"First activate the array to counteract the divine power on their bodies!"
The two exchanged divine senses and quickly agreed on the battle strategy.
The array buzzed into motion, releasing beams of black light that illuminated the space within the clouds.
As soon as the Qing Jiao Army entered, they were suppressed, falling all the way down until they landed on the black clouds.
These black clouds were solidified by prohibitions and arrays, making them feel as solid as the ground when stepped on.
The two armies faced off.
The Qing Jiao Army hurriedly adjusted their formation, while the Wangchuan defenders remained motionless.
Ning Zhuo focused and observed, seeing the enemy army generally wounded, with some soldiers dragging severely injured bodies. They had clearly just gone through a fierce battle and had not yet had time to rest and heal.
His gaze fixed on the two commanders.
The one on the left was like a humanoid cold smoke, with features that were obscured and vague, emitting a chilling aura surrounded by countless ice crystals.
This was Han Yan.
The one on the right had a hunched figure, leaning on a staff, and his black robe occasionally revealed pale human faces expressing anguished screams.
This was the Hundred Ghosts Old Mother.
Both bore Nascent Soul auras, stationed at the central army.
Qing Chi was eager to move, but Qing Yan stopped him, saying, "We have already reached the enemy. There’s no rush at this moment."
"Let’s probe them first."
Ning Zhuo turned his head to look at him and nodded slightly.
He reached out and threw, deploying numerous mechanical puppets to charge towards the enemy formation.
They ended up becoming debris before covering a hundred steps, bombarded by the enemy’s spells and so forth.
The Wangchuan defenders only attacked from afar, still standing their ground.
Ning Zhuo frowned, his mind in the Divine Sea racing: "Is it the array’s disguise or some unspeakable secret?"
"It’s a pity Qing Jiao Army has a single unit type, unable to integrate my mechanical army."
"Otherwise, I could recreate the advantage from Liangzhu Country."
Qing Jiao Army was newly formed, with a unit type of paper money spirit soldiers. Ning Zhuo’s mechanical puppets differed too much from the paper money spirit soldiers and weren’t recognized by the unit type.
Plus, there was no treasure like a military registration book among their equipment, leaving them with no options.
Qing Yan suddenly said, "Given the current situation, it’s better for us commanders to attack proactively, to probe the reality before calling for the full army assault. Otherwise, having them provide military power for our enhancement is also feasible."
Ning Zhuo nodded: "That’s the only way."
Qing Chi clapped his fist in his hand, glowing with energy: "Alright, I’ll choose that old woman as my opponent then."
"Father, you try attacking that cold smoke person."
Qing Yan waved his hand: "No, you are the commander, stay behind. I and Jiao Ma’s father will go together."
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Qing Chi, as a general, can’t easily deploy, but I can take the lead."
Jiao Ma’s father wanted to offer himself but was firmly stopped by Ning Zhuo’s tough demeanor with just one sentence: "It’s settled!"
Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan walked out from the army, boasting their challenge on the open ground between the two armies.
"Something’s strange."
"The enemy is luring us again. What means do they have?"
Han Yan and Hundred Ghosts Old Mother exchanged divine senses, doubts rising again.
"Currently, the Forbidden Army commanders are only you and me. I should go out, and you stay and guard the army. In case anything happens to me, we won’t be left in a soldierless predicament." Han Yan said.
Hundred Ghosts Old Mother nodded: "My injuries are indeed worse than yours, try to fight for time, I will secretly focus on recovery!"
Having discussed, Han Yan stepped out of his formation, shouting: "A Golden Core, a Foundation Establishment, I alone can fulfill both of your death wishes."
"Come, hand over your lives!"
Qing Yan and Ning Zhuo exchanged looks and, without hesitation, attacked simultaneously.
Han Yan fixed his gaze on Ning Qing, and with a thought, the ice crystals around him shot out.
Upon reaching mid-air, the speed of these crystals increased sharply, transforming into several frigid beams of ice light, their power surging tenfold in an instant.
Ning Zhuo was already on alert, and quickly reacted by casting Earth Element Magic, activating the Earth Element Spleen Temple for reinforcement, and further utilizing military power to raise a thick Earth Wall from the ground as a barrier.
Qing Yan used the earth wall for defense, without dodging, wielding his spear and striking out flowers.
One by one, the green spear flowers shot forth, like a floral rain, enveloping Han Yan as he charged.
Han Yan, with a thought, sent dozen more ice crystals fly out, forming Frost Shields that intercepted the green spear flower midway.
The Ice Line pierced through the earth wall!
The thick earth wall only offered slight resistance for a breath before being penetrated.
Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan reacted promptly, dodging away.
The remaining earth wall was instantly frozen into a block of ice.
Boom boom boom...
A series of muffled sounds, all spear flowers were blocked by the Frost Shields, powerless and fading into oblivion.
Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan both showed a hint of shock on their faces.
Not only them but also Qing Chi and others watching behind were equally startled.
It was merely a probing attack, yet Han Yan demonstrated formidable combat strength.
Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan had military power for reinforcement, and so did Han Yan. In this regard, Han Yan, possessing the Forbidden Army’s military power, was even more advantageous!
Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan relied on various means to leverage greater strength. However, Han Yan himself possessed Nascent Soul Level cultivation and combat strength!
Han Yan charged close and launched an offensive.
With a sweep of his sleeve, he could raise a vast cold wave.
With a finger motion, the ground saw countless sharp Mystic Ice Spines emerging, thrusting upward like bamboo shoots.
With a palm cover, the sky amassed countless Ice Soul Needles, descending overhead.
As the formal engagement commenced, Han Yan firmly held the upper hand, forcing Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan into frantic evasion, with occasional counterattacks that were thoroughly embarrassing.
Ning Zhuo alternated using Five Elements Magic, every strike necessitated the invocation of the Five Organ Spirits for reinforcement, along with consuming military power, otherwise, he wouldn’t qualify to partake in such a fight.
Ordinarily, sharp Gold Element Techniques could take lives, but now could only dispel ice barriers. The overwhelming Water Element Technique was frozen when cast. The fiery Fire-attribute Spell quickly subsided under the ice. The soil-like Earth Element Magic, frail like paper. Wood Element Magic’s forests and vines struggled to grow and were quickly frozen and killed.
Qing Yan faced similarly.
His varied magic artifacts rapidly depleted, while his Lifebound Magical Treasure showed cracks, fighting on while spitting blood.
Qing Chi watched with wide angry eyes, worried, wanting to join the battle, but was strongly dissuaded by Ning Zhuo and Qing Yan through divine sense transmission.
The enemy deployed only one person. Engaging the main general would make things even more disadvantageous.
Han Yan sneered: "Two little mice, how overconfident. Die now."
Ice Technique–Freezing Killing Line!
Han Yan’s cold power concentrated at his fingertips, firing out a pale blue ice line.
The ice line radiated white light, shooting out silently.
However, wherever the ice line passed, even space was impacted, leaving a trail of icy blue frozen marks!
"Trouble!" Qing Yan’s entire body bristled, sensing a mortal crisis.
He exerted full force to evade, but the surrounding cold quickly encased him, slowing his movements.
He could only manipulate his magic treasure shield to defend before him.
The ice line sliced through the shield, as easily as a knife through tofu.
Qing Yan suffered backlash, spitting out a mouthful of blood, taking advantage to alter his body posture and avoid critical harm.
The result was the ice line severing one forearm and half of a leg.
The wound didn’t bleed but was instantly frozen to an icy surface. The dreadful cold quickly penetrated his limbs, digging towards his organs.
Han Yan’s finger swung, guiding the pale blue ice line towards Ning Zhuo.
Ning Zhuo exhaled sharply, activating mana, raising barriers of Earth Element and Wood Element.
Only holding for three breaths before the ice line penetrated entirely.
Heavy Blood Ape · Dasheng!
At the brink of life and death, Ning Zhuo played a trump card.
Yuan Dasheng shielded Ning Zhuo, forcefully propelling the latter away.