It must be said that the Spirit Hall had prepared extensively for this Soul Hunt operation. Not only was there no leak of information from start to finish, but the soul masters they selected were all elite combatants.
In particular, the Spirit Hall had focused on cultivating these soul masters, and almost all of them were battle-type soul masters who wielded weapons with great skill.
Additionally, there were a large number of flying soul masters capable of sword-propelled flight—a rare type even within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—providing aerial assaults.
The Spirit Hall had dispatched a full ten thousand soul masters this time, and under the leadership of Elder Ling Yuan, many of the flying soul masters had crossed mountains and obstacles, directly infiltrating the heart of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
As a massive influx of soul masters poured in, even Sword Douluo could not fully secure the sect's walls.
After all, while there was only one Snake Spear Douluo here, the Spirit Hall had sent four Title Douluos in total.
Above the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ling Yuan Douluo's colossal flame eagle circled overhead. Countless feathers erupted from its body, each blazing with fire. In an instant, fires broke out across the entire sect, reducing many disciples to ashes.
Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the flames, the Spirit Hall's flying soul masters launched swift attacks, killing many instantly.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had been constructed in a highly defensible manner, making it nearly impossible for ordinary soul masters to breach. However, the ten thousand soul masters sent by the Spirit Hall were clearly well-prepared and led by different Title Douluos.
Though Sword Douluo stood firm as a single man holding the line, the sect's vast size made it impossible to defend against attacks on all fronts.
Soon, the entire sect was engulfed in fierce combat, with fires raging everywhere and death spreading throughout.
Ning Fengzhi reacted swiftly, and though he had made some preparations, no one had anticipated such a rapid and overwhelming assault, nor the sheer number of enemies.
To launch this attack on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Spirit Hall had deployed ten thousand soul masters, including hundreds from the four lesser sects. Practically all of them were elites.
Ning Fengzhi stood solemnly in the central square of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, issuing commands nonstop and maintaining overall control of the situation.
Beside him, Bone Douluo provided protection. The sect leader was the cornerstone of the sect and the spiritual leader of everyone. If the sect leader fell, the sect would lose its core.
The Spirit Hall seemed to recognize this, relentlessly targeting the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters with every means possible. Wave after wave of attackers pressed forward, leaving Bone Douluo struggling to keep up.
Especially with the sheer number of soul masters the Spirit Hall had deployed, sporadic soul skills constantly targeted Ning Fengzhi. Even with numerous protectors, the situation remained perilous.
Meanwhile, Lin Gong moved swiftly through the sect, either rescuing people or coordinating various tasks.
This time, the Spirit Hall had not only dispatched four Title Douluos but also a large number of Soul Douluos and Soul Sages. They had meticulously planned their attacks, often assigning two or three of their members to target one opponent. Prominent individuals outside the sect were specifically targeted.
To the south of the sect, a colossal Blood Devil Mad Bear roared with explosive power. This was the domain of the Devil Bear Douluo.
The Devil Bear Douluo's strength was terrifying, and every strike was overwhelmingly oppressive, sending both people and buildings flying.
In the east and north, Ling Yuan Douluo unleashed flames, immersing countless people in a sea of fire.
To the west, thick red gas spread across the area, filled with potent poison. Porcupinefish Douluo released this toxin, causing many sect disciples to vomit blood and rapidly disintegrate.
At Yang Xiong's home, Yang Lin, Sun Yu, and Yang Wei rushed out immediately, summoning their martial souls to intercept the invading enemies.
Beside them, Zhao Wuji sighed helplessly. Though the three had decent strength, they were clearly being targeted by the Spirit Hall. He had no choice but to stay by their side and protect them.
After years of arduous training, bolstered by the immortal grass Yang Xiong had once provided, Yang Lin had finally reached level 71, fulfilling his lifelong goal and becoming an elder of the sect.
As for his mother Sun Yu, her martial soul had undergone a second awakening after absorbing the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. She had now reached level 59, surpassing Yang Lin's growth speed significantly.
In terms of the family's overall strength, they were undoubtedly impressive. Even excluding Yang Xiong, they had one Soul Sage and two Soul Kings, rivaling many prominent soul master families on the continent.
Moreover, the three were deeply loyal to the sect. Seeing the sect in crisis, the entire family quickly joined the fight against the invaders.
…
Facing attacks from all sides, Sword Douluo bore the brunt of the burden.
Though the Spirit Hall attacked from all directions, the main force concentrated on the sect's main gate. Besides Snake Spear Douluo, numerous Soul Douluos were present, and over sixty percent of the enemies were blocked outside the sect's walls by Sword Douluo and a large group of sect experts.
However, despite their efforts, the walls could not withstand the relentless attacks for long. Soon, they began to crumble, with some sections collapsing entirely.
After all, the enemy had a vast number of Soul Douluos and Soul Sages. Against the Martial Soul True Body, mere walls could not endure such devastation.
Sword Douluo was also deeply concerned about the situation inside the sect. Clearly, three Title Douluos were leading groups of soul masters in widespread slaughter within the sect.
Unfortunately, the sect only had two Title Douluos inside: Bone Douluo, who specialized in defense, and Lin Gong, a plant-type Title Douluo who excelled in control.
At this moment, another enormous firework exploded in the sky, forming a massive bone dragon that shone brilliantly.
Upon seeing this signal, countless disciples rushed toward the central square of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. This was the signal to regroup, indicating that the initial defensive preparations had been completed. The next step was to concentrate all forces in the square to resist the enemy.
This was the unfortunate reality of an auxiliary-type sect. Many Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters were easily targeted, and the sect's overall explosive power was severely lacking, putting them at a significant disadvantage in sudden crises.
Thus, during the early stages of the battle, the casualty rate among Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters was extremely high.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, the sect had been consolidating its forces over the past few years. Nearly ninety percent of the disciples were within the sect, meaning that only about five hundred were outside on missions. Inside, there were a full four thousand five hundred soul masters.
Though the enemy had gained an initial advantage through their surprise attack, they had not inflicted a fatal blow on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The most fortunate aspect was their collaboration with the Agility Clan. Thanks to the Agility Clan's reconnaissance network, they had received advance notice of the enemy's attack ten minutes earlier. This allowed Sword Douluo to rush to the sect's main gate and block a large number of enemies outside, preventing the sect from being overwhelmed immediately.
Originally hesitant, Sword Douluo suddenly shouted: "Everyone retreat from the walls and regroup inside the sect. I'll hold off the enemy."
Sword Douluo transformed into a massive blue figure, wielding an enormous and terrifying Seven Kill Sword. He plunged the sword into the ground before the wall, activating his seventh soul skill: True Body of the Weapon Spirit.
Upon hearing Sword Douluo's command, all disciples quickly retreated toward the central square of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
It seemed Ning Fengzhi intended to gather all the sect's forces for a decisive stand—either fighting to the death or finding a way to break through quickly.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect disciples were well-trained and retreated swiftly. Other scattered disciples also quickly gathered in the central square, focusing all their strength on resisting the enemy.
Meanwhile, Sword Douluo summoned a rain of swords to block the enemy's attacks as much as possible.
In the central square, Bone Douluo remained steadfast beside Ning Fengzhi. Ning Fengzhi summoned the massive Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to support everyone around him, while countless Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters in the square's center desperately assisted the surrounding fighters.
Lin Gong, however, found himself in a dire situation, locked in combat with Ling Yuan Douluo. Although his Purple Bamboo showed signs of evolution, it was ultimately insufficient against fire-attribute soul masters.
On the battlefield, the Devil Bear Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo wreaked havoc unchecked, killing large numbers of disciples.
The disparity in numbers between the two sides was immense, and casualties mounted on both sides.
Ning Fengzhi was determined to make a desperate gamble. If they could gather all their soul masters in the central square to withstand the enemy's assault, there might still be a chance of victory. Especially since Yang Xiong was at Yunwu Mountain, where there were many skilled fighters and a large number of soul masters. If they could return reinforcements quickly, they might coordinate an inside-out attack and deal a devastating blow to the invading forces.
Regarding whether Yang Xiong would return to aid the sect, Ning Fengzhi was confident. Yang Xiong had always been fiercely loyal to the sect, and the sect had nurtured him carefully. Though Yang Xiong seemed to have some minor covert activities, he would never abandon the sect.
Moreover, Yang Xiong's parents and older brother were all within the sect and deeply loyal to it. Given Yang Xiong's personality, he would never forsake his family, let alone his close relationship with Ning Rongrong, who had been together with him for a long time.
Most importantly, Yunwu Mountain had enough skilled fighters and soul masters to potentially turn the tide.
As for the personalities of the four great families of Yunwu Mountain, Ning Fengzhi had some understanding.
The Breaking Clan, Defense Clan, and Dragon-Serpent Family were all people of integrity who valued their promises. Otherwise, Ning Fengzhi would not have spent so much effort forging an alliance with them.
Like the Agility Clan, these families had made tremendous contributions to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Without their timely warning, the situation would likely have been far more perilous.
As the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect personnel gradually regrouped, Sword Douluo took to the skies, ready to engage the enemy fully.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong and his group of five, after traveling at full speed, could already faintly see the situation at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The sect was ablaze with fire and filled with the stench of bloody slaughter. Even from miles away, the brutality of the war was palpable.
Dugu Bo's expression turned grave: "So it really is the Spirit Hall. They've sent four Title Douluos, and judging by the number of soul masters, there are nearly ten thousand. It seems the Spirit Hall is truly determined."
Yang Xiong sneered: "Let's see how many of them can escape. This will likely be the Spirit Hall's most crushing defeat in history."
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