A Single Battle to Decide the Fate of the Realm?

Xing Zhao's arrival did not have a significant impact on the military situation. He was not a general like Wang Hanying and Zhang Liao, but the arrival of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert naturally boosted morale.

Over the next five days, the Dagan army advanced with unstoppable momentum, capturing Bocheng City, Liuyun City, Qingtan City, Luocheng, and taking over the four major cities of Cangshui. All thirty-six counties under its jurisdiction were now under its control, and the army had completely established its presence in the Land of Cangshui.

On March 30th, in Liuyun City, Zhu Wushi strode into the Liuyun City lord's mansion and reported to Chu Xuanao.

"Your Highness, Wen Yuan and Shenying Marquis have already entered Luocheng without any obstacles. The Great Feng forces have already withdrawn long ago."

A knowing glint flashed in Chu Xuanao's eyes. These past few days, Wen Yuan had been leading the army at the forefront, establishing his own prestige. At least within the army, this deputy commander was now recognized. Given his prestige and military achievements, taking command of the army after this battle would be much easier.

As for the withdrawal of the Great Feng forces, this was within Chen Gong's expectations. In recent days, they encountered great resistance in Bocheng City and Liuyun City, and inevitably carried out a purge.

However, starting from Qingtan in the main city, the manpower of Great Feng had already been reduced. Now, the journey to Luocheng was even smoother, and they were able to move in directly. Great Feng's manpower had already been exhausted.

There are two reasons. First, the Great Feng does not have enough manpower in Cangshui. The entire Land of Cangshui has less than 280,000 troops. This is after the previous Battle of Youzhou, when troops were transferred from the Eastern Border. The battle of Cangguan Pass directly resulted in the loss of more than half of them, and now they are exhausted.

Secondly, rather than being defeated one by one, it's better to gather manpower in one place, wait for reinforcements, and then seek an opportunity for battle. You could say they're planning something big.

After Zhu Wushi finished speaking, Chen Gong chimed in.

"Your Highness, their abandonment of Luocheng makes the situation clear. Just as we suspected, the Great Feng has chosen to hold this major battle in Baiyun City."

Chu Xuanao glanced at the map on the left side of the hall. Baiyun City was the second largest of the seven major cities in Cangshui. Once past this city, they would reach Cangshui City, and then they would be at the riverbank.

That is, along the banks of the Cang River, a natural barrier before he made his Dagan, and across the river lies the true Eastern Border of the Great Feng.

So, is the Great Feng planning to settle the score in one battle?

That's right, they really can't afford to drag this out. In the Battle of Youzhou, the three sides of Great Feng suffered defeats: the Eastern Border was lost, the Northern Border was breached, and the Capital of Fengtian made Yuan Tiangang famous throughout the world, as he casually killed the youngest Heavenly Being Realm expert of the Great Feng Imperial Clan.

Given the current state of affairs within the Great Feng territory, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's on the verge of collapse.

"Which powerful figures from the Great Feng Dynasty are present?"

Chu Xuanao asked Zhu Wushi with a hint of curiosity, "These past few days, I've had several people Dagan arrive, but they haven't shown themselves yet. Great Feng is no exception. I just don't know who they are."

Zhu Wushi pondered for a moment and then said.

"Your Highness, Gu Ji of the Lieyang Sect appeared in Baiyun City the day before yesterday. There should be other powerful figures present in secret, but since they are Celestial Phenomenon Realm experts, their spies below wouldn't have been able to detect them unless they showed themselves."

"However, the closest Celestial Phenomenon Realm forces to us within the Great Feng territory are the Lieyang Sect and the Suo Hun Cliff. Gu Ji has arrived these past few days, and Hun Xuzi of the Suo Hun Cliff should have arrived as well."

Chu Xuanao nodded and stood up.

"Let's go! Li Xunhuan, Xing Zhao, and Ancestor Chu Mo, and inform Wang Hanying and the others. We'll head straight for Luocheng, which is our main battlefield. After Luocheng, we'll reach Baiyun City."

"Let me also go and see the Baiyun City, which is known as a scenic wonder on earth. I wonder if it will still be shrouded in mist and resemble a fairyland after this battle."

These past few days, his residence has been relocated haphazardly, from the Cangguan Pass Marquis of Dongyue in Cangguan, to the city lord's residence in Bocheng City, then to Liuyun City, and now he's moving again.

Inside a martial arts arena in Liuyun City, there were only three people present, making the place seem rather desolate and empty. Chu Mo stood quietly to the side, watching the duel between the two people in the arena. Looking at Xing Zhao, who looked frustrated and somewhat powerless, he suppressed a hint of joy in his heart.

He wholeheartedly supported Xing Zhao's desire to challenge Li Xunhuan; he found it satisfying to see someone get beaten up.

Chu Mo was well aware of Li Xunhuan's strength, especially after studying the corpse of the You Lian Holy Envoy. He knew very well that Xing Zhao was no match for Li Xunhuan, even with the Divine Weapon passed down through generations of Bingwu Mountain, he was still not enough.

A tall, imposing steel figure appeared in the arena, exuding a fierce aura. His size alone was nearly four meters tall. Xing Zhao was covered in black armor, and every movement he made was like a raging flood or a ferocious beast—powerful and explosive.

The black armor, gleaming in the sunlight, exuded power; this was the Divine Weapon [Heavenly Illumination Black Gold Armor] Bingwu Mountain.

Li Xunhuan moved with graceful ease, his movements as nimble as a crane as he dodged through the arena, his illusory throwing knives gathering in his hands and shooting out like meteors.

Xing Zhao's eyes, visible beneath his full armor, held a hint of solemnity and frustration as he watched the shadow of the blade. He swung his right fist, shattering the illusory flying knife with a clang, but the impact still caused him to stagger back a few steps.

With that sudden slash, Xing Zhao's eyes seemed to momentarily lose focus and become distracted. Again, it happened. A look of pain and discomfort flashed in Xing Zhao's eyes. Seeing the shadow of the blade in Li Xunhuan's hand gather again, Xing Zhao waved his hands repeatedly.

"I'm not fighting anymore, I'm not fighting anymore. Mister Li's throwing knife skills are truly the best I've ever seen in my life! The knife can sever the soul, it's Unparalleled. I'm afraid only Mister Li in the world can throw knives to such a level."

Seeing Li Xunhuan stop what he was doing, Xing Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't beat him. Although he knew from their first meeting that Li Xunhuan was no match for him based on the fleeting look in his eyes, a real fight was a different story.

It was just a friendly spar; he didn't go all out, and neither did Li Xunhuan. Even he himself didn't expect to lose so quickly. Three sword shadows were enough for him to face reality.

Logically speaking, even if he was at the late stage of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm and possessed divine armor, he shouldn't have been defeated so quickly!

But that's reality. If a real fight breaks out, he probably won't suffer serious physical injuries, but his soul will definitely be shattered. Just by looking at the blade, he can feel its sharpness that cuts straight to his soul.

Even with the [Heavenly Illumination Black Gold Armor] blocking some of the attack, he couldn't withstand more than a few blows. Moreover, this person was exceptionally strong; just by blocking the force of that sword, the recoil alone caused him to stagger. One must face reality; he truly couldn't win.

Li Xunhuan chuckled lightly, lightly touched the ground with his toes, stepped off the field, and said leisurely.

"Old Master Xing, you flatter me. Your moves are fierce and explosive, and coupled with your divine armor, you are invincible in both offense and defense. In the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, you are truly unbeatable."

Li Xunhuan had already grasped Xing Zhao's strength after just one encounter. He was at the mid-stage of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. In terms of pure strength, he was not as strong as Mo Jingtian, whom he had encountered before. However, considering the armor he was wearing, he was above Mo Jingtian, which was quite impressive.

Chu Mo watched from the side, nodding secretly in approval. He, Imperial Clan, was naturally familiar with the [Heavenly Illumination Black Gold Armor]; it was quite good.

Just then, a soldier rushed over, knelt on one knee, and said, "My lords, Your Highness has ordered the three of you to meet outside the city. The army must set off for Luocheng immediately."

Li Xunhuan said softly.

"I understand, you may leave now!"

The three then exchanged a glance, and their figures immediately disappeared from the training ground.