The Tang Sect's supply of hidden weapons had begun to create significant problems for the new ruler of the Star Luo Empire, Emperor Blood Tiger. The rebels led by Dai Mubai were growing increasingly difficult to suppress, and the sharp rise in their combat efficiency could be traced back to those weapons.
Blood Tiger had no intention of allowing this to continue.
He decided to strike—through a precise ambush meant to cripple both the supply line and the forces relying on it. However, since the Tang Sect operated within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire, he could not risk deploying a large army.
Instead, he sent a small group of elite Soul Masters—enough to ensure success, but subtle enough to avoid unnecessary attention.
Deep within a dense forest, a tightly coordinated squad moved swiftly under the cover of shadows. Their faces were concealed, their presence almost impossible to detect.
One of the men, the adjutant, spoke in a low voice as he kept pace.
"Commander Hound, according to the intelligence we received, the location of the transaction with Dai Mubai's rebel forces is not far ahead. Should we surround them, or proceed with a pincer attack?"
The man at the front—known only by the code name Commander Hound—did not stop. His orange-red hair fluttered faintly in the wind as he advanced.
"Let's observe first," he replied calmly. "We'll decide based on the situation."
At that moment, a bird descended from above, landing lightly near the adjutant. A letter was tied securely to its leg. The adjutant quickly retrieved it, scanning its contents before passing it forward.
Commander Hound took the letter without a word.
Not long after, the team reached their destination. Through the dense cover of bushes, they observed the transaction site.
Two groups stood facing each other—five individuals on each side.
At first glance, the strength of the participants seemed unimpressive. The rebels' leader present was only a Soul King, while the rest were Soul Ancestors. It should have been an easy operation.
But the adjutant's expression grew tense.
From the Tang Sect's side, one figure stood quietly, yet his presence alone shifted the balance.
Tai Tan, a renowned secondary powerhouse of the Tang Sect. Even with one disabled arm, his strength as a Soul Douluo made him a formidable opponent.
"This might not be as simple as expected…" the adjutant muttered under his breath.
In contrast, Commander Hound showed no hesitation. He tilted his neck slightly.
Crack.
The faint sound echoed as he loosened his muscles.
"Enemies often meet on a narrow road," he whispered.
His fingers tightened around the letter, slowly crumpling it.
"What a perfect coincidence," he continued, his voice turning cold. "Even the Heaven Dou Empire has declared the Tang Sect a terrorist organization."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Then there is no need for restraint."
With a swift motion, he removed his mask.
Lu Ping's face was revealed—sharp, composed, and filled with a quiet killing intent. Publicly, these days he is known as the commander of the Star Luo Empire's elite forces.
"Attack," he ordered.
His voice was steady, leaving no room for doubt.
"No one leaves alive."
In the next instant, the forest erupted with power.
Soul rings flared, and multiple soul skills were unleashed simultaneously.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The ambush descended like thunder.
Caught off guard, Tai Tan's expression shifted sharply. At that moment, a strange throbbing surged through his disabled arm—a phantom pain that made his body tense involuntarily.
Before he could fully react, a voice cut through the chaos.
"Old Orangutan… we meet again."
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Tang Sect
Ma Hongjun, now the Vice Sect Master of the Tang Sect, had been appointed as Acting Sect Master during Tang San's absence.
On the surface, he carried out his duties with diligence. Decisions were made on time, internal order was maintained, and the sect continued to expand its influence. To an outsider, there was little to fault in his leadership.
However, something within him had changed over the past five years.
The loss he suffered back then had not only affected him physically—it had twisted something deeper in his nature. In the past, pacifying the evil fire due to his mutated martial soul, he only needed to use his increasing libido to have sex.
However, now after that injury he could not vent his dark emotions through that method which led to accumulating dark thoughts in his mind.
Dark thoughts began to fester in his mind, growing heavier with time. Without a proper way to release them, his temperament gradually shifted. What had once been reckless and indulgent turned into something more extreme.
He developed a new way to vent.
The act of torturing others, especially those who had fallen into the sect's hands, became a twisted form of release for him. It gave him a sense of dominance, a way to suppress the unrest within himself.
Today was no different.He was on his way to the prisoner area, his expression calm but his eyes carrying a faint, unsettling intensity.
Before he could reach his destination, hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A member of the Bai Clan rushed toward him, breath uneven, panic written across his face.
"Acting Sect Master—bad news!"
Ma Hongjun's brows furrowed immediately, displeasure flashing across his face at the interruption.
"Speak," he said coldly.
The Bai Clan member swallowed before quickly reporting.
"Emperor Xue Ye has been assassinated… The accusation has been placed on Duke Xue Xing. However, according to their investigation, the Tang Sect has been implicated as well."
The man continued, his voice growing more urgent.
"Poison Douluo personally made a move and has already detained Elder Niu Gao, who was in Heaven Dou City for negotiations. Elder Yang Wudi managed to escape in time, but—"
He hesitated for a fraction of a second.
"Xue Qinghe, acting as regent, has officially declared the Tang Sect a terrorist organization."
"Marshal Ge Long is mobilizing the army. They are preparing to launch an assault on the sect."
"What?!"
Ma Hongjun's voice exploded with shock after receiving such a shocking news.
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(AN: I think readers understand that the new emperor of Star Lou is Qian Renxue's handiwork)
(AN: I am going to shift into another timeline chapter, otherwise these side stories will take much more chapters. I will try to bring Qian Renxue's involvement which you are waiting for soon)