He Daoren muttered to himself, looking thoughtfully down at the two legions lined up neatly at the foot of the mountain.

He knew these were Zhuang Yu’s personal guards, elites culled over the years from soldiers with over ten kills, built up over five years to finally take shape, named the Xuandu Guard.

What was unexpected, however, was that Zhuang Yu had never deployed this personal army on the battlefield until now.

This was because the man truly commanded troops like a divine strategist, often breaking the enemy effortlessly through calculation and planning without needing to be present on the lines. Moreover, due to his fearsome reputation, enemy armies often retreated upon sighting Zhuang Yu’s banner.

Consequently, while the world knew of Zhuang Yu’s guard, they were ignorant of their true combat record.

Did Zhuang Yu intend to use these elite troops here to spearhead the charge and crush an enemy fifty times their number?

Or would there be a surprise today?

His gaze flickered for a moment, and He Daoren suddenly laughed: "Brother Zhuang’s arrangements must be more than just this?"

"Indeed, there are more means. I began this layout five years ago. I have pawns in the eastern kingdoms. Some share my aspirations, others are held in check by leverage I possess over them!"

Speaking lightly, without regard for He Daoren’s astonished expression, Zhuang Yu gazed up at the vast sky: "However, even if these pawns are to be used, they must be willing participants. If they see no hope whatsoever, how can one expect them to defect based on mere words?"

As this statement concluded, Zhuang Yu’s eyes registered a slight surprise.

In the sky above, several figures were flying towards them, hovering overhead.

He recognized all these figures. He had met them a few times in Yuanjing Palace—spirit realm cultivators who had followed that man to conquer the Yuanlian Realm.

Especially the leading young cultivator, whose image was unforgettable to him.

In his entire life, apart from his current new sovereign, this was the most outstanding young man he had ever seen.

He was said to be from the Cloud Realm Sword Sect, a critically important junior disciple, whose standing in Yuanjing Palace was second only to Zong Shou.

At this moment, he bowed respectfully towards Zhuang Yu: "On the Sovereign’s command, we have come to assist the Commander! The Sovereign has ordered that everything here be under the Commander’s jurisdiction. We shall certainly not allow the cultivators of the Nine Capitals Immortal Dynasty to interfere with the battle here."

As he spoke, a cultivator in his forties suddenly produced an object and tossed it down.

It was a massive golden ring, its shadow spinning, enveloped in swirling spiritual light.

Then, ranks of armored elite soldiers began to emerge from within the light projection.

First came five thousand Scarlet Armored Swordsmen, followed by five thousand Crossbowmen, also clad in scarlet armor, though slightly lighter.

Then came two thousand cavalry, still encased in crimson armor, bright as fresh blood.

The Da Qian Dynasty favored red; it was indeed so.

What shocked Zong Shou was that this cavalry force was entirely composed of Sixth Tier warriors.

The horse armor was clearly specially made, and the two thousand riders moved as one entity, their vital energies surging like a tide! The infantry was no less impressive, standing like an unyielding wall!

Feng Taiji explained: "This is an extraordinary treasure of our Sword Sect, the Void Storage Ring. Unfortunately, this object can only carry slightly over ten thousand troops. However, all the Sovereign’s personal elites are here! Five thousand Heavenly Constellation Swordsmen, five thousand Heavenly Constellation Scarlet Crossbowmen, and two thousand Profound Fox Iron Cavalry. They are all renowned in the Cloud Realm! This entire force is now at the Commander’s disposal!"

Zhuang Yu’s eyes brightened momentarily, then dimmed slightly—it seemed his own plans had been fully understood by his sovereign.

"The Sovereign is indeed brilliant!"

This statement was entirely sincere. It was also clear that these mere twelve thousand troops represented the sharpest strength under Zong Shou’s command.

Committing them here was both a testament to his trust and an endorsement of his strategy.

Then, narrowing his eyes, he looked into the distance: "They are coming!"

Even from dozens of miles away, one could hear the thunderous roars—the trampling of millions of hooves shaking the mountains and earth.

Zhuang Yu’s lips curled into a slight, mocking smile.

Indeed, to drive directly into the heartland of Xuan State from Linxu City, a swift cavalry advance was essential. The faster, the better. Only by breaking through this bottleneck before the southwestern Seven Kingdoms could react could they truly pierce the interior and secure victory in one stroke.

Even the usually cautious and steady Gui Xuan had finally erred before this inevitable confrontation!

Long distances fatigued the soldiers, and prolonged campaigns were unsustainable—this was one of the opportunities for victory.

Bursting into laughter, Zhuang Yu stood atop the hill with his sword planted before him, then strode to the front of his battle formation.

Taking his place in the first rank, his sword remained stuck upright before him.

To spearhead the charge and resist an army dozens of times their size, he, Zhuang Yu, could not lag behind.

A general must cherish his life and strive to preserve himself, but sometimes, he must also charge ahead bravely.

"My men, you have followed me, Zhuang Yu, for five years. You possess sharp swords, yet cannot taste blood. You have ambition, yet must endure silently. In these years, have you felt wronged? Today, thanks to the Sovereign’s benevolence, the people of Yuanlian have hope of escaping suffering. Today, are you willing to fight to the death with me, to crush the enemy? To let my Xuandu Guard make their name known to the world?"

The twenty thousand soldiers of the Xuandu Guard did not speak. Instead, with a unified 'BOOM,' they simultaneously drew their broadswords and pointed them sharply forward.

Their refined armor also emitted a clangorous chorus.

As runes flashed and then shattered across their bodies, a peerless, sharp momentum suddenly erupted towards the sky.

Up above, Feng Taiji was startled by this terrifying aura.

He glanced down below with some astonishment.

"A sealing technique? Not a single person below the Fifth Tier. Well done, Zhuang Yu—"

Feng Taiji’s expression shifted, then settled into a slight, wry smile: "So he had such a trump card hidden. This man is truly interesting! It is no wonder Zong Shou trusts him so completely."

He sighed internally; he was ultimately not the same as that other person.

Even knowing this man’s talent, he would surely have taken precautions. Yet, Zong Shou was able to completely let go and allow this man to execute his plans.

And Zhuang Yu had indeed not disappointed him—this day’s battle held great potential!

He then looked far into the distance, where a massive cavalry force, surging like a river, like a torrent of iron, was charging forward!

However, at this moment, there was not the slightest trace of worry in Feng Taiji’s heart.

He wondered where that man was now, and what he was doing? At such a critical juncture, he was nowhere to be seen.

Did that Sovereign truly not worry even a little about the battle here?

As he mused, the vast iron torrent in the distance finally reached the mouth of the mountain pass.

Stopping three thousand zhang away, the foremost riders displayed expressions of utter surprise.

Zhuang Yu did not wait for the cavalry to attack. He drew his sword and charged down first.

The entire twenty thousand Xuandu Guards followed in perfect step.

In mere tens of breaths, sheets of gleaming sword light flashed in unison throughout the valley.

Amidst the earth-shattering clash of war, countless sprays of blood erupted. (To be continued)RQ