Dawn arrived, making the dried bloodstains on the city walls appear even redder.
Qu Sheng gripped his long spear, dressed in a pristine white robe as he ascended the battlements. He basked in the warmth of the morning light, almost reluctant to let it go because, by tomorrow’s sunrise, who knew how many would no longer be around to see it—perhaps even himself…
But before he could indulge in these somber thoughts, he noticed two silhouettes on the wall. They stood against the rising sun, their forms stretched long by the morning breeze.
“Brother Li, Lady Ying… you two aren’t…”
Qu Sheng’s eyes widened in surprise, but quickly transitioned to a calm appreciation.
“Commander Qu, Han Zhen has now devoted himself to the Huanmo Scriptures, utilizing bl**d sacrifices. If we don’t stop him, we’ll never emerge victorious.”
Li Mo glanced down at the enemy army below, which was already forming ranks, and muttered softly.
“But defending the city is already near impossible.”
Qu Sheng shook his head.
Han Zhen was cunning, a sly old fox. Even when mocked by Young Hero Li the previous day, he had endured it all with patience.
How could they take out someone like him, who was entrenched deep within the enemy ranks with thousands of troops and monstrous War Giants?
And then there were those ferocious Disaster Beasts—these weren’t just clay dolls. They were living, breathing nightmares.
“I’ll just charge into their formation, slash their leaders, and claim their banners. Problem solved, right?”
Li Mo chuckled, as if he were merely talking about overeating porridge for breakfast.
“You…”
Qu Sheng wanted to say that such stories of cutting down generals and seizing banners amid ten thousand enemies sounded good in tales but were far from reality. But looking into Li Mo’s eyes, he saw something else entirely—not recklessness, but careful consideration, a clarity of purpose in that young man’s bright gaze.
After all, Li Mo had already faced the brutality of battle; he wasn’t some naive idealist chasing glory.
“If Han Zhen dies, his army will surely collapse, and Qingmu City will be out of danger. But… how do you plan to do it?”
Li Mo responded, “I now have the confidence to master the hundredfold martial techniques.”
Qu Sheng’s eyes widened dramatically.
Wasn’t that supposed to make Li Mo… an unmatched warrior?
Even the legendary Ancient Overlord of old, revered and divine, was said to be about that level. And the Overlord was said to have started training even earlier, surely surpassing Li Mo in terms of age and experience.
“Lady Ying Bing will assist me with her music.”
“When that happens, with the power of the hundredfold martial techniques, I’ll try to strike while the iron is hot.”
Li Mo clenched his fist, his gaze trained on the enemy army that had already reached the city walls, perfectly organized.
Qu Sheng was silent for a long time, his expression softened.
This unyielding Commander of Qingmu City now looked upon Li Mo with respect.
“Someone! Fetch my battle armor, and gift it to Young Hero Li.”
“Brother Li, don’t you hate riding horses? We can use a combo move!”
Huang Donglai suddenly interjected, his mind racing.
If Brother Li couldn’t ride, how could they both charge into battle? They had to use a special combo move—perhaps combining into the Mighty Double-Turtle Technique!
“Oh don’t worry about that, Donglai. You focus on concocting some poison.”
Li Mo chuckled awkwardly as he thought for a moment.
In response, a cluster of clouds formed before him, shaping themselves into a white cloud steed with hooves wreathed in mist. Having reached the Divine Comprehension stage, his understanding of old skills deepened.
“Somersault Cloud? Does it even need to be a cloud?”
With a loud BOOM!
And another BOOM!
And yet another BOOM!
The war cries of the Shaman War Giants thundered across the heavens.
Each pair of their eyes lit up with eerie green fire, fiercer than ever after yesterday’s skirmish.
The warriors of the southern tribes, their eyes bloodshot, began to display signs of beastly transformations. They had merged with their clans’ totems—the power of Ancestral Spirits!
Huanmo Sect’s Hall of Beasts martial arts originated from this Ancestral Spirit method, refined and expanded under Han Zhen’s guidance.
A massive tide of darkness surged towards Qingmu City like a river flooding over its banks, shaking its very foundation.
Han Zhen stood on the divine palace of his temple, crossed arms behind his back.
His exposed skin flickered with ancient black patterns laced with crimson light.
Today’s battle would be even more ferocious.
All held their breaths.
Perhaps…
The outcome of the battle would be decided today.
Thump!
Thump-thump!
Thump-thump-thump!
The sound of thunderous war drums echoed from within Qingmu City, like a heart beat that caused even the stones on the ground to tremble.
The defensive formation of the city wall shimmered into life.
And at the same moment…
The city gates opened wide.
The sound of galloping horses, like a sudden storm, erupted as Qingmu City’s troops, riding strange, powerful steeds, stormed out!
“The defenders of Qingmu City dare to attack first?”
“Haha, abandoning their natural advantage to launch an unneeded assault, what fools!”
The invaders laughed raucously, completely elated.
Hmm?
Han Zhen frowned, something felt… off.
“Could it be a ruse, an attempt to disguise someone breaking through our ranks?” wondered the Hall Master of the Hundred Beasts Hall.
Of course, he meant none other than Ying Bing or Li Mo.
Yet, while pondering this, he saw, at the very forefront of the charge, the rider sitting atop a luminous cloud horse.
Li Mo?!
The Hall Master stared in shock.
“Li Mo has gone mad? And dragged Qingmu’s defenders into madness with him?!”
Even Han Zhen had no idea why Li Mo would abandon the advantage of his fortress position, riding with the cavalry charge, leading the charge himself.
And furthermore…
Li Mo’s fiery gaze pierced through thousands of soldiers, directly locking eyes with Han Zhen.
That realization sent a chill through him.
Was he trying to pull another trick, like yesterday’s feigned threat?
“Entire army! Cease the attack on the city!!”
Right. Li Mo was charging into battle, but where was Ying Bing?
Ching!
At that exact moment, the drumbeat on the wall grew rapid and intricate.
A chilling melody played on strings of metallic blades and iron horses reverberated across the battlefield, its sound drowning out all others. Ying Bing sat atop the wall, her face serene as she strummed her lute.
She was doing two things.
First: Harnessing the power of the Thunder Beast War Drums, playing the “Emperor’s Array Breaking Melody,” an incredible blend of ancient music that bolstered their side while terrifying their foes.
Second: Directing the battle formation with her mystical Phoenix Energy.
There were two streams of cavalry charging out.
One led by Li Mo, the other personally led by Qu Sheng.
“Surround and annihilate them!”
Han Zhen’s screech split the battlefield air like a blade.
All the massive Shaman War Giants, tens of thousands of enemies, and every high-tier Disaster Beast converged from every direction.
The ancient might of the War Giants cast a shadow of primitive savagery over the battlefield. Soldiers brandished their weapons against their armor while the Disaster Beasts revealed grotesque ferocity never before seen.
Compared to this overwhelming force, the two streams of cavalry felt almost insignificant.
There were only so many horses to go around.
Eighty thousand men couldn’t possibly produce a massive cavalry force. Even accounting for the foot soldiers following behind, they were outmatched.
“Hoo…”
The wind howled.
Li Mo listened to the metallic rhythm created by Ice Chunk’s music. Without even realizing it, the Great Battle Art of the Monkey King flowed naturally within him.
His bl**d boiled like fire, his entire body ignited with power.
The war hammer in his hand grew fiery hot.
In an instant, he remembered. The last life, the retired soldier upstairs who loved listening to Beijing opera in the morning, disturbing his slumber.
Just like now, charging into the enemy ranks under the dawn’s light.
Which opera was it again?
The voice of the opera rang in his ears: “When loved ones are in danger, rage surges ten thousand feet! Charge through the enemy lines, fight a hundred devils!”
…
P.S.: For updates and support, check the link below. Muah~
