"Young Master, Xiaoxie..."
At this moment, Hu Shan looked at Zhang Jian, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.
He was somewhat unsteady on his feet; the roar of the tiger demon shook the mountainside. If not for his good fortune, having been slightly farther back, he might not have escaped unscathed.
Zhang Lu stood beside him, slightly shaking his head. Hearing Hu Shan's words, he suppressed a headache and looked back. More than half of the dozens of soldiers had fallen, their courage shattered by the roar, while others had fainted, their faces deathly pale.
Only a few, like him and Hu Shan, had practiced the Body Forging Technique, making them more resistant and thus not killed by the sound waves.
The two maids, Mei Zhu and Peach Blossom, also lay among the crowd.
Unsure if they were dead or alive.
Zhang Jian glanced over and instantly knew these two young girls were probably beyond saving.
A deep shadow flickered in his eyes.
And there was Xiaoxie.
The young veteran, timid yet courageous, had accompanied him on several bandit suppression missions and was originally being nurtured as a future mid-level officer for the Zhang Family Army.
Yet he died in the aftershock.
Zhang Jian felt a mix of shock as he watched these people fall. His heart inexplicably stirred, but he quickly suppressed the strands of sadness and anger rising within.
"Zhang Lu, send a message to Fourth Uncle immediately, have him bring people for rescue. Also, gather these comrades' bodies and give them a proper burial when we return. Their deaths won't be in vain; I will avenge them!"
"For now, I must rush to the Commandery City. I fear something has happened there! If I'm late, it might be too late."
Zhang Lu nodded quickly in response.
"Young Master, leave this to me. You can rest assured!"
Zhang Jian nodded. A strong unease gripped his heart, but he knew with his current speed, reaching the Commandery City might still be too late. However, he had his own methods.
He channeled his magical power to activate the Spirit Communication Seal within him.
On the mountain ridge, moments later, a seven-colored divine light shot through the sky, and the graceful silhouette of the Feng Ling Mountain God emerged from it. She immediately saw the chaotic and tragic scene on the mountain path.
Slightly frowning, the Feng Ling Mountain God looked at Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian asked, "Fellow Daoist Feng Ling, do you have a way to help me return to Fengyang Commandery City as quickly as possible?"
Hearing this, the Feng Ling Mountain God glanced at Zhang Jian and couldn't help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, is it urgent?"
Zhang Jian's expression was solemn: "Sooner is better than later!"
If his suspicions were correct, the situation in Fengyang Commandery City would not be optimistic.
The Yu Family knew of his Dao Practice yet dared to incite this tiger demon to seek revenge, indicating their determination.
The Feng Ling Mountain God's eyes showed slight hesitation, but moments later, she spoke.
"In that case, I will personally send Fellow Daoist Zhang on his way!"
With a gentle smile, the seven-colored divine light manifested on the mountaintop, and a massive black phoenix suddenly appeared, its vast wings and multicolored plumage predominantly dark in color, enveloped in an intense black light, exuding a sacred and profound spiritual pressure.
"Phoenix!"
At this time, Zhang Lu, Hu Shan, and some of the soldiers were stunned by this sight.
Although the phoenix's body was largely dark black, its form unmistakably indicated it was the legendary Divine Beast. Radiant vitality descended from the void, landing on the gravely wounded soldiers, restoring their strength.
"With a Divine Beast accompanying him, the Young Master is destined for greatness!" Hu Shan, holding a long saber, was also awestruck.
In tales, those accompanied by Divine Beasts invariably achieved great deeds.
Simultaneously, a clear voice rang out.
"Brother Zhang, please come aboard, and I'll take you back to the Commandery City!"
Seeing this, Zhang Jian was slightly moved.
But hearing the words, he transformed into a stream of light, landing on the back of the massive black phoenix, and softly said.
"In urgent times, thank you first, Fellow Daoist Feng Ling!"
"No need for that, it's just a small matter. You once saved Feng Ling, putting aside past grievances, and she's always been grateful. Now having the chance to assist a fellow Daoist, it's only right for Feng Ling to offer her help!"
Though manifesting her phoenix form, the voice resonated in Zhang Jian's mind remained gentle and melodious.
The black phoenix slightly spread its wings, instantly becoming a rapid black line and flew directly toward Fengyang Commandery.
Seated on the black phoenix's back, Zhang Jian felt extremely stable, the phoenix's feathers emanating a faint fragrance, akin to clouds.
The flying speed was incredibly fast, resembling a black rainbow, deeply shocking Zhang Jian.
The speed at which this Divine Beast flew was truly terrifying.
As a cultivator of Divination Foundation Establishment, he could already fly using the Wind Walking Technique, but compared to this Divine Beast, he was as slow as a tortoise.
Even ordinary Spirit Beasts couldn't match this.
Zhang Jian marveled, understanding why men seek precious steeds.
It's much the same for cultivators; relying on oneself to fly, who knows when it would end.
In what seemed like just a few moments, he had crossed a thousand miles.
The Fengyang Commandery City was in sight.
From afar, the Dragon and Tiger Qi swirling above Fengyang Commandery appeared to be boiling, cries of battle resounded from the military camp outside the city, and flames and smoke confirmed Zhang Jian's unease.
"Fellow Daoist Feng Ling, thank you. Leave the rest to me!"
Zhang Jian gently spoke, then soared into the air, transforming into a stream of light heading towards the military camp.
"Fellow Daoist, call out if you need any help!"
High in the sky, the vast form of the black phoenix reverted to human form amidst the seven-colored divine light, her voice lingering in Zhang Jian's mind.
Zhang Jian nodded, but he didn't want to drag Feng Ling into this political upheaval.
The Divine Dao had its rules; meddling recklessly would bring trouble to Feng Ling.
In the military camp, the battle was nearing its end, as Qi Yuansi and a dozen armored military generals emerged, currently clearing out the rebels.
Upon seeing a crimson Thunder Light descending, his face changed, recognizing Zhang Jian, Qi Yuansi's expression momentarily shifted, then turned to joy.
"Ah Yu, you're just in time; something's happened in Fengyang Commandery!"
Zhang Jian quickly surveyed the chaotic camp, slightly furrowing his brow.
"Second Uncle, what's going on?!"
Qi Yuansi, with a grim face, said, "It's the Yu Family; they unexpectedly attacked. If not for someone tipping us off, and my prior arrangements, they might have succeeded. But now my main concern is Fengyang Commandery. Early today, Yu You invited Father, Brother-in-law, and the Gu Clan Leader to the Commandery Governor's Mansion for discussions..."
Anxiety flickered in his eyes.
Zhang Jian's expression slightly changed but recalling the guards he had assigned to Zhang Yi, his eyes slightly flickered, then said.
"I'll head to the Commandery Governor's Mansion immediately. Second Uncle, you should first return to the Qi Family. If the Yu Family dares act against you, they likely won't spare the womenfolk in the Qi Family manor!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuansi was startled and solemnly said.
"I'll immediately dispatch people to the Qi Family manor! Simultaneously, I'll lead troops into the city to quell the rebellion!"
Zhang Jian nodded, "I'll head to the Commandery Governor's Mansion at once!"