Chapter 1002: Chapter 996: Every Sacrifice Is Worth It
“These past few years, Ba Siyu has sent people to give us a warning.”
Li Changsheng’s words carried a hint of amusement.
“A few years ago, when people from the Yun Clan went missing, Ba Siyu turned a blind eye. Lately, he has become exceptionally ‘impartial’. In his eyes, the disappearance of insignificant ants has become a major case. His talk was nothing but a warning.”
“Bi Shihu couldn’t stay in Sunfall City any longer, but upon arriving in Highsun City, he became a Marshal again.”
Li Changsheng’s voice fell.
Li Changyao picked up the conversation, quite furious.
“Not only that, these scoundrels are audaciously defying the natural order!
An assassin is guarding the border between Deston Prefecture and our Azure Cloud Prefecture.
Several experts from the Heavenly Principle Hall have died by his hands, and they even dared to touch the Eternal Immortal Sect.
Bi Shihu is also patrolling the border, parading his military might in the city. Our experts can’t come in, and they can’t go out.”
Seeing his sister so furious, a trace of relief flashed through Li Changsheng’s eyes.
When the clan’s Void-Breaking Pill arrived, it was originally meant for Changyao, but Changyao kept it a secret and gave it to Xinnian.
Otherwise, if Changyao had refined the Void-Breaking Pill, given her fiery temper, the first thing she would do upon coming out would probably be to go on a worldwide killing spree.
Looking again at Li Xinnian’s calm demeanor, Li Changsheng smiled and changed the subject. “Xinnian, are you going to break through?”
Li Changyao completely forgot about the Yun Clan members and Bi Shihu reveling in their petty success—it was just dogs barking wildly.
Xinnian’s breakthrough was the truly important matter.
“Mm.” Li Xinnian smiled.
“I have not disappointed the high expectations of the elders. I wouldn’t dare waste the Void-Breaking Pill for nothing.”
“Good, good, good!”
Li Changyao was overjoyed.
“Go ahead and break through the Void. As for the pill, during the Ancestral Sacrifice, we will just ask the Old Ancestor to bestow another.”
…….
Battles were frequent in Deston Prefecture, and thirty-two years passed in the blink of an eye.
[Year 850]
[For years, minor skirmishes have occurred between the Wu tribe and others in Deston Prefecture.
The great war between the Wu tribe and the human race rages endlessly, and the human race’s army is ready to march.
The Spear Saint of Sunfall City is actively seeking a major battle to deliver a heavy blow to the Wu tribe.]
Highsun City.
On Ba Siyu’s Top-Grade Dharma Treasure, the Carefree Cloud, this mighty figure of the Imperial Protectors Guard looked increasingly radiant after decades of battling the Wu tribe.
The great war between the human race and the Wu tribe was nothing more than going back and forth—you attack me, I attack you.
Through these constant exchanges, the veterans gradually grew numb, while the newcomers’ blood boiled with excitement.
Yet Ba Siyu never tired of it. Today was another council meeting of the cultivators in Highsun City.
“That old thing, Gu Fenghua, wants to fight his way back into the Shadowfell Prefecture in one battle. If this battle is won, you all will have achieved great merit!”
Ba Siyu laughed loudly,
“Your opportunity has arrived. For this battle, the imperial court has ordered that those who earn merit by killing the enemy will receive the Emperor’s grace.
With the Human Emperor enacting this law for the dynasty, gaining a hundred or even a thousand years of cultivation base is right before your eyes.
The Wu tribe once slaughtered the citizens of our dynasty; it is time for us to strike back.”
“The Wu tribesmen have invaded our Shadowfell Prefecture and Sunreach Prefectures for quite a few years.
Some of their large tribes have already taken root in our dynasty’s territory, and even our lands have been transformed into parts of forests by their Wu technique.
This, too, is our opportunity.”
“The Wu tribe is famous for having an abundance of natural treasures.
Obtaining the treasures of a single tribe can bless your descendants, or even allow you to break through to higher realms. Every sacrifice is worth it!”
His speech didn’t mention anything about the duty to defend the territory, yet it was highly effective.
The cultivators who had come to Highsun City from all over the dynasty were all filled with fervent excitement because of this, and they were already gathering their subordinates, ready to go.
Before long.
Only Ba Siyu’s confidant Zhou Chengli, along with Bi Shihu and Yun Manlou, remained in the hall.
Ba Siyu frowned and stared at Yun Manlou, saying in dissatisfaction,
“Prefecture Lord Yun, I have waited for you for over thirty years. Now that a great battle is imminent, why haven’t I seen even half a trace of Dao Rhyme in my Highsun City?
It seems I truly cannot count on your Yun Clan for this great battle.”
Off to the side, Zhou Chengli’s expression remained unchanged, merely casting a glance at Yun Manlou, who was covered in cold sweat.
Over these thirty-odd years, he had gradually come to understand Ba Siyu’s intentions.
Ba Siyu’s mind was incredibly meticulous. He had been continuously molding the Yun Clan, using them to offend others on the outside.
Outside of Deston Prefecture, the Yun Clan had already forged enmities with the Eternal Immortal Sect, the Zhangsun Clan, the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary, and even the Immortal Suppression Department.
Even if the Yun Clan’s Old Ancestor reached Body Integration, he would only be reduced to a vicious dog belonging to Ba Siyu, not daring to leave his side.
Then there was Bi Shihu, who had also become an out-and-out running dog.
Toward such a method of controlling people, Zhou Chengli couldn’t help but inwardly praise its brilliance.
“Reporting to Your Lordship, my clan’s Old Ancestor truly is just one kick away from crossing the threshold, as you have witnessed with your own eyes.”
Yun Manlou said apprehensively,
“It’s just that at the Old Ancestor’s current age, he only has this one chance to break through to the Dao.
Regarding the Dao of ‘Spiritual Energy’ that he cultivates, there are quite a few cultivators in the world attempting to break through to this realm.
The methods of using natural treasures brimming with the laws of spiritual energy must have been used by others, so he must find a new path.”
“Find a new path?”
Ba Siyu actually let out a sigh of relief and didn’t ask further.
If the old thing from the Yun Clan were to recklessly break through to the Dao, he would only view the Yun Clan members as pigs and dogs.
“Yes.” Yun Manlou said in a deep voice,
“The matter of breaking through is a matter of life and death for my Yun Clan, so I ask for Your Lordship’s understanding.
However, the opportunity for the Old Ancestor to break through lies with the Li Clan.
The Old Ancestor asked this subordinate to report that all things in the world are spiritual.
The people of the Li Clan possess stunning and unparalleled talent; they can assist him in stepping onto the Dao path.”
Eating people!
Ba Siyu tapped lightly on the armrest, his fingertips moving increasingly fast as he guessed the Great Dao the Yun Clan’s Old Ancestor intended to break through.
Basing it on spiritual energy, and then attempting to break through a Dao path that no one else had walked—this Daoist method had been used by many, and there were quite a few man-eaters in the world.
Ultimately, one had to gain the recognition of the Great Dao to open up a path uniquely their own.
This was also the Great Dao used by many demonic cultivators when the dynasty was first established; it was the most cruel, yet also the most feasible.
Amidst his thoughts, Bi Shihu had already let out a cold sneer.
“This subordinate has already dispatched Divine Archer Guan Mingxuan to keep a close eye on the Li Clan members who came to Deston Prefecture.
Inside the Golden Toad Divine Palace are Li Yunlin and Jiang Chenghuan. Both are at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm and also command the Azure Cloud Army.”
“A retainer named Dongfang Xuan came to the Li Clan, and she is also at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm.”
“The Azure Cloud Li Clan excels at hiding their clumsiness.
Guan Mingxuan has already scouted out traces of two other hidden Void Refinement experts in the Li Clan. The movements of those two are bizarre and hard to trace.
They are also the trump cards that gave the Li Clan the audacity to challenge Prefecture Lord Yun and this subordinate back then.
At the very most, even if one of those two is at the Half-step Body Integration realm, the Yun Clan’s Old Ancestor can deal with them.”
“Furthermore, since they are retainers, why would they truly risk their lives for the Li Clan? In an evenly matched situation, they will definitely flee.
Moreover, we have prepared for decades. This subordinate and the Yun Clan have both summoned our good friends; we must make the Li Clan swallow their bitter regret in Deston Prefecture!”
“Lord Wu Neng of the Immortal Suppression Department already has a rift with the Azure Cloud Li Clan.
Even if the small clique the Li Clan later formed wants to come to their aid, it will be too late.”
Ba Siyu’s fingers went from lightly tapping the armrest to softly stroking it.
Bi Shihu glanced at Ba Siyu’s movements and said calmly,
“A great battle is imminent, and various factions are deploying their troops. The Li Clan hasn’t dared to come out these past few years. Your Lordship is heading to the front lines, so how could you possibly bother with these trivial matters?
If half of the Shadowfell Prefecture’s territory is taken in this battle, you can then launch expeditions against Sunreach Prefecture.
With a Body Integration mighty figure under Your Lordship’s command, expanding the dynasty’s territory is right before your eyes.”
“Step down.”
Ba Siyu waved his hand casually; comparing the various factions required deep and bitter thought.
Yun Manlou and Bi Shihu exchanged a glance, both their mouths curling upwards as they left shoulder to shoulder.
Zhou Chengli’s expression was calm. He bowed to leave, but suddenly stopped when he heard a voice by his ear.
“Old Zhou, you are a bit quiet today.”
With his back to Ba Siyu, Zhou Chengli’s expression changed.
As he turned around, he hastily composed his face, smiling at the playfully observing Ba Siyu, “I was merely feeling compassionate at the thought of a clan that has been utterly loyal to the country declining here in Deston Prefecture.”
Hearing this, Ba Siyu actually felt somewhat relieved.
Frowning, he said, “Nonsense, Old Zhou. Of those of us who came to Deston Prefecture, how many are not fighting for the country and our human race? A saintly heart cannot save the dynasty, much less the human race.”
“Only Spiritual power can save people. Sacrificing one powerful clan to gain a Body Integration expert means we can kill more Wu tribesmen and save more humans.”
Zhou Chengli nodded in agreement.
But what kind of damn logic was this? Zhou Chengli couldn’t understand it, nor could he agree with it, yet he had no choice but to lower his white-haired head.
“Old Zhou, stay by my side these coming days. When my grand army enters Shadowfell Prefecture, I will need you.”
The cultivators on the Carefree Cloud prepared their Dharma Treasures, and the mighty figure issued his orders.
Standing on the edge of the clouds, Zhou Chengli looked down at Highsun City below.
The cultivators in the city were busy; spirit ships floated in the sky, and cultivators rode flying swords through the air.
Lowering his old eyes, he saw that the Li Clan’s Chamber of Commerce was still bustling with endless streams of people.
“Why… why haven’t you left? Why haven’t you left?”
…
By the window, Li Changsheng raised an eyebrow as he watched the spirit ships floating in the cloudy sky.
A cultivator hurriedly arrived in Highsun City.
“Reporting to the Immortal Masters of the Azure Cloud Li Clan!
Lord Spear Saint of Sunfall City has anticipated the enemy’s moves and has decided that the three cities will launch a swift attack on the Shadowfell Prefecture to take the Thousand-Blade Pass!
This battle is sudden, intended to paralyze the Wu tribe. The grand army of Sunfall City has already charged out under the Spear Saint’s leadership. We must assist them with all speed!”
“The military merits for this battle are abundant. I ask that everyone make their choice: you may fight alongside the army, or you may assist in guarding our Highsun City.”
After finishing his words, he departed.
In such massive cultivator battles, scouts from various factions were hidden everywhere. Sometimes, keeping even one’s own people in the dark was the norm.
Li Changsheng looked down and saw that the customers of the Clan’s Chamber of Commerce had also scattered in alarm due to this sudden combat order.
It wouldn’t be long before Highsun City descended into chaos.
“The time has come.”
Li Changsheng raised his head.
Footsteps echoed from behind him.
Li Changyao was already fully equipped and ready to go.
Wearing the Li Clan’s battle armor, she carried the Pew-Pew Pink Bow on her back, which had been tempered time and time again and was now a Low-Grade Dharma Treasure.
Two clusters of flickering flames darted around the left and right shoulders of her armor.
These were astonishingly the two clusters of Heavenly Fire that Li Changsheng had found for Li Changyao using the Human Emperor’s Eye back then.
“In the direction of Silver Wolf Lake. Changyao, do you see the one surnamed Yun? Yun Manlou.”
“I see him.”
Li Changyao nodded slightly.
She took the pink bow off her back, a pale blue afterglow flashing through her eyes in an instant.
From her quiver, she drew one of the Top-Grade Dharma Treasure arrows Li Yaotie had forged for her.
[Shadow-Slaughtering Gale Arrow]
[Contains the laws of Wind and Annihilation.
With Zhao Tingyu’s spine as the foundation, imbued with the power of Wind-attribute laws sent by the Old Ancestor, and forged from various Wind-attribute natural treasures.
Its shadow is formless, possessing extreme lethal intent.]
“Kill him.”
Yun Manlou was heading rapidly toward Silver Wolf Lake, moving in a great hurry.
Even though he was thousands of miles away, he was incredibly clear in Li Changyao’s eyes.
Inside the secret room of the Li Clan’s Chamber of Commerce.
Li Xinnian withdrew his body full of blood Qi.
Sensing the Spiritual power of his Great-Aunt Changyao above the Chamber of Commerce, his thin lips moved slightly, “It’s starting, and you didn’t even give me a heads-up.”
In an instant, his entire body surged with blood Qi, his Void Refinement Spiritual power majestic.
He actually burst right through the roof of the Chamber of Commerce like a bloody shadow!
“Whoosh!”
As scorching and freezing Qi emanated into the cloudy sky, Li Xinnian’s eyes were blood-red.
Stepping onto the “Shadow-Slaughtering Gale Arrow” fired by his Great-Aunt, he rode through the void, his long hair flying, his left hand behind his back, and holding the Yun-Slaying Saber in his right hand.
Without a single word, he charged forward to kill, much like the silence of the Li Clan members over these past decades.
—
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