Three months had passed since the Sun Moon Empire launched the Holy War.
If three months ago, the Douluo Three Nations still held a sliver of hope against the overwhelming might of the Sun Moon Empire, then now, all that remained was utter despair.
On the first day of the war, the Sun Moon Empire's army, leveraging absolute superiority, easily captured the Star Luo Empire's most critical fortress city on the border — White Tiger City. One-third of the Western Army's main forces were annihilated, a ninety-fourth-level Titled Douluo of the Star Luo Worship Hall was lost, and only White Tiger General Dai Hao managed to escape.
But then, to everyone's surprise, the Sun Moon Empire's forces did not immediately press deeper into Star Luo's territory. Instead, they simply stationed themselves at White Tiger City Fortress.
Logically, they should have pushed forward to secure their advantage. Why didn't they?
The answer came quickly.
While the Sun Moon Empire's army advanced into the Star Luo Empire, their true elites — three Hand of the Nation Soul Engineer Regiments and over ten regular Soul Engineer Regiments — launched a simultaneous attack on the Heavenly Soul Empire, fighting a two-front war.
Thus unfolded a nightmare for the Douluo Three Nations. Against such overwhelming strength, the Heavenly Soul Empire crumbled rapidly, barely able to resist.
It was inevitable. In the original history, the Sun Moon Empire had neither the current Huo Yuhao nor the powerful modernized regular army. Even so, their Soul Engineer Regiments were enough to push Star Luo and Heavenly Soul to the brink. Heavenly Soul didn't last long before collapsing into ruin.
Now, facing the entirety of the Sun Moon Empire's forces enhanced by Mingde Hall's technology, the Heavenly Soul Empire stood even less of a chance. Their defeat and fate were sealed.
Three months later, the Heavenly Soul Empire had lost its entire territory, save for Heavenly Soul City itself. The Sun Moon Empire's forces had completely surrounded the capital, and the nation stood on the precipice of annihilation.
Star Luo wanted to send reinforcements, of course. They knew that if the Heavenly Soul Empire fell, they would be next. However, they were powerless. The crucial border passes between Star Luo and Heavenly Soul were tightly blockaded by Huo Yuhao's First Corps' Rapid Assault Division.
Any Star Luo troops trying to pass through would be harassed endlessly by the Rapid Assault Division's guerilla tactics. Soldiers would be demoralized before they even reached the front lines.
There was no helping it. With the assistance of Mingde Hall's advanced soul tool technology, the Rapid Assault Division's mobility was unparalleled. Their tactics were simple — they could kill their enemies at will, while remaining almost impossible to catch.
"Your Majesty... what are we to do now?" A trembling minister broke the heavy silence within the Heavenly Soul Empire's imperial palace.
Everyone present was drowning in despair. They all knew — once the Sun Moon Empire launched its final assault, the Heavenly Soul Empire would cease to exist.
"Is there no hope of reinforcements from Star Luo?" Emperor Xue Tianji asked in an unexpectedly calm voice after hearing the minister's fearful plea.
But judging from his ashen expression, it was clear he wasn't calm — he was already dead inside.
The disappearance of his beloved daughter, the steady defeats against the Sun Moon Empire's advance... all of it had crushed the spirit of the once-proud Emperor. There was no hope left in his heart — only a desire for the end.
No minister answered. They all knew — Star Luo would not be coming.
"Then what should we do?" Xue Tianji whispered blankly, his eyes unfocused.
Suddenly, he stood up and roared, "Is that even a question!?"
His furious gaze swept across the frightened officials below.
"If our Heavenly Soul Empire is doomed to fall, then what more is there to say? Will you choose to survive as disgraceful cowards, or die as heroes alongside your nation!?"
Silence fell once more. The ministers understood now. Their question had not been about how to save the Empire, but about how to save themselves.
"The Heavenly Soul still has the strength to fight," Xue Tianji declared. "I have allies — the Poison Sect Master and countless loyal sects within Heavenly Soul City! Even if we are doomed, we must make the Sun Moon Empire bleed for every step they take! Even if I die, I will leave behind the legacy of a king who fought to the end, so that our descendants will know — Xue Tianji was no coward!"
His impassioned roar echoed through the palace, stirring even the most broken of hearts.
Sweeping his gaze over the silent ministers, Xue Tianji exhaled deeply and said with a heavy tone, "I understand that many of you have families. If you wish to live, then go. If you choose to surrender, I will not blame you. But within three days, leave this place. Three days later, whoever remains will fight and die by my side."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!" The ministers fell to their knees, their voices heavy with shame and gratitude.
Later, after handling the palace's affairs, Xue Tianji visited the Tianqian Gorge where the Body Sect was stationed and asked the Poison Sect Master:
"Brother Du, what will you do?"
Poison Immortal, who had recovered from his previous battle with Xue Di, looked even stronger than before — perhaps a result of breaking and rebuilding after facing a true ultimate being.
"You needn't worry, Brother Xue," Poison Immortal said solemnly. "The Body Sect is the guardian of the Heavenly Soul Empire. We will live and die with the nation."
Xue Tianji sighed heavily.
"It is my incompetence, Brother Du. The Sun Moon Empire is simply too powerful. We stood no chance against them. But Brother Du... some seeds must be preserved."
Poison Immortal nodded solemnly.
"It's not your fault, Brother Xue. For a thousand years, the Douluo Three Nations have fallen too far behind the Sun Moon Empire's development. Seeds must be preserved. I will send Aotian and the other promising young disciples to one of our hidden sanctuaries. Perhaps one day, they can rise again... and revive the hope of the Douluo Three Nations."
(End of Chapter)
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