Li Xuanli was shaken. Li Hao’s battle flag deterred the horde of demons. Its might exceeded his imagination, yet he couldn’t comprehend it.
Li Qingling and Li Xueyun beside him were also stunned, somewhat puzzled—didn’t even the royal battle flags lack such domineering presence?
Was the name being called out their grandnephew’s?
“Kill!”
“If that kid doesn’t show up, just kill them all, force him out!”
The five Demon Kings, seeing Li Hao had yet to appear, felt a sense of being provoked. The Abyss Dragon Demon King took the lead and attacked the Thousand-Mechanism Taoist.
The Giant Spider Demon King, meanwhile, spat out its spider swords towards Li Xuanli and the others.
The faces of Li Xuanli and the rest changed dramatically, somewhat nervous. Although the battle flag had frightened the Demon Kings, it was only a fright. If Li Hao and the person at his side from the Four Stands Realm weren’t present, it would be of no help.
“Be careful!”
Li Hongzhuang’s gaze was solemn as she spoke in a low voice, “Protect yourself with all your might!”
As she spoke, she suddenly drew the multitude of battle flags from her back and ferociously threw one out.
“Be careful!”
Monarch Bai, seeing the battle flag flying towards them, hurriedly exclaimed.
The Giant Spider Demon King reacted slightly late, about to dodge when the battle flag, under the control of Li Hongzhuang, pursued its body rapidly.
The Giant Spider Demon King was forced to retreat continuously by the pursuing battle flag, feeling ashamed and angry. A Demon King reduced to dodging a mere battle flag?
It shot out a spider sword to kill in midair, severing the battle flag.
The battle flag was torn and broken, but the energy seals contained within it were also released.
With a swoosh!
A streak of red-gold Sword Qi soared into the sky, violently attacking the nearest Giant Spider Demon King.
The Sword Qi was immense, stirring up a mighty force as it cleaved towards the Giant Spider Demon King.
“Damn it!”
The Giant Spider Demon King’s pupils shrank, somewhat horrified. He knew the battle flags contained a Sword Array, but he had never personally experienced it. He hadn’t expected the Sword Array’s released power to be so formidable!
It spat out spider swords continuously, roaring, “Thousand Swords to Slay the Heavens!”
The snow-white web swords formed an array as if to shatter the heavens, firing countless long rainbows that crashed into each other.
But the red-gold Sword Qi was like a heavenly pillar, with a sweeping sword strike, it shattered the sky-full Sword Array and slashed directly at the Giant Spider Demon King.
Pu!
Two of the Giant Spider Demon King’s legs broke off, sprinkling demon blood.
Though reduced in might, the red-gold Sword Qi still aimed towards its head, only to be split by Monarch Bai with a sword strike.
The sword’s edge vibrated, leaving Monarch Bai with a chilling realization—a mere Sword Array had such ferocious power to intimidate Beings of the Three Immortal Realms!
In the midst of the demon horde not far away, those Demons of the Three Immortal Realms witnessing this scene were both shocked and inwardly relieved they had stopped in time earlier, or else a disaster could have unfolded!
“Go!”
Li Hongzhuang transmitted her voice, and again rapidly launched two battle flags.
Two flags shot up with a whistling sound towards the Giant Spider Demon King. The Demon King, whose body resembled a grotesque insect, immediately stepped forward to help block, but was extremely wary, not daring to destroy the battle flags.
Using the power to command objects, Li Hongzhuang tore through the flags midair, and two more Sword Qis erupted out.
“Damn it!”
The insect-like Demon King exclaimed in shock and anger, spitting out blood swords that whirled rapidly, condensing a sea of blood in front of him to shield himself.
Meanwhile, Li Hongzhuang took the opportunity to lead Li Xuanli and her two aunts swiftly towards the Array inside the defense line.
The Thousand-Mechanism Taoist also took a breather, stabilizing his mind. He noticed the might of the Sword Qi from the flags matched the full-on attack of the Tao Heart Realm. Given that Li Hongzhuang still had so many flags on her back, it was indeed a significant weapon.
Even against five Demon Kings, they could hold off for a moment.
“Don’t run!”
Several Demon Kings made their moves in succession, stirring up a sky full of demonic energy and dust, blocking their way. The earth split open, and claws like mire dragons extended out to smite them.
Bang!
The Thousand-Mechanism Taoist wielded the Nine Section Whip to pierce through those muddy claws, forcing himself through the injury, leading Li Hongzhuang and others out of the encirclement.
As the Demon Kings gave chase, Li Hongzhuang consecutively summoned several more battle flags. The Sword Qi burst forth in midair had even shocked her own spiritual thoughts.
And the multiple Sword Qis swept across indiscriminately, forcefully repelling the figures of several Demon Kings.
The shattered Sword Qi turned into countless shadows, covering the Demon Kings.
“Leave none behind!”
The Giant Spider Demon King, seeing they were about to reach the Array, disregarded blocking the Sword Shadows and released a vast array of webs, locking the air ahead of them as if teleporting to ensnare them.
But at that moment, it endured countless Sword Shadows washing over its body.
It had long seen that the attack power of these Sword Shadows had weakened, and even if they caused him harm, it would only be some pain.
Suddenly, however, one of the Sword Qis penetrated his body as if seeping inside.
The Giant Spider Demon King had just blocked Li Hongzhuang and the others with his spider web, not having time to retract it when a strong premonition suddenly surged from the depths of his heart.
His pupils contracted, and he roared angrily, trying to repel the remaining Sword Shadows, but it was too late.
All his strength was rapidly draining, his Divine Soul seemed to be sucked away, all his power, including his life force, was fast disappearing.
“What’s happening…”
The Giant Spider Demon King was in utter shock. Each of his spider-eyes scanned his whole body. Although he had endured numerous Sword Shadows, he hadn’t taken much damage. His final injury had been from the Sword Qi cutting off two of his spider legs.
But… his consciousness was blurring.
Thud.
The Giant Spider Demon King fell straight down, crashing to the ground, with his Divine Soul completely extinguished.
He was only of the Tao Heart Realm; he didn’t have a second life.
This eerie scene, as the other Demon Kings were about to pursue, made them all halt their steps, staring in horror at the Giant Spider Demon King.
If it wasn’t for the fact they saw the life force of the Giant Spider Demon King truly disappear, they would have thought the old guy had just dozed off.
How could he die so peacefully?
“What happened?”
“He’s dead?”
“He hardly took any attacks, how could he be dead?”
Several Demon Kings were terrified and felt a chilling horror.
Monarch Bai’s pupils constricted as he thought back to the moment when he had sacrificed his chance of defying fate to escape.
That strange sensation of impending death closing in.
Looking at the sky filled with sword shadows, he suddenly realized and roared, “Don’t resist these Sword Qi attacks with your physical bodies at all costs!”
“As long as you make contact, you might die!!”
Hearing his roar, the other three Demon Kings were astounded.
Physical bodies can’t touch these ubiquitous sword shadows?
The sword shadow attacks aren’t that strong; could there be hidden killer moves or deadly poison within?
Although they were perplexed, the death of the Giant Spider Demon King seemed indeed related to enduring these sword shadow attacks.
They immediately defended with all their might, using Demon Art and weapons to protect themselves.
When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
The death of the Giant Spider Demon King slowed down the pursuit of the other Demon Kings. At this moment, the Liangzhou commander at the top of the city saw Li Hongzhuang and others racing towards them and urgently bellowed orders to the generals beside him to lend their Array commands.
As soon as he got his hands on the Array commands, he rushed out of the Array, handed them over to the few, and ushered them inside.
Only after entering the Array did Li Hongzhuang, Li Xuanli, and others completely breathe a sigh of relief.
Li Xuanli looked back only to see his own army rushing towards the Array, but in their rage, the Demon Kings struck down upon the Xuan Troops, slapping continuously like giant mountains crushing down, and in a few moments, hundreds of thousands of soldiers were turned upside down, with countless dead or wounded.
Li Xuanli’s eyes turned red as he tightly clenched his fists.
“Dad.”
Li Wushuang ran over, her face still streaked with tears.
Li Xuanli gave her a look, and although relieved to see her unharmed, he numbly and sorrowfully watched his Xuan Troops continue to fall in front of him.
Li Hongzhuang also saw and stepped forward, standing atop the city walls, once again projecting three military flags to cover the Xuan Troops.
But this time, the Demon Kings had learned their lesson, heading straight for the Xuan Troops as soon as they saw the military flags, wanting to see if the flags’ attack would indeed only harm the Demons and spare the Human Race.
Seeing the cunning of these Demon Kings, Li Hongzhuang’s heart sank, but she did not tear up the military flags, as that would also severely damage the Xuan Troops.
Witnessing this, the Demon Kings realized the flaw in this military flag Sword Array and scoffed coldly as they plunged into the Xuan Camp, slaughtering relentlessly.
Continuous screams arose; outside the city was a one-sided massacre.
But the people on the city walls could only watch with wide eyes, helpless to intervene.
As the Demon Kings charged into the midst of the Xuan Troops, they also dared not attack from a distance, and their attacks were but a minor itch for the Demon Kings.
Soon, as their numbers dwindled, the Xuan Troops were slaughtered even more swiftly, and in a blink, only corpses littered the ground.
Although they fought valiantly, burning their Divine Souls, they still couldn’t stop the slaughter. Under the onslaught of the four Demon Kings, they couldn’t even catch a glimpse of their figures.
Watching the blood-soaked, tragic scene of corpses, the many soldiers on the city walls breathed heavily, their hands tightly gripping their weapons, feeling both ashamed and heartbroken.
At that moment, after the four Demon Kings vented their rage by slaughtering the Xuan Troops, Li Hongzhuang furiously detonated the three military flags.
Three streams of Sword Qi burst forth, chasing after the Demon Kings.
The faces of the Demon Kings changed slightly as they quickly retreated, but the Sword Qi relentlessly pursued them, smashing their Demon Art to bits. The might of the Sword Qi was incredibly formidable, unstoppable, injuring two Demon Kings and forcing them back.
Monarch Bai was locked on by a stream of Sword Qi, and panic climbed in his heart, prompting him to flee swiftly into the distance, sprinting at full speed, not daring to confront the Sword Qi.
He felt an intense bitterness in his heart; he, a mighty Demon King, was actually being chased to a frantic escape by that young man’s Sword Qi.
“Bastard!”
The remaining three Demon Kings, looking at Li Hongzhuang standing atop the city walls and the dozens of military banners behind her, wore ugly expressions.
With such fearsome military flags, and there being about twenty or thirty more, who could withstand that?
If the other side were to burst out all at once, they couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t end up like the Giant Spider Demon King.
“What should we do?”
“Wait for the Great Elder to arrive. Send a message to the Great Elder; only he can solve this.”
Several Demon Kings looked at each other and decided to signal the Great Elder at Tianji Palace, awaiting his reinforcements.
In the meantime, they would besiege the area.
Seeing the Demon Kings retreat without attacking the Array, everyone atop the city walls, although heartbroken, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the Demon Kings and the distant tide of demons had not retreated. They were standing still ten miles outside the city, within visual range of each other.
The people on the city walls realized that the Demon Kings were contemplating their next move. At this moment, they too could only wait for the reinforcements of the Human Race to arrive.
“General Hongzhuang, we’re lucky you arrived in time.”
The commander of Liangzhou glanced at the three Demon Kings hovering in the distance, then turned his gaze to Li Hongzhuang.
Had she not arrived in time with reinforcements, Li Xuanli and the Thousand-Mechanism Taoist would have likely perished outside the city, and they would now be facing the fierce assault of five Demon Kings. The Array wouldn’t hold for long.
Li Hongzhuang nodded slightly, her heart also trembling at the thought of facing five Demon Kings. If not for the war banner given by Li Hao, ten of her would have been of no use.
Thinking of Li Hao, concern welled up within her. How was Heavenly Gate Pass faring after she left?
However, seeing the multitude of war banners on the city walls, her heart felt somewhat at ease.
“Whose war banner is this?” Li Qingling looked at her niece, unable to contain her curiosity.
Li Hongzhuang quickly called out “Aunt,” and then said, “This is Hao Er’s war banner, the son of Tiangang.”
“Is this the same Hao Er whose talent surpasses Little Junye? Does he already possess such a renowned name?”
Li Qingling and Li Xueyun were both surprised. They had suspected as much, but to hear it confirmed by Li Hongzhuang was still shocking.
The fame of Li Hao had spread far and wide, and given he was from the Li Family, even though they were married far from Qingzhou, they had heard the news and paid close attention to it.
If she remembered correctly, that child was only fifteen years old this year, right?
“Indeed, it belongs to General Haotian.” the commander of Liangzhou thought to himself.
Previously in the court, he had doubted the Li Family for taking Heavenly Gate Pass lightly, letting a youth be in charge and neglecting the lives and deaths of the people of Liangzhou. But now, it was because of him that they were saved.
Li Wushuang heard their conversation, her eyes filled with bewilderment. She had been trying so hard, but why did it seem that she was drifting farther and farther away from her cousin?
The closest they had been was during that confrontation under the tree…
“Tiangang has indeed fathered a fine son!”
Li Qingling looked at the many war banners on Li Hongzhuang’s back and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Looking at these demons, it seems they recognize the destructive power of this war banner. Compared to Junye back in the day, Tiangang’s son’s fame exceeds by several times.”
“Indeed,” Li Xueyun agreed.
Li Junye’s death ten years ago had been a pain for the whole Li Family. But now, that scar was covered by a young man who burst forth with an even more dazzling light.
“Report!”
Suddenly, a scout rushed in, arriving in front of the commander of Liangzhou and spoke quickly:
“Just spotted a distress signal on the east side!”
“The east side?”
Li Xuanli, still numbly staring at the siege outside, suddenly turned his head.
He quickly stood up, his wounds having slightly healed during this brief respite—after all, he had taken some medicine before, and the medicinal power combined with his own self-healing was continuously repairing his injuries.
“We’re facing five Demon Kings here. The eastern region is guarded by Duke Xingwu; there must be Demon Kings there too, right?” the commander of Liangzhou said, his expression changing.
Li Xuanli’s face looked grim. There were already five here; the eastern region might have just as many.
“Is it the Seventh Brother asking for help?”
Li Hongzhuang’s face also darkened as she quickly said, “I’ll go provide support!”
“I’ll go too,” Li Qingling immediately said. “I still have the strength to fight.”
“Me as well,” Li Xueyun added. “I haven’t used my Unwithering Strength yet.”
“Aunts, please don’t go,”
Li Hongzhuang immediately shook her head and said, “If the Demon Kings pursue us, you going will be of no use. I’ll use Hao Er’s war banner to fight, which should deter the Demon Kings.”
With that, she wasted no more time, took two Array tokens, and flew into the air.
Watching Li Hongzhuang’s retreating figure, Li Xuanli and others like Li Qingling all wore worried expressions.
Without the Demon King making a move, they were still considered top fighting forces, able to influence the situation on the battlefield.
But once the Demon King appeared, they would need to hide and dodge all over the battlefield, only able to engage in combat with the protection of Four Stances Peak Realm masters.
However, there weren’t that many Four Stances Peak Realm experts. If there were, the demons wouldn’t have launched such a major offensive against Liangzhou.
Even if reinforcements from the various Four Stances Peak Realm experts came, it would take time. The only immediate reliance was the war banners in Li Hongzhuang’s hands.
Liangzhou, eastern side.
On a plain, beacon fires rose one after another, illuminating the far distance.
More than one hundred thousand Yuan Camp soldiers and several hundred thousand Liangzhou border guards retreated while covering each other.
Behind them, no tide of demons followed; the tens of thousands of soldiers were only pursued by six Demon Kings.
The other Demon Kings were unseen for the moment, as was Ms. Yin, clearly tied up by the Great Desert Sword Saint. Otherwise, they would have never managed to escape this far had Ms. Yin pursued them.
“Just hold on a bit longer, we’re almost at the second defensive line!”
Li Tian Gang was covered in blood; halfway through, his Unwithering Strength recovered, and he took action once more, bursting out with full power, temporarily slowing the Demon Kings’ advance and buying time for the army’s retreat.
But now, his body’s injuries were healing slowly, and the continuous severe damage to his fighting body slowed the healing process.
Despite having applied medicinal powder all over himself and consuming a bellyful of healing treasures, the effects weren’t immediate. They required at least an hour or two to be absorbed and converted.
“Follow me to block the demons!”
A general roared in his ear.
Li Tian Gang turned to look and saw another Yuan Camp’s ten thousand-man legion slowing down to stay behind and block the Demon Kings.
Such sacrifices had occurred several times along their path.
His face was grim, yet he was powerless to prevent it.
Although the Eight Directions Order had been issued, capable of rapidly reaching tens of thousands of miles and crossing through states, it still took time for those reinforcements to travel.
But at present, the demons didn’t even give them a moment to breathe, relentlessly attacking the border from the start and the sun hadn’t even set yet.
“Faster, even faster!!”
Li Tian Gang roared. He had not yet given in to despair; behind him were tens of thousands of troops that he needed to lead to safety.
Boom!
The ground shook behind him.
The previously left-behind ten thousand Yuan Camp had just formed their ranks for combat when they were jointly attacked by five Demon Kings, their formation broken and completely decimated.
This ten-thousand-man legion could easily flatten a city, but in front of the Demon Kings, they were no match.
Their resistance lasted but a few breaths.
The sound of horse hooves vibrated beside him, and Li Tian Gang could almost hear his steed, the Red Blood Horse’s heart pounding fiercely.
The horse was tired too.
But it was still running at full speed, the intelligent Red Blood Horse knew that stopping meant death.
The setting sun in the west shed its light from the front of the plain, a bit dazzling.
Yet the orange-hued afterglow, like spilt blood on their battered armor, seemed all the more desolate.
Li Tian Gang saw the distant city walls and the second line of defense, but while his gaze reached there, his body might not.
Was this also his own twilight?
With a look of longing in his eyes, beyond the anger, there was profound melancholy.
He had fought many battles, slain countless demons, and now was he to fall here as well?
Eldest brother, second brother, third brother… Li Tian Gang envisioned multiple figures before him, and suddenly felt death was not so fearsome.
Because his father and brothers were all waiting for him on the other side.
But… Qingqing.
Thinking of his beloved wife, Li Tian Gang felt a pang of pain. He still wanted to cultivate to a higher state, reach the Four Stances Peak Realm, pacify the demonic calamity in the four states guarded by the Li Family, and then head to the Great Wilderness Heaven to find her.
But now, there was no chance left.
Leaving Northern Yan meant a farewell forever.
Li Tian Gang quickly thought of another figure, that stubborn young man.
He sighed internally, realizing in the end, he had no chance to guide him further.
He hoped his second uncle and the others would stop indulging him, and after his own death, he would probably return to the Li Family.
By then, True Dragon’s position would have a successor.
It was just unclear whether he could bear this responsibility and lead the Li Family forward.
The setting sun painted Li Tian Gang’s face, reflecting the myriad regrets in his eyes.
He sighed softly, estimating the distance by sight, along with the army’s marching speed, and the speed at which they were pursued by the Demon Kings, he knew they couldn’t reach that defensive line.
Someone had to stay behind to block the Demon Kings.
Either the entire Yuan Camp had to stay behind, fight with all their might, and strive for a chance at survival.
Or he himself had to stay behind, to fight for a chance at survival for tens of thousands of soldiers.
Without any doubt.
Li Tian Gang chose the latter.
He gently patted his Red Blood Horse and softly said, “You’re tired too, go.”
The Red Blood Horse seemed to understand, as tears actually fell from its large eyes.
Li Tian Gang stood hovering in the air, but saw that the Red Blood Horse also slowed down and stopped, refusing to leave.
Li Tian Gang could not help but smile.
Then, he took a deep breath and turned around to shout, “All units, march at full speed!!”
“The second defensive line is right ahead!”
“Charge!!”
His loud roar echoed in all directions.
Tens of thousands of soldiers heard it and also saw the figure that had stopped. Some realized what was happening and their eyes welled up with tears.
“From here on, it’s up to you, fifth brother…”
Li Tian Gang turned to look one last time at the distant walls, wondering if his fifth brother was there.
A pity, there would be no chance for a final farewell.
He chuckled softly, ready to avert his gaze but suddenly saw a black dot appear.
He was somewhat astonished, his eyes focusing to see clearly the figure within the shadow—it was unmistakably his younger sister.
Li Tian Gang’s heart jolted, immediately thinking of the distress signal he had just released. His original intention was to call for reinforcements from the stationed army within the defense line or the Four Stands Realm experts rushing to Liangzhou to reinforce the line.
Yet, the only one who came was his younger sister.
All alone.
Li Tian Gang’s complexion changed drastically, and he bellowed, “Hong Zhuang, don’t come over!!”
“Too late!”
As the voice echoed, six sinister presences of demon Qi had already descended behind Li Tian Gang.
Among them, an old vine demon raised its hand in anger, lashing out thousands of vine whips like lightning, intent on capturing Li Tian Gang to make up for previous failures.
Li Tian Gang roared furiously, his whole body surging with energy, as he drew his divine blade and slashed.
But at the same time, the other five Demon Kings also made their moves. With a thunderous crash, Li Tian Gang’s body was hurled backward, slamming into the ground, creating a deep pit, and sliding for over a hundred meters before coming to a stop.
The six Demon Kings moved like thunderbolts, pursuing him. But at that moment, a whooshing sound came from dozens of miles away.
Whoosh!
A battle flag soared through the air and, as it neared the six Demon Kings, it suddenly burst open.
Li Hong Zhuang had deliberately destroyed the battle flag to release the Sword Array.
A dazzling sword light swept out, pushing back the bodies of the six Demon Kings, but the sword light also dissipated.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, a second and a third battle flag flew in succession, landing in front of Li Tian Gang, shielding him.
Li Tian Gang had just climbed up from the ground, about to burst open his major meridians for a do-or-die battle, when he saw this unexpected turn of events.
He paused for a moment, still not fully comprehending what had happened when he saw Li Hongzhuang’s figure already rushing over, landing beside him.
“Seventh Brother, are you okay?”
Li Hongzhuang immediately shielded Li Tian Gang behind her, her face grim as she looked toward the six Demon Kings. Although she had battle flags on her back, she was somewhat apprehensive.
She had thought the situation at Fifth Brother’s side was bad enough, but the dangers facing Seventh Brother were even more perilous.
“Why did you come? Leave now!”
Li Tian Gang said angrily.
“We’ll leave together!”
Li Hongzhuang replied swiftly.
“Then no one will be able to escape!”
Li Tian Gang roared in fury, knowing full well Li Hongzhuang’s intentions, but at this dire moment, it was no time for sentimentality.
“It’s okay, with Hao Er’s battle flag for protection, we can escape!”
Li Hongzhuang spoke hastily.
Li Tian Gang thought he had heard wrong, his angry expression stopping short as he said:
“What did you say?”
His gaze shifted, and only then did he notice that the battle flag planted before him was unfurling, with the words Haotian fluttering on it.
That was Li Hao’s Hao!
“He’s here too?”
Li Tian Gang couldn’t help but want to look around.
Li Hongzhuang communicated through a whisper, “Hao Er is holding his position at Heavenly Gate Pass, only allowing me to bring his battle flag over as reinforcements.”
“What use is his battle flag…”
Li Tian Gang, upon learning Li Hao was still at Heavenly Gate Pass, couldn’t suppress the surge of anger within him.
In such a tense battle situation, they should be swiftly shrinking the defense line, and dying to defend Heavenly Gate Pass would only allow demons to break through from the sides.
If Liangzhou were lost, what would be the point of holding Heavenly Gate Pass?
Although annoyed, he knew Li Hao was too young. Although he had exceptional talent, he didn’t understand military strategy. But even if Li Hao didn’t understand, didn’t that Four Stances Peak Realm expert beside him?
Before Li Hongzhuang could explain the battle flag’s extraordinary use, the six Demon Kings before them had already stopped. The Sword Array released by the previously exploded battle flag had made them grave.
At that moment, seeing the numerous military flags on Li Hongzhuang’s back, they immediately thought of certain intelligence they had previously acquired.
Li Hongzhuang stared intently at the six Demon Kings, noticing their serious expressions and quickly realizing that these demons probably knew of Li Hao’s reputation.
What exactly had that child done to make these Demon Kings so wary of him?
Curiosity swelled within Li Hongzhuang, but unfortunately, she was no longer by Li Hao’s side to ask.
“Let’s go!”
She saw an opportunity and quickly told Li Tian Gang.
She took the lead to retreat, and Li Tian Gang, gritting his teeth, had no choice but to fight while retreating.
As the six Demon Kings were about to pursue, Li Hongzhuang detonated two battle flags on the ground.
Instantly, two streaks of Sword Qi shot out, hurtling toward the six Demon Kings.
Seeing this, Li Tian Gang had come to the realization that the sword energy launched from the previous exploding battle flag seemed not to be Li Hongzhuang’s attack, or some kind of concealed maneuver.
“What is this?” Li Tian Gang asked urgently.
“It’s a Sword Array,” Li Hongzhuang replied quickly. “Hao Er’s battle flags contain this Sword Array, comparable to an attack from the Tao Heart Realm.”
Li Tian Gang was stunned. These battle flags contained a Sword Array?
Based on his understanding of the Heavenly Observatory, it seemed impossible to achieve this; after all, the flags were too small, and even if an Array was condensed on the flags, it couldn’t possibly have the power of the Tao Heart Realm.
Was this a secret method of the Heavenly Observatory?
He was incredulous, but then considered that this covert method had been applied to Li Hao’s battle flag?
Having fought for more than a decade in Northern Yan, he had never received such aid from the Heavenly Observatory.
Or was it that they hadn’t developed it before?
Li Tian Gang suddenly remembered that Emperor Yu highly valued Li Hao, certain he was the Li Family’s next True Dragon, reportedly even bestowing the preeminent famous sword to Li Hao, including official rank and command.
It must be the Emperor’s favor… Li Tian Gang thought. No wonder that child could firmly hold Heavenly Gate Pass. With the Emperor’s secret support, these battle flags possessed such might; how could defending merely Heavenly Gate Pass be difficult?
The favors upon that child were even more than he imagined.
Even the Emperor had shown him such favor.
He sighed inwardly, ready to head back to Heavenly Gate Pass after the battle—if there was still a chance—to have a good talk.
Since Li Hao had received so much favor, from now on, as long as Li Hao refrained from doing anything out of line, he would not meddle any longer.
“`
“Stop right there!”
Upon seeing Li Tian Gang fleeing, the six Demon Kings were immediately enraged. If they let Li Tian Gang escape, they would have no way of explaining themselves to Ms. Yin upon their return.
Roar!
They could no longer afford to take their time or play games; they all erupted with true power, revealing their terrifying true forms that had endured for ten thousand years. They were like six demon breeds crawling out from the deep abyss of the earth, emitting a heaven-shaking aura.
Bang!
The military banner exploded as Sword Qi burst forth. The vine demon elder roared and charged toward it, with thousands of vine strands converging into a hundreds-of-feet-long vine spear that pierced through the void, slashing at the Sword Qi.
The void trembled, the Sword Qi dispersed, and even the Sword Array, comparable in might to a full-force strike from someone in the Tao Heart Realm, ultimately could not withstand the full-strength outburst of the Defying Fate Realm vine demon elder.
Among the six Demon Kings, besides him, there was another of the Defying Fate Realm, who at that moment also unleashed their true power and struck with a claw, shattering another stream of Sword Qi.
Li Hongzhuang’s complexion changed drastically, and she swiftly drew the battle banner from her back, throwing it out successively.
Bang, bang, bang!
The military banners erupted, and Sword Arrays were released, one after another. The red gold Sword Qi slashed across the sky, tearing through the demonic qi in the air, and charged toward the six Demon Kings.
Aside from the two Demon Kings of the Defying Fate Realm, the remaining four were somewhat wary of this Sword Qi; after all, it was a full-force blow from someone on par with them. Even if they struck with all their might, they would sustain injuries.
Li Tian Gang watched the red gold Sword Qi, his mind shaken. This Sword Array was far more formidable than he had imagined!
His Majesty truly favored them. Such a powerful banner, and Li Hongzhuang had brought a large bunch with her. If it could be mass-produced, or if that power was given into his hands, even the border of Liangzhou might not have been breached!
He sighed inwardly and was still somewhat puzzled and perplexed.
After all, in his memory, His Majesty was extremely wise and valiant.
“Block him!”
The vine demon elder saw Li Tian Gang and Li Hongzhuang getting farther and farther away, his rage nearly driving him mad. He could not care less about blocking the Sword Array from the battle banners any longer and chased after them at full speed.
Swoosh!
Li Hongzhuang continued to launch two more battle banners, detonating them in mid-air.
The vine demon elder waved his vine spear to shatter the Sword Qi, roaring as he tore through it and sped murderously toward Li Hongzhuang.
His body paused only briefly, but coupled with his continuous instant shifts, he was rapidly closing in.
However, the distances he managed to move with his instant shifts weren’t long, and the broken Sword Qi turned into a tide of swords that closely followed him.
Li Hongzhuang then threw out more military banners in quick succession.
The Sword Arrays erupted, and the vine demon elder was repeatedly shattered. Soon, he found himself enveloped in the furious surge of broken Sword Qi.
He bellowed, unleashing a pitch-black withered vine. The vine was imbued with dark Thunder Fire, sweeping through and shattering a large chunk of Sword Qi.
Still, many tiny Sword Qi attacked from all directions, their damage extremely low, hitting him like raindrops.
The vine demon elder was initially too lazy to bother with them, but suddenly, his body violently trembled as he felt an intense premonition of death.
“How can this be…”
His pupils constricted, his heart filled with alarm.
The life force from his body was rapidly fading, his strength swiftly draining away. Even his Divine Soul was locked within his body, unable to break free.
He tried to muster his strength, but couldn’t muster any.
A shadow of death, like an invisible gaping maw, was frenziedly devouring his body!
“No!!”
The vine demon elder panicked, suddenly deploying his Defying Fate ability.
From the top of his head, the pitch-black Thunder Fire Withered Vine that was his true form suddenly shot out.
Thousands of years ago, he had grown in the wilderness, seemingly under some fearsome battling entity above, which caused a vision to strike down a bolt of lightning, turning a withered vine pitch black with scorch.
Yet within the charred vine, tender shoots grew, gradually maturing and developing a spirit, eventually becoming the vine demon elder.
At that moment, his true form furiously broke free from his trunk and shot out.
And the large body with numerous roots fell backward, its life force dissipating.
The peculiar sense of being devoured, as if it had been severed by destiny itself, vanished.
He had survived!
Although he had survived, the vine demon elder was still shocked, staring in disbelief at his original body.
If not for that chance against fate, he might have just died!
Having lived for over ten thousand years, he nearly died!
What was this feeling?
It was like having one foot in the gates of hell, and even now, chills still ran down his spine.
The other Demon Kings arrived in pursuit, all staring blankly at the vine demon elder, clearly also shocked by the scene.
They had heard of the young man’s battle banner’s might, but such a bizarre incident was new to them.
While the six Demon Kings were stunned, Li Hongzhuang was also shocked, recalling how when rescuing her fifth brother Li Xuan Li, the Sword Qi from the battle banner had slain a Demon King.
The death had also been peculiar.
She could tell that the shattered Sword Qi was not highly damaging, but it seemed to contain a hidden move they could not sense!
Li Tian Gang was equally astonished; the vine demon elder was of the Defying Fate Realm, yet he had just wasted one of his lives for this?
At that moment, the siblings sped up their flight.
Before long, they caught up with the main army and all headed for the Array at the city’s head together.
Outside the Array, Li Xuan Li and others had long been waiting. Seeing that all six Demon Kings were repelled by Li Hongzhuang’s battle banners and hadn’t pursued immediately, they immediately ordered that this Array node be temporarily closed.
Soon, the surging army directly rushed across the drawbridge and into the defensive line.
Li Hongzhuang handed an Array command to Li Tian Gang, and once the entire army had entered the drawbridge, the Array opened once more, preventing the Demon Kings from seizing the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.
Li Tian Gang and Li Hongzhuang passed through the golden Array and arrived inside the defensive line.
“Tiangang!”
“Fifth brother!”
The brothers saw each other and rushed forward in an emotional embrace, for despite years of leading their respective forces, their brotherly affection had never changed.
“`
