by Fang Xiang
———
Tian Hao’s lips were trembling as his body uncontrollably shook.
The sky full of sword howling was like countless owls croaking. He felt that he would be torn up in the next instant! He wasn’t a novice, and was the elite of the battalion, he had seen situations of many sizes.
But he still uncontrollably shook!
He understood that the intimidating howling of the enemy attacks was the result of purposefully loosening their control of ling power, but he still uncontrollably felt fear!
He had never thought there would be a day that he would face such fearsome enemies!
The talismans and flying swords that were worthy of envy and jealousy were not enough to defeat a battle-hardened veterans. He had killed many enemies with more powerful talismans than he had. This group of enemies gathered and scattered suddenly and were hard to predict. Each charge would be decisive. No matter how bad the situation was, or what advantage the enemy had, they would always maintain their little tactical formations. They were like machines that only knew to slaughter, they did not deviate, and did not make one mistake!
There was nothing more frightening than this, or could make Tian Hao feel more hopeless!
He suddenly felt the Tian Family was so stupid. Why had they challenged an enemy that was so much powerful than they were?
———
The sword lights in the sky grew and brushed through the sky like a comb. No matter how the enemies within the sword lights struggled and resisted, they were like fragile bubbles that popped upon contact.
As the advantage on one side increased, the rhythm of battle would quickly increase!
Another jindan fell!
From beginning to now, the six jindan were important targets that Vermillion Bird Camp focused on. This jindan had been dragged down by one hundred and fifty Vermillion Bird Camp sword xiu and died due to using up all of his ling power.
Even the three remaining jindan felt their courage flee, much less those Tian Family disciples. In this short period of time, three jindan had died. They had never been through such a desperate battle
It was too frightening!
They were jindan and had more experienced eyes than other combat xiu. The golden flying swords in the hands of the enemy sword xiu was a frightening high degree, and even more powerful than the most outstanding fourth-grade flying swords!
Being even stronger than the most outstanding fourth-grade flying swords, so what grade was it?
Looking at the matching golden flying swords, they didn’t dare to think!
Flee!
Losing their courage, the Tian Family disciples ran away in a disorganized manner. They just wanted to leave this fearsome place as fast as possible. They did not put up any resistance because any resistance would affect their speed of escape.
There was only one thought in their minds
—Flee! Flee as fast as possible!
What family laws, what disciple-hood, that was all thrown away at this time.
It was unknown who it started with but at this time, the ranks collapsed like an avalanche! All of the people shouted and then turned and fled for their lives!
The fleeing crowd and the Tian Ye battalion that had rushed over at full power now collided together!
Tian Ye’s face suddenly changed!
The combat xiu at the front of the battalion shifted. Those clansmen that were completely in a frenzy charged into their battalion. In the eyes of these Tian Family disciples that had lost their last threads of bravery, if they neared the Tian Family Battalion, they would be able to survive.
The defeated soldiers flooded at Tian Ye Battalion like a tide.
“Do not collide … …” Tian Ye shouted urgently. His pupils suddenly expanded and his voice stopped abruptly.
Sword light!
All over the horizon!
An angry wave composed from numerous sword lights were tightly following behind this group of fleeing soldiers and were aimed at him!
Tian Ye glared angrily but his brain was still clear as ever. He knew if he hesitated in this moment, the entire troop would be lost. He shouted furiously, “Kill!”
Tian Ye Battalion had gone to Blood Sky Metropolis Jie had had more battle experience than normal battalions. These combat xiu might not bear to do it but they understood if their battle formation became disorganized, then they would all die!
Their eyes were red as they shouted at the top of their lungs, “Kill!”
Those Tian Family disciples never had expected that Tian Ye Battalion would move against them. Unguarded, blood sprayed out and seventy or so Tian Family disciples died instantly!
Tian Ye’s move was cruel but it was effective and showed his decisiveness as an exceptional Silver Battle General.
But he did not know that underneath their position, there was another troop waiting for them!
———
The bright and beautiful sword lights attracted everyone’s gaze. The appearance of Shu Long’s group was silent and did not attract any attention.
The three hundred hardship guards that had just received mo weapons were so silent they were like statues.
Shu Long coldly looked at the sky, his handsome face calm. Shu Long could not be said to be a battle general but he had received Pu Yao’s teachings and his eyes were not lacking. Pu Yao had once thought of nurturing Shu Long into a battle general, but the path of yao battle generals and mo battle generals were completely different paths.
Only a freak like Zuo Mo could naturally feel the power of others.
However, Shu Long did not lack the knowledge and judgment that a battle general should have. He could see that Ma Fan’s group had the advantage. Guard Camp and Vermillion Bird Camp were in a competitive relationship, but that was a deliberate manipulation by Shu Long and Ma Fan. Shu Long had a deep understanding of the combat capabilities of Vermillion Bird Camp. He knew very well when Vermillion Bird Camp held the advantage in battle, then it wasn’t far from the end of battle.
So he did not move, and stealthily hid, waiting to give those defeated soldiers a fatal blow.
But when he saw Tian Ye Battalion coming to aid, he changed his mind. In Boss’ words, that was a fatter sheep!
Born a sword xiu, Shu Long had endurance other people could not rival. He silently waited for a chance.
Until this moment!
“Kill!”
Shu Long bellowed as the black halberd in his hand stabbed into the sky!
The black mist that surrounded the black halberd formed a three zhang long halberd shadow that howled into the sky!
“Kill!”
Three hundred hardship guards shouted together and attacked with the mo weapons in their hands!
Three hundred black misty shadows of various shapes were three hundred shrieking crows that shot at Tian Ye Battalion in the sky!
The black mist released by the hardship guards merged into one patch that moved relentlessly. It was the Crow Fiend Mo Kill Formation!
Shu Long’s black halberd shadow was like an enormous nail that pierced into the ranks of Tian Ye Battalion. Pia, a moderate explosion, the halberd exploded and turned to a thick ball of black mist that covered dozens of combat xiu.
The three hundred black shadows that came after exploded at the same time and became thick black mist that covered half of the Tian Ye Battalion combat xiu!
———
Tian Ye Battalion was preparing for the incoming sword energy attacks. This sudden change caused confusion to spread through the ranks, resulting in chaos.
Tian Ye was both shocked and angry. He was shrouded in the black mist and couldn’t even see his fingers.
So vicious! At this point in battle to use this kind of spell to obscure their vision, they were really vicious!
Shock and angry, he yelled, “All on defense! Prepare to face sword energies!”
Just at this time, the black mist that seemed harmless and only served obscured people’s vision suddenly b
ared its fangs!
* * *
Translator Ramblings: Even way back when Zuo Mo finished his fight against the Clear Sky Old Forefather, he noted that he could have technically taken him down with the Vermillion Bird Camp at that time. This is really a numbers game with tactics at this specific point and level of power between ningmai and jindan. But don’t expect this to always be true.
Chapter 473: Fatal Blow
Tian Ye felt the situation was terrible. He didn’t know what talisman the black mist had been forged from but it was extremely thick obscuring their vision. In front of him was a black expanse so thick he could not even see his fingers, but he could clearly sense the nervousness of the guards that were next to him.
The attack that followed definitely would be ferocious.
The attack wave constructed from countless sword energies caused him to feel deep worry, even though he had only managed to take a glance. His battalion was strong offensively and weak defensively. The defensive formation they usually practiced, the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation], was not an outstanding defense formation. He was doubtful about how long the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] could hold up under such a strong charge.
He already prepared himself for losing his soldiers, if it wasn’t for this black mist … …
Even though there would still be losses, this situation would lead to many more than he previously expected. He had absolute confidence in his command, yet what shocked him and surprised him was that the Sky Ray Treasure Lens was completely ineffective against this black mist!
The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was the most important talisman on his body and was his only sixth-grade talisman. It could see through illusory spells and techniques, could view things outside a thousand li and could be called a wondrous treasure. The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was the top reason that they had managed to survive in Blood Sky Metropolis Jie.
Yet this talisman that never failed him before was ineffective today. Because of the island formation, he had been unable to view the island from the outside. The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was also non-responsive against this black mist, and had made Tian Ye suspect that it was broken.
This black mist was probably a special talisman!
Tian Ye thought about this but more of his attention was placed on the sword energy wave that was soon to arrive! After roaming in Blood Sky Metropolis Jie for a long time, he had seen many strange talismans, ones stranger than even this, and naturally did not feel great wonder.
Suddenly, a light grunt came from beside him.
However, this did not attract Tian Ye’s attention. The howling of the sword energy wave was like thunder in comparison and the entire sky seemed to be trembling from its approach!
Under this terrifying wave of sound, no one paid attention to the occasional grunts that sounded from inside the black mist.
Everyone’s nerves were stretched tight, and [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] was channeled to its maximum!
The first to detect something was not right was Tian Ye. His face suddenly changed! Not good! There was a plot!
The tang of blood was faintly discernable in the black mist seemed to prove his speculation. Unafraid of anything, Tian Ye’s face was ashen. His expanded pupils were full of disbelief and also had deep terror!
[Sky Sunflower Guard Formation]! It was [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] that was telling him!
As the main commander of the battalion, every change in the battle formation would be reported to him. He has just noticed that the power of the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] was slightly less than half its usual strength! This discovery almost stopped his breathing, this wasn’t possible!
He was not an useless person and he had relied on his actual skills to obtain this position. In just an instant, he understood everything and was dumbstruck!
In this short period, only two-thirds of the combat xiu were left in the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation]!
How was this possible?
He almost didn’t dare to believe this result!
This battalion’s members had been handpicked by him. He had taken them to Bloody Sky Metropolis Jie and gone through many hardships to bring them back to Cloud Sea Jie! These subordinates that were unwaveringly loyal to him, he understood them better than anyone. They definitely would not make such a fatal mistake at such a crucial time!
The only possibility was that one third of the combat xiu had been assassinated unknowingly!
He suddenly realized that the black mist wasn’t used to just obscure their vision! It hid a murderousness plot!
At this time, one of his personal guards slumped over without any strength.
“A Yong!” Tian Ye shouted in shock. For the first time, he felt terror. The black mist that was almost tangible in front of his eyes seemed to hid a vicious beast that could not be seen and would consume lives at any moment.
Tian Ye’s shout did not attract the attention of other combat xiu because of the sword energies!
The howling of the sword energy great wave drowned out everything, like the howling and barks of countless yao beasts. They charged like a tide, furious and bloodthirsty!
Bam bam bam!
Facing this terrifying wave of sword energy, the light of the defensive formation was as fragile as glass and upon contact, it turned to powder in the black mist!
The collapse of the battle formation undoubtedly signaled the fate of this group of combat xiu!
In battles between battalions, when their formation was shattered, especially their defense formation, that meant failure. The talismans on the soldiers bodies were not any different than paper mache in front of the vast expanse of sword energies!
The combat xiu that lost the protection of the battle formation didn’t even have time to wail before they were torn to pieces by the flood of sword energies!
The moment the battle formation shattered, Tian Ye knew that they had lost this battle.
Lost completely!
His terror disappeared, and he showed the rebellious smile he usually had.
Dying under the sword of such an opponent, it was a worthy death!
———
Flee! Flee! Flee!
The three jindan were like homeless dogs, hating that their parents hadn’t given birth to them with a pair of wings. In their frantic retreat none of them displayed the usual composure of a jindan.
They had originally prepared to flee towards the Tian Ye Battalion as it was the top battalion of the Tian Family and was very strong. If they could run there, they should be safe. The three of them were jindan cultivation and Tian Ye would definitely recruit them.
If they could help Tian Ye get some combat service, then they would find it easy to return home. They were different than those others that were recruited from the outside, they were born Tian Family members and their own family members were in the clan. If they were not forced to, then they would not leave the Tian Family.
Who knew the Tian Ye Battalion that they put their high hopes on couldn’t even stand up under one encounter and had turned to ash!
The three completely lost of their courage!
That was Tian Ye Battalion! The true top battalion of the Tian Family! A battalion that could rank in all of Cloud Sea Jie!
Ow … .. how could it be destroyed just like that?
Terror was like a powerful poison that spread to every corner of their body and ate at every one of their nerves! There was only one thought in their minds, stay far from this ghastly place! Farther!
They flew furiously!
Yet what they had not expected was that because their speed was much faster than other combat xiu, they were extremely eye-catching and had attracted Lil’ Pagoda’s attention.
Before, Ma Fan’s plan had been to bolt the door and beat the dog. They were to lure the Tian Family into the island, and then close the large formation to destroy all of them on the island. Yet no one had expected Tian Ye Battalion to not advance with the others, and not enter Turtle Island as they had expec
ted. Due to this, Lil’ Pagoda still had not received the order to close the island formation.
But when Lil’ Paogda saw the three jindan about the escape from the island formation, it became panicked and instantly closed the formation without a word!
In a blink, black clouds appeared in the sky. Thunder roared in the cloud layers, and silver snakes arced. The black clouds came extremely quickly as though it appeared out of everywhere.
The expressions of the three jindan changed dramatically. They were not dumb and understood what the other intended!
To kill them all!
Among the thick black clouds, the curving electric snakes caused their hearts to tremble. The terrifying power was like a storm that blew against the weak mental barriers of the three! Yet the last straw that broke the camel’s back was the azure light that was faintly discernable.
The three felt themselves frozen and all of them had hopeless expressions.
When had they ever been pushed to such a hopeless state? After becoming jindan, failure and setbacks seemed to distance themselves, and they were forever the objects of admiration!
But right now … …
The hopelessness on the person leading gradually turned to viciousness. His face was twisted, his eyes full of uncaring frenzy as he shouted, “Brothers! Kill one to break even … …”
His harsh and hopeless voice suddenly stopped, his expression freezing on his face as though he became statue in a flash.
He dropped down from the sky, bam, and hit the ground heavily. There wasn’t a thread of life on his body.
Following the fall of their fellow, the jindan seemed to see a ghost.
There was a wooden faced young female and a large bird silently standing near his body. The young female did not have any expression on her face, her eyes empty and without emotion. The large bird beside her was staring with a vicious expression at them!
Was it this seemingly lifeless young female that had just attack?
The found it hard to believe. This young female did not seem to be exceptional in any regard, and they were even unable to feel any ling power vibration from her body.
