That tone carried an immense sense of shock, fury, and panic.

Upon hearing this, Ji Lingzi was also slightly taken aback. He turned to look and finally realized something was amiss.

Boli and Xiao Ze had already retreated, separating into the ranks of the Dingxi Iron Cavalry and the Imperial Guard Knights, respectively.

And these elite cavalry units under the Han King’s command were now turning their mounts, heading toward the exit of the Black Spirit Valley Pass, clearly intending to withdraw from this location.

Even the three thousand elite cavalry from Yan City who served under the former Jiu Chen were turning away and departing.

A flash of panic and confusion crossed Ji Lingzi's eyes, which instantly settled into grim composure. His face turned ashen as he demanded, "Are you two attempting treason? Colluding with the Cangsheng Dao—you have quite the audacity! Are you not afraid of military law?"

Boli, hearing this, turned back and burst into laughter. "Fellow Daoist Ji Lingzi, what a grand accusation to level! It’s a pity, however, that our return is under the direct orders of the Han King. Civil unrest has recently erupted frequently in Dunhuang, compelling us to return and quell the rebellion! We shall not be accompanying you here—farewell!"

This statement stunned not only Ji Lingzi and the numerous disciples of the Tailing Sect but also the Cangsheng Dao faction, who were utterly bewildered, staring blankly at this sudden turn of events.

Under the pressure of the nine thousand cavalry, many on the Cangsheng Dao side believed their doom was sealed.

Yet, before a battle could even commence, the opposing force had fractured.

Xuan Ye and Xie An, along with nearly everyone in their formation, turned their gaze toward Zong Shou in shared astonishment.

Did this individual also anticipate this outcome?

As for the former Jiu Chen, whatever he had realized caused the color to drain completely from his face.

Ji Lingzi took several deep breaths, managing to suppress the wave of panic rising within him again.

The voice that spoke was not his own, but that of the man behind him, also a Seventh Tier cultivator, clad in a Daoist robe, his dark red face contorted with rage.

"What are you doing? Does His Highness the Han King intend to break ties with my Tailing Sect over this Cangsheng Dao? How much has my Tailing Sect labored and sacrificed for the Han King over the years! Is this how His Highness repays it? Is he not fearful of retribution from the Tailing Sect?"

"That, I, Boli, know nothing about. You may take it up with the Han King!"

Boli methodically directed his three thousand subordinate cavalry to turn around, then said with a slight, mocking smile, "However, His Highness did have one message for Brother Ji Lingzi and Marshal Yuan: he asks you to send his regards to his Ninth Brother, His Highness the Liao King! We have benefited greatly from your 'care' over the years; it is only proper to reciprocate. Heh heh, perhaps you two will receive news soon..."

The former Jiu Chen felt his spirit struck by a massive hammer, a jolt of terror running through him. His body swayed on the horse, nearly pitching him onto the ground.

A flicker of alarm also crossed the depths of Ji Lingzi's eyes, his expression turning exceptionally grim. "I do not know what connection the Liao King has to this matter! I only know that the rebellious bandits of the Cangsheng Dao are right before us. Do you dare to aid the enemy?"

Boli paused for a moment, then sneered, "I thought Fellow Daoist Ji Lingzi would be smarter than this; turns out he’s just another tactless fool! Which of your eyes sees any Cangsheng Dao bandits here? My men and I certainly haven't spotted any. Hey! Brother Xiao, have you seen anyone from the Cangsheng Dao here?"

Xiao Ze was prepared. His thousand or so Sixth Tier Dingxi Iron Cavalry were positioned precisely behind the Tailing Sect’s Purple Firmament Sword Cavalry. They were the only contingent of the Han King’s forces not retreating, and now, subtly, they formed a pincer movement with the nine hundred Cangsheng Black Dragon Warriors in the distance.

Upon hearing the question, he merely raised his eyelids slightly. "Cangsheng Dao rebels? This general has seen none..."

Boli laughed wildly again. "So, it’s not just your Tailing Sect that can twist black into white! Oh yes, I almost forgot! The entrance to the Black Spirit Valley Pass is guarded by forty thousand infantry. If you plan to retreat, that road is blocked! While you, Ji Lingzi, were setting a trap for them, that gentleman over there had already dug a pit days ago for you to jump into. This time, your Tailing Sect’s defeat is well-deserved!"

The two hundred Tailing Sect disciples, who moments before wore expressions of thinly veiled mockery—even the most cautious among them believed victory was certain—now had their sneers frozen stiffly on their faces. The one thousand four hundred Purple Firmament Sword Cavalry also sensed the grave turn of events, their auras suppressed to the extreme.

At that precise moment, a golden talisman streaked across the air. Ji Lingzi caught it, and his face instantly turned ashen. He squeezed it so tightly he nearly crushed the talisman to dust!

At the last second, he restrained the impulse and casually tossed the golden talisman to the former Jiu Chen beside him. The latter examined it closely with his spiritual sense, and moments later, his mouth filled with bitterness.

"The Seven Spirits and Light Sound Sects assassinated the Liao King, provoking his counter-attack. Using illusionary arts, they deceived the Prince into deploying the Supreme Clarity Riding the Wind Sword. The matter at Yan City Pass is now irreversible; caution is paramount..."

So that was it! The Supreme Clarity Riding the Wind Sword—that was a supreme secret technique of the Tailing Sect, unique in the Cloud Realm!

If this message talisman had arrived even a moment sooner, they would not have fallen into this predicament!

The Han King’s thousands of cavalry retreated with astonishing speed; in less than half an hour, they had vanished from sight...

Even the thousand Dingxi Iron Cavalry retreated shortly after, like a receding tide. This allowed the former Jiu Chen to breathe a small sigh of relief. At least the Han King still intended for them and the Cangsheng Dao to exhaust each other, unwilling to make an outright enemy of the Tailing Sect.

However, as he surveyed his surroundings, a chill settled deep in his heart.

In this vast valley pass, only a little over sixteen hundred people remained standing. Compared to the grand momentum just moments ago, they now appeared isolated and alone.

Not long ago, victory was within their grasp. But now, the hunters had become the prey in others' eyes. Still, there was a sliver of hope remaining. "Brother Ji! In this engagement today, you and I are facing certain death. But my Tailing Sect still holds the advantage in numbers, nearly double the enemy force. Only by fighting to the death can we survive!"

"I know!"

Ji Lingzi glanced at the former Jiu Chen beside him with surprise, secretly admiring the man. Truly worthy of being a renowned Marshal; his character was indeed fierce and resolute, knowing precisely how to make critical decisions.

He then took a deep breath and, with a grave expression, looked toward the opposing force. "I admire you. Was the assassination attempt on the Liao King your doing? You skillfully swayed the Han King and easily reversed the crisis. I, Ji Lingzi, have never bowed to anyone in my life, but Brother, you are the first peer of my generation to earn my complete respect. However, the outcome of this battle between us remains uncertain. How about we call a truce here and now?"

Zong Shou remained silent, musing that reluctance to concede was only natural.

He genuinely did not want to waste words with Ji Lingzi. This fellow was a tedious chatterbox, annoying and self-important in his supposed refinement. Zong Shou, a young man in his prime, had no desire for any camaraderie with him.

At this juncture, the man was still thinking of a truce—had his mind gone soft?

Only after the Han King’s contingent had completely withdrawn did Zong Shou turn around with a smile. "An enemy nine times your size is a suicide mission. Now that the odds are one to one, do you dare fight?"

The Cangsheng Black Dragon Warriors were relatively composed, but the hundred or so 'elite' disciples flushed slightly with shame, yet their eyes immediately gleamed crimson.

They had already prepared themselves for death, intending to fight to the bitter end. Now that the situation of the few against the many had reversed, their will to fight had not diminished; instead, their battle spirit burned even brighter.

The Tailing Sect had repeatedly used the former Jiu Chen as bait at Yan City Pass, attempting to scheme against the Cangsheng Dao. Hundreds of disciples had perished, and many Cangsheng Black Dragon Warriors had fallen.

Anyone aware of those events held a belly full of suppressed rage. Now that they had an opportunity to vent it, why would they back down? Even if it meant mutual annihilation, they would ensure these thousand or so Purple Firmament Sword Cavalry were all buried here!

Their confidence in Zong Shou had reached an astonishing level.

This man was an unparalleled general. If he could defeat four hundred men with two hundred a month ago, perhaps today he could defeat over a thousand Purple Firmament Sword Cavalry with nine hundred Cangsheng Black Dragon Warriors!

Xie An, who had implicitly been the leader among them, now pursed his lips slightly, a hint of unwillingness showing. "In this battle, Xie An is willing to follow the Chief's lead!"

Luo Shi also smiled. "As long as it's not one against nine, Luo Shi fears nothing!"

Xuan Ye remained silent, merely gripping his sword tighter.

Xuan Shu and Xin Chi, as before, kept their expressions subdued. However, beneath their calm faces, a hint of excitement was secretly brewing.

Zong Shou’s lips curved upward. Knowing he had secured their full commitment, he abruptly raised the great crimson sword in his hand horizontally beside him and laughed loudly.

"If that is the case, then let us fight to the death! Let us have a good, satisfying battle!"

His ** mount, a silver-scaled Wind-Treading Beast, suddenly leaped forward, galloping like thunder. Within a few breaths, it reached maximum speed.

The nine hundred crimson cavalry behind him paused for a moment, then surged forward like a tidal wave, following Zong Shou in a formation as distinct as overlapping fish scales.

"Fight to the death! Kill!"

Seeing this, Ji Lingzi’s face turned green once more. He let out a muffled grunt and also spurred his horse into a gallop, leading the one thousand six hundred Purple Armored Iron Cavalry straight into the collision, without evasion.

Their momentum was equally heaven-shaking; the sound of their hooves reverberated through the ancient pass like rolling thunder. Vast purple sword energy erupted violently from the cavalry formation!

Immediately following this, a dark-red sword shadow also soared up, transforming into a colossal black dragon that fiercely intersected and clashed with the purple energy!

In an instant, boundless surges of spiritual force scattered everywhere! Both sides of the valley path looked as if they had been raked by countless steel needles. Thousands of scattered sword qi pierced countless holes in the surrounding terrain.

Zong Shou thought of nothing; the sword in his hand abruptly plunged into the purple sword light the moment they clashed. But after a sharp 'clang,' it was forcefully halted!

Faintly visible on the face of the former Jiu Chen, a glimmer of triumph and relief appeared.

"Profound Iron Mountain Armor?"

After a brief moment of thought, Zong Shou understood the situation. He let out a cold laugh, and several white shadows suddenly shot out from his sleeve. The blade light, invisible to the naked eye, flashed only once, causing the head of the former Jiu Chen to fly abruptly into the air!