The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

Unexpectedly, eerie dark red ripples enveloped the entire cliff, and everyone's consciousness blurred at the same time.

The last thing they saw was a golden-eyed boy carrying oranges, walking through the air. With each step, a thin, dark red crystal, as smooth as a mirror, would solidify beneath his feet.

An endless rage was brewing within his indifferent golden eyes.

Chapter 26 Leave No One Alive

The golden-eyed youth was none other than Xu Zihuang, who had just arrived. Using his right foot to gain leverage on the dark red crystal that had once again solidified in the void, he landed steadily on the edge of the cliff with Ju Zi, indifferently watching the group enveloped in the dark red crystal.

"Bang bang bang..." A series of crisp shattering sounds rang out one after another, and the dark red crystal that enveloped everyone suddenly turned into dust and scattered in the wind.

Only Leng Jun and the squad leader were able to escape at the last moment thanks to the protection of their martial souls and soul skills.

A giant, earthen-yellow bear phantom appeared out of thin air behind the squad leader of the Western Army Group of the Star Luo Empire, faintly emitting a low roar. His already imposing body swelled even more, his muscles bulging like granite, and his arms and chest and abdomen, exposed by his loosened clothing, were covered with a thick layer of yellow fur.

This is one of the common bear-type martial souls on the continent, the Earth Bear. It possesses immense strength and astonishing defensive capabilities. Even among spirit beasts, the Earth Bear is enough to rank in the upper-middle tier of the spirit beast pyramid.

Two yellow and three purple spirit rings, five spirit rings in total, are not the optimal ratio, but compared to his subordinates, including the already deceased Bei Lao Liu, he is far more powerful.

Despite this, he still managed to unleash his first two amplification-type soul skills in succession before Xu Zihuang could unleash the second stage of his second soul skill, Mirror of Destruction.

This was a combat instinct honed from long-term exposure to perilous battlefields. He had a strong premonition that if he were to directly withstand the second stage of Xu Zihuang's Mirror of Annihilation, it would definitely cause some kind of irreversible damage to his body.

This is why, despite the huge gap between his soul power and Xu Zihuang's, he didn't hesitate to expend his soul power to use two soul skills.

Leng Jun's martial soul quality was clearly far superior to that of the squad leader's Earth Bear. Despite being only at the Soul Master level, he broke through the dark red crystal seal even a fraction of the time.

Two yellow and two purple spirit rings—the first and third spirit rings of the four best-matched spirit rings—shone simultaneously, and dense golden wind blades immediately spread outwards from his body.

In his Martial Soul Possession state, a pair of black eagle wings covered with hard feathers sprouted from his back, and his eyes became as sharp as eagle eyes. However, his hands transformed into a pair of lion paws.

"Griffin?"

Seeing the changes in Leng Jun's body, Xu Zihuang raised an eyebrow, his coldness undiminished.

The griffin martial soul is rarely passed down on the continent, but its power is undeniable. Lion-type and eagle-type martial souls are both extremely powerful among beast martial souls. How much more so the griffin, which combines the characteristics of both?

Given that Leng Jun appears to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, his ability to cultivate to level forty or higher, coupled with the uniqueness of his martial soul, would give him a strong chance of entering the inner academy even within Shrek Academy. He could easily be considered a genius even within the Star Luo Empire.

However, no geniuses have grown up on the mainland, and many have fallen by the wayside.

"Kill them, leave no survivors." Xu Zihuang's voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in the silent cliffside.

Leng Jun suddenly realized something, shifting his gaze from Xu Zihuang and struggling to look up. At this moment, he could no longer care about Xu Zihuang's powerful and strange soul skill from before.

Seeing the group of figures hovering in the air using flight-type soul tools, his heart sank to the bottom. His whole body went cold.

The squad leader of the Western Army Group of the Star Luo Empire beside him looked no better. His lips were dry and trembling slightly. Noticing the number of jet nozzles on the flying soul tools behind them, his eyes were filled with despair.

The level of a flying soul tool can be easily identified by the number of jet nozzles, with level six flying soul tools making up the vast majority. Moreover, flying soul tools cannot be used beyond their level, meaning that the vast majority of people present were at least Soul Emperors in cultivation.

Clenching his fists and trying to calm himself, the squad leader knew they were unlikely to escape this time. After a moment's hesitation, he abruptly shoved Leng Jun aside. As his fifth spirit ring lit up, he roared, "Escape into the Mingdou Great Forest! If we manage to survive, please take care of my family!"

"I will." Leng Jun nodded firmly, his movements swift.

He took a few steps to the edge of the cliff, then leaped, spreading his enormous wings. He became a blur, hurtling towards the faintly visible outline of the Mingdou Great Forest. Driven by his survival instinct, he pushed his speed to its absolute limit.

Seeing Leng Jun leave, the squad leader strode towards Xu Zihuang, who was holding an orange. Although he had decided to help Leng Jun escape, that was only a worst-case scenario plan. It didn't mean he had given up hope of surviving.

No one is unafraid of death. Especially someone like him who climbed his way up from the bottom. Having gained such strength and status, he was unwilling to give it up so easily.

It's easy to tell from Xu Zihuang's previous instructions that Xu Zihuang holds the highest position among them. Only by controlling Xu Zihuang can he have a chance of survival.

The intense, earthy-yellow light seemed to distort the surrounding air, causing the rocks and trees on the cliff to tremble slightly, spreading outwards from his body. This was his fifth soul skill, Gravity Amplification, which he had just activated.

But before the yellowish-brown halo could envelop Xu Zihuang, a deafening roar, accompanied by a shrill scream, instantly resounded through the sky.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the squad leader of the Western Army Group of the Star Luo Empire was no longer recognizable as a human being. He was deeply embedded in the rock, and the ground within a five-meter radius cracked inch by inch. His two thick arms had been torn off alive, and Meng Cang, with a gloomy expression, had crushed his ears into a pile of minced flesh with his feet.

"What audacity!"

The crowd fell behind Xu Zihuang, their eyes filled with anger and a touch of sorrow.

If His Highness were alive, how could he allow these bastards from the Star Luo Empire to run rampant in his country? Back then, the Purple Emperor King suppressed the current White Tiger Duke of the Star Luo Empire for decades, preventing him from daring to set foot in the Sun Moon Empire.

Even the kind-hearted Elder Cheng found it difficult to sympathize with the Star Luo Empire people who had invaded his country. But it was different with Ju Zi, who was also a member of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Little Lord."

"Hmm." Xu Zihuang responded softly, knowingly handing the unconscious Orange to Elder Cheng.

As he quietly observed Ju Zi's delicate and gentle face, his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He was almost certain that the person before him was Ju Zi, the future Empress and Goddess of War of the Sun Moon Empire. However, the plot seemed to have taken a turn because of him. Normally, Ju Zi wouldn't have experienced the previous dangers.

This made him feel a little worried.

Chapter 27 Moon Pivot Island

While Cheng Lao was treating Ju Zi, Wang Xiao also returned carrying Leng Jun's body in one hand.

There is no such thing as a desperate escape, nor is there such a thing as fortune changing every thirty years.

A genius who hasn't even reached their full potential can be easily crushed. There aren't that many unexpected events.

Xu Zihuang waved his hand listlessly, "Old Wang, have someone dispose of the body and clean up the place so it doesn't get dirty."

"Yes, young master." Everyone noticed the solitary grave not far away, and felt a pang of sorrow. These mother and daughter were pitiful victims caught in the crossfire of the war. As fellow citizens of the Sun Moon Empire, it was inevitable to feel a sense of shared grief.

Unfortunately, given their current position, it's not appropriate for them to intervene in this war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

"They'd rather send the Evil Lord Soul Master Corps to intercept and kill the young master than send reinforcements to the front lines. They're truly unworthy of being a ruler!" Old Yu coldly mocked.

Xu Zihuang smiled wryly and remained silent.

In his elder brother's eyes, the throne was probably more important than anything else. Eliminating him as a threat wasn't incomprehensible. However, he wondered if his brother was being overly wary of him. All he had displayed back then was innate full soul power and the pure Purple Radiance Annihilation Dragon Martial Soul.

Even with the remnants of the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Corps added, it would be difficult to cause any significant disturbance.

Or is it related to the purple dragon corpse seen when fusing with the external soul bone, the Radiant Dragon Claw?

Thinking of this, Xu Zihuang subconsciously looked at his left hand.

Not long after, a flash of yellow lightning appeared, and two figures suddenly appeared in front of Xu Zihuang, kneeling on one knee and saying, "Young Master, a Soul Master team is approaching here. It seems to be the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Corps."

Xu Zihuang and the others looked into the distance in unison, where they could vaguely see streaks of brilliant flames emitted by the flying soul tools.

Although there is still some distance to go, the target is approaching rapidly in a straight line.

It must have been attracted by the commotion I made earlier.

Xu Zihuang understood immediately. Golden patterns swirled around his pupils until he clearly saw the familiar fire phoenix pattern on the armor of the group of people. Only then did he look at the group and give the order: "Enter the Mingdou Great Forest from the mountains."

"Yes, Young Master." Everyone understood Xu Zihuang's meaning. Using a flying soul tool now would be too conspicuous. In any case, they were not far from the Mingdou Great Forest.

Orange's injuries were only superficial; her coma was caused by mental exhaustion and excessive grief. Meanwhile, Elder Cheng had already healed her wounds.

Upon hearing Xu Zihuang's order, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "Young Master, what should we do with this little girl?"

"Leave her here and let the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Corps take care of her." Xu Zihuang had already planned for Ju Zi's arrangement. Compared to his ruthless elder brother, he wasn't necessarily much more noble.

What he wanted to exploit was Ju Zi's hatred for the Star Luo Empire. Only by launching another war against the three original empires of the Douluo Continent, as depicted in the original story, could he have a better chance of seizing the throne. Taking Ju Zi away now would be completely pointless.

What he needs is a powerful war goddess capable of commanding the Sun Moon Empire's Soul Master army, not just a pretty face. Leaving the orange here is in the best interest of the moment.

Almost immediately after Xu Zihuang and his group left, soldiers from the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Corps, dressed in magnificent fiery red armor and exuding heroic spirit, landed on the cliff.

Along with the Imperial Dragon Soul Master Corps, which are both guardians of the nation, the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Corps consists entirely of female soul masters, from the division commander down to all the soldiers.

The leader was a stunning woman who looked to be in her late twenties. Her fiery red hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and even the armor she wore could not conceal her ample bosom.

The woman looked around and noticed a pit a meter deep not far away, her delicate brows furrowing.

"Big sister, there's a little girl still alive." A clear voice reached her ears, and the woman quickly stepped forward to check the situation.

Under the influence of her soul power, Ju Zi groggily opened her eyes, displaying a slightly languid and innocent demeanor. Once she had fully recovered, her eyes were filled with sorrow and resentment as she stared blankly at the solitary grave on the cliff edge.

How she wished it were all just a dream. But reality was cruel. Everything was gone forever. Neither her doting parents nor the small town where she had grown up existed...

Such a gaze made the woman feel incredibly oppressed, and her eyes softened with pity as she looked at the orange. If it weren't for the war, perhaps what she had shown earlier was the girl's true nature.

"Little girl, what happened here before? Did the Star Luo Empire's army invade this place?"

At this point, her expression froze, and a hint of self-mockery flashed in her eyes.

Not far away are the ruins of a small town. Isn't what she's saying completely pointless?

Upon hearing the woman's question, a hint of color appeared in Ju Zi's clear eyes, and she recalled a pair of noble and imposing golden eyes.

This was the last thing she saw before she fell into a coma.

She looked at her bare, smooth calves again, and there wasn't a single scar on them, which made her even more certain that what had happened before was not an illusion.

Weren't you the ones who saved me before?

The intelligent girl sensed there was something going on, shook her head blankly and said, "I don't know why I fainted. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was you."

The woman, unsuspecting, didn't question Ju Zi further, noticing her unwell state. She sent one group to continue patrolling, while the other sought Ju Zi's opinion before leading her away.

Throughout the entire process, Orange remained calm, but her gaze became unusually firm.

Only the thought of revenge echoed in his mind.

……

The war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire continues.

Another half month passed, and Xu Zihuang and his group, who set off from the South China Sea coast of the Star Luo Empire, finally arrived safely at their destination, Moon Pivot Island.

Luna Island is located at the northernmost tip of the Luna Islands, but it is the largest and most prosperous island. It boasts several major ports.

Xu Zihuang and his companions boarded a merchant ship of the Star Luo Empire and landed at the northernmost port of Moon Pivot Island.

The harbor was filled with ships of all sizes. There were merchant ships coming and going for trade, fishing boats going out to sea for fishing, and various small private boats for purchasing.

The docks were bustling with activity, filled with shouts and calls. Shops displayed fresh seafood and various fruits. The lively atmosphere even surpassed that of some of the major cities in the Sun Moon Empire.

Xu Zihuang walked along the dock with interest, looking around. Behind him, besides Meng Lang, were four guards from the Imperial Dragon Soul Instructor Corps, all at least Soul Emperor level. The others had been dismissed by Wang Xiao, some to rest, others to purchase rare metals.

On Moon Pivot Island, safety was relatively guaranteed. After agreeing on a meeting place with Wang Xiao for the evening, Xu Zihuang decided to enjoy this rare moment of leisure.

Chapter 28 List Carving Knife