NOVPUB
Chapter 272: Chapter 269 Demon Bird
Gourd Valley.
A massive valley.
This valley spans fifty to sixty miles in length, with the outer valley exceeding twenty miles, and the inner valley over thirty miles—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a small basin connected together.
And the terrain of the valley is formidable, with a large river to the left and a vast fissure on the right.
While the fissure is only a dozen or so miles across, it is situated at the entrance to the valley.
Furthermore, given that the valley slopes downward, if heavy cannons were placed at the back of the valley, their elevation would be hundreds of meters higher than that of the valley’s mouth.
At this moment, one after another, heavy cannons have been hauled to the peaks behind the valley, overlooking from a height, directly aiming at the mouth of the valley.
At the mouth of the valley, areas have been partitioned into a grid, similar to the battle formation of Yuntian City, facilitating precise strikes from soldiers controlling the Sword Heavy Cannons.
The outer valley was once filled with plentiful woods, which now have been doused with ignitable oil, ready to burst into fierce flames when bombarded.
Despite most devils being unafraid of fierce fire, their animal instincts will compel them toward the roads left open in the middle—potentially causing further chaos and increasing the lethality.
The people of Lingxiao City meticulously prepared.
Fang Linghai, Liu Jingtiao, Wu You, and others, watching the heavy cannons pulled to the optimal visual positions, displayed astonishment in their eyes.
"Seeing is believing, and this time we finally get the chance to witness the true power of the ’Sharp Sword’ heavy cannon."
"Even the Heavenly Masters can enter the battlefield, and with the help of the ’Sharp Sword,’ demonstrate astonishing combat power? Truly eye-opening."
"Rumors say the ’Sharp Sword’ heavy cannon can even blast Upper-level Demons to death... If even the bodies of Upper-level Demons can’t withstand it, what about human cultivators..."
The gaze of several people swept back and forth as if they wanted to discern where the power of this war spiritual artifact truly lay.
After a series of arrangements, Gu Jinlai found several Primordial Spirit Monarchs.
"Esteemed ones, our preparations here are complete. The next step is up to you. Once you lure the devils into the valley, we’ll deliver a fatal strike," explained Gu Jinlai.
The crowd’s gaze shifted away from the Sword Heavy Cannons.
Fang Linghai spoke earnestly, "We will abandon Lengfeng Fortress and lure the devils into this valley with a large retreat..."
He looked at Gu Jinlai, "Once we reach the valley, the rest is in the hands of Governor Gu."
If Gu Jinlai cannot withstand the devils’ charge in Gourd Valley, those abandoning the fortress without any defensible positions would suffer terribly.
"Abandon Lengfeng Fortress?"
Gu Jinlai was somewhat surprised, "Wouldn’t that be too deliberate?"
"Not at all,"
Fang Linghai explained with a wry smile, "In fact, Lengfeng Fortress is practically in name only now. During this period, the fortress has basically been a meat grinder, and a meat grinder that’s been running for two months at that. Even the most solid defenses would be exhausted by such collision, and even if Governor Gu does not arrive, we would have to retreat to Cold Moon City located in the central-southern part of Blue State within three to five days at most."
"Alright,"
Gu Jinlai nodded, "as long as the devils enter the valley, I will ensure they cannot return."
Fang Linghai nodded firmly and led his people away.
"The Mu State devils differ from the Tianhe Demons; although the number of Mu State devils is only seventy thousand, and more than ten thousand have perished during the brutal battles of these two months, leaving fewer than sixty thousand, the quality of Mu State’s devils is much higher than that of Tianhe’s. In this period, we have encountered over twenty Upper-level Demons. You must be extremely cautious."
Liu Jingtiao admonished.
In the end, he also transmitted his voice, "If the situation becomes unmanageable, preserve your strength and withdraw from Gourd Valley."
"I understand," Gu Jinlai nodded in acknowledgment.
After Liu Jingtiao expressed his concerns, he turned and left.
It was only after he departed that Gu Jinlai arranged for the Demon God Guards to set up the defense.
The primary defense point was at the narrow area from the outer valley to the inner valley.
With Cold Moon Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Purgatory Sect taking the lead in defense, assisted by the Demon God Guards,
this spot was less than a mile wide, with steep mountains on both sides. Although the devils could still climb over, the treacherous terrain was more effective at slowing their advance than any wall.
Gu Jinlai would also arrange the Demon God Guards to defend the mountain ridges, significantly impeding the speed of the devils’ advance here.
"If the devils want to play a role, we will accompany them and perform this play well,"
Gu Jinlai looked up to observe.
At the end of his vision, the flow of Demonic Qi rooted deep in Mu State was still unresponsive.
However, the Demonic Qi invading Blue State was surging progressively forward, on the verge of colliding head-on with the Qi of the forces led by Cold Moon Sect.
...
Within the territory of Blue State, a battle was imminent.
Currently, in Tianhe, a vast army was slowly ferrying across the river, pulling along no less than thirty Sword Heavy Cannons.
They were the elite corps led by Great General Shang Zhenbei.
These thirty cannons were the merchandise obtained by spending ninety parts of Immortal Essence Gold by the Daqian Imperial Family.
It was the sale of thirty cannons to the Daqian Imperial Family that enabled Gu Jinlai to bring a total of one hundred and eight cannons to Blue State in an upright and open manner.
"Be careful, these are treasures. Not a single one can suffer any mishap,"
Shang Zhenbei commanded the soldiers.
Numerous Hugging Pill Masters were positioned to guard each cannon, preventing any accidents.
By his side stood a middle-aged man adorned in silver scale armor.
That kind of attire...
It was none other than the elite Qiantian Guards of the Daqian Empire.
The nature of the Qiantian Guards was similar to that of the Meteor Star Guards; they were the most elite special forces of Daqian, with the entry requirement being the Qi Refining Realm cultivation.
Due to these stringent selection criteria, the number of Qiantian Guards was no more than ten thousand, and they acted solely on the orders of His Majesty, the Emperor.
This time it was the Deputy Commander Ding Luoyang who led the team to meet Shang Zhenbei and, along the way, guard the thirty-meter Sword Heavy Cannons.
Of course, while the Qiantian Guards were said to act entirely on the orders of Emperor Jiang Tianji, in recent years, the major clans of Central State had also infiltrated their ranks.
For instance, during the transport of these thirty heavy cannons to the Imperial Capital, they would inevitably pass through several cities controlled by top clans, resting for a few days in the cities under the guise of recuperation.
During these days, it would be a valuable opportunity for these clans to study the Sword Heavy Cannons and see if they could replicate them.
"Thirty heavy cannons, ninety portions of Immortal Essence Gold, that’s almost the equivalent of ninety top-grade Spirit Artifacts. A top sect doesn’t have more than forty or thirty of such Spirit Artifacts, and yet Lingxiao City is really demanding a lion’s share."
Ding Luoyang looked at the Sword Heavy Cannons being transported across the river and said somewhat dissatisfied, "This Gu Jinlai, as the Governor of Star State, doesn’t even understand the principle of being loyal and faithful to one’s sovereign in return for his stipend."
Shang Zhenbei glanced at him but didn’t concur. Instead, he said, "Governor Gu, defending Star State against the demons, has to expend a great deal of manpower and resources—it is understandable that he faces difficulties."
"Difficulties, they have them, don’t we have difficulties as well? Of all the Demon Realm Rifts in the world today, Central State has two, and Sun State has another, and aren’t all these three rifts sealed by us? The number of demons that have died at our hands is no fewer than those dealt with by Gu Jinlai, yet we don’t act all self-important like he does. Wouldn’t you say so, General Shang?"
said Ding Luoyang.
Unsure of exactly whom the Deputy Commander Ding represented, Shang Zhenbei dared not answer rashly and only said, "That’s true, but Lingxiao City has scored a grand victory against the demons, slaying tens of thousands of Tianhe Demons, including a top-tier Demon King. Thus, awarding them ninety portions of Immortal Essence Gold doesn’t seem excessive for such accomplishments."
"Rewards and purchases must not be confused. That Lingxiao City..."
Ding Luoyang was about to say more when suddenly Shang Zhenbei seemed alerted to something and looked toward the distant horizon.
There, a swathe of clouds that shrouded the sky dome above was abruptly torn apart.
Hundreds of black dots emerged from within the clouds and shot toward their direction like arrows.
"Demon Birds!?"
Shang Zhenbei’s complexion changed.
He was the first to control his sword and rise into the clouds.
But at that moment, from his elevated vantage point, he seemed to sense something and looked far into the distance.
He saw fierce turmoil on the surface of the Tianhe, with large waves splashing constantly, and they were rapidly heading toward their crossing point.
It was as if a multitude of creatures were moving frantically beneath the water.
This change made Shang Zhenbei instantly realize something, and he shouted loudly, "Demons are attacking! Protect the Spiritual Artifacts!"
Ding Luoyang also gave an order, "All centurions, withdraw with the ’Sword’ Heavy Cannons back to shore!"
What gave the Tianhe Demons the power to block the north and south? It was the geographical advantage they held on the Tianhe.
They created havoc on the surface and then simply hid at the bottom of the river, where even Divinity Transformation Cultivators with flying swords could not touch them.
Therefore, neither Shang Zhenbei nor Ding Luoyang dared to engage the demons in battle on the river’s surface.
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Shang Zhenbei kept urging the soldiers, while he looked up into the clouds ripped apart and at the hundreds of Demon Birds descending at an inconceivable speed. He was ready to hold off these avian demons with his own strength.
However...
In just a moment, his expression turned drastically.
Among the hundreds of Demon Birds, one particularly fierce bird suddenly surged ahead, seemingly enveloped in a layer of blood-red flames.
With blood-red flames roiling, the terrifying aura of this Demon Bird could no longer be concealed, fully unleashed.
That terrible imposing pressure...
"Demon King!"
Shang Zhenbei let out a somewhat desperate cry.
Against ordinary Demon Birds, even ones equivalent to Upper-level Demons, he was not much afraid.
Demon Birds are not adept at close combat; they, as Primordial Spirit Monarchs, could easily outnumber them.
But a Demon King Level Demon Bird...
Especially one that seemed capable of hiding its aura and integrating its vital blood and demonic nature into a seamless whole, equivalent to a Perfect Undying Demon Body, unless a Deva personally descended, he, as a mere Primordial Spirit Monarch, had no means of defense.
"Retreat! Tactical retreat!"
Shang Zhenbei roared.
He turned and fled at full speed using sword control.
And not just him, upon sensing the aura of the Demon King Level Demon Bird, Ding Luoyang made the same decision too.
The gap between a Demon King and a Primordial Spirit True Monarch meant they dared not confront it face to face.
As the two Primordial Spirit Monarchs led the core officers to escape, the remaining soldiers...
awaited them was a thorough massacre.
...
Several hours later, bloodstained the surface of Tianhe.
Countless demons were devouring the corpses of the Zhenbei Army left behind, like a wild celebratory feast.
But...
Apparently, this feast was not yet over.
A monstrously fierce Demon that looked like a Xuanwu was conversing with the leading Demon Bird.
After a while, the Demon Bird finally shrieked, "Are you saying... you were tricked by the humans? You were lured out of Tianhe only to be ambushed and defeated?"
