Douluo Dalu: Volume 40: Beginning of the War

by Tang Jia San Shao

  The dark jade light blade separated from Bibi Dong’s own control, twisting in midair, it actually circumvented Tang San’s Seagod Trident, going straight for Tang San himself. And Bibi Dong’s Soul Eating Spider Emperor Spirt again switched back to the Death Spider Emperor. At the same time, her ninth spirit ring instantly brightened.

  Tang San of course understood what Bibi Dong was doing. She wanted to rely on her Undying ability to face his Golden Thirteen Halberds’ One Goes Without Return, and her attack would simultaneously fall on him.

  Back then, after Bibi Dong was seriously injured by this attack, she had carefully researched this dangerous divine ability that almost killed her. She had no certainty she could completely block it with spirit abilities, and instead thought up this method. She’d risk being injured again herself, but would also eliminate Tang San to forestall later danger. It seemed to her that even the total annihilation of the Sacred Dragon Legion was less important than killing Tang San. If this youth continued maturing, he would become a fatal threat to her.

  Some distance away, the Hell White Tiger had already formed and instantly batted away the two Title Douluo that were originally fighting Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, then lunged in this direction. But the Hell White Tiger really was too far from Tang San, even if they were even faster, it was still impossible to compare to the speed of Bibi Dong’s attack.

  Ma Hongjun and Oscar wanted to assist, but the Title Douluo fighting them went fully on the offensive, forcibly keeping them from interfering.

  Even though Ning Rongrong was giving Tang San a six attribute boost with all her strength, she also understood that the strength she could provide couldn’t possible let Tang San block that attack with his physical body.

  Yang Wudi had just produced a new Soul Breaking Spear, bracing himself to crawl up from the ground. Sword Douluo Chen Xin was equally using the Seven Kill Sword to press his opponent, but he also wasn’t fast enough to come to his aid at the same time. Nobody had thought that Bibi Dong would actually be so valiant, using this kind of method to kill Tang San.

  Tang San had issued the Golden Thirteen Halberds’ One Goes Without Return, and had no strength left. Targeted by an opponent of Bibi Dong’s level, it was impossible for him to dodge. Facng an attack this strong, all he could do was wait.

  Even though it was just an instant, to Tang San it seemed to pass in slow motion. But just at this moment, a giant ball of red light fell from the sky, heavily smashing on that dark jade light blade with a sparkling golden luster.

  “Xiao—— Wu——”

  Tang San cried out.

  Boom—— Burst, shatter, in the heart of that explosion, even space was torn apart, countless fine black spatial cracks erupting from the center.

  Blood and flesh flew, countless corpse fragments were swallowed within those cracks. An already completely dyed red body was flung out in answer, heavily striking Tang San’s chest and blocking in front of him, fully taking on the remaining dark jade light blade’s aftermath.

  Bibi Dong’s attack was one of her strongest spirit abilities, also the most powerful ability of the Soul Eating Spider Emperor, Space Rending Abyss Cut. Along with her spirit power at rank ninety eight intensity, the might of this attack was absolutely at a level to ruin the heavens and extinguish the earth.

  With a bang, Tang San’s body was flung back a full thirty meters, before he was caught and stabilized by the Hell White Tiger.

  But on the other side, Bibi Dong’s body was also instantly smashed by the Seagod Trident’s One Goes Without Return’s terrifying power, and exploded into countless fragments thrown all over.

  The Seagod Trident shot behind her without any pause, rushing into the Spirit Empire Army several kilometers away like a golden meteor.

  Where the golden light passed, all obstacles turned to nothing. In a ten meter diameter, reaching all the way to the Jialing Pass fort, all the heavy armored soldiers standing there completely disappeared into nothing.

  That golden light finally condensed on one spot of the walls. With an enormous explosion, a five meter diameter hole was cut straight through the hundred meter thick walls. Finally, the Seagod Trident lost its golden light and fell below the walls, blasting out a huge pit.

  Rip—— Hum——

  The Godly Zhuge Crossbow’s second volley finished, a large cloud of bloody mist filling the sky once again. This time, the number of Sacred Dragon Legion spirit masters that died before the crossbow bolts was even more enormous. All agility attack type spirit masters below rank seventy were completely wiped out.

  Grandmaster finally gave the order to attack,

  “Heaven Dou spirit masters, Tang Army, kill——!”

  Marshal Ge Long simultaneously raised the long spear in his hand, roaring with angry eyes, shouting one word, “Kill——!”, pouring almost all of his level eighty spirit power into his voice. Ten heavy cavalry legions, ten light cavalry legions, instantly charged Jialing Pass like an infinite tsunami.

  Charging furthest ahead was still the Tang Army. On horseback, they were just winding up the mechanisms for the third volley. Their Godly Zhuge Crossbows still held sixteen sharp bolts.

  Within dense purple mist, Bibi Dong’s shattered body reformed, shouting:

  “Sacred Dragon Legion retreat. Heavy cavalry and infantry, meet the enemy.”

  To her, the life or death of those heavy cavalry and heavy infantry wasn’t important. What was crucial was that Spirit Hall couldn’t be allowed to sway. Even though she still didn’t know the extent of the Sacred Dragon Legion’s losses, the casualties were already extremely miserable. If they were pursued and attacked by the enemy like this, there was no telling how many would die. Those attackers were also spirit masters, as well as that unknown weapon that could even cause substantial casualties to spirit masters.

  As they say, defeat is like a landslide, the Godly Zhuge Crossbow’s two volleys had already extinguished the Sacred Dragon Legion’s fighting spirit. Adding in the deaths of their commanders, at Bibi Dong’s order to retreat, it was every man for himself.

  Chapter 279: Purple Demon Eye’s Asura Demon Light

  Without a doubt, the higher their spirit power, the faster the spirit master returned. The dense crowd basically couldn’t slow down these high level spirit masters. They either leapt over the lower level spirit masters, or if a bit tyrannical directly knocked them aside. Those high level spirit masters very quickly charged to the front of their retreat. Like this, those low level spirit masters and support type spirit masters were naturally exposed in front of the Tang Army.

  Galloping horses might not be able to catch up to higher level spirit masters, but these low level spirit masters and support spirit masters couldn’t possibly outrun speeding horses.

  As Bibi Dong saw the Godly Zhuge Crossbows’ third volley loose, and the Sacred Dragon Legion’s support type and low level spirit masters collapse, she couldn’t keep from bitterly closing her eyes. She had reacted by feel, and her orders was a mistake. Even though the enemy was powerful, the Sacred Dragon Legion was after all made up entirely from spirit masters. If they could have the high level spirit masters move to the front, then slowly pull back, then even if there were losses, it absolutely wouldn’t be as bad as now.

  Only, now wasn’t the time to say anything. Bibi Dong shot the distant Tang San a last glance, then called out to her troop of Title Douluo and swiftly withdrew towards Jialing Pass. Before leaving she didn’t forget to bring that seriously injured Snakelance Douluo. Among these powers, Snakelance Douluo was seriously injured, and the Title Douluo within that ball of red light before was directly torn to pieces. Losing two more people, plus Heavenly Elephant Huyan Zhen as well as Sacred Dragon Tuoba Xi, this time the Spirit Empire had undoubtedly suffered disastrous losses.

  Tang San basically couldn’t manage to pursue. The other Shrek Seven Devils also guarded closely in front of him. The instant he was flung back, Tang San’s eyes were already blood red. How could he have failed to
clearly see who it was that blocked Bibi Dong’s attack for him?

  That was precisely his lover Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu had just used Nothingness and Burst Kill Eight Stage Drop on that Mad Bear Douluo. Seeing Tang San in danger, she hadn’t hesitated to bring Mad Bear Douluo to the rescue.

  Mad Bear Douluo could still release his own defensive power in the Unfixed Storm, but even if he could resist some of the Burst Kill Eight Stage Drop’s attack power, how could be block Bibi Dong’s terrifying Space Rending Abyss Cut? He was immediately torn to pieces. But the attack’s aftermath also fiercely struck Xiao Wu, throwing her out to knock against Tang San.

  Xiao Wu’s body was already blood red. Tang San held her tightly, doing his utmost to pour spirit power into her.

  “Ge, I’m fine.”

  Xiao Wu coughed once, spitting out a mouthful of spirit power that hit the lapels of the Shrek Five Devils in front.

  Tang San stared blankly. He was just in confusion out of concern. Seeing Xiao Wu suffer serious injuries, he had completely panicked. Hearing Xiao Wu’s voice, he returned to his senses, and eased the spirit power he was pouring into her.

  Xiao Wu’s big eyes blinked, smiling wryly without the slightest hint of weakness:

  “My idiot brother, did you forget I have the Invincible Golden Body for protection! Bibi Dong couldn’t catch me, but how can I stand having so much spirit power poured into me?”

  Tang San then finally reacted, heaving a long sigh. He held Xiao Wu tightly, lowering his head to push his face against hers,

  “Idiot girl, you scared me to death.”

  Bibi Dong’s Space Rending Abyss Cut might be powerful, but it still wasn’t at the god level, and still wasn’t enough to break Xiao Wu’s Invincible Golden Body. It was also lucky Xiao Wu still had one last use of Invincible Golden Body’s defense, otherwise she might have already been torn to pieces along with Mad Bear Douluo.

  Tang San gave Xiao Wu’s pert butt a smack. Xiao Wu miserably raised her head:

  “Ge, why’d you hit me?”

  Tang San snorted,

  “Even if you had already used up the Invincible Golden Body, wouldn’t you have charged up all the same?”

  Xiao Wu giggled:

  “That’s why you have to pay more attention to your safety! Otherwise you can’t blame me.”

  No matter what was said, Xiao Wu being alright made Tang San heave an enormous sigh of relief. Lifting her up, he looked out over the battlefield. The field was already in chaos, the Heaven Dou Empire’s twenty legions were pushing straight for Jialing Pass. The Sacred Dragon Legion had lost close to half their numbers after the Godly Zhuge Crossbows’ three volleys, and with six thousand Heaven Dou Empire spirit masters in pursuit, the casualty numbers were constantly rising.

  Sword Douluo Chen Xin, Bone Douluo Gu Rong, plus the Golden Iron Triangle already incarnated as the Golden Sacred Dragon, were like a sharp spear furthest ahead, leading the subordinate spirit masters to constantly kill the escaping Sacred Dragon Legion.

  The Tang Army had now split into two parts and was quietly retreating on either side. They had already manifested their effect on this battle, and in order to avoid losses, Tang San had ordered the Tang Sect disciples to stay in the spirit master formation to support the attack, while the remaining ten thousand strong Tang Army directly retreated to the rear and reloaded the Godly Zhuge Crossbows.

  The Spirit Empire’s eight heavy legions had finally reached the front, letting the Sacred Dragon Legion spirit masters pass, while meeting the frantic Heaven Dou Imperial Army. Two tides of steel, one side accelerating their attack, the other side already timid, clashed against each other. Even though there wasn’t much difference numerically, those leading six thousand spirit masters settled the outcome.

  Bibi Dong had now already returned to the walls of Jialing Pass. Even now, she was quietly spitting a mouthful of blood into her sleeve, her expression also extremely unsightly.

  Blowfish Douluo whispered:

  “Your Majesty, how about we send the Angel Legion? Otherwise our losses……”

  “We can’t send the Angel Legion.”

  Bibi Dong’s eyes were dim and uncertain:

  “Before we know what those weapons that killed so many of our spirit masters is, we absolutely can’t let the spirit master legions sortie again. Spirit masters arent’s soldiers, even with our depth, it’s impossible to reform them quickly. Pass on my orders, the Angel Legion is to man the walls to defend against enemy assault.”

  That enormous hole in the walls of Jialing Pass was undoubtedly an enormous danger to the fort. If the Heaven Dou Empire was a river, then this was a break in the levee.

  While giving her orders, Bibi Dong’s gaze fell on that dark trident quietly resting deep in the ground below the walls.

  Finally, the surviving Sacred Dragon Legion spirit masters withdrew into Jialing Pass fort, screened by the Spirit Empire’s eight heavy armor legions. But, along with their retreat, the Heaven Dou Empire’s spirit master legion as well as Heaven Dou Empire’s light cavalry legions had also reached the front.

  One side had imposing manner like a rainbow, their assault led by more than six thousand spirit masters, as well as absolute superiority in military strength. And the other side was already losing morale. Behind them stood the Jialing Pass fort as well as four drawbridges. In the collision of steel rivers, human lives were reaped like grass by the god of death.

  The proper effect of spirit masters in battle was instantly revealed. Especially the Golden Iron Triangle’s Golden Sacred Dragon charging furthest ahead, as well as Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. The three powers were like tigers in a flock of sheep, opening a hole in the Spirit Empire’s heavy legions in practically an instant. Six thousand spirit masters instantly dispersed, equally with support type spirit masters in the rear, power attack types in front, agility attack type’s guarding the flanks. But the result was completely different from the Spirit Empire’s Sacred Dragon Legion assault.

  The Sacred Dragon Legion had faced the Tang Army’s Godly Zhuge Crossbows, but now the Heaven Dou Empire’s spirit master legion faced common soldiers. Although they were heavily armored, what use was that before spirit masters?

  Flame and cold ice attributed abilities were the first to appear on the battlefield, the Four Element Academy students showing their strength. Fire and flood has no mercy, these two great absolute elemental forces basically couldn’t be resisted by armor. Following close behind them, the Tang Sect’s Defense Hall and Medicine Hall disciples formed the core of the vanguard.

  Defense Hall disciples in front, Medicine Hall disciples behind, the two united. The heavy armored soldiers’ attacks fell on the Defense Hall disciples’ Plate Armored Giant Rhinoceros defense, no different than tickling a leather boot. But, the Soul Breaking Spears stabbing over the shoulders and between the sides of the Defense Hall disciples split their heavy armor like paper. With practically each step the Defense Hall disciples took, two hundred corpses would fall among the Spirit Empire’s heavy armored legions.

  Six thousand spirit masters were like a dagger stabbed into the back of the enemy formation. The circumstances that should have appeared when the Spirit Empire attacked the Heaven Dou Empire’s heavy legions, now appeared among the Spirit Empire’s own troops. The losses were disastrous, shocking.

  Above on the walls of Jialing Pass, the generals from the constituent kingdoms and duchies were already kneeling on the ground.

  “Your Majesty, hurry up and send the spirit master legions to support. Our heavy legions can’t hold out.”

  “Yes! Your Majesty, these are our elites. Our Jialing Pass only has these eighty thousand heavy soldiers. If they’re routed by the Heaven Dou Empire, how can we guard the pass?”

  “Your Majesty, one heavy cavalry legion is already annihilated. Give the orders immediately. If this goes on, the heavy legions are finished.”

  ……

  Heavy legions were extremely important to any nation. The resourc
es required to form a single heavy legion was almost that of ten ordinary infantry legions. Whether in terms of equipment or quality of the troops, they were all the highest in the army. For the kingdoms and duchies formerly part of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo great empires, forming two heavy legions each was already very difficult. Now that they saw these precious troops being butchered by the Heaven Dou Imperial Army’s attack, how could they not be distressed?

  Bibi Dong looked at these ranking officers with a grave expression, speaking firmly:

  “The spirit master legions can’t go to battle again. As I said, they can’t be placed in any danger before we understand what weapon it was that killed so many spirit masters before. Even if the heavy legions are important, you must understand the the spirit master legions have a decisive effect. As long as the Angel Legion is still here, relying on the natural stronghold of Jialing Pass, we won’t fear being broken through by the Heaven Dou Empire. Come! Pass on my orders, completely launch long range attacks, screen the heavy legions’ retreat. Angel Legion guard within the walls. If enemy troops pursue inside, immediately block them.”

  Listening to Bibi Dong’s orders, the kneeling generals couldn’t help looking at each other, their eyes filled with resentment. Of course, they wouldn’t dare oppose Bibi Dong’s orders. After all, nobody was tired of living. But in their hearts, a dark seed was already quietly sprouting. Bibi Dong’s orders engendered a kind of feeling like, ‘your spirit master legions are elite, our soldiers aren’t even human’.

  The officers quieted down, but their appearance of having the courage for anger but not for speech still made Bibi Dong even more depressed. Even since the founding of the Spirit Empire, she had always been full of confidence. But at this moment, she discovered that on a true battlefield, she wasn’t equal to long time battlefield commanders. She could still command spirit master battles, but after the battlefield turned chaotic, she was a bit panicked.

  Of course, this wasn’t enough to change Bibi Dong’s decision. To her, there was nothing more important than her subordinate spirit masters.