Chapter 221: Tang Chen Dies
"Xixi, I have to leave first..."
"I made you wait for me all these years, wasting your youth in vain. It's my fault…"
A few days after reuniting with Bo Saixi, Tang Chen was left with only his final breath due to his body collapsing.
At this point, there was no longer any trace of a powerful expert on Tang Chen. He looked just like a dying old man, filled with the aura of death.
"Don't worry, I'll join you soon..."
Bo Saixi held the dying Tang Chen in her arms and comforted him gently.
She knew Su Mo would soon complete the eighth of the Sea God's Nine Trials and then begin the ninth. When that happened, her own self-sacrifice would not be far off.
In the past, Bo Saixi had been unwilling to accept this fate, but now that she had seen Tang Chen again, her resistance had lessened.
Facing death, of course, she still felt fear and reluctance. But once Tang Chen's final wish was fulfilled, she no longer cared as much about life or death.
"No... Xixi, you mustn't die..."
Hearing Bo Saixi's words, Tang Chen was deeply moved, but he didn't want her to end her life so soon.
Buzz—
Immediately after, Tang Chen summoned the Asura Divine Sword, which hovered between the two of them.
"...Cough cough..."
"Xixi, this Asura Divine Sword contains all of my cultivation. When you begin the ninth Sea God Trial, you can choose to sacrifice the soul power sealed within the sword instead of yourself... you must not sacrifice your own life..."
Though Tang Chen's body had collapsed, his cultivation was still intact.
However, his body could no longer recover, so he sealed all his cultivation into the Asura Divine Sword.
It was only after learning that Su Mo was completing the Sea God's Nine Trials that Tang Chen thought to help Bo Saixi one final time.
He already felt he owed Bo Saixi too much, and he didn't want her to sacrifice herself for someone else's divine trial.
If he didn't know Bo Saixi's character so well, he might have even persuaded her to kill Su Mo directly. He couldn't defeat Su Mo himself, but on the ocean, Bo Saixi might stand a chance.
Even if she couldn't kill Su Mo, she should at least not sacrifice herself. If Su Mo wanted to complete the ninth trial, then let him figure it out himself.
Of course, Tang Chen didn't say any of this to Bo Saixi, because he knew how deep her faith in the Sea God ran—words would be useless.
As for whether the Asura Divine Sword, sealed with his cultivation, could replace a life sacrifice, he wasn't certain. But he believed it was worth a try.
If it failed, so be it.
He was grateful to Su Mo for helping him regain clarity and allowing him to reunite with Bo Saixi.
But it was also Su Mo's attack that brought him to the brink of death. You could say Su Mo had killed him.
So between Su Mo and Bo Saixi, his choice was clear—he would help Bo Saixi.
If Su Mo were his junior or a disciple of the Clear Sky Clan, the situation might have been different.
Unfortunately, Su Mo was not.
"Xixi, promise me!"
"Even if only for my sake, don't give up your life..."
After weakly saying these final words, Tang Chen completely exhaled his last breath, and his body gradually dissolved and vanished.
Only the Asura Divine Sword remained.
…
As for Tang Chen's death and his final actions, Su Mo didn't yet know, nor did he pay it much attention.
Still, he could guess that Tang Chen was likely close to death.
He wasn't in a rush to confirm it at Sea God Island. He planned to unify the continent first—then visit Sea God Island. By then, Tang Chen would certainly be long dead.
Right now, Su Mo was busy unifying the continent!
The previous stalemate in the war was due to the Clear Sky Clan and other sects intervening, giving the Star Luo Empire a chance to breathe.
Thanks to the Clear Sky Clan's involvement, the number of Title Douluo on the Star Luo side suddenly rose, and without Su Mo making a move, their top-tier strength surpassed that of the Heaven Dou Empire.
However, aside from the Title Douluo, the Heaven Dou Empire had far more soul masters of lower ranks and ordinary soldiers. That was why Star Luo couldn't launch a counterattack, and the war between the two empires had reached a deadlock.
Su Mo had not taken action earlier because he was focused on advancing to Rank 99.
Of course, another reason was to remain wary of Spirit Hall.
At that time, Spirit Hall was still under the control of Pope Bibi Dong—Su Mo's enemy.
But now that Bibi Dong had been overtaken and controlled, she was one of his own, so Su Mo no longer had anything to worry about.
In recent days, those sects that had secretly pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall began to openly align themselves with Su Mo at Bibi Dong's instruction, tipping the balance of power even further.
Su Mo had decided not to let the Star Luo Empire continue to exist.
"I have decided to personally lead the expedition!"
"Zhao Wuji, I entrust the army to you!"
Su Mo summoned Zhao Wuji and issued his command.
As if born for the battlefield, Zhao Wuji had shown unmatched command ability after joining the Heaven Dou Empire. Su Mo had thrown him into the military, and Zhao Wuji proved himself, ultimately being appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Your Majesty..."
Hearing Su Mo's words, Zhao Wuji trembled slightly.
Zhao Wuji wanted to speak and persuade Su Mo, but before he could open his mouth, Su Mo cut him off.
"With Me here, all enemies are nothing but chickens and dogs!"
"You need not worry about anything else!"
Su Mo declared with domineering confidence.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Wuji's expression turned solemn upon hearing this and he immediately responded with determination.
Everything he had achieved today was thanks to Su Mo.
Therefore, any command from Su Mo, he would carry out without hesitation.
Under Zhao Wuji's command, the great army of the Heaven Dou Empire began to assemble.
Soon after, with Su Mo personally leading the expedition, a massive army of one million troops advanced straight toward the Star Luo Empire.
The Star Luo side quickly received the news.
"Is Heaven Dou planning a do-or-die battle?"
The Star Luo Emperor was puzzled and his expression turned extremely grim.
"If Heaven Dou wants a decisive battle, then so be it!"
"Gathering all of Heaven Dou's troops together just makes it easier for us Title Douluo to act. Let the outcome be decided by strength!"
"Exactly. This is what we've been hoping for!"
"Heaven Dou has only a few Title Douluo—how can they hope to fight us to the death?"
"If they're so eager to die, let's oblige them!"
"..."
The elders of the Clear Sky Clan all voiced their agreement.
"That may be true, but what if Spirit Hall is lurking, watching for an opportunity?"
"What is Heaven Dou thinking? Have they forgotten Spirit Hall still exists?"
Tang Xiao, however, was not as optimistic and spoke with concern.
"Indeed. If we and Heaven Dou fight to the death, both sides will be weakened, and Spirit Hall will reap the benefits!"
The Star Luo Emperor strongly agreed with Tang Xiao—this was his main worry.
"No matter what, we must first assemble our forces and confront Heaven Dou!"
"If they are truly determined to go through with this, then we'll accompany them to the very end!"
"..."
… (End of chapter)
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