Return Amid Heavy Casualties

A deafening roar.

The black protective shield rippled violently, like ripples on the surface of water.

The black-ribbed umbrella shuddered violently, and cracks spread across its ribs at a visible speed.

Click.

A crisp sound.

The umbrella surface had a huge tear in it.

The violent void winds rushed in through the opening.

"Ah!"

"Help me!"

Below the opening was a dense military camp.

Hundreds of low-level cultivators were caught off guard and struck by the void gale.

The physical body instantly crumbled, and the soul was annihilated.

The remaining cultivators fared no better, collapsing in droves like wheat fields in the wind.

In just a few breaths, tens of thousands of people were killed or injured.

The corpse turned to ashes and scattered into the void.

"No!"

On the Floating Tribulation Stone, an exiled Daoist Master let out a heart-wrenching cry.

That military camp belonged to his clansmen.

"Quick! Repair the Tribulation Umbrella!"

Someone shouted.

But the black bone umbrella operated on its own, surging with black light.

The crack healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It recovered completely in a short while.

The protective shield stabilized again.

But the injuries and fatalities caused by that attack are already a fact.

The Floating Tribulation Stone was a scene of utter devastation.

Everywhere there were fragments of corpses, collapsed tents, and panicked soldiers.

Fear was written all over everyone's face.

If the Tribulation Umbrella hadn't been repaired quickly, the entire Floating Tribulation Stone would probably have been destroyed.

"Withdraw."

Li Yunjing calmly gave the order after looking at the image on the screen.

The objective has been achieved.

I never expected to destroy the Tribulation Umbrella with a single shot.

Causing casualties and disrupting the opponent's rhythm is enough.

"Order all warships to withdraw from the battle."

"The Mystic Yellow warlord is in charge."

"Yes!"

Nineteen Mystic Crane Class were the first to turn around and retreat in the direction they had come from.

The Mystic Yellow and Azure Nether slowly turned their bows, their cannons still pointed at the Floating Tribulation Stone, maintaining their deterrent effect.

"Trying to run?!"

Blood Baleful Intent returned with his men, his eyes wide with rage at the sight of the Floating Tribulation Stone's horrific state.

"Chase them! Kill them!"

He led his fleet and chased after them like a madman.

"Trying to cover our retreat? With just your two dilapidated ships?"

Blood Baleful Intent grinned maliciously as thirty warships lined up in a row, their spirit cannons firing in unison.

A dense barrage of artillery fire rained down on the Mystic Yellow.

"Activate the protective shield," Li Yunjing said calmly.

Buzz.

The Mystic Yellow's protective shield lit up.

Bang bang bang!

The artillery fire struck the protective shield, creating ripples.

It remained completely still.

Dao Lord Hanzun laughed heartily, "Is that all you've got? Give them a retaliatory shot."

"The main gun is cooling down; it will take another fifteen minutes," the gunner reported.

"No need for the main guns." Li Yunjing shook his head. "Fire the secondary guns in unison to suppress them, then we retreat."

"Yes!"

The Mystic Yellow and Azure Nether opened fire simultaneously from their secondary guns on both sides.

Dozens of beams of light shot out.

Three enemy ships were hit instantly, exploding and bursting into flames.

The fleet fought back while slowly retreating.

It wasn't fast, but it was as steady as a mountain.

Blood Sha Qi was so angry he gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

The opponent's shield is too thick; it's impossible to break through it.

They chased them all the way, losing several warships in the process, but didn't even scratch the enemy's surface.

The other person was about to disappear into the darkness.

That's enough.

A calm voice suddenly rang in Blood Baleful Intent's ear.

Blood Baleful Intent shuddered and immediately stopped.

In the void, a purple figure slowly emerged.

It was none other than Dao Lord Qingxu.

He gazed intently in the direction the fleet had disappeared, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Blood Baleful Intent immediately bowed. "Daoist Lord! This humble general is incompetent, allowing them to escape! Please punish me, Daoist Lord!"

Qingxu shook his head.

"It's not your fault."

"I underestimated them."

He hadn't expected the other side to dare to take the initiative.

Even more unexpectedly, the enemy's warships possessed such power.

One shot wounded tens of thousands of his men and destroyed the canopy of the black bone umbrella.

Although it was repaired quickly, it consumed a significant amount of its essence.

Li Yunjing.

Qingxu murmured the name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

interesting.

This is getting more and more interesting.

I thought he was just a lucky junior, but I never expected him to bring me such a pleasant surprise.

"Pass down the order: all troops, prepare for battle."

"Furthermore, accelerate the westward expedition and take over the three small worlds as soon as possible."

"I intend to double our military strength in the shortest possible time."

"Yes, sir."

Blood Baleful Intent quickly agreed.

Qingxu glanced once more in the direction the fleet had disappeared, then turned and vanished into the void.

Meanwhile, Li Yunjing's fleet was already on its way back.

Inside the ship, there was a burst of jubilation.

Dao Lord Hanzun laughed heartily, "That was awesome! One shot killed tens of thousands of them and even destroyed their broken umbrellas!"

"These bastards chased us all the way, but they couldn't even break through our protective barrier."

Everyone's faces were filled with excitement.

The first expedition was a great success.

Zero casualties, dozens wounded, and one warship damaged.

They destroyed dozens of enemy ships, annihilated tens of thousands of enemy soldiers, and severely damaged the enemy's core treasure.

This record is something to be proud of.

Dao Lord Xuanyuan stroked his beard and laughed, "Sect Leader Li's battle has demonstrated the might of our Tianyuan Dao Realm."

"After this battle, Qingxu will probably not dare to attack easily for a while."

Li Yunjing, however, was not so optimistic.

He shook his head. "It's not that simple."

"Qingxu didn't make a move; he just watched."

This shows that he doesn't care about this loss at all.

"His ambitions are probably greater than we imagine."

The smiles on everyone's faces gradually faded.

Li Yunjing was right; from beginning to end, that Dao Lord Zixu never showed himself.

This loss is probably nothing to him.

"Regardless, the first battle has been a success." Li Yunjing raised his head. "After returning, we will immediately increase the shipbuilding efforts."

"Next time, it won't be a sneak attack."

Everyone nodded in unison.

When the fleet returned to Heavenly Craft Valley, everyone who had already received the news was waiting.

Mo Xuan, the two Loose Immortal ancestors, the elders of each hall, and the cultivators of the Immortal Alliance stood densely packed on the ground.

When the twenty warships slowly entered the Heavenly Craft Workshop, a deafening cheer erupted from the shore.

"Welcome back in triumph, Sect Leader!"

"Invincible in Luozhen!"

The sounds rose and fell in waves.

Li Yunjing led his men off the warship.

Zhang Jianchen strode forward, laughing heartily, "Sect Leader Li, well done!"

"One shot shattered the enemy's Tribulation Umbrella, annihilating thousands of enemy soldiers. What a brilliant battle!"

Xuanjizi smiled and nodded, "Not bad, not bad. Young as he is, yet brave and resourceful."

"Sect Leader, what are the casualties?" Mo Xuan hurriedly stepped forward and asked.

"One frigate was damaged, no casualties, three seriously wounded, and twenty-seven slightly wounded," Li Yunjing reported. "We annihilated tens of thousands of enemy troops, destroyed over thirty enemy ships, and severely damaged one of their treasures."

hiss.

Everyone gasped.

Zero deaths?

And they achieved such great results?

That's way too much!

But looking at Li Yunjing's expression, it didn't seem fake.

After a brief silence, the cheers grew even louder.

That's so inspiring!

In the past, it was always the enemy who attacked, and we defended.

Now we take the initiative and launch an attack, and we return with a great victory.

Who wouldn't be excited?

After the welcoming ceremony, Li Yunjing immediately convened a core meeting.

Inside the Luozhen Grand Hall, the core leadership gathered.

"Tell me the situation," Zhang Jianchen said in a deep voice, sitting in the guest seat.

Li Yunjing stood in front of the map and explained the situation of the Floating Tribulation Stone one by one.

"The enemy's main force numbers approximately 200,000, comprised of exiles from five different Dao Realm, as well as Desolate Ancient Race. They are under the unified command of Qingxu."

"The core stronghold is the Floating Tribulation Stone, protected by a black bone umbrella. This treasure is quite troublesome; it can withstand the void's fierce winds. Our main cannon's full-force attack could only break through a small opening, but it can be repaired quickly."

"Qingxu's strength has not yet been fully revealed; he did not make a move throughout this entire operation."