Chapter 388: General Assault on the Stronghold, Nascent Soul Duel

"What do I think...?" Lei Yao repeated the question to herself. Then she gave a bitter smile. "What I think isn't important. Family background and connections are external factors, and in the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme."

With that, a hint of envy appeared in her eyes as she looked at Wang Yu. After many years apart, Wang Yu had already achieved the Nascent Soul stage. Her cultivation had been slightly higher than his back then, yet he had now surpassed her. Lei Yao herself was still only in the late Core Formation stage, a long way from reaching Nascent Soul.

"By the way, how old are you, fellow Daoist?" Seeing her intense curiosity, Wang Yu pondered but decided against revealing his true age. After all, he was not even two hundred years old; even with numerous fortuitous encounters, his cultivation speed was simply too astonishing. Throughout history, there was no one who could compare to him in terms of cultivation speed.

"Two hundred." Even with this overstated age, Lei Yao was still visibly shocked, her thin red lips slightly parted as if she could fit half an egg in her mouth. "Your talent, fellow Daoist, is unparalleled and rare in this world."

"Perhaps." This time, Wang Yu didn't deny it. The assistance from the Innate Demonic Embryo was no less significant than other benefits he had received; it even played a substantial role in his cultivation after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

After chatting for a while, they finally got down to business. There was only one topic: whether he would join her team. Although she didn't ask directly, her meaning was perfectly clear.

"If you don't mind, Fellow Daoist Lei, I'd be willing to accompany you for a while. What are your thoughts?"

"Excellent."

He already possessed a Demonic Luo Ghost Mask, so it was only natural for him to find a place among the Demonic Luo forces. As for compensation, he didn't prioritize it. The massive changes at Qifeng Pass signaled an early start to the war. Regardless of the position he might acquire, he would undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of spoils.

Furthermore, Old Ancestor Qingyi remained hidden within Qifeng Pass. For the past few days, Wang Yu had used the blood of the Meiling City Lord to search for him multiple times, but he was still inside the pass, showing no activity. This made Wang Yu highly suspect that something was amiss with Qingyi.

Meanwhile, True Monarch Yang Lei had deployed a large force to assault Qifeng Pass. Li Mingsheng's situation was clearly a secondary concern; it seemed the enemy was very confident in breaching this formidable stronghold. Wang Yu's temporary involvement would have little impact on the battle; victory or defeat would not be swayed by him. As for allegiance, that was irrelevant—he had none to begin with.

As for the Spirit-Reversal Blood Sect, had it not been for reasons preventing his departure earlier, he would have betrayed them long ago. Given the extensive effort he had invested over the years, leaving now would incur too great a sunk cost. Otherwise, he wouldn't even bother concealing his identity.

For the next few days, the Taihu forces, with their Cloudsoaring Warships holding the line, conducted daily harassing attacks. Nascent Soul cultivators had yet to join the battle, and only cannon fodder were dying. This made Wang Yu somewhat suspicious. Such a grand display, yet only harassment and feigned attacks... something felt off.

"Could it be that their real objective lies elsewhere?" His thoughts raced. He had been focused on capturing Qifeng Pass, assuming such a formidable stronghold could only be breached from within, leading him to consider the possibility of internal collaborators. Old Ancestor Qingyi's prolonged inactivity was another point of suspicion. At this moment, before the Spirit-Reversal Blood Sect could send more Nascent Soul cultivators, a swift, forceful, or lightning attack might still have a chance. Was it a feint to draw out forces? A siege to ambush reinforcements? Or a pincer movement?

Unfortunately, Wang Yu's identity made it difficult for him to be fully accepted. Even if Lei Yao trusted him, True Monarch Yang Lei would not grant him access to the war's strategic decisions. Just when Wang Yu anticipated a prolonged period of intense, mutually destructive combat, the situation changed with extreme speed, swiftness, and unexpectedness!

The next day, in the Taihu cultivator army's rear, Wang Yu and Lei Yao sat calmly in a high tower, a Go board between them. He held a teacup in his left hand and a Go piece in his right. Like old friends, they savored the peaceful, natural atmosphere.

Just then, the Cloudsoaring Warships trembled in unison. Five thick beams of light shot from their bows, sweeping vertically from front to back like a devastating cleanse, carving out deep trenches. Countless cultivators tragically perished, vaporized like ants, leaving no trace of their existence. It was terrifying! This was the Cloudsoaring Extinction Divine Light!!!

This was undeniably a powerful, large-scale, Tier-4 offensive method. The moment this ultimate weapon, held in reserve, was unleashed, it immediately annihilated a vast number of demonic cultivators garrisoned at Qifeng Pass, turning the tide of the battle decisively. The Taihu army's cultivators, like locusts, leaped onto the tops of the Ironstone Forest's pillars, unleashing a barrage of spells and spiritual energy upon Qifeng Pass's defensive formations.

Wang Yu and Lei Yao exchanged glances and nodded in unison. "The situation has changed," Wang Yu said. "It seems Fellow Daoist Yang Lei has found the opportune moment for victory."

"Let's go, let's see for ourselves."

"Alright," Lei Yao replied.

The two departed together, transforming into streaks of light and landing on the foremost Cloudsoaring Warship. There, besides the chief commander, True Monarch Yang Lei, were two other early Nascent Soul cultivators, both esteemed Old Ancestors of the Thunderfire Sect: True Monarch Fenshin and True Monarch Zidian. Seeing the two arrive, they simply nodded and continued speaking amongst themselves.

"The Spirit-Reversal Blood Sect has dispatched two cultivators," one said. "First, Old Ancestor Yunyan, a Nascent Soul expert from the Yougu Feng Clan, and second, Black Sky Talisman Lord, who has rushed here from Fengzhou... If we can eliminate both of them here, then the cost we've incurred during this period will be negligible."

Wang Yu's eyes lit up at this. He now understood why Old Ancestor Qingyi had remained inactive within Qifeng Pass. The Yougu Feng Clan possessed only two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors in total: Qingyi and Yunyan, both at the third level of Nascent Soul. If both were to fall here, the Feng Clan would undoubtedly be devoured by their enemies.

What surprised him, however, was that Black Sky Talisman Lord had also come. The situation in Fengzhou was precarious, with too few Nascent Soul cultivators to adequately defend. Wang Yu had a persistent feeling that something was amiss, though he couldn't quite pinpoint it.

After True Monarch Yang Lei, Fenshin, and the others briefly outlined the situation, they began assigning opponents. Qifeng Pass already had a Nascent Soul cultivator stationed there, in addition to the two reinforcements. True Monarch Yang Lei, being the commander, found it inconvenient to enter battle himself. Thus, the task finally fell to Wang Yu. He didn't refuse, immediately choosing his target.

"Leave Old Ancestor Yunyan to me," Wang Yu declared.

"Alright," came the reply. "Fellow Daoist Wang, pay close attention to the signal. After three rounds of offense, if you can't secure a victory, retreat immediately to the rear. By no means should you prolong the fight."

It was a clash of forces, general against general. Regardless of their tactical objectives, he considered the two Nascent Soul Old Ancestors of the Yougu Feng Clan to be as good as captured. He needed to plan this battle meticulously. Certain techniques would have to be kept hidden.

"Let's go!" True Monarch Zidian, a young cultivator adorned in a purple thunder robe and a crown shaped like an electric snake, revealed his warlike and arrogant nature through his demeanor, as a cultivator's appearance often reflects their state of mind. "I will issue the challenge myself," he declared. "I'll make that damned Black Sky kneel and beg for mercy!"

He took the lead, transforming into a streak of purple lightning and shooting into the sky, his voice echoing for hundreds of miles around. "Black Sky brat, come out and face your Grandfather Zidian!"

Upon witnessing this, Wang Yu felt a slight amusement. He had briefly exchanged blows with Black Sky Talisman Lord and knew that he wasn't like Old Man Qingyi, a mere True Infant. Black Sky Talisman Lord had also condensed a Nine-Inch Heavenly Infant. Moreover, the Great Black Sky Talisman in his hand was the most destructive and lethal talisman art Wang Yu had ever witnessed, its destructive power almost rivaling that of the Dao of Space.

In the Ironstone Forest battlefield, the ground and low-altitude areas were reserved for cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. High above, Nascent Soul cultivators engaged in confrontations and battles. Should a chase or retreat ensue, the battlefield would likely expand by three thousand miles.

As Zidian continued his provocations, the image-conscious Black Sky Talisman Lord emerged from Qifeng Pass, holding his Black Sky Talisman Banner aloft in his right hand. He sneered, "What's this about purple lightning or green lightning? Your grandfather will dispatch you in mere moments."

In an instant, black-backed, red-patterned talismans filled the sky, transforming into long, silken talismanic dragons that swarmed towards Zidian. "CRACK!" With a crisp sound, True Monarch Zidian's unique natal magic treasure, a long whip sparking with electricity, appeared. Its reverse blades resembled the spines of a hedgehog, bristling as electricity surged. Countless purple electric fragments shot out, tearing the approaching talismanic dragons to shreds. The initial exchange appeared evenly matched, but Black Sky Talisman Lord had clearly not yet revealed his true strength.

One by one, black talismans ignited, forming black flame fireballs that, with their scorching, all-melting heat, intensely warped the air. Simultaneously, a gigantic hand formed from endless clouds suddenly materialized from the void, seizing Zidian. It was none other than Old Ancestor Yunyan, the other Nascent Soul reinforcement from Qifeng Pass!

"How dare you!!" True Monarch Fenshin roared. Before everyone's eyes, he transformed into a crimson flame dragon, surging forth to shield Zidian. This was the "Blazing Dragon True Art," one of the Thunderfire Sect's top-tier fire-elemental cultivation methods. When cultivated to perfection and continuously advanced, this innate divine ability allowed him to transform into a true fire dragon, even up to the Dao of Spirit Transformation.

At that very moment, Wang Yu had vanished from his original position unnoticed. Somewhere amidst the high-altitude clouds, a sudden cry of alarm erupted, and white clouds for dozens of miles around were instantly blown away. A streak of fiery light traversed several thousand meters before slamming violently into the ground. Wang Yu stood with one foot planted on Old Ancestor Yunyan, whose face was twisted in an expression of intense discomfort. "Old fool," Wang Yu chuckled, "sneak attacks are not the path of the strong."

As Wang Yu spoke, he had already positioned himself as a righteous powerhouse, completely forgetting his own preferred past methods. He spoke from a moral high ground, condemning his opponent. While thoroughly enjoying the moment, he also vaguely began to understand the satisfaction of being a righteous expert.

Battles erupted simultaneously on both sides. Another figure flew out from Qifeng Pass; Wang Yu's divine sense briefly registered an unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivator engaging the flaming dragon form of True Monarch Fenshin, but he paid little mind, his focus solely on Old Ancestor Yunyan.

He also noticed something peculiar: Yunyan... didn't seem to recognize him? This was rather odd. Old Ancestor Qingyi had been severely wounded by him, abandoning his physical body and fleeing. After employing the Nascent Soul Teleportation Art, he hadn't returned to the Yougu Feng Clan, most likely because he knew Yunyan had been transferred to Qifeng Pass.

Given the close proximity, it was theoretically reasonable for Qingyi to come immediately for rescue and self-preservation. After all, regardless of their private rivalries, externally, they were both Old Ancestors of the Feng Clan. The death of either would be a significant loss for the clan, leading to a substantial reduction in their influence. Thus, Wang Yu hadn't considered the possibility of them turning against each other.

But... what if?!! Both came from the same lineage and were limited by their talent, making further breakthroughs difficult. However, in the Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain, such limitations were often overcome by extreme means; when faced with a challenge, considering one's own family (or self-interest) often provided a solution. If Old Ancestor Yunyan could use sinister arts or strange techniques to devour Qingyi's Nascent Soul and break through to a higher realm, then their mutual betrayal would make perfect sense. The Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain never lacked individuals willing to heartlessly sacrifice their entire clan for the sake of higher cultivation and power!

A myriad of thoughts raced through his mind, yet in reality, only an instant passed. Old Ancestor Yunyan, pinned under Wang Yu's foot, suddenly dispersed into a wisp of cloud. He reformed his body several hundred meters away. With a grimace, he flicked his sleeve and snorted coldly, a surge of demonic essence within him shaking off any lingering impurities. He then narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Wang Yu.

"A Tier-4 Body Cultivator..." Old Ancestor Yunyan muttered. "I didn't expect to find such a formidable fellow Daoist these days. How about we talk?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yu's response was swift. The ground beneath Wang Yu's foot instantly exploded. With a powerful stomp, he moved with imperceptible speed. The moment his fist struck, the air ripped apart, exploding into white sonic rings. Old Ancestor Yunyan immediately activated a unique defensive magic treasure: a cloud mist. This was his natal magic treasure, a special gaseous artifact that resembled smoke. It could be used for both offense and defense, adapting to various situations and taking immediate effect. This was, in fact, the origin of his title—the Ever-Changing Heavenly Net Mist! Employing the technique of "four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds," it managed to deflect Wang Yu's air punch. However, the sheer impact still sent Old Ancestor Yunyan hurtling backward out of the Ironstone Forest, smashing through numerous ironstone pillars along the way.

High above, on the Cloudsoaring Warship, True Monarch Yang Lei had been observing Wang Yu. Although Wang Yu had saved his second son and had a connection with Lei Yao, Lei Yao had also shared some information about him. Therefore, the decision of whether to trust Wang Yu was not based on Lei Yao's connection but on an impartial assessment. Discovering now that Wang Yu pursued the path of body cultivation, with no signs of ominous demonic arts or demonic artifacts refined from human blood and bones, True Monarch Yang Lei instinctively felt a sense of approval. "If he can severely wound Yunyan," he mused, "we might consider appointing him to a military position and granting him a salary."

The quartermaster beside him nodded in strong agreement. "Your Excellency is wise," he said. "Regardless, Senior Wang is a Nascent Soul cultivator. Out of respect for Miss Lei, he should have been offered a fixed income position long ago. Otherwise, rumors might spread that our Thunderfire Sect is too arrogant and dismissive of Nascent Soul cultivators seeking allegiance."

True Monarch Yang Lei gave him a speechless, exasperated look. "Only you are so clever," he grumbled. "We'll discuss this later. Prepare to mobilize the Cloudsoaring Warships. While our initial strategy has been primarily a feint, a full-scale assault is not impossible. If we can capture Qifeng Pass, Taihu's advantage in the subsequent war will become even stronger."

"Yes, sir!"

Black Mountain Pass was already under the control of the Taihu Spirit Domain, corresponding to Blood Abyss State. Qifeng Pass corresponded to Night Jade State, and another formidable pass in Fengzhou was held by the Sacred Sect. Aside from Yunling State, which did not border the Northern Broken Boundary Mountains, these three passes served as the most perilous "meat grinders" of the northern battlefield. Another force, comprising Moon-Gazing Palace and Azure Cloud Sect, was targeting the formidable Ice River Pass in Fengzhou. Things were proceeding smoothly there; they should secure it without issue.

True Monarch Yang Lei was considering that if Qifeng Pass could be captured, Taihu would secure control of three critical passes. These would serve as invasion points, allowing them to advance deep into the four states under the Spirit-Reversal Blood Sect. The strategic significance was immense. This opportune moment was also thanks to Yellow Springs Monastery and the Joyful Demonic Sect, who had engaged and tied down a large number of late Nascent Soul grand cultivators from the Spirit-Reversal Blood Sect, ensuring this smoother operation.

Meanwhile, Wang Yu and Old Ancestor Yunyan's battle had carried them far away. Suddenly, Yunyan roared, "Fellow Daoist, how much have they offered you? Why push for a life-or-death struggle?!"