At Fire Qilin Valley, Yuntong Meets an Old Merchant; Pu Honggu Stakes Everything on Attacking Double Brightness

---- Jingnan Prefecture, White Sand County

The morning mist in one corner of Fire Qilin Valley had not yet dissipated. A pale blue miasma, mixed with the stench of decaying leaves and spiritual herbs, permeated the valley. The pebbles on the rocky beach were chilled by the night dew, but the silence was suddenly shattered by a series of chaotic footsteps.

A line of over three hundred figures in black robes stretched out sparsely, their robes mostly worn and faded to a pale white from being washed by cleansing talismans.

Some wealthy individuals had haphazardly pasted protective items such as breastplates and Vajra talismans onto certain vital areas of their robes, making them particularly conspicuous in the morning light.

Anyone with discerning eyes can easily tell that this is a laughable act by an amateur. The added items do not add anything to the robes and instead hinder the operation of the spiritual seals. It is not even worth mentioning as "better than nothing," and may even cost the person their life.

Aside from their robes, the various Law Artifact in the hands of the cultivators in the queue were also mostly in poor condition, which was quite embarrassing. Some even picked up a few fragments of Law Artifact to refine and control, which was somewhat better than being empty-handed.

In contrast, there was a team sent by the Double Brightness Alliance.

Although the various robes in the formation were indistinguishable and the cultivators with "righteous followers" jade pendants on their waists looked exhausted, their Law Artifact and equipment were still quite complete.

The vanguard, wielding a knife, axe, and wooden club, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve, his armor plates barely intact, still dared to charge into the enemy ranks amidst the fierce shouts of the flag-bearing junior officer, fearless of death;

The cultivators selected from the rear were physically strong, with shoulders so broad they seemed capable of running horses.

They drew their bows and nocked their arrows in one fluid motion. Even when the arrows were fired in rapid succession, blood and flesh splattered from their palms, and the exposed finger bones of the bowstrings vibrated violently, causing excruciating pain that made even the toughest men grit their teeth, yet they still continued their actions.

The ordinary Rogue Cultivator recruited by the Two Instruments Sect with a single edict on the opposite side were just a group of defeated soldiers gathered together. The Two Instruments Sect disciple with the missing ear and drooping eyebrows who led the group had no discipline whatsoever. After enduring a hail of arrows while suppressing his fear, he ignored the pleas of the cultivators behind him to retreat and continued to urge them forward with his sword.

But when the flag-bearing junior officer on the opposite side recognized the flag and activated it, and all sorts of restrictions lit up, enveloping the group of righteous men.

The rain of arrows falling from the sky grew heavier and heavier. Despite his constant fear, the man with the missing ear could not bring himself to utter the word "retreat."

He gritted his teeth and struggled, but it was no use. In the end, a scantily clad, glamorous female cultivator beside him took advantage of his unpreparedness, quickly squeezed into his chest, and stabbed him, instantly killing the man with the missing ear.

"We've lost! Run! That woman is ruthless. She only crawled out of that crippled-ear bastard's tent this morning, and a few hours later she's already done something so cruel!"

"Grandpas of the Double Brightness Alliance, please raise your knives higher,"

"My humble self is of meager means, please..."

"Whoosh,"

Zheng Yuntong took the flag from his back and swiftly thrust it, instantly killing the kneeling, glamorous female cultivator who had offered her head. His movements were remarkably skillful; with a slight flick of his wrist, the red blood at the tip of the flag gushed away.

With another surge of swords, axes, and wooden clubs, the hundred-person formation that the Two Instruments Sect had gathered together was scattered like birds and beasts in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Wait!"

Zheng Yuntong shouted loudly, and as the spirit pattern on the raised flag vibrated and lit up, Zheng Yuntong's shout immediately drowned out the shouts of killing throughout the arena.

The newly trained bandits, whose eyes were still bloodshot, were jolted by the shout, which brought back the pain of the whip marks on their backs. They paused, sheathed their weapons, and let the remaining enemy retreat back into their ranks.

The veteran cultivators chosen by Zheng Yuntong as his deputies couldn't help but look at him with admiration, thinking to themselves that he truly deserved to be one of the most prominent figures in the inner sect of the Chongming Sect.

It is said that the Grand Master of the Chongming Sect Leader Kang Da, Kang, was also very generous. Not only did he include two illegitimate sons with average aptitude in the team, but he was also willing to send out disciples with Single Spirit Root, such as Zheng Yuntong, whose future was uncertain.

In ordinary families, such disciples might be guarded even more carefully than Third Tier Law Treasure.

Zheng Yuntong easily defeated a group of remnants of the enemy, but showed no sign of pride on his face.

His presence in this mountain valley was insignificant; the Two Instruments Sect had only sent some weak soldiers to test the waters. If they were truly going to exert their strength, they wouldn't be so stingy as to not even send a single True Cultivator.

He knew perfectly well that this battlefield, personally commanded by Nascent Soul cultivator, wouldn't allow him to slack off even for a moment while Qi Refinement Refining. Zheng Yuntong had no time to care about other people's expressions at this moment. He simply urged his accompanying deputy to count the broken weapons, the decapitations, and the spoils. After writing it down hastily in a few strokes, he immediately sent a message to the rear camp.

If it were an ordinary household, they might have to worry about difficulty in obtaining supplies.

However, Zheng Yuntong knew that since his sect leader emerged from seclusion, he had been using his silver tongue to please Senior Han was temporarily in charge of the rear camp.

Therefore, even if the war is not going well and supplies are tight, the rear camp will generally not be short of the needs of the cultivators of the Double Brightness Alliance.

However, after about half a day, the Fei Household's group still hadn't arrived, but Zheng Yuntong met an acquaintance.

"What brings you here, Peddler Shui?"

After graduating from the Nurturing Qilin Hall, Zheng Yuntong obtained several well-paid jobs near Jia-Chou Military Stronghold, and thus met the peddler who usually did business in more than four hundred households in Cold Crow Mountain a few times.

Seeing an old friend again at this time is quite heartwarming.

The peddler surnamed Shui was surprised to see Zheng Yuntong, a rising star among Double Brightness's disciples, present. However, seeing Zheng's already amiable face soften even further, he responded cheerfully:

"Responding to the orders of Deacon Zhou in the tower, I, Shui, have come to the battlefield to deliver urgently needed supplies to fellow Daoists, thus contributing my modest efforts to this war."

The salesman surnamed Shui had nothing on his back at this time, which was always very precious. There was a simple cargo rail with the word "Qin" in the lower right corner, which was now sitting on top of a box car behind him.

Accompanying them were twenty or thirty Sha Qi characters exuding a fierce aura. At this moment, they could hardly be considered respectable, as their robes bore more or less the marks of battle. It was likely that even if the caravan bore the Six-Leaf Azure Lotus Dao Seal of the Chongming Sect, it would be of no use in intimidating those arrogant individuals who had lost all reason.

After all, spending a long time teetering between life and death is no joke, so it's perfectly normal for some people to take the risk.

As for what the peddler surnamed Shui said, Zheng Yuntong was quite clear about it. The former was simply taking risks to do some buying high and selling low on the front lines. The so-called "sent over" was just something to be heard but not believed.

Zheng Yuntong pointed his finger at the spot where the spoils had just been collected and said, "There are some rather unremarkable items here. Perhaps the Peddler Shui would do me the honor of taking a look?"

The peddler surnamed Shui knew perfectly well that Zheng Yuntong was being modest, and bowed deeply, saying, "That is indeed my wish."

Zheng Yuntong was originally completely ignorant of these administrative matters, but after spending a long time on the battlefield, he had learned some tricks of the trade.

With this inner disciple the Chongming Sect by his side, the peddler surnamed Shui couldn't possibly set prices Fang Yi. Zheng Yuntong was satisfied with the price he heard and then picked out the items from the cart to pay the difference.

After the deal was done, the two started chatting about trivial matters.

"Among the more than four hundred families in Cold Crow Mountain and the families practicing cultivation in thirteen counties, there are many who have returned to their hometowns to report their merits and righteousness. Some have acquired land and property, some have made progress in their cultivation, and many have taken in other wives."

This has caused the price of land in Dezhou to rise by more than one cent, and now it's even harder to find young women of marriageable age with any looks in the counties. Even many middle-aged women who are past their prime have become more sought after because of this. It's truly unreasonable.

However, it was also a good thing. Any Rogue Person in the state with a bit of wealth and ambition would be tempted by this scene. The number of cultivators crowding at the foot of Little Ring Mountain to apply for the position was quite a sight. Even in Chongming City, a mortal's dwelling now costs one Spirit Stone for ten days to hire.

"Martial Uncle He has been diligently practicing in the Artifact Hall, and his skills in weapon crafting have clearly improved. It seems that our sect leader is inclined to respond to the government's call and send him to serve under Master Gu Rong in Mountain North Circuit, hoping to secure his future."

"Elder Jiang's emergence from seclusion and subsequent slaying of three Pill Master during his sword-wielding ceremony drew out Mo Hegu, a Golden Core cultivator from the Two Instruments Sect Elements Sect. However, he was surrounded and attacked by three Third Tier- tier spirit puppets driven by a group of Pill Master from the alliance. He was stabbed twice and forced to flee in serious condition?"

"Jin Tanglü, son of the Garrison Commander Jin, has been ordered by the elders to return to Little Ring Mountain for secluded Foundation Establishment, due to his bravery on the battlefield, and Jiang Tangpei, a disciple of the Deacon Ye, has been ordered by the elders for his diligence and meritorious service. There are also twenty-eight others on the list, who will return in turn as soon as Elder Ye finalizes the arrangements."

After inspecting the goods and Pure Spirit Stone, the two talked for a long time before parting ways. In fact, these major matters were still too far away for them, mere Qi Refinement Refining cultivators.

Only after the Shui family peddler's caravan gradually disappeared from sight did Zheng Yuntong turn his gaze away.

All of the above, though seemingly disorganized, actually convey the same meaning: the storm has arrived, and it is clear who will emerge victorious.

He composed himself, waiting for his newly acquired and joyful cultivators to rest for a while before he could organize his forces. Just then, he saw another message flying in from the horizon. He glanced at it casually, but was stunned by the few words it contained, his eyes widening like copper bells.

"On the main battlefront, the Fei Household's Ying Mountain Army is actually no match for the Two Instruments Sect disciples' formation?!"

"Damn it, where did this Two Instruments Sect get so many Foundation Establishment? Could it be that that old bastard Pu Honggu has obtained some kind of spiritual treasure again?! How did a remote sect like his accumulate so many resources?! When I, the patriarch, destroy their lineage, I will definitely find out the truth!!"

Fei Tianqin's sharp beak was full of dissatisfaction. Seeing another vassal formation being broken up by the Two Instruments Sect and the Chongming Sect Crimson Zhang Guard that blocked the way also collapsing, he was even more furious.

Fortunately, it still retained some rationality and did not rush straight into the Two Instruments Sect's formation to become a sitting duck. Instead, it sought out the opponent's Golden Core to vent its anger, as usual.

However, by this time, the upper-level cultivators of the Two Instruments Sect, from Pu Honggu downwards, had all learned their lesson. Even though Fei Tianqin could wipe out the lives of a hundred-man Two Instruments Sect army with a single flap of his wings, no one dared to confront his sharp edge.

Pu Honggu, who had just returned from the Star-Picking Pavilion, exuded an even stronger aura of death, causing even his fellow disciples, including Qiu Yunsheng and Li Yun, to give him a few steps back.

After a long while, Li Yun Wei Guze, who succeeded Li Yun as sect leader, looked at the blood-soaked battlefield again and finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Senior Brother, if we continue to push them like this, all our hard work over the years will be in vain."

The cultivators in the hall all understood what Wei Guze meant. Originally, the matter of the Blood Foundation Pill was relatively secret, but as the Foundation Establishment in the sect sprang up like mushrooms after rain, even if Pu Honggu and Li Yun wanted to cover it up, it would be extremely difficult.

Those who found out were naturally terrified, but Pu Honggu had already made a grave mistake.

Moreover, if the news were to spread, even Bai Canhong of the Star-Picking Pavilion would likely not be able to sit idly by and would have to take action personally to clear himself of any connection with the evil deeds committed by the Two Instruments Sect.

The other Golden Core Two Instruments Sect of the Liangyi Sect, stuck on the wrong path, had no choice but to help Pu Honggu implant restrictions and erase the memories of each disciple who had advanced to True Cultivator through the Blood Foundation Pill and Change Yin's secret techniques, thus preserving their lineage to this day.

However, after returning from the Star-Picking Pavilion, Pu Honggu gave up the idea of concealing his intentions. Even though he knew that the knowledgeable old bird on the other side had become suspicious, he still paid the full amount.

Wei Guze's advice did not change Pu Honggu's mind. The Grand Elder of the Two Instruments Sect merely raised his eyelids slightly, his cloudy eyes like mixed jade. With a slight sweep of his cold gaze, he made Wei Guze, a late-stage cultivator, shrink back and dare not speak again.

Pu Honggu didn't mention to his fellow disciples that the visit of True Person Qingxuan of Supreme Unity Temple Star-Picking Pavilion had greatly excited Bai Canhong. He simply asked in a cold voice, "Has Kang Dabao gone into battle yet?"

Li Yun stepped forward and replied, "It's not clear yet."

"Order the sect's Daoist troops to abandon the Fei Household's Ying Mountain Army, and further order all families within their jurisdiction not to retreat, but to entangle these sect's lackeys! The Daoist troops will change their attack direction and first break the Double Brightness Alliance!!"

Pu Honggu's words fell into the hall like a piece of ice being smashed into boiling water, causing the expressions of Wei Guze, Li Yun, and other Golden Core cultivators to change drastically.

Although the Fei Household's Ying Mountain Army suffered several defeats, they still had Fei Tianqin, a top-notch Demon Officer, to lead the charge. Moreover, the cultivators under their command were well-armored and coordinated, making them extremely vulnerable to prolonged battles.

To abandon them now and turn to attack the Double Brightness Alliance would be tantamount to deliberately running into another tough opponent. Everyone knows that although the Double Brightness Alliance has a shallow foundation, it has rising stars like Kang Dabao who can kill Preceptor Huang Mi in battle.

Moreover, the Crimson Zhang Guard and Azure Jue Guard are both elite troops who have experienced many battles, and even their loyal followers are of one mind and one heart. They are the most troublesome force in the Fei Household's formation besides the Ying Mountain Army. Even if we want to attack the weak points in the enemy's formation, it should not fall on the Double Brightness Alliance.

"Senior Brother, this is probably not a good strategy!" Li Yun hurriedly stepped forward, his tone urgent. "If the Daoist troops rashly turn to attack, they will likely suffer heavy losses!"

Pu Honggu ignored him, his eyes growing even more deathly. He lightly tapped the array diagram on the table with his fingertips, his voice as cold as ice. "No one below True Person Fei Tianqin can rival him, and it's already remarkable that he can keep the disciples of all families entangled with him. Now that it's in the array, the Ying Mountain Army will find it difficult to break through."

While Kang Dabao certainly has some skills, compared to that old bird, he's like a grain of rice. Furthermore, the Double Brightness Alliance's rear camp lacks a high-level cultivator; breaking through it would cripple the Fei Household family. You only need to listen to my words; there's no need to ask any further questions."

Having said that, the cultivators in the hall had no further room for rebuttal.

Qiu Yunsheng took one last serious look at the several lifeless figures of his senior brother before him, said nothing, and led his junior brothers to bow and accept the order before turning and quickly leaving.

For a moment, only Pu Honggu remained in the tent. He stared at the location of the Double Brightness Alliance on the array diagram, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Few knew that his desperate gamble was driven by a sliver of hope for achieving Nascent Soul status. He still remembered the letter that lay before Preceptor Huang Mi.

The order for the Two Instruments Sect's troops to switch to attack spread like wildfire across the battlefield. Countless Two Instruments Sect disciples abandoned their entanglement with Fei Household Ying Mountain Army and pressed towards the Double Brightness Alliance's defensive line.

The wind in the valley suddenly picked up, and the pale blue miasma was stirred up by the dust kicked up by the procession. Amidst the surging waves of black robes, the cold glint of broken swords and axes and the faint glow of spirit crystal fragments intertwined, revealing a ruthless ferocity that spared no expense.

The Double Brightness Alliance's defenses were already weakened by days of fierce fighting, and now, facing a surprise attack from the main force of the Two Instruments Sect, they were instantly plunged into a bitter battle.

The Crimson Zhang Guard cultivators at the front line formed a spear formation, crimson Sha Qi condensing at the spear tips, but they were repeatedly forced back by the swarming Dao soldiers. Some cultivators were struck by several swords and axes at the same time, the sound of armor shattering and bones breaking mixed together, and blood flowed down the spear shafts, forming thin streams on the ground;

The Azure Lotus Platforms of the Azure Guards in the back row broke and grew back, broke and grew back again. The corpses in front of them piled up to almost as tall as themselves, but the Dao soldiers charged forward by stepping on the corpses of their comrades. Soaked in blood, they quickly lost their spiritual power and slumped to the ground.

Duan Anle on the high platform, waving his command flag until it was almost blurred, his voice hoarse as he shouted out the dispatch instructions:

"Hold the left flank! Jue Zhangshi has captured the opposing Pill Master. Huo Fire Qilin Valley's first battle against the old Shang Double Brightness. Pu Honggu is making a desperate gamble to attack Chongming! Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards, advance! Song Pine Wind Volunteers and Sky-Treading Cavalry are ready to fight!"

The only response he received was the ever-approaching sounds of fighting and screams.

The dozen or so False Core cultivators from the Two Instruments Sect pierced the defensive line like sharp knives. The spiritual energy slashes unleashed by Second Tier Spirit Artifact and Third Tier Law Treasure easily tore through the robes of the Double Brightness Alliance cultivators. Many of the followers didn't even have time to react before falling into pools of blood.

At this moment, in the rear camp of the Double Brightness Alliance, Kang Dabao had just received Duan Anle's plea for help. The spiritual power at his fingertips had not yet dissipated when he heard a deafening roar from ahead.

He suddenly stood up, the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd humming in his palm, and his spiritual power surged instantly.

As he rushed out of the tent, the sight before him made his pupils shrink: the Double Brightness Alliance's defenses had been torn open in several places, and the Dao soldiers of the Two Instruments Sect poured in like a tide. Black figures were mixed with the various robes of the Double Brightness Alliance, and there was fighting and fleeing everywhere.

"Master!!" Duan Anle's voice came from the high platform. He was usually very calm, but now his voice was trembling with sobs.

The disciple holding the flag beside him had been cut in two by Spirit Artifact, and he himself was covered in blood from his shoulder, yet he still stared intently at the front of the formation, trying to organize the remaining cultivators to counterattack.

Kang Dabao's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He unleashed spiritual energy beneath his feet and charged towards the front of the formation like an arrow.

The Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd unleashed a beam of clear light, cleaving two False Core cultivators from the Two Instruments Sect who were slaughtering the Righteous Army in two. The Sha Qi on the halberd's tip surged instantly, forcing back the surrounding Dao soldiers.

But just as he rescued a few disciples, he heard a cold laugh coming from the void, "Sect Leader Kang, I've long admired your name!"

Pu Honggu's figure landed in front of Kang Dabao like a ghost, surrounded by deathly aura, his eyes cloudy yet revealing murderous intent.

Before he could even regain his footing, he summoned his natal Law Treasure, the Taiyi Xuanji Barrier, in front of him. The seven shattered silver jade fragments on the sunny side drew down star power, condensing into a pale silver light curtain in mid-air, protecting his entire body like a full moon;

Using the power of the earth's magnetic field, the magnetic mother stone on the shady side silently set up a primordial energy barrier under Kang Dabao's feet. Dark patterns faintly appeared on the ground, as if countless invisible chains were trying to bind the limbs of the person who came.

"We've only just met, and you already want to take my life!" Pu Honggu said expressionlessly, his left hand Hand Seals. Another palm-sized jade diagram flew out from his sleeve—the "Two Instruments Dust Diagram," the treasure of the Two Instruments Sect.

The moment the jade diagram unfolded, countless tiny points of light scattered from it, condensing in the air into two illusory fish, "Yin" and "Yang." The fish's eyes glowed with a dark red spiritual light, drawing in the surrounding miasma and transforming it into two rotating columns of energy that pressed down on Kang Dabao.

Kang Dabao's pupils shrank suddenly, spiritual energy exploded beneath his feet, and he retreated rapidly, simultaneously holding the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd horizontally in front of him.

He had long heard of the fame of Pu Honggu's two Law Treasure, but only now had he been able to have them personally taken care of by the latter, so he was naturally nervous.

Kang Dabao's heart sank. He tried to retreat by unleashing spiritual energy beneath his feet, but found that his ankles were already bound by the Yuan Qi barrier, and his spiritual energy flow instantly became sluggish.

In his haste, he held the Jade Palace Impurity Breaker Halberd horizontally in front of him. The halberd's body shone with a burst of clear light as he slashed at the pillar of energy on his left. With a crisp clang, the clear light collided with the pillar of energy and was actually bounced back. The halberd's shaft made his hands go numb from the shock.

Meanwhile, the pillar of energy on the right side struck, grazing past his robe and tearing a large gash in the fabric. The spiritual patterns on the River Luo Mystic Armor instantly dimmed; the Yin and Yang forces could actually dissolve the spiritual light on his defensive Law Treasure!

Pu Honggu's face immediately showed some eagerness, and without saying anything more, he shouted again, "Die!"

But the killing intent in his eyes intensified, and he activated the Taiyi Xuanji Barrier by forming Hand Seals with his right hand.

The seven shattered silver jades on the light screen lit up simultaneously, and seven silver lines shot towards Kang Dabao like meteors. Each silver line was filled with pure star power and aimed directly at his Dantian, the space between his eyebrows, and other vital points.

Kang Dabao hurriedly swung his halberd to block, but the silver lines were too fast. He only managed to block four, while the remaining three grazed his arm, leaving three deep wounds that exposed bone. Blood instantly stained his black armor crimson.

"Surrender, and you might live!"

Pu Honggu uttered another mind-altering remark, but the next moment he felt a slight stinging pain in his sea of consciousness. He subconsciously frowned for a moment. This was because Sect Leader Kang Da's Sharpened Spirit Thorn had once again succeeded, causing the halberd in his hand to approach the old cultivator Pu Honggu's side. This halberd technique was truly remarkable, and immediately a patch of blood was drawn from the latter's body.

"Very well!!!" Pu Honggu laughed in anger, and was about to use his methods again, but he saw that Sect Leader Kang Da had no intention of fighting again. He was just rushing to Fei Tianqin, who was being entangled by a group of cultivators, in order to avoid the imposing presence of the dying old cultivator.

But Pu Honggu was unwilling to give up his own fortuitous opportunity, and in a fit of rage, he roared, "Where do you think you're going?!"