Chapter 1480 - Taking the Stage
Li Qingshan suddenly snapped open his eyes from his dreams. His clear, scarlet irises reflected the sky filled with gloomy, low-hanging clouds. He blinked his eyes, and they gradually turned black again. He asked with an unclear, immature voice, “Where are we?”
Xiao An pinched his cheek. “Near Black Cloud city.”
Li Qingshan widened his eyes and waved his fist. “I’m going to get angry!”
Xiao An let go. “Stingy!”
Li Qingshan then asked, “How’s the situation?”
“Take a look for yourself!”
Xiao An lifted him high up into the air, and Li Qingshan immediately saw the military camps spread throughout the wilderness. There was actually no end to it. There were garrisons belonging to the demonfolk everywhere.
The sky was thick with inky clouds, such that he struggled to tell whether they were natural clouds or a result of rising demon qi. It almost made contact with the black clouds that never dispersed over Black Cloud city.
The demonfolk had clearly pushed their territory to right beneath Black Cloud city, forming a boundary that was difficult to see with the naked eye yet also distinct. Any techniques that entered the region would drastically weaken.
As a result, the two sides both used primitive tools to attack and defend, like ballista, bows and arrows, catapults, battering rams, and so on.
The heavy reeking of blood and the booming battle cries had already weakened drastically in the wind, yet they were still so significant.
From so far away, he experienced a strange sensation. The densely-packed demonfolk climbed towards Black Cloud city like ants as they collapsed under each volley of arrows and each wave of rocks.
They were clearly destined to die, yet they could not advance, never to retreat. Their flesh and blood formed a muddy swamp very soon.
This was the most intense siege, as well as the most horrific, swarming battle. With every pa.s.sing moment, people died in battle, yet no one cared. Even they themselves were seeing red, roaring away until they became hoa.r.s.e, submerged in an unbelievable fervency.
It basically felt a little absurd. Li Qingshan shook his head, having understood what was going on already. “The Demon domain is making an offering.”
With each demonfolk that fell in battle, the demonic clouds in the air grew slightly heavier.
Black Cloud city was built on a mountain, preventing the Demon domain from expanding their territory, but they were clearly making some kind of preparation right now. Compared to the heated battle, the main camp of the Demon domain at the back formed a great contrast of silence, seemingly confronting Black Cloud city that stood in the clouds.
They were like two colossal beasts that had run into each other head-first. Right now, they were just growling and testing each other out. The true battle was on the verge of erupting.
Li Qingshan immediately became energetic. He broke free from the blankets and landed on the ground on all fours. He stood up in a tottering manner, standing at the top of the mountain stark-naked as he laughed away with his hands on his hips. “Hehe, it’s time for me to take the stage!”
“You’re still too young!” Xiao An picked him up again, gently flicking his w.i.l.l.y.
“I’ll grow up very soon!”
Li Qingshan turned bright red. He was exasperated. Since when did this girl become so ill-humoured?
This time, he had used the Phoenix’s Nirvāṇa proactively, so he obviously would not remain in this immature state for too long. He would grow up very quickly.
……
Boom!
A boulder sailed through the air, landing heavily in Black Cloud city.
The Formation of Black Clouds and Roaring Thunder had already been activated, but in order to conserve power for the true attack, it did not handle these rocks. There were direct disciples specially responsible for intercepting them, but they only protected some important locations, as several dozen boulders would fly in with each moment. The surrounding mountains had already become much shorter compared to before. They had to conserve their strength as well.
A building collapsed, sending shrapnel everywhere, but no one was injured. The entire city had been evacuated a long time ago, entering the underground fortress dug into the mountain.
Having lasted until now, the demonfolk has sustained losses of several tens of thousand, while the humans had only lost a few dozen people. They were all unlucky b.a.s.t.a.r.ds without any proper strength. They seemed to possess an absolute advantage, but their overall morale was particularly low.
Any regular soldier only needed to glance down to notice that the demonfolk had flattened the surrounding mountains, erecting a series of stone pillars. The twelve tallest pillars almost pierced the low-hanging clouds.
Rumours rang amok in the army, saying that the direct disciples were already ready to abandon Black Cloud city while the regular soldiers had nowhere to go. Even low-ranking officers did not necessarily possess the right to use the teleportation formation.
By the time the city fell, the army of a million strong would go up in flames.
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Waiting for their deaths had always been the most unbearable, especially when they would be dying in such a cowardly manner.
The Scorching Fire hall.
Li Liehuo sat at the end of the long table. He crossed his arms and touched his chin. “Who will lead the Xuanwu army?”
If they waited until the twelve Demon Sovereigns had established the Twelve Citadel Demon Formation of the Ominous, Black Cloud city would definitely fall when combined with the terrifying force of several million strong. Everyone present was aware of that.
They had to use this opportunity to venture out of the city and destroy the enemy army while hopefully slaying a Demon Sovereign or two as well. The Demon domain might not necessarily be able to send more Demon Sovereigns to help out, and the Twelve Citadel Demon Formation of the Ominous would collapse on itself.
The direct disciples all looked towards Wan Jianfeng. His battle prowess was only second to Li Liehuo’s out of everyone present, and he had been determined to charge into battle just earlier.
After a moment of silence, Wan Jianfeng said, “I’m a swordsman, not a general.”
He definitely was not someone who feared death. Even if he faced a handful of Demon Sovereigns, he would still be bold enough to put up a fight to the death. However, he refused to die pointlessly like the lowliest of demonfolk.
Ruan Yaozhu raised her hand silently again, but she was ignored by everyone again. Her expression was blank, vehemently refusing to lower her hand, which left everyone feeling rather awkward.
Dai Mengfan said helplessly, “You piece of wood…”
“I’m willing to leave the city for battle with senior brother!”
“Hmph, but I’m not willing for you to walk to your death with me.”
“But there are so many people down there. Aren’t they just going to be butchered?”
“Not necessarily. If we retreat when the city falls, they will resent us. They might join the Demon domain and become demonfolk. In order to avoid that…”
Li Liehuo halted there and shut his eyes. All of the direct disciples felt chills.
If an army of a million strong defected to the enemy, just how horrible of an influence would that be? The Desireless Heavenly Palace would definitely fly into a rage. After all, these soldiers were all elites chosen after a highly selective process from the Human realm. They were far greater than any regular demonfolk in terms of quality. Just how many Demon Generals and Demon Commanders would they give birth to, or even Demon Kings and Demon Emperors? As a result, they all had to “fall in battle”.
Ruan Yaozhu paled. “H- how can we…”
Li Liehuo glanced past the direct disciples. “Let me ask one last time…” He stressed each word as he said, “Who will lead the Xuanwu army?”
At this moment, a clear voice rang out from outside, “Let me do it!”
Li Liehuo flew into a rage. He rose to his feet suddenly. “Who’s eavesdropping outside!?”
Wan Jianfeng gripped his sword, while the expressions of the other direct disciples all changed too, rising to their feet.
This was a discussion of military affairs of highest importance. Even their mounts were forbidden from taking part. If what went on here made it out, the consequences would basically be unimaginable. The reputation of the entire Myriad sect would take a major hit.
However, Ruan Yaozhu found the voice to be extremely familiar. She blinked her eyes. She was in disbelief.
The door swung open. A young man strode in, letting out a toothy grin.
“It’s me, Li Qingshan!”