In Le Wu County, a town of less than sixty thousand souls, the air currently rang with gongs and drums, and the streets were jammed with people.

Yet, contrary to this festive atmosphere, an aura of profound, chilling death permeated the entire city.

"It seems a clear ambush is laid!"

Luo Shi’s vantage point was a small pavilion distant from the city center. Innumerable structures stood before him, yet they could not block his spiritual sense penetration.

The result, however, made him gasp in cold shock. His illusionary technique could only pierce about three hundred zhang before being halted by a wave of spiritual energy, revealing nothing at all. The more impenetrable the obstruction, the more unsettling it became.

Behind him, Xie An heard this and displayed no surprise.

"As expected. That Yuan Jiu Chen and the Tai Ling Sect have counted on our need to rescue our people. What we must focus on is how to save them and how to escape. It’s just that our numbers are too few—"

Xuan Ye was deeply worried, wanting to dissuade them but unable to voice the caution. To risk so many senior and junior disciples for the sake of a dozen sect-mates might well trap even more of them here. The sense of danger grew heavier by the moment.

After careful reflection, Xuan Ye suppressed the thought. The Three Sects and Six Gates relied on mutual aid; no matter the cost today, the people must be brought out.

"It all comes down to Tan Qiu! Had this man not been so timid and cowardly, refusing to aid his brethren, how could we be short-handed? I saw his true nature that day—daring to act but lacking the guts to face the consequences. The moment I asked him to swear by his inner demon, he immediately retracted his words—"

Li Zhe snorted with disdain, yet his expression turned serious as he continued, "However, today’s matter requires the utmost caution. While rescuing them is commendable, we cannot sacrifice the lives of all these brothers and sisters in the process. It is best to plan this carefully!"

The three—Xie An, Xuan Ye, and Li Zhe—all frowned in unison, exchanging glances. Though they harbored some doubts, what Li Zhe said held merit, and they could not outright condemn it.

"Yuan Jiu Chen is using an open strategy (yang mou) to force our hand. My Cang Sheng Dao can counter with an open strategy as well. Let’s secure the East Gate first to guard our retreat. We observe their reaction; if they remain passive, their scheme must be truly vast—"

Even as he spoke, several violent explosions suddenly erupted outside the tower. The roaring sound shook the entire city, and countless crimson flames shot towards the sky.

The few inside the tower were momentarily stunned, all turning toward the window, immediately followed by shouts:

"Fire over there! Hurry and put it out—"

"—It’s the Cang Sheng Dao members causing trouble!"

"These rebels! Good thing no one died—"

Luo Shi raised an eyebrow. The flares seemed concentrated mostly near the city center, with some scattered in the four cardinal directions, plunging the county town into instant chaos. Looking around, he saw waves of baleful, murderous energy surging upward, encircling them from all sides.

Luo Shi instantly cursed under his breath. Who the hell was causing this disruption? Without dwelling on it, he abruptly leaped into the air.

"We cannot remain here any longer. Everyone scatter! Head for the East Gate!"

Xie An and Xuan Ye followed almost simultaneously, taking to the sky. Xuan Ye shot directly toward the East Gate and unleashed a sword strike. The vast sword energy, swift as lightning, instantly shattered the gate. It also cleaved away nearly half of the Eastern City’s protective spiritual formation.

The Cang Sheng Dao disciples hidden in nearby buildings needed no further instruction; they fled toward the city gates in droves.

Knowing the situation, the rescue had become impossible. It was estimated that in moments, Yuan Jiu Chen’s large army positioned nearby would seal the entire city.

Xie An hovered in the air, his brow deeply furrowed. Today’s events simply did not add up; it felt as if someone was intentionally trying to startle the snake (da cao jing she). Was it the Tai Ling Sect? Yet the style felt wrong.

Suddenly, in his peripheral vision, he spotted two slender figures already making their safe escape through the city gate.

"—Xuan Yun Lan, Zhao Yan Ran!"

Xie An’s pupils constricted instantly. Before he could fully register his anger, a powerful, violent aura rushed toward him.

"Long Ling Zi?"

Instinctively, he launched a sword strike. Sword energy immediately clashed through the void, radiating fierce gang force in all directions.

Xie An followed the trajectory of the sword light and saw the Tai Ling Sect’s Daoist Master Long Ling approaching.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart. With Xuan Ye and Luo Shi being the strongest among the three, the responsibility of covering the rear naturally fell to them! They could only fight to the death!

At the very same moment, in a high tower at the center of Le Wu City, a man in his forties with a stern face also wore an expression of extreme strangeness. He held an official document, having read most of it, but now he had to pause.

Before him, a youth in his twenties with delicate features, clad in a dark cyan Daoist robe, leaned on the railing, gazing out. The clear light in his eyes was equally filled with confusion.

"Strange, what exactly are the Cang Sheng Dao people thinking? Do they imagine that by causing such a ruckus, we will let those dozen demonic bandits go unpunished?"

The man in his forties did not reply, merely transmitting the official document in his hand using true force.

The youth took the document, and his delicate eyebrows furrowed even tighter.

The content of the document essentially stated that the execution time was to be postponed, and the dozen Cang Sheng Dao disciples were to be escorted to the capital.

"The Cang Sheng Dao truly has means; they’ve finally done something smart. Since the Ministry of War has issued an official notice, we cannot disobey. But what in the world is this commotion all about?"

Not only was Ji Ling Zi baffled, but Yuan Jiu Chen was equally confused.

The fleeing Cang Sheng Dao disciples did not appear to be faking it. But if there was an official decree from the Ministry of War, why were these people running out now? The dozen explosions also seemed like a deliberate attempt to startle the snake, and it was unclear who was behind it, leaving them utterly bewildered.

He wasn't sure whether he should pursue them now.

Ji Ling Zi pondered for a moment, then bowed to Yuan Jiu Chen, "I request Marshal Yuan to order the pursuit. No matter what methods the Cang Sheng Dao uses, crushing them with force and pressing them with momentum can never be wrong. Momentum is on our side; with an ostentatious military force, the Cang Sheng Dao cannot play any tricks."

Yuan Jiu Chen smiled, "Exactly so!"

As his voice fell, he too ascended into the air, soaring out of the high tower. As if receiving a signal, countless elite armored soldiers poured out from nearby buildings, surging like a tide toward the East Gate.

Outside Le Wu City, on that same small mountain peak, Zong Shou was so bored he was nearly yawning.

It wasn't until a dozen explosions suddenly rang out from the city that his spirit lifted.

Indeed, shortly after, several hundred figures were seen fleeing from the East Gate. Leading the charge were Zhao Yan Ran and the other woman, each riding a Silver-Scaled Wind-Treading Beast. Their speed was incredible, possessing a degree of composure that surpassed those behind them.

Not long after these two hundred-plus people rushed out of the city gate, vast, mighty cavalry forces followed in pursuit.

Above, the scene was even more alarming. Spiritual energy churned, and one could remotely see the three—Xuan Ye, Luo Shi, and Xie An—locked in fierce aerial combat. Each of them was handling one Seventh-Rank expert, and the situation was perilous. In the distance, two more figures were approaching through the air.

"It’s the Tai Ling Sect’s Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry! And Dao Ming Sect’s Qing Yuan Strongmen."

Xuan Shu clenched his fists tightly. The eight hundred knights clad in purple armor leading the cavalry force were none other than the renowned Dao Soldiers of the Tai Ling Sect—the Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry!

The one leading the cavalry was none other than Tai Ling Zi. The person beside him was also Seventh-Rank, likely a commander of the Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry.

Following them were two hundred knights dressed in cyan armor. Although fewer in number, their imposing aura was significantly weaker than the Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry. These two hundred possessed only Fifth-Rank strength.

Xuan Shu then looked up again, "Dao Ming Sect’s Daoist Master Luo Ye has also come—"

Zong Shou merely smiled without speaking, half-closing his eyes, accumulating strength.

Yong Qin, behind him, was anxious, watching as the Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry’s speed increased under the enhancement of spiritual techniques. Tai Ling Zi seemed to have unleashed some secret art, causing the riding beasts' speed to double again. Above, Xuan Ye was fighting two at once, and although retreating while fighting, she frequently found herself in grave danger. Yong Qin anxiously urged, "Tan Qiu, what are you waiting for? Why aren't you saving them yet?"

Zong Shou acted as if he hadn't heard, remaining calm and detached. Moments later, Xuan Shu sighed again, "They've separated!"

Zong Shou merely uttered an 'Mm,' offering no comment, but he watched as the eight hundred Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry gradually pulled away from the Great Shang cavalry behind them, the distance widening.

Up above, Xuan Ye and Luo Shi were both beginning to falter, streaks of blood appearing on their bodies from the attacks.

Yong Qin was going mad with anxiety and burst into curses, "Tan Qiu, you are cold-blooded! Is this what you call watching death and refusing to save them? I can’t believe my Senior Sister Xuan Ye spoke well of you; you truly are such a ruthless person! You beast, you monster—" If she hadn't been completely bound, she would have gladly kicked Tan Qiu hard.

Zong Shou sighed helplessly and turned back to signal. With a soft chuckle, Ruo Shui moved a few steps and arrived beside the girl, covering her lips. "Be good, listen! Girls who like to curse aren't good children."

Xuan Shu’s gaze remained fixed on the battle unfolding before them. After a moment, he breathed a sigh of relief, "Almost there!"

Zong Shou again gave a lazy 'Mm,' slowly grasping his sword. The Cang Sheng Dao disciples being pursued were getting closer; they were now scattering in all directions.

The Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry also dispersed, with nearly half breaking off to pursue separately.

The same happened in the sky; Xie An, Luo Shi, and Xuan Ye also moved in different directions, preparing for their escape.

Zong Shou’s lips curved slightly; these people weren't fools after all.

Yong Qin struggled violently, but Ruo Shui held her firmly in place, rendering her unable to move.

Zong Shou continued to wait until the main body of the Zi Xiao Sword Cavalry—over four hundred riders—had approached the base of the mountain, only a thousand zhang away. Only then did he suddenly open his eyes and draw the massive crimson greatsword from behind him.

The sword weighed three thousand jin, the size of a door panel; wielding it required considerable pressure. Zong Shou, however, casually angled the greatsword and was the first to mount his steed and charge out.

"To battle!"

The dozens of Spirit Masters, already prepared, immediately launched their spiritual talismans, empowering everyone.

The two hundred and forty riders of the Cang Sheng Xuan Long Riders let out a muffled roar in unison, spurring their Silver-Scaled Wind-Treading Beasts as they thundered down from the small mountain.

The East of Le Wu City thus saw a sudden and drastic change in the heavens and earth.