69: On the battlefield of the virtual world, Zhao Zilong in white robes

"The highest form of warfare is to attack strategies, next is to attack alliances, and last is to attack armies..."

"When two armies clash, even if one wins, it's a pyrrhic victory, harming the enemy a thousand while suffering eight hundred casualties."

Shangguan Yue's delicate hand swept across the table in the ink wash pavilion, unrolling a blank scroll.

"Your Majesty, how about we let the soldiers of both sides fight in a Void Realm battlefield, with the Jinmu Kingdom's fate decided by a best-of-five series?"

"Void Realm battlefield?" Xia Xuan frowned.

Shangguan Yue had been observing Xia Xuan's expression, and after confirming he truly didn't understand, she felt a bit puzzled, then explained:

"According to ancient records, the Void Realm battlefield is a barrier used for conflicts between powerful Imperial Dynasties, and also a training ground. It can project the consciousness of an army into it, thus achieving the effect of simulated combat where one can be 'killed' without actual losses."

"I understand." Xia Xuan nodded, looking at Shangguan Yue, and asked with a smile, "Are you a Reincarnation from another world?"

In the history of the Four Seas and Five Regions, there had never been an Imperial Dynasty. A Royal Dynasty was already the highest rank.

Legend has it that when this world and the myriad Realms of the Star Sea were interconnected, there were records of Imperial Dynasties.

Those were colossal entities that could crush any Royal Dynasty. An Imperial Dynasty's Emperor at least commanded an entire Realm, could confer titles upon Divine Spirits, and their Divine Generals could roam the Void Realm, campaigning across the Star Sea.

If a Royal Dynasty were to pacify the Four Seas and Five Regions, perhaps it could be called an Imperial Dynasty.

However, this might only be a pseudo-Imperial Dynasty, because no one knew if other continents existed beyond the ends of the Four Seas.

"I know Your Majesty has many doubts, and I also have many questions for Your Majesty."

Shangguan Yue proposed, "A best-of-five match, one question per match. The winner asks, the loser answers."

"Agreed." Xia Xuan personally oversaw it, so he wasn't afraid of her reneging.

Both sides reached an agreement.

Above the sky, a giant blank scroll unfurled.

The Jade Luan Army, Heavenly Martial Army, and Prefectural Army, nearly a million strong, looked up in awe.

"For the first match, Your Majesty, would you prefer a battle of formations, a battle of generals, or a free-for-all?"

Shangguan Yue said, "The arena for this match is simulated by the scroll; it can't compare to a true Void Realm battlefield. Your Majesty, please bear with it."

Xia Xuan nodded and said, "Commit all forces to a free-for-all."

This was an excellent opportunity for training; even if they lost the first match, it didn't matter.

As the two ordered their armies to relax their minds and await reception, hundreds of thousands of consciousnesses transformed into streams of light, manifesting their forms within the giant scroll.

Shangguan Yue's and Xia Xuan's Divine Thoughts observed the entire situation.

In the ink wash style world, the Great Wu Dynasty's soldiers observed everything around them with curiosity.

As natives of Zhongzhou, they had never witnessed such a miraculous scene.

Meanwhile, the three hundred thousand Jade Luan Army were clearly well-prepared and had already begun arranging their formations.

"Form ranks, and face the enemy!"

A majestic voice, like thunder, echoed through the scroll world.

The Great Wu Dynasty's soldiers immediately snapped back to attention, standing ready.

One hundred thousand Heavenly Martial Army were in front, forming the Eight Desolations Battle Formation, their condensed Killing Dharma Aspect being eight indestructible War Puppet Spirit Shadows.

The four hundred thousand Prefectural Army, however, lacked much cohesion. They were soldiers drawn from various prefectures; though considered elites, they fought individually and could hardly form a significant force.

Across the ink wash plain, the Jade Luan Army's battle formation shifted unpredictably, vaguely condensing three snow-white Jade Luan Dharma Aspects.

Shangguan Yue raised her brush, and ink dripped onto the scroll, clothing several important Jade Luan Army generals in layers of ink wash battle armor.

And those three Jade Luans also merged with the ink wash, displaying a different kind of divine splendor.

Xia Xuan did not intervene to stop her.

This wasn't cheating, because even in real combat, she could still employ such methods.

"Kill! Your Majesty is watching us! Let's uphold the might of our Great Wu Dynasty!"

Marquis Tianwu roared, commanding the Heavenly Martial Army to take the initiative and attack.

The Heavenly Martial Army's soldiers were fired up. They had been chased by the Jade Luan Army all the way, and had long wanted to fight back. Now, in this world where they wouldn't truly die, they were even more determined to show the Great Wu Dynasty's ferocity.

The two armies clashed.

The Jade Luan Army's center engaged the Heavenly Martial Army, while the left and right wings circled around to engulf the Prefectural Army, which had failed to form a proper formation.

Although on the surface, the Great Wu Dynasty's soldiers' cultivation was a notch higher than the Jade Luan Army's, the ink wash battle armor nullified this gap, and also enhanced the power of their battle formations, causing the Prefectural Army, which had strong individual combat capabilities, to suffer heavy casualties in the first engagement.

"Your Majesty, if you have any other cards up your sleeve, you're about to lose," Shangguan Yue reminded him.

In the scroll world.

Ji Honghu, the Jade Luan Army's Vice Commander, merged with his Dharma Aspect, transforming into a giant swan. Silver-ink radiance flowed around his body, and his sharp talons tore towards the Marquis Tianwu's Dharma Aspect.

"Youngster, prepare to die!"

The Marquis Tianwu's Dharma Aspect dodged the vital points, his shoulder pierced. At the same time, he seized an opportunity and smashed his fist into the swan's abdomen.

The two fought for dozens of rounds.

The Marquis Tianwu's Dharma Aspect dimmed, and finally, Ji Honghu made a swift turn, reverting to human form. Behind him, a pair of broad wings, several zhang long and shimmering with metallic light, unfurled, and he swept past.

Swish!

The Marquis Tianwu's Dharma Aspect's head soared into the sky.

The massive Dharma Aspect's corpse crashed into the Heavenly Martial Army's formation, causing a stir of panic.

One of the Indestructible War Puppets collapsed, and the Jade Luan Army seized the opportunity, consuming ten thousand Heavenly Martial Army soldiers. They then dispersed into smaller units, segmenting the battlefield into multiple areas and engaging the Heavenly Martial Army in chaotic combat.

Ji Honghu and several other hidden Divine Dharma Aspects of the Jade Luan Army overlooked the battle, not making a move.

Half a day later, the Jade Luan Army had lost one hundred and twenty thousand, while the four hundred thousand Prefectural Army and one hundred thousand Heavenly Martial Army were completely annihilated.

In the ink wash pavilion, Shangguan Yue looked at Xia Xuan and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any objections?"

Xia Xuan said nonchalantly, "Ask whatever you wish."

Shangguan Yue asked, "Is Your Majesty a Reincarnation from a Divine Dynasty?"

Xia Xuan shook his head, "No."

His Transmigration might be considered a different kind of Reincarnation, but it definitely had nothing to do with Imperial Dynasties or Divine Dynasties.

Shangguan Yue carefully observed the subtle changes in Xia Xuan's expression, confirming that he wasn't lying.

After a moment of silence, she continued, "The next match's combat method will still be chosen by Your Majesty."

"General versus general."

"Is Your Majesty planning to personally intervene, or summon another general?"

"No need to summon another general."

Just as Shangguan Yue thought Xia Xuan was about to enter the fray himself, a white-robed general, eight feet tall and with a majestic appearance, appeared in the ink wash pavilion.

A Red Divine Grade Star, a Martial General Heroic Spirit, the Ever-Victorious General, one of the Five Tiger Generals, Zhao Yun!

Shangguan Yue's eyes flickered. She had completely failed to detect the other party's Qi concealment technique. She couldn't help but hesitate, wondering who to send into battle.

After a moment of thought, Shangguan Yue relaxed.

Even Xuan Emperor possessed the courage to hide his strength and intentionally lose the first match; how could she shrink back before even fighting?

The scroll battlefield reopened.

On one side, Zhao Yun; on the other, Ji Honghu.

Zhao Yun wore white armor and helmet, wielding the dragon gallant bright silver spear, one of the ten famous ancient spears.

Ji Honghu was clad in silver-ink battle armor, his body enveloped in thick ink wash, elevating his Realm from Divine Dharma Aspect Three to Divine Dharma Aspect Eight.

Shangguan Yue pushed the Dao of Painting's enhancement to its limit.

"Caw!"

Ji Honghu transformed into his Dharma Aspect, a swan, once more. It was the same strike, the same technique, but its power was more than ten times greater than when he beheaded Marquis Tianwu.

Zhao Yun passed by him.

In an instant, the victor was decided.

The ink wash dissipated. Ji Honghu's eyes were filled with horror as he clutched his throat, his consciousness transforming into a stream of light and returning to his main body.

"Your Majesty, it's your turn to ask," Shangguan Yue said, taking a deep breath to calm her emotions.