Guanxue City, situated northeast of the Eastern Cloud Continent, was an utterly unremarkable mid-sized city-state, perhaps two thousand li across.

Its location was remote, far from any major thoroughfare, and the land could only be described as barren. Even higher-grade spirit beasts seemed to disdain it, appearing in scarce numbers. However, due to its proximity to Mount Shangxiao, the deterrent power of the Shangxiao Profound Spirit Sect ensured that the area remained relatively peaceful and secure.

Even the city lord himself was merely a registered disciple of the Shangxiao Sect. Compared to other regions of the Cloud Continent embroiled in continuous warfare, this place, despite its poverty, felt like a secluded paradise.

Thus, this small stretch of barren land had somehow accumulated a population of five or six million people.

But on this day, the tranquility that had lasted for nearly a thousand years was finally shattered.

First, a series of booming sounds echoed from the distance. Immediately following, even the very air began to vibrate.

Not only were the city guards—long accustomed to peace and whose vigilance had long since grown lax—filled with apprehension and uncertainty, but every prominent figure within the city also rushed desperately toward the battlements.

And moments later, a dense, oppressive black cloud was seen surging toward them from the horizon.

It was clear that Spirit Masters were using illusions to conceal the conditions within, making it impossible to see clearly. Yet, one could vaguely sense the rush of countless iron cavalry galloping within.

A chill settled deep in the hearts of all on the city wall. As the cloud drew closer, a Spirit Master above the sixth rank used their Spirit Eyes to peer through, sucking in a sharp breath of cold air!

“Where in the world did this cavalry come from? A full seventy thousand troops, at least Secret Martial Masters. Such powerful vital energy and essence! Experts in the Innate realm, I estimate at least eight thousand—”

“More than that! I count closer to fifteen thousand, and their mounts are all Wind-Tamer Colts. Truly a formidable army! Those banners seem familiar—the characters Qian and Zong. Could this be the Demon King from that western region, Mount Qiantian? What magnificent momentum!”

Almost everyone’s complexion was ashen, completely drained of color. Only when they saw the overwhelming black cloud pass directly by the city, rather than attack it, did they collectively exhale in relief.

Then, they turned to astonishment, displaying confusion.

“Heading in this direction, are they going to Mount Shangxiao?”

“I recall Mount Qiantian and Shangxiao being bitter enemies, don’t they? Has that Demon King gone mad? To rush toward the Shangxiao Spirit Estate at this time would be seeking death!”

“Speaking of which, yesterday, the City Lord received an invitation for the wedding ceremony of Han Nishui and Xuanyuan Yiren of the Danquan Sect, scheduled for three days hence. Could this be related to that matter?”

“That Demon King is most likely here for this reason. Two years ago, a similar incident occurred with a betrothed being seized; the Sect Master of Zongshou couldn’t possibly tolerate it. What a pity. If that Demon King could have held his temper for a while longer, he might have achieved hegemony. This time, however, he is likely to suffer utter defeat—”

“Hmph! What incredible arrogance! To dare approach Mount Shangxiao with just this contingent of troops—truly courting death!”

At that very same moment, high above Guanxue City, within the clouds, two figures observed the black cloud below, discussing matters with composed expressions.

“Not bad! To possess such strength. Seventy thousand elite cavalry, with at least seventeen thousand being Innate realm masters. All their armor and weaponry are Spirit Artifacts above the second rank. They are actually stronger than I anticipated.”

The speaker was Xun Dan, his eyes showing caution. Observing from several thousand zhang above afforded a clearer perspective.

And by surveying the entire panorama, one could see that the area surrounding Mount Shangxiao was dotted with armies numbering in the millions, spread out in all directions, less than two hundred li away.

They were stationed there openly, making no attempt at concealment, resembling a gigantic net waiting for prey to fall into the trap.

Before Mount Shangxiao itself stood three hundred thousand elite soldiers, perfectly arrayed and ready for battle. These were genuine elite troops, all cultivators above the Secret Martial Master realm, also equipped with Spirit Artifact armor.

They were divided into thirty formations, lined up before the mountain, appearing as unshakeable as bedrock, as imposing as a towering peak. It forced one to doubt if anything in this world could shake them!

“The more elites like this that arrive, the more disastrously Mount Qiantian will lose. This single battle will be enough to completely cripple their vitality. Seventeen thousand Innate masters—that number rivals the preceding six Holy Lands—but what of it? The Demon King of Mount Qiantian possesses great talent and strategy, yet his temperament is simply too impatient. Knowing it is a trap, he still dares to rush in. But this is for the best; this matter can be resolved completely—”

As Xun Dan spoke, Er Dan gazed thoughtfully at the area directly beneath them, at the very center of the entire ‘black cloud.’

“That specific location, even with my Spirit Arts, I cannot see through.”

“It must be Ming Du Lie He!”

Xun Dan paused for a moment of recollection, then frowned slightly. “In my memory, Xun Dan once fought against Ming Du and nearly died. Both are remnants of the Talisman Spirit Sect, Grandmasters of Talisman Dao a century ago. In the great battle twenty years prior, each could fight four opponents and still escape safely afterward. It was due to that incident that Xun Dan and Er Dan sustained injuries. Otherwise, you and I would never have stood a chance. To think that after twenty years, these two have not dropped in cultivation level, and their Spirit Arts have become even more profound—”

Even when recounting past experiences, he consistently referred to himself as ‘Xun Dan,’ as if the person being discussed was someone else entirely.

Er Dan paid this no mind. “That Demon King likely has more tricks up his sleeve; he must be hiding something.”

“Just putting on a show!”

Xun Dan gave a dismissive smile. “Senior Brother, do you truly believe Zongshou can win this battle today?”

“Indeed!”

Er Dan nodded, also not believing Zongshou had any means to break through this deadly snare. He then looked toward the summit of Mount Shangxiao.

“Things are probably about to begin over there as well. Since we are related by marriage to Yiren’s family, we cannot afford to be remiss. We must act ahead of the others. With the wedding of Han Nishui, all the major sects of the Cloud Realm will surely send observers. It’s a good opportunity to gauge the true strength of the Cloud Realm—”

As he spoke, Er Dan headed toward the northeast. His steps were neither hurried nor slow, precisely positioning him to arrive ahead of the black cloud below.

※ ※ ※ ※

“They are here, three hundred li away! In just two hours, they will reach the foot of Mount Qiantian!”

Inside a side hall of the Shangxiao Spirit Estate, Han Nishui narrowed his eyes, gazing at the cloud-light projection before him.

Mount Shangxiao was fortified with a grand formation capable of observing the area within three hundred li surrounding the mountain.

And now, before Han Nishui’s eyes, the cavalry surging toward them from hundreds of li away appeared with almost microscopic clarity.

The grand formation discerned nearly all the illusions. Consequently, the full reality of the seventy thousand iron riders, including their strengths and weaknesses, was completely revealed.

Only the central portion remained shrouded in the black cloud, obscuring visibility.

Naturally, Zongshou’s exact location could not be found.

However, Han Nishui could sense that the man was definitely within that cavalry force.

Just thinking that he would soon face the enemy he hated unto death, Han Nishui felt the blood within him burning, his chest almost boiling over.

It was a pity that this time he could not personally claim Zongshou’s head. But witnessing the man’s defeat would somewhat alleviate the hatred in his heart!

—And as for Xuanyuan Yiren, the shame he suffered two years ago, he would reclaim it piece by piece. He would cast that man into the deepest abyss of hell, never to rise again—

Musing on this, Han Nishui glanced to his side. He saw Xuanyuan Yiren sitting on a wooden chair nearby, her eyelids slightly lowered, not even sparing him a glance. She was dressed in ordinary attire, unlike him, who had already changed into the grand red robes.

She looked exactly as she had three days ago when she was brought here.

Even the Shangxiao Sect was helpless. The combined efforts of eight ninth-rank cultivators within the sect could not pierce the fifth-rank defensive shield the woman carried.

The Spirit Estate was not a Holy Land, and it was far inferior to the Vault Realm. Although the sect had many Spirit Realm and Divine Realm cultivators over the past ten thousand years, they were unable to enter this specific domain.

The Lingyun Sect Holy Land did have two Spirit Realm masters stationed there, but under warning from several Boundary Protecting Venerables, they could not easily leave.

Thus, they could only watch helplessly as Xuanyuan Yiren remained at ease beneath her protective shield, unable to do anything. If not for the several ninth-rank cultivators constantly maintaining restraint, the woman could have simply left—

“Uncle Xuanyuan is also among them, along with twenty thousand elite riders from Xuanshan City! Yiren, are you still unwilling to change your mind and remain so steadfast?”

With a slight wave of his hand, he dissolved the restrictive magic, causing the illusionary mirror to vanish. Han Nishui clenched his fists and turned around. “Must you truly watch as the elite forces of your Xuanshan City are utterly wiped out here before you relent?”

Xuanyuan Yiren finally opened her eyes. In both expression and speech, she maintained a detached calm, as if untouched by earthly concerns. “Two years ago, I refined a Spirit Salamander Blood Essence Pill for Zongshou. Does your Shangxiao Sect know of it?”

“Spirit Salamander Blood Essence Pill? What is that?”

Han Nishui started. He knew of the Spirit Salamander, an ancient divine beast.

But what kind of item was the Spirit Salamander Blood Essence Pill?

“You don’t know? Then do you know that it was also the item of the first transaction between Zongshou and the Kongqi Sect two years ago?”

Xuanyuan Yiren smiled, her gaze sparkling like stars. “That is why Yiren has always felt that your Shangxiao Sect truly does not know how to write the character for ‘death.’”

Han Nishui frowned. If he hadn't been certain that Xuanyuan Yiren was currently of sound mind, he would have suspected the woman was completely insane.

He immediately shook his head and strode out. He cared little for Xuanyuan Yiren’s intentions.

As long as Zongshou perished and Xuanyuan Tong was captured, he was sure he could compel the woman to submit.

Presently, in the main hall of the Spirit Estate Master, several figures were also observing the scene hundreds of li away.

Daoist Yuan Kong was naturally seated in the main upper position, while Ling Weizi sat beside him, holding a position almost equal to Yuan Kong’s in terms of status.

“They are indeed elites! Zongshou’s two years of cultivation have yielded this much strength. If it were only our Shangxiao Sect, we might have trouble coping. Even if we win, the losses would be catastrophic.”

“That is precisely why this child must not be allowed to live! In another year or two, he will become completely uncontrollable!”

Ling Weizi smiled, then suddenly frowned, looking downward. “Long Ruo, calm yourself—” (To be continued)