Chapter 838: Tiger Maru Alliance

Initially, they didn't notice anything unusual. It was only after most of the army had entered the city that the golden-armored warriors at the very front seemed to realize something was wrong.

The city was eerily quiet. Not a single soul was visible on the long avenue, giving it the desolate feeling of a ghost town.

"This is the main city of the Tiger Pill Alliance, yet there's no one to be seen? Envoy, are you sure we're still safe?" Yun Yixuan glanced around, his expression gradually turning cold with the chilling atmosphere.

"I only know that with my status, if these people truly dare to act without authorization, I will make them understand the majesty of imperial authority!"

No sooner had Yun Yixuan finished speaking than the first wave of defiance swiftly arrived. Beneath his blazing warhorse, an incredibly powerful explosion instantly erupted. Yun Yixuan and his mount were sent flying into the air, while the hundreds of golden-armored warriors guarding him disintegrated under the devastating force of the blast.

"Hahahaha, welcome, you Northern Region bandits, to our Eastern Region territory! Are you out of your minds, thinking you can use our land as your base?" A powerful, booming voice suddenly descended from thin air. Everyone looked over to see a middle-aged man riding a black wyvern. His voice was robust and deep; this was Tigerman, the leader of the entire alliance.

Though also ambushed, most of Xu Yang's fifty thousand warriors possessed a foundation in cultivating primal energy, remaining completely unperturbed. Each one immediately channeled their qi, and protective *qi* shields of various strengths swiftly enveloped their bodies. While these shields couldn't grant complete immunity to all surrounding energy bursts, they significantly enhanced the warriors' survival rate. In contrast, the golden-armored knights, despite being seasoned veterans with profound cultivation, lacked proper defensive measures. In an ambush from all sides, they were extremely vulnerable.

"Tigerman, I can't believe that as the leader of the Eastern Region Alliance, you not only show no respect for imperial authority but actually dare to attack me, an imperial envoy! You are truly audacious!"

Tigerman burst into laughter, his mirth filled with contempt for Yun Yixuan.

"You're just a dog of the imperial family. Do you think you can act as you please in our Eastern Region territory? Haven't you heard the saying, 'Even a mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake'? Since this is our land, we absolutely will not allow you outsiders to tread here without restraint!" he scoffed. "If you don't want to die, get out of our territory immediately. You can kill all the bandits outside, but if you enter here without our permission, you are our greatest enemies!"

Yun Yixuan was enraged. He could not tolerate Tigerman's attitude towards an imperial envoy, considering it a blatant disregard for imperial authority.

"Enough. Say no more. If I don't slay you here today, I will have desecrated my duty as an imperial envoy. Your blatant contempt for imperial authority demands that I execute you publicly as a warning to others!"

Yun Yixuan was never one to procrastinate. Once he made up his mind, he immediately soared into the sky, unhesitatingly wielding his Silver Dragon Spear.

Throughout, Xu Yang made no superfluous movements. He had already relinquished control of the battlefield to Yun Yixuan, watching him and Tigerman engage in a fierce battle.

"Hahahaha, a dragon and a tiger! This battle is truly exciting! But judging by their cultivation levels, Yun Yixuan should be able to firmly suppress Tigerman!"

Hearing Old Man Tan and the others discuss this, Xu Yang shook his head, offering a dissenting opinion. "I don't think so. Since Tigerman was prepared to ambush us, he must have more tricks up his sleeve. Even if he can't win, I believe he has the ability to protect himself. Otherwise, if we were him, we would have abandoned the city rather than waiting here to be caught."

Not far away, the Vagrant Immortal also agreed with Xu Yang's assessment, nodding repeatedly. "Indeed, as the Sect Master said, military strategy states, 'To capture, one must first give.' I even suspect Tigerman might be hiding a larger objective!"

Before long, the dragon and the tiger were fiercely battling in the void!

Yun Yixuan's Silver Dragon Spear continuously let out earth-shattering dragon roars, while Tigerman, on the other side, seemed to cultivate a close-combat ability that enhanced his physical body. The roaring tiger totem behind him constantly boosted his overall physical prowess, which was astonishing. Although there was a significant raw power gap between them as martial artists of their caliber, Tigerman's offensive power was exceptionally fierce. Moreover, everyone noticed that the stronger the attacks he endured, the more resilient his resistance became. For a short time, neither of them could gain a decisive advantage.

"Hahahaha, Old Brother Tigerman, your guts are truly impressive! You actually decided to fight an imperial envoy. Don't you know the consequences of such an act?"

Just as their battle reached a fever pitch, a black silhouette rapidly approached from the void not far away. Xu Yang and the others squinted, realizing it was none other than a massive black crow! This crow was completely different from an ordinary one; it was like royalty among its kind. The colossal black creature, upon spreading its wings, spanned dozens of meters! Such an immense physical form clearly indicated the formidable bloodline of this ancient mythical crow.

This cynical old crow, after appearing, continuously circled the outskirts of the battlefield. It used long-range arrow attacks, cooperating with Tigerman to relentlessly assault Yun Yixuan.

"You foul crow! I can't believe your Crow Alliance is as rebellious as this Tiger Pill Alliance. Your crimes deserve death!"

The old crow spat vehemently at Yun Yixuan. "Little one, who do you think you are? When your grandfathers were dominating the Eastern Region back then, the imperial family didn't even have your so-called 'Five Great Experts' title! You were still just a baby! Let me tell you the truth: our Eastern Region has been independent for too long. Every faction here has struggled for countless years to develop to this point. We don't fear any pathetic imperial family! Here, survival is the most crucial bottom line! If you try to strip us of our right to exist, no matter who you are – even if you're a celestial king – we will fight you to the very end, and die with glory!"