At dawn, a great wind scattered the thick fog over the river, carrying a heavy stench of blood.
Many soldiers in the fleet lay gravely wounded, groaning inside the cabins.
Hundreds of healers had worked through the night, fighting to save one fragile life after another.
Iron Pillar stepped onto the deck and looked toward the demon cloud that had appeared again.
"They're here."
Cow Demon came up beside him, his head wrapped entirely in white cloth, with only one eye showing.
"Those damned demons are right on our heels. It's only been two days, and they've caught up again."
"The fleet has barely a dozen Early True Immortals left. We can't hold back the demon army."
Iron Pillar leaned against the railing, took out a bottle of Two-Liang Immortal, and gulped it down.
"That's a waste, drinking it like that. Save some for me."
Wang Qi clapped Iron Pillar on the shoulder and snatched the bottle away.
Iron Pillar did not stop him. He only smiled faintly.
"There's more in here. Take your time drinking it on the road."
"Of course. I don't waste good things like you do."
Wang Qi took a sip and smacked his lips, savoring it.
"There's also a bottle of pills to restore magical power in there. Give them to the brothers calling the wind and steering the water."
Iron Pillar smiled freely, as though he had made up his mind.
"I'm hurt this bad, and you're still making me run errands? Can't you go your—"
Before Wang Qi could finish, Iron Pillar rose into the air and flew south.
"Wang Tiezhu, you idiot! You don't deserve to be that baby's father!"
Iron Pillar landed on the riverbank, propped himself up on his Blood Saber, and watched the demon cloud draw closer.
"Xi Feng,