Chapter 576: Chapter 576: The Tian Xing Knights – Part 6
Welcome to our new Patron: M C!
------------------------------------------------------
Not long after, a new force appeared on the entangled battlefields of the three nations of the Douluo Continent.
Though this force was merely a small group of six individuals, its arrival shocked everyone.
Though the Sun Moon Empire's offensive had significantly weakened, they were still forcing the allied forces of Star Luo and Tian Hun to retreat step by step. At one point, the Star Luo Emperor even went to Shrek Academy to request that Xuan Zi return to the battlefield.
After all, three years had passed—how long did it take to recover from an injury?
However, the emergence of this small group made the Star Luo Emperor abandon that idea. One of the members of this group was none other than her younger sister, Princess Xu Jiujjiu.
On this day, Jing Hongchen and Xiao Ding were engaged in a fierce "unparalleled" battle in mid-air.
Suddenly, two streaks of light—one white, one blue—shot toward them from afar, interrupting a battlefield that ordinary soul masters could not hope to enter.
Jing Hongchen instinctively raised his defenses, wielding his Level 9 close-combat soul-guided weapon, the Holy Sword of Retribution, and the Shield of Lamentations. But he was immediately struck by an overwhelming force, sending him flying.
The sheer power of the attack shattered an entire mountain and gouged a deep trench into the ground as Jing Hongchen was sent skidding backward.
Fortunately, the enhanced-to-Level-10 Shield of Lamentations minimized the damage to Jing Hongchen. However, the intensity of the attack forced him to remain cautious.
That was a Limit Douluo-level attack!
"Who!" Jing Hongchen barked.
His gaze locked onto the two women who had appeared in mid-air.
At first glance, Jing Hongchen's attention was completely drawn to the two figures—not because of lust, but because of their armor.
"What exquisite soul-guided devices..."
Jing Hongchen couldn't help but murmur in admiration, nearly losing himself in awe. Fortunately, his spiritual power had significantly increased after breaking through to Level 10 soul mentor status, allowing him to quickly regain his composure. He cautiously studied the faces of the two women.
Jing Hongchen was well-versed in the intelligence reports of important figures across the continent, especially those related to Ye Wen's disciples, who had once been closely monitored. With a single glance, he recognized the two women.
"Princess Wei Na of the Tian Hun Empire and Princess Xu Jiujjiu of the Star Luo Empire."
However, recognizing their identities only deepened Jing Hongchen's frown.
The Douluo Continent was no stranger to prodigies. Every few years, there would be a handful of Soul Sages in their early twenties, and even a few who broke through to Soul Emperor before the age of thirty.
But Jing Hongchen had no idea when the Douluo Continent had started producing Title Douluos in their twenties—let alone ones with strength rivaling unparalleled Douluos!
And these two weren't just ordinary Title Douluos—they were true unparalleled fighters whose power rivaled the strongest of warriors!
Both women were currently in their martial soul-empowered states, with seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—circling their bodies.
If that was the case, there was only one possible explanation.
Jing Hongchen gazed at the battle armors adorning the two women, his eyes filled with envy.
"So this is the might of the Tian Xing Douluo... I should have guessed. How could someone who disseminated such advanced soul-guided armor technology not keep a few trump cards for themselves?"
The two women exchanged a few words with Xiao Ding, who then smiled and transformed into a streak of light, leaving the battlefield.
Though Wei Na was younger than Xu Jiujjiu, she had entered Ye Wen's tutelage earlier. As the fifth disciple, she spoke first.
"Toad Douluo Jing Hongchen, from this moment onward, we will be your opponents."
Jing Hongchen didn't immediately respond. Instead, his face darkened as he said,
"As disciples of the Tian Xing Douluo, you represent the Tian Xing Academy, don't you?
Didn't you claim to be a neutral force, refusing to intervene in wars between empires? Are you not afraid of being held accountable by the Tian Xing Douluo?"
Xu Jiujjiu responded by condensing starlight into a spear, pointing it directly at Jing Hongchen.
"We have already graduated. Now, we represent only the empires behind us, not our master. After all, an academy is not a sect—it never demanded lifelong allegiance from its graduates."
Xu Jiujjiu's rebuttal was flawless, subtly mocking Shrek Academy as nothing more than a sect masquerading as an academy.
After all, Shrek Academy used every method to recruit talented students and bind them to the academy permanently.
This was one of the underhanded tactics Shrek had employed to maintain its dominance over the Douluo Continent!
Because of this, the original three nations of the Douluo Continent found it exceedingly difficult to nurture geniuses capable of reaching Super Douluo levels. As a result, neither of the two empires had even a single 98th-level guardian Douluo.
Over time, Shrek Academy grew increasingly estranged from the three nations, becoming a target of ridicule and resentment.
At this moment, Wei Na raised her hands, and seven floating Level 9 soul-guided ray cannons began charging energy.
"Enough talk, old toad. Let's settle this with action!"
Before Jing Hongchen could react, Wei Na launched her attack.
The Level 9 soul-guided rays crafted by Ye Wen were far superior to the inferior versions used by the Sun Moon Empire. Each blast carried power comparable to that of a Limit Douluo.
Moreover, Ye Wen had equipped Wei Na with nine of these Level 9 soul-guided devices. If not for her slightly insufficient spiritual power, her firepower would have been even more devastating.
Seven soul-guided rays crisscrossed the battlefield, launching attacks with almost no gaps in between, forcing Jing Hongchen to scramble defensively while cursing inwardly.
"Damn it! Does this girl's soul power grow on trees? How can she be so relentless!?"
After enduring a barrage of attacks, Jing Hongchen realized he couldn't continue like this. He pulled out two Level 9 soul-guided ray cannons of his own and began firing back.
With the enhancement of his Level 10 Red Dust Golden Toad Battle Armor, his attacks matched hers in power.
However, the term "Level 10" ultimately fell short of divine-level strength. As their attacks canceled each other out, Jing Hongchen's heart soured with bitterness, though he couldn't help but admire Ye Wen's technological prowess.
Unfortunately, Jing Hongchen knew he would never have the chance to learn such skills from Ye Wen.
After all, allegiances dictated perspectives. Jing Hongchen's position ensured that Ye Wen would never teach him everything he knew.
However, a ruthless glint began to appear in Jing Hongchen's eyes. If conventional means wouldn't work, then unconventional methods would have to do! And here were two perfect test subjects right before him!
If he could capture them, not only would he gain access to their advanced soul-guided technology, but the Sun Moon Empire would also benefit greatly!
From their earlier exchange, Jing Hongchen had already deduced that Wei Na's attacks were powerful but that she likely wasn't skilled in close combat—a typical long-range artillery-type soul mentor.
With that in mind, Jing Hongchen decided to act.
First, he neutralized two of Wei Na's soul-guided rays with his own Level 9 soul-guided cannons. Then, using his Shield of Lamentations, he withstood three more of her blasts.
Wei Na had two more soul-guided rays ready to fire at any moment, but her Shield of Lamentations was now destroyed.
Yet Jing Hongchen wasn't afraid! After all, his Red Dust Golden Toad Battle Armor was itself a Level 10 soul-guided device!
At this moment, the two were within striking distance!
------------------------------------------------------
400+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)