Crimson Firmament Reinforcements

The Crimson Firmament Sect's banner fluttered in the morning breeze.

Three thousand disciples of the sect lined up outside the south gate of Iron Wall City, all clad in the same blue combat uniforms, long swords hanging at their waists, their auras radiating a chilling, murderous intent.

They stood there, like a blue Great Wall, a stark contrast to the scorched earth behind them.

At the very front of the formation, Senior Sister Yun rode a snow-white warhorse. She was still in her blue robes, but a long sword with a red scabbard had been added to her waist.

She watched the slowly opening city gate, her face expressionless.

Wang Meng stood on the city wall, supported by his personal guards. His face was dark, the poison having already spread to his neck.

But he forced himself to straighten his back, his voice hoarse, "Open the city gate and welcome the reinforcements!"

The heavy city gate opened once more.

Senior Sister Yun rode into the city, followed by twenty inner disciples of the Crimson Firmament Sect.

They kept their eyes straight ahead, but as their gazes swept over the wounded soldiers and ruins lining the streets, they all frowned slightly.

Inside the General's Mansion, the atmosphere was heavy.

Senior Sister Yun sat in the guest seat and took the rough tea offered by a personal guard. She took only a sip before setting it down.

"General Wang," she began directly, "the sect received an urgent report and immediately dispatched disciples to the north. However, the barbarian royal court has also sent reinforcements. The Blood Wolf Tribe is merely the vanguard. The true Blood Eagle Tribe, an army of fifty thousand, has already crossed the Blackwater River and will arrive within seven days at the latest."

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically.

Fifty thousand!

And it was the barbarian elite, the Blood Eagle Tribe!

"Fairy Yun," Wang Meng forced himself to speak, "the defenders of Iron Wall City are only five thousand left, with over half of them wounded. Without reinforcements, this city will surely fall."

"I know." Senior Sister Yun took a token from her embrace and placed it on the table. "This is the Elder Token of the Crimson Firmament Sect, which can command all disciples of sects and affiliated forces in the three cities of the Northern Territory. I have already ordered all parties, and eight thousand reinforcements should arrive within three days."

Wang Meng breathed a sigh of relief.

But Senior Sister Yun's next sentence made his heart clench again.

"However," she looked at Li Xuan, "is this person Li Xuan?"

Li Xuan cupped his fists. "Indeed."

Senior Sister Yun sized him up, her eyes as sharp as a sword. "Steward Liu's letter said you severely injured Wanyan Lie twice?"

"It was luck."

"There is no luck on the battlefield," Senior Sister Yun shook her head. "Wanyan Lie is a once-in-a-century genius of the Blood Wolf Tribe, at the eighth level of Body Tempering, cultivating the Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique. The fact that you could injure him shows that you have at least a combat strength not inferior to the seventh level."

She paused. "The sect has an order: whoever kills Wanyan Lie can enter the inner sect and will be rewarded with one hundred low-grade Spirit Stones and a Yellow-grade mid-tier Cultivation Method."

Gasps of cold air echoed in the hall.

One hundred low-grade Spirit Stones! A Yellow-grade mid-tier Cultivation Method!

This was a bounty that could make any martial artist's eyes turn red!

But Senior Sister Yun's tone shifted. "However, Wanyan Lie is now heavily injured and has retreated to the rear camp, with at least three thousand personal guards around him. Killing him would be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"So the bounty is just talk?" Chen Feng couldn't help but ask.

"It is an incentive." Senior Sister Yun looked at Li Xuan. "Steward Liu thinks highly of you. He said that if you can return alive from the Northern Territory, he will personally take you as a registered disciple."

A registered disciple!

Although not as good as an inner disciple, it was still an official member of the Crimson Firmament Sect, ten times better than an outer disciple!

Li Xuan was silent for a moment. "What conditions do I need to meet?"

"First, survive. Second, earn enough military merit." Senior Sister Yun took out a booklet from her sleeve. "This is the Crimson Firmament Sect Contribution Exchange booklet. Killing barbarian martial artists, capturing war materials, and gathering intelligence can all be exchanged for Contribution Points. Contribution Points can be exchanged for Cultivation Methods, Pills, weapons, and even... sect protection."

She pushed the booklet to Li Xuan. "You have three days to consider. After three days, I will lead people to raid the barbarian granary. Those willing to go, sign up now."

After speaking, she stood up. "General Wang, please take care of your injuries. I have already ordered someone to refine Detoxification Pills, and they will be ready tomorrow."

She turned and left, crisp and decisive.

Li Xuan returned to his temporary residence and opened the contribution booklet.

The booklet was thick and divided into categories.

Cultivation Method category: Yellow-grade low-tier Crimson Flame Saber Technique, requires 300 Contribution Points; Yellow-grade mid-tier Flowing Cloud Steps, requires 800 Contribution Points...

Pill category: Body Tempering Pill, 10 Contribution Points each; Vitality Pill, 20 Contribution Points; Detoxification Pill, 50 Contribution Points...

Weapon category: Common-grade high-tier Battle Saber, 200 Contribution Points; Yellow-grade low-tier Long Sword, 500 Contribution Points...

What attracted Li Xuan's attention the most was the last item: Special Exchange.

"100 Contribution Points can be exchanged for one instance of sect protection - the scope of protection: oneself and direct relatives, for a duration of three years."

"500 Contribution Points can be exchanged for one opportunity to take the inner disciple assessment."

"1000 Contribution Points can be used to invite an elder of the sect to personally guide you for three days."

Li Xuan closed the booklet, his eyes gleaming.

What he lacked most now were resources and a backer.

The protection of the Crimson Firmament Sect allowed him to cultivate without any worries.

But how to obtain enough Contribution Points?

The booklet had the exchange standards attached at the back: kill a Body Tempering third layer barbarian, one point; fourth layer, three points; fifth layer, ten points; sixth layer, thirty points; seventh layer, one hundred points; eighth layer... five hundred points!

Wanyan Lie was worth five hundred Contribution Points!

But Li Xuan knew clearly that he couldn't kill Wanyan Lie yet.

Being heavily injured and killing were two different things.

"Li Xuan."

Chen Feng pushed the door open, his face grave: "I just found out that the supply line raid Senior Sister Yun mentioned is going to Black Wind Valley. It's the barbarian's logistical route, but the terrain is treacherous, easy to defend and hard to attack. Last time, the Zhenbei Army sent eight hundred men and only thirty returned."

"So she needs experts," Li Xuan said.

"Yes, at least Body Tempering fifth layer or above." Chen Feng looked at him. "Are you going?"

"I am," Li Xuan said without hesitation. "I need Contribution Points."

"Then I'm going too."

"You stay in the city," Li Xuan shook his head. "General Wang needs people to help defend the city. Besides..."

He took out a small cloth bag from his embrace and handed it to Chen Feng: "There are twenty Body Tempering Pills in here, keep them for yourself. If I don't come back, find a way to send the evidence of Elder Zhao's treason back to the martial arts school."

Chen Feng took the cloth bag, his hands trembling: "You... you must come back."

"I'll try."

The next day, the Detoxification Pill was refined.

Senior Sister Yun personally delivered it to Wang Meng's bedside.

The pill was as red as blood, emitting a pungent smell. Less than half an hour after Wang Meng took it, his dark complexion began to fade, and foul-smelling black blood flowed from his wounds.

"The poison is gone," the military doctor breathed a sigh of relief. "But the General has lost too much blood and needs to rest for half a month."

"There's no half a month," Wang Meng struggled to sit up. "The barbarians could attack at any time, I must be on the city wall."

Senior Sister Yun pressed him down: "General Wang, resting is also part of fighting. If you fall, the army's morale will surely collapse."

She paused: "The supply line raid will be in three days. I will take a thousand sect disciples. The defense of Iron Wall City will be temporarily handled by Chen Feng."

Chen Feng was stunned: "Me?"

"You've defended the city for ten days, you have plenty of experience," Senior Sister Yun said. "And General Wang trusts you."

She looked at Li Xuan: "Li Xuan, you will come with me to the central army tent to discuss the details of the raid."

Inside the central army tent, a sand table was already set up.

The terrain of Black Wind Valley was clear at a glance—two cliffs a hundred zhang high on either side, with a narrow passage about five li long in the middle. The barbarians had built a camp at the mouth of the valley, with eight hundred troops stationed there, at least a hundred of whom were martial artists.

"Our mission is to burn the provisions," Senior Sister Yun pointed to the sand table. "But the barbarian supply convoy is heavily guarded, a frontal assault is impossible. We must split into two groups—one group will feign an attack on the camp to attract the defenders; the other will infiltrate from the side cliff and strike directly at the grain depot in the valley."

She looked at the ten people in the tent.

These ten people were all chosen experts by her, the lowest being Body Tempering fifth layer. Li Xuan was the weakest in cultivation among them, but his combat strength was recognized as the strongest.

"The feint attack team will be led by me, five hundred men, with great fanfare," Senior Sister Yun said. "The infiltration team... Li Xuan, you will lead it, fifty men, be fast, be ruthless."

Everyone looked at Li Xuan.

Someone was unconvinced: "Senior Sister Yun, he is only Body Tempering fifth layer after all, is it appropriate for him to lead the infiltration team..."

"He has killed more barbarians than you have ever seen," Senior Sister Yun interrupted. "Any problem?"

The man shut his mouth.

"Good," Senior Sister Yun made the decision. "We will depart at Zi Shi tonight, arriving outside Black Wind Valley before dawn. The action will take place tomorrow night."

At Zi Shi, eleven hundred people silently left the city.

Senior Sister Yun rode her horse, a black cloak draped over her blue robe. Behind her, five hundred sect disciples were dressed in black, masked, with only their eyes showing.

Li Xuan led fifty people behind them.

These fifty people were all elites chosen by Senior Sister Yun from the sect disciples, the lowest being Body Tempering fourth layer and the highest sixth layer. They looked at Li Xuan with scrutiny, but no one dared to question him—Li Xuan's record in Iron Wall City had already spread.

An overnight forced march.

Before dawn, the team arrived in a dense forest twenty li outside Black Wind Valley.

"Rest for two hours," Senior Sister Yun ordered. "Li Xuan, come with me."

The two climbed to a high slope and observed Black Wind Valley with their telescopes.

The camp at the mouth of the valley was brightly lit, with barbarian guards patrolling back and forth. Inside the valley, piles of grain bags could be vaguely seen, as well as dozens of transport vehicles.

"There are more provisions than we expected," Senior Sister Yun frowned. "It seems the barbarians are stockpiling supplies to prepare for the Blood Eagle Tribe."

"We must burn them," Li Xuan said.

"Yes." Senior Sister Yun put down the telescope. "Have you chosen the infiltration route?"

Li Xuan pointed to the eastern cliff: "There is a gentle slope there, overgrown with thorns, and the barbarian defense is lax. But it requires climbing a hundred zhang, which is demanding on physical strength."

"Are your people capable?"

"Yes."

Senior Sister Yun stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Li Xuan, are you cultivating the Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique?"

Li Xuan's heart tightened.

"No need to be nervous," Senior Sister Yun said. "Steward Liu mentioned it in his letter. He said your cultivation path is unconventional, but your combat power is strong, and you have potential."

She paused. "The Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique is a secret art of the barbarians, requiring slaughter and malevolent energy to cultivate. If you were a barbarian spy, you wouldn't have waited until now to reveal yourself. That's why I trust you."

Li Xuan remained silent.

"But I must warn you," Senior Sister Yun's voice turned cold. "There are people within the sect who also suspect you. This mission is your proof of loyalty. If you succeed, your past will be wiped clean. If you fail... even if you return alive, you won't escape scrutiny."

"I understand."

"Good." Senior Sister Yun turned. "Go prepare. I will lead the team in a feint attack at sunset. When you see the fire at the valley entrance, take your men and infiltrate."

At sunset, at the entrance of Black Wind Valley.

Senior Sister Yun stood at the front of the formation, raising her long sword.

"Light the torches!"

Five hundred disciples of the Crimson Firmament Sect simultaneously lit their torches, the flames illuminating half the sky.

"Charge--!"

The battle cries shook the heavens!

If you can't find the book title, you can try searching for the author, perhaps the name has changed!

The five hundred men charged towards the encampment like a tide!

The barbarian guards were greatly alarmed and quickly blew their horns. Hundreds of barbarian soldiers poured out of the encampment, and the two sides engaged in a fierce battle at the valley entrance.

Senior Sister Yun took the lead, her long sword like a rainbow. Wherever she passed, barbarians fell. Her Body Tempering seventh-layer cultivation was fully displayed; ordinary barbarians were no match for her.

However, several generals soon emerged from the barbarian encampment. They were all at the Body Tempering sixth-layer and surrounded Senior Sister Yun.

The battle became a stalemate.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the eastern cliff.

Li Xuan looked up at the hundred-zhang cliff and took a deep breath.

"Go!"

Fifty men climbed up like monkeys.

The cliff was steep, but there were vines and crevices to grip. They were all martial artists, so climbing wasn't too difficult.

Li Xuan was the fastest.

His hands were like hooks, his feet braced against the rock face. In a few leaps, he had ascended ten zhang. After achieving great success in the Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique, his bones were as hard as iron, and his fingers could easily dig into the rock.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all fifty men had climbed to the clifftop.

From the clifftop, they had a clear view of the valley.

The granary was in the center of the valley, with dozens of huge tents and mountains of grain sacks piled outside. There weren't many guards, only a little over a hundred, most of whom had been drawn away by the battle at the valley entrance.

"Let's go."

Li Xuan led the way, sliding down the cliff face.

They landed silently.

The fifty men moved towards the granary like phantoms.

When they were a hundred paces away, they were discovered by the guards.

"Enemy attack--!"

The barbarian guards blew their whistles.

But it was too late.

Li Xuan had already charged into the crowd!

He had asked a military blacksmith to recast his Black Scale Saber. Although its rank had fallen back to the upper grade of mortal artifacts, it was still usable.

The saber light flashed like snow!

Pfft, pfft, pfft!

Three guards fell, blood gushing from their throats.

The fifty Crimson Firmament Sect disciples also went into a frenzy.

They were all elites of the Crimson Firmament Sect, their swordsmanship exquisite and their coordination seamless. The hundred guards were slaughtered in the blink of an eye.

"Burn it!"

Li Xuan rushed into a granary, took out a fire starter, and lit the grain.

The fire quickly spread.

Fifty men set fire to different locations, and soon, dozens of granaries were engulfed in flames!

Thick smoke billowed, and flames soared into the sky!

At the valley entrance, the barbarian guards saw the raging fire within the valley, and their morale immediately collapsed.

"Grain! The grain is burning!"

"Retreat! Reinforce!"

The barbarian general roared hoarsely.

But how could Senior Sister Yun let them have their way?

"Tie them down! Don't let a single one escape!"

Five hundred sect disciples clung tightly to the barbarian guards.

Inside the valley, Li Xuan watched the raging inferno, knowing the mission was complete.

"Withdraw!"

The fifty men swiftly retreated towards the cliff face.

But at that moment—

BOOM!

The ground shook!

From the direction of the valley entrance, a cavalry unit charged in!

Not barbarians!

It was Southern cavalry!

The one leading them was none other than Zhao Wuji's father—Elder Zhao!

How is he here?

Li Xuan's pupils contracted.

Elder Zhao clearly saw Li Xuan as well, a venomous glint flashing in his eyes.

"Li Xuan! So you are here!" he sneered, "Today is the day you die!"

Behind him followed three hundred cavalrymen, all Zhao family private soldiers.

"Elder Zhao!" Senior Sister Yun charged in from the valley entrance and saw the scene, her face darkening. "What are you doing here?"

"Fairy Yun," Elder Zhao cupped his fists, "I heard the barbarian supply route was here, so I led my family soldiers to assist in the battle. I didn't expect..."

He pointed at Li Xuan: "This scoundrel is colluding with the enemy and betraying the country! Fairy Yun, do not be deceived by him!"

"Where is the evidence?" Senior Sister Yun asked coldly.

"My son, Zhao Wuji, was killed by him! To cover up his treasonous crimes, he silenced a witness!" Elder Zhao cried hoarsely, "Fairy Yun, if you don't believe me, ask him about the wound on his shoulder—it was inflicted by a barbarian saber! If he wasn't colluding with the barbarians, why would they only wound him and not kill him?"

Everyone looked at Li Xuan's left shoulder.

There was indeed a wound there, left by a saber, inflicted when they broke out of the barbarian camp yesterday.

Senior Sister Yun frowned deeply.

"Li Xuan, what do you say?"

Li Xuan smiled.

His laughter was chillingly cold.

"Elder Zhao, you know how your son died." He stared at Elder Zhao, "The secret letter of collusion was written by you to Wanyan Lie. Zhao Wuji was merely the executor. Now that things have been exposed, you want to silence me and push all the blame onto me?"

"Nonsense!" Elder Zhao roared, "Take him down!"

The three hundred private soldiers were about to advance.

"Stop," Senior Sister Yun raised her hand, "There are many suspicious points to this matter. After we return to the city, we will report it to the sect, and a judgment will be made."

"Fairy Yun!" Elder Zhao urged anxiously, "This villain is cunning. If we let him return to the city, there will be unforeseen complications! It would be better to kill him here and now to eliminate future trouble!"

"I said, stop," Senior Sister Yun's eyes turned cold, "Elder Zhao, are you going to defy the sect's orders?"

Elder Zhao's expression shifted.

Finally, he gritted his teeth: "I dare not."

But the killing intent in his eyes was unconcealed.

Li Xuan gripped his saber hilt.

He knew this matter was far from over.

Elder Zhao daring to bring private soldiers here showed he had gone all out.

The journey back to the city... would not be peaceful.

"Disband the team," Senior Sister Yun ordered, "Return to the city."

Everyone began to withdraw.

Li Xuan walked at the back of the group, constantly on guard against Elder Zhao's men.

Elder Zhao's men were also watching him.

The two sides were at daggers drawn.

Senior Sister Yun saw this but said nothing.

The atmosphere on the way back to the city was oppressive.

Li Xuan walked with fifty sect disciples, while Elder Zhao's three hundred private soldiers followed behind, always maintaining a hundred paces of distance.

Senior Sister Yun walked at the very front, her expression calm, but her hand remained on her sword hilt.

She was also waiting.

Waiting for Elder Zhao to make the first move.

That way, she would have a reason to purge the sect.

But Elder Zhao was very patient.

Nothing happened along the way.

Until they were still ten li from Iron Wall City, a sudden change occurred!

From the dense forest ahead, a cavalry charge!

Barbarian cavalry!

There were five hundred riders, all elite wolf riders!

Leading them was none other than Wanyan Lie's deputy general -- Tuoba Shan!

"Hahaha!" Elder Zhao suddenly laughed, "Fairy Yun, I apologize! These barbarians, I invited them!"

He spurred his horse back, creating distance between himself and Li Xuan's group.

The three hundred private soldiers also quickly formed ranks, creating an encirclement with the barbarian cavalry!

"Zhao Jinglong!" Senior Sister Yun shouted angrily, "You dare collude with barbarians?!"

"Collude?" Elder Zhao sneered, "Fairy Yun exaggerates. I am merely... using a borrowed knife to kill."

He pointed at Li Xuan: "This brat killed my son and destroyed my Zhao family's foundation. Today, he must die! As for you all... if you hand over Li Xuan, I can spare your lives."

"Dream on." Senior Sister Yun drew her sword.

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless." Elder Zhao waved his hand, "Kill!"

The three hundred private soldiers and five hundred wolf riders charged simultaneously!

Eight hundred against six hundred!

And their side had a traitor!

A desperate situation!

Senior Sister Yun's eyes were cold: "Li Xuan, are you afraid?"

"I am," Li Xuan said, "but fear is useless."

He drew the Black Scale Saber.

"Killing one is breaking even, killing two is a profit."

"Good." Senior Sister Yun nodded. "Today, we fight side by side."

She raised her Long Sword high: "Crimson Firmament Sect disciples, heed my command! Form the 'Crimson Flame Sword Formation'!"

The five hundred sect disciples quickly changed formation, their sword lights connecting into one, rising like flames!

Li Xuan led fifty men, guarding the formation's core.

The great battle was about to begin!