Douluo: I am the True Master

Because those who only know how to kill can never rise to prominence. 

Huo Yu'er gave Jing Hongchen a cold sidelong glance and said, "You won the previous battle, but I also let you off easy. We're even now." 

With that, Huo Yu'er retracted her domain, and her emerald-green right arm reverted to its original silvery-white armor. Clearly, her earlier state had been powered by a soul bone. 

Jing Hongchen gazed at the young woman before him with a complex expression. Having recognized Xu Jiujjiu and Wei Na, he naturally wouldn't fail to identify Huo Yu'er, the woman who had consecutively won two Soul Master Tournament championships. 

Compared to before, Huo Yu'er had truly blossomed. Her long, wavy light-blue hair paired with golden eyes made her exceptionally beautiful. The luxurious silver armor she wore, adorned with intricate golden patterns, exuded an aura of nobility. 

Though he had long known that Huo Yu'er was destined to become one of the top figures on the Douluo Continent, Jing Hongchen hadn't expected it to happen so soon. 

His greed for battle armor had been completely extinguished in the face of her overwhelming power just moments ago. 

Swallowing hard, Jing Hongchen asked, "What exactly are you planning?" 

After suppressing her irritation toward Princess Xu Jiujjiu and Princess Wei Na, Huo Yu'er looked directly at Jing Hongchen and calmly replied, 

"Intervening in your battle was my mistake. 

That's why I said I'd let you go. 

Return and tell Emperor Xu Tianran of the Sun Moon Empire that the Tian Xing Knights are officially intervening in this war. 

It's time to bring this endless slaughter to an end." 

Her haughty, domineering demeanor reminded Jing Hongchen of Mu En. His hands clenched instinctively as he growled lowly, 

"Why—should—we—listen!" 

The domain that had dissipated moments ago suddenly erupted again, stronger than before. In the blink of an eye, frost enveloped Jing Hongchen's entire body. 

Huo Yu'er spoke indifferently, "My master once taught me that power is everything. If you have any grievances, you may challenge me. But think carefully. 

If you make a move, I will not hesitate to kill you." 

As she spoke, Huo Yu'er unleashed her full killing intent, enveloping Jing Hongchen. 

Though seasoned in combat, Jing Hongchen found himself struggling to breathe, his breaths rapid and labored under the weight of Huo Yu'er's murderous aura. 

"How could this be!? She's just a girl in her early twenties—why does she possess such terrifying strength!?" 

Jing Hongchen sank into deep despair. 

As a soul mentor, possessing vast knowledge and a rational mind, he would never willingly court death. Otherwise, in the original storyline, he wouldn't have chosen to buy his life when facing the Dragon God Douluo Mu En. 

All resentment faded at this moment. Jing Hongchen muttered softly, 

"I understand." 

Huo Yu'er nodded in satisfaction. However, to prevent the Sun Moon Empire from resorting to desperate measures, she added, 

"The Tian Xing Knights merely wish to end this war. As for the lands you've occupied, we will not interfere." 

With that, Huo Yu'er left, taking Xu Jiujjiu and Wei Na with her. 

After hearing Huo Yu'er's words, Jing Hongchen paused for a moment, then his expression brightened slightly. 

Though Huo Yu'er was as domineering as the Dragon God Douluo, compared to Mu En—who had demanded the Sun Moon Empire return the lands they had seized—Huo Yu'er had truly inherited Ye Wen's stance of neutrality. 

Jing Hongchen thought further. By stopping this war, aside from gaining fame, it seemed the Tian Xing Knights had no other tangible benefits. 

"Ending the war like this… perhaps it's not so bad," Jing Hongchen muttered to himself before returning to deliver his report. 

The end of the war aside, what truly mattered was this: if both Huo Yu'er and Princess Xu Jiujjiu had obtained battle armors capable of elevating their power by 20 levels to reach Limit Douluo status, what about Ye Wen's other three disciples? Did they receive similar treatment, or were there even more people like them? 

As Huo Yu'er had said earlier, power was everything. 

The course of battles was never decided by lower-level soul masters but by Limit Douluos like him. Yet now, the balance was beginning to crumble. 

--- 

Sun Moon Imperial Palace

Xu Tianran received the news immediately. For the first time, the usually composed emperor completely lost his composure. He accidentally swept the items on his desk to the floor, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Jing Hongchen and asked hoarsely, 

"What you're saying—is true!? Three soul masters with Limit Douluo-level strength have suddenly appeared on the Douluo side!!!" 

Though he knew Jing Hongchen would never lie, the second confirmation left Xu Tianran utterly ashen-faced. 

Though Xu Tianran was disabled from the waist down, he now used Level 9 prosthetic limb soul-guided devices to replace his legs, allowing him to walk freely. Thus, he had only two remaining ambitions in life: to unify the entire Douluo Continent and achieve eternal glory, and to restore his male capabilities. 

Now, with the balance of power shattered in an instant, Xu Tianran—though confident in his own abilities—knew he could never reach Level 99 in his lifetime. His only hope was to rely on becoming a Level 10 soul mentor. But even if he reached that level alone, what could he do against three Limit Douluos—and possibly more, according to Jing Hongchen's speculations? 

So… what was the point of continuing? 

Exhausted, loveless, and resigned to destruction, Xu Tianran's once-ambitious and spirited eyes now reflected the apathy of someone ready to give up. 

Jing Hongchen wanted to console Xu Tianran, but Ju Zi, ever the supportive consort, spoke first, gently saying, 

"Your Majesty, ending this war now might not be a bad thing. After all, our treasury is nearly depleted. 

Moreover, didn't Huo Yu'er say that we don't need to return the lands we've occupied? Compared to the past, this is already a historic step forward." 

At this thought, Xu Tianran's eyes regained some of their former luster. Ju Zi continued, 

"Furthermore, Your Majesty, according to Hall Master Hongchen's account, the Limit strength of Huo Yu'er and her companions comes from their battle armor. Doesn't this suggest that Ye Wen's disseminated soul-guided armor technology has room for further development? Though we can't obtain detailed information from the Tian Xing Douluo, with this goal in mind, mobilizing the full resources of the Sun Moon Empire might eventually lead to a breakthrough. 

As for Your Majesty's concern that this technology might fall into the hands of Star Luo and Tian Hun, there's no need to worry. Based on the Tian Xing Douluo's character, such advanced technology is unlikely to be casually leaked. 

Though the Tian Xing Douluo claims neutrality, during my years of study under him, I learned that he harbors ambition." 

Snapped out of his despair over the shattering of his grand ambitions, Xu Tianran reflexively asked, 

"What ambition?" 

Ju Zi replied softly, "The Tian Xing Douluo—he wants to replace the former Shrek Academy."

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