The vast blue sea stretched endlessly under the clear sky and bright sun.
Airships floated in the sky, lined up in rows, numbering so many that from a distance they resembled a swarm of locusts as they headed toward Nanchuan Island.
"Clang! Clang! Clang...!!!"
The immense sound of a bell echoed across Nanchuan Island. Every town and village on the island was thrown into chaos. Civilians, their faces filled with fear, hurriedly fled home, locked their doors, and prayed that the upcoming battle of the "Immortal Masters" would not affect them.
It had been a month since Baixing Kingdom declared war on the Boundless Empire.
In this month, Baixing Kingdom had advanced rapidly, conquering three vassal states of the Boundless Empire and seizing five islands!
Nanchuan Island was a key forward base where the Boundless Empire had stationed heavy troops to fend off Baixing Kingdom's assault.
For five days, they had successfully repelled the advances of Baixing Kingdom!
But today was different.
Off the coast of Nanchuan Island, warships cut through the waves, surging forward.
Ten cultivators in the Core Formation stage stood at the bow of a ship. Behind them, Foundation Establishment cultivators gazed in admiration as they discussed their strategy while watching Nanchuan Island.
"Inside those floating airships above us are numerous puppets created over the past decade. If support is needed during the battle below, the puppets will be sent to reinforce our forces."
The leader of this Nanchuan campaign, Yang Sheng, a mid-Core Formation cultivator, stood proudly at the ship's bow, wielding a long spear. Armored and helmeted, the red plume on his helmet fluttered in the wind, giving him a commanding presence.
Lin Li was also one of the ten Core Formation cultivators.
He noticed that, in this sea region, apart from some cultivators like Shallow Water Daoist, who resembled cultivators from Zhao Kingdom, the majority were "body cultivators," warriors like Yang Sheng, who seemed more like Zhao Kingdom's mortal warriors and fishermen.
In Lin Li's opinion, the body cultivators in this region were similar to Zhao Kingdom's martial arts cultivators, those who entered the Dao through martial practice.
However, they were still cultivating immortality techniques, with different emphases.
This was Lin Li's first time participating in a war as a vanguard general of Baixing Kingdom.
"We've been delayed by Nanchuan Island for five days now," Yang Sheng said, frowning. "It's an embarrassment! We, the vanguard army of Baixing Kingdom, are supposed to be the elite forces, yet we've been stalled by such a small island for this long. It's infuriating!"
The others looked grim but remained silent.
Lin Li thought for a moment and asked, "Why have we been delayed for so long?"
Yang Sheng glanced at him but didn't take him seriously.
He knew that Lin Li wasn't a native cultivator of Baixing Kingdom and had only entered the Core Formation stage ten years ago.
To Yang Sheng, Lin Li was the weakest among the ten Core Formation cultivators—possibly even weaker than Shallow Water Daoist, who had formed his core later.
After all, Shallow Water Daoist had long been a revered elder of Baixing Kingdom, with plenty of combat experience.
Yang Sheng assumed that Lin Li was just a young prodigy, talented in cultivation but inexperienced in warfare—he was unaware of Lin Li's impressive achievements in the Blood Trial.
"There are two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators and twelve Core Formation cultivators stationed on Nanchuan Island."
Despite his low opinion of Lin Li, Yang Sheng still responded, "Before you arrived, our vanguard consisted of only fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators, two hundred Qi Refining cultivators, and six Core Formation cultivators. Even with the puppets from the floating airships, we had only one hundred and fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators, five hundred Qi Refining cultivators, and eight Core Formation cultivators."
"Moreover, the puppets are not as agile as real people, so they're not as effective against cultivators of the same level."
"They have twelve Core Formation cultivators and two hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators. I didn't dare to launch an all-out attack because I feared their strength."
"Even now, with you reinforcements here, we only have ten Core Formation cultivators, two Core Formation puppets, one hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, and one hundred Foundation Establishment puppets."
"If we attack head-on, with them having the geographical advantage, we might..."
Before Yang Sheng could finish, Lin Li interrupted him impatiently, "What are the cultivation levels of their Core Formation cultivators?"
Yang Sheng, annoyed by the interruption, reluctantly answered, "One late Core Formation cultivator, two mid-Core Formation cultivators, and the rest are early Core Formation stage."
Lin Li thought back to his time in Zhao Kingdom's Xuantian Sect, where his master, Elder Zou, was a powerful presence in the Core Formation stage.
He knew Elder Zou's strength well.
Although Lin Li had now reached the Core Formation stage, he still wasn't a match for Elder Zou.
However, if he wielded his demon sword and entered his slaughter state, becoming as fluid as water, Lin Li could survive against Elder Zou.
So, he reasoned that even if the late Core Formation cultivator stationed at Nanchuan Island were as strong as Elder Zou, he shouldn't be in any life-threatening danger.
"General Yang," Lin Li suddenly volunteered, "Our strength is insufficient compared to Nanchuan Island. How about you send me as the vanguard to disrupt their formation and lure their experts to chase me? Then, you can take advantage of the situation and attack. What do you think?"
Yang Sheng, who had been quite dismissive of Lin Li, was surprised and impressed by his suggestion. Even his previous misgivings about Lin Li began to fade as he worriedly asked, "That plan is good, but it's too dangerous!"
"Yes, Lin Li!" Shallow Water Daoist, who considered Lin Li family since Lin Li was married to his disciple, the Ninth Princess, tried to dissuade him, "This is unwise! You've only been in the Core Formation stage for ten years. If both of their mid-Core Formation cultivators come after you, there's a high chance you could fall."
Lin Li, however, shook his head and smiled brightly, "Don't worry about me!"
With that, he raised his hand, drawing his demon sword and tossing it high into the air.
"Flying Sword Art!"
Indeed!
Since forming his core, Lin Li had mastered the Breaking Heaven Sword Art over the past ten years.
One of its most useful techniques was the ability to "fly in the air"—a technique only Core Formation stage cultivators could wield.
As a metal-affinity sword cultivator, Lin Li naturally used the Flying Sword Art.
With his magic power, Lin Li sent the demon sword soaring into the sky.
With a swift leap, he landed steadily on the sword, then transformed into a golden streak of light, speeding toward Nanchuan Island!
"What?!"
Shallow Water Daoist was both shocked and worried.
Yang Sheng, on the other hand, grinned, "What a brave and fearless man!"
At this moment, Yang Sheng no longer held any grudge against Lin Li for interrupting him earlier. Instead, he was filled with anticipation for Lin Li's next move.
"Let's hope he causes some serious chaos on Nanchuan Island. If he does, we'll win this war!"