“Break the Confucian school? Xu Pingfeng, I’ll destroy you right now!”
Xu Qi’an flicked his thumb, causing the Sovereign Sword to ring with a clang. At once, he collapsed all his qi and suppressed every emotion, preparing to unleash the Broken Jade.
“Clang!”
The Sovereign Sword slashed out, its yellow-gold sword light flashing and disappearing in an instant.
With Xu Qi’an’s current stamina, he could forcefully execute several Broken Jade slashes without worrying about being exhausted after just one.
This was the powerful recovery ability that came with a second-rank martial artist.
In the next moment, the yellow-gold sword light appeared at Ji Xuan’s chest. Drawing the sword at Xu Pingfeng was merely a feint, his true target was Ji Xuan.
Pick the softest persimmon!
At the same time, Sun Xuanji stamped his foot, conjuring multitudes of circular formations to envelop Ji Xuan. Among them were lightning formations crackling with arced electricity, blazing fire formations, and metal-spirit formations aglow with cutting white light…
Kou Yangzhou’s form eerily appeared behind Ji Xuan, slashing the Taiping Sabre toward Ji Xuan’s neck.
Zhao Shou proclaimed in a loud voice:
“This sabre’s power is doubled!”
The Taiping Sabre erupted with a blazing radiance.
A killing trap!
Ji Xuan, a third-rank martial artist, suddenly faced a concerted attack by the Great Feng’s beyond-mortal warriors.
His danger sense had not triggered at all. It was only when Xu Qi’an’s sabre intent struck his chest that he realised in shock that the Broken Jade was aimed at him.
Of course the martial danger sense was useless, because Xu Qi’an had used the Heaven Gu’s “shifting stars and moving constellations” to shield the move’s aura.
Ji Xuan made no move, as if accepting his fate calmly, while not far away, Agaruka Bodhisattva and Xu Pingfeng disappeared simultaneously and reappeared beside Ji Xuan.
Agaruka formed seals quickly with calm hands, his Immovable Lord Dharma Aspect behind him copying the gesture in unison.
Space folded and instantly smoothed out, not a breath of wind disturbed.
The sword light at Ji Xuan’s chest was extinguished before it could burst, forcibly snuffed out. Sun Xuanji’s formations froze in place, like an ink painting come to life.
Behind Ji Xuan, Kou Yangzhou, who had attempted a decapitation, was frozen in place as if struck by a paralysis spell.
A single spell had broken all the beyond-mortal attacks, such was the power of a first-rank bodhisattva.
Even having lost a Vajra Dharma Aspect, Agaruka Bodhisattva was still a first rank.
Having resolved the assault with the “Immovable Lord” Dharma Aspect, Agaruka turned and darted towards the old man, his arms thicker than any maiden’s waist swinging down, crashing heavily towards Kou Yangzhou.
During this, rings of clear light formed on either side of Kou Yangzhou, extending chains of clear light to bind both his hands and feet.
If this punch landed, Kou Yangzhou’s body would be blasted apart.
A second-rank martial artist’s body certainly could not withstand a blow from a first-rank bodhisattva.
Xu Pingfeng and Agaruka Bodhisattva coordinated seamlessly, instantly reversing the situation.
The best way to save Kou Yangzhou was to use the teleportation spell to take him away.
They want to force me to change the rules, to lift the ban on teleportation here… Zhao Shou’s mind instantly understood Xu Pingfeng and Agaruka’s intention.
In that instant, Zhao Shou devised a solution. There was no time for mental communication with Xu Qi’an and the others, he chose to trust his companions.
Zhao Shou stepped forward and, using his finger as a brush, drew formation patterns in the air.
Two identical formations appeared behind Agaruka Bodhisattva, emitting four clear light chains, which wrapped around his punching right arm.
This was the power of a sixth-rank Confucian, a Scholar.
One could “learn” enemy spells and record them on paper. Though weaker than the original, the difference was slight.
At Zhao Shou’s level, he did not need to rely on paper. With a thought, he could copy… no, he could learn it directly.
The moment the clear light chains wrapped around Agaruka, the Taiping Sabre slipped free from Kou Yangzhou’s grip, slicing through his robe with a hiss, the tip landing on his head and casting an enlarged shadow over him.
The shadow instantly expanded, transforming into Xu Qi’an’s likeness, shielding Kou Yangzhou. His sleeves abruptly swelled, and his hands clasped at his lower abdomen, where the power of all beings condensed into a shrinking orb.
Bang bang bang bang!
The chains coiling Agaruka Bodhisattva’s right arm snapped one after another, unable to restrain a first-rank bodhisattva’s terrifying strength. But their mission was fulfilled, they had bought Kou Yangzhou precious time to catch his breath, and Xu Qi’an time to support him.
Xu Qi’an’s arm muscles swelled, Strength Gu: Beserk!
He hurled the orb condensed from the power of all beings at Agaruka Bodhisattva’s iron fist with all his might.
Clang clang clang clang!
Sabre intent erupted, Kou Yangzhou likewise broke free from the chains, placing both hands on Xu Qi’an’s back, flooding him with qi.
Boom!
It was as if a gigantic missile had exploded, shockwaves rippling outward, blasting a vacuum hundreds of metres across into the layered sea of clouds.
Xu Pingfeng, Ji Xuan, Zhao Shou, Sun Xuanji, and Luo Yuheng, all five beyond-mortal experts, were thrown back.
The opening bout between the sides was a true clash of titans.
Both Ji Xuan and Kou Yangzhou had brushed past death.
“Is banning teleportation here just to buy time for your allies in Qingzhou?”
Ji Xuan, his back drenched in cold sweat, flicked his sabre and sneered:
“In just a quarter of an hour, Agaruka Bodhisattva’s Vajra powers will recover; then, we’ll see how you die. Xu Qi’an, do you think numbers make up for the difference in rank among the beyond-mortal? Laughable!”
He was stating the truth. The strike Xu Qi’an had struck outside Xunzhou was world-shaking in power, but still could not compare to the strike of the Confucian Sage’s heroic spirit.
If the fight dragged on and Agaruka Bodhisattva’s Vajra Dharma Aspect recovered, at least a few of the Great Feng’s beyond-mortal would surely die.
This time, he and the National Teacher would not just watch coldly to probe their opponents’ trump cards.
They would not give Xu Qi’an time to charge up and unleash another one of those slashes.
…
Outside Qingzhou City.
Al-Asura looked at Daoist Jinlian, whose face glowed red with health.
“Daoist, will you not come to Xunzhou with me to reinforce the front?”
Daoist Jinlian shook his head.
“This poor Daoist must first refine Heilian and restore my cultivation. As for Xunzhou, you may go and assist. Baidi recently showed himself, perhaps he is no longer in Jiuzhou. But since he has allied himself with Xu Pingfeng, he will not simply stand by.
“For now, the key is to let me recover my cultivation first, and make up for our lack of strength through the number of second ranks.”
Once he was whole again and returned to second rank, the Great Feng faction would have four second rank powerhouses.
Baidi, as a descendant of gods and demons, would surely return to Jiuzhou. Only then would it be a true life-and-death struggle.
Al-Asura nodded, then turned to look at Chu Yuanzhen and the other three behind Jinlian. He said,
“What about you?”
Li Miaozhen answered without hesitation,
“Of course, I will go to Xunzhou.”
The other three, led by Chu Yuanzhen, nodded in agreement.
Since they were here, naturally they could not pass up the opportunity to slay the enemy.
Al-Asura nodded slightly.
“I shall go ahead and provide support.”
With a boom, he sprang into the air like a cannonball, shot across the sky, and in the blink of an eye had become a black dot, disappearing into the sea of clouds.
…
Xu Qi’an said expressionlessly,
“Before that, I’ll kill you first!”
Ji Xuan sneered,
“I shall return the same words to you…”
As soon as he spoke, a thunderous sonic boom rang out. The clouds burst apart, and a figure, like a meteor, blasted straight towards Ji Xuan.
Who is it?! Ji Xuan’s expression shifted.
He had no time to think. He thrust his sabre forward, and the scorching aura warped the air.
Crack!
The blade, infused with beyond-mortal warrior’s energy, exploded into fragments on the spot. Ji Xuan only felt an overwhelming force surge from the hilt into his wrist. The membrane between his thumb and index finger split open first, then his right arm, which held the sabre, exploded.
That figure was like an unstoppable battering ram, knocking Ji Xuan flying.
The ring of fire exploded with force. al-Asura seized Ji Xuan by the ankle, dragging him back and preparing to finish off this third-rank warrior.
Ji Xuan’s free left foot kicked fiercely at al-Asura’s face, feeling as if he had kicked an invincible divine weapon.
Crack!
Al-Asura crushed his ankle with force, then decisively retreated.
Buzz… The space trembled and smoothed out. Not even a wisp of wind could seep in.
Luckily al-Asura retreated fast. Otherwise, he would have faced the same peril as Kou Yangzhou had.
“You’ve come!”
Xu Qi’an grinned, his smile brighter than ever.
Al-Asura grunted in acknowledgment, stepped onto the void, and strode to join the Great Feng’s beyond-mortal ranks.
Luo Yuheng and the others sighed in relief.
Clearly, the Qingzhou operation had been a smooth success.
On the other side, Ji Xuan’s crushed ankle was regenerating, but blood continued to seep out. It seemed a terrifying force was constantly corroding the wound, preventing it from healing.
If it weren’t for Agaruka Bodhisattva’s help, I’d have been killed by him within ten moves… Ji Xuan thought, chills running through him.
At the same time, he realised that al-Asura’s appearance meant the Heilian had perished.
Yunzhou had lost a second rank beyond-mortal.
Xu Pingfeng had already anticipated Heilian’s death. With his cunning and temperament, he did not show any emotion, but his expression darkened a shade.
“Xu Pingfeng, aren’t you always one step ahead in everything? Did you ever imagine this day would come?”
Xu Qi’an, however, was not planning to let him off, and hurriedly mocked,
“What a bullshit National Teacher, pfft!”
“Al-Asura!” Agaruka said in a deep voice,
“You dare betray Us? Betray the Buddhist Sect?”
Al-Asura sneered,
“What, did you really think I was going to sell my life to the Buddhists? My race’s destruction and my father’s murder, I’ll make the Buddhists answer for every one of them.”
“How did you betray the Buddhist Sect?”
“Guess?” al-Asura replied with a laugh.
Agaruka Bodhisattva gazed at him deeply and took a deep breath.
“Fine. Today We will clean up our own house!”
His nine-foot body swelled even larger, his blood and qi piercing the firmament, and the entire space started to tremble.
“Come on then!”
Al-Asura, Xu Qi’an and Kou Yangzhou all charged at Agaruka, as if the scene had frozen in time!
…
Xunzhou.
On the city wall, pockmarked with craters, splattered with fresh blood and scorch marks, Xu Erlang heard the bugle for the Yunzhou army’s retreat.
Wave after wave of enemy troops fled in panic, leaving corpses strewn everywhere.
Artillery on the wall thundered, delivering a final blow to the retreating enemy.
Xu Erlang withdrew his gaze, looking at the city wall covered with the bodies of enemies and defenders, and let out a great sigh of relief.
“Looks like Xu Ningyan and the others have finished their fight.”
Chu Yuanzhen came up beside him, steadying the swaying Xu Erlang.
Xu Erlang mused for a moment and said,
“From the looks of it, did Big Brother win?”
Li Lingsu, who Xu Erlang did not know well but recognised as his brother’s follower, chimed in with a laugh.
“Hard to say. Maybe it’s a draw. Yunzhou’s side still has a first rank who hasn’t joined the battle. The situation for the Great Feng is still far from optimistic.”
Xu Erlang glanced at him, he was not familiar with Li Lingsu, only aware he was his brother’s companion. It was rare to meet someone who could rival him in the looks department.
Gradually, the cannon-fire died away as the enemy retreated beyond range.
The defenders stopped firing. Weapons in hand, they erupted into loud cheers.
For them, this battle was a victory.
The enemy had gathered tens of thousands of troops, plus nearly all their beyond-mortal power, and stormed the city with great momentum.
Now, having fled in disarray, it was clear that elsewhere, Silver Gong Xu had achieved a great victory.
Since the fall of Qingzhou, this was the first major triumph. The Xunzhou battle was destined to be spread all over Yongzhou.
Listening to the cheers of the defenders, Xu Erlang felt comforted.
“When news of this battle reaches the capital, those who are dissatisfied will have to accept reality. Empress Huaiqing’s succession is the way of things.”
If, on the other hand, Xunzhou had fallen, Huaiqing’s ascension would have become an excuse for slander, and a target of doubt and criticism from both the common folk and the realm.
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