Chapter 106

The killing intent was scorching.

The pressure all around increased abruptly. As the generals of the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion made their moves, the situation changed instantly.

The first to attack were naturally Kuang Tian and Fang Feibai.

Accompanied by the shrill, fierce whistling of powerful Qi, a whip shadow covered the sky, shooting straight for Qie Lan's brow, while the double hooks flashed like lightning, sealing off all of Ye Xuanshang's offensive moves.

Qie Lan let out a soft, delicate cry, her Floating Gossamer Sword flashing like a star, blooming with sharp, cold light amidst the heavy whip shadows.

With several "chi-chi" sounds of Qi clashing, the whip shadows burst apart, and Kuang Tian merely shifted sideways. Qie Lan, however, retreated two steps in succession, her blood and Qi roiling from being shaken by Kuang Tian's overbearing internal strength; only by utilizing the momentum of her retreat could she barely neutralize this heart-shattering internal force.

Amidst the astonishing clashing sounds nearby, Ye Xuanshang and Fang Feibai engaged in close-quarters combat. His momentum was blocked, and new wounds were added to his body; clearly, he had not gained any advantage.

Compared to the two of them, Li Si and Su Ying had reached the point where life and death would be decided in an instant.

Even though Li Si's swordsmanship was exquisite, her internal strength was far inferior to Zhan Xing's, not to mention that after a bitter fight, her physical strength and internal breath had reached their limit. The silver halberd struck head-on with the force of a collapsing mountain. In a single move, blood trickled from the corners of Li Si's lips, her long sword nearly slipping from her hand, and she stumbled backward. Had Zi Rao not forced back the two envoys of the Freedom Hall and intervened in time, she would inevitably have died on the spot.

Su Ying was simultaneously besieged by several South Chu experts, and his situation was even worse. Yi Qingqing's sharp long sword alone had already placed him at a disadvantage. He exhausted his remaining strength to block the deadly blades, but he could not avoid the copper staff that attacked his chest like a venomous snake, carrying terrifying force. With a miserable groan, he vomited blood and crashed into the ranks of the Jiuyi tribe.

Flame Butterflies filled the sky, bringing out dazzling golden light as they broke into the battle formation, forcibly receiving the attacks from both South Chu and the Freedom Hall. Explosions and screams rose one after another, and a thousand threads shot over, dragging several enemies who were lunging at Ye Xuanshang into the fray as well.

At present, only Zi Rao still had the spare strength to look after others, but that was only because the generals had been ordered to show mercy.

Everything was exactly as Huang Fei had planned, fatal at every step.

Although those responsible for the rear were the premier warriors of the Jiuyi tribe, those three gray-clad elders were no lower than them in either martial arts or experience. Before they had even engaged, Shusun Yi judged the situation to be perilous from the enemy's momentum, but he didn't even have time to be shocked before he was swept into the tide-like blades and staves.

"Huang Fei!" Han Xi suddenly stepped forward. High above the building, Huang Fei remained indifferent in the face of this Shura battlefield. Han Xi wanted to speak but stopped, finally closing her eyes abruptly and turning her head, unable to bear watching any longer.

The second round of fierce attacks followed in quick succession.

Qie Lan blocked the Soul-Snaring Rope's killing move once again. Weighing the situation, she knew that the left and right flanks had almost lost their combat effectiveness and would be intercepted and annihilated by the enemy in the next moment, turning into the same situation as Mingyi Tower. She decisively abandoned the intention of charging forward, her Floating Gossamer Sword's light soaring as she mercilessly slashed down eight enemy experts in a row, then suddenly retreated toward the Eastern Jiao Star position, shouting sharply: "Form the Zhou Tian Sword Array!"

Amidst the bloody battle, several female generals including Qingming and Luan Ying shouted in response, and the sword light intensified rapidly.

Shusun Yi understood Qie Lan's intention and simultaneously rushed toward the Northern Star position. Just as he was worrying that Li Si was too injured to guard the Star Pivot, he saw a black-clad figure flash amidst the blades and swords. Zi Rao appeared at the Western Kui Star position, and with a flick of her sleeves, four opponents vomited blood and died. In her hand, she already held a long sword, the blade trembling slightly as it suddenly flicked upward.

A clear light like lightning suddenly transformed into a light-net that exploded, as if attacking from all directions simultaneously. Zhan Xing, who bore the brunt of the formation's shift, was greatly shocked. Even though he pulled back and flew away, his clothes were still shredded by the biting sword Qi, and he nearly failed to escape.

The Jiuyi warriors returned to their respective positions. The Southern Jing Star position was guarded jointly by Luan Ying and Qingming, with Li Si protecting them from the side. Ye Xuanshang retreated to the heart of the formation, backhandedly catching Su Ying and channeling True Qi to help him heal. Chu Rang, Sikong Yu, and others all pulled back into the formation, seizing the precious opportunity to recover their strength.

A strange change suddenly appeared on the battlefield.

One could see points of sword light within the formation, scattered amidst the bloody encirclement of the Liefeng Cavalry. It appeared chaotic and disorganized, a jumble of confusion, yet it suddenly underwent changes whenever the opponents pursued.

With one sword strike, ten thousand swords responded. The rear, which had been difficult to defend even with several people working together, was now guarded by Shusun Yi alone, yet he defended it so tightly that not a drop of water could pass, instead forcing the three gray-clad elders into precarious situations, unable to make any progress.

Fang Feibai's opponent was replaced by Qie Lan. With a shrill whistle, he cupped his palms and struck out, originally intending to use his palm force to knock away her weapon. Unexpectedly, a white figure flashed within the formation, and a wave of sword Qi like a collapsing mountain rolled in. Its power was so strong that it was irresistible, and he was forced to dodge sideways.

Zi Rao and Qie Lan both unleashed their sword momentum, driving the formation to shift from defense to offense, and the situation changed instantly.

Back then in Xi Ma Gu, Zi Hao had evolved this sword array from the original formation of the Jiuyi tribe, selecting soldiers to teach and practice it. It corresponded to the celestial phenomena of the Zhou Tian above and followed the Mysterious Penetrating I Ching numbers below; it was an extremely formidable battle method. After countless drills by Qie Lan and the others, plus Zi Rao, who was proficient in the Qimen arts, its power only increased.

The enemy ranks were filled with flying blades and splashing blood, collapsing into disarray. The experts of the Marquis Mansion were momentarily helpless, and the group fought their way out of the heavy encirclement, continuously pushing toward the end of the long street.

Han Xi opened her eyes wide with an "Ah." From where she stood, the Zhou Tian Sword Array amidst the surging Liefeng Cavalry looked like the vast sea reflecting the stars, with giant waves crashing against the sky and thousands of star-lights flashing, continuously flowing and alternating, infinitely profound.

"Nine Palaces Cave Heaven, Eight Directions Divine Numbers—could it be..." Han Xi whispered to herself, unable to help but think of the Tongyou Chess that Zi Hao had taught her, her heart feeling a wave of misery.

"Hmph!" Huang Fei, standing proudly in the wind, suddenly laughed coldly. "Han Xi, that chess game from last time—today, I will show you the outcome!" Having said this, his figure moved, and he swept toward the battlefield through the air.

At this time, the bright moon in the sky had long been obscured by heavy clouds. The night was stained with blood so thick that even the gale could not blow it away. The moment the sword array was activated, restless, rolling thunder could be heard faintly, and lightning flashed continuously from behind the dark clouds, making this intense battlefield even more terrifying.

Luan Ying and Qingming's twin swords flew and flashed, killing enemy soldiers until they were headless and limbless, tossing and colliding. Suddenly, a red shadow flashed before their eyes; Huang Fei appeared within the formation, waving his palms to strike at the blades of the two.

Jiuyi warriors on both sides lunged out with their swords, simultaneously stabbing at Huang Fei's shoulders.

The Zhou Tian formation rotated, the sword light continuously sealing off the path ahead. Who would have thought that Huang Fei would sway left and right, and the swords aimed at him would all miss, unable to hinder him in the slightest. But with two "peng-peng" sounds, Luan Ying and Qingming both cried out in alarm, their long swords flying from their hands.

The Southern formation suddenly stalled. Li Si shouted urgently, raising her sword to rush toward the Star position. Huang Fei didn't even look at the incoming sword, suddenly shifting sideways and stepping into the Eastern Heart Star position. Not only did Li Si's sword miss, but Qie Lan, who was at the central Star Pivot, acted as if committing suicide by actively colliding with his palm wind.

Huang Fei's lips curled coldly, suddenly turning his palm into a claw and hooking toward Qie Lan's shoulder. Qie Lan was greatly shocked and had no choice but to spin and dodge urgently. As a result, the central Jun Tian was left without a master, the Star Gate was wide open, and with the Southern Xuan Yuan position broken, a perilous situation arose instantly.

Qie Lan knew things were bad and gritted her teeth fiercely. Her Floating Gossamer Sword transformed into countless sword flowers, shooting across the sky toward Huang Fei, intending to force him out of the center and reclaim control of the main formation.

One only heard Huang Fei snort coldly. Red clothes flashed like lightning within the formation, and sword light flew like a stream. Two figures advanced and retreated suddenly, accompanied by the rolling clouds and thunder in the night sky, moving through the formation with unparalleled speed; the scene was bizarre and indistinguishable.

Qie Lan's sword momentum could not be called slow, and her footwork could not be called unrefined, but Huang Fei seemed to anticipate the enemy at every step, always being a split second faster than her, firmly controlling the Star Pivot. It was exactly the same method Zi Hao had used in Xi Ma Gu; killing people and breaking formations were done in the blink of an eye.

Under heaven, he was the only one who could instantly crush this formation capable of resisting a thousand armies, just as he was the only one qualified to play a game of chess with the Eastern Emperor for the world.

Zi Rao's red lips were pressed tight, her star-like eyes filled with anxiety, but she had to deal with the joint offensive of Fang Feibai and Kuang Tian and could not spare herself. Seeing the sword array about to be broken, the South Chu and Freedom Hall forces exerted all their strength to press their attack on Shusun Yi, and the three gray-clad elders had a tacit understanding, simultaneously killing toward Li Si!

The situation was extremely perilous.

Just at this moment, Ye Xuanshang suddenly let out a long howl, the Guili Sword carrying a piercing light as it crossed over Qie Lan and crashed toward Huang Fei!

Startling lightning snaked and spread through the layered clouds. Amidst the rain of blood, a soul-stirring, dazzling cold light exploded, and the sounds of clashing rang out like cracking thunder. Huang Fei's offensive was blocked, and he flew backward.

A torrential downpour swept across the world in an instant. Ye Xuanshang flipped back through the air, just in time to intercept Fang Feibai and Kuang Tian. Hooks, swords, whips, and ropes collided instantly, and the three of them stumbled away, all of them splattered with blood!

Zi Rao and Qie Lan were both awestruck, knowing that Ye Xuanshang's fighting style was already one of someone who had intentionally risked his life.

If he could pin down Huang Fei, the others might have a chance to escape. Chu Rang and Sikong Yu also rushed out of the sword array at this time, killing the incoming Zhan Xing and his wife, as well as the Freedom Hall experts surging up like a tide, without fear of death.

Ye Xuanshang shouted loudly: "Form up and kill your way out! Do not linger!"

The generals of the Marquis Mansion would naturally not let them go. Two of the three gray-clad elders split off, one with a saber and one with a staff, whistling as they lunged toward Qie Lan, and two generals from the Marquis Mansion joined the encirclement simultaneously.

Amidst an angry snort, black clothes flashed. Ye Xuanshang blocked the path with his sword, the cold light of the Guili Sword intensifying suddenly, and several opponents were all swept into the sword momentum that resembled a raging tide of blood.

With Ye Xuanshang's martial arts, if he fought life for life, who would not feel their heart turn cold? Even Fang Feibai did not dare to be arrogant and meet his edge directly, forced to change from offense to defense, unable to pull away for a moment.

Qie Lan gritted her teeth fiercely and ordered loudly: "Break out with all your strength!"

"Leave your lives behind!" The Zhuri Sword crossed a thousand armies, aiming straight for the heart of the formation.

Once Huang Fei broke the sword array, the result would surely be the annihilation of the entire army. Ye Xuanshang roared wildly, forcibly taking Kuang Tian's whip and palm strike, rising into the sky to block Huang Fei head-on!

The ferocity in Zi Rao's eyes intensified. The sword light in her hands swirled with the rain, killing enemy soldiers until they were overturned and terrified. Qie Lan stepped back into the Star Pivot, and the Zhou Tian Sword Array began to rotate again, sweeping away all who stood in its path as they charged toward the street intersection ahead.

Sword Qi intersected in mid-air, a sheet of laser-light resembling lightning filling the sky, and two figures flew and retreated rapidly.

Ye Xuanshang landed and spat out a mouthful of blood, but the Guili Sword's power increased dramatically, intercepting the Marquis Mansion experts who were pursuing them on the spot.

Even with their superior numbers, the Liefeng Cavalry soldiers alone could not withstand the Zhou Tian Sword Array. Huang Fei swept back to the center of the bloody battle, shouting angrily from mid-air: "All generals, fall back!"

Ye Xuanshang laughed loudly, the sword light surging. Zhan Xing and Yue Yan did not have time to retreat and were simultaneously splattered with blood and heavily injured. One gray-clad elder's staff and saber snapped, and he was sent flying, crashing into the military formation, dying on the spot.

Ye Xuanshang also paid a heavy price. Several wounds on his body burst open, and he stumbled backward, suddenly turning around, his eyes flashing with divine light, locking onto the Huang Fei who was attacking in anger.

Zi Rao's face showed a strange, clear light, and she suddenly ordered Li Si: "Take command of the formation!" Before the words had faded, she leaped toward the battlefield.

Li Si cried out in alarm: "Princess!" But facing the tide-like offensive of the Liefeng Cavalry, how could she dare to hesitate? She had no choice but to rush into the Western Star Pivot, while the Southern formation was taken over again by Luan Ying and Qingming.

Startling thunder cracked across the sky, and a clear whistle pierced through the battle formation!

Black sleeves fluttered in the void, flowing light swirled around, and a bewitching, dazzling blood lotus appeared at Zi Rao's brow. The dark, fierce, strange light between her slender fingers merged with the sword light in Ye Xuanshang's hand, meeting the Zhuri Sword's world-shaking strike head-on!

The color of the lotus, the sword of Guili, the edge of Zhuri!

In the torrential rain, the world lost its color for an instant.

The fierce light was blinding, the rain-light shining everywhere, but one saw two black-clad figures both stumble backward. Zi Rao suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, crashing into the Liefeng Cavalry formation with Ye Xuanshang.

Huang Fei's rapidly retreating figure, however, miraculously stopped in mid-air. His cloak fluttered, red as fire, and coldness surged in his handsome eyes, as if this torrential rain roaring through the night sky were tearing the human world apart.

"Good, if you want to die, I will grant your wish!" The instantly cold gaze was as sharp as a sword's edge. In the biting gale and rain, it swirled and whistled beside the Zhuri Sword, ready to erupt at any moment.

With the martial arts of Zi Rao or Ye Xuanshang, both were originally qualified to fight Huang Fei, but Zi Rao, in order to dissolve the potent poison in Zi Hao's body, had repeatedly transformed her blood into medicine, causing extreme damage to her True Essence. Forcibly using the Blood Shadow Lotus Transformation to block Huang Fei's sword was tantamount to injury upon injury; her internal organs felt as if they were being cut, and she could no longer summon True Qi. And Ye Xuanshang, after a night of bitter fighting to this point, having defeated strong enemies one after another and bathed in blood, was already at the end of his rope.

The two were trapped in a heavy encirclement, with enemy troops on all sides. The Zhuri Sword's ruthless Qi pierced the air, and shrill whistling filled their ears.

Suddenly, a long, clear whistle came from the sky. A white light like lightning pierced the clouds, and at this critical moment, it descended from the sky, intercepting Huang Fei's fatal strike!

A green-robed figure with a silver spear appeared in the rain. Nearly a hundred Heavenly Sect disciples appeared on the east side of the Marquis Mansion, killing their way into the battlefield one after another, throwing the Liefeng Cavalry formation into chaos. On the west side, there was also a group of black-masked White Tiger Secret Guards, led personally by Yu Zheng, who fought desperately and bravely!

Blood flowed like rivers on all four sides, and fierce battles broke out one after another. The two fresh forces carved a bloody path through the Liefeng Cavalry, greatly reducing the pressure at the center.

The Thousand-Cloud Spear's offensive unfolded, and in an instant, it exchanged more than ten moves with Huang Fei, fighting to a draw. Ye Xuanjian laughed loudly and suddenly retreated backward. With green sleeves fluttering in the wind and the spear tip crossing and slashing, enemy soldiers flew and tumbled wherever he passed, collapsing into total disarray.

Ye Xuanshang found a chance for survival in the face of death, hacking away several enemy soldiers in succession, his spirit lifted: "Second Royal Brother!"

The Thousand-Cloud Spear suddenly pressed close, sweeping toward his chest: "If you aren't running for your life, what are you waiting for?"

A cloud-like, powerful force of Qi sent him and Zi Rao toward the outer circle of the battle. The two leaped over the heavy encirclement and landed in mid-air, just in time to meet the Freedom Hall forces guarding the exit.

There were countless enemies, surging forward one after another, and a bloody battle was still unavoidable. Who would have thought that at this very moment, a group of Freedom Hall experts suddenly turned their blades against their own gang members. The enemy troops were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses, and the blockade failed instantly.

Ye Xuanshang let out a long howl, carrying Zi Rao as they fought their way out along this chaos, fleeing toward the Chu Jiang.

For the Shao Yuan Jun Mansion, the primary goal tonight was to capture and kill Zi Rao and Ye Xuanshang. Fang Feibai and the others all knew that they absolutely could not let the two of them escape, so they split the majority of their manpower from the encirclement sword array and lunged toward this location one after another.

With such a full-force pursuit, the difference in martial arts was immediately apparent. Fang Feibai surpassed several people in an instant, striking a palm toward Ye Xuanshang's back from mid-air.

The force of the wind reached his body. Ye Xuanshang didn't even look back, fiercely raising a breath of True Qi to protect Zi Rao as he shifted sideways. With a flash of red across his face, his figure suddenly accelerated, crossing the street and alley to throw himself into the darkness of the gale and rain outside.

Fang Feibai's palm missed, and he stopped suddenly on the eaves of the long street, decisively ordering: "Fire arrows!"

Archers from high above fired their sharp arrows in unison, covering the target like a torrential rain, but it was ultimately a step too late. Ye Xuanshang had already embraced Zi Rao and charged forward, both of them falling toward the surging Chu Jiang below.

(End of Chapter)