On an endless plain, two towering mountain ranges rose up to the sky, their heights so dizzying that no ordinary person could climb them. In the gap between these two mountain ranges stood an immense fortress, like a primordial beast guarding the main road leading out of the Empire of Jia Ma. This fortress was the most critical defense in the hearts of the people of the Jia Ma Empire; if this line of defense were to be breached, the armies of the three great empires would surge in, unopposed.
The scale of the fortress was staggering, dwarfing even the Ghost Suppression Fort Xiao Yan had once visited. The walls of the fort were built from black volcanic rock, imbued with extraordinary strength and durability; even the attacks of Douhuang strongmen could be resisted for an extended period. The fortress teemed with soldiers, and massive crossbows lay ready, their thick steel arrows already loaded, awaiting the order to unleash their terrifying power. With such a formidable presence, this defensive line was virtually impregnable. Even a coalition of three empires would pay a heavy price in blood to tear it asunder.
In the center of the walls, several figures of great renown within the empire stood, their gazes carrying a hint of worry as they looked afar, where countless soldiers stretched out like a dark cloud, with no end in sight. From the flags raised above them, it was clear they were the allied forces of the three empires.
Of course, what worried them most were not these ordinary soldiers, but the strongmen hidden within. In the eyes of true strongmen, ordinary troops were not much of a threat; a single Dou Wang strongman could easily stand up to an army of ten thousand. This was why, in the Dou Qi Continent, the strong reigned supreme, even above the authority of kings.
“Ah, I heard that those leading the attack are Luo Yan Tian from the Golden Swallow Sect and the Three Elders of the Mu Lan Valley… Although the head of the Poison Sect, the most troublesome one, will not appear, the pressure is still great. After all, these are equivalent to two Battle Sect strongmen.” Sea Wave East gazed out for a moment before sighing.
Now, after a year of grueling battles, Sea Wave East had finally reached the peak of Battle Emperor, on the cusp of breaking through to Battle Sect. Without luck, however, it was possible he could remain at this level for a lifetime, for the continent knew many who had stopped here.
“Even so, Battle Emperor is still Battle Emperor. Unless one has some extraordinarily powerful Dou Qi techniques, it’s nearly impossible to challenge a Battle Sect strongman. Not everyone can be like Xiao Yan, with his ‘Flame Decisive’ technique, or possess three different flames, including the Imperial Flame.”
“I have sent men to search for my second brother in the Black Horn Region. If he receives the message, he will certainly come to our aid. But… far water cannot quench immediate thirst. By the time he arrives, the situation may have changed.”
Xiao Ding, sitting in a wheelchair, sighed gently. Lately, he had been preoccupied with preparations for the attack by the three sects. The presence of those three individuals, comparable to Battle Sect strongmen, weighed heavily on the minds of all in the Jia Ma Empire.
“Queen, how is your injury?” Smoothing his hand over the armrest of the wheelchair, Xiao Ding turned to look at the cold yet enchanting woman beside him. In this place filled with blood and slaughter, her striking beauty was a rare and beautiful sight.
Hearing Xiao Ding’s question, Medusa, whose gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, seemed to soften slightly. “I have taken the medicinal pills made by the alchemists of the Flame Alliance, and I have recovered quite a bit. Though my combat strength is somewhat reduced, it is not a major concern.”
Xiao Ding smiled bitterly and nodded, “You have our gratitude.”
“I am merely thinking of the Snake People. Now, we are bound together, and any loss will lead to destruction.”
Medusa shook her head and turned her gaze to the distant Beast Mountains, biting her lip inwardly. “Have you not yet emerged from seclusion? If you wait any longer, the Jia Ma Empire may truly be destroyed…”
“Ah, I wonder how my third brother is. This seclusion has lasted for another year; I hope nothing has gone wrong…”
Seeing Medusa’s gaze, Xiao Ding also understood her thoughts and rubbed his forehead with a wry smile. “This foolish boy, always doing this… if he does not return soon, the Flame Alliance will be finished.”
“Perhaps he should be coming soon. If we can hold on until he comes out, the situation will be much better. Despite being only a Battle Emperor, when he unleashes his full strength, he can fight on par with a Battle Sect strongman. With two Battle Sect strongmen on our side, the three sects won’t dare to act recklessly. After all, if it comes down to it, even at the cost of my life, I will drag one of them down with me!”
As Medusa spoke, a sharp gleam flickered in her narrowed eyes. “The head of the Poison Sect, Luo Yan Tian, and the Three Elders of the Mu Lan Valley fear you so much that they have never truly engaged you in battle. However, now that they have joined forces, they are likely well-prepared. Your Majesty must take extra care.”
“Yes, I will,” Medusa nodded.
A sudden drum roll, like thunder, echoed from the distance, resonating throughout the fortress. “They are about to attack!” Medusa and the others’ faces turned solemn as they heard the urgent drumming.
Shortly after, the ground began to tremble, and the vast sea of soldiers surged towards the fortress, their footsteps rumbling like thunder, creating a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
“All Dou Wang strongmen from the Flame Alliance and the Snake People, disperse to the various lines of defense. Guard against the opposing Dou Wang strongmen!” Xiao Ding ordered, his voice grave.
The response was a chorus of acknowledgments, followed by figures streaking out like lightning. “Everyone, today’s battle is crucial for the survival of the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake People. We must give it our all!”
All present nodded solemnly. This battle would determine their fate.
As the fortress prepared for the coming storm, the surging sea of soldiers closed in with the sound of fierce cries. In the air above, streams of light darted, signaling the appearance of the strongmen from the three sects, who were the greatest source of pressure.
When the endless wave of soldiers was still a kilometer away from the fortress, they suddenly halted, and a chilling aura spread out, enveloping the entire Black Mountain Fortress!
The vanguard stopped, and in the air, figures with dou qi wings on their backs appeared, their gazes filled with icy laughter as they stared at the impenetrable Black Mountain Fortress.
“Ho ho, I didn’t expect your Jia Ma Empire to be so tenacious, to hold out for nearly a year under the alliance of three great empires. Even if you lose this war, your fame in the northwest region will still echo.”
A robust and triumphant laugh erupted from the army, echoing across the sky.
“Luo Yan Tian!” Hearing this, the expression on Medusa and the others’ faces turned cold, as they muttered the name of the highly esteemed man from the Falling Swallow Empire.
As the laughter faded, a brilliant golden light shot up from the army, hovering in the sky. Everyone saw a man in golden robes with a pair of enormous golden swan wings shimmering like a god.
Upon seeing this, the army burst into cheers, clearly held in high regard by the soldiers.
Medusa’s face iced over as she watched Luo Yan Tian, then in a flash, appeared in the sky outside the fortress. Her gaze swept over him, and she smirked, “A mere two-star Battle Sect, daring to be insolent in front of me?”
“Hehe, Queen Medusa, your reputation for beauty is well-deserved. I know I am no match for you, and I have no intention of fighting alone…”
Luo Yan Tian’s lips curled into a cold smile as he spoke slowly.
“Haha, indeed, Queen Medusa is a true heroine. Today, let us three elders of Mu Lan and the head of the Goose Clan see your prowess…”
As Luo Yan Tian spoke, three streams of light of different colors dashed out from the army below, transforming into three smiling old men who appeared in the sky.
Seeing the three elders, Medusa’s pupils contracted, and her face remained cold. “The Three Elders of Mu Lan?!”
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