Chapter 407: then translation of title line (the Chinese title given in line [1] but we need to translate it naturally)

409. Chapter 401: Long-Distance Strategy, Human Sea Tactics – Who Fears Whom? My Detainer Gods Rise! 【Seek Monthly Ticket】

But we need to translate naturally. The title: "Remote Confrontation, Human Sea Tactics – Who Fears Whom? My Detainer Gods Rise! 【Seek Monthly Ticket】". However "remote confrontation" could be "playing a game of Go from a distance" or "remote confrontation". "human sea tactics" is "human sea tactics". "who fears whom" is "who fears whom". "My Detainer Gods stand up" is "My Detainer Gods stand up". So maybe: "Remote Confrontation, Human Sea Tactics – Who Fears Whom? My Detainer Gods Rise! 【Seek Monthly Ticket】". We'll keep the chapter number as is.

Thus 【1】 output: "409. Chapter 401: Remote Confrontation, Human Sea Tactics – Who Fears Whom? My Detainer Gods Rise! 【Seek Monthly Ticket】"

409. Chapter 401

Thus output: 【1】 409. Chapter 401: Remote Confrontation, Human Sea Tactics – Who Fears Whom? My Detainer Gods Rise! 【Seek Monthly Ticket】

Now we need to translate each subsequent line.

Let's go line by line.

Whoosh—

Bang!!!

The signal flare, a product improved by Li Che, upon exploding in midair, instantly transformed into extraordinarily splendid fireworks.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "The signal flare, an improved product of Li Che, exploded in midair and instantly turned into extraordinarily splendid fireworks."

Five-colored light tore through the night, illuminating the firmament.

Countless cold winds howled and swept, relentlessly.

The dark Xuan-iron wooden ship lay across the great river, riding the wind and breaking waves, ruthlessly tearing apart the rising mist on the river surface.

A huge black shadow loomed, filled with terrifying oppression.

The Xuan-iron black ship was immensely ferocious; on both sides of its hull, gigantic Xuan-iron spirit wood was carved into immensely ferocious patterns, like demons crawling out of the netherworld, reeking of slaughter.

The snapping black great flag fluttered in the air, accompanied by the howling north wind, shredding snowflakes and air.

Bang!

The large ship rose and fell, throwing up spray that flew high.

On the deck, a figure returned swiftly; with a single leg tapping a few points on the river surface, he shot onto the ship.

Inside the cabin, a figure slowly emerged—clad in plain cloth, holding a feather fan, gently swaying it, raising a breeze that brushed the face.

"National Preceptor."

The single-legged figure was precisely the Heaven-maimed Old Man from the Heaven-maimed Earth-deficient duo; he grinned, showing his yellow teeth. Beside the National Preceptor stood a hunchbacked old man who had lost one eye.

Whooo—

A gentle breeze drifted; snowflakes fell from high above, caught by the National Preceptor's outstretched hand.

Then he raised his head, gazing at the splendid fireworks blooming in the night sky.

"How beautiful the fireworks."

National Preceptor Xie Yunshen stroked his beard in praise; his black-and-white hair fluttered in the wind.

"That scout was decisive; upon realizing he couldn't escape, he immediately pulled out this mechanism and detonated it. I had never seen such a device, so I hadn't yet been able to stop it."

Heaven-maimed Old Man said.

"Scouts are constantly probing… It seems the Qianyuan Divine Sect is prepared to clash with the court."

Xie Yunshen narrowed his eyes and said.

"Hehe, Qianyuan Divine Sect… after all, it's merely a sect; how could it compare to the colossal court?"

"Moreover, National Preceptor, you left the divine capital months ago; these days you have visited the Longhu Divine Sect of Shendu Dao, the Qibao Divine Sect of Longyuan Dao, the Haoran Academy of Jiangnan Dao, the Bashu Sword Pavilion of Jiannan Dao, the Xiaoyin Temple of Xiling Dao, and the TianDan Divine Sect of Guangling Dao."

"You have visited the mountain gates of the six great divine sects, gathering their strength… Could Qianyuan possibly still stand against six as one?"

Earth-deficient Old Man revealed his gapped teeth and laughed.

Heaven-maimed and Earth-deficient are Xie Yunshen's left and right arms; following him these days in and out of the great divine sects, their gains have naturally been enormous.

"Don't underestimate the Qianyuan Divine Sect… perhaps its founding ancestor is still alive."

"A Divine Tribulation Grand Cultivator—not to be trifled with."

Xie Yunshen gently swayed his feather fan and said.

"Furthermore, our purpose this time is to capture Li Che; this is the emperor's personal decree, no room for negligence."

"Hey, the Underworld's Horse-Face Li Half-Saint? The emperor really values him, but why must the emperor insist on capturing Li Half-Saint? Capturing is far harder than killing."

Heaven-maimed Old Man shook his head.

Xie Yunshen raised his head, his eyes deep: "The emperor trusts me, granting me the power to check and balance the great divine sects… Now, the eleven Dao divine sects of Dàjǐng—Qibao, TianDan, Haoran, Bashu, and Longhu—five great divine sects have chosen to submit to the Dàjǐng court…"

"This is my achievement, yet I am still not satisfied."

"Qianyuan, Xuánfú, Purple Bamboo Forest, Xiaoyin Temple, and Zifu Divine Sect—these five great divine sects have not yet submitted; and since some sects refuse to submit, we must resort to more forceful measures."

"Cut down the mountains, break the sect!"

Xie Yunshen's eyes were deep and gloomy.

Rumble—

Behind him, the Grand Canal roared without cease; one after another, Xuan-iron spirit-wood great ships, their hulls carved with terrifying demon-like patterns, tore forth from the misty waters of the Grand Canal.

Upon the lead warship stood a towering figure like a mountain, clad in profound black armor, his sturdy, burly body, his hair whipping in the midair.

Seeing this figure, the National Preceptor Xie Yunshen's smile grew markedly richer.

Prince Pinglu Ji Molie!

Since Ji Molie displayed in the divine capital the fusion of one of the Three Calamities, the Netherfire Dao containing the Tribulation Fire, Xie Yunshen has had his eye on him.

Hum…

Ji Molie seemed to sense Xie Yunshen's gaze.

He took a slow step forward; in an instant, he vanished from his original spot, then reappeared beside Xie Yunshen.

Compared to the frail Xie Yunshen in plain cloth, the armored Ji Molie is truly far more stalwart, like a mountain, exuding immense pressure.

"National Preceptor truly is extraordinary—able to persuade the five great divine sects, borrow their strength, then unite with the Dàjǐng court's forces to deal with the Qianyuan Divine Sect…"

The Qianyuan Divine Sect cannot escape calamity.

Ji Molie said in a light tone.

"Your Highness should also be eager to undertake the grand feat of cutting down mountains and breaking the sect? In Ji Prefecture, entangled with those rat-like Corpse God Sect, how could that compare to the sense of accomplishment from cutting down mountains and breaking a divine sect?"

Xie Yunshen shook his feather fan.

Ji Molie gave a faint smile: "In my eyes, the Qianyuan Divine Sect is no different from the Corpse God Sect; since they defy the court, they are rats that need extermination."

The great red cloak behind Ji Molie snapped in the wind.

Moreover… I still have some scores to settle with Qianyuan.

"My son, my consort, and my disciples all died in Qianyuan Dao City..."

Ji Mo Li gazed at the fireworks blooming across the sky, murderous intent swirling in his eyes.

"This is a blood debt!"

"Blood must be repaid!"

Xie Yunshen also watched the fireworks.

"Originally, we planned to strike tonight, because tonight is the seventh birthday of Li Che's daughter, the junior sect leader of the Qianyuan Divine Sect, Li Nuanxi. According to Prince Lu Chi's description, on Xixi's birthday, Li Che and his wife will invite senior members of the Divine Sect to celebrate Li Nuanxi's birthday together…"

"At this moment, their defenses are at their weakest."

"Unfortunately, this dazzling fireworks display has alerted them."

Xie Yunshen felt a bit regretful.

"I heard that Feng Zhiqi of the Temple Guard Division has broken through to the fourth opening of the Saint of War, reaching the pinnacle, yet he pledged allegiance to the Qianyuan Divine Sect and became an inner‑gate elder… In other words, the city is completely controlled by the Qianyuan Divine Sect; if we wish to enter the city, we must launch a direct assault on the city, beneath the sect gate of the Qianyuan Divine Sect…"

"Then we'll assault directly."

Ji Mo Li said in a deep voice.

Xie Yunshen lightly waved his feather fan and couldn't help but laugh.

"Prince, the Qianyuan Divine Sect is ultimately different from the Corpse God Cult…"

"Since Qianyuan Dao City is under the sect's control and has long been prepared, morale is high; if we lay siege, it will inevitably be a grueling battle…"

"This time, in terms of the number of strongmen, we will crush the Qianyuan Divine Sect. All the great sects are sending people, but although these sect strongmen have agreed to come, they may not be willing to fight to the death for the Dàjǐng Court against the Qianyuan Divine Sect."

Xie Yunshen said.

Ji Mo Li scoffed; this is the normal situation.

"They come only for profit; can we still expect them to go all out?"

"Therefore, we must maximize their usefulness."

Xie Yunshen laughed, squinting at the hazy water vapor over the Grand Canal; in the night, the towering, massive walls of Qianyuan Dao City could already be faintly discerned.

"With enough strongmen, we will shatter the belief of the defending forces within Qianyuan Dao City, the belief of the Qianyuan Divine Sect's disciples…"

"Like a dull knife cutting flesh, slice by slice we will slowly cut away their flesh, let their blood flow, and their belief will naturally fall apart."

"When the defenders' belief is gone, this city… will naturally be easy to capture."

Xie Yunshen said.

"Oh?"

Ji Mo Li narrowed his eyes.

"How to do it?"

Xie Yunshen turned his head toward the two strongmen of Heaven's Ruins and Earth's Gaps.

The two bowed to the Grand Preceptor and Ji Mo Li, then, one with a broken leg, the other blind, the two elders rose into the air.

Powerful, massive qi and blood, boomingly exploded from their bodies, like enormous pillars of qi‑blood shooting skyward and earthward, scorching and dazzling, exuding an overwhelming martial‑will pressure!

As if to rewrite the heavens themselves.

The qi‑blood column surged into the cloudy night, scattering the wind and snow, turning all the falling white snow into rain!

Howling gale, rolling heat!

The terrifying auras of the two top‑tier pinnacle cultivators shone brilliantly in the night!

……

……

Qianyuan Divine Sect.

Outer Gate, Elder Hall.

Zhang Ya walked out of the kitchen, placed a bowl of noodles in front of Xixi: "Eat the birthday noodles first."

One bowl of noodles, two eggs.

Xixi's happy eyes sparkled, though she also knew what the blooming fireworks meant.

The Sect Master and the Great Elder of the Demon Cave left early, indicating the seriousness of the situation.

But Xixi glanced at her father Li Che, whose face still bore a gentle smile: "Eat it; only by eating the longevity noodles can you grow up safely."

"As for what's outside, the adults are handling it; children need not worry so much."

Xixi instantly raised a small fist in displeasure: "Father, Xixi is no longer weak; I can play a considerable role!"

"This matter actually arose because of us; if it weren't for Xixi, how would the Sect Master fall out with that stinky emperor? If they didn't fall out… that stinky emperor would have no reason to launch troops against our Qianyuan Dao City!"

Xixi pressed her lips together, understanding the distinction clearly.

A hint of sorrow flickered in her eyes: "Facing the strongmen the court sent to attack the Qianyuan Divine Sect, this scout was able to fire a signal flare… likely sacrificing his life."

Li Che heard this, froze for a moment, his eyes softened a bit, and patted the little girl's head.

His celestial board could not continuously maintain the area that shrouds the entire Qianyuan Dao City; although he dispatched spirit‑binding servants as scouts, people like Feng Zhiqi didn't understand, and they still arranged ordinary soldier scouts.

Thus, this scout essentially used his life to launch that signal flare.

Xixi said nothing more, sat on the chair, and began eating the longevity noodles cooked by her mother.

"Father, Xixi must become very strong! So that anyone who dares to bully us won't dare any more!"

"Xixi must also grow to a level where she can protect father, mother, and our little companions."

Xixi twitched her nose, bit into a fried egg, and said earnestly.

"Will do." Li Che smiled gently.

Boom——!!!

Li Che turned his head and saw, beyond Qianyuan Dao City, two towering auras of top‑tier pinnacle cultivators soaring skyward.

Blazing and resplendent, overwhelmingly grand!

The terrifying martial will poured into the heavens, rippling the cloud layers, causing the swirling snow to melt into crackling raindrops.

Xixi, who was eating noodles, along with Yun'e, Zhou Peng and other little companions in the courtyard, all showed nervous expressions on their faces.

"Everyone stay calm, keep eating; today is Xixi's birthday. These petty skirmishes aren't a big deal—just two top-level pinnacles; a single Sect Leader can suppress them."

Li Che spoke to soothe.

The soothing worked; Lu Taibai's reputation was impressive, calming the youngsters.

However, Xixi's birthday banquet turned out somewhat different from previous years.

It wasn't as joyful as before, since an external threat loomed—indeed a top-level pinnacle threat—and how could anyone eat under such circumstances?

Even with Li Che's earnest mediation, the banquet still lacked the previous years' unbridled merriment and comfort.

A hint of worry also lingered on Xixi's face.

The little girl Xixi still felt deep affection for Qian Yuan Dao City and the Qian Yuan Divine Sect.

After all, as she grows, her memories become clearer, and her recollection of the Qian Yuan Divine Sect is even deeper than that of Jin Guangfu.

Therefore, Xixi naturally did not want to see Qian Yuan Dao City breached.

Consequently, the banquet's atmosphere was inevitably somewhat discordant.

Even Li Che, with a gentle smile on his face, occasionally flickered sharp murderous intent in the depths of his eyes.

After the meal.

Zhou Peng, Yun'e and the other companions said their farewells one after another, harboring deep worries about Qian Yuan Dao City's future.

Li Che let Xixi and Zhang Ya rest inside, while Jin Taishui and Jin Mao Hou, the two servants, dutifully guarded the doorway.

Having stayed in the Qian Yuan Divine Sect for so long, Jin Mao Hou finally understood why Jin Taishui was unwilling to return to Wu Shen Mountain.

The atmosphere here was wonderful—no scheming, no deceit, a truly harmonious vibe that made body and mind relax unconsciously.

Moreover, with Li Che's family's friendliness, despite being servants, neither Li Che nor Xixi treated them as mere slaves.

It felt more like a camaraderie among companions.

During this time together, Jin Mao Hou also realized the importance of his young master.

Jin Mao Hou would naturally devote all effort to acting as Xixi's protector.

"Master, rest assured, I will protect the young master's safety with my life."

Jin Mao Hou said, looking at Li Che.

Li Che heard this and nodded.

Then Li Che entered the study.

Upon entering the study, Li Che raised his hand to his forehead, and instantly the celestial chessboard net expanded.

He sensed the entire interior and exterior of Qian Yuan Dao City.

The first things he sensed were two overwhelmingly fierce, sky‑piercing, top-level pinnacle Martial Saint auras.

"Heavenly Ruin, Earthly Void."

Li Che's eyes flickered as he recognized the two auras—they were the two top-level pinnacles protecting National Master Xie Yunshen in Shendu's second city.

Since these two have arrived…

Then the plain‑clothed National Master Xie Yunshen should also be here?

Li Che's mind rose and fell, his spirit seeming to span the celestial chessboard; his gaze swept across and saw, on the Grand Canal, one terrifyingly massive warship after another, cutting through waves, traversing the chessboard, each emanating an extremely dreadful force.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly.

Li Che's eyes shifted slightly.

"This is…"

…

…

Qian Yuan Dao City.

Inside the Temple Office.

Lu Taibai and Fang Hanshu floated in; Feng Zhichi changed into robes, his towering frame coursed with interwoven qi and blood, his expression exceedingly solemn.

They also sensed the blood‑qi light pillars erupting outside the city, and the rampant top‑level pinnacle celestial‑human resonance pressing horizontally upon the entire Dao City.

"Heavenly Ruin, Earthly Void… the two close guards of Xie Yunshen."

Lu Taibai said gravely.

When the two combine, they can unleash a unique divine martial technique, possessing the power of a half‑step divine tribulation clash.

Even Lu Taibai would find it troublesome.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

The sound of breaking through the void rang continuously.

It was the gathering of all Martial Saints and Divine Embryo strongmen within Qian Yuan Dao City.

Second Elder Zhao Fangzhou, Third Elder Ding Zi, as well as Divine Eagle Ridge Elder Tang Xiejia, Gongshu Jingjun, and others converged inside the Temple Office.

Except for the great clan ancestors who had not yet arrived, there were Li Che, who was celebrating Xixi's birthday, and Hong Shifo, the supervising official of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

The top combat power of Qian Yuan Dao City had almost all gathered here.

This already constituted a formidable force.

Combined with the Divine Guard of the four great camps—East, West, South, and North—already assembled inside the city, and the Divine Envoys of the Temple Office…

Qian Yuan Dao City was thus prepared for immediate battle.

On the streets, armor clanged.

Four Grand Generals of the Divine Guard each commanded their own Divine Guard troops, marching through the Dao City.

Han Qizhong, Yuan Wuji, She Longdao, and Dai Qingxiao—the four top Three‑Flower Grandmasters—had solemn expressions.

They occasionally raised their heads, sensing the two immensely massive qi‑blood draconic currents outside the city, the top‑level ultimate martial will, which made them feel oppression and suffocation.

Even they felt such pressure.

Not to mention the strong members of the millennial families and the medium‑sized families inside Qian Yuan Dao City.

Although Fang Hanshu controlled the entire Dao City, it was utterly impossible to have these families, big and small, sacrifice their lives.

Inside the Temple Department.

Fang Hanshu's scholar robe fluttered, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he stroked his fine beard.

As if he were gazing across the void at the plain‑clothed National Master standing on the Xuan Iron Spirit Wood warship, his feathered fan lightly swaying.

"What a plain‑clothed National Master Xie Yunshen; no wonder the Dàjǐng Emperor placed great expectations on him, to balance the various great divine sects…"

"He does not intend to attack the city immediately; within a short time, they will not choose to assault the city…"

Fang Hanshu seemed to have seen Xie Yunshen's plan clearly and exhaled.

Lu Taibai's brows furrowed.

Fang Hanshu then said, "They will not attack the city, but… attack the hearts."

"They will gradually reveal their terrifying power that completely surpasses and crushes all the top‑level combat forces of our Qian Yuan Dao City…"

"Weakening the rebellious will of the forces within Qian Yuan Dao City…"

"The Temple Department, the Imperial Observatory, the millennial families and other forces, after all, are not divine‑sect forces; using a psychological strategy to cause internal chaos, their fighting spirit will naturally dwindle."

Inside the Temple Department, everyone instantly fell into a deep silence.

A brilliant scheme!

A solid brilliant scheme!

And at the instant Fang Hanshu finished speaking,

outside Qian Yuan Dao City, an extremely terrifying aura, like a hidden dragon leaping from the abyss, erupted, as if ten thousand dragons spanned across, its pressure overwhelming the heavens.

It was only a qi‑blood light pillar, yet it was stronger than the auras of the two top‑level ultimate beings of Tian Can Di Que.

"Ji Mo Li!"

"King of Pacifying Chaos Ji Mo Li!"

Inside the Temple Department.

Lu Taibai's voice grew deeper.

And Feng Zhiqi and the others breathed rapidly, feeling as if a huge stone had slammed into their hearts, nearly unable to catch their breath.

"Ji Mo Li… has comprehended the Dao‑imbued Calamity Fire, refining the Netherfire Dao level; now… roughly possesses the power of a half‑step Divine Tribulation realm!"

So that means among the imperial army suppressing Qian Yuan, there are two forces with half‑step Divine Tribulation power?

Tian Can Di Que, plus Ji Mo Li…

Yet on Qian Yuan's side, there is only Lu Taibai.

Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom—!!!

The terrifying aura surged across the firmament, restless and turbulent.

The fleeting snow melted in an instant, turning into a torrential downpour from above Qian Yuan Dao City, wildly pouring down, striking the city walls and black tiles, erupting a hazy white water curtain!

Under the impact of the three terrifying auras,

The entire towering, majestic Qian Yuan Dao City, at this moment, seemed to tremble, to sway, in… a fear‑like manner!

…

…

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.

The rain poured down in sheets.

On the Xuan Iron warships, massive vessels tore through the river, as if roaring at Qian Yuan Dao City.

On the warships, armies eager to attack the Dao City gathered.

One warship after another, shrouded in mist on the Grand Canal's surface, stretched out in continuous formation.

"King of Pacifying Chaos… what a mighty aura!"

Xie Yunshen's robes fluttered continuously in the wind; beside him, Ji Mo Li, his armor clanged, unleashed an aura that surged into the clouds, even overwhelming the aura of Tian Can Di Que.

The weakly cultivated Xie Yunshen felt his face flush intensely and couldn't help taking a small step back to the side.

Ji Mo Li glanced at the National Master Xie Yunshen, with a half‑smile.

One must admit, the two have slightly different styles; if Ji Mo Li were to attack the city himself, he would likely be pragmatic, launching a direct assault.

And as the vanguard, as long as he is strong enough to breach Qian Yuan Dao City's defenses, the city would be considered broken.

But Xie Yunshen places more emphasis on attacking the heart.

He wishes to gradually erode the defenders' resolve in Qian Yuan Dao City.

With all hopes reduced to ash, elite troops become ordinary soldiers; how can they defend the city?

Xie Yunshen stroked his beard and laughed heartily, turning his head toward the warships behind him.

"Members of the Divine Sect, come forth and show your power to the rebels of Qian Yuan Dao City."

Xie Yunshen thrust his feathered fan sharply, pointing at the towering Qian Yuan Dao City.

The next moment.

On the warships, figures surged skyward.

It was none other than Gu Changqing, the Patriarch of the Tian Dan Divine Sect, standing with his arms crossed, his simple blue robe, beard and hair billowing, exuding the aura of a top‑level deity, booming outward, the majestic divinity pouring into heaven and earth, the celestial soul forming a gigantic visage overlooking Qian Yuan.

A blade of razor‑sharp sword light shot upward.

The massive qi‑blood seemed to merge with sword intent, boiling, scorching, and razor‑sharp!

It was the top‑level ultimate of the Bashu Sword Pavilion Sect, the Great Sword Saint Lone City!

Its sword intent was so magnificent that it could not be compared to the Sword Saint sword intent of Huang Jianjiu, which had once shaken the entire Heavenly Origin Dao City.

Dragon Tiger Divine Sect Master Zhao Chunqiu also floated upward, flicked his dust aside, and unleashed the aura of a top‑tier Great Deity; his divinity stood like a pillar, piercing the heavens, stirring black clouds into rippling layers, his elegance unparalleled, for this unassuming Dragon Tiger Divine Sect Master was a figure ranked above the Great Deity chart.

A brilliant, majestic Haoran aura surged skyward, like a white river roaring through heaven and earth; the realm‑level Great Deity's celestial soul seemed to command that white river, cleansing the world.

It was none other than Haoran Academy's Sect Master Bai Bu Yi!

One—one, and another!

Pillars of blood‑Qi light, pillars of divine nature light!

Outside Heavenly Origin Dao City, pillar after pillar rose upward!

The night curtain was like water, profoundly deep.

A torrential downpour fell, and terrifying, massive aura light pillars surged upward, soaring like a great dragon!

The entire night sky seemed turned into a torn cloth, constantly shaken, invisible ripples spreading and striking like waves on the Grand Canal, battering the city walls.

It caused subtle tremors throughout the whole Heavenly Origin Dao City.

Within the Dao City.

The patriarchs of the three great millennial families—the Zhou, Yun, and Zhong—appeared in the air, their faces pallid; even the strongest among these millennial patriarchs were only at the Divine Embryo Second Divine Transformation realm.

Facing these pillars, all of top‑tier pinnacle and top‑tier Great Deity level forces, how could they not tremble?!

And this aura, seemingly endless, rose again just as everyone's hearts were already wavering in despair!

It made any inner self‑comfort feel exceedingly feeble.

Within Heavenly Origin Dao City, ordinary jianghu cultivators and soldiers of the Divine Guard felt their souls tremble, barely able to sustain their bodies, as if they must kneel and worship.

It was as if the top‑tier pinnacle martial‑will and top‑tier Great Deity rank pressure that enveloped the entire Heavenly Origin Dao City made ordinary cultivators shiver all over, filled with awe!

Open plot…

This was an extremely brazen open plot!

It sought to use the aura of each top‑tier pinnacle strongman to display crushing power, to smash the resistance of everyone in Heavenly Origin Dao City from top to bottom!

On the warship.

Xie Yun's Divine Feather Fan gently swayed, a faint smile curling at its corners.

"All of you in Heavenly Origin Dao City, I have made my move; how should you respond?"

…

…

Bang—!!!

Lu Taibai slammed his palm hard onto the table.

He originally intended to erupt, brandishing the Tai Bai Sword, charging into the clouds to tear apart the myriad strong aura that completely sealed and shrouded Heavenly Origin Dao City, intimidating the hearts and minds of its cultivators.

But he was blocked by Fang Hanshu.

"Sect Master, your current aura burst may not be able to break through theirs; after all, among them are Ji Mo Li and Heaven‑Ruin Earth‑Defect…"

Fang Hanshu said in a deep voice.

"If your aura burst cannot tear open the opponent's aura seal, it will starkly contrast the combat power and foundation of both sides… then Xie Yun's psychological attack will be like a dagger thrust into the heart, a satisfying twist."

Lu Taibai's silver hair flew, sword qi rampant in his eyes.

His brow swelled as if about to burst open, the Dao‑yun Jie Sword within rang with a clanging sound!

"But continuing like this is also no solution!"

Lu Taibai gritted his teeth.

Fang Hanshu exhaled, looking toward Second Elder Zhao Fangzhou.

"Second Elder, go summon Elder Li."

Fang Hanshu said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fangzhou showed no hesitation, his expression solemn as he turned and left.

Feng Zhiqi was puzzled: "Grand Elder, given the current situation, what use is summoning Elder Li?"

"Elder Li alone cannot change the situation..."

It is not that Feng Zhiqi distrusts Li Che, but Li Che's combat power is limited, even if he once won the champion of the Heroic Summit…

But the current situation is far too severe.

Fang Hanshu merely shook his head slightly, offering no explanation.

And Zhao Fangzhou had just reached the doorway.

A figure already drifted in from outside the door.

A black shirt embroidered with golden lotuses fluttered wildly.

His jet‑black, sturdy hair struck the night sky and airflow like black lightning; the terrifying martial‑will and rank pressure that shrouded the whole city seemed to have no effect on him.

"Second Elder need not go, I will come."

Li Che's gentle voice floated in.

Everyone's gazes converged on Li Che.

Seeing Li Che's calm demeanor, Fang Hanshu couldn't help but show a faint smile: "Ah Che, what do you think?"

Lu Taibai also looked over.

Feng Zhiqi, Yuwen Wenlong, Tang Xie Jia, Gongshu Jingjun and others all directed their gazes at Li Che.

Li Che exhaled.

In the next instant, he brought two fingers together, and his sword point tore open space.

From within he grasped a mask and slowly placed it over his face.

His five fingers brushed across the mask.

In an instant, a horse‑face appeared.

Beneath the horse‑face, the eyes were supremely calm.

"If they want to clash with the strong's Qi, then we'll clash with them!"

"We're not afraid of a sea‑of‑people tactic."

"They aim to wear down our spirit slowly; we won't give them a chance…"

"Direct battle!"

The words fell.

The entire temple office of the town fell into silence at once.

Feng Zhichi and the others were even more stunned.

They didn't expect that Li Che's first line upon appearing would burst out like this.

Li Che had just broken through to the Saint of War; was his heart too inflated?

A newborn calf isn't afraid of a fierce tiger?!

This…

How to clash?!

How to fight?!

On the court's side, Heaven‑ruined Earth‑lacking plus Ji Mo Li, two forces comparable to a half‑step Divine Calamity!

Add to that the five top‑tier Absolute Peaks and great deity auras from the heads of ancient sects like Gu Changqing and others.

On their side…

Top‑tier Absolute Peaks… seem to be only Sect Master Lu Taibai and Grand Elder Fang Hanshu, just two, right?!

After Lu Taibai heard Li Che's words,

He instantly looked up and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"We've been waiting for that line!"

The words ended.

A dazzling sword chant erupted from his body in an instant.

Lu Taibai vanished from the spot, then reappeared, already floating upward, silver hair streaming, white robe fluttering, sword Qi soaring to the heavens!

The endless suppressed Qi of the entire Qian Yuan Dao City was brazenly cut open, like a river flowing backward, stars being slashed and tumbling down!

Lu Taibai directly unleashed the aura of the Dao‑Yun Calamity Sword.

The aura of the Half‑step Divine Calamity realm boldly collided with the light pillar of Ji Mo Li's aura!

The earth shook, mountains quivered, the star river swayed!

With his own aura, he opposed the strong aura of the court's great army beyond Qian Yuan Dao City; though thin, it possessed an unmatched solitary daring!

"Hahahahaha—"

"I, Lu Taibai, am here!"

Li Che's five fingers slowly slipped off the horse‑face, his toes touching the ground, and his whole body vanished into thin air.

Reappearing, he was already standing atop the Treasure Tower's soaring eaves of the Qin Tian Observatory in Qian Yuan Dao City.

Inside the Treasure Tower.

The head of the Qin Tian Observatory, Hong Shifo, leaned against the railing, pinching chess pieces and placing them onto the board one by one.

Finally, five in a row.

Hong Shifo showed a smile creasing his wrinkled face.

But the smile lasted no more than three seconds.

He then raised his head helplessly.

"This kid… deliberately appears on the Qin Tian Observatory's rooftop, fearing I won't act?"

Hong Shifo was helpless.

Above the rooftop.

The horse‑face, clad in a black shirt, stood as straight as a spear!

His eyes glowed faintly, confronting the terrifying top‑tier Absolute Peaks and top‑tier great deity auras that spanned the heavens beyond Qian Yuan Dao City.

He snorted a hot breath.

Compete with the crowd?

Who fears whom?!

His five fingers spread, boldly raising, and above the black‑tiled roofs of the surrounding buildings, black Qi surged, writhing and twisting, then slowly rose from the ground, coiling upward.

"Detain the gods."

"Stand up!"