The sweep of the sword aura did more than just shatter the city walls. Wherever it passed, almost all the soldiers were obliterated by the impact, one by one.

Flesh and blood were instantly reduced to powder! Zhuang Yu’s mouth hung slightly open, stunned, unable to recover his senses for a long time.

Was this the might of the 'Grand Supreme Demon Slaying Formation'? If it were an ordinary city, it wouldn’t matter much; an ordinary Spirit Realm cultivator could achieve such a feat.

However, what lay before him was a fortress meticulously maintained by Mu Fang for ages! The restrictive formations within were nearly comparable to those of the Yuan Jing Immortal Palace!

Yet, at this moment, they could not withstand the power of a single strike from the Grand Supreme Demon Slaying Formation! Vaguely visible on the distant city walls, many figures were in utter disarray.

And the pale faces of the few individuals before the main gatehouse were utterly drained of color. “It seems less than an hour will be needed—half an hour, most likely will suffice—” Zhuang Yu curled the corners of his lips slightly, then instantly regained his composure.

“Attacking a superior enemy with inferior troops is a cardinal sin in warfare. With a card like this in hand, why wouldn't I use it?

Must I wait until casualties are heavy and the situation is desperate? Though Zhuang Yu is self-assured, he is far from believing he has no equal on the battlefield.

A power like the Nine Capitals Immortal Court would exert its full strength even against a mere rabbit. How dare I be careless?” On Feng Taiji’s side, he too was shaken to his core; he had long recognized that the Grand Supreme Demon Slaying Formation was extraordinary.

But this divine power had been beyond his prior estimation. He had truly underestimated it— Hearing Zhuang Yu speak, he finally snapped back to reality, shaking his head dismissively: “But using it too early is also inadvisable.

I only fear that the Divine Realm experts on the other side might intervene prematurely.” “Since the Sovereign has granted me full authority and given no specific instructions, my duty, Zhuang Yu’s duty, is to annihilate the enemy here at the minimum possible cost. As for what reactions the Nine Capitals Immortal Court might have, that is outside of my consideration.” Zhuang Yu paused, a strange light flickering in his eyes: “In fact, that is precisely what is needed!

Don’t you, Feng Taiji, look forward to it?” Feng Taiji paused upon hearing this, looking back in surprise. A dawning comprehension settled in his heart; he understood Zhuang Yu’s intent.

Rather than dragging this out, nervously waiting and enduring suspense, it was better to strike with thunderous force from the very beginning, forcing both sides to reveal all their hidden strategies and trump cards. As they spoke, the second brilliant sword light from the Grand Supreme Demon Slaying Formation in the sky followed, descending upon them.

With a sharp hiss, the absolute-slaying sword energy tore through the firmament, sweeping across the area. Opposite the sword, a full contingent of over thirty thousand elite soldiers silently dissolved into swirling ash.

They had no power to resist, no time to react; beneath that sword aura, they were utterly annihilated. On the city wall, Hong Jiuchen’s face was ashen, coldness sinking deep into his bones.

Those two sword lights had actually been aimed directly at this location, but they were deflected by the city’s restrictive formations, as the dozen or so individuals on the wall jointly resisted, barely managing to shift their trajectory. Even Gu Yue was forced to intervene, and his expression now was exceedingly grim.

“The city’s restrictive formations cannot hold much longer. At most, they can endure one more strike—” “What manner of Dao is this?

What formation is this? How can it be so ferocious?

Why have we never heard of it before?” “The power of the two strikes has increased with each one; it seems they haven’t even reached their limit.” “Where are the Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals of my Nine Capitals Immortal Court? Did the Marshal not order them to strike with full force moments ago?” “Those men pride themselves on being the Emperor’s direct, personal army; they have always been arrogant and unruly—” A babble of voices arose.

Though those on the city wall managed to maintain a semblance of calm, a sense of panic was undeniable. Just one more strike, and the restrictive formation would collapse.

Perhaps Lie Que and Gu Yue here would survive unscathed, but the rest of them, even if they did not die, would be grievously wounded! Fortunately, at this moment, high above the rear, exactly six hundred Spirit Realm cultivators also took to the air.

The six formed a pattern, and within the six formations, connections linked them, making them almost a single entity. It was like a black plum blossom unfolding and blooming.

It brought forth countless tiny, black blade-lights, swirling rapidly in the air. It possessed an imposing aura, clearly confronting the unknown Dao formation in the distant sky.

This sight brought a measure of relief to those on the battlements. With these six hundred Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals present, they would surely be able to contend with the enemy.

“They’re finally here!” “Such power—could this be the Myriad Blade Cloud-Stirring Formation? We are truly seeing it now.

It is rumored that the Nine Capitals Immortal Emperor rose to power using this very formation in his younger days, conquering various realms with few rivals, striking awe everywhere—” A peculiar light flickered in Hong Jiuchen’s eyes, and his previously uneasy heart settled once more. He gazed with longing, musing that if one day he were fortunate enough to wield such a formidable army, he would truly be invincible in this world, securing his own place even within the Nine Capitals Immortal Court.

Lost in such reverie, Hong Jiuchen’s peripheral vision caught sight of Lie Que’s expression suddenly turning greenish-white, like dead ash. He abruptly turned and moved towards the base of the city wall.

Hong Jiuchen was momentarily perplexed but paid it little mind, assuming Lie Que was returning to the formation to personally command the army. Continuing to watch, he saw that as the plum-blossom-shaped Myriad Blade Cloud-Stirring Formation took shape, the countless black blades instantly coalesced, forming four blade-wheels, each a hundred zhang wide and long, spinning and revolving.

However, the opposite side was also stirring considerably. After unleashing two sword strikes, the five hundred unknown Dao rose another seven hundred zhang into the air, positioning themselves beneath the clouds.

The entire formation dispersed again, the figures sparse, spread over a thirty-thousand-zhang radius, still functioning like a bottomless pit, devouring the spiritual energy of the surrounding heaven and earth. Then, an overwhelming surge of intent abruptly erupted from within that formation!

It scattered all the gathered dark clouds, allowing the clear blue sky to reappear before everyone’s eyes. Some white radiance began to flicker and pulse continuously.

“What are they doing?” Hong Jiuchen’s eyes were first filled with confusion, then his pupils abruptly constricted. “It’s tribulation—it’s tribulation lightning!

How can this be—” How could a mere Earth-rank Dao formation invoke a heavenly tribulation? In the next instant, another blade-sharp surge of aura tore down through the sky!

Again, only the sound of a hissing tear was heard, as it sliced through the void almost silently. Crossing faster than lightning, only individuals of Hong Jiuchen’s cultivation level could perceive a thin, white streak of light speeding towards the location of the black-plum-like Myriad Blade Cloud-Stirring Formation.

When the black blades and the white light first collided, The entire world instantly darkened. Even the sun in the sky seemed dim at that moment.

What followed was a fierce burst of aura surging outward, sweeping across like ripples. Hong Jiuchen barely managed to keep his footing, not falling.

His eyes were blinded for a brief moment, and only after a breath could he adjust. But when he looked before him again, he was struck dumbfounded, utterly speechless.

The four black blade-wheels were visibly shattered and ruined. The entire plum-blossom-like formation had been forcibly pierced by the white light!

Dozens of Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals plummeted from the sky, engulfed in white flames. Sensing them from afar, these individuals had already lost their vitality.

Moreover, more than ten had clearly turned to ash and ceased to exist before he even finished looking over. Hong Jiuchen was momentarily bewildered.

While the power of the previous two strikes was astonishing, it paled in comparison to this. Could it be that the sword formation opposite was merely warming up, not having truly displayed its full capability?

What kind of Dao was this, and what kind of sword formation possessed such terrifying might? In another instant, the second shaft of white light flashed across the sky again, plunging downward.

It followed the same trajectory, yet its speed of impact was even swifter, and its force incomparably more ferocious! Hong Jiuchen’s expression froze, vaguely sensing that the might of this strike surpassed the previous one!

The Myriad Blade Cloud-Stirring Formation had already been forcibly broken by the prior strike, and nearly ten percent of the six hundred Dao had perished. Then what would this strike bring?

Behind him, Tan Jing’s hysterical voice finally rang out. “Impossible!

What Dao is this? How can it possibly defeat the Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals?

The Nine Capitals Immortal Court once stood against the Burning Sky Lu Family on equal footing back then, even winning three-to-one battles with Dao. How could they lose—” The Hermit Fuyue was also dazed: “It somewhat resembles the Soul-Shifting Warriors of the Vast Heaven Dao Source Sea of the Cloud Realm, but it’s also different!” “Impossible!” Mu Fang shook his head: “Such sharp energy—it must originate from the Sword Sect.

No, even the Sword Sect wouldn’t be this extreme. Perhaps it’s an inheritance from the ancient weapon cultivators!” As he finished speaking, the white light struck the Myriad Blade Cloud-Stirring Formation above once more.

The blinding white radiance scattered, stinging the eyes and instinctively causing everyone to shut them again. Then, everyone felt a sharp stinging pain throughout their bodies.

Upon closer inspection of themselves, they found that the scattered, fine energy tendrils had forcibly pierced their protective auras, creating countless bloody pores on their flesh. “Absolute-Slaying Sword Intent—this is Absolute-Slaying Sword Intent!

How can it be this pure—” Absolute-Slaying Sword Intent itself was extremely rare. It was impossible that all several hundred people in the sky had mastered it.

This formation was gathered from Dao; the hearts of men were mixed and impure. Normally, the sword intent condensed would never be so pure— Fuyue looked up at the sky, looking somewhat lost.

He saw that the black plum blossom was still more than half ruined. After this strike, another hundred or so Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals fell from the sky, engulfed in white fire, before slowly turning into flying ash!

—In just two strikes, the formation that the Nine Capitals Immortal Court relied upon as its pillar was utterly shattered! But it wasn't over; the third shaft of white light descended again.

At this moment, almost everyone felt a profound reluctance to witness what came next. The scene that followed was bound to be incomparably tragic!

Hong Jiuchen suddenly understood. Why had Lie Que looked so ashen-faced at that time?

He had left this place early. It must be because he already knew that the so-called Nine Capitals Blade-Feather Immortals were completely no match for those Dao opposite, who wore only simple robes and carried ordinary magic swords.

When the two sides clashed, the latter were indeed being crushed completely! Beside him, a sudden roar erupted.

Hong Jiuchen turned to look and saw Gu Yue, his eyes wide with fury, soaring into the air to meet the white light from a distance. But before he could even get close, a sword intent surged from the opposing formation, locking onto Gu Yue’s figure firmly.

“Slay!” With only a light murmur, Gu Yue’s body dissolved into a mist of blood and scattered rain!