https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-187-Heaven-Earth-Meridian-Transcend-to-Immortality/13450247/
Chapter 186: Demons Know All
Chapter 186: Demons Know All
Watching Li Hongzhuang's departing figure, Li Xuanli and the others, including Li Qingling, all wore worried expressions.
Without the Demon King's interference, they were still top-tier combatants, capable of influencing the battle's outcome.
However, once the Demon King appeared, they would need to hide and avoid him, unless they had the protection of a Fourth Establishment Realm expert to charge into battle.
But there weren't that many Fourth Establishment Realm experts around. If there were, the Demons wouldn't have launched such a massive attack on Liangzhou in the first place.
Even if reinforcements from various Fourth Establishment Realms were on their way, it would take time. For now, their only hope lay in the War Banners Li Hongzhuang held.
Liangzhou, eastern side.
On a plain, beacon fires rose into the sky, illuminating the distant landscape.
Hundreds of thousands of Yuan Camp soldiers and other Liangzhou border defense troops were retreating and providing cover.
Behind them, the Demon Tide had not yet surged forward. Only six Demon Kings were pursuing the hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The rest of the Demon Kings were nowhere to be seen, and Lady Yin was also absent, clearly being held back by the Desert Sword Saint. Otherwise, if Lady Yin had been pursuing them, they wouldn't have been able to escape so far.
"Just a little more, the second line of defense is just ahead!"
Li Tiangang was covered in blood. Midway through the retreat, his Enduring Power had recovered, and he had struck out again, using his full strength to slow down a few Demon Kings, buying time for the army to retreat.
But now, his wounds were healing slowly, and his War Body had suffered multiple severe injuries, slowing the healing process.
Despite covering himself in Healing Powder and consuming numerous Healing Elixirs, the effects were not immediate and required at least an hour or two to take hold.
"Follow me to hold back the Demons!"
A general roared in his ear.
Li Tiangang turned to see another ten-thousand-strong Yuan Camp army slowing down to stay behind and confront the Demon Kings.
This had happened several times along the way.
His face was grim, but he had no power to stop it.
Although the Eight Directions Command Flag could swiftly travel hundreds of thousands of miles across the states, the reinforcements would still need time to arrive.
But now, the Demons were not giving them a moment to catch their breath. From the rapid attack on the border defenses until now, the sun had not even set.
"Hurry, faster!"
Li Tiangang roared, not giving in to despair. Behind him were hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and he had to lead them to safety.
Boom!
The ground behind him shook.
The ten-thousand-strong Yuan Camp army that had stayed behind to fight had just formed their battle array when they were attacked by five Demon Kings in unison, their formation shattered, and all were annihilated.
This ten-thousand-strong battalion, capable of easily flattening a city, was powerless against the Demon Kings.
They only managed to hold them off for a few moments.
The sound of hooves echoed in his ears, and Li Tiangang could almost hear the heart of his Crimson Blood Horse pounding fiercely.
The warhorse was also exhausted, but it continued to gallop with all its might. The Crimson Blood Horse had a spirit and knew that stopping meant death.
The sun was setting, casting its light from the front of the plain, somewhat blinding.
But the orange and blood-red afterglow, falling on the armor of these battered and defeated soldiers, created a scene of profound desolation.
Li Tiangang saw the distant city, the second line of defense, but his body might not make it there.
Was this his twilight?
Li Tiangang gazed into the distance, feeling more melancholy than anger.
A lifetime of battles, slaying countless Demons, and now he was about to fall here?
Brother One, Brother Two, Third Brother... Li Tiangang's mind was filled with their images, and he suddenly felt that death wasn't so terrifying.
Because his father and brothers were waiting for him on the other side.
But... Qing Qing.
Thinking of his beloved wife, Li Tiangang's heart ached. He still wanted to cultivate to a higher realm, reach the peak of the Fourth Establishment Realm, and quell the Demon Plague in the four states of the Li Family. Then, he wanted to go to the Great Wasteland Sky to find her.
But now, that chance was gone.
Their parting in Yanbei would be their final farewell.
Li Tiangang soon thought of another figure, that stubborn young man.
He sighed inwardly, realizing he would never have the chance to teach him again.
I hope Second Uncle and the others won't continue to indulge in their complacency. When I die, I should return to the Li Family.
At that time, the True Dragon Position will have a successor.
But I wonder if he can shoulder this heavy responsibility and lead the Li Family forward.
The setting sun illuminated Li Tiangang's face, reflecting the many regrets in his eyes.
He sighed softly. From the visible distance, combined with the army's marching speed and the pace at which the Demon King had been chasing them, he knew they wouldn't make it to the defense line.
Someone had to stay behind to hold off the Demon King.
Either the entire Yuan Camp would stay and resist with all their might to buy him a chance to live.
Or he would stay behind to give hundreds of thousands of soldiers a chance to live.
Without a doubt, Li Tiangang chose the latter.
He gently patted the Crimson Blood Horse and whispered, "You're tired too, go on."
The horse seemed to understand, and tears welled up in its large eyes.
Li Tiangang's body rose into the air, but he saw the Crimson Blood Horse slow down and stop, refusing to leave.
Li Tiangang couldn't help but smile.
Then, he took a deep breath, turned abruptly, and roared, "Everyone, listen up! Full speed ahead!!"
"The second defense line is just ahead!"
"Charge!!"
His loud roar echoed in all directions.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers heard and saw the figure that had stopped. Some realized what was happening and their eyes turned red with moisture.
"From now on, it's up to you, Brother Five..."
Li Tiangang turned his head and glanced at the distant city wall, wondering if Brother Five was there.
Unfortunately, he would never see him one last time.
He chuckled softly, about to turn his gaze away, when he suddenly saw a black dot appear.
He was surprised and focused his eyes, immediately recognizing the black figure as his little sister.
Li Tiangang's heart raced. He had just sent out a distress signal, intending to call for reinforcements from the defense line or the Fourth Establishment Realm experts rushing to Liangzhou.
But only his little sister had come.
Alone.
Li Tiangang's face turned pale, and he roared, "Red Makeup, don't come over!!"
"Too late!"
As the words echoed, six surges of demonic qi, each brimming with murderous intent, descended upon Li Tiangang.
The Vine Demon Elder raised his hand in anger, and hundreds of vine whips shot out like lightning, aiming to capture Li Tiangang and make amends for his earlier failure.
Li Tiangang bellowed, his entire body radiating with energy as he drew his Divine Saber and swung it.
But at the same time, the other five Demon Kings also attacked. With a thunderous boom, Li Tiangang's body was hurled backward, crashing into the ground and skidding for hundreds of meters before finally coming to a stop.
The six Demon Kings moved like lightning, closing in on him. Just then, a whistling sound came from dozens of miles away.
Whoosh!
War Banners fluttered and, just before the six Demon Kings, they exploded.
Li Hongzhuang had deliberately destroyed the War Banners, unleashing a Sword Formation.
A brilliant sword light swept out, forcing the six Demon Kings to retreat, though the sword light dissipated as well.
Taking advantage of this brief respite, the second and third War Banners flew in and landed in front of Li Tiangang, protecting him.
Li Tiangang had just climbed to his feet, about to rupture his major meridians for a last stand, when he saw this sudden turn of events.
He froze, still processing what was happening, and then saw Li Hongzhuang's figure approaching and landing beside him.
"Brother Seven, are you alright?"
Li Hongzhuang immediately shielded Li Tiangang, facing the six Demon Kings with a grim expression. Although he had the War Banners, he felt somewhat uncertain.
He had thought Brother Five's situation was bad enough, but Brother Seven's was even more dire.
"How did you get here? Leave quickly!"
Li Tiangang shouted angrily.
"Let's go together!"
Li Hongzhuang said quickly.
"Then neither of us will make it!"
Li Tiangang was furious. While he appreciated Li Hongzhuang's intentions, this was not the time for sentimentality.
"It's fine, with Li Hao's War Banners as cover, we can escape!"
Li Hongzhuang said hurriedly.
Li Tiangang thought he had heard wrong, his angry expression faltering as he said:
“What did you say?”
His gaze shifted, and only then did he notice the War Banners slanted in front of him, now fully unfurled, with the characters "Hao Tian" floating on them.
That was Li Hao’s Hao!
“Has he come too?”
Li Tiangang couldn’t help but turn his head to look around.
Li Hongzhuang transmitted her voice, “Li Hao is stationed at Heavenly Gate Pass. He only sent me with his War Banners to reinforce us.”
“What good can his War Banners do...”
Li Tiangang felt a surge of anger upon hearing that Li Hao was still at Heavenly Gate Pass. With the current tense battle situation, they should quickly consolidate their defenses. Continuing to hold Heavenly Gate Pass would only allow the Demons to break through from the sides. When Liangzhou falls, what’s the point of holding onto a single pass?
Though he was furious, he knew that Li Hao was too young. Despite his extraordinary talent, he lacked understanding of military strategy. However, if Li Hao didn’t understand, could it be that the Fourth Establishment Realm expert by his side also didn’t know?
Before Li Hongzhuang could explain the usefulness of the War Banners, the six Demon Kings in front of them had already stopped, visibly tensing up as the Sword Formation released by the previously burst War Banners took effect.
Seeing the numerous War Flags on Li Hongzhuang’s back, they immediately recalled a piece of intelligence they had gathered earlier.
Li Hongzhuang, closely watching the six Demon Kings, noticed their grave expressions and realized that these Demon Kings must also be aware of Li Hao’s reputation.
What exactly has that child done to make these Demon Kings so wary?
Li Hongzhuang couldn’t help but be curious, but unfortunately, she was no longer by Li Hao’s side and couldn’t ask.
“Let’s go!”
She seized the opportunity and quickly said to Li Tiangang.
She led the way, turning back, while Li Tiangang gritted his teeth. With no other choice, he could only fight while retreating.
Just as the six Demon Kings were about to give chase, Li Hongzhuang detonated two War Banners on the ground.
Instantly, two beams of Sword Qi shot out, lunging toward the six Demon Kings.
Seeing this, Li Tiangang realized that the Sword Qi that had flown from the burst War Banners earlier was not Li Hongzhuang’s attack, but some hidden technique.
“What is this?” Li Tiangang asked hastily.
“It’s a Sword Formation.”
Li Hongzhuang quickly explained, “Li Hao’s War Banners contain this Sword Formation, which is comparable to an attack from the Dao Mind Realm.”
Li Tiangang was stunned. The War Banners actually contained a Sword Formation?
Based on his understanding of the Celestial Observatory, it seemed impossible to achieve this. After all, War Banners were too small, and even if an array could be condensed on them, it wouldn’t reach the power of the Dao Mind Realm!
Could it be a secret technique of the Celestial Observatory?
He was filled with doubt, but why would such a secret technique be used on Li Hao’s War Banners?
He had fought in Yanbei for over a decade and never received such aid from the Celestial Observatory.
Or was it not developed until now?
Li Tiangang suddenly remembered that Emperor Yu had a very high opinion of Li Hao, recognizing him as the Li Family’s next True Dragon. It was said that the Emperor had bestowed the Sword of Heaven to Li Hao and promoted him to a higher rank.
It must be the Emperor’s appreciation for talent... Li Tiangang thought to himself. No wonder that child can hold Heavenly Gate Pass. With the Emperor’s secret support, these War Banners having such power, defending a mere Heavenly Gate Pass should be no problem.
The favor bestowed upon that child far exceeded his imagination.
Even the Emperor has shown favor.
He sighed inwardly, preparing to, if there was an opportunity after the battle, return to Heavenly Gate Pass and have a good talk.
Since Li Hao has received so much favor, from now on, as long as he doesn’t act out of line, he wouldn’t interfere anymore.
(End of Chapter)
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