"His Majesty Xue Beng ascended the throne three years ago, after Emperor Xue Ye passed away from illness. He has been governing diligently these past few years and has been very supportive of our Tang Sect. Our sect currently has a total of two thousand three hundred disciples. Apart from our original four clan members, the rest are elite disciples cultivated by Shrek Academy and sent to us, all screened by the Great Master personally. With the Empire's support, we have mass-produced a large quantity of Hidden Weapons centered on the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, equipping a ten-thousand-strong elite army for the Tian Dou Empire. His Majesty Xue Beng personally named this army the Tang Family Army. For this expedition, Grandfather will serve as acting commander of this force, awaiting your formal appointment."
Tai Nuo summarized the information Tang San most urgently needed to know in brief terms. After hearing him, Tang San nodded. "It seems Xue Beng's years of patience were not in vain. He truly grasps the essence of 'do not suspect those you employ, and trust those you do.' Excellent. Uncle Tai Nuo, I'll write a letter right now, and you should immediately send an Agility Hall disciple to deliver it to the Clear Sky Sect's village. Though we still have a thousand Soul Masters guarding the capital, it's far too thin. Once we gain the upper hand in the campaign ahead, Spirit Hall will very likely dispatch elite Soul Master units to cause trouble in the capital. Only with the Clear Sky Sect stationed there can we be assured of safety."
"Sect Master, the Clear Sky Sect..." Upon hearing those three words, Tai Nuo's pupils visibly contracted.
Tang San spoke in a deep voice. "The Tang Sect is the Tang Sect, and the Clear Sky Sect is the Clear Sky Sect. They will never be conflated. Right now our common enemy is Spirit Hall — this is not the time to dredge up old grievances. The Clear Sky Sect has already decided to come out of seclusion. Having them guard the capital saves us from worries on that front and also avoids the awkwardness that would arise if the Clear Sky Sect encountered our various Hall Masters."
"Yes." Tai Nuo accepted the order respectfully. Seeing Tang San again, though his appearance had not changed much — he merely seemed more composed than before — his eyes now held an indescribable authority. Every word he spoke carried a convincing gravitas, and in his bearing there was not only an aristocratic elegance but also a distinctive quality of leadership. Even the Ning Fengzhi, master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, whom Tai Nuo had once met, did not seem to possess Tang San's particular presence.
Of course, Tai Nuo had no way of knowing that this quality stemmed largely from the Sea God's Light, which had triggered yet another transformation in Tang San. As the Sea God's chosen, how could he be the same as ordinary people?
Before long, Tang San had written the letter at the gates of the Tang Sect and handed it to Tai Nuo. With the speed of an Agility Hall disciple, the Clear Sky Sect would receive the news within half a day at most — there would absolutely be no delay.
At the same time, he wrote a second letter, which he also gave to Tai Nuo, instructing him to deliver it to Moon Pavilion. With his aunt's recommendation and this letter, the Clear Sky Sect's stationing within the imperial household would not be an issue. After all, he had once been granted the high title of Crown Prince's Preceptor — he should still carry some weight. The Tian Dou Empire was in urgent need of Soul Master elites now and would certainly not refuse.
"Xiao Wu, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you. We need to keep moving. Our wedding, too..." Tang San gazed at Xiao Wu tenderly, his eyes filled with apology.
Xiao Wu smiled and took his large hand. "Why say all that? We've weathered so many storms together — what is a little more waiting? What matters is the greater cause. Spirit Hall also killed my mother. Destroying them has always been my wish as well. Let's go."
Tang San and Xiao Wu took their leave of Tai Nuo. The two swiftly departed Tian Dou City, and only then did Tang San wrap his arm around Xiao Wu and take to the air, heading due south. By Tang San's calculations, though the army had already marched ten days ahead, at their speed they should be able to meet up with the army before it reached the front lines. No need to ask — the Shrek Five Devils were surely all within the army's ranks. He simply hadn't expected that war with Spirit Hall would come so soon. Though he still hadn't fully prepared himself mentally, Tang San was filled with a burning desire for this battle.
Five years had passed. Tang San was eager to see just how far the Tang Sect he had built with his own hands had developed. Two thousand three hundred Soul Masters — it sounded like a fair number, but compared to Spirit Hall's force of over fifty thousand Soul Masters, it was still far too thin. Whether this battle could defeat the Spirit Empire would likely hinge on the Tang Family Army that Xue Beng had established. The Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons would also make their debut on the stage of history. Without question, both the Tian Dou and Xing Luo Empires would commit everything to this fight. This might well be the final battle against Spirit Hall. If they lost, and the Spirit Empire destroyed the combined elites of both empires, then the two great powers would never recover — their annihilation would be only a matter of time. But if they could strike while the Spirit Empire was still unsteady on its feet, at least dealing a serious blow to its strength, then the future would hold great promise.
...
Spirit Empire capital, Spirit City. Papal Hall.
"What? An entire Annihilation Squad wiped out? Over five hundred Soul Masters lost across five cities?" Bibi Dong had just returned when she received this infuriating news. She looked at Hu Liena, who stood before her with a face full of guilt, and her robes stirred in a nonexistent wind. If it had been anyone else standing before her, given her temper, she would likely have already struck them down. But Hu Liena was different. In Bibi Dong's heart, Hu Liena was not merely her personal disciple — she was more like a daughter. Though she had a biological daughter in Qian Renxue, in truth Qian Renxue's standing in her heart was not even equal to Hu Liena's. She had poured far too much of herself into Hu Liena.
Bad news arrived one after another. Just before returning to the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong had already learned that both great empires were engaged in large-scale military operations, aimed directly at the Spirit Empire — a pincer attack, with massive armies pressing in from both sides.
"Good. Very good. It seems Tian Dou and Xing Luo have come prepared. They want to strike me before I've had time to consolidate. Fine! I'd like to see what basis they have for going up against my Soul Master legions. Nana, relay my order — summon the masters of the seven sects and all imperial-conferred Soul Masters of bishop rank and above to attend a council. If they wish to settle everything in one decisive battle, then I shall grant them their wish."
"Yes, Teacher." In the entire Spirit Empire, Hu Liena was the only one permitted to address Bibi Dong as anything other than "Your Majesty."
Seeing that her teacher had not blamed her, Hu Liena silently breathed a sigh of relief. She knew perfectly well how much her teacher cared for her, but the more that was so, the more it pained her. In the depths of her heart, the silhouette of another man — one whose standing was by no means inferior to her teacher's — lingered ceaselessly, as though branded upon her very soul, impossible to shake no matter how she tried.
Both sides were about to go to war. Tang San, will you appear on the battlefield? If we meet there, what am I supposed to do? Why must the two most important people in my life be forced to draw swords against each other?
As these thoughts churned within her, Hu Liena turned to leave and relay the orders, but Bibi Dong called her back. "Xie Yue, you and Yan go deliver the summons. Nana, stay. I have something to say to you."
"Yes. Your Majesty." Xie Yue and Yan exchanged a glance, both feeling a measure of helplessness. They understood that in Bibi Dong's heart, their standing could never compare to that of Hu Liena, the Holy Maiden.
Soon only Bibi Dong and Hu Liena remained in the room. The icy lines on Bibi Dong's face gradually softened. She gestured to the seat beside her, motioning for Hu Liena to sit.
"Teacher, I have disappointed you." Hu Liena lowered her head and spoke.
Bibi Dong sighed. "It's nothing. The loss of a few hundred Soul Masters won't cripple us. This was undoubtedly a deliberate provocation by the Tian Dou Empire, meant to undermine our morale. But they won't find it so easy. This war was bound to start sooner or later. Though we haven't yet fully consolidated our position, our Soul Master superiority over the two empires is firmly in our hands. As long as we command well and deploy that strength effectively on the battlefield, Tian Dou and Xing Luo won't be able to stir up any real trouble. Everyone suffers setbacks sometimes. Don't let one defeat shake your confidence. Speaking of which, I suffered a loss myself this time."
"Ah? Teacher, you...?" Hu Liena stared at Bibi Dong in shock.
Bibi Dong spoke through gritted teeth. "I was on the verge of success. The Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python were both on the brink of death. But at that very moment, a figure suddenly appeared — wielding a strange trident-like weapon, draped in a cloak — and ruined everything. If my guess is correct, this person is likely that Tang San who has been missing for over five years."
"What?" Hu Liena's body swayed, and she nearly fell from her chair. Her red lips trembled uncontrollably.
...
Three days later.
From a distance, Tang San and Xiao Wu had already spotted the army that seemed to blot out the sky. Even viewing it from the air, the sheer spectacle of a million soldiers left them momentarily stunned.
The teeming host stretched endlessly, banners flying, everything in perfect order. Moving across the vast plains in units of ten thousand, it was like a river of steel.
Heavy cavalry clad head to horse in thick armor formed the vanguard, flanked on both sides by heavy infantry corps composed entirely of powerful soldiers, with the largest infantry formation occupying the center. At least six light cavalry corps patrolled in sweeping arcs around the army's perimeter, handling reconnaissance and scouting while guarding the central force. The whole vast formation pressed steadily forward.
Behind the main army was an enormous logistics train. As the saying goes, armies march on their stomachs. The supply units alone numbered well over five hundred thousand, continuously ferrying provisions and materiel forward. And this did not even include the logistical forces operating outside the main army. With a rough estimate, Tang San understood that the Tian Dou Empire had mobilized a total exceeding two million troops this time — regular forces, logistics, and reserves — an unequivocal commitment of the entire nation's strength.
Simultaneously, this was the maximum number of troops the empire could sustain. Years of accumulated strength were on full display in this moment. Two million soldiers consumed astronomical quantities of rations each day. Equipping such a force spoke volumes about the Tian Dou Empire's national power. Truly worthy of being a great empire that had stood firm on the continent for generations.
From the Tian Dou Empire's army, one could imagine what the Xing Luo Empire had mustered. In terms of Soul Master numbers, the Xing Luo Empire might fall short of the Tian Dou. But their conventional military forces would absolutely surpass those of the Tian Dou. The Xing Luo Empire governed by an iron-and-blood philosophy — one need only look at Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's experiences to see that. How could such a nation's army be anything less? Though Soul Masters were formidable, those below the rank of Soul Saint still faced considerable limitations in both stamina and Soul Power. When facing armies of such scale, once the numerical ratio reached a certain threshold, even Soul Masters would not dare directly challenge that river of steel. Without question, both empires intended to use their national strength to close the gap in Soul Master numbers against the Spirit Empire as much as possible.
The Soul Land had not seen large-scale warfare in many years, and certainly had no experience fighting Spirit Hall's Soul Master legions. No one could predict the outcome of this battle, but the timing chosen by both the Tian Dou and Xing Luo Empires was undoubtedly the best available.
While Tang San was lost in thought, his spiritual sense stirred faintly. He glanced in a certain direction, and in the span of a blink, an ethereal figure appeared within his line of sight — wings quivering behind it, locking directly onto Tang San and Xiao Wu's position. A piercing cry rang out instantly, soaring toward the heavens.
Seeing this figure and its reaction, Tang San couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Does this count as lifting a stone only to drop it on my own foot? Our Tang Sect's Agility Hall scouts haven't even made it to the battlefield yet, and they've already captured the Sect Master himself."
Xiao Wu let out a soft laugh. "That just proves our Tang Sect disciples truly are elite!"
Who but an Agility Hall disciple with the Sharp-Tailed Swift Martial Soul could boast such speed and such sharp reflexes as an aerial reconnaissance Soul Master? The Agility Hall disciple did not approach, instead circling at a distance of three hundred meters from Tang San and Xiao Wu. At that range, Soul Master skills were essentially out of reach. He was clearly quite confident in his speed and had no fear of the two coming after him.
In just a few breaths, dozens of figures rose from the Tian Dou Empire's army and flew in their direction — all flying-type Soul Masters. Once airborne, they quickly formed a semicircular encirclement, converging on Tang San and Xiao Wu's position. Their coordination was seamless, without a single extraneous sound — an impeccably disciplined formation.
Seeing that his mission was complete, the Agility Hall disciple suddenly accelerated and streaked away into the distance. From start to finish, he had not uttered a single word.
Before long, Tang San and Xiao Wu were surrounded by those several dozen flying Soul Masters. Gleaming Soul Rings flickered into existence on their bodies. Each of them radiated vigor — the weakest among them was a four-ring Soul Ancestor, and the strongest already possessed six rings.
"Surrender immediately." The dozens of flying Soul Masters shouted in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized. As they shouted, their combined aura surged upward instantly, pressing down upon Tang San and Xiao Wu at the center.
Xiao Wu chuckled. "You don't even ask who we are before telling us to surrender?"
The Soul Emperor above level sixty spoke in a stern voice. "Regardless of identity, anyone who spies upon our army as a Soul Master is to be apprehended on the spot. Come down with us." Xiao Wu's composure had left him faintly uneasy. Though they had the advantage in numbers, they would be no match for a truly powerful individual. The Soul Emperor was fully prepared to call for reinforcements at any moment. Of course, he would not retreat — below them stood a million soldiers and as many as six thousand Soul Masters at their backs. He refused to believe these two people would dare do anything.
Tang San lifted the hood of his cloak and smiled. "I am Tang San, Sect Master of the Tang Sect. I've come to join up with the army. Please take us to see the Great Master, or anyone from the Tang Sect."
"You're the Tang Sect Master?" The Soul Emperor was well past fifty. He stared at Tang San, his eyes full of disbelief. "The Tang Sect has over two thousand disciples — and you think the Sect Master would look as young as you? Even if you're going to lie, at least make it plausible. Enough talk. Surrender now, or don't blame us for getting rough."
Tang San shook his head with a soft sigh. He was not willing to waste any more time here. The light in his eyes suddenly became crystalline pure, and a halo of blue deeper than the sky itself enveloped every Soul Master in the vicinity in the span of an instant. The flying Soul Masters felt their bodies go rigid and immediately lost all control over themselves — forget using Soul Skills, they couldn't even speak.
After neutralizing these Soul Masters with effortless ease, Tang San let out a long whistle. The rolling waves of sound surged toward the heavens — a deep, clear cry that carried far and wide, spreading like the boundless army on the ground below. This single whistle reached every corner of the million-strong force beneath them. And rather than fading, the sound only grew more piercing and resonant.
Those rolling waves of sound crashed like thunderous surf, shaking the million soldiers below.