Chapter 176: Ambush and Assassination

Words : 1217 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Countless falling rocks rained down from the hills on both sides—not only sudden but also incredibly coordinated. At this moment, the overall quality of the Royal Knights showed. Although not all of them were soul masters, their overall strength was formidable. The hills on both sides weren't very high, so the force of the falling rocks wasn't overwhelming. The knights of the Royal Knights all took a few steps back, leaving only a central passageway, and raised their lances to face the falling rocks head-on. Spears moved; stones fell. Using their long spears, they continuously deflected the flying rocks to the sides. The five hundred warriors' spears formed a steel defense line. Even in such disadvantageous terrain, not a single rock got past them for a while—truly well-trained. However, as more and more rocks fell, the Royal Knights gradually started to falter. Some especially large boulders crashed into the various teams, splitting them apart. This was the enemy's true intention. The rocks weren't meant to attack, but to block unnecessary targets, so they could focus on dealing with their real objectives. But the people from the academies weren't afraid. They all got out of their carriages. They weren't ordinary people without the strength to even truss a chicken—they were the elite young soul masters. At this point, thousands of black-clad figures suddenly appeared atop the hills on both sides, charging toward the academies at an astonishing speed. Colorful halos began to flash as everyone from the academies completed their Martial Soul Possession, ready for battle. Some even took the initiative, to attack these supposed bandits. But just when they thought they could easily defeat their opponents, they were met with a rude awakening. Among the black-clad attackers, there were actually many soul masters, with dozens at Soul King level. Such a powerful force could not be mustered by just any organization. The teachers immediately realized that this was no simple bandit ambush, but a well-organized attack. At this moment, the enemy facing the Emperor Battle Team was the smallest in number—only a few dozen black-clad men—but the danger was greatest. Among them were three very special individuals. The pressure they exuded made even Qin Ming, a rank 68 Soul Emperor, extremely uneasy. "Three people—all Soul Sages," Qin Ming said grimly. Which force could so casually send three Soul Sages? "Teacher, why aren't they releasing their Martial Souls?" Dugu Yan asked, puzzled. "To conceal their identities. Don't be careless—even if Soul Sages don't release their Martial Souls, they are no weaker than me," Qin Ming said, his Martial Soul Possession active. He shouted, "Kids, go handle the other black-clad men; leave these three to me." Qin Ming would never let the students face Soul Sages directly. Today, he was prepared to fight three on his own. As long as his opponents didn't use their Martial Souls, he could hold out for a while. At worst, he'd die in battle, but as long as he could breathe, he'd never let harm come to his students. Luckily, his girlfriend Zhou Yan hadn't come today. That was his only consolation. "Teacher Qin, what's there to be afraid of? Three Soul Sages? I'll help you take care of them today," Tianlin said, gripping his demon sword and standing beside Qin Ming. Qin Ming wanted to object, but considering Tianlin's true combat strength was already on par with his own, having his help would make things much safer for the other students. "Brother Skydream, what are the Martial Souls of these three?" Tianlin asked, wanting to confirm the enemy's information and fighting style to use his strengths against their weaknesses. "Let me sense... They are: Battle Axe, Snow Wolf, and a Painting," Skydream Ice Silkworm replied. "So, two attackers and one controller. The painting is probably like Shi Nian's—Martial Souls that trap enemies in illusions," Tianlin mused, then whispered to Qin Ming, "Teacher Qin, the one on the far left has the Snow Wolf Martial Soul, which your Blazing Wolf counters. You take him—the other two, the axe and the painting, leave them to me." Qin Ming's eyes widened. "Snow Wolf, painting, axe? You are—the Spirit..." Anyone who could become a Soul Sage was famous on the continent. These three were a team, and even as Soul Emperors their fame rivaled Zhao Wuji's. They had long joined Spirit Hall. No wonder they didn't show their Martial Souls and wore masks—they didn't want to be recognized. Qin Ming almost blurted out their identities but quickly held his tongue. He wasn't a fool. Since Spirit Hall attacked in disguise, it meant they didn't plan to kill everyone. Otherwise, why hide their identities? If he revealed them publicly, then everyone who heard would have to die—he'd be harming others. "If this ambush isn't just a massacre, then it's aimed at someone specific—is it Xiao Tian?" Qin Ming glanced at Tianlin. "No, if it were Xiao Tian, three Soul Sages wouldn't be enough. And they wouldn't hide their Martial Souls. The other academies are probably the same: one or two Soul Sages with a group of Soul Kings to delay, while the real main force goes after the target." "Tang San!" After a quick deduction, Qin Ming locked onto Spirit Hall's true target. Only Tang San, with twin Martial Souls and from the Clear Sky Clan, would warrant this. "Tianlin, listen to me—focus on defense in this fight. Their target isn't us—just hold them off and we'll be fine," Qin Ming advised softly. Tianlin nodded. It seemed Qin Ming had figured it out. The leader of the black-clad men pointed at Qin Ming. "That one seemed to recognize us just now." He had heard the start of "Spirit" (as in Spirit Hall). "In that case, he must die." With that, the burliest of the three charged at them with a punch. Given his physique, he must be the Battle Axe Soul Sage. "Your opponent is me!" Tianlin blocked in front of Qin Ming, demon sword facing the iron fist. Qin Ming unleashed a blaze at the other Soul Sage—the Snow Wolf Soul Sage. Meanwhile, the rest of the Emperor Battle Team clashed with the black-clad assailants. Although the enemy was higher in level, none released their Martial Souls, so for now, the Emperor Battle Team was not at a disadvantage. "Hmph, just a Soul King dares to compete with me in strength? Get lost!" The Battle Axe Soul Sage suddenly exerted his strength, the ground trembling beneath him. "Heh, get lost? You're not even using your Martial Soul—if you can make me retreat a single step, I'll take your last name," Tianlin replied confidently, pressing forward with the demon sword. "What?" The Battle Axe Soul Sage was astonished. His fist, wrapped in powerful soul force, felt as flimsy as paper as the demon sword pierced through it. At the last moment, a giant axe appeared in his hand, clashing with the demon sword and finally managing to deflect it. At the same time, his two yellow, three purple, and two black spirit rings—seven in all—flashed, with the first ring already glowing.

Chapter 176: Ambush and Assassination

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