Chapter 484: Chapter 482: Alliance of the Yuan Manor
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Gate Pass, situated at the convergence of two perilous mountain ranges, served as a natural fortress due to its treacherous environment, making it easy to defend yet difficult to conquer.
Outside Jade Gate Pass lay an eternally scorching desert, shrouded year-round in blazing winds so fierce that even ordinary Dou Huang experts dared not come into contact with them.
The mountains flanking the fortress appeared as though cleaved by a sharp, colossal axe, their surfaces unnaturally smooth. Their towering presence rendered even Dou Huang powerhouses incapable of flying directly over them.
Standing at the very heart of this geographical marvel was Jade Gate Fortress, dominating the most strategic point of the pass. Within a thousand-mile radius, it was the sole passage through the region. Its natural advantages also made it a crucial transit point for nearby cities seeking mutual trade and connection, further emphasizing its significance.
While this fortress, though strategically positioned, had rarely drawn much attention in the past, the current assault by the "Western Alliance" transformed it into a pivotal stronghold of resistance against their expansion. From the high vantage points of Jade Gate Fortress, one could survey the seemingly boundless desert, watching every shift and stir within its sandy expanse.
At present, however, the desert beyond was packed with densely clustered troops, their roars of battle resounding thunderously. The oppressive killing intent emanating from the battlefield caused every defender atop the fortress to wear grave expressions.
In the center of Jade Gate Fortress stood a group of grand halls, among which one particularly majestic hall occupied the middle. Within this hall, many figures were seated, yet silence pervaded, casting a heavy atmosphere over the space.
Seated in the highest position was a towering man clad in black armor. His crimson eyes glimmered like embers, and his figure exuded a primal, savage aura.
Behind him seemed to manifest the blood-red silhouette of a lion, its domineering gaze sweeping across the hall, its ferocity unmatched. This man was none other than Zi Huo, the Lion Hall Master of Yuan Manor.
"The Western Alliance army presses upon us. Today’s attack is but a probing one. Within three days, they will undoubtedly launch a full-scale offensive," Zi Huo said coldly, his crimson eyes scanning the room.
After receiving Mo Yu’s order through the Black Thunder Banner Squad to relocate Yuan Manor to the Central Plains, Zi Huo had acted decisively, ordering the entire manor to move.
Following a journey spanning half a year, Yuan Manor safely reached the Western Region and witnessed firsthand the plethora of experts that populated the Central Plains, far exceeding the Black-Corner Region in strength.
Unfortunately, Yuan Manor’s presence in the Western Region was soon detected by the Western Alliance, which had formed specifically to oppose Mo Yu. The alliance began targeting Yuan Manor with relentless attacks.
If not for Zi Huo’s substantial improvement in strength, aided by the Primordial Ancestral Thunder and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Blood left by Mo Yu, coupled with timely assistance from Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, Yuan Manor would have faced utter ruin.
After repelling several Western Alliance offensives, forces unwilling to submit to the alliance, such as the Weapon Alliance and the Golden Warhorse Clan, gradually united with Yuan Manor to resist the invaders.
At this moment, familiar faces from Mo Yu’s circle were seated to Zi Huo’s left—Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, and former subordinates from Yuan Manor and Jia Nan Academy. Compared to their past selves, they were clearly more mature, their auras far more profound. Their strength had grown significantly over the years.
To Zi Huo’s right sat representatives of allied forces, including Elder Bing, the Golden Warhorse Clan’s patriarch Ma Chen, and Tie Jian Zun Zhe, all leaders unwilling to yield to the Western Alliance.
Zi Huo’s words fell upon a silent hall. Breaking the stillness, a gray-clad middle-aged man stood up, his expression grim. "The Western Alliance is too strong. Their Dou Zun experts far outnumber ours. In direct confrontation, we are no match.
I wonder when Yuan Manor’s lord, Mo Yu—the one who won the championship at the Refining Convention two years ago and destroyed Ice River Valley—plans to appear. If he doesn’t show soon, we might as well surrender to the Western Alliance!"
At his remark, several allied leaders nodded in agreement. While the Western Alliance’s methods were domineering, they had left survivors rather than exterminating everyone, offering a path of submission.
Many had only joined Yuan Manor due to Mo Yu’s renown as an eighth-grade weapon refiner and the one who annihilated Ice River Valley. Yet after half a year of relentless attacks, Mo Yu had not appeared, causing doubts to fester about whether his reputation was mere exaggeration.
Just as his words fell, a chilling grayish-purple poison mist abruptly spread through the hall, radiating a suffocatingly eerie power.
In an instant, the mist condensed into a massive, fearsome hand that slammed towards the chest of the gray-clad man.
"Boom!"
The deadly strike came with such swiftness that even the Dou Zong expert had no time to react. Despite his cultivation being at the peak of the Dou Zong realm, the overwhelming force sent him flying with a muffled thud.
"Urgh!"
Staggering to his feet, the gray-clad man coughed out a mouthful of blood. Trembling, he glanced fearfully at the white-clad woman seated to Zi Huo’s left. His eyes brimmed with terror as he recognized her—Xiao Yixian.
"You lot are merely surviving under Yuan Manor’s protection. If you truly intended to surrender to the Western Alliance, you would have done so already. Why waste your breath here? If you want to leave, fine. But leave behind compensation for the protection you’ve received these past months," Xiao Yixian said coldly, rising to her feet. Her chilling gaze swept across the hall.
As Xiao Yixian spoke, a green-clad figure beside her also stood. Her graceful figure and captivating appearance drew many gazes, but none dared let their thoughts wander. Instead, they were filled with respect and awe.
This was Qing Lin, the holder of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Though her cultivation was only at the advanced Dou Zong level, she commanded a Dou Zun-ranked serpent magical beast. Her unparalleled achievements in the battle against the Western Alliance had earned her immense prestige.
Standing beside Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin exuded a cold, detached aura that made others shudder. The hall quieted, and those who had considered stirring trouble now remained silent, their fear palpable.
A perfect possessor of the Woeful Poison Body and the master of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Combined with Zi Huo’s monstrous combat prowess, they made Yuan Manor a collection of terrifying individuals unmatched in the Western Region.
It was no wonder so many factions were willing to ally with Yuan Manor. Aside from Mo Yu’s reputation, the strength displayed by Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin commanded absolute loyalty.
"Bah! Are all Central Plains people so cowardly? If retreat is not an option and entry is impossible, why not fight to the death!" someone in the hall muttered angrily.
Beside Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin stood a man exuding a murderous aura. His icy expression matched his familiar features—it was none other than Mo Yu’s cousin, Xiao Li!
After breaking free from the Life Devouring Pill’s curse, Xiao Li had successfully ascended to the Dou Huang realm. Not long after, with the aid of Yuan Manor’s resources, he broke through to Dou Zong, becoming a formidable figure even in Central Plains!
Hearing Xiao Li’s grim words, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavy. Had things truly reached the point of no return?
"No, not yet," came an unexpected response.
In the silence, Elder Bing shook his head, lifting his gaze as a faint smile appeared on his face. "Since Xiao Yixian mentioned that Mo Yu went to the Southern Region on an errand, given the time that’s passed, he should be returning soon," he said softly.
"I believe so too," added Ma Chen, a short elder standing nearby, nodding. "With Mo Yu’s capabilities, he won’t be delayed for long."
Ma Chen had a fair idea of Mo Yu’s reason for heading to the Southern Region—it was likely to resurrect his old friend.
Understanding this, Ma Chen remained steadfastly loyal to Yuan Manor and chose not to yield to the Western Alliance.
Even though the Western Alliance was now a formidable power, as long as Mo Yu succeeded in reviving his friend, none of it would matter.
As for Tie Jian Zun Zhe, he remained silent, his expression unchanged.
His allegiance to Yuan Manor was due to Mo Yu restoring his greatsword, coupled with his enmity toward Master Zhu Jian. Thus, he decided to stand with Yuan Manor against the Western Alliance.
Suddenly, Elder Bing’s statement caused a ripple through the hall. Most people instinctively raised their heads, their eyes lighting up.
Among Yuan Manor’s forces, fiery anticipation surged on many faces. Even those strong individuals who joined Yuan Manor later on, despite never meeting their leader in person, had heard of him. The name "Mo Yu" carried unmatched weight—he was the true founder of Yuan Manor!
This legendary youth created countless miracles in his time. Although Yuan Manor had been under Zi Huo’s control for years, in many hearts, their true leader remained the young man named Mo Yu.
Even among the Western Region forces, silence fell at the mention of Mo Yu.
After all, Mo Yu had once brought the mighty Ice River Valley to its knees. Now, though the Western Alliance surged with momentum, they feared following the same fate should Mo Yu reappear.
As the hall buzzed from the impact of his name, Xiao Yixian exchanged a knowing smile with Qing Lin.
Though the two women had not known each other before, their mutual affection for Mo Yu had forged a deep bond.
In this moment, their eyes sparkled with pride—pride stemming from their beloved youth, Mo Yu.
"Boss, you’ve been gone long enough. It’s time to come back," Zi Huo muttered to himself, gazing out at the starry night beyond the hall.
Boom!
The oppressive dark clouds hovering above Jade Gate Fortress rumbled with thunder. Low growls of thunder echoed within a hundred-mile radius, filling the air with tension.
Beyond the fortress, the swirling sands began to retreat, revealing a sea of figures—a vast army stretching to the horizon.
Deafening war cries erupted from the army, shaking the mountains and trembling the land.
On the towering fortress walls, Yuan Manor’s alliance warriors gazed solemnly at the overwhelming enemy forces in the distance.
Through its years of expansion, Yuan Manor had faced and defeated numerous foes, even in the Central Plains. Yet, never had they felt so crushed, so utterly powerless to retaliate.
Exhaling deeply, their collective gaze shifted to the fortress’s central platform, a broad and imposing position.
There, a river of black steel surged forward, carrying an oppressive, murderous aura that seemed to blot out the sun.
This black tide swept across the sky, shrouded by thick layers of dark clouds formed from their boundless killing intent. As the clouds rolled in, they seemed to block out even daylight, a sight both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
"It’s Commander Zi Huo’s Lion Army!"
Cries of shock and fear erupted among the local Western Region factions, their eyes filled with dread.
The Lion Army—Yuan Manor’s most formidable and ruthless force—was infamous for its ferocity. Under Commander Zi Huo’s leadership, they adhered to the philosophy of annihilation. Wherever they went, nothing was left but rivers of blood and mountains of corpses.
In numerous battles against the Western Alliance, the Lion Army charged headlong, establishing Yuan Manor’s fearsome reputation. Zi Huo’s accomplishments had secured him the role of Jade Gate’s commander.
Even now, the faintly glowing, blood-red eyes beneath the soldiers’ armor could be seen, sending chills down the spines of all who beheld them.
However, the most terrifying presence was at the heart of the black tide.
There, a towering figure exuded an even more overwhelming aura of bloodthirsty dominance.
If the Lion Army soldiers were ferocious lions, then the man at the center was undoubtedly the king of beasts!
Countless gazes converged on the iron tower of a man, their eyes brimming with shock—even Dou Zong experts were no exception.
While the Lion Army readied for battle, a thunderous drumbeat suddenly echoed from the distant sandstorm.
Figures emerged from the storm, floating into the sky as their overpowering auras engulfed the battlefield.
Among them, an elder in plain robes stepped forward. With a cold snort, he unleashed an overbearing sword intent that resonated across the heavens and earth.
"If Mo Yu doesn’t show himself today, it will be the end of Yuan Manor!" he declared, his voice booming through the sky.
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