After the situation in the Tiandou Empire stabilized, Qian Yuelong disappeared again, only to return to the battlefield the following year.

The Star Luo Empire, already at a disadvantage under the dominance of the Spirit Empire, was in dire straits. It was already struggling to deal with the attack of Bibi Dong's personally led army, and now it had to add the Holy Maiden Qian Yuelong, who was just as troublesome as Bibi Dong, the Empress of the Spirit Empire.

The Star Luo Empire convened another emergency war meeting. Having temporarily left Seagod Island, Tang San and his companions, who had joined the meeting, couldn't help but speak up upon hearing Emperor Dai Hao's pessimistic words:

“Your Majesty, on our way here, we have been calculating the strength of the Spirit Empire. Based on past indications, the total number of Spirit Masters that the Spirit Empire can deploy to the battlefield will remain stable at around 50,000. Although their numbers are about ten times that of us, Spirit Masters below the Spirit Venerable level are basically useless on the battlefield. Even after eliminating these Spirit Masters, they still need to leave at least 5,000 Spirit Masters to guard the main city as a reserve force.”

"After deducting the numbers at each level, the final number should be around 40,000. The other ordinary soldiers are no threat to Soul Masters. Even if Qian Yuelong leads the 300,000 Iron Cavalry of the Spirit Empire into Xingluo and tries to encircle Bibi Dong, with our current capabilities, it is not impossible to intercept and kill 300,000 Iron Cavalry. Moreover, Soul Masters have a natural advantage over ordinary people."

Dai Mubai nodded in agreement: "Yes, Father. As long as we cut off Qian Yuelong's ordinary soldiers first, she and Bibi Dong will be unable to form a pincer movement that will overwhelm Xingluo. If Father is worried about these 300,000 troops, you can entrust them to your son and his companions. We are willing to share Father's burdens."

As he spoke, Dai Mubai clasped his hands in a fist salute to Dai Hao, who was seated in the main seat.

Dai Hao exchanged a glance with one of the white-haired old generals, and sighed, saying, "It would be good if you and your companions went in person, Mu Bai, but you have been on Seagod Island for the past few years, so you probably don't know about the changes on the mainland."

“Especially ordinary people.” The old general couldn’t help but interject, “After the Martial Soul Empire was established and began to devour the surrounding small and medium-sized principalities, we belatedly realized that the soldiers under the Martial Soul Empire, even ordinary soldiers who could not cultivate martial souls, could actually fight soul masters head-on.”

"They don't have spirit rings, and they each use different types of weapons, but even so, those weapons in their hands can produce moves similar to spirit skills. If they are not careful, even a spirit king-level spirit master can be defeated by these soldiers who have mastered unique skills and moves."

"What's most terrifying is that these soldiers aren't just a handful; they're all skilled. The 300,000-strong army led by Qian Yuelong, the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Empire, is such a massive force, composed of soldiers with unique skills. Even if we were to wipe them out, we would have to send out even more powerful Soul Masters, or even... a Title Douluo personally stationed there."

The old general couldn't help but turn his gaze to Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who were sitting next to Ning Fengzhi.

The two did not feel looked down upon; on the contrary, they looked solemn.

They had all witnessed firsthand how formidable these "ordinary people" who lacked spirit rings and could not cultivate martial spirits were in battle.

"What?! Such a thing actually happened?!"

Tang San's pupils contracted sharply as he instantly recalled the Tang Clan's mental cultivation techniques and martial arts manuals that he had brought from his previous life.

He can use moves similar to soul skills without soul rings... Could it be that there are other people in the Martial Soul Empire who, like him, still have memories of their past lives?

"What kind of move is that!? Are there many people like that?"

The thought of this possibility made him restless.

His Tang Clan mental techniques, martial arts, and various hidden weapons are now sources of pride for him, and are considered unique.

Because no one on this continent possesses these skills.

But now, someone suddenly tells him that you are no longer the only one.

Despite their different factions, they do possess skills that rival, or even surpass, those of the Tang Sect!

The old general withdrew his gaze and described the group of seven, including Tang San, who had just returned to the mainland from Seagod Island.

For example, a seemingly ordinary iron sword can, in battle, seemingly possess a soul skill that allows it to condense sword energy and create sword shadow clones.

Tang San was caught in a mental storm.

Ning Rongrong listened intently to the intelligence about the Martial Soul Empire during the years they had been gone.

If she had understood the meaning of "friend" when they first met, would things have turned out differently?

Thinking of the various scenes on the night the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was attacked, Ning Rongrong closed her eyes, and the scene of flames filling the sky seemed to reappear before her dark eyes.

That night, she encountered an unexpected person in the group carrying out the attack—their former partner, Zhu Zhuqing.

The other party joined the cleanup operation voluntarily.

That night, Zhu Zhuqing was also dressed in black and her face was covered, but she still recognized the other person from their martial spirit and eyes.

The other party did not lay a hand on them; in fact, they even helped her when she was in danger.

She neither helped her current companions to kick them when they were down, nor did she turn against them.

When they looked at each other across the distance, she saw a variety of emotions in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

That encounter and the rescue that night felt like repaying past favors and settling old scores.

From then on, they went their separate ways and had no further connection.

Perhaps... Qian Yuelong taking Zhu Qing away back then wasn't such a bad thing.

Ning Rongrong put aside her complicated emotions and continued to listen to the military situation and battle reports.

On the other side, after a moment of internal reflection, Tang San regained his composure and inquired about Qian Yuelong's deployment.

The Martial Soul Empire has many powerful figures, and Bibi Dong's current strength is even more unfathomable.

The Martial Soul Empire even has a peerless Douluo named Qian Daoliu, whose strength is at level ninety-nine and who is very likely to appear on the battlefield.

The terrifying destructive power that such an extraordinary strongman can unleash in war far exceeds that of ordinary hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

The total number of Title Douluos in the Spirit Empire is now approaching twenty.

Their side currently only has Poison Douluo, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and him, a newly promoted Title Douluo who just reached level 91. But that's only equivalent to four Title Douluos.

However, the enemy consisted of at least ten Title Douluos, and they also had to guard against a surprise attack from another Peerless Douluo.

The Martial Soul Empire, after years of preparation, is now coming on strong. Logically, the Star Luo Empire should also submit to it, just like the Heaven Dou Empire, another former great power that has fought alongside it for many years. However...

The fact that the Martial Soul Empire advocated abolishing the aristocracy system and elevating the treatment of commoners to that of citizens was opposed by the vast majority of Star Luo nobles.

They must never become a second Heaven Dou Empire!

Given the deep-seated hatred between Tang San and his companions and the Spirit Empire, it was even less likely that they would be willing to submit.

A group of like-minded people stubbornly fought against what seemed like an insurmountable adversity.

After hearing the intelligence from Qian Yuelong's side, Tang San's eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty light.

"Since Qian Yuelong only has two Title Douluos, Yue Guan and Gui Mei, by her side, let's start with her."

"She is the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Empire, and the designated successor to the throne. The Spirit Empire cannot afford to ignore Qian Yuelong's life or death. With such an important heir under attack, someone as well-informed as Bibi Dong will surely send reinforcements. The other Title Douluos will need time to arrive, so Bibi Dong, being nearby, is the best choice for support. In this way, we might even be able to slow down Bibi Dong's offensive."

—A side note—

Regarding the previous chapter, which was originally supposed to be a fight scene, I, being a useless writer, couldn't handle writing six battles followed by a seamless long series of epic battles... Fight scenes are really a weakness for girls, lol. Six different battles in a row... my brain cells are practically dead. If I did that, I'd be stuck for even longer, and you'd all be yelling at me again. So, I'll just put it in the final epic battle. I stayed up all night but didn't manage to finish the assessment battle, though I did manage to finish the second half of the story.