"Death God Douluo—do you have anything to say?"
Xu Tianran's expression remained impassive as he fixed his gaze on Ye Xishui.
He knew something was amiss. Yet undeniable truth remained: the rebels were evil soul masters.
"What do you propose?" Ye Xishui had just received Zhongli Wu's soul-power transmission—confirming this rebellion wasn't his doing.
Still, an answer was required.
"Sun Moon's legions must quell this uprising. Blood must be spilled to honor our fallen soldiers—lest your sect be seen sheltering traitors and chilling loyal hearts." His words showed zero regard for the Holy Spirit Cult.
Xu Tianran's tone didn't waver. "And to prove your innocence, your sect must demonstrate sincerity. Very well—the Three Great Empires' forces are yours to handle."
His decree brooked no refusal.
Yet the surrounding evil soul masters' auras fluctuated wildly. They knew—among those forces lurked someone who could summon Di Tian.
And Di Tian's power?
Witness: last time, even Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao together were gravely wounded by him. Tonight, he'd slain Long Xiaoyao outright and pressured Kong Deming—a peer to Ye Xishui—into a defensive retreat.
Them? Face Di Tian?
More like volunteering for suicide!
"Will you accept?" Xu Tianran ignored the others, eyes locked solely on Ye Xishui. Her agreement would reveal hidden trump cards—requiring him to reassess the Holy Spirit Cult's true strength…
"I accept." Ye Xishui vanished instantly, leaving Zhongli Wu's group and Kong Deming standing amid ruins.
A flicker of calculation glinted in Xu Tianran's eyes.
So they have a way to counter Di Tian…
Tonight's battle had taught him: only three Limit Douluos could possibly subdue the Beast God.
Holy Spirit Cult—you have hidden depths indeed.
Let's see if Di Tian can force you to reveal those trump cards.
—
Eastern Outskirts of Mingdu
The rescued cultivators sat cross-legged, recovering. A fierce breakout battle likely awaited.
"They're here."
Chen Junting's eyes snapped open.
Spatial ripples shimmered—a gate tore open. Gu Tianchen, Huo Yuhao, and Ye Guyi stepped through, followed by the tournament-eliminated disciples captured by the Sun Moon Empire.
"Thank you, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—and this esteemed master!" The rescued had learned their saviors were from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, orchestrated by the tournament's rising star: Chen Junting.
"If ever you need aid, please contact us! The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect shall have our factions' eternal friendship."
As team leaders, their words carried unified consent. Crucially, these disciples included heirs of major powers—losses would cripple the Three Great Empires' future generations. Tonight's rescue had yielded immeasurable returns.
"No need for thanks," Chen Junting returned the bow with grand-sect grace.
Then he raised the critical issue: "Though the eastern soul engineer formations are in chaos, the encirclement remains formidable. How will you break through?"
Silence fell.
If escape were easy, they wouldn't be stranded here.
Suddenly, Xu Jiujiu and Wei Na spoke: "We have… a makeshift solution."
Chen Junting fell silent instantly—yielding the spotlight. Some things required only subtle guidance; benefits shouldn't be monopolized.
The princesses explained: their empires would dispatch four Title Douluos to escort the disciples eastward. Combined with the teams' four Soul Douluos and several Soul Saints, breaching the chaotic perimeter was feasible.
They'd even provide supplies: flight soul tools and sealed soul recovery bottles—plentiful spoils from Mingde Hall's raid, with manufacturing methods now in hand.
"Many thanks, Your Highnesses!" The factions bowed deeply.
Then Heavenly Sun Douluo added: "I shall accompany you. Letting Dou Ling Empire's geniuses depart without Dou Ling protection would be shameful."
Joy surged through the groups. A Super Douluo's presence guaranteed safer passage.
"Then let us move," Chen Junting said, handing Heavenly Sun Douluo a Grade-9 fixed-load artillery shell. "Take this. Stay safe."
"Thank you! You too!" ×n
Gratitude overflowed as farewells were exchanged. The rescued disciples, four Title Douluos from Xing Luo and Tianhun, and Dou Ling's chief guardian Heavenly Sun Douluo set eastward.
"Now we go." Chen Junting turned after watching them depart.
"Move out!"
He pivoted—heading not east.
This baffled all except Shrek and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect members. Xu Jiujiu and Wei Na asked Ning Tian: "Where are we going?"
Ning Tian pointed to a distant peak. "To our transport. It's waiting on that mountain—we're almost there."
"What mystery are you keeping?" Nearby, Du Busi overheard the girls' chatter and asked Xuan Zi and Zhi Yong.
"Don't ask me," Xuan Zi mumbled around a chicken leg. "Shrek's just hitching a ride."
Du Busi turned to Zhi Yong—who explained their detour aimed to evade Sun Moon's ultra-high-altitude detection soul tools, preventing exposure during retreat.
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