Desperate Battle in Blood (Part 2)

"It's Barbarian reinforcements," Senior Sister Yun said, walking up to Li Xuan with a grave expression. "At least three thousand cavalry. The ones leading... it's the Blood Eagle Tribe's banner."

The Blood Eagle Tribe.

The Barbarian Royal Court's elite.

The vanguard of a fifty-thousand-strong army.

"We can't stop them," Senior Sister Yun said. "We must return to the city immediately."

"Even if we return, we can't defend it," Li Xuan said, watching the approaching dust cloud. "Three thousand cavalry are enough to shatter Iron Wall City's current defenses."

"Then what do we do?"

Li Xuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Senior Sister Yun, does the Crimson Firmament Sect have... any forbidden arts that can rapidly increase strength?"

Senior Sister Yun's eyes sharpened. "What are you planning?"

"I want to break through," Li Xuan said. "Body Tempering Layer Six isn't enough. I need stronger power to stop this cavalry."

"We do," Senior Sister Yun said. "But the cost is very high."

"What cost?"

"Burning lifespan," Senior Sister Yun stared at him. "The Crimson Firmament Sect has an art called the 'Life Burning Art.' It can burn ten years of lifespan to gain a threefold increase in strength for the duration of an incense stick. But after the incense stick burns out, you'll fall into extreme weakness, at the mercy of others."

"Ten years of lifespan..." Li Xuan smiled. "If I die today, what's the point of having a hundred years of lifespan?"

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

Senior Sister Yun took out a jade slip from her robes and placed it on her forehead. After a moment, she handed it to Li Xuan. "I'll only say the cultivation method for the Life Burning Art once. Remember, once you use it, there's no turning back."

Li Xuan took the jade slip and placed it on his forehead.

Information flooded his mind.

The Life Burning Art.

Using vital energy and blood as a conduit to burn lifespan for power.

Simple, brutal, effective.

He sat down cross-legged and began to cultivate.

Around them, Crimson Firmament disciples were clearing the battlefield and tending to the wounded.

Senior Sister Yun stood guard with her sword, her expression complicated.

This young man was more ruthless than she imagined.

Ruthless to himself, and even more so to his enemies.

An incense stick later.

Li Xuan opened his eyes.

A hint of blood flashed within them.

"It's done."

He stood up and stretched his sinews and bones.

His bones cracked like popping beans.

Power surged within him, threatening to explode.

[Strength: 5.8 → 17.4]

Even if it was only temporary, it was enough.

"Senior Sister Yun," Li Xuan said, "take the others back to the city. Leave this place to me."

"You alone?" Senior Sister Yun frowned.

"One person is enough," Li Xuan said, gripping his Black Scale Saber. "More people will just get in the way."

He looked north.

The three thousand cavalry were now three miles away.

Their banners were like a forest, their blades like snow.

Beneath the Blood Eagle banner at the very front stood a Barbarian general clad in golden armor. His aura... Body Tempering Layer Eight Peak.

"Wanyan Xiong of the Blood Eagle Tribe," Senior Sister Yun whispered. "Wanyan Lie's cousin, the deputy commander of the Blood Eagle Tribe. This man is cruel and bloodthirsty, responsible for countless massacres."

"Perfect," Li Xuan said. "Killing him, will that be enough to earn Inner Disciple Qualification?"

"It will," Senior Sister Yun nodded. "But you have to come back alive."

"I'll try."

Li Xuan turned and walked north.

One man, one saber.

Facing three thousand iron cavalry.

Three miles away, Wanyan Xiong reined in his warhorse.

He saw the battlefield ahead.

Tuoba Shan's corpse, Elder Zhao's head, and the scattered wolf cavalry and private soldiers.

"Trash." He snorted coldly.

Then, he saw Li Xuan.

The young southerner walking towards him alone.

"Interesting." Wanyan Xiong grinned, "My men, who wants to take his head? A bounty of a hundred taels, and three women!"

"I'll go!"

A barbarian centurion spurred his horse forward.

Body Tempering Layer Six, wielding a wolf-tooth mace, charging ferociously.

Li Xuan didn't even look.

A casual saber strike.

A flash of saber light.

The centurion, man and horse, was split in half.

Blood rain splattered.

Three thousand cavalrymen fell silent in an instant.

"Anyone else?" Li Xuan asked.

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Wanyan Xiong's eyes grew solemn.

"All of you, attack!" he waved, "Kill him!"

Three thousand cavalrymen charged simultaneously!

The ground shook, killing intent surged like a tide!

Li Xuan took a deep breath.

Life Burning Art, activated at full power!

Ten years of lifespan began to burn!

His strength surged again!

[Strength: 17.4 → 20.0]

The Body Tempering Layer Nine Threshold was broken!

"Kill--!"

He charged forward!

One man, charging towards three thousand cavalry!

The Black Scale Saber struck down!

The first rank of cavalrymen were thrown from their horses!

The second rank, flesh and blood flew!

The third rank, limbs were severed!

Li Xuan was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, wherever his saber passed, no one could withstand a single blow!

Wanyan Xiong's expression changed drastically.

"Form ranks! Surround and kill him!"

The cavalry quickly changed formation, surrounding Li Xuan in the center.

Spears like a forest, thrusting towards Li Xuan.

Li Xuan neither dodged nor blocked.

The Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique was circulated to its extreme, his bones as hard as black iron.

Clang, clang, clang!

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

The spears stabbed his body, leaving only white marks, unable to break through his defense at all!

"Monster!" a barbarian soldier shouted in terror.

Li Xuan sneered.

The Black Scale Saber swept out.

A circle of cavalrymen were all cut in half at the waist!

Blood gushed like a spring, dyeing the earth red.

[Potential +0.2]

[Potential +0.3]

[Potential +0.5]

The status panel flickered wildly.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Li Xuan's eyes turned red with bloodlust.

With every person he killed, the malevolent energy grew stronger.

The progress of the Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique Layer Two increased rapidly.

[Blood Fiend Bone Forging Technique Layer Two: Novice → Minor Accomplishment]

[Effects: Bone Hardness +200%, Strength +120%]

His strength surged again!

Now, with a single strike, he could shatter heavy armor and cleave through iron cavalry!

Wanyan Xiong could no longer sit still.

"Get out of the way!"

He spurred his horse forward, wielding a twelve-foot-long spear. The spear shaft was as black as ink, and its tip glinted with a bloody light.

"Boy, state your name," Wanyan Xiong said in a deep voice.

"Li Xuan."

"Li Xuan..." Wanyan Xiong nodded. "I'll remember you. As a reward, I'll make your skull into a wine cup and play with it day and night."

"So much nonsense."

Li Xuan slashed out with his saber.

Wanyan Xiong swept his spear horizontally.

CLANG!!!

Sparks flew!

Both men were pushed back.

Li Xuan retreated five steps, his tiger's mouth torn open.

Wanyan Xiong retreated three steps, his arm numb.

"Good strength!" Wanyan Xiong's eyes burned with intensity. "But it's not enough!"

The spear lunged like a dragon towards Li Xuan's heart.

Li Xuan dodged to the side, his Black Scale Saber sweeping back towards the horse's legs.

Wanyan Xiong pulled back on the reins, and his warhorse reared up, narrowly avoiding the saber.

The two clashed.

Spear shadows formed a forest, saber light like snow.

The surrounding cavalry couldn't get involved, only watching from afar.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG!

Thirty exchanges later, neither had gained an advantage.

But Li Xuan knew his time was running out.

The Life Burning Art could only be sustained for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

More than half of that time had already passed.

He had to end this quickly.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He deliberately exposed a weakness.

Wanyan Xiong fell for the trap, thrusting his spear towards Li Xuan's left chest.

Li Xuan didn't dodge. He took the spear strike head-on!

SQUELCH!

The spear tip sank three inches into his chest!

But Li Xuan also grabbed the spear shaft.

"You..." Wanyan Xiong's expression changed.

Li Xuan grinned.

He gripped the spear shaft with his left hand and brought his right hand, wielding the Black Scale Saber, down!

Wanyan Xiong tried to abandon his spear and retreat, but it was too late.

A flash of blade light.

His right arm was severed at the shoulder!

"Aaaah--!" Wanyan Xiong screamed.

Li Xuan drew his blade and slashed again.

This strike aimed directly for the head.

Wanyan Xiong desperately lowered his head, the blade scraping across his helmet, splitting it in two and leaving a wound on his forehead that was deep enough to see bone.

Blood smeared his entire face.

"Retreat! Retreat!" Wanyan Xiong roared hoarsely, turning his horse and fleeing.

With their commander fleeing, the three thousand cavalry instantly scattered.

Li Xuan did not pursue.

He stood his ground, watching the fleeing barbarians, then glanced at the spear still lodged in his chest.

The time for the Life Burning Art had come.

A wave of weakness washed over him.

He staggered back, leaning against a broken tree.

"Li Xuan!"

Senior Sister Yun rushed over with her people.

She saw the spear in Li Xuan's chest and her face changed drastically, "Medic! Quickly!"

"No need," Li Xuan shook his head, "I won't die."

He gripped the spear shaft and pulled hard.

Puchi.

Blood sprayed out.

But his expression remained unchanged. He took Golden Wound Powder from his bosom and sprinkled it on the wound.

The bleeding stopped.

"You..." Senior Sister Yun's eyes were complex, "You killed Wanyan Xiong?"

"He didn't die, he ran," Li Xuan said, "But I gravely wounded him. He won't be able to attack the city for a while."

Senior Sister Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, she cupped her fist solemnly, "Li Xuan, you are the greatest contributor in this battle. After we return to the city, I will personally request a commendation for you. The Inner Disciple Qualification is yours."

Li Xuan nodded.

He looked in the direction of Iron Wall City.

The sun was setting, the afterglow like blood.

This hurdle today had been cleared.

But what about tomorrow?

The fifty thousand troops of the Blood Eagle Tribe were still on their way.

The real war had only just begun.

"Return to the city," Li Xuan said, "Heal and prepare for battle."

He turned and walked, step by step, towards Iron Wall City.

Behind him lay the ground littered with corpses, and the three thousand fleeing cavalry.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long.

Like a blood-stained spear.