Chapter 2207: Du Feng's Death

The Fengtai and Fengji outposts were not far apart, less than a day's journey, which was why Fengji sought aid from Fengtai; their proximity made support feasible.

When Du Feng led a large number of cultivators hurrying towards the Fengji outpost, they spotted the raging battlefield from afar. This battlefield was undoubtedly much larger than the one at Fengtai previously, with significantly more cultivators from both sides engaged in the fierce conflict. Countless cultivators, allies and enemies, unleashed their Dao power, clashing and struggling intensely.

Overall, however, their side was clearly at a disadvantage. Regardless of numbers or individual strength, on such a battlefield, with a Broodmother directing operations, the enemy had a clearer and more timely grasp of the battle's progression. Although their own side also had commanders, their coordination was ultimately not as precise as the Broodmother's.

Seeing this, the many cultivators who had come with Du Feng as reinforcements were filled with fighting spirit, waiting only for his command to charge forward. Not far from Du Feng, Lu Ye's gaze wasn't on the vast main battlefield but on a different direction. In that direction, a sea of blood continuously surged, with intense sounds of combat emanating from within. Even from a great distance, the power of the two strong combatants could be felt. That was a battlefield for Integration Realm cultivators. Li Qi of Fengji was fighting a Blood Race member, and the sea of blood obscured their conflict, making it impossible to see the details of their struggle.

Du Feng's eyes darted around, continuously surveying various parts of the battlefield. After a considerable moment, he finally waved his hand and declared, "Gentlemen, follow me to slay the enemy!" His caution was understandable; he had just narrowly escaped death a few days prior. He feared that the enemy might still have hidden formidable experts, waiting to strike him the moment he appeared. His recent observation was solely to ensure that the enemy had no hidden power. Now, he finally felt relieved!

With his command, he charged forward first, with many cultivators from the Fengtai outpost following closely behind. Lu Ye also led the hundred members of the Crane Wing Battalion forward, getting closer and closer to the battlefield. When they reached a critical point, he let out a low cry: "Form formation!" The moment the order was given, numerous Qi energies enveloped their bodies. In an instant, the Crane Wing Formation was complete, crashing forcefully into the chaotic battlefield ahead.

It was pandemonium. The moment they clashed with the Crane Wing Formation, enemy cultivators fell like straw in a strong wind. Where the Divine Crane passed, only their own stunned cultivators remained, watching.

On the other side, Du Feng was also on a killing spree. On such a battlefield, unchecked, he was practically invincible. Though only one man, he was an Integration Realm cultivator, and his killing speed was no less than that of the Crane Wing Battalion. He deliberately chose a different direction from the Crane Wing Battalion. One Integration Realm cultivator and one Divine Crane acted like two unstoppable arrows, carving out two straight paths through the chaotic battlefield, making the tense situation clearer.

With many cultivators from the Fengtai outpost joining the reinforcements, the previously disadvantaged situation quickly stabilized, then began to suppress the enemy. Even the Broodmother's precise coordination had little effect under these circumstances; at most, it could only delay their defeat. However, the cultivators of the Insect and Blood races showed no signs of retreating, especially the Insect Race, who often were willing to die taking an enemy with them.

Charging formations, slaying enemies! On a battlefield without Integration Realm cultivators, the Crane Wing Battalion performed exceptionally well. If they didn't also have to collect Dao bones while killing enemies, their efficiency could have at least doubled. Under Lu Ye's leadership, the entire Crane Wing Battalion's performance was astonishing. One hundred Dao Initiation cultivators exerted an effect on the battlefield no less than Du Feng, an Integration Realm cultivator.

Less than an hour after the Fengtai outpost's cultivators arrived as reinforcements, the human side had gained a tremendous advantage. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the enemy would suffer a complete rout within another hour, leading to another exhilarating pursuit.

Just then, an angry roar suddenly erupted. The sound was not loud but clearly reached the ears of everyone on the battlefield. Amidst the life-and-death struggle, few paid attention to the sound. However, Du Feng, who was in the thick of battle, had his eyes light up!

He had always kept part of his attention on the battlefield of the two Integration Realm cultivators because he himself was one, and though significantly weaker than Li Qi, he was still a garrison commander. As soon as he arrived as reinforcement, he had received a telepathic message from Li Qi, asking for his help. Only Integration Realm cultivators could intervene in an Integration Realm battle! But how could he dare? The fact that Li Qi needed his help undoubtedly meant the Blood Race opponent was stronger than Li Qi. However, since Li Qi had asked, he couldn't pretend not to hear. He could only make an excuse about first stabilizing the main battlefield's situation, which would provide him with an alibi even if Li Qi reported him later.

Now, with his and the Crane Wing Battalion's extensive slaughter, combined with the support from other cultivators of the Fengtai outpost, the main battlefield's situation had long since stabilized. Not only that, they held a decisive advantage. At this point, he should have gone to support Li Qi, as any further delay would seem improper. As he hesitated, an unexpected turn of events occurred. With the sound, the sea of blood there began to violently churn. For a moment, it faintly seemed on the verge of collapse! Furthermore, Du Feng detected suppressed pain in that voice!

The Blood Race member... was injured! And the injury was severe, otherwise it wouldn't have affected the tranquility of the sea of blood. Li Qi was that formidable? Du Feng was startled. Just moments ago, Li Qi was asking for help; how could he suddenly erupt with such power?

Without time to ponder, Du Feng immediately shouted, "Fellow Daoist Li Qi, I've come to help you!" This was undoubtedly the best timing. He even shouted extra loudly, ensuring others could hear him. As he spoke, he flashed towards the turbulent sea of blood and boldly plunged into it. He knew his own strength was significantly inferior to the two combatants within the sea of blood, but with Li Qi spearheading the attack and the opponent heavily injured, he only needed to assist from the side, which presented no great danger.

With Du Feng's entry, the sea of blood churned even more violently. The Blood Race seemed to be under immense pressure, and the sea of blood began to move rapidly, showing signs of attempting to escape. The direction in which this sea of blood was attempting to flee was precisely where the Crane Wing Battalion was charging.

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, even Lu Ye hadn't noticed this situation until a powerful Qi signature suddenly vanished, alerting him abruptly. Though the battlefield was chaotic, filled with mixed energies and rampant Dao power, an Integration Realm cultivator's Qi signature remained as conspicuous as a lamp in the dark, impossible for even the sea of blood to conceal. The vanishing Qi signature belonged to an Integration Realm cultivator! And it was Du Feng's!

Lu Ye abruptly turned his head and saw the vast sea of blood sweeping majestically towards the Crane Wing Battalion. His heart seized, utterly bewildered by what had happened. The only thing he could confirm was that Du Feng was dead! Dead within that sea of blood. He had just gone to assist Li Qi; how could he be dead so soon? Where was Li Qi? Within the sea of blood, two powerful Qi signatures still remained, clearly belonging to an Integration Realm cultivator from each side. This meant Li Qi was still alive, yet Du Feng, who went to support him, was dead.

Lu Ye had no particular fondness for Du Feng; his previous assistance was merely to avoid offending an Integration Realm cultivator, especially one from a prominent family. Although the Du family wasn't among the top four great families, its foundation was still considerable. Yet, he was ultimately human, and he had died here today.

Without time to think further, Lu Ye immediately led the Crane Wing Battalion to retreat. However, the sea of blood seemed to have singled out the Crane Wing Battalion, pursuing them relentlessly. The power gap was significant, and the distance rapidly closed. Lu Ye instinctively felt something was wrong. If Li Qi was still alive, there was no reason for the Blood Race Integration Realm cultivator to act so recklessly. What was he doing? Even if he wasn't an equal opponent, he could at least hold the enemy back. They had been fighting intensely just moments before.

Within a few breaths, the Crane Wing Battalion changed direction multiple times but couldn't shake off the sea of blood's pursuit. Lu Ye even sensed a powerful divine sense locking onto him. It was coming for him! Lu Ye's scalp tingled. He vaguely realized something, and his expression became extremely grim.

"Wang Xun!" he sharply shouted.

"Here!" Wang Xun quickly responded.

"Flee! Lead the brothers as far away as possible!"

With that, Lu Ye immediately dispersed the 'Symbiotic Qi' Dao紋, causing the formation to collapse. He then flashed to the side. The cultivators of the Crane Wing Battalion had no time to react. Their respective Qi energies disconnected from Lu Ye, and then they watched as the sea of blood that had been pursuing them abruptly changed direction, following him as he swiftly departed into the distance.

The group of cultivators stood stunned. "Brother Wang, what's happening?" someone asked, confused. Wang Xun stood rooted, his expression shifting, then suddenly shivered. He called out, "Go!"

"Brother Wang, leaving now would be deserting in battle!" someone sharply retorted. "And our commander is still being pursued!"

Wang Xun's expression was grim. He woodenly turned his head to the speaker. "The commander said Li Qi is a Blood Race mole! He's been targeted." While Lu Ye was speaking to him just now, he had simultaneously transmitted his deductions, which was what truly shocked Wang Xun.

"What?"

"That's impossible, Li Qi, a garrison commander, a mole?"

The existence of Blood Race moles among humans was no secret; such incidents had occurred before, and more than once, as the Blood Race possessed means to subdue Blood Slaves. However, humanity had no way to completely prevent this, because Blood Race moles were too well hidden. Unless they exposed themselves, humans had no way to detect who among them were Blood Slaves. However, Integration Realm moles were still rare, especially since Li Qi was a sixth-level Integration Realm cultivator!

Although it was hard to believe, the people present were not fools. The strange movements of the sea of blood were indeed suspicious. Li Qi must be inside and alive, yet the sea of blood was clearly unchecked.

"This is bad!" someone exclaimed, his face paling. If Li Qi truly was a mole, countless lives would be lost in this battle. There was no time for further discussion. When the Crane Wing Formation dispersed, they were still in the midst of the enemy lines. Originally, they were invincible, but with the formation gone, enemies quickly swarmed around them.

"Follow me!" Wang Xun gritted his teeth and roared, rallying everyone to fight their way in one direction. If the commander's guess was true, then to survive today, they had to quickly carve out a bloody path!