Bab 44: Chapter 180: He is Worth Your Pride
"Not even fit to be a chicken or dog, and you dare to stand in my way?"
"Die!"
The Elder Demon Vine, taking the lead, wanted to make up for his previous negligence. He raised his hand and suddenly clapped, forming a purple-black palm print with the withered vines in his palm, containing the ultimate meaning of the Grand Master Wu Realm he had created, and pressed it down.
The void in the palm seemed to be torn apart, and the Tiger Might Dragon Formation formed by the numerous officers and soldiers who rushed forward burst out with the might of tigers and dragons. A brilliant golden light burst forth and collided with the palm print!
There was a loud bang, and the palm print contained a storm of blades, tearing the golden light like a flood dragon into pieces, and pressing it down.
Merely thousands of soldiers forming an army formation were unable to stop a Demon King. They were instantly smashed into a bloody mess and turned into a pool of blood!
The might of the Demon King was terrifying and unstoppable!
Li Tiangang trembled all over, his eyes red and his breath heavy.
On the battlefield, he had always been as calm as iron and in control of the entire army. But at this moment, he also felt unable to control his emotions.
The raging killing intent in his mind surged like tidal waves, but he clenched the God-Slaying Blade tightly, restraining his body. The calm and rationality honed through years of battle told him that the Eastern Border could not be defended!
Since it couldn't be defended, the only option was to retreat and shrink the defense line!
Shrink the defense line and then join the Fifth Brother, Li Xuanli, in the Western Border to guard the second line of defense that had been previously established.
At the same time, they could also wait for reinforcements from the various families and the assembly of the aristocratic families of Liangzhou.
Don't underestimate the power of these aristocratic families. While a single part of it might not amount to much in the face of the Li family's iron cavalry, the combined might of the aristocratic families of the entire Liangzhou, consisting of hundreds of cities, was an extremely formidable force!
This force was not originally awe-inspiring, only because they were a loose collection of powers. But if they united, they would possess the strength to shake the army.
Thinking of the hundreds of millions of people in Liangzhou behind him, Li Tiangang gritted his teeth and glared furiously at the ten Demon Kings approaching. Without another word, he turned and ran!
Military law was as strict as a mountain, and he himself abided by it. Even though his emotions urged him to go berserk, his rationality restrained him, prompting him to choose to retreat and flee!
Otherwise, without anyone to hold down the fort in Liangzhou, it would fall even faster!
"Tiangang, farewell..."
Li Fu looked at Li Tiangang's departing figure, but he felt relieved, a relieved smile on his face.
At this moment, the way he addressed Li Tiangang was no longer the military title of Marshal, but the nickname they had used since they were young.
Li Tiangang's body and mind trembled, and he turned to look at Li Fu, his eyes reddening and hot tears flowing.
He had attended the funerals of his brothers and had seen the mutilated corpses of countless brother soldiers in Yanbei. At this moment, Li Fu, the orphan adopted by the Li family since childhood and who had grown up playing with him, was also leaving.
"Tiangang, make peace with your son. Young Master, he... he is worth your pride..."
Li Fu said softly.
"Chatter!"
Before he could finish his words, the Elder Wisteria Demon had already taken a big step forward and slapped down.
Li Fu's spirit rushed out of his body, burning with brilliant divine light, and roared as he charged forward.
But that falling magic palm was like a mountain, pressing down without emotion or hindrance.
There was a loud bang, and Li Fu's body was turned into meat paste, his spirit and body completely annihilated!
Li Tiangang, who had already rushed into the distance, had bloodshot eyes, and his eyeballs were covered in blood vessels. His teeth were almost bitten through.
But he only glanced at it and then turned his head and ran wildly, while roaring loudly and commanding the surroundings: "Fa Camp, listen to the order and stop the tide of demons with all your strength!"
"Yuan Camp, listen to the order and retreat with me!!'
He chose to take away the camp name established by his ancestors and leave behind the many officers and soldiers of the Fa Camp that he had cultivated with his own hands.
And to stay meant to die, to be annihilated!
In this tide of demons led by the Demon King, there was no escape!
Hearing Li Tiangang's order, at this moment, the entire battlefield resounded with a response like a tsunami.
Those officers and soldiers of the Fa Camp had eyes like sharp blades, and their eyes only burst forth with even crazier killing intent. They fearlessly charged towards the tide of demons.
Facing the task of covering the retreat and blocking the tide of demons, they did not despair or feel aggrieved, only executing the military order with iron discipline.
Everyone charged towards the tide of demons as if they were determined to die, igniting their spirits in desperation, and bursting their bodies' veins, all for the sake of slaying more demons!
Smoke and dust rose, and the entire border line was trampled upon. Countless waves of demons surged forward like a flood.
"You want to run?!"
Madame Yin had been eyeing Li Tiangang, not giving him any chance to escape. Her figure moved suddenly, like a shift, several times in a row, each time covering a distance of hundreds of miles, almost catching up to Li Tiangang in the span of a single breath.
Li Tiangang roared and slashed backwards with the God-Slaying Blade, the blade burning like fire as it slashed towards Madame Yin's palm.
The emerald green eyeball on Madame Yin's cheek suddenly lit up, like some kind of strange demon technique, causing Li Tiangang's body to tremble suddenly, slowing down the speed of his blade. There was a loud bang, and he was slapped flying.
This palm strike landed directly on his armor, extinguishing the divine light on the treasure armor.
Li Tiangang tumbled out, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His indestructible body, which had been dominant in the Three Non-Mortal Realms, could only barely hold on in the face of this powerhouse at the Unparalleled Realm, preventing himself from being slapped to death.
"How did you kill my child? I will make you pay a hundredfold for it!"
Madame Yin's eyes were fierce and sinister. She attacked continuously, and the black light seemed to tear through the sun and the moon, bringing with it a monstrous demonic light as she slapped towards Li Tiangang again and again.
Li Tiangang roared and swung the God-Slaying Blade, but he was only able to destroy two demonic lights before he was hit again. His chest caved in, his ribs fractured, his palms exploded, and his whole body felt as if it had been trampled by tens of thousands of giant elephants, his bones almost shattered.
Madame Yin coldly smiled. Up till now, she still hadn't used her true power, nor had she utilized her ultimate technique. She was simply crushing him with her realm.
Madame Yin sneered and raised her hand, a palm filled with sinister wind that aimed to suck Li Tiangang over and completely destroy his physical body.
Li Tiangang's eyes turned bloodshot as he ignored the pain in his chest and once again charged into the distance, executing the Heaven Defying Nine Steps.
With each step, his aura surged immensely, counteracting the pulling force from behind.
He rushed forward like an old ox pulling a cart, moving at full speed.
After the ninth step, his entire body was enveloped in a divine glow, resembling a deity.
Madame Yin's eyes narrowed, her gaze icy cold. Suddenly, she turned her palm, and boundless demonic energy converged, transforming into a colossal Phantom of Eternal Darkness that roared as it reached out to grab Li Tiangang.
Li Tiangang roared and swung the Xing Tian Blade, the blade's glow soaring to the heavens.
The ferocious phantom, resembling a beast, part serpent and part dragon, with a mix of tiger and lion features, had rugged fur and scales all over its body. Its eyes shot out Too Yin divine light, shattering the blade's glow before it reached out with a palm.
Just as Li Tiangang was about to perish under that demonic palm, a scorching sword wind swept in suddenly, and the phantom's sharp claws vanished, severed in an instant.
Subsequently, Li Tiangang's figure appeared dozens of miles away as if he had teleported.
Madame Yin's expression changed slightly as she glanced at Li Tiangang's side, where a figure wearing a bamboo hat and tattered gray cloth appeared. This figure seemed ordinary, like a wandering swordsman.
However, in his hand, he held a sword, and that hand and sword seemed to shine like a bright moon, captivating and refusing to let one's gaze wander.
It seemed that if one were to look away, that sword would slash and pierce! Madame Yin's gaze fixed on the figure, and the emerald green eyeball on her cheek narrowed before suddenly widening in anger.
"Are you the Great Desert Sword Saint!?"
Madame Yin recognized the figure's identity, her face twisting in anger.
There were three Sword Saints in the world. One resided in the Southern Sword Lodge, another in the Northern Great Desert, with no one knowing their exact location, and the last one was even more mysterious, appearing and disappearing without a trace, and no one knew where they were either.
The figure before her, with that blazing and dazzling sword intent, could only belong to the Great Desert Sword Saint.
The swordsman lifted his bamboo hat, revealing a thin face with unkempt hair and beard.
His eyes were indifferent as he glanced at Madame Yin and said, "The Too Void Realm has been reclusive for a thousand years. Must you involve yourself in this conflict?"
Madame Yin's eyes turned cold as she replied, "The tree desires calm, but the wind will not stop. This conflict has already affected us, and if you want to blame someone, blame the Great Yu Divine Dynasty for being too aggressive. They occupy countless rivers and mountains, constantly expanding their territory and seizing all the blessed lands. It's time for them to give some back!"
"What you want is not just 'some,' I presume."
The Great Desert Sword Saint remained calm and said, "I just can't understand why you chose Liangzhou."
"Could it be because you don't know that I'm from Liangzhou?"
Madame Yin's expression changed slightly. This Great Desert Sword Saint was already four to five hundred years old, and his place of origin was long forgotten. Moreover, he had risen to prominence in Liangzhou in his youth, challenging various states and sweeping across the land. After establishing his reputation as a Sword Saint at the age of sixty, he disappeared and was last seen residing in the Great Desert.
Hence, he was known as the Great Desert Sword Saint.
The Great Desert was separated from Liangzhou by thousands of mountains and rivers, and no one expected him to return.
"With your status, why concern yourself with your origins? Are you determined to meddle in this muddy water?" Madame Yin's gaze turned icy as she stared at him.
The corners of the Great Desert Sword Saint's mouth lifted, and he smiled faintly, "No matter how high one's achievements are, one still grows up here. I naturally want to protect my homeland. I advise you to retreat; I've killed too much and am already weary."
"Then let's see if you can protect this Li today!"
Madame Yin's eyes turned cold, and she made her move.
The Great Desert Sword Saint turned to Li Tiangang and said, "General Li, you go first. I'll hold them off here. Liangzhou still needs you."
Li Tiangang had already regained his senses and took a deep breath before replying, "Thank you!"
Without further ado, he turned and left promptly, wasting no time.
"Stop him!"
Madame Yin roared in anger.
The Demon Kings behind her quickly gave chase, and two of the Dragon Gate Demon Kings plunged into the Li Family's army, leaving the pursuit of Li Tiangang to the Too Void Realm experts.
A crisp sound rang out! The sword in the Great Desert Sword Saint's hand suddenly shifted, creating a rift in the ground in front of him.
"Who dares to cross this line?"
"Don't be arrogant!"
Madame Yin made her move, executing her secret technique while also releasing her original form, transforming into a massive lion-snake-like figure.
A silver moon mark appeared on her forehead, symbolizing her Profound Luminance bloodline.
She unleashed her secret technique, and a black round moon condensed, shooting towards the Great Desert Sword Saint.
A hint of gravity flashed in the Great Desert Sword Saint's eyes.
A deafening explosion shook the area as the two sides clashed, engaging in a fierce battle.
The other Demon Kings quickly rushed past the black line created by the sword energy and pursued Li Tiangang.
The Great Desert Sword Saint's eyes shone with a cold light as he unleashed a sword energy, forcing back the Demon King who had stepped across first. He, too, was at the Secret Realm, and at this moment, facing Madame Yin and the other seven Demon Kings, he showed no fear and stood alone to block them, covering Li Tiangang's retreat.
Soon, a shocking battle erupted, with sword energies piercing the sky and various demonic techniques creating a chaotic, magical light that ravaged the land, causing the heavens to collapse and the earth to crack.
In the distant defensive line, the various camps formed formations, fighting the tide of demons fearlessly and valiantly.
Within them, the Yuan Camp fought while retreating, gradually converging and flowing towards the location indicated by Li Tiangang, under the cover of the other army camps.
He knew that the group of demons who had feigned retreat earlier could no longer hold themselves back.
Recalling the letter Li Hao had sent him, Li Xuanli felt a tinge of relief. He had heeded Li Hao's words and hadn't slackened his vigilance, constantly keeping scouts on the lookout beyond the border, and indeed, his precautions had paid off.
At this moment, the horde of demons was advancing after their assembly, and through his intelligence network, he had already anticipated their approach, making all the necessary battle preparations.
"Have we notified the East Border? There's a high possibility that they'll also face a demon invasion!"
"Among these demons, we haven't spotted any Demon Kings. Perhaps a Demon King will head in that direction!"
Li Xuanli instructed the vice commander by his side.
"Already done," the vice commander promptly replied.
"What about Tianmen Pass? Have we sent word to them, telling them to be cautious?"
"Messengers have been dispatched," came the response.
Li Xuanli nodded slightly, turning to his daughter, Li Wushuang, who stood beside him, clad in military helmet and armor. He sighed, "I've already arranged for a carriage to take you away from here, but you insist on causing trouble. If your mother finds out, she'll definitely wring my ears off!"
Hearing this, Li Wushuang, whose face had been stern and taut, couldn't help but smile slightly.
Although she had left the Divine General Mansion at a young age, in the short time since her return, she had witnessed the deep love between her parents.
As their child, she felt happy for them.
"Mother won't do that. She knows about the impending battle here, and if you return now, she'll be worried that you might lose an ear," Li Wushuang said with a smile.
Li Xuanli's eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly. "Your mother must be worried sick right now."
Li Wushuang gave him a slight glare and said, "Father, with the army at hand, can you focus on the matter at hand instead?"
Li Xuanli glanced at her and said, "The matter at hand is for you to leave immediately and not drag us down."
"As a descendant of the Li family, how can I retreat from the battlefield? Don't forget, I also carry the surname Li!" Li Wushuang retorted.
However, as she said the last few words, her mind suddenly drifted to a certain figure, causing her expression to change slightly.
Li Xuanli's gaze turned towards the distance as he said in a low voice, "They're here!"
Li Wushuang's eyes narrowed, and she unleashed her spirit to observe the situation.
A vast horde of demons was sweeping towards them, their numbers matching the intelligence they had gathered.
Li Xuanli immediately instructed the vice commander to sound the horns and prepare for battle.
On the city walls, various defensive weapons were ready, and the cannon towers were also loaded.
Boom!
As the demon horde approached the killing formation set up outside the city, they triggered the formation, causing it to explode with destructive force, tearing through the horde and creating gaps in their ranks.
Li Xuanli's eyes turned cold, and his expression remained unchanged. This was just the beginning of the battle.
However, at that moment, three figures suddenly burst out from within the demon horde, rushing towards them at incredible speed.
Boom! The three figures unleashed their attacks, and the violent force shook the border formation.
The formation's runes flickered and flashed rapidly.
Li Xuanli's face changed drastically, and along with the other generals and the Immortal Realm commanders, they were all shocked and alarmed.
"Demon Kings!"
"They're Demon Kings!"
Hidden within this demon horde were three Demon Kings. Previously, they had only detected over a dozen Three Immortal Realm demons leading the horde, and even that was already a massive force. But now, there were Demon Kings among them!
"Quick, Xuan Camp, Infantry Camp, defend the formation!"
Li Xuanli shouted urgently.
Li Wushuang's pupils constricted, and her body trembled as she held her breath.
They were Demon Kings!
As she watched the three Demon Kings attacking the formation from mid-air, her heart raced, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe.
"My master should be coming, but he's alone..."
Li Wushuang's face was taut as she watched the Demon Kings' demonic might.
The night before, when she had detected the gathering of demons a thousand miles away, she had immediately sent a message to her master, hoping that the ancient master would come to their aid.
But it would take some time for him to arrive.
However, even if he arrived at this moment, could he stop these three Demon Kings?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The formation trembled under the relentless attacks of the three Demon Kings.
Arrows rained down on the demons, but when they struck the Demon Kings, they were easily deflected by their formidable bodies, unable to cause any harm.
It was like trying to injure someone by pouring rain on them for hours.
Li Xuanli immediately ordered them to cease wasting their energy and redirect their arrows towards the approaching demon horde.
Then, he drew his sword and beckoned to the five Immortal Realm commanders beside him as they soared into the sky.
"Father!"
"Take care!"
Li Xuanli roared, not bothering to turn back as he rushed forward.
...
...
In the south, at Tianmen Pass, within the city of Cang Cliff, the atmosphere was lively. Vendors hawked their wares, and the offspring of aristocratic families strolled through the streets, attempting to visit the legendary figure but were stopped outside the compound.
Outside the city of Cang Cliff, on the Dragon Pass Road, a figure was speeding towards them.
It was Li Hao.
Lu Chunsheng had sent him off at the Yongzhou border, and he had rushed back from the southern border, activating his Myriad Attributes and concealing his presence along the way. Finally, he had returned to Tianmen Pass.
The Dragon Pass Road was now lined with tea stalls and occasional passersby, a stark contrast to the desolation he had witnessed on his first arrival.
Li Hao approached a tea stall and asked the owner for a cup of hot tea.
Then, attracted by the aroma of steamed buns, he ordered two baskets and began to eat.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone