The spacious conference room fell silent at Tang Xiao's words.
Tang Hao shot a cold glare at the Seventh Elder, retracted his Clear Sky Hammer, and slowly took his seat.
The Seventh Elder widened his eyes, about to speak again, but was silenced by a sharp look from Tang Ming. He let out an unwilling humph.
"No need to bother with the routed soldiers. Gather our sect disciples, abandon Antonio City, and have the Swift Clan pull back. With Bai He fallen, they could easily become targets for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School," Tang Xiao said in rapid succession before pausing briefly. "Now all we can rely on is the Star Luo Empire's overall strength being superior to Heaven Dou's. Let's begin implementing the Seed Project we proposed earlier."
"Victory report! Victory report! Li Xun of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School single-handedly broke through the Antonio battlefront, cutting down Bai He—leader of the Swift Clan and the Clear Sky Sect's fifth-ranked Titled Elder—amidst numerous experts from the Clear Sky Sect!"
Heaven Dou Empire's morning erupted with excitement at this impassioned announcement.
"Who is Li Xun?" someone asked in confusion.
"You don't know Li Xun? Haven't you watched the Pan-continental Elite Soul Master Tournament?" Those unaware of Li Xun were quickly educated by others nearby.
"Damn, so it's him! Has it only been a few years? Has he already grown to this level?"
People always chase instant gratification. Four years had passed since the tournament, and most had long forgotten the competitions between youths, no matter how talented they were.
But it was different when it came to officials, wealthy merchants, or top-tier experts.
Especially during wartime.
Truthfully, the general populace had been largely bewildered when Heaven Dou Empire suddenly attacked the Star Luo Empire.
Though later propaganda about Dai Mubai's various affairs gave people a general idea, some remained cautiously observant.
Mainly due to concerns about the risks of war.
But as victory reports kept pouring in, ideological attitudes within the empire quickly shifted.
People saw benefits in this, glimpsed the shadow of victory—apparently the Star Luo Empire and Clear Sky Sect weren't so formidable after all.
Suddenly, Li Xun's name became known to millions.
Academies everywhere promoted this achievement, their students burning with passion, eager to rush to the frontlines and begin their own legendary chapters.
Various vassals of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School also grew restless.
"I never imagined Li Xun would become so strong after four years apart," Huo Wu murmured, her eyes shimmering.
"Indeed, I truly don't know how he cultivates. I'm only at level 58," Shui Bing'er also expressed disbelief.
"I can't wait any longer—I'm going to the frontlines now!" Feng Xiaotian declared, unable to sit still upon seeing their expressions as he sprang to his feet.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School hadn't forced vassals like the Peerless Dragon-Serpent to participate in the war between Heaven Dou and Star Luo.
Their approach emphasized free choice.
They believed blind suppression would only backfire—only by letting people see the benefits would they commit wholeheartedly. This was the consensus reached within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Though it wasn't yet time for the morning court session, ministers had already gathered waiting at the entrance of the council hall.
Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi paid no mind to the external commotion, instead analyzing the implications following this victory.
"Teacher, I never expected Junior Brother to have grown to such an extent." Qian Renxue gently placed the letter on the table, her expression a mix of joy, melancholy, and urgency.
Though she was undergoing the God Trial, she would occasionally return from Spirit City. She hadn't anticipated receiving this news upon her return this time.
A sudden sense of anxiety welled up in her heart.
Qian Renxue suddenly felt a strong urge to return to Spirit City and complete the God Trial. She had already wasted many years and couldn't allow this situation to continue.
"I'm also quite surprised by Xiao Xun's growth. Ah! It feels like just yesterday he was only this tall in my memory!" Ning Fengzhi laughed while gesturing at chest level.
He felt immensely proud and relieved, experiencing a joy he hadn't even felt when clearing out the Blue Tyrant School, because he could see the true future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
It seemed matters between Rongrong and Xiao Xun should be put on the agenda soon. As for Zhu Zhuqing...
Ning Fengzhi's fingers absently tapped the table, showing slight hesitation: It appears I need to find an opportunity to ask Rongrong about this.
"Teacher, I'll return to Spirit City shortly. I'll leave matters of Heaven Dou to you."
Qian Renxue suddenly spoke, interrupting Ning Fengzhi's contemplation.
"Of course, Your Majesty can rest assured." Ning Fengzhi collected his thoughts, a smile playing on his lips.
With the Heaven Dou Empire operating smoothly now, it didn't really matter whether Qian Renxue occupied the throne or not.
"By the way, does Your Majesty know about the Pope's recent situation?" Ning Fengzhi asked abruptly as Qian Renxue prepared to leave.
Since the war between Heaven Dou and Star Luo began, he had repeatedly worried about Bibidong applying pressure, but until now there had been no news from Spirit Hall, which made him uneasy.
Matters are easier to resolve when they're out in the open - schemes hidden in dark corners only send chills down one's spine.
Qian Renxue paused at the mention of Bibidong's name: "No one has seen her since she went into seclusion. Teacher needn't worry about her. If anything happens, I'll have Grandpa intervene."
As her strength increased and the Heaven Dou Empire grew more powerful, Qiandao Liu's attitude had shifted. He no longer prioritized Bibidong's decisions in everything like he had in previous years.
If Bibidong tried to control her again, she believed her grandfather definitely wouldn't stand by and do nothing.
Unlike the bustling morning sounds of Heaven Dou, Antonio City was currently like a tightly drawn thread, the atmosphere suppressed to its limit, at risk of snapping at any moment.
Li Xun and Poison Douluo stood in mid-air, watching the trembling Star Luo soldiers on the city walls: "Grandpa Dugu, will you do it or shall I?"
Poison Douluo smiled and gestured toward the 150,000 troops behind them: "You do it. These soldiers could use some motivation right now."
"Are you sure it's not because you can't break through this city wall?" Bone Douluo narrowed his eyes and chuckled.
"If you're so capable, why don't you do it?"
Hearing the teasing, Dugu Bo clasped his hands behind his back, not showing any anger.
"I'll do it, I'll do it. How could we let you three grandfathers take action?" Seeing the two bickering, Li Xun laughingly mediated for the two old men.
He was just curious about the rumors and wanted to see with his own eyes whether a Title Douluo or god-level expert could break through city walls. It wouldn't be good if anyone's pride got hurt.
One yellow, two purple, two black, and three red Spirit Rings appeared one after another beneath his feet.
To boost morale, Li Xun didn't immediately use his skills, instead simply hovering quietly in the air so everyone could see clearly.
Of course, the main reason was that he wanted to show off.
Sure enough, with the appearance of those dazzling three red Spirit Rings, the nearly 150,000-strong army immediately erupted into chaos. Each soldier felt tidal waves of shock surging in their hearts, accompanied by endless exclamations of disbelief.
Even the surrounding air seemed to grow colder from the collective gasps.
"Li Xun, Li Xun, Li Xun..."
Following one rallying cry, the entire army of 150,000 roared Li Xun's name in unison, each shout growing louder than the last.
Affected by this overwhelming momentum and witnessing Li Xun hovering in the sky, the soldiers on the Star Luo Empire's city walls turned pale with terror.
Many of them had already heard retreating soldiers recount events from the front lines.
"Why hasn't the Clear Sky Sect appeared yet? Do they expect us to withstand such a powerhouse?"
At some point, a panicked voice cried out, jolting everyone to awareness.
"Run, quickly!"
Someone started the frenzy, and soon more and more soldiers scrambled down the city walls, causing instant congestion and trampling in their desperate rush to flee the scene.
"Spirit Avatar: True Several Thousand Hands."
A calm voice rang out as the sky abruptly darkened. Puzzled, people looked up and witnessed a scene they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
A colossal Buddha statue, roughly five to six hundred meters tall, loomed over the land with a thousand arms on its back. The sixty-meter-high city wall appeared no more than a doorstep beneath it...
On this day, humanity's genetic memory awakened a primal fear of giants.
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