DD Spiritual Sword [575-577] (Patreon)

Chapter 575: Three Deans Rebel

The massacre of cities by the Heaven Dou Empire spread across half the continent in just a few days. Over in Star Luo, however, news was still blocked by Ning Fengzhi, so they remained unaware.

Ning Fengzhi was worried Star Luo would use the same strategy to restrict Gu Ran's army. With Dai Tianjue's ruthlessness, he would definitely do it.

Though Star Luo was in the dark, the Heaven Dou Empire and its various vassal kingdoms and duchies had already heard the news. Everyone was shocked by Xue Beng's cruelty.

Currently, Yu Tianheng was wary and hesitant. Though his army had pushed the front lines to the city closest to Binghe City, he dared not withdraw troops from other cities, leaving his army too weak to launch an assault. In this regard, Xue Beng's strategy was quite effective.

The entire Emperor Battle Team was idle each day, waiting for reinforcements—except for Zhu Zhuqing, who constantly warned everyone that a major battle could break out soon and told them not to let down their guard.

She sent scouts everywhere to gather intelligence and even personally surveyed the terrain around Binghai City.

Evil Sword Immortal was good at manipulating people, but he perfectly inherited a few flaws from Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong: one, too arrogant; two, no grasp of military strategy. He overlooked a critical point: Xue Beng wouldn't listen to him and would act on his own, which Zhu Zhuqing also realized.

Unfortunately, not everyone understood Zhu Zhuqing's behavior; after all, by all appearances, Xue Beng didn't dare face them head-on—he just wanted Yu Tianheng to split his forces and be too weak to assault the city, so he could hold on longer as emperor.

His strategy had succeeded, but it also had a huge backlash: it completely alienated those with real vision.

For instance, the three deans of the former Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"Your Majesty, your order for Ge Long to massacre the sixteen cities of Binghe has spread everywhere. Do you have nothing to say to us about such a depraved act?" Meng Shenji confronted him in court.

"How dare you, Meng Shenji! As a minister, how dare you demand an explanation from His Majesty?" Ge Long snapped. To him, imperial authority was supreme; he always did whatever the emperor said.

The emperor never needed a reason for his actions, and no one could question him. All must obey the imperial decree; disobedience was treason.

The three deans had always been dissatisfied with Ge Long's philosophy. Loyalty to the monarch was fine, but blind loyalty was a problem. As officials, loyalty to both the monarch and the people was inseparable. If you only serve the monarch and not the people, what kind of loyal minister are you?

Normally, the three deans would be too lazy to argue, but today, they had no choice but to stand up.

"Ge Long, you owe us an explanation too. Otherwise, don't blame us for what comes next." Zhi Lin's Sky Green Vine appeared in his hand, ready to act on a moment's notice. Even the calmest person would be pushed to the limit by this.

"Insolence! Three deans, do you know where you are? How dare you defy the emperor in his palace?" Xue Beng slapped his dragon throne, stood up angrily, and said, "You want a reason? Fine, I'll give you one. This is all for the future of our Heaven Dou Empire. Those cities were already lost. Rather than hand the people and resources to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, better to destroy them ourselves. Rest assured, I only killed the able-bodied men; I spared the old, weak, women, and children."

Bai Baoshan clenched his fists. "Hmph! Your Majesty, you didn't spare them out of kindness. You just want to use the weak to force Tianheng to divert troops to care for them. Shameless!"

Bai Baoshan finally cursed. When a good-natured person gets angry, they're more decisive than anyone else.

"How dare you, Bai Baoshan! You actually insult this emperor. Considering your past loyalty, I'll spare you once. Get out—never return to court. Only after atoning for your crimes will you be permitted back." Xue Beng waved his sleeve, and a squad of imperial guards entered.

The squad leader bowed to the three. "Sirs, His Majesty commands you to return."

"Heh, fine." Meng Shenji sneered. "But don't expect us to 'atone for our crimes' or ever return. Take care of yourself, Your Majesty."

The three turned to leave. Xue Beng shouted, "Stop! Meng Shenji, what do you mean? You plan to betray Heaven Dou, become traitors like Ning Fengzhi and Jun Tianlin?"

"Tianlin isn't a traitor—he never joined Heaven Dou's court, so how can he be a minister?" Bai Baoshan pointed at Xue Beng, sharp-tongued. "We wish to serve a virtuous ruler who brings a good future to the people, not a butcher like you. We're not blind loyalists. Xue Beng, you are a fool and tyrant, no match for Tianlin. I advise you to surrender soon, lest you die a terrible death."

"You... you dare say I'm inferior to Jun Tianlin!" What Xue Beng hated most was being compared to Tianlin.

"How can a foolish tyrant compare to our greatest student? Not just Tianlin—even compared to Qinghe, you're far behind." Zhi Lin mocked. "I've often heard of Qian Renxue's deeds—punishing evil, saving countless people. Though we're enemies, I respect her from the heart. Tianlin is the same. He had the power to sweep the continent long ago, yet he advanced slowly, building up strength to minimize casualties."

"Those two worked so hard for the people. And you? One decree, and their years of effort are wasted. I could skin you alive."

"Old Bai, Old Lin, what's the point of talking to a beast in human skin? Let's go. From now on, we owe nothing to this rotten country." Meng Shenji was utterly disheartened; he'd wash his hands of Heaven Dou's affairs.

"Hmph, you think you can just leave? After saying all this, do you think I'll let you defect to Jun Tianlin and become my enemies?" Xue Beng said coldly, murderous intent rising.

"Your Majesty, do you really think these soldiers and Ge Long can stop us three Soul Douluo?" Bai Baoshan said disdainfully. Their confidence came from their strength.

"Fine, if you're leaving, I might as well deal with you now and help Tianlin unify the continent." Zhi Lin struck. The Sky Green Vine shot toward Xue Beng's head.

Given their power gap, Zhi Lin was confident of killing Xue Beng in a single move.

Unexpectedly, as the vine was about to hit, Xue Beng easily caught it, stopping it cold.

"Impossible!" Zhi Lin was shocked. How could Xue Beng block his Sky Green Vine?

"Heh, so this is the power of one of the Seven Sins—Sloth. Fascinating." Xue Beng spread his arms, and a pair of black wings sprouted from his back. His martial soul once again became the Black Swan.

Even more fearsome were his soul rings: two yellow, two purple, five black—a total of nine, signifying he had become a Titled Douluo.

The three deans felt his soul power fluctuations—about level 91, but enough to shock them, since Xue Beng had just been a mere Soul King. How did he break through four whole stages so quickly?

In truth, Evil Sword Immortal was extremely dissatisfied with Xue Beng's choice. He wanted Xue Beng to use the power on a loyal, promising candidate—maybe making a Super Douluo. But Xue Beng used it on himself to barely become a Titled Douluo, wasting the power.

But that was Xue Beng's deal, so Evil Sword Immortal had to let him.

Xue Beng desperately wanted to be strong—like Tianlin, intimidating an entire empire. Now, he had finally become a Titled Douluo.

Chapter 576: Death of the Deans, Tianheng Attacks in Fury

Inside Binghai City, the people were terrified and stayed indoors.

They'd heard there was a rebellion at the palace, quickly suppressed, but Emperor Xue Beng was furious.

In Heaven Dou, commoners and nobles were worlds apart; the people dared not discuss it, pretending ignorance.

Actually, Xue Beng's rage had little to do with the three deans' rebellion. He had new backers and didn't care about the three Soul Douluo. What really enraged him was that he failed to capture all three.

During the battle that morning, Xue Beng wanted to show off his Titled Douluo strength and forbade Ge Long and the guards from interfering; he fought the three alone.

Unexpectedly, he couldn't even defeat Meng Shenji alone, let alone three. He only barely held the upper hand due to his deeper soul power.

This was normal. Meng Shenji's strength had been built up step by step—solid and pure, with much more combat experience. Also, Xue Beng's last four soul rings, though black, were of weak beasts, caught by the royal family for easy advancement.

Back then, Emperor Xue Ye had promised advancing soul beasts under 30,000 years for outstanding students; he had a stockpile. Such beasts were weak and lacked fighting spirit, so their rings were weak. Three of Xue Beng's four rings were like this: his sixth at 13,000 years, the seventh at 24,000, the eighth at 30,000.

The ninth was better—a 50,000-year-old ice bird, hunted with the army's help. But his soul power was a mess. Evil Sword Immortal used the power of Pride to bring him to level 90, but after absorbing four rings, he only rose one level—showing how poor his talent was.

Ultimately, unable to defeat Meng Shenji, Xue Beng ordered a group attack. Ge Long and another royal Soul Douluo joined in, plus tens of thousands of guards. The three deans finally fell.

In their last moments, Zhi Lin used his Sky Green Vine's control at the limit to bind Xue Beng and the other two masters, while Bai Baoshan activated the Heaven Star Furnace's strongest defense to hold off the guards.

It couldn't last long. In the end, they sacrificed themselves, yelling for Meng Shenji to escape. Meng Shenji, in tears, broke out alone.

His escape was what truly enraged Xue Beng. His first outing as a Titled Douluo ended in failure.

Meng Shenji, exhausted and wounded, staggered to Yu Tianheng's camp, collapsing less than two miles away.

Thankfully, patrolling soldiers found and recognized him, bringing him to the camp. As a high-ranking enemy, they dared not act rashly and immediately reported to Yu Tianheng.

After taking medicine, Meng Shenji slowly woke.

"Dean, are you alright?" Tianheng asked with concern.

Meng Shenji opened his eyes to see the Emperor Battle Team, his beloved students. "Tianheng, Xiao Qin, I never thought I'd see you again."

"Dean, what happened? Why are you so badly hurt? And the other deans?" Qin Ming asked anxiously.

"Old Bai, Old Lin... I fear they're already..." Meng Shenji wept and recounted what happened at the palace.

Everyone was moved. Though the deans had always been loyal to the royal family, when it mattered, they followed their hearts.

Xue Beng's strength and ruthlessness shocked and angered everyone. No one knew how he advanced so fast, but since he became crown prince, the deans had given up their pasts to help him—yet he still killed them.

"Dean Zhi Lin and Dean Bai are strong—they might still be alive. I'll send people to find out and try to rescue them." Yu Tianheng said at once.

He still held hope that Xue Beng, if he had any humanity left, had only captured them or crippled their powers.

Unfortunately, scouts soon brought despairing news: the city wall of Binghai City displayed two heads—Zhi Lin and Bai Baoshan.

Because Zhu Zhuqing and Oslo had been revived, it was now known the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could seemingly resurrect the dead. Thus, Xue Beng didn't even leave their corpses. Evil Sword Immortal absorbed their power, and only their heads were hung on the gate, labeled "Traitors, kill on sight" as a warning.

The Emperor Battle Team rushed to two miles outside Binghai City to see for themselves. As Soul Douluo-level experts, it was easy to avoid patrols.

From two miles away, they could see clearly.

Yu Tianheng fell to his knees, voice hoarse: "Grandpa, I'm sorry. You always told me to be calm, but I can't anymore. Teacher Qin, Oslo, Yu Feng, Shimo—gather all available troops. Tomorrow we attack Binghai City. I'll reclaim the deans' heads and let Xue Beng taste utter annihilation."

"Understood!" Oslo was the first to reply, equally furious.

As a minor noble, Oslo's gratitude to the deans was immense—they were his teachers.

Only Qin Ming, still calm amid anger, realized Xue Beng was baiting them into attacking. With their scattered forces, a reckless assault would likely end in disaster.

But he didn't know how to persuade them—he was angry too. After graduating from Shrek, it was the deans who brought him to the Royal Academy and recommended him to the court. Only after the Emperor Battle Team became famous did he gain recognition; otherwise, he might have joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect earlier.

Still, the Fire Wolf Douluo decided to act with his students this time.

This was exactly what Evil Sword Immortal missed but Zhu Zhuqing saw: Xue Beng would not just sit and defend, or put all his hopes in an evil ally. The massacre was only the first step. With Tianheng's divided forces and his own concentrated, plus strongholds and top experts, he had the advantage.

If he could lure them to attack, he had a good chance of destroying them all.

With this, why keep hiding? Rather than wait for Gu Ran's army to defeat Star Luo and join them, better to defeat them piecemeal.

Chapter 577: The Ninth Asura God Trial

As soon as Yu Tianheng returned, he began organizing the army. Yu Yuanzhen knew he could no longer persuade Tianheng, who was consumed by rage and hatred.

Actually, it was still better to hold out for reinforcements. A direct assault was risky.

But they had more Titled Douluo, so victory wasn't impossible. Yu Yuanzhen decided to let the Emperor Battle Team vent their rage; otherwise, the pain of massacre and losing their mentors would harm their growth.

"Tianheng!" After preparations, Zhu Zhuqing found Yu Tianheng again.

"Zhuqing, are you here to stop me again? To wait for reinforcements?" Tianheng asked unhappily.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "No, I've been waiting for this battle. My actions have all been anticipating today. I suspected Xue Beng would provoke you into an assault, since there's no point in just defending. With his ambition, he wouldn't be satisfied just holding the throne. I didn't expect he'd use the deans' lives as bait, but their rebellion gave him an excuse."

"This is his best chance. Your forces are scattered, and a direct assault will be disastrous. Xue Beng will have ambushes ready to wipe us out. This way, he can prevent Gu Ran from linking up with us and forming a force to threaten him."

Yu Tianheng was enlightened. No wonder Zhu Zhuqing had been exploring key routes—she was looking for the best ambush spots, planning to turn the tables.

He looked at her. "Zhuqing, what's your plan?"

"Tianheng, can I take command for tomorrow's battle?" Zhu Zhuqing said confidently. "These years in the bamboo forest, Tianlin and Rongrong often came to study with me. Besides cultivation, I picked up a lot from them. While Tianlin taught mainly Rongrong, I learned much more, since she had trouble focusing. I'm confident I can defeat Xue Beng."

Yu Tianheng nodded and stood up. "Good, Zhuqing. You've always been prepared. From now on, you're our army's strategist."

"Zhu Zhuqing obeys!"

…

Meanwhile, far away at the Lake of Life, Tianlin was unaware of events at the front. He was fully focused on absorbing the Silver Dragon King's soul ring and bone.

The Silver Dragon King's bone was far stronger than the Sky Ice Worm's. His previous bone armor was white, but now it was silver, more like the flying general's armor.

Though plain in appearance, the perfect armor's power boost was real. At level 99, plus his armor, Tianlin felt three times stronger than before.

Even the original three Limit Douluo—Bo Saixi, Tang Chen, Qian Daoliu—might not last long against him, and in a fair fight, he could defeat them instantly.

Just then, his Asura Sword mark flashed, and a black light pulled him into a different space.

It was the Asura inheritance realm. Reaching level 99, he was due for the final trial. Seeing the Asura God, Tianlin said apologetically, "Long time no see, senior. I must apologize for something."

"No need, I know about the Asura Demon Sword. You did well to defeat that monster. It's not your fault," the Asura God comforted him. "The sword is just a tool. Now you have an even stronger one. A new Asura God needs a new super artifact—that's only natural."

"Senior, I have a request..." Tianlin explained his plan to reforge the God-Demon Sword, asking to use the last of the Asura Demon Sword's power.

"Such ambition! Combining two super artifacts and using a third as a sacrifice. If you succeed, you might create the greatest artifact ever. How confident are you?" the Asura God asked.

"I've gathered all the master smiths under Lou Gao, all the rare ores of the Seven Treasure Sect, my own God-Destroying Iron, Nine-Luster Soul, the power of the Five Spirit Orbs. I have a ten-in-ten chance!" Tianlin declared.

Actually, his chances weren't that high—maybe 70%—but his confidence made up the rest.

The Asura God was pleased. "Good. You're my best successor. I'm glad I chose you. Now, see your ninth trial."

Tianlin summoned his God Trial card.

A voice sounded: ["Eighth Asura Trial: Reach level 99 within five years. Completed ahead of time. Asura God affinity +30%, now 120%."]

To reach 120% affinity by the eighth trial was rare.

["Ninth Asura Trial: Reforge the new Asura God artifact, with power three times that of the original. No time limit."]

For anyone else, this was impossible—even with unlimited time. The original Asura Demon Sword was already one of the greatest artifacts.

But for Tianlin, if he could forge the God-Demon Sword, it would far surpass the old one.

"Tianlin, one more thing. Though the ninth trial has no time limit, you must hurry. Otherwise, I fear..." The Asura God hesitated. At the last God Realm meeting, the other gods had made him promise to keep secrets.

But once Tianlin became the Asura God, he'd have the right to know everything.

"What do you fear?" Tianlin asked. Was there something even more dangerous than Evil Sword Immortal?

"It's nothing. It's just that your soul may anger Destruction and the others." The Asura God looked into Tianlin's soul.

"Hmph, Asura God, are you going to kill me now? I know the God Realm doesn't want soul beasts to become gods, but as a companion soul beast, I break no law. You're almost retired—would you break the law?" Gu Yuena appeared boldly.

The Asura God shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't harm you. The hunt in the God Realm was only during the war. Now, with the war over, and as you said, I'm almost retired. As long as you break no law, I won't interfere. But I can't speak for Destruction or Evil—if they see you, I can't guarantee their actions."

"No need to worry," Tianlin said. "Now the Silver Dragon King and I are one. If anyone tries to harm her, I'll defeat them. Like you, I believe: as long as she harms no one, no one has the right to kill her. The God Realm Council should be the same."

"What if all four gods vote to kill her? In the God Realm, a unanimous council is law." The Asura God asked.

"Shouldn't laws be just? Laws must be founded on justice; otherwise, the so-called council is just a tyranny. I will change that!" Tianlin said firmly.

The Asura God laughed. "Well said! You're truly my best successor. I once tried to change the laws, but even with my power, I couldn't defeat two at once, let alone four. I hope you can make laws truly fair and just. With you, I can finally let go and explore new worlds."