Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

At 3:45 AM, in the main hall of the Grand Tutor's residence.

Wen Zhong sat in the main seat, while Su Yunbai sat at the head of the left.

Several military officers and civil officials were also seated in the hall, creating a solemn atmosphere.

"The vanguard of the Northern Sea demons has reached Black Wind Ridge, eight hundred miles away." Wen Zhong unfolded the map and pointed to a spot.

"Given the speed at which the demons march, they will be at the city gates by noon the day after tomorrow at the latest."

An old general said in a deep voice, "The city's garrison only numbers 50,000, while the demon race claims to have a million men. Even if that's an exaggeration, their numbers are no less than 300,000. The disparity in troop strength is enormous."

"If we lack sufficient troops, we'll take advantage of the terrain," Su Yunbai said.

"The walls of Chaoge have been reinforced by three generations of emperors and are engraved with protective formations. As long as the core of the formation remains intact, the demon race will not be able to break in for the time being."

Wen Zhong nodded: "I will personally guard the city wall formation. However, the formation requires spirit stones, and the national treasury's reserves..."

"I'll take care of the spirit stones," Su Yunbai said. "I sent a message to the East Sea yesterday, and Ao Ling mobilized 30% of the Dragon Palace's reserves, which should arrive by noon today."

The crowd's expressions softened slightly.

The Dragon Palace is wealthy, and 30% of its reserves are enough to support the operation of the city's protective array for several months.

"The demon race is good at flying. The city walls can stop the ground troops, but they can't stop the air," another general reminded.

"Leave the air to me." A cool female voice came from outside the door.

Everyone turned their heads and saw Yunxiao and Bixiao walking in side by side.

Yunxiao nodded slightly to Wen Zhong: "Grand Tutor Wen, I can set up the 'Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation' above the city wall. This formation is good at trapping, and even if 100,000 demon soldiers enter the formation, they will have a hard time escaping in a short time."

Bixiao added with a grin, "I'll help Big Sister set up the formation! The Golden Dragon Scissors are specifically for beheading demon generals!"

Wen Zhong stood up and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your trouble, fairies."

"There's one more thing," Su Yunbai said, looking at Yunxiao, "Where is the array's core located?"

"Each of the four corners of the formation will be set up with a key point, and the central key point..." Yunxiao paused, "...will be located in the General's Mansion."

Su Yunbai was taken aback.

"The General's Mansion is perpetually surrounded by your Law of Love, which resonates with my Law of Music, enhancing the array's power by thirty percent," Yunxiao explained. "Moreover, there... I find familiar auras there, making it easier to control."

She spoke calmly, but her ears were slightly red.

Bixiao chuckled to herself.

Su Yunbai understood: "Alright, as you wish, Fairy."

After discussing city defenses, they went on to discuss provisions, medicine for the wounded, and the evacuation of civilians, until noon.

After everyone left, Wen Zhong kept Su Yunbai alone.

"General Su, His Majesty has a secret decree." Wen Zhong took out a roll of gold and silk. "If things cannot be done, His Majesty wants you to escort the harem and several princes away from Chaoge and go to Donglu for temporary refuge."

Su Yunbai frowned: "Where is His Majesty?"

"His Majesty will live and die with Chaoge," Wen Zhong said in a deep voice. "This is the responsibility of a human emperor."

Su Yunbai remained silent for a moment, then pushed the gold and silk back: "Please tell His Majesty, Grand Tutor, that I will not leave. Chaoge will not fall."

Wen Zhong looked at him: "How confident are you?"

"Seven points," Su Yunbai said. "But if we add the Jie Sect, the Dragon Clan, and... some variables, it could be nine points."

"variable?"

Su Yunbai looked out of the hall: "For example, the Western Sect won't sit idly by and let the demon race take over Chaoge. Or... the Chan Sect might 'help' us."

Wen Zhong was puzzled.

Su Yunbai offered no further explanation, only saying, "Grand Tutor, you only need to guard the city walls; leave the rest to me."

After leaving the Grand Tutor's mansion, Su Yunbai traveled with Yunxiao and Bixiao.

Bixiao linked arms with Yunxiao and whispered, "Big sister, your face turned red when you said 'familiar scent' just now~"

Yunxiao gently patted her hand: "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense." Bixiao looked at Su Yunbai with a grin. "Yunbai, don't you think so?"

Su Yunbai smiled without saying a word.

Yunxiao glared at his sister, but wasn't really angry.

When the three returned to the general's mansion, Ao Ling was already waiting for them.

"The spirit stones from the Dragon Palace have arrived, a total of 30,000 high-grade spirit stones, and have been put into storage," Ao Ling reported concisely. "In addition, Father has deployed 5,000 shrimp soldiers and crab generals to guard the coast of the East Sea to prevent the demon race from launching a surprise attack."

"Thank you for your trouble." Su Yunbai nodded.

Ao Ling looked at Yun Xiao: "I heard that the fairy is going to set up the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation? Do you need the assistance of the Dragon Clan?"

"Not for now," Yunxiao said. "The core of the formation has been determined, and I have prepared all the materials for setting it up."

"That's good." Ao Ling paused for a moment. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Thank you.

As the women were talking, Jiang Xiaowu and Yang Chan returned from the training ground.

"The Iron Blood Army is ready for battle at any time," Jiang Xiaowu reported. "In addition, there are about three hundred independent cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage in Chaoge City who are willing to join the battle, and I have incorporated them into the reserve force."

Yang Chan whispered, "I...I tried using the Lotus Lantern, and it can purify demonic energy. Although the range is small, it might be useful in a critical moment."

Su Yunbai looked at them with satisfaction.

With them around, we definitely have a better chance of winning this battle.

"We're all tired today, let's have lunch first," he said. "We can discuss the deployment and troop movement in detail this afternoon."

The group moved to a side hall.

The table was laden with dishes, most of which Bixiao had ordered from Zuixianlou—she knew Su Yunbai loved that restaurant's food.

During the meal, Bixiao remained lively, occasionally making witty remarks that made everyone laugh.

Although Yunxiao didn't talk much, his expression was gentle, and he occasionally served food to Su Yunbai with natural movements.

Ao Ling and Jiang Xiaowu discussed defense details, while Yang Chan listened quietly, occasionally interjecting.

The atmosphere was warm, like the calm before a great battle.

In the afternoon, Yunxiao began to set up the formation.

The Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation is a secret technique of the Jie Sect, requiring special magical artifacts as its foundation and musical notes as its guiding force.

Yunxiao set up the main array eye in the center of the General's Mansion courtyard—a phantom of a white jade zither, which resonated with her natal magic weapon.

Bixiao helped bury array flags at the four corners. The flags were embroidered with golden dragons and could be faintly heard roaring.

Su Yunbai then activated the Law of Emotion, and silver threads of emotion wrapped around the array's core, intertwining with the music to form a soft halo.

"The formation is complete." Yunxiao stopped. "Ordinary demon soldiers entering the formation will be bewitched by the music and trapped in an illusion. Demon generals entering the formation will be entangled by emotions and develop inner demons."

Bixiao clapped her hands: "Let's see how arrogant those monsters are now!"

Su Yunbai sensed the aura of the formation; it was indeed exquisite.

"How many people can this formation trap at most?"

"If I maintain this formation with all my might, I can trap 100,000 demon soldiers for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn," Yunxiao said. "But if the enemy has a quasi-saint level expert breaking the formation, the time will be shortened."

"That's enough," Su Yunbai said. "The time it takes for an incense stick to burn is enough for the city defense troops to wipe out any enemy forces that have entered the formation."

As the three were talking, the steward came to report: "General, there is a Taoist priest outside the gate requesting an audience. He claims to be Zhao Gongming."

Bixiao's eyes lit up: "Big brother's here!"

Su Yunbai and Yunxiao exchanged a glance and went out to greet them.

Zhao Gongming stood in front of the mansion gate, still dressed in a black robe, his face calm.

"Big brother!" Bixiao rushed over.

Zhao Gongming patted his sister's head and looked at Su Yunbai: "I heard from Zhong that Chaoge is in trouble. Since I'm near Chaoge, I came to check it out."

He then looked at Yunxiao: "Third Sister."

Yunxiao bowed and said, "Big Brother."

Zhao Gongming nodded and said to Su Yunbai, "Now that the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation has been set up, I can add another one for you."

"What formation?"

"The Sea-Stabilizing Pearl Formation." Zhao Gongming flipped his hand, and twenty-four illusory images of the Sea-Stabilizing Pearls appeared in his palm. "This formation excels at suppression and can quell the arrogance of the demon race."

Su Yunbai cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, fellow Daoist."

Zhao Gongming waved his hand: "No need to thank me. Since Bixiao has made up her mind about you, helping her is helping you."

He spoke frankly, and Bixiao laughed happily beside him.

"Big brother is the best!"

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhao Gongming's eyes, but he quickly regained his seriousness.

"However, let me make it clear beforehand that I will only help you defend the city and will not get involved in the internal strife among humans. If Xiqi comes, I will not take action."

"That's how it should be," Su Yunbai said.

Zhao Gongming said no more and turned to set up the formation.

Bixiao looked at her elder brother's back and whispered, "That's just how my elder brother is, cold on the outside but warm on the inside."

Su Yunbai put his arm around her shoulder: "I know."

---

By evening, all defenses were in place.

Su Yunbai climbed the city wall and gazed northwards.

Dark clouds loomed in the sky, exuding an eerie aura.

Wen Zhong walked to his side: "The scouts report that the vanguard of the demon race has already set up camp three hundred miles away. Leading the army is... Peng Demon King, one of the seven great demon saints under Kunpeng."

"The Roc Demon King..." Su Yunbai pondered, "Could it be that Golden-Winged Roc?"

"Exactly," Wen Zhong said. "This demon is extremely fast; with a single flap of its wings, it can travel 90,000 li, making it extremely difficult to deal with."

"It's alright," Su Yunbai said. "If he dares to come tomorrow, I have my own way of dealing with it."

Seeing his composed expression, Wen Zhong felt somewhat relieved.

"General Su, I'm entrusting Chaoge to you."

"Grand Tutor, rest assured."

The two stood side by side for a long time, until dusk fell.

Lights began to appear on the city wall as the guards began their shifts.

When Su Yunbai returned to the General's Mansion, all the women were waiting for him.

"The war will begin tomorrow," Bixiao said softly. "Yunbai, be careful."

Yunxiao looked at him, and although she didn't speak, her eyes showed clear concern.

Ao Ling, Jiang Xiaowu, and Yang Chan all looked at him.

Su Yunbai felt a warmth in his heart.

"I will. You all need to be careful too."

That night, the lights in the general's mansion stayed on very late.

But no one slept.

At midnight, Su Yunbai stood alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky.

Suddenly, I heard soft footsteps behind me.

"Aren't you going to rest?"

It was Yunxiao's voice.

Su Yunbai turned around and saw her walking towards him wearing an outer robe.

"I can't sleep," he said. "I'm thinking about some things."

"What are you thinking about?"

"I wonder... how the格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall balance of power and influence) of the Three Realms will change after this battle," Su Yunbai said softly. "If the demon race is defeated, what will happen to the Western Church? What will happen to the Chan Church? What will happen to the Jie Church?"

The clouds fell silent for a moment.

"You're thinking too far ahead. Let's win this battle first."

"That's true." Su Yunbai smiled.

The two stood side by side.

A night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness.

Su Yunbai took off his outer robe and draped it over Yunxiao's shoulders.

"Thank you," Yunxiao said softly.

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took his hand.

"Yunbai, no matter what tomorrow brings, I will always be by your side."

Su Yunbai's heart stirred, and he pulled her into his arms.

"I know."