Chapter 259: The Fall of Star Luo

Chapter 259: Chapter 259: The Fall of Star Luo

"Devil’s Island... a strategic stronghold... biding our time... to rise again..."

Dai Weisi murmured to himself, his eyes gradually regaining their focus.

A moment later, he raised his head, his voice regaining its composure: "Good! I shall go and consult with Father Emperor. You, in the meantime, make the necessary preparations!"

Dai Yuhao nodded: "Yes, Your Highness!"

Dai Weisi turned and strode deep into the palace. His silhouette stretched long across the dim corridor, imbued with a sense of grim resolve and profound desolation.

Inside the palace, Dai Yutian sat upon the Dragon Throne; having listened to Dai Weisi’s account, he remained silent for a long time.

The candlelight flickered across his aged face, casting shifting shadows that danced between light and darkness.

"I am the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire," he finally spoke, his voice hoarse yet firm. "I cannot simply leave like this. I must remain here—to live or die with Star Luo City. That is my duty."

Dai Weisi’s eyes welled up with tears; he took a step forward: "Father Emperor!"

Dai Yutian raised a hand to halt him. Within those clouded, aged eyes, a brilliance never seen before now shone brightly: "Dai Weisi, Star Luo can exist without me, but it cannot exist without the bloodline of the Dai clan. Take a few of the Imperial Enforcers and the younger Imperial children; depart with the Star Luo Navy and head for Devil’s Island. For my sake—and for the sake of Star Luo—safeguard our final hope."

Dai Weisi’s lips trembled. He knew that this parting might well be their last—a farewell forevermore.

Father and son gazed at one another in silence. After a long while, Dai Yutian rose from his throne, walked over to Dai Weisi, and reached out to pat him on the shoulder. That hand—though aged—was strong and steady.

"Go now. Do not disappoint me."

Dai Weisi sank to his knees and bowed his head deeply in obeisance. Then, he rose to his feet, turned, and walked away. He did not look back, for he feared that if he did, he would find himself unable to take another step.

Late into the night, two days later, the North Gate of Star Luo City quietly opened. Accompanied by several Imperial Enshriners and the young princes and princesses, and escorted by dozens of personal guards, Dai Weisi quietly made his departure.

They crossed the Tiger Might Mountain Range, traveled the waterways of the Saint King River, and—pressing on day and night—finally reached the coastal port.

Dai Yuhao’s naval fleet was already waiting there. Hundreds of warships—a dense, dark mass—bobbed upon the waves of the sea.

Dai Weisi boarded the flagship and cast one final glance back toward the continent.

In the distance, the lights of Star Luo City were no longer visible; there remained only the boundless darkness.

"Set sail."

The fleet weighed anchor and sailed out into the vast, open sea. The sea wind howled, and massive waves surged. Behind them, the continent gradually faded away into the night.

And just three days after their departure, the Spirit Hall army led by Jiang Bai advanced to the very gates of Star Luo City.

A massive force of two hundred thousand troops—a dense, dark sea of ​​humanity—encircled the entirety of Star Luo City, sealing it off completely.

The vast majority of these soldiers were Soul Masters, with even the lowest-ranked among them possessing the cultivation of a Three-Ring Soul Elder.

High in the sky, nine colossal dragons circled overhead, blotting out the sun and casting the world into shadow.

The Fire Dragon, Ice Dragon, Wind Dragon, Earth Dragon, Dark Dragon, Holy Light Dragon, Mountain Dragon King, Rainbow Dragon, and Golden Dragon—the nine dragons unleashed their combined might. Their majestic draconic aura bore down with such overwhelming force that the defenders atop the city walls could barely breathe.

Jiang Bai stood upon the back of the Rainbow Dragon, gazing down upon this once-glorious city.

His white robes fluttered in the wind, his black hair streamed behind him, and just behind his back, the Nine-Colored Glazed Pagoda rotated slowly, radiating a divine and majestic brilliance.

"Attack!"

At his command, the nine dragons struck simultaneously.

Nine distinct elemental attacks rained down from the heavens, instantly tearing gaping fissures into Star Luo City’s towering, massive walls.

The Spirit Hall army surged into the city like a tidal wave; blades flashed and swords clashed as battle cries shook the very earth.

In less than an hour, Star Luo City fell.

Dai Yutian stood before the main hall of the Imperial Palace, with only a scant few dozen personal guards remaining by his side. He gazed into the distance at the overwhelming, boundless army of the Spirit Hall; he looked up at the nine imperious giant dragons soaring across the sky. Upon his aged face, there was no trace of fear—only serenity.

"I am Dai Yutian, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire!" he roared, his voice resonating like distant thunder.

"Soldiers of Star Luo, follow me! Let us slay the enemy!"

He charged forward. Beside him, dozens of personal guards stood fast; not a single one faltered. They followed their aging emperor, rushing headlong toward an enemy that seemed utterly invincible.

Moments later, Dai Yutian lay fallen in a pool of his own blood. His eyes remained open, fixed upon the overcast, gray sky above. The longsword he had wielded remained clutched tightly in his hand.

The Star Luo Imperial Clan had met its end.

Within the city, every minister and noble was executed. Their assets were confiscated in their entirety—not a single possession was spared.

Jiang Bai stood before the main hall of the Imperial Palace, watching as his soldiers planted the banners of the Six-Winged Angel atop the city walls.

A general stepped forward to deliver his report: "Elder, our investigations reveal that Crown Prince Dai Dai Weisi—accompanied by a contingent of the Imperial Clan and the Star Luo Navy—has already fled via the sea route. Their current whereabouts remain unknown."

Jiang Bai waved a dismissive hand.

"Let them go. The ocean is vast; where could they possibly escape to? There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with them later."

Thanks to Dai Yutian’s decision to concentrate ninety percent of Star Luo’s elite forces and powerful experts within Star Luo City, the remaining unconquered territories were left virtually undefended.

In some regions, the number of local Star Luo officials was actually fewer than that of the Spirit Hall deacons already lying in wait there.

Judging that the immediate affairs were largely settled, Jiang Bai entrusted the handling of the aftermath to Shui Bing’er.

"Little Bing’er, arrange for the troops to move out and take control of the remaining territories," Jiang Bai said, patting her on the shoulder; his tone was so casual it sounded as if he were merely assigning a trivial chore.

Shui Bing’er curtsied slightly. "As you command, Sect Master."

Jiang Bai looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Do a good job. Once I return, I shall find you a great opportunity—a stroke of destiny."

Upon hearing this, Shui Bing’er felt a flicker of curiosity in her heart, yet she simply nodded in acknowledgment.

The opportunities bestowed by the Sect Master never failed to exceed expectations. She accepted the assignment and turned to depart, moving to organize the troops.

Jiang Bai then left Star Luo City. Traveling alone, he set his course toward the Dragon Flame Province of the Star Luo Empire. The Dragonflame Province is situated in the western reaches of the Star Luo Empire. Its terrain consists predominantly of mountains and is sparsely populated; it is known as the Great Western Wilderness.

The climate here is harsh, the land is barren, and even the locals rarely venture into its depths.

Back when he was in Spirit City, he had already made inquiries with Qian Renxue. The entrance to the City of Slaughter, she told him, lay somewhere within the Dragonflame Province.

Previously, when he and Jiang Li’er had explored the Dragon Valley in this region, they had failed to discover it.

This time, he had come alone, and his objective was crystal clear.

Two days later, Jiang Bai arrived at a small town.

The town was modest in size; its streets were desolate and quiet, save for the occasional passerby—each moving with a hurried, anxious gait. At the very edge of the town stood a tavern.

The tavern’s signboard was weathered and mottled, the lettering upon it too faded to be legible. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, Jiang Bai was met by a gust of stale, murky air.

Every fixture within the tavern was black: black tables and chairs, black walls, and a black bar counter. Although it was broad daylight outside, stepping inside evoked an immediate sensation of chilling darkness.

The moment Jiang Bai crossed the threshold, every eye in the tavern—without exception—swiveled to fix upon him.

The patrons were clad in a motley assortment of attire—some in armor, others in simple cloth robes or leather hides. Yet, their gazes were all identical: cold, bloodthirsty, and predatory—like those of wild beasts.

Ignoring them completely, Jiang Bai walked directly up to the bar.

The bartender was a gaunt, middle-aged man with a pallid complexion and deeply sunken eyes. His voice was a raspy croak: "What’ll you have to drink?"

Jiang Bai offered no verbal reply.

He raised his right hand; in an instant, fiery-red dragon scales erupted to sheath his palm, his five fingers transforming into a set of hideous, razor-sharp dragon claws. Golden-red flames danced at the tips of his claws, radiating an aura of terrifying, scorching heat.

Then, with a swift, violent motion, he slammed his claw down onto the bar counter.

"BOOM—!!!"

The bar exploded instantly, sending splinters of wood flying in all directions! The scattered flames ignited the surrounding tables and chairs, setting the tavern ablaze!

A sudden, absolute silence fell over the room. Then, simultaneously, a savage glint of malice flashed in the eyes of every person present. "Brat, you’re courting death!"

"Kill him! This is a trial set for us by the God of Slaughter!"

"Kill him!"

Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let’s keep the momentum going! 🔥