Chapter 346.3. Racing Against Time


    Just as Elder Xuan had said, Radiant City was now under martialw as throngs of soldiers swarmed into the city. Everyone knew that these armies couldnt do much against powerful soul engineers and soul masters, but having them around was better than nothing. At the very least, these soldiers could restrict their movements and breathing space.


    The journey out of the city wasnt overly perilous; they readily exploited Radiant Citysck of walls. Zhang Lexuan helped everyone out of the city, and they met up with Elder Xuan and the others.


    Huo Yuhao had already informed everyone earlier on that there were many powerful evil soul masters at the tournament arena. Therefore, Elder Xuan arranged for everyone to rest in a small forest several kilometers out. Elder Xuan personally embarked on some reconnaissance duties, since it was hard for most people to discover him with his abilities.


    This kid is starting to look like an Ultimate Soldier, Elder Xuan thought to himself approvingly, as he watched Huo Yuhao on thepetition stage from afar, still hard at work. Huo Yuhao had made a great contribution this time, and Elder Xuan could cancel Huo Yuhaos punishment fromst time when they returned to the academy.


    Its a pity that Du Busi and the others are not reliable. Otherwise, we might have gained so much more if I had guided them here.


    Elder Xuans eyes flowed with hostility and murder as he continued to think.


    If he could have besieged and eliminated the three underground organizations, the Holy Ghost Churchs people, and those soul engineer judges, the impact to the Sun Moon Empire would probably have beenparable to assassinating Xu Tianran.


    But Elder Xuan was aware that it was just a fantasy.


    There were five evil soul masters who were also Titled Douluo there, along with several other ss 9 soul engineers. There were far too many exceptionally powerful individuals there, and Shrek Academys people who were currently here wouldnt emerge unscathed even if they could defeat this group. Furthermore, a great battle like that needed time, while the Sun Moon Empire clearly knew that Elder Xuan and the others were heading towards the western side. It was clear that the Sun Moon Empire was prepared.


    The Sun Moon Divine Needle hovering in the sky made someone even as powerful as Elder Xuan feel very threatened.


    Fortunately, Huo Yuhao had informed them in time, and Wang Donger and the others told Shrek Academyspany that the Holy Ghost Churchs vice-founder and several of its elders were there. Otherwise, Elder Xuan would probably have led everyone into an ambush. They had been separated from the Body Sect at this moment, and if their enemies and their enemies reinforcements managed to surround and entrap them, the Academy was certain to sustain heavy losses.


    Elder Xuan weighed the pros and cons, and chose to hold back in the end. His goal right now was simple; he wanted to ensure that Huo Yuhao and He Caitou returned safely! Their operation would be consideredpleted once that happened. Afterwards, they would have to wait and see what pleasant surprises Huo Yuhaos green signal would bring them.


    The cannon barrels that had been protruding from the structures within the Sun Moon Empires royal pce had all been retracted, while cleaning and repair works were being carried out in perfect order.


    Xu Tianran was still standing in the pile of rubble that was his study, while the Holy Ghost Churchs founder and Jing Hongchen stood to either side of him. The evil soul masters had all disappeared; nobody knew where they had vanished to. The Dragon Emperor Douluo was likewise nowhere to be seen.


    A servant d in golden warrior robes ran up to Jing Hongchen and whispered something in his ear.


    Jing Hongchen nodded and walked over to Xu Tianran. Your Highness, the northern, eastern, and southern sides have been ced on the highest alert, and the respective ss 9 stationary soul cannons have been properly established. They will be instantly struck by our strongest firepower if they dare to break through from one of those sides. ording to our scouts reports, they separated a while ago. The group that Shrek Academy was leading went over to the western side, while the Body Sect, the Heavenly Soul Empire, the Star Luo Empire and the others entered a viscounts mansion towards the east. They havent done anything after entering the mansion. They seem to be hiding and waiting for an opportunity.


    Hiding? Xu Tianran frowned slightly as his eyes closed into slits. Get someone to monitor them as closely as possible. We have to force them to choose the western side, and I dont think theyre just hiding. If they have separated from Shrek Academys group, then they definitely wont break through from the western side. Imperial Tutor, can you send some people from your side over there?


    Alright. The Holy Ghost Churchs founder nodded and turned as he disappeared into the darkness. It didnt take long before he returned.


    Ive sent some people over. Without Shrek Academys people, they will have to pay a bloody price if they want to force their way out with the people Ive sent and the empires soul engineer legions working together. Why didnt you let us unleash everything we had when they were here before this, your Highness? If we fought with our full strength and if you had also participated, we could probably have taken down more than half of their entirepany.


    Xu Tianrans eyes changed a little as he smiled and said, We are inside the empires capital, and we are also inside Radiant Citys imperial pce. If we fight them with our full strength, we will make them pay a bloody price, certainly. but we will also sustain heavy losses ourselves. Furthermore, they have so many Titled Douluo, and if they disregard the unspoken rule and attack the city, the entire city will beid to waste. How am I to exin it to my citizens if that happens? We have to deal them a heavy blow this time, while making sure that we avoid as many losses as we can on our side. Its not easy for you and your church to nurture youngsters and talents either, no?


    He knew very well why the Holy Ghost Churchs founder suggested fighting here. The man didnt care about death and destruction, and the deaths of so many citizens was actually greatly beneficial for evil soul masters. Xu Tianran wanted the rest of the world to descend into chaos, but how could he let the Holy Ghost Church do something like that here?


    The truth was that Xu Tianran wasnt that afraid of Shrek Academy and the Body Sect disregarding the Titled Douluos unspoken rule of battle. Rather, he was more afraid that these evil soul masters would take this opportunity to stir up trouble, and that they would murder throngs of his citizens!


    The Holy Ghost Churchs founder grunted coldly and said, I cant let those little scoundrels from the Tang Sect escape. I will turn every single one of them into zombies under my control. He hated the Tang Sectspany to the core, as the deaths of several outstanding young soul masters had dealt a heavy blow to him. His heart ached for them!


    Xu Tianran answered, Dont worry, Imperial Tutor. Shrek Academyspany went towards the western side, and that means they will be leaving from there. Furthermore, they will never give up the glory that they have held onto for so long. Shrek Academy is facing off against the Tang Sect in tomorrows finals, so they wont leave until the tournament ends. They have left the city for now, but they will probably return after a little while because they cant bear to leave those elite youngsters behind. I can guarantee that they will all remain if they continue towards the western side, and we can keep them here forever by paying a very small price.


    The Holy Ghost Churchs founder tilted his head and said nothing more.


    Time was almost up.


    There wasnt much sand left in the hourss, and even Ye Yulin was starting to feel a little nervous. Huo Yuhaos hands were still working, and it would appear that his final three-in-one formation was about to be finished.


    Could he make it on time?


    Huo Yuhao was the focus of every single persons attention, and countless people felt anxious for him.


    Those who were most concerned about the oue of this tournament were naturally those who had wagered and ced their money on this round. Everyones mouths and throats were dry at this point. Of course, not many people had ced their bets on Huo Yuhao, and many people were secretly jeering him. They didnt know that Huo Yuhao was crafting a human-shaped soul tool, but this thing looked so much like a person, and it seemed quite formidable no matter how they looked at it.


    Ye Yulin withdrew the soundproofing soul tool beside him as he lowered his voice and said, The hourss is almost finished. I will count down from ten after thest grain of sand drops before this round will end.


    The only thing he could do was give Huo Yuhao a little more time, as much as he could.


    Huo Yuhaos hands stopped moving for a single moment when he heard Ye Yulins voice, but he quickly resumed his work.


    His knife sliced through and created three impable curved arcs. Huo Yuhaos Life Guardian de flickered continuously, as touching and enchanting as ever, while the formation array in front of him now shone with gentle light.


    It wasplete!


    Ye Yulin, the other judges, and the other contestants eyes were all wide open; Huo Yuhaos final formation array was finally finished at the most crucial moment!


    And it was at this time that thest grain of sand dropped from the hourss.


    The countdown has begun. Ten Ye Yulin raised his voice, but also deliberately slowed his countdown.


    Huo Yuhao exhaled deeply after hepleted his formation array. He nearly forgot that his legs werent working, and he actually subconsciously attempted to stand up. His legs didnt support him, of course, and his body swayed as he almost fell to the ground.


    Ye Yulin felt his heart sink as he watched Huo Yuhao.Yes! He has continuously crafted so many formation arrays, and in addition to what he made before this, he must be exhausted and spent.He had no idea that Huo Yuhao wasnt acting right because he was too concentrated


    Huo Yuhao supported himself on the table to keep himself from falling. He hurriedly picked up two formation arrays and turned towards his human-shaped soul tool.


    Nine!


    Eight!


    Seven!


    No matter how much Ye Yulin wanted to be biased towards Huo Yuhao, he couldnt make it too obvious on the surface. This tournament was important for the three underground organizations reshuffling.


    Six!


    Five!


    Huo Yuhaos movements were quick, and he used reality to prove to Ye Yulin that his human-shaped soul tools design was proper and rational. Huo Yuhao installed nine formation arrays within these few seconds, and he was working hard to fit the remaining nine formation arrays.


    Four!


    Three!


    Two!


    One!


    Times up. Stop what youre doing, everyone. Ye Yulin had really tried his best, and even hisst sentence was slightly more draggy than usual.


    Snap!


    Huo Yuhao didnt disappoint in the end, and he attached the final formation array into the human-shaped soul tools chest as Ye Yulin uttered thest three words.


    Huo Yuhao nted his hands on the crafting desk in front of him as he stopped, and it was clear that he was panting a little. Huo Yuhao was tired, and he even felt a little fatigued despite his formidable spiritual power.


    He had given far too muchpared to everyone else over the past six hours. He had split his spiritual avatar and journeyed into that underground warehouse. That endeavor had consumed his energy continuously. He had also channeled his heart and soul into crafting this soul tool, and had entered the Body and Mind as One state after his spiritual avatar had returned!