"This is the Black Spirit Valley Path, what an impregnable place!" Standing on a muddy mountain track, Ji Lingzi surveyed his surroundings. All around him, floodwaters surged violently.

This area, usually too high and remote for people to frequent, had become the only viable passage now that the great floods had spread.

The surrounding mountains were too sheer to cross. Only alongside Black Spirit Mountain was there a relatively broad valley path passable by troops.

In truth, almost all mounted beasts above the fourth rank possessed the ability to float. However, that was true over solid ground. Once they touched the water's surface, with nowhere to exert force, their consumption of spiritual energy increased exponentially; being able to glide forty or fifty li on the wind was already the absolute limit.

Yuan Jiuchen’s prediction that the Cangsheng Dao would choose this spot for an ambush indeed held merit.

Upon entering the valley path, one could see it was naturally formed, strewn with gravel below, and wide enough—three hundred zhang across—for a thousand cavalry to ride abreast.

At this juncture, however, Yuan Jiuchen deliberately halted his elite cavalry force, waiting until the several tens-of-thousands-strong infantry formations visible far behind them had caught up before proceeding.

Ji Lingzi watched, silently impressed. Under normal circumstances, with the Zixiao Sword Riders and the Dingxi Iron Riders—a combined force of just over two thousand sixth-rank cavalry—any ordinary general would have eagerly charged into the valley path to seek a decisive battle with the Cangsheng Black Dragon Knights. But this Yuan Jiuchen, despite possessing such strength, had not been blinded by impulse. Instead, he had positioned himself in an undefeated state beforehand. This single caution was enough to earn the King of Han’s high regard.

Bo Li and Xiao Ze exchanged glances, their regret intensifying, their gazes toward Yuan Jiuchen exceedingly complex.

Nearly nine thousand riders filed into the valley one after another. A dense white mist permeated the surroundings.

Ji Lingzi initially paid it no mind, but with a start forty breaths later, he was shocked. Yet, the shock quickly gave way to a self-amused chuckle.

"An illusion formation? Is this the Inverted Formless Array? Rumor has it that while this array isn't inherently powerful, it is without form or image, which explains why I didn't sense it earlier. I had assumed that Tan Qiu would set up a killing formation here—"

His mind settled; since such a large spiritual array was deployed here, the Cangsheng Black Dragon Knights and Tan Qiu had most likely chosen this location for their ambush.

Given the strategic importance of this terrain, if Tan Qiu failed to make arrangements in the Black Spirit Valley beforehand, he would be unworthy of his reputation as an unparalleled commander.

What worried him most was the possibility that these Cangsheng Dao demons did not truly value the lives of the three million people.

As expected, after advancing about two li further, they spotted a crowd of shadowy figures on horseback slowly approaching through the thick fog.

Ji Lingzi raised an eyebrow, a deep blue glint flashing in his eyes as his sight pierced through the layers of mist, which bred hallucinations, to gaze toward the approaching force.

He saw over nine hundred riders, all clad in black and red armor, grasping crimson greatswords, their dark cloaks billowing in the wind.

Their Silver Scale Wind-Treaders were mostly moving in perfect unison; three thousand two hooves struck the ground and lifted simultaneously.

However, there were subtle dissonances within the ranks. These were likely not the true Cangsheng Black Dragon Knights, and one could faintly perceive expressions of confusion and tension on their faces.

Although they possessed decent individual strength, arrayed within this cavalry formation, they did not enhance its might; rather, they became a liability.

The Inverted Formless Array, however, still served some purpose. From a distance, the figures looked numerous, but when Ji Lingzi withdrew his spiritual sight and looked again, they seemed to number several thousand riders.

Ji Lingzi couldn't help but smile, overcome by an urge to laugh out loud.

A bluff? Was this Tan Qiu’s tactic? It was utterly laughable!

"He's run out of tricks!"

Yuan Jiuchen, standing beside him, also let out a cold laugh. "From the sound of the hoofbeats, there are a thousand riders at most! Still, we must be cautious in this battle; we should aim for complete annihilation—"

Though he was not a Spirit Master and could not use spiritual sight, he possessed a pair of ears. Decades on the battlefield had honed his technique of discerning sound.

If they could severely wound the Cangsheng Dao here, it would guarantee decades of peace afterward.

At this moment, Bo Li and Xiao Ze exchanged another look, both showing a hint of wry amusement, before discreetly putting some distance between themselves and the two commanders.

Ji Lingzi was entirely in agreement, nodding thoughtfully. "Precisely. We have a hundred percent certainty of victory in this engagement. Winning is not difficult; the challenge lies in total annihilation!"

His gaze swept across the scene, finally settling on the vanguard of the nine hundred iron-clad warriors, where a figure stood—stiff and unnaturally slender, even within the heavy armor. Ji Lingzi’s lips curved into a slight, mocking sneer.

An unparalleled commander, you say? A peak Sword Intent practitioner? Today, will you not fall here?

"We’re likely doomed in this fight—"

At almost the exact same moment, behind Zong Shou, murmurs of doubt could also be heard. They dared not speak aloud, as with a great battle imminent, such talk was not only useless but would only sow unrest among the troops.

Xie Guanluo Shi and the others wore ashen faces. Their superior strength was already apparent; the enemy force boasted more than double the number of sixth-rank cavalry alone!

Besides the fourteen hundred Zixiao Sword Riders, there were the King of Han's one thousand Dingxi Iron Riders. Furthermore, countless other armies were likely closing in from the vicinity—hundreds of thousands strong.

It was not just them; the many 'elite' disciples of the Cangsheng Dao were also pale.

They claimed not to fear death, but when death truly loomed before them, a wave of heart palpitations still washed over them.

—It still seemed possible to flee now. What did the three million condemned civilians matter to them? Betraying the Cangsheng Dao might not mean instant death, just like that Yuan Jiuchen across the way.

All these distracting thoughts assaulted their minds. They had to exert every ounce of willpower to forcibly suppress these inappropriate mental impulses.

To face death bravely was easy to say, but how many in this world could truly achieve it?

Gradually, some grew more frantic and distracted, their minds wandering. Others, however, began to settle, their hearts achieving a profound stillness; under the intense self-examination, their state of mind seemed to ascend, casting the concepts of 'life' and 'death' entirely aside.

In the Black Spirit Valley today, they could not refuse to fight, nor could they afford the luxury of cowardice!

Among the eight hundred Cangsheng Black Dragon Knights, more than half the riders also felt a chilling emptiness in their hearts.

But these men were not only Cangsheng Dao soldiers but also death warriors. Though fully aware of their impending doom, they exhibited little fear, only a faint tinge of despair in their eyes.

Only Xuan Shu and Xuan Chi, who knew some of the truth, remained calm and composed, their expressions unchanged. This somewhat soothed the majority, who then focused their efforts on steadying their agitated emotions.

Yong Qin was positioned not far behind Zong Shou; her strength was not weak, which is why she was placed there. At this moment, her face was drawn and bitter, like a frost-bitten eggplant, utterly dispirited.

"We’re finished, finished! I said he couldn't possibly have a plan, and sure enough, it’s just a head-on collision. Did he really think he was some peerless legendary general? Nine hundred against nine thousand—he’s completely lost it. I should have thrown a tantrum earlier and refused to come. I should have made them report to the elders, but they wouldn't listen. A perfectly good life, ruined just like that—"

She could only think these words; she dared not speak them aloud. Zhao Yanran, standing nearby, felt a pang of sympathy and could only offer a helpless reassurance: "Martial Uncle, please do not worry. The Chief Disciple has his own strategy to defeat the enemy."

The moment these words left her mouth, numerous gazes snapped toward her. Looking at Zhao Yanran’s demeanor, she genuinely appeared confident, not feigning it.

And those like Xie Anluo Shi, who were more perceptive, narrowed their eyes sharply.

—A strategy to defeat the enemy, not retreat. What deployment did Tan Qiu have in mind?

Finally, a measure of calm settled in their hearts. They knew that Zhao Yanran was usually the closest to Tan Qiu and must know some details of his plans. Moreover, this woman’s strategic mind was not ordinary; if she didn't see a chance for success, she wouldn't have spoken so assuredly.

Zong Shou rode at the forefront of his army, completely unaware of or unconcerned with the matters unfolding behind him.

He controlled the Silver Scale Wind-Treader with a steady, unhurried pace.

When they were less than fifteen hundred zhang away, he suddenly heard Ji Lingzi’s voice ringing out from the distance.

"Where in life does one not meet acquaintances! A month ago, Ji Lingzi never imagined he would meet your esteemed self here again. When setting out for this place, I never expected Chief Tan would truly wait for us in this Black Dragon Valley Path—"

His tone seemed light, yet upon careful listening, one could vaguely detect the excitement and smugness laced within.

Zong Shou secretly shook his head, uninterested in responding. Ji Lingzi hadn't anticipated things, but Zong Shou himself had guessed a month prior that this affair would most likely be concluded in the Black Spirit Valley.

Ji Lingzi remained supremely confident, smiling coldly. "Today, I, Ji Lingzi, fight with overwhelming advantage, so please do not take offense. However, if any among you are willing to lay down your arms and swear to leave the Cangsheng Dao, I, Ji Lingzi, can vouch to grant you safe passage!"

This declaration instantly ignited fury in the nine hundred riders, even among those Cangsheng Dao disciples whose resolve had already wavered. They all stabilized their minds, ceasing to consider life or death, and their will to fight surged.

They particularly resented Ji Lingzi’s tone, which treated them like lambs awaiting slaughter.

Even if they were dragged to hell, they would pull someone down with them. Today, in the Black Spirit Valley, there was only death!

Zong Shou could faintly sense the shift in morale behind him, which made him even more inwardly speechless.

It was thanks to this man that his side had achieved unity of purpose! Almost everyone had successfully passed through this trial of inner tribulation that he had intentionally orchestrated. Being prepared to face death without fear meant they would surely achieve great things in martial arts and spiritual techniques later. He would also have something to report to Senior Brother Han when he returned.

Just then, having reached the fifteen hundred zhang mark, Zong Shou abruptly pulled on the reins and raised his hand, halting the entire army.

Simultaneously, Yuan Jiuchen on the opposite side suddenly roared, "Bo Li! Xiao Ze! What are you two doing?"