132: It's the mountain-cutting army! Let's go! (Seeking monthly votes)

"Understood!"

The three Lieutenants said no more, respectfully agreeing.

However, even though the three agreed, they seemed hesitant, no one took the meat.

Chen Yuan waved his hand, and the three caught it, then bowed and retreated a dozen steps, before turning around and heading towards their brethren. Although they didn't say anything, their steps were noticeably faster.

Soon, exclamations came from not far away.

The previously suppressed and silent team gradually became livelier.

Chen Yuan stood afar, watching. A gourd appeared in his hand. He uncorked it, took a gulp of strong liquor, smacked his lips, and a slight smile lifted the corner of his eye.

Beside him, a soft chuckle sounded.

Chen Yuan turned his head down and saw Fang Qingzhu's lips curved upwards.

"Why are you laughing, Miss Fang?"

"I saw Brother Chen acting pretentious just now. Before, I always saw you act with thunderous speed, unrestrained, but facing this group of soldiers under your command, you seem to be more subtle."

"Brother Chen, why didn't you directly bestow the favor and eat with the soldiers just now? Perhaps winning their hearts would be faster."

"You saw through it, Miss?" Chen Yuan's eyes showed a hint of doubt. I didn't think I made it that obvious.

Fang Qingzhu chuckled, nodding. After all, it was the flesh and blood of a Heavenly Gate Devil, not common cabbage.

It was rare to see Chen Yuan like this.

Chen Yuan didn't care much. He took a sip of wine, then shook the wine gourd, looked at it, corked the gourd, put it in his sleeve, and said casually:

"Even if Chen had called them over, it's estimated no one would dare to move. You've seen it along the way, these soldiers under Chen's command suffered heavy losses before. Although their sharpness remains, they lack spirit. Even the Lieutenants under me are wary of me, their new commander, and their words aren't forceful, their actions aren't crisp, let alone the others, which would be unpleasant instead."

"There will be plenty of time in the future, and there's no need to be deliberate and lose the proper order and prestige!"

"Makes sense!" Fang Qingzhu gave a very serious evaluation.

Chen Yuan's face twitched upon hearing that.

At this moment, the Ninth Mountain Army, under the distribution of the commanding Lieutenant, began to share and eat the Devil flesh and blood.

Some individuals, after taking a bite, wished they could swallow their tongues, and wanted to eat more, but the surging essence Qi that erupted between their lips and teeth frantically rushed through their bodies, eliciting gasps of surprise, one after another.

Subsequently, everyone hastily entered a Cultivation state, taming this turbulent and rampant essence Qi, refining it bit by bit.

The flesh and blood of the Fourth Heavenly Gate contained a massive amount of pure essence Qi, which could be called a precious medicine. For many of them at this stage, one bite was enough to equal ten days to half a month of their arduous Cultivation.

For a time, spiritual light flickered on everyone's bodies, and their aura slowly increased as time passed.

Especially, many of the original Ninth Mountain Army had old injuries. As the massive essence Qi from the Devil's flesh and blood washed over them, their previously obscure and stagnant Qi gradually became clear and unobstructed. The dullness on their faces also gradually turned bright, and their entire spirit and vitality greatly increased.

About half an hour later,

"Puff"

"Puff"

"Puff"

Dull sounds successively rose among the crowd, followed by a great surge in their aura.

Immediately after, pairs of eyes suddenly opened, with uncontrollable excitement and ecstasy in their depths.

"A Breakthrough!" Someone suddenly stood up, wanting to let out a roar, but looked around and quickly held back.

"Breaking and then establishing? I never thought my blocked meridians would be cleared, and I even cleared the Minor Heavenly Cycle in one go." The dullness in someone's eyes completely vanished. He dazedly touched his severed hand, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, falling upon the remaining small piece of golden flesh and blood in front of him.

...

At this moment, dawn was breaking, a thousand li to the northwest.

Outside Tianxiong Pass,

Several dazzling streams of light shot forth from the faintly pearly sky.

From far to near, they rapidly grew larger, then suddenly stopped above a mountain hollow.

A large sword with a silver blade and black body, two to three zhang long.

A emerald green great seal, three zhang high, entirely verdant and brilliantly luminous.

A round, narrow-at-the-top, wide-at-the-bottom crimson-gold gourd.

Above them, three figures appeared.

On the black great sword stood a white-robed man with an inverted V-shaped eyebrow, a pair of almond-shaped eyes, a sword pattern embroidered on the cuffs of his white robe, and dual swords strapped diagonally across his back.

On the emerald green great seal sat a fat man with a large head and ears, sparse eyebrows, a flat nose, and a wide mouth.

Finally, on the crimson-gold gourd was a bearded Hunter wearing a crimson robe, with two tufts of hair standing up on his temples, and a sharp glint in his eyes as he looked down.

The three stopped in the high sky, looking down, their eyes filled with concentrated brilliance, showing joy and greed.

At this moment, in the mountain hollow, sounds of piercing the air, Sword Qi flying horizontally, and screams from the crowd could be heard.

Below was a small village of only a few dozen households, nestled deep in these mountains.

Above the village, Sword Qi swirled across the sky. A black-robed youth, with sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, roared as an endless stream of sword light surged from the black sword box on his back, whistling through the air.

At the convergence of the Sword Qi was a ferocious Devil, five to six zhang tall, resembling an ape, with a white head and red feet, red mane on its back, and fangs like sharp swords in its mouth, emitting ferocious roars and radiating a terrifying aura.

However, this Devil currently had a massive wound on its abdomen, a full zhang wide, and one arm was missing, as if it had been cleanly cut off by some sharp blade.

Zhu Yan, as strong as an ape, with a white head and red feet, its appearance forebodes war.

This was one of the most belligerent branches of the Ten Directions Yao Race, also well-known in folk legends.

At this moment, this Zhu Yan was chewing on flesh and blood, crimson meat fibers trailing from its scarlet fangs, its crimson pupils filled with hatred, and a hysterical roar escaping its mouth.

"Damn it, these guys are like sticky plaster, clinging on! If I were at my peak, I would have eaten you all clean!"

It had originally been ordered by its clan to attack Tianxiong Pass with demonic insects, but at Tianxiong Pass, one of its clansmen was jointly killed by the arriving reinforcements, and it itself was injured. When it tried to escape, several more individuals suddenly appeared behind it, ambushing it, directly shattering its Dao soldiers and gravely wounding it. However, it seemed that group of people was not allied with the gatekeepers and began fighting among themselves. It then used its Divine Ability to feign death and escape, seizing the Opportunity to flee to the lands outside the Pass.

But when those people saw it flee, they sent their subordinates to pursue it. It, a dignified Fourth Heavenly Gate, could only flee frantically and hide for two days due to its severe injuries.

It had just escaped to this small village to eat a few "sheep" when it was blocked by the black-robed youth in front of it.

It naturally assumed that the person in front of it was also one of the group chasing it.

And the black-robed youth was precisely Gongsun Wuji.

After leaving Qingshan County, he traveled north, honing his Sword Intent in the deep mountains, slaying demons and devils. This day, he had just taken lodging at a household in this village called Yuhua Village when he encountered this gravely injured Zhu Yan, preying on people in the village.

Gongsun Wuji was filled with surprise and doubt at this moment. Who exactly could have so severely wounded a Heavenly Gate realm Zhu Yan?

Moreover, Zhu Yan, this kind of Devil, generally resided in the Ten Thousand Mountains to the south. How could it appear outside the Pass?

Not thinking too much, Gongsun Wuji at this moment frowned and roared, continuously forming sword incantations with his hands, driving the surging sword light to slash towards the Devil Zhu Yan.

For a time, Zhu Yan roared incessantly, spitting out blood light from its mouth, condensing Evil Qi into sharp weapons.

Clanging sounds erupted.

And the three figures who appeared in the high sky showed joy upon seeing Zhu Yan.

This Devil was already severely wounded. They had pursued it for two days, and after several clashes with their Dao Soldier True Intent, this Devil had always been defeated and fled. Now, it was finally caught again.

This time, they absolutely couldn't let it escape!

The flesh, skin, and bones of a Heavenly Gate Devil were all precious medicines. Killing and consuming them might even help them attempt a Breakthrough.

Thinking of this, the three felt a burning heat in their hearts.

However, when their gazes fell upon the black-robed youth who could trap Zhu Yan, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.

Among them, the white-robed man with the small sword pattern on his sleeve let out a surprised exclamation, frowning. "To think it's him!"

"What? Brother Wenchang knows this fellow?" The fat-headed man standing on the emerald green great seal raised his sparse eyebrows, narrowed his eyes, revealing a hint of harshness.

"This person is called Gongsun Wuji, the sole successor of the Dragon Mountain Sword Tomb in Shu Land. He emerged from seclusion a year ago, and the entire Sword Tomb resonated with ten thousand swords, Sword Qi surging for thirty li, becoming a widely told tale. This person disappeared not long after emerging from seclusion. In the Jianghu of Shu Land, there are rumors that he has broken through the Fourth Heavenly Gate. I never expected him to appear here!" The white-robed man's words carried a hint of jealousy, for as a fellow Sword Cultivator, Gongsun Wuji's reputation was widespread, and even some female Cultivators of their Washing Sword Pavilion admired him.

"Hmph, what a grand display, Fourth Heavenly Gate, a joke, merely Body Profound Perfection!" The fat-headed man sneered, then his small eyes flickered with a fierce glint, "This share is enough for our three families. If this person is sensible..."

"Cannot be kept, kill him together!" The crimson-robed Hunter, who had been silent, spoke in a muffled voice, his words ruthless.

"With Opportunity before us, letting go of anyone who might cause trouble is not a habit of mine."

"Brother Huoyun is right. Dragon Mountain Sword Tomb also belongs to the Dao of Sword Cultivation. Although their numbers are few, their strength is considerable. While our Washing Sword Pavilion, Vajra Gate, and the Li family are not afraid, our elders are currently clashing with the Dao Fu Division Zhonglang General. We, as juniors, cannot drag them down." The white-robed man smiled sinisterly, looking down, "Once these two sides have fought enough, we will make our move."

However, before the three had spoken for long, the battlefield below quickly changed.

Countless sword lights shot straight into the sky, converging into a seven to eight zhang long cold light great sword in a whistling rush. The Sword Qi was biting, and its might implicitly transcended the limits of Body Profound.

"Slay!"

A cold shout.

The dim sky was as if split open by a single sword.

A white light, like a meteor falling on the moon, flashed across the very center of the Devil Zhu Yan's body.

"Ah!"

An earth-shattering wail came to an abrupt halt.

Then, a bloodline appeared on Zhu Yan's massive demonic body, and with a bang, its body split into two halves and crashed down.

Gongsun Wuji, at this moment, single-handedly drew towards Zhu Yan's corpse, and the dazzling Devil essence blood began to gather.

Just then, several sounds of piercing the air whistled down.

Gongsun Wuji snorted coldly, waving his sword finger diagonally upwards. Streams of light flew out from the sword box on his back, slashing towards the sky.

In the sky, a giant sword, an emerald green great seal, and a flock of cawing crimson fire crows descended from the heavens.

Several violent roars, followed by an ear-piercing spiritual light erupting in the night sky, so blinding it made one unable to open their eyes.

When the light dispersed, on the ground, the white-robed man from Washing Sword Pavilion, the fat man from Vajra Gate, and the bearded Hunter from the Li family appeared, forming a three-talent formation, surrounding Gongsun Wuji.

The three looked at the monstrous pile of flesh and blood in the center, their eyes gleaming with greed.

"The three of you must have been here for a while, waiting for me to kill the Devil before appearing to snatch it. What a clever scheme."

"Gongsun Wuji, this Devil was originally pursued by us all the way here, otherwise, what business would you have?" The white-robed man from Washing Sword Pavilion snorted coldly.

"So it's fellow Sword Cultivators from Washing Sword Pavilion. What happened at Tianxiong Pass?" Gongsun Wuji looked at the white-robed man's attire, recognizing it as from Washing Sword Pavilion. This Sect was at Washing Sword Mountain near Tianxiong Pass. Combining this with the strange appearance of Zhu Yan, he frowned and asked.

"Why are you still talking nonsense? This guy has recognized you, kill him, then deal with this village, let's move!" The fat-headed man from Vajra Gate, impatient, instantly commanded the great seal to smash towards Gongsun Wuji.

Immediately, Dao might manifested, shaking the sky with a roar.

The other two also hardened their expressions, commanding the giant sword and the crimson-gold gourd to spew out fierce Sword Qi and a sky full of firebirds, attacking Gongsun Wuji.

For a time, loud roars erupted.

After a dozen breaths, a sword cry erupted, and a Sword Qi storm swept violently outwards, producing loud clanging sounds.

When the blinding spiritual light dissipated,

The black-robed figure in the center was gone, and along with him, the pile of Devil flesh and blood.

The three raged, instantly looking towards the southeast.

"Damn it, the flesh and blood were taken by that guy!"

"Chase!"

...

The sky gradually brightened, and the sun rose from between the mountains.

Ten thousand golden rays spilled over the mountains and forests, and also onto a torrent of armored cavalry galloping through the mountains, streams, and cliffs.

After resting, the Ninth Mountain Army continued their advance.

At this moment, the atmosphere was somewhat different from the suppressed and solemn mood of last night. Shouts gradually emerged among the soldiers, powerful and vast, echoing as they galloped through the mountains.

Continuing to advance seven hundred li towards the northwest, when they reached a mountainside, Chen Yuan's eyebrows suddenly twitched, then he raised his hand.

"Stop!"

A messenger shouted.

The army instantly became orderly, pulling on reins and stopping their advance.

At this moment, Chen Yuan pulled on his horse's reins, looked up, and rode his horse directly onto a flying cliff at the mountain's summit.

Upon reaching the cliff top, golden fragmented light flickered in Chen Yuan's eyes as he looked into the distance.

More than ten li away, in the mountains, a black-robed figure, with half of his sleeve torn, and the sword box on his back buzzing, sword light moving all over his body, was darting through the mountains at extreme speed.

And above the mountains, several streams of light were bombarding that black-robed figure.

Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed.

It was Gongsun Wuji, whom he had seen off earlier.

The golden light in his eyes rapidly condensed into a single golden point, then a blazing golden light shot directly down from the cliff.

The Dharma Eye's golden light quickly crossed a distance of more than ten li, sweeping through a patch of forest between the two sides with a roar.

Wherever the golden light passed, it was as if two golden blades had sliced through, trees flying and earth and rocks splashing.

The three streams of light suddenly stopped.

And Gongsun Wuji, in the forest ahead, following the direction of the golden light, saw the figure on the white horse on the distant cliff!

Immediately, that usually stern face actually broke into a smile.

The sword light around him shot upwards into the sky, and he stepped on the sword light, shooting towards the flying cliff.

"Brother Chen!"

A shout with cupped fists rang out.

Not far away, the three white-robed Sword Cultivators, startled by the golden light from the sky that blocked their path, saw the figure on the white horse and in green robes on the distant flying cliff, and their faces couldn't help but show surprise and doubt.

That Gongsun Wuji seemed to have met an acquaintance!

But that Devil flesh and blood was something they were determined to obtain. How could they let something within their grasp fly away like this?

The three shouted!

"Where do you think you're going?"

They joined forces and charged towards the flying cliff.

And just then, a rumbling sound.

First, a black flag with a gold border emerged, fluttering in the wind.

Then, streaks of cold armored light flickered on the flying cliff, revealing figures.

"Fa Shan Army!"

A startled cry rang out.

The three from Washing Sword Pavilion, Vajra Gate, and the Li family, upon seeing the black flag with a gold border and mountain pattern, fluttering in the mountain wind, all changed color, their eyes as if they had seen a ghost.

How could they encounter the Fa Shan Army in these deep mountains and old forests?

And that white horse and green-robed figure, leading the way?

Could it be...

The three thought of a possibility.

"Go!"

The three simultaneously halted their charge, then all turned direction and shot away.