"We're truly blessed," Wang Dong'er sighed, nestled in Huo Yuhao's arms. Surviving three Limit Douluos' ambush—they might be the first ever to do so.
"Dong'er, this wasn't luck," Huo Yuhao shook his head—just as a familiar voice cut in. His expression turned helpless. Wang Dong'er, once gentle, now shot upright—sweetness vanished.
"Exactly! You flat-chested girl, are you blind? This was Swordy's doing—not some fluke!" Wu Feng snapped.
"You damn big-chested bitch! Of course I know!" Wang Dong'er shrieked, jabbing a finger at Wu Feng. "I was just cuddling Yuhao during this rare downtime! Why butt in? No wonder you're nearly twenty with no boyfriend!"
"You—! What do you know?!" Wu Feng's eyes darted to Gu Tianchen beside Chen Junting—seeing him oblivious, she flushed crimson with inexplicable frustration.
The bickering pair reignited—injecting levity into the tense atmosphere.
—
On the gryphon's opposite side, Chen Junting sat surrounded by Gu Tianchen, Ning Tian, and the elders. As his depleted soul power gradually recovered through meditation, they exhaled in relief.
He'd saved them all.
No—solely his doing.
(Though they didn't know: during their escape, Di Yao had risked full exposure as the Emperor Beast—commanding the Titan Gryphon with imperial authority to withstand the tribulation's pressure and flee.)
But the gryphon's trauma from that ordeal left it unable to sustain ultra-high-altitude flight. Forced to descend, Chen Junting's group diverted southeast—taking a sea route to evade Sun Moon's surveillance.
Fortunately, they'd already breached the Sun Moon Empire's encirclement and detection arrays before the gryphon faltered. Their journey remained uneventful.
"Youngster—you're brilliant!" Xuan Zi instinctively raised a hand to clap Chen Junting's back—then froze under Zhi Yong's glare. Sheepishly retracting his arm, he fumbled for a cloth to wipe his greasy palm—only for Du Busi to snatch it back with a scowl, eyeing his ruined sleeve in disgust.
"Kid," Du Busi turned, curiosity burning. "What was that technique? Summoning heavenly tribulation single-handedly to trap three Limit Douluos?"
(He carefully said "trap," not "kill"—thunder still rumbled, proving the trio survived.)
All ears perked up.
"Old Poison, that's prying too deep," Zhi Yong warned.
"What harm? Just asking the name." Du Busi waved dismissively. "And even if you silence me—I've guessed it. Same as that Soul-Binding Array, right? Just like soul rings—different functions. Am I wrong?"
"Senior guesses accurately," Chen Junting smiled, unbothered by secrecy.
His influence was established. Array arts were ready to spread across the continent.
"What I used is called Array Arts. Their essence? Overcoming strength with weakness. Victory against overwhelming odds."
Overcoming strength with weakness?
What an accurate description.
But Du Busi's group marveled more at how Chen Junting learned this. Who taught him? They'd never heard of arrays before.
A Xing Luo Title Douluo couldn't resist asking: "Young friend—where did you learn this?"
"My teacher laid the foundation. I created the rest."
Hiss—!
Du Busi stroked his chin. Ye Xuanji possessed such skill?
(Unaware of their misconception, Chen Junting would've merely smiled had he known.)
Suddenly—every face paled.
Heads snapped upward. A figure on a flight soul tool blocked their path ahead.
Chen Junting met Gu Tianchen's eyes. A flick of Gu Tianchen's finger—then a nod: The surrounding space is sealed. Escape was… difficult.
While Ye Xishui moved, Sun Moon had positioned itself as the final "oriole"—hunting the thieves themselves.
If those soul tools fell to Ye Xishui? It would have unpredictable consequences.
And if the Three Great Empires' elites died by her hand? No need for the Holy Spirit Sect anymore. Sun Moon only recruited them to counter top-tier experts—once that purpose ended, the sect became expendable.
(As for aiding legions? Minimal effort—one Grade-9 soul engineer per direction sufficed.)
"Something approaches," Kong Deming murmured, consulting a specialized soul tool. Confirming an invisible presence breached the perimeter, his gaze swept the skies. "Since you're here—reveal yourselves. Perfect concealment still leaves traces."
Silence.
"Then I'll force you out with firepower."
A disc rose behind his head. Tiny apertures lined its rim—promising a storm of rays.
Chen Junting had no choice but to deactivate the Deceiving Heaven Array. Hiding further in a fixed zone was futile.
"So it is you." Kong Deming's shock at their stealth gave way to smug satisfaction. His prediction was correct.
Du Busi stomped the gryphon's head. "Kong Deming—why here? Shouldn't you guard your patricidal, fratricidal dog-emperor in the palace?!"
"Sharp tongue." Kong Deming's eyes turned glacial, hands clasped behind his back. Suppressing fury: "You're trapped yet oblivious. Fleeing by sea to evade land pursuit—I anticipated this. Surrender the stolen soul tools and artillery shells—I may spare your lives."
Ah!
Realization dawned—followed by collective eye-twitching.
They'd never planned a sea route—it was forced by circumstance.
Kong Deming hadn't "anticipated" anything—he'd stumbled upon them by sheer luck!
But explanations were pointless. They were cornered—that was a fact.
"Surrender?" Du Busi stepped forward, nine rings blazing. "We found them! Finders keepers!"
The mighty Body Douluo played the rogue perfectly.
Kong Deming nearly lost his imperial composure. Found them? In armories and Mingde Hall?!
"Du Busi—don't refuse kindness and invite punishment!" Kong Deming issued his ultimatum.
"Punishment? You alone?" Xuan Zi joined Du Busi. Elder Song and Zhi Yong stepped forth—four auras surging.
"Exactly—you alone, Kong Deming?" Du Busi vanished—reappearing mid-punch toward Kong Deming.
"Alone? Hardly." Kong Deming waved a hand—a barrier intercepted the strike.
Next second—
Beneath a silver radiance, a colossal shadow emerged behind him. Sleek hull. Armored plating. Blue-glowing thrusters beneath… a mobile metal fortress.
Weapon systems bristled across its frame. Most terrifying: three primary cannons abreast the bow—black muzzles like maws of war beasts devouring souls.
Oppressive dread flooded the air.
"This… a Flying Battleship?!" Chen Junting's pupils shrank to pinpricks. The Sun Moon Empire possessed this?!
Why had he never known?!
The Three Great Empires' experts gaped in disbelief.
Sun Moon built flying battleships?!
But the horror deepened. As the first vessel fully emerged from silver light—
A second appeared. Then a third…
Ship after ship materialized—steam hissing below like iron-blooded beasts roaring in frenzy. Five fully armed steel fortresses arrayed in formation—hovering like an aircraft carrier over the ocean.
Soul power beams plunged into the sea—boiling water. Engines roared deafeningly—unleashing indescribable pressure.
"Damn it! Sun Moon hid this deep!"
"A fleet of flying warships?!"
"I feel my life force draining…"
Shrek's Sea God Pavilion elders turned ashen. This must be the colossal soul tool Mu En warned about years ago—the one threatening even his life.
All stared, paralyzed. Icy dread climbed from their soles up spines to skulls—scalps prickling with primal terror.
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