Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 69 (213): [Tang Wanqiu]
(69th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
***********************************
The earth trembled, and the sound of swords rang out.
Li Ling manipulated a dense swarm of Golden Talisman Swords, transforming them into a brilliant river of swords.
This torrent not only crashed against Ming Niansheng but also surged through the Martial-Mystic Cultivators present, throwing the forces of over a dozen factions into chaos.
Each Golden Talisman Swords possessed the power of a full-force strike from a Fourth Stage Martial-Mystic Cultivator in the Five Seas Realm.
Yet their sheer number overwhelmed even Ming Niansheng, a Successor-level expert, forcing him to retreat continuously.
He could no longer maintain his human form and reverted to his massive, red-haired Demon Clan body.
As Zouwu galloped toward Li Weiyi, the reins were pulled taut, bringing the beast to an abrupt halt. Its front hooves reared high, and its roar echoed throughout South City.
Li Ling soared into the air, her right hand forming a talismanic seal, and pressed it down toward Ming Niansheng from afar.
"Whoosh! Whoosh..."
The dense swarm of Golden Talisman Swords converged, forming a ten-meter-long, nearly solid golden giant sword that plunged down at an angle.
The giant sword was heavy, its blade razor-sharp, and its energy domineering.
"Pfft!"
Blood splattered.
Ming Niansheng's abdomen was torn open by a half-foot-long gash.
He was knocked back by Luansheng Linyou's palm strike, narrowly avoiding being disemboweled.
"Whoosh!"
The golden giant sword shattered, transforming into countless golden talismanic runes that swirled around Zouwu, Li Weiyi, and the Ghost General.
Li Ling landed back on Zouwu's back, her fingers still forming a seal, her eyes blazing with Spirit Fire: "Three hundred runes, three hundred soldiers! Who says the Jiu Li Tribe has fallen? I'm still here! I've come!"
Li Weiyi noticed that the golden talisman sword in flight was no longer just a single rune.
Something was carrying it, transforming it into a talisman - not a one-time consumable.
"Boom!"
Cang Li could no longer contain the battle spirit surging within him. He pushed open the door and strode out, refusing to cower any longer.
Wrapped in his Ghost Banner, his face veins bulging, he roared, "Luansheng Linyou, I challenge you! Cang Li still has strength to fight! If you want to fight, we'll fight until the last drop of blood!"
In the center of the street, Li Weiyi, Li Ling, and Cang Li stood proudly, their eyes sharp as blades.
Though outnumbered, the three showed no fear of their many enemies.
In the Third Heaven of Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain, the Hidden Lord found his eyes inexplicably moist. He clenched his fists and slammed them heavily on the stone table.
He knew the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival would be a tough battle, but he hadn't expected it to be this brutal. He'd never imagined that for the sake of their tribe's honor and responsibility, these three would have to face so many enemies, completely isolated and without support.
In this moment, the Hidden Lord could only regret not being forty years younger so he could join the fray.
"How many more trump cards does your Jiu Li Tribe have?" Zuoqiu Ling couldn't help but ask.
This question was on the minds of the Martial-Mystic Cultivators under Luansheng Linyou's command as well.
Luansheng Linyou's eyes turned icy, his killing intent intensifying: "Very well. Since you all seek death, I shall grant your wish."
"Swish!"
A figure in white robes appeared atop a building across from Diligent Garden as if teleporting.
Holding a sword, he bowed with a smile toward Luansheng Linyou: "Tang Chen, second Successor of the Snow Sword Tang Court, pays respects to Young Venerable."
"Swish!"
A second figure materialized - a demon cultivator with an eagle's head. He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Yin Suwen, heir to the Demon King of Zhuozhou in the Northern Territory, greets Young Venerable."
A third figure flashed into existence outside the gates of Diligent Garden.
In an utterly bizarre move, he crashed directly through the Formation as if it weren't even there, plopping down on the ground.
He was a Silver Pure Immortal Physique, his skin ablaze with white flames: "Tuoba Butuo, the number one cultivator of Tanzhou in the Northern Territory."
The fourth figure was a green-robed girl adorned with countless silver ornaments and a waist full of insect pouches.
She curtsied with a charming smile: "Wanyan Xiaose, the number one cultivator of Yingzhou in the Northern Territory."
.....
More than a dozen Seventh Sea powerhouses flashed forward, their attire strikingly different from the common folk of Qiu Prefecture in the Southern Territory, exuding an exotic charm.
Tang Wanqiu was the last to appear, looking seventeen or eighteen years old. A white fox fur collar adorned her neck, a mole graced her brow, and her eyes shone brightly.
Behind her stood six Martial-Mystic Cultivators with Pure Immortal Physiques, each wielding a sword.
Luansheng Linyou met her gaze: "So, the Snow Sword Tang Court intends to engage me in a decisive battle today?"
Tang Wanqiu waved her hands repeatedly, smiling: "I didn't wanted to get involved, but he called me a hero. If I didn't show up, he'd surely turn around and call me a Northern Territory worm, suffering the same fate as the Long Dian and Lu Cangsheng."
Everyone understood perfectly: Tang Wanqiu had appeared because the Jiu Li Tribe's leverage was sufficient!
Cang Li, still able to fight, and Li Ling, who could cleave through Ming Niansheng's spiritual consciousness with her sword.
If subdued, they would become blades to wield against Luansheng Linyou.
Luansheng Linyou pressed, "What if I insist on killing them today?"
Tang Wanqiu saw the determination and sharpness in Luansheng Linyou's eyes. She desperately wanted to avoid a decisive battle with the Far Western Ashlands right now, so she suppressed her smile: "Li Weiyi, give me one reason why I must save you today."
Li Weiyi picked up two invitation cards from the Thunder Law Profound Ice: "If you secure Cang Li's invitation, the Zuoqiu Clan will lose their last chance to collect all the Dragon Bone Tickets and Dragon Seed Tickets from the Southern Territory."
"The Long Dian and Lu Cangsheng in the Eastern Territory are just dried bones in a tomb, destined to be at each other's throats and even less likely to gather them all."
"Zhu Yibai in the Western Territory is the sworn enemy of the Far Western Ashlands, doomed to achieve nothing."
"In other words, once you obtain Cang Li's invitation, all the old geezers on Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain will have to watch the Snow Sword Tang Court stand alone. Only you can unify the entire territory. The Zuoqiu Clan, as the hosts, will be forced to drop out early. That's the first reason."
"Second, protect us for ten days. After ten days, if the Snow Sword Tang Court goes to war with the Far Western Ashlands, the Jiu Li Tribe will fight to the death. We have a blood debt to repay."
"Third, if the Jiu Li Tribe and the Zuoqiu Clan are eliminated, Luansheng Linyou and Ge Xiantong will turn their attention to you next. You can't afford to gamble on that possibility."
"Hahaha! I only asked for one reason, and you gave me so many! How could I possibly refuse? There's no way I can refuse at all."
After Tang Wanqiu's hearty laughter, her expression quickly turned serious: "Ten days is too long. Seven days. I can protect you for seven days at most. After seven days, regardless of how much your injuries have healed, you must participate in the battle between the Snow Sword Tang Court and Luansheng Linyou."
"Agreed!" Li Weiyi replied without hesitation.
Those seven days were invaluable!
Tang Wanqiu continued, "Second, Cang Li must swear in the name of the Jiu Li Gods that during the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, the Jiu Li Tribe will not make enemies of the Snow Sword Tang Court."
"As long as you don't act unjustly first, I agree," Cang Li said.
Tang Wanqiu said, "Third, you - Cang Li, Li Jiufu, and Li Ling - must assist the Snow Sword Tang Court in a decisive battle. Rest assured, I won't make you fight against the Zuoqiu Clan."
Cang Li hesitated.
Li Weiyi spoke first: "This is a debt we owe. It's only right."
Li Weiyi secretly sighed at the vast difference between Tang Wanqiu and Zuoqiu Ting.
In this situation, wouldn't it have been better to simply let them owe a favor?
Instead, it had turned into a business transaction.
Good.
Li Weiyi feared owing favors more than anything.
Cang Li also realized this and quickly agreed.
Then he asked, "What about you? How can I be sure you won't go back on your word and betray us within these seven days?"
Tang Wanqiu laughed: "The Snow Sword Tang Court seeks to conquer the world, not just win the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. If my words are just empty air, the Snow Sword Tang Court should stay in the Northern Territory to avoid making fools of themselves."
"Luansheng Linyou, are you going back to heal your wounds, or will we have our Decisive Battle today?"
Cang Jin, having rushed over from afar, appeared among the Martial-Mystic Cultivators and transmitted his voice to Luansheng Linyou using Spiritual Qi: "The Zuoqiu Clan and the Imperial Court's top Martial-Mystic Cultivators have suffered mutual losses and ceased fighting. Zuoqiu Ting and Zuoqiu Lancheng are on their way here."
Luansheng Linyou's expression remained unchanged.
His gaze flickered between Tang Wanqiu and Cang Li before settling on Li Weiyi.
He smiled: "Among the Hidden Dragons of this era, only you and I are worthy. Let's go!"
Luansheng Linyou slammed his Silver Spear heavily into the ground and turned to leave, extending a single finger: "The spear is for Weiyi alone. No one else is worthy to wield it."
The Martial-Mystic Cultivators from over a dozen factions retreated like the ebbing tide.
Many Martial-Mystic Cultivators from the Northern Territory turned their gaze toward Li Weiyi.
Li Weiyi gritted his teeth until they nearly cracked. Not only was Luansheng Linyou's combat prowess terrifying, but his methods were also utterly insidious. Even as he retreated, he employed this tactic of flattery to kill with a borrowed blade. It was a classic case of feigning retreat to advance, using others to do his dirty work.
....
In the Third Heaven.
Despite their crushing defeat, the Hidden Lord and the elders of the Zuoqiu Clan breathed a collective sigh of relief and erupted into jubilant celebration.
"To force Luansheng Linyou to retreat, given his formidable strength, is nothing short of a miracle," Zuoqiu Ling, as the First Commander of the Lingxiao, understood the mindset of the invincible all too well.
Making an invincible person yield and retreat was even harder than defeating them.
One elder clapped his hands and analyzed, "First, the Empty House Stratagem to bought time. Then, laid out the stakes, planting the seed of retreat in Luansheng Linyou's mind. Finally, predicting the Snow Sword Tang Court's presence nearby, and traded the Immortality Pill, Dragon Seed, Dragon Bone, and your own value for seven days of respite. Every step was crucial to escaping certain death and securing a chance at survival."
Another elder added, "The most important factor was the person. Such courage and intellect are rare among the younger generation."
"You've all overlooked Cang Li and Li Ling," Zuoqiu Ling said, "If their strength hadn't been sufficient, they wouldn't even have been worthy of discussion. Old Li, you've been hiding your cards well. How did Li Ling achieve such mastery in the Talismans Dao? She's only sixteen, isn't she?"
The Hidden Lord's worry vanished, replaced by a hint of arrogance: "What clan doesn't have a daughter with exceptional talent?"
Zuoqiu Ling continued, "And what about that flag? Its origins are far from ordinary. It's definitely not something from the Lingxiao Realm."
The Hidden Lord retorted, "Are you finished yet? The Jiu Li Tribe is one of the Ancient Myriad Clans. What treasures haven't we seen? Do you really think we're just some common rabble?"
Zuoqiu Ling nodded: "In this battle, the Jiu Li Tribe truly lived up to its reputation as one of the Ancient Myriad Clans. No one will underestimate you again. The younger generation has redeemed Li Prefecture's honor."
.....
Li Ling stored all the talismans in the Third Eye Spirit Realm between her eyebrows.
Yin Jiu, Yin shi, Yin Shi Wu, and Yin Shi Liu were carried out by Martial-Mystic Cultivators from the Snow Sword Tang Court.
They planned to take refuge in North City for seven days.
Tang Wanqiu opened two invitation cards, took out the Immortality Pill tickets, Dragon Seed tickets, and Dragon Bone tickets, and returned the cards to Cang Li, smiling: "We'll still attend the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. After the Shangyuan Night battle, we should have a few drinks."
Zuoqiu Ting flew across the street and stood at the alley entrance, covered in blood but not approaching.
"I'll go talk to him," Li Weiyi said.
Tang Wanqiu glared coldly at Zuoqiu Ting in the distance: "To withstand the combined power of the Imperial Court's Eight Prefectures... he truly is a remarkable figure. Brother Weiyi, don't let him sway you. I'll wait for you here. We'll drink first tonight. Cang Li can sit this one out for now; with all his injuries, any drink will just leak right out."
Li Weiyi and Zuoqiu Ting sat down on the stone steps beneath the eaves of a long street-side house.
As Zuoqiu Ting healed his wounds, he said, "I'm sorry. The worst-case scenario has come to pass. The Zuoqiu Clan is barely surviving, and we couldn't offer timely assistance when it mattered most."
Li Weiyi replied, "Holding off the Imperial Court's attacks is already impressive! Who could have predicted that Ge Xiantong and Luansheng Linyou would join forces?"
"Qingyin is dead!"
Zuoqiu Ting's face was etched with bitterness and profound grief.
Li Weiyi was stunned. Qingyin was a Successor-level figure.
"Didn't your sister intervene?"
"If she hadn't, the Zuoqiu Clan would have been forced to beg for mercy last night... She and Ge Xiantong both sustained grievous injuries... Uh..."
Zuoqiu Ting's chest heaved violently, and a mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth.
His Disguise Technique began to falter.
Li Weiyi said, "Hurry back and recover. The power dynamics in Qiu Prefecture City will shift dramatically after today. By the way, let's take refuge in North City for now. You'll have to look after the young Martial-Mystic Cultivators of the Jiu Li Tribe in South City. And... help me find Li Jiao."
Last night, the Jiu Li Tribe's main fighting force consisted of high-level Martial-Mystic Cultivators.
Yin Shi Yi had escaped, his fate unknown.
"Don't worry, this is what the Zuoqiu Clan should do."
Zuoqiu Ting suddenly reached into Li Weiyi's sleeve, secretly slipping a medicinal pill bottle into his hand.
"These are healing pills crafted by our Ancestor, one of the top Pill Dao masters in the Lingxiao Realm. They'll help Cang Li and Li Jiufu recover quickly. Also, you've hogged enough attention today. Countless people want you dead now, so stop showing off."
With that, he turned and swiftly ascended the roof, disappearing from sight.
Li Weiyi met Tang Wanqiu and sat in a carriage heading towards North City.
Cang Li had already collapsed from exhaustion and was asleep in another carriage prepared by the Snow Sword Tang Court, cared for by Li Ling.
Tang Wanqiu held Li Weiyi's hand intimately, "Weiyi, if you'd cultivated for just two more years, you would have stolen the spotlight at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival from Luansheng Linyou and Ge Xiantong. Would you be interested in joining the Snow Sword Tang Court and plotting for the world together?"
Li Weiyi chuckled: "At our current cultivation level, how can we even dream of conquering the world? By the time we grow strong enough, the world will have long been at peace."
"Not necessarily," Tang Wanqiu countered, "With the help of the Dragon Seed and the Immortality Pill, anything is possible..."
Just then, a veiled woman flew into the carriage and presented Tang Wanqiu with a sealed letter.
After reading it, Tang Wanqiu's expression grew grave: "Zuoqiu Hong... This must be the Zuoqiu Clan's trump card! Another figure of their caliber has emerged. Truly, this is an era destined for immortality."
Li Weiyi looked out the window, his thoughts gradually settling.
Daylight arrived, the battle ended, and the streets suddenly came alive.
The city teemed with traffic, lion dances, and the clamor of gongs and drums.
It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and everyone was dressed in new clothes.
Though they lived in the same city, it felt like two separate worlds -a stark contrast between the brutal chaos outside and the opulent prosperity within the walls.
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************