Journey to the head

Wars among monks, especially between powerful and large sects, involving both extraordinary combat power and vast territories, often drag on for a long time.

Especially when the strength of the two sides is similar, there is always pushing and pulling, and often the position cannot be advanced any further for a year or two.

One of the important reasons for this situation is that monks can fly and their escape speed is extraordinary.

If you can fly, there will be no obstacles or important roads in front of you. You can attack wherever you want and take any detour you want, and you can even go straight to the core of the enemy's mountain gate.

With extraordinary escape speed, one can carry out extremely fast raids and provide rapid support.

To put it another way, there are passes and important roads everywhere. As long as you ignore any of the enemy's spiritual veins, the enemy can send troops from there and launch an attack on your hinterland.

Therefore, when the strength of both sides is similar, I will often concentrate my superior forces to seize one of your spiritual veins, and you will seize another of my spiritual veins from another direction. If you do not have superb command skills and leadership capabilities, it will easily turn into a tug-of-war.

The war can only advance rapidly when one side has the strength to crush the other side and directly attack all the key strongholds of the other side with absolute superiority in military force.

This is the situation now as the Xuanwei Sect, the Lingshou Sect, the Qinglian True Sect and the Yunshan Sect are attacking the Sikong family.

The four factions' armies were filled with masters and soldiers, and they had an absolute advantage. They chose a total of forty-three spiritual vein garrisons on the outskirts of the four and a half counties of the Sikong family's territory as their first round of attack targets.

Each spiritual vein was allocated offensive forces based on intelligence, and a certain amount of forces was reserved as reserves, and the siege was maintained to prevent the Sikong family from finding an opportunity to raid the territory.

At the same time, the troops within the four factions that had not participated in this expedition were also gathered together to patrol as a defensive force.

Crush the enemy with honest troops and no longer play any conspiracies or tricks.

Not only did they leave enough defensive forces, but they also placed a sharp sword among the attacking army.

The attacking force was so strong that even when attacking forty-three spirit veins at the same time, there was still some force left over, which could be gathered together as a sharp knife to cut through the waves and tear through the enemy's defenses.

This will be a route with absolute advantage. After taking down the target spiritual vein and breaking through the enemy's defense line, you can also provide support to the left and right to further tear the defense line apart.

Of course, you may also be targeted by the enemy because of your overly conspicuous performance.

In general, this will be a journey that plays an important role, is destined to reap great achievements, and although there are risks, the opportunities clearly outweigh the risks.

When deploying combat forces, Lord Yichen and Lord Qiancheng refused to give in to each other and fought openly and secretly, both wanting to bring this route under their control.

All I heard was Miaomiao Xuanjun smiling and stroking his beard.

"Tian Yuanzi, Hushou Mountain is the western gateway of the Sikong family. How about letting the nine northwestern counties coalition forces seize it?"

After these words were spoken, the whole place fell silent, even Lu Qian was stunned for a moment.

No one would have expected that Miaomiao Xuanjun would actually hand over this important task and good mission to someone outside Xuanwei Sect, and to Lu Qian!

Although the nine-county coalition army led by Yunshan was the weakest among the four factions in terms of overall strength, it was still a force that could not be underestimated. Miaomiao Xuanjun did not deploy Yunshan's combat power to attack several sacred mountains, but instead ordered Yunshan to gather its forces to take down Hushou Mountain, directly using Yunshan as the spearhead of the attack.

Lu Qian's mind raced and he stood up to receive the order.

He was already afraid of the unknown dangers in the prophecy, and now he could always keep the military forces of the nine northwestern counties in his own hands, which was what he wanted most.

In addition, he had been through many battles and was familiar with strategies, so this arrangement was a natural fit for him.

Although this war mobilized the entire Cangzhou's strength and shocked the indigenous cultivators, Lu Qian had personally experienced wars involving True Immortals, all races, and the two worlds in Meng Chi's memory. That was a war that was so fierce that the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, and the sun and moon lost their light. Facing this conquest at this moment, he was calm and composed.

Faced with Miaomiao Xuanjun's arrangement, the people of Xuanwei were very envious, and the "house-born children" side was even more unwilling.

I also heard Miaomiao Xuanjun say: "The elite troops of the nine northwestern counties of Cangzhou are originally a whole. There is no need to abandon the near and seek the far to deploy separately. The first elite troops need to be both brave and strategic. Not only must they break through the front line, but they must also be able to adapt to changes and continue to expand the results of the battle. This is not something that ordinary people can do."

"Tian Yuanzi is a talented general. I rely on him as my pillar. I can shoulder this heavy responsibility and achieve new breakthroughs in the battle that ordinary people cannot achieve."

Hearing Miaomiao Xuanjun praising Lu Qian, Xuanwei and his group were quite dissatisfied and looked at Lu Qian frequently.

Yichen Lingjun spoke directly: "Xuanjun, although Tianyuanzi is famous for his bravery, the Yunshan Sect is small in size and has a short heritage, and has never witnessed such a battle."

"Why not let him stay by your side and I will clear the enemy for you."

Hearing this, An Fanghe looked indignant, but Lu Qian remained expressionless and said nothing.

Ling Xuan Ling Jun gently stroked the jade bracelet on his wrist and said lightly: "Junior Brother Yi Chen, you have been smooth sailing since you were a child. You have only been wandering around in the sect and have never led troops to fight. What dazzling achievements do you have?"

The word "you" was stuck in Yichen Lingjun's throat and his face turned red.

Ling Xuan Ling Jun laughed again, his watery willow-leaf eyes looking around: "As for the commander of this route, in terms of seniority and experience, Tian Yuanzi is a little immature after all, so it's just right for my master to take the position."

He smiled at Lu Qian, and Lu Qian smiled back.

"Alright!" Miaomiao Xuanjun suddenly said loudly, "No need to argue anymore!"

He scanned the field, saw the expressions of the Xuanwei people, and said in a deep voice: "There are also talented people in my sect, but in my opinion, they are still inferior to Tian Yuanzi."

He paused again and said, "If you want to prove it to me, then show us your strengths on the battlefield!"

The people of Xuanwei immediately responded loudly, their faces flushed, and they wished they could go into battle and kill the enemy right now to show us, the warriors of Xuanwei and the leaders of Cangzhou, how could we lose to the local tyrants in the northwest countryside?
Lu Qian shook his head helplessly. Lord Miaomiao Xuan had his own way of being a king. Although the method of provoking the generals was old-fashioned, it was really useful for the group of arrogant and powerful generals of the Xuanwei faction. Just a few words could boost their morale and make everyone fight bravely.

It would be better if the Yunshan Sect was not used as a target.

and many more!

Maybe...

……

The military order was as heavy as a mountain, and the people in the southeast of Cangzhou were shocked when they heard it.

As orders were issued one after another, the four armies that were sent to attack the Sikong family marched in formation. This crusade that shocked several states finally began.

There were two Yuanying people from the Spirit Beast Sect, twelve Jindan Zhenren, one hundred and eighty foundation-building people, and ten thousand elite Qi-cultivating people, who attacked the twelve spirit veins in the southeast of Sikong's territory.

There was one Yuanying (Nascent Soul) cultivator from the Qinglian Sect, fourteen Jindan Zhenren (Golden Core) cultivators, one hundred and eighty foundation-building cultivators, and ten thousand elite Qi-cultivating warriors who attacked the ten spiritual veins in the northeast of the Sikong clan's territory.

The Xuanwei Sect had two Yuanying masters, thirty Jindan Zhenren, three hundred foundation-building masters, and fifteen thousand elite Qi-training masters who attacked twenty spirit veins in the northwest and southwest of the Sikong clan's territory.

The Yunshan Sect led an army from the nine northwestern counties, with one Nascent Soul cultivator, ten Golden Core cultivators, 150 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and 8,000 elite Qi-training warriors. They were responsible for attacking the Tiger Head Mountain in the west of the Sikong family, and after breaking open the battle line, they would look for opportunities to move and provide support from both sides.

Led by Lin Le, Lu Qian and others came to the place where the army of the nine northwestern counties was stationed, arranged their troops in the big tent, and issued the order to roll call.

Lu Qian sat at the main seat in the big tent. The Jade Dragon Fairy, who had been slapped a few times, finally recovered from his ADHD and stood beside him holding the order box. Wanfa Zhenren Lin Le stood at the bottom of the steps to take attendance. Taoist Wudi, Zhou Changji Zhenren Zhou Yuan, Mingyu Sword Sect Zhenren Wudang, Taoist Liekong, Chijin Sect Zhenren Wuxi, Changqing Sect Zhenren Lianhua, Fairy Chunlin, and Liyuan Sect Zhenren Weiting all responded and listened to the announcement in the tent.

Lin Le presented a list of 150 foundation-building backbones. Lu Qian glanced through it and picked out 10 to roll call. The candidates entered the list and kowtowed to pay their respects, while Lu Qian encouraged them.

Afterwards, as soon as Lu Qian gave the order, the armies from the nine northwestern counties began to board the ships and form an aerial formation.

More than 8,000 monks shook their spiritual power, and the spiritual pressure rushed to the sky. In the bushes deep in the mountains, the beasts hid and the birds shrank their heads. Many wild animals were frightened to death. The various colors of spiritual light were like fireflies at first, and then suddenly merged into one, condensing into a brilliant light band at dusk. Floating ships rose from the mountains in groups, and the sound of treetops breaking was heard. In the end, more than 150 warships were suspended in the sky, and there were many small warships, narrow and long fighting ships, puppets accompanying the army, combat spirit beasts, etc., all kinds of things.

Among these warships, there are sixty-eight Lingxu Zhenyuan Shenzhou, sixteen of which belong to the Yunshan Sect's "Mianlong" combat brigade, fifty of which are loaned free of charge by the Yunshan Sect to its subordinate legions, and the other two belong to Yunshan Sect's partner sects, the Zhou Family and the Linglu Sect respectively.

The rest are airships owned by each sect, including some unique elite airships.

Although they appear to be not uniform in shape, the nearly two hundred ships of various colors are lined up in a formation. The hulls are gleaming and the sails are rustling in the sunset, which is also very imposing.

Surrounded and followed by the various Jindan, Lu Qian flew to the front of the formation to inspect the combat ships. Among the 150 foundation-building masters, most of them were ship captains.

The rolling spiritual light merged into a sea of ​​​​tide, and the dense spiritual light cannons began to rotate, all pointing to the sky. Wherever Lu Qian went, the spiritual light cannons rumbled, the monks shouted in unison, and Lu Qian waved in greeting.

At the moment when the setting sun completely sank into the horizon, Lu Qian boarded his own flagship. Banners with the words "Appointed as the Pacification Envoy of the Nine Northwestern Counties of Cangzhou" and "Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs of the Nine Northwestern Counties of Cangzhou" were fluttering in the darkening sky.

Lu Qian sat upright under the gradually rising moon. Behind him stood a tall banner with a huge "Lu" character flying up and down like a dancing dragon.

"March!"

With a whoosh, flags fluttered, sails were spread, and orders were passed down layer by layer.

Nine counties in the northwest, eight thousand troops, and two hundred warships, head straight for Hushou Mountain!
The moon rose higher and higher, and the stars shone brightly. The army of the nine counties in the northwest tore through the clouds and marched towards the border of the Sikong family.

They were not advancing alone. Along the way, they could see large swathes of spiritual light, warships and sails gathering together, and the sound of wind and thunder. It was the Xuanwei Sect's army advancing to the front in batches.

There were also local defense troops from the Xuanwei Sect flying with them, providing direction guidance. For a moment, the night sky was illuminated by the light of the monks' army.

At midnight, in the deepest night sky, there was the brightest waxing moon, and the army from the nine northwestern counties had formed a triple formation, surrounding Hushou Mountain, and were eyeing it covetously and ready to strike.

The black cloud was pressing down on the city and the city was about to be destroyed, and Jiaguang opened golden scales to the sun.

At this moment, everyone is waiting for an order.

Everyone knew that the forty-three spiritual veins surrounding the four and a half counties of the Sikong family's territory, and nearly forty-five thousand cultivators from the Xuanwei School, the Spirit Beast Sect, the Qinglian True Sect, and the nine northwestern counties were all holding their breath.

Even Lin Le was a little nervous.

He stared at the pitch-black Tiger Head Mountain where even the mountain protection formation had not been set up, and felt that there must be something fishy going on.

According to intelligence, there are three golden elixirs on Hushou Mountain, and the Sikong family has a considerable force stationed here. But why at this moment, when our side has surrounded Hushou Mountain tightly, the enemy has not responded at all?
Now the army of the nine northwestern counties is divided into three formations, the two inner ones are double echelons for attack, and the third one has its muzzle facing outward for defense and alert. It is expected that no matter what changes there are, they can deal with them calmly.

But why is there not even a light on the entire mountain? It is like a bottomless black hole, giving people a very bad feeling.

If it weren't for the ability to sense the spiritual veins on the mountain and having multiple maps to compare with, one would almost doubt whether one had found the wrong mountain.

At this moment, the Fantasy Sound Conch beside Lu Qian and the telescope in his arms vibrated almost at the same time.

Miaomiao Xuanjun, give the order to attack!
The wind is moving.

Lu Qian seemed to hear the rumbling of cannons and the deafening shouts of killing coming from the Sikong Lingmai nearby hundreds of miles away.

He gently waved the command flag, and with a loud bang, the sound of drums exploded like thunder, echoing in the sky.

Everyone looked up, their blood boiling in an instant.

attack! attack!
woo-

A low horn sounded amidst the drumbeats, and the first round of attack formation, with nearly a hundred airships approaching the pitch-black Tiger Head Mountain.

"Master, the enemy is hiding and there might be an ambush. Why don't we send a group of elite troops into the mountain to investigate?" An Fanghe reported hurriedly.

This was naturally a mature move, but if there really was an ambush, the entire advance team of elite soldiers would be wiped out.

"Fang He, let me test you." Lu Qian said.

The airship was getting closer and closer, with its guns all pointing at Hushou Mountain. Taoist Wudi and five Jindan were hanging in the airship and moving forward together.

An Fanghe was surprised and responded repeatedly.

"If you were the enemy general, could you defend Tiger Head Mountain?"

An Fanghe shook his head honestly: "No."

"If you are loyal, you can sacrifice your life for the Sikong family. In this situation, what can you do for the family?"

An Fanghe's eyes lit up.

Delaying time! All their actions are to create confusion and delay time!
"Thank you for your teachings, Master!"

Lu Qian nodded, and a rumbling sound was heard from the other side!

Nearly a hundred airships and more than 5,000 spiritual cannons opened fire at the same time. In an instant, the spiritual light beams covered the sky and the earth, directly submerging Hushou Mountain!
The dazzling light completely swallowed up the entire Hushou Mountain. The forest fell down and burned, the mountain stream evaporated and disappeared, the soil exploded into the air, and even the rocks were shattered in large pieces.

Hushou Mountain is collapsing inch by inch!

If you guys try to delay time, I will just blow up this mountain!
The Taoist Wudi and the five Jindan were paying close attention to the movements in the mountains. Suddenly, a beam of light broke through the layers of light cannons and stood in the night sky.

The white-haired old man with one arm stretched out his long sword, and with a humming sound, the spiritual pressure of the late Jindan period bloomed in the night sky.

"I am Sikong Fuli, who dares to fight me to the death?"

He shouted three times in a row, his voice like thunder and so powerful that even the fire from the airship was covered up.

Apart from him, there was no other figure in the rolling artillery fire of the entire Hushou Mountain.

Lu Qian frowned.

The old man had white hair and beard, but a strong body. He held a long sword tightly in his one arm, and the sharp sword energy dragged in the air like moonlight.

But when they heard his invitation to fight, the momentum of several Jindan cultivators actually slowed down slightly.

Taoist Wu Di is a Yuanying Lingjun and will not lower his status easily, while the others are all in the middle and early stages of the Jindan period, and they are afraid that they will not be able to defeat Sikong Fu Li, which would bring shame and damage their morale.

Upon seeing this, the Jade Dragon Fairy's eyes lit up and she suddenly jumped up, ready to go down and fight.

Lin Le also stepped forward: "Master, I am willing to fight and take this man's head!"

Lu Qian shook his head and smiled: "Have you read too many novels? You are still not clear about life at your age. We have a crushing advantage, who would challenge him in a one-on-one duel?"

"Let's go together. I don't want to waste any time!" (End of this chapter)