Seeing Feng Zikang fly down from the sky, the barbarians were startled, shouting out in unison and shrinking back.

The barbarians feared flying Central Plains Immortal Masters above all else. Back in the day, the Martial Marquis, wielding the Seven Fowl Feather Fan, had swept through the Southern Wilds, shattering thirty-six tribes in a single day, forcing the barbarians into submission through both might and benevolence, ensuring a century of peace where rebellion was unthinkable—a legacy that still held sway.

Thus, upon witnessing the dark light dancing beneath Feng Zikang’s feet as he soared, a tremor of fear ran through the assembled barbarians.

Only Wuduya remained utterly composed. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the human skull drinking vessel he held behind him and roared with laughter.

“A cultivator from the Central Plains? I’ve long wished to see what you’re made of! Little brat, come here and receive your death!”

He tapped his left foot lightly, rising to his full height, and swung his long spear. His mount, a wild elephant, understood instantly and charged forward with furious momentum, aiming directly at Feng Zikang!

“Good coming!”

Feng Zikang beckoned, his Iron Sword Primordial Spirit manifesting between his hands. He held steady in mid-air, waiting for Wuduya’s assault.

“Brat! Take this spear thrust!”

Wuduya rejoiced that his opponent did not dodge or evade. With the strength to cleave mountains in his arms, this single thrust, combined with the charge of his bone-armored war elephant, delivered a force measurable in countless jun! Even an immortal would be pierced through!

“Perhaps not!”

Feng Zikang sneered, meeting the trajectory of the spear’s thrust with a downward strike of his sword!

“Clang!”

The sword and spear collided with a deafening, earth-shaking roar!

All soldiers present, Tang or barbarian, clamped their hands over their ears, their chests feeling as if struck by a massive blow. Their faces turned ashen. As they strained to see, they observed the front knees of the bone-armored war elephant buckle, blood streaming from its nostrils and mouth as it sank to the ground, whimpering piteously!

“Exhilarating!”

Wuduya stood atop the elephant’s head, his helmet nowhere to be seen, his hair flying wildly. He radiated imposing majesty, already roaring with laughter.

“I didn't expect a Central Plains savage to possess such power!”

Feng Zikang’s arms felt numb, and he was secretly shocked. Having reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Induction, tempering his body with killing intent, and mastering the fifteenth stage of the Formless Heavenly Demon Heart Method to continuously refine himself, his sheer grip strength alone was comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator. For Wuduya, a mere barbarian cultivating only divine abilities rather than true Dao methods, to match him was truly proof of innate, divine strength!

Yet, he could not show weakness externally, so he sneered, “Your mount is inadequate. Go find another and fight again!”

Though the bone-armored war elephant was a ferocious and volatile species unique to the Southern Wilds, it remained a mere mortal beast, never having entered the demonic realm. It could not withstand the full force impact between two such powers. Now, shattered by the counter-recoil, its internal organs were pulverized, and all four limbs broken; it was clearly beyond saving.

“Hah! You brat are interesting, but it took me a full month to capture this lead elephant from the great mountains. It is the foremost mount in the Southern Wilds. If even it cannot withstand our strength, what other mount could?”

Wuduya leaped from the half-dead war elephant, planting his spear and laughing broadly. “I will fight you on foot, so what of it?”

“Then don't blame me for taking advantage!”

Feng Zikang soared forward, bringing his sword down towards Wuduya’s skull. Wuduya whipped his long spear around, barely managing to block the strike, and the two tumbled into a fierce mêlée.

Every slash and hack they exchanged carried the force of ten thousand jin. Dust billowed high, and stone fragments scattered everywhere; ordinary soldiers could not even approach closely enough to discern the details!

“Governor, my martial uncle has held Wuduya in check. Why not use this opportunity to launch a full assault?”

Luo Kedi approached Wu Ji and offered the reminder. Wu Ji snapped back to alertness, ordering the war drums to sound, sending the entire army charging forward!

The fierce generals and stout soldiers of the Tang army had been simmering with frustration for days, held back by Wuduya’s dark sorcery. Now that someone could finally oppose him, they charged forward with pent-up energy, fearless of death. The barbarians, caught by surprise and their formation scattered, were instantly broken by the charge of the Tang cavalry and fled, screaming for their lives.

Only Wuduya’s nine hundred elite guards in their rattan armor remained unruffled, maintaining their formation, managing to solidly absorb the first wave of the Tang iron cavalry’s impact. Immune to blades and spears, and projecting imposing martial presence, they established a temporary stalemate.

Hearing the cries of his kinsmen, Wuduya erupted in rage, bellowing, “Despicable curs, how dare you!” He slapped the back of his head with his left hand. Suddenly, the sky darkened, thunder crashed all around, and amidst the flashes of lightning, Wuduya transformed into his colossal Dharma Body—a towering figure with a blue face and savage tusks—sweeping his spear horizontally to intercept hundreds of Tang cavalrymen.

“You all scatter! I will engage him!”

Feng Zikang, seeing the manifestation of the Dharma Body Heaven and Earth technique, remained unperturbed. He commanded the Tang soldiers to disperse widely and surround the remaining Southern Wilds troops, while he himself entangled Wuduya, aggressively challenging him to prevent him from aiding his kin.

Wuduya raged, swinging his spear to attack. Although he stood over six zhang tall and possessed boundless might, Feng Zikang maneuvered in the air, his movements agile; he engaged briefly then retreated, his strength not inferior to Wuduya’s. After several clashes, he still gained no advantage.

Wuduya finally grew frustrated, and the safety of his clansmen weighed heavily on his mind, sapping his will to fight. He feigned an opening and turned to flee.

In the barbarian ranks, the sound of the retreat gong blared loudly. Wuduya led his rattan-armored troops to cover the rear while the rest scattered in panicked flight.

“Immortal Master, do not let Wuduya escape!”

Seeing Wuduya fleeing, Wu Ji urgently called out. Feng Zikang nodded slightly, and then, in an instant, vanished!

Instant Step Technique!

When he reappeared, he was already beside the retreating Wuduya. With a light wave of his iron sword, he struck precisely at Wuduya’s neck!

“Clang!”

The impact produced a metallic, resonant clang, sending sparks flying. Wuduya stumbled violently and fled in disarray, but his neck bore only a faint white mark, utterly unharmed otherwise!

“What a hard neck…”

Feng Zikang let out a wry smile, retracting his sword. Checking himself, he was relieved to find no injury sustained.

The barbarian army routed, even the rattan-armored troops could not hold their line and fled chaotically. Wu Ji’s army secured a great victory, killing several thousand enemies. Although Wuduya escaped, they were joyful and ordered the troops not to pursue the fleeing remnants, returning to the camp.

That evening, a grand banquet was held in the military camp to celebrate the victory.

“Your divine might, Immortal Master, has truly left this old man astounded. You are indeed a hero born young!”

The Governor raised his cup in a toast, laughing heartily. Feng Zikang, however, merely accepted the persuasion of the crowd, drinking a few cups. He found the wine of the military camp possessed a distinct fierceness, akin to the iron blood of men; drinking it broadened his spirit, offering a unique flavor.

“But about that Wuduya…”

Wu Ji remained somewhat worried. Feng Zikang offered a gentle smile. “Governor, rest assured. I have seen through his true capabilities. In our next engagement, I will surely take his head; he is no longer a major threat!”

Wu Ji was overjoyed and raised three more toasts. “Then everything relies on the Immortal Master!”

Seeing Feng Zikang’s divine power that day, all the generals treated him as an immortal, crowding forward to offer toasts. Since Feng Zikang had begun, he naturally had to finish every cup offered. These fierce generals were all men of hearty drinking capacity, but seeing him drink a thousand cups without intoxication, still radiating vigor, they each conceded defeat, awed by the profound mysteries of immortal abilities. A few even entertained thoughts of seeking immortality and the Dao in the future.

The feast concluded, and Feng Zikang returned to his tent for rest. Yet, he did not sleep. Sitting cross-legged, he quietly circulated his profound arts, and the Formless Heavenly Demon avatar materialized!