Heaven Dou City.
Golden Throne Hall.
"Honored Douluo, Dai Zhen has sent a plea for aid." Emperor Xue Ye covered his mouth and coughed twice, speaking with gravity:
"I did not expect the Spirit Empire to be this powerful."
"In just four months, they have breached Wangtian City."
Ning Fengzhi lowered his head, reading the battle report carefully, his brows tightly furrowed.
"At the start of the war…"
"The Spirit Empire's Spirit Master army had not yet adapted to warfare on the scale of tens of thousands."
"They clashed evenly with Star Luo's hundreds of thousands of troops, but the moment Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo entered the battlefield, everything reversed instantly."
"Now, after being tempered by constant war, though they have lost thousands of Spirit Masters, their fighting strength has increased rather than diminished."
"Titled Douluo…"
Emperor Xue Ye's brows tightened further. He sighed deeply:
"One man can crush an army of a hundred thousand."
"And what Star Luo lacks… is precisely such pillars of the heavens."
"And so…"
"Dai Zhen wishes to request three Titled Douluo from us."
"Honored Douluo, what are your thoughts?"
Yu Yuanzhen lightly tapped the table with his knuckles, making a thump-thump sound.
"Of course we must help."
"There's no need to say much about the principle that the one whose lips are cut off will feel the cold in his teeth."
"If Star Luo falls, the Spirit Empire's momentum will soar, and Spirit Masters across the continent will flock to them."
"Once they fully recover…"
"Heaven Dou becomes Bibi Dong's final target."
Ning Fengzhi and Feng Bailong both nodded in agreement.
"A three-way balance is the only path to peace."
Seeing all three sect masters agree to send aid—
Emperor Xue Ye subtly let out a breath of relief.
Just as Yu Yuanzhen said, he had already intended to support Star Luo.
But the status of a Titled Douluo was beyond exalted.
Even as emperor of Heaven Dou—
He could not command them as he pleased.
"In that case…"
"Which Honored Douluo is willing to depart for Star Luo?"
Dugu Bo was just about to speak—
When a guard suddenly rushed into the hall, dropped to one knee, and said:
"Your Majesty!"
"Urgent news from the city gates!"
"Sword Wine Douluo has entered the city riding a black tiger!"
Chen Xin, Gu Rong, Feng Bailong, Yu Yuanzhen, and Dugu Bo all stood up at once.
"Zhexian? / Young friend Zhexian has returned?!"
Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi both broke into smiles.
"Prepare my carriage!"
"I will personally welcome Sword Wine Douluo!"
...
Li Zhexian, riding the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, saw Heaven Dou City in the distance.
The city guards only saw a black cloud slowly pressing towards the city, filled with shock and uncertainty.
Within just a few breaths,
The winged, mist-shrouded savage tiger emerged clearly.
Just one sweep of its blood-red eyes made the guards feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave—their blood froze in their veins.
"No need to panic. It's me."
A clear voice rolled across the streets.
Only then did the guards notice the white-robed youth on the tiger's back.
"It's Lord Sword Wine!"
"They say he went to cultivate in the Star Dou Forest—he must be even stronger now!"
"One of you, hurry to the palace and report to His Majesty! The rest follow me to inform the citizens that the black tiger is Lord Sword Wine's mount—there is no need to fear!"
...
When Li Zhexian entered the city,
Both sides of the long street were already packed with people.
Thunderous cheers filled the sky.
He lowered his gaze—
And saw many familiar faces:
The waiter from Fragrant Pavilion shouting that he'd had a child;
The woman who inherited her grandfather's craft, calling out that she wanted to treat him to sugar figurines;
Children holding wooden toy swords, staring up at him with admiration…
Spirit Masters were already writing quickly, recording the moment.
Storytellers stood on tables and bowed to him from afar.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Yu Tianheng all ran straight toward Fragrant Pavilion—clearly preparing for another night of heavy drinking.
Li Zhexian's eyes swept across the passionate, sincere faces.
A warm current suddenly flowed through his chest.
This—
This was the Heaven Dou he protected.
"Brother Zhexian,are you really this popular among humans?!"
Skydream Ice Worm voice was full of shock.
"Looking at how crazy they are—
they'll probably build you a shrine for eternal worship!"
Li Zhexian merely smiled and continued riding toward the palace.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu left midway—
Going off to find Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
Before Emperor Xue Ye and the Titled Douluo could even exit the palace—
They saw a massive, winged black tiger, black mist rolling beneath its feet, flying straight toward them.
Atop its back sat a white-robed youth whose fluttering sleeves and effortless bearing exuded the aura of a top-tier master.
Chen Xin and Dugu Bo both tensed.
"This Spirit Beast… could it be…"
Ning Fengzhi spoke in astonishment:
"The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger."
"A ferocious creature said to be tainted by the power of the Evil God."
"Judging from its aura, at least sixty thousand years. Its combat strength should rival a Titled Douluo."
Emperor Xue Ye's eyes widened.
"In that case…"
"Sword Wine Douluo has subdued a Titled-level spirit beast?!"
Feng Bailong stroked his beard, pleased:
"With the combat strength Zhexian possesses now… I fear even I am no longer his match."
As they spoke—
Li Zhexian leapt down.
His figure drifted lightly, touching the ground like a passing breeze. He cupped his hands with a gentle smile:
"Zhexian greets the honored seniors."
Chen Xin and Dugu Bo carefully examined him.
He had been gone for merely one winter—
Yet the boy's aura was like a deep well covered in mist, unfathomable.
Chen Xin and Feng Wailong's expressions shifted slightly, their gazes landing on the
"Just one winter apart, and your cultivation has risen again. Truly astonishing."
Li Zhexian, of course, responded with modesty.
"Sword Wine Douluo, I have prepared a small banquet to welcome your return. Won't you join us?" Emperor Xue Ye said warmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
...
During the banquet,
Li Zhexian learned of Star Luo's request for aid.
His expression faltered for a moment.
Not because he worried about Star Luo's defeat—
But because the scene before him perfectly matched the future he saw when he clashed time itself with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
"Zhexian, what's wrong?"
Ning Fengzhi noticed the odd look on his face and asked with concern.
"It's nothing."
Li Zhexian shook his head, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"I am willing to go to Star Luo."
The hall fell silent at once.
Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and the others showed worry.
Though they knew Li Zhexian's combat power now ranked at the peak of Heaven Dou,
they still regarded him as a junior—none wished to see him take risks.
Li Zhexian placed his right hand on the hilt of the Qinglian Sword.
After a winter of nurturing, his sword had already fused two sword intents.
He wondered whether the Spirit Empire's Titled Douluo could withstand the sharp edge born from such long solitude.
"The Titled Douluo the Spirit Empire is sending… should still be Yue Guan and Gui Mei."
"If I go, I will slay at least one of them."
His voice was calm.
Yet his words carried a soaring, sky-shattering sharpness—
Even the veteran Titled Douluo felt a jolt of shock.
Before Chen Xin or Feng Bailong could speak—
Dugu Bo stepped forward, his green-red pupils narrowing.
"The old man will go with Zhexian on this trip."
"Titled Douluo..."
"The old man hasn't killed one yet."
...
After the palace banquet ended,
Li Zhexian gathered again with his friends—Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, and the others.
After several rounds of wine,
Everyone was slightly drunk.
Under the night sky, they went wandering through Heaven Dou City.
The others walked ahead, guessing lantern riddles.
Lagging behind—
Yu Tianheng hooked an arm around Li Zhexian's neck.
Though the smell of alcohol clung to him, his gaze was unusually clear.
"Zhexian, you've been… off ever since you came back from Star Dou."
"Why do I feel like your heart is unsettled? Everyone thinks you're worried about the war—"
"But I don't think that's it…"
...
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