Chapter 323: Prince Regent Xiao Yu
"Eighth Spirit Skill, Nether Domain!"
A blood-red hundred-thousand-year spirit ring burst into dazzling brilliance in the night sky. A massive black barrier instantly enveloped the rapidly swelling Seahorse Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo.
Boom!
The next moment, their bodies had swollen to the limit. With two deafening explosions, the martial souls of Seahorse Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo detonated, releasing terrifying energy in rippling waves, battering the spatial barrier that contained them.
Crack! Crack!
With crisp shattering sounds, the Nether Domain ultimately failed to withstand the shockwaves from the two Titled Douluo's self-detonation and crumbled into countless fragments.
Fortunately, most of the explosion's force was absorbed by the Nether Domain. The residual energy merely caused a slight ripple in the surrounding space and posed no significant threat.
Xiao Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked around.
Despite their deaths, Seahorse Douluo and Sea Ghost Douluo had achieved their main objective—under the cover of their sacrifice, Tang San had already escaped the palace gates and vanished without a trace.
"No!"
In the distance, Sea Dragon Douluo howled in grief upon witnessing the death of comrades he had fought alongside for over fifty years. With a roar, the final ten-thousand-year spirit ring on his body flared and released his most powerful strike.
Ninth Spirit Skill, Sea Dragon Roar of Heaven!
A colossal sea dragon soared into the sky, spiraling and twisting in midair. Waves of radiant blue light surged from its body like a raging sea, crashing ferociously toward Eden.
Facing Sea Dragon Douluo's strongest attack, the blood-red hundred-thousand-year spirit ring on Eden's body lit up.
A terrifying energy erupted from within him, and the power of lightning gathered rapidly in his palm.
Ninth Spirit Skill, Thunderous Thousand Slaughter!
This was also Eden's most powerful offensive skill—condensing thunder to its limit, compressing it into a single point, then releasing it in a devastating shockwave. Wherever the lightning passed, space shattered, and all matter and elements were reduced to nothingness.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—
The earth-shattering thunderous roar seemed as if it would tear the heavens apart. In an instant, the terrifying lightning engulfed Sea Dragon Douluo and the oceanic illusion unleashed by his ninth spirit skill, bursting into blinding violet light.
After a while, the purple glow faded.
The area was now void of Sea Dragon Douluo's presence. A Super Douluo with spirit power of level ninety-five had been completely annihilated—reduced to nothing, not even bones remaining!
"Ninth Spirit Skill, Century of Ice!"
At the same time Eden slew Sea Dragon Douluo, Shui Bing'er unleashed her own most powerful attack.
Amid a piercing phoenix cry, an extreme cold surged forth. The surrounding temperature instantly dropped to absolute zero. Wherever the soul power of this extreme ice touched, all was frozen.
The cry of the ancient phoenix echoed through the heavens as everything was frozen for thousands of miles, leaving death in its wake.
The Ghost Shadow White Tiger—formed from the spirit fusion technique of the Clear Sky Sect's Soul Douluo and the Star Luo royal couple—was instantly turned into an ice sculpture. The extreme cold pierced their bodies, and their hearts stopped beating in a mere instant.
The mighty were dead or scattered.
The army they had brought was soon utterly destroyed under the combined assault of the Nine Star Hall's powerhouses and the elite troops led by Ge Long.
Xue Xing, Xue Beng, and the other traitorous nobles were all captured.
It's worth noting that the second member of the Shrek Seven Devils, Oscar, differed from the original story.
This version of Oscar was purely a food-type spirit master and did not possess the sixth spirit skill that could replicate others' martial souls.
Although he had spirit power exceeding level seventy, the only tools enabling him to fight were two level-four soul tools.
Back when Ning Fengzhi first chose to side with the Clear Sky Sect, Xiao Yu had already begun distancing himself from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, preparing at any moment for a complete falling-out and even war between the two sides. How could he possibly have sold truly powerful soul tools to Ning Fengzhi in bulk?
With only two level-four soul tools, how could Oscar possibly have broken through the encirclement of tens of thousands? In the end, he too was captured alive.
Once the rebellion was quelled, Xiao Yu flashed to the side of Qian Renxue—who was still "unconscious"—and placed both hands behind her back, pretending to infuse soul power.
Qian Renxue, who was also following the script, "weakly" opened her eyes. After a bout of violent coughing, she spat out several mouthfuls of blood. "Palace Master Xiao… I… I fear I won't last much longer…"
Xiao Yu lowered his head with feigned sorrow and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Tang Xiao was simply too powerful. Even with Chief Education Officer Meng Shenji shielding you, your internal organs still suffered severe trauma. Your five viscera and six bowels are all ruptured… It is already beyond hope."
Hearing this, Ge Long and the other generals of the Heaven Dou Empire all bowed their heads, showing no sign of doubt toward Xiao Yu's words.
After all, that was the leader of the world's strongest sect!
Even though Meng Shenji had taken most of the impact as a human shield, the remaining ten percent of power was still far beyond what a Soul Emperor like Xue Qinghe could bear.
"The Clear Sky Sect supporting the Star Luo Empire already makes them mortal enemies of Heaven Dou. Dying at their hands can only be blamed on my own poor planning. But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan…"
At this, Qian Renxue began coughing violently again, as if truly infuriated. "I've always shown great respect to that scoundrel Ning Fengzhi. I've never wronged the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Yet they repaid the empire's kindness with betrayal. From now on, Heaven Dou and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan shall be enemies unto death! Within the borders of Heaven Dou, not a single Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shall be allowed to stand!"
Xiao Yu, brimming with righteous indignation, pounded his chest and declared, "Rest assured, Your Majesty! Within three days, I will take Ning Fengzhi's head and avenge this insult for you!"
Ge Long and the other imperial generals also knelt and cried out, "Even if it takes our whole lives, we old ministers will annihilate the legacy of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to repay Your Majesty!"
Qian Renxue nodded, then, after another fit of intense coughing, reached out to grasp Xiao Yu's hand and said, "Palace Master Xiao… the Crown Prince is still young. After I'm gone… I hope you will support him well. From this day forward, you are the Prince Regent of the Heaven Dou Empire. All under the empire shall follow your command!"
This decision of Xue Qinghe's drew no objection from anyone present. Even Ge Long, the most loyal of the empire's generals, felt it was the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances.
The Crown Prince was still young and would need a powerful backer to stabilize his rule. Xue Beng and Xue Xing—both with the closest blood ties to the royal line—had become traitors and were awaiting execution. The remaining members of the royal family were all distant relatives, lacking both prestige and power.
When all was said and done, the only suitable candidate in the public's eyes was Xiao Yu, the Crown Prince's uncle.
(End of Chapter)
Want More Chapters? Get Early Access Now!
Join my Patreon and unlock 20 chapters instantly—plus, you'll gain access to 60+ chapters weekly across 8 fics! Your support helps me continue creating and keeps the stories coming.
📖 Patreon: patreon.com/anish_44 ☕ Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/anish_44