Chapter 567: The Fall of Yanshan Pass

Yanshan Pass. Thick demonic Qi swept across a expanse of ruins, the ground dark and stained with blood. The array formations that had once flowed with brilliance were torn to pieces, with only the faint, glimmering patterns of the arrays exposed on the stones occasionally emitting a dim light.

Blood Qi billowed, demonic smoke surged into the sky, and the immortal light was too faint to be seen. Everywhere, there were shouts of slaughter and the sounds of magic treasures colliding. Rolling black clouds permeated nearly a hundred miles, speeding rapidly toward the south.

Zhao Tinggui rode the wind, speeding through the air. Beneath his feet, he stepped on a small golden cloud, while in his hands, he held a small white jade lamp, which emitted colorful light.

Every time this golden cloud attempted to accelerate, purple light would fly out from the heavy demonic clouds. The small white jade lamp in his hand would immediately rise with colorful light to resist, emitting a series of shattering and dissolving sounds.

This magic treasure of Zhao Tinggui's was truly excellent, blocking the purple light tightly. However, although the purple light was shattered and dissolved, a burst of white radiance descended. The golden light that had just risen from the cloud beneath his feet was immediately affected by the white light, dimming down.

"Boom—!"

The purple light roared repeatedly, striking Zhao Tinggui until his complexion turned a shade of pale green. His junior brother beside him, dressed in brocade, possessed quite a bit of poise. Even in the midst of danger, his voice remained steady: "Senior Brother... this Murong Gong's strength is formidable... I fear it is not something you and I can resist!"

Zhao Tinggui's expression was heavy, and his heart had long since turned cold. His face, which had always been smooth and smiling, was now slightly pale, and there were faint traces of blood at the corners of his mouth.

"Tang Shedu... Tang Shedu..."

Zhao Tinggui knew that Long Jian had broken through, and he had thought that the days following this person would be difficult, but he truly had not expected that Tang Shedu would dare to betray Qingchi overnight and defect to the enemy, ruining the excellent situation.

With such a betrayal, the front line could be described as a total collapse. Li Xuanfeng's strength was outstanding, and perhaps he could still escape with his life, but the others would likely not have one in ten survive. Hearing this news, Zhao Tinggui's heart had already turned cold to the core.

"Yu Su is also a piece of trash..."

Yu Su's troops were not far from Yanshan Pass. They had only marched a few hundred miles before calling for reinforcements. Zhao Tinggui did not know about Tang Shedu's rebellion at that time; feeling uneasy, he sent a few people over, and they truly never returned.

He was burning with anxiety. Waiting in the pass for a moment, he only saw five streaks of spiritual wind shoot into the sky, only to be carved up by several demonic hands. Zhao Tinggui could only stare blankly and say:

"Yu Su is most likely dead..."

The Yu family's 【Long Wind Cage】 was very famous, containing five wind evils. Zhao Tinggui had personally seen it years ago. Now, in this state, the 【Long Wind Cage】 had been dismantled by someone. How could Yu Su have a path to survival? Subsequently, Murong Gong of the Murong family killed his way out from in front of the pass with his men. Yanshan Pass was empty, and Zhao Tinggui only had five Foundation Establishment cultivators in his hands... what else was there to block with? What else was there to block!

He did not know how the Zifu cultivators exchanged benefits, but there were also demonic cultivators causing chaos inside Yanshan Pass. It only held for half an hour before collapsing across the board. Zhao Tinggui did not even have time to gather his junior brothers before he was immediately submerged in the rolling demonic smoke.

Zhao Tinggui's strength was considered quite good compared to ordinary people, but he was, after all, of humble origin. Although the Ning family had temporarily bestowed upon him a few magic treasures, how could his cultivation techniques and spells compare to the direct descendants of the Murong family? Having resisted for only a few dozen rounds, he could no longer withstand the opponent's attacks and had to retreat.

If not for these few magic treasures in his hands, Zhao Tinggui would have long since fallen into the demonic cultivators' encirclement. He and his junior brother Lin Wuning fled all the way to this point, while Murong Gong followed unhurriedly behind, seemingly still dissatisfied with the harvest and wanting to lure out a few more people.

Zhao Tinggui's heart was icy cold, and his junior brother Lin Wuning muttered again:

"Senior Brother... this demon's speed is getting faster and faster... I fear we are almost at the river. Seeing that no one else can be lured out, he is preparing to close the net!"

He naturally understood Lin Wuning's meaning. Murong Gong had just shattered the Yanshan Pass array with his own strength. Although he had borrowed magic treasures, the strength under the enhancement of these treasures could not be faked. The two of them likely could not escape.

"Boom—!"

The bright purple light descended again. The small white jade lamp in Zhao Tinggui's hand revealed dense, hair-like colorful light. Zhao Tinggui was struck until he staggered, and the wind beneath his feet was mostly gone.

This Murong Gong did not know what he was practicing; he likely possessed a 'Zifu Water' magic treasure. Every time his spells landed on him, a dispersing power would follow, preventing the magic treasure beneath his feet from ever being set up.

Having taken two more attacks, this man suddenly fell silent. He gazed deeply into the depths of the demonic mist and said softly: "Wuning, we have already fled this far, and the one chasing behind is none other than Murong Gong. I will hold off this demon with the 【White Flower Lamp】 for you. You step on the 【Lu Shang Cloud】 and flee south alone."

Lin Wuning was stunned, his heart infinitely complex. He wanted to say something to refuse, but it was stifled in his chest and could not be spoken.

Lin Wuning had not felt much affection for this Senior Brother earlier on. Zhao Tinggui came from a poor background, and while his rise to his current position was indeed a miracle, he always liked to form cliques, curry favor, and was overly precious about his reputation, always mindful of his image; he was quite the slick character.

Lin Wuning was the son of a Peak Master and was born with a certain reserved and noble air. He felt that Zhao Tinggui had the appearance of a petty person and could not achieve great things, so he had always found him unpleasant to look at.

But as time passed, he also realized that although Zhao Tinggui was busy running around and scheming every day, he truly cared for the disciples within his own peak. Gradually, he let go of his prejudices.

In the past, he often despised Zhao Tinggui for running around for the sake of petty interests, having no dignity to speak of. Now, hearing these words, he flushed red and said somewhat weakly:

"Senior Brother's future is promising... let me... be the one to cover... the rear."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

Zhao Tinggui was in no mood to pay attention to his attitude. He scanned the mist heavily, wanting to choose a direction for him to escape. Lin Wuning stammered and retreated. Zhao Tinggui muttered: "I promised Li Xijun... I promised Li Qinghong, yet in the end, the pass was broken in half an hour, and I couldn't even find my own junior brothers, let alone Li Yuexiang..."

Lin Wuning only said: "How can this be blamed on Senior Brother! I know Li Yuexiang is Li Xizhi's younger sister. Li Xuanfeng is terrifying, and Li Qinghong's strength is also quite good... but how many of these people can return? There is no need..."

Zhao Tinggui shook his head and said in a low voice: "I should not have sent people out to meet them... Yanshan Pass was broken in half an hour, and a large part of the responsibility lies with me... The various families in Yuebei all have cultivators in the pass to some extent. If I flee alone, I will surely be pointed at by thousands and hated by everyone!"

"What face do I have left to cross the river and return?"

Zhao Tinggui replied, his expression still calm. Seeing his junior brother still looking puzzled, he had to explain in a low voice: "I knew this day would come. Ever since the sect sent me—Zhao Tinggui, who had no reliance and no background—to gather the cultivators, and then withdrew all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in my hands, I understood that I would not have a good end."

Lin Wuning looked at him somewhat blankly. Zhao Tinggui only said: "In the past, the Chi family did not need to care about anyone's opinion, but now they are weak and cannot act as domineeringly as before. With such a great defeat and the pass broken in half an hour, from top to bottom, counting one, two, three, four, someone must come out to suffer..."

Lin Wuning seemed to gradually understand. Zhao Tinggui only placed the golden cloud beneath his feet, poured all his magic power into the white jade-like lamp, looked at him twice, and finally said:

"Junior Brother often says I am busy scheming. I know you find it hard to understand, but before I went up the mountain, I was the son of a tenant farmer, carrying only a sickle. If I didn't scheme, I wouldn't have been able to gain a foothold."

"Later, I realized that not scheming is death, and scheming to the end is also death... it is already too late. The various cultivators all think that the Ning family is behind me, but they are wrong. There is nothing behind me. I have long since been manipulated, and sooner or later, I will be a pawn."

He poured his magic power into the cloud, sending Lin Wuning toward the south, and sighed heavily and gently: "Junior Brother looks down on me. I have always known, but it does not hinder me from saving you. Master brought me up the mountain and taught me to care for my junior brothers. I have always remembered."

White light erupted from his body, and the magic treasure in his hand shone brightly, blocking the surging purple light. Blood flowed from all seven orifices. Murong Gong, who had been watching him playfully, now gradually became serious.

Lin Wuning buried his head and rushed out of the black clouds. The magic cloud beneath his feet flew faster and faster, quickly submerging into the heavy clouds. Beneath his feet was a demonic cloud, with remains everywhere. After flying for a full few miles, the demonic Qi finally faded slowly.

He covered his head and flew while riding the wind, until he saw the surging great river. Crossing this river and continuing south, the fear in his heart finally subsided a little. Senior Brother's words echoed in his heart for a moment, and besides gratitude, he was filled with helplessness.

"Continuing south is Wangyue Lake..."

Lin Wuning hesitated for a moment, but still did not land to give a warning, fearing that he would delay time. He changed direction and circled toward Bianyan Mountain, secretly calculating the time. If he could bring back reinforcements, perhaps he could still save Zhao Tinggui.

Qingdu Mountain.

The coldest days had passed, and the heavy snow gradually subsided. Although the ice on the lake had not melted, it had become much thinner. Li Xuanxuan finished drawing the talisman, gathered his sleeves, and walked in the mountains.

Hearing that the situation in the north was becoming increasingly complex, the news about his own family was becoming less and less by the day. Li Zhouwei was also busy, and Li Ximing was either in seclusion or in seclusion. That child's matter had never been settled.

Li Xuanxuan deliberated for a moment, but still decided to seek out Li Zhouwei. Who would have thought that just as he walked to the front of the palace gate, he would bump into him head-on.

The youth's complexion was heavy, and he was already more than a head taller than Li Xuanxuan. Golden light flowed in his eyes, and his face was full of contemplation. The black cloak on his body was stained with a bit of snow, which was melting bit by bit.

"Huang'er... how is it?"

Li Zhouwei bowed slightly and replied: "Just now, some demonic cultivators fled into the Shanyue territory and colluded with a few remnants of the Xitan clan, wanting to seize the spiritual rice and flee. I just finished dealing with it cleanly, so I came to see you, my lord."

Li Xuanxuan nodded. Li Zhouwei raised his hand to close the palace gate tightly, and the array isolating the inside and outside began to operate. Only then did he show a worried expression and said softly: "The trusted aides I planted earlier observed on the northern riverbank and just returned to report that the demonic smoke is very rampant, once heading south. Even Yanshan Pass was shrouded in demonic smoke. I fear it has suffered at the hands of demonic cultivators, and the situation is not optimistic."

Li Xuanxuan sighed deeply and asked in a low voice:

"Are there any signs from the family's life jade?"

The direct descendants of the Li family all had life jade that they nurtured, which was kept in the ancestral hall. If there was a life-and-death crisis within five to ten years, it would appear on the life jade. This was what Li Xuanxuan was asking about.

Li Zhouwei shook his head and reminded: "The land north of the river is already in chaos. Even the Zifu Mohe cannot calculate it accurately. How can a mere life jade still manifest? As early as when they entered the Xu State, these life jades lost their luster and could no longer manifest their safety."

Li Xuanxuan could only nod. Hesitating for a moment, he made the worst-case plan and asked: "If Yanshan Pass is broken and the demonic cultivators rush all the way to the border of Xu State... how should we respond?"

"It just depends on Qingchi's reaction."

Li Zhouwei had obviously thought about this long ago and said bluntly: "If the reaction is faster, blocking the demonic cultivators on the great river, we can still construct another line of defense and reorganize the cultivators to resist... if we cannot..."

His golden eyes glanced toward the north, and he said word by word: "Then we can only resist on the north bank of Wangyue Lake. The Fei family is the front line!"

Li Xuanxuan had long had a premonition in his heart. Hearing this, he still sighed and replied: "Earlier, Xijun promised so many family cultivators to go, telling me that we share weal and woe... I even looked down on it a bit. Now it seems that the demonic cultivators are about to kill their way to our faces."

Li Zhouwei mentioning the Fei family so solemnly was obviously implying:

'If it reaches that point, once we are defeated again, I fear we will lose the north bank...'

Once Qingchi retreats again, his own family will be the front line of the struggle between north and south! How should they conduct themselves then? Whether they win or lose, how should the millions of mortals in the local area be handled? The Li family has operated on the south bank of Wangyue Lake for so many years. Once they lose this place, where else is there to accommodate them? Could it be that they really abandon these ten thousand square miles of spiritual fields and several spiritual veins and flee to the East Sea? 'If it reaches that point, what face do I have to see my uncle and uncle?'

The old man held his tea for a long time without drinking, worrying about the safety of several juniors. Li Zhouwei, however, looked toward the north and said softly:

"We must be prepared. I have already sent several loyal people to investigate."

The White Ape had only returned to the clan with Li Chengliao a few days ago, but Li Zhouwei did not intend to send him to investigate. Although the White Ape's strength was stronger and it was convenient to come and go, it had, after all, just broken through to Foundation Establishment. Once it was caught by the demonic cultivators in the north, another great combat force would be lost...

He watched heavily, and the golden light in his eyes slowly flickered. He pondered in his heart: "If it really reaches this point... I fear I can no longer delay... take some elixirs, go into full seclusion, and break through to Foundation Establishment first..."

The Li family now knew much more news. Breaking through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment was not the faster the better. It was best to practice more spells, and it was most appropriate to break through to Foundation Establishment until around forty or fifty years old, and at the latest, it should not exceed sixty.

The cultivation technique Li Zhouwei practiced was the 【Minghua Huangyuan Sutra】, the highest-grade fifth-grade technique in the Li family's history. He himself was different from ordinary people and was naturally related to Mingyang. His cultivation speed should have been shockingly fast.

It was just that, firstly, to prevent being too shocking and attracting unnecessary attention, and secondly, to be steady and steady, focusing equally on spells and halberd techniques, deliberately focusing on consolidating the foundation, without any intention of forging ahead, which was why it slowed down.

But even if he slowed down a lot, his cultivation speed still exceeded that of Li Ximing in the past, reaching the middle stage of Qi Refining in less than twenty years.

Li Zhouwei's eyes flickered, and he secretly made a decision. Below, a person came up, holding a small letter in his hand, and handed it to Li Zhouwei.

He used a unique method to untie it, read it twice, waved his hand to let the person go down, and said softly: "There is news of Yufu Zi of the Senior Chang Xiao Sect." ===== CHAPTER 568 =====