Whether it was the Tian Dou Empire, the Spirit Empire, or even the Star Luo Empire far away at Tianmen Pass, all three were now enveloped in an eerie silence. None of them continued to fight, instead quietly stationing their armies.
On the side of the Tian Dou Empire, after the deaths of Emperor Xue Ye and Marshal Ge Long, internal morale was unstable. Empress Xue Ke had just ascended the throne and needed to stabilize the situation and win over support.
Recently, Empress Xue Ke had been communicating frequently with Tang Xiao, Ning Fengzhi, and Lin Gong, offering significant incentives and doing everything possible to gain the backing of the three great sects.
Lin Gong and Yang Wudi had visited Yang Xiong several times. Yang Xiong simply told them to handle these matters themselves, as long as they didn't involve life-or-death issues for the sect. For other matters, they could resolve them according to past methods.
Over the years, Yang Xiong hadn't meticulously managed every small issue in the Body Sect. Instead, he established a relatively comprehensive set of sect rules, including specific directions for the sect's development.
Within the framework of these rules, everyone focused on cultivation and supporting younger members. Internal conflicts and bullying were strictly forbidden. Additionally, there were clear guidelines for profit distribution—ironclad principles within the sect. Lin Gong and Yang Wudi had grown accustomed to Yang Xiong's hands-off leadership style.
Moreover, the Body Sect had suffered significant losses recently. Though no high-level experts had perished, nearly half of the thousand soul masters brought from the sect had died or been injured. As a result, Yang Wudi and Lin Gong had become much more cautious in their decision-making.
Another critical factor was Bai He, who controlled the intelligence network of the entire Tian Dou Empire. He often communicated with Lin Gong and Yang Wudi in a timely manner, striving to minimize the sect's losses and ensure the safety of its disciples.
Otherwise, given the ferocity of recent battles, the Body Sect would have suffered far greater losses.
For comparison, the Hao Tian Sect, though smaller in numbers, had lost half of its ordinary disciples and two Title Douluo.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect primarily focused on support roles. Many of its soul masters with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul were positioned at the rear of the battlefield, and even the sect's overall deployment was further back. Even so, their losses exceeded fifty percent.
The Tian Dou Imperial Family's soul masters suffered the heaviest losses, with nearly seventy percent of their forces wiped out—the highest casualty rate among all soul master groups.
Yang Wudi and Lin Gong also knew that Yang Xiong was currently injured, so they avoided disturbing him as much as possible. After all, Yang Xiong was the pillar of the sect, its central figure, and even the mainstay of the entire Tian Dou army.
Even Ning Rongrong came to complain to Yang Xiong once. To win over the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Empress Xue Ke not only offered immense concessions but also reminisced about their childhood friendship, practically begging Ning Rongrong to call her sister.
However, based on Ning Rongrong's analysis, Empress Xue Ke seemed highly reliant on the Hao Tian Sect, consulting Tang Yuehua for both major and minor decisions. It was clear she trusted her teacher deeply.
After some systematic handling, the Tian Dou Empire's army gradually stabilized, no longer as chaotic as it had been immediately after Emperor Xue Ye's death.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiong devoted all his energy to healing. A red sphere of light enveloped his body, within which Asura divine power and Angel divine power continuously collided and dissolved each other.
With Yang Xiong's formidable physique, healing his injuries wasn't overly difficult. The key was to recover quickly and leave no lingering problems.
Compared to the Tian Dou Empire, the situations in the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Empire were far stranger.
Since Bibi Dong returned to Spirit City, the entire Spirit Empire fell into silence.
Now, the Spirit Empire was nominally led by Jin E Douluo and Qian Renxue. Qian Renxue, having ascended to godhood, held unparalleled prestige in the empire and became the faith of all.
Unfortunately, Qian Renxue was also busy healing her wounds. In the meantime, Holy Maiden Hu Liena worked hard to reassure everyone. After all, changing commanders mid-battle was a grave taboo, and many ordinary soul masters in the Spirit Empire remained fiercely loyal to Bibi Dong.
The Star Luo Empire had been relentlessly attacking Tianmen Pass, but after news of Qian Renxue's ascension reached them, their army retreated thirty kilometers and ceased all interference with Tianmen Pass.
The current situation was beyond the Star Luo Empire's control. Even though the Star Luo Emperor and Empress were powerful, they dared not provoke the world's only Level 100 true God.
Since Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong had their martial souls crippled, Yu Xiaogang's status in the Tian Dou Empire plummeted. He now spent his days recuperating in his room.
Both Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong appeared to have aged decades.
By age, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were already in their fifties. Without the nourishment of soul power, they would have naturally aged significantly.
Now, with their martial souls and soul power gone, they looked far older.
Yu Xiaogang's hair had turned completely white, and his frail body seemed devoid of strength. Having always been more focused on reading and academia than physical exercise, he now resembled a feeble old man.
Liu Erlong was slightly better off, but without her martial soul and soul power, she no longer resembled the elegant middle-aged woman she once was. Strands of white hair now mingled with her natural color, giving her a naturally aged appearance.
Empress Xue Ke was extremely busy but still sent nourishing medicines and personally visited Yu Xiaogang. Unfortunately, even with her resources, she couldn't help him recover.
Flender silently cared for Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong, his heart heavy with sorrow as he watched their current state.
The Golden Iron Triangle had been renowned across the Douluo Continent for decades. The three of them had once roamed the world together, facing life-and-death trials and forging an unbreakable bond—they were true brothers in arms.
Flender had always regarded Yu Xiaogang as his best brother and deeply loved Liu Erlong. Back then, to allow the two of them to be together, he had reluctantly left.
But now, with both of them crippled, the Golden Iron Triangle was no more.
Since losing their martial souls, Yu Xiaogang had fallen into silence. Gone was his former arrogance and determination for revenge.
As Qian Renxue had said, everything he had relied on in life was gone. His family had been destroyed, his father—who outwardly rejected him but secretly protected him—was dead, and one of the reasons for his father's death was himself.
Bibi Dong had returned to Spirit City, and the youthful affection he once harbored for her had vanished, along with any hatred.
The wife who had accompanied him for so many years, Liu Erlong, was also crippled.
From now on, all his pride had been shattered. Even his years of research on soul masters amounted to nothing more than summarizing others' knowledge, borrowing from the Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Qian Renxue had mercilessly torn away his final shred of dignity.
Though Liu Erlong had also lost her martial soul, falling from a Soul Douluo to an ordinary person, seeing Yu Xiaogang's aged and despondent state still filled her with immense sorrow.
"Xiaogang, you must pull yourself together. Don't forget the grudge of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Don't forget that you are a world-renowned master. Even if your martial soul is gone, it doesn't negate your years of research and contributions."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head helplessly: "Erlong, I know my situation better than you. At my age, I probably don't have many years left."
"Qian Renxue is right. My father died because of me. The knowledge I published offended too many people, which is why I was exiled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and ostracized by all soul master families."
"Back then, the Spirit Hall took me in, and I even became one of their elders. But I never contributed anything to them. Instead, I hurt the woman who once loved me the most."
"As Qian Renxue said, everyone has the right to condemn the Spirit Empire—except me. I hurt Bibi Dong and I hurt you. From start to finish, I've been nothing but a coward, a pathetic man who only knows how to run away."
Liu Erlong quickly interjected: "Xiaogang, that's not true. You're the strongest man in the world. Even if the world spits on you, you still published that knowledge. Thanks to your work, commoner soul masters can develop better."
"Don't forget Shrek Academy—it's the culmination of our three hearts. Over the years, I've managed the academy, only admitting commoner students to prove that you were right and to gain recognition for you from the world."
"Besides, even though your martial soul is gone, with your knowledge, I refuse to believe there's no way to restore it."
A bitter smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's lips: "Erlong, stop trying to comfort me. Qian Renxue is a god—she won't give me any chance to recover. In this world, aside from gods, there's no way to restore my martial soul."
Liu Erlong replied: "Xiaogang, don't forget—Qian Renxue may be powerful, but she's not invincible. Yang Xiong can rival her. With Yang Xiong's knowledge, there might be a way to restore you."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head: "Erlong, there's no hope. Though Yang Xiong is strong, he's still just an ordinary soul master. He likely hasn't reached the level of a god. Moreover, I haven't interacted much with Yang Xiong—he wouldn't go out of his way to help me, especially now when Qian Renxue is still watching like a hawk."
Liu Erlong's eyes suddenly lit up as if struck by an idea: "Xiaogang, don't forget—Little San is also on the path to godhood. Once Little San becomes a god, considering all you've done for him, he'll definitely help you rebuild your martial soul."
Yu Xiaogang froze, a flicker of hope appearing in his eyes—but it quickly faded.
"Little San… Little San has suffered so much in his life. Now, his father has been killed by Qian Renxue, and his mother was driven to death by the Spirit Hall years ago. Qian Renxue sees him as a thorn in her side. Even if he becomes a god, he'll still face Qian Renxue's attacks. I can't let Little San sacrifice so much for me."
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