Chapter 724: The Battle of Tongjin

"Boring Gold Gate." As the words left her lips, An Siwei's expression instantly changed. Li Minggong hesitated slightly before taking out her jade pendant again and crushing it. This signaled the qi cultivators in the area to retreat to Fuan Main Peak for shelter. She instructed, "Just withdraw the people and defend according to the formation. The harvest of the Fuan territory has already been cleared; it's merely a loss of a few years. Situ Mo has a powerful background and understands not to touch spirit veins." Li Zhouwei had actually discussed the matter of Boring Gold Gate with Li Minggong and Li Cheng, so this turn of events was not entirely unexpected.

Ever since Situ Tang's death, Boring Gold Gate began its decline from its peak as the Xu Kingdom's foremost sect, boasting three Purple Mansion cultivators. When the Li family achieved their enlightenment, they still heard of the fame of Boring Gold Gate's young master. However, by that time, Boring Gold Gate was merely a hollow shell, an impoverished and fallen household whose essence had long evaporated. After the Disaster of Lixia passed and Chi Wei died, Situ Huo, their sole remaining Purple Mansion cultivator, further provoked Xiao Chuting, a master who had achieved enlightenment through Natal Divine Ability. This forced Situ Huo to flee, eventually fearing to return to either Jiangnan or Jiangbei. The entire Boring Gold Gate became a stage for the power struggles between Green Pool and Golden Feather, and later suffered from the impact of the North-South conflict. To put it bluntly, Boring Gold Gate is now even inferior to Xuanyue!

Their few guest elders were not to be feared. They had two newly advanced Foundation Establishment disciples, and had finally managed to cultivate two presentable members, Situ Ku and Situ Biao. However, Situ Ku had already been captured by Li Zhouwei, leaving the sect unable to even fill its seats. The only one truly worth fearing was the sect leader, Situ Mo.

Li Minggong led the retreat and whispered, "Situ Mo is a cultivator of the same generation as my great-aunt. He is extremely suspicious and treacherous. Years ago, an elder of our family visited Boring Gold Gate's Gold Pouch Island with a bow, where he shot and killed Ewu. This terrified Situ Mo so much that he dared not leave the island for over twenty years. Only after confirming that our elder was no longer in the East Sea did he hastily flee back to Boring Gold Gate."

"He didn't dare take a single step outside until our elder passed away. Only then did news of him resurface... Now, he has even crossed the mountains; it seems he has gained some courage." An Zheyuan, standing nearby, heard the name and a look of reminiscence appeared on his face. After taking a pill, he said, "This old man... discussed this person with Elder Xuanxuan. His maternal uncle is Ji Dengqi, who was also quite a figure." An Zheyuan spoke with authority on this matter, as he had not only conversed with the Ji family's old patriarch as the An family head back then but had even participated in besieging Ji Dengqi. Li Minggong was unaware of this detail; she simply stated, "Situ Mo has been at the peak of Foundation Establishment for decades, and he might even have cultivated secret arts. Furthermore, Boring Gold Gate's *Heavenly Whisker Polished Gold Sutra* is a renowned Geng Metal cultivation technique. It will be difficult for just a few of us to defend. I have already sent a request for reinforcements."

As soon as her voice faded, a bright escape light, displaying an iridescent dark red, appeared on Fuan Main Peak. A tall man flew into the formation, his heroic eyebrows raised. He cupped his hands and spoke in a deep voice, "Weizeng greets milady!" "You've arrived just in time!" Li Minggong's face lit up with joy. Just as she was about to ask him to approach, a golden aura was already approaching from the horizon. An Siwei frowned and said, "They're here so fast."

Ding Weizeng glanced around and, surprisingly, recognized them. He pulled out a bright red long staff from his storage pouch and planted it on the ground. Beneath his crimson armor, a layer of delicate, tiny runes emerged, climbing up his arm to his palm. The runes in his pupils grew denser. Ding Weizeng declared, "It's the Situ family!"

It was not surprising that Ding Weizeng recognized Situ Mo. His Ding family had once been a powerful clan in the Fuan territory, and the Fudou region had extensive dealings with Boring Gold Gate. As a capable subordinate, Ding Weizeng had even had some dealings with Situ Ku. He raised his staff, and a middle-aged man appeared in the sky, holding a golden ring. He had slightly long cheeks, thin eyebrows, and was adorned with glittering golden hooks and rings. His feathered robe was decorated with diamond-shaped patterns. He stood with his hands behind his back before the formation. This was undoubtedly Situ Mo, with several Foundation Establishment guest elders standing behind him, and the elder Situ Biao standing beside him, whose appearance bore some resemblance to Situ Ku in the dungeon. Situ Mo uttered not a single word, simply commanding, "Attack!"

Instantly, a torrent of gleaming lights descended, striking the grand formation with a deafening clang. The faces of the qi cultivators on the formation platform paled. An Siwei, holding the formation disk, took a step back, her expression grim. The formation on Fuan Main Peak was a top-tier qi cultivation array, but it could not withstand the attacks of multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators. If not for the presence of most of the qi cultivators from the entire Fuan territory, who shared the burden, the formation would have shattered with just that single blow. However, a large number of people did not guarantee resistance; otherwise, Foundation Establishment formations would not be necessary. Even with ample spiritual power, this formation would undoubtedly break after just two more hits. Ding Weizeng hastily rode the wind out, buying time, and shouted, "Sect Leader Situ, why are you invading my Fuan territory?"

Situ Mo raised an eyebrow at him, then drew a golden saber from his waist. A sharp golden aura immediately erupted, swirling around him as white energy waves. Situ Mo said mildly, "So it's Weizeng. You are also a cultivator from the Fuan territory. Now that Fuan is being conquered, why not surrender to my Boring Gold Gate? I can recommend you to cultivate with Do Xian Dao. Your contributions will be counted, and you'll have no more worries; there's no need to fight to the death here." Boring Gold Gate certainly wouldn't dare to take Ding Weizeng in directly, so any persuasion would be under the name of Do Xian Dao. But Ding Weizeng, without mentioning his family still on the lake, knew what was important, let alone the favor Li Ximing had done for him by finding four True Masters for a single injury. He refused, but then suddenly noticed Situ Mo's hand.

Situ Mo pressed one hand on his saber, while with the other, he formed a hand seal within his sleeve, wrapping his ring finger over the back of his middle finger and hooking his index finger, with the other fingers pressed together. He chuckled, "Strike!" A blade-like golden light shot out from his sleeve, instantly producing a piercing shriek as the golden aura sank. Ding Weizeng's reaction was not slow; he gritted his teeth and roared, "Halt!" This roar transformed into a tiger's roar in mid-air, causing the forest to tremble and briefly halting the golden blade. Ding Weizeng, however, stared directly at Situ Mo. Situ Mo felt his eyes uncontrollably lock onto Ding Weizeng's, then sensed a great force pushing him back a step, stars appearing before his eyes.

As he retreated, the golden blade in the air immediately slowed by half a beat, allowing Ding Weizeng to dodge it. However, Situ Biao, the elder behind Situ Mo, already knew his sect leader's temperament and struck forward with a golden hammer. Instantly, all the golden energy in the sky surged towards Ding Weizeng. Fortunately, a surge of True Fire rose from beneath his feet, and Li Minggong's Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp swiftly arrived, sending countless red and white plumes of Pure Feather Departing Fire rising with the flames, enveloping him in protection. Li Minggong shouted, "Boring Gold Gate is attacking my territory without cause! Are you trying to provoke the might of a Purple Mansion cultivator?!"

Situ Mo had long been at odds with the Li family and knew that whether he fought them or not, they wouldn't spare him. He was eager for the Li family to go to war with Do Xian Dao, hoping to gain a powerful backing. Now, finally triumphant, he spoke cautiously, "You young girl! My Boring Gold Gate is acting on the orders of a True Master from Do Xian Dao to take over the Fuan territory. There's no 'attacking' involved!" As they spoke, the True Fire and golden energy had already clashed.

True Fire possessed the fire virtue that was most potent against metal; otherwise, Li Zhouwei wouldn't have specifically chosen Li Minggong to guard this place. This flame, further enhanced by the Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp, though not as powerful in spiritual energy as the golden aura, could repeatedly weaken it. The remaining golden energy that landed on Ding Weizeng's body struck his Dharma Body with a crisp clang. Situ Mo, however, had already recovered. He drew his saber and coldly commanded, "Capture him quickly!"

The six Foundation Establishment cultivators, led by Situ Biao, immediately surrounded Ding Weizeng. One of them broke off to block An Siwei. Situ Biao also specifically took out a golden token, whose radiant light enveloped Ding Weizeng. Although Ding Weizeng was skilled in combat, he was ultimately only a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could he withstand the siege of six, especially with Situ Biao, whose cultivation was comparable? He immediately fell into a disadvantage, gritting his teeth and struggling to defend. As Ding Weizeng found himself in peril, Li Minggong also fared poorly against Situ Mo. The opponent's saber technique initially overwhelmed her, spewing corrosive golden energy that spread like mist, chilling one's face.

Li Minggong had only achieved Foundation Establishment a few years ago; how could she be a match for Situ Mo? Fortunately, True Fire refined metal, and with the flames spewed from her Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp, she barely managed to neutralize the golden energy. Situ Mo's saber qi could only be blocked by her artifact's main body, making the artifact clang loudly. *The Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp was a gift from the Golden Feather Sect... at least it's sturdy... it won't break immediately...* Li Minggong no longer had time to worry about damage to her artifact. The golden blade in mid-air had already doubled back, aiming for her back.

Before the golden blade reached her, a chill ran down her spine. Li Minggong blew out flames from her vermilion lips, barely forcing back the blade in front of her, then turned her lamp to block the golden blade. "Clang!" With a soft clang, a shower of sparks exploded in mid-air, and the golden light rapidly retreated. Li Minggong let out a muffled groan, a deep, bone-visible wound already appearing on her arm. Though Boring Gold Gate's talent pool was dwindling, their spells were not inferior. The Gold Illumination Blade was incredibly fast; even though she turned her artifact to block, she only managed to graze it with the artifact's body. The golden blade flew off at an angle, wounding her arm. The golden cold poison immediately spread through her meridians, attempting to invade her body, but Li Minggong's True Fire Dao foundation surged, easily neutralizing the golden cold. She looked up to see Situ Mo forming another seal, a brilliant golden light illuminating his hand.

*He's no ordinary cultivator...* After just a few exchanges with Situ Mo, Li Minggong was already injured. If not for her True Fire's ability to counter metal, her condition would be far worse. Realizing the gap between herself and these seasoned cultivators, she hastily retreated a few steps and activated talismans to protect herself. But in a breath's time, Situ Mo's spell was complete. He raised his hand as if to throw, and instantly countless golden bristles flew from his hand, so densely packed they hurt the eyes, like thousands of birds returning to a forest, stabbing towards her entire body. *I can't hold back now...* Li Minggong understood she was no match; her cultivation and spellcraft were far inferior to these old masters. These golden needles would be fatal, so she had no choice but to pull an item from her sleeve and toss it into the air.

Immediately, a painted screen appeared in mid-air, consisting of eight panels with varying patterns. Verdant light flickered on the screen, and dark green radiance streamed out, showering down like rain. The Profound Screen of Reaching Clarity! The Profound Screen of Reaching Clarity embodied the Green Pine Orthodoxy, which was quite effective against the sects of Jiangnan. However, Do Xian Dao was not part of the Green Pine Orthodoxy and was unrelated, which was why Li Zhouwei had not carried it with him. The reason it had been left with Li Minggong was precisely because the Profound Screen of Reaching Clarity's power of the Deep Abyss was extremely potent against Boring Gold Gate! This ancient artifact displayed immense power; as the dark green light showered down, thousands of golden bristles seemed to be choked, all freezing motionless in mid-air.

As the dark green light rippled past, it even forced out two golden blades, writhing like earthworms, from close proximity, struggling relentlessly. Li Minggong was momentarily stunned, then broke out in a cold sweat: "There was another one! If not for this artifact, the golden blades would have followed one after another, and my life would have been in grave danger!" She had only recently reached Foundation Establishment and lacked extensive combat experience; otherwise, she wouldn't have found herself in such a predicament. With her life preserved by the artifact, Situ Mo's expression finally turned grim. He glanced at it and said, "Great Wind of Deep Abyss? What a formidable artifact..."

Situ Mo and Li Minggong paused their exchange after a few rounds, but Ding Weizeng on the side was not having such an easy time. His body surged with dark red spiritual energy, his long staff parried two golden spears, and his eyes had turned blood red. The Dian Yang Tiger was skilled at eye strikes; no one dared to meet his gaze, only casting spells at him. Relying on a single Dharma Body, he held off six opponents, preventing them from advancing an inch. Situ Biao had taken a blow from his staff midway through and his complexion still looked poor. Situ Mo narrowed his eyes and said, "What a formidable Dian Yang Tiger."

As Ding Weizeng faced perilous odds, Li Minggong immediately activated the golden protective power within the screen, extricating herself from the golden bristles and rushing to assist. The combined might of Li Minggong and Ding Weizeng, with True Fire and Heng Zhu, plus an ancient artifact specifically countering Boring Gold Gate, was no laughing matter! Situ Mo was the first to react, drawing his saber to block and coldly saying, "Don't let them combine forces!" He reacted swiftly, blocking Li Minggong in time. With a shout, Ding Weizeng had already shifted his position, causing Boring Gold Gate's guest elders to exchange a glance and simultaneously shout, "Strike!"

Several golden lights erupted from their hands, and Situ Biao once again produced his golden token, releasing a radiant light to restrain Ding Weizeng. For a moment, resistance enveloped Ding Weizeng from top to bottom, left to right. "Hahahahaha!" This, however, made Ding Weizeng laugh. His dark red eyes flickered, and he pressed one hand in front of him, chanting, "Scarlet Tiger flees, the monarch avoids the palace, reduces meals, blames oneself, grants general amnesty to the world!" His figure, like a dark red whirlwind, roared out from the surrounding barriers. Situ Biao and the others' encirclement seemed to vanish. The whirlwind circled in the sky for a moment, then landed beside Li Minggong, reforming into Ding Weizeng's appearance.

At this instant, everyone from Boring Gold Gate was stunned. Events unfolded too quickly, even Situ Mo was momentarily dumbfounded. He and Li Minggong realized almost simultaneously: *The Dian Yang Tiger is skilled in combat, capable of escaping imprisonment, shattering cages, piercing yin and overcoming karma, and striking with its gaze.* The encirclement formed by Situ Biao and the others already held the essence of a cage, and their concerted efforts to block created a form of imprisonment. The Dian Yang Tiger's ability to pierce yin and overcome karma perfectly aligned with the profound wonder of its immortal foundation! The situation suddenly changed drastically. Situ Biao's face instantly turned pale. Ding Weizeng's laughter did not subside, but Li Minggong's expression changed first, and she swiftly recalled the Profound Screen of Reaching Clarity.

*Siwei!* While everyone in the sky was locked in fierce combat, An Siwei was still isolated, fending off that Boring Gold Gate guest elder! She was ultimately a step too late. How swift was Situ Mo's reaction? He had already appeared beside An Siwei, riding on golden energy, and before the Profound Screen of Reaching Clarity could arrive, he slammed a palm into An Siwei, making him vomit blood and pushing him towards the Boring Gold Gate cultivators. He even had time to turn back and block the artifact, facing it with cold eyes. An Siwei, whose immortal foundation was extremely ordinary and cultivation technique deficient, was also fully concentrated on fighting another, so how could he react in time? In the blink of an eye, he had fallen into the encirclement of six cultivators, completely immobilized.