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Deep within the Heavenly Dragon Empire's imperial palace, in a quiet chamber, Yun Shan, seated cross-legged upon a meditation mat, suddenly snapped his eyes open. A shard of cold light flashed within them.
The corner of his mouth curved into an icy arc as he murmured, "The Star Luo Empire is truly arrogant. To dare offend the Heavenly Dragon Empire with such paltry strength."
At once, Yun Shan sent a thousand-mile voice transmission in reply to Lan Minghua, assuring him he would win, and win beautifully.
When Lan Minghua received the reply, his heart was completely at ease. He stretched languidly, a contented smile on his lips, and—without a shred of guilt—resumed his favorite role: the hands-off overseer.
His daily routine was simple: eat, sleep, and train his disciples.
Work? Impossible. Not in this lifetime.
Back in the Heavenly Dragon palace, a flicker of excitement appeared on Yun Shan's face. It had, after all, been two full years since he had taken any real action. Two years of managing the empire had left his bones feeling stiff, as if rust had set into every joint.
He rolled his shoulders, and a crisp cascade of pops rang from his limbs.
Yun Shan clenched his fists, a long-stilled edge of killing intent threading his voice as he whispered, "Since the people of Star Luo don't know the difference between life and death… then kill them all."
He sent another transmission: "Xiaotian, come see me."
Before long, urgent yet steady footsteps approached. Feng Xiaotian appeared before Yun Shan—his posture straight, his gaze resolute, and his face filled with respect. He dropped to one knee and called out, his voice clear and loud, "Second Master!"
Feng Xiaotian had originally been Lan Minghua's disciple, but Lan Minghua wasn't the best fit to guide his path. Yun Shan, by contrast, was a wind-attribute cultivator with unique mastery over its application. He was far better suited to teach Feng Xiaotian.
Thus, Lan Minghua had Feng Xiaotian acknowledge Yun Shan as his second master, while he himself happily remained the hands-off "first master." Even so, with Feng Xiaotian formally his disciple, Lan Minghua could still accrue Master Points—albeit fewer than if he had taught him personally.
Yun Shan regarded this disciple with considerable satisfaction, his hawk-like eyes taking Feng Xiaotian's measure. The soul power pulsing around the young man was strong—he had already broken through to become a Soul Emperor.
In just two years, he had climbed more than ten ranks. Such speed could only be called monstrous.
Yun Shan nodded, genuinely pleased. "Rise, Xiaotian. To advance to Soul Emperor in a mere two years… your teacher is gratified."
Feng Xiaotian stood, humble as ever. "It is all thanks to the careful instruction of Master and Second Master, as well as the excellent cultivation environment of the Heavenly Dragon Empire."
Yun Shan shook his head slightly, his expression turning solemn. "Xiaotian, how long has it been since you have truly faced a life-and-death battle?"
Feng Xiaotian wasn't sure why he asked, but he answered honestly, "Replying to Second Master—it has been two years."
Indeed, ever since the soul master exchange at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he had not been on the brink of death again.
Yun Shan's tone hardened. "You must understand that burying yourself in practice will raise your strength, but it is far from enough to become a true powerhouse. The Star Luo Empire is about to move against us. I intend to send you to the front lines to be tempered. Only in real battle will you truly grow."
A spark of excitement flashed in Feng Xiaotian's eyes. He answered without hesitation, "Yes, Second Master! I will not fail you."
Over these two years, not only had his soul power soared, but his combat strength had also grown immensely. He had poured his efforts into the Wind-God Legs taught by Lan Minghua and the Wind's Extreme Execution and Great Wind Hand Seal taught by Yun Shan, cultivating each to a state of minor success.
Beyond that, he had elevated his self-created soul skill, "Gale Demon Wolf Thirty-Sixfold Slash," to the "Gale Demon Wolf Seventy-Twofold Slash," multiplying its power several times over. Though he was only a Soul Emperor, with his many powerful techniques, Feng Xiaotian now possessed the combat strength to contend with Soul Saints.
Seeing the quiet confidence in his disciple, Yun Shan nodded and continued, "Xiaotian, you will take command of a ten-thousand-strong Aerial Legion to serve as the vanguard. This battle must be won. Go and blunt the Star Luo Empire's edge for me."
He produced a command token and handed it over.
Feng Xiaotian received it with both hands, his eyes firm. "Rest assured, Second Master. I will give it my all."
He turned and strode off, his steps quick and powerful. Two years in the army had taught him the iron law: speed is the soul of war.
In those same two years, under Yun Shan's meticulous planning, the Heavenly Dragon Empire had transformed. Leveraging Lan Minghua's Cultivation Furnace, the empire's number of soul masters had surged explosively. Now, every military unit in the Heavenly Dragon Empire was composed of soul masters. While most were only Soul Masters and Grand Soul Masters, the minimum requirement for the Imperial Guard and the Aerial Legion was Soul Ancestor. Their strength had multiplied many times over compared to the old Heaven Dou Empire.
In contrast, the Star Luo Empire, despite boasting over thirty Titled Douluo, was strong only on the surface. The bulk of their army was still composed of ordinary mortals. Against an army of soul masters, such mortal troops were fragile.
As for the Heavenly Dragon Empire's Aerial Legion, it was a specialized force composed entirely of flying soul masters or those equipped with flight-type soul tools. Its mobility and striking power were exceptional—an imperial blade honed to a killing edge. This was a key reason why Yun Shan felt confident sending Feng Xiaotian, a Soul Emperor, to lead them into battle.
Watching Feng Xiaotian's receding figure, Yun Shan chuckled softly. "Who said the Heavenly Dragon Empire is short on Titled Douluo?"
Before the words had faded, twenty or thirty powerful auras flared into being—every one a Titled Douluo.
In the past two years, Lan Minghua's disciples had all advanced by leaps and bounds. In turn, he had reaped a vast harvest of Master Points, which he used to summon dozens of Titled Douluo from his system. In truth, the Heavenly Dragon Empire's Titled Douluo far outnumbered Star Luo's. One could even say their numbers rivaled those of the rest of the continent combined. The Star Luo Empire remained oblivious, lost in the daydream of their own supposed might.
Yun Shan addressed one of the Titled Douluo. "Follow Xiaotian in secret. Intervene only if his life is truly in danger. Save him, but do not overprotect him."
Only on the precipice of death could one's true potential be awakened.
The Titled Douluo nodded, and his figure flickered and vanished. Yun Shan then assigned tasks to the others, ordering them to prepare. They accepted their commands and disappeared from the palace, heading to their designated posts.
Time flew by in a flash. Several days passed in a tense rush of pre-war preparations.
Meanwhile, on the border between the Heavenly Dragon and Star Luo Empires, a vast Star Luo army stood assembled. They numbered one hundred thousand strong. However, the overwhelming majority were ordinary mortals; only a few thousand were soul master troops, and these were the personal guard of Ling Leishi.
Ling Leishi stood at the front of the army, his frame as burly as a small mountain. His eyes burned with a fanatical light as he stared at the Heavenly Dragon Empire's border. He could almost see the titles of Marquis, perhaps even Duke, beckoning to him from that land.
His ambition swelled to its peak. Unable to wait any longer, he gave the order to attack.
"All forces, hear my command—CHARGE! Tear down the Heavenly Dragon Empire's border defenses! Take no prisoners—slaughter them all! Today, we will win a glorious first victory for the Star Luo Empire!"
His voice boomed like a great bell, filled with a crazed resolve.
At his command, the hundred-thousand-strong army surged forward. The earth thundered under a stampede of hooves, and a cloud of dust rose to blot out the sky. The very stones on the ground trembled and jumped like frightened fleas.
However, just as the Star Luo army was about to breach the Heavenly Dragon Empire's defensive line, the unexpected happened.
A swarm of dark figures streaked out from the direction of the Heavenly Dragon Empire—it was the Aerial Legion, led by Feng Xiaotian. Ten thousand strong, they descended like a flock of raptors released from their cages, howling as they came.
Feng Xiaotian's gaze burned as he looked down upon the earthbound Star Luo army. He gave a single, sharp command:
"Kill!"
(End of Chapter)