He slowly turned his head towards Qian Daoliu, revealing a chilling smile. That smile held no warmth, only endless provocation and mockery.
His lips curled upwards, revealing a row of bloodstained teeth, as if saying, "Qian Daoliu, the Spirit Hall you rely on is nothing more than this."
"How does it feel to see your brother die before your eyes?"
His gaze, like a sharp sword, pierced straight into Qian Daoliu, as if trying to see through his very soul.
Qian Daoliu's heart skipped a beat. A chill, like a venomous snake, shot from his feet to his head, making him shudder involuntarily.
His eyes widened, his pupils seemingly about to pop out of their sockets, filled with a dense web of bloodshot veins, fixed intently on Qian Renshang and Zi Ji, who were also smiling broadly not far away.
His chest heaved violently, as if a volcano was about to erupt within him.
His breathing became rapid and heavy, each breath like a bellows struggling to pull, emitting a rough "whoosh."
At that moment, he finally understood.
His heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer; anger and regret gnawed at his soul like two venomous snakes.
Qian Renshang and Zi Ji had never intended to defeat him; they had simply wanted to stop him!
"What a ruthless scheme!"
"Damn it!?"
Qian Daoliu roared hysterically in his heart, his hands gripping the Angelic Holy Sword so tightly it seemed he would crush the hilt.
His knuckles were a chilling white from the excessive force, and the veins on the back of his hands and arms bulged like writhing earthworms.
Without him being restrained by Qian Renshang and Zi Ji, the battlefield below was a scene of utter carnage.
The frenzied beast tide was like a surging, boundless black ocean, wave after wave relentlessly assaulting the already fragile defenses of the Spirit Empire.
These powerful beast kings, some as gigantic as mountains, some as fast as lightning, some with strength capable of shattering metal and stone, each displayed their unique abilities.
Every attack carried earth-shattering power, plunging the Spirit Empire's soul masters into extreme panic and despair.
Although the Soul Masters of the Spirit Empire initially managed to put up a fierce resistance thanks to their well-trained skills and the power of their Spirits, their defenses gradually crumbled before the overwhelming force, like a fragile sandcastle easily broken by a raging sea.
The screams of the soldiers rose and fell, their cries utterly devastating, like wails from hell; the roars of the Soul Beasts were deafening, filled with primal savagery and a bloodlust.
Qian Daoliu watched this scene, a fleeting look of terror crossing his eyes, followed by an overwhelming sense of despair and utter helplessness.
His lips trembled, his teeth grinding together.
He knew that the war was completely out of control, like a runaway horse, impossible to tame.
The Spirit Hall, the vast empire he had dedicated his life to protecting and to which he had poured countless efforts, was facing utter annihilation.
"You never intended to defeat me, you were just stalling for time..."
Qian Daoliu roared, staring at Qian Renshang.
Qian Renshang and Zi Ji, realizing Qian Daoliu had discovered them, dropped their pretense.
They exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting in a fleeting moment, each filled with the satisfaction of revenge and the triumph of a successful plot.
Qian Renshang's lips curled into a cold, cruel smile, a smile as chilling as winter frost.
His eyes gleamed with a mad light, like a burning flame of revenge, ready to consume Qian Daoliu completely.
Zi Ji tilted her head back, letting out a silvery laugh, but there was no joy in it, only deep mockery and contempt.
Her eyes narrowed, like a cunning fox, watching the despairing Qian Daoliu.
Her beautiful face was now contorted with hatred, and her lips parted slightly as she said,
"You despicable human, you've finally met your match! It's truly gratifying!"
Qian Renshang's icy laughter rang in his ears: "
Hahaha, you're right... How could I let you die so easily?
I know it's difficult for me to kill you now, but I can make you suffer.
Qian Daoliu, your Martial Soul Empire is about to be destroyed; this is your end!"
Zi Ji echoed, her voice filled with glee:
"Everything you protected will be reduced to nothingness; this is the end you deserve!"
Hearing Qian Renshang's words, Qian Daoliu trembled uncontrollably, his once handsome face contorted with rage.
"You madman! You demon!"
He roared hoarsely at Qian Renshang, his voice filled with despair and fury.
Qian Renshang looked at Qian Daoliu, his eyes devoid of pity, filled only with endless hatred and cruelty.
"Hmph, I want you to watch helplessly as those you care about die before your eyes.
I want you to experience that pain too. This is my true revenge!"
His voice was icy cold, like a curse from the depths of hell, each word like a sharp blade piercing Qian Daoliu's heart.
Zi Ji, arms crossed and a disdainful expression on her face, chimed in,
"Qian Daoliu, you've finally met your match!
This is all your own doing!
The pain you inflicted on us will now be repaid tenfold!"
Qian Daoliu gritted his teeth, forcing out a harsh remark:
"Don't be too smug! Even so, I won't let you succeed!
I, Qian Daoliu, will fight to the last breath to perish with you!"
However, his desperate words sounded so pale and powerless at this moment, instantly drowned out by the noise and chaos of the battlefield, like an insignificant speck of dust dissipating in the gale.
Qian Daoliu gripped the Angelic Holy Sword tightly, the muscles in his arms taut with rage, veins bulging, as if they might burst at any moment.
"Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!"
His voice was filled with determination and a final struggle.
Qian Renshang sneered, the laughter echoing in the wind, sounding particularly sinister.
"Do you think you still have a chance to resist?
Look down!
Your Spirit Empire is on the verge of collapse, your men are struggling in despair, and all of this is because of your arrogance and conceit!"
He said, pointing to the horrific battlefield below, his eyes filled with mockery.
Qian Daoliu couldn't help but look down at the battlefield again, his heart filled with pain and regret.
His gaze swept over the Spirit Hall Soul Masters fighting desperately, and the land ravaged by the beast tide; his eyes became empty and lost.
He never imagined that the Spirit Empire he had protected his entire life would fall into such an irrecoverable abyss because of his momentary negligence.
"Hahahaha!"
Qian Renshang laughed wildly, his laughter echoing through the sky, carrying a chilling madness.
(End of Chapter)
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