Clouds swirled across the sky where Buddhist chants flowed, iridescent lotuses bloomed, and Xi light intertwined. A colossal golden body shifted indistinctly amidst the clouds, casting a massive shadow below.
Howling gales swept through. A man robed in blue stumbled through the air atop his mystic wind, a golden spear impaling his chest. Rising and falling erratically in flight, he was rapidly overtaken by the Masters pursuing him, their arrogant laughter ringing through the sky.
Coughing up blood, the man felt a chill grip his heart.
*It isn't just the ferry crossings... The entire riverbank is swarming with Buddhist cultivators...*
Chen Jinxi had been ordered to garrison the riverbank alongside Li Minggong. But the Masters descending from the north were far too numerous, and they had barely been holding their ground... Who could have predicted that a contingent of Zhao soldiers would cut in halfway through the battle!
These Zhao troops wore iron armor and bore the rugged air of the great desert. Formidably strong, most were at Qi Refinement led by Foundation Establishment cultivators. They had deliberately bypassed the positions held by Li Minggong and Ding Weizeng to breach the flank—and had even unleashed a formation-breaking talisman!
The crossings on either side had few defenders to begin with, relying entirely on Foundation Establishment cultivators rushing to their aid. Both fell almost instantly. Seeing the ferry crossings to her left and right breached, Li Minggong realized disaster was at hand and ordered the formations abandoned in retreat.
Chen Jinxi was far from foolish; in fact, he was quite clever. Understanding the disparity in strength between the North and South, he had fled while remaining constantly on his guard. Yet he never imagined that, midway through his retreat, a colossal golden body would plummet straight from the heavens!
To those wielding divine abilities, such a golden body was nothing, but when crashing to the ground, it was a veritable mountain—capable of crushing anyone beneath it to death. Chen Jinxi had escaped from beneath the golden body by the skin of his teeth, but his tenuous link to the White Ape was instantly severed. He lost sight of Li Minggong and was chased all the way to the west!
Chen Jinxi had not achieved Foundation Establishment long ago, so how could he shake off multiple Masters who had locked their sights on him? Across a mere few dozen li, several golden artifacts had already struck him. Blood gushed uncontrollably from his mouth as he looked up in despair:
*Just where have the others retreated to... Could the fighting have reached the lake already...?*
Shouts of slaughter rose incessantly beneath his feet, where golden weapons and spirit iron clashed and flesh and blood flew wherever lines met. Just as Chen Jinxi was plunged into despair, a glimmer of hope suddenly caught his eye. Looking into the distance, he saw a man clad in bronze armor standing in a pool of blood, holding a battleaxe in each hand. The mottled, bloodstained blades surged with thick lightning.
*Li Zhouda!*
No matter how many outside clans this short-tempered Li lineage son had offended while overseeing Qingdu, or how many times he had forced the Chen family to bow, the moment Chen Jinxi saw him, tears welled in his eyes:
*Finally, someone from our side! He has plenty of treasures on him! He can definitely save my life!*
*Weng!*
The Blood Escape technique rapidly drained his blood essence. Dizziness washed over Chen Jinxi as he struggled to draw his next breath. But as the scene before him came into clearer focus, his heart skipped a beat.
On either side of Li Zhouda, a golden hook was wedged into his battleaxes, locking his weapons. Thick chains ran from the hooks to the hands of Masters flanking him. Yet the man seemed utterly unconcerned. A bronze bell hovered above his head, resonating with continuous flashes of lightning as though guarding against some threat. His muscles contracted, expelling the arrows lodged in his chest, and he glared forward with ferocious malice.
Li Zhouda always served as the vanguard in battle. Wounds like these were routine for him, forging his consummate combat techniques and formidable mystic body. Raising his battleaxes high, he dragged the Masters on both sides off balance and cleaved downward through the air!
*Boom!*
Billowing lightning detonated with a sudden roar. But Chen Jinxi had no time to rejoice. Feeling the creeping chill close in behind him, he cried out in terror:
"My lord, save me!"
The cry rang out sharp and sudden, causing Li Zhouda to snap his head up. The irascible man's face instantly filled with shock and alarm as he looked toward him.
Without a second thought, the burly man let out a roar and leaped high into the air. The lightning bell above his head shifted positions in a flash without hesitation, moving to envelop the rushing Chen Jinxi in its protection!
*Weng...*
Yet he was a beat too late. The moment Chen Jinxi's words left his mouth, a figure materialized right before his eyes—clad in silver-white armor, holding a blood-red axe aloft, staring at him with cruel amusement.
*Peak Foundation Establishment...*
The very next instant, the blood-red axe came down upon Chen Jinxi's face. That face, which bore a seventy percent resemblance to Chen Yang, was contorted with twisted terror. His skull split open on impact, and stark white brains splattered under the intense glare of thick Xi light. A grating crunch and a wet splattering sound erupted in unison!
"Urgh!"
Through half a severed tongue, Chen Jinxi let out a wretched wail. His left hand scrambled in panic to grasp at the right half of his body, but intense pale-yellow radiance burst forth from the clean bisecting wound across his torso.
*Crash!*
A torrent of black blood showered down, drenching Li Zhouda head to toe. The man coughed twice as a golden artifact from the flank slammed him back down to earth. Resisting the urge to collapse, he spat out a mouthful of congested blood and wiped his hand across his breastplate.
In his blood-soaked palm lay two white, shattered teeth. Their texture was slowly turning gray, clearly petrifying into river stones as time slipped by.
Li Zhouda stared blankly for a moment. Even though he had never shared any close friendship with Chen Jinxi, his eyes burned bloodshot at the sight. But then a cold shout sounded beside his ear:
"My lord, we must leave!"
Kanshui light surged into the sky, shredding tattered robes in midair into a swirling grey wind. The sudden brightness cast flickering light across Li Jiangxia's face not far away. The young master was tall and imposing, cutting a majestic figure amidst the cultivators. Drenched in blood, his expression was dark and somber as he tossed aside the severed head in his hand.
Clearly, he had come to provide reinforcement.
The bald head rolled across the ground, its eyes still wide open, gazing greedily at him. Li Zhouda finally loosened his grip on his twin axes, tossed out a talisman, and took to the wind.
Li Jiangxia supported Li Zhouda and cast a chilly glare backward. The Gongsun cultivator holding the axe paid no attention to the talisman floating in the air; instead, he pointed at the brains on the ground, boasting to his companion.
Li Zhouda coughed up blood again, saying nothing. Li Jiangxia turned around as a group of cultivators arrived to receive them:
"Uncle... take your medicine quickly!"
Once the two descended into the formation, Li Jiangxia released the burly man's arm. A woman beside him immediately lifted a cloak and draped it over Li Jiangxia's shoulders.
Though Li Jiangxia had no sons and had never found a woman he deemed worthy to be his wife, there were many female retainers in his manor. Several crowded around him now with anxious concern. Li Jiangxia waved them off, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the raised platform spirit treasure high in the sky.
By this point, blood had flowed like rivers in the battle. The monks and Masters from the north who had died here were already beyond counting; Li Jiangxia alone had slain three Masters. Yet the Buddhist cultivators fought without fear of death, and the demonic cultivators seized every opening, gradually turning the tide against them.
As the shadow of the golden body fell from the sky, the jade ring in his sleeve dimmed and brightened again. Li Jiangxia's heart sank:
"Only the western crossing guarded by Guest Official Ding still holds... The formations at the other five crossings have shattered. We can't let Guest Official Ding hold out any longer... If his rear gets encircled, he's very likely to be trapped inside..."
Raising his sleeve, the young master tapped the jade ring. The last remaining point of light dimmed away. Soon, a commotion stirred in the west and the earth trembled—evidently Ding Weizeng fighting his way back.
The defensive strength on the lake had suffered heavy losses. With several crossings falling simultaneously, demonic cultivators had penetrated deep into multiple points along the riverbank. Li Jiangxia reckoned that where the situation was worst, the enemy had already carved through more than half of the northern bank.
*Father is trapped by the spirit treasure again... If this battle drags on and cannot be ended soon, I fear disaster will strike...*
His heart was heavy. The magical artifact in his hand released Mingyang light to drive back a mob of Masters. His golden eyes were cold and sharp, and a sudden thought crossed his mind:
*Something has gone wrong in the Wilderness as well... The Song court's armies might already be in Lixia...*
"Young Master!"
As he pondered, someone flew in from the south on the wind and landed before him with a solemn look, lowering his gaze:
"Nan Tanchen greets the young master..."
Nan Tanchen bowed. Though Li Jiangxia was not well-acquainted with him, he at least knew Nan Tanchen was tasked with guarding the East Shore. He raised a brow and asked:
"How fares Milin?!"
Nan Tanchen hastily replied:
"The Buddhist cultivators crossed the Wilderness and attacked Lixia, so there has not been much pressure on the East Shore. The second young master ordered us to reinforce the riverside first while he gathers intelligence on the enemy!"
Li Jiangxia's heart stirred, realizing his guess was more or less spot on. Glancing across the crowd behind Nan Tanchen, he abruptly spotted the youth looking around and frowned:
"Suining... what are you doing here?!"
Li Suining stepped forward with a grave expression and replied:
"Demonic cultivators have repeatedly slipped toward the lake. The elders know the situation on the northern bank is dire, and Brother Suihuan received orders to lead the clan youths ashore to reinforce the defense. I came ahead on his behalf to report to Your Lordship."
Li Jiangxia choked up for a moment, then shook his head:
"Things have not come to that... The crux still lies with the King of Wei. From the commotions in the sky, Gongsun Bei has already arrived!"
On the surface, Li Suining remained calm, but looking at the colossal spirit artifact sealing off the sky, with billowing Xi Qi radiance reflected in his eyes, turmoil surged within his heart.
*Xi Qi—it really is him!*
*Gongsun Bei... In the founding war, he was supposed to be stationed at Shanji! Why is he here at the lake? And when was there ever mention of a colossal spirit treasure suppressing the sky?*
As the colossal golden body shifted in the sky, cast shadows enveloped them once more. A deep sense of foreboding gripped Li Suining:
*In my past life, demonic cultivators never infiltrated the lake. The riverbank was precarious, but those Buddhist cultivators were never let across the river. Which means... it was the Zhao army brought by Gongsun Bei that altered the situation at the lakeside.*
*How could this be... Gongsun Bei acts under the orders of the Zhao court, of Zhixuan Pavilion... Why would that change overnight...?*
Li Suining had only averted Ding Weizeng's death. No matter how he racked his brains, he could not fathom how a Zhao general possessing Violet Palace divine abilities—a pivotal figure in the State of Zhao like Gongsun Bei—could suddenly appear at the lake!
His heart felt freezing and grim, but Li Jiangxia was also deep in thought. After a long silence, Li Jiangxia said:
"Very well... Go to Milin in my stead! Guest Official Sun is in the middle of emergency treatment for Senior White Ape and cannot spare a moment. Take Uncle back there with you to recuperate while you're at it!"
Li Jiangxia naturally knew Li Suining. The battlefield shifted in the blink of an eye; even Foundation Establishment cultivators could fall if besieged, let alone someone at Qi Refinement. How could he bear to let him stay on the front line? Pulling him closer with a sweep of his arm, he said gravely:
"The northern bank is densely wooded with few cultivated fields; even if plowed over several times by Buddhist cultivators, the losses won't be severe. But if the situation collapses, Foundation Establishment cultivators might still escape, whereas low-level cultivators defending the north bank will be entirely wiped out. Whether from Milin or the lake, under no circumstances must more troops be sent here!"
The cultivators had not expected the situation to have deteriorated so drastically, and all fell breathless. Li Jiangxia remained entirely unfazed, continuing sternly:
"The defense of Milin is paramount. Have him hold his ground and refrain from moving. Just now, watching the great battle in the heavens, I saw a Mohe retreat here from Lixia. It is very likely the Song troops have already reached Lixia. Make it clear to Li Jianglong—if an opportunity arises, he may boldly lead troops out from the East Shore to cut off the Zhao retreat!"
Li Suining felt a jolt in his heart. He had not anticipated that Li Jiangxia would still harbor such offensive ambition in the face of such adversity. He stared at him blankly, but Li Jiangxia sneered and said:
"Just deliver the message. If Li Jianglong proves useless on his own, he can't blame me."
Li Suining hurriedly bowed in reply and helped Li Zhouda up, only then discovering that the man was covered in bloody wounds from head to toe. Glinting fragments of golden artifacts could still be seen embedded in his shredded armor:
"...Granduncle Zhouda!"
Li Zhouda shook his head with a cold, grim face. Li Suining broke into a cold sweat at the sight. Turning back, they flew southward amidst Nan Tanchen's mystic wind, his heart thumping wildly. Mount Milin appeared before their eyes in no time. Nan Tanchen descended in haste, where they saw a black-robed young master pacing among the hills.
With handsome eyes, fine brows, brilliant golden pupils, and a peerless bearing, he was none other than fourth brother Li Suihuan.
If Li Suining had a certain somber coldness to him, Li Suihuan fully embodied the consummate poise of a direct descendant of the Violet Palace. His golden eyes were bright and his steps brisk; even with urgency in his heart, he maintained an unhurried grace. Unlike the overbearing nobility and conceit of ordinary clans, his was an ethereal immortal air born of a divine ability bloodline.
Although this fourth brother was the eldest son of Second Uncle Li Jianglong, his temperament resembled Third Uncle Li Jiangxia more closely. He strode over generously. Though he did not speak, the gravity in his lively eyes made everything clear.
Before Li Suining could even speak, Li Suihuan hurriedly took hold of Li Zhouda, drew in a sharp breath at his condition, and murmured:
"Brother, you've arrived too late. Shouts of battle are rising all over the south, and our routed troops are falling back. Father has already led men out to join the fray!"
The words welling in Li Suining's throat instantly stuck. He paced a couple of anxious steps across the hillside, suddenly realizing his hands were soaked and wet—merely supporting Li Zhouda had drenched both his hands in blood.
"The young masters are no ordinary men. As long as the King of Wei remains unharmed, what is happening now is nothing."
Li Zhouda's voice was hoarse, his beard matted with blood. Yet he had no mind to clean it. Taking several steps forward, he looked toward a middle-aged man seated in the pavilion.
This man was likewise clad in armor, with gray eyes, long eyebrows, and a pale face, clearly having sustained grievous injuries. It was Chen Yang.
Seeing him look over, Chen Yang could not pretend not to notice. He stood up hastily and said respectfully:
"Greetings to—"
"Don't force it!"
Li Zhouda coughed, his gaze complicated, though his tone was cold and disdainful:
"Guest Official Chen has long found me an eyesore; just say it openly! Acting more respectful than anyone else every single time—isn't that sheer hypocrisy?"
Chen Yang had never experienced such a confrontation and was momentarily stunned. But the burly man let out an unsteady breath and finally unclenched his tight fist, displaying his blood-soaked palm to Chen Yang.
Resting inside his broad palm were two shattered teeth.
"But your Jinxi... I failed to save him. It is my fault; I let you down..."
Chen Yang's brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. He looked away for a fraction of a second, dazed, before looking back. His lips moved, but no words came out. Instead, he stepped back two paces and slumped down into the pavilion.
The Chen family patriarch, long renowned for his deep calculations, pondered for a moment, looking like a true father at last. He asked with a furrowed brow:
"Only this?"
Li Zhouda stood anxiously for a breath, beginning to regret that he had not preserved them in a jade box. Stiffly, he replied:
"Only this."
Chapter 1034