The Grandmaster pursed his lips, remained silent for a long moment, then stood up and paced to the battle chess board he had been fiddling with. With his hands behind his back, he said, "Although the Star Luo Empire also suffered invasion from the Spirit Hall simultaneously, the Heaven Dou Empire is rich in resources, vast in territory, with extremely nurturing terrain and a large population. Spirit Hall has coveted it for a long time. Even after three years of recuperation following the failed palace coup that swapped the sun and the moon, the royal family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon School are still in their recovery period, and the nation is in dire need of rebuilding."
Tang Sui also stood up and walked to the Grandmaster's side, looking at the battle chess.
"Just like the lost Bar拉克 Kingdom, the Spirit Empire's infiltration into the two great empires will undoubtedly accelerate. What is most urgently needed now is to seize the time to consolidate defenses, resist invasion, and eliminate internal troubles."
"The Heaven Dou Empire must now strengthen its control over its affiliated duchies and city-states. The Kingdom of Silvus, not far from the territory of the Bar拉克 Kingdom, is the first to bear the brunt and requires the deployment of an additional five hundred Soul Masters."
"Although the Bar拉克 Kingdom has fallen, there are still forces within the country seeking restoration and waiting for an opportunity to rise again. Two hundred Soul Masters will be dispatched for reinforcement. Furthermore, the border may require the stationing of heavy troops and nationwide conscription to expand the military strength."
The Grandmaster's fingertips lightly brushed over the chess pieces, making detailed arrangements.
"Speaking of which, Teacher, why do you think the Bar拉克 Kingdom became the first target for plunder by the Spirit Empire?" Tang Sui's gaze also fell on the battle chess board before the Grandmaster, her eyes narrowing slightly.
The Grandmaster was taken aback and looked at the pensive Tang Sui, "Sui Sui, do you have any thoughts?"
Tang Sui's voice was faint, "The Bar拉克 Kingdom is backed by mineral veins. I believe that although the Spirit Empire possesses a large amount of Soul Master power, its logistics are still empty. Therefore, the reason for Bar拉克 Kingdom's first plunder should be for more resources to continue their wars. For example, the ores that can be smelted into different divine weapons and exquisite weapons are important materials for soldiers fighting..."
"So, the Spirit Empire's next target will likely be the human resources capable of smelting these iron ores! Oh no! Geng Xin City!" The Grandmaster suddenly realized.
Tang Sui's eyes deepened, "Geng Xin City is within the Star Luo Empire. It would be difficult for Heaven Dou to send troops, as it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. If we were to return to Sea God Island again for Dai Laoda to draft a decree, the back and forth would also delay matters. Therefore, the Tang Sect shall intervene."
"Although Senior Lou Gao has stepped down as the President of the Blacksmith's Association, he is now an elder of the Tang Sect. He is the master-apprentice of the current President of the Blacksmith's Association. If I bring Elder Titan along, persuading them to evacuate should not be a problem."
"Time is pressing, Teacher. I will head to the Tang Sect now to gather people and head to Geng Xin City to help them evacuate."
"Sui Sui, do you need us to go with you?" Flanders called out to Tang Sui, who was turning to leave. "The Spirit Empire is coming fiercely, and they will undoubtedly send masters from the new Seven Great Sects to join the invasion. Having more people can provide an extra layer of security!"
Tang Sui shook her head, "Dean, your presence here in Heaven Dou is most important. As for the Spirit Empire, I have it under control."
Flanders still wanted to say something, but he remembered what Tang Sui had told them before and slapped his forehead.
Right, Sui Sui has a Level 99 Limit Douluo supporting her!
In front of a Level 99 Limit Douluo, no matter how many people there are, they are like ants!
The Grandmaster, who also thought of this, nodded repeatedly. Watching Tang Sui bustle about preparing to withdraw people, he cautioned again, "Sui Sui, you must be careful!"
"Mhm!"
Tang Sui nodded, the air around her distorted slightly, and she vanished into the shadow beneath her feet, departing without a sound. Zhao Wuji couldn't help but let out a soft hiss, marveling, "Sui Sui's strength has probably improved significantly again."
"Indeed. I am now a Level 83 Soul Douluo, yet since Sui Sui appeared, I haven't been able to discern her current cultivation level. I can only feel that her aura has become much more profound." Flanders chattered.
Liu Erlong was accustomed to Tang Sui's genius and waved her hand, "Alright, Sui Sui has chosen to prove her Dao, so she naturally wouldn't neglect her cultivation. Although Sui Sui hasn't explicitly stated it, I believe her current strength is definitely stronger than before!"
A faint smile tugged at the corner of the Grandmaster's mouth, "Yes, now we can only hope that Geng Xin City can be reached in time."
After all, it would take several days to reach there at full speed from Heaven Dou.
...
At the Tang Sect's stronghold, as soon as Tang Sui arrived at the main entrance, disciples of the Stealth Hall spotted her. With a flash of afterimages, four disciples who were originally in the scout towers on either side of the gate landed before Tang Sui, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Vice Sect Master."
"Greetings, Vice Sect Master!"
The two Tang Sect disciples guarding the main entrance were also startled and quickly bowed.
Tang Sui did not delay and immediately issued an order, "You have arrived at a good time. Relay my command to quickly summon the elders of the Four Halls to the Sect Master's mansion for a meeting. Only fifty disciples from the Stealth Hall who are out on reconnaissance missions need to remain. All others are to be recalled. Effective immediately, also, immediately have a hundred portions of medicinal supplies and bandages prepared, and check the accompanying combat hidden weapon equipment, awaiting my and the elders' orders." Su Dan Novel Network
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, the few understood that something big was about to happen and responded solemnly.
Four phantoms flashed, and the disciples of the Stealth Hall dispersed in different directions.
Tang Sui walked directly through the front courtyard, heading straight for the area of the Sect Master's mansion in the back hall to await Titan and the others.
Before long, Titan, Niu Gao, and Bai He, who had received the summons, rushed over.
"Vice Sect Master, weren't you and the Sect Master on a training journey to Sea God Island? What happened that suddenly summoned us back?" Niu Gao's booming voice could be heard before he had even fully stepped into the spacious assembly hall.
Tang Sui scanned the three and frowned, "Where is Elder Yang?"
Bai He sighed, "Alas, yesterday, after the news of the Bar拉克 Kingdom's fall reached Heaven Dou City, Emperor Xue Ye was so enraged that his poison worsened. Crown Prince Xue Beng hastily sent someone to the Tang Sect to invite Elder Yang to the palace. He hasn't returned yet. It's probably doubtful this time."
Titan looked at Tang Sui's solemn expression and asked, "Vice Sect Master, what is it that has caused you to suddenly summon us, and to recall most of the Stealth Hall disciples?"
Bai He also appeared puzzled, "I heard the disciple who delivered the message say that the Sect Master also ordered a large quantity of medicinal supplies to be prepared?"
"Yes. I returned to Heaven Dou City from Sea God Island today. After going to Shrek Academy, I learned of the Bar拉克 Kingdom's conquest by the Spirit Empire. After analyzing it with my teacher and the others, we guessed that the reason the Spirit Empire attacked the Bar拉克 Kingdom first was due to its abundant mineral resources."
Tang Sui's words caused the three of them to frown simultaneously.
"Combined with the news of the Spirit Empire's simultaneous attack on Heaven Dou and Star Luo, we speculate that the Spirit Empire is preparing for the upcoming great war. Their current biggest lack is not Soul Master power, but war provisions, such as armor, weapons, and so on."
Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Titan's old eyes, and he said gravely, "And now, the Spirit Empire has enough materials, but still lacks a large number of people capable of forging these equipment."
Tang Sui nodded, "Precisely. And those talents are naturally in the Kingdom of Star Luo, in the vicinity of the border, the City of Metal – Geng Xin City. Not to mention that it houses over sixty percent of the Blacksmith's Association, a large number of existing equipment resources, and various ores."