Douluo Continent II: The Dragon King Suppresses the World!

The border of the Star Luo Empire.

The flames of war raged, and smoke filled the air. Driven by Ye Qi'an's powerful divine power, the army of soul beasts swept in like a surging black wave, leaving devastation in its wake.

Dai Hao, Duke of the White Tiger and commander-in-chief of the Northwest Army Group, watched helplessly as the soul beast army swept through the land like an empty field, his heart filled with sorrow and resentment. He fought back again and again, his long sword flashing, each strike sending up a cloud of blood mist, and several soul beasts fell to his blade. But before that absolute power, all of this seemed so pale.

The soldiers of the Star Luo Empire fought desperately, their figures falling one after another under the onslaught of the soul beasts. The once-solid defensive line was now shattered, and the army collapsed like a house of cards. Large numbers of soldiers retreated from the west, dejected and crippled, many bearing wounds, their ranks in complete disarray.

Dai Hao knew he couldn't give up. Even though his soul power was almost exhausted in the intense battle, he still forced himself to stand up and raised his arms to shout, "Soldiers of Xingluo, do not be afraid! Even if we fight to the last man, we must defend the dignity of our country!" However, all that answered him were the tired and desperate eyes of his soldiers and the increasingly arrogant roars of the soul beasts.

Ye Qi'an sat on his throne, coldly observing everything. With a flick of his wrist, the soul beast army launched another fierce charge. He looked at Dai Huabin, who was now subdued by his cultivation, and mocked, "Dai Huabin, do you see that? Your pride and confidence are nothing in front of me. When you hired someone to assassinate me, did you ever imagine this would happen?"

Dai Huabin's eyes were bloodshot as he roared angrily, "Ye Qi'an, don't be so smug! Even if my Star Luo Empire falls today, you will not escape the judgment of history!"

Ye Qi'an sneered: "Judgment? In the face of absolute power, who has the right to judge me? Only the victor is worthy of writing history."

At this moment, the army of soul beasts had approached the Mingdou Mountains.

As Dai Hao gazed at the devastating defeat, his eyes bloodshot, he knew that if the Star Luo Empire lost the defense of the Mingdou Mountain Range, it would be in deep trouble and could very well be crushed.

"Please summon Xuanji Douluo," Dai Hao ordered in a deep voice.

Dai Yueheng dodged away and quickly invited Xuanji Douluo to Dai Hao's side.

As soon as Xuanji Douluo arrived, he sensed the danger. He pointed his right hand into the air, and a beam of silvery-white light shot into the sky, unfurling into a giant umbrella over fifty meters in diameter. This umbrella forcefully separated the Star Luo Empire's soldiers from its army of soul beasts. When the soul beasts' attacks came into contact with the silvery-white light on the umbrella's surface, they were disintegrated and swallowed up by countless fine spatial rifts, without producing a sound.

Dai Hao looked at Xuanji Douluo, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes: "Xuanji Douluo, we are counting on you today. If we can survive this calamity, you will deserve the greatest credit."

Xuanji Douluo shook his head slightly: "Your Excellency is too kind. This is my duty. However, this army of soul beasts is too ferocious, and I'm afraid my defensive method won't last long."

Dai Hao clenched his fist: "No matter what, we can't let them cross the Mingdou Mountains so easily. I've already ordered other troops to come to our aid. If we can hold out until reinforcements arrive, there might still be a chance."

Seeing Xuanji Douluo block the attack, Ye Qi'an frowned slightly and sneered, "Another fool who doesn't know his own limitations. Does he think he can stop my army of soul beasts like this? You still don't understand why gods are called gods." After speaking, divine power surged around him. He slowly raised his hand, and a black ball of light radiating an aura of destruction condensed in his palm. This ball of light seemed small, but it made the entire space tremble.

"You can all enjoy the experience," Ye Qi'an said coldly, then gently pushed the black orb towards the silver-white umbrella held up by Xuanji Douluo.

The black orb of light flew slowly away, and wherever it passed, space seemed to be cut by a sharp blade, leaving behind dark cracks.

As the ball of light approached, Xuanji Douluo's expression changed drastically. He poured out all his soul power and shouted, instantly increasing the light on the silver-white umbrella several times over. Countless mysterious runes appeared and flowed on the umbrella's surface.

The moment the black orb of light collided with the umbrella of light, a chilling silence followed, and then space began to distort violently, spreading outwards from the point of impact into a vast area of ​​darkness.

Xuanji Douluo's body trembled violently, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. The light umbrella he was supporting also began to sway precariously, and cracks appeared.

Seeing this, Dai Hao was extremely anxious and wanted to step forward to help, but he was blocked by an invisible force.

"Father, no!" Dai Yueheng quickly grabbed Dai Hao, knowing that Dai Hao would only be throwing his life away if he went up there now.

At this moment, the light umbrella that Xuanji Douluo had been struggling to support finally gave way and shattered with a "crack," while Xuanji Douluo's body turned into a cloud of blood mist.

Dai Hao watched helplessly as Xuanji Douluo sacrificed herself to protect everyone, her heart filled with a mixture of grief and rage. Her eyes bloodshot, she roared to the heavens, "Ye Qi'an, I will fight you to the death!"

Dai Yueheng, suppressing his tears and grief, stood in front of Dai Hao: "Father, acting impulsively now is useless. We must think of another way, otherwise, even if the entire army is wiped out, we will not be able to avenge Xuanji Douluo."

Looking at the chaos and destruction before him, Ye Qi'an laughed loudly: "This is the consequence of humans opposing soul beasts. The Star Luo Empire will be reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye." As he spoke, he stood up from his throne, the Nine Heavens Dragon Roar slowly rose, and a soaring sword beam swiftly slashed out.

As the Nine Heavens Dragon Roar was unsheathed, the soaring sword light seemed to contain the power to destroy the world, carrying endless destructive aura as it sped towards the capital of the Star Luo Empire, a hundred miles away. Wherever the sword light passed, space tore apart, the wind and clouds changed color, and it seemed that only this one brilliant and terrifying light remained in the world.

In the capital of the Star Luo Empire, the people are immersed in fear and unease about the war, and a tense atmosphere permeates the streets and alleys.

Inside the palace, Emperor Xu Jiawei and Princess Xu Jiujiu of Xingluo, having heard the news of the defeat at the front, were discussing countermeasures with their ministers with worried expressions. However, no one could have predicted that the scythe of death would hang over their heads so quickly.

In an instant, the sword's edge descended, engulfing the entire capital in a dazzling light. Immediately following was a deafening roar; the earth trembled violently, and buildings collapsed like fragile building blocks.

The palace was reduced to ruins by the attack, burying the emperor and his ministers instantly, and countless lives were lost in that instant. The people of the city screamed in terror and fled in all directions, but their struggles seemed so futile in the face of such immense power.

Just then, a blue light flashed by, carrying away a group of destitute people. A woman in a blue dress looked at the elderly, weak, women and children who had been swept away and shook her head slightly.

Rather than saying that this cleansing plan was premeditated, it would be more accurate to say that the original plane wanted to reduce its burden. Humanity's greed was not limited to soul beasts, and its demands on the plane had reached an irreversible point. This is precisely why Ye Qi'an said that the heavens were on his side.

Back on the battlefield, the woman in the blue dress appeared beside Ye Qi'an's throne, nodding slightly. "Some innocent people have been transferred to Shrek City." Ye Qi'an glanced at the woman in the blue dress, his expression softening. "Although this operation aims to punish human greed, some innocent people should not have to be sacrificed."

"Xiao An, you have embarked on a path of no return. This purge will unite all the remaining humans completely, and the world that is hostile to you will eventually be built," the blue-dressed woman, who was the core of life, said with a sigh.

"The world is bound to unite after a long period of division, and to divide after a long period of unity. All I can do is bring them together to face an invincible enemy like me. As long as I live, they will not be able to split again." Ye Qi'an's eyes revealed a hint of determination and madness. He firmly believed that his actions could reshape the order of the entire world.

The woman in the blue dress looked worried and said softly, "Although you have great power, the wisdom and potential of humankind should not be underestimated. Such ruthless extermination may trigger an even more violent backlash."

Meanwhile, in Shrek City, the rescued people gradually calmed down. They heard about the tragic state of the Star Luo Empire, and grief and anger burned in their hearts.

On the battlefield of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Hao and his son, along with the remaining soldiers, struggled to hold on in dire straits.

Looking at the ruins and the ever-approaching army of soul beasts, Dai Hao was filled with sorrow, but the flames of revenge burned ever brighter. He said to Dai Yueheng, "My son, I will fight Ye Qi'an to the bitter end. Even if I have only my last breath, I will not let him run rampant like this."

Dai Yueheng's gaze was firm: "Father, I am willing to fight alongside you until death."

Ye Qi'an continued to command the soul beast army to advance into the heart of the Star Luo Empire. Wherever they passed, desolation followed, towns were destroyed, fields were trampled, and a deathly silence and desolation spread.

Dai Hao and his son Dai Yueheng led their remaining troops in a desperate resistance, but under the overwhelming onslaught of the soul beast army, they could only fight and retreat. Each charge of the soul beasts was accompanied by an earthquake, and the soldiers huddled together, frantically using their weapons to defend themselves against the soul beasts' claws and fangs. The roars of the soul beasts were deafening, but the soldiers' shouts were no less furious; the cries of battle and screams mingled together, like a tragic dirge.

Ye Qi'an sat upright on the throne, his eyes cold and disdainful as he watched Dai Hao and his son struggle, as if he were enjoying a boring farce.

"Duke of White Tiger, Dai Yueheng, your resistance is futile. Today is the end of the Star Luo Empire, and you will all die."

Dai Hao's eyes widened in fury as he brandished his longsword, each strike carrying his boundless rage and resentment: "Ye Qi'an, don't be so arrogant! The blood of the Xingluo warriors will not be shed in vain! As long as I have a breath left, I will never submit to you!" However, his power seemed so insignificant before the gods, and every attack was easily neutralized.

Dai Yueheng calmly dealt with the attacks of the soul beasts, using his soul skills to protect his father and the remaining soldiers while pondering possible escape strategies. However, the soul beast army had already surrounded them, making escape an extremely difficult task.

As time went on, the number of soldiers around Dai Hao and his son dwindled, and their wounds multiplied, staining the ground beneath their feet with blood.

Finally, under the powerful impact of a soul beast, Dai Hao and his son were knocked to the ground. The soul beasts swarmed forward and trapped them firmly. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu watched this scene with eyes wide with rage, their hands trembling slightly with anger.

Seeing this, Ye Qi'an said, "Your desperate eyes are really interesting. This is what happens when you oppose me. Next, I will send you and the Star Luo Empire to your deaths." With that, he waved his hand, and the soul beasts escorted Dai Hao and his son slowly toward him. At the same time, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu were also pulled in front of Ye Qi'an by an invisible force.

Dai Huabin stared at Dai Hao and his son, who were being escorted by soul beasts, his eyes bloodshot. He gritted his teeth and roared, "Ye Qi'an, you will get your retribution!"

Ye Qi'an merely glanced at him with disdain. "Retribution? That's nothing but the self-consolation of the weak. On my path to reshaping the world, you are all insignificant stumbling blocks."

At this moment, Dai Hao, who was being escorted, still stood tall despite his numerous wounds. He stared intently at Ye Qi'an, his eyes blazing. "Do you really think you can succeed? The will of humanity cannot be easily extinguished. Even if we die today, there will be others who will continue to fight you to the very end."

"In that case, I'll wait and see if humanity truly possesses the indomitable will you speak of. However, you may not live to see it." As Ye Qi'an spoke, he raised his hand and gestured towards Huo Yuhao, who was bound.

Huo Yuhao's body drifted uncontrollably toward Ye Qi'an.

"Dai Hao, do you recognize him? It's normal if you don't. Let me tell you, he's your son, your biological son," Ye Qi'an said.

Dai Hao, Dai Yueheng, and Dai Huabin were all shocked. Except for Dai Hao, the brothers Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin were completely stunned, especially Dai Huabin. Ever since entering Shrek Academy, he had been striving to catch up with and fight against someone. He never imagined that person would be his brother, or at least, his younger brother, judging from their age.

"What did you say?" Duke White Tiger's voice had completely changed.

"That's right! You are my father." Huo Yuhao turned to look at Dai Hao, his gaze no longer calm, and his voice trembling slightly.

"But you are also my enemy!" Huo Yuhao's face turned pale when he said this.

"This is impossible! How could you possibly be my son?" Duke White Tiger exclaimed.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, barely suppressing his turbulent emotions, and said, "Then, let me remind you—my mother's surname is Huo. Do you still recognize it?" As he spoke, Huo Yuhao raised his hand, took out a dagger from his storage soul tool, and handed it to Duke White Tiger.

"This is the token of your love that you gave to my mother. I'm sure you haven't forgotten it, have you?"

Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger was stunned for a moment. He subconsciously took the White Tiger Dagger in his hand, and his hand began to tremble involuntarily.

"You're Yun'er's child? Yun'er actually gave birth to my child! Didn't Yun'er fall ill and die while I was away on campaign? How could this happen?"

Huo Yuhao said coldly, "The one who told you my mother was dead was that duchess, wasn't she? In your heart, my mother died more than twenty years ago."

Dai Hao stared blankly at the White Tiger Dagger in his hand, saying, "Back then, I was busy fighting on all sides. When I learned of Yun'er's death, I couldn't even go home to see her. It was a time of intense fighting on the border, and I didn't return to the Duke's mansion for a full ten years. When I finally went back, all I saw was a mound of yellow earth. All I could do for Yun'er was rebuild her grave. You're actually Yun'er's son, so you shouldn't be called Huo Yuhao, you should be called Dai Yuhao!"

Huo Yuhao shook his head violently and roared, "No, my name isn't Dai Yuhao, it's Huo Yuhao, and I'm just Huo Yuhao! I'm my mother's son, not yours. From childhood to adulthood, have you ever taken care of me even for a single day? You don't even know I exist. I saw you from afar when I was little; you clearly came back then. But why didn't you go to see my mother, letting the Duchess bully her?"

"I went back? Every time I go home, I leave in a hurry. Military affairs are too busy, and I have indeed neglected Yun'er." Dai Hao's face began to turn pale. Even when facing Ye Qi'an, he had never been so absent-minded as he was now.

"Huo Yuhao, kill them, kill them, and you can avenge your father." Ye Qi'an fanned the flames from the side, seemingly looking forward to seeing this scene of father and son killing each other.

Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly with anger. His gaze swept over Dai Hao, Dai Yueheng, and the others, his eyes filled with pain and struggle.

"If I kill you all, will I really get my revenge? Will my mother rest in peace in the afterlife?" he muttered to himself, his heart filled with a fierce clash between hatred and familial love.

Dai Hao raised his head, his eyes filled with regret and guilt. He looked at Huo Yuhao and said in a hoarse voice, "Child, I'm so sorry for you and your mother. I know it's too late to say anything now, but I really never thought it would turn out like this. If time could turn back, I would definitely protect you and your mother."

However, Huo Yuhao was filled with years of pent-up grievances, longing for his mother, and resentment towards Dai Hao. He roared at Dai Hao, "What's the use of saying all this now? Can you erase the suffering my mother endured and the loneliness I've felt all these years?"

"Huo Yuhao, this will all be over soon. Since you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll help you." Ye Qi'an said as he came up behind Huo Yuhao and reached out to grasp Huo Yuhao's hand that was tightly gripping the dagger.

Ye Qi'an grasped Huo Yuhao's hand, and the icy touch made Huo Yuhao shiver. He subconsciously tried to break free, but found that Ye Qi'an's strength was like an iron clamp, tightly binding him.

"Ye Qi'an, let me go!" Huo Yuhao roared angrily, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Ye Qi'an, but he couldn't move his body.

Ye Qi'an didn't care, but whispered in his ear, "Look at these people right in front of you. They've made your mother suffer so much, leaving you to grow up all alone. Don't you want them to pay the price?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Huo Yuhao's eyes, and with Ye Qi'an's push, the dagger in his hand slowly moved toward Dai Hao.

As the dagger drew ever closer, Dai Hao was filled with guilt and despair. He closed his eyes, awaiting the potential fatal blow, muttering, "Child, if this will bring you relief, then so be it..."

Just as the tip of the dagger was about to touch Dai Hao, Huo Yuhao suddenly recalled his mother's gentle smile from his childhood, and the days when he depended on her for survival. If his mother were still alive, she would not want to see him so blinded by hatred and killing his own brother.

In an instant, Huo Yuhao seemed to wake from a nightmare. He abruptly opened his eyes and simultaneously thrust the dagger fiercely towards Ye Qi'an, roaring, "Ye Qi'an, you won't succeed! I won't let you use me to hurt anyone! You are the source of all this evil!"

Ye Qi'an did not expect Huo Yuhao to resist at this critical moment. His expression changed and his gaze fell on Huo Yuhao. He let the dagger attack him. However, just as the dagger was about to pierce Ye Qi'an, a faint divine power light emanated from his body. The light was like a tough shield, which actually blocked the dagger.

"Hmph, you think you can hurt me? You're overestimating yourself!" Ye Qi'an sneered, and with a forceful flick of his wrist, he sent Huo Yuhao flying.

Huo Yuhao fell heavily to the ground, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, but the hatred and determination in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest, and he struggled to get up again.

"Huo Yuhao, you've made your choice, but I don't like it. Now, your choice will put an end to the fate of the four of them." Ye Qi'an's words were icy and chilling, as if he had already decided everyone's destiny.

Upon hearing this, Dai Hao, Dai Yueheng, Dai Huabin, and Huo Yuhao, who had just gotten up and was not yet standing firmly, all felt a chill in their hearts, but there was no fear in their eyes.

"Drag all four of them away and execute them," Ye Qi'an said as he re-bound Huo Yuhao.

Upon receiving the order, the soul beasts roared and approached Dai Hao and his companions. Dai Hao stood up, exhausted and covered in wounds, but he still protected Dai Yueheng and Dai Huabin behind him. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu exchanged a glance, seeing the determination in each other's eyes. They clung to each other, facing the impending doom together.

"Kill," Ye Qi'an said, waving his hand.

The soul beast's claws lashed out, and in the next second, huge holes appeared in the chests of Dai Hao, Dai Yueheng, Dai Huabin, and Zhu Lu, gushing blood like a fountain. The four of them slowly collapsed, but their eyes still held an indomitable and stubborn spirit.

Witnessing this horrific scene, Huo Yuhao's eyes widened in fury, and his heart-wrenching roar echoed across the battlefield: "No—!"

…(End of this chapter)