Although Zhou Youcai was the Big Dipper Academy’s president, due to the Big Dipper Academy’s gradual decline because of its lack of manpower, it was now just a shadow of its former self. He rose to the position of president in the Big Dipper Academy 100 years ago. In terms of cultivation base, he knew he was not a match for Huang Shijie. However, since an Eight-leaf elite such as Huang Shijie regarded Yu Zhenghai so highly, where did this leave him?
Huang Shijie smiled when he saw the stunned expression on Zhou Youcai’s face. “There’s no need to doubt me, President Zhou. Have a look for yourself.”
…
Inside Yan Province City.
The Nether Sect disciples swarmed into the city. The entire eastern wall was occupied by them.
Yu Zhenghai had been continuously unleashing his energy sabers in the air. Anyone bold enough to fly up would be sliced by his Jasper Saber.
…
Meanwhile, inside the General’s Mansion in Yan Province.
Ma Luping led his four deputy generals outside.
“General Ma, things aren’t looking good. Should we move the remaining civilians to stop the Nether Sect?”
“Do it now… The Fiend Path is the Fiend Path, after all. If we sacrifice these civilians, it’d be easy for us to join forces with the cultivators under the heavens,” Ma Luping said, “See it through.”
“Understood!”
One of the deputies left the General’s Mansion.
Ma Luping ordered, “Welcome the Crown Prince outside the southern city…”
“Roger!”
“You, meet Wei Zhuoyan at the eastern gate.”
“Roger!”
“And you, meet the Big Dipper Academy and the Sky Conduct Academy. Be quick. The Nether Sect has already been drawn in. We must take them out in one fell swoop today!”
“Roger!”
The three deputy generals swiftly left the General’s Mansion after receiving their orders.
Ma Luping walked to the courtyard with his hands on his back. When he saw the corpses on the ground, his eyes flashed. “I’ll have the Nether Sect members accompany you to the afterlife.”
As soon as Ma Luping finished speaking, a green-robed swordsman appeared on the courtyard’s wall. His arms were crossed as he looked down at Ma Luping with a faint smile on his face. His expression was one of confidence and calmness.
Ma Luping shuddered as he stared at the green-robed swordsman. He was surprised he did notice the newcomer’s presence until now. ‘How long has he been standing there?’
Ma Luping forced himself to remain calm and asked, “Who are you, sir?”
“My apologies. I killed your brother, Ma Qing, by mistake. He wasn’t on the hit list, but I had no choice,” the green-robed swordsman said. His tone was gentle despite his words.
“It’s you?”
“My condolences. May you find peace and closure.” Yu Shangrong lowered his head as a sign of respect for the dead.
However, Yu Shangrong’s words sounded like mockery to Ma Luping’s ears. Furious, he raised his hand and struck with his palm.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Yu Shangrong pushed away from the wall. He flipped in midair before he dove!
Ma Luping ran and unleashed a blast of energy.
Boom!
The walls of the General’s Mansion crumbled.
The two of them flew toward a nearby lake along the promenade and gazebos.
Palm seals flew in the air!
“Unsheath!” Yu Shangrong said softly.
A faint scarlet sword flew out.
Meanwhile, Ma Luping’s palms were shining with golden light!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Both of them returned to the courtyard.
The sword slashed out, launching an energy sword!
The entire gazebo was cut in half.
Ma Luping’s fighting style was fierce and formidable. Every single palm and fist strike contained tremendous power!
“Sword Devil? Is that all you’ve got?” Ma Luping shouted and folded his palms together.
Dozens of palm seals spun in the air.
Yu Shangrong’s expression remained unchanged. He brandished his sword, leaving afterimages.
The sword sliced each of the incoming palm seals precisely.
This was why heaven-grade weapons were formidable. The sword could cut through energy. It cleaved through the energy fists and palm seals like running a knife through tofu.
…
On the other side, in the skies above the eastern part of the city. Onboard the Nether Sect’s flying chariot.
Yu Zhenghai had unleashed Sovereign’s Descent numerous times. He had exhausted about half of his Primal Qi. He withdrew his hand, and the Jasper Saber flew back into his grasp.
“Eldest Senior Brother, please conserve your strength. Allow me and Brother Chongyang to take care of the rest.” Si Wuya stepped forward. He was about to use his Peacock Plume when Yu Zhenghai raised a hand to stop him.
Yu Zhenghai said, “Wise brother, you should remain on the chariot and plan our strategy. I won’t forgive myself if anything were to happen to you.”
“…”
Hua Chongyang blasted the nearest ballista away and returned to the chariot. He said, “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Mister Seventh. The Nether Sect’s brethren aren’t too shabby. Look there…”
The Azure Dragon Hall’s Second Seat, Yu Hong, led a team of men toward the other parts of the city. He summoned his Six-leaf Golden Lotus avatar. He dove, effectively taking out a group of low-rank cultivators.
Si Wuya nodded. “With the Nether Sect at your command, it’s only a matter of time before the Divine Capital is conquered, Eldest Senior Brother.”
Yu Zhenghai felt as though he was on cloud nine from the praise. He said, “But I can’t be too arrogant. The time limit master has set is rather short.”
“Don’t worry, Eldest Senior Brother. We have enough time. What we need to guard against now is the two great academies and Wei Zhuoyan,” Si Wuya said.
“Alas, Bai Yuqing, Yang Yan, and Di Qing aren’t here.”
At this moment, Hua Chongyang saw throngs of civilians swarming the streets. They looked terrified. Some of them were injured with bruises and swollen faces. They were running toward the Nether Sect members’ onslaught of attacks.
“Sect master, look at that.”
Yu Zhenghai and Si Wuya saw the civilians and frowned at the same time.
“What do we do?” Hua Chongyang frowned as well.
Those with a grand ambition would not fret about minor details. Indeed, the most appropriate action at the moment was to kill them right now. However… could they do it? If they were allowed to enter the war zone, they would surely hinder the Nether Sect’s advances. If there were enemies among them, it would be an even bigger problem.
Yu Zhenghai clenched his fists as he observed the situation. He was furious as he said, “Ma Luping. I must kill that man myself!”
Hua Chongyang fell on one knee and said, “Kindly give your order, sect master. I’ll follow it unconditionally.”
“…”
Si Wuya grew tense as he looked at Hua Chongyang.
Yu Zhenghai did not respond. He continued to look at the civilians on the streets in silence.
Many garrison soldiers were watching behind the civilians.
A child was crying loudly, and the child’s mother covered his mouth to muffle his cries.
Everyone was terrified. There was no time to feel sorry for others.
Hua Chongyang continued to wait for his orders. He clenched his fists expressionlessly.
“Retreat.” Yu Zhenghai raised his hand.
Although Si Wuya could have spoken up, he felt relieved when he heard this.
Hua Chongyang did object. He said gruffly, “Yes, sect master!” Then, he leaped out and maintained flight under the flying chariot before projecting his voice. “Retreat to the city walls!”
The Nether Sect disciples looked up in confusion at the flying chariot. They were in an advantageous position now, why were they told to retreat?
The civilians sighed with relief when they saw the Nether Sect members retreating. Some of them fell to the ground limply as though they had just had a close brush with death.
At this moment, in the western part of the city, several miles away, an Eight-leaf avatar rose into the air!
The 100-foot avatar shone with golden light as an eight-leaf golden lotus spun under its feet.
Boom!
Amidst the energy blast released by the avatar, a green-robed swordsman could be seen flying backward as he held a sword in front of him. He seemed calm and confident as he dodged the Eight-leaf avatar.
Yu Shangrong stabilized himself by stepping on the buildings before he dove! He looked at Ma Luping. Despite him suppressing his surging blood essence, a confident smile could be seen on his face as he said, “If I didn’t sever my lotus and were still at the Eight-leaf stage, you would’ve already died by my sword. However, I can deny it’s much more interesting to fight a stronger opponent.”
Ma Luping who had summoned his avatar looked at Yu Shangrong with a fierce expression on his face. “You really are the Sword Devil, Yu Shangrong.” He did not expect that even with his Eight-leaf cultivation base, he still could not force Yu Shangrong to summon his avatar!
…
On the flying chariot in the distance.
Yu Zhenghai was not blind; he had, naturally, seen the 100-foot avatar. He scoffed before he said, “Wise brother, I’ll leave the command to you! I’m going to take Ma Luping’s head myself!” Then, he leaped out of the flying chariot without waiting for Si Wuya’s reply.
Si Wuya was much more observant compared to Yu Zhenghai; he had already seen the green-robed swordsman in the air who was illuminated by the avatar’s golden light. “The mysterious elite is Second Senior Brother?”
