Qilin Treads Auspicious Clouds, Dispelling a Hundred Human Calamities! Auspicious Sacred Beast, Shui Bing'er Stunned!

"I feel like everything is a dream."

Huo Wu looked back as she fled.

Today's battle had shocked her too deeply. Her mind was still somewhat dazed.

Although Huo Yanbao had escaped, the troops he led had suffered devastating losses.

Because they had pushed deepest into enemy territory, they had been pursued for the longest distance.

The pursuers had nearly chased them to the vicinity of the next city before finally stopping.

"What a crushing defeat! Of the three armies, not a single one emerged victorious. Every one of them was driven back!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed softly.

He was deeply shaken by the Chang'an Empire's strength.

However, after fighting for so long, the Chang'an Empire's soldiers were also utterly exhausted. Star Luo's two hundred thousand troops were stationed at the border, ready to reap the rewards without lifting a finger!

Following the fleeing soldiers' routes, his gaze had unconsciously shifted toward Chang'an's centrally located city.

The Chang'an Empire currently had six cities. Aside from the Royal Capital, there was another city located in the center.

The force sent to attack the central city had only arrived belatedly at this point.

This legion differed from the others.

No one knew where its commanding general had gone.

Several talented students from Skywater Academy were leading the troops.

Many officers were dissatisfied with these young girls. Complaints filled the march, slowing the army's advance.

"Skywater Academy's dean didn't come herself and actually sent a few little brats to command the troops!"

"This central city is close to Chang'an Capital. The capital could send reinforcements at any time. If Li Xin comes, we'll be finished. She probably didn't come because she fears General Li Xin. I bet she'll only show herself once the Five Route Army joins up. What an old fox."

"Even so, she shouldn't have let these little brats command the troops, should she?"

"Can these little brats even lead an army?"

"They'd make pretty decorations, at least!"

At the very front of the formation, atop a warhorse, sat Shui Bing'er, a girl barely over one and a half meters tall. She was also one of the commanders of this expedition.

Shui Bing'er was not tall, but her figure was exceptionally well-proportioned—neither exaggeratedly voluptuous nor slight and frail.

Her long water-blue hair fell down her back. Her fair face was adorned with delicate features. At first glance, she did not seem stunningly beautiful, but the longer one looked, the more beauty one discovered in her. It was a hazy, ethereal sort of beauty.

The other commanders were likewise young soul master students from Skywater Academy.

Like Shui Bing'er, they had similar hair colors and attire.

Every student sent by Skywater Academy, whether in appearance or figure, was exceptional among women.

This soul master team, as lovely as lotuses rising from water, was a pleasing sight to behold.

But this was a battlefield, not a place for play!

Listening to the endless doubts from her subordinates,

Shui Bing'er displayed remarkable composure and replied calmly,

"I do not understand why everyone keeps talking about the commander's absence."

"As though, just because the commander did not come, this battle is destined to end badly for us."

"Before this battle, every sect master and academy dean investigated the enemy city's defenses. The city we face has barely over two thousand defenders."

"No matter how you look at it, forty thousand against two thousand—the advantage is ours!"

All the soldiers and officers knew these facts perfectly well.

What concerned them was not the outcome of this battle.

They feared that nearby Chang'an Capital would send reinforcements.

Besides, the credit for leading the army would be taken by these little brats. Naturally, the officers felt unhappy about that!

But there was nothing they could do. Military orders were absolute.

The several commanders of the central army had all been personally appointed by Skywater Academy's dean.

They also feared that powerful dean!

Shui Bing'er and the others knew that this battle was merely an opportunity to gain merit and gild themselves.

In a battle guaranteed to be won, even a pig could lead the army to victory!

The central army leisurely made its way beneath the city walls.

The overwhelming pressure of troops covering the mountains and plains made the city's defenders feel immense strain!

With a troop disparity of more than ten to one, it would be difficult to hold the city!

"Forty thousand troops have arrived at our gates. What are we supposed to do?"

"Still, there don't seem to be any particularly formidable figures among their commanders! From what I can see, those leading their army appear to be some young women?"

"Even without formidable figures, we still can't hold the city!"

"The Royal Capital is so close. If we send an urgent plea for aid, they should send reinforcements, right?"

"If the Royal Capital refuses to reinforce us, it will face the Five Route Army attacking from all sides. They'll definitely send troops!"

The soldiers began letting their imaginations run wild.

The only thing that reassured them was the absence of any formidable figure on the enemy side.

And they firmly believed that Xue Luochuan would send troops to save them!

"Surely we can't rely on our female general to defend the city."

As several officers whispered among themselves, their gazes continually assessed their own defending general.

She was a female general sent by His Majesty.

Clad in an Azure Battle Robe and holding the Azure Profound Kirin Blade, she stood tall and straight, heroic and dashing!

Yet they placed no hope whatsoever in this female general.

They all stared eagerly in the direction of the Royal Capital, praying for their reinforcements to appear!

In the brief moment they looked away,

when they turned back, their general had vanished without a trace.

Shui Bing'er and the others led the Heavenly Dou Army beneath the city walls.

"The enemy city has no powerful soul masters stationed within. We can attack through all four gates!"

Shui Bing'er called to her companions.

Shui Yue'er and the others nodded.

They led their respective legions toward different city gates.

Though they were said to be leading them, most of the time, the other officers were the ones giving them marching instructions.

The girls grinned and looked around everywhere, examining their surroundings with curiosity and interest.

It was as though this were not a brutal war, but an outing.

The army swiftly surrounded the city from all four sides.

Just as the soldiers in the formation were about to sound the horn for the attack,

a strand of misty, rosy light suddenly spilled down from the sky!

The radiance grew ever brighter!

It was as though an auspicious omen had descended!

Countless people raised their heads to look.

"What is that?"

A Seven-Colored Auspicious Cloud floated in the sky.

Upon that cloud stood a Sacred Beast shimmering with flowing light!

It had a sheep's head, a deer's body, wolf hooves, dragon horns, and a dragon's tail, its entire body covered in dragon scales!

"Is that the Auspicious Beast Qilin?"

"It seems to be blessing us!"

"We'll surely capture the city without losing a single soldier!"

"We'll surely drive back the enemy without even fighting!"

The soldiers on both sides took this auspicious sign to be a blessing upon their own side!

They all cheered in unison!

From atop the clouds, a graceful figure holding a green blade slowly emerged. Her auspicious voice enveloped the battlefield!

"Qilin treads auspicious clouds, dispelling a hundred human calamities!"

"My intent is not for war. All of you, withdraw at once!"

Shui Bing'er stared blankly at the auspicious Sacred Beast in the sky.

The Heavenly Dou Army was also stunned by the woman's words.

Her meaning was already clear. She belonged to the other side!

"The Sacred Beast Qilin? Why has it appeared on the enemy side?"