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Demon Suppressing Pass
This was a massive fortress located in the western part of the Douluo Continent.
To the west of the Demon Suppressing Pass lay the Evildemon Forest.
Once, ten thousand years ago, the Evildemon Forest had been one of the most important gathering places for soul beasts on the continent. Although it wasn't the second-largest soul beast habitat, the ruler residing within was undeniably the second-strongest among all soul beasts.
After the disappearance of the Evildemon Forest's master—the second-ranked ferocious beast, the Evileye Tyrant King—ten thousand years ago, the forest was quickly explored.
The Federation established the Demon Suppressing Pass outside the Evildemon Forest and stationed an entire army there to suppress the region.
Though called "suppression," with the passage of time, only a handful of soul beasts remained in the Evildemon Forest.
Even the Great Star Dou Forest had been reduced to just its core area, and while the Evildemon Forest still appeared to retain its original ecological state, the soul beasts inside were nearly extinct.
What was originally intended as an army to suppress the Evildemon Forest had now become one of the Federation's major separatist forces.
Today, Dong Zi'an, the commander of the Western Army, held immense power within the Federation. He held the rank of General and was also one of the Federation's Chairmen.
Among the five Chairmen targeted by Chen Xinjie during the Chairman's meeting after the Federation's parliamentary session, Dong Zi'an had been the one most severely warned by Chen Xinjie.
Inside the Western Army's headquarters at the Demon Suppressing Pass, Dong Zi'an violently hurled his water cup to the ground, seething with rage.
His soul power surged through the headquarters, enveloping the entire Western Army. At this moment, everyone knew that their commander was furious—and not just mildly irritated, but utterly livid.
"Chen Xinjie, fine, very fine. So even you are targeting me!" Dong Zi'an's eyes reddened with fury.
During the previous meeting of fifteen Chairmen, Chen Xinjie hadn't held back, issuing threats to five Chairmen, including him. Now, he had gone so far as to submit a formal application to investigate Dong Zi'an's actions from the past few years.
It was laughable!
Investigating a commander, a Chairman, a Federation General?
Most importantly, Dong Zi'an was a Limit Douluo!
Moreover, he was a true four-word battle armor master!
Although he was more famous for his god-level mech, which shared his fearsome title of "Ferocious Wolf," his battle armor was no less formidable.
After all, as a commander, unlike the other two military heavyweights, Chen Xinjie and Yu Guanzhi, Dong Zi'an was genuinely of humble origins. Everything he had achieved in life came from his own efforts. He had risen through the fires of war, piloting god-level mechs that could outperform even ordinary four-word battle armor masters on the battlefield.
Dong Zi'an's face was twisted with ferocity, his eyes seemingly ready to devour anyone who crossed him.
As he gritted his teeth in anger, a terrifying surge of soul power descended from above.
Aside from Dong Zi'an, another presence belonging to a Limit Douluo pressed down upon the Western Army. The entire legion was thrown into chaos, mobilizing rapidly as mech units prepared for action.
Who?
"Who!" Dong Zi'an roared, smashing through the roof of the headquarters and soaring into the sky.
Seeing Yun Ming standing calmly opposite him, Dong Zi'an's pupils contracted.
"Yun Ming!" he exclaimed. "Why are you here at the Demon Suppressing Pass?"
Yun Ming's gaze rested on Dong Zi'an without offering any explanation.
He raised his right hand, and a long spear coalesced in his grasp.
Bright silver light flickered across his body, transforming into pieces of battle armor that perfectly adhered to his form.
With the Atlas Spear in hand and his four-word battle armor fused, Yun Ming was ready for combat.
Dong Zi'an was utterly shocked. He never expected Yun Ming to take action so abruptly.
"Yun Ming, how dare you! This is the Federation's Western Army!"
Even as he shouted, Dong Zi'an didn't hesitate. He immediately fused with his own battle armor.
Yun Ming's battle armor was predominantly silver-white, exuding sharpness and an overwhelming sense of menace.
Dong Zi'an's battle armor, on the other hand, was a deep crimson, suffused with bloody qi. The combination of the blood-red energy and his murderous red eyes made him resemble a god of slaughter descending upon the world.
Without a word, Yun Ming thrust his spear forward.
Dong Zi'an let out a thunderous roar as his blood qi transformed into a surging aura of malevolence, unleashing his innate ferocity.
With another roar, he transformed into a massive heavenly wolf. Blood-red malevolent energy gathered between his claws, which slashed through the void, leaving behind traces as though space itself had been torn apart.
Boom!
The wolf claws were pierced through by the spear's radiance.
Dong Zi'an swiftly retreated.
"You, Yun Ming, what do you want?!" he bellowed.
Suddenly, a sensation of weightlessness overcame him. Dong Zi'an was shocked as he turned to see Yun Ming charging again with his spear.
In mid-air, Dong Zi'an found himself unable to fly or gain any leverage.
"Yun Ming, have you gone mad?"
His mind raced, and he quickly recalled recent events, his eyes widening in realization.
"Chen Xinjie! It's him! He's colluded with your Shrek Academy to harm a Federation General!"
Yun Ming's expression remained indifferent, showing no sign of emotion as he continued his attack.
Dong Zi'an clenched his teeth, channeling his soul power into his claws, attempting to tear open space and escape into a spatial rift.
Though dangerous, it was preferable to being struck head-on by Yun Ming's spear.
However, the surrounding space was completely sealed under Yun Ming's control. How could he possibly tear it open?
At this moment, Dong Zi'an finally went berserk.
His fierce eyes locked onto Yun Ming, preparing to trade blows.
A sigh echoed.
The surrounding heavens and earth seemed to transform into an ocean, and a surging tide condensed, crashing into the air and colliding with Yun Ming's Heaven Piercing Spear.
Yun Ming didn't retreat but retracted his spear and stood motionless in the air.
The gravity-nullifying effect of the Heaven Piercing Spear dissipated, and Dong Zi'an stopped falling.
Space rippled, and an older man appeared.
"Yun Ming, for my sake, will you call off this confrontation?" Chen Xinjie spoke.
Dong Zi'an's expression betrayed his shock.
Chen Xinjie!
Why would he intervene on his behalf?
As Dong Zi'an calmed down, he quickly analyzed the situation, his gaze shifting to Yun Ming.
This man had attacked without a word. What had provoked him?
Dong Zi'an was certain he had never offended Yun Ming.
Aside from being somewhat close to Qian Gu Dongfeng and having minimal cooperation, Dong Zi'an and Yun Ming had virtually no interaction!
Yun Ming's cold gaze turned to Chen Xinjie, and his voice carried a tone of accusation.
"You said results would be delivered in three months, yet half a year has already passed."
Anyone could hear the anger simmering in Yun Ming's voice.
Chen Xinjie let out a bitter smile.
He wasn't a weak man, but at this moment, he truly felt guilty.
Conflict absolutely could not break out now; otherwise, there would be no room for reconciliation.
If the Federation went to war with Shrek, the Holy Spirit Sect would seize the opportunity. With two Godslayer Missiles hanging over their heads, a single misstep could spell the end of the entire Federation.
Even knowing that the two Godslayer Missiles had been stolen and their initial target might not have been the Federation, Chen Xinjie couldn't assume they wouldn't adapt their plans accordingly.
"Yun Ming, calm down. This matter is of great importance."
"Hmph. My Shrek is about to be destroyed, and you want me to stay calm?" Yun Ming sneered, shaking his Heaven Piercing Spear. Its intent spread ominously.
"Today, if the Federation hands over the Eternal Heaven, I'll stand down. Otherwise, let the war begin."
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