The speed of information transmission on the Douluo Continent was very slow. By the time Dai Feng from the Star Luo Palace learned about the Spirit Empire's attack on the Star Crown Sect, the battle had already ended.
After sending someone to lead a team to investigate the situation, he stayed in the Xingluo Palace with Xu Mingjie to handle official affairs, awaiting Xu Mingxi's return.
Dai Feng was in a very bad mood. He knew well that the Star Crown Sect, which highly valued its sect members, would not let this go easily—its mountain gate was completely destroyed, and dozens of its clan members were killed or injured.
However, the Spirit Empire was immensely powerful, with two unmatched masters—Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong—and powerful subordinates like Jin Yu and Qianjun Jiangmo. Even if the Star Luo Empire managed a narrow victory, the cost would be devastating.
He looked at Xu Mingjie, who sat across from him handling urgent reports from various regions, and hesitated to speak. His expression was complicated, and this was noticed by Xu Mingjie.
"Duke Baihu, I know you're worried about the Star Luo Empire, but we of the Star Crown Sect must take revenge.
And His Majesty has surely made all the necessary preparations. Rest assured—when the time comes, you'll see what the Star Crown Sect has prepared. It will not be too late to intervene."
Prepared what? What could possibly reduce the Star Luo Empire's military sacrifice?
Dai Feng was confused, but he could only choose to trust them. After all, he couldn't object now. Most of the power of the Star Luo Empire had already come under the control of the Star Crown Sect.
The Chen family had fled with the Mu family to the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Zhao and Qian families were in ruins, with only two family heads remaining. The power of the Soto Great Spirit Arena had collapsed overnight.
Now, the entire Star Luo Empire was divided into two major factions. One was the loyal remnant forces of the old Star Luo Empire, led by Duke Baihu.
The other was composed of the former Heaven Dou imperial forces led by the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, along with Star Dou Academy and the Suo and Li families.
This faction had essentially fully submitted to the Star Crown Sect. With the sect's powerful strength and the people's support won over by the Star God Temple throughout the land, the Star Luo Empire was no longer under the control of the old nobility.
Moreover, some of the old nobles had even surrendered to the Star Crown Sect. Dai Feng had taken note of a few. Even the Duke of Netherworld had visited multiple times under the pretext of seeing his daughter.
"Don't worry, Duke Baihu. This time, the Star Crown Sect will mobilize the majority of its forces to crush the Spirit Empire in one strike."
Just as Dai Feng was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a familiar voice. He looked up sharply and finally saw the man he had thought of day and night.
"Your Majesty, you've returned?"
As he stood up, Dai Feng keenly sensed a powerful spirit master approaching and turned toward the palace gate.
There, the leader of the Star Crown Sect, Xu Chunxing, was leading the way, followed by dozens of Title Douluo, each exuding immense pressure.
Among them were several whose auras suppressed even a Super Douluo like himself at level 95, making his body tense instinctively.
Unconsciously, Dai Feng's jaw dropped. Though he had suspected it, he couldn't help his shock when the Star Crown Sect's full strength was displayed before him.
How could one sect have over a dozen Title Douluo? That was excessive.
And what about Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo? When had Bibi Dong's two generals joined the Star Crown Sect—and grown even stronger?
The sect leader nodded to Xu Mingxi, walked over to Duke Baihu, and, on behalf of the Star Crown Sect and the old Heaven Dou forces, declared that they would absolutely wage war against the Spirit Empire.
"Duke Baihu, long time no see. In this war against the Spirit Empire, we will dispatch all our Title Douluo—we must utterly destroy them.
Also, this time we've brought a large stock of weapons and equipment—enough to give our troops the upper hand in battle and reduce casualties."
Under Dai Feng's confused gaze, the sect leader looked toward the grand elder who had insisted on coming along, claiming to be the sect's only Level 8 soul guide master.
The elder coughed, stepped forward, and waved his hand. Immediately, numerous soul tools appeared neatly in the palace.
From Level 1 to Level 7, from defensive to long-range soul tools, everything was present.
"Duke White Tiger, you probably haven't seen these before. I'll show you later in the martial arts arena—you'll be convinced."
The elder held his head high with pride. Ever since he had been hunted by soul masters from the Sun and Moon due to these soul tools, he had become obsessed with them.
Now, he was practically a fanatic, studying soul tools daily with master craftsman Lou Gao or searching for new ideas.
At this moment, Dai Feng's eyes widened. He had seen similar tools—artifacts from ruins uncovered over the years by the Star Luo royal family—but none were as advanced as what the Star Crown Sect had now.
If the Star Crown Sect really had enough of these to equip an entire army, the combat effectiveness of the Star Luo Empire would skyrocket, and casualties from long-range attacks would plummet.
Dai Feng stared excitedly at the grand elder, full of hope. If anyone worried most about the Star Luo Empire, it was him.
"These are soul tools? How powerful are they? How many are there? Can they equip our army?"
"Don't worry, Duke Baihu. These are indeed soul tools. The strongest ones can launch attacks at the Soul Saint level.
And don't worry about the quantity—before the Spirit Empire invaded Heaven Dou, we had already recruited many blacksmiths from Gengxin City.
After years of preparation, equipping a few corps of soul tool users is not a problem."
Hearing this, Dai Feng was both overjoyed and slightly annoyed. Blacksmiths in Gengxin City had been disappearing for years—he had thought it was the work of the Spirit Empire.
Now it seemed that the reclusive Star Crown Sect had been plotting against the throne for a long time.
Still, as the former emperor of Star Luo, he concealed his emotions well and walked to the martial arts arena with the two elders, chatting and laughing, ready to see the true power of these soul tools with his own eyes.
The others were led to guest halls to rest. Only Xu Mingxi and his brother remained in the hall.
Seeing no one else was around, Xu Mingxi dropped his serious facade and sat on the Star Luo Emperor's throne. A fine feather cushion lay beneath him—soft and comfortable.
"Little brother, how have you been lately? Has anything major happened in the Star Luo Empire? Has Duke White Tiger been giving you trouble?"