Emperor Dai Hao of Xingluo was not optimistic about Tang San and his group's surprise attack, but with a large army pressing in and a powerful enemy at hand, they had no way out but to gamble everything.
Despite his skepticism about the operation, Dai Hao showed no sign of it on his face. He still dispatched 500,000 elite soldiers, with Crown Prince Dai Mubai as the commander-in-chief and another trusted general from his faction as the deputy commander.
The Star Luo Empire has a much stronger foundation than the Heaven Dou Empire. If it weren't for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School choosing to assist the Heaven Dou royal family in the last hundred years, and the former Spirit Hall secretly stirring up trouble and balancing the power, the Heaven Dou Empire would have been annexed by the Star Luo Empire long ago.
Despite his skepticism, he couldn't possibly allow Tang San and his few companions to fight one-on-one against Qian Yuelong, two Title Douluos, and an army of 300,000.
Firstly, the 300,000-strong army led by Qian Yuelong is indeed a considerable threat. Even if Tang San and his group do not volunteer, he will still deploy troops to resist Qian Yuelong's offensive.
Secondly, they have truly reached a dead end, and have no other choice but to fight desperately.
Since death is inevitable either way, it's better to take a gamble and fight our way out.
As for how many Soul Masters were in the 500,000-strong army and how much of a role they could play, everyone present knew very well. Tang San and others, in particular, believed that although it was a suicide squad, having reinforcements was better than having none, and tacitly accepted that this 500,000-strong army might become backup sacrifices.
Unaware that Tang San and his companions had devised a foolish plan against her, Qian Yuelong was dealing with the prisoners and civilians in the newly captured town.
After glancing at the people surrounded by the Holy Soul Knights in the open space, dressed in luxurious or simple, or even ragged clothes, looking terrified and uneasy, Qian Yuelong listened to her subordinates' report and, after confirming that there were no other heretics in the town, she nodded slightly and walked over to the people who were squatting uneasily on the ground.
"Third Soul Skill, Floating Flowers and Waves."
A deep, blood-red soul ring rippled from beneath their feet, and a blue lotus phantom silently materialized beneath them.
Screams of panic and fear rose and fell.
However, faced with the sharp aura of the Holy Soul Knights wielding cold weapons, they could only suppress their cries and retreat from those covered by the lotus phantom, fearing that they would be the next to die.
The blue lotus petals, radiating a cool aura, magnified in my pupils.
The people silently enveloped by the lotus phantom looked on in despair, some even shedding tears of death.
A few seconds later, the people who thought they were about to die opened their eyes blankly in the middle of the lotus petals. They looked at the wounds they had sustained when the army swept into the town and searched every house. Now, a thin layer of white frost had formed on the wounds, stopping the blood that had stained their clothes dark. They were not frozen into ice sculptures or experiencing any strange pain.
The survivors stared blankly at the silver-haired girl in a platinum gown, exuding a noble air and possessing exquisite features, wondering what this esteemed Soul Master intended to do.
Under the many questioning gazes, Qian Yuelong spoke calmly:
“I know you have lived in this second-rate prosperous town for many years. But now, the empire above you belongs to my Martial Soul Empire.”
A sound, neither too loud nor too soft, strangely reached everyone's ears.
"So at this moment, you have all become members of my Martial Soul Empire."
"Our Martial Soul Empire holds every citizen of the empire in high regard."
"As long as you behave yourselves and wait for the city inspection to be completed and it is confirmed that there are no heretics, you can return to your homes and live your lives as usual. However, your status will have changed from citizens of the Star Luo Empire to citizens of my Martial Soul Empire."
"The knights of my Martial Soul Empire are bound by military orders and will never make things difficult for a kind citizen or plunder any belongings from other citizens' homes."
"In the name of the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Empire, I vouch for you."
The people looked at each other, but they understood that the new "masters" who had replaced their old empire did not seem to intend to kill them.
"However, waiting can be a bit boring. Perhaps you could learn about the laws of the Spirit Empire first?"
Qian Yuelong turned her head to look at a Holy Soul Knight.
The knight understood, and skillfully pulled out a high-quality parchment scroll from the bundle tied at his waist. In front of the terrified crowd, he began to read aloud the laws and regulations of the new empire.
The man, who originally held a noble status, listened in astonishment as he heard about the new empire's policies: the aristocracy would no longer be maintained, and every citizen of the Martial Soul Empire, whether a Soul Master or an ordinary person, would be treated equally without discrimination. They would even provide free education for the children of ordinary people and Soul Masters, and give preferential treatment to retired soldiers, who would receive a certain amount of subsidies each month based on their past contributions. His eyes widened in disbelief.
The others, still harboring lingering unease, were also stunned.
These commoners didn't really care which empire the land beneath their feet belonged to.
All they wanted was a safe place to live in this world.
They live and work in peace and contentment, with no worries about food and clothing.
These eight words represent an incredibly distant wish in the Douluo Continent.
But now, it seems that someone has built a bridge to these eight words, this wish.
Anxiety is like the ever-changing tide, sometimes rising and sometimes falling.
As the Holy Knight proclaimed the new decree, a glimmer of light rekindled in the people's gloomy eyes.
Landing on the eaves of one of the houses, Yue Guan, holding back his breath, watched the scene with an inscrutable expression, a rare hint of reminiscence and sorrow in his eyes.
The opportunity for him to become a Soul Master came when, during a time of war and chaos, soldiers broke into his home and slashed at his family. His parents died trying to protect him and his brother.
The brothers were forced into a dangerous forest, where they faced the constant threat of wild beasts.
It was because of the attack that he awakened his martial soul, and with the newly awakened, weak soul power, he managed to kill the beast.
But later...
Even though the brothers both became Soul Masters, they still left behind an eternal regret.
Because this world is too chaotic.
Without strength or background, if you only have talent and good looks, you are easily bullied.
If Yuelong had been born in their era, perhaps so many tragedies wouldn't have happened...
Yue Guan lowered her eyes, and a hand silently landed on her shoulder.
Knowing his old partner's past, Gui Mei patted Yue Guan on the shoulder to comfort him. Just as he was about to speak, both of them suddenly changed their expressions, their faces filled with horror as they watched the space suddenly distort and the soul power surge forth not far from Qian Yue Long—
"Girl, be careful!"
Using the Vast Ocean Universe Cover to conceal his figure and aura, Tang San quietly infiltrated the vicinity of Qian Yuelong and launched an attack.
—A side note—
Yue Guan's past comes from the comics.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com