Chapter 575: Unlike Ning Zhuo vs. Xiang Yue

Blood began to burn, plunging Xiang Ning into a sea of searing blood-fire.

His aura soared; even in Du Tiechuan's composed eyes, a trace of shock and unease appeared.

Xiang Ning charged toward Du Tiechuan, his momentum tragic and filled with a resolve to die.

Du Tiechuan retreated again and again, not giving Xiang Ning any chance to get close.

Su Ling attacked, nearly emptying her reserves, dispatching all her mechanical creations.

Whether it was mechanisms, magic treasures, flying swords, weapons, or even spells, everything that touched the blood-fire was melted and reduced to nothingness.

This move, created by Xiang Ning himself, had immense power and combined offense with defense.

Du Tiechuan saw the truth, and his heart shook violently once more: "He is burning away his entire physical body and Nascent Soul, turning all his foundations into blood-fire, burning fiercely to trade for a fleeting moment of brilliance!"

"This fellow... he truly is the Bone of the Mountain of the Thousand Peaks Forest."

Even as an enemy, Du Tiechuan could not help but feel a sense of admiration for Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning sighed in his heart; he stopped voluntarily, his aura rapidly dissipating, his majestic body shrinking until he returned to the appearance of a withered old man.

He had unleashed the final, powerful note of his life, yet he had achieved little in terms of battle results.

The enemy was also wise and brave, never clashing head-on with him.

From this perspective, being able to force a Soul Transformation-level expert to retreat, Xiang Ning had also achieved glorious battle merits!

Originally, Xiang Ning could have held on for much longer, but by stopping voluntarily, he immediately ushered in the final moment of his life.

At the end of his life, Xiang Ning pointed a finger, and the blood-fire wrapped around his shoulder armor, turning into a meteor of blood-fire that shot toward... Xiang Yue.

Du Tiechuan, while guarding against Xiang Ning and also wary of a potential sneak attack from the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang, immediately moved to intercept upon seeing the blood-fire meteor, but he missed by a hair, leading to a massive difference.

Boom.

The blood-fire meteor struck Xiang Yue squarely, rapidly dissolving the military-strategy profound power that had been plaguing the latter.

Ang.

With a long, resonant elephant trumpet, Xiang Yue flexed his arms, returning to freedom!

The Artifact Spirit Child wept, sitting on Xiang Yue's right shoulder, wiping away tears as he said to Xiang Yue: "Big guy, when Master was dying, he told me to rely on you and help you fight with all your might. You are my new master now. You must fight well, wuu wuu, avenge my master! Wuu wuu wuu..."

Xiang Yue extended a broad palm and gently stroked the Artifact Spirit Child's small forehead.

The Artifact Spirit Child retreated into the spirit treasure shoulder armor, and Xiang Yue's palm landed on the armor.

"I never expected Xiang Ning to entrust this heavy treasure to me." Xiang Yue sighed in his heart, his rough palm stroking the surface of the spirit armor.

The touch was hard yet resilient, and it was covered in countless tiny cracks.

After such intense fighting, even a spirit treasure-level shoulder armor had suffered significant damage and would need repairs after the battle.

It wasn't just the spirit treasure shoulder armor; a mass of blood-fire had permeated Xiang Yue's body, rapidly condensing, and finally forming large patches of blood-fire tattoos on the Elephant King's body.

"Martial Arts: Xiang Ning's Vengeful Body?" Xiang Yue was moved.

Xiang Ning had passed this martial arts inheritance to Xiang Yue, and the tattoos contained all the essence. Carved into anyone's body, it would allow them to instantly master this martial art he had created himself!

Xiang Yue looked up at Du Tiechuan in the sky: "General Du, how much longer and how much further do you intend to retreat?"

Du Tiechuan looked down from above, his gaze falling on the blood tattoos covering the latter, feeling quite a headache.

He could naturally recognize it: this was Xiang Ning's final, resolute decision to entrust his entire power to Xiang Yue.

Looking across the allied forces of the Thousand Peaks Forest, only Xiang Yue's physique could bear this legacy!

Possessing the blood tattoos and the spirit treasure, Xiang Yue was effectively stacking Xiang Ning's combat power onto his own. His own combat power was already quite formidable, at the peak of the Nascent Soul level. Now, like a tiger with wings, his combat power touched the Soul Transformation level, posing a threat to Du Tiechuan.

"The key is that the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang still hasn't made a move. What exactly is he planning?"

Du Tiechuan frowned slightly, constantly worried about the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang, not daring to go all out.

He looked at Xiang Yue and spoke slowly: "Xiang Ning has passed, and the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang has not appeared for a long time; I fear that after clashing with me for the first time, he was too severely injured to fight."

"Otherwise, how could he just watch as your allied forces collapsed and Xiang Ning died in battle?"

"Current Elephant King, those who know the times are wise. If you surrender, I promise you high office and generous salary."

"Haven't you always been worried about the development of your tribe? In the treasury of my Liangzhu Kingdom, there are plenty of treasures that can help your tribe breed more descendants!"

Many cultivators of the Thousand Peaks Forest immediately looked at Xiang Yue, filled with worry.

Xiang Yue shook his head, snorted coldly, and refused without hesitation: "High office and generous salary? That's just being a beast of burden for you! Humans, hah."

Xiang Yue was a demon cultivator; Xiang Ning's barbarian identity would have been easier to integrate into the Liangzhu Kingdom than his.

In the current Cultivation World, humans are the orthodox rulers, and all other tribes can only be vassals.

By comparison, Xiang Yue and his tribe would rather live and breed freely in a land beyond the reach of the world.

With the persuasion to surrender failing, Du Tiechuan sighed in his heart and took the initiative to attack, engaging Xiang Yue in a duel.

Xiang Yue's strength had increased greatly; Du Tiechuan could not afford to leave him be.

The two sides clashed, trading blows, and for a time, explosions rang out continuously, with mountain rocks flying everywhere.

Xiang Yue had the blessing of Xiang Ning's legacy, and his strength was clearly a large step above what it was before. His martial arts were direct and straightforward, ancient and simple, with immense power, making Du Tiechuan unwilling to take them head-on, focusing mainly on dodging.

The green blade in Du Tiechuan's hand was extremely sharp; even with the spirit treasure-level shoulder armor for protection, Xiang Yue was still wounded by the sword edge.

Xiang Yue's wounds increased rapidly; at first, it was an even exchange, but after a few rounds, he fell into a disadvantage.

Zhu Xuanji, who had been watching the battle, had just received a key piece of information.

"The Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang has appeared at Quteng Peak and captured the 'Old Monster of the Stone' alive."

"It seems that Gao Cuo of the Thousand Peaks Forest is a person of the Liangzhu Kingdom, planted here all along to act as an eye."

"Why would disguising himself as the 'Old Monster of the Stone' be enough to lure the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang, even making him abandon the main battlefield?"

"There must be an important reason for this!"

Zhu Xuanji pondered while watching the battle, his eyes reflecting the scene of Xiang Yue bleeding on the battlefield, trying many times but failing to regain the upper hand.

Fairy Hongxiu and Lin Bufan, who were beside him, also finished reading the key information.

"Xiang Ning has good methods." Lin Bufan sighed endlessly, "Even in death, he calculated Xiang Yue. A single legacy allowed the Elephant King to take his place and fight Du Tiechuan to the death."

Fairy Hongxiu said: "Xiang Yue's combat power is quite considerable; just comparing physical cultivation, he is probably even above Xiang Ning. It's just that Xiang Ning's strength included divine arts, which is why he surpassed Xiang Yue in combat power."

"With Xiang Ning dead, Xiang Yue is the number one physical cultivator of the Thousand Peaks Forest."

"No, looking across the Liangzhu Kingdom, he is probably one of the best among Nascent Soul-level physical cultivators."

Zhu Xuanji stared at Xiang Yue and nodded slightly: "Hmm... Xiang Yue is different from Xiang Ning; the latter believed firmly in the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang and had no possibility of cooperating with my Nandou Kingdom."

"Xiang Yue needs to take care of the entire elephant herd, a huge weakness that might be leveraged."

"And if he participates in this battle and can retreat smoothly, his prestige and fame in the Thousand Peaks Forest region will increase greatly, and he is very likely to become a leading figure of the Thousand Peaks Forest in the future."

"Yes, it would be a pity if Xiang Yue were to be lost in this battle."

The current situation on the battlefield was something Zhu Xuanji did not want to see.

The Nandou Kingdom needed the Thousand Peaks Forest to be effectively independent; what they wanted to see was both sides suffering, the Liangzhu Kingdom exhausting its national strength, and the conquest failing.

The Nandou Kingdom had long secretly intervened in the Thousand Peaks Forest, and Fairy Hongxiu, who had been planted there, was one of them.

"But how can we protect Xiang Yue?" Zhu Xuanji frowned slightly and asked the two people beside him.

Fairy Hongxiu rolled up her sleeves: "That's easy, the Long Wang Giant Wood Mountain is lying right there. I will sneak over to move the mountain and press it toward the Liangzhu Kingdom's camp, which will surely force Du Tiechuan to defend, and we can take the opportunity to let Xiang Yue escape."

Lin Bufan shook his head: "Xiang Yue's fighting spirit has not diminished; instead, it has continued to rise due to his disadvantageous position. It is impossible for him to listen to our orders and turn to flee."

"And it is even more impossible for the Divine Catcher to participate in the battle personally..."

This move would be too extreme and would inevitably lead to disputes between the two countries, or even turmoil at the borders.

Lin Bufan frowned deeply, unable to come up with a strategy in a short time.

Zhu Xuanji suddenly said: "I have a way."

"We can ask Unlike Ning Zhuo to fight the Elephant King; in his group, there are Liu, Guan, and Zhang, as well as the female general Mu Lan."

Lin Bufan was stunned: "Divine Catcher, Xiang Yue is by no means comparable to the Master of the Demon Heart Cave. Even against the Master of the Demon Heart Cave, Unlike Ning Zhuo was only the one to deliver the final blow. The one who truly severely injured the Master of the Demon Heart Cave was Mu Lan's Red Heart Swan Arrow divine art!"

"Now, Mu Lan has already used it once; it would be quite difficult to use the divine art a second time."

Zhu Xuanji shook his head and said confidently: "I have my own methods."

He immediately took out a token and infused it with magic power and spiritual sense.

Unlike Ning Zhuo immediately felt a vibration, his spiritual sense probing into his storage belt, where he received Zhu Xuanji's message: "What? You want me to deal with Xiang Yue?!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head immediately, about to refuse, but upon seeing the subsequent information, his expression couldn't help but change slightly.

Soon, he changed his mind: "General Liu, General Mu Lan, do you want to do another big job!"

Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Mu Lan were commanding their respective armies, killing heads until they rolled, constantly reaping battle merits, which could be described as exhilarating.

Hearing Unlike Ning Zhuo's proposal, they were all very curious and immediately asked.

"What, we are going to deal with Xiang Yue together?" Everyone was shocked.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was almost ready to pat his chest, immediately guaranteeing: "Don't worry, I have my own clever method!"

Having experienced so many things, the generals' trust in Unlike Ning Zhuo had long reached a very high level. Even if Unlike Ning Zhuo didn't explain in detail, and even if fighting Xiang Yue was a life-threatening matter, the generals all agreed readily.

Unlike Ning Zhuo then led the two armies and four generals, shuttling through the battlefield, killing their way into the core battle zone for the first time.

"General Du, you go ahead, we will block the Elephant King!" Unlike Ning Zhuo shouted.

Both the enemy and our side nearby were very surprised to hear Unlike Ning Zhuo's shout.

Du Tiechuan cast a measuring look at Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Although he had been in seclusion healing, he knew of Unlike Ning Zhuo's record of repelling the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts.

In this great battle, he had also observed Unlike Ning Zhuo's various stunning performances through spells.

"Good, you take over." Du Tiechuan's hidden worries about the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang had always existed, and coupled with the fact that Unlike Ning Zhuo was a person from another country, Liu, Guan, and Zhang were just a new army, and even better, if Mu Lan's Red Flower Camp were lost, many people in the capital would be happy about it.

Du Tiechuan let go decisively.

Unlike Ning Zhuo and the others took over Xiang Yue's attack.

Xiang Yue snorted coldly, feeling humiliated: "You all underestimate me so much! Then I will make you pay with your lives."

But the next moment, Unlike Ning Zhuo sent a spiritual sense message: "Elephant King, do you still remember Qiu Hongfeng by the Glazed Pond?"

Xiang Yue's heart shook violently, and his footsteps even stumbled: "What?! You know the whereabouts of Hongfeng?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo continued to send a spiritual sense message: "Not only do I know her whereabouts, but I also know that after she parted ways with you, Elephant King, she was pregnant with your child."

"Ah?!" Xiang Yue lost his composure.

Unlike Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to attack, forcing Xiang Yue to take a big step back. He continued to send a spiritual sense message: "Elephant King, I am a person of the Nandou Kingdom, not from the Liangzhu Kingdom side. On the surface, I am your enemy, but in fact, I am your friend."

Xiang Yue's expression was uncertain: "A person of the Nandou Kingdom??"

As the current Elephant King, he naturally understood the general trend.

The Thousand Peaks Forest maintaining its independence was a very favorable situation for the Nandou Kingdom.

The enemy of an enemy is a friend.

Plus...

"Hongfeng, and my child..." Xiang Yue's weakness was tightly gripped by Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Unlike Ning Zhuo hurriedly continued to attack, and secretly used spiritual sense to transmit: "Elephant King, don't show any flaws, continue to fight fiercely with me!"

"After a few rounds, I will take the initiative to flee, and you chase me without letting go; I will lead you out of the battlefield."

Xiang Yue: "How can I believe you are not deceiving me? You might be a person of the Liangzhu Kingdom."

Unlike Ning Zhuo: "It concerns Qiu Hongfeng, Elephant King, are you willing to bet?"

Xiang Yue had a heroic spirit, but at this moment, he was short of breath, and replied in a muffled voice: "This King, this King bets! If anyone deceives this King, I will definitely not spare you."

Thus, everyone saw Unlike Ning Zhuo's group fighting Xiang Yue with astonishing momentum.

Unlike Ning Zhuo's group soon fell into a disadvantage, but Unlike Ning Zhuo seized a flaw and "accidentally" slapped Xiang Yue.

Xiang Yue was humiliated and fell into anger, chasing Unlike Ning Zhuo relentlessly.

Unlike Ning Zhuo fled wildly all the way, leading Xiang Yue, who was chasing him, through most of the battlefield, and it looked like they were about to reach the edge.

Du Tiechuan was resting while observing with spells.

The Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang still hadn't appeared.

The overall situation was settled!

With Xiang Ning dead in battle, Lu Hongtu and the others fought while retreating, and the morale of the Thousand Peaks Forest allied forces fell to the bottom again, being chased and killed while fleeing in panic, losing countless lives.

Only Xiang Yue could be considered the biggest variable.

"Hmm?" Du Tiechuan saw Unlike Ning Zhuo and Xiang Yue approaching the edge of the battlefield and immediately sent a message to Unlike Ning Zhuo, his tone severe: "Unlike Ning Zhuo, I order you to flee toward me! Otherwise, I will definitely treat you as a deserter."

"General, eat this pot of boiled meat slices, it can quickly restore magic power." The boy Jia Wan beside him stared at a large pot and offered spirit food to Du Tiechuan.

After Du Tiechuan appeared, he had experienced two intense battles and consumed quite a bit.

He landed in the government office and immediately summoned several Nascent Soul cultivators to guard himself. Once the Ginseng-Bearded Long Wang attacked, even if these Nascent Soul cultivators were not his match, it would be good to delay for some time.

Among them were the master and apprentice Ding Pi and Jia Wan.

Du Tiechuan nodded slightly, while keeping a close eye on Unlike Ning Zhuo's movements, while using spiritual sense to take the meat slices into his mouth.

Just after chewing a few times, a cultivator suddenly flew over, shouting: "General, be careful!!!"

Everyone cast their gaze and saw Lei Qingyang.

Ding Pi and Jia Wan's expressions changed drastically; the former suddenly turned and drew his knife, while the latter lifted the pot and covered Du Tiechuan with it.

Du Tiechuan really didn't expect that this master and apprentice would be traitors!

He mobilized his magic power, but his body suddenly became chaotic, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

A large pot covered Du Tiechuan's head, and Ding Pi's kitchen knife also pierced into the latter's lower abdomen.

This scene stunned everyone on the field!

The next moment, Du Tiechuan let out a soft whistle, used all his strength, and erupted with a fierce airflow, pushing away everyone and everything around him.

Ripples appeared in space, and a cultivator as pale as paper appeared out of thin air, slowly handing out the thin sword in his hand.

The tip of the sword was aimed at Du Tiechuan's back heart, piercing directly through his chest.

Young Master Shengxu!

Having succeeded in one strike, Young Master Shengxu's figure was like lightning, directly escaping into the void.

It was too fast.

This shocking change happened too fast. In just a few breaths, the dust had settled.

Du Tiechuan covered his heart, but it was difficult to suppress the injury; in his urgency, he used several methods, but none had the slightest effect.

"This injury is too severe! If I don't hurry back to the capital and use the national strength and dragon veins to treat it, my physical body and Nascent Soul will be hard to preserve!"

Thinking of this, Du Tiechuan decisively ordered: "Sound the retreat, withdraw, return to the city!" ===== CHAPTER 576 =====