Chapter 302: Siege

Chapter 302: Siege

At the Ancient Beast Mountains, Yan Yun led a massive army to defend the first of the Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities.

"What's the situation with the Starlight Empire now?" Yan Yun asked a scout in front of him.

The scout respectfully replied, "General, the Starlight Empire is only 800 li away and will arrive tomorrow!"

Eight hundred li! Ordinary human armies would never be able to advance this quickly.

But as an imperial dynasty, even the most common soldiers possessed formidable cultivation. Therefore, the army had to consider many aspects during their march.

Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to cover half a day's distance, let alone a full day.

Yan Yun estimated that the Starlight Empire's army had already reached the city walls.

"Continue scouting, and report any news immediately!" Yan Yun waved his hand and dismissed the scout.

Immediately after, he sent someone to report on the situation in the other eight cities.

The Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities were mutually supportive, and although the first city was the primary defense location, the importance of the other eight cities couldn't be overlooked.

After learning that all eight cities had completed their defensive preparations, Yan Yun's expression remained somber.

The Starlight Empire's army was approaching with great momentum, consisting of millions of soldiers and even Quasi-Imperial Armaments. It was clear without a doubt that the upcoming battle would be extremely fierce.

Even if the Divine Might Dynasty emerged victorious, it would likely be a narrow win.

However, Yan Yun had no intention of retreating.

As a general of the dynasty, he was determined to lead his troops from the front.

Since Gu Yang had entrusted him with defending the Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities, Yan Yun would not take a single step back.

"Win or die! There's no third option!"

At that moment, a guard rushed in from outside.

"General, someone from the Red Dust Immortal Sect seeks an audience!"

"Red Dust Immortal Sect?" Yan Yun's face showed confusion.

This Central State power was unfamiliar to him.

Nevertheless, Yan Yun decided to meet them.

---

Inside the Gu Family Manor, Gu Qingfeng finished a day's cultivation.

The Nirvana Scripture had already broken through the Divine Transformation Chapter and advanced to the Dao Palace Chapter.

However, for his current Ninth Level Sage Realm cultivation, the breakthrough in the Nirvana Scripture didn't bring much improvement.

After all, advancing from the Divine Transformation Realm to the Dao Palace Realm was not considered significant by Sages.

Even if he had only entered the first level of the Dao Palace Chapter, let alone breaking through to higher levels, there wouldn't be much change for Gu Qingfeng.

But this didn't mean there was no improvement at all.

Any cultivation method that could be stacked was because the cultivator hadn't truly reached their limit in their current realm, and there was still room for improvement. Therefore, by stacking multiple cultivation methods, one's foundation could become more profound.

If a cultivator truly reached the peak of a certain realm, then cultivating countless methods would be futile.

When Gu Qingfeng was cultivating his physical body, this situation had already occurred.

Now, Gu Qingfeng felt that he had reached his limit in the Divine Transformation Realm.

However, there was still some room for improvement in the Dao Palace Realm, but not too much.

Regardless of the extent of the improvement, Gu Qingfeng was determined to push himself to the limit in every realm.

Only then could he dominate his peers.

This was the source of his confidence to suppress Great Sages as a Demi-Sage.

Of course, this was also due to his Ancient Immortal Body.

However, in Gu Qingfeng's opinion, if a cultivator could truly reach the limit in every realm, their combat power might not be any weaker than a Divine Body of the same level.

If one could reach the limit while possessing a Divine Body, then the combined power would be terrifying.

"If I can push the Sage Realm to its limit, with my Ninth Level Sage cultivation, I might be able to rival a Sage King without using other means.

Even if I take a step back, I believe there's no problem in matching a Great Sage at the Ninth Level." Gu Qingfeng estimated that without using his other trump cards, his strength would be comparable to a Great Sage at the Sixth Level.

If he activated the three Heavenly Lineages, he should be able to match a Sage King.

If he also used an Imperial Armament, whether he could compete with a Quasi-Emperor, Gu Qingfeng couldn't be sure, but he was confident that he wouldn't fear anyone in the Sage King Realm.

However, there was one precondition: the Sage King didn't possess an Imperial Armament.

If they did, then it would be a different story.

After all, the stronger the cultivation, the more one could unleash the power of an Imperial Armament.

Currently, Gu Qingfeng, at the Ninth Level Sage Realm, couldn't fully unleash the power of an Imperial Armament.

The Annihilating Evil Blade he possessed contained immense power, leaving Gu Qingfeng in awe.

"My cultivation is insufficient, but if I were the Great Emperor, I would not need to hold back in my actions!"

"Whether it's the Starlight Empire or evil cults, I'll suppress them all!"

Gu Qingfeng stepped out of the Hall of Sword Sharpening, gazing towards the direction of the Ancient Beast Mountains, his eyes seemed to hold a profound power, as if they could easily pierce through the void of ten thousand miles, and the overwhelming killing intent transformed into a surging blood cloud.

The army had yet to arrive.

But the killing intent had already descended!

"It seems the Starlight Empire's army is almost here!"

Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, and with a single step, the space trembled, and his figure vanished from the Gu Family Manor.

Since entering the Sage Realm, Gu Qingfeng had harmonized with heaven and earth, and his control over spatial power had become increasingly proficient.

Even the fastest escape techniques would pale in comparison to direct spatial teleportation.

Gu Qingfeng took only a few steps, yet he had teleported from the capital to the First City.

At this moment.

In the City Lord's Mansion.

Yan Yun and numerous powerful figures gathered together.

Among them were former military commanders and powerful figures from various factions who had come to assist upon hearing the news.

From the Great Void Holy Land.

Green Cloud Dao Sect, and others.

When Gu Qingfeng appeared, no one noticed anything amiss.

It was only when his figure entered their line of sight that the others suddenly reacted.

"Who is this person?"

On the Red Dust Immortal Sect's side, Ke Ze and Jiang Yuan's expressions changed.

Despite being in the Demi-Sage Realm, they hadn't sensed anything at all.

More importantly.

The person before them gave them a feeling like an unfathomable abyss, and even a single glance could potentially lead to their downfall.

Both of them exchanged glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes.

"A Sage!!?"

They knew.

Both of them were Demi-Sages.

If they were both Demi-Sages, it was impossible for them to have such a feeling.

But to say it was a Sage, that was an impossible notion.

After all, in this era of the End of the Dharma, how could anyone achieve Sagehood?

Unless—

The person before them was an ancient Sage.

However, the newcomer didn't carry the ancient Sage's aura of vicissitude and decay.

Just as many cultivators were secretly shocked, Yan Yun hurriedly stood up and bowed to Gu Qingfeng.

"Your servant greets the Supreme Emperor!"

"Your son greets the father!"

Gu Xuan also hurriedly stood up.

Behind him.

The powerful figures from the Great Void Holy Land politely cupped their fists in greeting.

Regarding Gu Qingfeng.

They were naturally familiar with him.

Not only had Gu Qingfeng visited the Great Void Holy Land several times, but with the Nine Provinces bordering the East Domain, it was impossible for the Eastern Domain's forces to be unfamiliar with him.

At this moment.

The others also realized, and they understood that the person before them was Gu Qingfeng, the master of the Gu Family.

After all, the only person Yan Yun would address as the Supreme Emperor was Gu Qingfeng.

Immediately.

Ke Ze and the others cupped their fists in greeting.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Master Gu. We've heard of your reputation, and now that we've met, we can see that the rumors are true!"

"You're too kind," Gu Qingfeng replied with a smile.

At this time.

Yan Yun respectfully invited Gu Qingfeng to the main seat, then stood to the side, introducing the identities of the people present to Gu Qingfeng.

Gu Qingfeng was well aware of this.

He had already learned about these sect powers, but this was the first time he had met them in person.

At a glance.

There were at least seven or eight Demi-Sage Realm powerhouses.

And there were more than thirty Dao Palace Realm cultivators.

As for those below the Dao Palace Realm, to be honest, they didn't have the qualifications to sit here.

Such a force made Gu Qingfeng's heart stir.

Yan Yun and the others might not have realized it, thinking that these people had come purely to assist.

But Gu Qingfeng understood that these were the forces the death knights could mobilize.

And this was just the beginning. After a few hundred years of development, this force would grow to an astonishing extent.

However.

It was too early to talk about this now.

Gu Qingfeng looked at the crowd and smiled calmly.

"With all of you here, I believe the Starlight Empire is nothing to worry about!"

"Master Gu is too modest. Even without us, I believe the Starlight Empire wouldn't cause much trouble with your strength."

Someone immediately flattered, their words drawing them closer.

Before actually meeting Gu Qingfeng, many non-Eastern Domain cultivators had doubts about his reputation as the strongest cultivator in the End of the Dharma era.

But after meeting Gu Qingfeng, their doubts vanished.

Especially the Demi-Sage Realm powerhouses, they could sense Gu Qingfeng's power.

About this.

They could only sigh and say, "A great reputation is not without reason."

However, some people showed concern on their faces.

"I've heard that the Starlight Imperial Dynasty brought a Quasi-Imperial Armament this time. One Jiang Chen may not be able to stir up any trouble, but the Quasi-Imperial Armament contains the power of a Quasi-Emperor. It's definitely going to be a big problem."

As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on the others' faces gradually disappeared, replaced by solemn expressions.

Quasi-Imperial Armament!

These three words made them feel immense pressure.

"I've long heard of the fame of the Starlight Imperial Bell, but they think they can destroy our Divine Martial Dynasty with just one Quasi-Imperial Armament? They are not qualified yet."

Gu Qingfeng slowly spoke, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

His words made everyone feel inexplicably relieved.

Since this person had such confidence, he must have a way to counter the Starlight Imperial Bell.

At this moment, Gu Qingfeng looked towards the outside world, where the blood clouds formed by the concentration of slaughter had already entered his sight.

Even the faint smell of blood was wafting in.

"They're here!"

—

Outside the Ancient Beast Mountains.

The grand army assembled.

Countless troops lined up in formation, their might shaking the heavens and earth, and their silent killing intent suppressing the void, causing many cultivators who secretly intended to watch the battle to be shocked to the core.

Such a powerful and elite army made these people sense the smell of death.

"The Ancient Beast Mountains are right ahead!"

Jiang Chen stood in the void with his hands behind his back, his indifferent gaze fixed on the direction of the Ancient Beast Mountains, and the Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities came into view.

Nine city fortresses.

The army was stationed, and their might was also considerable.

However, Jiang Chen showed no fear, gazing at the Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities with a cold and ruthless killing intent on his face.

In this battle, he not only intended to conquer the Evil-Suppressing Nine Cities but also to lead his troops into the Nine Provinces and annihilate the Divine Martial Dynasty.

Even if the Divine Martial Dynasty had a powerful figure comparable to the Great Sage Realm, Jiang Chen was not the least bit afraid.

And his confidence came from the Starlight Imperial Bell in his dantian.

With this Quasi-Imperial Armament, the other party would definitely not be able to stir up any trouble.

"Gu Yan!"

"An You!"

As Jiang Chen's words fell, the two of them immediately rode the wind and came forward.

"We await your orders, General!"

"You two will each lead half of the Celestial Army and must take the other eight cities in the shortest time possible. As for this city before us, I will take care of it myself!"

Jiang Chen gave the order indifferently.

Although he divided the five hundred million troops of the Celestial Army at once, with the elite forces of the Greedy Wolf Army, Jiang Chen also had sufficient strength.

Three million Greedy Wolf Army soldiers were enough to crush everything.

In the past, Jiang Chen had once led three million Greedy Wolf Army soldiers and destroyed an imperial dynasty, annihilating enemies ten times their own strength.

It could be said that the reputation of the Greedy Wolf Army was truly earned through battles and slaughter, and they were not to be underestimated.

In fact, it was not only the Greedy Wolf Army that was so formidable.

The other elite forces of the Starlight Imperial Dynasty had all been tempered through blood and slaughter, and no one knew how many they had killed before they could gradually become elite.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yan and An You immediately accepted the order.

Then, the Celestial Army split into several parts and launched a direct attack on the other eight cities.

At the same time, the generals of the Evil-Suppressing Eight Cities also prepared to defend against the powerful enemy.

As soon as they saw the army approaching, a rain of arrows that blocked out the sun and sky poured down.

In an instant, countless blood-red flowers bloomed on the battlefield.

These arrows were not ordinary; they were made from special minerals and could break through the body-guarding energy shield of cultivators.

Even the weakest soldiers in the army were at the fifth level of body refinement, but they were still unable to withstand the sharpness of the arrows.

But soon, the Starlight Imperial Dynasty responded.

Many Divine Transformation Realm cultivators rode the wind, intending to be the first to climb the city walls.

However, at this moment, divine light rose from within the ancient city, and a grand formation suddenly erupted, releasing a powerful pressure that instantly blasted the bodies of all the Divine Transformation Realm cultivators who dared to climb the walls, turning them into blood mist that scattered in the air.

Seeing this, Gu Yan and An You's faces changed.

"Formation Art!"

They hadn't expected that the eight cities would be protected by a formation.

Judging by the strength of this formation, which could instantly kill a group of Divine Transformation Realm cultivators, it was clearly not an ordinary formation.

However, the two of them did not retreat.

"Continue the assault!"

"Every formation has its limits. Once we break through the formation, with the strength of the Divine Martial Dynasty, they will definitely not be able to stop the might of our Starlight Imperial Dynasty!"

Gu Yan gave the order in a stern voice, and as he spoke, he unleashed his power, his Demi-Saint Realm cultivation erupting as he tried to break through the formation first.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

The powerful sound and terrifying vibrations reverberated through the Ancient Beast Mountains, causing the ferocious beasts to sense the disturbance and flee in panic.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end