As the stiff chicken was discussing how to go to the restaurant, the Eight Banner Marshals suddenly let out a shout. Then a long spear like a whip, imbued with the majestic power of the Great Luck Dragon from behind, slashed straight towards the gloomy clouds above.
Golden Simurgh, the whole chicken, was getting tense, thinking to itself, "Please don't ruin my rice bowl, at least save me some food, right?"
Xu Qing reached out and grabbed Golden Simurgh, trying to rush out of the military formation.
This chicken was truly dizzy from hunger, daring to approach people just for food at the moment when the chef was most capable of fighting.
"The food's not cooked yet, just stay put!"
"I'll call you when the food is ready!"
Xu Qing knew that rushing wouldn't get him anywhere, as he watched the changing dynamics of the battle, knowing that the Eight Banner Marshals and the Yin Erosion King were still engaged in combat. As for Golden Simurgh...
A good chicken must be used against a fierce opponent. Right now, the Yin Witch's Yin Erosion Flag hadn't even been unfurled, and who knew how many lurking poisonous insects were waiting to appear. They couldn't frighten the snake away with just an appetizer!
Above the clouds, the Yin Erosion King gripped an iron mace formed by thorns, surrounded by swirling souls from the Bone Relieving Device, as countless Yin Ghost Evil Qi flew out from the device, clawing at the Great Luck Dragon in the air.
At the same time, the King swung all four arms, the iron mace weighing thousands of pounds aimed forcefully at the dense spear shadows, while the other two arms wielded a massive axe, ready to strike—truly intimidating!
As for the Eight Banner Marshals, under a cloud of insects that obscured his massive figure, akin to that of a city gate, the Marshal was also disrupted by a moon cycle above, but fortunately, the Great Luck Dragon was roaring in turmoil around him.
The dragon used its claws and mouth, tearing at the sky filled with poisonous insects. Instantly, the dragon's roar and the insects' hissing mixed together, and Xu Qing, standing in the formation, felt as if he was experiencing a rain of insects.
Golden Simurgh excitedly picked up those insects, though it didn't fully understand its six years of hunger, at least there was hope now for days without food worries.
Looking at Golden Simurgh's green eyes that had turned red, Xu Qing couldn't help but suspect that this chicken had deliberately fasted since he mentioned treating them to a buffet.
"This chicken shouldn't be so stupid, right? Does it really think it's only been half a year of hunger?"
...
Above, the Eight Banner Marshals and the Yin Erosion King were in a stalemate.
Yet, just as the two leaders were locked in a fierce battle, an unexpected change happened in the formations.
Behind the Eight Banner Marshals, as large as a city, the Great Luck Dragon that had been displaying formidable power suddenly let out a long cry and then shrunk sharply as if its muscles and bones had been extracted.
Yin Witch's eyes lit up, though she didn't know why the Dayong Marshal's aura suddenly weakened sharply, she realized now was undoubtedly the best time to unleash a deadly move.
The Yin Witch held a insect flute in her left hand and the Yin Erosion Flag in her right. When the flag swelled with the wind, countless insect kings and various poisonous insects flew out from the flag. In an instant, they amassed into an army, foul and widespread.
At the same time, north of Jin Sect.
In the harsh winter, north of Jin Sect within the pass, a middle-aged man clad in a dark cloak stood upon a high platform.
He seemed to embody the northern spirit after residing there for many years, his brows reflecting a rugged heroism native to the region, standing there like a Treasure Sword unsheathed, unable to conceal its sharpness.
In front of the middle-aged man was an orderly array of civil and military attendants and a black mass of elite troops.
Behind him were offerings: sacrificial cattle, liquor from the celestial prisons.
Flags, altars, wolf smoke, military formations, as the middle-aged man in a dark cloak gazed at everything before him, he felt the oppressive emotions built up over the past dozen years completely released, leaving only the ambition to reach the heavens.
The man waved his sleeve, giving a deep bow as he prayed to the Celestial God and Earth Mother, then faced Jin Sect, prostrating three times, praying:
"Father's spirit is not far, I, Zhu Yong, stand here today, bringing solace to the ancestors and locals."
Once done, Zhu Yong raised his wine cup with both hands, facing his ministers.
"Now Dayong is without virtue, the faint monarch reigns, employing treacherous ministers leading to desolate lives and starvation! I, Zhu Yong, though lacking talent to govern the land or the power to rival legendary figures, pledge to lead by example, inherit the mandate of heaven, follow the people's hearts, act with heaven's righteousness and cleanse the world!
Let the wind and snow serve as witnesses, let the spirits examine, here before Snowthroat's mighty pass, I establish my residence and raise my banner, declaring myself as 'King Xiang,' swearing to reverse the world's decline and restore peace within!"
Just as Zhu Yong finished speaking, outside Snowthroat Pass, amid the mountains, suddenly myriad rays of light appeared, resembling a phoenix emerging from a valley. Circling the mountaintop a few times, it transformed into rainbow light piercing the sun, dissipating between heaven and earth.
General Yin Chengshan took the opportunity to shout loudly the title of King of Northern Xiang, echoed by other generals. In an instant, the entire Snowthroat Pass enveloped by wind and snow seemed to heat up because of it!
Outside Snowthroat Pass, two figures were concealed within the mountain snow.
"I'm getting old, just exerting a few manifestations takes so much effort."
"How can you say you're old? It's just misfortune of timing. In this era of great calamity, who else can manifest such divine and immaculate magical powers like you?"
"True, it's been years since I've seen anyone upholding righteousness except my few old friends at the Five Elders Temple and Henglu Mountain, leaving only you."
"Haha, I can't be called a good person. I do all this just to become an immortal. Even seeking you was simply because you're concerned for the lives of the people—a good-hearted old man."
The old man leading them glanced sideways at the masked figure beside him, shaking his head.
"I hope as you say, this lad blessed with imperial fate can return the world to some peaceful moments..."
...
In the Ancient Yin River Dao.
At the moment Zhu Yong declared himself king in the north, half the fate that encircled Dayong's capital was suddenly siphoned away, causing the Great Luck Dragon to shrink visibly.
Moreover, the Great Luck Dragon supported by the Eight Banner Marshals' back also diminished and drooped.
Xu Qing noticed something amiss, he activated his Yin Pupil to observe. Besides seeing the rapidly declining energy of the Golden Armor Marshal, he also witnessed the Great Luck Dragon behind him tightly enshrouded by a mass of insect cloud.