176: Military Strategist

“That’s… that woman beside the new strategist!”

“What terrifying strength! She killed a Nascent Soul cultivator with one blow!”

“And what’s strange is that after she killed that person, the feeling of suppression on us disappeared! It’s truly miraculous!”

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members looked at Dongfang Qian Yue with pleasant surprise.

Even Xiong Er’s eyes showed a hint of surprise and joy.

“Elder Elder Hu Sun, isn’t it a bit too early to declare victory or defeat at this moment?”

A tall figure floated down, holding a folding fan to half-cover his face, his black hair fluttering, like a graceful Young Master, his eyes giving off an inexplicable charm.

Su Xiaobai landed in front of the Ghost Gate Demon Sect members, smiling as he looked at Elder Hu Sun.

Elder Hu Sun narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t expect two rats to have fallen behind. But you didn’t seize the opportunity to escape; instead, you voluntarily stepped into the Formation. Do you want to die that badly?”

“Heh heh,” Su Xiaobai smiled faintly, his eyes firm as he said, “I am the strategist of the Ghost Gate Demon Sect this time. I shall live and die with the army. How can I abandon them and be a deserter?”

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members were stunned, and their gazes at Su Xiaobai changed.

Previously, they had thought this pretty boy had only gained the position of strategist by using deceptive tricks to win the Sect Master’s favor.

But they hadn’t expected this young man to have such backbone; even though they were at such a disadvantage, he still didn’t flee!

These people were all rough country folk who had only gained the opportunity to step into cultivation thanks to the Sect Master’s grace.

They had no bottom line in their hearts but valued loyalty greatly.

Su Xiaobai’s actions earned their recognition and respect.

“Damn it, I suddenly like this kid!”

“Me too, but it’s a shame he’s only a Core Formation Cultivator; walking in here is just suicide…”

Everyone sighed.

“Hmph!” Elder Hu Sun looked at Su Xiaobai with disdain. “He’s just a mere Core Formation Cultivator. Even if there’s a Nascent Soul cultivator outside, it still won’t affect the battle.”

At this, Su Xiaobai’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You’ve gained the advantage simply by relying on this Golden Jade Tile Array.”

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members nodded repeatedly. If not for this Formation, how could they have been oppressed like this by the Xuan Yue Dao Sect?

“But since ancient times, every Formation has a Formation Core, which is its Foundation. As long as these Formation Cores are destroyed, your Golden Jade Tile Array will naturally collapse without a fight,” Su Xiaobai continued.

“The person I had my Senior Sister kill earlier was the Formation Core that suppressed cultivation in this Formation.”

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members suddenly understood.

“No wonder there’s no more suppression now? So it was because the Strategist’s wife destroyed the Formation Core!”

“If the Strategist is here, this battle might not be unwinnable!”

Everyone looked at Su Xiaobai with hope.

Even Xiong Er fixed his gaze on Su Xiaobai. Now, only he could resolve the current situation.

“Heh heh,” Elder Hu Sun’s face showed a hint of disdain. “I won’t deny that if the Formation Cores are broken, not only will this Formation collapse without a fight, but even I will suffer severe injuries.

But this Formation has a total of five major Formation Cores. That little girl was just lucky to break the weakest one. Do you really think you can break my Formation?”

He looked at Su Xiaobai with contempt. He was just a child less than sixty years old; even if he had some knowledge, how could he compare to him?

Su Xiaobai said nothing. He turned to face the Ghost Gate Demon Sect members, spread his hands, and said solemnly, “Fellow soldiers, I have a plan that can allow us to break free. Are you willing to trust me?”

Everyone exchanged glances, then nodded.

“Strategist, just give the order. Our lives are in your hands!”

“Good!” Su Xiaobai waved his large sleeve. “Left-wing soldiers, listen up! Form a line in the East!”

“Yes!” The left-wing members surged forward, guarding the East.

“Right-wing soldiers, listen up! Form a line in the West!”

“Yes!”

Su Xiaobai calmly directed the Ghost Gate Demon Sect members to set up the Formation. Unbeknownst to them, a mysterious Divine Might began to form beneath their feet.

On the other side, Elder Hu Sun’s brows furrowed, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.

“No, I can’t let this kid finish setting up the Formation!”

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, and a powerful force formed in his palm, distorting the Void Realm.

“Die!”

A crimson beam of light shot from his palm, blasting towards Su Xiaobai!

“Elder Hu Sun, my son, to attack a junior, aren’t you being too shameless? Your opponent is me!”

A muscular figure blocked Su Xiaobai, his bulging muscles rippling as he punched the crimson beam heading for Su Xiaobai.

Boom!!!

Fist met light beam, producing a thunderous roar.

The light beam immediately dissipated, and Xiong Er’s body was forced back several meters.

“Thank you, Elder Xiong Er, for saving me.” Su Xiaobai cupped his hands to Xiong Er.

Xiong Er laughed heartily. “You just focus on setting up the Formation. With me here, no one can harm you!”

He looked at Elder Hu Sun with sharp eyes.

Su Xiaobai nodded, not wasting any time, and continued to turn around and set up the Formation.

Elder Hu Sun’s face was grim, and he looked at Xiong Er with hatred. “You are already severely wounded. The current you is no match for me.”

“Heh heh, it’s just a minor injury. Although I can’t kill you, it’s enough to stop you!”

His body was like a cannonball, with a wild look in his eyes, as he charged towards Elder Hu Sun.

“Hmph! Seeking death!” Elder Hu Sun waved his large hand, and a red streak of energy slashed towards Xiong Er!

Rumble!

The battle between two Infant Transformation Stage experts made the entire Golden Jade Tile Array tremble.

A quarter of an hour later.

Su Xiaobai’s Formation was finally complete.

An eight-trigram-shaped Formation stood in the center of the field.

Su Xiaobai held his folding fan, a faint smile on his lips. “Arranged according to the Innate Minor Eight Trigrams of Qian and Kun, its changes are unpredictable, and its mysteries are extraordinary. This is the — Two-Phase Eight Trigrams Formation!”

As the Two-Phase Eight Trigrams Formation took shape, a powerful Divine Might formed beneath everyone’s feet.

On the other side.

Xiong Er spat out a mouthful of blood, having been sent flying by Elder Hu Sun’s palm.

He was, after all, already severely wounded. To have held on for so long was already his best effort.

Elder Hu Sun looked at the Two-Phase Eight Trigrams Formation, his eyes wide with surprise.

“What a profound Formation!”

Only those who understood Formation could comprehend its profundity. In terms of grade alone, this Formation was definitely superior to his Golden Jade Tile Array!

“All soldiers, listen up! Use your full strength to attack the southeast direction!”

Su Xiaobai pointed to the southeast, a strange light flashing in his pupils, as if he could see through the Void Realm to the Formation’s weakest point.

“Yes!”

Immediately, attacks erupted from the Two-Phase Eight Trigrams Formation, then converged into a black and white light beam, striking towards that weak point!

Rumble!

The entire Golden Jade Tile Array began to tremble violently, and clear cracks appeared on the golden light barrier, as if it would shatter at any moment!

Crack!!!

Finally, with a shattering sound, the Golden Jade Tile Array collapsed with a bang!

“Pfft!” Elder Hu Sun spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward!

With the Formation broken, he, as the Formation master, bore the brunt of the backlash.

“Ah!”

Immediately following, several screams came, and blood mist exploded from the bodies of several Xuan Yue Dao Sect Disciples. Those were the people who served as Formation Cores.

And the black and white light beam, after breaking through the Golden Jade Tile Array’s defenses, continued to blast towards the Xuan Yue Dao Sect’s army!

“Ah!”

Like lava pouring into an ant colony, the Xuan Yue Dao Sect army was instantly ripped open with a huge gap, and a large number of Disciples fell on the spot!

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect, which had been at a disadvantage, instantly turned the tide of battle.

“Kill!” The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members naturally wouldn’t miss this opportunity. They all picked up their weapons and launched a fierce assault on the Xuan Yue Dao Sect members.

The Xuan Yue Dao Sect members were immediately beaten back in retreat.

Elder Hu Sun clutched his chest, looking at Su Xiaobai with hatred. If not for this kid, this group of people would never have been able to break his Golden Jade Tile Array!

“Damn it! Give me your life, old man!”

He raised his bony hand and grabbed at Su Xiaobai.

Although he was severely injured due to the Formation’s backlash, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. An Infant Transformation Stage expert’s strength was not something Su Xiaobai, a mere Core Formation Cultivator, could contend with!

“Trying to touch him? You’re seeking death!”

A cold Sword Qi, mixed with terrifying killing intent, slashed directly at Elder Hu Sun!

Crack!!!

The Sword Qi struck Elder Hu Sun’s arm, and his entire arm was instantly frozen solid by the ice, then shattered with a bang!

“Ah!” The intense pain made Elder Hu Sun let out a low roar.

Moreover, the cold Qi still hadn’t dissipated, continuing to spread towards his body.

His heart trembled, and he gritted his teeth, quickly circulating his spiritual Qi to stop the invasion of the cold Qi, then distanced himself from Su Xiaobai.

A blue figure stood in front of Su Xiaobai, looking at Elder Hu Sun with a frosty expression.

Elder Hu Sun looked at his empty arm in horror. Although he was not at his peak condition at the moment, he was still in the Infant Transformation Stage.

This little girl could actually shatter his arm with one sword strike. This natural talent… she must have reached the realm of a Prodigy!

Dongfang Qian Yue’s attack was far from over. She held a silver sword, stepping on the Void Realm, slowly approaching Elder Hu Sun.

With each step she took, an ice lotus formed beneath her feet, blooming with every step.

Chirp!!!

A clear Phoenix cry pierced the sky.

The vast cold Qi behind Dongfang Qian Yue condensed into a lifelike ice Phoenix. The ice Phoenix soared proudly, exuding terrifying pressure, and clawed towards Elder Hu Sun’s direction!

“Not good!” Elder Hu Sun’s heart suddenly trembled. This attack gave him a strong sense of dread!

“Blazing Lion Fist!”

He immediately circulated all the remaining spiritual Qi in his body, then punched fiercely at the Void Realm in front of him!

Roar!!!

A blazing fire lion stepped out from the Void Realm, the flames behind it dyeing half the sky red, then pounced directly at the ice Phoenix!

Boom!!!

The ice Phoenix and the blazing lion collided, producing dazzling spiritual light, and space itself twisted!

Immediately, a strong gust of Qi spread in all directions!

“Ah!” Some weaker individuals were caught in the Qi wave and were sent flying several miles on the spot!

“These two… what terrifying strength!”

The terrifying Qi wave lasted for nearly a minute before slowly subsiding.

As the dust settled, the aftermath of the battle was revealed to everyone.

Dongfang Qian Yue was unharmed, though her Qi was slightly unstable.

On the other side, Elder Hu Sun’s face was extremely pale, his body covered in a thin layer of frost, and his lips trembled from the cold.

Clearly, Dongfang Qian Yue had the upper hand in this clash.

“The Strategist’s wife is amazing! Even that old scoundrel Elder Hu Sun is no match for her!”

“And looking at her age, she seems to be less than sixty years old, yet she’s already reached the Late Stage Nascent Soul. Truly terrifying!”

The Ghost Gate Demon Sect members were all startled.

“Sigh!” Su Xiaobai rubbed his brow helplessly. The little bit of coolness he had painstakingly accumulated was now completely stolen by his Senior Sister.

After this, it would spread that he was just a pretty boy who relied on women.

Elder Hu Sun gritted his teeth and roared, “Retreat!”

The tide had turned. Although Xiong Er had been severely wounded by him earlier, he hadn’t expected them to have such a monstrous woman on their side.

He could feel that she hadn’t even used her full strength yet.

If they were to truly fight, there might be unexpected complications.

The higher the cultivation level, the more one cherished life. Unless absolutely necessary, he was unwilling to risk his life for a spiritual ore mountain for nothing.

Immediately, the Xuan Yue Dao Sect army followed Elder Hu Sun, fleeing in disarray back the way they came.

“Yay! We won, we won!”

“This time, thanks to the Strategist and the Strategist’s wife, we were able to win. Otherwise, we would have been annihilated by those Xuan Yue Dao Sect people by now!”

Everyone looked at Su Xiaobai and Dongfang Qian Yue with gratitude.

Even Xiong Er, dragging his heavily injured body, came before Su Xiaobai, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

He said apologetically, “Sorry, Strategist, I judged you by your appearance before. I didn’t expect you to truly have such real talent and learning.”

“This time, thanks to you and the Strategist’s wife for saving us, otherwise, all of us would probably have perished here.”

Su Xiaobai waved his hand dismissively. “That Golden Jade Tile Array wasn’t a particularly ingenious Formation to begin with. If I hadn’t just taken office and wasn’t familiar with the soldiers yet, breaking it would have been a mere flick of the finger.”

Upon hearing this, the worship in everyone’s eyes grew even stronger.

“Hahahaha! The Strategist is indeed brilliant and extraordinarily wise,” Xiong Er laughed heartily, then looked at Dongfang Qian Yue, a fervent look in his eyes. “However, what I’m more interested in is the Strategist’s wife…”

Dongfang Qian Yue frowned, pressing her body close to Su Xiaobai, a hint of coldness in her eyes.

Damn it! I didn’t expect this Elder to have such a Cao Cao-like preference!… Su Xiaobai’s face immediately fell, and he looked at him warily, saying coldly, “Elder Xiong Er, taking another man’s wife is not a good quality.”

Upon hearing this, Xiong Er waved his hands repeatedly. “Where did you two get that idea? How could I, Xiong, be that kind of person?

Although our Ghost Gate Demon Sect acts unrestrainedly, we value loyalty greatly and know that a brother’s wife is not to be bullied!”

Only then did Su Xiaobai and Dongfang Qian Yue’s expressions soften slightly.

“I’m interested in the Strategist’s wife because the Strategist’s wife is so strong that she could completely apply to the Sect Master for an Elder position. The resources and power she would gain then would be much higher than now.

If you’re worried about no one introducing you, I, Xiong, can act as a guarantor to repay your life-saving kindness this time.” He said with a serious expression.

Dongfang Qian Yue looked at Su Xiaobai, as if waiting for his opinion.

Su Xiaobai pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly, “In that case, we’ll trouble Elder Xiong Er then.”