At the north gate of Yanjiang City, numerous corpses of the Silver Jiao Army soldiers lay scattered across the snow, their blood staining the white expanse in a scene of stark, tragic beauty.

"What is the meaning of this?" a furious roar split the air as General Lan dismounted and charged toward the gate.

"General, we were pursuing the Black Armored Army, but they had an ambush waiting here! In just this short while, we lost thirty-six brothers," reported a centurion of the Silver Jiao Army. Hearing this, General Lan's eyes bulged wide with rage: "Useless scum! You didn't kill a single one of theirs, yet lost thirty-six of your own!"

Just then.

"The Black Armored Army planned this long ago," a cool, detached voice cut through the tension. General Lan turned to see the middle-aged man in grey robes, Elder Hu.

Elder Hu continued, "The tripwires on the ground, and the dense footprints over there! The Black Armored Army soldiers must have retreated in stages—first a portion withdrew to the north gate here, and then the rest followed sequentially... When we chased them to this point..."

At this, no further explanation was needed.

"What do we do now?" General Lan looked to him.

"Wait!" Elder Hu was utterly unhurried. "The Island Master is leading the main army here soon. Once he and my Martial Uncle, along with the ten Xiantian experts, converge, only then will we move to crush the Guiyuan Sect." Having spoken, Elder Hu turned and walked back into Yanjiang City.

Around noon, Qinghu Island Master 'Gu Yong' personally led five hundred Golden Scale Guards and twenty thousand Silver Jiao Army soldiers to arrive at Yanjiang City. With this reinforcement, the forces stationed in Yanjiang City swelled to over eight hundred Golden Scale Guards and thirty thousand Silver Jiao Army soldiers! By the afternoon, the massive army departed Yanjiang City. They were heading for Jiangning Commandery City.

As the sun dipped towards the western mountains, the sky grew dim.

The vast army of Qinghu Island stretched out like an endless dragon, its vanguard already nearing 'Heyuan City' within the borders of Jiangning Commandery. Heyuan City was the southernmost city bordering Jiangning Commandery City, situated only three hundred li away. This city held not a single guard.

Evidently, Jiangning Commandery had already abandoned it.

"It is late; we rest in Heyuan City tonight," a deep, resonant voice declared.

"Yes, Island Master."

...

Inside the City Lord's Mansion of Heyuan City, Elder Hu and General Lan followed the Island Master 'Gu Yong,' who was clad in yellow robes. Gu Yong possessed thick brows and large eyes, with long hair flowing freely; his eyes were usually half-lidded, occasionally flashing with sharp brilliance. He carried himself like a lion that had restrained its ferocity.

"Elder Hu, Junior Brother Lan, let's go sit over there," Gu Yong suggested.

The three gathered around a stone table beneath a pavilion.

"Hm?" Elder Hu turned his gaze to the distance, a smile emerging on his face. "Island Master, it seems my Martial Uncles and the others have arrived."

Gu Yong also rose with a smile, and the three looked south.

They watched as men and women, clad in various robes or armor, entered the area. There were ten in total, two of whom were women. Each of the ten exuded a distinct aura—some ethereal and transcendent, others radiating murderous intent, some approachable and friendly, and others aloof, keeping others at bay.

"Esteemed Elders," Gu Yong grinned broadly. "For your efforts in the battle of Chu Commandery, thank you for your hard work."

"Island Master!" the handsome youth leading the group smiled. "The Tieyi Sect had two Xiantian Core Formation masters and one Xiantian Golden Core master. For the ten of us to go, it was naturally a simple task." Though this handsome youth possessed the looks of a boy, with skin rosy beneath a pale complexion, his hair was pure silver.

This man was the foremost of the Enforcement Elders—Zhao Danchen!

Zhao Danchen. Xiantian Golden Core. Ranked tenth on the Heavenly Rankings.

Across the entire Nine Provinces mainland, Gu Yong, Zhuge Yuanhong, and Zhao Danchen of Yang Province alone occupied three spots within the top ten of the Heavenly Rankings. This was truly astonishing.

Of course... the Ying Clan of Yong Province, one of the Eight Great Sects left behind by the Qinling Heavenly Emperor! As well as the 'Yuhuang Gate' in Yuzhou, established by the Yu Emperor, and the 'Moni Temple,' now the foremost of the Eight Great Sects, founded by the Patriarch Shakyamuni. These three sects possessed the deepest foundations.

Because they directly inherited the lineages of the Qinling Heavenly Emperor, the Yu Emperor, and Patriarch Shakyamuni, many believed that supreme experts were hidden within these three sects.

For instance, the Moni Temple controlled two provinces, yet no other sect could shake its foundation.

After all, throughout history, the Qinling Heavenly Emperor, the Yu Emperor, Patriarch Shakyamuni, and the Poet Sword Immortal Li Taibai were the four strongest individuals, all reaching unbelievable realms. Any lineage inheriting their mantle could not be underestimated. Even after the empire unified by the Yu Emperor fractured, the 'Yuhuang Gate' had stood firm for thousands of years, demonstrating its profound background.

"Island Master, here is the original treasure map," the handsome, silver-haired youth withdrew two slightly damaged black iron pieces from his embrace.

"Hm?" Gu Yong took them.

After slaying the Tieyi Sect Master 'Nie Rong,' Zhao Danchen immediately made copies of the acquired iron pieces—the 'map'—and transmitted them to Island Master Gu Yong with utmost haste.

"It is indeed the Yu Emperor's Treasure Map," Gu Yong laughed heartily upon seeing them. "Hahahaha... This material is exactly the 'Yu Stone' refined by the Yu Emperor back then. Passed down for thousands of years, even the Yu Stone is now incomplete... It shows how fierce the struggle for this Yu Emperor's Treasure Map has been over the millennia. I never expected it would finally fall into the hands of our Qinghu Island."

A purple-robed woman beside him chuckled, "Island Master, when Nie Rong saw the situation turn dire, he tried to flee. Fortunately, Ancestor Zhao intercepted him, otherwise, Nie Rong might truly have escaped."

The handsome, silver-haired youth, 'Zhao Danchen,' merely offered a faint smile.

"Now that the Yu Emperor's Treasure Map is in Qinghu Island's possession, there's no need to rush in the next day or two. After we eliminate the Guiyuan Sect, we can safely seek the Yu Emperor's treasure." Gu Yong's expression turned serious. "Elders, when Elder Hu led the army to raid Yanjiang City, we did not anticipate that Elder Tie Wanmao, in his battle with Teng Qingshan, would actually be slain."

The faces of the ten Xiantian experts changed drastically.

"Island Master, that Teng Qingshan..." they looked at Gu Yong one by one.

Gu Yong nodded. "Teng Qingshan has reached the Xiantian realm—a Xiantian expert at seventeen years old, capable of killing Elder Tie. His potential is terrifying... Therefore, everyone... In destroying the Guiyuan Sect this time, killing Zhuge Yuanhong is the first priority, and capturing Teng Qingshan alive is the second. I trust capturing Teng Qingshan alive will not be an issue?"

"Leave it to me," Zhao Danchen spoke up.

"With Elder Zhao taking responsibility, I am relieved," Gu Yong nodded, smiling. "However, everyone, do not be careless when dealing with the Guiyuan Sect. This Zhuge Yuanhong, in his youth, I fought him for quite some time. Zhuge Yuanhong always has numerous tricks up his sleeve; killing him is difficult."

The others nodded in agreement.

In a one-on-one fight, none present were confident of defeating Zhuge Yuanhong, as he was ranked sixth on the Heavenly Rankings. More importantly... Zhuge Yuanhong had not made a move in six years!

Six years?

Given Zhuge Yuanhong's talent and comprehension, who knew what level he had reached in these six years? What formidable techniques might he have created? After all, even at the same realm, the difference between various ultimate moves could be vast. For example, although Teng Qingshan was only a Xiantian Void Core, his 'Poisonous Dragon Drill' was far stronger than 'As Shadow Follows Form.'

And 'Crimson Tiger Roar' was stronger than 'Poisonous Dragon Drill.'

Of course, each had its merits and flaws. 'As Shadow Follows Form' was fast and its attacks continuous. 'Poisonous Dragon Drill' had the fastest instantaneous speed and astonishing power, though it left a momentary opening after execution. 'Crimson Tiger Roar' had the strongest destructive force, but its drawback was consuming too much Xiantian true essence, and its speed was not fast.

Crimson Tiger Roar was similar to 'Tiger Cannon Fist' in requiring a charging phase, making its speed somewhat slower.

...

Different ultimate moves yield different power levels.

Why could some people at the same Xiantian Golden Core realm rank first on the Heavenly Rankings while others languished at the bottom? The difference in their realms was negligible; it was purely the disparity in their signature techniques.

The fifth day of the eleventh month, overcast.

The accumulated snow had not completely melted, and fierce gusts of cold wind swept through. On the battlements of Jiangning Commandery City, soldiers clad in armor stood guard everywhere.

"Fifty thousand City Guard soldiers, twenty thousand outer disciples, five thousand core disciples, three thousand Black Armored Army... Though the numbers are large, can they truly hold back the Qinghu Island army?" Teng Qingshan, clad in heavy Profound Iron armor, wearing a Profound Iron helmet, and wielding the Reincarnation Spear, walked the ramparts on patrol, his heart filled with worry.

The number of City Guard soldiers was substantial, but ten City Guard soldiers might not equal one Black Armored Army soldier.

"Relying on the advantage of the city walls, we should be able to defend," Teng Qingshan mused internally. "I only worry... if their group of Xiantian experts first slays our Guiyuan Sect's Xiantian masters. That would be disastrous." The city walls, over ten zhang high, offered no real obstruction to Xiantian experts. Once the Sect Master, Elders, and Commanders were all cut down, the outcome was predictable.

"Qingshan," a gentle voice sounded.

Teng Qingshan turned and saw Zhuge Yuanhong in the distance, clad in a long white robe with his long hair loose, standing with a long sword sheathed on his back against the wall. As the cold wind blew, his robe billowed, making Zhuge Yuanhong look as if he might fly away on the breeze. At this moment, even the core disciples and Black Armored Army soldiers on the wall, no matter their courage, felt a degree of apprehension.

Only the Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong,' seemed entirely unconcerned.

"Master," Teng Qingshan walked over.

"The people from Qinghu Island have arrived. Later, stay close to me, don't move beyond ten zhang," Zhuge Yuanhong instructed.

Though puzzled, Teng Qingshan replied, "Yes, Master."

"The people are here?" Teng Qingshan gazed into the distance. With his eyesight, he could just manage to make out faint shapes far away.

...

Half an hour later, the Qinghu Island army fully assembled three li from Jiangning Commandery City. The vast, dense ranks of the Silver Jiao Army soldiers resembled the boundless, chilling sea on a cloudy day. The mere thought of 'Qinghu Island' made many City Guard soldiers and outer disciples weak in the knees.

"Zhuge Yuanhong!!!"

A heavy voice, like that of a heavenly god, descended from the distant sky, echoing throughout the entirety of Jiangning Commandery City.

"Gu Yong!" Zhuge Yuanhong looked towards the distance three li away.

The refined Zhuge Yuanhong and the overbearing Gu Yong locked eyes across the distance.

On the battlements, including Teng Qingshan, the three Enforcement Elders stood behind Sect Master 'Zhuge Yuanhong.' Zang Feng, Guan Lü, Pang Shan, the three Commanders, and numerous other Elders were also gathered there.

"Hm? Thirteen people?" Even with Teng Qingshan's vision, he could clearly see the thirteen figures standing at the forefront of the massive army three li out.

The thirteen stood shoulder to shoulder, one figure in the center wearing a golden-yellow robe. The presence of these thirteen exerted a pressure on Teng Qingshan far exceeding that of the tens of thousands of soldiers behind them.

The rumbling sound echoed again from afar—

"Zhuge Yuanhong, today I lead the army personally, but I do not wish to slaughter your Guiyuan Sect carelessly. I grant you three hours! Within three hours, open your city gates and surrender your entire sect, and I will leave a path for your Guiyuan Sect to survive. If not, after three hours... I will turn your Guiyuan Sect into scorched earth!"

The heavy voice boomed like rolling thunder, reverberating through the sky.