Despite Xiao Bai's long protests, she was ultimately forced into labor.
The tunnel-digging work proceeded smoothly.
Not many participated in this work—only Xiao Bai and the others.
"I really have to hand it to Young Master Ye."
Xiao Bai, transformed into a great white shark, complained about Ye Tian while working.
"I'm not a pangolin. How can you have me dig earth?"
"It's only two days. Just persevere."
Bo Saixi, behind her, guided underground water to flow elsewhere while consoling her:
"Hasn't Ye Tian already promised to build you a giant statue on the East Sea coastline for future generations to admire your great contribution?"
Thinking of this, Xiao Bai's mood improved considerably.
She snorted lightly. "Naturally. I can't work for nothing."
As a spirit beast, Xiao Bai had a very long lifespan ahead.
Using a statue to attract some faith power wouldn't hurt.
...
Two days passed in a flash.
Ye Tian in the main tent also received news that the tunnel was completed.
Hearing his subordinate's report, Ye Tian breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at Zhou Long.
"Uncle Zhou, command of this battle is entrusted to you."
This matter was of great importance and couldn't be taken lightly.
The Heavenly Strategy Army would be personally led by Zhou Long through the tunnel for a surprise attack.
"Don't worry, Uncle Zhou. I'll provide cover for you." Gu Yue Na cracked her knuckles, already impatient.
Before long.
Xiao Bai and the others, covered in dirt and grime, came to the main tent together.
"Ye Tian, do we look good?" Xiao Bai crossed her arms, eyebrows slanted, asking irritably.
Curious why Xiao Bai would suddenly ask this, Ye Tian turned to look.
He nearly laughed out loud.
Bo Saixi and Sea Witch were manageable, but Xiao Bai was currently wrapped entirely in mud, looking exactly like a pretty loach.
But he couldn't laugh.
That would be disrespectful to Xiao Bai.
"'Beautiful' can no longer... be used to describe our Xiao Bai." Ye Tian said with a thoughtful expression.
"Splat."
A handful of mud smeared Ye Tian's face. Xiao Bai revealed her only clean feature—her white teeth—and made a heart gesture at Ye Tian. "Then let's both become beautiful together."
Ye Tian: "..."
Fortunately, this was just a small interlude before the war.
After simply cleaning the mud from their bodies, Ye Tian continued commanding from the main tent.
According to the original plan, the Thorn Legion would don Heavenly Strategy Army uniforms, take the banners, and exit camp to attack.
Xiao Bai and the others would help Gu Yue Na with a feint attack from another direction.
To deceive Star Luo City's divine artifact protection.
"Whether we can end the war depends on today."
Ye Tian stood up, gazing into the distance.
Star Luo City.
These past two days, Dai Mubai had barely slept.
He constantly worried the Heavenly Strategy Army would suddenly attack.
"Crown Prince, the Heavenly Strategy Army has launched an attack from the south of the city."
At this moment, a messenger came to report.
"Alright, I understand."
After hearing the messenger's report, Dai Mubai let out a long breath.
When war truly arrived, he wasn't as worried anymore.
Walking to the mirror in his bedroom.
Adjusting his heavy armor uniform, Dai Mubai's hand slowly rose to don his helmet.
Since he had already prepared to die.
There was nothing to fear.
...
Star Luo Imperial Palace.
Boom!
Hearing the explosion sounds outside, the Star Luo Emperor, half-reclining on the throne with dark circles under his eyes, raised his cup and gulped down several mouthfuls of strong liquor.
The Star Luo Emperor loved alcohol.
Years ago, when he was still a prince, he would often drink with friends until late at night in unknown small taverns in the capital, not stopping until drunk.
However.
After becoming emperor, he had never gotten drunk again.
Heavy state affairs had to be completed every day.
Disaster relief from various regions, major cases—as emperor, he had to review everything personally.
He had no time to rest.
Nor did he dare rest.
Outside was Spirit Hall, that behemoth, constantly watching.
As emperor, it was as if a sharp sword constantly hung over his head.
Not knowing when it would fall.
To prevent being pierced by the sword.
The Star Luo Emperor had worked hard for nearly twenty years.
Yet now it seemed.
Everything was in vain.
What would come would come.
Boom!
The sounds outside came again.
A clear female voice resounded throughout the entire capital.
"Anyone not afraid of death, come out!"
"I'm called Gu Yue Na, and I really want to test your Star Luo Empire's divine artifact."
Hearing this.
The Star Luo Emperor hiccupped.
He smiled at the so-called 'divine artifact' on the table—the White Tiger Seal.
It was indeed a divine artifact.
A thousand years ago, the second-rank deity War God had bestowed it upon the Nether White Tiger family's ancestor.
War God had infused the White Tiger Seal with three streams of divine power.
This meant the White Tiger Seal could be used three times.
However, what no one knew was that over the millennium, in struggles with the Heaven Dou Empire, the White Tiger Seal's divine power had long been completely depleted.
So at this moment, the White Tiger Seal couldn't be activated at all.
It could only serve as an ordinary seal.
But none of that mattered anymore.
The Star Luo Emperor believed himself powerless to turn the tide.
Even if Star Luo City wasn't destroyed today, it would be breached in a few days.
At the same time.
The Star Luo Emperor was happy.
Because he had arranged everything.
The empire might fall.
But the Nether White Tiger family would continue to exist in some corner of the world.
When fortune turned someday, perhaps the Nether White Tiger family could ascend to this supreme position again.
Everything was possible!
"Don't hide anymore. Come out."
The Star Luo Emperor drained the wine in his cup, his eyes sharp and penetrating.
This wine was truly refreshing!
He hadn't experienced the taste of drinking in such large gulps for a long time.
"Though I've neglected cultivation, I'm still a level 94 Titled Douluo, not much inferior to you."
"Sigh, looks like I'm really getting old—to actually be discovered by Your Majesty."
Zhou Long, carrying his Heavenly Tungsten Sword, slowly walked into the great hall.
He looked around the hall, marveling:
"So as those storytellers say, the golden hall's pillars really are carved with five-clawed golden dragons."
"However, Your Majesty just got one thing wrong—I only have level 93 cultivation, not as high as Your Majesty."
Hearing this, the Star Luo Emperor laughed. "If that's the case, why would Ye Tian send you?"
"Because I can take Your Majesty's head." Zhou Long said calmly.
"Gulp, gulp." After drinking two more mouthfuls, the Star Luo Emperor's face flushed red. His former majesty disappeared as he smiled and waved at Zhou Long. "Fine, fine. After I finish my wine, everything's negotiable."
Zhou Long wasn't in a hurry either, sitting cross-legged on the great hall floor.
Plunging the Heavenly Tungsten Sword into the floor, he looked at the Star Luo Emperor with interest:
"I'll give you this chance."
...
Dai Mubai was about to head to the battlefield.
But he was blocked by Mo Ziqi, dressed in black robes.
Mo Ziqi said coldly, "Come with me."
Without explaining any reason.
Dai Mubai recognized Mo Ziqi, knowing she was the Black Eagle Legion's deputy commander.
She had once served as Father's shadow guard—an excellent Titled Douluo.
Though Mo Ziqi said nothing.
Dai Mubai had already guessed roughly and smiled bitterly. "It seems my father deceived me."
He looked seriously at Mo Ziqi. "What if I refuse to flee with you?"
Bang!
"Ugh... that was... harsh."
Dai Mubai's vision darkened, and he lost consciousness.
(End of Chapter)