On top of Spirit City, as more powerful reinforcements arrived and the four experts from Heavenly Academy joined the battle, the tide of the fight began to shift.
So far, the Star Dou Forest side had already lost three powerful combatants, all of whom were over 100,000-year-old soul beasts—a significant loss. However, with Tang San, a Rank 99 Limit Douluo, personally taking action, they were not at a complete disadvantage.
On the other hand, Spirit City had lost Devil Bear Douluo,Porcupinefish Douluo,Falling Devil Douluo, and Fifteen TonDouluo. But at the same time, they had replenished their forces with several new Title Douluo, along with the four Title Douluo who had just arrived to assist. Not to mention, numerous spirit masters were continuously returning to the battlefield.
In terms of overall strength, the Star Dou Forest side should have been superior. However, the problem was that they were the attackers. As everyone knew, the defenders always had the advantage, consuming less energy while exerting more control over the battlefield. Spirit Empire held the geographical upper hand, which became even more apparent under the radiance of Angelic Holy Light.
By this point, the battle had reached a stage where neither side could afford to retreat. Any misstep could lead to a complete collapse, which would be disastrous.
Top-tier experts like Di Tian were growing increasingly uneasy because neither Qian Renxue nor Bibi Dong had appeared yet. The strength of these two was unquestionably formidable.
Meanwhile, Tang San was gradually adapting to the power of Rank 99. His combat abilities were becoming even more terrifying. If not for the fact that his Clear Sky Hammer had suffered from the backlash of his explosive ring technique, even Sword Douluo and the other three might not have been able to hold him back.
At that moment, an immense radiance erupted from within Spirit City, casting divine light across the sky. The sheer intensity of this power engulfed thousands of miles in all directions, making it seem as though the heavens and earth were collapsing.
Others might not understand what was happening, but Di Tian, having descended from the Divine Realm, knew exactly what it was. This was divine power—such a celestial phenomenon could only mean someone was ascending to godhood. Judging by the energy that had just been released, it was highly likely that Qian Renxue was inheriting the Angel God's divinity.
Di Tian let out a thunderous dragon roar, his voice shaking the battlefield:
"Tang San, stop holding back! If we don't breach Spirit City soon, the Spirit Empire will give birth to a new god!"
Tang San's expression immediately twisted with fear. He had painstakingly orchestrated this massive war to complete the Evil God King's trial, with the ultimate goal of destroying everything and claiming the position of the new God of Destruction. If Spirit Empire produced a new god before he could ascend, then even he would be in grave danger.
At that point, not only would he fail to become a god, but he might be annihilated by the new deity of Spirit Empire. From his brief encounter with the Evil God King, he fully understood the insurmountable gap between mortals and gods.
Di Tian's roar seemed to ignite a frenzy among the soul beasts. They became even more reckless in their attacks, especially the powerful ones, who began unleashing large-scale soul skills without restraint, aiming to wipe out Spirit Empire's defenders.
Just then, an earth-shattering explosion rocked the battlefield. Two immense forces collided, shaking the heavens and gradually dissipating afterward.
This devastating clash was between a top-tier human spirit master and a mighty soul beast—Lion Douluo and the Three-Headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff, Chi Wang.
Lion Douluo, a peak Rank 97 powerhouse, possessed the Blazing Lion martial soul and was the Fourth Worshiper of Spirit Empire, known for his formidable strength.
However, Chi Wang was no weaker. Having cultivated for 300,000 years, he was among the strongest of the soul beast kings, wielding the power of Hellfire—an attribute dangerously close to Ultimate Fire.
Initially, the two were evenly matched, but after hearing Di Tian's command, Chi Wang grew even more ruthless. As the personal bodyguard of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, his thirst for vengeance was stronger than anyone else's.
Both combatants unleashed their full strength in a final clash, leaving no room for retreat. Their collision resulted in a fiery explosion across the battlefield, reducing both of them to critical condition as they plummeted into a massive crater, barely clinging to life.
Tang San seized this moment of opportunity. The Clear Sky Hammer once again unleashed its 100,000-year soul skill, forcing back Sword Douluo and the other three.
Before they could react, countless strands of Dark Blue Silver Grass surged forth, instantly ensnaring the wounded Lion Douluo and Chi Wang. Even though Golden Crocodile Douluo desperately attempted to rush in for the rescue, he was blocked by Bear Lord.
As Lion Douluo and Chi Wang's life force weakened further, their soul power was gradually consumed by a dark, ominous energy. Even their spirit rings and spirit bones were being enveloped by the sinister force.
Meanwhile, Tang San's aura surged once again. His entire presence grew even more frenzied, resembling that of a demonic god.
Sword Douluo hurriedly exclaimed, "Old Chrysanthemum, what the hell is happening with Tang San? Why does he look so terrifying?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo cursed, "I don't know either! That bastard Tang San's Blue Silver Grass seems to be capable of absorbing the energy of both humans and soul beasts—even their spirit rings and spirit bones!"
Sword Douluo was stunned, "How is that possible? Other than fusing with one's body and martial soul, there shouldn't be any other way to absorb the energy of spirit rings and bones!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo snapped angrily, "Forget it! We need to attack him immediately, or else something truly disastrous might happen!"
Without any hesitation, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo activated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Dual Pole Extreme Domain. A massive domain instantly engulfed Tang San and his countless strands of Dark Blue Silver Grass.
At the same time, Sword Douluo and Yang Zhentian poured all their strength into their ninth soul skills. Under the might of the Soul-Breaking Spear and Seven Kill Sword, it seemed as though they were about to cleave Tang San apart within the forbidden domain.
Tang San roared furiously, "A mere trick like this dares to restrain me? You're courting death!"
As soon as his words fell, the Dark Blue Silver Grass transformed into an illusory, almost intangible form, shifting between existence and nothingness.
This was Tang San's eighth soul skill: Phantom Devourer, derived from the Phantom Sea Serpent—a 100,000-year soul skill.
The originally locked-down space of the Dual-Pole Extreme Domain began to crack apart inch by inch. The countless strands of Dark Blue Silver Grass transformed into a massive Phantom Sea Serpent, capable of devouring the heavens and the earth. Even the Seven Kill Sword and the Soul-Breaking Spear were drawn toward it by an overwhelming suction force.
Within this devouring power, there was an eerie force that seemed to transcend the Douluo World itself.
As the two sides clashed at full strength, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo coughed up mouthfuls of blood. This was the first time their Martial Soul Fusion Skill had ever been countered. Sword Douluo and Yang Zhentian also had blood trickling from the corners of their mouths.
However, Tang San was not unscathed either. A deep sword wound from the Seven Kill Sword and a piercing injury from the Soul-Breaking Spear marred his chest, leaving him severely wounded.
Yet, Tang San was clearly thinking beyond just resisting their attacks. His goal was far greater than merely holding them off.
The Phantom Sea Serpent suddenly shifted its head and lunged toward another person at an alarming speed.
That person was Holy Dragon Douluo Tuoba Xi.
Before he could react, the Phantom Sea Serpent swallowed Tuoba Xi and the 100,000-year soul beast he had been battling in one bite.
No matter how much they struggled, it was all in vain.