to stand its ground and does not send reinforcements, what if the Sun Moon Empire sends an elite force from the south of the Heavenly Soul Empire into the Star Luo Empire and directly threatens Star Luo City?

These questions kept swirling in the White Tiger Duke's mind, but he couldn't think of any solution that could completely address them.

That's why he asked that question; the White Tiger Duke's mind is in turmoil.

There was no way around it; the gap was just too vast. The Sun Moon Empire only had one super soul tool, yet it managed to tie up the main force of the Star Luo Empire in the Ming Dou Mountains. Then, in less than half a month, it crushed the Heavenly Soul Empire and occupied the Heavenly Soul Empire's capital, Heaven Dou City. This was simply astonishing.

Anyone in the White Tiger Duke's position would be panicked. In fact, it's quite remarkable that the White Tiger Duke wasn't scared out of his wits and could still maintain his fighting spirit.

What to do? This was the question that Dai Hao and Xu Jiujiu had in common. Both of them were looking at Ji Lin. Xu Jiujiu was also a little panicked. Although Ji Lin's trump card was very strong, if it was successfully made, it would definitely be able to turn the tide. But the premise was that there was time. According to the current marching speed of the Sun Moon Empire, they probably wouldn't be able to wait until the time to reveal their trump card, because their trump card was not ready yet!

Currently, only the four people in the command tent know this news; the news has not yet spread, otherwise the entire Northwest Army Group would be thrown into panic.

But secrets can't stay hidden forever. Such a big thing will be exposed sooner or later, and then we'll have to find a way to stabilize the morale of the army.

Of the four, Ji Lin was the calmest. Although the progress of the Sun Moon Empire was beyond his expectations, according to his estimation, the Heavenly Soul Empire, with the help of the Body Sect, could hold out for at least two months. However, it was crushed in half a month. Even the Body Sect Master, Du Busi, was severely injured. He was a level 98 Super Douluo with a Body Martial Soul, who could fight against ordinary Limit Douluos. However, he was defeated without even seeing the Dragon Emperor Douluo. The Holy Spirit Sect's combat power was too strong.

No, this won't do! We must strengthen the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult.

"Marshal Dai, let's keep this a secret for now. We absolutely cannot let anyone else know, not even the leaders of the various Soul Master Corps."

Hearing Ji Lin's calm voice, Xu Jiujiu felt much more at ease. Dai Hao also recovered from his earlier panic. He took a deep breath, feeling very dissatisfied with his performance. His expression changed several times before he finally calmed down.

Ji Lin is right. The most urgent task now is to stabilize morale, block information, and maintain the fighting capacity of the entire army.

(End of this chapter)