NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39: Capture
The young patriarch of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan, Han Jisoo, stood atop the ancient ceremonial platform, his figure silhouetted against the stormy sky that seemed to mirror the tension in the air. The three Title Douluo before him represented some of the most formidable warriors in the Spirit Hall, each bearing the weight of decades of combat experience and countless battles. The wind whipped around them, carrying with it the electric charge of impending conflict, as Han Jisoo addressed them with a voice that carried both the authority of his position and the burden of his responsibility.
"Crocodile Douluo," he began, his words measured and clear despite the howling wind, "we have demonstrated our power in ways that leave no room for doubt. The might of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan is not mere legend or exaggeration." His eyes, sharp and penetrating, fixed upon the weathered warrior before him. "We understand your concerns, truly we do. Our family has always valued peace above all else, even in times of great discord. If possible, I implore you to persuade Peerless Douluo Qian Douluo to reconsider his decision. A peaceful resolution would be preferable to a bloody conflict that would leave scars on both our families for generations to come."
The air grew heavy with anticipation as Crocodile Douluo stepped forward. His face, marked by countless battles and the passage of time, bore an expression that spoke of both respect and unwavering determination. His reputation as a seasoned warrior preceded him, and every movement, no matter how slight, carried the deadly grace of a predator. "Young Patriarch of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan," he responded, his voice rough yet dignified, "you must understand my position. I am merely an elder of the Spirit Hall, bound by duty and honor to carry out the will of those above me. I lack the authority to alter his orders, no matter my personal feelings on the matter." He paused, his eyes reflecting a mixture of resignation and resolve. "His directive is clear: to force your family to comply. Therefore, I will carry out his command, though I do so with the heaviest of hearts."
Han Jisoo stood silently for a moment, the weight of leadership pressing down upon his young shoulders like a physical burden. The inevitability of conflict hung in the air like a storm about to break, and he could feel the tension radiating from every soul present. As he turned to leave, his voice carried a somber tone that seemed to echo through the very foundations of the realm. "Thus, it is inevitable. But remember, Title Douluo, do not kill them. Merely teach them a lesson and retrieve the soul bones from all of them, except Crocodile Douluo. This will serve as a warning and a reminder of our power."
The order sent ripples of horror through those present, particularly Crocodile Douluo, who understood all too well the implications of such a command. Soul bones, the very essence of a warrior's power, were not mere accessories to be removed at will. They were intrinsically linked to the body, fused with flesh and spirit in ways that defied simple separation. The only ways to retrieve them were through death or the brutal amputation of limbs. This meant that the two Title Douluo under his command would face not just defeat, but permanent mutilation – a fate that would result in a catastrophic decline in their soul power and strike a devastating blow to the Spirit Hall's reputation and authority.
The gravity of this revelation settled over the gathering like a suffocating shroud. The consequences of such an order would echo through the halls of power for generations to come, forever changing the dynamics between the great families and institutions that governed their world. The Spirit Hall's prestige, built over centuries of dominance and authority, would suffer a wound that time might never fully heal.
As if nature itself responded to the mounting tensions, the sky darkened further, and distant thunder rolled across the heavens. The battle that followed was nothing short of apocalyptic, a clash of titans that would be remembered in legends and cautionary tales for centuries to come. Three powerful figures – Azure Luan Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, and Crocodile Douluo – stood their ground against an overwhelming force of nine Title Douluo from the Red Thunder Dragon Clan.
Azure Luan Douluo, master of poison and stealth, was a figure of terrible beauty in battle. His Azure Poison Dragon Claw technique was a deadly dance of shadows and venom, each movement precise and calculated for maximum effect. He struck from the darkness like a phantom, his attacks leaving trails of deadly toxin in their wake. As the first to strike from the thunder poison dragon family, his initial assault set the tone for the brutal engagement that followed.
The battlefield became a canvas of destruction as Mighty Lion Douluo unleashed his fearsome power. His Lion King's Might technique shook the very earth beneath their feet, each roar carrying enough force to shatter stone and bend steel. His massive frame moved with surprising agility, every strike a perfect blend of raw power and martial skill. His presence alone was enough to make lesser warriors quake in their boots, and his indomitable spirit seemed to radiate from him like a tangible force.
Crocodile Douluo proved why he had earned his fearsome reputation, fighting with a combination of cunning strategy and overwhelming force. His Golden Crocodile martial soul transformed the very air around him into a deadly zone of snapping jaws and crushing force. He moved like water, flowing between attacks with the practiced ease of a natural predator, each strike calculated to disable or destroy with maximum efficiency.
The nine Title Douluo of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan were a sight to behold, their combined might creating a storm of lightning and fire that threatened to consume everything in its path. Their coordinated attacks spoke of years of training together, each movement complementing the others in a deadly symphony of destruction. The sky itself seemed to bow to their power as they channeled the essence of their Red Thunder Dragon martial souls, creating a display of might that would be remembered for generations.
The battlefield became a maelstrom of competing energies and clashing wills. Lightning split the sky in jagged arcs, while waves of poison mist rolled across the ground like deadly fog. The earth trembled beneath the impact of titanic blows, and the air itself seemed to crack and splinter under the pressure of their spiritual energy. It was a display of power that few had ever witnessed, and fewer still would survive to recount.
Despite their incredible individual strength and coordinated efforts, the three Title Douluo found themselves slowly but surely being overwhelmed by the sheer numerical advantage of their opponents. The Red Thunder Dragon Clan's superior numbers allowed them to attack from multiple angles simultaneously, forcing their opponents to divide their attention and energy in ways that gradually wore them down.
In a moment of desperate clarity, Azure Luan Douluo and Crocodile Douluo recognized the futility of their position. Using their years of experience and battlefield instinct, they seized upon a brief opening in the relentless assault and made their escape, disappearing into the chaos of the battlefield like ghosts in the night. Their departure left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan members, who had hoped to capture all three of their opponents. It was a stark reminder that even the most carefully laid plans could go awry in the heat of battle.
Mighty Lion Douluo, however, found himself in an increasingly desperate situation. Surrounded on all sides by the relentless attacks of the Red Thunder Dragon Clan, he chose to make his last stand rather than attempt to flee like his companions. With a roar that seemed to shake the heavens themselves, he unleashed the full extent of his Lion King's Might, his spiritual energy manifesting as a golden lion of colossal proportions that towered over the battlefield.
The display was magnificent but ultimately futile. The combined might of the nine Title Douluo proved too much for even his legendary strength to overcome. The deadly poison of the Azure Poison Dragon Clan, which had been seeping into his system throughout the battle, finally took its toll. Despite his incredible resistance and fighting spirit, Mighty Lion Douluo's movements began to slow, his attacks losing their devastating power, until at last, his mighty frame crashed to the ground, unconscious but not defeated in spirit.
The aftermath of the battle sent shockwaves through the entire realm. The escape of Azure Luan Douluo and Crocodile Douluo became a topic of heated discussion in every corner of the world, with many viewing their actions as a betrayal of both their companion and the principles they were supposed to uphold. The Spirit Hall's reputation, already tarnished by recent events, suffered another significant blow as tales of their Title Douluo's cowardice spread far and wide.
In contrast, Mighty Lion Douluo's final stand became the stuff of legend. Even in defeat, his unwavering courage and refusal to abandon his position earned him the respect of both allies and enemies alike. His capture, while technically a victory for the Red Thunder Dragon Clan, served only to highlight the questionable actions of his fellow Title Douluo, further damaging the Spirit Hall's standing in the eyes of the public.
The consequences of this historic battle would continue to ripple through the realms for years to come. The balance of power between the great families and institutions had been irrevocably altered, and the relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Red Thunder Dragon Clan would never be the same. It served as a reminder to all that even the mightiest could fall, and that true strength lay not just in power, but in the courage to stand one's ground in the face of overwhelming odds.
The story of this battle would be told and retold countless times, each telling adding new layers of detail and meaning to the epic confrontation. It became a cautionary tale about the price of pride and the importance of loyalty, while also serving as a testament to the incredible powers that existed in their world. The names of those involved would be remembered for generations, their actions scrutinized and debated by scholars and warriors alike, as they tried to understand the full implications of what had transpired on that fateful day.