Chapter 404: Handling of Prisoners

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Soul tools and weapons were also being researched by the Spirit Hall, but mass production had not yet been achieved. As a result, these weapons could not be equipped for the armies on this expedition, and the other three major armies were in a similar situation.

In the past, wars on the Douluo Continent were fought with cold weapons.

Now, with the possibility of future wars, the Tiandou Empire, the New Tiandou Federation, the Star luo Empire, and the Spirit Hall were all secretly debating whether or not to mass-produce and utilize these soul tools on a large scale.

The main concern was that even if unification was the goal, it required a substantial population. If these soul tools were mass-produced and used, the resulting large-scale casualties could lead to significant population loss. Even if one empire eventually unified the continent, the resulting population deficit could leave the empire weakened for an extended period.

In short, it was a matter of going against the natural order.

But who would have thought that while the high-level officials of the continent's nations were still debating, a neighboring continent had already been unified—and it was brought to them by their own "traitors."

As a result, the three major empires and the Spirit Hall were forced to unite against this common external threat.

"Report!" At that moment, a young officer rushed in, ready to report, but before he could speak—

"Prepare for battle!"

A booming voice came from sixty miles away from the Soul Sea Fortress, startling everyone in the meeting room.

They all quickly moved to the city wall, gazing at the vast army of the Sun Moon Empire in the distance, their expressions varied.

Judging by their numbers, the Sun Moon army had only about ten thousand troops, but the general leading them was a titled Douluo, riding a unicorn beast of a hundred-year level. His spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—were displayed openly before their eyes.

Moreover, there wasn't just one titled Douluo, but three!

Even the ten-thousand-strong army had already released their spirits and spirit rings.

From one-ring Spirit Masters to five-ring Spirit Kings, they were lined up in an orderly fashion.

This was a show of force!

Ge Long was furious. "How dare they be so arrogant! They don't even put us in their eyes!"

"Tiandou, Star luo, and Spirit Hall members, I advise you to surrender early, lest your cities fall and your families are destroyed!"

The titled Douluo laughed loudly, his voice carrying across the sixty-mile distance. "And don't think it's unfair. The truth that the weak are prey to the strong is unchanging in this world! Surrender now! When my emperor arrives, you can still be granted the rank of marquis!"

Ge Long was beside himself with rage, but he also understood that their four armies had only just come together and had not yet coordinated. Even without the enemy's soul tools, it would be impossible to launch an attack immediately.

Hu Liena remarked, "Our movements must have been detected. They surely have reconnaissance soul tools."

Huo Wu sneered, "Such arrogance."

Xiao Wu chimed in, "Looks like they're asking for a beating!"

"The titled Douluo's spirit power is at level 96," Tang San said calmly, unfazed by the Sun Moon army's arrival. He then pointed to the other two titled Douluo beside the general. "One is at level 93, the other at level 92. The rest are at Spirit Douluo and Spirit Saint levels."

"But the most concerning are their soul vehicles—"

Among the Sun Moon army were square soul combat vehicles with caterpillar tracks on the wheels, allowing them to traverse various terrains. Mounted on top was a steel cannon, clearly capable of firing shells.

Isn't this just a tank?

The emperor of the Sun Moon Empire must be a transmigrator.

However, Tang San's primordial spirit hadn't detected any soul aircraft... It seems that inventing combat aircraft is still quite difficult for the Sun Moon Empire.

Tanks are relatively simple, essentially just vehicles equipped with cannons. They're easier to research and safer to test.

But creating flying soul tools isn't something that can be done with just a simple description. Developing them, especially with the dangers of flight testing, is beyond imagination.

In a world without extraordinary powers, humanity would stop at nothing to achieve flight.

In this world of martial souls and spirit power, those researching soul tools in the Sun Moon Empire are mostly spirit masters. Their approach to studying flying soul tools is not driven by a desire so strong that they would risk human lives in experiments.

With their extraordinary powers, they are far from noble enough to sacrifice their lives just so ordinary people can soar through the blue skies.

"I've seen that war chariot through soul tool footage. It can fire spirit power-condensed shells with tremendous power—enough to destroy a building with a single shot," Ge Long said, his voice steady but with a heavy undertone. "If they get too close and bombard us continuously, I'm afraid this wall won't hold for long."

Everyone present realized that after this battle, whether they won or lost, all major forces would have to openly prioritize the research and development of soul tools.

The era has changed.

For Titled Douluos above level 95, they can still keep up with the times. But for the major forces, mass-produced soul tools offer a better cost-performance ratio.

"Count Yinlan, what should we do?" As the Sun Moon army drew nearer, Ge Long found himself at a loss and had to order everyone to prepare for the worst. He couldn't help but ask Tang San, "Should we take the initiative to attack?"

"My Blue Silver Emperor has already taken root underground. Let them come a bit closer."

A cold gleam flashed in Tang San's eyes as he calmly said, "When the time comes, I will overturn their soul chariots in an instant. The leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor will entangle and control those nearly ten thousand troops. As for the three Titled Douluos…"

"Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo, Senior Ghost Douluo, you both will activate the Polarizing Stasis Domain to hold them in place. Then, Yu Tianheng, Huo Wu, Guang Ling—you three, with your formidable long-range attacks, should kill them immediately before they can react. We need to end this battle as quickly as possible and reclaim Xiaohai City."

"The rest of the troops will handle the Soul Douluos and Spirit Saints4."

Strategizing?

Tang San wasn't interested. He only wanted to crush his enemies with overwhelming power.

"You can control nearly ten thousand people?" Ge Long's breath caught, finding it hard to believe. Wasn't this a bit too extraordinary?

"A piece of cake." Tang San replied nonchalantly. "Just make sure your troops stay organized. You don't need to coordinate too much; just don't let them fall into disarray."

"And one more thing, capture as many as you can. Don't kill ordinary enemy soldiers."

"There are over ten thousand citizens of Xiaohai City held captive. We can use these soldiers to exchange for their release."

Ge Long was moved. "Your Holiness, you are truly magnanimous."

Hu Liena then asked, "But what if the Sun Moon soldiers refuse to exchange, and their troops are willing to die rather than surrender?"

Zhu Zhuqing's face turned icy. "Then we kill them. And we'll build a Jingguan, an ancient warning, to show them that we're not to be trifled with—an eye for an eye."

"We can't do that. If we stoop to their level, how are we any different?" Tang San shook his head. "If it turns out as Hu Liena suggests, we'll transport the prisoners to Spirit City for judgment. At least they won't go to waste."

After all, the Spirit Hall's research into spirits, bodies, and souls is always in need of more test subjects.

Zhu Zhuqing immediately nodded. "You're right."

Ge Long, however, felt this was a bit surreal. The battle hadn't even started, and they were already discussing how to handle prisoners?