237: Two-line beacon fire

Time flew by in the tense preparations before the war.

Gao De sat cross-legged in the Spiritual Spring, his mind completely immersed in the first cloud-mist pattern of the Cloud Restriction Art.

That seemingly simple flow of cloud and mist actually contained infinite changes; every trace of mist trajectory corresponded to a Law of Restriction construction.

Thanks to the keen perception of water vapor and mist brought by his Water Vein Affinity talent, combined with the suppressive sealing Dao rhyme contained in the prison dragon talisman as a reference, Gao De's progress in understanding the Cloud Sealing Dao was rapid.

In just three days, he had seen through thirty percent of the mysteries in the first pattern.

"Cloud-Locking Mist Formation..." Gao De opened his eyes and spread the five fingers of his right hand.

The water vapor in the quiet room seemed to receive an invisible summons, quickly gathering above his palm and condensing into a fist-sized ball of milky-white cloud and mist.

Inside the cloud and mist, several silver threads were faintly visible, interwoven into a miniature Restriction network.

"Go."

With a thought from Gao De, the cloud and mist drifted toward a Sword-Testing Stone in the corner.

The moment the cloud and mist enveloped the Sword-Testing Stone, several silver patterns suddenly lit up on the stone's surface, as if bound by invisible chains.

The Sword-Testing Stone, originally hard as iron, now trembled slightly, and fine cracks appeared on its surface—this was the result of the Restriction power being applied from the inside!

"Success!" A look of joy flashed in Gao De's eyes.

Although this was only the most basic "Cloud-Locking" Restriction, with limited power and a range of only about a zhang, its significance was immense.

This meant he had initially mastered the introductory techniques of the Cloud Sealing Dao and could use his own spiritual power as a guide to mobilize the world's water vapor to construct a Restriction space.

Moreover, he vaguely felt that if he combined the Cloud Sealing power with his own Dragon Might and Thunder-Fire Divine Ability, or integrated it into the Water Mansion's grand Formation, its power would multiply!

"It's a pity time is too short; otherwise, if I could comprehend the second pattern, 'Mist-Hidden Mystery', and set up a confusing Formation to trap enemies, the certainty of this battle would be even greater." Gao De dispersed the cloud and mist with a hint of regret.

At this time, Rainbow in the corner let out another excited cry.

Its two heads worked together to drag an object half-buried under crushed jade from the bottom of the treasure pile.

It was a palm-sized bronze token. Its surface was rusty, with burn marks on the edges, and a blurry Seal character—"Patrol"—was engraved in the center.

"This is... a water patrol token of a Dragon Palace demon general?" Gao De took the token and identified it carefully.

The token felt heavy in his hand, and the material was similar to the previous bronze box, but its spirituality had almost completely dissipated, obviously severely damaged when the Dragon Palace collapsed.

However, when Gao De injected a trace of Dragon Essence, the "Patrol" character on the token's surface lit up slightly, and it actually transmitted a faint but clear sense of direction!

"This token can still be used?" Gao De's heart stirred.

He increased the injection of Dragon Essence while simultaneously probing the internal structure of the token with his Divine Sense.

After a moment, he figured out the use of this token—it was a standard token of the Dragon Palace Water-Patrol Guards. It not only represented identity and authority but also had a built-in simple "Water Vein Positioning" Restriction that could sense the flow of major water veins, Spiritual Qi nodes, and... the positions of other water patrol tokens within a thousand-mile radius!

Especially since this one's grade was as high as the fourth tier, it must have been for the exclusive use of some Dragon Prince.

"If it were an intact water patrol token, it should also be able to access the monitoring Formation information placed by the Dragon Palace throughout the Qianjiang River Basin, and even temporarily mobilize some defensive Restrictions," Gao De speculated. "Unfortunately, this one is too heavily damaged, and only the most basic Water Vein Positioning function remains."

Nevertheless, it was still a very useful auxiliary Magical Artifact.

Gao De immediately thought of the upcoming war—the Black Water Pool army coming from the east would pass through several major waterways.

If he could grasp the detailed conditions of these waterways in advance and combine them with the Water Vein Positioning information, he could more accurately set traps and predict the enemy's route.

"Rainbow, you've made another contribution." Gao De smiled and patted Rainbow's head, taking out a third-tier water-attribute demon core to feed it.

Rainbow swallowed the demon core joyfully and dove back into the treasure pile to continue searching.

Gao De then took the water patrol token and went to the water area map.

He activated the token, and the "Patrol" character continuously emitted a faint light. Streams of information about the surrounding water veins flowed into his Sea of Consciousness: three hundred miles east of Qianjiao Cliff, there was an underground dark river fork with rapid currents, suitable for placing an ambush; eight hundred miles west, the main waterway narrowed at a certain point, forming a natural pass that was easy to defend and hard to attack; to the north... this information was basically consistent with the map markings but more detailed and real-time.

"Iron Pincer," Gao De contacted him through the transmission Jade Slip.

"What are your orders, Great King?"

"Take a team of Shadow Snake Guard, hold this token, and go to 'Old Yuan Gorge' eight hundred miles to the west. The waterway there is narrow and the currents are complex; it's the only path the Black Water Pool army must take. Following the token's guidance, set 'Soul-Eroding Miasma' traps in the reefs and dense water weeds on both sides of the canyon. Remember, the placement must be concealed and the triggering must be clever. I want them to have constant 'surprises' when they pass through the gorge."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Iron Pincer's voice was filled with excitement.

After arranging this matter, Gao De contacted Green Edge again.

The battle in the direction of Lesser Qingqiu was about to start first.

"Green Edge, where is the Red Scale Cave army now?"

"Reporting to My Lord, the enemy army has entered the thousand-mile range and is expected to reach the outskirts of Lesser Qingqiu tomorrow at noon. The Fire Scale Python unit is moving very fast, yet their Formation remains quite tight, obviously under strict orders from Lord Chilian." Green Edge's voice was calm with a hint of gravity. "The Scout Bee Swarms have suffered heavy losses. According to the feedback received, a fourth-tier fluctuation appears and disappears three hundred miles behind the main enemy force. Lord Chilian is very cautious and has been hiding in the shadows."

"Very good." Gao De nodded. "According to the plan, lead your unit to conduct a brief resistance on the outskirts of Lesser Qingqiu, feign defeat, and retreat while fighting to lure them into the Flower Burial Plain. Remember, the retreat must be realistic, but you cannot lose too many elites. Save the purple heaven thunder talismans for Lord Chilian. If he appears early, use one immediately to force him back and buy time for the retreat."

"Your subordinate understands. Also..." Green Edge paused. "The Scout Bee Swarms have also discovered unidentified spies on the flank and rear of the Red Scale Cave army. They are few in number, but their concealment methods are sophisticated, suspected to be Human Cultivators."

"Another third party!"

Gao De's eyes turned cold.

It seems the Heavenly Sword Ancestor's wicked heart has never died.

"Ignore them and focus on executing the plan. As long as they don't take the initiative to attack, treat them as if they don't exist. If they dare to interfere... humph, the ambush in the Flower Burial Plain wouldn't mind trapping a few more."

"Yes!"

Ending the communication, Gao De took a deep breath.

The eastern battle starts tomorrow, and the western enemy army will be at the gates within three days.

Although fighting on two fronts brings immense pressure.

There was no panic in his heart; instead, a long-lost excitement and Battle Intent surged within him.

All these years of secluded Cultivation, managing his power, and accumulating resources... wasn't all this preparation precisely for showing his brilliance on such a stage?

"Turtle Three Thousand." He finally called for the old turtle.

"Your subordinate is here."

"Within the Water Mansion, you are in full command. Formation control, troop deployment, and resource allocation shall all be executed according to the plan. Without my order, no one is allowed to leave their post without authorization."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Also..." Gao De paused, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, "Activate the 'Poison Flood Dragon' contingency plan."

Turtle Three Thousand's body shook: "Great King, are we going to use those 'spirit devouring plague gu'? Once this thing is released, the water within a hundred-mile radius will become a forbidden zone for living beings and will be extremely difficult to clear. Could it be..."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures," Gao De said coldly. "If we lose this battle, Qianjiao Cliff will cease to exist. What's the use of keeping a clean water area? Besides, the spirit devouring plague gu are only effective against low-tier beings and have limited threat to those above the third tier, just right for wearing down the enemy's fodder."

The spirit devouring plague gu were also an unexpected harvest from Gao De's trip to the Qian River, found by chance in some unlucky person's storage treasure, and he had set them up immediately.

"Your subordinate understands." Turtle Three Thousand solemnly accepted. "I will go and prepare now."

All deployments were arranged.

Gao De stood alone by the window of the quiet room, looking out at the dark water.

Under the reflection of the Spiritual Spring, his figure was mirrored in the water, purple-gold dragon scales faintly emerging, his eyes like lightning, his aura as deep and still as an abyss.

"Come on, let this seat see who should write the new order of the Qianjiang River Basin."

He slowly clenched his fist, thunder and fire interweaving in his palm.

Outside the window, the water rippled, as if already smelling the scent of blood coming from afar.

---

Deep in the Great Marsh, outskirts of Lesser Qingqiu.

Noon the next day.

The Red Scale Cave army arrived as scheduled.

Two thousand three hundred Demon Soldiers, led by the Fire Scale Python, surged toward the outer defensive line of Lesser Qingqiu like a burning red tide.

Most of these Demon Soldiers were reptilian Yao Race such as pythons, snakes, and lizards, their bodies covered in crimson scales, holding poisoned bone spears, and emitting a scorching, fishy scent as they moved.

The twelve leading Third-Tier Demon Generals were even more massive, their Demonic Qi soaring to the sky.

"Kill! Trample this place and capture that Green Flood Dragon alive!" The Fire Scale Python was a thirty-zhang-long crimson giant python, its head held high, speaking in human tongue with a raspy and unpleasant voice.

However, when they charged into the outer defensive perimeter of Lesser Qingqiu, what greeted them was not the defensive Formation they had imagined.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Hundreds of poisoned crossbow bolts shot out from hidden thickets and rock crevices, accurately striking the ranks of the Demon Soldiers.

But these bolts had limited power; most were deflected by red scales, causing only sporadic casualties.

Immediately after, Green Edge led three hundred snake demons and five hundred crab demons to appear from behind the defensive line. After a brief engagement with the Red Scale Cave vanguard, they retreated "in panic," fighting as they withdrew.

"Want to run? Chase them!" Without any suspicion, the Fire Scale Python led the army in hot pursuit.

One side chased while the other fled, and they soon moved far away from Lesser Qingqiu.

In just half a day's journey, they had already entered the territory of the Flower Burial Plain.

Dense primeval jungles, crisscrossing ravines, and a sea of poisonous miasma flowers emitting a strange fragrance... The Formation of the Red Scale Cave army gradually became disorganized during the pursuit.

Although the Fire Scale Python felt something was slightly off, he suppressed his doubts and continued the pursuit at the thought of Lord Chilian guarding the rear and his own side's absolute numerical advantage.

Finally, an open plain appeared ahead.

Countless strange flowers, brilliantly colored and shaped like skulls, grew on the plain, and a sickly sweet fragrance filled the air—it was indeed the Flower Burial Plain!

Green Edge led his troops into the sea of flowers and vanished instantly.

"Playing tricks!" The Fire Scale Python snorted coldly and was about to order the entire army to charge into the sea of flowers—

"Buzz!"

Around the plain, thirty-six pillars of blood-colored light suddenly lit up!

The pillars of light shot into the sky, weaving together into a massive blood-colored net that enveloped the entire Flower Burial Plain.

Then, those skull flowers in the sea of flowers all "came to life"! Their petals opened, spewing out thick blood-colored mist.

Wherever the mist passed, the Red Scale Cave Demon Soldiers felt dizzy, their blood and Qi roiling, and their Demonic Power becoming sluggish.

"Not good! It's a trap! It's an ambush!" The Fire Scale Python was shocked and roared sharply, "Form ranks! Defend!"

However, it was already too late.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Countless pits exploded in the ground, and from each pit flew a large swarm of fist-sized, pitch-black poisonous bees!

The tails of these poisonous bees flickered with an eerie blue light; they were the "Bone-Eroding Bees" carefully cultivated by the Bee Queen under Gao De's guidance!

As for the previously cultivated Giant Demon Bees, they could only serve as honey-gathering tools because their combat strength was too weak.

The swarm of bees pounced on the Red Scale Cave army like a dark cloud, their stingers frantically piercing the gaps in the Demon Soldiers' scales.

The stung Demon Soldiers first felt intense pain, and then their wounds quickly festered, their flesh and blood melting away as screams of agony rose one after another.

At the same time, the snake demons and crab demons led by Green Edge charged out from various parts of the flower sea, launching a fierce counterattack under the cover of the terrain and poisonous mist.

"Damn it!" The Fire Scale Python was furious, his massive body sweeping across and crushing large swaths of poisonous bees and wolf demons.

But just as he was preparing to break the Formation with all his might—

"Hiss—!"

A sharp, ear-piercing hiss came from outside the plain.

The terrifying pressure contained in the sound caused all Demon Soldiers below the third tier to instantly go limp!

At the edge of the flower sea, a massive crimson figure slowly rose.

It was a giant python over a hundred zhang long, with a unicorn horn on its head and red scales all over its body burning like fire—Lord Chilian had finally appeared!

"Useless." Lord Chilian's cold vertical pupils swept across the chaotic battlefield, finally locking onto the hidden figure of Green Edge in the distance. "A mere third-tier snake demon dares to plot against this Lord?"

He opened his massive mouth, and a stream of crimson poisonous flames gushed out. Wherever it passed, the blood-colored mist evaporated, and swaths of the poisonous bee swarm were turned to ash!

The poisonous flames lunged straight for where Green Edge was!

"Now!" A fierce light flashed in Green Edge's eyes as he took out a purple jade talisman and crushed it without hesitation!

"Rumble—!"

A bolt of Purple Heaven Divine Thunder as thick as a bucket appeared out of thin air and slammed into the crimson poisonous flames!

Lightning and fire intertwined, and the shockwave from the explosion leveled the sea of flowers within a hundred-zhang radius!

Lord Chilian's body swayed slightly, and shock and anger flashed in his eyes—the power of this thunder talisman was actually close to the full-strength strike of an Early Stage fourth-tier!

Taking this opportunity, Green Edge shouted, "Retreat!"

The remaining snake demons and crab demons quickly retreated into the depths of the flower sea.

"Want to run?" Lord Chilian was enraged and was about to give chase when he found the blood-colored light net around him suddenly shrinking, forming a sturdy cage that temporarily trapped him.

Although this cage could not trap him for long, it was enough for Green Edge's followers to evacuate safely.

"Roar—!" Lord Chilian's roar echoed throughout the Flower Burial Plain.

The Red Scale Cave army suffered nearly five hundred casualties, while the losses caused to Gao De were close to zero. Instead, they were lured into a trap and lost troops and generals.

On the side of Qianjiao Cliff, they only lost a small number of poisonous bees and low-tier Demon Soldiers; the main force was intact, and the strategic goal was completely achieved.

---

Shore of Dongting Lake, outside Qianjiao Cliff.

Three days later.

The Black Water Pool army arrived a hundred miles away from Qianjiao Cliff as scheduled.

Three thousand seven hundred water demons formed a battle array, a dense black mass with soaring Demonic Qi.

Led by General Crocodile, who held a giant axe and stood on the back of a third-tier Giant Softshell Turtle, he looked into the distance at the Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion, which was enveloped by the spiritual light of a Formation.

"Report—!" A Yaksha commander galloped over. "General, a large number of traps have been discovered in the river channel ahead. Our vanguard has lost over a hundred and has been forced to slow down."

"Traps?" General Crocodile frowned. "Have you identified what type they are?"

"They seem to be miasma and venom-type traps, extremely well-hidden. Once triggered, the venom spreads through the waters, causing great lethality to low-tier aquatic tribes."

"Hmph, mere parlor tricks." General Crocodile sneered. "Pass the order: all demon generals of the second tier and above are to clear the way using their Demonic Power, with the main army following behind. We must reach the walls of Qianjiao Cliff by today!"

"Yes!"

The army continued to advance, but their speed had clearly slowed down.

Inside the Qianjiao Cliff Water Mansion, Gao De could see the enemy's movements clearly through the water patrol token and various monitoring Formations.

"Lord Mo Yuan is quite patient; he still hasn't shown himself." Gao De stood in the hall of the Water Mansion, with Turtle Three Thousand standing beside him.

"Perhaps he is waiting for the results from Red Scale Cave's side," Turtle Three Thousand analyzed. "Only if Lord Chilian quickly breaks through the fortress at the Flower Burial Plain and a pincer movement is formed will Lord Mo Yuan strike with all his might."

"Unfortunately, he won't see that day," Gao De said calmly. "Pass the order: once the enemy enters the range of the Qianjiao Cliff Formation, activate the 'Poison Flood Dragon'."

"Yes!"

One hour later.

The Black Water Pool army finally broke through layers of traps and arrived fifty miles away from Qianjiao Cliff.

The waters here were wide and the current was gentle, perfect for the army to deploy its Formation.

General Crocodile was about to order a probing attack—

Suddenly, countless transparent insect eggs as thin as hair floated out in the waters ahead.

The eggs spread with the current, quickly covering a large area of water.

"This is..." General Crocodile's Divine Sense swept over, and his expression changed drastically. "Quick! Form a defensive barrier! All low-tier aquatic tribes, retreat!"

But the order was given too late.

The moment those eggs touched the bodies of the water demons, they hatched instantly, turning into microscopic Gu insects invisible to the naked eye that bored into their bodies through the gaps in their scales!

The invaded water demons first felt intense itching all over, then their Demonic Power rapidly drained, their flesh and blood dried up, and in just a few breaths, they turned into floating mummies!

Plague-like death spread rapidly, low-tier water demons fell in swaths, and panic spread through the army like a contagion!

"Steady! Form ranks! Release your Demonic Power to isolate the water!" General Crocodile roared, while simultaneously swinging his giant axe to unleash dozens of sharp axe-lights, evaporating large areas of water along with the Gu insects within.

However, the number of spirit devouring plague gu was simply too many, and they continuously surged from the bottom of the water as if the entire area had become a hatchery.

In just fifteen minutes, the Black Water Pool army lost over five hundred low-tier water demons, and their morale was severely dampened.

"What ruthless methods!" General Crocodile gnashed his teeth and took out a black dragon scale from his robe.

As the dragon scale touched his hand, it immediately emitted a terrifying pressure!

A phantom black dragon shadow rose from the scale and quickly solidified, turning into a hundred-zhang-long phantom of a black flood dragon—it was Lord Mo Yuan's Divided Soul Incarnation!

"Purple Lightning!" Lord Mo Yuan's voice came through the Incarnation, cold to the bone. "You dare use such sinister methods to slaughter my subjects? Today, I shall trample your Qianjiao Cliff, skin you alive, and imprison your Divine Soul forever at the bottom of the Profound Waters!"

Responding to him was a purple-gold halberd light that tore through the waters!

Gao De's figure had appeared outside the Water Mansion Formation at some point, holding the thunder calamity law-breaking halberd, surrounded by Purple Lightning, with a dragon-like majesty as heavy as a prison.

"Enough talk." He pointed his halberd at Lord Mo Yuan's Incarnation, his voice calm yet filled with boundless dominance. "If you want to fight, then let us fight."

"If you want to die, I shall fulfill your wish!" Lord Mo Yuan's Incarnation roared, its hundred-zhang dragon body churning the waters and kicking up monstrous waves as it pounced toward Gao De.

The duel between two fourth-tier existences officially began!

And further away, those hidden "third-party" gazes also became more burning at this moment.