Chapter 245: Turmoil In Lishan County
Lishan County, Junlao Mountain
Towering mountains stand tall, shrouded in swirling mist and clouds, like a sharp sword piercing into the fog.
Several Dan Qiao True Persons shuttle through the clouds and mist, driving spirit tools like awls into various parts of the mountain peaks. On the ground, disciples continuously move about, setting up formation patterns at the spots where the awls land.
Once the formation patterns are laid, spiritual energy fluctuations immediately spread out, enveloping the entire Junlao Mountain in protection.
At this moment on Junlao Mountain, four people are sitting face-to-face inside the grand hall.
An old man with white hair and black eyes, his face cold and indifferent, said faintly: “You took things from Lishan County, and Beast King Sect has already sent people over.”
“Fellow Daoist Pu need not worry; their coming is only normal.”
The leading man revealed a faint smile. He wore a yellow luxurious robe, had a short and fat build, and his head of red hair like flames was particularly striking.
He sat there calmly like an old god, while beside him was a gaunt man with a face like a black panther, his eyes sinister, sitting there like a block of ice emitting cold air.
“With such actions from Three Flames Divine Palace, are you truly not afraid that Monster Suppressing Guard will come and kill you all together?”
“Why ask a question you already know the answer to, Fellow Daoist Pu? We are merely Yan Ying Sect; as long as we do not oppose Dali, why would they come fight us?”
The short and fat Lu Wuyan slightly narrowed his eyes, looking completely confident of victory.
The so-called righteous and demonic paths do have some differences in their methods, but for other forces, what matters more is benefit.
Zhao Wenxing in black robes had a cold glint flash in his eyes as he said: “Those wanting a share of Lingnan Prefecture are not just us, right, Fellow Daoist Li.”
Li Jiongcang opened his eyes, his figure and aura like a long sword.
“Just don’t go back on your word regarding the Sword Dragon Wood and Dharma Aspect Spirit Fusion Pill promised to me.”
Li Jiongcang was originally a rogue cultivator and not truly part of Lu Wuyan and Zhao Wenxing’s group, but among the three Dharma Aspect True Persons who founded Yan Ying Sect, he was one.
What he sought was precisely those two items above, as well as the Head Seat position of Three Flames Divine Palace.
“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li; we always keep our word.”
Li Jiongcang nodded slightly, then said: “Countless people in Lingnan Prefecture are watching our actions. As long as we repel Beast King Sect’s suppression, the matter is done. Without us needing to act further, countless others with ambitions will start crawling out.”
It was true they had no Golden Body Realm Martial Artists, but clashes between forces were never just about a single powerhouse.
If Dharma Aspect Realm couldn’t take them down, more people like them would emerge.
No matter how powerful Beast King Sect’s Qiu Weifeng was, could he kill everyone one by one?
Not to mention Monster Suppressing Guard, Sword One Sect, and Nine Peaks Sect wouldn’t allow it, such actions alone would give demonic sects opportunities to set ambushes and kill him.
King against king, general against general.
Their pressure was not small, but they were not without a chance of victory.
“What high opinion does Fellow Daoist Li have?”
Zhao Wenxing gazed at Li Jiongcang, his eyes flickering slightly.
“Lishan County’s resources are not enough for us four to split. Rather than sit and wait for them to come knocking, better to split up and move toward Bailu County, Meng Tang County, and Wan Ning County, seizing resources from each place.”
Pu Lengfeng’s gaze sharpened: “You want to divide them?”
“Exactly.”
Li Jiongcang said faintly: “Beast King Sect wants total victory, but we don’t need to. As long as we show our might and survive, it’s victory. Why not use a strategy to exhaust the enemy?”
He glanced at Pu Lengfeng, then said: “They still don’t know that Pushan Old Ancestor of Bailu County is already one of us now.”
Pu Lengfeng said faintly: “This old man has not fully agreed to you yet.”
Pu Lengfeng was a rogue cultivator of Bailu County. Though called a rogue cultivator, he also had his own dojo—the Pushan Mountain Range.
His lineage had only seven disciples, three of whom were the renowned Pushan Dan Qiao, while the remaining four were newly taken disciples who were also his concubines, all possessing half-step Dan Qiao ability.
Lu Wuyan chuckled: “Fellow Daoist Pu can sit here, so why speak angry words? If Fellow Daoist Pu is willing to act, the fourth-order Yin-Yang Divine Soul Fruit will be offered with both hands, and the fourth-order high-grade Luan Feng Divine Art will also be given to you.”
Hearing this, Pu Lengfeng’s expression eased somewhat.
He took female disciples as concubines not merely for lust, but because of his cultivation manual.
What he cultivated was the Mysterious Snake Dual Cultivation Method, using dual cultivation to refine true essence and nurture true intent. However, after reaching Dharma Aspect Realm, the path forward became extremely narrow.
To advance further, either innovate and forge his own path.
Or switch to a different cultivation manual.
But as a mere rogue cultivator, switching to a manual leading to Golden Body Realm was not that easy.
Pu Lengfeng finally said: “You act openly, while I hide in the shadows. If a Dharma Aspect acts, I’ll ambush him. How about that?”
“Just what I wanted.”
……
“Over a dozen sects in Lishan County have all been swept up, spirit ore mines, medicine mountains, treasure lands… anywhere with ample resources has become Yan Ying Sect’s target. Bandit cultivators and rogue cultivators are all fishing in troubled waters inside.”
At this time, more detailed intelligence also came back from the sect’s spies.
Gu Sanqian and Hu Yangming sat in the central positions.
Below were a total of twenty-three seats: fifteen Beast King Sect Dan Qiao Martial Artists and eight Dan Qiao commanders from the Mountain Guard.
Mountain Guard’s Di Yining said gravely: “Now Lishan County has Junlao Mountain as its core and Lishan City as its horn, gathering over five thousand martial artists. Qing Family’s third-order spirit ore and spirit gold mines each have martial artists stationed. Taking it down won’t be that simple.”
Hu Yangming’s eyes drooped slightly, his presence awe-inspiring without anger: “What about Wan Ning County and Bailu County?”
“The black-robed Dharma Aspect True Person personally led two thousand martial artists into Bailu County, preparing to attack the county city and sects, seizing resources.”
“In Wan Ning County, Dharma Aspect True Person Li Jiongcang led over a thousand people, killing into Wan Ning County and shattering Wan Ning City with one sword slash. Zheng Family Old Ancestor Zheng Wansong in the city was felled by his single sword.”
“Forcing us to divide our forces.”
Gu Sanqian sneered coldly, immediately seeing through their intent.
Hu Yangming said: “Wan Ning County and Bailu County support each other as horns, perfectly blocking the road to Lishan County. Even with cloud beast boats to descend, if we don’t pull out these nails, it will be difficult to proceed.”
Air-dropping required quick decisive battle, but the total number of Yan Ying Sect martial artists gathered at Junlao Mountain had already exceeded six or seven thousand. With such numbers, even a Dharma Aspect True Person acting personally would likely need time to break them.
To break, not annihilate entirely.
A Dharma Aspect True Person could move mountains and part seas, but was not yet an omnipotent god.
As long as these people scattered, they’d have to be hunted down one by one, which was no small difficulty.
Hu Yangming looked up: “How is the gathering of Mountain Guard disciples?”
“Five thousand Mountain Guard disciples have assembled, and another three thousand inner and outer disciples for the mission are also gathering at the camp.”
“I and Head Seat Gu will head to the two counties respectively. The Dan Qiao Elders present, each lead five hundred Mountain Guard to pacify the unrest in the two counties. Within one month, I want you to march on Lishan City and head straight for Junlao Mountain. Can you all do it?”
Hu Yangming and Gu Sanqian were absolutely among the top few in strength within the entire Beast King Sect.
If it were just charging straight up Junlao Mountain, they had the ability.
However, with their setup, directly killing would be difficult.
Moreover, everyone was watching Beast King Sect’s methods.
If they couldn’t kill them all, there would likely be trouble later.
Su Yan frowned slightly: “Is Bailu County City still holding?”
Di Yining looked toward the source of the voice and, seeing it was Su Yan, a strange light flashed in his pupils.
“Junior Brother, rest assured. With True Person Pu Lengfeng guarding Bailu County, Yan Ying Sect’s advance is not fast.”
He recognized Su Yan, the most renowned disciple of Beast King Sect, and naturally knew his background.
So he added that extra remark to build goodwill.
Neither Hu Yangming nor Gu Sanqian stopped him.
“I’ll go to Bailu County.”
Su Yan nodded slightly, speaking first.
The remaining Dan Qiao Martial Artists also spoke one by one.
Apart from some Dan Qiao True Persons needed to guard this camp, the remaining eighteen split into two groups: nine to Wan Ning County, nine to Bailu County.
After discussion between Gu Sanqian and Hu Yangming, Gu Sanqian would lead to Bailu County, Hu Yangming to Wan Ning County.
The group moved at extreme speed, the entire force splitting into three. Apart from the garrison troops, the rest were rapidly heading to the two counties.
“Dan Qiao disciples, each lead eight hundred Mountain Guard and Beast King Sect disciples. Di Yining, you take Qingshan City; Xia Wan’er, you lead to take Biashan City. There is a third-order spiritual vein there, surely with a Dan Qiao guarding…”
Entering Bailu County, the news from spies was not good.
Bailu County City had already been breached and was thoroughly looted by Zhao Wenxing’s people, now in utter chaos.
Pushan had also been targeted by Zhao Wenxing; at this moment, Yan Ying Sect’s Second Elder was biding his time to act.
Gu Sanqian pointed out people one by one, like casting a large net to envelop the entire Bailu County.
The large net would drive the fish schools; when Zhao Wenxing appeared, that would be the time to strike.
“Su Yan, you lead eight hundred disciples from Yun Cang Town, straight to the three spirit mines near Bailu County City, cutting off their retreat.”
“Understood.”
Su Yan accepted the order and strode out.
Among the eight hundred disciples, five hundred were Mountain Guard, the remaining three hundred inner and outer disciples.
Their formation was neat, clad in armor, strictly arrayed and ready.
Su Yan strode up, his gaze sweeping over them.
One by one, hot and reverent gazes fell on him.
“Follow me out.”
Su Yan waved his hand, summoning his rhinoceros tiger mount.
The entire team advanced rapidly, heading straight for Yun Cang Town.
Yun Cang Town was in a remote location, backed by the Yun Cang Mountains. Though it had spiritual veins, they were only first-order or second-order.
The most precious were probably each family’s mines and medicine mountains.
“What a Yun Cang Town, a backwater place, yet it produced a genius like Su Yan.”
Outside Yun Cang Town, five hundred Yan Ying Sect martial artists had already gathered.
Though called five hundred, with rogue cultivators constantly gathering and forcing people to take sides, these five hundred Yan Ying Sect disciples now had a thousand martial artists before them as their vanguard and guides.
“True Person Feng, this disciple has scouted clearly. Su Yan came from Golden Ape Martial Arts School; his mundane master is there, just a True Intent Realm Condensing Momentum Stage Martial Artist.”
“Send someone to demand they open the gates, take down this city, then go squeeze Su Yan.”
Cold light gleamed in Feng Hong’s eyes, his triangular eyes full of ferocity.
Zhao Wenxing had personally assigned him and Li Qiulong to come, determined to handle this matter well.
Beside him, Li Qiulong’s face was gloomy: “Was Senior Zhao too overly cautious? That Su Yan was just a bit outstanding in Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm.”
“Fellow Daoist Li, truly just a bit outstanding?”
Feng Hong countered, and Li Qiulong’s expression froze.
“News from Yuan Ye: Su Yan single-handedly suppressed the young generation of three major powers in Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm. On return, only Yan Yin and Mu Yu, two Starry Sky Martial Artists, escorted him. This kid is likely a Dharma Aspect Seed.”
Li Qiulong’s expression changed, becoming even colder.
“With such ability, why would he still value a mundane master?”
“Whether he values him or not is his business; we just need to capture the man. If successful, it’s a great merit.”
The two finished speaking, and at the city gate below, the formation had already been activated by the defenders.
“Open the city gate, and we’ll spare you.”
A True Intent Martial Artist at the front, voice like a bronze bell, shouted toward Yun Cang Town’s city gate.
“Hmph, this is Beast King Sect territory; how dare you act so brazenly?”
Golden Ape Martial Arts School’s Bai Changlin stood at the city wall head, with heads of various city forces also present.
“What to do? Without Beast King Sect coming, how can we oppose Yan Ying Sect?”
Hundred Herbs Hall’s Zhao Ji was deeply worried, his gaze repeatedly flicking to Bai Changlin.
Bai Changlin’s brows furrowed tightly, yet he said solemnly: “The city walls are high and the moat deep; even True Intent Realm can’t easily kill their way up. We can hold out.”
“Everyone, rest assured; Beast King Sect’s reinforcements are already on the way.”
A cold voice rang out; everyone looked over, a trace of wariness flashing in their eyes.
The speaker was Wang Cang, one of Grindstone Stockade’s leaders.
Though just a few years ago Wang Cang was merely a greenwood bandit chief, now he sat equal with the various family heads, his cultivation even more terrifying.
His words carried real weight.
“Wang Cang, even School Master Bai isn’t certain, how dare you say that? Isn’t this joking with everyone’s lives?”
Wang Cang said faintly: “Oh, surrender and they won’t kill you?”
War was essentially a struggle for resources.
Surrender would still mean losing everything.
“Kill!”
With the city gate not opening for a long time, Yan Ying Sect’s people could no longer hold back and directly ordered an assault on the city.
Several spirit sealing talismans were thrown out, heading straight for the city walls.
Massive feral beasts from spirit sealings began attacking the city.
“Loose arrows!”
Everyone’s faces changed at this, immediately responding.
Arrows infused with qi and blood and true essence shot out continuously from the city wall head, instantly striking the spirit sealings.
Arrows fell like rain; in a short time, those spirit sealings comparable to true intent had their true essence rapidly consumed.
Under two volleys, true essence collapsed, and their forms dissipated.
Many Yan Ying Sect disciples counterattacked with bow and arrow.
Using low to hit high, yet still piercing the wall heads.
This action scared quite a few martial artists on the city wall.
“True Intent Realm.”
Everyone could tell at a glance that the shooter must be a True Intent Realm Martial Artist.
Looking over, just the True Intent Realm Martial Artists hidden in the shadows of the enemy ranks numbered no less than a hundred.
After this probe, a hundred True Intent Realm Martial Artists summoned their true intents, coordinating to cover and kill over.
Arrows continued attacking, but this time, the dense arrow rain couldn’t stop them at all.
Seeing this, Wang Cang’s brows furrowed, and he took a spirit sealing talisman from his bosom.
He pulled Bai Changlin close and whispered in his ear: “School Master Bai, if we can’t hold later, come with me first.”
“Wang Cang, you—”
“I’m the young master’s man.”
With that, he threw the spirit sealing talisman into the battlefield, transforming into a feral blazing lion like a mountain range, spewing flames that burned over a hundred martial artists to death.
Third-order spirit sealing?!
