The sudden war caught everyone completely off guard, but my original plan remained unchanged: I still intended to infiltrate the Demon Sealing Empire and rescue Yun Shang.
Of course, I wasn't the only one wishing to rescue Yun Shang. However, the outbreak of war drastically increased the difficulty of securing her release through diplomatic channels. Therefore, rescuing Yun Shang required seeking alternative methods. Secretly infiltrating the Demon Sealing Empire seemed to be the most feasible approach.
Concurrently, the Yun family could not commit excessive manpower to this rescue mission, necessitating the selection of only the most capable disciples to form a small strike team for the infiltration.
After deliberation, the core members were finalized. Myself, Tong Lei, Yun Xi, Yun Xiu, Yun Zhen, and Yun Lei were all elite disciples of the Yun family. Furthermore, Feng Qingtian, Han Yunzhen, Xia Ya, and other younger disciples from the Vermillion Bird Dream faction repeatedly requested and were permitted to join this rescue operation. Realistically, the chance of success was slim, given our meager numbers and the depth we had to penetrate into hostile territory. Despite this, everyone was unwilling to abandon the chance.
There was one other consideration: if we could successfully infiltrate the Demon Sealing Empire, it would be ideal if we could cause some minor trouble for them while securing Yun Shang's release. Although this action seemed somewhat opportunistic, often it is the minutiae that dictate success or failure. Just as Luo Jiang, through his own strength not long ago, managed to turn the entire Demon Dragon Continent upside down, the repercussions of which linger even today, perhaps a stroke of luck could similarly throw the Demon Sealing Empire into chaos.
It was based on this very reasoning that Jian Li and the others reluctantly agreed to our adventurous undertaking.
Yuncheng sat on the southeastern edge of the Demon Dragon Continent, a medium-sized city serving as the primary garrison fortress for the Demon Dragon Empire’s southern forces. Further south lay Tongcheng, Cicheng, Zu Yuncheng, and others. To the east stretched the continent's most renowned mountain range, the Yunmeng Mountains, meeting the Qinling Mountains at the Qin Pass. To the southwest was another famous strategic stronghold, Tieling, or Chutian City.
Directly south lay the Black Sea, one of the four great seas of the Marfa World. Backed by the formidable passes, forming a defensive pincer with Chutian City, and facing the sea, Yuncheng was destined from its founding to be a mighty fortress of Tieling, guarding the southern gate of the Demon Dragon Continent, one of the most stable iron fortresses along the Black Sea defense line.
Even during the zenith of the Divine Dragon Empire, Yuncheng was already renowned in ancient history. At that time, it was one of the four most critical strongholds for the peoples of the entire Marfa Continent to resist the Orc invasions. After repelling the Orcs, the former Divine Dragon Empire fragmented into four nations, and the original Yuncheng was incorporated into the territory of the Demon Dragon Empire.
For centuries, the armies of the Demon Sealing Empire had attempted countless times to breach Yuncheng, this most perilous iron fortress of the Demon Dragon Continent. However, with the cooperation of the brother city, Chutian City, Yuncheng repeatedly foiled the Demon Sealing Empire’s conspiracies, ensuring that the formidable mage legions of the Demon Sealing Empire could never set foot on the Demon Dragon Continent.
Luo Jiang, who recently stirred up bloody chaos across the continent, had not visited Yuncheng. Of course, even if he had come, he might not have gained any advantage, as the city was defended by Jin Yao, one of the Nine Great Sky Demons of the Demon Dragon Empire.
Although it was the sky of September, the heavens were densely overcast, instilling in the battle-hardened Jin Yao an intuition of unease and dread that prevented him from resting easy within the Marshal’s residence. He summoned his aides and personally ascended the city walls to survey the surroundings.
The news trickling in from various regions over the past few days made it clear to Jin Yao that a major battle was inevitable. The Demon Sealing Empire had planned this meticulously. Jin Yao believed the coming conflict would be a bitter struggle, a fight to the death concerning the very survival of the Empire.
With this thought, a chilling murderous intent flickered across Jin Yao’s grim expression. Whoever dared to appear on the defensive lines of Yuncheng would surely never return.
Perhaps inspired by the commander's presence, the garrison troops patrolling the ramparts became more spirited, each man appearing sharp and full of fighting zeal, all eager to leave a favorable impression on this Sky Demon Warrior renowned across the Marfa Continent.
Among the Nine Great Sky Demons of the Demon Dragon Empire, three were born into common families, and Jin Yao was one of them. The young Jin Yao had once been a renowned youthful ranger across the continent. During an adventure, he befriended the current Emperor of the Demon Dragon Empire, Jiu Yao Chong Yang, and they became sworn brothers.
Jiu Yao Chong Yang, still the Crown Prince then, already placed great importance on Jin Yao and used his privileges to arrange for Jin Yao to enter the military.
Jin Yao never disappointed Jiu Yao Chong Yang. Through countless life-and-death battles, he continuously tempered himself, gradually growing into a general capable of commanding independently. Eventually, he ascended to become a supreme powerhouse on the continent—a Sky Demon Warrior—and was later entrusted with the crucial task by Jiu Yao Chong Yang of guarding the southeastern gate of the Demon Dragon Empire—Yuncheng.
Gazing upon the vibrant faces before him, Jin Yao allowed a knowing smile to surface. Had he not once been just like them, hoping to gain recognition from his superiors and make a name for himself?
If only his luck had been better; he had met Jiu Yao Chong Yang. At this point, Jin Yao couldn't help but recall the scenes of his youth and the younger Jiu Yao Chong Yang, along with Ji Du, Luohou, and Yue Yao, fighting side-by-side on the battlefield.
Back then, it was at this very fortress of Yuncheng that the Crown Prince Jiu Yao Chong Yang led only fifty thousand garrison troops to resist the onslaught of the Demon Sealing Army’s most formidable unit, the Ao Tian Legion, numbering nearly six hundred thousand men.
Even now, recalling it sent a shiver of alarm down Jin Yao’s spine. Perhaps only when pushed to the brink of despair does one unleash their utmost potential. In that moment, Jin Yao finally had the chance to witness what a Sky Demon Warrior truly was and what a confrontation between powerhouses entailed.
Mo Luo Tian Sha, Mo Luo Tian Ke, Mo Luo Han—these supreme experts, famous across the continent, forever lay fallen on this blood-soaked earth beneath his feet. Also lying there were the previous generation’s Jin Yao, Yue Yao, and Luohou.
It was after that battle that Jin Yao finally inherited the Sky Demon Armor from the preceding Jin Yao, becoming the new generation’s Jin Yao Tian Mo, alongside the current Yue Yao and Luohou who also became Sky Demon Warriors.
Those were the most breathtaking and unforgettable days.
Forty years had flown by, and the long-silent fortress of Tieling might soon face a new challenge.
Layers of cold, grim killing intent instantly spread outward. Demon Sealing Empire—let me see how much more capable you truly are. Jin Yao instinctively tightened his grip on the Reinforced Frost Blade at his waist.
“General!” the patrolling Deputy General beside him roused Jin Yao from his contemplation. “Many small contingents of the Demon Sealing Empire army have suddenly appeared around Yuncheng recently! Many scattered outposts nearby have suffered massacres! The area outside the South Gate is already packed with fleeing villagers. What are your orders?”
“Welcome them into the outer ring road south of the gate, and send men to watch them closely, lest any spies sneak in amidst the chaos.” A terrifying flash of murderous intent crossed Jin Yao’s cold face again. “Send for the Vanguard Camp. I haven't stretched my legs in a long time; let these insignificant clowns learn a lesson this time.”
“Ah! Yes!” The young patrolling Deputy General was slightly startled but could not hide his own excited expression.
Departing from the Panlong Yun family, we traveled south for ten days! We were less than two hundred li from reaching Yuncheng.
Although it was the height of autumn, the sun hanging high in the sky appeared dark and gloomy, casting a depressing mood upon us.
The devastation we witnessed along the journey further weighed heavily on our hearts.
Just then, a surge of chilling, bone-piercing cold struck without warning.
“Ah! It’s killing intent!”
I was startled! This sensation was all too familiar. In the Demon Dragon World, this unique sensitivity to killing intent had saved my life countless times. “Everyone, be careful, there’s an ambush nearby.”
“Ambush!” Although Feng Qingtian and the others were surprised, they reacted quickly. With my cultivation being the highest among them, they naturally placed complete faith in my judgment. They immediately drew their swords and formed a defensive array.
Almost simultaneously, amidst a roaring sound like a sudden clap of thunder, the forest ahead erupted in towering dust, and blurred figures rushed forward rapidly.
“It’s the Demon Sealing Empire’s Magic Cavalry!” Feng Qingtian exclaimed in shock.
“Magic Cavalry!” Han Yunzhen turned ashen-faced. “Fall back into the woods, we absolutely cannot be caught by them!”
According to the Ranger’s Handbook, the mage legions of the Demon Sealing Empire were among the continent’s strongest troop types.
Unlike the mages of the Ranger World, the Demon Sealing Empire’s mage legions were divided into two main categories: the Stationary Combatants and the Mounted Combatants.
The so-called Stationary Combatants were similar to the strongest magical attacks the Ranger World mages could unleash using formations; they were the most common tactic in positional warfare.
When we were at Zhumasi Temple, the Yellow Springs World, and the Illusory Realm, astonishing numbers of mages gathered in special formations, unleashing high-intensity, long-range magical bombardment capabilities to contend with powerful monsters.
However, such formations had limitations: the massive formation composed of numerous mages significantly reduced the mages’ movement speed. Furthermore, to protect the mages from harm, they required a complement of warriors positioned in front of them to create a barrier, compensating for the mages’ inherent weakness in close combat.
The Magic Cavalry, however, was different. Standard Magic Cavalry possessed not only formidable magical cultivation but were also equipped with a Furnace Warhorse.
Unlike common steeds, Furnace Warhorses were significantly larger and sturdier, vastly surpassing ordinary horses in both speed and strength. Describing their powerful mobility as traversing mountains and wading through rivers as if on level ground was no exaggeration. Moreover, they could carry a rider clad in heavy Ebony Armor.
This meant that a Furnace Warhorse equipped with Ebony Armor could effectively defend against attacks from giant ballistae, magic, and Dou Qi. The mages riding them, protected by the Ebony Armor, had almost no need to fear taking damage.
The immense mobility of the Furnace Warhorse, coupled with the Ebony Armor—which provided formidable defense against both magic and Dou Qi—and the powerful mages, made the Magic Cavalry the most terrifying troop type on the continent—truly the tanks of the Marfa World.
In an instant, I recalled the information I had gleaned from the Ranger’s Handbook.
In the blink of an eye, the large contingent of Magic Cavalry closed the distance to less than three hundred zhang ahead of us.
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Countless Fireballs, Ice Roars, Lightning Strikes rained down like a torrential storm!
“Dodge quickly!” Everyone cried out in alarm as the whistling barrage of Fireballs descended, frantically scrambling toward the high slope beside the road, attempting to escape the magical assault. But in this open wilderness, where could suitable cover be found!
Boom! The ground was ripped open by terrifying magical explosions, leaving behind shocking craters. Countless fragments of stone sprayed outward like shrapnel! Several Yun family warriors who failed to evade in time were instantly obliterated!
“Damn it!” I cursed in frustration. “You all hide, let me deal with them.”
“Ah! Come back, they are all riding Furnace Warhorses!” Feng Qingtian exclaimed in alarm.
Furnace Warhorses, so what? Could they be more troublesome than the Demon Dragon Moths? Besides, I possessed the Magic-Immune Demon Devouring Body; what was there to fear?
Dou Qi instantly flooded my entire body. Aided by the Holy War Set, the intensity of my Dou Qi reached its absolute peak.
Then, I stamped hard on the ground with both feet, launching myself forward like a shell from a cannon!
Whoosh! In the blink of an eye, I had closed the distance to the charging Magic Cavalry to less than a hundred zhang.
Apparently unprepared for such audacity—someone daring to charge them head-on!
I clearly sensed they were momentarily stunned. What followed was a continuous hail of Fireball, Ice Roar, and Lightning Strike spells, all smashing down upon me.
Ah! From a distance, Feng Qingtian and the others, though aware of Xing Chen’s legendary Demon Devouring Body granting immunity to magic, couldn't help but utter cries of astonishment!
Impact! Rumble! The high-intensity magical strikes converged on the figure cloaked in blue, immediately detonating into a massive, dazzling sphere of colored light.
But at that very moment, something happened that was unbelievable to every single member of the Magic Cavalry.
From within the blinding sphere of light, a streak of blue figure materialized out of thin air before them, like a phantom appearing from the void, followed by an instantaneous surge of blood-red light.
Dragon Shadow Sword! Driven by astonishing Dou Qi, it slashed out a massive, crimson crescent! Aimed directly at the charging Magic Cavalry!
Splat! Splat! Splat! The red light flashed! Pieces scattered, and blood mist flew everywhere! Through the dense cavalry formation, a blue afterimage pierced through with terrifying speed.
It left behind a mist of scarlet fog!
Charge! This technique, comprehended in the Demon Dragon World, the shockwave assault for group combat, finally reappeared today after being dormant for a year.
In the blink of an eye, the charging cavalry formation was rent apart by the blue figure, tearing open a massive gap!
It was as if a large cake had been sliced straight down the middle.
“Ah!” The Magic Cavalry was stunned silent by the sudden, savage assault!
“Who is that?”
“How is this possible?”
“The attack clearly hit him!”
No one was willing to believe what they were witnessing! Even a Sky Demon Warrior could not have emerged completely unscathed from such concentrated magical bombardment. But before they could comprehend what had happened, that piercing blue figure wheeled around and charged back again.
Blue shadow flashed, red light flew! In the blink of an eye, the sky was once again filled with flying blood mist, and countless heads rolled neatly onto the ground, while the still-oblivious Furnace Warhorses dragged their headless corpses onward in a mad gallop.
How strong was the armor? Compared to the armor worn by the Demon Dragon Armor-Piercing Soldiers, this level of defense offered no obstruction whatsoever to the Dragon Shadow Sword! And under the effect of the Death Gaze, these Magic Cavalry were no different from unmoving scarecrows, ripe for the slaughter. They felt far inferior to the behemoths back in the Demon Dragon World.
Am I too strong? I subconsciously glanced at the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand. I couldn't be mistaken; I could even feel the sword trembling slightly, emitting a low, rapid hum.
“Retreat!” By the time I prepared to launch a second wave of attack, this contingent of Magic Cavalry was already terrified and scattering in all directions! Gone was the earth-shattering, terrifying momentum from moments before!
On the high slope!
“Blood Tiger Luo Jiang!” Feng Qingtian gasped in shock.
“Did you feel it too?” Xia Ya said gravely.
“En!” Feng Qingtian’s face was complex and uncertain. “Xing Chen’s killing of those Magic Cavalry just now was exactly the same as when Luo Jiang ambushed and slaughtered the escort party in the Illusory Realm.”
“Both the movement style and the speed,” Han Yunzhen murmured. “And that killing intent.”
“How can this be,” Yun Xi exclaimed, “He is practically the incarnation of another Luo Jiang.”
Everyone felt an inexplicable tremor in their hearts! What was wrong with Xing Chen today!