Liu Xiang grew impatient. "How long are you going to chat?" he shouted.
With that, a powerful gust of wind struck. I leaped onto my horse, unleashing twin swords to cleave through the gale. It was clear this was not his true strength, merely a warning.
Seeing the two great figures ascend to the heavens for their duel, the Lord of Beishen Capital City addressed the crowd.
"Since the battle has begun, let us delay no further. Commence the attack."
With our commander gone, Liu Shinian stepped forward, shouting, "Attack!"
Following him, several other city lords also cried out, "Attack!"
They then spurred their horses back to the front of their armies. With a roar, "Charge!" several squadrons of black and golden cavalry emerged from behind them. The cavalry charged forward, lances held high, clashing against each other.
Then, with a "Swish!" countless arrows rained down from both sides.
After the arrow storm, another cry of "Charge!" erupted.
The generals and soldiers of both sides, like a gust of wind, surged towards each other. With the rise and fall of swords and sabers,
Both sides suffered considerable casualties.
Thus, the final decisive battle finally began.
I felt a pang of worry as I looked down at the soldiers. Liu Xiang seized the moment and swung his arm.
I reacted swiftly, evading to the side.
Then, with my twin swords, I unleashed "Dragon Emerging from the Sea" and "Demons Dancing Wildly."
Liu Xiang, unhurried, plucked two hairs from his head and sent them towards the two sword energies, easily neutralizing them.
I was momentarily stunned and unleashed my second set of moves.
"Startling Dragon Shocks the World"
"Malevolent Ghosts Entangle"
Empowered by the second ultimate moves of the Crimson Blood Sword, I moved like a swift, wandering phantom, launching an assault on Liu Xiang.
Liu Xiang spun, flicking the hair wrapped around his hand to meet my sword strikes, producing a series of "thump-thump-thump" sounds.
As we fought fiercely, on the ground, Jin Yulan was like a remorseless killing machine.
With a sword in one hand and an elegant bearing, he weaved through the battle, his graceful swordsmanship dispatching most of the Ghostly Tribe soldiers around him.
Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng exchanged a glance, understanding each other's thoughts. They couldn't let him continue unchecked. For the sake of righteousness, they had to personally end him.
Yan Wushuang spurred his horse into the air, drawing a flying knife from his waist. He split it into four, then unleashed them with one hand.
Jin Yulan, holding his blood-stained longsword, turned to look. He then swung his sword in a powerful slash.
Yan Wushuang seized the opportunity, flying from behind, drawing his Snow Saber, and lunging forward, intending to pierce his heart.
Unexpectedly, Jin Yulan reacted with lightning speed. He heard the danger carried on the wind and immediately flipped, leaping behind Xue Gucheng.
Then, he charged forward with his sword, engaging Xue Gucheng in combat. Yan Wushuang also seized the chance for a surprise attack.
The flying knives shot out, embedding themselves in his shoulder. Jin Yulan seemed unfazed, relentlessly hacking at Xue Gucheng.
Just then, a sharp sword flew from the side, piercing Jin Yulan. Jin Yulan shuddered, his eyes fixed on Liu Shinian, who had struck him.
Liu Shinian's face contorted with ferocity. He drew his sword and thrust it twice more. "These two strikes are for Xue Ji and all those you have harmed," he said coldly.
Unwilling to accept his fate, Jin Yulan took two steps forward. Then, as if finding release, a smile spread across his face, and he fell heavily to the ground.
Liu Shinian stared blankly at Jin Yulan dying by his hand. He never imagined he would be the one to end someone he neither liked nor disliked.
Xue Gucheng walked up and patted Liu Shinian's shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. He has found peace."
Seeing this scene from mid-air, Liu Xiang, unable to focus on me, unleashed a gust of wind and plunged towards the ground. Everyone was sent flying by this sudden attack.
Liu Xiang descended to the ground and went to Jin Yulan's side. I followed him down. Liu Xiang slowly picked up Jin Yulan, stroking his hair, a wave of sorrow washing over him.
Though he knew this was an inevitable outcome, when the moment truly arrived, he was overcome with grief. Disregarding the others present, he murmured to himself.
"You followed me for many years, serving with utmost loyalty. I told you long ago that to follow me meant embracing the certainty of death.
You have achieved that. May we never meet again in the next life. Live your life well."
With that, he unleashed a gust of wind, swirling Jin Yulan up into the sky, where he disappeared into the clouds.
He sighed, then bypassed me, looking at Liu Shinian with a mocking tone.
"I didn't expect that after so long, your swordsmanship has improved so much, Brother Liu."
The words "Brother Liu" stirred a memory in Liu Shinian, a memory he once considered beautiful, but now saw as nothing but false affection.
"You are not A'li. A'li is dead. The day you left, he died. You are not A'li, and A'li is not you."
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang now understood. The boy A'li they had seen in the Ten Thousand Ghosts Forest, who was with Liu Shinian and Mu Ye, was none other than Liu Xiang.
Both were incredulous; they never imagined he had hidden himself so deeply.
Liu Xiang lightly tapped his bone fan, a playful smile on his face.
"Is that so? It seems you still refuse to face reality. Then let me help you face it."
With that, he waved his fan, sending a massive gust of wind towards Liu Shinian.
I immediately rushed in front of Liu Shinian, unleashing my twin sword ultimate moves, "Dragon's Roar" and "Crimson Blood Break."
The two streams of energy merged within the wind, colliding with the gust, and then exploding with a violent roar.
A shockwave of energy spread outwards, causing everyone to immediately stop fighting and duck.
After the energy wave subsided, the clatter of swords and sabers resumed.
At this moment, the Myriad Ghost King could no longer restrain himself. He flew out of my body and burrowed into my shadow, then rose from it.
He transformed into a shadowy figure, clad in black armor and helmet, wielding a black skull holy sword.
Liu Xiang smiled slightly and asked him, "Finally, you couldn't hold back and decided to make your move?"
The Myriad Ghost King said, "I have waited for this day for too long. I cannot wait any longer."
"Are you so sure you can win?"
"Whether you win or not doesn't seem to be solely up to you."
Liu Xiang snorted, then unleashed a gust of wind. The Myriad Ghost King and I jointly swung our swords, unleashing a fatal blow to shatter the gale, then each darted to the side to attack Liu Xiang.
Xue Gucheng looked at the soldiers still fighting and said to Liu Shinian, "Stop watching. It's time for us to deal with the next person."
Liu Shinian nodded. "Alright, let's go."
The three of them then plunged back into the fray, engaging the enemy forces.
On this plain, as Li Zilai had told him, no quarter was given. As soon as the fight began, he clashed with Ye Changfeng.
Ye Changfeng showed no mercy either. The two exchanged blows fiercely.
Strangely, however, the four city lords were nowhere to be seen in the entire army. They had already spurred their horses to a nearby hill, observing the two armies locked in a fierce battle on the plain.
Xuanwu asked Qinglong, somewhat confused, "Big Brother, why aren't we charging into the ranks to fight them?"
Qinglong replied, "It's not time yet."
"Then when will it be time?"
"Look, the Merfolk tribe hasn't arrived."
He looked carefully and indeed found no Merfolk.
"Did they desert?"
"I don't think so."
Baihu analyzed, "There has been no news of them withdrawing from the alliance, so they should be on their way."
Zhuque said, "At this rate, they should be here soon. I guess Big Brother means we should wait for the Merfolk tribe to arrive before joining the battle."
Qinglong nodded, indicating that his guess was correct.
Xuanwu's tense expression relaxed, and he agreed, "Then we'll wait a bit longer. I think they'll be here soon."
Thus, the four stood on the hill, awaiting the arrival of the Merfolk tribe.
Meanwhile, Black Wing Elder, far behind, saw that the four city lords had not joined the battle but had gone to the side to watch. He felt a great deal of worry.
He quickly spoke to the elders and several other elders.
"Look quickly, the four city lords are not participating in the battle."
Lin'er looked at the four city lords with some confusion and murmured, "What are they waiting for?"
Wangu Elder's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Could they be waiting for the Merfolk tribe?"
With his suggestion, the others suddenly understood. Lin'er, however, sensed something was amiss.
"If the four city lords do not join the battle now but conserve their strength for the arrival of the Merfolk tribe, I think it will be very disadvantageous for us."
Elder Mo Xuefu analyzed.
"Although our numbers far exceed those of Beishen Capital City, our strength is still significantly inferior.
If we are to achieve victory, we can only advance wave after wave, winning through sheer numbers."
Elder Zhu Liuyun couldn't help but shed tears. "For the victory of this battle, I don't know how many people will have to die."
Elder Wangu comforted him.
"We have already endured the most difficult times. Now, even if it means our spirits and bodies are annihilated for the sake of the alliance's victory, I will not hesitate."
Elder Zhu Liuyun wiped away his tears and clasped his hand tightly. "You are right."
At this moment, the entire plain was a scene of bloody slaughter, the splattered blood staining the entire land red.
After Moon Nine spun his sword and pierced three Beishen Capital City soldiers, he leaped into the air, stepping on an enemy. He then weaved through the enemy ranks, engaging a Beishen Capital City general.
At this moment, a general from South Sea City, Duan Zong, leaped from his horse and lunged at him. Moon Nine spun and drew his sword, their blades clashing.
Then, the man began slashing left and right at Moon Nine. Moon Nine stepped on the bodies of enemies to his left and right, then quickly drew his sword, and with a powerful slash, he cut through the armor on his chest.
Duan Zong smiled slightly and praised, "A fine sword. You used to frequent the vicinity of South Sea City. I've heard of your name, Moon Shadow Swordsman, Moon Nine."
Moon Nine replied coldly, "Duan Zong, one of the Four Valiant Generals of South Sea City, General Duan."
"You recognize me?"
"I recognize you, but my sword does not." With that, he swung his sword forward again, and Duan Zong quickly parried.
He said,
"I have always wanted to meet a chivalrous person like you, but I never had the chance.
I didn't expect to meet you here. If I had known you earlier, I might have shown you some mercy."
"That's good, but I will not show you mercy, because my sword is destined to be stained with blood."
"Then so be it. I will have no reservations."
With that, he pulled a packet of powder from his怀 and sprinkled it towards Moon Nine, then slashed with his sword. Although Moon Nine dodged in time, he was still grazed by the sword, and his veil was knocked off.
Seeing that he had not injured him, Duan Zong stepped on the shoulders of his own soldiers and charged forward. Moon Nine flipped and spun, thrusting forcefully, piercing him through the heart.
Duan Zong looked back at him in disbelief. To give him clarity in death, Moon Nine said,
"Although you are a fierce general, you are only skilled in fighting amongst a crowd. In a one-on-one sword duel with me, you are no match."
With that, he retracted his sword. Although Duan Zong was unwilling, he felt his defeat was worthwhile. He slowly closed his eyes and fell to the ground, dead.
At this moment, a patch of fiery red Lycoris radiata flowers rose into the air and then scattered into the enemy ranks.
Then, countless swords fell from the Lycoris radiata, stabbing at the enemy. At this time, a general from West Purple Kingdom, Yeaji, rolled out from the crowd.
He formed a hand seal, then raised one hand.
Suddenly, the numerous swords froze in place and were then crushed and shattered by the hand seal.
Fuzi Mo couldn't believe that someone could break his Hundred Sword Array. He looked at Gui Ye anxiously and said, "Third Brother, someone has broken my Hundred Sword Array."
Gui Ye calmly replied, "It's alright. Let's go together."
"Okay."
With that, Gui Ye unleashed a strand of silk that coiled around Yeaji and pulled him forward forcefully. Yeaji braced himself and summoned a sword with one hand.
A treasure sword flew from elsewhere and severed Gui Ye's silk strand.
Gui Ye took a step back, somewhat surprised. Fuzi Mo then flung the Lycoris radiata, wrapping Yeaji.
Then, he flew to his side and stabbed inwards with the flower transformed into a sword, only to hear the "thump-thump-thump" of weapons clashing.
Then, with a "boom," the flower petals enclosing him exploded. Yeaji then flicked his cloak, and several small golden arrows flew out, piercing Fuzi Mo.
Gui Ye quickly shouted, "Fuzi Mo, be careful!"
But it was too late. The golden arrows had already struck Fuzi Mo. Fuzi Mo cried out and fell to the ground.
"Fuzi Mo!" Gui Ye exclaimed.
Yeaji, seeing that he had killed an enemy general, was overjoyed and laughed proudly.
Gui Ye, his face filled with anger, unleashed his silk strands, entangling him. Yeaji, however, became arrogant, "You can't kill me."
Just as he was basking in his triumph, he suddenly heard a voice behind him, "Is that so?"
He turned back in terror and was met with a face full of blue poisonous smoke. Fuzi Mo taunted him, "Proud and arrogant villain, what will you do now?"
Yeaji looked at him in disbelief, clutching his neck, and questioned, "You, you aren't dead?"
"That was just my Lycoris radiata."
Gui Ye also came before him and said, "I'm sorry. I hope you find a good family in your next life." With that, a strand of silk pierced through his forehead and was withdrawn into his hand.
Yeaji immediately fell to the ground, dead.
At this moment, Fuzi Mo looked around. The others were still engaged in fierce combat. He turned to Gui Ye and said, "Third Brother, let's continue fighting."
"Alright."
With that, the two plunged back into the battle. The four city lords, watching all this quietly from not far away, were not worried. They were still waiting for the arrival of the Merfolk tribe.
The elders, seeing the inaction of the four city lords, dared not act rashly.
They would wait for the four city lords to make their move before deciding on a strategy that would benefit their side.
However, no one knew when the Merfolk tribe would arrive; perhaps tomorrow, or perhaps today.