Chapter 698 506: Advancing Northward

The Northern Shanyue's sky was shrouded in mist, as Li Xijun, bathed in gleaming snow light, wore his sword at his waist. His eyes, aglow with white light, were cast down, watching the Dili Family's soldiers and horses entering the city. "Pine on Snow" conjured a cloud of snow under his feet, whisking him away, aloof from the mortal world.

"Minghuang is clever and has already taken a Shanyue name, let's test that lord of the Northern Shanyue first," he said.

Li Xijun certainly had similar arrangements in mind, but he wanted to test the boy first. Thus, he remained silent, and now seeing that all was in good order, he nodded, and his heart eased considerably.

Li Ximing watched as if spellbound, seeming both envious and as if achieving some long-held desire, his expression one of entranced confusion. Hearing the conversation, he took a Jade Bottle from his bosom and said,

"He's also reached the Fifth Layer of Fetal Breathing, and with that Elixir, he'll attain the Sixth Layer... I have a dose of Bright Divine Powder here for him; Qi Cultivation is just within reach."

Li Xijun nodded, tucking it into his bosom, and looked up to see two groups of soldiers and horses leaving the city. He laughed and said,

"I've heard that the one from Northern Shanyue is not so mediocre; let's leave him as a whetstone for Minghuang."

Li Ximing nodded in agreement, then suddenly asked,

"Xijun, have you carefully read the 'Bright Splendor Radiant Origin Scripture'?"

Li Xijun shook his head and replied,

"I do not practice this path, so there's nothing much for me to study. What's the matter?"

Li Ximing fell silent, carefully choosing his words, then said softly,

"I have reviewed the nine secret techniques for breaking through to Zifu level, and all are extremely difficult. If one masters three, there's a mere fifteen percent chance of success; for all nine, it's less than fifty percent, not to mention one's own circumstances."

The Li Family naturally had no good environment for breaking through to Zifu level. Li Xijun thought for a moment and murmured,

"If one could truly master all nine, that would indeed offer a considerably high chance of success."

"It's not that simple!"

Li Ximing replied with a wry smile,

"Each secret technique is incredibly hard to learn; it takes decades to master one!"

"That's so difficult!"

Li Xijun's expression changed, and he suddenly realized something, thinking to himself,

"No wonder Ning Wan and the others have been dragging on at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage for so long... And she might not even have nine to practice!"

Li Ximing paused before saying,

"However, the scroll also records several Spiritual Objects that can aid in breaking through to Zifu level..."

"Such as the Bright Light Sky Stone, the Qilin Crow Spiritual Molting, and the White Birch Blood," he listed some names of Spiritual Objects, all rare and exotic treasures. He then explained,

"They are all of Zifu level..."

Li Xijun nodded slightly and answered,

"List them for me, and I'll have brother Mingfang inquire about them. If we can get any leads, so much the better."

...

Qian Pass.

"Two passes, six towns."

Li Zhouwei examined the map carefully; behind Qian Pass lay a vast plain dotted with numerous stockades and a large town. Past this plain was Moonlight Valley, another crucial pass, with the remaining five towns and the Royal Court behind it.

Li Xiangping, the forefather, was able to move freely in this area because, firstly, few people meant better concealment; secondly, at the time, there was a severe drought, and Ganixi had just devastated Shanyue lands, leaving them in ruins.

Now, with the several thousand troops of his own, and controlling the Qian Pass that once trapped Public Xiangping to the north, a different approach was naturally required. Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment then thought,

''Better to strike while the iron is hot."

Li Zhouwei descended from the pass, swiftly saddled his horse without hesitation, ordering the Shanyue General Du Dou to gather the soldiers and slave warriors. The Long Halberd was poised on the platform, his Armor glistened with a cold light.

The Shanyue, some clad in Armor, some bare-chested slaves, showed that Du Dou had at least trained the troops somehow; they weren't a chaotic mess, but it wasn't much better.

The Shanyue looked around cluelessly. To them, changing generals made no difference; their greedy eyes were fixed on the pile of weapons on the platform.

Li Zhouwei's gaze swept over the ragged and filthy faces of the Shanyue, a demonic red light slowly emerging from the Long Halberd, as if it could captivate souls, making all the Shanyue look up.

The Shanyue relegated to guarding the pass were certainly no noble breed, mostly slaves, who lethargically raised their heads to see the steady stream of provisions being brought onto the platform and began whispering among themselves.

"Fellows."

The voice of Li Zhouwei echoed through the pass, deep and resonant, piercing the air with a beguiling tone:

"I am Shanghe Mingfang, ordained by heaven to conquer the Northern Court. Towns taken by both armies are first to slaughter nobility, distribute wealth and land, and upon capturing the Northern Court, all slaves shall be freed from their bonds."

"Distribute wealth and land?"

"Freed from slavery? Can this General be trusted to keep his word..."

Li Zhouwei paused, then repeated his announcement. His voice became more ethereal, as if possessing a power to ensnare hearts, causing doubt and suspicion in the Shanyue's eyes to gradually fade, replaced by a surging greed.

They slowly lit up with a red glint, glancing at one another before stepping forward to pick up weapons laid before them, silent like a pack of hungry wolves.

Chen Yan stood by, his eyes glazed over, the pervasive voice worming its way into his ears, stirring even his Cultivator heart of the Fetal Breathing Fourth Layer.

Chen Yan, resolute in spirit, quickly recovered and lifted his head to meet Li Zhouwei's eerily luminous eyes, swiftly averting his gaze, his heart pounding:

"Ganixi from those years... was no different!"

Dili Youjie had already divided the forces, mingling hands into commands, and reported to Li Zhouwei, whose spirited horse was already in motion, with an orderly flood of soldiers trailing behind into the darkness towards the various towns.

The large town had few guards to begin with, and even before they could react, several arrows shot through the air, felling them. A group of warlocks quickly scaled the walls, and the gates burst open thunderously.