He did not rush to pull the trigger, for he remembered the teaching Zhao Ya imparted to all the crossbowmen after giving his orders.
The upcoming battle was going to be extremely brutal because both sides were comprised of top martial artists.
Therefore, as snipers, they only had one chance to strike.
If the first attempt failed, they needed to change positions immediately.
In such a situation, every opportunity to attack was extremely precious.
He hoped they would cherish it and not become impatient.
Gui Xuanqing firmly remembered these teachings and was faithfully adhering to them at this moment.
The figures rushing towards them were very fast, and within a blink, they were clearly visible.
Moreover, as they rushed, they swayed back and forth, obviously aware of the potential mechanical crossbowmen in hiding.
But Gui Xuanqing completely ignored these evasive maneuvers, his crosshairs locked firmly on the one running in the front.
The moment he dashed out from behind a large tree, Gui Xuanqing abruptly pulled the trigger.
With a slight vibration, the crossbow arrow shot out, instantly covering a distance of a hundred steps, hitting the target squarely in the forehead.
Thud!
The crossbow arrow penetrated the brain and deeply embedded into the tree behind.
The man shuddered violently, a glimmer of confusion flashing in his eyes, evidently not expecting such a formidable crossbowman.
However, it was too late to say anything now; he collapsed to the ground, blood mixed with white brain matter flowing beneath him.
And Gui Xuanqing’s shot was like a bugle call to battle.
In an instant, arrows flew from the trees, from the bushes, even from beside an inconspicuous puddle, all targeting the intruders,
some hitting the mark, while others missed.
But, no matter what, the offensive rhythm of the three-family allied forces was suddenly disrupted.
Screams and blood splattered through the forest like careless strokes of paint.
Ye Xunhuan heard this clearly from outside the forest, his face becoming very grim.
"They are using the mechanical crossbows from the tower; I didn’t expect the South Canglong to employ them."
Jingping Saint had already opened his eyes by now, still sitting steadily on the palanquin without a trace of urgency, as if those who died in the forest weren’t his subordinates.
Not only that, but he also watched the area at the edge of the forest with interest.
"You said that the last time your group was poisoned, leading to everyone except you being annihilated, was here?" Jingping Saint said calmly.
Ye Xunhuan nodded, "Yes, it should be when crossing the outer edge of the forest that we got poisoned."
Jingping Saint shook his head, "It seems there shouldn’t be any problem now."
Just as he spoke, Jingping Saint suddenly lifted his head, a peculiar glimmer flashing in his eyes.
"How bold to come down the mountain?"
With the words, Jingping Saint rushed out and disappeared into the forest in the blink of an eye.
Seeing this, Ye Xunhuan was momentarily stunned, then shouted immediately.
"Charge in, everyone!"
Since Jingping Saint had revealed that there was no poison at the forest’s edge, they naturally had no more scruples about fighting.
As for those who had rushed in earlier, most were from the Wilderness Divine Sect; dead was dead, Jingping Saint didn’t care, so Ye Xunhuan certainly didn’t...
And as they charged into the forest, Gui Xuanqing, hiding behind a boulder, forced himself to suppress his inner fear and once again lifted the mechanical crossbow.
The figure that had rushed into the forest, disappearing in the blink of an eye, had shocked Gui Xuanqing immensely.
Though it was just a quick glance, that imposing aura that could make one shudder overwhelmed Gui Xuanqing.
He knew that must be the main character this time, the North Canglong’s Jingping Saint.
But there was nothing he could do about it, only silently praying that the elders and Brother Zhao Ya could remain safe.
The only thing he could do now was inflict as much damage as possible on the three-family allied forces rushing in.
Yet this time, he only managed to fire one arrow.
After successfully killing one person, Ye Xunhuan noticed him and then raised a hand to point.
"There!"
Immediately, someone charged towards Gui Xuanqing’s position.
Gui Xuanqing’s heart trembled; though he wished to fire another arrow,
at this distance, he was sure he could hit the target.
But he also knew there was no time left.
If he fired another arrow, he would surely lose the chance to escape.
And his brother had made it clear before, if danger came, he must first ensure his own safety.
There was no shame in that.
So he turned and ran along the predetermined escape route.
Chasing after him was a steward from the Separation Tower; seeing Gui Xuanqing hunched over, darting rapidly into the depths of the forest, he let out a sinister laugh.
"Boy, where do you think you’re going?!"
With that, he tapped his toe on the ground and rushed towards Gui Xuanqing.
But halfway there, a plume of smoke sprayed out from a dense bush beside him.
The smoke was greenish-white, carrying a sickly sweet aroma.
The Separation Tower steward’s heart trembled violently; instinctively, he held his breath and tried to dodge.
But it was too late.
For this battle, Zhao Ya had pulled out all his hidden poisons.
This greenish-white poisonous smoke had a fierce and intense toxicity; not even touching it, just a slight contact would result in severe poisoning.
Even a Meridian Opening Realm practitioner would find it hard to escape.
Naturally.
Such powerful toxicity also meant enormously high costs.
It was for this battle that the Azure Dragon Pharmacy brought out medicinal materials treasured for unknown years.
Otherwise, Zhao Ya wouldn’t bear to concoct such expensive poison.
In an instant, the steward from the Separation Tower felt as if his insides were burning, his whole body itching unbearably, wishing he could peel off his skin to relieve the itch.
Realizing things were bad, he turned to escape.
But at that moment, spears thrust out from the trees on both sides, directly piercing through his head.
The steward from the Separation Tower didn’t let out a sound before dying on the spot.
After withdrawing the spears, the two disciples from the Azure Dragon Temple on the trees above jumped with joy.
Because they had followed Zhao Ya’s instructions to hide in the tree, waiting for the opportunity.
At first, they had doubts, wondering who would be dumb enough to stand still under the tree and let themselves be speared.
But soon reality slapped them in the face.
The combined efforts of the two easily killed a Meridian Opening Realm enemy.
Meanwhile, Gui Xuanqing reached the next sniper point, immediately setting up the mechanical crossbow, aimed at Ye Xunhuan and others in the distance, and started shooting.
Gui Xuanqing’s situation was not unique; all snipers’ positions, including their retreat routes, had been meticulously planned.
This was the true achievement of Zhao Ya’s nonstop busyness during this period.
In no time, the three-family allied forces not only failed to advance but suffered casualties.
Ye Xunhuan was furious upon seeing this.
Damn it.
This time, although there was no poison laid at the forest’s edge, the tactics were even more despicable.
Smoke could spray anytime from bushes, trees, even puddles.
This was also the main reason they were losing men.
Ye Xunhuan shouted in anger, personally launching an attack, heading straight for the incessantly shooting crossbowmen in the distance.
With his strength, even encountering a poison smoke attack, he could resist most of it.
And once he got close, killing those Southern Canglong disciples would be easy as pie.
But at that moment, many figures suddenly shot out from all directions, one of them the fastest, reaching Ye Xunhuan in the blink of an eye, and slapped at him with a raised hand.
Ye Xunhuan saw the hostility in the newcomer and met the palm with his own.
With a loud bang, Ye Xunhuan staggered back, while Qin Jianji, who exchanged blows with him, also stepped back several paces.
But Qin Jianji didn’t pause for a moment, charging again, colliding with Ye Xunhuan.
Meanwhile, other elders moved upon hearing the wind, clashing with those from North Canglong, Separation Tower, and the Wilderness Divine Sect.
Thus, the battle between the North and South Canglong formally began.
The forest resounded with cries of battle.
And on a distant hilltop, elders from various sects were arriving one after another.
Zhuo Tingqin stood atop the tree, gazing at the distant forest, then whispered to Nan Liangyu on the branch beside him.
"Senior brother, Jingping Saint isn’t at the perimeter; he should have ventured deep alone."