Chapter 212: Yan Luo Tian, Why Are You Laughing?
The cold, clear voice echoed through the skies, bringing a collective sigh of relief to the Black Mountain Fortress allied forces. The number of Dou Zongs on each side was now equal!
Even if they couldn't secure a victory in this battle, at the very least, they could hold their ground and buy some time.
Yun Yun gripped the sword in her hand, her red lips slightly pursed as she gazed at the slender, white haired figure above. She couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart. A Dou Zong... Despite the Poison Sect Leader's youthful appearance, she had reached such a terrifying level of power. It was truly enviable.
Yun Yun herself had trained tirelessly, supported by the vast resources and countless pills of the Yun Lan Sect. She had personally fought on the frontlines, honing her skills in life and death battles. Only then had she managed to reach her current level of strength: an eight star Dou Huang.
In just one year, she had advanced three stars within the Dou Huang realm a speed that would have seemed unimaginable in the past. But... this war had been sparked partly because her teacher wanted to secure cultivation resources for her!
Compared to the Poison Sect Leader, Yun Yun's progress felt slow. Not just the Poison Sect Leader even Medusa had already advanced to the Dou Zong realm!
"I must become stronger. Otherwise, I'll always lag behind," Yun Yun thought, her jade like hand tightening around her sword as a sense of urgency arose in her heart. Once Lu Bu returned, she resolved to ask him for advice and see if he had any solutions.
Meanwhile, in the gathering point of the Snake People Tribe:
"Thankfully, the outcome of this battle shouldn't be disastrous..."
Two elderly women from the Snake People Tribe let out relieved sighs. There was still a chance they could survive until their queen returned.
"Chief Yin Shi, I heard you've already sent a message to Her Majesty?" A bald headed man with his arms crossed spoke, his voice tinged with chill. While the Dou Zong battle unfolding in the skies was thrilling, it was frustrating for the Snake People Tribe to simply watch from the sidelines.
"Yes, Great Commander!" Yin Shi replied respectfully. "Her Majesty said she is on her way back!"
"Her Majesty replied?" The two elderly women's eyes lit up instantly. As some of the oldest members of the tribe, they knew how difficult it was to reply to a secret message like this.
This meant... their queen's current strength was likely far beyond what anyone could imagine.
"Indeed..." Yin Shi nodded, still puzzled. While he was the eldest of the eight commanders, he didn't know the queen's current circumstances in as much detail as the elders did.
"Where did Her Majesty go during this time... and how did her strength improve so quickly?" The Fourth Elder murmured, stunned.
"Who knows? Let's ask her when she returns," the Third Elder said calmly.
"Her Majesty is finally coming back!" The bald headed man's heart burned with excitement, his eyes filled with anticipation as he muttered to himself.
In the distant skies, amidst slightly distorted space, the yellow robed elder of the Lion Abyss Sect observed the densely packed figures below, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Fight, fight! It'd be best if all of you died and dragged each other to hell. Then, my Lion Abyss Sect can claim this place without lifting a finger!"
"Hmph, if it weren't for the appearance of a Dou Zun in Jia Nan Academy, who would even bother with this godforsaken backwater?" The yellow robed elder sneered with disdain as he stood with his hands behind his back. If those below didn't wipe themselves out by the day's end, he was prepared to step in and finish the job.
After all, the remnants of their forces were already a collection of ragged, weakened soldiers. Crushing them wouldn't take much effort at all.
High above Black Mountain Fortress:
As Xiao Yi Xian rode in on her blue eagle, Xie Bi Yan caressed the cane in his hand, a sinister grin spreading across his aged face. "Heh... so you dared to come. It seems the lesson I gave you last time wasn't enough!"
"Xie, you old ghost, come at me! Let's see how much you're really capable of!" Xiao Yi Xian's white hair billowed as her long dress fluttered despite the lack of wind. Her cold voice rang out as gray and purple Dou Qi swirled around her pale, slender fingers.
Her delicate fingers twitched, and the grayish purple hue intensified. Her nails extended several inches, sharp as ten finely honed daggers.
"You refuse a toast and insist on drinking poison instead. You have no chance of winning this fight!" Xie Bi Yan sneered.
"Enough nonsense!" Xiao Yi Xian roared, her figure transforming into a streak of white as she shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
In an instant, gray and purple energy swirled violently, creating a nauseating stench that caused both Yun Shan and Yan Luo Tian to grimace. Without hesitation, they distanced themselves from the fierce battle between Xie Bi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.
"Hehehe, good! Let's see what you've got!" Xie Bi Yan laughed sinisterly. With a single step, he vanished into a blur of shadows. Countless afterimages flickered across the sky, giving the illusion of multiple figures darting around.
At that moment, the two Dou Zong combatants clashed like colliding meteors. Their explosive battle sent shockwaves rippling through the sky, unleashing waves of chaotic energy that roared like tidal waves and swept across the battlefield.
"Hahaha... Yun Shan, those two have already started. Now it's our turn!" Yan Luo Tian's arrogant laughter boomed as he spoke.
Clang!
With a metallic screech, a dazzling pair of ten meter wide golden wings unfolded behind him. In a flash, his figure blurred and shot forward.
"Hmph!" Yun Shan's eyes glinted coldly. He formed a hand seal with his left hand, then thrust his right palm forward toward an empty section of the sky.
"Great Wind Palm Seal!"
With a low shout, a gust of fierce wind howled. A massive green palm surged from Yun Shan's right hand, slamming into the void ahead.
The space around it warped violently as sharp metallic screeches echoed through the air. One after another, golden feathers materialized from the void, only to be shattered by the green palm condensed from Dou Qi.
"Yan Luo Tian, is this pathetic trick all you've got?" Yun Shan mocked with a cold laugh.
"Hahaha! As expected of the Yun Lan Sect's leader you're not half bad!" Yan Luo Tian's loud, arrogant laughter rang out. However, his expression twisted into a savage sneer moments later. "Then try this on for size!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, golden light erupted from his body. In the blink of an eye, his Dou Qi condensed into a brilliant golden suit of armor.
Spikes emerged from the armor's shoulders, arms, elbows, legs, and even his feet, each razor sharp and glinting coldly under the sunlight. From a distance, Yan Luo Tian resembled a deadly golden porcupine.
"Hahaha, Yun Shan, let's fight again!"
Yan Luo Tian transformed into a streak of golden light, charging toward Yun Shan. The razor sharp spikes on his armor tore through the air, producing a piercing sound that echoed sharply.
Yun Shan's expression shifted slightly. His injuries had not yet healed, and close combat with Yan Luo Tian was far from ideal.
However, Yan Luo Tian's relentless and precise movements made evasion almost impossible. Seeing the aggressive approach, Yun Shan's eyes flashed with cold determination. A longsword materialized in his palm if it came down to a deadly clash, he would not back down!
"Hahaha… Good! You dare challenge me in this state? Do you have the strength for that?" Yan Luo Tian laughed gleefully, thrilled at Yun Shan's decision to engage despite his injuries.
"Disciples of Yun Lan Sect, form the Cloud Veil Sun Covering Formation!"
At that moment, a clear, commanding voice rang out from the fortress below. Almost immediately, countless voices echoed in unison.
Strands of white energy rose from the fortress, swirling around a poised, elegant figure in the sky, resembling a sea of white clouds.
Yun Yun's face was stern, her jade like hand clenched as the rolling cloud like energy condensed into a massive white bow, as tall as she was.
Her slender fingers plucked the bowstring and drew it back. A giant arrow of white energy, three meters long, materialized at her fingertips, locking onto Yan Luo Tian, who gleamed like a beacon in the sky.
Just as Yan Luo Tian was pressing his assault on Yun Shan, he suddenly felt a pang of foreboding. His attacks instinctively slowed he could sense that the massive energy arrow was no ordinary threat.
Yun Shan's eyes sparkled with resolve. Seizing the opening, he infused his sword with a powerful surge of energy and slashed forward.
Divided attention during a battle? Courting death!
Clang!
Yan Luo Tian let out a muffled groan as a deep gash appeared on his golden armor, faint traces of blood visible beneath it.
With a flick of his finger, Yun Shan wiped the blood off his blade, a mocking smirk curling on his lips.
"How dare you!" Yan Luo Tian's expression darkened. The fact that Yun Lan Sect's Cloud Veil Sun Covering Formation could threaten him was an unexpected humiliation. That woman was merely an eight star Dou Huang!
"Attack! All forces, charge!"
Enraged, Yan Luo Tian roared and ordered a full scale assault. "Whoever breaks Yun Lan Sect's formation will be granted the core techniques of the Golden Sun Sect!"
"Kill!"
The promise of a great reward spurred the soldiers into a frenzy. Their morale surged as they roared and charged toward the Black Mountain Fortress like a tidal wave.
"Members of the Scorpion Gate, attack!"
At the same time, Xie Shan, the leader of the Scorpion Gate, issued his command. Leading a group of powerful warriors, he charged forward, wielding two steel clubs with an ominous grin, heading straight for the fortress.
"Disciples of the Mulan Valley, today is the day we reclaim our country! Kill every last one of these Jia Ma Empire scum! And those half human snake freaks too!"
"Do you think the Jia Ma Empire is defenseless?" Jia Xing Tian's thunderous voice rang out as he ascended into the air, riding atop his massive serpent like magical beast, the Youhai Jiao. Golden light radiated from his body as the beast beneath him let out a sky shaking roar, its blue glow spreading like a wave.
Behind him, a wave of Jia Ma Empire elites surged forward. Among them were Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, and a host of Dou Wangs who charged at the Scorpion Gate's forces.
Boom!
Jia Xing Tian clashed head on with Xie Shan. The latter staggered back, his face flushed red as blood churned in his chest.
While Jia Xing Tian wasn't a match for Xie Bi Yan, defeating Xie Shan was a different story.
"Jia Xing Tian, your opponent is us!" Two figures leapt at him one with a bear's head and the other with a lion's. They were two of the three elders of Mulan Valley, infamous for cultivating the Three Beasts Savage Wild Art. While they had once been able to fight Dou Zongs as Dou Huang peak level warriors, the loss of one member in previous battles had weakened their power. Now, they were merely at the peak of the Dou Huang realm.
At the same time, Xie Shan, having recovered from his earlier blow, joined the fray, attacking Jia Xing Tian alongside the Mulan Valley elders.
In an instant, Jia Xing Tian and the Youhai Jiao found themselves facing three Dou Huang peak level opponents at once!
"Hey! Scorpion Gate and Mulan Valley scum, have you forgotten about us Snake People?" The bald headed Snake People commander appeared in the sky, his muscular fist surging with powerful Dou Qi. With a furious roar, he slammed his fist into the fray.
Boom!
A terrifying shockwave rippled through the battlefield as the Snake People commander joined Jia Xing Tian in engaging the enemies from Mulan Valley, the Scorpion Gate, and the Golden Sun Sect.
"Kill!"
On the fortress walls, Dou Lings and Da Dou Shis who could not yet fly roared as they brandished their weapons and leapt into the fray, determined to prevent the invaders from breaching the fortress.
"Don't let these bastards step into our land!" shouted a member of the Nalan family, leading the charge.
Xiao Li wielded a silver spear with icy precision, his eyes cold as he struck repeatedly. Each thrust of his spear claimed a life. Behind him, members of the Xiao family and the Mo Tie Mercenary Group formed a battle formation, pressing forward relentlessly.
Yun Yun glanced at the chaotic battle below but quickly turned her focus back to her target. With the Cloud Bow in her grasp and the Cloud Veil Sun Covering Formation empowering her, she locked onto Yan Luo Tian, ready to fire a lethal shot at any moment.
In the skies above, Yan Luo Tian's anger grew as he clashed with Yun Shan. What had initially been an exhilarating fight now felt stifling and constrained.
He had to remain on constant guard against Yun Yun's arrows, yet he couldn't afford to drop his focus against Yun Shan. The old man wasn't an easy opponent; the slightest lapse could cost Yan Luo Tian his life.
"Xie Bi Yan, it seems your plan has failed!" On another battlefield, Xiao Yi Xian taunted coldly. "Yan Luo Tian is on the verge of defeat. Soon, you'll face me and Yun Shan together!"
Xie Bi Yan's face twitched in frustration as he cursed Yan Luo Tian's incompetence. He couldn't help but grumble about Yun Yun's cunning as well.
The Cloud Veil Sun Covering Formation, the Yun Lan Sect's protective formation, had never been revealed before. Yet now, it was proving to be a devastating trump card in this battle.
An eight star Dou Huang serving as the formation core, able to threaten even those at the Dou Zong level!
"Tian Poison Lady, let's see who lasts longer you, or Yan Luo Tian!" With a vicious gleam in his eyes, Xie Bi Yan roared, and his aura surged once more, instantly suppressing Xiao Yi Xian.
Xie Bi Yan was a renowned veteran fighter, a four star Dou Zong. While Xiao Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body was immensely powerful, she had only recently broken through to the Dou Zong realm and was still lacking in mastery of her level.
Meanwhile, in a faintly distorted section of the sky, the yellow robed elder of the Lion Nether Sect watched the intensifying battle below with a pleased smile.
"Good, good! Fight! Fight with all your might!" he chuckled. "No matter which side wins, the ultimate victor will be my Lion Nether Sect!"
His eyes shifted, and his gaze lingered on a graceful figure standing with a bow in hand. A peculiar smile appeared on his face.
"That woman… she's quite suitable. She'll make a perfect gift for the Sect Master," he mused. "No need to kill her once this matter is resolved, I'll take her away."
As for the Tian Poison Lady, he sneered to himself, "What a waste. If it weren't for her toxic skills, she might have been another fine offering for the Sect Master. She has the looks and the figure, but she just had to train in poison techniques. What a shame. She could've lived a better life learning to entertain and serve instead."
Suddenly, the yellow robed elder's expression changed. His gaze turned toward a distant spot on the battlefield, where a powerful Dou Wang aura was quickly approaching.
This Dou Wang aura was unusual intensely hot, wild, and fierce, exuding an extraordinary presence.
"What kind of tricks could a mere Dou Wang possibly pull off?" The yellow robed elder smirked coldly. His fingers, hidden behind his back, began to emit faint golden light as he readied himself to intervene.
His role was simple: ensure that the battle remained evenly matched. The ideal outcome would be mutual destruction. Should the scales tip too heavily in favor of one side, he was prepared to step in and restore balance.
"Xiao Yanzi, the battle at Black Mountain Fortress has begun!" Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind, carrying a hint of urgency. He understood the importance of Xiao Yan's family in the young man's heart.
"Teacher, what's the situation?" Xiao Yan frowned, his Fire Wings trembling as he sped up, with Nalan Yanran held in his arms.
"There are four Dou Zongs fighting. Beyond that, I can't sense much." Yao Lao sounded weary. His severe injuries and weakened soul power meant his senses were now inferior even to Lu Bu's.
"Seems like we'll be able to tip the scales of this war," Xiao Yan chuckled confidently.
With that, he stomped his foot and accelerated, the rushing wind howling in his ears. Licking his lips, Xiao Yan couldn't help but think of Lu Bu's Three Thousand Lightning Movement. "I need to find myself a decent movement technique soon."
At Black Mountain Fortress, fierce winds howled in the distance. Despite the chaos of the ongoing battle, the four Dou Zongs in the skies immediately sensed the approaching presence.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, the Dou Huangs at the peak of their strength also noticed the incoming aura. Judging by the direction it was coming from, it could only be… an ally?
Jia Xing Tian, Hai Bodong, and Fa Ma exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with cautious hope. Could it be reinforcements?
"Hahaha! How could I miss a fight like this?" A loud, confident laugh rang through the air. A figure with purple brown flame wings appeared above Black Mountain Fortress.
"Xiao Yan?" Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Association, blinked in surprise. He still had a deep impression of this champion from the alchemist competition.
"This kid was just a Da Dou Shi a year ago. How is he suddenly a Dou Wang?" Fa Ma gasped aloud in shock.
"What does it matter? He's just a Dou Wang," Hai Bodong muttered, deflecting an attack with his ice spear.
"You fool, have you forgotten about the soul spirit within him?" Fa Ma shot back.
"Uh…" Hai Bodong's retort was cut short as the memory hit him.
In the sky, Yun Shan also glanced at Xiao Yan, his thoughts stirring. He had personally experienced the power of the soul spirit residing within the young man.
"Hahaha, hahaha! Yun Shan, is this your reinforcement?" Yan Luo Tian's loud, mocking laughter boomed across the battlefield. "A mere Dou Wang?"
"Yan Luo Tian, what's so funny?" Yun Shan retorted coldly.
"Hahaha, I'm not laughing at anyone but you and that foolish Tian Poison Lady!" Yan Luo Tian's laughter grew louder. "You're fighting this hard only to rely on a Dou Wang for backup?"
"Hahaha! Yun Shan, if I were you, I'd surrender right now and save everyone the trouble. Counting on a Dou Wang? What wishful thinking!"
On another part of the battlefield, Xie Bi Yan sneered as well. "Tian Poison Lady, if that's the best you have… your side is doomed."
Xiao Yi Xian's icy gaze didn't waver. She didn't respond, as she wasn't aware of this person's arrival.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, hearing Yan Luo Tian's unrestrained laughter, raised an eyebrow. His lips curled into a smirk. "This man's corpse will be mine," he murmured to himself.
With a flick of his fingers, a streak of silver light shot forth.
Boom!
The sound of an explosion echoed as a massive silver figure stomped into the air, causing the sky to tremble. Its metallic fist rose high, and without any unnecessary movements, it delivered a devastating punch straight at Yan Luo Tian.
Boom!
The strike was pure, unadulterated power. The air compressed into a visible shockwave, forming a massive air cannon that roared toward Yan Luo Tian.
"What?!" Yan Luo Tian's face paled in shock. A chill ran down his spine as terror flooded through his entire being.
From his hidden perch in the distorted void, the yellow robed elder's expression darkened instantly. "What a bold brat!"
He clenched his fists, realizing he couldn't sit back any longer.
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