402: You are buried in the abyss, your bones are melted, I live in the world, my head is covered with snow (asking for monthly ticket)

Zhennan Prefecture, located over 3,200 li south of Sichuan, governs twenty-seven counties. Its terrain is characterized by towering mountains and peaks, with majestic ranges and winding ridges resembling dragons and snakes. The Jinsha River flows through it, its turbulent waters carving through the mountains.

Once, this place was vibrant with blooming flowers, producing abundant fruits transported to various prefectures in Sichuan. Now, the mountains are white with snow, the forests are dyed in various hues, and a deadly silence has fallen. There is no sign of human habitation for a thousand li. All twenty-seven counties of the prefecture fell into the hands of demons in the last war. Countless common people were displaced, and the road north was littered with scattered white bones, as well as demons and wild beasts that had devoured human flesh and roamed rampant in the mountains.

“Caw, caw,”

Forty-odd li north of Fu Gate, Zhennan Prefecture, stands an desolate mountain over two hundred meters high.

The mountaintop was covered with shattered rocks, broken wood, and countless feather arrows embedded in the crevices and trees, along with snapped halberds!

In the bleak and desolate wind and snow, a broken, half-black, half-gold-edged Fashan Flag was obliquely planted, fluttering in the wind.

Beneath the Fashan Flag, a black crow perched on a bleached human skull, its sharp beak pecking at the decaying flesh in the skull's eye sockets. After two pecks, it paused, raising its head, its yellowish eyes rolling from side to side, its pupils like thin black lines, observing its surroundings.

Suddenly, there was a whoosh as something broke through the air.

The crow flew up in alarm, cawing twice, preparing to flap its wings and leave.

The next second, with a puff, black feathers scattered, and a few fine feathers lay on the snowy ground.

“Whoosh”

A gust of wind blew, and immediately after, a figure appeared beside the Fashan Flag.

The figure squatted down, looking at the bleached skull, then extended a hand to brush away the snow and dirt beneath the skull, revealing the green iron armor underneath.

The more he brushed away, the more he realized the person seemed to be standing upright.

The figure simply flicked his sleeve, and the accumulated snow below was blown away like yellow sand, revealing the full appearance of the iron armor.

The green-armored figure knelt on one knee facing north, one hand holding the Fashan Flag, the other propping a sword as he knelt. A bowl-sized hole had been torn open in his stomach.

And this Fashan Flag belonged to the Fifth Mountain!

The Fifth Mountain, at the very beginning of the war, along with several other mountains, defended Dingshan Pass. Later, when Wucang Great Demon killed the two Taichang Temple officials dispatched by the imperial court to negotiate with the Ten Thousand Mountains, Dingshan Pass was breached, and the Fa Shan Army collapsed like a landslide. The Fifth Mountain also exhausted its army while fighting and retreating.

They died in the desolate mountains thousands of li to the south, buried beneath the white snow and desolate dust, with no one to recount their achievements, only that they were defeated and wiped out.

The cold gleam of the iron armor remained, but the Fifth Mountain of yesteryear was gone!

“Alas.”

A young sigh, filled with Vicissitudes and desolation.

Then, the figure stomped his foot, and the ground below cracked, burying the green armor beneath the earth and stones.

Next, he pulled up the Fashan Flag of the Fifth Mountain and planted it on the small mound. Then, he looked up, through the vast wind and snow, towards the distant horizon. His eyes, with a wondrous spiritual glow, could see the vast white sky filled with monstrous Devilish Qi, emanating a terrifyingly oppressive aura.

The newcomer had silver hair, with divine light flowing around him. Dressed in white, he watched the monstrous Devilish Qi in the distance, his gaze flickering rapidly.

That was the Zhennan Prefecture Fu Gate, which had been captured by demons!

His last training stopped here, but this time, he was going to brave this demon's lair.

A few days ago, Sichuan Pass urgently issued a bounty to investigate the demon's teleportation array. It seemed there was an urgent matter, and he had taken on the bounty.

Of course, he wasn't the only one coming this time.

As Zhao Quanzhen's thoughts churned, two figures slowly materialized in the air beside him.

One was dressed in hemp cloth, with a youthful face and white hair, possessing an otherworldly demeanor; the other had black and white hair, adorned with a wooden hairpin, dressed in black feathers with a white inner lining, a small tuft of beard on his chin, a face like a silkworm, and held a jade Ruyi scepter, his eyes exuding an unyielding authority.

The two were Ling Yunzi, Zhao Quanzhen's Master, and his Senior Martial Uncle, Yang Shan, one of the Eight Great Mountain Masters of Wudao Mountain!

Ling Yunzi and Yang Shan looked down at the small grave mound in front of them, their expressions tinged with a hint of melancholy.

“You are buried beneath the spring, your bones turned to mud; I dwell in the human world, my head covered in snow.”

“This line, written by a predecessor, must also evoke such sighs.”

“I never imagined that the war between Sichuan and the demons would be so brutal. If one doesn't experience it firsthand, merely hearing those words makes it difficult to truly comprehend. Those old fellows in the blessed lands should come and see. They've had enough of their carefree lives amidst the clear breeze and frosty moon; it's time for them to emerge from the mountains.”

Yang Shan lowered his eyebrows, his tone filled with sighs and emotion as he spoke, looking at the grave mound in front of him,

“Are these people also from the Fa Shan Army?”

“Yes!” Zhao Quanzhen grunted, then looked at the half-flag fluttering in the wind, his gaze solemn as he said, “This is the Fashan Flag of the Fifth Mountain Fa Shan Army. This Fa Shan Army was wiped out in the previous battle.”

“And the Second Mountain, the Eighth Mountain, the Tenth Mountain, the Eleventh…”

Zhao Quanzhen had been training on the front lines for a while and was well aware of these matters, keeping them in his heart. Because during his training journey, which covered over 2,300 li outside Sichuan Pass, what deeply shocked him were the remains of these Fa Shan Army soldiers. Many soldiers had fought to the death with demons, perishing together.

And he had also participated in the tail end of the last battle with the Ninth Mountain Army, and the courage of those Fa Shan Army soldiers had a profound impact on him, a practitioner from the deep mountains.

This was also why he stayed at Sichuan Pass!

Yang Shan remained silent upon hearing this, but then he raised his eyelids and looked in the direction of Zhennan Prefecture, his expression gradually becoming imposing.

“Let's go. As Human Race, how can we watch these beasts run rampant!”

“This Mountain Master wants to meet them.”

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand, and a precious light flew out from his sleeve, landing in his hand.

In his hand, he held a shimmering white and green treasure robe. The robe was as thin as a cicada's wing, and its weaving was extremely delicate and exquisite, revealing its extraordinary nature.

Then he turned sideways and said to Zhao Quanzhen:

“This is the Dust-Repelling Robe, woven and refined from the silk of the Ordinary Silkworm, and then nurtured for three years by my two divine hidden realms of water and fire. It is impervious to blades and spears, water and fire, and can even conceal one's presence and spirit.”

“Your cultivation is not yet complete. I see monstrous Devilish Qi ahead, and it is undoubtedly a demon's lair. I fear there is more than one Great Demon guarding it. The mission is perilous. Put on this robe; it can help you conceal your aura.”

“If you hadn't experienced so much and understood these demons, your Master and I would have gone alone. We wouldn't have let you risk it. Take it!”

Zhao Quanzhen listened to his Senior Martial Uncle's words, knowing it was his Senior Martial Uncle's care. He bowed slightly, took the robe with both hands, and felt the Dust-Repelling Robe was extremely light and soft, like a wisp of smoke. “Thank you, Senior Martial Uncle!”

“Put it on!”

“This is the incantation.” Yang Shan moved his fingers, then struck Zhao Quanzhen's wrist, and a white True Qi flowed into his wrist, automatically moving through his Acupoints, forming a route map.

This was the True Qi circulation route to activate this robe.

As Zhao Quanzhen circulated his True Qi according to this method, the Dust-Repelling Robe in his hand transformed into two wisps of smoke, spreading upwards from his two arms.

Spiritual light flickered, and in the space of a breath, Zhao Quanzhen was draped in the robe, which was like a transparent silkworm robe. However, the aura emanating from him now became faint and indistinct, its effect immediate.

“Your Senior Martial Uncle has even brought out this robe; it seems he's serious, Quanzhen. You go first; your Senior Martial Uncle and I will follow behind to support you. Your Master will also take this Opportunity to test the results of your recent training.”

Ling Yunzi spoke at this moment, his eyes filled with encouragement and a certain expectation.

“Yes, Master!” Zhao Quanzhen cupped his fists, then said no more. He took two steps, looked at the small mound at his feet again, then took off, transforming into a white light that vanished into the vast wind and snow in the sky, heading straight for Zhennan Prefecture.

On the desolate mountain behind, Ling Yunzi and Yang Shan watched him depart, then exchanged glances.

“Senior Brother, I sense the Devilish Qi in Zhennan Prefecture is boiling. This trip might not be so simple,” Ling Yunzi said, letting out a long breath, vaguely feeling that something big was about to happen.

The bounty issued by the Fa Shan Army at Sichuan Pass had an unusual air about it, and he truly couldn't guess its true intention.

“No matter. You didn't stop Quanzhen either. You've always treated him like a son,” Yang Shan retorted.

“This is his Dao. We are also old. This trip to Sichuan has had a great impact on him. He met a good guide. I feel that if Quanzhen can follow his Dao Heart this time, he should quickly Breakthrough the third layer of Dao Fruit and advance to Wu Zang.” Ling Yunzi's eyes glowed with the anticipation and hope of an elder.

“Really?” Yang Shan was a little surprised, then remembered something. “You are his Master, you know him best. The fact that you dare to say that means Nephew has made great progress during this time. No wonder he refused to participate in the Luotian Grand Ritual. If he can advance to Wu Zang, he won't be inferior to the Prodigy of various mountains who will make it onto the list in the future!”

At this point, he suddenly remembered something, his eyes showing a hint of doubt. “Junior Brother just said Quanzhen met a very good guide? It's a bit strange for you, as his Master, to say that. Who is it?”

Ling Yunzi's expression was solemn, and a silver-armored figure appeared in the flickering light of his eyes. “It's the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General of the Fa Shan Army. Senior Brother should have heard of this person since you came to Sichuan!”

“It's him! I have indeed heard of this person. After entering Sichuan, I heard several stories about him. Not long ago, he caused quite a stir at Tianxiong Pass.”

“Yes, our Master and disciple met this Zhonglang General by chance and once returned from outside the Fu Gate with the Ninth Mountain Army in the last battle. It was there that we began to witness the brutality of the Demon Battlefield. I think it was then that Quanzhen's Dao Heart changed, leading to this remark.” At this point, the Wu Zang suddenly moved, connecting it to the Luotian Grand Ritual, and said to his surprised Senior Brother:

“Senior Brother hasn't had contact with this General, so you might not know, but this person is about the same age as Quanzhen!”

This was a question that many people overlooked or couldn't ascertain!

Because not many people had actually met this Zhonglang General, they didn't know his true origins. Many only heard rumors from the market, hearsay that became increasingly distorted with each retelling, or perhaps, the numerous deeds of the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General were too dazzling, causing people to overlook the issue of his age.

“What?” Yang Shan showed a surprised expression upon hearing this. “How is that possible? I heard that this General repeatedly defeated Wu Zang at Tianxiong Pass, and even dared to contend with the Void Realm projection of a Dragon Tiger mighty figure.”

Ling Yunzi, facing his Senior Brother's skepticism, simply said, “Junior Brother, I am not joking.”

Yang Shan slowly reined in the expression on his face, his demeanor becoming serious. “Sichuan actually has such a hidden Dragon. If this person participates in the Luotian Grand Ritual, he will likely reach the A-list, and everyone else will become a joke.”

“It truly seems, as you said, that he is Quanzhen's guide!”

As the two Wu Zang of Wudao Mountain were speaking, a sudden explosion came from afar.

This sudden movement caused their conversation to halt, their expressions shifting as they looked in the direction of the explosion.

“It seems Quanzhen has started moving!”

“Go!”

Then, the two figures vanished into the wind in unison, leaving behind the small grave mound and the Fashan Flag swaying in the wind, rustling and seeming to howl a battle song!

And while Zhao Quanzhen and his two fellow Daoists were entering Zhennan Prefecture, thousands of li north in Jinguan City,

At the Ninth Mountain military camp, a dense array of iron-armored soldiers stood on the training ground. The style of these soldiers' iron armor was different from that of the Ninth Mountain.

At this moment, below the Commanding Platform, three Scarlet Armor Generals and a woman in red stood facing each other.

“General Wu, I entrust him to the three Generals!”

Lian Nishang cupped her fists and bowed to Cloud Skyborn and the other two.

“Captain Lian, there's no need to be so formal. The elder was entrusted to us by the General, so we naturally wouldn't dare to neglect him. However, the military situation is urgent, and we three haven't even had the chance to fully play host before sending you off like this.”

“There will naturally be opportunities. Mountains and rivers meet again. As entrusted by my Senior Brother, we will meet on the front lines another day! Farewell!” Lian Nishang did not engage in excessive pleasantries. After speaking, she turned and walked quickly, then lightly stepped, leaping onto a date-red horse.

Then, she pulled on the reins.

The horse neighed loudly, turning its head.

“Captain Lian, take care!”

Cloud Skyborn bowed to the fiery woman in red on horseback, shouting his farewell.

Only a “Giddy up” was heard.

The date-red horse instantly galloped away, charging through the ranks of soldiers lined up on both sides, and straight out of the slowly opening gates of the Ninth Mountain military camp.

As she moved, the thousand-plus cavalry from the three Fu Gates immediately moved in unison from both sides towards the center, spurring their horses and cracking their whips.

“Giddy up!”

“Giddy up!”

“Giddy up!”

Snow and mud flew, hooves thundered, and they poured forth.

Lian Nishang thus led these more than a thousand men, thundering out of the Ninth Mountain and back to Qingshan County. There, she would take over the remaining thirty thousand men, and then, as entrusted by Chen Yuan, lead the troops to the southeastern defense line to complete their defense, facing the second battle that was about to arrive!

Inside the military camp's training ground, Cloud Skyborn and the other two watched Lian Nishang lead her troops down the mountain with a roar, their eyes flickering as they watched her disappear into the distance to the north.

Immediately after, the three exchanged knowing glances, then issued orders,

“Blow the whistle!”

“Give the order!”

Soon, a sharp whistle sounded in the Ninth Mountain military camp, echoing throughout.

The recently empty training ground was quickly filled with the roar of men and horses. (End of this chapter)