Chapter 743: Ambush on the Road

Li Yi led twelve cultivation experts out of Chishan Mountain to ambush the Shenmu clan warriors, and no one knew of this yet.

Although the merchant lords within Chishan City had seen streaks of light flying from the governor's mansion toward Shenmu City and harbored suspicions, their speed was too fast—even if some merchant lords guessed the truth, they had no reason to worry.

Because the merchant lords' intelligence could never match Li Yi's speed.

This was precisely the countermeasure Li Yi had devised after learning of the merchant lords' intelligence network in this world.

Meanwhile.

Outside Shenmu City.

A group rode exotic beasts, racing across the ancient, desolate land—they were all warriors of the Shenmu clan, dispatched to Chishan Mountain to challenge the new mountain lord, Da Yi, and seize Chishan Mountain in the process.

"The former lord of Chishan Mountain, Huohuo, is dead. The new lord, Da Yi, is merely a warrior just entering the Mountain Lord realm. Even with two female warriors aiding him, he is no threat. As long as we challenge him, Da Yi cannot refuse—he must fight, and then I will easily defeat him and become the new lord of Chishan Mountain."

The speaker was Mu Tuo, seated atop an exotic beast, his face dark as he voiced his thoughts.

Yet whenever he thought of Da Yi, Mu Tuo's shoulder throbbed with a dull pain—the wound from the arrow, though healed by medicine, never fully closed; every exertion caused it to split open again, oozing blood.

The healers said Da Yi's arrow carried an immense and undeniable power; if it had struck a vital point, even a Shenmu clan divine-blood warrior would have died.

"Mu Tuo, don't be careless—he's a warrior who killed Huohuo," said an older man beside him, clad in crimson-gold battle armor, muscles bulging, his skin marked with golden leaf-like patterns.

These were the marks of the Shenmu clan's divine-blood lineage.

His name was Mu Xi, a powerful warrior of the Thirty Mountain Lord realm. To ensure this mission succeeded, the Shenmu clan deployed this formidable warrior.

After all, Chishan Mountain's wealth was simply too tempting.

"Big brother is right—their strength is not weak. He even tamed that Qiongqi, a Mountain Lord-level exotic beast," added another Mountain Lord warrior, named Mu Shu, not of the divine-blood lineage, merely an ordinary divine-blood warrior and Mu Xi's younger brother.

Mu Tuo said, "I won't be careless. This time, I will crush Da Yi utterly and seize Chishan Mountain. With your two helping me, I see no way our Shenmu warriors can lose."

He was confident.

Three divine-blood warriors of the Shenmu clan working together—how could they fail to take Chishan Mountain?

Besides the three divine-blood warriors, the group included ten Warrior Captains, several of whom were exotic-blood warriors; together, they could handle the Qiongqi.

Of course, strong warriors alone weren't enough—they were thoroughly prepared. The Warrior Captains wore blue-gold battle armor and wielded blue-gold weapons; the three leaders bore crimson-gold armor and crimson-gold divine weapons.

With such a force, Mu Tuo could not conceive of any reason they might lose. He was supremely confident, even smug, certain revenge was imminent.

Yet warriors of the Wildlands, lacking magical arts, could not fly like cultivators; most relied on exotic beast mounts, forcing them to spend a full day traveling to Chishan Mountain.

Of course, they could hasten their pace and arrive sooner, but that would drain their strength—they needed full stamina for the impending Mountain Lord battle.

And this gave Li Yi his chance.

As they rode and chatted along the way.

Suddenly.

The strongest divine-blood warrior, Mu Xi, suddenly tensed, lifting his gaze to the sky.

Above, a pure white auspicious cloud hung motionless, catching his attention.

"An illusion?" Mu Xi wondered.

He sensed an unusual aura in the sky, thinking it might be a powerful exotic beast hunting them—but when he looked up, no beast was visible, only the white cloud.

"Probably just my imagination," Mu Xi scanned the surroundings, found no danger, and relaxed his vigilance.

As the warrior group continued forward.

Within the white cloud.

The figure of the Divine Lady Yun Feizi appeared, watching the exotic beast formation below with slight interest: "So these are the Shenmu clan warriors Master Taiyi mentioned—the golden leaf patterns on their skin confirm it. But their leader…"

"Is remarkably perceptive. I concealed my aura, hidden within the cloud, yet he noticed me at once."

"Too bad they're not cultivators—limited experience and knowledge. Had they launched even one strike, I'd have been exposed immediately."

She inwardly shuddered, feeling newfound caution toward the world's divine-blood warriors.

When strength reaches a certain level, even without cultivation, many things remain interconnected—such as sensing danger.

Divine Lady Yun Feizi took no action; she waited until they moved farther away, then used the Cloud Riding Spell to circle around, swiftly returning to inform those waiting ahead.

Upon receiving the message, Li Yi and the other cultivation experts perked up, each clenching fists, ready to strike.

"Based on distance, they'll pass this area in about half an hour. They have three strong warriors—their leader's power exceeds the peak of the Three Petals realm. Dangerous," Yun Feizi said.

Li Yi said, "As expected—they sent at least a Thirty Mountain Lord to lead. Then we strike together—kill the strongest first. The rest won't matter after."

"But can our thirteen of us deliver a single blow strong enough to kill their leader?"

"Master Taiyi, rest assured—this old Taoist has a secret technique to unleash a peak-level strike from a Two Petals realm," said Shen Xu Daoist suddenly.

"I possess a technique to slay Primordial Spirits—this opponent cannot defend against it," Yuan Yang Daoist grinned.

Qing Fengzi added, "This old Taoist can cast the Five Aggregates Barrier, sealing his…"

"Perception, leaving him unable to counterattack for a short time."

Others also revealed their hidden techniques.

Hearing them,

Li Yi's eyelids twitched.

These ancient monsters who survived the End Dharma Era were truly exceptional—hidden killing arts emerged endlessly; methods to unleash peak power in an instant were numerous. Though they weakened after one strike, this scenario was perfect for them.

"Then, venerable elders, stop holding back—this battle determines the fate of Chishan Mountain," Li Yi said.

All nodded solemnly.

Though Taiyi was lord of Chishan Mountain, they too could claim a share. Having crossed over, they were penniless—without Chishan Mountain, how could they rise? Would they wander, scavenge, and hunt?

That's what hermits did.

They had all come from great sects—they refused to live such miserable lives.

Moreover, they had witnessed the divine marvel of crimson gold and deeply desired a crimson gold Dao artifact—vital for future strength and survival.

After brief discussion, they reached agreement.

Someone cast a Dao spell to raise a concealment array, hiding their aura and traces. Then all swallowed heavenly spiritual energy, activated their techniques, and waited.

They didn't foolishly believe their ambush would go unnoticed—only that the enemy must enter their spell's range. By then, even if they sensed something, it would be too late.

That was the advantage of waiting by the stump.

As time slowly passed.

Soon.

A distant formation of exotic beasts stirred up dust across the Wildlands. At their head rode Mu Xi, clad in crimson-gold heavy armor, carrying a crimson-gold greatsword, eyes blazing like the sun.

Along the way,

Mu Xi constantly scanned for anomalies. As an experienced divine-blood warrior, he understood the importance of caution.

Yet as they passed this spot, a sudden, intense sense of danger surged in his chest.

He snapped his head toward a direction.

A small, unremarkable hill—nothing like a Mountain Lord's lair—but it felt as if it concealed not one, but countless Mountain Lord-level exotic beasts, motionless, yet poised to strike in the next instant.

This was no illusion.

"Watch out—enemy ahead!" Mu Xi instantly drew his crimson-gold greatsword and roared.

But as his words fell.

Suddenly.

The hill's concealment array failed—the hidden aura and suppressed spiritual fluctuations erupted into view.

Brilliant divine lights surged from the hill—over a dozen top experts from the End Dharma cultivation world, each as powerful as a Mountain Lord.

Leading them was Li Yi.

Li Yi now held the Precious Moon Bow, channeling Long Hu divine power, drawing the bowstring taut—an obsidian-gold arrow locked onto Mu Xi, the leader of the Shenmu clan.

"What?"

A terrifying energy surge erupted; the exotic beasts panicked, shrieking in terror.

The ten Warrior Captains turned pale, horrified—they sensed death's approach.

"Da Yi!" Mu Tuo recognized the familiar figure and roared in fury.

He instantly understood—he'd been ambushed. This Da Yi never intended a Mountain Lord duel—he wanted to kill them all on the road.

Yet Mu Tuo's roar cut off abruptly—his pupils shrank sharply.

For now, over a dozen terrifying attacks converged upon them.

"Damn!" Mu Xi, at the front, reacted instantly, unleashing every ounce of divine blood within him. His body blazed with brilliant golden light, rising like a blazing sun.

But the next instant.

Mu Xi's vision went black—he saw nothing, heard nothing… his mind exploded with unbearable pain.

This… was witchcraft.

Are they all Grand Shamans?