From the fake emperor to the concubine

Within an hour, both sides suffered dozens of casualties. Blood flowed like rivers on the battlefield, and severed limbs were everywhere.

"Damn it! Why are the Zheng family so troublesome?" The elder of the Blazing Fire Sect wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said viciously.

"Although they are few in number, they are all elites," the representative of the Water Cloud Sect said with a grim expression. "Moreover, they are well-coordinated and not easy to deal with."

"We can't let this drag on any longer!" Li Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a crazed light as he looked at the fierce battle. "Activate the combined attack formation!"

"A combined attack formation?" The people from the other factions were all taken aback.

The combined attack formation was an attack formation hastily developed by the ten major powers. It can concentrate everyone's power into a single point, making it extremely powerful. However, this formation also carries great risks; if it fails, all participants will suffer severe backlash.

"We can't worry about that now!" Li Xiaoyao gritted his teeth. "If we can't defeat Zheng Yi quickly, we'll be in even more danger once he recovers!"

"Alright! Activate the combined attack formation!" The powerful figures from the other forces all agreed.

More than a dozen Nascent Soul stage experts quickly changed positions and arranged themselves according to the predetermined formation. At the same time, they circulated their cultivation techniques, injecting their power into the formation.

"boom!"

A terrifying energy condensed in the center of the formation, and the air began to tremble violently.

"Oh no! They're about to unleash a powerful attack!" Zheng Tianhao's expression changed drastically. "Everyone, activate the clan's protective formation immediately!"

The Zheng family's protective formation was activated instantly, and a layer of pale golden light enveloped the entire territory.

"Combined Attack Formation - All Techniques Return to One!"

The allied forces' combined attack formation was finally completed, and a beam of energy as thick as a water bucket blasted towards the clan's protective formation.

"boom!"

A deafening explosion rang out, the protective formation trembled violently, and countless cracks appeared on its surface.

"Damn it! The formation is about to collapse!" the clansman responsible for maintaining the formation cried out in terror.

"I'll go!" Zheng Yi gritted his teeth and charged towards the combined attack formation, shouting, "Zhengyang Sword Technique - Ultimate Secret - Sun God Sword!"

A gigantic light sword, thousands of feet long, condensed in the air, radiating world-destroying power.

"go!"

The Sun God Sword roared as it slashed toward the core of the combined attack formation.

"Not good! Scatter quickly!" Li Xiaoyao sensed the terrifying power of the Sun God Sword and hurriedly gave the order.

But it was too late. The Sun God Sword struck the combined attack formation heavily, splitting the entire formation in two.

"puff!"

The dozen or so powerful individuals who participated in the combined attack formation simultaneously vomited blood, suffering severe backlash.

However, Zheng Yi also expended a great deal of energy; this sword strike almost depleted the spiritual power within his body.

"Now! Take advantage of his weakness, everyone attack together!" Although injured, Li Xiaoyao still forced himself to command the attack.

"kill!"

The remaining allied cultivators surged toward Zheng Yi like a tidal wave.

"Master!" Zhang Yunfan wanted to come and help, but was blocked by several enemies.

"Ancestor!" Zheng Tianhao and the others were also desperately trying to break through the encirclement, wanting to help Zheng Yi.

But the allied forces were clearly prepared. They used sheer numbers to tie down the rest of the Zheng family and concentrated their forces to attack Zheng Yi alone.

"The Righteous Yang Sword Technique - Illuminating All!"

Zheng Yi struggled to cast defensive spells, but under the siege of so many enemies, his defenses quickly showed weaknesses.

"puff!"

A flash of sword light left a deep wound on his shoulder, and blood immediately stained his clothes.

"Haha! Zheng Yi is nothing special!" Seeing Zheng Yi injured, the morale of the allied forces soared.

"Keep attacking! He can't hold on much longer!"

Faced with such a predicament, a glint of madness flashed in Zheng Yi's eyes.

"Since that's the case, let's all perish together!"

He began to burn his own life essence, preparing to unleash a forbidden technique.

"Master, no!" Zhang Yunfan saw this and desperately tried to rush over to stop it.

But just then, a majestic shout suddenly rang out from the sky:

"Enough! All of you, stop right now!"

An elderly man with white hair descended from the sky, and his powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire battlefield.

Everyone felt an immense sense of oppression, as if a mountain was pressing down on their chests, making it difficult to even breathe.

"Nascent Soul stage!" Li Xiaoyao's pupils constricted sharply. "A Nascent Soul stage expert!"

The Nascent Soul stage is one of the highest realms in the cultivation world. There are only a handful of powerful individuals who possess this level of cultivation, and each one is a legendary existence.

"Who is this senior?" Li Xiaoyao asked cautiously.

"I am Xuanjizi, an elder of the cultivation world's arbitration committee," the old man said calmly. "I have come to mediate this dispute on the orders of the Supreme Elders' Council."

"The Tribunal Elder?" Everyone present was shocked.

The Judgment Elders are the enforcers of the Supreme Elder Council, the highest authority in the cultivation world, and possess absolute authority. Their appearance signifies that this battle has alarmed the highest levels of the cultivation world.

"Senior Xuanjizi, this junior is Li Xiaoyao. Greetings, Senior." Li Xiaoyao quickly bowed. "May I ask what brings you here, Senior?"

"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance," Xuanjizi said, surveying the horrific battlefield. "I simply believe that continuing this fight will bring no benefit to the cultivation world."

“Senior, it was the Zheng family who started the conflict first,” Li Xiaoyao tried to defend himself.

"Shut up!" A flash of displeasure crossed Xuanjizi's eyes. "I didn't come here to listen to your arguments."

"Cease fire immediately and return to your original positions. This fighting ends here!"

“But senior…” Li Xiaoyao wanted to say something more.

"What? You want to defy the decision of the Supreme Elders Council?" Xuanjizi's tone turned dangerous.

Feeling the pressure from the Nascent Soul stage expert, Li Xiaoyao immediately shut his mouth and dared not utter another word.

“Since the senior has spoken, we will naturally obey.” Zheng Yi, though injured, maintained his dignity. “However, this feud will not end here.”

“We can deal with grudges later,” Xuanjizi nodded. “For now, let’s call a truce.”

Under the intimidation of the Nascent Soul stage expert, both sides had no choice but to temporarily cease fighting. The allied forces began to regroup and tally their casualties. Meanwhile, the Zheng family was also urgently treating their wounded.

After a day and a night of fierce fighting, both sides suffered heavy losses.

On the allied side, more than half of the three hundred-plus soldiers were killed or wounded, including several Nascent Soul stage experts. The Blazing Fire Sect and the Water Cloud Sect suffered particularly heavy losses, losing almost half of their elite disciples.

The situation on the Zheng family's side is also dire. Of the more than one hundred clansmen, only about seventy are still standing. Although no Nascent Soul stage experts have perished, several key combatants, including Zheng Yi, have suffered serious injuries.

“This can’t go on.” Zheng Yi looked at his tribesmen, covered in wounds, his heart filled with pain. “My personal strength is ultimately limited; I cannot protect everyone.”

Although his cultivation had reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, making him a top expert in the cultivation world, he still felt powerless in the face of the combined attack of the ten major forces.

“Master, you’re injured too.” Zhang Yunfan looked at the wound on Zheng Yi’s shoulder with concern.

"It's nothing, this injury is nothing." Zheng Yi shook his head, but the worry in his eyes was undisguised. "What I'm worried about is that although Senior Xuanjizi has temporarily stopped the fighting, this problem hasn't been fundamentally solved."

"They will come back again after Senior Xuanjizi leaves."

"Then what should we do?" Elder Zheng Tianhe asked.

"Currently, we seem to have three options," Zheng Yi said thoughtfully. "First, we can continue to fight to the bitter end, but that would likely result in mutual destruction."

"Secondly, we could compromise and bow down to the Heavenly Dao Sect. But if we did that, our Zheng family would never be able to hold our heads high again."

"Third," Zheng Yi paused, "to find stronger allies and shift the balance of power."

"A more powerful ally?" Everyone's interest was piqued. "Ancestor, who has come to mind?"

"The Taixu Sect," Zheng Yi slowly uttered a name, "one of the oldest sects in the cultivation world, with unfathomable strength."

"The Taixu Sect?" Zheng Tianhao exclaimed in surprise. "Aren't they supposed to never participate in worldly conflicts?"

“That’s true.” Zheng Yi nodded. “But the Taixu Sect has one unique characteristic: they value talent and potential above all else. If we can gain their approval…”

"But what qualifications do we have to gain the Taixu Sect's recognition?" Second Elder Zheng Tianlei asked doubtfully.

"Yunfan," Zheng Yi said, looking at his disciple, "the Immortal Sword Technique inheritance you received is our bargaining chip."

"Immortal Sword Technique?" Zhang Yunfan was taken aback. "Master, do you mean..."

"As the oldest sect, the Taixu Sect's desire for the immortal's legacy surpasses that of anyone else," Zheng Yi explained. "If we can use the immortal sword technique as a bargaining chip, perhaps we can gain their protection."

“But Master, you gave me that sword technique, how can I…” Zhang Yunfan said with some reluctance.

“Silly child,” Zheng Yi smiled gently. “Protecting the family is more important than personal cultivation. Besides, even if you hand over your sword techniques, they can't take away what you've already learned.”

“Alright, let’s do as Master says.” Zhang Yunfan nodded firmly.

“But going to the Taixu Sect is very dangerous,” Elder Zheng Tianhe said worriedly. “What if they don’t approve of us and instead detain us?”

“This risk must be taken,” Zheng Yi said resolutely. “Continuing to drag this out will only make the situation worse.”

"Furthermore, although the Taixu Sect is arrogant, it has always been fair. As long as we are sincere enough, they shouldn't make things difficult for us."

While the Zheng family was discussing countermeasures, the allied forces were also having a heated discussion.

"Damn it! Why did that old bastard Xuanjizi have to interfere?" the elder of the Blazing Fire Sect said angrily. "Give us a little more time, and we can completely defeat Zheng Yi!"

"What's the point of saying all this now?" Li Xiaoyao's face was grim. "The key is what to do next."

"Sect Leader, our losses are too great," the representative of the Water Cloud Sect said with a bitter face. "If we continue fighting like this, even if we win, it will be a pyrrhic victory."

"Are we just going to let this go?" the Bloodhand Gang elder said unwillingly. "We've already paid such a heavy price!"

“Of course we can’t just let this go,” a sinister glint flashed in Li Xiaoyao’s eyes. “But we need to change our strategy.”

"What strategy?"

“Since we can’t gain an advantage through a direct confrontation, let’s try to attack from the side,” Li Xiaoyao said with a sinister smile. “For example, by dealing with the Zheng family’s allies and affiliated forces.”

"What the sect leader means is..."

“Doesn’t the Zheng family have many affiliated forces? We can take them down one by one, cutting off their support,” Li Xiaoyao said. “Once the Zheng family is completely isolated, we can launch the final attack.”

"That's a great idea!" Representatives from other factions chimed in.

"Then it's settled." Li Xiaoyao slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Send out the order to dispatch elite disciples to attack the Zheng family's allies!"

"Yes!"

After a night of discussion, Zheng Yi finally decided to go to Taixu Sect in person to seek help.

“Master, I’ll go with you,” Zhang Yunfan volunteered.

“This journey is extremely dangerous. It’s safer for you to stay with the family.” Zheng Yi shook his head.

“Master, the Immortal Sword Technique is passed down to me. If I am not present, how can the people of Taixu Sect believe in our sincerity?” Zhang Yunfan argued logically.

Zheng Yi pondered for a moment and felt that Zhang Yunfan's words made sense.

"Alright, then you'll come with me. But be careful on the way; the location of the Taixu Sect is no ordinary place."

“This disciple understands,” Zhang Yunfan replied respectfully.

"Tianhao, I'm entrusting the family affairs to you," Zheng Yi said to the patriarch. "If we don't return within ten days, proceed with the backup plan."

"Ancestor, you must be careful," Zheng Tianhao said worriedly. "Although the Taixu Sect is just, it is also extremely arrogant. We must absolutely avoid any conflict."

“I understand,” Zheng Yi nodded. “Also, strengthen the family's defenses and be wary of a sneak attack from the Heavenly Dao Sect.”

After arranging family affairs, Zheng Yi took Zhang Yunfan on their journey to Taixu Sect.

The Taixu Sect is located at the northernmost tip of the cultivation world, in a mysterious region known as the "Outer Heaven." It is said that the Taixu Sect was built in the heart of this region, shrouded in mist year-round, making it impossible for outsiders to find its exact location.

"Master, how do we find the Taixu Sect?" Zhang Yunfan asked during the flight.

“According to ancient records, the Taixu Sect has a legendary mountain gate called ‘Void Peak,’” Zheng Yi explained. “As long as you find Void Peak, you can find the Taixu Sect.”

"But the outer heavens are so vast, how easy is it to find a mountain peak?"

"It's certainly not easy, but we have no other choice," Zheng Yi said firmly. "For the future of the family, we must try, no matter how difficult it is."

The master and his apprentice flew at full speed, and after two days and two nights of travel, they finally reached the edge of the outer heavens.

In the distance, a continuous mountain range stretched out, each peak soaring into the clouds and shrouded in thick mist. The entire area gave off a sense of otherworldly tranquility, as if it truly belonged to another realm.

"Is this the Outer Heaven?" Zhang Yunfan sensed the dense spiritual energy around him. "The concentration of spiritual energy is several times higher than in our clan."

"This is one of the sacred sites in the cultivation world, so it's natural that the spiritual energy is abundant," Zheng Yi nodded. "However, we must be careful, as such places are often guarded by powerful beasts."

The master and apprentice cautiously entered the Outer Heavens region to search for the legendary Void Peak.

Flying through the misty mountains could easily lead to disorientation. However, Zheng Yi was prepared; he took out an ancient compass, a family heirloom specifically designed for navigation in complex terrain. (End of Chapter)