Douluo Dalu: Volume 40: Beginning of the War

by Tang Jia San Shao

“Really amazing. No wonder Teacher says that the more difficult the spirit is to cultivate, the more frightening it will be at high levels. It seems there’s still no food type Title Douluo in the world. Little Ao, this flying mushroom sausage can completely help us forge an ambush! Only, no matter what, it will have to wait until the battle with the Spirit Empire really starts.”

  [1] Blue Silver Sky Blue Dragon’s Soul - (蓝银天青龙之魂)

  [2] Shuiyun Pass - (水云关) “Water Cloud Pass”

  Chapter 277: Sky Blue Fading Thunderclap

  Early morning, without clouds as far as the eye could see, a warm breeze, a deep breath filling one’s lungs with fresh air.

  The Heaven Dou Empire’s almost hundred li long camp sprawled like a mythical beast fifty li away from Jialing Pass. At dawn, just after an early breakfast, the army assembled with thundering battle drums.

  One square formation after another appeared outside of the camp, each enormous square holding ten thousand people. Along with orders passed from the central army, a hundred thousand Heaven Dou Empire soldiers slowly marched forward. That was a full ten heavy armored cavalry legions, and also all the heavy cavalry the Heaven Dou Empire had brought this time. These were true steel heroes. They didn’t advance quickly, but that enormous force made the ground tremble.

  Following closely behind the heavy cavalry were the Heaven Dou Empire’s four thousand spirit masters, escorted onto the battlefield by the twelve thousand strong Tang Army.

  By appearance, the Tang Army just looked like light cavalry guarding them, and on an ordinary battlefield, it would also be all light cavalry fighting alongside the spirit masters, enough to show the advantages of speed.

  Behind them came another ten light cavalry legions, rushing out on the two wings. For the first battle with the Spirit Empire, the Heaven Dou Empire’s side had actually sent all cavalry. Even those spirit masters were mounted. Relying mainly on heavy cavalry, they could charge at will and guard the retreat.

  Up on Jialing Pass, Bibi Dong sneered,

  “The Heaven Dou Empire is afraid. All cavalry can indeed easily attack or retreat, but that’s on a conventional battlefield. Don’t tell me they can somehow show the advantage of the cavalry when they clash with my spirit master legions? Pass down my command. The eight heavy cavalry and heavy infantry legions form up in the front, Sacred Dragon Legion, sortie.”

  The four gates of Jialing Pass opened almost simultaneously, four great drawbridges lowering with the clattering of chains to bridge the fifty meter moat. With clanking armor, large numbers of heavy armored soldiers swiftly rushed out of Jialing Pass.

  Only, Looking at their formations, while they were all heavy armored legions, these Jialing Pass heavy troops wasn’t arrayed as neatly as the Heaven Dou Empire’s heavy cavalry.

  First of all, since they came from different kingdoms and duchies, their armors were all of different standards. Compared to the Heaven Dou Empire’s black armor, the Spirit Empire’s heavy troops had at least ten differently colored armors. The speed with which they formed formations was also much slower. Clearly their training within the Spirit Empire wasn’t completed.

  Altogether four heavy cavalry legions and four heavy infantry legions, this was already the majority of the entire Spirit Empire’s heavy legions. Because the other pass facing the Star Luo Empire’s attack was mainly focused on defense, they weren’t assigned any heavy units.

  The Heaven Dou Empire’s two hundred thousand strong army came to a halt when it was still twenty li away from Jialing Pass. Ten heavy cavalry legions formed up in a straight line, opening a passage in the middle. Guarded by the Tang Army, in actuality more than six thousand spirit masters advanced, only the more than two thousand spirit masters of the Tang Sect were all dressed exactly the same as the Tang Army. The light cavalry spread out on the wings on either side, taking down longbows from their backs. They were actually all cavalry archers.

  On the other side, the Spirit Empire’s eight legions were directly arranged in front of the pass, and immediately after, a ten thousand man strong army rushed out from the pass. They weren’t mounted, all advancing on foot. But they didn’t move any slower than speeding horses. These ten thousand men actually formed up in a line in front of Jialing Pass, all wearing light fighting gear. Their clothes were decorated with patterns of golden thread, and on banners waving behind them were two large golden words, Sacred Dragon.

  Grandmaster and Tang San stood side by side, and together with them was also that marshal Ge Long.

  Marshal Ge Long waved his hand,

  “Army advance. Cavalry archers ready, after entering the ten li range, launch crossfire.”

  Tang San simultaneously also passed down orders to the Tang Army,

  “Check crossbows. Wind mechanisms.”

  With sonorous clangs, the Tang Army quietly took down the Godly Zhuge Crossbows on their backs. Placing them level on their saddles, they quickly inspected the weapons, especially the condition of the loaded arrows and the mechanism. After completing the inspection, they immediately readied them.

  Banners fluttered in the wind. Behind them, Heaven Dou emperor Xue Beng personally commanded two hundred thousand men to bring up the rear.

  The distance between both sides constantly shrank. When ten li still remained, the light cavalry legions on the Heaven Dou Empire’s side reacted. Ten light cavalry legions set off simultaneously, tens of thousands of hooves pounding the ground, charging straight at Jialing Pass.

  On the Spirit Empire’s side, the two heavy infantry legions closest to the Sacred Dragon Legion quickly closed, blocking in front of the Sacred Dragon Legion, wielding giant shields.

  Up on Jialing Pass, Bibi Dong couldn’t help frowning when she saw a hundred thousand light cavalry charging,

  “Do these Heaven Dou Empire fellows want to commit suicide?”

  Even though she didn’t know much of the art of war, she still knew that there could only be one result of light cavalry charging heavy cavalry and heavy infantry, especially when there wasn’t much of a numerical difference between both sides. It was simply no different from suicide. Even if these light cavalry was attacking with bow and arrow, what faced them was still all heavy cavalry and infantry. Bow and arrow was practically useless. There wasn’t even a need for her Sacred Dragon Legion to move.

  While Bibi Dong was puzzled, the Heaven Dou Empire’s light cavalry legions had already arrived. When they were still one li away from the Spirit Empire side they instantly changed directions, nocking arrows, and with whooshing sounds, countless arrows flew towards the Spirit Empire legions.

  The majority loosed volleys. At this distance, and when their target was ninety thousand enemy troops, there was basically no need to aim. As intended by the light cavalry, the majority of the arrows were shot towards the Sacred Dragon Legion. The heavy infantry blocked in front of them, but they could do nothing against arrows falling from above.

  One volley complete, the light cavalry didn’t pause. One curve of rising dust after another, they relied on swift horses to directly slip past the flanks and returned to their original positions.

  It was one volley, but that was a hundred thousand arrows! The ten Heaven Dou Empire light cavalry legions suitably revealed their high quality before the Spirit Empire. As the hundred thousand strong army shot one wave of arrows, their formation barely shifted. As they circled around, returning to their own side, the Heaven Dou Empire army had already pushed forward five li. Under cover of the rising dust, they seemed like ghosts, teleporting into their new positions.

  Bibi Dong sighed to herself, calmly asking:

  “Can our light cavalry perform at this level?”

  The light cavalry generals standing behind her each and everyone kept quiet out of fear. Not one dared utter a word.

  “Didn’t you tell me that the Heaven Dou Empire is as unreliable as a sheet of sand. The troops lazy, mostly names filling out the payroll? This is a carried army? Then what are you?”
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br />   Watching those ten light cavalry legions show off their strength in neat formations, even if they couldn’t seriously harm the Sacred Dragon Legion’s spirit masters or their heavy troops, it was undoubtedly an enormous blow to the Spirit Empire’s morale. Bibi Dong understood that she wasn’t the only one who had been patient these years, the Heaven Dou Empire had equally endured. According to previous estimations, the Heaven Dou Imperial Army would be less than six hundred thousand, and the majority without real combat strength. But this? Arranged before her was an excellently trained and suitably supplied army of millions. Even if the Heaven Dou Empire’s military strength was compared to the Star Luo Empire, there wouldn’t be much difference.

  “Pass down orders. Sacred Dragon Legion, release spirit rings, attack.”

  This was the first confrontation between both sides, morale had to be retrieved. Bibi Dong knew that those kingdom and duchy troops weren’t much to count on. What she really could rely on was just her own subordinate spirit masters. As long as they could rout the Heaven Dou Empire’s spirit master legion, those incorporated troops wouldn’t be a problem.

  Brilliant light instantly brightened on the Spirit Empire’s side. Ten thousand spirit masters simultaneously releasing their spirits was absolutely a dazzling scene. Countless spirit rings flickered with white, yellow, purple and black colors. Even though their army was equally unevenly matched, that instantly rising terrifying presence made the Heaven Dou Empire’s two hundred thousand soldiers breathing grow urgent.

  The soldiers of course knew what it meant to face spirit masters. Just one of a high level spirit master’s large area attack type spirit abilities could kill them by the hundreds. Only spirit masters could face spirit masters.

  Marshal Ge Long looked towards Grandmaster and Tang San next to him, slightly cupping his hands,

  “Next is up to your highnesses.”

  Grandmaster nodded, raising his right hand,

  “Release spirits.”

  The more than four thousand spirit masters escorted by the Tang Army released their spirits simultaneously. Even though they were a lot fewer than the opponents, their actions were adjusted to uniformity, and there was no disorder in their spirit ring colors. Standing furthest in front were unexpectedly all seven and eight ring spirit masters. Even though they weren’t many, their spirit rings made up for their lacking numbers. Behind them was a formation formed by six, five, four, and three ring spirit masters. The majority had between three and five rings.

  What drew most attention, were the one hundred simultaneously brightening Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Dazzlingly beautiful treasure light shot towards the sky. They were located at the heart of the spirit master legion, and amidst sparkling light, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School master Ning Fengzhi gazed forward. Next to him, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo were on guard.

  These one hundred Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School directly related disciples were all survivors from that time, and behind them were another one hundred Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School disciples who hadn’t released their spirits yet. Attentively watching the Spirit Empire army on the other side, their eyes held only the light of hatred.

  On Jialing Pass, Bibi Dong sharply swung her hand. The ten thousand Sacred Dragon Legion spirit masters leapt up as one. Only Spirit Hall could train spirit masters as a legion, and therefore, even if their army wouldn’t do, this spirit master legion was definitely elite.

  Agility attack type spirit masters immediately circled around on the sides, while power attack type spirit masters and defense type spirit masters took the lead forward, support spirit masters applying all kinds of support effects from behind, control type spirit masters followed the power attack type spirit masters closely, each and every one already preparing spirit abilities. These spirit masters were divided into several groups according to their cultivation direction. Front and center in the Sacred Dragon Legion, several hundred spirit masters were from the the Sacred Dragon School of the new seven great sects.

  Each Sacred Dragon School disciple was covered by a layer of white scales, and they were all built sturdy and bulky. This was their spirit, White Armored Dragon. The White Armored Dragon couldn’t be considered a true dragon, just a close relative. There was still a major gap when compared to the original Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. But they were still dragons, and this Sacred Dragon School moreover had numerous experts thanks to Spirit Hall’s careful nurturing. They were a sect that was formed directly by separating from spirit hall, one of the three upper sects of the new seven great sects, and this Sacred Dragon Legion was also named after them.

  A group of spirit masters right next to the Sacred Dragon School, the Shrek Seven Devils were very familiar with. They’d once fought spirit masters of this line in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. With balanced defense and force, they were the Elephant Armor School. Those giant Elephant Armor School guys had all released their spirits, and led by the sect master Heavenly Elephant Huyan Zhen, they charged alongside the Sacred Dragon School with giant strides. Without a doubt, they were the cornerstone of this Sacred Dragon Legion. Even though the two great sects together didn’t have seven hundred people, their fighting strength was undoubtedly the strongest. Whether the White Armored Dragon or the Giant Mammoth Elephant spirit, both were best suited for the battlefield. No heavy cavalry could halt their advance.

  “Separate the formation. Elder Tai Tan, elder Niu Gao, take one thousand Tang Army troops each to support the wings. The remaining soldiers, single line formation.”

  Tang San ordered.

  Tai Tan and Niu Gao each brought a thousand Tang Army soldiers and quickly left. The remaining eight thousand Tang Army troops quickly formed a line, blocking in front of the central army spirit masters. Half dismounted, half on horse, they simultaneously raised the large edition Godly Zhuge Crossbows they held.

  Tang San coldly said:

  “Do not shoot without my command. When I’m not here, follow the State Preceptor’s orders.”

  The more than two thousand Tang Sect disciples guarded in front of Tang San, Grandmaster and marshal Ge Long. Furthest ahead was a front formed by lines of Defense Hall and Medicine Hall disciples. The remaining two thousand spirit masters as well as Grandmaster’s four thousand subordinate spirit masters all waited quietly.

  “Old freak, do you dare charge with me?”

  Tang San yelled loudly.

  With a strange laugh, Dugu Bo’s voice came from among the spirit masters,

  “There’s nothing I don’t dare. I’m not good at fighting Title Douluo alone, but for this group battle, who dares say they are stronger than me? Let’s go!”

  Tang San turned his head to Grandmaster:

  “Teacher, I’ll leave this side to you and marshal Ge Long. The enemy spirit masters furthest in the front have too powerful of a defense, it will influence the effectiveness of the Godly Zhuge Crossbows. Better let us go break their defense head on. We’re going.”

  “King Lan Hao, you……”

  Marshal Ge Long wanted to object, but Tang San had already grabbed the Seagod Trident and leapt up. Behind him, the other six Shrek Seven Devils didn’t need any reminder, leaping up at the same time as Tang San. Zhu Zhuqing brought Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai brought Oscar, and the seven plus one Medicine Hall master Yang Wudi directly broke out of the square formation.

  Up on Jialing Pass, Bibi Dong saw that the Heaven Dou Empire side unexpectedly only sent eight people. She first stared blankly, but immediately afterward, as she saw the person furthest in the lead was Tang San wielding the Seagod Trident, she immediately called out,

  “Not good. Elders, follow me.”

  While speaking, she disregarded her position as empress, and abruptly soared up from Jialing Pass. Purple wings spread out behind her, and she glided directly downward.

  The Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone’s acceleration ability rose to the limit. With Tang San’s speed, and moreover with them clearly bei
ng much closer to the charging Sacred Dragon Legion, while still in the sky, Tang San stretched his entire body. Exerting himself with his right arm, he threw the Seagod Trident like a javelin, his target in the front line, having already incarnated as a giant mammoth, the Elephant Armored School master Huyan Zhen.

  At the very same moment, a ring of scarlet and white light spread out from below Tang San’s feet. The eight people who rushed out of the square as well as Poison Douluo approaching from another direction were all enveloped. This was the Deathgod Domain starting.

  Huyan Zhen faced Tang San’s enormous, but completely without spirit power fluctuations Seagod Trident. Laughing loudly, he not only showed no intention of retreating, but on the contrary suddenly charged to meet it, his whole body emanating a dust yellow light, colliding with it head on. In terms of defensive strength, the Elephant Armored School’s Mammoth spirit might be second only to the pure defense Defense Hall’s Armor Plated Giant Rhinoceros spirit. Even though he still hadn’t reached the Title Douluo level, the majority of Title Douluo couldn’t match him in pure defense. This polearm seemingly without even a trace of spirit power wasn’t worthy of Huyan Zhen’s attention.

  “Don’t block it!”

  Bibi Dong’s voice came from behind. But, her warning still arrived a bit too late.

  From between Tang San’s eyebrows, a ray of deep golden light suddenly caught up to the Seagod Trident in midair, directly stabbing into that Seagod’s Heart. In just a split second, the Seagod Trident instantly turned golden, the dazzling light immediately becoming the focal point of everyone there.

  Boom——

  The Seagod Trident’s main blade thrust directly into the mammoth’s head. That instantly erupting intense golden light shocked the Elephant Armored School disciples around Huyan Zhen to slow down for a moment.

  The mammoth’s defense really was astonishing, even a divine tool like the Seagod Trident couldn’t pierce through Huyan Zhen’s body. But even so, fully half of the polearm had stabbed into his spirit avatar form. The pressure of the terrifying one hundred eight thousand jin weight instantly tore Huyan Zhen’s four limbs apart. He collapsed to the ground with a thump, without signs of life.