Chapter 227: Major Forces Confrontation

The sky had darkened, and clouds raced in the wind.It was a good night for a killing.

The inner city wall of Qiuzhou City was fifteen zhang high, constructed from ten-thousand-jin blue-patterned iron stones. On top, the horse path was four zhang wide, with battlements every three zhang and a watchtower every five li.

Led by Zuoqiu Ting, the four ascended the steps to the three-story city tower, where they gazed upon the inner and outer cities amidst the brisk evening wind.

The Thundercloud Sect's stronghold, Leichi Zhai, was situated on a low hill in the outer eastern city.

Daoist-style buildings covered the hillside, spanning dozens of mu.

At the summit of the low hill stood a striking nine-story purple formation tower, through which lightning flashed and electric birds circled.

"Whoosh!"A young Grand Diviner from the imperial court, with a radiant light blossoming from his brow, used beast-mastery to control a several-meter-long black-feathered beast. Carrying arcane thunder-ice on its back, the beast launched an aerial assault, intending to destroy the formation.

From a plaza within Leichi Zhai, a zhang-long golden feathered arrow shot out, striking down the black-feathered beast in mid-air, dissolving it into a mist of blood and scattered feathers.

"Rumble!"The arcane thunder-ice plummeted, crashing into the ground.

An area dozens of zhang in circumference was leveled.

Lu Cangsheng, clad in a dark robe, stood atop the highest building beneath the nine-story formation tower, observing the situation below the hill and issuing commands.

Immediately, the Heavy Crossbow of Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts on the plaza rotated, firing another zhang-long golden feathered arrow. Like a golden meteor, the arrow pierced the night sky, striking a Disaster-Fire Realm Grand Diviner from the imperial court five li away.

The Grand Diviner's body instantly exploded, leaving no intact flesh or blood behind.

With one side attacking and the other defending, the battle was deadlocked.

The imperial court's next wave of attacks was even fiercer.

Eight artifact war chariots charged forth majestically from eight different directions, both from the sky and the ground.

As the war chariots sped, the air vibrated, and the entire city region shook.

"Whoosh!"Inside Leichi Zhai, the nine-story formation tower dramatically expanded, its height increasing tenfold. It transformed into a thousand-meter-tall purple peak, enveloping several li of land and utterly destroying all eight war chariots.

The arcane thunder-ice inside the chariots was fully unleashed, transforming into eight seas of lightning.

Lightning continuously illuminated the eastern city, either streaking straight into the clouds or horizontally across the sky.

This kind of large-scale martial cultivator confrontation was comparable to a battlefield engagement, and the destructive power unleashed had already surpassed the Five-Seas Realm level.

On the third-story tower of the inner city wall, Qi Xiao observed his surroundings, then looked at the Class A Invitation in his hand. "Sixty percent of the imperial court's top martial cultivators have arrived, and many Class One, Class Two, and Class Three figures have appeared. Yet, after half an hour of fighting, they still can't breach Leichi Zhai's defenses."

Shi Shishi said, "Lu Cangsheng's Turtle Shell Divine Art can truly be called the best in the world!"

Zuoqiu Ting, with one hand elegantly behind his back, smiled and said, "When it comes to defense, no one in the younger generation can compare to Lu Cangsheng. Moreover, the Thundercloud Sect understands arcane thunder-ice better than any other force, so they naturally know how to resist it and how to detonate it prematurely."

Li Weiyi, dressed in a black Daoist robe with his hair bound by a wooden hairpin, exuded an aura of mystery and ease beneath his heroic bearing. "That formation tower is truly extraordinary. The energy it unleashed just now felt strong enough to repel even Ge Xiantong himself. Was it set up by a formation master below the Spirit Diviner level?"

Zuoqiu Ting replied, "The Thundercloud Sect dispatched ten young Disaster-Fire Realm Grand Diviners to Qiuzhou City. They used the Fourth-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact, the Startling Thunder Tower, as the formation base and spent three months to set up this nine-story formation tower. Its defensive power far surpasses formations quickly laid out by ordinary Spirit Diviners."

Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts vary in power and are categorized into nine grades, depending on the number of scriptures inscribed within them.

Those with one hundred to two hundred characters are called "First-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts."Two hundred to three hundred characters are called "Second-Grade."Three hundred to four hundred characters are called "Third-Grade."

The heavy crossbow on Leichi Zhai's plaza, enveloped within a cloud of arcane energy with over a hundred scriptures shimmering on its surface, was a First-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact.

Li Weiyi, not well-versed in this world's artifacts and the nuances of war and defense, asked, "If the Thundercloud Sect can deploy a Fourth-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact, why doesn't the imperial court use Fifth- or Sixth-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts? Or even Thousand-Character Scripture Artifacts?"

Qi Xiao laughed heartily. "Brother Weiyi, we are Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators. Given the grade and quantity of arcane energy within us, it's difficult to effectively activate Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts."

"Only top martial cultivators who have cultivated Sixth-Tier Qi can fully unleash the power of a First-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact."

"With my cultivation, I can only activate a portion of a Second-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact's power, perhaps sixty to seventy percent."

"The higher the grade, the harder it is to activate. While the power can indeed be greater, the increase is limited."

"For example, if I were to wield a Fourth-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Battle Sword, I could only utilize one or two tenths of its power. It could slightly boost my combat strength, giving me a chance to challenge a successor."

"Give me a Thousand-Character Scripture Artifact, and I'd dare to contend with a successor."

"But what if it gets stolen?"

"My Qi family, a million-strong influential clan and a prominent family in Lizhou, possesses only three Thousand-Character Scripture Artifacts, each a treasure that guards the family."

"Is it worth turning oneself into a fat sheep just for this small increase in combat strength?"

"Furthermore, with our Five-Seas Realm cultivation, activating high-grade artifacts takes a considerable amount of time. You might not even activate the artifact before someone cleaves off your head with a single sword stroke, just like Hua Yuzi."

"In personal combat, it's best to use an artifact that suits you well."

"Heavy artifacts and grand formations are only necessary for clashes between major powers."

"The Thundercloud Sect's Fourth-Grade Startling Thunder Tower and its nine grand formations were activated jointly by ten Disaster-Fire Realm Grand Diviners and a large number of Earth-Fire Realm and Sky-Fire Realm Grand Diviners. Only then did they unleash their peak power, transforming into a thousand-meter-tall formation mountain. The consumption of spiritual energy is definitely significant."

Zuoqiu Ting said, "The imperial court's arcane thunder-ice is almost depleted; they should be activating high-grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifacts soon. Look, the imperial court's Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators are gathering in large numbers."

Qi Xiao asked, "Young Master Ting, what level of artifacts are we planning to activate for our assault on the Prefectural Governor's Mansion and the headquarters of the Far West Ash Domain?"

"That's a secret for now," Zuoqiu Ting replied.

Li Weiyi secretly pondered the grades of the trump card artifacts he possessed.

The "Corpse Robe Soft Armor" he wore close to his body was likely of the lowest grade, certainly not reaching the level of a Thousand-Character Scripture Artifact. This was because he could activate the faint blood-colored scriptures and exert some of its power even in the Spring-Surge Realm.

As for the "Ghost Banner," he couldn't yet perceive the scriptures within it, indicating a clearly higher grade.

The Ghost Banner's most important offensive capabilities were its ice power and the ghost generals sealed within.

The "Evil Camel Bell" was likely his primary heavy artifact, but as it involved the taboo figure Yu Tuonan, he dared not expose it.

The "Black Iron Seal," which Master Coffin had previously mentioned, was a treasure of the Thundercloud Sect and could be used in life-or-death situations.

Li Weiyi felt that he was the "fat sheep" Qi Xiao had referred to. Using the Black Iron Seal would undoubtedly boost his combat power significantly, making challenging a successor an easy task. However, it would certainly invite a great deal of trouble after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival.

The Yellow Dragon Sword, on the other hand, was his most preferred artifact. It had grown in power alongside him, like a custom-made weapon that allowed him to perfectly unleash his own strength.

Li Weiyi quietly pondered whether he should find a few more martial arts experts to jointly activate the Black Iron Seal and deliver a harsh blow to Luansheng Lin You at a crucial moment.

"Whoosh!"A wave of artifact arrows rose into the night sky, resembling a bright galaxy as they flew towards Leichi Zhai.

Simultaneously, the imperial court's Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators had finished assembling in the streets.

Led by nine Seventh-Sea martial cultivators, nearly a hundred Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators collectively unleashed their arcane energy, channeling it into a cauldron-shaped Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact.

The surface of the cauldron-shaped artifact erupted with crimson light, spinning as it lifted off the ground.

It grew increasingly massive and brighter.

After ascending ten zhang, the cauldron transformed into the size of a house, enveloped in burning flames, with five hundred thirty-five scriptures shimmering on its body. Its radiance illuminated the entire eastern city.

The dark clouds in the sky were bathed in the cauldron's light, reflecting a crimson hue.

"Swish!"From within Leichi Zhai, a zhang-long golden crossbow bolt flew out.

The sound of it tearing through the air was as loud as thunder.

The cauldron-shaped artifact merely trembled slightly, yet the air vibrated, countless scriptures scattered, and an eruption of energy shattered the crossbow bolt into several pieces.

The cauldron-shaped artifact soared into the sky, unleashing immense power, blazing like a scorching sun.

"Activate the formation tower with full power!" Lu Cangsheng shouted.

"Boom!"The nine-story formation tower once again transformed into a thousand-meter-tall purple lightning peak, colliding with the cauldron-shaped artifact.

The hill where Leichi Zhai was located shook violently, buildings collapsed, and cracks appeared on the hillside.

Fortunately, it withstood the strike, and the formation remained unbroken.

Qi Xiao said, "The imperial court is making a huge move! Ultimately, war is fought by people. The more martial cultivators there are, the stronger the artifacts they can activate, and the deeper their foundation. The strength difference between the two sides is vast; Leichi Zhai's formation will eventually be breached. Once the formation is broken, the battle will likely become a one-sided rout!"

"The Thundercloud Sect is not weak; after all, they were once the rulers of this land of Lingxiao Life Realm. For the imperial court to defeat them, the price will certainly be considerable," Shi Shishi remarked.

Zuoqiu Ting nodded. "Lu Cangsheng knew that the imperial forces, led by Ge Xiantong, were coming to the eastern city, yet he didn't immediately flee or give up on the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. This shows he must have some reliance."

Li Weiyi smiled. "Perhaps Lu Cangsheng guessed that the Zuoqiu Clan would definitely lend a hand."

"In my opinion, he just can't bear to part with that Immortality Pill voucher he holds!" Qi Xiao declared.

Shi Shishi said, "That's an Immortality Pill; who would be willing to give it up?"

"Whoosh!"Nearly a hundred more Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators from the imperial court activated a hammer-shaped Fifth-Grade Hundred-Character Scripture Artifact. It rose from another district, attacking Leichi Zhai.

From the direction of the inner city, a terrifying and heart-pounding aura emanated.

A silver shuttle-shaped artifact was seen descending straight from the clouds, with countless scriptures revolving around it.

It descended with unstoppable force, piercing through the defensive formation of the Dragon Gate stronghold and crashing into the ground, raising a thick cloud of dust.

"Boom!"A powerful shockwave traveled over ten li, spreading to the city tower.

Zuoqiu Ting, Li Weiyi, and the other two immediately looked over.

The Dragon Gate stronghold, the extensive residence of an ancient Everlasting Realm formidable, possessed formidable defensive power. However, suppressed by the Dissolution Charms, all its defensive formations disintegrated under the silver shuttle's attack, and the buildings within the residence collapsed in swathes.

The attack on Dragon Gate was launched by the Far West Ash Domain.

The silver shuttle-shaped artifact had just been activated by over two hundred Five-Seas Realm martial cultivators.

They were numerous and powerful, a formidable force from various factions, each one an exceptional individual.

Luansheng Lin You stood atop a tall building several hundred meters from the Dragon Gate stronghold, his long hair swaying in the wind. He elegantly reached out to the void, retrieving the silver shuttle-shaped artifact, which then hovered in his palm.

"Whoosh!"The silver shuttle-shaped artifact melted, transforming into a liquid silver mask that settled upon his face. He then ordered the siege of Dragon Gate, leaving no one alive.