The Great Battle Was About to Begin

An old man with hair and beard as white as snow hovered in midair, roaring in fury.

Just because my Divine Blade Sect has no such powerful figures to hold down the fort, we deserve to die? We deserve to stay in Yunzhou as cannon fodder?

Those useless good-for-nothings resting on their laurels get to hide in Zhongzhou and enjoy the finest resources, using the wealth and provisions they've plundered to carouse night after night and live in carefree luxury.

Ye Haichuan, as Prefectural Commander, surely you understand this better than I do.

Another figure appeared in the night sky: an old man in a black robe. He took a steady step through the air and landed a hundred meters in front of the old man who had spoken.

The black-robed old man's face remained impassive as he replied evenly, "Old Ghost Ji, that's no excuse for colluding with demonic creatures."

"Ye Haichuan, how can you be so hidebound? Which of those ancient clans beyond our borders doesn't associate with demonic creatures?"

The old man surnamed Ji was named Ji Changqing. He was the current sect master of the Divine Blade Sect, and, like Ye Haichuan, a Core Formation Realm expert.

Ji Changqing's face twisted with fury. "How have they stood tall for all these years? Because they have deep foundations and countless powerful experts."

"I'd say it's because they work with demonic creatures, tied to them by the deep bonds of shared interests."

Ye Haichuan's expression turned icy. "Ji Changqing, you're the sect master of the Divine Blade Sect, yet you dare spread such blatant lies here. Demonic creatures will not be allowed to run rampant in Great Xia, and neither will a rabble-rouser like you."

The night sky suddenly blazed bright. A pair of iron fists, as vast as mountains, crushed down over a hundred-zhang stretch of sky.

Ji Changqing didn't back down. His long saber sprang from its sheath, a dazzling streak of cold light shooting skyward to cleave straight into the descending fists.

"Rumble!"

The thunderous crash shook the heavens. Trees and grass below shattered on the spot, while the surrounding rocks split apart and flew in every direction. The two old men in midair instantly fell into a fierce clash.

As the battle overhead erupted in all its fury, the entire area around the Divine Blade Sect boiled like a pot of water. Countless figures poured out through the sect gates.

Shouts of battle and furious roars rang without end. In an instant, the entire mountain gate descended into chaos.

Seeing this, the Demon Suppression Division's men stationed at the foot of the mountain turned their eyes away. The battle in the sky was simply too distant from them.

Their most urgent task was to hold the line at the foot of the mountain and survive this battle. Getting back to the Demon Suppression Division alive was what mattered most.

As the figures from the mountain drew closer and closer,

Jiang Qingyun's face turned solemn. He bellowed,

Everyone raised their weapons in unison, and the fighting erupted.

"Clang, clang... clang!" The clash of weapons and screams shook the night sky.

Su Ye smashed an oncoming Divine Blade Sect disciple to death with one punch. He scanned the chaotic battlefield, dodged a slashing saber, and drove a punch forward. A mist of blood drifted through the air. Corpses littered the ground, with broken weapons scattered everywhere.

As the two sides fought fiercely, loose earth and gravel rustled down the mountainside. Then, with a booming crash, a pitch-black cavern was exposed.

Two crimson points flickered within. When the red-eyed creature finally emerged, they saw a colossal ape ten zhang tall, gripping a giant axe as it leaped toward the sky.

Ye Haichuan's furious shout rang out overhead.

"Black Wind Ape Lord! You've got some nerve, daring to enter the heart of Yunzhou!"

"Big talk. Is Yunzhou some dragon's lair or tiger's den? Today, I'll barge right in and see for myself."

"Black ape, I've been waiting for you." A towering old man strode out, his figure exceptionally imposing.

Black Wind Ape Lord's booming voice echoed beside every person's ears.

"So it's you, Old Ghost Wang. Today, I'll make you pay in blood for killing my brother!"

His voice rumbled in everyone's ears. Su Ye had no time to spare a glance elsewhere. Countless demonic beasts were now pouring from the cavern the giant ape had emerged from.

The Old Ghost Wang Black Wind Ape Lord spoke of was Wang Baili, one of the only two Earth-Rank Patrol Envoys in Yunzhou. Though Patrol Envoys fell under the Demon Suppression Division's authority, they had great autonomy.

They were more like scouts in an army, investigating the movements of great demons across the land and gathering intelligence on aristocratic families and sects. It was a Patrol Envoy who had uncovered the Divine Blade Sect's collusion with demonic creatures and reported it to the authorities.

Jiang Qingyun's face darkened. He cried out in shock,

"The Divine Blade Sect had an ambush! They actually hid demonic creatures inside their mountain gate!"

"They're dead set on betraying Great Xia."

The true battle slowly began. The Demon Suppression Division's men, who had held the upper hand, were forced onto the defensive by the demonic onslaught.

"Old Huang, hang in there! Your son, your little grandson at home—don't you want to see them again?" The young man who had joked with Old Huang earlier roared.

"Guh... Xiao Qi, help me pass them a message. I'm sorry to them. I won't make it back alive."

The cries of battle continued without end. One figure after another fell, while more and more demonic creatures poured from the cavern, gradually surrounding the Demon Suppression Division's men.

"There are too many of these demonic creatures! We can't hold them back!"

Jiang Qingyun was like a god descending from the heavens. He knocked an attacking demonic creature flying with one slash and shouted coldly, "Even if we can't hold them back, we still have to! We mustn't retreat a single step. They're just a few demonic creatures—are you afraid?"

The situation in the other areas was even more perilous. Jiang Qingyun knew he couldn't reveal a word of it, and immediately shouted,

"There are millions of civilians down the mountain. Today, our only chance of survival is to fight to the death!"

"All contribution points earned in this encirclement will be doubled. Those who distinguish themselves in battle will receive additional rewards!"

"Everyone, we're in the heart of Yunzhou. I'm sure the Division will send reinforcements soon."

"Good! We'll follow Lord Jiang and fight to the death!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.

"Kill!"

Su Ye swung his Ghost Head Saber with all his might to meet the incoming axe. A sharp crack rang out, and his hand suddenly felt light. The Ghost Head Saber that had kept him company for days had snapped in two.

"Human brat, you're as good as dead!" The Ape Demon sneered.

Its massive form leaped high into the air and brought its great axe crashing down. Fixing his eyes on the blade, Su Ye hurled the broken half of his saber with all his strength.

"Thwack!"

The blade pierced the Ape Demon's chest, leaving a gaping hole. If someone had looked closely, they could have seen the figures fighting on the other side through it.

The true energy in Su Ye's body burst forth completely. Black flames seemed to engulf his skin. Earth flew from beneath his feet as he moved.

His punch landed like a mountain, shaking the ground and carrying a series of sonic booms. It punched through a Bear Demon's chest, and the moment his true energy entered its body, it exploded. The Bear Demon's body, still hanging from Su Ye's arm, burst apart with a crash.

Killed [Meridian Opening Realm, Mid Stage, Bear Demon]—gained 78 Assistance Points

Su Ye didn't stop. He killed an early-stage Aperture Opening Realm Horse Demon with another punch, then suddenly darted away. At the last moment, he planted himself in front of Ma San.

He easily blocked the incoming saber. His fingers tightened slightly, and with a crack, the blade snapped into pieces. The Divine Strength Sect disciple's face changed instantly. He turned and fled.

Ma San's face was pale, and his voice weak. "Thank you for coming to my aid, sir."

"You shouldn't be here. Find somewhere to hide. We'll see what happens once the dust settles."

"Understood." Ma San turned and dove into the body of a nearby demonic creature.

Su Ye wheeled around and shot forward, crushing the fleeing Divine Strength Sect disciple's head. Then he smashed several demonic creatures to pieces in quick succession.

He blurred across the battlefield. Searching for demonic creatures one by one was a waste of time; it would be far more direct and effective to block the cavern's entrance. The moment he thought of it, he pushed off hard.

Jiang Qingyun, who had been keeping an eye on the demon cavern, narrowed his eyes and looked toward the opening where demonic creatures poured out. His voice brooked no argument. "You there! Don't be reckless. Get back here at once."