Jialing Pass.
The encampment of the Spirit Empire stretched for nearly a hundred li, like some ancient behemoth sprawled across the land, blocking the path outside Jialing Pass fifty li away.
Woooo—! Woooo—!
As the war horns blared, the massive army began to assemble.
Formation after formation emerged from the camp. Each phalanx contained ten thousand troops, and with a series of commands issued from the central command tent, the Spirit Empire's one-hundred-thousand-strong Spirit Master Legion advanced slowly and steadily.
This was an army composed entirely of spirit masters. Its terrifying combat strength was unimaginable—because in all of history, never before had anyone gathered such a massive force of spirit masters for war.
One hundred thousand spirit masters. Even Jialing Pass, famed as the strongest fortress under the heavens, could not help but tremble along with the earth beneath such pressure.
The black-clad legion of spirit masters pressed forward like an overwhelming storm cloud.
Behind them marched an additional five hundred thousand ordinary soldiers, their footsteps echoing like thunder.
Yet the most suffocating presence of all lay in the distance—ten figures, each radiating a vast and oppressive aura. These were the Elders of Spirit Hall, every one of them a Title Douluo.
Bibi Dong's intention was clear: to end this war in a single decisive strike. As long as she destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire's main force, no one on the continent could halt the Spirit Empire's march.
And so, Spirit Hall had all but emptied its nest.
On paper, the disparity in strength was overwhelming.
Ten Title Douluo, plus Bibi Dong herself—versus Heaven Dou's mere three Title Douluo.
Yes, the Sword and Bone Douluo's power far exceeded ordinary Title Douluo, but how many opponents could just the two of them hold off?
"Advance the army!"
"One battle to crush Jialing Pass!"
Bibi Dong raised the Pope's scepter high. As it swung downward, the war drums thundered like a storm.
Her only lingering worry was the Haotian Sect, which had recently announced its return to the world. Would they appear on the battlefield?
If the Haotian Sect joined the fight, the balance of power would no longer be so lopsided, and the outcome of this war would become uncertain.
Thus, speed was everything.
As long as the Heaven Dou Empire's high-end combat strength was destroyed, even if the Haotian Sect appeared, they would not be able to turn the tide.
At that moment, a long and resonant cry echoed from the distant walls of Jialing Pass.
A dazzling azure radiance burst forth.
A white-clad figure stood alone in midair, the Seven Kill Sword in his hand—Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
From his mouth spread a resonant soundwave, expanding outward like rolling thunder.
The sharp metallic intent of his sword qi resounded through the heavens, causing even the Spirit Empire's Spirit Master Legion to pause briefly in their march.
Though it lasted only a few seconds, that suffocating oppression in the air dispersed somewhat, and those on the Heaven Dou side breathed easier.
Staring at the lone figure in the sky, Bibi Dong's expression turned dark. She leveled her scepter and barked, "Sword Douluo Chen Xin—such arrogance! To think you alone could block the advance of my Spirit Empire's million-strong army. Who dares capture him for me!?"
"..."
Silence.
The ten Elders of Spirit Hall sat unmoving, eyes lowered, faces expressionless.
Bibi Dong nearly burst a vein in anger.
A single Sword Douluo, and yet none of her ten Title Douluo dared accept the challenge?
But inwardly, the Elders all thought the same thing: Who would be stupid enough to duel Sword Douluo one-on-one?
It was said that after that battle years ago, Sword Douluo had successfully broken through to the rank of Ninety-Seventh Rank Super Douluo.
And as for them? Yes, they were all Title Douluo, but most hovered below Rank Ninety-Five.
How could they possibly contend with him?
One-on-one was suicide.
And to send three or four at once? Please—Sword Douluo was standing alone, issuing a duel. To swarm him with numbers would be humiliating.
And so, none of them moved.
Bibi Dong's face darkened, anger surging.
If not for Qian Daoliu's decree forbidding the Worship Hall's Super Douluo from interfering, Sword Douluo would never have been able to stand here unchallenged.
She rose abruptly, her scepter striking the ground with a cold thud.
"Hmph! A pack of useless cowards. Very well, let me personally see what makes this so-called Sword Douluo worthy of such fear!"
By now, Bibi Dong had already reached the level of Rank Ninety-Nine Peerless Douluo.
However, due to the restraints of the Rakshasa God's inheritance, her spirit power could never be fully unleashed—at most, she could exert the power of Rank Ninety-Seven or Ninety-Eight.
To duel Sword Douluo outright was indeed a risk.
But in a battle of this scale, hesitation would only harm morale.
Just as she was about to step forward, a figure in white, with a strangely feminine demeanor, blocked her path.
"What's this, Yue Guan? Do you mean to fight Sword Douluo in my place?"
Her voice dripped with contempt. Since Ghost Douluo's death, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's standing had plummeted. His personal combat ability was unimpressive—if he dared face Sword Douluo alone, he'd be cut down within minutes.
Yue Guan bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, Sword Douluo is but a martial brute. You, as the Empress of the Spirit Empire, cannot lower yourself to a life-and-death duel with him."
"Oh? Then what is Elder Yue's proposal?"
"Your Majesty, this servant requests to lead the battle! Though Dustheart is strong, if three elders strike together, even he will be powerless."
Bibi Dong's brows knitted.
"So many witnesses here… and you would rely on numbers? Are you not afraid of ridicule?"
"Your Majesty! Numbers are precisely our Spirit Hall's advantage. This is war—we must use every edge at our disposal. As for face—ha! The world cares only for victory and defeat. The victor holds face; the loser has none."
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up.
Indeed, Yue Guan's words held weight.
To duel one-on-one would be to fall into Sword Douluo's scheme.
Yue Guan was right—this was war.
"Very well. My command: Elder Yue Guan, Elder Demonbear, and the Patriarch of the Holy Dragon Sect—step forward and take down Sword Douluo together!"
"As for the rest of the Elders—press the attack. Capture Jialing Pass in the shortest possible time!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The generals and elders rose in unison.
Woooo—!
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The horns and war drums sounded once more. The Spirit Empire's army halted just three li from Jialing Pass.
Three figures flew from their ranks, nine spirit rings rising beneath their feet, striding toward Sword Douluo.
On the other side, Sword Douluo sighed softly.
He had hoped to delay the Spirit Empire's advance with a duel, buying time for the Haotian Sect to arrive.
But clearly… Spirit Hall would not fall for such a ploy.