The energy that the Demon Lord could provide was truly terrifying.
It was pushing Qin Xiao's cultivation level towards Level 98.
This breakthrough took a bit longer than usual.
Qin Xiao took a full half hour.
When the powerful energy of Level 98 swept across the area again.
The Golden Crocodile Douluo didn't know what to say anymore.
Just two words, amazing.
Watching someone break through their cultivation realm was as easy as eating and drinking.
Not even a quarter of his age, yet already possessing the same cultivation level as himself, he really felt like he had lived in vain.
The Golden Crocodile Douluo even summarized it for himself in four words: utterly insignificant.
"Elder Golden Crocodile."
Suddenly, the Golden Crocodile Douluo shuddered. He realized that Qin Xiao was already standing in front of him without him knowing when.
"Sir, do you have any instructions?" he quickly replied,
Fearing that if he answered too late, he would face a harsh rebuke from the social elite.
"Nothing much, I just wanted to tell you that I will be leaving for a few days. Almost all of the Soul Masters from the Demonic Plane are here, so I'll have to leave them in your care."
"Of course, it's all part of Golden Crocodile's duties. Sir, please go ahead with your affairs without worry."
The Golden Crocodile Douluo assured while thumping his chest.
However,
He suddenly realized that Qin Xiao's figure in front of him was fading.
Only then did he realize that the real Qin Xiao must have left right after uttering those words.
After recognizing the truth, a bitter smile appeared on the Golden Crocodile Douluo's face: "It turns out that I was overthinking it. Qin Xiao's words to me were just a notification..."
Meanwhile, Qin Xiao had already reached the high heavens.
His target was the will of the Demonic Plane.
"Given the level of the Demonic Plane, its Plane Will shouldn't be too strong. If I can refine it, my cultivation will surely rise to another level..."
"By then, I will officially reach the pinnacle of the Titled Douluo of Level 99."
Qin Xiao got more and more excited the more he thought about it.
Because Level 99 Titled Douluo was the limit that a person could reach.
He had a vague premonition that if his cultivation could reach Level 99, some changes would occur to him.
However, whether the outcome of the transformation would be good or bad was unknown.
...
Two days later.
Soul Land.
At this time, the scene before the Pope Hall was extraordinary.
At least half of the great figures of Soul Land had gathered.
The current Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, Bi Bidong, Grand Worshipper Qiandaoliu, along with many other guest elders and elders.
Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, elders Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
Yu Luomian, the clan leader of the Blue Electric Overlord Dragon Clan, and acting clan leader Liu Erlong.
Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, the emperor of the Tiandou Empire.
The father of Zhu Zhuqing, the Empress of the Xingluo Empire, who was once the Grand Duke Youming, and now the Star Luo Retired Emperor.
In addition to these were the leaders and strong characters of powerful Soul Master influences that could be named, like the heads of the Godwind Academy, Flaming Fire Academy, Tian Shui Academy, Botanic Academy, and so on.
"Pope His Holiness, the entire Soul Land is now engulfed in war, and unknown creatures are launching attacks all over the continent. We earnestly request that Martial Soul Hall dispatch strong forces to quell the chaos," someone couldn't help but speak up with a grave voice.
He came from the Xingluo Empire. Just two days ago, for some unknown reason, countless cracks appeared in the sky, and unbelievably strong unknown creatures emerged from the cracks, initiating attacks across the whole continent.
Even the imperial city of the Empire was not spared. These people had fled from their respective territories.
Eventually, as if they had all agreed on it beforehand, they all came to Spirit City.
However,
Although it had only been a few short days,
It felt like a century to everyone.
It was too unbearable. Soul Land had never faced such a disaster from the beginning until now.
However, if anyone had suffered the least, it was the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect.
Before the invasion of the abyssal creatures, right after the invasion of the abyssal plane, Ning Fengzhi had already made the necessary arrangements.
He abandoned the foundation of the Seven Treasures Glaze Sect, bringing with him over two thousand disciples from top to bottom, and came to Spirit City.
Furthermore, he sent a third of those disciples into the Demonic Plane.
In comparison, other forces had some reactions after the demon invasion, but none showed such preventatively courageous actions, which is why their losses were so great.
"We have also been working hard on this issue..."
"At present, we have gained some understanding of the enemy, knowing that they come from a world outside Soul Land, named the abyss!"
"The creatures of this world are exceptionally powerful; the abyss has 108 layers, each guarded by Titled Douluo level powerhouses. And the first few layers are even more terrifying, with individuals as strong as Titled Douluos among their ranks!"
"And this isn't even the most important part..."
"According to some abyssal creatures' descriptions, in the front layers of the abyssal plane, there are several beings whose fighting power is comparable to gods!"
Bi Bidong spoke slowly, recounting the news they received these past days from the Martial Soul Hall.
There's no denying it, the news was heavy.
After everyone present heard this, they all fell silent.
Not to mention anything else.
Over a hundred Titled Douluo level powerhouses, who could possibly withstand that?
And to speak of those stronger than the Titled Douluos, for them it would be like facing a dimensionally superior attack.
"However, my friends, you must not lose heart, there may still be a glimmer of hope..."
At this moment, seeing everyone's spirits were low, Qiandaoliu stepped out.
"Great Worshipper, are you implying that there is still hope?"
Joy appeared on the face of the Star Luo Retired Emperor.
"Indeed there is hope, but I don't know if we can hold out until it arrives..."
As he mentioned this, Qiandaoliu's expression became complex.
Without a doubt, the hope he spoke of was Qin Xiao.
Isn't it said that gods are omnipotent, that there is nothing they cannot do?
Wouldn't everything have a chance to turn better once Qin Xiao returns?
"Great Worshipper, what do you mean by that?" The Star Luo Retired Emperor was confused.
He felt Qiandaoliu said something meaningful, and yet it seemed like he said nothing at all.
"You needn't worry about the meaning behind my words. Right now, I have a proposal, and I would like you all to listen."
"Given the current situation, I'm sure you are all very clear on it: we are weak and helpless alone, incapable of managing the entire situation in Soul Land.
Rather than that, it would be better to relinquish those territories and gather all our strength in one place, to delay as much as possible and preserve the continuing spark of life for Soul Land."
Qiandaoliu, realizing that everyone was silently looking at him, continued, "I propose that all major forces on the continent temporarily put aside past grievances and form an alliance to resist this external enemy."
"However, once the alliance is formed, everyone must pull in their personal schemes and prioritize the greater good. If this cannot be achieved, then it would be better not to establish the alliance at all."
Without a doubt, this was a very innovative proposal.
After all, disputes between some powers have existed from ancient times.
For instance, Tiandou, Star Luo, and the Martial Soul Hall, the three were in a tripartite stand-off, each having considerable friction with the others.
Even though the two great empires allow the Martial Soul Hall to set up branches in their cities, it's not to say they have good relations with the Hall, but are compelled to bow their heads.
In reality, both of them maintain a superficial harmony with the Martial Soul Hall.
Besides, there are also all the Soul Master Families and sects.
If they didn't have their own pride, why wouldn't they have simply integrated into their respective empires?
Therefore, they are also reluctant to bow their heads.
But now.
Times have changed.
Everyone knew what choice to make.
After all, what is there to fight over if there are no people left?
"On behalf of the Xingluo Empire, I agree to form the alliance!"
Finally, someone spoke up, and it was the Star Luo Retired Emperor.
"Although the Tian Shui Academy is entirely female, we understand the bigger picture and recognize the gravity of the situation. On behalf of all the teachers and students of the Tian Shui Academy, I would like to join the alliance."
After the Star Luo Retired Emperor, the elegant and beautiful President of Blue Waves Academy in a blue long dress also made her voice heard.
"Very well, very well."
"Since Tian Shui Academy has joined, we from the Flaming Fire Academy have no reason not to join. We certainly can't let our old rivals get ahead of us, can we?"
The red-haired and bearded President of Flaming Fire Academy, seeing Tian Shui Academy's stance, immediately clamored.
After him, more voices rose.
"On behalf of the entire faculty and students of Godwind Academy, I agree to join..."
"Botanic Academy agrees to join..."