The unprecedented war finally ended after the Star Luo Offering Hall Master's self-detonation. Xu Tianxi and his group, protected by Kong Deming, quickly retreated from Star Luo Square, occasionally glancing back at the sky with lingering worry.
"Don't worry. Profound Nether Supreme Elder is quite capable. After Ancestor Xu pushed him away, he, like me, took all the Xuanming Sect experts with him. With his Limit Douluo cultivation, no important Xuanming Sect members will be harmed."
Kong Deming's slightly heavy voice reached Xu Tianxi's ear. Xu Tianxi let out a sigh of relief and withdrew with him to a safe location. Flying past many corners along the way, his eyes registered nothing but devastation.
The scope of this epic battle was too vast. Star Luo Square, parts of the Imperial City, and even buildings within dozens to hundreds of miles around had suffered varying degrees of impact. The nearby Star Emperor Hotel had already collapsed, and the casualties were countless.
After catching his breath, Xu Tianxi thought for a moment and quickly asked Kong Deming:
"Elder Kong, what happened to those Evil Soul Masters? The civilian casualties in this battle are probably in the tens of thousands. If they take advantage of this chaos, the consequences would be unimaginable."
In the original story, the great explosion in Mingdu truly fattened up many Evil Soul Masters. Many Holy Spirit Church powerhouses broke through because of it, and even Ye Xishui's God of Death Tower only succeeded after absorbing enough resentful souls during that battle.
While the scope of this Star Luo War wasn't as wide as the Mingdu explosion, its location was high above a competition venue packed with a million spectators.
The scene at that time was utterly chaotic: the slaughter by Evil Soul Masters, the energy aftermath of battles, and even stampedes. Even if only one or two out of ten died or were injured, it would still be a terrifying number.
Kong Deming understood this as well. He peered into the distance and whispered, "Don't worry, the Evil Soul Masters are too busy fleeing for their lives to collect resentful souls."
"The Star Luo Offering Hall Master's self-detonation forced back those two Limit Douluo from the Holy Spirit Church. From what I can tell, even if they aren't dead, they must be severely wounded. It'll be years before they can recover, and they might even suffer permanent injuries.
Only a handful of other Evil Soul Masters escaped that terrifying explosion. Your Ancestor gave those Evil Soul Masters a good push when he retreated, and the three major powers didn't miss the chance to kick them while they were down."
Xu Tianxi's eyes lit up. "So, those Evil Soul Masters are pretty much finished?"
Kong Deming shook his head. "Not entirely. The Evil Soul Masters capable of escaping such a battle are naturally top experts. The Holy Spirit Church's Sect Master and Vice Sect Master are among them, along with two Super Douluo and one Titled Douluo."
"This isn't even the full strength of those Evil Soul Masters. There should still be some Titled Douluo and Soul Douluo in their stronghold.
As for Evil Soul Masters below Soul Sage, they're too numerous to count."
"Of course, with so many elite combatants dead, it's a massive blow to their vitality regardless."
Xu Tianxi nodded slightly in understanding. The Holy Spirit Church had lost about ten Titled Douluo, three Super Douluo, and over twenty elite Soul Douluo this time. Their high-end combat power was severely damaged, making it impossible for them to stir up trouble in the short term.
However, the Xuanming Sect had suffered terribly in this fight with them. In the future, they would likely… "After this battle, tell your Ancestor and the others to prepare for relocation. Regardless, they can no longer stay in Xuanming City. After I return to the country, I will begin making arrangements to prepare a new habitat for them."
Kong Deming's voice transmitted again, and Xu Tianxi nodded in agreement.
Once the Holy Spirit Church recovered, they would surely retaliate, and the Xuanming Sect alone wouldn't be able to bear it.
Just then, Xiao Hongchen, who had also been transferred, came to his senses, rubbing his eyes. "I've never seen such a magnificent sight. Is the self-detonation of a top expert truly so brilliant?"
Above Star Luo Square, the spectacular scene of countless stars was magnificent, and the energy level was immeasurable, far exceeding the limits of Xiao Hongchen's understanding.
Jing Hongchen's expression darkened slightly. "It is indeed terrifying. This energy far surpasses a single Level 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shell. Several of them combined might be able to compare."
"I still can't imagine what kind of technology we would need to produce a cannon shell of this power."
Kong Deming chuckled. "Jing Hongchen, you're still too young and inexperienced. You've only seen the tip of the iceberg in the world of Soul Guided Devices. How can you claim it's impossible in the future?"
"If there are Level 9 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells now, who's to say there won't be Level 10, Level 11, or even Level 12 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells in the future? Anything is possible."
Upon hearing this, Jing Hongchen dared not refute, nodding repeatedly like a scolded elementary school student, indicating that Elder Kong was right.
He knew that Elder Kong had been in seclusion for years, attempting to break through to the unprecedented, conceptual Level 10 Soul Engineer. If successful, it would mark a historic first and elevate Soul Guided Technology to a new height.
Moreover, as Elder Kong said, his experience was indeed insufficient. In front of Elder Kong, all his proud knowledge seemed like mere tricks.
Xiao Hongchen watched from the side, dumbfounded. He never imagined his own grandfather would be lectured like a grandson one day. Grand-Grand-Master was truly awe-inspiring.
Just as he was about to share his thoughts with Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen noticed his younger sister was holding a recording Soul Guided Device, filming the distant scene high in the sky. He couldn't help but ask curiously:
"What are you doing?"
"Filming, of course! Can't you tell? You're so silly, big brother."
Meng Hongchen pressed the shutter repeatedly on the recording Soul Guided Device, which looked like a camera, her bright eyes filled with visible excitement.
A few dark lines appeared on Xiao Hongchen's forehead, and he felt a surge of bewilderment:
"Is the new recording Soul Guided Device that Grandpa and Old Xu made for you really that fun? I'll ask Grandpa to make one for me too."
2
"Of course, recording beautiful things you see, that feeling is unprecedentedly wonderful." Meng Hongchen, who was obsessed with photography, answered without hesitation.
Xiao Hongchen nodded silently, keeping this in mind.
When Xu Tianxi returned from the Starlight Auction House, he had discussed the idea of filmmaking with Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen said that technology wasn't an issue, so Xu Tianxi took the opportunity to mention some props he remembered from his previous life, including this kind of recording Soul Guided Device.
Due to time constraints, the two of them made two by hand, initially one for each. However, as soon as Jing Hongchen showed off the new device to his grandchildren, Meng Hongchen set her sights on it, and predictably, she ended up getting it.
Xiao Hongchen had even asked Xu Tianxi if he could borrow it for two days, but Xu Tianxi firmly refused, saying he could make one himself if he wanted.
At the core of the explosion, the spectacular starlight phenomenon lasted for almost half an hour before gradually dissipating.
Xu Tianxi, after continuous battles, meditated cross-legged. His nearly depleted Soul Power recovered completely and even made a new breakthrough, shattering the bottleneck of rank 49 and reaching rank 50.
"It wasn't for nothing that I always went all out when fighting Ma Xiaotao and the others. I've finally broken through to rank 50."
Xu Tianxi opened his eyes and muttered to himself, letting out a long breath. He suddenly remembered something:
They had left in a hurry, and Ma Xiaotao's corpse seemed to still be over at Star Luo Square. He wondered what had happened to the Soul Bones on her.
Glancing at the billowing smoke from Star Luo Square in the distance, Xu Tianxi thought to himself that he still needed to go treasure hunting. He wanted to find a Rank 9 Soul Guidance Master to go digging with him.
A few Soul Bones weren't too important; it was mainly about the sense of accomplishment.
"Oh, Xu, you're finally awake? You look much better."
Xu Tianxi heard Xiao Hongchen's voice. He stood up, stretched his still-sore shoulders, and wiped the blood from his face, a hint of pride in his tone.
"Of course. I just fought a big battle and took out three important figures from Shrek. In the army, that would be a major achievement—enough to contend for a Division Commander position, right?"
Xiao Hongchen didn't refute him. Instead, he thoughtfully considered it, then said seriously, "Based on my understanding of the promotion system for officers in the Ten Great Soul Engineer Legions, with your strength, you'd start as at least a Battalion Commander if you joined the army. Getting promoted to Division Commander would just be a matter of time.
However, Division Commanders usually need to be Soul Douluos and Level 8 Soul Engineers. You're not that terrifying without Fixed Soul Cannon Shells, are you?"
Xu Tianxi pondered for a moment before replying, "Equipped with the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Blade, I can barely fight an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo. With my special Soul Skills, there's a good chance I could kill a Soul Douluo."
"If I used Fixed Soul Cannon Shells, my opponent would definitely die."
In his previous fight with Ma Xiaotao and Du Weilun, he had already used a combat method that integrated Spiritual Power and Soul Power. His only hidden techniques were the Soul Ring fusion secret art, which his body couldn't yet withstand, the Second Awakening of his Body Martial Soul, and his Second Martial Soul.
If he went all out, he had a sixty percent chance of fighting Du Weilun head-on and killing him, but in doing so, he would also be completely exhausted and need a long recovery.
The reason he killed so easily before was that Ye Yulin had already battered Du Weilun and Cai Meier into a near-death state, and he had also absorbed Xu Xiaoyun's Profound Water Power to enhance his Soul Power. He might not have such favorable conditions again.
Xiao Hongchen gasped, then his face filled with frustration, sighing repeatedly, seemingly overwhelmed by utter despair.
"Don't be so despairing. Soul Engineers generally have better survival skills than Soul Masters. While I can kill a Soul Douluo, killing a Level 8 Soul Engineer is still very difficult."
Xu Tianxi patted Xiao Hongchen's shoulder, comforting him. "If someone ever throws an Absolute Defense Soul Guided Device at me, I'll also have to stay put for a while."
Many Soul Guided Devices were simply too overpowered, leaving Xu Tianxi feeling helpless just looking at them. However, he had the Living Being Watch Blade, which could absorb the life force of metal, making it a bane to Soul Guided Devices. But there was no need to tell Xiao Hongchen that depressing fact.
"Oh, don't try to comfort me. Who do you think I, Xiao Hongchen, am? How could I not handle such a small setback?"
Xiao Hongchen waved his hand, quickly changing the subject. "By the way, the Star Luo Royal Family announced that this competition has been forcibly suspended. We might have to pack up and go back soon."
"As for the final champions, our Sun Moon Battle Team is first, Star Luo Royal Academy is second, and Dio Academy is third. Everyone agrees. But no one cares about that anymore."
Xu Tianxi nodded. This outcome was not unexpected.
He then asked, "What about the casualties from this unexpected event? How are the Star Luo, Xuanming, and Body Sect doing?"
"It's terrible. They say over 200,000 people have died, and there are even more injured. Countless buildings have collapsed. Many of the experts from our Sun Moon Empire who came here have already gone to help with disaster relief."
Xiao Hongchen sighed, then continued, "Among the three top powers, Star Luo suffered the worst casualties. The Hall of Worship Master fell, and several Guardian Douluos died, with even more Soul Douluo casualties.
The Xuanming Sect and Body Sect also lost Soul Douluos. No Titled Douluos died, but everyone was injured. Fortunately, the Star Luo Empire has the world's best healing Soul Master here, so even severely injured people can be saved."
"Of course, the most tragic case this time is definitely Shrek. The large number of experts they brought were completely wiped out."
When speaking of Shrek, a genuine smile finally appeared on Xiao Hongchen's face. He had always disliked those fanatics and even thought they were no different from Evil Soul Masters.
He grinned and said, "Grandpa said we gained a lot this time, acquiring many Soul Bones. For the next few hundred years, our Sun Moon Empire won't lack Soul Bones."
"Especially that Level 96 Super Douluo who was killed; he had a full set of six Soul Bones, including a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. That made Grandpa incredibly happy."
"This 'number one academy for ten thousand years' really is rich. Even one of their Elders has a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. Who knows how many other good things they have in their family."
"Grandpa also said that our biggest gain this time was capturing this group of people. If Shrek isn't willing to pay the price to get them back, hehe..."
A sinister smile appeared on Xiao Hongchen's face, and a flicker of anticipation rose in Xu Tianxi's heart. He remembered that there were a few heavyweights in Shrek's competition team this time. Should he get involved later?
He Caitou, Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nannan, Ling Luochen—either they had special identities or they were excellent talents. Once they were captured, it wouldn't be easy for them to get out.
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