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Chapter 224: Chapter 221: Flying Sword Covering
"Alright, then we will launch the attack in half an hour."
Xin Tianqi nodded, looking at Gu Jinlai, "For this ambush, we will go. We hope you can stay at Dragon Ascending Mountain to oversee the overall situation."
"I know what you’re worried about, but without me, who among you can withstand Sparrow Sword Immortal Huo Yuqing?" Gu Jinlai said.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone at the scene fell silent at once.
After a while, Xin Tianqi finally said, "I’d actually like to experience the elegance of a peak Primordial Spirit Monarch for myself."
He was not confident in defeating a peak Monarch either.
Such a Monarch, with their cultivation, sword control technique, burst secret technique, and equipment, would have no shortcoming in any aspect.
Even a powerful top-grade Monarch like him would find it difficult to escape unscathed when facing off against one.
"So, leave this Sparrow Sword Immortal to me," Gu Jinlai said. "As for my safety, you need not worry."
After pondering for a moment, he offered a benevolent lie, "I have obtained a treasure from the Aries Star Palace, and this treasure contains intense and mighty power that can annihilate him with one strike."
"A treasure from the Aries Star Palace?"
This explanation sent a shock through Xin Tianqi and the others.
By now, the news of the Aries Star Palace had spread, and they all knew that Gu Jinlai had breached the True Dragon Gate of the Aries Star Palace.
One reason Ye Dongliu and the other Divinity Transformation Cultivators launched their attack without being fully prepared, and why they were forced to fight before Long Xiangtian arrived, was concern over the treasure Gu Jinlai had obtained from the Aries Star Palace.
They feared that with the help of this treasure, his strength would greatly increase, posing an even greater threat to Dragon Sparrow Manor.
Now that Gu Jinlai had revealed the purpose of this treasure...
Everyone felt greatly reassured.
"Venerable Daoist Gu must have anticipated this moment and chose this item specifically as a reward, right? With such a treasure, the Sparrow Sword Immortal is bound to come without return. Once Dragon Sparrow Manor loses this true magic stabilizer, it will no longer be able to threaten us," Lu Zhanfeng said, invigorated.
The others nodded in agreement.
They had no doubts about the treasures produced by the Aries Star Palace.
Even Xin Tianqi was no exception.
However...
He felt somewhat regretful in his heart.
If Gu Jinlai could have exchanged for a treasure that could increase his cultivation, it seemed the long-term cost-performance would have been higher.
However, the current situation in Star State had forced him to choose such a one-time trump card.
This time, it was Star State that had held him back.
Right there and then, Gu Jinlai was issuing orders to Nian Buwang, Gu Chifeng, Gu Luochen, Gu Qingmei, and others.
The defense of the artillery positions manned by the Heavenly Master Apprentices and the repelling of the flying swords of Divinity Transformation Cultivators were of utmost importance.
After all, even though there were several hundred Heavenly Master Apprentices in Lingxiao City, and Gu Jinlai even intended to have those among the Gu Family Disciples who showed mediocre talent in Slaying Demon to switch to studying the Heavenly Master’s ways, the overall numbers the apprentices had not yet increased significantly.
Even if it meant sacrificing one apprentice for one Divinity Transformation opponent, he would feel at a loss.
In such a situation, when confronted with incoming flying swords, naturally, the gunfire net constructed by Gu Chifeng and others would have to serve as protection.
Soon, Gu Jinlai had arrived at a concealing spot about eight or nine miles away from Dragon Ascending Mountain’s artillery position.
He calmly took out the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror.
"The folks from Dragon Sparrow Manor think they can just huddle within Dragon Roar City and refuse to leave, believing that if they endure for a while, we will retreat if we can’t take the city soon enough. Otherwise, they would likely sally forth from the city to pursue and annihilate us upon our retreat. Unfortunately... they haven’t miscalculated their strategy, even attaching unprecedented importance to Star State..."
This could be seen from the fact that Dragon Sparrow Manor, while having the capability to battle Star State, chose instead to abandon the four cities to the west of Jiangzhou close to Star State, depending on Dragon Roar City and Star State’s army to engage in a decisive battle.
Such tactics were cautious to the extreme.
Even in wars with Demon Sects like Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect, Dragon Sparrow Manor would hardly be so careful.
From this, it was clear that Dragon Sparrow Manor had already placed Star State at a level on par with Sects such as Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect.
"Unfortunately... what you got wrong is that you only see our Star State as a top force, treating us with the tactics reserved for a top power," Gu Jinlai said as he activated the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror, looking at the figures it revealed, "Carry out my order! Give all units three minutes for a final check!"
"Received! Positions one through six have completed the check and are ready to open fire at any time!"
"Seven through twelve positions have completed the check! Awaiting instructions!"
"Thirteen through twenty-four positions are ready, please Patriarch give the order!"
One by one, the Gu Family Disciples, including the Heavenly Master responsible for the war effort, responded in kind.
Soon, all the positions completed their final round of inspections.
Seeing this, Gu Jinlai no longer hesitated.
"Very well, then... Aim for Dragon Roar City! Let us level this city to the ground!"
As soon as Gu Jinlai finished speaking, he issued the order, "Fire the cannons!"
The moment he gave the command to "Fire the cannons," several flashes of light simultaneously appeared in the direction of Dragon Ascending Mountain.
Deafening booms erupted from dozens of locations across Dragon Ascending Mountain, resonating through heaven and earth.
The next moment, trails of dark spots with piercing shrieks, seemingly accompanied by flashes of light, streaked across the sky, heading straight for Dragon Roar City fifty li away and bombarding it.
The maximum range of the artillery was only forty li, but the artillery positions were on Dragon Ascending Mountain, utilizing the topographical advantage along with special long-range artillery shells, they were fully capable of bombarding the interior of Dragon Roar City.
At this moment.
Inside Dragon Roar City, Ye Qianqiu and Long Xiangtian were situated in a tall building.
Between them stood the Sparrow Sword Immortal, Huo Yuqing, who appeared to be in her thirties but with fully gray hair.
Despite approaching the end of her lifespan, this Primordial Spirit Monarch had cultivated some secret technique and used the Turtle Breathing Technique, which astonishingly allowed her to maintain ninety percent of her peak prowess, even surpassing Long Xiangtian slightly.
With three Primordial Spirit Monarchs in control of the overall situation and nineteen Divinity Transformation Cultivators stationed around, they were waiting for Gu Jinlai to seek his own end.
The situation was still within their grasp.
Even...
At such a critical time, Huo Yuqing still had the energy to plot for her future.
"This time, as the Aries Star Palace departed, they declared that they would return in a few years to reopen, and while in the past the Aries Star Palace was nomadic and no one knew where they would descend after chasing the storms, this time around, it is well-known to us, with the target being the Qiantian region. This is an enormous opportunity for us."
Huo Yuqing spoke gravely, "The Aries Star Palace, as the former traveling palace of the Aries Star Lord who once dominated the Heavenly Master Holy Realm, contains countless treasures and rare medicines, amongst which will undoubtedly be items that can extend one’s lifespan. Therefore, I want you to do everything in your power to cultivate several exceptional Heavenly Masters during this time to prepare for the next descent of the Aries Star Palace. If we can break through one barrier and obtain a lifespan-extending Treasure, and I can hold on for another ten or eight years, I will undoubtedly witness the maturation of the Creation Immortal Fruit. Then, no matter to what extent we fight with Star State, as long as I do not die, Dragon Sparrow Manor can always remain among the top powers."
"We have already sent people to make selections, and we’ve taken out some Treasures that were originally the foundation of the manor..."
Long Xiangtian said, "However, many suspect that the Aries Star Palace’s decision to stay in the Qiantian region this time instead of following the storm is likely because of Gu Jinlai... Given that Gu Jinlai has shown the potential to become the Aries Star Lord, so..."
"So, this time, Gu Jinlai must die," Huo Yuqing stated emphatically. "Otherwise, if he truly becomes master of the Aries Star Palace... No, even just the spread of this news would cause Gu Jinlai’s fame to skyrocket, attracting countless Heavenly Masters to his side. Some powers might even invest in him in advance, courting favor with him. When that happens, their forces will swell at an alarmingly fast rate. We absolutely can’t give him this opportunity."
"If we kill Gu Jinlai... will the Aries Star Palace no longer descend?"
Ye Qianqiu asked.
"Artifact Spirits are different from humans; their actions are their principles. The Artifact Spirit of the Aries Star Palace has promised to descend again in a few years. Even if Gu Jinlai dies, it will not go back on its word," Huo Yuqing said. "However, it’s best if the Heavenly Masters we cultivate do so in secret, to avoid the Artifact Spirit being unfairly biased against our Heavenly Masters because of Gu Jinlai."
Her expression stern, she continued, "The Aries Star Palace is our only hope to obtain life-extending Treasures and the only method to sustain another sixty years of glory until the Creation Immortal Fruit matures. There must be no failure in this matter."
Long Xiangtian nodded. "After this battle, I will personally oversee the training of the Heavenly Masters in the manor."
"This battle will end in one of three outcomes; at worst, we repel the invaders from Star State but suffer grave losses ourselves, with both sides left damaged. In the middling scenario, Star State besieges Dragon Roar City without success for a long time, unrest arises in Star State, and they are forced to withdraw troops. We pursue them and inflict heavy losses before they return to Star State, subsequently getting caught in a quagmire of war that they cannot escape from."
As Huo Yuqing spoke, she sneered, "The best scenario would be that Gu Jinlai, not knowing his own limitations, attempts to take Dragon Roar City by force, and as soon as he sets foot in Dragon Roar City, that would mark the time of his demise."
Ye Qianqiu, Long Xiangtian, and the others nodded.
They agreed with the Patriarch’s assessment.
Dragon Sparrow Manor had already made the most thorough preparations and, with their foundation...
This battle, no matter what, they could not lose.
It was just a matter of whether it was a pyrrhic victory, a minor victory, or a major victory.
"Next we will..."
Just as Ye Qianqiu wanted to continue, Huo Yuqing suddenly sensed something, turning her gaze toward Dragon Ascending Mountain.
Shortly after, Ye Qianqiu and Long Xiangtian also perceived something.
"Looking at the trajectory... is it flying swords!?"
"Flying swords!? More than thirty... no, more than forty flying swords!? Where did Star State get so many Divinity Transformation Cultivators!? Could it be the Purgatory Sect? But the information we received stated that the Netherworld Sect has already contained the forces of the Purgatory Sect... How could it be..."
Ye Qianqiu and Long Xiangtian were shaken to their core.
Huo Yuqing’s expression turned fierce: "What are you waiting for!? Intercept! Order all Divinity Transformation Cultivators of Dragon Sparrow Manor to wield their swords and intercept!"
"Wait, it could be the Heavenly Sword..."
Ye Qianqiu suddenly thought of something and was about to issue a warning.
But Huo Yuqing had already given the command, with her Divine Thought booming and sweeping across the city, "Flying swords incoming! All Divinity Transformations heed my command, intercept with sword control!"
