Chapter 209: Confronting the Divine Realm

Chapter 209: Confronting the Divine Realm

Inside the central military tent, a middle-aged man sat in the main seat. He wore a magnificent robe, with a straight nose and a chiseled face that exuded both bravery and composure. His eyes were sharp, as if they could pierce through the very souls of those he looked at.

This was the current Spirit King, Ling Wang.

Below him, one of his subordinates was reporting news from Green Cloud Province.

"Your Majesty, our scouts report that King Broad Yang has gathered two million troops in Mount Tai County, creating a formidable presence!"

"Two million troops..."

Ling Wang's eyes narrowed slightly, but he showed no signs of tension.

From what he knew, King Broad Yang's total forces numbered no more than three million. Given that the four counties of Green Cloud Province also required a significant military presence, Ling Wang was not surprised that King Broad Yang could mobilize two million troops.

Such a force would have been formidable among the various feudal lords in the past.

After all, fielding two million troops at once was no small feat.

But times had changed.

The Tao Treasure Sect's powerful figures had almost completely wiped out the feudal lords in the Central Province.

Ling Wang had seized this opportunity to annex these remaining forces, significantly increasing the size of his army. For this campaign against Green Cloud Province, he personally led five million troops.

With such overwhelming numbers, Ling Wang felt confident in his advantage.

However, he looked at the subordinate below and asked in a stern voice, "What about the Martial Saint? Has he made any moves?"

"Reports indicate that the Martial Saint has left Gu Family Village."

"Good, keep monitoring and report back!"

Ling Wang waved his hand, and the subordinate bowed and left.

Then, Ling Wang turned to the person sitting beside him, his expression filled with reverence. "Supreme Elder, if the Martial Saint behind King Broad Yang does indeed take action, we will need your help to deal with such a powerful opponent!"

Ling Wang was a true disciple of the Tao Treasure Sect, so he respectfully addressed this person as Supreme Elder.

Cam Fu opened his eyes, a hint of crimson appearing for a moment before vanishing quickly.

"Rest assured, a mere warrior cannot overturn the heavens. Not even a so-called Martial Saint, let alone if the ancient Martial Ancestor were to be reborn. I can suppress and kill them all!"

Cam Fu was absolutely confident in this.

The massacre in the Central Province, where countless lives were taken, including many Master and Spirit Fusion Realm experts, had not only stabilized his realm but also pushed him to the next level, reaching the Mid-Stage of the Divine Realm.

For a Divine Realm expert, even a small advancement in realm meant a significant boost in power.

Compared to when he first entered the Divine Realm, Cam Fu was now much stronger.

In his view, the battle for Green Cloud Province would go without a hitch.

Once the Tao Treasure Sect controlled the Nine Provinces, all the living beings in those provinces would become his blood sustenance. At that time, Cam Fu could use this opportunity to advance further, breaking the limits of the Divine Realm and entering a realm that no alchemist had ever reached before.

The thought of this filled Cam Fu with excitement.

It was said that alchemists had the potential for eternal life, but even those in the Divine Realm could only live for five thousand years.

However, if he could break through the barriers of the Divine Realm, he might truly uncover the secrets of immortality.

On the other side, Ling Wang, reassured by Cam Fu's confidence, felt much less apprehensive about Gu Qingfeng.

He then issued the order for the army to march towards Mount Tai County.

...

Mount Tai County

Datong Prefecture

Tianxiong Pass

Now, the war flags fluttered in the wind, and a million troops were stationed here, the silent and oppressive atmosphere spreading through the air, making everyone feel uneasy.

On the tall and imposing city walls, Gu Qingfeng looked out at the vast plain beyond Tianxiong Pass. On one side of the plain was the Jade Dragon River, and on the other side was the Ancient Beast Mountain Range.

Beside him, Gu Yun stood, offering his insights.

"Tianxiong Pass is the gateway to Datong Prefecture and a crucial stronghold in Mount Tai County. To the right is the Jade Dragon River, named after the legend of a true dragon appearing in ancient times.

The river is swift and wide, making it nearly impossible to cross even with warships.

To the left is the Ancient Beast Mountain Range, which is home to various poisonous insects and, according to legend, some terrifying and powerful beasts. Even a Master who enters the mountain might not return unscathed.

Moreover, the Ancient Beast Mountain Range is vast, spanning several provinces.

Therefore, if Ling Wang's army truly arrives, they will have to attack Tianxiong Pass directly. Bypassing the Ancient Beast Mountain Range or crossing the Jade Dragon River are not realistic options."

Gu Yun spoke slowly, sharing the information he knew.

Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow, looking at the surging river, as if a true dragon were stirring the waters.

"During the ancient times, was there really a true dragon here?"

"The legend of the true dragon is just a tale. Whether a true dragon ever existed, no one can say for sure, as it has been over ten thousand years since the ancient times.

So much has been lost to the sands of time.

However, in my opinion, the idea of a true dragon is likely a fabrication by later generations!"

Gu Yun shook his head.

Gu Qingfeng remained silent.

However, as Gu Yun had mentioned, the events of the ancient era could be traced back tens of thousands of years. Whether they were true or false was now impossible to verify.

As for the Ancient Beast Mountains, Gu Qingfeng had some knowledge of them.

This ancient mountain range spanned several provinces, filled with countless dangers. It was said that there were even ferocious beasts so powerful that even Masters found them difficult to contend with.

Furthermore, the numerous strange and venomous insects also deterred many from venturing into the mountains.

Throughout history, the imperial courts had always taken the Ancient Beast Mountains very seriously. Occasionally, powerful ferocious beasts would emerge from the mountains, causing significant chaos and destruction.

Thus, both the Dragon Encountering River and the Ancient Beast Mountains served as natural barriers.

And precisely because of these barriers, the position of the Tianxiong Pass became crucial.

...

Ever since Gu Yang led his army to occupy the Tianxiong Pass, scouts would report every half-hour.

"Your Majesty, the Spirit King personally leads five million troops toward Tai Shan County!"

"Your Majesty, the Spirit King's army is now five hundred miles from the Tianxiong Pass!"

"Your Majesty, the Spirit King's army is now three hundred miles from the Tianxiong Pass!"

"Your Majesty, the Spirit King's army is now one hundred miles from the Tianxiong Pass!"

As the reports came in, Gu Yang gazed out from the Tianxiong Pass, his expression grave.

At this point, he was fully aware that this battle was not just about the survival of Qingyun Province but also about the future balance of power in the Nine Provinces.

If he won this battle, nothing would stand in his way in the Nine Provinces.

Conversely, if he lost...

Everything would be over.

"Order all the troops to prepare!"

Gu Yang issued his command in a deep voice.

Currently, the Tianxiong Pass was home to a full two million troops, representing the entirety of Qingyun Province's strength.

As the news spread, everyone's hearts were heavy.

The vast Tianxiong Pass had the ominous feeling of a storm brewing.

Meanwhile, the Spirit King's army continued to advance.

In the center of the army, the Spirit King rode his horse, flanked by numerous powerful subordinates, including top experts from the Taosu Sect like Fu Zhao.

This battle was not just about Fu Zhao's presence; many other sects had sent their strongest warriors, including the Taosu Sect's leader, Taixuan Shi.

After all, this battle would determine whether the Taosu Sect could establish its dominance over the world. Even with a divine-level expert like Fu Zhao, Taixuan Shi had to be prepared for anything.

...

Half a day later.

The Tianxiong Pass was in sight.

The millions of troops were silent, creating a strong sense of pressure.

On the Tianxiong Pass, the defending army was also ready.

"There he is, the Spirit King!"

Gu Yang looked down at the army below, his gaze locking onto one person. As a martial artist, he could see clearly even from a great distance.

As Gu Yang's gaze met the Spirit King's, both men locked eyes, their auras clashing.

"Attack the city!"

The Spirit King waved his hand, issuing the command.

Immediately, the army launched its assault.

The front-line infantry advanced steadily, while the archers behind them unleashed a rain of arrows, covering the Tianxiong Pass in a dense barrage.

Seeing this, Gu Yang's expression turned cold.

"Fire!"

At his command, the defending troops of the Tianxiong Pass responded.

In an instant, the arrows from both sides clashed, creating a bloody spectacle on the battlefield.

Occasionally, an arrow would fly toward him, but Gu Yang casually snapped it in half.

In no time, the enemy army reached the city walls.

Several martial artists mixed in with the troops, suddenly launching a fierce assault on the city gates. Even though the gates were made of fine iron, they could not withstand the attacks of top martial artists.

A Master's full-strength attack could shatter mountains and crush ridges. No matter how solid the city gates, they could hardly withstand the might of a Master.

Thus, in a matter of moments, the city gates were shattered.

"Your Majesty, the city gates have been breached!"

A messenger rushed to report.

Gu Yang remained calm. "Follow the plan!"

He had never intended to rely solely on the Tianxiong Pass to hold off the Spirit King's army.

In a world where extraordinary powers existed, wars often became much more brutal. The city gates, though sturdy, could not withstand the might of a Master.

Moreover, if a Master infiltrated the ranks of the infantry, no one would notice.

Therefore, it was normal for a Master to approach the city and break through it with a single strike.

All of this was within Gu Yang's expectations.

Thus, even with the city gates breached, Gu Yang was not worried.

Sure enough, at the moment the city gates broke, a terrifying aura of vital energy erupted. A solid blade of energy cut through the air, slicing an enemy Master in two before he could react.

The body exploded, and blood and flesh splattered everywhere.

Shi Zhen charged out on horseback, his crescent moon blade sweeping across the battlefield. As a vital energy Master leading the charge, he was a deadly threat to the ordinary soldiers.

Behind him, the Tian Gang Army followed closely.

Shi Zhen led the charge with 36,000 Tian Gang soldiers, like a sharp blade piercing through the enemy ranks, tearing apart the front lines of the enemy infantry.

The other generals were already leading their armies in a fierce charge.

The two massive armies clashed head-on, engaging in a brutal melee.

"Kill!"

Zachary Chen roared, his body's vital energy surging as he swung his crescent moon blade. Any soldier who came into contact with the blade was instantly cleaved in two.

"Rebel, do not be so arrogant!"

From the Lingwang army, a general charged forward, his formidable true qi erupting and forming a terrifying blade aura that descended upon Zachary Chen.

Seeing this, Zachary Chen showed no fear, his eyes brimming with killing intent.

"Kill—"

As he spoke, the crescent moon blade descended with the force of cleaving a mountain. The two forces collided, and in the end, the Blood Qi Master proved superior to the other True Qi Master.

The true qi blade aura shattered, and the man's face changed as he hurriedly raised his blade to defend. The powerful force shook his arms, causing his palms to split open.

In a single exchange, he was wounded, which sent the Innate Master into a state of shock.

"Heavenly Gang Army, follow me and kill!"

Zachary Chen bellowed, and a terrifying Blood Qi seemed to rise from the Heavenly Gang Army, merging into his body.

At that moment, Zachary Chen's strength surged.

The crescent moon blade swung down again, the blood-red blade aura seeming to cleave through the heavens and earth. The Innate Master's face was filled with fear as he tried to block, but it was futile.

"Rip!"

His body was split in two, and an Innate Master fell instantly.

"Blood Qi Master!"

Among the army, Tyler Hsu witnessed Zachary Chen harness the Blood Qi to directly slay an Innate Master, his eyes instantly flashing with a cold light.

In the next moment, he took a step into the air, the power of a peak Transformation Realm Master erupting as he attacked Zachary Chen.

For a master of Tyler Hsu's level, the blood and flesh of ordinary people were of little use. Even slaughtering a hundred thousand people would not be as effective as a Blood Qi Master.

However, while there were some masters in the world, Blood Qi Masters were rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Now, seeing a Blood Qi Master in person, Tyler Hsu could not remain calm.

"Trouble!"

Seeing Tyler Hsu charge, a terrifying pressure washed over Zachary Chen, making him grim. He once again summoned the power of the Heavenly Gang Army, and a terrifying Blood Qi condensed into the form of a mighty demon in the air.

Ultimately, this demonic shadow fused with Zachary Chen.

Then, the crescent moon blade swung down again.

The shocking blade aura split the heavens, as if cleaving the vast sky in two. This terrifying strike collided with Tyler Hsu's attack, instantly causing a destructive force to erupt.

"Boom!!"

The blood-red blade aura shattered.

The demonic shadow dissipated.

Zachary Chen felt a powerful shockwave overwhelm him, causing his vital energy to surge and a sweet, metallic taste to rise in his throat.

"Transformation Realm Master!"

He looked at Tyler Hsu with a serious expression.

Zachary Chen was well aware of the power of the Heavenly Gang Divine Killing Formation. But in just one exchange, the formation was completely shattered by Tyler Hsu, showing the strength of such a master was far beyond his own.

Despite this, Zachary Chen did not retreat.

"You are quite impressive, able to withstand one of my strikes, but that is all."

Tyler Hsu's eyes showed surprise at Zachary Chen's ability to block his attack. Without wasting words, he planned to kill Zachary Chen outright.

However, just as Tyler Hsu was about to strike, a terrifying sword intent rose, and an endless stream of sword qi suddenly surged forward, causing him to sense danger and turn to defend.

"Boom—"

The forces collided, but Tyler Hsu remained unmoved.

When he saw the newcomer, his eyes turned cold.

"Sword Daoist!"

"I have long heard that the head of the Taosu Sect has reached a heavenly level of cultivation. Today, I shall test your skills."

Sword Daoist approached with a sword on his back, his vast true qi allowing him to float in the air.

Tyler Hsu sneered, "Do you really think that breaking through to the Great Martial Master realm gives you the right to act recklessly before me?"

"Whether I have that right can only be determined through a fight!"

As Sword Daoist spoke, his iron sword suddenly unsheathed. He gripped the hilt with his right hand and swung the blade, releasing a terrifying sword qi that shot like a rainbow toward Tyler Hsu's face.

Tyler Hsu's body surged with spiritual energy, and he extended his fingers, crushing the sword qi with a single pinch.

Then, he took a step forward, appearing behind Sword Daoist in an instant. He struck with a palm, but Sword Daoist seemed to have anticipated this and moved, sweeping his iron sword horizontally.

Both were formidable masters of their time.

In their first exchange, they clashed dozens of times.

...

At the Tianxiong Pass, Gavin Qiu stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes calm as he watched the battlefield below.

When he saw Zachary Chen harness the Blood Qi and engage Tyler Hsu in a direct confrontation, his expression finally showed some surprise.

"So this is the Heavenly Gang Divine Killing Formation?"

Gavin Qiu was well aware of Garrison Yu's secret formation of the Heavenly Gang Army and the practice of the Heavenly Gang Divine Killing Formation.

However, he had never truly witnessed this formation in action.

Replaced Terms:

Heavenly Gengshen Array (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Blood Qi Grandmaster (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Transformation Realm (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Ta Su Sect (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Sword Daoist (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Lingwang (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Fu Zhao (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Gu Qingfeng (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Gu Yang (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Shi Zhen (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Grandmaster Tai Xuan (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Martial Grandmaster (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Martial Ancestors (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Prohibited Zone (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Blood Mountain Manor (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Central Province (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Guangyang army (no change, as it's already a transliteration)



Rewritten Text (no changes needed, as all terms were already in English or transliterated):

Until now.

On the current battlefield, Gu Qingfeng finally witnessed the true power of the Heavenly Gengshen Array.

Shi Zhen had only just entered the Blood Qi Grandmaster realm, and even with the assistance of the Heavenly Gengshen Army, he was still just a slightly larger ant in the eyes of a Transformation Realm expert.

Now that he could withstand a strike from Grandmaster Tai Xuan, it was evident how formidable the array was.

"Father, do you think Sword Senior can match Grandmaster Tai Xuan?"

Gu Yang's expression was grave. Even though Sword Daoist was a Martial Grandmaster, his opponent was the head of the Ta Su Sect, which was not a matter to be taken lightly.

After all, Sword Daoist had often guided him in his martial path, and could be considered a half-teacher.

Gu Qingfeng replied, "Grandmaster Tai Xuan is a top-tier Transformation Realm expert, and in terms of cultivation, he is naturally stronger than Sword Daoist. But a battle between strong opponents isn't just about cultivation.

Sword Daoist's strength is not as simple as you see.

While the chances of Sword Daoist falling in a life-or-death battle are high, it won't be easy for Grandmaster Tai Xuan to truly kill him!"

It would take a considerable amount of time for them to determine a winner, and even longer to decide a life-and-death outcome.

Afterward, Gu Qingfeng turned his gaze back to the Lingwang army.

There, a strange and chilling aura was spreading, far more terrifying than the evil spirit they had encountered in the Blood Mountain Manor.

"Fu Zhao!"

Gu Qingfeng knew that this aura could only come from the Grand Elder of the Ta Su Sect.

"They say he is a newly ascended Divine Realm expert, but from what I see, he is far more than just that."

"Father, do you have a plan?"

Gu Qingfeng's words made Gu Yang's expression change.

Gu Qingfeng, with his hands behind his back, remained calm: "Fu Zhao has slaughtered millions in Central Province, and countless Grandmaster martial artists have fallen to his hands. It's normal for his strength to have improved.

But even if Fu Zhao has advanced, he won't be able to stir up much trouble."

As Gu Qingfeng spoke, Lingwang, looking at the fierce battle, also had a less than pleasant expression.

He had expected that with his personal command of millions of troops, he would crush the Guangyang army with overwhelming force.

But now, it was clear that despite the brutal fighting, his side had not gained any advantage.

If this continued, even if they won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

With this thought, Lingwang turned to Fu Zhao and said respectfully, "The Guangyang army is fiercely resisting. Please, Grand Elder, take action to break their formation and slay the enemies for our army!"

"Very well, it's time for this old man to stretch his legs."

Fu Zhao smiled slightly, and a blood-red hue crept into his eyes.

Then, he stepped into the air and entered the battlefield.

Immediately, his aura erupted, and a terrifying demonic shadow condensed from the void.

The immense pressure caused countless soldiers to explode, dying instantly.

"You insignificant ants dare to stand in the way of the Ta Su Sect? You are courting death!"

Fu Zhao looked toward the city wall and, with a wave of his hand, unleashed a palm strike that seemed to collapse the heavens, making it difficult for Gu Yang to breathe.

However, before the palm could land, Gu Qingfeng pointed a finger, and a blood-red blade of light cut through the stars, slicing the spirit-energy into two halves.

"Hong——"

The terrifying force's aftereffects spread out.

Fu Zhao's eyes narrowed as he looked at another person on the city wall.

"You are Gu Qingfeng!"

His casual strike, though just a passing gesture, had been easily countered by Gu Qingfeng, which made Fu Zhao take him more seriously.

Just as the rumors suggested, his opponent had already broken the limits of a Martial Grandmaster, matching the strength of the Martial Ancestors from ten thousand years ago.

At that moment, Gu Qingfeng also stepped into the air.

"By killing you, I believe no one will be able to stop the Guangyang army's advance!"

"Kill me?"

Fu Zhao's lips curled in a mocking smile.

"Do you really think that by blocking one of my strikes, you have the right to act so presumptuously in front of me?"

"Let alone you, even if the Martial Ancestors were reborn, I could still kill them today!"

"By killing you and refining your blood qi, I might even advance further——"

As he spoke, a terrifying aura erupted from Fu Zhao, and a formidable force seemed to suppress the void. Gu Qingfeng felt an immense pressure from the space, causing his body to sink slightly.

"Prohibited Zone!"

Gu Qingfeng's expression changed slightly.

Seeing that Gu Qingfeng did not move, Fu Zhao sneered, "In this Prohibited Zone, I am the true god. To die here is a great honor for you!"

Immediately, Fu Zhao unleashed a palm strike. In his view, Gu Qingfeng was already suppressed by the Prohibited Zone's power and could not possibly be his match.

This palm was different from the previous ones; it was Fu Zhao's true full-power attack.

At that moment, an overwhelming blade intent suddenly erupted. The space shattered inch by inch, and the Prohibited Zone's power was torn apart by the blade intent.

Moreover, a force even more terrifying than the Prohibited Zone spread out, countering and suppressing Fu Zhao. Before his full-power attack could touch Gu Qingfeng, it was completely shattered by the endless blade qi.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end