Embers of Sword

Chapter 718 Assault
Outside Jiayong Pass, the snow fell heavily, like a mat.

The iron cavalry galloped swiftly and stopped sixty miles away. After occupying a high slope, the several high-ranking array masters of the Xu family who had followed the commander out of the city began to draw talismans on the ground. In a few dozen breaths, the Spirit Sea Array was ready. The archers were on high alert and took out their poisoned arrows and nocked them one after another. The dense sound of metal clashing echoed.

Xu Qi stood at the highest point, his expression solemn as he gazed at the majestic snowscape not far away.

In the distance are densely packed, intertwined, snow-white Chenling Mountains.

As the earth trembled softly, the once silent snow-capped mountains suddenly came to life, their rolling snowflakes swirling and dancing in the air—

Rumble!
"coming!"

Xu Qi let out a low shout, drew his sword, and the Spirit Sea Array spread out at that moment, from ten zhang to fifty zhang, then to one hundred zhang, and then to two hundred zhang!
This great formation transformed into a perfectly round barrier, like a giant umbrella, blocking the inevitable path for the demon tide to advance south!
Thump! Thump! Thump-thump-thump!
A dense, heavy drumbeat echoed from the ground.

The iron cavalry, crossbowmen, and array masters who had accompanied the patriarch out of the city to meet the enemy all wore extremely solemn expressions. The pristine, pure white painting before them was instantly "tainted," with hundreds, even thousands, of jet-black ink spots splashing out and spreading rapidly across the ground. These were wild beasts inhabiting the southern border of the demon kingdom. Perhaps just days before, they hadn't even awakened their spirits, merely hunting and foraging in the snowy mountains based on instinct… But after receiving enlightenment and the transmission of blood essence from the great demon, they had become ferocious beings comparable to "Qi cultivators." Even from miles away, hundreds, even thousands, of scarlet lights could be seen burning in the snow.

Those are the lights in their eyes!
"Fire in unison! Fire!"

The female venerable one beside Xu Qi was no longer calm. She immediately gave orders, and the archers who followed the iron cavalry out of the city no longer hesitated, drew their bows to the limit, and released the arrows.

Buzz!
The first volley was remarkably effective.

Nearly a thousand streaks of cold light rained down from the sky, directly striking and creating plumes of crimson blood mist within the dark painting—

Even after receiving temporary "guidance," those demonic beasts were still not very intelligent. They were cruel and bloodthirsty, and felt no pain. Once they entered the city walls, they would cause great damage. However, to break through the city walls, a sufficient number of demonic beasts needed to be gathered. These low-level demonic beasts gathered here could not avoid the large-scale "rain of arrows."

"Quickly! Continue!"

The female venerable one was about to speak when she suddenly realized something was wrong.

The long line of demonic tides, which were originally several miles apart, suddenly accelerated and charged toward the Spirit Sea Formation at an unbelievable speed!

Faintly visible.

At the very front of the demonic tide sat a majestic demon, its entire body a deep crimson.

That was clearly a demon king who had reached the "Yin God Realm". She had taken the form of a woman and sat on a crimson throne. She was dressed in gauze and looked incredibly alluring, and she exuded a chilling killing intent!
Just take a look.

The Venerable Xu family woman knew that the sudden acceleration of the long line of demonic tide must be related to her!
Because the red gauze robe of the demon king was surrounded by a layer of sharp void energy, and countless waves of light surged in the air. This was the power of the "Dao Domain" that could interfere with the void!
"This is... the 'Ling Venerable' of the Heavenly Phoenix Palace!"

Xu Qi also clearly saw the demonic tide.

On the demon kingdom's side, they knew about the top combat power of the Great Chu Holy Land.

In this matter, Da Chu was also quite "well-informed," since the names of those top figures in the Demon Kingdom were not difficult to obtain... This "Ling Venerable" was a powerful figure on par with "Prince Jiu," who had already reached the late stage of the Yin God Realm more than ten years ago, just one step away from the Yang God Realm.

Ranked according to Fangyuanfang's intelligence.

Venerable Ling is the pinnacle of Yin God realm combat power in the Demon Kingdom, almost equivalent to the "Great Perfection of Yin God" on the human side!
The appearance of Venerable Ling means...

This time, the demon kingdom's attack on Jiayong Pass was serious!
In a war of this magnitude, due to the "fear of harming the innocent" mentality of both sides, the situation remains unclear before the city falls, and those with Yang Shen Realm combat power will not easily enter the fray!

In this way, a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Yin Spirit Realm becomes virtually invincible...

They wanted to suppress an existence like "Ling Venerable".

Alternatively, we can summon the Yang God.

Alternatively, a Yin deity at the Great Perfection stage might step in and obstruct it!
It's both a coincidence and an incongruity... The Yin Spirit Grand Perfection cultivators on Da Chu's side have recently completed their "advancement." Zhou and Tang Fengshu have both successfully ignited their life flames and entered the Yang Spirit realm. Perhaps the only remaining Yin Spirit Grand Perfection cultivator is the "Fire Lord," who is still carrying out missions in Da Li.

"Hoo..." Xu Qi said coldly, his expression grave. "With our strength, we should be able to hold them off for a while... When will Palace Master Yuwen arrive?"

"Just now, a message came from Qiantian Palace that Shifang City has also been attacked by demons."

The female venerable one put down the command token and gritted her teeth as she spoke with difficulty: "Palace Master Yuwen may need to deal with the troubles in 'Ten Directions City' first..."

"What trouble has Shifang City encountered that requires Palace Master Yuwen's personal attention..."

Xu Qi spoke subconsciously, then fell silent.

The two looked at each other.

The answer is ready to come out.

The only thing that can hold back the Yang spirit is, of course, the Yang spirit itself.

The "Ten Directions City," guarded by Qiantian Palace, is the logistical hub of the western part of the Northern Territory, storing a large amount of Yuan Stones and important supplies. Choosing to simultaneously launch a strong attack on Ten Directions City at the same time as the surprise attack on Jiayong Pass makes the Demon Kingdom's intentions all too obvious. At this critical juncture, Jiayong Pass, in its attempt to stop "Ling Venerable," can only send a message and urgently mobilize the nearest other Yang Gods.

"Throughout the western front of the entire Northern Wall, numerous large and small waves of demonic attacks have broken out."

The female venerable one gritted her teeth and said, "It's hard to say now... whether the demon kingdom intends to conquer 'Jiayong Pass' or has other plans..."

"These beasts are really willing to spend a lot of money."

Xu Qi chuckled softly.

He finally understood the purpose behind this blatant and aboveboard attack.

This is practically an open secret—

If the Demon Kingdom launches a frontal assault on the entire western front of the northern border, and if a "Great Perfection of Yin God" or a "Yang God" is truly willing to reach Jiayong Pass, then other gaps in the western front will be opened.

"Homeowner..."

The female venerable one wanted to speak again, but the ominous premonition in her heart suddenly intensified several times over.

The demonic tide, advancing straight through the heavy snow, reached the snow slope after withstanding three waves of arrows.

"No need for further words! Kill!!"

Xu Qi drew his sword, and the entire Spirit Sea Array gleamed with a chilling light.

The great formation surged and expanded once more!
Those demonic creatures that stepped into the territory of the great formation were wiped out in an instant!

But the next moment-

A scarlet figure gracefully arrived at the very front of the great formation.

It was none other than Venerable Ling.

The female demon remained expressionless, extending her palm and gently pressing it against the azure, sea-like barrier!

click!
A crisp sound rang out from the ground and then spread inch by inch.

The Spirit Sea Array was torn open with a gap the instant it made contact—

(End of this chapter)