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"There's actually a third stage?!" Anna's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the news, her expression one of utter bewilderment. In contrast, Davis wore a mischievous, knowing smirk.
"Haha, of course there is! In the previous illusion, did you think becoming a simple Spirit Master was the end? Next, I want you to rely on your own strength within the dreamscape to become a Titled Douluo—and eventually, even a Peerless Douluo!"
As he spoke, Davis once again activated his Ring Fusion technique. Currently, all three of them were Titled Douluos. Twenty-seven spirit rings suddenly manifested, hovering in the air before they began to condense with violent intensity. Finally, they merged into a single, breathtakingly brilliant golden spirit ring.
"Divine Skill: Netherworld Springfall!"
A golden flash ignited within the eyes of the Star Luo Sacred Tiger. Before Anna could even voice a protest, she was once again dragged, feeling utterly drained of hope, into the depths of the illusion to begin her grueling new journey.
---
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. During these six months, Anna had been subjected to Davis's relentless "devastation" within the illusion time and time again. There were several moments where the young girl's psychological defenses were on the very verge of shattering under his pressure.
However, the results were undeniable. The current Anna, whether in terms of physical resilience or mental fortitude, had become extraordinarily powerful.
Furthermore, this half-year of intensive mental training yielded an unexpected windfall: Anna's external spirit bone, the Evil Eye, had undergone another evolution. Now, even if Davis merged twenty-seven spirit rings to cast an illusion upon her, Anna could rely on the power of the Evil Eye to see through the falsehood and perceive the truth.
To put it another way, when the Evil Eye was active, Anna's mental strength had reached the level of a God. Even certain minor god-level illusions would find it impossible to restrain her.
With such formidable mental power, Davis was confident that Anna would surely pass the Seagod's Ninth Trial.
And so, it came to pass. Today was the day Anna finally underwent the Ninth Trial of the Seagod. As long as she could endure and succeed, she would inherit the divine throne.
Davis stared intently at Anna as she underwent her assessment, his heart fluttering with anxiety. He understood all too well that he could not assist her at this stage; she had to rely entirely on herself.
The only thing he could do now was silently offer prayers for her success. He wasn't alone; Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang Yuehua were all beside him, praying fervently for Anna's safety.
Time ticked away, minute by agonizing minute. Three hours passed in a flash, yet to Davis, while the flow of time remained unchanged, those three hours felt as long and grueling as three months.
Anna's Ninth Trial had reached its most critical juncture. The coming moments would likely be even more agonizing—not just for Anna, but for Davis as well.
However, just then, a pair of delicate hands suddenly tapped his shoulder. A gentle, melodious voice echoed directly in his mind.
"Davis, a ship has arrived outside Seagod Island. They've asked for you by name, claiming that something has happened in the Star Luo Empire. Since Seagod Island does not permit outsiders to enter, I've blocked them at the perimeter."
The speaker was Xiao Bai, who had taken her human form. To avoid disturbing Anna, she used spirit power transmission to speak directly to Davis. Upon hearing her words, Davis's brow furrowed deeply, and his expression shifted dramatically.
Something happened to the Star Luo Empire?!
"I understand. I'll be right back."
Davis left Zhu Zhuyun and the other two women to watch over Anna. He hurried alone to the shores of Seagod Island. There, he found a frantic Sha Hengtian and an uncharacteristically somber Lin Qiuyang.
Despite Lin Qiuyang having lived for several centuries, he had never used his spirit power to alter his appearance, maintaining the look of a white-haired elder. Usually kind and composed, Lin Qiuyang was now visibly consumed by anxiety, pacing back and forth on the deck of the warship.
Initially, he had considered forcing his way onto Seagod Island, but after seeing the hundreds of 10,000-year-old Great White Sharks patrolling beneath the waves, he sighed and abandoned that unrealistic thought.
A moment later, Davis arrived at the shore. Spreading his wings, he soared onto the deck and asked urgently, "Dean Lin, General Sha Hengtian, why have you come all this way?"
"Your... Your Royal Highness!"
The moment Lin Qiuyang laid eyes on Davis, he gasped involuntarily. The reason was simple: Davis now exuded a sharp, overwhelming aura. He stood like a true sovereign, unconsciously exerting a pressure so immense that it birthed an instinctive desire to submit in everyone around him.
It was no wonder Lin Qiuyang felt this way. Davis had reached the pinnacle of the Titled Douluo realm, standing only half a step away from godhood. His true strength was now sufficient to even exchange blows with an actual God.
"Dean Lin, you mentioned trouble in the Star Luo Empire. What exactly happened? Are my father and mother safe?"
"Your Highness, it is like this..."
Lin Qiuyang sighed helplessly and began to recount the sequence of events.
It turned out that four months ago, the Emperor of the Heaven Soul Empire, Xue Qinghe, suddenly launched a massive invasion against the Dou Ling Empire under the banner of "avenging his father, Emperor Xue Ye."
Supported secretly by Spirit Hall, the Heaven Soul Empire's army was unstoppable. Furthermore, Xue Qinghe proved to be an exceptional military leader. From the high-ranking generals down to the foot soldiers, the entire army was fanatically loyal to him; they were a true legion of tigers and wolves!
Not only that, but Xue Qinghe had personally led the campaign, sending the army's morale to unprecedented heights.
In stark contrast, Emperor Xue Beng of the Dou Ling Empire was, to put it bluntly, a profligate dandy—a useless glutton who was utterly incapable of leadership. Because he had the massive Star Luo Empire as a backer, he had spent his years as emperor indulging in pleasure, never once thinking to improve the strength of his military.
Consequently, the Dou Ling Empire's combat effectiveness was barely enough for self-defense. The moment the Heaven Soul Empire attacked, they were routed, suffering a crushing and humiliating defeat.
In just two and a half short months, the Dou Ling Empire had lost half its territory, leaving them with only the capital and a few surrounding cities.
However, at that point, the Heaven Soul Empire's forces suddenly halted their advance.
Anyone with eyes could see the reality of the situation: attacking the Dou Ling Empire to avenge Xue Ye was merely a front. Xue Qinghe's true objective was likely to draw out the Star Luo Empire—perhaps even to destroy it and unify the Douluo Continent.
By halting the advance, they were employing a "siege-and-reinforce" tactic, forcing Star Luo to intervene. Once Star Luo committed its forces, Xue Qinghe could strike them at their weakest, catching them completely off guard.
Yet, if Star Luo did not send troops, they would have to watch idly as the Dou Ling Empire was annexed, witnessing Spirit Hall and the Heaven Soul Empire grow exponentially in power.
A Spirit Hall that controlled the entirety of the former Heaven Dou Empire would undoubtedly be a terrifying force to behold!
After years of hard work to finally severely damage Spirit Hall, Dai Pojun certainly couldn't stand by and watch them regain their footing. Therefore, he immediately dispatched the White Tiger Legion and several other divisions—a total of one hundred thousand troops—to the rescue.
Accompanying the army were five Titled Douluos: Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, the Third Elder of the Clear Sky Sect, the Seventh Elder (the Blazing Sun Douluo), and the Blazing Tiger Douluo, Lie Tianhu. Additionally, ten Spirit Masters from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—three Spirit Saints and seven Spirit Emperors—were sent to provide support to the five Titled Douluos.
(End of Chapter)