Clash

"Beile, you're joking," Qiukadi said, seemingly unbothered by Beile's accusation.

"Blocking the road and robbing people is one of our Black Dragon Fortress's regular businesses."

"When business comes knocking, I can't just turn it away. You just had bad luck this time." Qiukadi waved a hand, putting on a helpless expression.

"As for war... the Black Dragon Fortress has never feared war." A hint of eager anticipation curled at the corner of his mouth as he added considerately, "Once you're dead, if the 'Blade Army' is willing to start a war with the Black Dragon Fortress over you lot—"

"That would be absolutely wonderful. The meaning of destruction is probably just that." He concluded in a singsong tone.

The faces of the Blade Army members all darkened. Clearly, running into a madman like this left them with no good options.

But to Jie Ning's surprise, despite the enemy's numerical advantage, not a single Blade Army member showed any fear. They clearly still had confidence.

'It seems Beile's strength is even greater than I imagined.' Jie Ning understood that the Blade Army's confidence could only come from Beile, a High-God. They seemed to believe that even against two High-Gods, Beile could still win.

"Kami, what kind of force is the Black Dragon Fortress?" With some reassurance, Jie Ning sent a mental transmission to Kami.

Kami's expression was grim. "The Black Dragon Fortress is another powerful force nearby. Their fortress lord is also a formidable Seven-star Demon, but his subordinates aren't as strong as our Blade Army."

"Still, many of them are madmen, especially this Qiukadi we've run into."

"He cultivates the Destruction Rule. He's obsessed with battle and slaughter, treating killing as his life's creed."

"I just didn't expect them to dare attack our Blade Army." Kami still found it hard to believe.

But as someone who had survived in Hell since the Saint Realm, Kami quickly calmed down and began communicating with the two.

"Jie Ning, Mosang, each of you first tell me what you're best at." Kami pulled Mosang into the mental link as well.

"We're in for a tough fight. To survive, we need to work together. Prepare yourselves mentally."

"If we can hold out a little longer until Brother Beile frees up, we'll definitely win." Clearly, Kami had great faith in Beile's abilities.

"I'll go first. I'm a Fire-element Mid-level God, best at material attacks."

Jie Ning followed with a rough summary. "Earth-element Mid-level God, good at guerrilla warfare and prolonged combat."

In the time since becoming a god, Jie Ning had developed some combat abilities based on his Earth God Avatar's strengths, turning his understanding of the laws into real power.

Mosang didn't hesitate either. "My specialty is trapping opponents, and I also have some Soul Attack techniques."

Kami shot Mosang a surprised glance. Soul Attacks were basically a trump card for most God-level fighters. "Well, Mosang, you sure didn't show that when Nika knocked you flat."

Mosang's face reddened. He couldn't exactly say that he hadn't dared offend so many people, hadn't wanted to kill, and had only tried to show off a bit to intimidate them and extract some information.

Then he'd gotten beaten down and didn't dare say more. Later, when asked if he wanted to join the Blade Army, he'd agreed out of fear of being silenced.

With a rough understanding of their abilities, Kara quickly sent a mental transmission. "In a moment, we'll test the enemy's capabilities."

"Once we figure them out, each of you pick an opponent you're confident in handling. Leave the remaining one to me." Kara's tone was full of confidence.

"Alright." Jie Ning and the other agreed without objection.

'Korur, Dinar, try not to clash directly with the enemy.' Jie Ning didn't forget to remind his two fellow countrymen not to show off.

'Don't worry, we've got experience. Dinar, watch my lead.' Korur agreed readily.

Dinar nodded silently.

While the Blade Army members at the rear were coordinating, Beile looked at the other High-God. "Mubale, do you feel the same way?"

Mubale sighed. "You know, we're all madmen here."

"So, doing this kind of thing is pretty normal, right?" Mubale flashed a wild grin.

"Hmph. I hope you can keep that madness later." Beile knew the fight was unavoidable. Without another word, he attacked both of them at once, drawing them into his range to seize the initiative.

"Haha, excellent! Beile, I knew you were just like us." Qiukadi laughed, leaping aside to dodge Beile's strike.

Mubale turned into a blur, Beile's attack passing straight through his afterimage.

The three clashed fiercely. Under Beile's deliberate guidance, their battle gradually moved farther away.

With the High-God battlefield removed, the rest immediately joined the fray.

Many Blade Army members charged forward.

Jie Ning noticed three Blade Army members who stood out, each taking on two opponents at once, forcing the remaining battlefield into one-on-one fights.

"Jie Ning, Mosang, pay attention. Move together." Kara called out to them, charging straight at three Mid-level Gods rushing toward them.

Jie Ning didn't need the reminder. He had already seen the three approaching.

A water prison suddenly appeared, attempting to trap all three at once.

One of the enemies immediately released a black mist to break the water prison, turning it black.

But aside from changing color, the water prison held its shape.

"How embarrassing, Moki." Another enemy sent a bolt of lightning, shattering the water prison.

"Hmph." Moki snorted but said nothing, firing a black beam at Jie Ning's group.

'Pfft~' A water wall appeared in front of them, blocking the black beam with only a few ripples.

Jie Ning received a mental transmission from Mosang. "Leave this Dark-element Mid-level God to me."

"Alright." Jie Ning had no objection.

Jiening looked at the only person among the three opposite who hadn't moved yet. From the divine power aura, he could tell that this person was also an Earth-type midgod.

"I'll take the Earth-type one." Jiening chose his own opponent.

The next moment, Kara directly attacked the Lightning-type midgod. It was only then that Jiening received the other's reply, "...Alright."

Mosang had already trapped his opponent within his water currents—now a water prison, now waves suddenly appearing in midair.

"Then my opponent should be you." The Earth-type midgod across from him looked like he belonged to a different style than the others from Black Dragon Fortress, appearing honest and simple. He first greeted Jiening amiably, "My name is Delta. As fellow Earth-type midgods, I'll give you a perfect funeral, letting the earth embrace your sinful life."

"You can tell me your name. I'll help you erect a tombstone later."

Jiening retracted his earlier thought. This guy was also a madman.

Ignoring his opponent's words, Jiening directly communicated with the earth elements.

In an instant, six Jienings appeared in a row—these were clones he formed by manipulating the earth elements.

Compared to shaping other strange creatures, Jiening was most skilled at manipulating his own body.

Let me give you a righteous gang-beating.

Including the original body, seven Jienings attacked Delta together.

Boom~ A shield appeared in Delta's hand, and around it, a large amount of earth elements rapidly condensed, expanding his defensive range and enveloping him.

But a defense formed purely from elements was clearly insufficient to block Jiening's attacks. Three of the strikes still landed on the opponent's body.

The feel is wrong. The moment his attack connected, Jiening noticed that the opponent's body toughness was abnormal.

"You noticed, didn't you?" Delta laughed with a hint of madness on his face. "As Earth-type gods, our greatest strength should be our own bodies."

"Most substances in this world have earth elements as their main component. We, who are favored by heaven and able to become Earth-type gods, should naturally learn to accept this gift."

As Delta spoke, he threw a punch. Even before contact, Jiening could feel a powerful force surging toward him.

Hearing the other's words, Jiening understood that this guy must have strengthened his body by studying many hard substances. And, this bastard has definitely comprehended the Profound Mystery of Strength.

Caught off guard, the clone closest to him took the full force of the blow and directly dispersed back into earth elements.

This was purely the effect of raw strength—except this strength had reached an extreme level, and it was evenly distributed across every part of the clone.

It even nearly severed Jiening's connection with the earth elements in his clone.

If my clone relied solely on the Profound Mystery of Earth Elements, you might have succeeded.

Incorporating the Profound Mystery of Earth Travel didn't enhance the defense or attack power of Jiening's clones, but...

Their tenacity was absolutely top-notch.

Under Delta's astonished gaze, the clone that had just dispersed reappeared.