Chapter 35: Changqing Strikes

Eight Dragons Cloud City, main hall.

Primordial Dao Ancestor sat high above, while below sat a host of Celestial Immortals and True Immortals, as well as Ji Ning and the other Celestial Immortal commanders.

"The Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor and I are both observing each other's immortal demon armies," Primordial Dao Ancestor said, looking down. "We both want to see through the other's strengths and weaknesses, then launch the final general offensive! The Heartbound Sect excels at intelligence gathering, making it easier for them to probe us. Based on the several realm wars that have occurred in the Three Realms, the Heartbound Sect tends to launch their general offensive early. So I remind you again: with each battle fought, the likelihood of the Heartbound Sect launching a general offensive increases. You must be vigilant at all times."

"Master."

Xia Emperor said worriedly, "Being constantly on guard is not a solution. When will we launch our general offensive?"

Primordial Dao Ancestor nodded. "I understand your concern. But I faintly sense that the Heartbound Sect still has some hidden power in reserve. I must keep some measures to deal with it. Otherwise, if we launch a general offensive... we might be outmaneuvered by the Heartbound Sect and suffer a major defeat."

Ji Ning and the others below nodded.

Helpless.

But when at a disadvantage in intelligence, letting the enemy strike first might cause some losses, but it also allows one to respond based on the enemy's moves. If all cards were played in a general offensive... life and death would be left entirely to chance.

"One thing is certain," Primordial Dao Ancestor said, looking at Ji Ning. "Ji Ning."

"Dao Ancestor," Ji Ning said respectfully.

Primordial Dao Ancestor looked at Ji Ning. "You excel at commanding the Heaven Punishment formation, and once you break through to become a Pure Yang True Immortal, the power of your Heaven Punishment formation will skyrocket. Therefore, the Heartbound Sect will surely want to kill you at all costs! The intelligence we've gathered confirms this—the Heartbound Sect has been constantly seeking ways to eliminate you."

"In these three battles, the three great demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain have also been around you," Primordial Dao Ancestor said. "This has caused a large concentration of forces from both sides here, accounting for nearly thirty percent of the battlefield's strength. Elsewhere, battles are fought in smaller skirmishes. Only here is the greatest concentration of forces from both sides. Once the final general offensive begins, this place will be the most dangerous, and you, Ji Ning, will be the first target."

"Xiamang."

Primordial Dao Ancestor looked at Xia Emperor. "When assisting, you must protect Ji Ning and be wary of changes on the battlefield."

"Yes, Master," Xia Emperor said respectfully.

"The rest of you, pay attention as well. Losses in other small skirmishes are minor. But if losses occur here, where Ji Ning and Xiamang are, they will be major losses, enough to change the course of the war. Be ready to respond to changes here at any time," Primordial Dao Ancestor instructed.

"Yes, Dao Ancestor (Master)." All replied respectfully.

Primordial Dao Ancestor nodded. "Alright, go back and rest."

Ji Ning and the hundreds of immortals and demons left the main hall, chatting in small groups outside.

"Ji Ning, by keeping the three great demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain occupied, you've already rendered great service," Xia Emperor said, standing aside with Ji Ning. "Don't rush to kill enemies; always be wary of those three demon gods."

"Right, Beiming. If you lose, we'll lose a major combat force. For now, no fault is merit," said a bald, wide-robed old man holding a feather fan with a smile.

"Now, you are the main force against the three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain."

The Celestial Immortals and True Immortals nearby chimed in. They were all responsible for containing the three demon gods, so during the three battles of the realm war, they had always been with Ji Ning. Strangely, the three demon gods always appeared around Ji Ning, mainly because the God King valued Ji Ning highly, believing that once Ji Ning broke through to Pure Yang True Immortal, his command of the Heaven Punishment formation would instantly rival the combined strength of the three demon gods.

"Actually, with Ji Ning here, we have it easy. Ji Ning's Heaven Punishment formation is immensely powerful; the three demon gods can't suppress him."

"In commanding the Heaven Punishment formation, Ji Ning is indeed formidable. If he becomes a Pure Yang True Immortal, how much more powerful would he be?"

As some Celestial Immortals and True Immortals chatted with Ji Ning,

Suddenly, a person walked out from the side—it was Changqing the Sword Immortal. Changqing glanced over and snorted, "You're all quite pleased with yourselves. Don't forget, if Ji Ning is defeated and killed, the situation will turn dire immediately. I think... you should think more about how to respond if Ji Ning is defeated and dies."

With that, Changqing the Sword Immortal walked away.

Ji Ning frowned upon hearing this.

It seemed Changqing the Sword Immortal's words were a reminder, but he kept saying 'if Ji Ning dies, if Ji Ning dies'—no one would be happy hearing that about themselves.

"Ji Ning, don't mind him," Xia Emperor said, glancing at Changqing the Sword Immortal with a frown, then smiled. "Junior Brother Changqing is just like that. But he is reminding us to be cautious; he means no harm."

"I understand," Ji Ning nodded.

"Daoist Beiming." A petite white-clad fairy who had followed Changqing out heard his words and walked over to Ji Ning, saying quickly, "Senior Brother Changqing often acts like this. Please forgive him."

Ji Ning smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xuewu, it's a trivial matter."

Xuewu Fairy smiled at Ji Ning, then quickly followed Changqing the Sword Immortal away.

Ji Ning asked Xia Emperor, "What exactly is the relationship between Xuewu Fairy and Changqing? I often see them together, and on the battlefield, they are inseparable."

"Junior Sister Xuewu is infatuated with Junior Brother Changqing, but Changqing is used to being aloof and doesn't accept her feelings. Yet Junior Sister Xuewu still silently cares for him... Although Changqing hasn't taken her as his Dao companion, among all his fellow disciples, he is closest to Xuewu. But then again, Changqing always has a cold, stern face—it's a waste of little Junior Sister Xuewu's affection," a wild-looking man with disheveled hair remarked.

"Changqing is too sharp; his heart is like a sword, and he treats people and matters the same way. He's kept Junior Sister Xuewu waiting for so long... Alas."

The Celestial Immortals and True Immortals chatted for a while and then dispersed.

...

A few days later.

Xia Emperor sent a sound transmission ordering the army to assemble.

"Be careful. You said it yourself—the Heartbound Sect wants to kill you at all costs. Our child is about to be born. I don't want the child to grow up without a father," Yu Wei reminded him.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. The Heartbound Sect is far from being able to kill me," Ji Ning said with a smile.

Since the realm war began, Yu Wei had been constantly reminding him before every campaign.

"I'm off." Ji Ning smiled, then transformed into a streak of light and flew out.

Watching Ji Ning's departing figure, Yu Wei stroked her belly. She could feel that the child would be born within ten days or half a month. But why did she feel increasingly uneasy?

...

The mighty army assembled, then flew out of Eight Dragons Cloud City. On the already devastated, pockmarked wilderness, the two armies clashed once again, everything as usual.

Soldiers fought soldiers; generals fought generals.

Both sides had experience now. The losses in the first engagement were the heaviest; subsequent losses were relatively smaller. The three great demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain once again targeted Ji Ning.

"Once an opportunity arises, you must kill Ji Ning. Your most important task in this realm war is to kill Ji Ning."

Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor had instructed them.

The God King had also instructed them.

...

The battlefield was deadlocked.

"Junior Sister, those six Heaven Punishment formations are in danger. Let's go help," Changqing the Sword Immortal said on the battlefield. He and Xuewu Fairy, inseparable, flew high in the sky. Changqing swept his gaze and immediately sent a sound transmission.

Xuewu Fairy looked over.

In the distant battlefield where Ji Ning and the three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain fought, six Heaven Punishment formations were under attack from three white-faced flood dragons and two Peng birds. One of the Peng birds was apparently commanded by a Celestial Immortal or True Immortal, clearly suppressing the six Heaven Punishment formations. Although the six formations were at a disadvantage, they could still hold out together.

But Xuewu Fairy didn't refuse. "Alright, Senior Brother."

Swoosh! Swoosh!

They immediately flew toward the large-scale battlefield where Ji Ning and the three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain were, then cast spells and used magic treasures to assist the six Heaven Punishment formations. With their help, the six formations found it much easier and even gained the upper hand.

"Senior Brother, be careful. This area is the most dangerous on the entire battlefield," Xuewu Fairy sent a sound transmission. "Both sides have over twenty Celestial Immortals and True Immortals here. There are over fifty Heaven Punishment formations on our side, plus Yinglong and Pangu battle formations..."

"Don't worry," Changqing said confidently. "We'll just be careful."

"Mm." Xuewu Fairy only reminded him; after all, in the realm war so far, not a single Celestial Immortal or True Immortal had died. Unless something unexpected happened, it was unlikely for a Celestial Immortal or True Immortal to die.

Changqing the Sword Immortal assisted the Heaven Punishment formations below while carefully observing.

At that moment, Xia Emperor, one of the six Celestial Immortals and True Immortals on the 'Flowing Light One Realm Boat,' noticed Changqing the Sword Immortal and Xuewu Fairy. Since Xia Emperor controlled the grand formation, he naturally understood the movements on the entire battlefield. He usually deployed and arranged forces, so he immediately sent a sound transmission: "Junior Brother Changqing, Junior Sister Xuewu, quickly help the five Heaven Punishment formations to your lower left. They are in danger."

"Alright." Changqing the Sword Immortal and Xuewu Fairy immediately noticed that the five Heaven Punishment formations were indeed under siege, and other Celestial Immortals and True Immortals were too far to assist. They were close by.

Swoosh, swoosh~

The two flew over, casting spells as they went.

"Go." Xuewu Fairy pointed into the distance, and a white ribbon shot across the sky.

Pfft!

Suddenly, a flash of sword light, blood splattered. The blood splashed onto the ribbon in the sky, but as soon as it touched the white ribbon, it turned to ash.

Xuewu Fairy looked at her chest in disbelief. A flying sword had pierced through her chest, cleanly shattering her Pure Yang Golden Core. She looked up at Changqing the Sword Immortal in disbelief: "Senior... Senior Brother..." In her heart, she wanted to say, "If you wanted to defect to the Heartbound Sect, I would have followed you."

Xuewu Fairy revealed a faint smile, a smile of release.

"Pfft." Changqing the Sword Immortal instantly withdrew his sword. Sword qi surged, and with a swoosh, Xuewu Fairy was instantly shattered into ashes. He waved his hand and collected the treasures she left behind.

In his heart, Changqing the Sword Immortal felt a faint pang: "Even after raising a dog for a long time, it hurts when it dies." He instantly swept away the slight ripple in his heart, then looked down. His flying sword even flew downward, attacking the five Heaven Punishment formations. The five formations, instead of receiving support, were now under attack, and they were greatly alarmed.

"Changqing!" Xia Emperor in the distance, having detected everything and seen Xuewu Fairy pierced through the chest and killed, was so furious his eyes seemed to split. He let out a thunderous roar of rage!