Before me, the Qian Tian Mountain phalanx of ten thousand troops suddenly retreated a full seventy zhang. It seemed a maneuver to evade the sharp point of the Dao Soldier elite cavalry, drawing them closer to the adjoining formations.

Yet, it vaguely left one flank completely exposed. “Qiu Wei is a Grand General of Qian Tian, yet he allows such a flaw in the heat of battle—” Xiong Yu found it utterly inconceivable.

Her first thought wasn't excitement or elation, but a strange, unsettling disquiet. Over these past seven days, she had clashed with this Qiu Wei countless times, engaging in dozens of major battles.

She knew his capabilities intimately; indeed, he was worthy of being the Left Pillar Grand General chosen by Zong Weiran! Perhaps not a genius in strategy, but steady, cautious, and perfectly balanced in his command, leaving almost no opportunity to exploit.

But today’s situation felt exceedingly strange. Was this a feint?

Or did the man have some hidden maneuver prepared? “Why the retreat for no good reason?

Hmm? It looks like a gap.

Could it be carelessness—” “A prime opportunity! If we charge his left flank now, we can certainly shatter it!

Heh! Qiu Wei is indeed a great general, keeping a steady defense for seven days.

But this single lapse in judgment today might doom the entire million-strong army of Qian Tian!” “No, there is still something peculiar about this!” At this moment, the City Lords seated on both flanks, most of whom were versed in military strategy, offered conflicting advice. Some urged caution, suggesting they observe further.

Others insisted on striking immediately—a fleeting chance that might never return. Xiong Yu felt similarly, but in an instant, the situation opposite them shifted again.

Another ten-thousand-man infantry formation stepped out from among the opposing ranks. And in Xiong Yu’s eyes, a sharp glint flashed.

In that single moment, all doubt vanished. “These are the Wind-Splitting Saber Monks, the Iron Tiger Halberdiers, and the Mountain-Cleaving Bear Warriors of Qian Tian Mountain.

The true essence of Qian Tian!” “So that’s it. They intend to use this elite force to directly meet the charge of the Dao Soldier cavalry?

That explains it!” “City Lord Xiong! The opportunity for battle is fleeting, you must not—” Before the speaker could finish, Xiong Yu rose tall, declaring decisively: “Order the cultivators of the three sects of Lingyun Shangxiao to advance and pierce through the left flank!

Strike the enemy’s central army and drive a wedge through their formation!” At this point, almost everyone began to grow excited; a great victory seemed imminent today. If this point was broken, Qian Tian Mountain would never recover.

They could advance deep into the heartland of Qian Tian territory! Xiong Yu’s voice continued, tinged with a slight tremor: “Order all armies forward!

Smash their formation! We must annihilate the enemy opposite us here and now—” As the command was given, the five thousand elite cavalry began to move.

Their mounts gradually accelerated, commencing their gallop. Just as ordered, they charged directly toward the exposed gap on the enemy’s left flank!

The rest of the army formations advanced steadily, enduring the arrows raining down from Qian Tian Mountain. The twenty-odd garrisons of Cloud Saint City were particularly swift, almost immediately following behind the five thousand Dao Soldier elite cavalry as they pressed toward the central army of the opposition, moving with exceptional speed.

In that instant, those on the command dais held their breath, awaiting the moment when the Dao Soldier elite cavalry of the Eastern Frontier Sects would shatter the central force of Qian Tian Mountain. Xiong Yu involuntarily stood up, clenching both fists tightly.

A flush of excitement appeared on her jade-like face, her eyes slightly distorted into a fierce expression. She was momentarily lost, almost losing composure.

How could she not be excited? How could this not bring joy?

The millions of elites personally forged by Zong Shou were about to be utterly destroyed by her hand today! Blazing Flame Mountain City would not only reclaim its lost territories but expand them further!

In just a few more days, Qian Tian Mountain City would cease to exist. And in the future, the ruler dominating the Eastern Frontier would be none other than her, Xiong Yu, of the Flame Xiong Clan of Blazing Flame Mountain!

These thoughts had just arisen in her mind when Xiong Yu heard a sharp gasp beside her ear. “Something is wrong!” Turning her head, she saw the speaker was Zu Renkuang, the Ancestor who had remained silent beside her the entire time, letting her command.

His brow was furrowed now, as if worried about something. Xiong Yu immediately let out a short laugh.

This battle had been far too easy; it was no wonder this Martial Ancestor felt uneasy. Even she had felt the same insecurity before issuing the order, but she had weighed the situation carefully beforehand and felt there was no real flaw.

Even if Qiu Wei had acted intentionally, she was confident enough to smash through any potential trap! However, in the next moment, she heard Yan Feibai suddenly speak, his expression filled with suspicion: “I don't understand tactics, but looking at the forces of Cloud Saint City, their movements are too fast.

Their formation also seems somewhat improper—” This sentence caused every person present to shudder violently, struck with sudden dread. It was like a thunderclap, jarring their very spirits.

Looking out again, they indeed perceived that the deployment executed by Xu Zhengyuan looked peculiar. The true elites were positioned at the rear.

Furthermore, an entire force of forty thousand cavalry had been deployed entirely on the left flank. Most crucially, these twenty-seven ten-thousand-man formations were far too close to the five thousand Dao Soldiers currently charging at full speed.

Previously, the oddity wasn't noticed because they believed Xu Zhengyuan would not, or dared not, harbor treason at this juncture. But what if— Xiong Yu dared not follow that line of thought further.

Just as she prepared to send a recall order, she saw a wave of arrows rise into the air from the twenty-seven myriad troops of Cloud Saint City. But the direction these arrows fell was not toward the Qian Tian Mountain army opposite them; they were aimed squarely at the five thousand Dao Soldier elite cavalry!

“These are Spirit-Shattering Arrows!” “How does Cloud Saint City possess such things?” Xiong Yu’s face turned pale. These third-tier spirit arrows could only be produced by the Kongqi Sect.

How could Cloud Saint City have them? —As these more than two hundred thousand spirit arrows descended, even if all five thousand Dao Soldiers were above the Innate Realm, they would surely suffer catastrophic losses!

Then, her pupils contracted sharply again: the forty thousand cavalry force also accelerated to their utmost, charging forward. Their direction was precisely behind the Dao Soldier elite cavalry!

Killing intent soared to the heavens! Striking at the rear, they swept forward in a momentum that nearly engulfed the five thousand elite cavalry!

Xiong Yu suddenly felt her limbs turn cold, her heart sinking to the deepest part of the abyss. So that was it.

The elites were positioned at the rear not to conserve strength, but to guard against the rear. And the cavalry positioned on the left flank was meant to combine forces to crush the Dao Soldier elite cavalry!

But why would Xu Zhengyuan betray them? Why betray the Eastern Frontier Sects when victory was so close?

How could he risk such a gamble? A series of questions flooded her mind.

By now, everyone on both her left and right had lost all color from their faces. Zu Renkuang’s expression was ashen, turning purple; the seventh-tier spirit cultivator of the Lingyun Sect who had spoken behind Xiong Yu now had eyes wide with fury.

Almost no one mentioned recalling the Dao Soldiers now. It was all too late!

They could only await the result. If they could pierce the main formation of Qian Tian Mountain opposite them, perhaps there was still a sliver of hope— If they retreated now, even that sliver of hope would vanish.

Boom! A succession of sounds—the deaths of cavalry beasts and the clashing of armor—roared across the battlefield.

First came the two hundred thousand spirit arrows, densely packed, falling upon the weakest points of the Dao Soldier elite cavalry, who were completely unprepared from behind. Within a few breaths, nearly a thousand men tumbled from their saddles.

Then the forty thousand iron cavalry crashed in from the rear. Just as the remaining three thousand-plus elite cavalry were momentarily held up by a few of Qian Tian Mountain’s ten-thousand-man formations, the pursuers caught up instantly.

Immediately, countless more elite cavalry fell from their horses. These men were mostly Innate Realm warriors, often capable of taking three or four enemies down with them.

But they were still overwhelmed without resistance, completely submerged by the pincer movement of Qian Tian Mountain’s infantry formations and Cloud Saint City’s cavalry, perishing one by one! The four thousand Wind-Splitting Saber Monks, four thousand Iron Tiger Halberdiers, and three thousand Mountain-Cleaving Bear Warriors crushed forward, their sabers, halberds, and great axes wielded with terrifying uniformity.

No one stood a chance against them for even a moment. In barely half an incense stick's time, the five thousand elite Dao Soldiers were completely slaughtered, not even raising a ripple.

Not one managed to escape, not even the two seventh-tier leaders commanding them were seen again. And in that short span, the Qian Tian Mountain army opposite had already converted its formation from defense to offense, marching uniformly toward the main camp of the Thousand Cities Alliance.

The allied forces flanking Cloud Saint City on both sides broke instantly, fleeing in wild rout. On the battlefield, save for the death-knell sound of marching feet, there was an expanse of dead silence.

Xiong Yu felt her limbs completely numb, her mind a blank haze. Even now, she couldn't believe what she was witnessing.

The five thousand elite Dao Soldiers were simply gone? Without the deterrent of this elite cavalry, how could she possibly confront the Qian Tian Mountain army before her?

Forget attacking; she wasn't even sure she could hold a defense now. Was this to be her great defeat today?

With the total annihilation of the five thousand elite cavalry, how would she explain this to the Eastern Frontier Sects? Had Xu Zhengyuan gone mad?

To commit such a foolish act? Zu Renkuang’s face had turned from green to purple, his eyes bloodshot, as he let out a string of hoarse, furious roars: “Xu Zhengyuan!

My Lingyun Sect swears to make you pay with your life! One thousand disciples—your blood debt will be repaid in blood!” From the opposite side came Xu Zhengyuan’s manic laughter: “A blood debt paid in blood?

Very well, Xu Zhengyuan will wait and see!” Xiong Yu trembled with rage; what was supposed to be a winning situation now showed clear signs of utter defeat! “Xu Zhengyuan!

I think you truly are insane! Zong Shou is destined to fall beneath Shangxiao Mountain, and Qian Tian Mountain is about to fall.

Aren't you afraid that my Eastern Frontier Sects will wipe out your entire Xu clan, young and old? Even if Zong Shou miraculously survived, do you think Lingyun cannot destroy your insignificant Cloud Saint City Lord?” The one who spoke was the seventh-tier spirit cultivator behind Xiong Yu.

Using spirit techniques to amplify his voice, it could be heard for a hundred li. “Insane?

Perhaps I was truly insane! Your Lingyun Sect crippled one of my arms and nearly caused my Xu family to perish.

Those days nearly drove me mad, and I remember them etched into my bones!” Having said this, Xu Zhengyuan then let out a soft chuckle: “Go ahead and try to destroy my entire Xu clan! Just see if you still possess the ability after today!

Did you really think you had already won? The Lord has magnificent foresight and plans laid out that are beyond your petty imaginings…”