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Despite the Soul Masters in the crowd exerting their utmost efforts, there were simply too many people in the procession. Many could not squeeze their way into the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at all.
Watching their peers emerge with bountiful harvests, the desires of the remaining Soul Masters were magnified infinitely. They no longer cared about justice or righteousness; their only thought was to snatch a piece of Spirit Hall's wealth for themselves.
Unable to enter the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, these Soul Masters sprinted toward other nearby properties owned by Spirit Hall.
Restaurants, tea houses, and weapon shops were instantly submerged by the wave of greedy Soul Masters. What started as a protest procession immediately evolved into a looting spree where everything was taken for free.
Even some businesses not owned by Spirit Hall were caught in the crossfire, and soon, countless buildings in the vicinity began to catch fire.
Many Soul Masters, even after filling their spatial storage devices to the brim, remained unsatisfied. They wished they could convert all their resentment toward Spirit Hall into tangible wealth, stuffing their pockets until they bulged.
At the same time, in other cities, the massive demonstration forces—guided by people with ulterior motives—also devolved into scenes of looting and chaos.
Heaven Dou City, The Looting Zone.
A terrifying pressure swept over the countless jackals disguised as Soul Masters. They instantly sensed the horrifying aura of a Spirit Hall Titled Douluo.
Panic washed over their faces. Like birds startled by the twang of a bowstring, they scattered and fled in all directions.
Ghost Douluo forcibly suppressed the murderous rage burning in his heart. After dispersing thousands of Soul Masters, he ordered his subordinates to compile statistics on Spirit Hall's financial losses and personnel casualties. He had to manage the aftermath.
If not for the Pope's strict order forbidding conflict with the protesters, he would have absolutely slaughtered a few dozen of them to vent his hatred.
However, he knew that if he killed anyone, Spirit Hall's situation would only deteriorate further.
Once the countless Soul Masters of the Heaven Dou Empire shared a common hatred against Spirit Hall, the future work of pacifying and assimilating the Empire would become incredibly difficult.
The old man ruling Heaven Dou wouldn't live much longer. Once "Xue Qinghe" ascended the throne, Spirit Hall's influence would instantly expand countless times over.
After dealing with the chaotic mess, Ghost Douluo received an urgent report from the Pope's Palace.
The report highlighted Spirit Hall's losses. Aside from the areas under their direct control, Spirit Hall's properties in most cities had suffered pillaging.
Spirit Hall reached a unanimous decision: apart from their directly controlled territories, all Spirit Hall business operations would fully retract.
Simultaneously, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were ordered to pressure the Heaven Dou Emperor. If the Emperor did not provide a satisfactory explanation, Spirit Hall would withdraw from the Heaven Dou Empire's borders entirely.
While Spirit Hall was busy retracting its forces and handling the aftermath, demonstrations continued to erupt daily in Heaven Dou City.
Due to Spirit Hall's withdrawal strategy, the Soul Masters who had previously looted their properties recovered from their initial fear. Their anti-Spirit Hall sentiment during the protests grew even more fervent.
Although the protest groups grew larger, Spirit Hall had already withdrawn all its assets.
With no targets left to loot, the mob would not be so insane as to loot their own local industries.
Consequently, under the guidance of Tang Long and Tang Wei, these fanatical anti-Spirit Hall protesters began to march toward the nearest resource point to Heaven Dou City: the Sunset Forest.
In just one day, a mighty torrent of Soul Masters arrived at Sector Four on the flank of the Sunset Forest.
This location avoided the main area of the Sunset Forest, meaning there were no Spirit Hall Titled Douluo guarding it.
At this moment, the outskirts of the Sunset Forest were a mix of dragons and snakes. Aside from the groups of Soul Masters holding hunting permits, there was a group of tense Spirit Hall Warriors—the Douluo Warrior Corps.
The Soul Masters with permits turned a blind eye to the protesting mob. They did not participate; after all, they had permits and saw no need to offend Spirit Hall.
"This area is under Spirit Hall control. If you advance any further, do not blame us for being impolite!" the Captain of the Douluo Warrior Corps shouted sternly.
But the massive procession ignored the Warrior Corps. They continued to advance while chanting slogans, their footsteps causing such tremendous vibrations that towering trees swayed, shedding leaves as large as human faces.
"Spirit Beasts belong to the public! Monopolies deserve death! Spirit Hall, get out!!"
"Spirit Beasts belong to the public! Monopolies deserve death! Spirit Hall, get out!!"
"Spirit Beasts belong to the public! Monopolies deserve death! Spirit Hall, get out!!"
Facing the encroaching mob, cold sweat broke out on the forehead of the Douluo Warrior Corps Captain.
As a warrior of Spirit Hall, his duty did not allow him to retreat a single step.
However, he could not attack this group of Soul Masters. With a grave expression, he commanded:
"Raise shields, all of you!! Without my command, no one is allowed to attack!!"
"Hold the line for Spirit Hall!! Hold!!"
"Yes, Sir!!"
"For Spirit Hall!!!"
Led by their Captain, the three hundred warriors of the Douluo Warrior Corps, clad in silver armor, simultaneously raised their massive shields in front of them.
With uniform movement and a collective roar, hundreds of giant silver shields smashed into the soil, erecting a massive metallic wall.
Faced with the decisive action of the Douluo Warrior Corps, the momentum of the protest was momentarily suppressed, and the main force stalled.
However, the massive crowd at the rear was unaware of the situation at the front and continued to push blindly forward.
Seeing the growing confusion at the front, Tang Wei's eyes darted around. He could not allow the protest to stall.
He signaled Tang Long with a glance. While shoving the Soul Masters in front of him, he began to stoke the fire:
"Brothers, don't be afraid!! They dare not fight back!! Spirit Hall must get out of the Sunset Forest today!!"
"Justice is in the hearts of the people! Spirit Hall has no right to monopolize the Sunset Forest!!"
"Brothers, charge with me!!!"
"Blocking my path to cultivation is like killing my parents!!"
"If you are a man, charge with me!!"
Under Tang Wei's instigation, the emotions of the crowd took control. Thousands of Soul Masters, abandoning all reason, charged toward the Wall of Silver.
Thud!
The Wall of Silver was forcibly pushed back, plowing grooves into the earth over ten meters long.
The Douluo Warriors gritted their teeth and withstood the immense impact. Although their average level was much higher than the mob's, without an order from their Captain, they could only suppress their anger and focus on holding back the surge of thousands of Soul Masters.
The Captain of the Douluo Warrior Corps tightened his grip on his shield as he watched the crazed Soul Masters.
He constantly reminded himself: Do not attack.
The forces behind these Soul Masters were extremely complex. If a conflict erupted, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He could only pray silently that the Titled Elders in the main area of the Sunset Forest would sense the situation here.
Otherwise, relying solely on five hundred warriors, it would be difficult to stop this brigade of thousands.
The Sunset Forest was where the Saint Son resided. He could not allow this mob to charge in and offend His Highness.
After advancing to Soul Douluo and reading the "Soul Core Condensation Method" contributed by the Saint Son, he had been awestruck. Since then, he firmly believed that under the Saint Son's leadership, Spirit Hall would reach the absolute peak.
With his conviction firm, the Captain constantly encouraged the brothers behind him.
The united Douluo Warrior Corps displayed astonishing resilience. Despite being outnumbered nearly ten to one, the "Wall of Silver" remained immovable.
After a stalemate of more than ten minutes, the patience of the thousands in the mob was nearing its limit.
A ruthless glint flashed in Tang Wei's eyes. With a loud shout, he slammed himself into the silver shields ahead.
Under the cover of the noise, he secretly unleashed a burst of soul power at a Soul Master beside him.
The aura of a Soul Douluo leaked out only slightly, but it instantly detonated within the body of the Grand Soul Master.
The Grand Soul Master felt his chest tighten violently before spewing a massive mouthful of fresh blood onto the silver shields in front of him.
At that moment, Tang Wei roared furiously:
"Brothers!! Spirit Hall is killing people!!!"
"Spirit Hall is killing us! Ahhh!!!"
The nearby Soul Masters saw the large pool of blood, and a rush of blood fury instantly surged to their heads.
"I! #@￥@!"
"These Spirit Hall bastards!!"
"Brothers, attack together!!"
The anger in the hearts of thousands was ignited instantly. Countless Soul Masters activated their Martial Soul Possessions, sending pillars of soul light rushing into the sky.
The bodies of the Soul Masters at the front flashed with various colors as shockwaves of soul power bombarded the "Wall of Silver."
In an instant, the Douluo Warrior Corps suffered heavy casualties.
More than twenty knights were sent flying by the various soul power shockwaves, blood spilling from their mouths.
The most severely injured knights had their shields shattered, their bodies below the chest mangled and bloody, in a terrible state.
Countless shield fragments clanged against silver armor and other shields.
Soul Masters within the protest group were also struck by flying shield fragments, blood spraying from their bodies.
In a split second, the smell of blood permeated the air, further stimulating the bloodlust of both sides.
The ability to pierce a shield and directly kill the warrior behind it was the masterpiece of Tang Wei's secret intervention.
After killing a Douluo Warrior, Tang Wei grabbed Tang Long and faded toward the rear.
Seeing his brothers heavily injured and some even dead, boundless rage flooded the Captain's heart. He instantly activated his Martial Soul Avatar.
A colossal black panther charged directly into the crowd of Soul Masters, unleashing a frenzied slaughter. It opened its bloody maw, clamped down on a person, shook its head violently to tear them apart, and spat them out before roaring:
"All units! Draw spears! Suppress them!!!"
After issuing the order, rage completely overwhelmed the Captain's reason.
Burning with fury, the black panther did its utmost to kill the countless Soul Masters.
Every time the black shadow flashed, several Soul Masters were sent flying, blood splattering and filling the air with a red mist.
The members of the Douluo Warrior Corps, having witnessed their comrades die miserably, were already burning with anger, waiting only for the command.
Upon receiving the order, the furious warriors acted.
They raised their silver spears, lifted their silver shields, and charged at the thousands of Soul Masters.
In just one charge, silver spears pierced through the chests of over a hundred Soul Masters.
Gallons of blood sprayed from the silver spears onto the grass. In moments, the scent of blood in the air grew thick and choking.
The Soul Masters, who already harbored deep resentment toward Spirit Hall, lost all reason upon seeing their fellow protesters killed by the warriors. They abandoned any reservations about Spirit Hall and began using their Soul Skills indiscriminately.
In the center of the crowd, Tai Nuo saw the countless soul lights flashing at the front and the massive Black Panther Avatar. Cold sweat poured from his palms.
He shouted hurriedly, "Stop!! Everyone stop!!"
"Don't fight!! Stop fighting!!"
But the two sides, eyes red with bloodlust, could no longer hear any calls for peace. At this point, they wanted nothing more than to devour each other alive.
Realizing the situation was dire, Tai Nuo sweated profusely.
He had never imagined the situation would spiral out of control like this. Thinking himself the secret controller of the protest, Tai Nuo was completely unaware that two members of the Clear Sky School were in the ranks.
As the branch patriarch of the "Strength Clan," Tai Nuo knew very well that using the momentum of a protest to denounce Spirit Hall and smash their properties would force Spirit Hall to swallow the loss in silence; after all, the law does not punish the masses.
But a direct confrontation with Spirit Hall's armed forces, the Douluo Warrior Corps?
Even if they wiped out the Warrior Corps, these Soul Masters could absolutely not withstand Spirit Hall's fury.
Tai Nuo, who had intended to boil the frog in warm water and gradually degrade Spirit Hall's reputation, now regretted coming to the Sunset Forest.
He had no desire for a direct conflict. However, the development of events did not shift according to Tai Nuo's will.
At this moment, large numbers of Soul Masters and Douluo Warriors were dying every second.
The front of the battlefield seemed to have turned into a meat grinder. Countless liters of blood soaked the soil, and minced flesh and corpses piled up into a small hill.
To gain a terrain advantage, both sides began charging toward the top of this mountain of corpses.
Sunset Forest, The Mountain of Flesh.
At the foot of the hill, Tai Nuo looked at the irrational Soul Masters and Warriors fighting above. He quickly made hand signals and used soul power transmission.
He managed to pull a few of his clansmen, who had lost their minds to the violence, back to reality, and they slowly retreated to the rear.
Some opportunistic Soul Masters, eager to break through their cultivation ranks, also took the chance to rush into the Sunset Forest to find suitable Soul Rings.
Nearby, the Soul Masters holding hunting permits were stunned by the sight of the meat grinder and the corpse mountain.
Some who were friendly toward Spirit Hall immediately headed for the main area of the Sunset Forest, attempting to find a Spirit Hall Titled Elder to stabilize the situation.
Meanwhile, several thousand meters away, atop the branch of a towering tree, stood two men in black robes.
They were overlooking the battlefield of the corpse mountain.
Tang Wei laughed heartily.
"Those idiots are just waiting to bear Spirit Hall's wrath. Heh heh."
"Dad, Aunt Tang's plan is truly perfect."
"I didn't expect these Soul Masters who hate Spirit Hall to unleash such astonishing destructive power." Tang Long looked at the gradually forming mountain of flesh and blood, his scalp tingling with numbness.
"This is nothing! This is just the first wave. After this battle ends, we only need to secretly spread the news that Spirit Hall's Douluo Warrior Corps slaughtered hundreds or thousands of Heaven Dou Empire citizens throughout the entire Empire. Spirit Hall can then wait to face the wrath of countless Soul Masters."
"From this point on, Spirit Hall will lose its foundation among Soul Masters. Like dry bones in a grave, its collapse will happen in a single day," Tang Wei sighed with emotion. He then activated his perception, searching for nearby Spirit Beasts.
"Little Long, let's go! Into the Sunset Forest. While this mob riots, we will take the opportunity to find a suitable power-type ten-thousand-year Soul Beast."
"As long as you obtain a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring and advance to Soul Emperor, no one will ever be able to shake your position as the Chief of the Clear Sky School's third generation!"
"Okay!! Once I become a Soul Emperor, defeating Tang Hu won't take more than three moves!" Tang Long said excitedly.
"Truly worthy of being my son!"
Subsequently, Tang Wei led Tang Long deeper into the Sunset Forest, beginning their search for Spirit Beast tracks.
Sunset Forest, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
After Ye Lan finished organizing the entire theoretical system for "Artificial Soul Rings," he bid farewell to Ah Yin and headed toward the outer perimeter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
He hadn't walked far when he saw Yan Yan sitting cross-legged beside a poisonous herb, cultivating with her eyes closed.
Ye Lan sensed Yan Yan's condition and nodded.
It was a pity she was still some distance from rank sixty. Otherwise, he could have given her a surprise, making her the first Soul Master on the Douluo Continent to absorb an "Artificial Soul Ring."
"Little Lan, why have you come out of the Ice and Fire Spring? Is there new progress in your cultivation?" Dugu Bo asked, puzzled.
"Grandpa Dugu, it's not progress in cultivation," Ye Lan said, feigning mystery.
"Then what progress could it be?" Dugu Bo asked, surprised.
Soul power flashed in Ye Lan's palm, and a ring shining with purple light appeared in his hand.
Just then, a flash of silver soul light appeared.
Silver Wolf grabbed Ye Lan's shoulders, his face full of joy and excitement. "Little Lan, did you really research it? You actually figured out the Soul Rings?!"
He had witnessed Ye Lan absorbing the Soul Ring condensed by the "Blue Silver Forest." At the time, Little Lan had reminded him to observe the "Blue Silver Soul Ring" carefully.
Back then, he had watched helplessly as the "Blue Silver Forest" condensed a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring.
He had muttered to himself then, wondering if Little Lan could use this to research Soul Rings and create something out of nothing.
He hadn't expected his words to be prophetic; Ye Lan had actually developed an artificial Soul Ring.
After all, this was the first time he had seen a portable Soul Ring. He looked at Ye Lan with excitement, hoping to hear the desired answer from him.
"Uncle Wolf, Grandpa Dugu. This ring in my palm is a 'Two-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Artificial Soul Ring'," Ye Lan explained.
Hearing Ye Lan's explanation, the two men felt their scalps tingle.
The "Two-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Artificial Soul Ring" on Ye Lan's palm could not be summarized simply as a Soul Ring; the ring in his hand represented the future of countless Soul Masters!
"Little Lan, besides the Blue Silver Emperor Soul Ring, can you create other Soul Rings? What is the maximum age limit?" Silver Wolf asked nervously.
"As long as there is a drop of the Spirit Beast's blood, then regardless of the species or age, a Soul Ring can be condensed. The maximum can reach seven or eight hundred thousand years," Ye Lan explained.
"Seven or eight thousand years! That strong?!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in admiration.
"Wait!!? What did you say? Seven or eight hundred thousand years?! Did I hear that correctly?!" The two Titled Douluo revealed expressions of shock. They simply dared not believe that a Soul Ring could have an age of seven hundred thousand, or even eight hundred thousand years!
"Correct, seven hundred thousand, even eight hundred thousand years. However, I'm afraid no current Soul Master could absorb such a ring at rank ninety. As for people capable of condensing such a ring, within Spirit Hall, only Teacher and Grandpa Qian Daoliu could achieve it," Ye Lan said.
"Little Lan, do you mean to say that besides you, other people can also condense artificial Soul Rings?!!" Silver Wolf caught the key point.
"Exactly. As long as one becomes a Titled Douluo, they can condense a ten-thousand-year artificial Soul Ring. The higher the rank of the Titled Douluo, the higher the age of the artificial Soul Ring they can condense!" Ye Lan nodded.
Hearing Ye Lan's explanation, infinite shock and excitement erupted in Silver Wolf's eyes. Silver Wolf said excitedly:
"Little Lan, Spirit Hall is saved!!!"
"As long as we can create 'Artificial Soul Rings', then Spirit Hall's situation can be salvaged!!"
"Uncle Wolf, what do you mean?" Ye Lan asked, puzzled.
Dugu Bo also looked at Silver Wolf in confusion. Could Spirit Hall, possessing over a dozen Titled Douluo and even an Ultimate Douluo like Qian Daoliu, actually be in crisis?
"Sigh, Old Freak Poison, Little Lan, you've been in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and don't know the situation outside. Recently, whether due to the machinations of Star Luo Empire spies or some other reason, half the cities in the Heaven Dou Empire have erupted in anti-Spirit Hall demonstrations. It is most intense in Heaven Dou City, which is closest to us."
"They have all raised the banner of 'Spirit Hall get out of the Spirit Beast Forests' and have smashed, looted, and burned Spirit Hall's properties."
"Facing the wrath of so many Soul Masters, we couldn't take direct action, or Spirit Hall would lose the hearts of the people entirely."
"But we also cannot unseal the Spirit Beast Forests. If we do, it won't be long before high-level Soul Masters face a situation where no ten-thousand-year Soul Rings are available."
"No matter the choice, Spirit Hall has reached its most critical moment."
"Currently, the high-ranking members of Spirit Hall even considered launching a surprise attack on the Ten Thousand Beast Sect and the Star Luo Empire, directly wiping out the Ten Thousand Beast Sect to seize the Spirit Spirit (Hun Ling) system."
"After all, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect doesn't seem to lack Spirit Spirits."
"However, Her Holiness the Pope and Senior Qian Daoliu exchanged blows with the Sect Master of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect. Di Tian's strength is unfathomable. Spirit Hall still doesn't know if the Ten Thousand Beast Sect has other trump cards or other Ultimate Douluo besides Di Tian."
"Therefore, Spirit Hall ultimately vetoed the decision to raid the Ten Thousand Beast Sect."
"But because of this, Spirit Hall's position will only become more awkward. Externally, there is the Star Luo Empire and the Ten Thousand Beast Sect; internally, there is the chaos in the Heaven Dou Empire."
"As of now, I haven't received the latest intelligence, but Spirit Hall's situation is likely far more critical than I understand."
"Fortunately, Little Lan has researched the artificial Soul Ring. Now, all the problems plaguing Spirit Hall are no longer issues."
"Little Lan, you have saved Spirit Hall!!" Silver Wolf said with immense emotion.
At this very moment, Ye Lan became the savior in Silver Wolf's heart.
The thing he rejoiced in most now was being arranged by the Pope to be Ye Lan's guard. He had witnessed the rise of the Light of Humanity, the Savior of Spirit Hall.
And he was the Protector of the Light of Humanity, the Savior of Spirit Hall!!
Silver Wolf was now incredibly proud of his guard duty. Who said a Titled Douluo couldn't be a guard?
He was now the greatest guard on the entire Douluo Continent!!
Because he guarded the growth of the Light of Humanity!
After listening to Silver Wolf's explanation, ripples surged in Ye Lan's heart.
He hadn't expected that the appearance of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect and the "Spirit Spirit System" would cause such a massive butterfly effect.
If he hadn't researched the "Artificial Soul Ring," he dared not imagine Spirit Hall's current predicament.
If it really came to that, perhaps all he could do was find a way to level up and seek hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts, eventually becoming a God to solve such troublesome matters, right?
Could I really last until becoming a God?
After all, the great enemy, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect of the Star Luo Empire, was right in front of them.
Fortunately, he had developed the "Artificial Soul Ring," so all outcomes would be different.
With the help of the "Artificial Soul Ring," he might even be able to change the stance of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.
After all, the "Artificial Soul Ring" had hundreds of benefits and no harm. And if the Spirit Beasts were unwilling to contribute their blood, he had brilliant tricks up his sleeve; he firmly believed that when the time came, the Spirit Beasts would be happy to contribute their blood.
Retracting his thoughts, Ye Lan noticed that Grandpa Dugu and Uncle Wolf were looking at him with very strange expressions.
Those eyes looked as if they were gazing at a miraculous, heaven-crafted colorful stone. In their hearts, Ye Lan had completely become a great man who would change the course of history for humanity and the entire Douluo Continent.
(End of Chapter)