248: Where are the soldiers of the Ninth Mountain? (5k monthly ticket required)

Chapter 248: Where is the Ninth Mountain Army? (5k+ Seeking Monthly Votes)

The setting sun was like blood, and the ruins of that majestic pass were utterly silent!

But gazes gradually grew hot and greedy.

Wu Zang Dao Soldier!

That Zhonglang General’s Divine Weapon.

During the projection of the great battle that night, this Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear displayed its Divine Might, drawing Heavenly Thunder, unstoppable. Even when that Zhonglang General had not yet entered the Wu Zang Realm, this spear could block the attacks of the Wucang Great Demon, which showed how extraordinary this spear was.

Many people rushed to Weiyuan Pass, and some of them came for this Divine Weapon. After all, the Wu Zang Dao Soldier, having undergone Five Thunder tempering, had transcended the scope of ordinary Dao Soldiers and possessed the Wu Zang Qi. If one could comprehend a thing or two from it, the benefits would be immense.

There were too many monks and too little gruel. Moreover, under the setting sun in the distance, there was also a towering black tree, faintly revealing an eerie Devilish Qi, which made people's eyes twitch.

After carefully observing that there was no movement in the ruins,

“Whoosh!”

Someone couldn't hold back and decided to act, aiming for a quick battle. They thought of grabbing the Divine Weapon and leaving immediately, especially since the demonic tree was tens of miles away from the long spear.

A person suddenly emitted a puff of white smoke, then their body's spiritual light contracted, instantly transforming into a white-feathered bird about two or three feet in size. It flapped its wings and shot towards the distant majestic pass.

“Whoosh!”

One person moved, immediately triggering a chain reaction. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, sounds of breaking air suddenly erupted. People moved out one after another, scrambling ahead, like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their Divine Ability.

In the Void Realm, sharp cries suddenly erupted.

Streams of light shot out, scrambling towards the Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear on the distant city wall.

The Divine Weapon stirred people's hearts. They accelerated with all their might, their Qi brazenly displayed, momentarily disregarding everything else.

“Idiots! That demonic tree is still there, and those demons probably haven't left. Making such a big commotion, are they looking for death?”

Some people had gloomy eyes and angry voices. They wanted to go forward but were cautious and dared not move rashly, concealing their Qi and maintaining a wait-and-see attitude.

There were also those who coldly watched these people impatiently scramble for the giant spear, their eyes flashing with mockery or indifference.

It had been almost two days since the great battle, and this long spear was still standing there, which was clearly illogical. Either there was something wrong with the spear, or there was something wrong with the demons.

Such a weapon was a rare Divine Weapon and Treasure Artifact for both humans and demons. Demons would not possibly leave it here unchecked, unless...

However, in the distance of twenty li, someone quickly leaped onto the city wall.

Leading the way was the Central Plains expert who had transformed into a white bird. When he was about to fly over the giant spear, with a puff, smoke billowed, and he transformed back into human form. Then, two streams of earthy yellow smoke spewed from his nose and mouth, coiling around the Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear below. They straightened, and then his head pulled back, attempting to pull out the giant spear.

But in the next second, “Bang, bang,” the two streams of earthy yellow smoke couldn't bear the strain and broke.

This person wouldn't give up and was about to make another move when he heard a sneering voice, “Treasure goes to the fated. Your Excellency has no such fate, let me try.”

Another person's escape light flew quickly, catching up, and he spoke mockingly. Then he let out a shout, his eyes widened, radiating intense light. With a shake of his hands, the earth and rocks on the city wall rumbled, rising from the ground, attempting to lift the long spear embedded within.

As a result, it was clearly visible that the city wall collapsed and sank, and the earth and rocks shattered. Not only did the long spear not rise even a bit, but it sank deeper, becoming even more embedded.

“So heavy!”

That person's face changed, and he exclaimed in surprise, but his eyes grew even hotter. He gritted his teeth, his face contorted, and True Qi surged into his hands. He reached out into the air towards the great spear, adopting a two-handed lifting stance, attempting to raise the great spear.

But no matter how he roared in his throat or how his face twitched in a grimace, the great spear remained absolutely motionless.

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

In this interval, seven or eight figures arrived through the air.

“Heh, can't even lift a weapon? I'll do it.”

“Stop fighting, hurry up and act. Pull it out first, there might be demons.”

“Are you all not eating, even a Wu Zang Dao Soldier, no matter how extraordinary, can't be lifted? Let this old man try...”

A cacophony of shouts accompanied the arrival of the figures. Following closely were chains of spiritual light, as thick as buckets, clanking as they locked onto the Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear. Seven or eight figures pulled fiercely from all directions.

“Crack, crack!”

The chains suddenly tensed and vibrated, emitting a harsh cracking sound. A heavy sensation spread rapidly along the spear shaft to each figure, causing all of their faces to change. They quickly infused True Qi, feeling as if they were pulling a mountain.

The sheer weight was so immense, it was hard to imagine what power this great spear would unleash if it were imbued with True Qi and magical power and smashed onto someone. Their eyes instantly filled with fervor and greed, wishing they could immediately take this spear into their possession.

“Rumble!”

Under the pulling of these Heavenly Gate Realm experts, most of whom came from the Central Plains, the great spear finally shook at this moment, emitting a deafening roar, slowly surfacing.

“Hurry, put more effort!”

The speed was too slow, someone shouted, gritting their teeth, almost unable to sustain it.

And just at this moment, a sharp explosion resounded.

Below the great spear, something suddenly burst open. A ball of black light rapidly expanded, and evil, gloomy Qi rushed out from within.

“Not good!”

The faces of those pulling the spear changed in alarm, and they shrieked. Then, as if they had been prepared, they immediately scattered with bangs, each employing their own methods, their bodies rapidly flashing and shooting towards the direction they came from, attempting to escape.

But the black light spread extremely fast, and then with whooshes and breaking air, grotesque, fine-scaled black snakes with wings burst out from within. They flapped their wings, roared wildly, and moved like lightning.

They fiercely caught up to the streams of light, brutally opened their gaping maws, and swallowed the figures one by one.

Miserable howls echoed in the air.

Only one stream of light, seemingly having used some secret treasure, escaped from the maw of the strange snake. Its speed suddenly increased, rushing directly towards the location of certain people.

Angry and exasperated voices came from there, “Damn it, what are you doing?”

The figures hiding in the distance retreated frantically.

At this moment, high in the sky, the wind and clouds changed color. A pair of crimson eyes appeared amidst the rolling dark clouds, scanning the distant mountains and forests, flashing with cold, evil crimson light. “I thought it was that damned Zhonglang General, but it turns out to be you worms. Kill them all!”

As the words fell, sharp shrieks rose from the Black Nest tree in the distance, and a large swarm of black shadows rushed out. Among the streams of human figures who had rushed into Weiyuan Pass, besides those pulling the spear, there were also some who flew towards the ruins in the center of the city. However, upon seeing this scene, they exploded in chaos, scattering in fright.

And the demonic eye in the sky swelled, driving rolling demonic clouds, pursuing them.

Not long after, the place, which had been noisy, returned to quiet.

After a while, two illusory figures appeared near the Three-Pointed, Double-Edged Spear, and they simultaneously grabbed at the great spear.

Two giant hands, one as black as ink, the other radiating white jade spiritual light, were about ten feet in size.

The black palm transformed into a claw and fiercely struck at the white jade palm. The white jade palm was not to be outdone, with white cold Qi swirling around it, freezing the Void Realm into frost with whooshing sounds.

A claw and a palm collided, and the Void Realm exploded with a roar, followed by the sound of cracking ice.

The white jade great palm was repelled, while the black claw took the opportunity to grasp the great spear.

However, as soon as the black claw touched the spear shaft, in the next second, five-colored electric arcs crackled on the great spear, striking the black great palm, causing it to shake open and sizzle.

A muffled grunt, followed by a resentful voice, “A dead object dares to be presumptuous with this Venerable One.”

As the words fell, black Qi chains shot out from the black great palm. A series of rapid explosions occurred, and the lightning on the great spear was scattered.

Then, the black palm finally gripped the long spear!

At this moment, two illusory figures stood in the Void Realm. One was the owner of the black claw, Wind-breaker, wearing a straw cloak and a bamboo hat. The other was a female figure, surrounded by dancing lotus flowers and shimmering immortal light.

“I didn't expect the Fairy of Hanli Cave Heaven to also come to try her luck?”

“Just don't know which one?”

Wind-breaker's voice was somewhat strange and grating, seemingly altered, obscured, his face unseen, and his Qi unfathomable.

The ethereal female figure, like a banished immortal, was hazy and illusory. From within came a voice like wind chimes and jade, without much ripple, “Who is Your Excellency? How do you know my origin?”

“Hehe, we have a past connection, no need to elaborate. I suppose Fairy came here for the Qi Luck Spiritual Root as well. If my sensing is correct, that small tree is such a Heavenly Treasure. You also heard what that great demon said just now, which means they haven't found the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General's body yet, or this person simply isn't dead.”

The Wind-breaker spoke with a strange, eerie accent that was quite unsettling to listen to. "That Great Demon has just been lured away by those fools who don't know their place. We need to hurry."

The Lotus Fairy's face was obscured, but her eyes were like brilliant stars in the night.

"Your Excellency intends to claim this spear for yourself?"

Her voice sounded a bit like she was frowning.

"Fairy, weren't you thinking the same when you made your move just now? According to Jianghu rules, whoever gets it first, it's theirs." The Wind-breaker chuckled strangely.

However, the Lotus Fairy calmly stated, "After all, this is a meritorious item left behind by that Zhonglang General. My Hanli Cave Heaven intends to hand it over to the Dao Fu Division to boost morale in Shu Land. Wouldn't that be better?"

The Wind-breaker seemed to have heard a hilarious joke and laughed, "Fairy, if you want it, just say so. Why beat around the bush? If it were truly as you say, Fairy, you wouldn't be here with me, but rather with those hot-blooded, reckless individuals, heading to the battlefield!"

The Wind-breaker's strange laugh was utterly impolite.

The woman from Hanli Cave Heaven seemed to be stung, and the Qi in the Void Realm around her fluctuated violently, as if she wanted to make a move.

But then, she calmed down, flicked her sleeve, flashed towards the city, and burrowed underground, disappearing without a trace.

Seeing the woman's swift actions, the Wind-breaker sneered, then his eyes darkened as he looked at the long spear, feeling the sharp pain in his hand. He suddenly lifted the large hand gripping the spear, but the spear body only rose slightly.

Under his blurred, light-streaked face, his features twisted, and a guttural roar like a wild beast escaped his throat. The Devilish Qi on his palm rapidly surged, enveloping the entire spear body. Then, the Devilish Qi violently churned, attempting to return the spear body to its normal size, but the great spear expanded and contracted, humming in resistance.

"What a Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General."

"Even a Dao weapon is so troublesome."

"I hope you're not dead yet. Wait for me to find you."

The Wind-breaker smiled sinisterly.

As he spoke, he slapped the long spear with his other hand, dispersing the spear's hum. Then, from between his eyebrows, he extracted a ferocious, strange green worm, half a foot in size.

This was a Soul-Seeking Worm, one of the Three Corpse Worms, capable of devouring Primordial Spirit Qi to locate the corresponding person.

If that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General wasn't dead, he could use this spear to find him. Thinking this, the man placed the worm on the spear. With a 'bang,' the worm transformed into a wisp of green Qi, devouring an illusory golden light. Then, the green Qi condensed, and two pairs of small wings, thin as cicada wings, 'poof'ed out from the worm's back. The wings buzzed, first circling a few times.

Then, the worm shot off towards a direction within the city, moving very quickly.

The Wind-breaker's spirit lifted, and he instantly flashed, following it.

Before long, the Soul-Seeking Worm, flapping its wings, arrived at a large pit, which was exactly where Chen Yuan had last disappeared. The surrounding area was almost leveled, with yellow sand swirling and everything scorched black.

The worm directly burrowed into the large pit, entering some mud and sand within it.

After a short while, the Soul-Seeking Worm dug out a palm-sized, shattered piece of cloth from the vast expanse of mud and sand.

The Wind-breaker's spirit lifted. He picked it up and squinted at it.

It was a formation pattern!

This meant that the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General truly wasn't dead.

But even if he wasn't dead, with his Dharma Idol shattered, he must be severely wounded.

This was the outcome he desired.

So, where would this injured fierce tiger go?

The Wind-breaker pondered for a moment, his eyes lighting up as he recalled a scene he'd witnessed in Jinguancheng: this Zhonglang General had single-handedly resisted to cover the retreat of the Ninth Mountain Army.

This man should be most concerned about his soldiers.

Now that he knew this Zhonglang General was likely still alive, the next step was to find the retreating Ninth Mountain Army. He still remembered the direction they came from; the nearest Guangan Prefecture was deserted. And this Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General had previously been stationed in Guangan Prefecture. Where did the people there go? He should be able to find a Breakthrough point here.

Thinking this, the Wind-breaker's figure transformed into a wisp of black smoke the next second, flashing towards the east. After a few blinks, he vanished from his original spot.

Not long after he disappeared, two demon shadows of normal human size appeared silently at the spot where he vanished, condensing from the Void Realm.

One demon had green scales on its forehead, green eyes with golden pupils like triangles, and the other had black scales and a bird's beak, with crimson eyes and black pupils. These were two fierce demons of the Fei Yi Clan.

Their two pairs of demonic eyes stared intently at the place where the Wind-breaker had disappeared.

The demon with the black scales and bird's beak spoke,

"Sixth Elder, it seems this person already has a clue. It's still you who has the methods; it seems you knew these people would come."

However, the green-eyed demon slowly shook his head, his demonic eyes flickering with a cold sneer. "No, I still miscalculated. Based on my understanding of the Fa Shan Army, I thought it would be them who came, but instead, it was this group of people. But that's fine too; this way, the traces of what we did won't be as obvious. Hmph, it seems there are many Human Race experts in Shu Land, but they are more concerned with the Divine Weapon left behind by that Zhonglang General than fighting a bloody battle with my clan. Did you see? As soon as Old Nine made a move, these bugs scattered so quickly. If it were those from the Fa Shan Army, even if their strength was poor, they would never act like this. I was even prepared to expend more effort, but it seems now, there's no one left on the Fa Shan Army's side."

With that, he let out a cold snort.

"How ironic. The Fa Shan Army all died in battle, yet I haven't seen many of these people. They are nothing to fear. It truly is time for our Ten Saint Clans to emerge from the Heavenly Gate."

This fierce demon held great disdain for these experts from the Central Plains, yet he thought highly of the less powerful Fa Shan Army.

"These guys are indeed troublesome. Who would have thought that Ji Xuan and You Gu would both fall into the hands of that Ninth Mountain Vice General? This guy must be hiding somewhere now, otherwise, the Qi Luck Spiritual Root known through Ji Xuan's sacrificed Ancestral Tree Spirit wouldn't be missing. That thing isn't easily destroyed." The bird-beaked demon gritted his teeth.

"Hmph, if we get our hands on that Qi Luck Spiritual Root, then dying is dying. They can only blame themselves for being useless. Has the news been sealed off?"

"It has been sealed."

"Absolutely cannot let the other Saint Clans know, including the Five Mountains. We have Seals on us and cannot stay outside for too long; we can only rely on the Ancestral Tree. Otherwise, you and I would have already broken out and turned the thousand-mile radius upside down, determined to drag out this Zhonglang General. Why bother with so much effort now?"

"Go, follow that person. On the surface, he only has Dao Fruit cultivation, but his Qi is obscure; he must be hiding his Realm. He's being secretive, and there might be a good show! Haha!"

"You are a reserve unit from Guangan Prefecture, assisting the Ninth Mountain."

"Tell me, where is the Ninth Mountain Army now?"

Two thousand li east of Weiyuan Pass, in a mountain forest, a team of twenty soldiers lay dead.

The horses were blown into minced meat, blood flowed everywhere, and a dozen Black Armored Soldiers lay slumped on the ground, their necks broken.

At this moment, a young armored soldier knelt on the ground, his body restrained. In front of him, a young man in a white robe with golden embroidery, a Qilin sewn on his chest, and a jade crown on his head, squatted. He gripped the young armored soldier's head with one hand, his voice grim, having lost all patience.

However, the young armored soldier, seeing his comrades fallen, had a distorted expression. He struggled, fiercely spat a mouthful of bloody foam at the young man, and a roar escaped his throat,

"Go to hell! You beast..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the young man opposite pressed down hard with his hand.

"Crack!"

A sound of breaking bones.

The young armored soldier, who had been roaring with a distorted face, had his throat severed. His head tilted, and his body was about to fall.

But the young man directly kicked him, sending the dead armored soldier's body flying, smashing into a bloody mess. From his chest, an unrefined wooden carving rolled out, landing by the armored soldier's cold hand, shattering into pieces.

The young man in the white robe with golden embroidery then pulled out a handkerchief, expressionlessly wiped the spittle from his face, and said:

"Keep looking for others. This team isn't afraid of death, but there are always those who are!"

"Counting the time, someone from the family should be arriving soon."

"It's best to make some progress before my family's uncle arrives."

"Where exactly did these Ninth Mountain Army soldiers go?"

Behind him, a person shrouded in a white robe responded with an aged voice: "Yes!"

The two were precisely the master and servant from the Li family who had come from Jinguancheng, searching for the Ninth Mountain Army retreating from Weiyuan Pass!