Chapter 645: The Pan Family Has Only One Heir

"shut up!"

Pan Shan shouted suddenly, his voice filled with unquestionable majesty, "Military orders are as heavy as a mountain. You must set out immediately without delay! This is my father's order!"

Pan An wanted to say more, but Pan Shan's sharp gaze forced him to lower his head and grit his teeth, saying, "Yes, father, I obey."

He turned and left, his back showing a bit of unwillingness and doubt.

Outside the tent, the guarding soul masters watched Pan An hurriedly leaving and whispered to each other.

"Tsk tsk, General Pan's son is leaving at this time. Is he afraid of the Spirit Empire and planning to escape?"

"Hush, keep your voice down! But seriously, General Pan, after a lifetime of military service, how could he have such a cowardly son? It's truly shameful."

"Alas, Ziai is about to be lost. We defenders are in great danger. Pan An is a fast runner."

Although the discussion was low, it was as sharp as a knife.

Pan An clenched his fists, suppressed his anger, quickly walked out of the pass, and disappeared into the night.

The next morning, the atmosphere in front of Ziai Pass was extremely solemn.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the army of the Wuhun Empire had already gathered outside the pass, with flags waving and murderous intent in the air.

Hu Liena, dressed in a golden and red battle robe, stood in front of the army, staring coldly at Pan Shan on the city wall.

"General Pan, after a night, what do you think?"

Hu Liena's voice came from afar, with a hint of sarcasm, "Surrender, or die?"

Pan Shan was wearing heavy armor and standing at the highest point of the city wall, the spear in his hand flashing coldly in the morning light.

He said loudly: "Hu Liena, Zi'ai is the lifeline of our Tiandou. Today, I, Pan Shan, am here to make sure that your Wuhun Empire will never return!"

Hu Liena sneered and waved her hand, saying, "Alright, since you won't accept my toast, don't blame me for being cruel! All troops, listen to my orders, attack the city!"

With an order, the Spirit Empire's soul master army rushed towards the pass like a tide.

The roar of the soul cannon sounded again, and the light curtain was shaking under the violent impact.

Pan Shan stood on the city wall, his eyes as sharp as a torch, and said in a deep voice: "Brothers, follow me to meet the enemy!"

However, when the vanguard of the Wuhun Empire rushed into the pass, they found that the city was empty.

The streets were silent, the houses were empty, and the only sound was the whistling of the wind in my ears.

Hu Liena frowned, feeling something was wrong. "Be careful, there's a trap!"

At this moment, a dazzling light rose from the depths of the pass and turned into a huge soul power light curtain, covering all the Wuhun Empire troops rushing into the city.

Within the light curtain, soul power surged and transformed into countless runes, moving around like living things, emitting a heart-pounding aura.

"Oh no, it's a martial spirit formation!"

Ju Douluo Yue Guan's face changed, and his soul power suddenly burst out, trying to break through the light curtain, but found that his soul power was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response.

He gritted his teeth and said, "This formation is weird. Hu Liena, quickly lead your men to retreat!"

However, Hu Liena discovered that the retreat route behind her had been blocked by a light curtain, and the soul masters around her were suppressed by the soul power in the formation and moved slowly.

She said coldly, "Pan Shan, you actually set up such a formation, what exactly do you want to do?"

Pan Shan's figure slowly emerged from the light curtain.

His face was pale, his breath was weak, but with a hint of determination, "Hu Liena, Ziai is the place I have protected my entire life. Today, I will use my life to exchange for the destruction of your Wuhun Empire!"

Before he finished speaking, Pan Shan's figure appeared and disappeared in the light curtain. Every time he appeared, his breath became weaker and his body became more illusory.

Hu Liena's pupils shrank as she suddenly understood, "This formation... comes at the cost of your vitality? Pan Shan, you're crazy!"

Pan Shan laughed heartily, but his voice was tinged with sorrow. "Crazy? If I can protect Ziai and the people of Tiandou, what does my life mean to me?"

His figure reappeared, and the spear in his hand suddenly stabbed at the light curtain. The soul power in the formation suddenly surged, suppressing the soul masters of the Wuhun Empire.

Ju Douluo gritted his teeth, his soul ring flashing, trying to break the formation by force, but found that the soul power in the formation was like a maggot on the tarsal bone and could not be shaken at all.

He roared, "Pan Shan, do you think you can trap us with this formation? Once I break it, I will make sure you die!"

Pan Shan's figure became weaker and weaker, and his voice was low but firm, "Yueguan, you can't break this formation.

This is Master Fu's life's work, and he has sacrificed my life for it. Even if you are a Titled Douluo, you can't get away easily.

Hu Liena, today, you will stay here and accompany me to the underworld!"

In the light curtain, Pan Shan's figure finally turned into a ball of light and completely dissipated.

The formation became more and more violent, and the soul power was like a knife, cutting every soul master trapped in it.

Hu Liena gritted her teeth, a trace of unwillingness flashed in her eyes, "Pan Shan, you have such a cruel heart!"

At this moment, an old voice came from outside the light curtain, "Hu Liena, General Pan risked his life to set up the formation in order to protect Ziai and Tiandou.

If you continue to struggle, you will only die faster."

A white-haired old man walked slowly towards them, leaning on a cane, but his aura was unfathomable.

Hu Liena looked at the old man coldly, "Who are you? Do you want to die here too?"

The old man sighed, his eyes filled with pity, "I am just a casual cultivator, entrusted by General Pan to help him defend this formation.

Although the Wuhun Empire is strong, the Tiandou reinforcements are on the way.

As long as I can hold on for another day, you will never step out of the Purple Pass!"

A trace of despair flashed in Hu Liena's eyes. She knew that this formation had reached its limit at the cost of Pan Shan's life.

Even if she had supernatural powers, she would not be able to break the formation in a short period of time.

The addition of the white-haired old man made the situation even worse.

"Old senior,"

A Tiandou spirit master couldn't help but speak, his voice trembling, "General Pan... has really..."

The old man nodded slowly, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes, "General Pan sacrificed his life in exchange for the formation, and his soul has returned to the underworld.

Everyone, the safety of Ziai now rests on our shoulders.

We must hold this place until reinforcements arrive!"

On the city wall, the guarding soul masters fell silent.

Pan Shan’s figure seemed to still be in front of my eyes, and that resolute back remained forever on the wall of Ziai.

Within the light curtain, the army of the Wuhun Empire was still struggling, but no one could escape the invisible shackles.

In the distance, the morning mist gradually dissipated, and the Ziai Pass appeared even more majestic in the morning light.

Pan Shan’s sacrifice is like an insurmountable barrier, guarding Tiandou’s last line of defense.

The white-haired old man, leaning on a cane, stared at the light curtain with a determined gaze, muttering, "General Pan, don't worry. Even if it costs me my life, I will hold on until the reinforcements arrive!"

The Ziai battle report was like a heavy hammer, hitting the court of the capital of the Garo Empire.

It was early morning, not long after the court session began. The morning mist outside the hall had not yet completely dissipated, but a heavy atmosphere had already filled the magnificent hall.

Lu Yu stood at one side of the hall, wearing a dark golden robe, with an ancient long sword hanging at his waist, his eyes lowered, as if thinking about something.

He is the newly promoted national protector soul master of the Jialuo Empire. Although he is young, he is already famous far and wide. His soul power is close to that of a Titled Douluo and he is deeply trusted by the emperor.

At this moment, he was quietly watching the movements in the center of the hall, keenly aware of the stagnant and oppressive feeling in the air.

A messenger spirit master in black armor quickly entered the hall, knelt on one knee, and said in a low and urgent voice: "Your Majesty, urgent news from Zi Ai!"

He held a blood-stained letter tightly in his hand, with the envelope still covered in wet dirt, as if it had been sent directly from the smoke of the battlefield.

The eyes of all the ministers in the hall were focused on him. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his originally calm face stiffened slightly.

He took the letter and slowly opened it. His eyes swept over the handwriting on the letter, and his expression became increasingly gloomy.

The letter stated that Pan Shan, the commander of Ziai, had been killed in battle, the enemy was advancing fiercely, and Ziai was in danger.

The hall was completely silent, with only the faint sound of the emperor's fingers tapping on the armrests of the dragon throne.

Lu Yu raised his head slightly and glanced at the emperor's complicated expression, which seemed to be filled with grief and helplessness.

Pan Shan, the famous Soul Douluo of the Jialuo Empire, has been guarding the Purple Pass for more than ten years, making the Wuhun Empire dare not to cross the line easily.

His death in battle was not only a great loss to the empire, but also like a crack that tore apart the peace of the court.

The emperor was silent for a long time, and finally spoke in a low voice with a hint of trembling: "Pan Shan was loyal and devoted, and died on the battlefield. It is a blessing for me, Jialuo, but also a sorrow for me."

All the ministers bowed their heads and no one dared to respond.

Lu Yu lowered his eyes, but a ripple arose in his heart.

He had met Pan Shan several times before. He was a man of iron will, and his words were full of sincerity towards the empire.

Now that he has died in battle, the defense line of Ziai is in danger, and the iron hoof of the Wuhun Empire is likely to advance further.

At this moment, hurried footsteps were heard outside the hall, and a guard hurried in and reported: "Your Majesty, Pan An, the son of Pan Shan, requests to see you. He said he has something important to report."

The emperor was slightly startled when he heard this, then nodded: "Announce."

Lu Yu's gaze couldn't help but move towards the palace gate, vaguely guessing the purpose of Pan An's visit.

A moment later, a tall but slightly thin young man walked into the hall.

He was wearing a plain robe, and there was a bit of determination between his eyebrows and eyes, similar to Pan Shan's, but his eyes were frighteningly red, obviously suppressing his grief.

Pan An knelt on one knee, holding a letter in his hands. His voice was hoarse but firm: "Your Majesty, this is a letter that my father asked me to pass on before he died. Please take a look at it."

The emperor took the letter, opened it and read it carefully, his brows furrowed more and more.

Lu Yu stood aside, his eyes swept over Pan An's slightly trembling shoulders, and he sighed in his heart: This young man must have just learned of his father's death.

Sure enough, after the emperor finished reading the letter, he looked up at Pan An and said in a heavy tone, "Pan An, your father...died in battle at Ziai."

As soon as these words were spoken, Pan An's body shook violently, as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

His eyes widened and his lips trembled slightly, as if he couldn't believe this fact.

Lu Yu noticed that Pan An's hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles were white, and even traces of blood were oozing out.

The air in the hall seemed to freeze, and the eyes of all the ministers fell on Pan An. Some sighed, and some shook their heads.

Pan An lowered his head and was silent for a moment, but tears gradually welled up in his eyes.

He remembered his father's meaningful look when he left home. Those weather-frost eyes seemed to have foreseen something.

"Father...how could it be..."

Pan An's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible. He staggered and fell to the ground uncontrollably. Tears slid down his cheeks and hit the bluestone floor with a slight sound.

Lu Yu's heart tightened, thinking that this young man might not be able to withstand such a blow.

Pan Shan was a Soul Douluo, incredibly powerful. He had guarded the Purple Pass for years, unchallenged. How could Pan An accept his father's sudden death? However, after a moment, Pan An took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his grief, and abruptly stood up, clasping his fists and saying, "Your Majesty, I beg your command to fight at the Purple Pass, avenge my father, and defend the territory of Jialuo!"

Although his voice was trembling a little, it was full of unquestionable determination.

The ministers in the hall murmured to each other. Some admired his courage, while others shook their heads secretly, thinking that he was only a Soul Sect member and how could he take on such an important task.

The emperor looked at Pan An with a complicated expression and said slowly, "Pan An, your father hopes that you will live a peaceful life and does not want you to follow in his footsteps and die on the battlefield.

You are still weak now, and the battlefield is dangerous. If you go there, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to survive, let alone command the soldiers.

You are the only heir of the Pan family, so don't be impulsive."

The emperor's tone was dissuading, as if he really didn't want Pan An to die.

Pan An suddenly looked up, his eyes mingling with anger and grief. He spoke in a resounding voice, "Your Majesty, as a son, how can I sit back and watch my father die in battle? Even if I die in battle, I will have done justice to the ancestors of the Pan family! Please allow me to go to Ziai!"

His voice echoed in the hall, carrying an unyielding spirit.

Lu Yu stood aside, secretly admiring the young man's bravery, but he was also worried. The battlefield was ruthless, and Pan An would be in great danger if he went there.

The emperor was silent for a moment, as if weighing his options, and finally sighed and said, "Okay, since you have made up your mind, I will give you a chance.

If you can gain the approval of the officers and soldiers of the Left Army within three days, I will allow you to lead the Left Army to Ziai as a general.

Three days later, the left army will serve as the second legion to guard Liming City.

Do you have any objection? "

When Pan An heard this, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he clasped his fists and said, "I obey your command!"

He turned and left, his back no longer showing any trace of cowardice, but instead filled with a fierce murderous aura and anger, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, pointing directly at the Wuhun Empire.

The emperor looked at Pan An's receding figure and murmured to himself, "The Pan family, father and son, are both loyal and brave...but I don't want you to repeat the same mistakes."

His voice was low, filled with endless emotion and worry.

Lu Yu stood aside, his eyes moving slightly, but he was thinking in his heart: The loss of Ziai is probably just the beginning of the war, the ambition of the Wuhun Empire is far more than that.

The court meeting was over, and Lu Yu was about to leave when he saw an old man in white slowly walking towards him.

This man had an extraordinary bearing and a dignified look between his brows. He was the representative of the Dark Armored Dragon family, named Wan Ting.

Wan Ting looked at the emperor and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, although the Purple Pass is dangerous, the Jialuo Empire has a strong foundation and countless loyal soldiers. It will definitely be able to hold the line and stop the Wuhun Empire.

The Iron Armor Dragon family is willing to unite with other families to form a third army and march to the Nanyang Mountains to fight the enemy!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes flashed with relief, and he nodded and said, "I am very pleased to have the Wan family's help.

Jialuo has been peaceful for many years, but now the war has broken out. I had foreseen this war a year ago and began to prepare, but I did not expect the war to come so suddenly.

If all troubles can be resolved after the war, I will certainly not treat you aristocratic families unfairly."