As the two were speaking, the ten thousand streaks of escaping light had already descended. The strength of the Great Sect from the First Spirit Mansion of the River of Books was indeed far more formidable than that of the Kongqi Sect. Besides the ten thousand disciples above the fifth rank, there were also a full four hundred sixth-rank Dao Soldiers—the Azure Dragon Warriors of the Common People.
However, most of them were women, a delightful array of fluttering sprites and charming lasses.
When the Sect Master of the Seven Spirits Sect landed before Zong Shou, it genuinely startled him.
Her appearance was an exact mold of Shui Lingbo, save for a small cinnabar mole between her brows. In demeanor, compared to Shui Lingbo’s quiet reserve and cold detachment, there was truly no discernible difference.
Zong Shou knew this woman was named Shui Lingxiao, Shui Lingbo’s elder sister. Reaching the rank of Sect Master of the Seven Spirits Sect at the age of thirty-seven marked her as an extraordinary figure. Yet, it seemed her brilliance had always been eclipsed by that of her younger sister.
Still, Shui Lingxiao, much like her sister, appeared profoundly ill at ease beside her ‘elder’ in the sect.
After exchanging formal greetings and conversing briefly, she rejoined the formation composed of the Seven Spirits Sect disciples, leaving only Zhao Yanran behind.
As soon as the Sect Master Shui departed, Zong Shou couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Yanran, laced with a hint of mockery.
“Your Charm Demon Sect truly knows how to read the currents of power. Arriving with the full might of your sect for this event—what a grand display!”
“We’re here to pick up leftovers!”
Zhao Yanran nodded, unoffended, and spoke plainly: “Knowing you already possess a ten-tenths chance of victory this time, only a fool wouldn't come to secure some benefits. Isn't the Sect Master of the Heavenly Artifact Sect the same? Cunning old fox. Why don't you mention him?”
Zong Shou smiled in return: “Aren’t you worried about being associated with me, a Demon King, at a time like this?”
“What is there to fear? If our Seven Spirits Sect were offering aid in a time of desperate need, others might have cause for suspicion. But if we are merely adding flowers to brocade, no one will truly care. At most, they will say the Seven Spirits Sect is indeed shrewd.”
Zhao Yanran said, shooting Zong Shou another glance. She chuckled coldly: “Moreover, by now, why should you, Zong Shou, need to heed anyone? Just annihilate the Shangxiao Sect, then gather the seven thousand Blood Cloud Riders. With no internal troubles and no external formidable enemies, any sect that dares to talk nonsense, you just slaughter them.”
Zong Shou sighed, musing that this woman was truly difficult to handle. He then looked thoughtfully toward the peak of Shangxiao Mountain.
“I only fear that this small pond is no longer large enough to hold your great fish—”
“How could that be?”
Hearing this, Zhao Yanran, like Tianqi just moments before, let out a cold, scornful laugh filled with derision: “Under the current circumstances, the Shangxiao Sect cannot avoid battle, and the Lingyun Sect cannot avoid saving them. They tried to fish, but they didn't realize this fish is too massive, threatening to tear the net apart. But if they don't haul the fish in and retrieve the net, the source of their livelihood disappears—they die just the same. Now, that Yuan Kong must regret everything down to his very intestines.”
“I hope so!”
Zong Shou shook his head upon hearing this, though his own confidence was already at ninety percent. He then glanced behind Zhao Yanran: “Then why did you bring her?”
Not far behind Zhao Yanran stood Kong Yao, currently observing his seventy thousand cavalry with a grave expression.
He recalled that just before coming here, he had instructed that wild woman to choose an opportune moment to release Kong Yao.
“You mean her?”
Zhao Yanran glanced back: “This beautiful Commander insisted on observing. We have a good rapport now, so I brought her along—”
Zong Shou frowned, utterly perplexed. Could Zhao Yanran possibly get along with Kong Yao, given her nature? That was a lie worthy of the devil.
However, he couldn't be bothered to dwell on it and turned his gaze to the other girl, named Jingyin.
He wasn't sure if Zhao Yanran brought her, or if she followed willingly.
Zong Shou held a measure of respect for the little nun and offered Jingyin a slight nod, a gesture of courtesy. Jingyin, slightly stunned, quickly bowed in return. Even if one was naive about worldly affairs, one knew that the Demon King before them was a figure comparable to the Master of their Pure Land Sect.
The seventy thousand iron cavalry, coupled with nearly twenty thousand martial cultivators and spirit masters from the Seven Spirits and Kongqi Sects, arrived twenty li from the foot of Shangxiao Mountain in just another half an hour.
Before the mountain, thirty elite armies were already arrayed in strict formation, awaiting them.
Zong Shou gave a slight signal, and the entire military formation slowly halted on a hillside. The clamorous sound of movement ceased abruptly. Almost every rider sat calmly upon their horses, seizing the time to restore their spirit and physical strength. Zong Shou channeled his spiritual power into his eyes and peered into the formation ahead. On a high platform behind the opposing army, he saw several figures.
Seated in the absolute center was Yang Fan. His face was utterly ashen, looking as terrible as one could imagine.
The dozen or so people beside him included the Lords of the Eastern Cities, as well as disciples from the Shangxiao and Lingyun Sects; their expressions were equally grave.
Zong Shou couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. This time, he was truly meeting old acquaintances.
He then gazed upward, sensing countless streams of spiritual thoughts enveloping the area; some individuals were even standing directly above the ground, looking down.
It made sense. Since the Lingyun and Shangxiao Sects intended to shame him and shake his state of mind before the battle with Li Wuhui, they would naturally spare no effort in inviting various sects to attend this ‘viewing ceremony.’
Today’s battle at Shangxiao Mountain would also determine the ultimate hegemon of the East Lin Cloud Continent. Even those in the Fifth Heaven Realm would likely be paying attention.
—This is perfect!
As he surveyed the surroundings, the peak of Shangxiao suddenly manifested clouds and light, condensing in the sky into a colossal human effigy, nearly a hundred zhang tall—the very likeness of Daoist Yuan Kong, majestic and awe-inspiring.
Before arriving, Zong Shou had seen an image of the Shangxiao Sect Master. But this figure formed of cloud energy before him was a hundred times larger.
It coldly stared down at the masses below, fixing its gaze on Zong Shou: “Today is the wedding day of my Shangxiao Sect disciple, Han Nishui. May I ask, Demon King, what is the meaning of your arrival here leading an army—”
Zong Shou couldn't even be bothered to look up at the phantom. He utterly disliked looking up at others, especially at a time like this.
“Yuan Kong, you know perfectly well why I am here. Why resort to such theatrics?”
The cloud-energy phantom of Daoist Yuan Kong paused slightly, then nodded: “Indeed, such formality is unnecessary. It was Yuan Kong who was being affected. The Seven Spirits Sect and the Kongqi Sect—is this the backing that allows Your Highness to dare approach here?”
His gaze swept over the disciples of the two sects once before returning: “I must admit, today’s events are somewhat beyond my expectation. How about this: if you are willing to retreat and cease hostilities, I can return Xuanyuan Yiren to you. However, your Qian Tian Mountain must be abandoned. Alternatively, Your Highness may keep the Qian Tian foundation, but Xuanyuan Yiren must marry my disciple. You may choose only one of these two options—”
“Choose only one of the two?”
Zong Shou burst into laughter: “Today, I shall also give you two choices. The first is to return Yiren and have the Shangxiao Sect withdraw from East Lin today, yielding this Spirit Mansion. Fulfill these two requirements, and I will let you leave! The second choice is the annihilation of the Shangxiao Sect—”
The cloud giant above clearly choked on its breath for a moment, then let out a cold laugh: “The annihilation of the Shangxiao Sect? Such arrogance! Since you all seek death, then I, Yuan Kong, shall grant your wish!”
His gaze then turned coldly toward Tianqi: “I do not know for what reason, Daoist Tianqi, you have allied with the Qian Tian Mountain, nor what benefits Zong Shou has offered you. Today, as long as you can strike against them, all past transgressions will be forgiven. This is the last chance for your Kongqi Sect. I urge Daoist Tianqi to think carefully.”
Tianqi sighed faintly, then flicked his sleeve as a signal. Instantly, nearly a thousand Kongqi Sect members brought out dozens of seventh-rank Yuan Mie Spirit Crossbows, positioning them on a high point before their formation. He then shook his head: “Yuan Kong! Although we are not friends, we both reside in the East Lin Cloud Continent, and there is some residual goodwill between us. Today, I offer you only one piece of advice: the momentum of Qian Tian Mountain is established; it cannot be resisted. Retreat from East Lin, and you might avert the danger of sect destruction!”
Yuan Kong paused again, then nodded slightly, his eyes growing increasingly sharp: “Good! Very good. I did not expect you, Tianqi, to be so resolute.”
He then looked toward Shui Lingxiao once more, but this time, he didn't wait for him to speak. Shui Lingxiao already opened her mouth: “No need for further words. The Seven Spirits Sect has come here precisely to see the Shangxiao Sect perish!”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Kong frowned again. Finally, he let out a cold snort: “Since that is the case, then do not blame Yuan Kong for showing no mercy! Zong Shou, Tianqi, you collude with fiends and heretics. Today, even if you survive, there will be no place left for you in this Cloud Realm!”
As his voice faded, the cloud giant dispersed. Then, a scornful laugh echoed from the sky: “How come I never knew the Demonic Sect had such a faction as the Seven Spirits Sect? In our eyes, the Charm Demon Sect is an eternal enemy. But this is truly interesting! Fascinating. The party that traveled from afar and fell into a trap is full of confidence, while the Shangxiao Sect, the hosts who prepared everything, are hesitant and fraught with concerns. How will this battle conclude today? Truly something to look forward to?”
The voice’s origin was unclear, its tone piercingly sharp and utterly unpleasant, yet perfectly audible.
Zong Shou chose to ignore this person, not wasting any effort trying to locate their source. The presence of a Demonic Sect figure here was merely to watch the spectacle; it wasn't worth expending energy over.
He closed his eyes and focused on regulating his breath. Moments later, he felt the entire ground trembling faintly. Countless rhythmic footsteps sounded, making the entire region feel as though it were experiencing an earthquake.
Zong Shou remained still, waiting quietly. He could hear the breaths of the nine thousand people around him—all remarkably even, with only a small minority slightly uneven. Zong Shou was quite satisfied; only true elites could remain calm and even sleep soundly when facing a great enemy. The ones with disturbed breathing were mostly from the Seven Spirits and Kongqi Sects.
Approximately three hours later, feeling completely refreshed, his spirit and vitality at their peak, Zong Shou reopened his eyes.
He then saw that hundreds of thousands of people in formations were surrounding the high ground of this hill from all four directions. (To be continued)