Xuanyuan Tong was also looking all around him at that moment. “Roughly three million seven hundred thousand; all elite soldiers at the Martial Master level. I didn't expect the strength of these Eastern Cities to be so formidable.” What he saw in all directions was actually only a fraction of the total, perhaps a hundred thousand or so. Xuanyuan Tong, veteran of countless campaigns, could see at a glance that the surrounding situation was like this:

At the foot of Mount Shangxiao, the terrain was flat, mostly frozen earth, perfectly suited for deploying a large army. However, the commanding officer of the Thousand Cities Alliance had not pushed all millions of troops into one single mass. Instead, they were arrayed with a remarkable sense of layered depth, revealing not the slightest weakness. The hillside on this side was blockaded so tightly that not a drop of water could pass. Especially in front of Mount Shangxiao, their combined force had swelled from three hundred thousand to a massive seven hundred thousand. It was clear they harbored precautions against the arrival of the Seven Spirits Sect and the Kongqi Sect. Observing this deployment, even Xuanyuan Tong was filled with admiration: “The commander here is truly a capable general.”

Zong Shou also nodded slightly, his expression growing more solemn. The military strength here was indeed a bit greater than he had anticipated. But if it was only this much, it wouldn't even count as a significant trouble. The seventy thousand cavalry behind him had mostly awakened by now, and their mounts had also recovered their stamina. In fact, before arriving here, the seven thousand cavalry had already rested once. Waiting here for a few hours was merely giving the Shangxiao Sect the opportunity to summon all the surrounding troops they could muster.

Taking a deep breath, Zong Shou glanced around again, seeing expectation and urging in everyone's eyes. He first smiled faintly, then stated gravely, “Commanders Mingdu and Liehe, please deploy the formation!” He then bowed slightly toward Tianqi: “True Master! I know your Kongqi Sect has numerous Spirit Masters; I ask you to assist these two in concealing the Blood Cloud Cavalry!”

The very instant his words fell, Mingdu and Liehe’s spirits instantly lifted, their eyes glinting with joy. The former first took out a pale gold disk from his Qiankun Pouch, along with ten spiritual objects of varying designs—every single one was of the rank of a Magical Treasure. The two worked together to activate them, and in just a moment, the pale gold disk shimmered with a layer of spiritual light. Tianqi also laughed aloud: “How could I disobey?” He immediately took charge, personally unfolding this illusionary art, continuing to envelop the four thousand Blood Cloud Knights within a mass of black mist. The pale gold disk grew brighter and brighter, and then the ten Magical Treasures also soared into the air, circling at a distance of a hundred zhang outside the disk. This propelled Mingdu and Liehe toward a higher altitude. And just as the pair ascended to high altitude, several hundred streaks of sword light suddenly descended from the sky.

Zong Shou looked on in astonishment. He saw a full three hundred people, each standing on a flying sword, all dressed as scholars. The one at the forefront was rather plump. Zong Shou recognized him instantly—wasn't that Jin Buhui, Fatty Jin? Following this man, those hundreds of cultivators all exuded an air of righteousness. Above their heads hovered a spiritual radiance several feet high, the spiritual sign of those who had achieved scholarly success.

Zong Shou was utterly stunned, filled with immense confusion as to why Jin Buhui would arrive at this moment. When Jin Buhui landed before him, Zong Shou asked directly, without courtesy: “What are you doing running over here? Don't you know the danger of this battle?” “Precisely because I know the danger that I had to come!” Jin Buhui smiled, rubbing his nose with some shame. “I pleaded with my Master, but he refused. This time, I could only bring these people out; they all owe me a favor. At the critical moment, they should be able to protect us as we fight our way out! I regard you as my brother, Zong Shou, and brothers must share life and death, and endure hardship together!”

Zong Shou started, looking at those who had accompanied Jin Buhui. Their faces were pale, and their eyes were filled with helplessness. Zong Shou couldn't imagine what these Hao Xuan Sect disciples owed Jin Buhui that they could be coerced by this fellow into this place of extreme military peril. His heart warmed involuntarily. The arrival of the Seven Spirits Sect and the Kongqi Sect meant they knew he would win. Jin Buhui’s coming meant he truly regarded Zong Shou as a friend, thus exerting every effort to help. How could he ever repay such loyalty?

In just half a breath, a heaven-shaking laugh echoed from the sky again: “Speaking of sharing life and death and enduring hardship, how could I, Lei Dong, be left out? Since even the stingy Fatty Jin has arrived, if Lei Dong doesn’t show up, won’t I be laughed at?” As the voice faded, a figure descended from the sky. It was Lei Dong, and behind him was an additional weapon. Besides his saber, there was now a massive broadsword nearly ten zhang wide. Several hundred people followed behind him, all smiling toward Zong Shou: “I, Lei Dong, like Fatty Jin, couldn't bring many people. I’ve come here to die with you, little brother! That pact we made that day, our lives are tied together, and our fortunes shared. Your elder brother is incapable of helping you win this battle; I can only hope to help you fight your way out after today’s fighting is done.”

Zong Shou was momentarily numb, then burst into a great laugh: “Good! A fine sharing of life and death! I, Zong Shou, am truly fortunate in this life to have you two as my closest friends!” And at the very moment those words left his mouth, a layer of light screen suddenly opened in the sky from above. Centered on Mingdu and Liehe, who had ascended to a height of seven thousand zhang, in a single instant, the entire area spanning a hundred miles was enveloped. The ten Magical Treasures also spread out, still circling the pale gold disk several tens of li away, completely sealing off this region. Xueyun and Hu Ruodong also stood suspended in the air, right beside Mingdu and Liehe, guarding them. Lei Dong looked upward in shock, then seemed to recall something, his expression suddenly changing. “Mingdu and Liehe, this is the Ten Absolute Vault Sky Grand Array of the Fu Ling Sect!”

Jin Buhui was alerted by his remark and finally remembered what this light screen above was; his expression also changed abruptly. “Zong Shou, are you mad? The Ten Absolute Vault Sky Grand Array of the Fu Ling Sect isn't even finished! Once this array is set, no one will be able to leave this place for a full day!” Zong Shou smiled calmly. This was precisely what he wanted. For the next twelve hours, no one was escaping! The Blood Cloud Iron Cavalry would use these four million souls as sacrifice!

ｘｘｘｘ

“The Ten Absolute Vault Sky Grand Array? Has Zong Shou gone insane?” At that very same instant, atop the peak of Mount Shangxiao, someone echoed Jin Buhui’s shout of alarm. The speaker was True Master Wuyue of the Daoming Sect, his eyes filled with deep contemplation: “Knowing he is at a disadvantage, he dares to seal the battlefield with the Ten Absolute Vault Sky Array. What exactly does he intend to do?” He mused further: “The Seven Spirits Sect, the Kongqi Sect, plus the Hao Xuan Sect and the Five Absolute Manor—that’s already four major sects. Are they not worried that Zong Shou might ultimately perish?” Hao Xuan sat in the upper seat, completely unmoving, only a hint of regret showing in his eyes. Though his face betrayed nothing, inside, just as Zhao Yanran had said, his guts were turning green with regret. Hearing Wuyue’s words, he knew that this master from the Ming Sect was already considering retreat. He felt the same way; the great battle hadn't even begun, and he was already starting to regret his involvement. He had intended to feast on the spoils, but unexpectedly bit down on a walnut so hard it could shatter his teeth. Since those seventy thousand cavalry arrived at the base of the mountain, too many unexpected things had occurred. One by one: the Seven Spirits Sect, the Kongqi Sect, Jin Buhui from the Hao Xuan Sect, Lei Dong from the Five Absolute Manor. The arrival of each faction made his heart jump with alarm. Today, his Shangxiao Sect had effectively already lost. Regardless of whether they won or lost this battle, their Shangxiao Xuan Ling Sect was destined to suffer devastating losses. But things had reached this point; it was a situation where they could neither stop nor proceed easily, yet they couldn't afford not to fight. The various sects from the Cloud Realm who had come had mostly arrived nearby to observe the battle. To show fear now would mean the Shangxiao Sect would utterly lose face! He couldn't help but glance at Han Nishui, who sat below the seats of the sect masters. He saw that his direct successor’s expression was as gloomy as still water, showing no excitement, but rather anxiety. He was worthy of being chosen as the next Sect Master of Shangxiao; he probably grasped the gravity of this battle.

“It is merely the ancient military tactic of fighting with one's back to a river, the policy of smashing the cauldrons and sinking the boats; why worry!” Among those in the hall, only Ling Weizi remained calm throughout: “It was indeed beyond our expectations that the Qian Tian Mountain could possess such strength and persuade the Seven Spirits Sect to assist. However, before the war, didn't several of us mobilize the nearly four million elites of the Thousand Cities Alliance, along with over a thousand Sixth-Rank Dao Soldiers from the various sects, precisely to guard against surprises?” One sentence was enough to calm the slightly uneasy crowd within the hall once more. He was right. This time, just the Sixth-Rank Dao Soldiers gathered from the sects numbered twelve hundred. In this battle, even if the Seven Spirits Sect and the Kongqi Sect intervened with their full strength, what was there to fear? Could they possibly turn defeat into victory? With such a number of Dao Soldiers, everything else would be crushed to dust! “That is correct. I observe that although the Seven Spirits Sect has a large number of people, we only need to be wary of those four hundred Azure Dragon Warriors!” “With the assistance of the Grand Array of Tai Xiao Mountain, we have the upper hand!” Ling Weizi ignored the discussion below and continued, looking toward Yuankong: “No matter what Daoist Brother Yuankong is thinking now, the Shangxiao Sect must exert its full strength in this battle. If we lose, then perhaps no one will be able to save the Shangxiao Sect…” Yuankong remained silent; he had long understood the stakes involved. Ling Weizi then turned to Wuyue: “Daoist Brother Wuyue, this heaven and earth are about to be sealed. Within twelve hours, none of us can retreat. We can only win this battle, not lose. If we show restraint today due to fear of losing strength, then when Zong Shou’s influence grows even greater in the future and he seeks revenge for his father’s murder against the Daoming Sect, what then?” Wuyue gave an awkward laugh but nodded nonetheless: “Rest assured, the Daoming Sect will do its utmost!” Ling Weizi nodded slightly; as long as the three major sects could unite, victory was certain! Although the Seven Spirits Sect was strong, comparable to the Lingyun Sect, it could not withstand the combined might of the Second and Third Spiritual Mansions. “Then let us begin! In my opinion, today’s battle must first involve grinding down their fighting strength with the deployment of the various cities, and then, with thunderous force, completely annihilate the stubborn enemy…” Just then, a streak of sword light pierced through the sky from outside the still-incomplete light screen, arriving in the hall atop the mountain. Ling Weizi caught it and read it, then smiled: “Coincidence, Elder Brother shares the same thought. Furthermore, the Tai Ling Sect has also contacted our sect, stating that if the Seven Spirits Sect falters, the Tai Ling Sect will bear all consequences!” The atmosphere in the hall instantly relaxed. And moments later, the million-strong formation below the mountain stirred. With a booming sound, they pressed forward against the cavalry trapped in the center. The heaven-shaking sound of slaughter rose into the air.