"Brothers!"
"I'm here—"
"To bring you home!"
The moment the black-armored rider removed his mask, the entire world seemed to fall into silence.
Upon the city wall—
The soldiers of the Northern Liang Army froze with their weapons raised, still wearing the grim expressions of men resigned to death. Yet now, reflected in their wide eyes, was a figure they all knew—so familiar it felt like a dream.
A few heartbeats later, the air exploded with suppressed emotion.
"Grand Commander?!"
"Is it really the Grand Commander?!"
"You're not dead?!"
"Master!"
"My lord!"
At those cries, Chen Sanshi calmly turned and loosed an arrow behind him—killing dozens of enemies in one shot—then raised his voice.
"Tell me, what kind of death did I suffer?"
"Catch!"
Wang Zhi shouted as he tossed something down from the high wall—wrapped in white cloth, landing with a heavy thud.
Chen Sanshi caught it, unwrapped it, and found a severed head staring back at him—one that looked exactly like his own. Even with his mastery of the Art of Disguise, he could barely spot any flaw. It was a perfect imitation—real and fake, utterly indistinguishable.
As he stood there unmoving, Cao Rong and his forces were charging toward him. Thousands of crossbowmen formed ranks, unleashing a volley toward the black-armored rider on the blood-colored horse.
Empowered by the "Xun" sigil of the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation, every arrow was infused with wind-attributed force, glowing with eerie green light.
But—
Chen Sanshi stood tall atop his mount, unshaken. The fire-element True Force surged outward from him, forming an impenetrable barrier. Arrows slammed against it from all directions—only to disintegrate into ashes before they could reach his back.
Holding the counterfeit head aloft, Chen Sanshi suddenly burst into mocking laughter.
"So, it seems I really scared them. Scared them so badly that even those old dogs in court had no choice but to resort to such lowly tricks."
"Across the vast land of Shenzhou—who can kill me, Chen Sanshi?!"
Boom—!
Flames erupted from his palm, incinerating the head into dust.
"Northern Liang soldiers!"
"Why are you still inside the walls?"
"Come—break the enemy with me!"
"Brothers!"
"Open the gates! Aid the Grand Commander!"
"Kill!!!"
Wang Zhi and the others roared like thunder.
The army within the city stirred at once, rapidly mobilizing for a counterattack.
"Chen Sanshi!!"
The King of Zhen'nan's internal meridians went berserk, overloaded to the brink. His topknot burst apart, hair and beard rising like bristles, and his bloodshot eyes burned like a venomous beast from the Luotian Mountains. His voice cracked with madness:
"You were nothing but a commoner!"
"The court gave you everything!"
"And yet you repay that kindness with treachery—spreading deviant techniques, severing my martial path!"
"Is there anyone in this world more heartless than you?!"
"Even if I die today, I'll take your head with me!"
In his berserk state—
Cao Rong's consciousness began to blur, but his killing qi and True Force soared to new heights. His massive, blunt saber came crashing down from above, like a heavenly pillar collapsing from the sky to crush mortals below.
The White Swan horse vanished into a streak of light—replaced by a coiling silver dragon that rose above Chen Sanshi's head, meeting the descending blade head-on.
Rumble—!
The two forces collided, shaking all of Qiantang Prefecture.
The ground beneath Chen Sanshi crumbled layer by layer. He sank more than ten feet deep into a crater, while spiderweb-like cracks spread across the earth in a dozen-meter radius from where the two men stood.
At the same time—
Ling Yun and Li He attacked from opposite directions.
One drew upon the "Kan" sigil of the Bagua to summon underground water, enhancing his Celestial River Sword Technique.
The other amplified the power of his Bloodlight Curse.
The three no longer held back—because they knew—
There was no turning back now.
While they attacked head-on—
Daoist Dao Xuan stood at the rear, maintaining the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation. He manipulated its positions and omens, layering on restrictions. With the massive support of troops, the formation finally unleashed its full might.
Under its suppression—
Chen Sanshi's True Force was being gradually weakened. And yet, his unparalleled battle will continued to stack—allowing him to face four opponents alone. The weapon in his hand no longer resembled a spear.
In fact—
From a distance—
There appeared to be no weapon at all.
Only a crimson flame dragon coiling around him, sometimes biting away at killing qi, sometimes shattering the Bloodlight Curse, sometimes vaporizing frozen rivers, sometimes responding to the changing fortunes dictated by the formation. The movements were dazzling, chaotic, and nearly impossible to follow. No one could clearly see how any of the combatants attacked or defended—only that True Force and mana surged violently, the ground split open endlessly, and anyone who approached would die with ruptured organs.
Cao Rong and the other three increased the speed and ferocity of their strikes.
"Damned brute!"
Li He cursed non-stop as he launched volley after volley with his Bloodlight Flying Sword, completely disregarding his martial companions.
Not even a Qi Refining level 20+ spell cultivator would be this troublesome!
"It's time!"
From above, Daoist Dao Xuan, who had been supporting the battlefield, finally completed his preparations.
"Daoist Chen—die!!!"
Boom!
With that cry, the formation disk swelled abruptly. Its golden light intensified, blanketing the sky until the entire battlefield shimmered in gold—like a radiant immortal mountain suspended in the heavens.
Under its crushing weight—
Even the Northern Liang soldiers miles away felt weak in their limbs. Some generals at the Profound Manifestation realm reported their gang qi being weakened by more than half!
The same pressure—
Also descended upon Chen Sanshi. Only his matchless battle will allowed him to withstand it.
But still…
The power of the golden mountain continued to climb until it reached its peak—then suddenly crashed from the sky with a thunderous boom.
Golden Light Mountain—Immortal-Slaying Suppression!
"This is the strongest blow condensed from heaven and earth by the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation!" Daoist Dao Xuan shouted. "Now—kill him with everything you've got!"
Boom!
Another earth-shattering clash erupted.
Chen Sanshi and the other four were all blasted backward. Every one of them red-eyed, veins bulging, channeling all their power.
Golden light from the formation wrapped around their bodies—enhancing their strength for a decisive strike.
At that moment—
The first wave of Northern Liang troops finally broke through into Qiantang Prefecture.
"Grand Commander!"
"Counterattack!"
"Kill those court bastards!!!"
They looked at the commander standing alone outside the city gates, and at that very moment, their fighting spirit reached its absolute peak.
According to the original battle plan—
150,000 Northern Liang troops inside Qiantang Prefecture were supposed to move out and reinforce the 7,000 brothers of the Hongze Battalion stationed in Hongdu Prefecture.
But instead…
The Grand Commander, leading a mere 7,000 men, with no supplies, had faced 200,000 enemy troops and held out for a full six months!
And them?
Not only had they failed to carry out the original plan, becoming trapped here and unable to advance, but now they needed the Grand Commander to come save them—alone—rushing to support 130,000 brothers still inside the city!
In an instant—
Shame, rage, the thrill of surviving a desperate situation, and the thirst for vengeance all fused together, transforming into boundless fighting spirit and sky-piercing killing intent!
[Backbone of the Army — Calm Under Crisis, War Frenzy]
[Blood Oath of the Battlefield — Death Before Retreat!!!]
One enhancement after another took effect.
At the very front of the ranks, their commander, Chen Sanshi, looked at the golden radiance filling the sky, raised his arm, and roared with a voice like a divine decree from the heavens:
"Northern Liang Army—break the formation!"
"Boom!"
Almost at the same instant—
Inside Qiantang Prefecture—
A war drum thundered once, then a second time, a third…
Each beat heavier than the last, each beat faster than before.
This was—
The Brilliant Divine Authority Soul-Suppressing Formation.
The Northern Liang Breaking the Formation March!
Within the Mystic Pearl, mystic qi surged abundantly.
As early as the days in Hongdu Prefecture, the mystic qi inside the Mystic Pearl had been increasing nonstop—long since enough to perform the Northern Liang Breaking the Formation March, with a vast surplus remaining!
Long ago—
This march had already been designated a strict army-formation drill. All related instruments naturally accompanied the army at all times. At a single command, the grand composition slowly began.
As the music rose, threads of mystic qi spread outward from Chen Sanshi's position in all directions, infusing every musical instrument and every soldier of the Northern Liang Army.
And so—
Military music played by thousands of soldiers resounded across this ancient battlefield of the Central Plains!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The war drums pounded rhythmically.
In that instant—
Heaven and earth changed color!
The sky, which had been cloudless moments before, suddenly darkened. Layers of pitch-black storm clouds covered the land as waves of killing intent descended from the heavens.
This majestic music felt as though it did not originate from within Qiantang Prefecture at all, but from a distant ancient battlefield. Its momentum was overwhelming, its killing aura chilling. The low, thunderous drums shook the earth like rolling thunder; the long horns echoed between the drumbeats like war banners snapping in the wind; zithers rang sharply, each plucked string slicing through the sky like a blade, every note like an arrow loosed toward the enemy ranks; the flutes wailed—part lament, part herald of imminent victory…
Every sound—
Deafening!
"Boom!"
The killing march grew louder and more immense, until it seemed to explode directly inside people's minds. Among the 300,000 court troops, none were spared—every soldier clutched their head in agony, some bleeding from all seven orifices on the spot.
Then—
Before their eyes, aside from the Northern Liang Army, another force appeared.
Amid the earth-shaking music, the court soldiers saw this suddenly manifested army—battle flags whipping wildly, blades and swords flashing, charging headlong into formations. They shouted, their warhorses neighed, countless figures surged toward the ranks.
And yet—
Utter silence.
The court soldiers endured the assault of the grand music, but at the same time, they heard nothing at all from this eerie army. Absolute silence—like a moving painting from beyond the flow of time, or the ghosts of an ancient battlefield joining the war.
They charged together with the Northern Liang Army.
Until a certain moment—
They merged as one!
Heaven and earth—
Changed again!
Rolling black clouds descended from the sky, pouring into the Northern Liang Army, then spreading like a plague. They corroded the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation. The golden light rapidly dimmed, and the golden mountain suspended in the sky began to tremble, growing increasingly illusory.
"What's happening?!"
Li He and the others felt the formation's enhancement weakening rapidly, panic seizing their hearts. "Daoxuan! Your formation was broken this easily?!"
"What do you mean 'this easily'?!"
Daoist Dao Xuan clenched his hand seals, struggling mightily to maintain the formation disk and its core. His expression was ugly beyond measure. "These heavenly-scripture formations derive their strength from the abundance of spiritual energy! The yin-killing qi this man has mobilized contains power from the primordial age—the consumption involved is impossible to calculate!"
But the problem was—
The enemy had made no preparations at all!
One had to understand—
Daoist Dao Xuan had spent several months preparing the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation.
Chen Sanshi had done nothing.
He had simply run over, shouted a single command, and summoned such terrifying power.
Where did this power come from?!
On this man—
There must be a supreme treasure!
A treasure coveted even by upper-sect great powers!
"Kill!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Northern Liang Breaking the Formation March continued. Wave after wave of cavalry, carrying primordial power, slammed into the enemy ranks. The court's 300,000-strong army could no longer maintain its formation. Though they had not fully collapsed, several key nodes of the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation were destroyed. Its power plummeted until the golden light was completely devoured by sinister black qi.
The golden mountain floating in the sky vanished like a mirage—
Gone without a trace.
The final traces of enhancement on Li He and the others vanished in an instant. They felt as though their armor had been stripped away, leaving them completely exposed.
They looked again at Chen Sanshi—clad in black armor—standing quietly amid the dense, sinister yin qi. Flames clearly burned within his pupils, yet the gaze he directed at them was filled with boundless coldness, as if he were looking at…
Corpses.
Li He, Ling Yun, and Daoist Dao Xuan all felt their hearts sink heavily. Two words surfaced in their minds at the same time.
'It's over.'
In a direct clash, they were no longer a match for Chen Sanshi to begin with. Earlier, they had only gained the upper hand thanks to the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation. Now that the formation was broken, his strength was no longer suppressed—and with a physique that grew stronger the longer he fought, how could they possibly have even the slightest chance of victory?!
Retreat was the first thought to arise in Li He's mind.
Unfortunately…
It was already too late!
At some unknown moment—
From within the sinister yin qi, the fire dragon soared forth and was already right in front of him.
The Bloodlight Curse was pushed to its absolute limit.
Li He formed hand seals and tried to control his flying sword.
But this time, he could clearly feel his strength failing him. After gritting his teeth and holding on for two exchanges, the flying sword severed its connection with him, spinning away and plunging into the distant battlefield.
Before Li He could regain control of the sword, the scorching spear tip had already arrived before his eyes.
In a flash—
From Ling Yun's sleeve, a torrent like a great river poured forth.
But this time—
His water-element True Force could no longer restrain the fire-element at all. It was like a small stream entering a mountain fire stretching for hundreds of meters—instantly evaporated. The spear thrust continued, unstoppable.
The flame-wreathed, razor-sharp spear blade split open his brow, bored through his skull, pierced his upper palace, and burst out the back of his head. Before any red or white matter could splatter, it was already burned to ashes.
"Thud!"
The Dragon Gall Silver Spear was pulled free. With half his head charred black, Li He fell stiffly onto his back.
On Chen Sanshi's flank, thick killing-qi True Force surged once more. He swept his spear in a blocking arc, transforming it into a crescent of fire. Amid a piercing hum, he震退 Cao Rong—who was in a frenzy—by several steps. Then the spear sank downward, pinning the broad saber hard against the ground, rendering it immobile.
Seizing the opening, Chen Sanshi closed in. His left hand clenched into a fist, crimson flames rolling violently. He drove the punch forward with brutal force, the fire filling Cao Rong's vision until his bloodshot eyes were completely engulfed.
"Boom!"
Vast, surging True Force erupted. King of Zhen'nan Cao Rong's face was blown apart on one side, and his body was hurled backward. Before he could even hit the ground, a Vermilion Bird—formed from a silver bullet—caught up and swallowed him whole.
At the same time he killed Cao Rong—
A killing intent struck from behind, already at point-blank range. A single sword against a close spear.
Chen Sanshi kicked the blunt-edged broad saber on the ground into the air, briefly released his spear, caught the saber with both hands, and cleaved sideways. During the swing, fire-element True Force devoured the killing qi that had once clung to the blade.
The blazing saber light flashed.
Ling Yun, who had been preparing a sneak attack, froze in place. A moment later, his body split cleanly into two halves. The scorched wound sealed instantly, not a single drop of blood flowing.
With the Eight-Gate Golden Lock Immortal-Trapping Formation gone, only a few exchanges had passed—and now only Daoist Dao Xuan remained alive. He had already fled several hundred meters away and was on the verge of escaping the battlefield.
Chen Sanshi exploded with power, flames bursting beneath his feet as he leapt into the air. With the momentum of a tiger gaining wings, he hurled his spear. It pierced through layers of dark clouds like a blazing meteor in pursuit.
Daoist Dao Xuan continuously unleashed defensive spells, but in the end, under the terrifying True Force, both man and flying vessel were smashed down from the sky.
Chen Sanshi followed immediately, crashing down from over three hundred meters in the air. His right leg, wreathed in raging flames, came down with flawless precision on Daoist Dao Xuan's head—ending his life completely.
Four men!
All slain in battle!
The remaining enemy generals were naturally no match for Wei Xuan and the others.
When Chen Sanshi hurled the four mangled corpses into the air for all to see, a total rout could no longer be stopped. Corpses piled up like mountains, blood flowed in reverse currents like rivers—so thick that even walking on the ground, one could feel the stickiness through the soles of cloud-walking boots.
300,000 troops!
Collapsed like a landslide!
The battle lasted a full 5 days.
In the end, over 100,000 enemies were slain, 150,000 were captured, and another 50,000 scattered and fled, their whereabouts unknown.
After this battle—
The Northern Liang Army entered the Central Plains!
The capital.
Zhongjue Hall.
Another morning.
The Prince of Qin, the Prince of Qi, and the civil and military officials arrived one after another to deliberate matters of state.
"Judging by the time," the Prince of Qin said with his hands behind his back as he strode forward, "the people in Hongdu Prefecture should have long since starved to death. If Ninth Brother led the others to Qiantang Prefecture, they should already have crushed the Northern Liang Army. Once Imperial Father leaves seclusion, quells the unrest, and restores the realm, peace will be at hand!"
"Indeed. Elder Mu's strategy was ruthless—but effective…"
The Prince of Qi stopped mid-sentence when he saw a crimson-robed official already inside the hall before anyone else. The man leaned on a cane, staring at the sand table, his murky eyes dim.
"Elder Mu?"
After recognizing him, the Prince of Qi said, "You're here so early?"
Thud!
Before he could finish speaking—
Minister of War Mu Fengchun dropped his cane and fell to his knees.
"Your servant… deserves death!"
"What crime could Elder Mu have committed?"
Sensing disaster, the Prince of Qi immediately pointed at the eunuch beside him. "What's going on?!"
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
The eunuch also dropped to his knees. "Half an hour ago, two battle reports from the front arrived at the palace simultaneously.
"30 days ago, Chen Sanshi fought outside Hongdu Prefecture, in Sparrow-Rat Valley. Living on meat and slaughtering enemies, he shattered Ninth Highness's 200,000-strong army—and escaped alive!"
6,000 men.
Breaking 200,000!
And after nearly six months without supplies!
It was simply inconceivable!
Before the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Qi, and the assembled officials could even react, the eunuch continued speaking:
"Ten days ago.
"Outside Qiantang Prefecture.
"Chen—Chen Sanshi charged the formation alone on horseback. The rebel forces inside the city were instantly invigorated. They then used a Heavenly Scripture formation to launch a counterattack from within the city. Our 300,000-strong army was almost completely annihilated. Ninth Highness, along with several Immortal Masters, all died for the nation!"
Just a few short sentences—
Yet at this moment, they crashed into everyone's minds like thunder.
Minister of Works Yan Maoxing felt his ears ring violently, nearly collapsing backward on the spot.
200,000 plus 300,000!
500,000!
500,000 troops destroyed in one stroke!
And what was even more terrifying—
This battle looked perilous on the surface, but in reality, the Northern Liang Army had suffered no truly devastating losses at all!
After this battle, the Northern Liang Army had successfully entered the Central Plains. If they joined forces with the Prince of Jin in the east and others, they could soon occupy more than half of the Central Plains!
Then—
Only one final strategic pass would remain between them and the capital itself!
White Robe!!!
Only now did the civil and military officials truly understand what kind of feeling it had been to stand opposite that white-robed figure in the past!
"This old minister… deserves death!"
Mu Fengchun removed the black gauze official hat from his head and raised it high. "This grand strategy was proposed by this old minister. Now that it has resulted in such a catastrophic defeat, this old minister cannot shirk responsibility!"
"Elder Mu!"
The Prince of Qin said angrily. "What use is saying this now?! The most urgent matter—isn't it figuring out what to do next?!"
Mu Fengchun did not answer. He simply continued to hold his official hat high.
"This minister does not know!"
"You don't know?!"
The Prince of Qin pressed. "What do you mean by that?!"
"This minister requests death!"
Mu Fengchun repeated.
"Enough!"
The Prince of Qi stepped forward and helped him up. "Elder Mu, the strategy was devised by all of us together, and it was approved by Imperial Father as well. How can the defeat be blamed on you alone?!
"Talking about requesting death?
"You are an old minister of the court and earned countless merits in your early years. No one is holding you accountable!"
However—
Mu Fengchun stubbornly remained kneeling.
"If this old minister is fortunate enough to keep this broken body alive, then I beg Your Highness to remove me from the post of Minister of War and appoint someone more capable."
"Elder Mu?"
The Prince of Qin said with some disdain. "Have you been crushed in spirit by a single defeat? Even if we lost 500,000 troops, we still have over 1,000,000 soldiers! Imperial Father will soon leave seclusion. Our chances of victory are still greater!
"Don't forget—you are of the same generation as Sun Xiangzong. Chen Sanshi is merely of your sons' and nephews' generation!
"If Elder Mu's cowardly behavior spreads, wouldn't it make people laugh themselves to death?"
Mu Fengchun let out a self-mocking cold laugh.
"Your Highness, this old minister lost to Sun Xiangzong. He was right—manipulating people's hearts is nothing more than a lowly trick, utterly worthless before true heroes.
"This minister is indeed no match for Chen Sanshi. I have heard that more Immortal Masters have arrived in Shenzhou—please allow this old minister to vacate his position."
Recalling the past—
He had disdained Sun Xiangzong's lofty integrity, while Sun Xiangzong had disdained his scheming and intrigue.
Now, superiority and inferiority had been decided.
His spirit truly was gone.
Mu Fengchun had read the detailed battle reports, including how Chen Sanshi burned Fasting Pills and starved together with his men, and later even received aid from the city's civilians…
And how, even after a severed head was delivered into Qiantang Prefecture, the Northern Liang Army still held firm for a long time—until Chen Sanshi personally fought his way to the city gates.
Sun Xiangzong had been right.
Schemes and plots, before the true tide of destiny, were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
"Since Your Highness is benevolent, then this old minister shall take his leave."
With that—
Mu Fengchun gently placed the black gauze official hat on the ground. Without waiting for either prince's response, he leaned on his cane and slowly, shakily walked out of the great hall.
"T-This… what are we supposed to do now?!"
The Prince of Qi clutched his head. "How are we supposed to suppress the rebellion next?!"
"First, inform Imperial Father!"
The Prince of Qin said. "Once the Northern Liang Army has entered the Central Plains, Kunlun Mountain is no longer safe!"
Kunlun Mountain.
A blessed land of caves and heavens.
Battle reports arrived here one after another from the capital—but all were intercepted outside the cave abode.
Huang Hong looked at the shocking contents, pacing back and forth anxiously at the entrance, yet he did not dare to go inside and disturb him.
Inside the cave abode—
As the medicinal effects of the final healing pill within his body were completely absorbed, all of Emperor Longqing's injuries were fully healed. Both his physical body and spirit had reached their peak state.
This was a necessary step before Foundation Establishment.
Foundation Establishment could fail.
If it failed lightly, one's cultivation would regress, and one would never again have hope of Foundation Establishment. If it failed severely, one's life and Dao would be extinguished.
Therefore—
Before attempting Foundation Establishment, cultivators were always extremely cautious, making every possible preparation.
During the blood sacrifice in Liangzhou, Emperor Longqing had accidentally been tainted by killing qi. He had barely managed to expel it, only to suffer another assassination attempt by the Seeking Immortals Tower on the way to Kunlun Mountain, sustaining minor injuries.
Only today had he finally returned to full strength.
Next—
He could formally begin seclusion.
In as short as a few months, or as long as one to two years, the path to longevity would be set!
Emperor Longqing's talent was not poor—on the contrary, it was exceptional. Even on Heavenly Water Isle, any sect would have been willing to accept him as a true disciple.
The reason he had only reached the Foundation Establishment threshold at such an age was, on one hand, because he lacked a true method in his youth, and on the other, because he lacked sufficient resources. Only later, after acquiring enough spiritual energy—combined with the ten-day life-extension and nourishment of qi and blood in Yunzhou—did his cultivation finally advance by leaps and bounds.
With the addition of the Foundation Establishment Pill, the probability of successful Foundation Establishment exceeded 90%.
Seated cross-legged, Emperor Longqing did not rush into the next step. He slowly opened his eyes and said in a deep voice toward the stone gate outside:
"Come in."
Rumble—!
The stone gate opened.
Huang Hong hurried inside. "Your Majesty, this servant did not disturb you, did he? There truly is an urgent matter!"
"We lost?"
The last information Emperor Longqing had received was that the White Robe had openly repaired the plank roads while secretly crossing Yinping, descending like divine troops upon Hongdu Prefecture and cutting off Chunqiu Prefecture's retreat. After that came Mu Fengchun's proposal to concentrate superior forces and eliminate the Northern Liang Army first.
Seeing the eunuch's panicked expression now, he already had his answer.
"And it was a crushing defeat!"
Huang Hong gave a firm reply. "The rebel Chen Sanshi first shattered 200,000 troops at Sparrow-Rat Valley. Then he rushed to Qiantang Prefecture and staged that pre-battle mask-removal spectacle. Not only were 300,000 troops completely annihilated, but Ninth Highness and several Immortal Masters also died for the nation…
"Now—
"The Northern Liang rebels are concentrating forces in the Central Plains. They will likely continue marching south soon. There are no troops stationed near Kunlun Mountain. This servant fears they may disturb Your Majesty's seclusion, so I beg Your Majesty to relocate."
Emperor Longqing requested the battle reports and reviewed them personally, reading every detail of each engagement. The corner of his eye twitched faintly, his already deep black pupils becoming even more abyss-like.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, his expression finally shifted—
To sorrow.
"Huang Hong…"
Emperor Longqing let out a long breath. "My realm… is in chaos."
"Your Majesty, this is only temporary," Huang Hong said sincerely. "Once Your Majesty succeeds in Foundation Establishment, you will surely sweep across the Six Directions, restore the realm, and achieve a true eternal hegemony and an age of great peace."
"You, a mere servant, understand this truth—so why do none of them?"
Emperor Longqing's tone grew sharper. "Sun Xiangzong does not understand. My sons do not understand. And this Chen Sanshi also does not understand. I hear that along his path, he won people over by uprooting spiritual grain?
"Naive—utterly naive.
"Does he think I do not want more grain planted in the fields? That is the tax base of the Great Sheng Dynasty, the foundation of national prosperity and people's strength.
"I have endured all this—for them, for this world.
"To this day, I still remember my first meeting with those so-called 'Immortals.' How lofty they were, how they looked upon me and my people as ants, eager to trample everything underfoot.
"It was I who negotiated with them all along.
"Step by step, until today—so that even when people from the Shengyun Sect arrive, they must respectfully address me as 'Your Majesty.'
"The matter of the seal began to waver many years ago.
"I have always known that one day they would flood into Shenzhou. I always wanted to protect the people. Sun Xiangzong could have helped me—but he hid everything from me.
"And now his fine disciple is the same—thinking himself exceptional?
"Does he know what consequences will follow from rashly uprooting spiritual grain and offending every sect at once?
"Why could he not wait a little longer? Even just until I completed Foundation Establishment. Then I would no longer need to look at any sect's face. Instead, they would have to bow their heads to me. Everyone who steps into the Eastern Divine Continent would kneel in submission."
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Huang Hong hurriedly knelt. "Why must Your Majesty anger himself over these ignorant and unenlightened ministers?"
"I am not angry."
Emperor Longqing exhaled slowly. "I am over 100 years old. When one grows old, one inevitably becomes sentimental. Enough—let them be. Everything is about to end.
"How is the capital being arranged now?"
"In reply to Your Majesty," Huang Hong said, "the Prince of Qin is still managing state affairs. The Central Plains still have over 1,000,000 troops. Recently, another group of Immortal Masters arrived at the Kunlun Mountain traveling palace, including a close friend of the War Immortal Han Xiang."
"Deploy them all," Emperor Longqing ordered. "Also Mang Mountain—the old ancestor of the Ling family. If he has finished handling the Western Qi front, have him return to the Central Plains as well. Everything from now on must focus on stopping Chen Sanshi and buying time for me."
"This servant will remember."
Huang Hong replied.
"Kunlun Mountain truly can no longer be stayed at. Next, I will return to the capital and complete my seclusion in Wanshou Palace. The matter of protection will be entrusted to you. Huang Hong—you are now the only person in this world who truly understands me."
As he spoke, the emperor walked to the spirit tree radiating spiritual energy within the cave abode.
This tree—
Its full name was the Fortunate Spirit Supreme Clear Heavenly Treasure Tree. It was an extremely precious spiritual plant, capable of replacing a spiritual vein to provide spiritual energy. Unfortunately, it was already on the verge of withering.
Cao Kai did not hesitate. He uprooted it entirely.
After this, the treasure tree could barely survive for a while longer—enough for him to complete seclusion successfully.
Storing the treasure tree away, Emperor Longqing flicked his sleeve and mounted the Dragon Abyss Sword, flying out of the Water Curtain Cave and vanishing in an instant.
Yulu Continent.
"Twelfth Brother!"
Prince of Jin — Cao Huan personally held the battle report. His expression was joyous yet tinged with complexity as he entered the rear courtyard and found the Prince of Yan idly fishing. He said urgently:
"A great victory—an overwhelming victory! Chen Sanshi charged the enemy formation alone, then led the Qiantang Prefecture garrison in a counterattack, crushing 300,000 court troops. Only—Ninth Brother, along with those Immortal Masters, was slain by Chen Sanshi amid the chaos."
"Ninth Brother…"
Prince of Yan — Cao Zhi recalled calmly. "Dead is dead. Though we are brothers in name, there was little real bond between us. And now that we are enemies, Sixth Brother need not grieve."
"Sigh."
Prince of Jin — Cao Huan sighed softly. "That may be so, but blood still ties us together. If Imperial Father were not obsessed with the so-called Immortal Path, how could we brothers have come to this?"
"Since the Northern Liang Army has entered the Central Plains," Cao Zhi said, "then we should not sit idle either."
Cao Zhi set down his fishing rod, stood up, and stretched lazily.
"Sixth Brother, starting today, you should personally lead the troops on campaign. Within two months, you will surely be able to take another three prefectures. The army will expand as well. After that, you can begin preparing to inherit the throne."
Qiantang Prefecture.
On the city walls.
The golden rooster announced dawn. Morning mist lay thin and pale.
Chen Sanshi practiced his spear techniques—long since honed to perfection—executing them in tandem with the Fire-Element Breathing Method and a special stance. He continuously mobilized spiritual energy within his body, circulating it through complex cycles. As his flesh was refined and cleansed, the divine shrine within him was steadily nourished.
At his upper right abdomen, spiritual light shone brilliantly—first blue, then yellow, then green. At last, the three colors merged into radiant tri-colored mystic light. A divine shrine awakened accordingly.
Gallbladder Deity!
Name: Delong Ju
Courtesy Name: Daofang
Height: approximately 3.4 inches
Clothed in blue, yellow, and green!
Cultivation Method: Dragon Scripture (True Force — Early Stage)
Progress: 314 / 500
Five of the Eight Scenic Divine Caverns of the middle section had opened.
He put away the spear.
Chen Sanshi then began cultivating spells.
Spell: Ten Thousand Swords Descend · Tier 2
Progress: 1583 / 2000
Spell: Thick Earth Art (Mastery)
Progress: 798 / 1000
Skill: Archery · Perfection (Limit Break Stage 3)
Progress: 1811 / 2000
These techniques were all close to breaking through.
Finally—
There were the spoils of the Battle of Qiantang Prefecture.
Everything belonging to Cao Rong, Ling Yun, Li He, and Daoist Dao Xuan had been taken by him.
A blunt-edged broad saber, a soft sword, a sword, and Daoist Dao Xuan's Tier 1 formation diagrams—these counted as the greatest gains of this battle.
Among these Tier 1 formations were a Golden Light Formation used for defense, which had been used before in Chunqiu Prefecture to make a city impregnable; a Dungeon Formation capable of trapping enemies and locking down generals; and a Mirage Formation.
As for the Nine-Palace Eight-Trigram Formation, the chessboard had shattered, and no corresponding crafting method was found. It was likely something Daoist Dao Xuan had obtained from a sect or someone else in the cultivation world rather than something he had created himself.
Overall—
These formations were neither overwhelmingly powerful nor insignificant.
With the mindset that skills are never a burden, Chen Sanshi studied them whenever he had time to cultivate. After all, formation study could enhance divine sense, and together with alchemy and talisman drawing, they complemented one another well.
Especially talisman drawing and formations, which shared many common principles.
Skill: Formations (Uninitiated)
Progress: 82 / 100
Effect: None yet
Carrying his spear, Chen Sanshi returned to the military camp.
"Greetings, Grand Commander!"
Roll call had just concluded.
Generals from all divisions had gathered, waiting to plan the Northern Liang Army's next move.
Chen Sanshi wasted no words. He went straight to the main seat, sat down, and signaled Xu Wencai to begin.
"Gentlemen."
Xu Wencai pointed at the military map with his feather fan.
"After Qiantang Prefecture, our Northern Liang Army now controls thirty percent of the Central Plains. Our rear supply and provisions issues have been resolved as well.
"The court, meanwhile, is concentrating large forces around the Fei River. According to reliable intelligence, their numbers may reach one million, with many high-realm Immortal Masters arriving to assist.
"But this…
"Will also be our final decisive battle!
"If we win this battle, there will be nothing left ahead that can stop us. The blade of the Northern Liang Army will point directly at the capital, Chang'an, to settle the fate of the realm!
"However, before that—
"We still need to resolve several issues.
"According to the Grand Commander's requirements, we must launch the decisive battle within the next year or so.
"But if we continue marching south, there are still many passes in between. The forces in those prefectures are neither many nor few. If we fight them one by one, it will waste a great deal of time and cause various problems for rear stability.
"The best solution is to find a way to persuade them to surrender directly.
"Therefore, starting today—
"All generals will split into eight routes. First, take some easier-to-capture cities to demonstrate our strength. Try to awaken the rest and have them abandon darkness for the light!"
"Do as Xu Wencai says."
Chen Sanshi issued the command.
The territory of the Great Sheng Dynasty was vast.
These prefectures were scattered across an enormous area. He could not personally lead troops to conquer them one by one. That would not only waste time but also severely consume grain and supplies.
Even across the entire realm, after years of continuous warfare, provisions were extremely precious.
Thus, the best method remained persuasion and surrender.
"This subordinate accepts the order!"
Qi Cheng quickly assisted in laying out more detailed deployments. After receiving their respective missions, the generals departed Qiantang Prefecture one after another.
"My lord."
After everyone had left, Xu Wencai stepped closer.
"The Prince of Jin in Yulu Continent has recently expanded his influence further, taking advantage of our great victory. He now controls five prefectures and commands 150,000 troops—truly strong in both soldiers and horses.
"They sent a letter early this morning, expressing their hope to combine forces with us next and jointly march south to campaign against the court army."
"Combine forces?"
Chen Sanshi continued handling documents as he spoke.
"What do you think?"
"If we want to head south as quickly as possible, we may have no choice but to agree," Xu Wencai said, drawing a letter from his sleeve.
"The Prince of Jin is preparing to proclaim himself emperor.
"Once he inherits the legitimate line, many prefectures along the southern route will see this as internal strife within the Cao clan. Regardless of who wins, it would still be the Great Sheng realm. They may not resist much—and might even surrender at the first sign of trouble.
"Moreover, the court still has one million troops. There will be many situations ahead where we can make use of them.
"So for now, we can agree to their request."