The sharp sound of galloping hooves shattered the silence of the desolate plains! Under the scorching sun, six blurred figures emerged, before charging up a high ridge!
Halt! As the warhorses crested the rise, the knights on their backs abruptly pulled back on the reins!
The wildly galloping Warfurnace steed let out a high-pitched, resonant neigh, reared up on its hind legs, and then slammed its massive front hooves down onto the ground, the astonishing force causing the earth to tremble slightly and kicking up clouds of dust.
Mo Luo Aotian sat upright on his mount, his somber gaze piercing the distant void like a sharp sword, as if observing another world. Behind him were the remaining elite generals of the Aotian Legion. The Battle of Yuncheng had severely crippled the Legion’s strength; four Heavenly Demon Warriors had fallen, leaving only four remaining, including Mo Luo Aotian himself, along with four Celestial Rainbow Mages and two Celestial Venerable Daoists.
It was arguably the most devastating loss the Aotian Legion had suffered in its five-hundred-year history, and the culprits responsible for all of this were the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man and the Silver Demon Jidu! These two had nearly caused the complete annihilation of the Aotian Legion.
Every time this thought crossed his mind, Mo Luo Aotian felt as if a thousand worms were burrowing through his heart, his pain akin to a knife cutting through flesh. The remaining elite generals, too, were consumed day and night by thoughts of vengeance!
Now, the opportunity had finally arrived!
The elite generals behind him were equally filled with an overwhelming killing intent!
Yes, they were utterly impatient now! The main army of the Aotian Legion, led by the four remaining Celestial Rainbow God-Mages, was already en route to Luan City, but Mo Luo Aotian, along with the other three Heavenly Demon Warriors and two Celestial Venerable Daoists, had bypassed the main force, flying directly from the Imperial City via Thunder Eagles to Luan City, and then arriving at this location! They refused to waste any time. Against the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man, even an army of ten thousand would be futile to stop him; only Heavenly Demon Warriors and Celestial Venerable Daoists stood a chance against them, which was why they were here!
The intelligence they received just yesterday indicated that the Blood Wolf Legion had appeared in Ye City, and Luan City was the closest city to Ye City. By reaching this location, they could ascertain the movements of the Blood Wolf Legion.
From the high vantage point, everything in the surroundings was laid bare; as far as the eye could see, it was nothing but desolation! Not far ahead, a small village was vaguely visible, with only a few wisps of faint smoke still rising sparsely.
Of course, Mo Luo Aotian and the others knew clearly that those were no ordinary wisps of smoke, but the residue of villages incinerated by the Blood Wolf Legion. The smoke and dust billowed from the ruins.
All the way here, the ground was littered with white bones, the land scorched barren for a thousand miles, life extinguished. Even without witnessing it firsthand, Mo Luo Aotian and his company could easily imagine the horrific, bloody scenes that unfolded in the wake of the Wolf Riders’ passage.
At this moment, all Mo Luo Aotian felt was rage—a rage that could neither be suppressed nor appeased. These were citizens of the Demon Sealing Empire, unarmed civilians, yet they had been subjected to...
“Nine Luminaries Divine True Man!” Mo Luo Aotian’s face, contorted by fury, revealed an expression of grotesque, uncanny ferocity: “I will never let you go.” Savage killing intent, as if tangible, shot outwards.
Ye City! In the dense jungle, countless tents were pitched!
After half a month of relentless plundering, even these Blood Wolf Knights were finally feeling the strain, collapsing into their tents, utterly exhausted. Yet, every face was marked with expressions of unrestrained, joyous satisfaction!
And the massive, blood-red giant wolves lay prone beside the tents, curled up, their heavy breaths rising and falling in unison. The woods were eerily silent.
This half-month had undoubtedly been the most glorious period for the Blood Wolf Legion. Where the Wolf Riders advanced, none could stand against them. The wealth and grain seized were countless.
But now, it was finally time for a respite.
Inside the tent, I was still clad in my armor, though leaning semi-reclined against the wall, staring blankly at the tent ceiling! Pondering the path ahead. Undoubtedly, with the aid of the Blood Wolf Legion, matters had progressed far more smoothly than anticipated.
But I knew clearly that the Aotian Legion had already set out to encircle and destroy the Blood Wolf Legion, meaning future engagements would hardly be as smooth as they had been recently.
Even with the addition of myself, the strength of the Blood Wolf Legion alone was no match for the Aotian Legion.
Just as I was lost in thought, a bone-chilling cold instantly pierced my spine, making me involuntarily shudder. It felt as if a needle had pricked my chest! I couldn't explain what was happening, but a powerful sense of unease and panic pressed down on my chest like a stone, stirring a restless agitation within me!
“Your Highness, what is wrong?” Chi Long clearly noticed my unusual demeanor.
“Nothing,” I shook my head slightly, but the unsettling feeling refused to dissipate. Could the Aotian Legion already be here? Yet the intelligence relayed by the Pigeon Corps suggested the Aotian Legion, having reached Ye City, was still at least seven days away from this location. They shouldn't have arrived yet!
I prayed I was merely overthinking things!
The next day!
The mountains undulated, stretching for ten thousand miles. The six figures of Mo Luo Aotian stood atop the peak, gazing around. As far as the eye could see were endless, overlapping ranges, resembling a capricious giant dragon, making it impossible to discern direction.
Mo Luo Zhanlong held the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Device: “Commander, the Thunder Eagle air cavalry has sent word. Wolf Rider traces have been spotted three hundred li to the east, currently moving rapidly southeast.”
“Southeast,” Mo Luo Aotian’s expression hardened: “That direction leads toward Kaicheng and Zhao City. They plan to attack one of those!”
“In my opinion, we should divide into three groups and guard the three cities,” Xuan Zhi suggested. “Otherwise, if we miss this chance, finding them again won't be so easy.”
“Divide into three groups.” Mo Luo Aotian nodded slightly: “Xuan Yi and I will take one group, Zhanlong and Zhanxiong another, and you and Zhankong the third. Once located, do not let him escape.”
“Yes!” they all responded in unison!
Through the dense forest, fifty thousand Wolf Riders shuttled rapidly. Although the terrain was covered in thickets and dense thorns, they were utterly incapable of impeding the Blood Giant Wolves, natural assassins of the jungle. All I needed to do was crouch low, allowing them to carry me as we sprinted on. Our next target was Kaicheng. After ransacking Kaicheng, we would proceed south along the Wanluo Mountain Range. According to Chi Long’s plan, using the Wanluo Mountain Range as a base, we would conduct guerrilla warfare. This would expand our operational radius, ensuring we always held the initiative. Even if intercepted by other legions, we could quickly retreat into the Wanluo Mountain Range, leveraging the Blood Giant Wolves' innate speed advantage in the jungle to outrun any pursuers. After all, in the forest, aside from Cang Yue’s Mammoth Iron Cavalry, no other cavalry force could keep pace with the Blood Wolf Knights—this was our greatest reliance.
Fight if we can win; flee if we cannot! Fifty thousand Blood Giant Wolves cut through the woods like a crimson gale, without any pause.
Noon! Kaicheng!
The streets before us were still empty and deserted, appearing desolate and ancient, like a thousand-year-old city long abandoned, devoid of any clamor or sign of life.
However, we were long accustomed to this. In just over half a month, we had burned countless such cities.
The riders jumped down from their wolves and immediately began the routine process of collection and plunder. Shop doors were smashed open, and the lids of cellars were pried off!
The entire city of Kai erupted in a cacophony of crashing and banging sounds. I, meanwhile, walked slowly down the wide avenue, carefully sensing any subtle movement in the surroundings!
Fallen leaves danced, the cold wind howled mournfully across the desolate street, and suddenly, a heart-stopping aura surged forth!
Killing intent! Two dense waves of murderous intent!
Invisible and formless, yet present everywhere, permeating every corner of the long street. My first thought was to flee, but my intuition screamed that escape was impossible. The two dense auras had locked onto my vital points, like two sniper rifles, daring me not to move the slightest bit!
“Your Highness, what is wrong?” Chi Long obviously noticed my change in expression.
“Leave. Take your men and get as far away as possible,” I sighed with a bitter smile. “They have arrived.”
“Ah!” Chi Long and Lan Bu’s expressions drastically changed, and they instinctively looked around.
Thump, thump, thump!
The not-so-heavy sound of footsteps broke the desolation of the long street, like a stone cast into a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward!
Two figures approached, positioned on either side of the wide avenue!
The person in front, I recognized: Mo Luo Zhanlong, whom I had exchanged blows with during the Battle of Yuncheng. As for the one behind him, I could not guess, nor did I dare look back.
“Ah! It’s a Heavenly Demon Warrior!” Chi Long exclaimed in shock.
“Let’s go. Their target is me; they won’t bother with you,” I placed my right hand on the hilt of the Dragon Shadow Sword, subtly adjusting my stance to avoid being attacked from both front and rear. As long as there was the slightest opening, I was confident I could burst through their encirclement. Thus, I was certain Mo Luo Zhanlong and his partner would not target Chi Long; I had a degree of confidence in my own speed.
“Your Highness, take care!” Chi Long shouted loudly. “Brothers, retreat!” Chi Long gave the order, and a piercing horn blast echoed across the sky. All the Blood Wolf Knights swiftly withdrew towards the city gate.
“Nine Luminaries Divine True Man,” the voice was cold, arrogant, laced with a touch of smugness, but dominated by a sharp, blade-like killing edge: “You finally came.”
Damn it, I was trapped! I had underestimated the Aotian Legion. I could only forcibly suppress the fear and anxiety churning within me: “It seems you knew I would come?”
“The Commander’s plans are flawless; naturally, you cannot escape,” Mo Luo Zhanlong said, slowly advancing his steps. Every step was slow and heavy, yet it precisely sealed off any space for my escape. This sensation was profoundly unsettling, like being a cornered rabbit.
“......” I knew that arguing further would change nothing. Between myself and the Aotian Legion, there was already an irreconcilable, life-or-death feud. It seemed today would end in dire misfortune, but passive acceptance was never my style. Even if I died, I would take one down with me. The Dragon Shadow Sword was slowly drawn from its scabbard. A strange, profound energy pulsed through my right hand gripping the sword—it was a marvelous sensation. Since becoming a Heavenly Demon Warrior, I clearly felt that the Dragon Shadow Sword in my hand was vastly different from before.
The azure blade was finally fully drawn from its long scabbard, resembling a blue ribbon that filled the gloom under the heavy sky with a brilliant beam of light!
Mo Luo Zhanlong’s dark eyes involuntarily contracted. Almost the instant the sword was drawn, the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man before them seemed to change—like a prairie fire suddenly ignited in the depth of a cold winter. That vital energy, seemingly brimming with powerful life force, instantly pierced through the combined aura they had woven.
At this moment, the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man resembled a blazing, sharp sword, ferocious and keen, capable of burning through and piercing any obstruction.
This feeling made them profoundly uneasy, simultaneously recalling another terrifying figure—the Silver Demon Jidu. Yes, the unusual aura surging off the youth before them bore a striking resemblance to that of the Silver Demon Jidu from back then.
Mo Luo Zhanlong clearly remembered being thrown from his horse by a single thrust from this youth during the cavalry charge in the Battle of Yuncheng!
This was a humiliation, and more so, a pressure—a crushing weight.
Mo Luo Zhanlong subconsciously increased the intensity of his battle qi, ready to launch a fatal strike at any moment.
Mo Luo Zhanxiong on the other side also edged closer. The distance was now suitable for unleashing their most powerful battle qi attacks! With one in front and one behind, they waited for the opportune moment.
This was their tactic: to keep the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man, caught between them, hesitant and unable to act rashly.
However, contrary to expectation, the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man, positioned between them, paid no heed to Mo Luo Zhanxiong behind him, but simply took two steps forward!
Swish, swish, swish!
Amidst the rapid whistling sounds of air being cleaved, a blue streak of light flashed, ethereal as a dream!
The sword was fast—fast as lightning. Yes, this was true lightning.
Lightning Sword Technique! Mo Luo Zhanlong was slightly startled.
This sudden sword strike caught Mo Luo Zhanlong off guard. He hadn't expected that, even under their pincer attack and within the field of energy they had established, the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man would dare to press the attack, completely disregarding the vulnerability of his own exposed back?
Yet, this astonishing speed gave him no time even to be surprised. His only recourse was to counter with his blade!
Moon in the Well. With a slight twist, the blade light shone like snow, sweeping toward the blurred blue afterimage. If he could block this one strike, Mo Luo Zhanxiong on the other side would have an opening!
On the other side, Mo Luo Zhanxiong swept his long saber, aiming for the small of the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man’s back.
Both blades struck out simultaneously, a front and rear attack, perfectly synchronized down to the millisecond.
Undoubtedly, this was a highly logical tactic, and both Mo Luo Zhanlong and Mo Luo Zhanxiong possessed absolute confidence in it.
Whoosh! The bright saber light swept through only a mere afterimage! Yes, only an afterimage!
No one could accurately describe such speed! The charging Nine Luminaries Divine True Man, employing a strange movement defying all physical laws, suddenly recoiled explosively backward!
The golden figure drifted like a phantom past the crescent arc swept by Mo Luo Zhanxiong’s saber behind him, and the tip of the azure Dragon Shadow Sword materialized in front of the following Mo Luo Zhanxiong.
Ah! This sudden, dramatic shift startled Mo Luo Zhanxiong greatly!
Who would have thought the target of the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man was actually Mo Luo Zhanxiong behind him!
This sword strike was unimaginably fast. What was even more deadly was that the residual saber energy Mo Luo Zhanlong had dispersed earlier was now swirling back with terrifying speed toward Mo Luo Zhanxiong.
What was intended as a pincer attack had unexpectedly transformed into two sharp beams of light sweeping toward the charging Mo Luo Zhanxiong.
Roar!
What a Mo Luo Zhanxiong! Unflustered by the sudden change, he swiftly shifted sideways, and the swept-away Moon in the Well blade swung back with incredible speed towards his chest.
Swish, swish, swish!
However, what shocked Mo Luo Zhanxiong was that his counter-sweeping strike missed! The blue sword shadow merely flickered slightly before transforming into three blurred, blue streaks of light, stabbing simultaneously toward his heart, lower abdomen, and throat—three vital points.
No one could describe what kind of swordplay this was; it was as if three sharp swords were attacking three vital spots at once!
There were three swords, but only one saber!
Yes, the Lightning Sword Technique!
In an instant, Mo Luo Zhanxiong realized that his long saber stood no chance of blocking this attack. The Aotian Legion had meticulously studied the Lightning Sword Technique and practiced and analyzed its principles countless times.
The conclusion they reached was staggering: normal blocking maneuvers were completely ineffective against such extreme speed; the most viable method was relying solely on speed and footwork to evade its attack range, and one had to be fast—even a moment's delay was too much.
Crucially, Mo Luo Zhanlong had already charged into the attack range of the Lightning Sword Technique. Trying to retreat now was utterly impossible.
At this moment, Mo Luo Zhanxiong’s only option was to raise his saber to guard his throat while channeling his protective battle qi to guard his heart and lower abdomen, rapidly retreating!
Boom!
Clang!
Amidst a blinding flash of light, Mo Luo Zhanxiong’s body was thrown backward uncontrollably. Although he managed to evade Mo Luo Zhanlong’s saber attack through sheer speed, he was struck by the Nine Luminaries Divine True Man’s thunderous sword strike on the saber he used to guard his throat. The result was that both man and weapon were sent flying backward.
In just one exchange, Mo Luo Zhanxiong was thrown back.
Both men broke out in a cold sweat.