"Twenty-eight people, seven per group—this formation...?" The hooded man's voice trembled. He seemed to realize something.

Seven-in-one fusion skill.

Tianlin had valued Grandmaster's theory of martial soul fusion because it was especially useful for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Fusion rings were rare for most soul masters, but for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was almost a special ability. Many in the sect could use it.

Thus, when groups of Soul Sages used the seven-in-one fusion skill to channel energy into a high-level Soul Douluo, what would happen?

They'd create a Titled Douluo-level fighter.

Now, even discounting their five Titled Douluo plus Tianlin and the Dragon Snake couple, the sect could instantly produce over ten Titled Douluo-level fighters—Ning Fengzhi's true confidence.

Under the shocked gazes of Xue Beng and others, the four Soul Douluo powered up by fusion moved!

"Eighth Soul Skill!"

All four unleashed their eighth soul skills, all large-scale attacks.

Immense power exploded in the center of the army. Even though Soul Land's power system wasn't that strong, four Titled Douluo-level attacks were enough to kill thousands with ease.

In an instant, less than five hundred soldiers remained standing.

Xue Beng was fine thanks to protection from the Titled Douluo, and Tang San, fighting Tianlin, was spared as the sect wouldn't direct the fusion skills his way.

"Sigh, they're not real Titled Douluo, so their aim's off. So many left alive," Tianlin sighed, unsatisfied.

"Jun Tianlin, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has wrought such slaughter—aren't you afraid of retribution?" Tang San shouted.

Though controlled, his personality remained. In his mind, these troops would be his once Xue Beng became emperor—they were his bargaining chip with the Clear Sky Sect.

Tianlin sneered. "Tang San, are you joking? Don't tell me those soldiers came here for sightseeing. They came to destroy us, to kill our families. Should we show mercy?"

After his training in Slaughter City, Tianlin was no longer the same. Once, he might have hesitated to kill soldiers just following orders.

But now he understood—this was war. They might not be evil, but they were enemies. Mercy to enemies in war is cruelty to your side.

Tang San attacked again.

"Pitiful, being used without knowing. Too bad I don't have the soul power to free you now. But my past self could; it's almost time."

Suddenly, a light shone from Tang San's chest, growing brighter. The evil aura on his Blue Silver Grass faded, returning to normal.

This was the backup Tianlin had left: the dual soul skills Five-Elemental Purification and Flow of Wind and Water.

Five Spirits Purify Evil cleansed evil energy; Flow of Wind and Water removed all abnormal effects.

"What? That light is erasing the master's aura from Tang San!" The hooded man was startled and darted toward Tang San with extreme speed—beyond even the agility-type Yin Yang.

Gu Rong, puzzled, flashed into his path. While not as fast, his spatial abilities made him unpredictable.

With Bone Dragon possession, his giant bone arm blocked the attack. At the same time, he felt his martial soul's evil aura being absorbed.

"So, it was you slaughtering those border villages!"

Ning Fengzhi had sent him to investigate the evil aura left behind—an aura that absorbed outside energy. His death-type Bone Dragon martial soul, heavy with resentment, had felt this aura being absorbed, just like now.

"Hmph, for Spirit Hall's great cause, their deaths were justified," the hooded man said coldly.

"Brother Skydream, do you think he's lying, blaming Spirit Hall to divert us?" Tianlin wondered.

"No, Xiao Tian, he's not lying. He is Spirit Hall—I can sense his soul's sincerity," Skydream Ice Silkworm said.

"Strange..."

Tianlin frowned. If he was from Spirit Hall, on whose orders? The group's two leaders were Qian Daoliu (Elder Hall) and Bibi Dong (Pope Hall).

Frankly, Tianlin didn't think either was like this.

Bibi Dong, perhaps, had signs of vengefulness due to past events and the Rakshasa God's influence, but not to this extent.

As for Qian Daoliu, he might be ruthless for Spirit Hall's cause, but he was no villain. He kept his promises—even after his son was killed indirectly by Tang Hao, he never attacked the Clear Sky Sect.

Such a man wouldn't slaughter the innocent.

"Could there be a third, even darker force within Spirit Hall?" Tianlin mused.

"Xiao Tian, that's not important for now. Nine Treasures: Six—Boost!" Ning Fengzhi activated his Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, but the target of his boost was not Gu Rong, fighting the Titled Douluo, but Tang San.

At that moment, Tang San was being purified by Five-Elemental Purification, triggered from within his body and now considered part of his energy.

Five-Elemental Purification was a forceful, wide-range purification skill with no direct attack or defense, but like the Searing Gold Scepter's Light Guidance, it excelled in the area of effect.

With the boost, the purifying light rapidly spread, covering the Titled Douluo and Xue Beng.