Chapter 24: Withdrawing Troops

Both Great Xia and the Unbound Gate on the battlefield were stunned.

The Great Xia side had already begun to retreat, while the Unbound Gate, with morale soaring, wanted to carve a few more pieces of flesh from 'Great Xia'.

But—

Chi Bing True Immortal was dead?

A mighty Pure Yang True Immortal, dead?

How could that be.

How did Ji Ning do it? Wasn't he trapped? Even if he broke free, how could he kill Chi Bing True Immortal in an instant?

Did I just see a snow-white lotus beside Chi Bing True Immortal? Could it be related to the先天灵宝 'Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus'?

The Unbound Gate side was completely bewildered, unable to accept it.

They were about to win—how did this suddenly happen?

…

The only one on the field who wasn't stunned was Ji Ning.

Success. Ji Ning also breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had the absolute advantage with his Divine Punishment form, he hadn't been sure he could kill Chi Bing True Immortal before.

Earlier, he had first manipulated the先天灵宝 Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus.

The Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus excelled at binding enemies. Previously, as a Celestial Immortal, even with the power of the Divine Punishment form, the power of the Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus was limited. But after becoming a Pure Yang True Immortal, his Pure Yang magic power combined with the Divine Punishment form increased its power further. When he activated the Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus, the countless snow lotuses it formed were astonishingly powerful.

In an instant, they enveloped the unprepared Chi Bing True Immortal.

While the snow lotuses wrapped around Chi Bing True Immortal, Ji Ning suddenly erupted, breaking the black chains binding him.

Bad. When the snow lotuses surrounded him and he felt his spell break, Chi Bing True Immortal knew something had gone wrong. But he couldn't see, couldn't use Greater Teleportation, and dared not hide in his immortal mansion—if he did, the enemy could simply seize it.

So the only thing he could do was—

Activate his Pure Yang magic treasure to protect himself.

Bang!

A cold, dark sword strike.

After breaking the black chains, Ji Ning delivered a silent sword strike, using an assassination sword technique he had learned on Mount Fangcun. He had learned many sword techniques there, including some created by Daolords. He rarely used them, as they were created by others; though powerful, they couldn't reach absolute perfection. But for assassination, he hadn't created his own technique, and this one, with the incredible power of the Divine Punishment form, was enough.

Bang~~~

The snow-white lotuses parted, and Ji Ning's sword struck Chi Bing True Immortal's protective magic treasure.

Because he was trapped by the snow lotuses, the protective treasure was very close to him. Ji Ning's assassination sword was also a 'vibration' technique. As the sword struck, a strange wave transmitted, and the immense power turned into a wave that even the Pure Yang treasure couldn't block. The wave directly passed into Chi Bing True Immortal's body.

This vibration shattered his Pure Yang golden core.

Clearly, Ji Ning's sword strike was immensely powerful.

In fact, Chi Bing True Immortal wouldn't dare face the Duque White-Faced Jiao, the Fiendgod Legion, or the Yinglong Legion head-on. Ji Ning was far stronger than them—how could he resist? Fortunately, Ji Ning had the Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus; without it, Chi Bing True Immortal would have fled as soon as Ji Ning broke free.

If Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal knew that Ji Ning used his former Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus to send Chi Bing True Immortal to his doom, who knows what he would think.

…

Seize the moment. Kill.

While feeling relieved, Ji Ning didn't hesitate and charged toward the nearest enemy.

There, three White-Faced Jiaos and a group of Fiendgod Puppets from the Unbound Gate were besieging Great Xia's five Divine Punishment forms. The five had been retreating under Xia Emperor's orders, but now they stopped, shocked and overjoyed.

Bad.

Go help.

Assist them.

Bai Ji True Immortal and Qing Hu Sect Leader of the Unbound Gate were the first to snap out of it. Ignoring their shock at Chi Bing's death, they immediately gave orders.

Bai Ji True Immortal redirected his spell. The cold sun behind him rose high, and beams of cold light shot toward the charging Divine Punishment Ji Ning.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~

A torrent of cold light.

Hmph. The barefoot Divine Punishment Ji Ning had seen Bai Ji's spell before and wasn't afraid. He swung his Ananda World-Severing Sword, the blade flowing like water. Ji Ning had been skilled in defensive swordplay since childhood, and the flowing sword light easily blocked the incoming beams.

Bang bang bang~~~

The immense power in the sword withstood the cold light.

Can't stop him. Bai Ji True Immortal's face changed. Quick, Qing Hu Junior Sister, help. This Ji Ning's Divine Punishment form is too strong. I can block the Fiendgod Legion, but not him!

Mm. Qing Hu was also anxious.

They were far from Ji Ning and couldn't reach him in time, so they could only use spells and magic treasures.

Nine furry fox tails stretched across the sky, covering the heavens, and descended.

Get out of the way. Ji Ning, striding forward, held a sword in each hand. One sword had already blocked Bai Ji's spell; now he swung the other. Bang bang bang~~~ With one sword strike, the sky cleared, and the nine tails burst apart, a large section vanishing. But soon the nine tails extended again.

Ji Ning didn't slow down—his speed was too fast.

Whether Fiendgod Legion, Divine Punishment forms, White-Faced Jiaos, or Yinglong Legion, none could match Ji Ning's speed. Even the Blood Cloud Puppet was only barely comparable. His speed was terrifying.

Quick, go save them.

Block Ji Ning.

Hurry.

Bai Ji True Immortal urgently commanded. Ji Ning's sudden surge in power could change the battlefield situation. If they didn't hold him back and let him rampage, no single legion, Fiendgod, or True Immortal could withstand him. The Unbound Gate might be picked off one by one and even lose the battle.

So they had to combine forces to hold him back!

Swish!

A flash of sword light.

The fleeing three-headed White-Faced Jiao was pursued by five Divine Punishment forms and Ji Ning. As Ji Ning's sword light flew... the White-Faced Jiao roared in unwillingness. With a chop, Ji Ning's sword severed its head. The head flew off, then collapsed, revealing Celestial Immortals and loose immortals inside. The body also collapsed, and many immortals scattered.

Kill, kill, kill. Tonghe Celestial Immortal, Fengdian Celestial Immortal, and the others led their Divine Punishment forms in slaughter.

Charge.

Block them.

Bang.

With a loud crash.

A ferocious White-Faced Jiao charged straight at Ji Ning—it was the nearest Duque White-Faced Jiao, swinging its sharp claws.

Ji Ning swung his Ananda World-Severing Sword.

Boom!

Two ten-thousand-zhang Fiendgods clashed head-on.

The Duque White-Faced Jiao's entire body, scales and all, was sent flying backward. Shock appeared on its face. It was... so much weaker than Ji Ning?

This... Bai Ji True Immortal's face changed drastically.

They had guessed Ji Ning was strong, stronger than the Duque White-Faced Jiao, but sending it flying exceeded their expectations. The gap was huge.

Hold him back.

Without time to be shocked, Bai Ji True Immortal and Qing Hu Sect Leader cast spells at Ji Ning. Their spells were powerful, and Ji Ning had to use one sword to block them. With their interference, the Duque White-Faced Jiao could catch its breath and continue fighting. For now, the three of them barely managed to hold Ji Ning back. But barely—he could still charge around, just a bit slower.

Retreat! Bai Ji True Immortal's face was grim as he transmitted the order.

They couldn't fight anymore.

Chi Bing True Immortal and one White-Faced Jiao were dead. Ji Ning alone could tie up him, his junior sister, and the Duque White-Faced Jiao. The Unbound Gate had lost all advantage.

The Unbound Gate side quickly began to withdraw.

Having had a big advantage earlier, while Bai Ji, Qing Hu, and the Duque White-Faced Jiao held Ji Ning, the Unbound Gate still wasn't at a disadvantage and retreated steadily.

Soon.

The sudden great battle came to an end.

Withdraw troops. The Xia Emperor's voice rose, his ambition renewed.

This war for Great Xia...

He hadn't lost yet!

The Xia Emperor looked at the distant, barefoot Divine Punishment Ji Ning, feeling grateful, even a touch of gratitude. Ji Ning was indeed the key to turning the tide.

…

Outside the Three Realms, at Chi Ming Daolord's Dao-field.

Chi Ming Daolord and a group of Celestial Immortals and True Immortals watched the battle scene on the circular mirror.

Good.

It's Ji Ning.

He erupted.

Chi Bing True Immortal is dead, just like that.

Look, he's charging. So fierce, like a battering ram. The Unbound Gate is panicking. Bai Ji True Immortal and Qing Hu Sect Leader are casting spells with all their might, but they can't stop him—no way! The White-Faced Jiaos are fleeing, but it's useless, they're too slow. Ji Ning strikes—ha, one dead! The Duque White-Faced Jiao charges in—oh, this might be trouble... sent flying?

The atmosphere, previously heavy, suddenly exploded with excitement.

They were thrilled.

After all, some of their home major worlds had been occupied. Even if not, seeing Great Xia in such danger made them feel sympathetic. If Great Xia couldn't hold, could they? Only someone as selfish as 'Evergreen Sword Immortal', who had no major world territory, could remain so cold and indifferent.

How did Ji Ning become so strong? Could he have become a Pure Yang True Immortal?

Too strong.

This aura is simply... Everyone marveled.

Who wouldn't want such a fearsome existence on their side in war?

The Xia Emperor's incarnation stood there, smiling happily.

He glanced at Evergreen Sword Immortal beside him, whose expression was sour, having spoken so confidently earlier.

Fortunately, Junior Brother Evergreen, you didn't take him as a disciple. Otherwise, you would have held Ji Ning back. The Xia Emperor remarked.

You... Evergreen Sword Immortal's face darkened, about to retort—he wasn't one to back down easily.

Suddenly, Chi Ming Daolord, seated high above, laughed heartily: This Ji Ning, good, very good!

Evergreen Sword Immortal's retort got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.