There was no doubt that the higher a Soul Master's cultivation, the faster they could retreat. The dense crowd could not hinder these high-level Soul Masters at all—they either leapt over their own low-level cultivators, or the more powerful ones simply smashed straight through. Those high-level Soul Masters quickly reached the forefront of their own retreat. As a result, the low-level Soul Masters and support-type Soul Masters were left exposed before the Tang Family Army.
Galloping horses might not catch high-level Soul Masters over short distances, but these low-level and support-type Soul Masters could never hope to keep up with charging steeds.
When Bibi Dong watched the Zhuge Divine Crossbows fire for the third time and saw the support-type and low-level Soul Masters of the Holy Dragon Legion fall in droves, she could not help closing her eyes in anguish. Only now did she realize her orders had been flawed. Though the enemy was formidable, the Holy Dragon Legion was still a corps made entirely of Soul Masters. If she had ordered the high-level Soul Masters to hold the front and withdraw gradually, there would have been losses, but nothing like what was happening now.
However, it was far too late for regrets. Bibi Dong cast one final glance toward Tang San in the distance, called out to her side's Titled Douluo, and retreated swiftly toward Jialing Pass. She did not forget to take along the gravely wounded Snake Lance Douluo. Among these powerhouses, Snake Lance Douluo was severely injured, and the Titled Douluo who had been wrapped in that red light earlier had been torn to shreds—two losses, on top of the Heavenly Aspect Titan and Holy Dragon Tuoba Xi. This time, the Spirit Empire had paid a heavy price.
Tang San had no attention to spare for pursuit. The other members of the Shrek Seven Devils had all positioned themselves in front of him. In the instant he was sent flying, his eyes had already turned blood-red—how could he not see who had blocked Bibi Dong's attack for him?
It was none other than his beloved, Xiao Wu. She had been using Void and the Burst Kill Eight-Stage Throw to deal with the Demon Bear Douluo, and when she saw Tang San in danger, she had charged forward with the Demon Bear Douluo's body without a moment's hesitation.
The Demon Bear Douluo could still unleash his defensive abilities even within the Unfixed Storm, and he might have been able to withstand part of the Eight-Stage Throw's impact—but how could he possibly endure Bibi Dong's terrifying Spatial Rift Abyss Slash? He was instantly torn to shreds. But the residual force of the attack still slammed into Xiao Wu, sending her hurtling through the air until she collided with Tang San's body.
Xiao Wu's entire body was now drenched in red. Tang San clutched her tightly, desperately pouring his Soul Power into her.
"Brother, I'm fine." Xiao Wu coughed sharply and spat out a burst of Soul Power that whipped the robes of the five Shrek Devils before her into a flutter.
Tang San froze for a moment. Worry truly clouded one's judgment—seeing Xiao Wu gravely injured, he had completely panicked. Hearing her voice now, he finally steadied himself and eased the Soul Power he was feeding into her body.
Xiao Wu blinked her big eyes, showing not the slightest sign of weakness, and gave a bitter smile. "My silly brother, have you forgotten? I have the Invincible Golden Body protecting me! Bibi Dong didn't do anything to me. If you keep pushing that much Soul Power into me, I won't be able to take it."
Tang San finally understood fully, letting out a long breath. He pulled Xiao Wu tightly against him, lowering his head so that his face pressed against hers. "Silly girl, you scared me to death."
Bibi Dong's Spatial Rift Abyss Slash was powerful, but it had not yet reached the divine tier—nowhere near enough to break through Xiao Wu's Invincible Golden Body. Fortunately, Xiao Wu still had one last use of the Invincible Golden Body's defense. Otherwise, she would likely have been torn to shreds just like the Demon Bear Douluo.
Tang San suddenly gave Xiao Wu a light swat on her perky backside. She looked up pitifully. "Brother, why did you hit me?"
Tang San snorted. "If you had already used up all your Invincible Golden Body charges, would you still have charged in like that?"
Xiao Wu giggled. "Exactly! That's all the more reason for you to watch out for yourself. Otherwise, you can't blame me."
Regardless, Xiao Wu was safe, and that put Tang San's mind greatly at ease. He held her as he stood and turned his gaze to the battlefield. By now, the battlefield was a scene of utter chaos. Twenty Tian Dou Empire corps were bearing down on Jialing Pass. After three volleys from the Zhuge Divine Crossbows, the Holy Dragon Legion had lost nearly half its strength, and with over six thousand Tian Dou Empire Soul Masters giving chase, the casualty count was climbing by the minute.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, and the Golden Iron Triangle—who had transformed into a Golden Holy Dragon—led the charge like the tip of a spear, driving their own Soul Masters in relentless pursuit of the fleeing Holy Dragon Legion.
The Tang Family Army had already split into two groups, silently withdrawing to the flanks. Their role in this battle had been emphatically demonstrated. To avoid further losses, the Great Master had ordered the Tang Sect disciples to remain within the Soul Master formation and assist the attack, while the remaining ten thousand Tang Family troops retreated to the rear to reload the Zhuge Divine Crossbows.
The Spirit Empire's eight heavy-armored corps finally pushed forward, bypassing the Holy Dragon Legion's Soul Masters—only to be met by the frenzied Tian Dou Empire army. Two torrents of steel, one charging at full speed, the other already gripped by fear. When they collided, though their numbers were roughly equal, with six thousand Soul Masters leading the charge, the outcome was decided in an instant.
Bibi Dong had by now retreated to the ramparts of Jialing Pass. Only at this moment did she quietly spit a mouthful of blood into her sleeve, her face turning ashen.
Hedgehog Douluo spoke in a deep voice. "Your Majesty, should we deploy the Angel Legion? Otherwise our losses—"
"The Angel Legion cannot be deployed." Bibi Dong's eyes flickered with dark indecision. "Until we have identified what those weapons are that have been killing our Soul Masters in such numbers, we absolutely cannot risk our Soul Master corps again. Soul Masters are not ordinary soldiers—even with our reserves, they cannot be rebuilt in a short time. Relay my orders: the Angel Legion is to take positions on the city walls and prevent the enemy from storming the gates."
The enormous breach in Jialing Pass's walls posed a dire threat to the entire defense. If the Tian Dou Empire army crossed the river, that breach would become their way through.
As she issued her commands, Bibi Dong's gaze also fell upon the trident resting calmly in the ground below the walls, its entire surface a deep, dark black.
At last, the surviving Soul Masters of the Holy Dragon Legion managed to retreat behind the walls of Jialing Pass under the cover of the Spirit Empire's eight heavy-armored corps. But as they withdrew inside, the Tian Dou Empire's Soul Master corps and their light and heavy cavalry had already arrived at the gates.
One side surged with unstoppable momentum, led by six thousand Soul Masters and backed by an overwhelming numerical advantage. The other had already lost its fighting spirit, with the walls of Jialing Pass and four drawbridges at their backs. In the clash of those two steel torrents, lives were reaped by the grim reaper as carelessly as weeds.
The true value of Soul Masters in warfare was instantly revealed. At the forefront, the Golden Holy Dragon transformed from the Golden Iron Triangle, along with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, cut through the enemy ranks like tigers among sheep. In almost a single instant, they had torn a gap in the Spirit Empire's heavy-armored corps. The six thousand Soul Masters split apart—support-type Soul Masters in the rear, assault types at the front, and agility types guarding the flanks. But the result now was entirely different from when the Spirit Empire's Holy Dragon Legion had charged earlier.
The Holy Dragon Legion had faced the Tang Family Army's Zhuge Divine Crossbows. Now, the Tian Dou Empire Soul Master corps faced ordinary soldiers. Though they wore heavy armor, against Soul Masters, what good was any amount of plate?
Fire and ice-element Soul Skills appeared on the battlefield first—students from the Four Elements Academy unleashing their power. Fire and water showed no mercy, and these two absolute elemental forces could not be stopped by mere armor. Right behind them came the central assault force formed by the Tang Sect's Defense Hall and Medicine Hall disciples.
Defense Hall disciples in front, Medicine Hall disciples behind, paired in twos. The attacks of the armored soldiers landed on the Defense Hall disciples' Giant Rhinoceros Plate defense and were no different from scratching an itch through a boot. But the Soul-Breaking Spears thrusting out from the Defense Hall disciples' shoulders and beneath their ribs pierced through the heavy armor as though it were paper. With practically every step the Defense Hall disciples advanced, the Spirit Empire's heavy-armored corps lost another two hundred corpses.
Six thousand Soul Masters drove like a sharp blade deep into the enemy's belly. What should have been the Spirit Empire's heavy armor tearing through Tian Dou Empire formations was now happening to the Spirit Empire's own heavy-armored corps. The sheer scale of the carnage was staggering.
On the ramparts of Jialing Pass, generals from the various kingdoms and principalities that comprised the Spirit Empire had fallen to their knees in a row.
"Your Majesty, please send the Soul Master corps to rescue them. Our heavy-armored corps can't hold much longer!"
"Indeed, Your Majesty! These are our elite troops. Jialing Pass has only eighty thousand heavy-armored soldiers in total. If the Tian Dou Empire breaks through, how are we to defend the pass?"
"Your Majesty, the First Heavy Cavalry Corps is about to be annihilated. You must give the order. If this goes on, the heavy-armored corps will be finished."
...
Heavy-armored corps were of paramount importance to any nation. The financial investment required to field one was nearly equal to ten infantry corps. In terms of equipment and soldier quality, they sat at the apex of any military system. The kingdoms and principalities that had once belonged to the Tian Dou and Star Luo Empires were fortunate to field even one or two heavy-armored corps apiece. Watching these precious units being slaughtered under the Tian Dou Empire's assault, how could they not feel the sting?
Bibi Dong regarded the kneeling generals with a dark, heavy expression and declared, "The Soul Master corps will not sortie again. I have said it before—until we have identified the weapons that have been decimating our Soul Masters, we will not take any further risks. You must understand that while the heavy-armored corps is important, the Soul Master corps is what truly determines the outcome. As long as the Angel Legion remains intact and we hold the natural fortress of Jialing Pass, we need not fear being conquered by the Tian Dou Empire. Hear me! Relay my orders—unleash all ranged attacks to cover the heavy-armored corps' withdrawal. The Angel Legion is to remain within the walls. If the enemy follows them in, intercept immediately."
Hearing Bibi Dong's orders, the generals on the ground exchanged glances, their eyes filled with barely concealed resentment. Of course, none dared to defy Bibi Dong's command—after all, no one wished to shorten their own life. But in their hearts, a dark seed had already taken root. Bibi Dong's conduct inevitably gave rise to the feeling that only her Soul Master corps were elite, while their soldiers were not even human.
The generals fell silent, but their barely suppressed fury only deepened Bibi Dong's gloom. Since the founding of the Spirit Empire, she had always been brimming with confidence. But only now did she realize that in the realm of true battlefield command, she was no seasoned general. She could direct Soul Masters well enough, but once the battlefield descended into chaos, her composure began to crack.
Still, this was not enough to change Bibi Dong's decision. In her heart, nothing mattered more than the Soul Master corps under her command.
The siege ballistae atop Jialing Pass began to unleash their power. Coordinating with vast numbers of archers, they rained volleys of bolts down upon the forces below.
Marshal Golong had long been prepared. The moment he saw his forces enter the enemy's ranged-attack perimeter, he issued his orders. The ten light cavalry corps that had charged in from both flanks rapidly dispersed, sweeping in wide arcs around the sides and toward the rear. They did not go far—just five li from the main battlefield, they reformed their ranks, ready to reinforce the front at a moment's notice.
Ordinary arrows posed no threat to heavy cavalry. Each armored rider was encased like an iron can, their warhorses similarly sheathed in plate. Arrows merely trailed a string of sparks across their armor.
The real danger came from the siege ballistae. Jialing Pass boasted a full hundred and fifty of them, each bolt reaching one and a half meters in length. Fired in sudden volleys, their penetrating power within a thousand meters exceeded even the Zhuge Divine Crossbows. Even an ordinary Soul Master would never dare take one head-on. Of course, the ballistae's rate of fire could not compare to the Zhuge Divine Crossbows. With adequate preparation, it was still difficult for these massive bolts to hit a Soul Master. Their sheer size gave high-level Soul Masters enough warning to intercept them. Yet even so, under the barrage of the siege ballistae, the Tian Dou Empire's casualties began to mount.
The Spirit Empire's eight heavy-armored corps fought a running retreat. They had long since lost the will to fight. Once the vast majority of their soldiers had withdrawn to the far side of the drawbridges and taken up a defensive position, combined with the cover of the siege ballistae and archers on the walls, the situation finally stabilized.
If the Great Master had now ordered the Soul Master corps to charge through, these remnant heavy-armored soldiers would certainly have been unable to stop them. The enormous breach in the wall of Jialing Pass loomed right before them.
But the Great Master did nothing of the sort. After several charges were repulsed, he and Marshal Golong exchanged a single glance and immediately issued the order to withdraw. The gong sounded, and the troops recalled.
The Tian Dou Empire had deployed nothing but cavalry for this engagement. Though heavy cavalry could not match light cavalry in speed, they still moved far faster than infantry. As the massive ranks of soldiers pulled back like an ebbing tide, the Great Master led the Soul Master corps in a rearguard action to guard against a Spirit Empire counterattack.
On the other side, the Shrek Seven Devils had also arrived, reuniting with the Great Master's forces.