Mu Lan's expression was solemn as still water.
Zhang Hei was bellowing at the entrance of the Red Flower Camp, his roar thunderous, casting a vast negative impact on the army.
Yet, Mu Lan suppressed her rage and said, "General Zhang, quiet down. I have yet to learn what transpired; allow me to investigate first!"
Zhang Hei forcefully contained his anger, repeatedly waving his hands: "You ask, ask quickly!"
Mu Lan questioned the soldiers involved in the brawl, who responded truthfully and expressed their grievances.
"It was the people from the Three Generals Camp who provoked us first!"
"They insulted General Mu, claiming our Red Flower Camp always shifts the blame onto our comrades, acting dishonorably!"
"We did not initiate any attack; it was the people from the Three Generals Camp who first spit, and it landed on our faces."
Mu Lan nodded and addressed Zhang Hei face to face: "General Zhang, the sequence of events has become clear. It was your men who instigated this first. Perhaps you should summon the involved parties to confront the matter directly."
Enraged, Zhang Hei, wielding the Black Snake Spear, once again pointed its tip at Mu Lan: "My soldiers are lying in bed, on the brink of death, receiving treatment."
"Do you truly wish for him to come and confront the issue? Or did you seize this as an opportunity to coerce me with your words?!"
"I came here to seek justice, and it seems I'll have to seek it through fists and kicks."
Mu Lan's expression darkened to the extreme, anger turning into a mocking smile: "Zhang Hei, getting a sudden promotion has gone to your head? Since you keep speaking out of turn, clearly looking for a beating, let me satisfy you!"
Zhang Hei let out a hearty laugh, channeled his Mana, and soared into the sky first.
Instantly, Mu Lan also flew up into the heavens, retrieving a long spear from her storage bracelet.
The Blood-tassel Spear!
Roughly seven feet in length, it felt excellent in the hand, designed with perfect balance for both rapid thrusting and powerful sweeping attacks.
The spear shaft was made from wax-white wood, as tough as iron in texture, smooth on the surface with a slightly yellow tinge, exuding an ancient aura.
The spear tip was razor-sharp, slightly curved, and shimmering with a cold light.
Most eye-catching of all was the red tassel topping the shaft. The vividness of the red threads resembled fresh blood, fluttering in the wind like a flowing river of crimson, creating a stark contrast against the immaculate white of the spear shaft.
Zhang Hei, holding the Black Snake Spear, charged straight up.
Clang, clang, clang!
Spear and lance collided, sparking dazzling fire.
The violent impact, piercingly sharp, echoed throughout the camp.
The commotion caused by Zhang Hei was significant; Red Flower Camp was alerted, with nearly all soldiers looking up to witness this battle.
"This Zhang Hei is too arrogant!"
"They managed to capture Ma Feitui only because our Red Flower Camp weakened him beforehand!"
"What do they have to be proud of!"
"General Mu, give that scoundrel a good lesson!"
The soldiers of Red Flower Camp had complete confidence in General Mu Lan.
Both Zhang Hei and Mu Lan engaged in close combat, clashing and dancing high in the sky.
Zhang Hei's Black Snake Spear was heavy and domineering, his moves rough and straightforward, each swing stirring up a roaring gale, formidable in its presence.
Mu Lan wielded her Blood-tassel Spear as quick as bright red lightning, primarily using thrusts. She cultivated the Xuanjin Armor Breaking Technique, a Cultivation Technique renowned for its armor-piercing capability.
Mu Lan's spear technique was fierce and swift; the tip pierced through the air repeatedly, leaving behind trails of stunning crimson rainbows in the spectators' field of view.
Her movements were simple and unadorned, far from Zhang Hei's wild and showy demeanor, but they were exceedingly precise, forcing Zhang Hei to dodge and evade.
Mu Lan turned, her cape following suit, casting a whirl of light and shadow.
"Whoosh!"
The light and shadow blinded Zhang Hei's eyes, leaving him sightless.
Mu Lan seized the opportunity, thrusting her Red Tassel Spear, its tip piercing the frigid air towards Zhang Hei's right arm.
At the critical moment, Zhang Hei relied on the sound to judge position; he burst back, parrying with his Black Snake Spear.
A dull hit sounded; the Black Snake Spear was knocked off its trajectory.
Zhang Hei's figure wavered, revealing even more flaws.
Mu Lan took the chance, attacking swiftly once more, with the spear tip flashing like lightning toward Zhang Hei's neck.
Zhang Hei retreated again and again, his right arm muscles bulging as he forcibly retracted the Black Snake Spear, managing to prop its head against Mu Lan's spear tip.
He took a breath to recover, then grasping the spear with his left hand, his arms exerted force together.
"Ha!"
He pushed hard, forcing General Mu Lan's Blood-tassel Spear aside.
General Mu Lan moved like the wind, her figure nimble, circling to the left, and once again with lightning speed, her Blood-tassel Spear thrust diagonally towards Zhang Hei's abdomen.
Zhang Hei grunted, too late to defend this time, as a bloody hole was pierced through his stomach.
He clenched his teeth and withstood the pain, his spear descending from above, smashing towards the top of General Mu Lan's head with a ferocity that screamed a willingness to trade life for life.
General Mu Lan, not wearing a helmet and unwilling to gamble with her life, was forced to retreat.
Zhang Hei barely stabilized his stance, fearless, his fighting spirit burgeoning with rage within.
"Come again!" He brandished the Black Snake Spear, charging forward.
A flash of appreciation flickered in General Mu Lan's eyes: "Quite the valiant warrior."
Her Blood-tassel Spear did not cease stabbing, occasionally sweeping across, creating a torrent of spear attacks that enveloped Zhang Hei.
Zhang Hei, like a beast trapped in a snare, roared continuously, fighting desperately, but more and more wounds appeared on his body, bleeding profusely.
The advantage General Mu Lan held over Zhang Hei was incredibly stark!
However, as the battle continued, Zhang Hei's strength grew rapidly.
His eyes filled with fury, he waved the Black Snake Spear, casting a swath of shadows that moved with shocking speed.
The shadows surged like waves.
The Black Wave Sky Technique!
Zhang Hei's Cultivation Technique gradually began showing its miraculous effects; simple attacks often resulted in massive waves of darkness, causing damage to all enemies within a certain area.
And on his body, his great tendons bulged out, wrapping around him like flood dragons, giving him even more formidable strength.
Innate—Fierce Python Tendons!
This innate ability allowed a Cultivator, upon succumbing to rage, to have their tendons expand and condense rapidly, forming long, python-like muscles, granting the Cultivator terrifying power.
The angrier the Cultivator, the stronger their physical foundation; the power brought about by the Fierce Python Tendons was correspondingly staggering.
Clang!
Once again, the Blood-tassel Spear clashed with the Black Snake Spear.
But this time, it was the Blood-tassel Spear that was knocked aside, and the Black Snake Spear kept thrusting forward!
A fierce gleam flickered in General Mu Lan's eyes, sensing danger, and she began to attack with all her might.
Zhang Hei's arms swelled like mountains, with python-like tendons wrapping around his body, the power he brought forth was like a torrential flood.
The Black Wave Sky Technique!
The Fierce Python Tendons!
The Black Snake Spear!
With these three forces combined, each of his strikes could lift surging black waves. Within the waves, the spear moved like a flood dragon causing havoc, exceptionally ferocious.
And as Zhang Hei's strength in battle grew even more immense, the Black Snake Spear became heavier and more domineering.
The spear swept across like a giant wave rolling, its power enough to destroy any enemy standing before it!
General Mu Lan, nimble as the wind, gradually felt like a red bird overlooking a black sea, a sense of helplessness setting in.
"This can't go on! This black fiend..."
General Mu Lan would never admit defeat, especially in front of her own troops.
With a cold snort, she withdrew and soared away, swiftly creating distance.
Zhang Hei was taken aback, thinking of General Mu Lan's swordsmanship, and immediately gave chase.
But he couldn't match General Mu Lan's speed and was easily left behind by her.
General Mu Lan pulled out her military treasure, the Red Phoenix Bow, and notched a Fiery Heart Arrow.
Then she activated her Divine Skill, the Red Heart Arrow!
Zhang Hei felt his scalp tingle, feeling himself firmly locked on, no matter where he might flee, he couldn't escape.
"So this is what the temple priest at the Dragon King Temple must have felt."
"Such terror!"
"I'm going to die!" Zhang Hei desperately widened his eyes, determined to face death head-on!
The next moment.
Puh.