Yan Po, a veteran of countless battlefields spanning over a hundred years, surprisingly lacked the carefree ease of a twenty-year-old youth. Yet, the weight of a nation rested upon his shoulders, inevitably burdening his thoughts.

As he momentarily shed his worries, Zhou Xiong found himself instantly at a disadvantage! Jiang Wang was no mere fish to be casually dispatched. Even as a Shenlin realm powerhouse skilled in both Confucianism and Law, Zhou Xiong required immense power to slay him. However, with the battle-hardened Yan Po as his opponent, on what basis could he divide his attention? On what basis would he dare to divert his strength? To split his focus to kill Jiang Wang would be to offer Yan Po an opening to slay him! He had even prepared to sacrifice himself to eliminate both Yan Po and Jiang Wang, but to sacrifice himself for the sake of slaying only Jiang Wang was clearly not worthwhile. For himself, and for his country, it held no value.

Having just dispersed Jiang Wang’s sword qi filaments and evaded Yan Po’s ferocious long saber, Zhou Xiong suddenly spun around. His embroidered brocade qi erupted in a long cry—

“A general of a hundred battles, body and name shattered! Towards the river’s edge, turning back ten thousand li, old friends long gone!”

His Dao Yuan surged, rivers flowing within his body. Amidst the vast white qi, golden spears and iron horses suddenly materialized, a forest of blades and guns erupting! Instantly, they encircled Yan Po. Banners fluttered and horses trampled the battlefield, then rolled towards Jiang Wang. As the formidable protector of Chang Luo Prefecture for many years, though lacking great achievements in military strategy, his ability in combat was exceptionally strong. Jiang Wang, betting his life, had shattered his initial plan. He swiftly shifted to a second battle strategy—he would drag Jiang Wang and Yan Po into a close-quarters melee.

In a frontal confrontation between Shenlin realm cultivators, an Outer Building realm cultivator who couldn’t keep pace with the rhythm would only be a hindrance. And the closer the distance, the more intense the melee, making the rhythm harder for cultivators below Shenlin to grasp… because all gaps, in the life-and-death struggle of millimeters, were amplified.

Although Ge Yan’s spiritual domain was shaking his, mutually interfering and making its effect hard to discern, there was still surging literary qi moving heaven and earth. He crafted an essay, seeming to depict a general setting up formations, warriors dying on the battlefield. It had rise and fall, beginning and end. A true man, with spear as pen and blood as ink, writing a magnificent tale of mountains and rivers!

Under the influence of this terrifying Confucian secret technique, the mournful cries of a cuckoo resounded once more, sorrowful with each call! The cuckoo’s cry, “cannot go, brother.” The cuckoo’s cry, “better return home.” The cuckoo’s sorrow, the cuckoo’s grief.

He raised his hand and unleashed two more top-grade Dao techniques, solely to imprison Jiang Wang’s steps, to force him into this inch-by-inch life-and-death melee! Yan Po, of course, strove to interrupt this connection, dismantling moves and resolving techniques alongside him. However, what he hadn’t expected was that Jiang Wang fundamentally offered no resistance! He completely disregarded the summons of the two top-grade Dao techniques, even actively accelerating his speed. In an instant, light shone around his body, his Heavenly Abode opened, and a sword immortal descended, wielding his sword and charging into the fray!

In astonishment, Zhou Xiong looked into the eyes of this young prodigy of Qi Country. There was no fear, only unparalleled confidence and eager excitement! This young man, this Jiang Qing Yang, possessed the audacity to participate in a close-quarters Shenlin contention, an inch-by-inch life-and-death struggle! One must understand that in such a fight, the probability of death for the weaker party increased immeasurably.

Though an enemy of his country, though his foe, Zhou Xiong couldn’t help but admit that this sight instilled in him, a man past middle age, a sudden resurgence of heroic spirit. He was reminded of his own reckless, willful youth! Regardless of kings, marquises, generals, or noble families, there was hot blood to drink, and in youthful rage, one drew their sword. At this moment, his literary qi surged, his spiritual awareness infinitely contracted, adhering to the surface of his golden body and jade marrow. He decided to unleash the full force of his fists and feet, something he hadn’t done in years, and contend wantonly this once. Not only the people of Qi possessed the courage to face death, not only Qi Country had young heroes. Though his years were not few, he still possessed a youthful heart. Was it merely a gamble of life and death, a test of courage? Let it come!

The Qi army surged forward like a tide from the side of this conflict, crashing into another human tide. Then, in this Min Xi Corridor, on the edge of the battlefield where the Qi and Xia armies slaughtered each other, the Shenlin cultivator Zhou Xiong, the Shenlin cultivator Yan Po, and the Outer Building cultivator Jiang Wang, unfolded the most intense, most perilous inch-by-inch struggle! The silhouettes of the three figures were almost melded into one group, fists, feet, knives, and swords colliding with terrifying speed.

Among these three, perhaps only Yan Po was most unwilling to face such a turn of events. Because in an inch-by-inch fight, countless rounds occurred and countless decisions were made in a single breath. It was an all-encompassing struggle of will, ability, and combat wisdom. Cultivators below Shenlin found it incredibly difficult not to be a hindrance. Zhou Xiong made his moves without concern for Jiang Wang’s life, but Yan Po could not disregard it. Even if Jiang Wang had personally declared that life and death were fated, and no one needed to be held responsible for his death… it couldn’t possibly mean that Yan Po, in his pursuit of victory, could simply cleave Jiang Wang apart! And if at any moment he had to worry about whether his attacks would involve Jiang Wang, then restraint would inevitably follow. The result of restraining one’s hands and feet when engaging in a life-and-death struggle with an opponent like Zhou Xiong… was easily imaginable.

Thus, he would rather engage in an inch-by-inch solo battle with Zhou Xiong, leaving life and death to fate, than have Jiang Wang participate. Regardless of how talented this genius was, he was not yet Shenlin, and there was a fundamental difference! Maintaining the current battle situation was the path to a steady victory. If he and Zhou Xiong clashed directly, with Jiang Wang circling and waiting for opportunities to strike, maintaining pressure until the end, Zhou Xiong had only defeat and death awaiting him. But as he was thinking of ways to prevent the situation from changing, Jiang Wang actively charged into the fray. He could no longer stop it and was forced to raise his saber to fight. He could only hope that General Cao would show enough trust and not assume that any accidental strike that killed Jiang Wang was intentional.

He thought somewhat sadly. A small country’s people are unable to think less! However, as the fight commenced, he soon discovered… he had thought too much! Jiang Wang was actually completely keeping pace with their fighting rhythm. This young man, though not yet at the level where he could directly clash with a Shenlin powerhouse, was completely capable of providing support and creating opportunities for him. Furthermore, each of Jiang Wang’s swords was struck from an angle that made him incredibly comfortable. He clearly felt that Jiang Wang had integrated into his rhythm. With astonishing combat intelligence, he was providing him with nearly perfect cooperation!

The more Yan Po fought, the more he let go, the more he fought, the more exhilarated he became. And no matter how freely he wielded his saber, Jiang Wang always appeared in the most suitable position… there was truly a wonderful tacit understanding. It had been many years since anyone had given him this kind of tacit understanding. This feeling even made him think of that person whose name could not be mentioned, those days of fighting shoulder to shoulder. Only, at that time… he was still very weak. And that person was also young, radiant, just like Jiang Qing Yang now.

A world in great contention, conquest never ceasing. How many heroes and valiant figures, all flowing away like the Great River to the East! Yan Po’s saber light grew increasingly brilliant. Later, it seemed like thunder and pouring rain, without the slightest gap. Then, conversely, the light and brilliance were no longer visible. It became more and more plain and simple, the moves basic. Only the cold blade edge approached Zhou Xiong’s vital points once again. His spiritual awareness was almost completely attached to his body, the more lethal force erupted, the less visible the splendor.

And Zhou Xiong finally began to feel powerless. He had not held back. At this moment, how could he possibly hold back? Inch by inch, he had unleashed his killing moves. This Jiang Wang was as elusive as a fallen leaf drifting in a gale, suddenly appearing and disappearing, always intermingled with Yan Po’s offensive. To attack him required avoiding Yan Po. But he couldn’t ignore him either. Although Jiang Wang couldn’t cross the essential difference in life level, he truly possessed the ability to harm him! Whether it was sword art, divine abilities, or Dao techniques, he had never seen a second Outer Building realm cultivator so extreme.

Originally, he had sought an opportunity in the melee, but this inch-by-inch life-and-death struggle had just begun, and he was firmly suppressed. And as the fight progressed… he was already in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat! There were no opportunities left… He realized this truth in his heart—before the war began, leading fifty thousand soldiers, a Shenlin crushing all, how could he have ever imagined such a possibility? Hard to accept, but he had to face reality! If the Zhou clan of Jiang Yong had any enduring spirit, it was the word “face.”

Wei Guangyao, Xu Can, and Zhang Yong, with their military advantage and the assistance of the great formation, were also delayed in breaking the Qi army. Even under Zhong Xuansheng’s command, the Qi army was constantly counterattacking! In the distance, on the high mountain, commotion had already begun. The front line contention on the northern high ground had already started. With the Autumn Slaughter Soldiers as the main force, each unit was fully replenished, a victory camp fully armed, facing the Xia side guard army lacking excellent generals, it was simply like splitting bamboo. Indeed, no opportunities were left.

Retreat might be the best option. But Commander Meng had died here in battle. If he fled, how could he face Commander Meng? How could he face Master Meng? But there were still fifty thousand Xia soldiers here. If he simply abandoned these soldiers, how could he face Xia Country? How could he face the ancestors of the Zhou clan? Perhaps he could still… kill Jiang Wang. In his heart, he once again lowered his expectations. From desperately killing both Yan Po and Jiang Wang, to only trading one’s life. Between Yan Po and Jiang Wang, he chose the more advantageous target and the one more important to Qi Country—Jiang Wang. Kill such a talent with no obstacles to Shenlin, potentially reaching Cave True realm. Use his own death to extinguish the visible brilliance of Qi Country’s future! Perhaps this was the only thing he could do…

His father was a Duke, he himself a Shenlin. Guarding Chang Luo, he had merit for his country, and no regrets for himself. How had he just… reached this point? The State Master of Xi had personally arranged the counterattack plan, and he had initially greatly admired it. Even he, a Shenlin cultivator, had urgently come here, solely for the absolute safety of Hui Fu. Clearly, every step had been correct, how had it come to such an end? Time? Fate? Luck? Heaven and earth knew, yet it was hard to comprehend!

His spiritual domain compressed as if it were the clothes covering his body, grasping his fists and moving freely like a cloud tiger. At this moment, Zhou Xiong’s eyes were red, filled with killing intent as he looked at Ge Po. The Qiankun Qing Qi cultivated by Confucianism condensed on his fists. Within the heavy fist shadows, wind tigers and cloud dragons were all present, fully prepared to engage in a mutual destruction stance with Yan Po. Yan Po’s saber did not waver in the slightest. In this advantageous situation, he did not fear a desperate gamble. The principle that the more one feared death, the easier one died, was something a person who had spent so many years on the battlefield had no reason not to understand. Moreover, killing a Shenlin and repelling a Shenlin carried completely different merit. Killing a Zhou Xiong meant Yi Country could preserve a year’s harvest of Opening Pulse Pills! How many talents could that produce? He was very willing to send Zhou Xiong on his final journey. So, instead of retreating, he advanced, meeting the fist bone with the saber edge!

And Jiang Wang… Zhou Xiong noticed that Jiang Wang, like before, was using his Qingyun immortal technique, suddenly leaving and then returning. This time, he left and did not return! Zhou Xiong’s force had already accumulated fully, his momentum on the brink of release, yet he watched with wide eyes as Jiang Wang suddenly leaped out of the fray, flying rapidly, flying further and further, leaving without looking back! He had actually run! He had already prepared to withstand Yan Po’s attack head-on. Combining Jiang Wang’s fighting rhythm, flight speed, and the positions of the three people earlier… his rough life-and-death seal had even been calculated to land on Jiang Wang’s specific location. But the person? Such a large person? Was this the prodigy of Qi Country? He had agreed to bet his life, I am on the table, and you run away?

Zhou Xiong couldn’t help but suspect that this man named Jiang was also experiencing a surge of blood! But with his Shenlin realm cultivation, he had clearly used a secret method of Confucian warfare, concealing his intent. This Gentleman’s Serene Resolve, there was no reason for it to be cracked by an Outer Building realm Jiang Wang, right? At this moment, his entire body’s killing momentum had reached its peak and had to be unleashed. Zhou Xiong lost his original target, but simply flipped his large hand, truly lunging towards Yan Po!

“Yi’s location, though a thousand people, I shall go!”

The Qiankun Qing Qi seemed to surge like clouds, a generous will filling the world. His hand grasped a mountain, opened the sky. Each finger represented a kind of person, each kind of person possessed a kind of generous determination to die! There was no flamboyant sound, just the space covering Yan Po, collapsing entirely! A generous life-and-death seal!

But at this moment, he suddenly became alert. The alert was not due to Ge Ru’s great river-like face and a single saber strike—no matter how strong Ge Po was, he was within expectation. The alert was because… his spiritual awareness swept through, and the concealment provided by the Huo Dou sealing law was detected by him. An indomitable sword, integrated with the divine ability creating an immortal, crashed down with the momentum of an absolute peak, overturning everything! Jiang Wang had left and returned, and he had returned at the very moment he decided to gamble his life! This ability to seize battle opportunities was truly unmatched in the world. But as the opponent whose battle opportunities were seized, Zhou Xiong only felt even more uncomfortable. That sense of awkwardness, which had been present since Jiang Wang joined the fray and could never be shaken off, reached its peak at this moment. It was like a fishbone stuck in his throat—if this person didn’t die, who among the younger generation of Xia Country could match him? Even if this war could repel the Qi army, in the future, there would be another Jiang Mengxiong!

Clutching such thoughts, Zhou Xiong suddenly twisted the generous life-and-death seal! He first spat out a mouthful of fresh blood from the backlash. Immediately following was Yan Yan’s direct and swift saber strike. He felt his spiritual awareness being split, his spine being cleaved open, his golden body and jade marrow disintegrating, his divine soul withering. But he manipulated his absolute killing seal law, advancing regardless of everything! However, he saw Jiang Wang’s clothes fluttering, one step a Qingyun. He had already retreated far away! That unparalleled sword that could overturn mountains and never return, had actually been withdrawn just like that! It was truly unlike what could be achieved without condensed spiritual awareness. Relying on his last surge of fervor, he relentlessly chased the figure wearing green robes and carrying the wind, finally stopping. He then vaguely realized that he had reached his limit. His infinite scattering Dao Yuan and spiritual awareness, his constantly collapsing golden body and jade marrow body, his hand seal that almost no longer showed much power, pressed forward. A virtual press on Jiang Wang’s forehead. Meanwhile, Jiang Wang only looked at him calmly, not moving a single step. Silence…

A circle of red fire lines expanded outwards. Zhou Xiong’s body, already cleaved apart by Yan Yan, maintained its final attack posture, just like this, disappearing without a trace. The process of his Three Flavors had begun from the earlier great battle between Yan Po and Zhou Xiong, when Jiang Wang was saving people and simultaneously using the Three Flavors True Fire to halt the aftermath of the battle.

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