Chapter 2579: Jump Counterattack

These were not the only crises. Originally, if all had gone smoothly, Yuan Xi’s side would only need to hold on for a dozen breaths, and their city would have a chance to escape and go into hiding. However, that was on the premise of no pursuit. Now, two new Integration Cities suddenly appeared, coming head-on. This meant their city had no possibility of escaping the enemy’s sight, and naturally, hiding was out of the question.

Fortunately, the internal environment of this cold current beehive was complex and extended in all directions. So, seeing the enemy approaching, You Die immediately piloted their city into a side passage. Ling Feng City followed closely, temporarily avoiding the direct assault. However, this was merely a temporary measure. If the Integration cultivators didn't return to reinforce them in time, both Integration Cities would ultimately be unable to escape destruction.

“Chang Ming! It really is you!” Yuan Xi’s cold gaze pierced into the depths ahead, as if it could see through the void, and she let out a sharp cry. Earlier, she had only felt a pair of eyes secretly watching her, but she couldn’t determine who it was until she just now sensed that divine thought. At this point, she finally confirmed what she had suspected.

In Eagle Flying City in the distance, Chang Ming, who had been hiding there, secretly sighed. If the initial plan had gone smoothly, Yuan Xi City would have had no escape and would certainly have been breached, in which case he wouldn’t have risked exposure. Even if Madam found out afterward, it would be after the fact, and he wouldn’t have to be seen through and confronted directly by Madam as he was now. If he hadn't been unwilling to confront Madam face-to-face, with his strength, how could he not have personally intervened?

Unfortunately, his plan finally encountered some setbacks. Initially, the intelligence was inaccurate, missing an Integration-level combatant on Yuan Xi City’s side who also possessed the ability to kill enemies, which allowed Yuan Xi City to break the deadlock. Of course, the most crucial thing was that he had no idea his Madam had already unsealed the second form of her Dao Soldier; this was the trickiest part. “Why didn't Master mention this earlier…” he grumbled inwardly, feeling that this trip was truly a thankless task.

Since he had been seen through, Chang Ming simply stopped hiding. His Dao power surged, and he shouted from afar, “Madam, why make things difficult for yourself? Since you know it’s me, you should understand that resistance is futile. Madam, Master has given orders; this time, no matter what, you must be brought back. You've been outside for too long!”

Yuan Xi scoffed, “He wants me to go back, and I’ll just go back? Tell him to come say it to my face, and we’ll see if I agree!”

Chang Ming sighed again, slowly saying, “Madam is indeed powerful, but in your current state, is your Dao power… sufficient?” Yuan Xi gritted her teeth and did not answer, cursing ‘dog Chang Ming’ inwardly. His perception was still so sharp, seeing through her greatest weakness at a glance. However, Chang Ming was well-informed, and her current weakness was no secret, so it was perfectly normal for him to know.

She slightly turned her head, just in time to see Lu Ye’s worried gaze. She spoke to reassure him, “Great Commander, I’m afraid our city cannot be held. Later, use your Dao patterns to return to our city, hide in the Hehe Realm, and we’ll find an opportunity to rise again!” As long as she had Lu Ye, she had hope of rising again. Considering how little time it took her to build Yuan Xi City from nothing to its current Flood-level, even if the city were breached today, it would be nothing to her; it would merely mean starting over.

Lu Ye nodded, about to respond, but his gaze suddenly fell on Zhao Lingfeng nearby, and he frowned, saying, “City Lord Zhao?” Zhao Lingfeng’s eyes were filled with struggle at that moment. Hearing Lu Ye’s voice, his expression suddenly became resolute, and he slowly said, “Brother Lu, City Lord Yuan, forgive me for the offense!” As he finished speaking, a spear suddenly thrust towards Lu Ye.

Lu Ye had never expected an ally to turn traitor at such a moment. In haste, he drew his blade to parry. The moment their Dao Soldiers clashed, sparks flew. With his strength, he could handle many Integration cultivators, but not a City Lord-level one like Zhao Lingfeng. Under that one blow, Lu Ye felt his right arm go numb, his Mountain-Shaking Blade almost flew out of his hand. His energy and blood surged, and the web between his thumb and forefinger split open. He couldn't help but be sent flying.

A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. He gritted his teeth and growled, “Zhao Lingfeng, what benefits were you promised? To actually make him switch sides so abruptly at such a moment!” Things were already very clear. A divine thought had spread over earlier; Lu Ye hadn't understood who it belonged to or what its purpose was at the time. Now, it must have been Chang Ming, as Yuan Xi had called him. Most likely, he had secretly transmitted a message to Zhao Lingfeng and convinced him in that extremely short period.

Zhao Lingfeng’s sudden move was like a trigger. Almost at the instant he acted, the Integration cultivators who had been hesitant to approach immediately rushed forward to attack. Though there was still apprehension in their brows, they were emboldened by their numerical superiority.

“I apologize, I, Zhao, merely wish to preserve my city!” After a single strike, Zhao Lingfeng retreated. He did not intend to pursue Lu Ye relentlessly.

The group of Integration cultivators from Ling Feng City were all bewildered. Not only had Lu Ye not expected their City Lord to switch sides, but even they, his own people, had no inkling. Therefore, the current situation left them feeling quite awkward. The enemy was already attacking; what stance should they take? Should they fight alongside Yuan Xi as before? But their own City Lord had already acted; did they still have the right to do so? Would Yuan Xi still trust them? Yet, if they were to attack Yuan Xi and her companions, many were unwilling. Putting aside the depth of their friendship, for this period, they had ultimately been allies, and Ling Feng City had indeed gained many benefits by following Yuan Xi City. To kick someone when they were down at such a time would be too dishonorable.

In that moment of stunned hesitation, Yuan Xi had already flashed to Lu Ye’s side, grabbed him, and called to Lian and Huan Qing, “Quickly, let’s go!” Behind them, numerous Integration cultivators furiously pursued.

Zhao Lingfeng merely stood in place with his own group of Integration cultivators. His expression was tense, his eyes full of vigilance. Although the person who secretly transmitted the message to him had promised him certain things, whether that person was truly trustworthy remained to be seen. At such a critical juncture, if more than thirty Integration cultivators swarmed them, their seven or eight would be utterly unable to resist. Fortunately, Chang Ming was indeed a trustworthy person; numerous enemy Integration cultivators flew past them but had no intention of bothering them at all, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Only then did Zhao Lingfeng let out a long breath.

“City Lord, what was that for?” Beside him, Wu Mi looked at him with a furious expression. The other Integration cultivators also had complex expressions. Zhao Lingfeng’s recent actions were truly despicable, so even though he was the City Lord, Wu Mi was not at all polite at this moment.

Zhao Lingfeng, however, had no intention of explaining. How could he not know that the spear thrust he had just unleashed was highly likely to cause disunity among the Integration cultivators of their city? After all, he had betrayed their trust; how could such a City Lord be worth following? But he had no choice but to do so.

Facing Wu Mi’s interrogation, he did not respond. He merely looked in the direction from which Chang Ming’s voice had come and cupped his hands, saying, “Your Excellency, is this enough?” Chang Ming’s voice clearly echoed back: “Get lost.” Zhao Lingfeng cupped his hands again and addressed everyone, “Let’s talk more when we get back.”

If it were possible, he certainly wouldn't want to be a treacherous villain. But in that situation just now, if he hadn't acted, he would surely have been unable to escape the fate of his city being breached and its people perishing. Moreover, what Chang Ming asked him to do was very simple: just deliver a first strike, and then he could withdraw. There was no request for him to truly fight Yuan Xi City to the death. He knew the intention behind the opponent’s request. One was to dismantle Yuan Xi City’s support; Ling Feng City was Yuan Xi City’s only ally at the moment. If Ling Feng City also turned traitor, then Yuan Xi City would be in a state of isolation and helplessness. Of course, the most important thing was to give those thirty-plus Integration cultivators a head start. The power Yuan Xi had just displayed was too strong; although the thirty-plus Integration cultivators outnumbered her, they were still intimidated and dared not act rashly. In such a situation, his first strike, Zhao Lingfeng’s, could break the deadlock.

A very simple condition that could ensure the safety of his city—of course he was willing. Thanks to the recent period of constant battles, his Integration City was on the verge of being promoted to the Flood-level! He had a great future ahead; how could he casually sacrifice it here?

It wasn't that he didn't know Yuan Xi had a significant background, but Chang Ming, who had contacted him secretly, also had an extraordinary identity. Compared to Yuan Xi, whose origins he couldn't discern, Chang Ming’s background was crystal clear to him. He was bound to offend one side. And compared to his city being breached, its people perishing, losing his status as City Lord, or even dying here, he naturally had to choose what was more advantageous to himself.

Zhao Lingfeng had already swept away into the distance. Behind him, a group of Integration cultivators looked at each other in dismay. Several sighs resounded. Someone said, “Given the situation just now, the City Lord must have been forced. Let’s go. When we get back, the City Lord should provide a reasonable explanation.”

Wu Mi’s face was filled with indignation. “Even if he was forced, how could he turn traitor at such a critical moment?” At any time, traitors are more abominable and hateful than powerful enemies. To think that Wu Mi had done nothing, yet was branded a traitor simply because of Zhao Lingfeng’s spear thrust—how could he remain calm? With that, he was the first to pursue Zhao Lingfeng. “I want to hear what insurmountable difficulties City Lord had!” Seeing this, the other Integration cultivators also sighed and followed. Many had already conceived intentions of dissent in their hearts. Was there truly any need to remain in such an Integration City? If Zhao Lingfeng could do such a thing to an ally today, would he abandon his subordinates tomorrow?

“Great Commander, are you alright?” In the distance, Yuan Xi, holding Lu Ye’s arm, sped like lightning, asking with concern. Behind them, Lian, holding Huan Qing’s arm, followed closely, a pair of snow-white wings gently fluttered.

Lu Ye shook his head, his face grim. “I’m fine. Zhao Lingfeng had no intention of killing me.” He could feel that Zhao Lingfeng’s spear thrust hadn’t used full power and carried no killing intent; it seemed to be just a casual strike. As he spoke, Lu Ye turned his head to look at Yuan Xi. He saw that the white armor on their City Lord was already beginning to melt, slowly reverting to its previous black lotus form. His expression shifted, and he asked, “My Lady, does this secret art of yours require a large amount of Dao power to maintain?” Since the battle began, Yuan Xi’s Dao Soldier had transformed several times, each time lasting only a very short period.