The geographical location of Gengxin City was extremely special. If this place were breached, the capital of Star Luo would be directly exposed to the gaze of the Heaven Dou army.
No one in the Star Luo Empire, including the Clear Sky Sect, had anticipated that the Heaven Dou Empire's attack would be so decisive and swift.
Faced with continuously encroached territory and steadily retreating armies, the Star Luo Emperor had no choice but to deploy all elite forces to Gengxin City.
Members of the Dai and Zhu families were particularly crucial.
Meanwhile, the Clear Sky Sect's confidence had somewhat recovered due to continuous reinforcements and the addition of the Sky Blue Bull Python.
Although the citizens of Gengxin City weren't optimistic about the upcoming war, seeing that the Clear Sky Sect hadn't fled gradually calmed their restless hearts.
The Heaven Dou army advanced rapidly and, barring unexpected circumstances, would arrive here by the night after next.
Title Douluo experts from the Clear Sky Sect and scouts from the Swift Clan continuously patrolled the skies.
Meanwhile, frontline information brought back by soldiers fleeing from Antonio City was gradually buried under heavy workloads.
One day later.
Li Xun's group observed the bustling preparations in Gengxin City to defend against the Heaven Dou attack without disturbing them, instead taking a detour to slowly approach the mining area.
Having detected the Clear Sky Sect's plan to use the Sky Blue Bull Python for a surprise attack, Li Xun and Sword Douluo immediately halted the army's advance upon returning to avoid unnecessary losses.
Then they secretly returned with Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo.
This time, it wasn't just three Title Douluo - Li Xun had brought Ning Rongrong along too. However, she wasn't here for support but rather as a precautionary control measure.
Soul Masters cannot move while absorbing Spirit Rings. Not only was Li Xun still slightly short of reaching level 90, but openly absorbing the Sky Blue Bull Python in Gengxin City wasn't practical either.
Thus, capturing it alive became the only option.
The only difficulty in this operation was how to take the Sky Blue Bull Python away.
After returning, Li Xun and Sword Douluo had briefly analyzed the current situation.
If he wasn't mistaken, the Sky Blue Bull Python must have been brought out from the Heaven Dou Great Forest by Tang San - only Tang San possessed this advantage.
Actually, Li Xun should thank Tang San. If the other hadn't brought out the Sky Blue Bull Python, it would have been quite troublesome for him to obtain a ninth Spirit Ring now without prematurely mobilizing the Ice Empress.
Given the current situation, if absolutely necessary, he might have had to make a trip to the Sun Moon Continent.
However, this wasn't ten thousand years later, and his knowledge of that place was limited. He only knew there was an Evil Eye Tyrant with approximately seven hundred thousand years of cultivation there.
Moreover, the sea route was long and distant, so he preferred not to go unless absolutely necessary.
To avoid detection by the Clear Sky Sect, the group moved discreetly through the mountain forests, steadily approaching the mine cave.
Sky Dream Iceworm was also working diligently, continuously using his mental power to conceal the group's movements.
The Title Douluo level represented an important turning point for Soul Masters. Li Xun's successful advancement meant Skydream was one step closer to godhood as well.
Gradually, the cave entrance came into view.
Everyone spread out, slowing their pace as they carefully advanced.
Perhaps waiting for the Heaven Dou army's arrival to achieve maximum surprise, the Sky Blue Bull Python remained hidden deep within the cave with no intention of revealing itself.
Go!
Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo signaled to Sword Douluo.
The Sky Blue Bull Python possessed considerable strength, and Soul Beasts were renowned for their tenacious vitality. Unless it was a one-hit kill, anyone attempting to strike would inevitably cause a major disturbance.
This location was very close to Gengxin City. If the two of them were unable to severely injure the Sky Blue Bull Python swiftly, unforeseen complications could arise.
Even if Bone Douluo was unwilling to admit that Sword Douluo was now stronger than him, he wouldn't act recklessly at such a moment.
However, when he saw the smile and expression in Sword Douluo's eyes, he instantly regretted his hesitation.
"Sword Grandpa, wait."
Just as Sword Douluo was about to make his move, Li Xun sent a voice transmission.
Facing their puzzled gazes, Li Xun pointed to himself and Ning Rongrong, then gestured toward the cave.
After a moment of thought, the three of them suddenly understood.
They had originally assumed Li Xun brought Ning Rongrong along to provide Amplification or control the experts of the Clear Sky Sect in case they were surrounded, but they had forgotten that the Sky Blue Bull Python could also be controlled.
Poison Douluo had once mentioned this skill to them. Back when Li Xun was just over level 50, he had used this Martial Soul Fusion Skill to restrain Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flender.
Although Yu Xiaogang was insignificant, Liu Erlong and Flender were both level 70-plus Soul Saints at the time.
Now, Li Xun had reached level 89, and Ning Rongrong had advanced to level 73. The power of their skill was naturally incomparable to before.
Seeing everyone's attention focused on her and Li Xun, Ning Rongrong revealed a bright smile.
Li Xun had already explained the plan to her before they arrived, but to surprise Sword Douluo and the others, she had asked him to keep it a secret.
She extended her hand, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmered brilliantly. Seven Spirit Rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—appeared. As the three onlookers feigned astonishment, she slowly reached out to Li Xun.
The True Several Thousand Hands manifested, and the nine-story pagoda rotated gently before settling into the hands of the Buddha statue.
A towering, illusory Buddha, nearly a hundred meters high, materialized behind the two. Radiant light in nine colors swirled around it, lending a touch of compassion to the originally stern-faced statue.
"Buddha Pagoda, the Ferry of Compassion."
Though Li Xun and Ning Rongrong whispered the words, a grand, resonant echo emanated from within the Thousand-Hand Buddha Statue, reverberating through the vast space like a tolling bell.
As the words faded, the nine-story pagoda in the hands of the Thousand-Hand Buddha vanished instantly, reappearing directly above the Sky Blue Bull Python.
Without damaging the mine or creating any loud noise, the nine-story pagoda passed through the thick mountain rocks like a beam of light, enveloping the Sky Blue Bull Python.
The Sky Blue Bull Python stared in horror at the scene.
It had been awakened by the grand voice, but by then, the pagoda was already above its head, leaving no time to evade.
It released bursts of energy from its mouth, but they dissipated into the Void. The originally pitch-black mine had vanished, replaced by a star-filled expanse.
Realizing its attacks were futile, the Sky Blue Bull Python began to survey its surroundings.
It coiled its hundred-meter-long body into a defensive posture.
Knowing this was likely a human skill, it remained calm. With its strength, it could still put up a fight even after losing the initiative.
However, the expected attack never came. Just as the Sky Blue Bull Python grew puzzled, the stars in the sky began to spin, and a simultaneous force of suction and dizziness overwhelmed it.
Time rapidly rewound. In a daze, the Sky Blue Bull Python was transported back to pivotal moments in its memories.
Er Ming lay covered in blood before it, while it faced pursuit by powerful human experts.
Memories surged incessantly, and the Sky Blue Bull Python succumbed completely.
"The commotion is a bit too loud," Li Xun remarked with dissatisfaction.
"It's fine. Even if I had intervened, the outcome would be the same, and it might have even prolonged the Sky Blue Bull Python's struggle," Sword Douluo replied, gazing toward Gengxin City. "But the next step is the most crucial one."
Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo stood ready, fully alert.
Whether in Gengxin City or the Star Dou Great Forest, any action now had to account for unforeseen circumstances beyond the primary target.
Still, compared to dealing with those Soul Beasts, the Clear Sky Sect—which they had clashed with several times before—was far easier to handle.
"Who dares to cause trouble near the Clear Sky Sect?!"
Angry shouts erupted from within Gengxin City.
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