On the other side, after reorganizing the surrendered troops of Shenglong, Zhang Yu and Li Yuansheng did not linger at all and led their army to advance triumphantly.
Like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, it pierced straight into the heart of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty.
With the Holy Dragon soldiers familiar with the terrain as guides, and the chaos and panic brought about by the collapse of the Holy Dragon National Destiny, many small and medium-sized cities along the way surrendered without resistance.
Those who offered some resistance quickly crumbled under the overwhelming force of the Li Family army and the occasional display of the Exterminating Immortal Sword Intent by Zhang Yu.
In just over a month, hundreds of cities, large and small, changed hands, and a million miles of territory came under their control. The speed of expansion was astonishing.
However, their advance was ultimately met with a fortified city.
Forest Moon City, a major town in the southeast of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty, is known as the Iron Wall.
The city walls soared into the clouds, engraved with complex and ancient defensive Runes. The City-Guarding Grand Formation's Light Screen was thick and condensed, with faint dragon-shaped phantoms moving about, exuding a chilling aura of solidity.
The city is garrisoned by over a million elite Holy Dragon troops who retreated from various places, and there is also a city lord at the peak of the Heavenly Immortal Peak — Zhao Tianyi.
Li Yuansheng once tried to persuade him to surrender, speaking earnestly and promising him high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.
But Zhao Tianyi stood atop the city wall, looking down at the army bearing the banner of "Li," his face showing only coldness and disdain.
"The Li Family?"
They're nothing but a bunch of scoundrels who jumped out to plunder my holy dragon while it's in trouble.
If Your Majesty hadn't been killed by that damned Xiang Yu, your Li Family wouldn't even be worthy of carrying my shoes.
Want Forest Moon City?
"If you're so capable, try breaking through my Iron Wall Dragon Soul Formation."
Having failed to persuade Li Yuansheng to surrender, he dared not launch a direct attack.
With Heavenly Immortal Peak in command, a million elite troops defending the strategic location, and this renowned City-Guarding Grand Formation, a direct assault would inevitably result in heavy losses, and the outcome would be uncertain.
He could only report the situation to Zhang Yu, who was in charge of administrative affairs at the rear.
Zhang Yu was not surprised to receive the news.
In chaotic times, there are always some tough guys who are loyal to their former masters or who, relying on their strength, want to carve out their own territory.
He immediately put aside his affairs and went to the Forest Moon City.
Gazing at the dazzling "Iron Wall Dragon Soul Formation" with its coiled dragon shadows, and the imposing, cold-faced figure atop the city wall, Zhang Yu rose into the air, facing Zhao Tianyi across the formation.
"Zhou Xuanqing is dead, the fate of the Holy Dragon National Destiny has been lost, and the general trend of the world has changed."
Lord Zhao, why fight like a cornered beast for the sake of a deceased court official?
"Submit to me, Forest Moon City will remain under your control, and all your soldiers will be safe."
Zhang Yu spoke calmly, making a final attempt.
"Snort!"
Zhao Tianyi snorted coldly, his disdain deepening.
"Zhang Yu, right? I heard it was you who led this Rabbling Crowd of the Li Family to plunder everywhere?"
You think you're qualified to discuss world affairs with me?
My Holy Dragon has reigned supreme over the Earth Province for tens of thousands of years; how could a nouveau riche like you possibly comprehend its profound heritage?
If His Your Majesty had not suffered this misfortune, you wouldn't even have been able to get within a hundred miles of Forest Moon City!
You want me to surrender?
Wishful thinking!"
His words, though arrogant, had a certain basis in reality.
Previously, the Li Family was indeed confined to a corner of the country, relying entirely on their ancestral Sword Formation for defense. Their overall strength was not taken seriously by a powerful regional official like Zhao Tianyi.
Even though the Li Family seems to have gained several Late Heavenly Immortal now, in Zhao Tianyi's view, without the support of National Destiny and a profound foundation, it is nothing more than a flash in the pan.
With a fortified city and a powerful army, and himself at the Heavenly Immortal Peak, what is there to fear?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu's eyes turned slightly cold.
He understood that reasoning with someone like Zhao Tianyi, who was so self-important and blindly loyal (or ambitious) to the Holy Dragon, was futile; only absolute power could make him bow down.
"Since you look down on the Li Family, you also look down on me,"
Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his voice turning cold:
"Then let me show you whether the sword of your so-called 'Rabbling Crowd' is sharp enough!"
Before he could finish speaking, a thought flickered in his mind.
Buzz--!
The surrounding void blurred and distorted, and 108 dark gold Formation Disk Runes flowing runes appeared out of thin air, slowly rotating around him.
A profound and vast Formation power spread out.
At the same time, a chilling, terrifying Sword Intent that could annihilate everything rose from his body, instantly locking onto the entire Forest Moon City!
"The Li Family Sword Formation?"
Zhao Tianyi's eyelid twitched.
He had naturally heard of the formidable reputation of the Li Family's City-Guarding Sword Formation, which even Zhou Xuan's million-strong army could not overcome.
But isn't that Sword Formation supposed to be permanently guarding the Ancestral Land?
Could it be... that this person can actually carry that terrifying Sword Formation with him and use it while on the move?
A sense of foreboding crept into Zhao Tianyi's heart.
The next moment, his premonition came true!
"Exterminating Immortal Sword Formation - Ten Thousand Swords Soar Skyward!"
Zhang Yu gave a low shout, then pointed forward with his fingers like a sword.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh--!
The 108 Formation Disk revolving around him simultaneously shone brightly, and countless dark red Sword Qi, condensed to the extreme and exuding an aura of annihilation, surged out from the Formation Disk.
At first it fell like rain, but soon it gathered into a river.
Ultimately, it transformed into a terrifying torrent of sword rain that blotted out the sun, carrying a shrill whistle that tore through the heavens and pierced through everything, pouring down madly towards Forest Moon City's heavy "Iron Wall Dragon Soul Formation" Light Screen!
Rumble rumble rumble--!!!
A deafening explosion resounded throughout the heavens and earth.
The crimson sword rain collided violently with the dragon soul Light Screen, unleashing a dazzling light and a violent surge of energy.
The entire Forest Moon City trembled violently, the Runes on the city walls flickered wildly, and the wandering dragon-shaped phantoms let out painful cries.
Violent ripples spread across the surface of the Light Screen, as if it might be torn apart at any moment by the endless rain of swords!
"Hold on! Everyone, channel your Law Power into the Grand Formation!"
"Quick!"
Zhao Tianyi's expression changed drastically, and he roared fiercely.
He hadn't expected the opponent's "moving Sword Formation" to be so terrifying; the moment they made contact, he felt unprecedented pressure.
On the city walls, the million-strong garrison dared not slacken their efforts. Under the command of generals at all levels, they desperately poured their magical Law Power into the Formation Foundation nodes beneath their feet.
A surge of immense energy flowed into the Grand Formation, causing the dragon soul Light Screen to solidify further, barely managing to withstand the impact of the first wave of sword rain.
"That's interesting."
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. The Grand Formation of Forest Moon City was indeed well-deserved of its reputation. Combined with the strength of a million Soldiers, it was able to temporarily block the bombardment of the Exterminating Immortal Sword Formation.
"Since you insist on resisting, don't blame me for being ruthless."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he decided to hold back no longer.
His Sword Intent surged once more, the cold and ferocious Exterminating Immortal Sword Intent almost materializing.
Above his head, the phantom image of the Zhuxian Broken Sword, half of which was dark red and covered in cracks, slowly emerged.
Although the sword shadow was blurry, the moment it appeared, the killing intent in the entire world suddenly intensified a hundredfold.
All living beings within Forest Moon City, regardless of their Cultivation level, felt a sharp pain in their Divine Soul, as if an invisible blade was pressed against their throats.
Zhao Tianyi felt the terrifying aura emanating from the broken sword phantom, an aura that froze his very soul, and a look of horror finally appeared on his face.
He realized that the other party probably hadn't gone all out before.
What kind of sword is this?
What kind of Formation?
"Break!"
Zhang Yu uttered a cold word.
He made a fist with his right hand, as if grasping the phantom of the Zhuxian Broken Sword of immortality, and was about to slash fiercely at the crumbling "Iron Wall Dragon Soul Formation" below!
However, at this critical moment—
Rumble rumble rumble--!
A thunderous roar suddenly came from the horizon.
The sound did not come from Law Technique or thunder, but rather... the terrifying force of a thousand troops galloping and chariots crushing the sky!
Everyone on the battlefield, including Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianyi, involuntarily looked in the direction of the sound.
On the distant horizon, clouds churned and banners obscured the sky.
Large banners, black with a ferocious "Chu" character embroidered on them, surged toward Forest Moon City like moving mountains.
Beneath the banners stood a densely packed army, clad in imposing armor, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.
Their numbers were countless, and their military might and imposing presence even subtly overshadowed the Li Family's army below the city.
At the very front of that banner bearing the character "Chu," a figure stood out conspicuously.
He did not ride in a carriage, but simply walked on air at will, yet he seemed to be the spearhead and soul of the entire army.
Zhang Yu glanced at him and recognized him as an old acquaintance.
Xiang Yu Longqie was Xiang Yu's most formidable general.