Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang were still struggling to fight back, but their strength was rapidly waning.
The soul beasts, far weaker than the Xun Yin Clan and Wu Xing Clan, had been almost entirely wiped out. Meanwhile, the Qing Yu and Qiang Yu soldiers had begun to rain arrows upon the two clans' forces.
On the ground, the Silver Moon Direwolves also charged into the fray, joining the battle. Neither the Xun Yin Clan nor the Wu Xing Clan had ever faced soul beasts capable of using soul weapons. Now, they understood the power such beasts wielded—and it led them to their deaths.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The second round of soul force cannons fired again, and the Xun Yin Clan and Wu Xing Clan, already struggling to fend off their enemies, had no chance to avoid the onslaught. The casualties were several times higher than before.
The Xun Yin Clan's ability to conceal themselves was useless on this battlefield, only leading to quicker deaths. Their speed advantage was nullified by the presence of the You Qiang and Meng Dun soldiers, who locked them down completely.
The Wu Xing Clan's formidable soul power was equally ineffective against the soldiers they faced; it was like throwing stones into the ocean, leaving no trace or reaction.
Despite several attempts to break through, Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang, along with their elite warriors, were unsuccessful. Unbeknownst to them, their forces had dwindled significantly, while the number of Huaxia Empire soldiers around them only grew. The presence of the Nu Zhan soldiers at the forefront made them feel particularly suffocated.
The enemy seemed to be inviting death. If you didn't kill them, they would taunt you with reckless abandon, swinging their massive blades without hesitation. But if you did kill them, they would roar with fury, their power surging as they launched even fiercer attacks—an unbearable situation.
Not only were Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang exhausted, but their remaining warriors had also expended their soul power and were quickly running out of strength.
At that moment, the Ji Feng soldiers suddenly dashed out from all directions, each wielding a golden rope, which they hurled toward the two leaders and their warriors.
The golden binding ropes swiftly coiled around them, binding them tightly. Already depleted of energy, they were unable to break free and were ultimately captured by the Huaxia Empire's soldiers, who escorted them to Lin Qian.
The tide of battle had shifted dramatically. With Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang captured, the morale of the Xun Yin Clan and Wu Xing Clan plummeted, plunging them into chaos. Casualties mounted even faster.
When Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang were brought before Lin Qian, their faces were ashen. They had never imagined that they would lose.
Before the battle, they had planned to teach Lin Qian, this arrogant upstart, a lesson—one that would make him regret ever insulting them. But as the battle unfolded, they remained confident in their superior numbers, convinced that they couldn't lose.
Yet, as the battle intensified, they finally realized just how foolish their arrogance and overconfidence had been. They couldn't comprehend where such a terrifying enemy had come from.
Though the Xun Yin and Wu Xing Clans were distant from human territories, they still had some understanding of human affairs. But in their knowledge, no human faction possessed an army as powerful and well-equipped as this.
Lin Qian descended slowly onto the city wall. The Nine Dragons Throne beneath him reverted into nine dragons that coiled around his body before vanishing within him. The burning imperial robe also retracted, merging with his form.
Yuan Xiang's ethereal figure floated beside Lin Qian, arriving with him before the captured leaders.
Gazing down at the kneeling Bai Ximing, Wu Zhan Shuang, and their warriors, Yuan Xiang sighed in admiration.
"I truly didn't expect you to win," Yuan Xiang remarked, glancing at Lin Qian with amazement and respect. "You've shown me so many extraordinary things, especially your soldiers—they are astonishing. If you had more of them and nurtured them further, you could sweep across the entire Soul Martial Continent."
Yuan Xiang's words weren't empty praise. Having personally fought against Lin Qian's Huaxia Empire soldiers, Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang understood the truth of his statement.
They had never encountered an army so perfectly coordinated, with such evenly distributed power. Moreover, each segment of the army possessed unique abilities. If it were just one group with these miraculous skills, it would be surprising—but an entire army like this was terrifying.
"Lin Qian, I must admit, we underestimated you. I concede defeat," Bai Ximing said sincerely, gazing up at Lin Qian. "But someone like you cannot be allowed to leave this small world alive. If you and your soldiers continue to grow, it will mark the end of days for those of us who stand against humanity."
Wu Zhan Shuang, standing beside him, added, "I, too, am impressed by your soldiers. But I wonder—do you have the same strength as those you command, or are you merely hiding behind them?"
Lin Qian looked at Bai Ximing and Wu Zhan Shuang, his eyes filled with curiosity. "I'm intrigued. Your lives are in my hands, yet you seem so calm."
Seeing Lin Qian's puzzled expression, Bai Ximing glanced at Yuan Xiang before bursting into laughter. "Before I came here, I was confident that I'd win and make you, someone who dared insult me, beg for mercy. But when I saw the Xuanyuan Lord's imprint beside you, I knew something was wrong."
"The Xuanyuan Lord is a legendary figure, a hero of the Soul Martial Continent. Even if it's just his imprint, it's not to be taken lightly," Wu Zhan Shuang added, his gaze filled with respect as he looked at Yuan Xiang's ethereal form.
"The Xuanyuan Lord's imprint has remained hidden, never revealing itself to the world. Its sudden appearance now must mean something has changed," Bai Ximing continued, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Just to be safe, Wu and I contacted our fathers. Their incarnations should be arriving shortly."
"Even though they're just incarnations, our fathers possess awakened-level strength—far beyond anything you can handle!" Wu Zhan Shuang laughed triumphantly.
Both men eagerly awaited Lin Qian's reaction, expecting fear and desperation.
However, to their disappointment, Lin Qian didn't display the terror they had anticipated. Instead, he looked at them as if they were complete fools.