Outside the carriage, the several thousand Royal Knights of the Heaven Dou Empire guarding it were not a disorganized mob.
The moment they heard the sound of rushing wind, despite their hearts being greatly shaken, their well-trained forms did not fall into panic. The leader of the Knights was a Spirit Saint-level expert; he instantly drew the sword from his waist and let out a roar that echoed across the field, saying:
"Don't panic! Form up! Circular defensive formation, protect the carriage! Engage the enemy!"
As his hoarse command fell, the surrounding Royal Knights, clad in shining silver armor, displayed extremely high military discipline.
These Knights, with the carriage as their core, shield-bearers on the outside, spearmen next, and Soul Masters within, quickly formed a dense circular defensive formation.
Immediately, Soul Power light subtly flowed over the formation, constructing a solid defensive line.
However, their opponents were simply too strong!
The black-clad figures who emerged like Gui Mei from the surrounding dense forest, though no more than a hundred, each radiated a chilling spirit ring light!
The weakest among them had six spirit rings circling their feet!
Many more were experts shining with seven spirit rings!
There were even nearly ten figures among them surrounded by eight spirit rings!
This level of Soul Master power was enough to annihilate a small kingdom!
At the very first contact between the two sides, the seemingly solid defensive line of the Royal Knights was torn apart instantly by these black-clad figures, as if it were made of paper!
"Fifth Soul Skill, Thousand Blade Slash!"
A tall, thin black-clad figure twisted like he had no bones as he rushed into the formation. Immediately after, his arms transformed into two giant, glowing praying mantis blades, and eight spirit rings—two yellow, three purple, three black—shone simultaneously beneath his feet.
The next second, his arms conjured countless afterimages.
They slashed towards the shield formation ahead like a fierce storm.
The Royal Knights' metal greatshields, which were enough to withstand strong bows and crossbows, were easily shredded like tofu before his praying mantis blades!
Along with the dozen or so Knights behind the shields, they were instantly cut into countless pieces, blood and severed limbs splattering everywhere, a scene too gruesome to behold!
"Third Soul Skill, War Stomp!"
On the other side, a black-clad figure, as burly as a small mountain, let out a roar. Immediately, his body suddenly expanded, and his skin became like scorching red rock.
Seven spirit rings—two yellow, two purple, three black—simultaneously flared with light beneath his feet.
Immediately after, he abruptly lifted his massive elephant foot and stomped heavily on the ground!
"Boom—!"
A ring-shaped burst of energy, mixed with scorching magma and terrifying shockwaves, erupted, directly sending twenty to thirty surrounding Knights, men and horses alike, flying. Their bones were broken and tendons snapped while still in the air, and upon landing, they were engulfed by the magma that followed, turning into charcoal!
With just one Soul Skill burst!
The meticulously arranged defense line of the Royal Knights was riddled with holes, severed limbs, and the corpses of Knights and warhorses covering the official road, blood staining the earth.
Piercing screams and the mournful cries of warhorses rose and fell. The Royal Knights, who had been so orderly just moments ago, suffered heavy losses instantly, their morale on the verge of collapse!
Inside the carriage.
Seeing the Royal Knights outside falling in swathes like harvested wheat through the carriage window, with screams echoing endlessly, the bloody and cruel scene made everyone's hearts sink.
"Seeking death!"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin let out a low growl, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and Sword Qi erupted around him. As a Level 96 Titled Douluo, how could he sit by and watch such a massacre?
But just as he moved, about to rise and rush out of the carriage to swiftly kill these black-clad experts and stabilize the situation—
"Uncle Jian, no!"
Ning Fengzhi suddenly raised his hand, pressing down on his arm, and said quickly and in a low voice:
"Our primary mission is to protect the safety of Crown Prince Your Highness! The situation outside is unclear, and we are outnumbered. If you go out now, the carriage's defense will be empty. If stronger enemies take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, and Crown Prince Your Highness suffers any mishap, how will we explain it to Your Majesty? At that time..."
Ning Fengzhi's rational and anxious words were not yet finished.
Dugu Bo, who had been sitting with a gloomy face, suddenly stood up. With his usual sneer and a hint of ruthlessness on his face, he interrupted Ning Fengzhi, saying faintly:
"Alright, stop arguing. When it comes to group battles and clearing out small fries, I'm still better at it. With Old Man Jian guarding this carriage, it's safer than anything."
As he spoke, he glanced at the tragic battle outside, a cold killing intent flashing in his dark green pupils.
"These mad dogs from Spirit Hall really don't give anyone a chance to breathe."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Dugu Bo no longer hesitated. His figure transformed into a green stream of light and, without the slightest hesitation, he directly rushed out of the carriage!
"Old Poison! Be careful!" Chen Xin couldn't help but let out a low cry, but he did not stop him again. He knew that Dugu Bo's poison was indeed more suitable for dealing with a situation where they were besieged by a large number of enemies.
Ning Fengzhi watched Dugu Bo's disappearing back, his brows tightly furrowed, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in his hand glowing, already prepared to provide assistance at any moment.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sat upright in his original position, though his expression appeared very calm, the hand hidden in his sleeve unconsciously tightened slightly.
"Bibi Dong, you crazy woman, you forced me!"
She seemed to understand better than anyone that these black-clad figures outside were merely appetizers; the true killing blow was likely yet to come.
Facing the tide of powerful black-clad figures surging from all directions, and the Royal Knights, who were being mercilessly slaughtered and had already dispersed.
Dugu Bo shook his head helplessly. There was no trace of fear in his eyes, only a chilling resolve, and a brilliant dark green light erupted around him.
"Alas, given the current situation, this is the only way!"
Immediately after, the terrifying Aura of a Titled Douluo was unleashed without reservation. Nine spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—rose simultaneously beneath his feet.
"Jade Phosphor Dragon, Poison Devours Heaven and Earth!"
Accompanying the low roar, an incredibly dense, almost substantial, dark green poisonous mist, centered on him, swept out madly in all directions like a bursting flood!
This poisonous mist not only contained extreme corrosiveness but also had strong nerve-paralyzing and flesh-dissolving properties, and its spread speed was astonishingly fast!
Those black-clad figures, who were caught off guard and killing with gusto.
As soon as they were touched by this dark green poisonous mist—
"Ah—!"
Instantly, piercing screams immediately replaced the shouts of battle!
Those Spirit Emperor-level black-clad figures, as soon as they came into contact with the dark green poisonous mist, their bodies were like being splashed with strong acid. Their protective Soul Power was corroded and penetrated like paper.
Their skin, muscles, and bones rapidly dissolved at a visible speed. Within a few breaths, they turned into a putrid, viscous liquid, unable to even preserve their Martial Soul!
Even those Spirit Saint and even Spirit Douluo-level experts, the moment they were enveloped by the poisonous mist, Soul Power surged wildly as they desperately resisted. Yet, they still felt their Soul Power rapidly depleting, a burning pain on their skin, their movements becoming sluggish, and their bodies beginning to melt.
Their cultivation, which they took pride in—
Under the erosion of this world's most potent poison, it appeared so powerless!
Just one burst of poisonous mist caused over twenty black-clad figures, including two Spirit Douluo who had charged too far ahead, to dissolve into liquid amidst desperate wails!
"Retreat! Quick, retreat! It's Poison Douluo's Bi Lin Snake Emperor Poison!"
"Don't touch that green mist!"
Witnessing this scene, the remaining black-clad figures' faces instantly changed drastically.
They looked as if they had seen a ghost, no longer caring about attacking, and rapidly retreated backwards, attempting to escape the range of the poisonous mist.
The previously aggressive siege formation instantly disintegrated.
However, while Dugu Bo's poison had miraculous effects against such a large scale of enemies, it had one huge, unavoidable drawback: it did not distinguish between friend and foe!
As the indiscriminate poisonous mist devoured the black-clad figures, it also inevitably spread to the surrounding Royal Knights soldiers who were struggling to hold on or had already fallen injured.
"Uh ah..."
"Help... help me..."
Many Knights who were originally just injured or scattered, the moment they were touched by the dark green poisonous mist, also let out desperate screams. Their armor and flesh began to dissolve at an extremely rapid pace, and in a blink of an eye, they followed in the footsteps of those black-clad figures.
The Royal Knights, who had already suffered heavy losses—
Under this undeserved calamity, their situation worsened even further!
On the official road, centered around Dugu Bo, a huge, chilling death zone appeared. Dark green poisonous mist churned, and the ground was covered with viscous liquid and charred remains, making it impossible to distinguish which belonged to the enemy and which to their own.
At this moment, Dugu Bo stood in the center of the poisonous mist, his expression also subtly changing, letting out a sigh.
"Alas."
Although his action had temporarily forced back the powerful enemy and stabilized their own position, seeing the tragic state of the Royal Knights around him, his heart was also heavy.
Killing a thousand enemies costs eight hundred of your own.
Just as Dugu Bo's Jade Phosphor Dragon poison temporarily cleared an area, forcing the black-clad figures to retreat in disarray, and the battlefield experienced a brief pause—
A soft, sharp voice, carrying bone-chilling coldness and intense killing intent, slithered into everyone's ears like a venomous snake:
"Old Poison—!"
"It seems you are determined to oppose our Spirit Hall!"
"Since you insist on protecting those little brats, then today, leave your life, along with your hateful poison cultivation, right here!"
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