261: Chapter 261 Heavenly Fire Formation

From the moment Ling Hao appeared until Star Lord Luohou was crippled, less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea had passed.

Under the suppression of the Five Elements Forbidden Domain, over a thousand Heavenly Dao Palace elites were defeated one by one by the Loose Cultivators and Jiang Family guard team brought by Ling Hao. Of the eight Void Refinement Deacons, four were killed and four were injured; not a single one escaped.

The Gangfeng Gorge Star Gate had changed hands.

Ling Hao stood on the Star Gate's Formation Foundation, gazing at the massive Formation patterns beneath his feet, a surge of indescribable calm rising in his heart.

This Star Gate was a relic from ancient times, connecting this world with the outside. The Heavenly Dao Palace had spent countless manpower and resources to repair it, vainly attempting to use it to usher in the descent of the Heaven Beyond Heaven. Now, it had fallen into his hands.

“Mr. Gongshu.” Ling Hao turned around and looked at Gongshu Yuan, “How much longer until the Star Gate is fully stabilized?”

Gongshu Yuan stepped forward, carefully inspecting every node of the Formation Foundation, and said thoughtfully, “The Foundation itself has been repaired, but the spiritual power circuits still need to be recalibrated. If we work at full speed, it can operate stably in three days.”

“Good.” Ling Hao nodded, “Complete the calibration within three days. I want the Star Gate ready for use at any time.”

“Yes,” Gongshu Yuan replied, then hesitated for a moment. “Young Master Ling, should this old man... stay at Gangfeng Gorge, or return with you to Tianhuo City?”

Ling Hao did not answer immediately.

Gongshu Yuan was a Formation Master, and the calibration of the Star Gate could not do without him. However, the city defense Formations at Tianhuo City also needed manpower. Although Gu Yue was proficient in Formations, he leaned more toward the study of ancient ruins, and his expertise in practical combat Formations was not as high as Gongshu Yuan's.

“You stay,” Ling Hao made his decision. “The Star Gate is of great importance and must be personally overseen by you. Gu Yue can handle things over at Tianhuo City.”

Gongshu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. “This old man obeys your command. Once the calibration is complete, I will head to Tianhuo City immediately.”

“No rush.” Ling Hao shook his head. “Once the Star Gate is stable, leave a portion of your Disciples here for maintenance and bring your people to Tianhuo City yourself. During this period, I will have the Shadow Hall leave a team to protect you.”

“Thank you, Young Master Ling.”

Gongshu Yuan and six Formation Masters began their work. Ling Hao walked to the edge of the Foundation and looked toward the northeast, in the direction of Tianque City.

Seven tokens were in his hand: Taiyin, Taibai, Zhenxing, Chenxing, Yinghuo, Star Lord Suixing, and Luohou.

Only the last two were missing: Taiyang and Jidu.

“Young Lord.” Shadow Seven’s voice came from behind him, “A message from Han Lie.”

Ling Hao took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

The information in the Jade Slip was very short: Star Lord Taiyang is furious and has assembled a grand army; he will personally lead an expedition to Tianhuo City in three days. Star Lord Jidu will accompany him. Tianque City is empty, with less than thirty percent of its garrison remaining.

The corners of Ling Hao’s mouth curled slightly.

In three days, Star Lord Taiyang and Star Lord Jidu would leave Tianque City.

This was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for.

“Pass the order.” Ling Hao turned around. “The entire army is to withdraw to Tianhuo City to prepare for battle. Gongshu Yuan and the Formation Masters will stay to continue calibrating the Star Gate, and a team from the Shadow Hall will remain for protection.”

“Yes!”

The void heaven-escaping shuttle soared into the sky, carrying everyone toward Tianhuo City.

Ling Hao stood by the porthole, watching the receding Gangfeng Gorge below. The pale gold light of the Star Gate in the night was like a slumbering behemoth—quiet, massive, and unfathomable.

This Star Gate would be his most important trump card in the final decisive battle.

By the Star Gate Foundation, Gongshu Yuan watched the void heaven-escaping shuttle disappear into the horizon before turning to his Disciples. “Let’s get to work. Within three days, we must make the Star Gate operate stably.”

“Yes!” the six Formation Masters responded in unison.

The pale gold light brightened once more, illuminating the entire canyon.

The night in Gangfeng Gorge no longer belonged to the Heavenly Dao Palace.

---

By the time the void heaven-escaping shuttle landed in Tianhuo City, it was already late at night.

The city walls were brightly lit, with the silhouettes of patrolling Loose Cultivators moving incessantly. Although Gongshu Yuan had stayed at Gangfeng Gorge, Gu Yue had already laid down five layers of defense on the walls. In the night, the pale gold light barrier was like an inverted giant bowl, protecting the entire city within.

Ling Hao stepped off the flying vessel. The first thing he saw was the silver war flag fluttering in the wind on the city wall, embroidered with an Ancient Stellar Sword—the clan emblem of the Ling Family.

“Young Master Ling.” Gu Yue came forward to meet him, his gray robes covered in dust from the Formation Foundations. “The city defense Formations have been reinforced. The five layers of defense are interlinked; even if a Mid-Integration Stage Cultivator attacks with full force, they can hold for half a day.”

“Half a day?” Ling Hao’s brow arched slightly.

“Half a day is the limit,” Gu Yue said frankly. “Tianhuo City’s Foundation is too shallow. No matter how strong the city defense Formations are, they require sufficient Spirit Stones and Cultivators to maintain. With our current reserves, running all five layers of defense at full power will exhaust them in six hours at most. If Star Lord Taiyang and Star Lord Jidu strike simultaneously, the time will be even shorter.”

Ling Hao nodded without further questioning; he had known this for a long time. Tianhuo City was not Tianque City; it lacked a thousand years of heritage and did not have a council of Elders at the Integration Stage sitting in guard.

“Six hours is enough.” Ling Hao turned and walked toward the northern city stronghold. “Pass the order: all core members are to assemble in the main hall for a council.”

---

In the main hall, Ling Xiao, Ling You, Gu Yue, Xiao Yi, Jiang Wanshan, and others were lined up on both sides.

“Seven tokens.” Ling Hao spoke, seated in the primary position. “Taiyin, Taibai, Zhenxing, Chenxing, Yinghuo, Star Lord Suixing, and Luohou. Out of the nine, we have obtained seven.”

“I have gathered you all today for the upcoming decisive battle.” Ling Hao’s gaze swept across the crowd. “Star Lord Taiyang and Star Lord Jidu have already led their grand army out of Tianque City and are expected to arrive at Tianhuo City in three days. This battle will determine everyone’s survival.”

“Brother Hao, just tell us what to do.” Ling Xiao gripped the thunder gods war hammer. “We all follow your lead.”

The others looked at Ling Hao and nodded simultaneously.

Ling Hao rose and walked to the map.

“To the north of Tianhuo City are mountains, and to the south is a plain. Star Lord Taiyang’s Cultivation Technique is extremely firm and masculine, suitable for a frontal assault. Star Lord Jidu excels in soul attacks and spatial locking, suitable for flanking harassment. Their military strength is three times ours; we will surely lose in a head-on clash.”

His fingertips traced over the map, marking three key locations.

“Therefore, our tactic is just four words: defeat them one by one.”

“Xiao Yi, you take a thousand Loose Cultivators to set up a maze Formation on the southern plain. Use the terrain and illusions to delay Star Lord Taiyang’s main force. Don’t fight them head-on; just holding them back is enough.”

Xiao Yi stopped playing with his jade pendant and said solemnly, “Understood.”

“Cousin, you take five hundred elites to set an ambush in the northern mountains. If Star Lord Jidu attacks from the north, you will be responsible for intercepting him. Use the mountainous terrain for guerrilla warfare; do not engage in a frontal confrontation.”

Ling Xiao nodded, “Alright.”

“Mr. Gu, you stay in the city. You are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the city defense Formations. No matter what happens outside the city, do not open the gates and do not launch an attack.”

Gu Yue complied.

“Ling You, you lead the Shadow Hall elites to infiltrate behind enemy lines. Use your stealth to give them a surprise.”

“Yes.” Ling You’s figure flickered and vanished into the shadows.

Finally, Ling Hao looked at Jiang Wanshan. “Patriarch Jiang, you are in charge of resource allocation and the treatment of the wounded in the city. This battle may be very brutal; you must be prepared.”

Jiang Wanshan cupped his fists. “This old man understands.”