Hidden Sentry

Is it that trick again?

Li Weiyi's eyes gleamed strangely. Thinking of Xie Wumian's deathbed appearance, he said, "Jingzhe? You're not telling me you're a spy for the Sentinel Spirit Army, are you? Hai Envoy Jingzhen is from the Taixu Race, hiding within the Lesser Yang Division. It's not difficult for your Taiyin Sect to know my seasonal titles. Just like we know everything about your Twelve Taiyin Envoys."

"All the information from the Twelve Taiyin Envoys was relayed back to the Sentinel Spirit Army by me."

Wanting to prove himself, Huo Tianming added, "In the previous exchange, if you had used all your mental power to control the ninety-three Heaven Sword Talisman, you could indeed have suppressed me, and might even have injured me."

"But just now, most of your mental power was used to resist and neutralize Hong Marquis's Intent Attack. Your control over the Heaven Sword Talisman was actually very weak. It wouldn't be difficult for me to break through it."

"If I join forces with Hong Marquis, do you still have a chance of winning?"

It seems he wanted to prove that he had the strength to break the suppression of the Heaven Sword Talisman.

As Huo Tianming stared at Li Weiyi, he raised his right hand and swung it back and forth like a dragon or snake wagging its tail.

The surrounding land was shrouded in swirling clouds and mist.

A beginner-level fifth-level Daoist palm print, "Cloud Sea Wind Sweeping Palm," was formed and lightly struck towards Li Weiyi.

"Boom!"

Hundreds of thousands of Longevity Scriptures and magical energy intertwined to form a hurricane, which shattered the black lake within a radius of several miles into water vapor, and even sheared off a layer of the ground, making it appear sunken.

Li Weiyi remained vigilant, his sword flashing, yet he remained calm and composed in the face of the changing situation.

Huo Tianming's control over his palm strikes and Daoist techniques was exquisite.

Li Weiyi was clearly at the center of the Daoist attack, but when the palm force surged in, it automatically split in two, only lifting his hair and clothes, like a gentle breeze brushing his face.

Mastering the power of "non-attack" is more difficult than mastering the power of "attack".

The combat power Huo Tianming displayed at this moment was in no way inferior to Tang Wanzhou's two years ago.

Moreover, the continuous palm force was used with ease and naturalness, clearly indicating that he was still holding back.

Huo Tianming withdrew his magical energy and the Longevity Scriptures, and said with a smug look, "To become Twelve Taiyin Envoys, I suppose I'm not entirely incompetent, am I?"

"It's more than just having some ability; Maoshi too modest."

Li Weiyi was beginning to believe that Huo Tianming was a spy for the Sentinel Spirit Army; otherwise, he wouldn't have stood by and watched Hong Marquis be killed. His actions at this moment were also exposing his true strength, which would only bring him harm.

However, Li Weiyi had another concern in his heart. He pretended to be deep in thought and looked at the two Ghost Lords who had been killed by the Seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors.

All Seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors possessed peak cultivation at the First Realm, giving them the strength to fight Second Realm experts on their own. Among them, the Second Phoenix's Soul Devouring talent, the Three Phoenixes's Golden Crow Flame, and the fourth phoenix's lightning released from its eyes all had a restraining effect on ghosts and spirits.

After the two ghostly figures exploded, a large amount of green Karma Fire poured out from their bodies and burned on the ground.

Li Weiyi took out the crimson gourd and handed it to Great Phoenix, instructing it to collect it.

The Second Phoenix is devouring souls, trying to break through to the Second Realm before the Great Phoenix and seventh phoenixes.

"Among the Twelve Taiyin Envoys, could there be two Sentinel Spirit Army lurking in the shadows? How can I believe that?"

After careful consideration, Li Weiyi said this.

The reason for worrying about Huo Tianming was to test Xie Wumian's life or death and his true identity.

Huo Tianming was quite anxious and said no more, "I don't care whether Xie Wumian is a spy for the Sentinel Spirit Army or not, and I don't expect you to trust me so easily. You just need to deliver the message."

"Tell the Lesser Yang Guard Saintess that the Taiyin Sect is continuously bringing in the Departed Spirit Army from Yecheng and the Seven Grievances Plain, south of the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin. Tell her to prepare in advance."

"Whether you retreat immediately or secretly unite with all living beings to launch a preemptive attack is up to you."

This news came like a bolt from the blue!

Li Weiyi was shocked. "Summoning a large army, what is Chu Yutian planning?"

Huo Tianming gently shook his head. "It seems to be related to some aspects of the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin itself. I haven't figured out the specific reasons yet. But dealing with you all in the process is inevitable."

"Sending the Years Stone out was part of Chu Yutian's request to borrow troops from Yecheng, and it was one of the conditions proposed by Yecheng."

"Furthermore, I heard that decades ago, during the last weak cycle of the cycle of Withered-Prosperous Belt, some departed spirits discovered the unusual situation of the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, so they stayed and did not leave. With the help of the Underworld, no one knows what level they have cultivated to, and Chu Yutian has been searching for them."

"But these souls seem to have vanished into thin air; the Taiyin Sect has yet to find a single one."

"In short, if you have any Daoist techniques bestowed upon you by your elders, do not use them lightly. The real life-or-death battle may not yet have arrived."

Li Weiyi and Huo Tianming simultaneously sensed something and looked north.

From the north, a sharp aura rushed in at breakneck speed, like a dazzling celestial sword traversing a thousand miles of land, its momentum terrifying.

Extremely fast.

Even Haruhachi, who excels in physical techniques and magic, pales in comparison.

"It's Qi Jianru from the Du'e Temple. He came in with the Demon Kingdom's team. He's been following me all the way, looking for an opportunity to strike, thinking I hadn't noticed. He must have sensed the battle fluctuations and that's why he rushed over so quickly."

Huo Tianming's expression was solemn, fully aware of the consequences of his identity being exposed. "Qi Jianru has already broken the third Longevity Lock, reaching the Early Third Realm, and his combat power far surpasses yours and mine. If he can raise his cultivation to the point of breaking the fourth Longevity Lock in the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, and then break through to the Great Longevity Realm after leaving, he will most likely be directly appointed as a true disciple, using his cultivation advantage to overwhelm other competitors."

"Attack me with all your might, don't hold back!"

After speaking, Huo Tianming picked up the unconscious beautiful Corpse Marquis, took a few steps, and used the fourth-level, fully-developed movement technique, Flying Cloud Thirteen Crossings.

"Whoosh!"

With a sway of his body, thirteen Huo Tianming appeared on the ground.

Each figure, initially a mile or two apart, instantly appeared twenty miles away. Their escape techniques were exceptionally skillful.

Even for those at the Fourth Realm of Great Longevity, pursuing such a feat is no easy task.

"What amazing escape technique!"

Li Weiyi collected the Seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors into his Insect Pouch, activated his magical energy to transform his Provincial Governor's Official Robe into Purple Mist Light Cluster, and used spatial teleportation to chase after them for more than ten miles, shouting, "You're about to die, and you still want to escape?"

"Boom!"

The Purple Sky Lei Seal flew out, launching an attack from a distance.

A moment later, a bright sword light pierced through the air and landed on the earth covered with Years Stone. The young figure, as heroic and upright as a sword immortal, gradually became clear from the blur.

The sky turned purple, and the sound of thunder and lightning filled the air.

Qi Jianru examined the traces of battle on the ground and was shocked. Then, he chased the enemy for a hundred miles along the scorched earth, where he found bloodstains.

He had already detected the aura of the Purple Sky Lei Seal.

But I don't believe that Li Weiyi could accomplish such a feat.

It should be noted that Huo Tianming and Hong Marquis are both at the Peak Third Realm, and the Earth Dragon Corpse Marquis is also a strong person in the third realm. Facing these three strong people at the same time, even with his abilities, he doesn't have much confidence in winning.

Qi Jianru was about to continue his pursuit, a massive, blood-red ghostly figure, as large as a mountain, emerged from the darkness.

The air was thick with the stench of blood.

A chilling wind swept across the entire field.

Qi Jianru he sensed a chilling killing intent.

Blood Mountain Marquis, who had rushed from the Tiandu River Nether Domain, mistook Qi Jianru for the one who had intercepted the escort team. He charged forward, his face contorted with rage, roaring, "Human, you're courting death!"

South of the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin lies the realm of the departed spirits, centered around the Ancient Ye City, a place where the souls of the unjustly killed, wronged, and vengeful are returned.

Among the hundred records of intelligence Dongxu Camp, the <Records of Ye City Lord Marquises> ranks high, indicating a multitude of experts.

The Four-eared Ghost Monkey Marquis, who fought alongside the Jade Corpse Marquis in Bai Chuan, came from the Ancient Ye City.

The Lord of Yecheng is an even more powerful being than the Saint Infant, and is the strongest deceased spirit in the area surrounding Lingxiao Shengjing.

Rumor has it that the five ghosts of the Seven Grievances Plain must obey the orders of the Lord of Ye City.

Li Weiyi had served as a sentry at the Ye City Sentry Post for three months and knew the approximate location of the Ancient Ye City. Therefore, he headed straight south, searching along the Withered-Prosperous Belt at the edge of the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, looking for traces of the army.

No matter how true Huo Tianming's words were, he had to verify them himself.

Endless darkness, the moonlight of time becomes extremely faint in this remote land. The Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin is itself a place touched by the moonlight of time, drawing its own borders in the Netherworld of the Departed.

The whole world was silent, except for the howling sandstorm that continued to blow incessantly.

In an instant, all traces were buried.

This resulted in Li Weiyi searching for several days and traveling 20,000 miles, but finding nothing.

Even if there truly were Departed Spirit Army, scattered across such a boundless wilderness, finding them would be as difficult as ascending to heaven, no different from searching for a needle in a haystack, if they used even the slightest means of concealment.

"Could Huo Tianming be lying to me?"

Li Weiyi gazed at the gray-white Withered-Prosperous Belt in the distance, preparing to cross it and head to the outpost to send the Sentinel Spirit Army to investigate the Ancient Ye City.

A thought suddenly occurred to him, and he remembered a place.

The Fanye Valley Nether Domain.

That place is only six thousand miles away from the border's edge, the Withered-Prosperous Belt.

If the Taiyin Sect has important figures who are guiding the Departed Spirit Army, they will certainly need a place to station their troops.

The Fanye Valley Nether Domain has been the site of a fierce and bloody battle; who would dare to return to investigate? Nor would there be any point in returning.

The area has well-preserved Defensive Formation, making it an ideal place to station and hide troops.

Two years later, Li Weiyi returned to the Fanye Valley Nether Domain, hiding in a rocky area, gazing at the three towering and majestic peaks in the distance.

The cracks and damage to the earth caused by the collision of the ritual implements have yet to be repaired by the wind and sand.

Suddenly, Li Weiyi narrowed his eyes and saw a corpse hanging on a flagpole outside the valley entrance.

The Lesser Yang Guard's robes were tattered, his hair was like straw, and his body had weathered into a shriveled and grayish-black state.

It's Lu Qing!

Li Weiyi felt a mix of emotions.

Lu Qing's bold words, spoken when the Deputy Sentinel Lord gave them the freedom to decide whether to enter the Ancient Kingdom of the Years Ruin, still resonated clearly in their ears.

He was the number one person of his generation in a certain realm, enjoying countless praises and favors, but his life came to an abrupt end at the First Realm the Longevity Realm, without the future that everyone had hoped for.

"Boom!"

A hurricane swept across the open ground in front of the valley entrance, whipping up sand and dust.

Amidst the sandstorm, dark clouds and mist billowed out.

A fully armored ghost cavalry unit emerged from the dark clouds and mist in perfect formation.

"Clang, clang."

The standardized armor, swords, and bows and arrows could clearly be used to form battle formations and unleash extraordinary combat power.

They were disciplined and exuded Sha Qi aura. Whether they were soldiers or spirit beast mounts, their eyes burned with green Karma Fire, giving people a tremendous sense of oppression.

Li Weiyi, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, immediately opened her eyes and stared in that direction.

Suddenly, a Black War Chariot emerged from the dark clouds and mist.