Chapter 213: Tang Wanqiu

The earth trembled, and the hum of swords rang out loudly.

Li Ling controlled a dense swarm of golden sword talismans, which transformed into a bright river of swords. These not only struck Ming Niansheng but also weaved among all the martial artists present, causing chaos among those from over a dozen factions.

Each golden sword talisman possessed the power of a full-force strike from a Fourth Realm martial artist of the Five Seas.

But their immense number forced Ming Niansheng, an expert of the Inheritor level, to constantly retreat. Unable to maintain his human form, he transformed into a massive, red-haired demon body.

When Zouwu galloped to Li Weiyi's side, a sharp tug on the reins brought it to an instant halt. Its front hooves rose high, and its roar echoed throughout the Southern City.

Li Ling soared into the air, her right hand performing talisman hand seals, exerting pressure on Ming Niansheng from a distance.

"Swish! Swish..."

The dense golden sword talismans converged, forming a nearly solidified, ten-meter-long golden greatsword. It plunged downwards at an angle.

The greatsword was heavy, its edge sharp, and its energy domineering.

"Thud!"

Blood splattered.

A half-foot-long gash was torn across Ming Niansheng's abdomen. He was pushed back by Luan Shenglinyü's palm, escaping the fate of being disemboweled.

"Whoosh!"

The golden greatsword dispersed, transforming into countless golden runes that flew around Zouwu, Li Weiyi, and the Ghost General.

Li Ling landed back on Zouwu's back. Her fingers remained clasped in a hand seal, and her eyes gleamed with spiritual fire. "Three hundred runes, three hundred soldiers! Who said the Jiuli clan has fallen? I am still here! I have arrived!"

Li Weiyi noticed that the flying golden sword talismans were no longer mere runes. Something was carrying them, transforming them into talismans, not single-use consumables.

"Bang!"

Cang Li could no longer suppress his fighting spirit. He pushed open the door and stepped out, unwilling to hide any longer. Wrapped in his ghost banner, his face veins bulging, he roared: "Luan Shenglinyü, I'll fight you! Cang Li can still battle! If we fight, we'll fight to our last drop of blood!"

In the center of the street, Li Weiyi, Li Ling, and Cang Li stood proudly, their gazes sharp.

Though only three, they showed no fear of their many enemies.

On the third heaven of Taoli Mountain, for some unknown reason, Lord Yin's eyes became moist. He clenched his fist and heavily struck the stone table.

He knew the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival would be difficult, but he hadn't expected it to be so tragic. He also hadn't imagined that for the honor and responsibility of their clan, the three of them would face so many enemies, isolated and without aid.

At this sight, Lord Yin only regretted not being forty years younger, so he could participate.

"Just how many hidden cards does your Jiuli clan have?" Zuo Qiuling couldn't help but ask.

This question was also on the minds of the martial artists under Luan Shenglinyü.

Luan Shenglinyü's gaze turned ice-cold, and his killing intent intensified. "Very well. Since you wish to die, I shall send you on your way."

"Swish!"

A white-robed figure, as if teleporting, appeared on the roof of a building opposite Qinyuan. Holding a sword, he bowed with a smile to Luan Shenglinyü. "Tang Chen, the second inheritor of Snow Sword Tang Ting, greets Young Master."

"Swish!"

A second figure appeared. This was an eagle-headed demon cultivator, who cupped his hands. "Yin Suwen, successor to the Demon King of Zhuozhou in the Northern Realm, greets Young Master."

A third figure flashed outside the gate of Qinyuan. Strangely, he directly crashed into the formation, as if entering an uninhabited land, and plopped down onto the ground. This was a Silver Pure Immortal Body, with white flames burning on his skin. "Tuoba Butuo, the foremost individual of Tanzhou in the Northern Realm."

The fourth figure was a girl in green. She wore countless silver ornaments, and insect pouches hung from her waist. With a charming smile, she curtsied. "Wanyan Xiaose, the foremost individual of Yingzhou in the Northern Realm."

Over a dozen Seventh Sea experts appeared consecutively. Their attire was distinctly different from that of the people of Qiuzhou in the Southern Realm, possessing a strong exotic flair.

Tang Wanqiu was the last to appear. She looked seventeen or eighteen years old, wore a white fox fur collar, had a mole between her eyebrows, and her eyes were strikingly bright. Behind her stood six Pure Immortal Body sword cultivators.

Luan Shenglinyü met his gaze. "What? Is Snow Sword Tang Ting planning to have a decisive battle with me today?"

Tang Wanqiu waved his hands repeatedly and chuckled. "I originally didn't want to get involved, but he praised me as a hero. If I don't show up, he'll surely turn around and call me a worm of the Northern Realm, ending up like Dragon Hall and Lu Cangsheng."

Everyone understood clearly that the reason Tang Wanqiu appeared was because the Jiuli clan had enough leverage!

A Cang Li who could still fight, and a Li Ling who could cleave Ming Niansheng with her sword.

If they were recruited, they would be sharp blades to use against Luan Shenglinyü.

Luan Shenglinyü said, "What if I insist on killing them today?"

Tang Wanqiu saw the resolve and sharpness in Luan Shenglinyü's eyes. He really didn't want a decisive battle with the Far Western Ash Region right now. He sobered his expression. "Li Weiyi, give me one reason why I must save you today."

Li Weiyi picked up the two invitations from the Thunder Law Xuanbing. "If you obtain Cang Li's invitation, Zuo Qiu Clan will no longer have the chance to collect all the Dragon Bone Tickets and Dragon Seed Tickets from the Southern Realm."

"Dragon Hall and Lu Cangsheng of the Eastern Realm are mere decaying bones in their tombs; they will only hinder each other and make it even more impossible to collect everything."

"Zhu Yibai of the Western Realm is a sworn enemy of the Far Western Ash Region, destined to achieve little."

"In other words, as long as you obtain Cang Li's invitation, all the old folks on Taoli Mountain will have no choice but to watch Snow Sword Tang Ting flourish alone. Only you will be able to unify a realm. Zuo Qiu Clan, the host, will also be eliminated early. This is the first reason."

"Second, protect us for ten days. After ten days, if Snow Sword Tang Ting goes to war with the Far Western Ash Region, the Jiuli clan will definitely fight to the death. A blood feud of such magnitude must be avenged."

"Third, if the Jiuli clan and Zuo Qiu Clan are eliminated, Luan Shenglinyü and Ge Xiantong's next target will be you. You cannot afford to gamble on that possibility."

"Haha! I only asked for one reason, but you gave so many. How can I refuse? I cannot refuse at all."

After a hearty laugh, Tang Wanqiu's expression quickly turned serious. "Ten days is too long. Seven days, I can protect you for a maximum of seven days. After seven days, no matter how much your injuries have recovered, if Snow Sword Tang Ting goes to war with Luan Shenglinyü, you must participate."

"Agreed!"

Li Weiyi accepted.

These seven days were too precious!

Tang Wanqiu continued, "Second, Cang Li must swear an oath in the name of the Jiuli Gods that during the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, the Jiuli clan will never be enemies of Snow Sword Tang Ting."

"As long as you don't act unjustly first, I agree!" Cang Li said.

Tang Wanqiu said, "Third, you, Cang Li, Li Jiufu, and Li Ling, must help Snow Sword Tang Ting fight a decisive battle. Don't worry, it won't be a battle against Zuo Qiu Clan."

Cang Li hesitated.

Li Weiyi spoke first: "This is what we owe; it is only right."

Li Weiyi inwardly sighed that the gap between Tang Wanqiu and Zuo Qiuting was too vast. In the current situation, wouldn't it be better for them to owe a favor?

Instead, it had become a business transaction.

Very well.

What Li Weiyi feared most was owing favors.

Cang Li also understood this point and quickly agreed, then asked, "What about you? How can I know that you won't go back on your word in these seven days and abandon us to injustice?"

Tang Wanqiu laughed. "What Snow Sword Tang Ting seeks to contend for is the world, not just the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. If my words were mere farting, then Snow Sword Tang Ting shouldn't even step out of the Northern Realm, lest we make a fool of ourselves."

"Luan Shenglinyü, will you return to heal your wounds, or will we have our decisive battle today?"

Cang Jin rushed from a distance and appeared among the martial artists. He transmitted a message with his spiritual energy to Luan Shenglinyü: "The high-level martial artists of Zuo Qiu Clan and the imperial court have both suffered heavy losses and have ceased fighting. Zuo Qiuting and Zuo Qiu Lancheng are heading this way."

Luan Shenglinyü's expression remained unchanged. His gaze lingered on Tang Wanqiu and Cang Li, finally settling on Li Weiyi, whom he smiled at. "In this era, you and I are the only hidden dragons. Let's go!"

Luan Shenglinyü forcefully plunged his silver spear into the ground, turned, and walked away. He held up a finger and said, "This spear, I give to Li Weiyi. No one else is worthy of it."

The martial artists from over a dozen factions retreated like a tide.

Many martial artists from the Northern Realm cast their gazes towards Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi gritted his teeth. Luan Shenglinyü's terrifying combat power was one thing, but his cunning tactics were excessive. Even as he left, he used such a tactic to elevate and then destroy. He was clearly planning to retreat only to advance, using others as his weapons.

On the third heaven.

Despite ending in a devastating defeat, Lord Yin and the elders of Zuo Qiu Clan all breathed a sigh of relief and became overjoyed.

"To be able to force back an enemy like Luan Shenglinyü is nothing short of a miracle." Zuo Qiuling, as the head of Lingxiao Armor, understood the mindset of an invincible person too well.

To make an invincible person yield and retreat was harder than defeating them.

An old man clapped his hands in approval and analyzed: "First, they used the 'empty house' strategy to buy time, then explained the stakes, planting the seed of retreat in Luan Shenglinyü's mind. Finally, they correctly surmised that someone from Snow Sword Tang Ting would be nearby, trading their value, including the Longevity Pills, Dragon Seeds, and Dragon Bones, for seven days of respite. Not a single step could have been missing to seize this lifeline from a certain death situation."

Another old man said, "The most important factor is still the people themselves. Such courage and intellect are rarely found among the younger generation."

"You all overlooked Cang Li and Li Ling. If their strength wasn't sufficient, they wouldn't even have had the right to negotiate." Zuo Qiuling said, "Old Li, you've hidden your strength well. How can Li Ling's talisman mastery be so profound? She's only sixteen, isn't she?"

Lord Yin's worries vanished, and he couldn't help but feel a little proud. "Whose family doesn't have a highly talented daughter?"

Zuo Qiuling said, "What about that banner? Its origin is extraordinary; it's definitely not something from the Lingxiao Living Realm."

Lord Yin said, "Are you done yet? My Jiuli clan is an ancient clan with a million years of history. What treasures don't we possess? Do you really think we're just any random cats and dogs?"

Zuo Qiuling nodded. "In this battle, the Jiuli clan indeed displayed the prestige of an ancient clan with a million years of history. No one will ever underestimate you again. The younger generation has certainly won back face for the people of Lizhou."

Li Ling collected all the talismans and stored them in the spiritual realm at the center of her brow.

Yin Jiu, Yin Shi, Yin Shi'wu, and Yin Shi'liu were carried out by the martial artists of Snow Sword Tang Ting. They prepared to seek refuge in the Northern City for seven days.

Tang Wanqiu opened the two invitations, took out the Longevity Pill Ticket, Dragon Seed Ticket, and Dragon Bone Ticket inside, then returned the invitations to Cang Li and laughed. "We still have to attend the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. After the battle on the Lantern Festival night, we should have a few more drinks."

Zuo Qiuting flew down onto the street opposite, standing far away at the alley entrance, covered in blood, not approaching.

"I'll go talk to him," Li Weiyi said.

Tang Wanqiu stared coldly at Zuo Qiuting in the distance. "To be able to withstand an attack from the imperial court's eight provinces' forces, he truly is quite a figure. Brother Weiyi, don't let him lure you away. I'll wait for you here; let's have a drink tonight, just the two of us first. As for Cang Li, let's leave him out for now. With all those injuries, whatever he drinks will just leak right out."

Li Weiyi and Zuo Qiuting sat down on the stone steps under the eaves along the long street.

Zuo Qiuting healed his wounds as he spoke. "I apologize; the worst has happened. Zuo Qiu Clan was preoccupied with its own issues and couldn't provide aid at the crucial moment."

Li Weiyi said, "Being able to withstand the imperial court's attack is already impressive! Who would have thought that Ge Xiantong and Luan Shenglinyü would join forces?"

"Qing Yin is dead!"

Zuo Qiuting's face was full of bitterness and extreme pain.

Li Weiyi was also startled. That was an Inheritor-level figure. "Your sister didn't intervene?"

"If she hadn't intervened, Zuo Qiu Clan would have had to kneel and beg for mercy last night... She and Ge Xiantong both suffered heavy losses... Ugh..."

Zuo Qiuting's chest heaved. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood, and his disguise technique faltered.

Li Weiyi said, "Go back and recuperate quickly. After today, the situation in Qiuzhou's capital city will surely change drastically. Oh, and we're temporarily seeking refuge in the Northern City, so the young martial artists of the Jiuli clan here in the Southern City can only be looked after by you. Also... help me find Li Jiao."

Last night, the Jiuli clan's battles primarily involved high-realm martial artists.

Yin Shi'yi escaped, his fate unknown.

"Rest assured, Zuo Qiu Clan is obligated to do so."

Zuo Qiuting's hand suddenly reached into Li Weiyi's sleeve, secretly slipping a pill bottle into his hand. "These are healing elixirs refined by our old ancestor. He is one of the top elixir masters in the Lingxiao Living Realm, and they will surely help Cang Li and Li Jiufu recover quickly. Also, you've made quite a splash today. Countless people want to kill you, so don't make any more waves."

With these words, he quickly turned and left, soaring onto the rooftops and disappearing from view.

Li Weiyi met up with Tang Wanqiu, got into a carriage, and headed towards the Northern City.

Cang Li could no longer hold on. He had fallen asleep in another carriage prepared by Snow Sword Tang Ting, with Li Ling looking after him.

Tang Wanqiu held Li Weiyi's hand intimately. "Weiyi, if you had just cultivated for two more years, this Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival wouldn't be dominated by Luan Shenglinyü and Ge Xiantong. Are you interested in joining Snow Sword Tang Ting to scheme for the world?"

Li Weiyi chuckled. "With our current cultivation, what right do we have to talk about scheming for the world? By the time we grow strong, the world will already be peaceful."

"Not necessarily. With the help of Dragon Seeds and Longevity Pills, anything is possible..." Tang Wanqiu said.

Just then, a veiled woman flew into the carriage and presented a secret letter to Tang Wanqiu.

After reading it, Tang Wanqiu's gaze became much more solemn. "Zuo Qiu Hong! This must be the hidden strength of Zuo Qiu Clan! Another figure of their caliber has emerged. This truly is an era destined for immortality."

Li Weiyi looked out of the carriage. His thoughts gradually settled.

Day broke, and the battle ended. The streets surprisingly became bustling, filled with carriages and horses, lion dances, and gongs.

It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and everyone wore new clothes. Though they were in the same city, it felt as if they lived in two different worlds—like the cruel, chaotic world outside and the splendid prosperity within the city.