by Fang Xiang
This was the greatest loss for Zuo Mo.
But the situation was beyond his control since long ago. He could only endure it.
Was he fated to always explore on his own throughout his life? A thread of bitterness rose in Zuo Mo’s heart. At Wu Kong Mountain, he had to explore by himself. He finally encountered Pu Yao, the spells and yao arts had come to him as easily as water flowing. But just after being able to smoothly sailing for a short while, the change inside his body had caused Pu Yao and Wei’s experiences to lose effectiveness in one night.
Those powerful yao arts and spells casually waved goodbye to him, disregarding his lingering gaze and flew away.
In the period of one night, he had returned to where he started.
What sort of world was this … …
Zuo Mo grimaced. However, he could only grimace. He was not demotivated. Fate was like those yao art problems. You could not choose which problem it would give you. Your choice was either to work on solving it, or wait for death.
As to whether or not it could be solved, that was the next problem.
It seemed ge is fated to walk the high-difficulty path!
Aye, really no way about it, experts are always like ge … …
Comforting himself like this, Zuo Mo rubbed his face and tried to keep his mind alert. He sat down and started a new round of thought and experiment.
———
“This one is Kun Lun’s disciple Ming Lie, responsible for defending this area. Elders, please forgive me for coming late to the rescue!” Ming Lie said loudly, and bowed towards the distant Black Turtle. He put his attitude extremely low.
Kun Lun disciple!
When the people of Vermillion Bird Camp heard these words, their expressions suddenly changed.
“Kun Lun disciple … …” Lil’ Miss narrowed his eyes, the smile on his bashful face increasing as he said to himself, “such a coincidence, didn’t think we really would encounter people of Kun Lun.”
Cold snorts sounded around him. Everyone’s expressions darkened.
If they had to choose a sect that was most unwelcome among Zuo Mo’s group, then it was undoubtedly Kun Lun! Now people from the sect of Kun Lun were right in front of them. No one would have good faces.
Song Yuan’s eyes were keen and noticed the fury and murderousness on the faces of the Vermillion Bird Camp sword xiu. “They don’t seem to be very friendly towards us.” His heart shook and he said in a low voice.
Ming Lie’s heart jumped but his expression instantly resumed normality. He said in a similarly light tone, “No matter how at unfriendly they are with us, they can’t be in agreement with yaomo.”
“That’s true.” Song Yuan thought from another direction and released the thought. No matter what grievances this group of people had with Kun Lun, everyone was xiuzhe and belonged to the same camp against the yaomo.
Ming Lie said loudly, “Seeing your honored division’s style today, it really causes admiration. But this place is the territory of the mo, extremely dangerous. Gentlemen do not say at dangerous places, everyone … …”
“You are a disciple of Kun Lun?” a male voice came from the black ship and interrupted Ming Lie.
Ming Lie said, “Yes. Your honored division … …”
The voice inside the boat once again interrupted him, “Who is Lin Qian to you?”
Ming Lie was shocked. He said in surprise, “Sir knows Eldest Shixiong?” At the side, Song Yuan also showed shock.
Inside the Black Turtle, the faces of Wei Sheng and the others changed again.
Just now, Wei Sheng suddenly recalled the riddle of Lin Qian’s identity and suddenly made an inquiry. Wei Sheng had been suspicious of Lin Qian’s identity long ago. He had speculated that Lin Qian would have a connection to Kun Lun but he never thought that the slightly mysterious young person that was not at all eye-catching was the Eldest Shixiong of Kun Lun Sect!
Gongsun Cha’s expression also couldn’t help but change. The two exchanged a look and saw the shock in each other’s eyes.
Kun Lun was the real ruler of the entire Kun Lun Realm. The Eldest Shixiong of Kun Lun Sect, the future sect leader of Kun Lun, his rank was so venerable, his identity so noble that other than the present sect leader of Kun Lun, no one could rival him!
What secret did Wu Kong Sword Sect have that caused the future Kun Lun sect leader to come in person?
Gongsun Cha was alright. He had entered Wu Kong Sword Sect relatively late and his feelings towards Wu Kong Sword Sect was not deep. But Wei Sheng had grown up in Wu Kong Sword Sect and held deep feelings. Shocked, he couldn’t help but show deep worry.
A little sect like Wu Kong Sword Sect would not have any power to resist under the influence of Kun Lun.
Ming Lie saw the other had become silent again and confusion rose. “Can Sir give your name. A friend of Eldest Shixiong is a friend of our Kun Lun! We will act as hosts!”
“Where’s Shixiong?” Gongsun Cha asked Zong Ru beside him in a low voice.
Zong Ru closed his eyes and opened them a moment later. He said, bewildered, “Daren seems to be meditating.”
“Meditating?” Gongsun Cha raised an eyebrow. He turned to look at Wei Sheng. “What does Eldest Shixiong think? They are most likely starting to suspect our origins now.”
“What do you think?” Wei Sheng asked warily.
Gongsun Cha gave a shy smile and did not answer. “It is not suitable for us to be targeted by Kun Lun at present.”
“You mean … …” Wei Sheng had a shocked expression.
Gongsun Cha raised his white hand and lightly sketched a chop.
“Hiss!” Wei Sheng inhaled sharply, and the people around them also showed shock. But in a moment, everyone’s shock turned to excitement and eagerness.
Kun Lun! That was Kun Lun!
For every sword xiu, Kun Lun was akin to a holy ground! And in reality, Kun Lun was the holy ground of sword xiu! Of the Four Realm Heaven, Kun Lun was the most honored! This honor was not borne out of thin air, but fought for by Kun Lun sword xiu using the flying sword of their heart in that great war three thousand years ago!
Even the subordinate sects of Kun Lun had no weak people, much less true Kun Lun disciples!
Wei Sheng hadn’t expected Gongsun Cha to be so daring to know that the other was a Kun Lun disciples and still dare to kill!
However, Wei Sheng was not a stupid person. He knew that he had exposed their identities when he had asked for Lin Qian’s identity. Ming Lie only needed to pass this information back. With Lin Qian’s intelligence, he would most likely guess it was them! Gongsun Cha was correct. If they were targeted by Kun Lun now, then they would be in danger!
He also thought about Wu Kong Sword Sect … …
Strength flashed through his eyes. He nodded heavily. “Okay!”
That heavy word was like a vase that broke. Thick killing intent spread out!
———
Liang Wei heard the exchange between the two and his heart continued to sink. The two seemed to be old acquaintances. He suddenly found his thinking just now was truly absurd. How could xiuzhe cultivate yao poisons?
It probably was a ling poison that the other had made that was similar to yao poison!
Thinking about this, he prepared to take his subordinates and retreat. If these two troops allied together, then it would no longer be so easy for them to retreat. Fortunately, he had acted the latest. So even though his attacking position was not good, it was very suited for retreat!
At this time, a change suddenly occurred!
The little black ship suddenly lit up in his vision.
Boom!
Like fireworks exploding, sword energies shot out!
Liang Wei’s expression changed. Was the other attacking? He was so frightened he almost shouted, but he perceptively caught a detail out of the corner of his eye. His figure instantly stilled.
Those sword energies … …
They were … … all heading towards the Kun L
un sword xiu!
What was going on? Inner conflict?
Liang Wei was stunned where he stood with bewilderment on his face. The combat yao beside him were all dumbstruck.
The other’s attack had occurred so suddenly without a hint of warning that the Kun Lun sword xiu did not react immediately. Their ranks shifted. The sword xiu first had astonishment on their faces, and then they showed fury.
Ming Lie was both shocked and angry. “You cowards dare!”
When was Kun Lun ever attacked by other sects first? Just the two words Kun Lun had crushed countless sects before. Today, there was someone that knew their origins and dared to attack them!
This was the first time Ming Lie had encountered such a thing!
Fury burned in his heart. He unhesitatingly went forward and shouted angrily, “Kun Lun! Kill!”
The sword lights of the Kun Lun sword xiu lit up!
Watching from a distance, Liang Wei started tightly at the sword lights that drew out beautiful curves. There was only one phrase echoing in his mind.
Surround! Tactical surround!
The other’s intentions suddenly became clear
—they intended to not leave even one alive!
Chapter 433: Grapple
Under Liang Wei’s shocked gaze, Ming Lie’s troop was like a sharp great sword that pierced straight into the threads of sword lights that came at them and twisted with the flow!
Their presence was concentrated and sharp. The black ship sword xiu’s sword energies scattered like fireworks. In front of Ming Lie’s forces, the threads of sword energies seemed to break with a touch. The sword xiu from the black ship that came hurriedly dodged to the side.
The presence of Ming Lie’s troop had become such that no one dared to stand up to them!
The terror in Ming Lie’s heart had also dissipated long ago. The confidence of a gold battle general filled every corner of his body! Layers of sword xiu were protecting him. The Pine Script Sword was in the hands of Song Yuan Shidi, and he was looking about warily.
The other five jindan sword xiu steadily controlled their position. These jindan were not from Kun Lun but they were the best from their respective sects. Ming Lie’s master had carefully chosen these people to ensure his safety.
Just this composition was enough to fill him with confidence. The Kun Lun realm was the largest realm of the Four Realm Heaven. The borders were vast and near endless. Due to having abundant battalions, the composition of their armies could not help but become complex, so there were divisions of far, near, outer, and inner.
While they were all jindan, the jindan sword xiu of normal sects had the lowest benefits in a battalion. The jindan sword xiu from Kun Lun’s numerous subordinate sects had much better benefits, and Kun Lun disciples benefits were a step above that. Inner sect disciples were mostly the leaders of the battalions.
Ming Lie Battalion’s jindan were all from subordinate sects who were completely loyal from top to bottom. The relationships between these subordinate sects to Kun Lun were very close, and the sects functioned as Kun Lun’s protective perimeter.
Even more, there was Song Yuan Shidi to help secure the flank.
Thinking about his prior shock just now, Ming Lie couldn’t help but feel a thread of shame.
He focused and decided that he must win this battle!
While the identity of a Kun Lun inner sect disciple was honored wherever they went, but in reality, the competition between inner sect disciples far surpassed the imaginations of everyone. How many Kun Lun inner sect disciples were there? Even Ming Lie did not know. But it was not strange that he could command one battalion since he was a gold battle general and an inner sect disciple.
But to get assigned his mission this time, it had taken great effort. Before leaving, Master had kept on telling him to work hard. The sect leader of this generation was extremely fair, and would reward meritorious service. If he could get a good victory on the front line, the fruit would be enough to benefit all of their sect line.
Of course, he would get the biggest slice!
Thinking about this, his gaze unconsciously heated up. Sweeping across the entire battlefield, his right hand started to count, all the ling power inside his body moving as he channeled[Celestial Balance][i] to the maximum!
In his eyes, there seemed to be dots of light spinning.
As these star-like dots of light continued to spin, the battlefield gradually became clear in his mind.
He suddenly opened his eyes, and coldness flashed past them.
As expected, the other was not ordinary!
His battalion was thrust straight in the middle of the other’s troops like a dagger. The sword xiu along the way that seemed to flee like alarmed birds, furiously sprinting away, but once out of harm’s way they simply rejoined their own formation.
He had inserted himself into the other’s troops, and the other had completely surrounded him.
Ming Lie smirked inside. If normal battle generals were surrounded, they would definitely panic; but for Ming Lie who was skilled in tactics, this was a great opportunity!
In his eyes, the other’s enclosure was like a cloth bag that only looked strong but would break with a mere poke of his finger. His battalion was gathered together, united. Wasn’t this just the kind of sharp object that he needed right now?
Come!
An excited blush floated onto Ming Lie’s face as though he had seen his prey!
“ Wood’s Horn Formation!”
The Horn was the first of the seven mansions that belonged to the Eastern Azure Dragon, who represented the Wood element, and similar to the horn of the dragon it was best used for killing! [ii]
Wood’s Horn Formation was a classic assault battle formation!
The sword xiu, who were familiar with Ming Lie Daren for quite a while now, instantly understood that they were going to make a move!
Without any hesitation or keeping anything back, the ling power in their bodies circulated at full power. The flying swords in their hands started to vibrate and hum like starving and blood-thirsty wild beasts. Slight tingling numbness spread over their entire bodies as the battle presence erupted from the deepest part of their souls!
“Kun Lun!”
The flying swords rose up just like these thunder-like roars with that deep pride and zealotry!
In an instantly, the sword energies were like a tsunami that came surging forth!
———
A smear of slight red unconsciously blushed from Gongsun Cha’s face. This caused him to look like a shy and bashful neighbor’s boy.
But landing in the eyes of Zong Ru and the others standing close to him, they instantly understood—Gongsun Daren was excited!
Yes, Gongsun Cha really was excited!
In this short instant, the skill the other had displayed surpassed his expectations.
In suddenly occurring battles like this, the room for a battle general to act was not large. Other than the first response abilities of a battle general, what it tested was the power of the troops!
A mature troop usually did not need the direction of the battle general when it first encountered an attack and would instinctively respond correctly.
Even Gongsun Cha’s consciousness needed a brief amount of time to make a response.
In this instant, the Vermillion Bird Camp sword xiu that were closest to Ming Lie Battalion made their response.
The flying swords in their hands turned to streams of light that stabbed towards the other’s troops. Their bodies moved at the same time as their enemies, pulling them to a position parallel to the other, which tightly followed Ming Lie Battalion.
These dozens of sword lights did not stop Ming Lie Battalion from attacking but caused a few sword xiu at the flanks of the troops to pause for a brief moment.
This seemed as though it was an insignificant effect. It had to be said that even in everyday training, it was not possible for the battle formation to be perfect every time.
No one paid attention. Even those dozens of sword xiu that were affected did not pay attention. In their eyes, these people were like flies and could only disgust them. And if they placed too much of their attention on these flies, then the power of the Wood’s Horn Formation would weaken.
But they did not know the person who they were facing was a person who had hardily survived a great and immeasurable amount of abuse!
After facing Pu Yao’s horrific and perverse pressure, Gongsun Cha was extremely sensitive to slight changes on the battlefield.
He instantly caught this slight change.
His consciousness unhesitatingly moved.
The sword energies that were scattered like threads suddenly gathered towards the flanks of Ming Lie Battalion. Looking from afar, it seemed as though threads were tangling themselves onto Ming Lie Battalion.
They roamed parallel to the flanks of the other’s troops. If they found a chance, they would go and tear off a piece.
The amount of threads that were catching on increased and were becoming thicker.
The Kun Lun sword xiu that were on the flanks instantly had a headache. If the previous duos and trios of sword xiu were just flies that could only disgust them, they were now akin to packs of wild wolves as their numbers increased. If they were the tiniest bit careless, the other would tear off a piece of their force.
Their attention unconsciously moved to the Vermillion Bird Camp sword xiu that were occasionally roaming beside them.
It was without their detection that the presence of the entire assault troop slowly weakened.
Ming Lie detected the danger!
———
The Great Day mo physique was the power that Zuo Mo trusted the most. After his body reached equilibrium again, his Great Day mo physique followed his will again.
But the feeling of using the Great Day mo physique now was completely different than it had been in the past.
The change in every piece of muscle in his body would also pull along changes in the other two powers.