Chapter 213
"What?!"
As they watched the massive, oppressive air cannon barreling toward Yan Luo Tian, everyone inside and outside Black Mountain Fortress was utterly stunned. What was that silver metallic figure, and how could it possess such immense strength?
"A puppet…" Yun Yun's eyes flickered with recognition. Back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yan had also used a puppet. Only later did she learn that the puppet was crafted by Lu Bu. Though the current one looked different, it was very likely another of Lu Bu's creations.
If Xiao Yan or the soul spirit residing within him had such capabilities, they wouldn't have been in such dire straits during the events atop Yunlan Mountain!
However… back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, that puppet was only of Dou Shi level strength, barely enough to spar with a Da Dou Shi. It wasn't extraordinary.
How, in just a year, had Lu Bu managed to refine a Dou Zong level puppet?
How did he even achieve such a thing?
Yun Yun's gaze grew complicated, and an increasing sense of urgency welled up in her heart. Lu Bu had far too many secrets. This time, she couldn't let him slip away so easily!
"What a powerful puppet…" Xiao Yi Xian was equally shaken. Puppets like these were unfeeling, unyielding constructs. For poison masters like her, they posed a substantial threat.
A poison master's most formidable weapon was their potent toxic Dou Qi, which could terrify even humans and magical beasts alike. However, puppets were immune to such effects. Once her poison became ineffective, her combat strength would plummet.
Xie Bi Yan, who was fighting Xiao Yi Xian, had the same realization. His eyes turned icy cold this was trouble! He would need to capture that brat and uncover the source of these puppets, or he wouldn't rest easy.
"Elder Xie, save me!" Yan Luo Tian's face twisted in terror. Against that incoming punch, he had no means of defense!
Yun Shan had already distanced himself from the attack. That punch forget Yan Luo Tian even Yun Shan wouldn't have been able to withstand it!
BOOM!
But just at that moment…
The seemingly unstoppable air cannon was intercepted by a golden light. From within it, an elder in a yellow robe with golden thread slowly revealed himself. His face was dark with anger.
"Damn brat! How dare you interfere with this seat's plans?!" the elder growled sinisterly. With a sudden wave of his sleeve, a burst of energy shot out, soundless but so powerful that the surrounding space twisted in its wake.
Clang!
A crisp metallic sound erupted, like a hammer striking steel. A tremendous shockwave spread outward like tidal waves. Xiao Yan's Earth Demon Puppet trembled violently, stumbling back before falling beside its master.
"Six star Dou Zong!" Yao Lao's somber voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
Xiao Yan's expression darkened. His grand plans for a triumphant return had just run into the roadblock of a six star Dou Zong?
"Damn it!" Xiao Yan cursed, frustration flashing across his face. What terrible luck!
The sudden arrival of this new player left Black Mountain Fortress in stunned silence. What was going on? Why had another Dou Zong appeared out of nowhere?
Xie Bi Yan breathed a sigh of relief, though he quickly shot a furious glare at Yan Luo Tian, who was just snapping out of his shock. Damn it, what were you laughing at earlier?!
"Lion Nether Sect?" Yun Shan's expression shifted. As the former Yunlan Sect leader, he was well versed in various sects. He had seen these robes during the sect tournaments and immediately recognized their origin.
"Sir, what does the Lion Nether Sect intend with this? Was it your sect that orchestrated the involvement of Wan Xie Sect in this war?" Yun Shan demanded urgently.
The many strong combatants and soldiers in Black Mountain Fortress all paused, waiting to hear the meaning behind this new arrival.
"Don't misunderstand. This has nothing to do with the Lion Nether Sect," the yellow robed elder said casually. "This seat is here simply to wipe out the Jia Ma Empire, the Yunlan Sect… oh, and the Snake People Tribe. That's all."
"What?!" The faces of everyone from the Jia Ma Empire, Yunlan Sect, and Snake People Tribe turned pale. What had they done to provoke such wrath?
"Why?" Yun Shan's grip on his sword trembled, rage building in his chest. Was this person not taking them seriously at all?
"There's no why," the elder sneered. "I want to destroy you. What does it matter to you?"
At these words, both Yun Shan and Xiao Yan's faces darkened. It was clear that there was no room for negotiation only a fight to the death.
"Brat, I'll deal with you first, then the others!" the yellow robed elder snarled, lifting a withered hand to summon a massive Dou Qi hand that slammed down toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's expression changed as he commanded the Earth Demon Puppet to shield him. At the same time, he pushed Nalan Yanran toward the Yunlan Sect's protective formation with a soft pulse of Dou Qi.
Clang!
Another deafening clash echoed as the Earth Demon Puppet and Xiao Yan were sent flying.
"Let's see how long you can last!" the elder sneered, striking again with another Dou Qi hand.
Anger flashed across Xiao Yan's face as purple brown flames surged from his body. Moments later, the flames split into two distinct colors deep blue and bright red. His aura soared, momentarily reaching the peak of the Dou Wang level, crossing an entire major realm.
"Oh? Not bad. No wonder you dared to meddle," the elder said with a smirk. He stepped forward again, launching another attack.
The elder's goal was simple: keep Xiao Yan tied up while the rest of the battlefield descended further into chaos.
Xiao Yan's face twisted with both anger and frustration. He had thought his Earth Demon Puppet would turn the tide of the battle, but instead, he found himself being toyed with by a six star Dou Zong.
What happened to my triumphant return? My moment of glory?
Xiao Yan's lips twitched bitterly. He could only imagine how pathetic he must appear to everyone watching.
"Xiao Yanzi, that six star Dou Zong's body will be a fine prize. Hold on I'll look for an opportunity to take him out," Yao Lao's voice rang in his mind.
Xiao Yan's frustration lightened slightly at the words. Fine. Let's do it that way then.
On the other side of the battlefield, Xie Bi Yan let out a sigh of relief, thinking the newcomer must have been sent by the Hall of Souls' Iron Protector.
"Hehe… Tian Poison Lady, did you really think I joined this war without ensuring victory?" Xie Bi Yan sneered at Xiao Yi Xian, whose expression remained cold and unmoved behind her veil.
The battlefield hadn't changed much despite the new arrivals. Neither the Dou Wang nor the unexpected Dou Zong had shifted the tide of battle significantly.
Nothing special after all, Xiao Yi Xian's calm gaze seemed to convey, making Xie Bi Yan's eye twitch in fury.
"Blood Demon Scorpion Emperor?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes narrowed in shock.
"Impressive eyesight!" Xie Bi Yan sneered. "Today, you'll experience the power of my 'Blood Soul Technique!' Surrender your life, Tian Poison Lady!"
The crimson tattoo of a scorpion on his chest came alive, its menacing aura exploding outward. As the tattoo merged into his body, Xie Bi Yan's form began to grow, his hands transforming into massive, bone white pincers.
In an instant, he became a half man, half scorpion monstrosity, his aura surging to the level of a five star Dou Zong.
Xiao Yi Xian's expression shifted slightly, her face firming with determination. Her white hair floated in the air without wind, her left eye turning deep violet while her right eye became an eerie gray. Poison Dou Qi surged upward in a cyclone around her, her aura rising significantly to a level roughly comparable to Yan Luo Tian's a mere two star Dou Zong.
"Hahaha! Yun Shan, you didn't expect this, did you?" Yan Luo Tian laughed uproariously, his head thrown back as though venting all his fear from moments before. "You have reinforcements, and so do we!"
Yun Shan's face twitched. On one hand, Xie Bi Yan was indeed a powerful and daunting adversary; on the other, Yan Luo Tian's insufferable laughter made his blood boil.
Even Xie Bi Yan, who was locked in combat elsewhere, felt his face contort. Still laughing?! Don't you dare laugh us into more trouble!
"And my reinforcements are stronger than yours! Hahaha!" Yan Luo Tian laughed so wildly it seemed like he'd lose his balance, the exaggerated laughter filling the sky.
"Hahaha… If I were you, I'd use that Dou Wang brat to lure out the Lion Nether Sect expert and then have the puppet sneak attack them. Hahaha!" Yan Luo Tian's laughter grew louder and more arrogant. "Hahaha, Yun Shan, you lack cunning! If you'd done that, Xie Lao and I would surely be finished! Hahaha!"
"You idiot, stop laughing!" Xie Bi Yan roared, his face red with fury. "Hurry up and finish Yun Shan!"
"Gah !" Yan Luo Tian suddenly stopped laughing, his face turning bright red as if someone had choked him. He froze in place, stunned by Xie Bi Yan's scolding.
"Heh. I don't have a puppet… but a sneak attack? Let me oblige you." Yun Shan sneered coldly.
Zing!
As soon as the words fell, the twang of a bowstring resounded through the battlefield.
A beam of white light shot forth like a meteor, streaking toward the stunned Yan Luo Tian, who had yet to recover his senses.
Yan Luo Tian's expression turned to horror. Golden light erupted from his body as he hastily summoned his defenses, flapping his wings to retreat.
Too late!
Yun Yun had been preparing for this moment all along, patiently waiting for the slightest opening.
Pfft!
The arrow pierced through Yan Luo Tian's right shoulder, and a mist of blood erupted.
It wasn't a fatal wound, but Yun Yun's arrows weren't so simple.
Yan Luo Tian's face turned ashen as a strange white energy spread from the wound, seeping into his meridians and limbs. Although the arrow had missed his vitals, he was now gravely injured.
Yun Yun's exquisite face was cold and resolute as she nocked another arrow and drew her bow. This time, she aimed for a killing shot.
Xie Bi Yan's face twitched violently. Of course, his laughing caused another problem!
"You fool! Did you forget I still have a disciple and a protective formation waiting for you?" Yun Shan sneered as he raised his sword and charged at the injured Yan Luo Tian. "Now that you're injured, let's see how much arrogance you can muster in front of me!"
Yan Luo Tian gritted his teeth, his face livid with rage. Clenching his jaw, he raised his sword in his left hand and clashed with Yun Shan. "Yun Shan, come if you dare! Even injured, I'll drag you to hell with me!"
High above, the three Dou Zong battlefields returned to stalemates, while below, the battlefield of Dou Huang, Dou Wang, and ordinary soldiers erupted with renewed fury. Roars and clashes rang out as everyone resumed their fight.
The outcome was still uncertain. Victory was still within reach.
This thought filled the minds of everyone on the battlefield. Yan Luo Tian of the Golden Goose Sect was clearly losing to Yun Shan of the Yunlan Sect. But on the other side, Xiao Yi Xian of the Poison Sect was also being pushed back by Xie Bi Yan of the Wan Xie Sect.
It all depended on which side held out longer and which battlefield crumbled first!
"Heh heh… So you're the legendary Woeful Poison Body?" Xie Bi Yan said with a sinister laugh as his massive scorpion pincers clashed with Xiao Yi Xian's sharp, poison coated claws.
Even Xie Bi Yan, an expert who had spent his life immersed in poison Dou Qi, felt a flicker of dread when faced with the toxic miasma swirling around her. The Woeful Poison Body truly lived up to its reputation terrifying beyond words!
"Heh heh heh… But every time your Woeful Poison Body unleashes its full power, you edge closer to its ultimate eruption. When that happens… you'll die for sure!" Xie Bi Yan sneered. He wasn't afraid of Xiao Yi Xian's poison. In another year or two, he might not dare to face her. But now? He was confident he could kill her.
"That has nothing to do with you," Xiao Yi Xian replied coldly, her voice devoid of emotion, like the chill of eternal frost. "All you need to know is that I can kill you."
"Then come try it!" Xie Bi Yan laughed as his blood colored aura surged. His massive scorpion tail lashed out, its venomous stinger stabbing toward Xiao Yi Xian.
"Heh heh… Yun Shan, it seems your ally is starting to falter," Yan Luo Tian jeered as he glanced at the battle between Xie Bi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian. His grin turned sinister if Xiao Yi Xian fell, victory would be within his grasp once more!
"Hmm?"
But just then, Yan Luo Tian's expression shifted. His head snapped toward the distance beyond Black Mountain Fortress. Someone was approaching.
Even Xie Bi Yan paused his attack briefly, wondering if an even more formidable foe was arriving.
The sound of rushing wind filled the air as two figures appeared above Black Mountain Fortress: a fair skinned young man and a delicate little girl. Both radiated the aura of one star Dou Huang.
"Lu Bu!"
Yun Yun's face lit up with joy. She immediately lowered her bow, her heart soaring with relief. The real reinforcements had arrived!
This is the man I admire most!
"Hahahahaha!" Yan Luo Tian suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing across the battlefield. He pointed at Lu Bu and the little girl, clutching his stomach as he laughed uncontrollably.
Xie Bi Yan's face darkened. Laughing again?!
Lu Bu and Zi Yan exchanged glances, their expressions puzzled. They both looked at Yan Luo Tian as though he were an idiot.
"..."
Perhaps it was the weight of their gazes, but Yan Luo Tian's laughter suddenly halted, his expression faltering. Was one of them a hidden expert?
But after carefully sensing their auras, he relaxed. They were nothing more than two unremarkable one star Dou Huangs. He felt his confidence surge again, and he resumed his raucous laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!" Yan Luo Tian laughed so hard tears streamed down his face.
"Yun Shan, you're supposed to be a master tactician, and Yun Yun is hailed as a genius strategist. But now, I see you're both fools pinning your hopes on two one star Dou Huangs!"
"I may be injured, and Xie Lao is giving his all, but if another Dou Zong or puppet were to appear, our forces would collapse completely. We'd be utterly defeated!"
"Ahahaha! Hahahaha!"
Yun Shan, Yun Yun, Hai Bodong, and Jia Xing Tian all exchanged strange looks. This guy… was entertaining in his own way.
"A puppet? Funny thing, I happen to have one," Lu Bu said with a strange expression before grinning slyly.
With a flick of his fingers, a silver figure materialized in the sky.
"Gah ?!" Yan Luo Tian's laughter abruptly cut off, as though he'd bitten his tongue mid laugh.
Xie Bi Yan's face turned black with fury. He wished he could snip Yan Luo Tian's head off with his pincers. Damned fool! Why couldn't you just stop laughing?!
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