[Forbidden Land Ranking – Rank 5]
[Heaven Mocking Palace]
[Danger Level: Four and a Half Stars]
[Description: Anyone below the God Demon Realm Land Immortal will have no chance of survival if they trespass. Even those at the God Demon Realm only have a 30% chance of escape if they maintain absolute vigilance. Otherwise, death is certain. This place is one of the rare danger zones in the Nine Provinces. Do not enter recklessly]
[Reward: One Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Formation Disk, capable of deploying a Heaven-Grade Killing Formation]
==========
Ming Imperial Palace.
Zhu Houzhao looked at the Forbidden Land Ranking with slight surprise.
Only Rank 5?
Only he truly knew what a dragon's den the headquarters of the Azure Dragon Association was.
This was the result of centuries of effort by the Imperial Family.
Countless mechanisms and formations were hidden within.
During his time as Bai Yujing, he had even renovated Heaven Mocking Palace himself.
Its power was unfathomable.
Now, it was merely ranked as fifth on the Nine Provinces Golden Ranking.
Too low.
At the very least, it should have been in the top three!
He examined the Formation Disk in his hand, its power was considerable.
He wondered, with all the dynasties sending their espionage forces to attack Heaven Mocking Palace this time, would they be taught a proper lesson?
How bold of them.
To dare test his bottom line, did they really think he would not be angered?
Bai Xiaosheng, don't let me down this time.
==========
Heaven Mocking Palace.
"Third Dragon Head, the enemy has breached the perimeter!"
"Shall we immediately deploy forces to repel them?"
A Supreme Elder of the Azure Dragon Association stepped forward and asked.
Bai Xiaosheng looked deeply at the man, then glanced at the ranking in the sky with a playful smile.
"No need. If they could so easily reach here, then the name "Forbidden Land" would be undeserved."
"But what if they actually make it up here? Better safe than sorry!"
The elder's expression changed as he asked anxiously.
"No rush. I have my own plans."
"For now, all we need to do is enjoy the show."
"Oh, and Elder, stay by my side from now on. As for the battle, leave it to others."
The elder trembled slightly, sensing that things were no longer going as he had intended.
Bai Xiaosheng seemed to be restricting his freedom on purpose.
Could it be that everything he'd done in secret had been discovered?
At that moment, another elder stepped forward.
"Third Dragon Head, all preparations are complete!"
"Good. Now let's see if the mechanisms His Majesty arranged beforehand can stop these arrogant ants!"
Bai Xiaosheng laughed confidently, his eyes gleaming.
"Yes, Lord!"
==========
Midway up the mountain range of Heaven Mocking Palace.
The Yuan Dynasty National Master Phagpa led his troops swiftly toward the palace.
"National Master, bad news! The Forbidden Land Ranking has been updated!"
"What? Heaven Mocking Palace is Rank 5?"
Many looked panicked.
Especially since the description clearly stated, anyone below the Land Immortal Realm would die without exception.
Many of their weaker members had no chance of survival.
"National Master, what should we do?" Si Hanfei asked with a grim face.
"No matter. Didn't we expect that the Azure Dragon Association's headquarters might be ranked on the ranking before setting out?"
"I just didn't expect it to show up so soon."
"I thought it might even enter the top three."
"But only Rank 5? What does that tell us?"
"That the danger of Heaven Mocking Palace is less than we feared."
Phagpa quickly encouraged the group.
"If one were to enter alone, perhaps death is certain."
"But with our numbers, we'll definitely break through Heaven Mocking Palace!"
With his words, the troops calmed slightly.
Everyone breathed easier.
But then.
The next moment.
A shocking scene unfolded before their eyes.
Phagpa didn't even have time to stop it.
Suddenly, a Great Grandmaster from their ranks drew a curved blade and began slaughtering his nearby allies in a frenzy.
Each slash was lethal.
In mere seconds.
Several Great Grandmasters were killed on the spot.
Others nearby were gravely wounded, blood flowing freely.
Before anyone could react, others in the group suddenly went mad.
Slashing and killing allies without restraint.
Eyes bloodshot, expressions crazed.
"Not good, we've stepped into an illusion formation. They've been bewitched!"
Demon Master Pang Ban shouted.
This illusion was very similar to demonic sect methods.
No, it was even more profound.
Even Great Grandmasters could be easily deceived.
Not even his own Demon Master Palace had such ability.
"Kill the bewitched ones now, or they'll ruin everything!"
Pang Ban ordered coldly.
Many of the fallen had been his palace's elites.
To die so pathetically before even entering the palace, it enraged him.
At his side, the androgynous Li Chimei moved like lightning.
In just a few breaths, all the bewitched individuals were slain.
The squad was finally safe.
But before they could proceed, countless terrifying sword energies appeared from thin air.
And swept across the invading Yuan Dynasty forces.
Miserable screams rang out without end.
==========
Not only did the Yuan Dynasty forces fall victim to the formation.
The Qin Dynasty and Tang Dynasty espionage squads were facing serious trouble too.
Within the forested mountains, the woods themselves seemed to come alive.
Branches and vines grew wildly, lashing out viciously at those nearby.
The weaker ones died on the spot.
"What a devious illusion and killing formation!"
"I already tried to overestimate the Azure Dragon Association, it seems I still underestimated them."
Bad Marshal watched his men fall, then laughed in fury.
"These formations still don't compare to the Hundred Yue Queen's palace formations!"
"But we must be cautious moving forward."
"We've lost so much already, and we're only halfway in. Once we enter the palace, the danger will only increase."
"Should we join forces with the Sui Dynasty and Song Dynasty squads? It might help mutual survival."
"The Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty are old enemies, I don't trust Yuwen Tuo."
"To him, the Tang Dynasty is a greater threat than the Ming Dynasty."
Black Shadow of the Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform had experienced the terror of the Hundred Yue Queen's formations.
He deeply feared these Forbidden Lands.
Especially since Heaven Mocking Palace was ranked even higher than Hundred Yue City.
He felt an ominous premonition.
He had suspected this, but seeing it unfold left him uncertain.
==========
Sui Dynasty and Northern Song Dynasty Alliance.
"Brother Huang, why did a river suddenly appear here? Something's not right."
Yuwen Tuo looked solemnly at the several-mile-wide river ahead, asking in "surprise".
"With your insight, Supreme Master Yuwen, you should know we've long since stepped into the Azure Dragon Association's trap."
"We're all caught in a grand illusion formation."
Huang Shang looked at Yuwen Tuo with some displeasure.
He'd noticed all along, Yuwen Tuo was deliberately slacking off.
Always acting weaker.
Leaving all decisions to him, Huang Shang.
Yet along the way, he'd noticed.
Most of the dead were from his Northern Song Dynasty Imperial City Division.
Yuwen Tuo's men? Fewer than three losses.
At first, it seemed like a coincidence.
But now, Huang Shang was suspicious.
Yet Yuwen Tuo acted oblivious to his growing doubt.
Still letting Huang Shang lead.
Only occasionally intervening to save his own men.
"Should we join with the other nations' forces?"
"No, we can't trust them."
"Especially Tang Dynasty's Bad Marshal. I fear he might use the palace's formation to kill me."
"If I die, the Tang Dynasty's chances of successfully mastering Sui Dynasty techniques would increase tenfold."
It wasn't just the Bad Marshal who didn't trust Yuwen Tuo.
Yuwen Tuo was just as wary of him.
Though both had faith in their strength.
Neither dared underestimate their archrival.
==========
Heaven Mocking Palace.
Bai Xiaosheng listened carefully to reports from his subordinates.
A calculating glint sparkled in his eyes.
"Third Dragon Head, shall we wipe out all the invading Yuan Dynasty forces?"
"They've sent elites. If we eliminate them, the Yuan Dynasty's strength will be greatly diminished!"
"And the same goes for Tang Dynasty, Qin Dynasty, even Sui Dynasty and Song Dynasty!"
One elder spoke excitedly.
"No. If we do that, we go against His Majesty's long-term strategy."
"Even if we win a great victory, the Azure Dragon Association would face imperial reprimand."
Bai Xiaosheng shook his head.
The Ming Dynasty could not afford to fully fall out with all the other dynasties yet.
The Yuan Dynasty were old enemies, it wouldn't matter if they died.
But killing spies from every other nation would unite all the dynasties against the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Houzhao may not fear them.
But that would be the worst outcome.
Short-term gain wasn't worth that price.
Bai Xiaosheng wasn't that foolish.
"Now follow my commands."
"Focus on the Yuan Dynasty, they're the main target. But don't kill them all, or you'll provoke Temujin."
"Leave the National Master Phagpa alive. As for the rest, none must live."
"As for the Qin Dynasty and Tang Dynasty spies, target the Tang Dynasty's Bad Marshal. Spare no one but him."
"The Qin Dynasty's Black Ice Platform should put on a show, then be allowed to withdraw. Consider it giving face to the Qin Emperor."
"For the Sui Dynasty and Song Dynasty, direct the attack at Huang Shang's Imperial City Division. Don't touch Yuwen Tuo."
"Let them grow suspicious of each other."
"Even if they realize this is our scheme, a blatant one, they still won't be able to ignore it."
"They'll never truly cooperate again!"
Bai Xiaosheng chuckled darkly.
"Hahaha, Third Dragon Head, your wisdom is unmatched. While we focus on the battle in front of us..."
"You think like His Majesty, with the grand strategy in mind."
"Turning these dynasties against one another, after today, they'll never form a real alliance again."
"Now that's true scheming, true vision!"