The Flying Swallow Heroine
The North!
The calamity clouds slowly dissipated.
Having successfully overcome all eighty-one Golden Core Tribulations, sunlight pierced through the clouds and once again reigned over the earth.
The oppressive aura of the heavenly tribulation vanished, and the surviving beings within a radius of a hundred miles breathed a sigh of relief, collapsing to the ground as if utterly exhausted.
Luo Yuheng's feathered robes fluttered, her smooth black hair was tied up with a lotus crown, and her whole body was intact. The Golden Core floating above her head slowly melted after she had survived the eighty-one tribulations of lightning.
The Golden Core melted into golden liquid and was poured onto Luo Yuheng's body.
In an instant, she transformed into a radiant golden body, radiating boundless golden light.
The indestructible body has achieved its great mission!
From then on, he was impervious to all laws, immortal and indestructible, roaming freely between heaven and earth.
Buzz!
The divine sword in Luo Yuheng's hand emitted a terrifying sword light, eager to be used and wishing he could immediately go into battle to kill the enemy.
She looked toward Xu Qi'an, who was covered in blood and struggling to stay afloat in the distance.
"Aren't you going to make a move?"
The White Emperor spoke coldly, saying indifferently, "Didn't you see? His physical strength is severely weakened. How long can this burst of potential 'Dao' last? Its upper limit can't exceed the first rank. If you don't help him, he's doomed."
The White Emperor is provoking Luo Yuheng to take action. If Luo Yuheng dares to participate in the battle, she will lose the foundation to consolidate her cultivation and prepare for the second stage of the Heavenly Tribulation.
Having survived a life-or-death battle, how can one possibly overcome another tribulation?
If Luo Yuheng chooses to retreat and hide to consolidate his cultivation, that would be the best outcome. Xu Qi'an and Asuluo, along with the other extraordinary beings, would undoubtedly die.
He and the Garuda tree will not let them escape.
"Never mind me, focus on your tribulation!"
Xu Qi'an licked his chapped lips and said in a deep voice:
"Proceed according to plan and continue through the tribulation!"
A plan? The White Emperor raised an eyebrow. It wasn't a mindless beast. Upon hearing this, it instinctively became alert and began to analyze and consider the possible backup plans of the extraordinary experts from the Great Feng Dynasty.
Forced into such a desperate situation, it's impossible to turn the tide relying solely on one's own strength; most likely, allies are involved. However, this tribulation battle is being watched closely by all the extraordinary beings of Kyushu, and everyone is on the chessboard, making it highly unlikely that a surprise attack will occur.
Hmm, it's also possible that this kid is bluffing, trying to scare it.
Luo Yuheng took a deep breath, took out a few pills and swallowed them. Then, she split into four female-shaped Dharma images.
These are the earth phase covered by stone armor, the fire phase burning with blazing flames, the water phase filled with black water vapor, and the wind phase composed of air currents.
The surroundings gradually darkened, and the calamity clouds descended once more, blocking out the sunlight.
A terrifying pressure swept across an area of hundreds of miles.
The gust of wind, composed of air currents, rose up and swept towards the sky.
During the process, gusts of strong wind blew by, nearly blowing it away several times.
Boom!
Thick bolts of lightning struck down from the storm clouds.
The first stage of the Four Symbols Tribulation: The Wind and Thunder Tribulation!
Instead of consolidating his cultivation, he deliberately attracted tribulation clouds and forcibly underwent tribulation?
With a serious expression, Jialuo Tree looked at the stunningly beautiful half-step terrestrial immortal.
Where does Luo Yuheng get her confidence?
Through the Heavenly Mirror, Xu Erlang searched aimlessly and caught sight of Qi Guangbo leading the Yunzhou Central Army to gather in Xunzhou City.
He has already dispatched someone to deliver the intelligence to Xunzhou City at top speed, to warn the garrison troops left behind in Xunzhou.
He then immediately led his cavalry to prepare to rush to the aid of Xunzhou.
He had already vaguely guessed Qi Guangbo's true purpose—a surprise attack on Xunzhou.
Although the battle line centered on Xunzhou had been ravaged in the days of fighting, it did not mean that the Great Feng had given up its defenses. Many cavalry units were still encamped near the defenses and scouts were sent out to patrol.
If the city walls are destroyed, then abandon the city walls and switch to open field warfare.
The defensive line will not falter because of the loss of the city walls, because behind it lies Yongzhou City, and there are countless civilians along the way.
The legions on the defensive line were divided into a complex group, including elite troops led by Yang Yan and others, ragtag troops led by Chu Yuanzhen and other rebels, and followers of the Martial Alliance.
Because of the uneven skill levels of the troops, they had both wins and losses. For example, Xu Xinnian led an elite cavalry force, and with the help of the Hun Tian Shen Jing (a magical mirror), they won one battle after another and successfully defended the line of defense he was responsible for.
However, Yang Qianhuan, Li Lingsu, and some legions of the Martial Alliance—these ragtag soldiers—would be no match for Yunzhou's elite cavalry, no matter how many heads they lost.
It is worth mentioning that Yang Yan stayed in Yongzhou because Luo Yuheng was undergoing tribulation in the northern border, which could deter the demons and barbarians.
Although the Northern Barbarians and the Great Feng are currently allies, they are also sworn enemies. Moreover, there are no absolute friends in the world, only absolute interests. The Great Feng cannot be completely unguarded against the Barbarians.
Just like the two Golden Gongs, Jiang Luzhong and Zhang Kaitai, who had already returned to Yuyang Pass and were stationed on the northeastern border to prevent the Witch God Cult's army from taking advantage of the internal turmoil in the Central Plains to launch an attack.
As the defending side, Great Feng was relatively passive and was often led by the nose by the Yunzhou army.
Yang Gong also once used the Hun Tian Divine Mirror in an attempt to launch a surprise attack on the main force of Yunzhou.
However, the main force of Yunzhou had an advance vanguard to scout ahead, an outer layer of escort patrols, and the Vermilion Bird Army patrolling in the sky.
The main force's attempt to launch a surprise attack was almost impossible to succeed. On the contrary, Li Miaozhen and her group, who used the Warlock's teleportation array to burn down the granary, were more likely to accomplish their task without anyone noticing.
The Yunzhou army did not give them that chance.
Li Miaozhen and Xu Erlang walked to the riverbank. The former squatted down and said:
"Even if we ride at full speed, we need to rest for at least fifteen minutes, otherwise we'll be exhausted when we reach Xunzhou. Xunzhou is heavily guarded, and Qi Guangbo can forget about taking it quickly."
"As long as Yang Gong holds on, the Yunzhou army will naturally withdraw once reinforcements arrive."
Xu Xinnian nodded slightly.
This situation was not uncommon in Qingzhou. He himself had experienced it when Songshan County was surrounded by the Yunzhou army and almost ran out of ammunition and food.
If we can hold on, reinforcements will naturally arrive.
He is now playing the role of reinforcements.
Xu Erlang took out a handkerchief, wiped the dust off his face, and then carefully washed the handkerchief clean.
He said with some concern:
"We were able to discover the whereabouts of Qi Guangbo's central army ahead of time thanks to the convenience of the Celestial Mirror. Yang Yan and the Martial Alliance probably won't be able to react so quickly. Moreover, they are likely to encounter an ambush from the Yunzhou cavalry."
Qi Guangbo wanted to exploit a time difference to capture Xunzhou City in one fell swoop. Once he captured Xunzhou City, he could share Yongzhou with the Great Feng and push the war to the next stage—the struggle for Yongzhou City.
Therefore, the plan of this commander-in-chief of Yunzhou must have included detailed arrangements, such as sending troops to contain the Great Feng at various points along the defensive line.
As he spoke, Xu Xinnian turned his head and saw Li Miaozhen lying on the riverbank, gulping down a large amount of water, then scooping up a handful of water with both hands and slapping it hard on her face.
The icy water soaked her beautiful face, dampened her hair, and stained the armor on her chest.
The free-spirited and unrestrained female knight-errant, Flying Swallow.
No, don't you pay attention to hygiene? Drinking raw water will make you sick. Oh, you're a fourth-rank master. Never mind then. Xu Xinnian silently withdrew his gaze, quietly hid his handkerchief, and scooped up a handful of water to splash on his face, showing his ruggedness.
Li Miaozhen glanced at him sideways and smiled with narrowed eyes:
"Use the Heavenly Mirror to keep watch along the way. With Qi Guangbo's skills, if other legions have enemy forces to hold them back, there's no reason why we shouldn't have one on our side."
Her smile was both beautiful and carefree.
Xu Erlang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the young men in the army who were secretly watching the Flying Swallow Heroine, and he smiled:
"By the way, where did you find these experts?"
Li Miaozhen's private army is extremely powerful, consisting mostly of young people with cultivation levels.
"They are all old friends from the past." Li Miaozhen said in a Jianghu tone:
"Did Xu Ningyan ever tell you that I used to be a bandit suppresser in Yunzhou, and that I formed my own private army whose members were friends from all over the country, or people who came because of my reputation?"
"They're all chivalrous people."
Xu Erlang thought to himself, "He's clearly just after your body."
It is said that Li Miaozhen and her elder brother have an unusual relationship; it is unclear whether they are close friends or confidantes.
Xu Erlang had a lot of opinions about his elder brother's philandering ways; romantic entanglements are something that hurts both the person in the relationship and the person experiencing them.
As for Xu Erlang himself, he was very devoted and only liked Wang Simu. What? The Imperial Academy of Music)? Scholars who went to the Imperial Academy of Music only talked about romance and not about feelings.
Xu Xinnian hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked:
"Master Li, do you think my elder brother has any hope of winning the tribulation battle in the Northern Territory?"
Li Miaozhen frowned.
Xu Xinnian said:
"Although I am of low rank, I know how vast the gap in strength between us is. It's fair to say we have absolutely no chance of winning."
Li Miaozhen remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:
"You're right, under normal circumstances, there's absolutely no chance of winning."
"But the problems you can see, Xu Ningyan can also see, as can extraordinary experts like Asuluo and Zhao Shou."
"What I can tell you is that before Luo Yuheng underwent his tribulation, these extraordinary experts gathered together and had a deep conversation that lasted for a day and a night."
"Trust in their wisdom and wait for the outcome, although I haven't figured out their solution either."
Xu Xinnian nodded slightly.
At this moment, a young man suddenly walked over, forcefully inserting himself between Xu Xinnian and Li Miaozhen, and said calmly:
"Lord Xu, please make way!"
As she spoke, regardless of Xu Xinnian's reaction, she gently pushed him aside.
This young man is named Li Shilin. He comes from Jianzhou, a holy land of Martial Dao. He was an orphan from a young age and was adopted by a third-rate sect called "True Qi Sect". He is currently at the Qi Refining Realm.
Within the sect, he was considered a remarkable young talent.
Influenced by the strong sense of chivalry in Jianzhou, Li Shilin dreamed of upholding justice and eliminating evil from a young age, aspiring to become a great hero.
My ideal partner is a fairy who is equally chivalrous.
After meeting Li Miaozhen, Li Shilin was certain that the fairy he had been looking for had appeared.
However, his master only taught him martial Qi Refinement, but not how to pursue the woman he admired. This may be related to the fact that his master was a bachelor himself and couldn't teach him such advanced knowledge.
In addition, Li Shilin is introverted. His heart races and he stammers when he talks to Fei Yan, the heroine, for even a few words. So he has not yet revealed his feelings.
So he followed in the footsteps of the Flying Swallow Heroine and went with her to Yunzhou, living a life of constant danger, silently accompanying the fairy in his heart, and doing chivalrous deeds together.
Li Shilin was not good at hiding his feelings. Back in Yunzhou, his brothers in the army teased him, saying:
It's probably only the Flying Swallow Heroine who doesn't know your feelings; what a fine young man, falling for a blockhead.
But Li Shilin felt that even if he never revealed his feelings for the rest of his life, it would be fine as long as he could follow the Flying Swallow Heroine and travel the world together to eliminate evil.
It's really good.
So when Li Miaozhen disbanded the army, he was sad for a long time.
Some time ago, Li Miaozhen regrouped her old subordinates and organized a legion. Upon receiving the news, he bid farewell to his master and traveled all the way from Jianzhou to Yongzhou without hesitation.
Many of the brothers from the Yunzhou Legion came back then, all because of a single sentence from the heroine Feiyan.
Li Shilin admired this kind of chivalrous loyalty.
As Xu Yinluo wrote in his poem, "With liver and gallbladder open, hair standing on end, in conversation, life and death are shared, a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold."
Getting back to the main point, Li Shilin, recently encouraged by several brothers who fought alongside him in Yunzhou, finally mustered up the courage to confess his feelings to Li Miaozhen.
This wasn't because Li Shilin had finally Aperture Opening, but rather because he had perceived a threat.
The threat originates from Xu Xinnian.
It's no wonder Li Shilin was wary; this Lord Xu was simply too handsome, and judging from the attitude of the Flying Swallow Heroine, she seemed quite familiar with him, chatting and laughing together.
This is outrageous!
Although he had always comforted himself by the side of the Flying Swallow Heroine, it was because Li Miaozhen was chivalrous and righteous, had no interest in romantic relationships, and had no worthy "enemies" by her side.
Ever since Xu Xinnian appeared, Li Shilin has been filled with a sense of crisis.
So, encouraged by Zhao Bailong and Gui Tongfu, he decided to confide in the heroine Feiyan.
After pushing Xu Xinnian aside, Li Shilin looked at Li Miaozhen's flawless profile, hesitant to speak, unable to utter the words he had been preparing for so long, and could only mechanically clean his face and hands.
Li Miaozhen said:
"I'll go and take stock of the provisions."
As Li Shilin watched her retreating figure, he mentally made a gesture of reaching out to stop her.
Xu Xinnian also watched Li Miaozhen's retreating figure, glanced at Li Shilin who had been rude to him earlier, and the two scoundrels beside him, and said indifferently:
You all like her, don't you?
"Cough cough cough"
The two people behind him seemed to have choked on their saliva; their faces turned red, and they coughed violently.
Li Shilin turned around in astonishment, staring straight at them with eyes full of doubt and wariness, having lost all trust in each other.
Those two were Zhao Bailong and Gui Tongfu.
After a 15-minute rest, the troops packed their luggage and supplies and were ready to depart.
Xu Xinnian and Li Miaozhen decided to leave the infantry to guard Zizhong, while taking the faster cavalry ahead to make full use of the cavalry's mobility and rush to support Xunzhou.
"Master Li, it takes time for messages to travel. In the current situation, the more timely the reinforcements arrive, the greater the chance that Xunzhou will overcome the crisis. You can fly on your sword, so go and inform Yang Yan and the masters of the Martial Arts Alliance."
"Let these fourth-rank officials provide support to Xunzhou first."
Xu Xinnian spurred his horse into a gallop, gripping the reins in one hand and using his sleeve to shield his face from the wind with the other, and shouted loudly.
Li Miaozhen nodded, agreeing with Xu Erlang's suggestion. No matter how fast the cavalry was, they couldn't outrun a fourth-rank expert. Moreover, since the fourth-rank experts had left the army to support Xunzhou, they were more concealed and could effectively deceive the enemy.
"Take a look at where they are first," Li Miaozhen said.
Xu Erlang immediately took out the Hun Tian Divine Mirror from his bosom and observed the positions of Yang Yan, Fu Jingmen, Xiao Yuenu, and other masters one by one.
He marked not only enemy troops, but also friendly troops.
Li Miaozhen silently memorized the locations of the fourth-rank experts. From the scabbard on her back, her flying sword was drawn with a clang and danced in the air.
Just as she was about to leap onto the sword's spine and fly away, she suddenly heard Xu Xinnian shout in surprise:
"Stop!"
He immediately took a flag from his saddlebag and waved it to spell out the chess phrase "Stop marching".
A loud "whoosh" rang out, and the entire cavalry unit hastily but orderly reined in their horses and came to a stop.
Li Miaozhen frowned:
"What's wrong."
Xu Xinnian spoke very quickly, saying:
"An enemy force of about two thousand has been spotted fifteen li ahead."
"Two thousand isn't a big problem." Li Miaozhen had just breathed a sigh of relief when Xu Erlang added, his face grim:
"Some of them are heavy cavalry!"
Li Miaozhen's expression changed slightly. On the land battlefield, heavy cavalry has always been an invincible weapon of mass destruction, crushing all enemies under the iron cavalry.
Only heavy artillery, which is said to be able to turn everything to ashes within its range, can counter heavy cavalry.
Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice:
"You were right. Qi Guangbo did indeed deploy men along the route to Xunzhou."
Brutality!
A sharp cry came from the sky. A hawk glided low overhead, having spotted the Great Feng cavalry and issued a warning cry.
Li Miaozhen raised an eyebrow and pointed her finger like a sword at the soaring eagle.
The flying sword whistled past, piercing the eagle.
Xu Xinnian immediately looked at the Hun Tian Shen Jing (a magical mirror), and his heart skipped a beat. In the image, the enemy's light cavalry suddenly accelerated and rushed towards this side.
"They're here!"
Xu Xinnian quickly considered countermeasures. In this situation, the best course of action was to bring out artillery and deliver a head-on blow to the enemy.
However, the ten cannons and heavy weapons they carried were left with the infantry.
Li Miaozhen recalled her flying sword, speaking extremely quickly:
"Erlang, you take two thousand cavalry and go first. I and the Flying Swallow Army will cover the rear. Reinforcing Xunzhou is the priority. Don't waste our forces here."
Xu Xinnian was a decisive person, not indecisive, and he also believed in Li Miaozhen's abilities, so he immediately nodded:
"Alright, Master Li, please take care!"
He waved his flags, turned his horse around, and led his cavalrymen galloping towards the wasteland on his right.
The Feiyan Army's elite cavalry numbered 1,500, most of whom were old men who had fought against bandits in Yunzhou, and were composed of people from all walks of life such as Li Shilin.
This cavalry unit is outstanding in both individual and group combat capabilities.
Li Miaozhen dared to stay behind to cover the rear because she was confident that she could wipe out this enemy force she had encountered in one fell swoop.
Xu Xinnian had only walked a few dozen breaths when the ground began to tremble, and the chaotic sound of horses' hooves grew louder as about 1,500 riders came into view.
The two sides met from a distance, but the thousand riders suddenly reined in their horses and came to a stop, halting in a manner that was busy yet orderly.
"Li Miaozhen!"
The leading general held a halberd, wore dark gold armor, had bronze skin, and a cold, hard facial expression.
The female warrior in silver armor and red robes stared intently for a moment:
"Where did this scoundrel come from?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Chu, who wielded the halberd, flew into a rage and shouted:
"Last time you and Xu Xinnian chased me for thirty miles, today I'm here for revenge."
He's the commander of the Vanguard Cavalry, a dignified fourth-rank military officer. Do you, Li Miaozhen, think he's nothing more than a worthless piece of trash?
Li Miaozhen said "Oh":
"Turns out he was a defeated opponent."
She had killed so many people on the battlefield that she rarely remembered what her enemies looked like.
However, the name of the Flying Swallow Heroine was in no way inferior to Xu Erlang of Xu Erlang in the Yunzhou Army. Her Flying Swallow Army was brave and skilled in battle, with outstanding combat strength. Even the elite cavalry of the Yunzhou Army would feel fear once they encountered the Flying Swallow Army.
In contrast, Li Lingsu, Chu Yuanzhen, and Yang Qianhuan led a motley crew that usually did menial tasks for the Flying Swallow Army, picking up scraps.
It wasn't that the members of the Heaven and Earth Society were incompetent, but rather that their elite troops were built up by sacrificing countless lives.
Only through a hundred battles can one become a general.
The Great Halberd King sneered:
"But today, someone will deal with you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ground trembled again, followed by a chaotic and loud clatter of horses' hooves.
A cavalry unit clad in heavy black iron armor appeared in the Flying Swallow Army's field of vision. The warhorses ridden by these heavy cavalry were much taller and stronger than ordinary horses, and were covered with thick armor plates.
The knights on horseback were armed to the teeth, wearing heavy black iron armor, their faces covered with face shields, and carrying horse-slaying swords.
The horse-slaying sword is said to be able to shatter both men and horses with a single strike.
Wang Chu raised his left hand and waved it forcefully. His 1,500 light cavalry split into two groups and spread out to flank the Flying Swallow Army from the left and right. This was a very typical tactic of heavy cavalry and light cavalry working together.
Light cavalry are faster than heavy cavalry; if the former wants to escape, the latter can only watch helplessly.
To compensate for their lack of mobility, a sizable heavy cavalry force would inevitably be supported by an even larger number of light cavalry.
Just like now, Wang Chu's light cavalry is responsible for flanking, pursuing, and harassing the enemy.
Do you know what kind of enemy you're facing?
Holding his halberd, Wang Chu was already confident of victory.
"These are the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry!"
"This elite force, personally trained by the Grand Preceptor, is just as elite as the Vermilion Bird Army; it is an invincible force used to cut off the last breath of the Great Feng."
Wang Chu's confidence was justified and not blind arrogance.
The Grand Preceptor has two major forces under his command: one is the "Tianji Palace," which mainly gathers intelligence, and the other is the Twenty-Eight Constellations—Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
The White Tiger is a secret guard responsible for protecting the high-ranking officials of Yunzhou. Originally, it was led by the great demon White Tiger.
However, it is said that the great demon died in the Sword State Martial Alliance a few months ago.
The Vermilion Bird is a flying steed, whistling like the wind; it has already proven its strength and terror through its actual battle achievements.
The Azure Dragon represents the navy, but has not yet been put to use.
Finally, there's the invincible Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry on land. Oh, by the way, the current five hundred heavy cavalry are just one battalion within the Xuanwu Iron Cavalry.
The Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry numbered five thousand men, their armor and swords all being Law Artifact. Ten of them could crush fifty elite light cavalrymen on the battlefield. Maintaining such a large heavy cavalry force was no easy feat; the military expenses were borne by the Imperial Preceptor himself.
Over the past twenty years, the Grand Preceptor has been eroding the power of the Great Feng through undercover agents like Zhou Xianping, the Ministry of Revenue, seizing money, grain, and iron ore, a portion of which has been used to build this heavy cavalry force.
During the Qingzhou battlefield, the Xuanwu heavy cavalry concealed their swords in their sheaths, which General Qi Guangbo "hidden" as one of his trump cards.
At this moment, the leader of the Xuanwu heavy cavalry raised his saber high and let out a deep roar.
Five hundred heavy cavalrymen raised their swords and shouted in response.
The Xuanwu heavy cavalry launched a charge, heading straight for the Flying Swallow army.
Upon seeing this, Wang Chu shouted:
"Prepare the crossbows!"
The 1,500 cavalrymen all took off their crossbows and aimed them at the Flying Swallow Army that was heading towards the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry.
"Put!"
More than a thousand bowstrings rang out simultaneously, and with a loud "thud," everyone's heart trembled.
Li Miaozhen slapped the horse's back with one palm, and gracefully flew up, the flying sword automatically supporting her feet.
The Flying Swallow Heroine's pupils became transparent, her face expressionless, exuding a cold indifference.
She stretched out her arms and clenched them tightly to the sides.
In an instant, arrows deviated from their trajectories, veering left, right, rising, or sinking, none of them managing to avoid the Flying Swallow Army.
During this process, the Flying Swallow Army and the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry had already clashed in close combat.
Bang!
The dozens of Flying Swallow Army riders in the front row had their warhorses crushed to death by the heavy cavalry, and both men and horses fell to the ground.
The riders who lost their horses lurched forward, but fortunately, they were all quite agile and rolled on the ground to regain their balance.
The Xuanwu heavy cavalry behind them brandished their sabers, and heads flew off in response, beheading the Flying Swallow Army riders who had lost their horses.
Only a few experts at the Spirit Refining Realm sensed the danger in advance and avoided the powerful strikes.
The Xuan Tie heavy cavalry, like a giant cone, pierced into the Flying Swallow army's ranks, the sounds of their clashing bodies echoing endlessly. Their savage and violent charges were the art of heavy cavalry.
Even without the added benefits of armor and weapons, the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry's combat strength might not be inferior to that of the Flying Swallow Army. An army that Qi Guangbo regarded as his trump card must be the elite of the elite.
Flying Swallow cavalrymen were constantly being cut down or losing their horses. Under the continuous impact of such a thick cavalry formation, those who fell from their horses often could not even slow down the Xuanwu heavy cavalry. The Xuanwu heavy cavalrymen wielded their horse-slaying swords and easily reaped heads.
In the very first engagement, the Flying Swallow Army suffered over a hundred casualties.
After the two armies clashed, the Yunzhou cavalry on both flanks ceased firing.
Li Miaozhen patted the sachet at her waist, and black command flags flew out and stuck into the ground, instantly chilling the surrounding temperature.
At the same time, wails of ghosts drifted out of the sachet and rushed toward the Xuanwu heavy cavalry.
One after another, the lingering spirits dissolved on the armor of the Xuanwu Iron Cavalry, turning into wisps of smoke by the power of the Law Artifact. However, this also brought negative effects to some of the weaker heavy cavalrymen, such as stiffness in their bodies and headaches.
Raising ghosts is a minor practice, considered a strange and ingenious skill within the Daoist School.
Because the attack power of the Yin spirits is too weak, even a low-level cultivator cannot deal with a high-quality Yin spirit.
Daoist School cultivators do not raise ghosts to attack people, but to control them.
Li Miaozhen didn't expect that the fragmented weapons she had just collected a few days ago could deal with this group of Blood Qi and vicious cavalry; her purpose was only to cause trouble.
The spirit of soldiers on the battlefield is the most useless. After a person dies, their Celestial Person and spirit will leave their body, but they are extremely fragile and can be easily blown away by the Sha Qi and violent energy on the battlefield.
Even if it is preserved, it will be incomplete; such a soul is nothing more than a puppet.
Thanks to the ghostly suicide attack, the Flying Swallow Army managed to slightly reverse its decline. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, they charged forward on horseback and cut down more than a dozen stiff-bodied heavy cavalrymen.
Li Miaozhen formed a sword incantation with both hands and let out a soft whistle.
With a whoosh, the flying sword transformed into a white rainbow and hurtled away, piercing through one black-armored heavy cavalryman after another.
Bite!
After piercing through eight armored soldiers in one go, the flying sword was knocked away by a heavy cavalryman's sword.
The heavy cavalryman's saber was stained with blood, and the blade was filled with a distorted aura.
The leader of the five hundred Xuanwu heavy cavalry.
A martial artist with considerable skill.
He raised his head, wearing an iron mask, and coldly stared at the valiant female general. Then, he spurred his horse and charged towards the Flying Swallow Heroine.
Li Miaozhen seized a battle sword that had fallen to the ground, and rode it into the air. Then, a Yin spirit floated out from above her head and swooped down.
It is common knowledge that one should not engage in hand-to-hand combat with martial artists, but the Yin spirits of the Daoist School are an exception.
Martial artists lack the means to deal with Yin spirits, while Yin spirits can deliver a heavy blow to the Primordial Spirit they are dealing with. Of course, at this time, Li Miaozhen's physical body becomes a weakness.
That's why she flew using her sword, keeping her physical body at a relatively safe distance.
Li Miaozhen's Yin spirit passed through the body of the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry leader without any hindrance, emerging from behind him, grabbing a Primordial Spirit by the neck, and dragging him out of his physical body.
The warrior's Primordial Spirit was pulled out of his body, his upper body was pulled out, but his lower body stubbornly refused to come out.
The fact that half of the Primordial Spirit could be easily pulled out means that this leader's cultivation level is fifth grade, one grade lower than Li Miaozhen's.
At this moment, Wang Chu's leg muscles bulged, his foot stomped on the stirrup, and his warhorse neighed and knelt down. He rode the wind, swept past the fighting cavalry, and slashed fiercely at Li Miaozhen with his halberd.
Call out!
The flying sword shot towards them, deflecting the halberd's edge.
Li Miaozhen decisively abandoned the Primordial Spirit struggle with the martial artist, opened her five fingers towards his physical body, and then suddenly pulled them back.
The physical body "controls" the sword and flies in.
She swept towards her physical body like a gust of wind, and her spirit returned to its place.
She glanced at the fierce mounted combat, a resolute glint in her eyes, her Primordial Spirit burning brightly.
Bite!
Li Shilin brandished his sword and struck the armor of a heavy cavalryman with great force, sending sparks flying, but the armor remained unbroken.
He channeled all his inner energy into this strike, yet it only managed to leave a white mark on the opponent's armor. Ordinary iron, after all, couldn't withstand his attack.
"What a monster!" Li Shilin cursed under his breath, then kicked the Xuanwu heavy cavalryman off his horse.
Zhao Bailong and Gui Tongfu galloped past on horseback, joining forces to cut down the Xuanwu heavy cavalryman.
Just as Li Shilin was about to cheer, a Xuanwu heavy cavalryman suddenly crashed into him from the side. Taking advantage of the difference in weight, the cavalryman ruthlessly killed Li Shilin's mount.
The implications of losing a warhorse in a cavalry charge were something even seasoned veterans like Li Shilin knew all too well.
"Come up!"
Zhao Bailong spurred his horse and caught up from behind, extending his hand towards Li Shilin.
Li Shilin grasped his hand, then mounted his horse. There was no time to catch his breath or speak as they continued charging into battle.
"Call out!"
The gleaming flying sword pierced a gap in the heavy cavalry, and Li Miaozhen's voice resounded through the sky:
"Charge! Retreat!"
She was immediately entangled by Wang Chu, but stubbornly refused to recall her flying sword to help the Flying Yan army kill the enemy.
The 1,500 cavalrymen flanking from the left and right flanks had gathered at some unknown time, assembling fifty feet directly in front of the Flying Swallow Army.
This light cavalry force, composed of men and horses of exceptional strength, will replace the Xuanwu heavy cavalry and launch a second wave of attacks.
However, the remaining less than a thousand Flying Swallow troops finally broke through the Xuanwu heavy cavalry and came face to face with the Yunzhou light cavalry, whose running speed had been increased to the maximum.
One side has just experienced a fierce battle, and both its speed and momentum are declining, while the other side is riding high and at its peak.
The Flying Swallow Army had no chance to catch their breath.
There was no way to escape. The Flying Swallow Army members felt a chill run down their spines.
Li Shilin, who had been praised by his master since childhood for his strong destiny, gripped the katana in his hand tightly. His gaze swept over his companions, whose faces were filled with fierceness but whose eyes were filled with despair, and over the approaching Yunzhou light cavalry.
Finally, he couldn't help but turn back to look at Li Miaozhen, who had charged into the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry despite the pressure of the Great Halberd King's Pestle, and saw the grief in her eyes.
At the critical moment of life and death, Li Shilin was distracted. For no apparent reason, he recalled the scene of their first meeting. It was a sunny afternoon, and the young woman, who had only been in the martial arts world for a year but was already famous, leaned on her sword, looking heroic and dashing, and smiled:
"You want to follow me? Fine, but I, Li Miaozhen, have my rules."
Remember this: Do good deeds and don't worry about the future!
Li Shilin snapped out of his daze, his eyes blazing with fierce fighting spirit, and roared:
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The Flying Swallow Army roared in unison.
Do good deeds and don't worry about the future.
Yongzhou City.
Inside the post station, Li Lingsu, her face pale, held a bowl of medicine in her hands as she pushed open Master Hengyuan's door.
Chu Yuanzhen was also in the room, sitting cross-legged on a soft couch on the other side, breathing in fresh air to heal his injuries.
Hengyuan, his body wrapped in white cloth, sat leaning against the headboard with a ashen face.
To survive being beaten by a group of fourth-rank soldiers under the combined fire of muskets and crossbows, and then to take a cannon shot to save Li Lingsu, Master Hengyuan is indeed tough.
He was a stiff, unyielding monk.
Li Lingsu was deeply grateful and spent the last few days serving tea and water to the master, feeling that the master was the kindest and most loyal person in the Heaven and Earth Society.
After Master Hengyuan finished his medicine, he swallowed another pill left by Yang Qianhuan and let out a long breath.
"Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Li Miaozhen is also seriously injured and should not continue fighting. I am somewhat worried about her."
Li Lingsu said helplessly:
"That's just her personality; you can't stop her. I've always felt she was born into the wrong family, into my Heavenly Sect."
After he finished speaking, he saw that Master Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen were both looking at him.
Li Lingsu argued:
"I cultivate many relationships in order to transcend emotions and achieve the ultimate state of detachment."
Chu Yuanzhen said:
"Isn't that being a womanizer?"
Li Lingsu said in a deep voice:
"Can the affairs of the disciples of the Heavenly Sect be called romantic? It is a matter of questioning one's conscience in the mortal world."
"Oh, Master, please rest well. I will bring you more medicine before my dinner."
He picked up the empty bowl, got up, and left.
Li Lingsu walked to the door, opened the lattice door, paused for a moment, then slowly closed the door, turning her back to it.
Chu Yuanzhen asked:
Is there anything else?
Li Lingsu whispered:
"I must have opened the door wrong. Let me try again."
He turned around, reopened the door, remained silent for a few seconds, then closed it again. His face turned pale, as if he were facing imminent disaster.
"Fellow Daoist Li?"
Master Hengyuan poked his head out from under the bed and asked a question.
Li Lingsu took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and opened the door again. Before the two people outside could speak, he knelt down in a tiger-like motion, grabbed one of their legs, and burst into tears.
"Master, your disciple misses you so much."
"I've been traveling since I descended the mountain, and I think of you day and night."
Master Xuancheng and Lord Bingyi looked down at him expressionlessly.
Chu Yuanzhen peeked out, then silently withdrew.
Has Li Lingsu been in the martial arts world for too long and forgotten the proper way to greet others in her sect?
Forget it, I'd better not get involved.
Master Hengyuan clearly had similar thoughts, silently pulling his head back into bed, closing his eyes, and going to sleep.
Li Miaozhen shook her flying sword, leaving a trail of scarlet blood.
Behind her were the remaining two hundred Flying Swallow Army riders, in front of her were four hundred Xuanwu Army riders, and on her left and right sides were the Yunzhou Light Cavalry, who had lost half of their men.
They overestimated themselves and underestimated the Flying Swallow Army.
Although Wang Chu's cavalry was elite, compared to the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry, an elite army with superior equipment and individual combat strength, they were like mud from clouds.
It's understandable that the Flying Swallow Army suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry, but even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse. Even though the Yunzhou Light Cavalry had all the advantages of timing, location, and manpower, the Flying Swallow Army still managed to wipe out half of their men.
Now there are fewer than eight hundred riders left.
Zhao Bailong leaned closer, his eyes red-rimmed, and whispered:
"Miaozhen, Li Shilin is dead."
He glanced at Li Miaozhen, who was expressionless, hesitated for a moment, and said:
"There's something this kid always wanted to say to you, but he was too shy to say it. I figured since he's gone, as his brother, I should say it for him."
Li Miaozhen whispered:
"I know, I've always known."
Zhao Bailong, who had only had red eyes before, suddenly became overwhelmed with grief, his face covered in tears:
"Okay, okay, it was worth it."
At this moment, the Xuanwu heavy cavalry adjusted their formation, slowly turned, and circled around to the left flank of the Feiyan army.
Between the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry and the Flying Swallow Army, corpses littered the ground, both men and horses were scattered everywhere.
It's no longer suitable to charge.
Li Miaozhen withdrew her gaze, looked at the old soldier who had followed her in suppressing bandits in Yunzhou, and cupped her hands in greeting:
"I'm sorry, it's Li Miaozhen's fault that you've all been harmed."
A martial artist at the Spirit Refining Realm laughed:
"This time I return to the battlefield, for my family and my country. To die alongside the heroine Flying Swallow is the best I can do!"
Someone else said:
"Since I went to the battlefield, I was prepared to die on the battlefield. It's a pity I didn't get to see the final victory."
"When the imperial court defeats the rebels in Yunzhou in the future, Miaozhen, please remember to let us know."
Li Miaozhen bit her lip until it bled. She had tried her best; she had risked her life to burn her Primordial Spirit, but she still couldn't save them.
Li Miaozhen glanced at everyone and smiled:
"I won't let my brothers leave lonely."
Knock knock knock!
The Xuanwu heavy cavalry launched a charge.
Wang Chu raised his halberd high and shouted:
"Release the arrows!"
With the sound of bowstrings twanging, arrows rained down on the Flying Swallow army.
Li Miaozhen leaped gracefully, using the Heavenly Sect's inner cultivation method to alter the trajectory of the arrows, protecting the remaining two hundred Flying Swallow soldiers.
Zhao Bailong spurred his horse and roared:
"Kill this bastard!"
Two hundred riders rode off in a cloud of dust, never to return.
Li Miaozhen didn't look at the fate of the Flying Swallow Army. She leaped into the sky on a battle sword and opened her palm towards Wang Chu, who was charging towards her with a halberd.
In an instant, Wang Chu's armor, clothes, and shoes all betrayed him, defecting to the enemy, some trying to entangle him, others trying to strangle him, all in an attempt to curry favor with their new master.
Only the halberd, imbued with the vital energy of the king's pestle, continued to support its master as always.
"With your current fighting strength, I could kill you all by myself!"
Wang Chu's aura surged, tearing his armor and clothes apart.
During their exchange, he was delighted to discover that Li Miaozhen's injuries had not yet healed. Last time, when Li Miaozhen chased after him, she could even control the weapon in his hand.
After breaking free of his restraints, Wang Chu ran wildly through the air, each step unleashing bursts of energy that made him feel as if he were walking on flat ground.
He unleashed a punch from a distance.
Li Miaozhen stood on a battle blade, manipulating a flying sword to fly backwards along with the sword.
She slammed into the Xuanwu heavy cavalry, her flying sword like a bolt of lightning, weaving through the enemy ranks, piercing their armor and slaying them.
The armor of the Xuanwu heavy cavalry was tough enough that she lost some of her strength with each heavy cavalryman she killed.
The Law Power of Daoist School cultivators cannot be compared with the physical strength of martial artists.
Besides, she was injured.
Fortunately, the Flying Swallow Army wiped out most of the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry, greatly reducing her pressure. Otherwise, facing five hundred well -Law Artifact equipped heavy cavalrymen, even if she risked her life, she would have been in a difficult position.
"Bite!"
The flying sword pierced the leader of the Xuanwu Heavy Cavalry, penetrating three-tenths of an inch into his armor, before being firmly grasped by his hands. This fifth-rank Transformation Realm martial artist, with his copper-skinned, iron-boned body and the added protection of his heavy armor and magical Law Artifact, briefly managed to restrain the flying sword.
Even when the Flying Swallow Army was present, they couldn't defeat her. Now, all alone, how can she deal with the Xuanwu Army, which still has three hundred riders, and a light cavalry unit with a fourth-rank martial artist?
But she won't leave!
I won't let my brothers rest in peace. I promised, how could I go back on my word?
Everyone in the martial arts world knows that the Flying Swallow Heroine is always ready to help others and is a woman of her word!
A fierce glint flashed in Li Miaozhen's eyes. She spat out a mouthful of blood mist, and with her fingertips stained with the blood mist, she drew a twisted talisman between her eyebrows.
Her face quickly withered, but her Primordial Spirit instantly returned to its peak!
"Disease!"
The flying sword, which had been immobilized after penetrating three-tenths of an inch into the armor, suddenly unleashed a soaring killing intent.
A sword through the heart!
The leader of the Xuanwu heavy cavalry collapsed to the ground with a thud as blood mist burst from his chest.
On the other side, while Li Miaozhen was fiercely slaying the enemy with a single sword strike, Wang Chu had already silently closed in. He couldn't let this opportunity slip by, and seeing Li Miaozhen squeezing out her potential at all costs, his power surged.
Wang Chu indeed abandoned the halberd to avoid suffering a backlash from the weapon.
With a series of thuds, Wang Chu stomped on the ground, becoming a blur as he successfully closed in and delivered a heavy punch to Li Miaozhen's back.
A vengeful glint flashed in his eyes. This punch might not kill Li Miaozhen, but having successfully closed the distance, he was fully capable of ensuring Li Miaozhen's demise.
But just a second before the fist slammed into Li Miaozhen's back—yes, just a second before—Li Miaozhen raised her head and let out a piercing scream.
Wang Chu's mind went blank for a moment, his Primordial Spirit trembled, and he fell into a brief state of dizziness.
Li Miaozhen was sent flying by the force of the punch, her internal organs ruptured, and she vomited mouthfuls of blood.
During this process, the flying swords moved swiftly and powerfully, reaping the lives of one Xuanwu heavy cavalryman after another.
Blood for blood, a tooth for a tooth!
Only eighty Xuanwu heavy cavalrymen remained.
Li Miaozhen's Primordial Spirit was on the verge of collapse.
Wang Chu 'Primordial Spirit quickly stabilized. With his fourth-grade physique, he was not afraid of Li Miaozhen taking the opportunity to attack him with her flying sword. However, after glancing at the heavily damaged Xuanwu heavy cavalry, Wang Chu was both shocked and furious.
With nearly 90% of the 500 Xuanwu heavy cavalry killed, even if he takes Li Miaozhen's head, the general will most likely give him a hard time.
"Since you, Li Miaozhen, are courting death, then I'll grant your wish!"
Wang Chu's face was contorted with rage.
Li Miaozhen stood suspended in mid-air, riding on a flying knife, her eyes suddenly turning transparent as she coldly and ruthlessly looked down at him.
"I have one more sword!"
Her hair was styled in a bun, with each strand flying wildly upwards and outwards, clearly defined.
Her Primordial Spirit burned fiercely, consuming her life force every second, rushing towards death.
The flying sword came on its own and hovered in front of her.
Li Miaozhen spat a mouthful of Essence Blood onto the sword, staining this Law Artifact, with a poignant red light.
"Go!"
She said softly.
The flying sword whistled away, but Li Miaozhen closed her eyes, refusing to watch the outcome.
Because it doesn't matter anymore.
It's just a bit of a shame that she could only do this much; she couldn't wipe out the entire enemy force.
In the very end, she didn't open her eyes, but turned her face north.
Those who live and die in the martial world need not utter sentimental farewells.
Wang Chu's eyes widened; a martial artist's premonition of danger was frantically warning him to flee for his life.
This was the final sword strike of the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, a final display of her brilliance.
Wang Chu retreated again and again, his flying sword following him all the way.
When he retreated to a hundred feet, the flying sword caught up with him.
Wang Chu frantically mobilized his qi, and beneath his copper skin, muscles bulged out. He forcefully clasped his hands together, clamping the flying sword between them.
Bite!
The flying sword was not as unstoppable as imagined; it was easily caught by the strength of a fourth-rank martial artist and could not advance an inch.
However, a wisp of blood mist shot out from the tip of the sword, landing on Wang Chu's brow.
Wang Chu, the commander of the elite cavalry, suddenly stiffened and stood motionless.
He died.
The physical body was intact, Primordial Spirit and soul were scattered.
The remaining eighty Xuanwu heavy cavalry and eight hundred light cavalry were terrified.
They didn't even dare to look at Li Miaozhen's condition. Leaving behind the corpses strewn everywhere and their leader's body, they spurred their horses and fled, fearing that if they were even a step too late, that terrifying flying sword would come back to life and slaughter them all.
With a tearful face, Li Lingsu obediently followed her master and Uncle-Master Bingyi on her flying sword, heading towards Xunzhou.
He knew which part of the defense line Xu Xinnian and Li Miaozhen were responsible for, and soon found out about the infantrymen left by the river.
After inquiring, they learned from the infantry that Xu Xinnian and Li Miaozhen had led cavalry to provide support to Xunzhou ahead of time.
So Master Xuancheng and Lady Bingyi, along with Li Lingsu, chased after them.
Before long, the three of them saw a bloody and tragic battlefield, with corpses strewn all over the ground and the blood of men and horses staining the earth dark red.
The Flying Swallow Army was completely wiped out. Li Lingsu's face turned pale instantly.
On this battlefield where a fierce cavalry battle once took place, only two people are standing.
One was Li Miaozhen with her hair flowing freely, and the other was Wang Chu, who maintained a sword-clamping posture.
But Li Lingsu knew that both of them had passed away.
He did not sense any fluctuations in his Primordial Spirit.
Li Lingsu swayed, almost losing control of his sword. He rode on his flying sword, rushing towards Li Miaozhen like a madman.
Before the flying sword had even stabilized, he leaped off the blade, staggered to Li Miaozhen's side, stared blankly for a few seconds, then suddenly his knees buckled, he knelt on the ground, his head hitting the ground, and burst into loud sobs.
"Miaozhen, Miaozhen! Senior brother is late, senior brother is late!"
He pounded the ground nervously, crying his heart out.
Li Lingsu and Li Miaozhen grew up together. Due to their outstanding talents, they were named Holy Son and Holy Daughter before they came of age.
The two cultivated Daoism together, recited ancient classics together, and practiced Law Technique together, accompanying each other through childhood and adolescence.
Li Lingsu, such a flirtatious person, had no romantic feelings for his beautiful junior sister; he truly treated her like a younger sister.
When he saw the Flying Swallow Army wiped out, he foresaw Li Miaozhen's fate.
Her brothers-in-arms, with whom she had shared life and death, had all perished on the battlefield. Given her temperament, all that remained was for them to perish together.
She won't run away.
Bingyi Yuanjun strode up to her disciple, coldly scrutinized him for a moment, and said:
"The Celestial Venerable foresaw her impending death, but he didn't expect it to come true so quickly."
Her tone was calm, as if the one who died was an outsider, not her apprentice.
Bingyi Yuanjun pondered for a moment, then formed a hand Method Formula and chanted incantations.
A moment later, the wind stopped, but the atmosphere grew even colder, and fragments of broken military spirits emerged.
Among these remnant souls, Bingyi Yuanjun saw Li Miaozhen. Her expression was blank as she silently stayed with the group of military souls.
"She burned the earth's soul away."
Master Xuancheng shook his head expressionlessly.
In the realm of Daoist School, this is considered a complete loss of soul; missing a soul means it cannot be pieced back together.
Li Lingsu stared at Li Miaozhen's remnant soul with bloodshot eyes.
Clearly, when Li Miaozhen died in battle, she used forbidden Law Technique, sacrificing her soul to enhance her cultivation.
There's still hope.
Bingyi Yuanjun captured Li Miaozhen's celestial soul and flicked it into her body with her finger.
Then, he took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and uncorked it.
A strange fragrance wafted out, filling the air. Despite her grief, Li Lingsu couldn't help but feel an "appetite"—an appetite originating from her Primordial Spirit —upon smelling this fragrance.
"Golden Core!"
Master Xuancheng remained expressionless, his tone indifferent. "This is the elixir you used to advance to the second rank, this is your last vestige of worldly desire?"
If we divide the Supreme Forgetfulness into three stages—"early," "middle," and "late"—those at the third level are in the early stage.
At this stage, the Heavenly Yang Spirit will retain a very small portion of mortal desires, whether for dao companion, children, or disciples.
Li Lingsu was both surprised and delighted, and quickly wiped away her snot and tears.
At the same time, I glanced at my master. My Martial Aunt Bingyi's worldly desires were in Li Miaozhen. So, were my master's worldly desires in me?
Driven by his survival instinct, he didn't dare ask the question aloud.
Bingyi Yuanjun's expression was indifferent. She did not answer Xuancheng Daoist, but pried open Li Miaozhen's mouth and stuffed the Purple Golden Core into it.
The Golden Core is used to nourish the Yang Spirit, which is another name for the Yin Spirit after it has achieved minor success.
If even the Yang spirit can benefit from this, how much more so the Yin spirit?
Using the Golden Core to repair the soul is indeed making a mountain out of a molehill, but it is the only way to save Li Miaozhen.
P. S.: I deliberately didn't update yesterday, thinking I'd finish writing this part of the story in one go. I'd rather delay the update than break the chapter. You can count it as three updates, 4000 words per chapter.