Fierce Battle at the Valley Entrance

(Apologies: I've been dealing with final exams these past few days, so my updates have been lacking. Please understand.)

Outside the plain at the valley entrance, a formation of black cavalry stood in silent stillness. A thousand knights in black armor remained motionless, like stone statues. Other than the snapping of banners in the fierce wind, there was not a single sound.

At the very front of the black cavalry formation, three black-armored officers stood in a triangular arrangement. The one in the lead was unexpectedly a woman. Jet-black armor, pale skin, crimson lips—the striking contrast of those three colors gave her a breathtaking charm, enough to make one overlook her devilishly curvaceous figure. Yet there was not the slightest trace of life in those dark eyes.

Her lifeless gaze passed through the valley entrance and settled on the three people within.

Those three were Lu Yan, Silent Monk, and Jason, who held the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Lu Yan and Silent Monk both looked calm, standing side by side in front of Jason, their stern faces showing little expression. They stood with their legs apart and fists clenched, their loose robes blown to one side by the mountain wind. Lu Yan kept pouring wine into his mouth. As for Jason, his face was still pale, though much less so than yesterday. There was more determination, courage, and anger in his eyes. He gripped the golden staff tightly in his hands.

At that moment, Silent Monk narrowed his eyes and said in a deep, hoarse yet magnetic voice, "They're about to make their move!"

Lu Yan lowered the wine gourd from his lips, his face flushed. "I see it." There was a hint of frivolity and drunkenness in his voice.

"Are you afraid?"

"With wine, I'm the strongest!"

"This morning's fight