Zhu Lan Yun felt nothing but disappointment and frustration toward her niece, Zhu Zhuqing.
The girl simply failed to grasp the fundamental reason for the Zhu Family's enduring survival—their interdependence with the Dai Family.
With the empire now at war, Zhu Lan Yun was prepared to join her husband in battle at any moment.
Hearing her words, Dai Tian Jun felt reassured. This was precisely why he had sought out Zhu Lan Yun—their joint attack would be swift and subtle, catching the enemy off guard.
If they could eliminate the enemy's Titled Douluo, they would effectively sever one of Xue Qinghe's key assets.
"Lan Yun, that's exactly what I had in mind. Let's change and set out immediately!"
The two moved quickly, changing into form-fitting attire with practiced efficiency—clearly, this was not their first time.
Once ready, Dai Tian Jun wrapped an arm around Zhu Lan Yun's waist and soared into the sky from the courtyard, shrinking to a mere speck as they headed toward the forest Zhu Zhuyun had indicated.
High above, a pair of purple eyes observed this scene, darting about before promptly reporting back to Dugu Feng.
This, of course, was the Emerald Dragon Snake.
It allowed Dugu Feng to clearly sense the impending battle.
Now that the Star Luo Emperor had set out, all that remained was to watch the drama unfold.
West of South Tong Pass, after leaving the city, Dai Tian Jun and Zhu Lan Yun descended onto a concealed path and proceeded cautiously westward.
Simultaneously, they activated their Martial Soul Avatars. Dai Tian Jun's muscles bulged, a kingly pattern emerged on his forehead, his palms tripled in size, his nails sharpened into dagger-like claws, and his eyes took on a deep azure hue—giving him the appearance of a white tiger.
Beside him, Zhu Lan Yun's most notable changes were her eyes and cat-like claws—her left eye turned dark green, her right eye clear blue, and her hands transformed into spiked feline claws.
Both moved with incredible speed, their high-velocity movements rendering them nearly invisible, like transparent phantoms.
Their coordination was seamless; Zhu Lan Yun clung closely behind Dai Tian Jun, the two moving as one.
Concealing all traces of their presence, they pressed onward.
Dai Tian Jun extended his spiritual sense to its limits, probing the surrounding area.
At last, they neared the forest Zhu Zhuyun had described.
Exchanging a glance, their bodies turned translucent and merged into one another, their auras completely harmonizing.
A flash of black light later, only a massive white tiger remained on the spot—its body translucent, fur white with black stripes, and eyes coldly fixed on the sky.
A Netherworld White Tiger summoned by Titled Experts was naturally formidable.
As the one in control, Dai Tian Jun raised his tiger head with pride.
"It's been too long since we've killed. Today, we eliminate this hidden Titled Douluo."
As clouds follow the dragon and wind follows the tiger, the Netherworld White Tiger transformed into a whirlwind and vanished in the blink of an eye.
It reappeared moments later, close to the forest.
By now, Dai Tian Jun was certain Zhu Zhuyun's information was accurate.
Within the forest, he could sense a massive gathering of Soul Masters.
It was astonishing!
There were at least a thousand Soul Masters present.
Even the weakest among them were at the Soul Expert level—a force capable of turning the tide at a critical moment.
Circling the forest, he soon detected a powerful aura.
That was a sharp, piercing intent, carrying a killing intent capable of piercing through everything.
"Yang Wudi?"
Dai Tian Jun was momentarily stunned, his massive tiger head shaking slightly.
This was definitely not Yang Wudi. This aura was more powerful than Yang Wudi's, yet the sharpness within it lacked Yang Wudi's piercing edge.
When did such a Titled Douluo appear on the continent?
Dai Tian Jun concealed all traces as he slowly approached, feeling a sense of lingering fear.
This Titled Douluo had appeared in this location.
If he hadn't been aware and had sent the Soul Master Legion to intercept after learning of the enemy's mobilization...
These thousand-plus Soul Masters along with this Titled Douluo could probably eliminate two thousand of his Soul Masters without any problem.
Xue Qinghe had hidden his cards well.
"Unfortunately, you've been discovered by me. Since you want to ambush me, I'll strike first with a counter-ambush!
Xue Qinghe, just wait for the heartache!"
Dai Tian Jun couldn't understand - if what Zhu Zhuyun saw was true, that there was another Titled Douluo six hundred li from South Tong Pass city, then the Heaven Dou side had three Titled Douluos.
Since Xue Qinghe possessed such strength, why didn't he choose direct combat? Three Titled Douluos suddenly attacking on the battlefield would have enough destructive power to make his Soul Master Legion unable to resist.
Instead, he chose ambush tactics.
This lacked imperial dignity.
Dai Tian Jun sneered coldly, his massive Netherworld White Tiger body still approaching. With his strength at the 96th rank,
the opponent simply couldn't detect him.
Until he reached the extreme limit of distance.
Dai Tian Jun gathered his power, the enormous Netherworld White Tiger radiating energy fluctuations that shook heaven and earth.
The Netherworld White Tiger's body swayed slightly, then in the next moment transformed into a stream of light shooting skyward.
Straight toward the center of the forest.
When it reached the high altitude above the forest's center, the Netherworld White Tiger's dozens-of-meters-long body fully manifested, its head looking down from above, displaying overwhelming dominance.
The hidden Soul Masters below all looked up to watch.
It was too fast - they hadn't even reacted yet.
When they saw the form of the Netherworld White Tiger in the sky, all Soul Masters recognized it as the Martial Soul Avatar of a Beast Martial Soul, specifically the White Tiger of the Star Luo Dai Family.
Only Snake Spear Douluo at the center of the crowd recognized this as the Martial Soul Fusion Skill Netherworld White Tiger.
Compared to the ordinary Evil Eye White Tiger, the Netherworld White Tiger had a translucent body emitting black light, different from normal Beast Martial Souls.
While ordinary Soul Masters couldn't recognize it, how could Snake Spear Douluo fail to?
"Dai Tian Jun!"
Snake Spear Douluo didn't understand why their hidden position had been exposed, how the enemy had found them.
This place was quite some distance from South Tong Pass city.
His face pale, the surging Soul Power of a Titled Expert suddenly erupted, nine brilliant Spirit Rings appearing.
The ten-foot snake spear in his hand thrust toward the sky like a snake's tongue, leaving a long trail of afterimages.
Although his Soul Skills weren't like Yang Wudi's, all being offensive-type Soul Skills,
five of his nine Spirit Rings still provided additional attack power, with all his capabilities focused on this snake spear.
His attack speed was undeniably fast - instantly his Spirit Rings flashed brightly, sharp energy already shooting skyward.
Besides him, all other Soul Masters in the forest had their Spirit Rings light up, various Soul Skills blooming simultaneously while Zhuge Divine Crossbows appeared in their hands.
Their unified, coordinated movements demonstrated the elite capabilities of the Spirit Hall.
With over a thousand Soul Masters attacking simultaneously, one could imagine the destructive power contained within.
Unfortunately, the Netherworld White Tiger in the sky had no intention of confronting them head-on.
Its sole target was Snake Spear Douluo.
The Netherworld White Tiger had already raised its right claw, and in an instant, the massive black-and-white talons gleaming with a chilling light illuminated the entire forest.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Claws and snake spear collided countless times in the blink of an eye, shaking the entire forest.
(End of Chapter)