Chapter 7 The Great Army Sets Out

The summer was scorching hot, the world like a great furnace, only cooling slightly in the dead of night.

On a tower within the mansion atop the peak, Ji Ning and Yu Wei stood high, overlooking most of Anchan City.

"It's been half a year since the Outcast Gate issued its ultimatum, yet there's still no movement. We wait every day with caution, not knowing how long it will be," Ji Ning said.

"Now Anchan City not only has the Unification Sword Immortal, but also you, Junior Apprentice Brother. You once fought against nine Celestial Immortals and killed two, and eighteen years have passed—they likely assume your strength has grown... How could the Outcast Gate be careless? They must prepare thoroughly. Half a year is not excessive for dealing with a Celestial Immortal nearing Pure Yang True Immortal status and a peerless prodigy," Yu Wei said. "The longer the time... the more terrifying their attack will be."

Ji Ning nodded. "I understand."

"Junior Apprentice Brother," Yu Wei looked at Ji Ning seriously, "never underestimate the Outcast Gate."

"Haha, Senior Apprentice Sister, rest assured. Last time with the Shaoyin clan, I suffered a great loss. A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. I won't be careless this time," Ji Ning said with a smile. These days, Yu Wei had repeatedly reminded him to be cautious; it seemed that his being exiled to a deadly place by the Shaoyin clan had made her fear for him again.

This concern warmed Ji Ning's heart.

Over the past half year, Ji Ning had already figured out most of the method for using heartforce with flying swords, and he estimated it wouldn't be long before he fully comprehended it. After all, he had prior experience using it with sword fingers, so progress was naturally fast. Moreover, his insights into the Dao of the Sword had advanced rapidly. Clearly, fully understanding the first level of sword-force and touching the essence of the sword allowed him to perceive the Dao of the Sword directly toward the ultimate.

"Hmm~~" Suddenly, a ripple of divine sense spread.

Yu Wei's expression shifted.

Ji Ning glanced at the sky and said, "Is it your turn for watch, Senior Apprentice Sister?"

"Mm," Yu Wei nodded.

"The Unification Sword Immortal is indeed cautious, maintaining a Celestial Immortal's divine sense over Anchan City at all times. The three Celestial Immortals take turns every day, without a moment's pause," Ji Ning remarked. "As long as the Outcast Gate's forces dare approach, they cannot hide."

"We are in the open, they are in the dark. Of course we must be vigilant," Yu Wei said. "We are already at a disadvantage; if we are careless again, it will truly be dangerous."

Ji Ning nodded. "After such long preparation, I wonder what methods the Outcast Gate will employ."

"If they don't come, fine. If they do, it will be with thunderous force," Yu Wei said solemnly.

Ji Ning glanced at Yu Wei.

Among the Unification Sword Immortal, Diancai Immortal, and Yu Wei, Yu Wei was the most pessimistic. Under her influence, Ji Ning and the others had become extremely cautious. For instance, maintaining a divine sense scan was very tiring; fortunately, the three Celestial Immortals took turns, allowing it to be sustained long-term.

...

While Ji Ning and the others in Anchan City waited cautiously, maintaining divine sense coverage at all times, on a summer night, the great army of the Outcast Gate also set out.

At the black mist cave entrance.

Whoosh!

A group of golden-robed figures wearing masks flew out, then immediately split into six teams, vanishing through void teleportation.

...

At the hidden teleportation array in the canyon.

A flash of light.

A group of golden-robed masked figures appeared, splitting into five teams, quickly teleporting through the void to various locations.

...

In the depths of the clouds, space rippled, and two golden-robed figures appeared.

...

Almost simultaneously, two thousand teams had silently arrived in the Grand Xia world, dispersing toward their respective targets.

In a wilderness.

Two golden-robed figures stood among the weeds, holding talismans.

"Big Brother, it's fortunate we sided with the Outcast Gate instead of the Xia Emperor. The Outcast Gate is too powerful. Their lair, the Fifth World... my god, we've seen the gathering of a million Celestial Immortals under Lord Chi Ming, but that was nearly all of Lord Chi Ming's Celestial Immortals. Yet the Fifth World... hmph, it's no less than Lord Chi Ming's Celestial Immortals. Even the Outcast Gate's leader we visited, though a Heavenly God or True Immortal, said that those majestic buildings were only for Heavenly Gods and True Immortals to reside in. How many True Gods and Celestial Immortals must there be?"

"Haha, Third Brother, don't be intimidated by the Outcast Gate leader. Indeed, the Fifth World's power is unimaginably vast, but there are so many majestic buildings—perhaps over a thousand. I don't believe there are a thousand Heavenly Gods and True Immortals! And figures like the Outcast Gate leader likely have many palaces in the Fifth World: some for rest, some for secluded cultivation, some for entertaining guests... accounting for that, it's not so terrifying," said the sturdier golden-robed figure. "Still, the Fifth World is indeed a lair with immense power. Gathering such strength... it should at least be able to withstand a Dao Ancestor, otherwise it would have been destroyed long ago."

"Mm," the other golden-robed figure nodded.

"If the Fifth World attacked the Grand Xia world with all its power, it would probably take only a few days to destroy it. But the Fifth World needs to attack many major worlds. The Outcast Gate leader is only responsible for attacking our Grand Xia," said the sturdy golden-robed figure.

"Only by fully defecting can we gain trust and visit the Fifth World," said the thinner golden-robed figure. "But this time, the Outcast Gate leader assigned us to deal with the Fire Fan Commandery, and we're to fight the Fire Fan Female Immortal there, but it's a fake fight."

"Obviously, the Fire Fan Female Immortal has probably defected to the Outcast Gate too. So we're here to put on a show and fight her," said the sturdy golden-robed figure. "Mixing truth with falsehood. Stirring the waters makes it easier to fish. If the Fire Fan Commandery is attacked, the Fire Fan Female Immortal will be less suspected by the Xia Emperor."

"Yes, this time it's said there are two thousand teams, over ten thousand people. I wonder how many Celestial Immortals and how many loose immortals. And how many are defectors like us, and how many are the Outcast Gate's own people."

"Why bother with that? That's not for us to know."

"Right, but why hasn't the talisman shattered yet?"

Both held talismans.

Once the talisman shattered, it meant—immediate action!

They had been waiting tens of thousands of li outside Fire Fan City. A single void teleportation would bring them there, just awaiting orders.

"Crack."

The talisman shattered.

The two golden-robed figures' expressions shifted. With no more time for idle chat, they immediately teleported through the void toward Fire Fan City.

...

In the clouds outside Anchan City, on a cloud mass stood eighteen figures, all in golden robes, but their robes differed from ordinary ones. Each robe bore a unique pattern: some flowers, some divine beasts, some clouds and rocks.

Their auras were extraordinary.

"Everyone, by the leader's order, I lead you today," said the Purple Grass Celestial Immortal. "I know my experience is shallow; I ask for your understanding."

"Sister Purple Grass, though your cultivation is short, your talent is high. Now you're at the top Celestial Immortal level, nearly matching us. In the future, we may need your care."

The other Celestial Immortals spoke.

They all knew that this Purple Grass Celestial Immortal was the leader's most favored maid, protected by several major figures like the Black Crow Celestial Immortal, ensuring her status would be higher than theirs.

"This time, the leader dispatched two thousand teams as a probing attack before the war on the Grand Xia world, to uncover some of its foundations. Most teams are for 'probing,' some are feints, and only a few are for eliminating enemies!" Purple Grass Celestial Immortal swept her gaze and said solemnly, "Our team is for elimination!"

"The Unification Celestial Immortal is too rigid and refuses to yield," said Purple Grass Celestial Immortal. "He is formidable... and may break through to Pure Yang True Immortal at any time. He is extremely patient and tenacious. If left unchecked, he could become a scourge in our conquest of Grand Xia. Since we can't recruit him, we must eliminate him!"

Figures like the Xia Emperor were unclear about many Celestial Immortals.

Even whether the Tuoshan Celestial Immortal's capture was a feint was uncertain. But the Outcast Gate knew clearly! They had truly captured Tuoshan Celestial Immortal and used every means to force the Unification Celestial Immortal to defect. Unfortunately, they failed.

"Currently, Anchan City has the Unification Celestial Immortal, Diancai Immortal, Fire Rainbow Immortal, and the Northmont Sword Immortal Ji Ning," Purple Grass Celestial Immortal said solemnly. "Diancai Immortal and Fire Rainbow Immortal are weak and negligible. But the Unification Celestial Immortal and Northmont Sword Immortal are no ordinary figures. If it were just the Unification Celestial Immortal, we eighteen wouldn't need to act. But now there's the Northmont Sword Immortal."

The other seventeen present nodded.

They had also received information on the Northmont Sword Immortal Ji Ning. Previously fighting in other major worlds, they only learned of Ji Ning's details upon gathering, and were shocked.

Northmont Sword Immortal Ji Ning!

First place in the Immortal Destiny Gathering, disciple of a top-tier Dao Ancestor in the Three Realms, cultivated the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, peerless sword techniques, formidable divine abilities, withstood nine Celestial Immortals of the Shaoyin clan in his Return to Void stage, killing two! Though he had cultivated for less than a century, he survived karmic fire—truly an extraordinary prodigy.

"All of you are top Celestial Immortals, well-versed in the great formation created by the God King. We eighteen can barely deploy it, enough to sweep all opponents below Heavenly Gods and True Immortals," Purple Grass Celestial Immortal said solemnly. "The plan has been given to you. Follow it strictly, be cautious step by step. If careless, the Unification Celestial Immortal and Northmont Sword Immortal might escape!"

"Naturally."

"If we eighteen join forces and still fail, we'd lose face."

Each had reached the level of a devoted Celestial Immortal, some even stronger.

Their combined strength was more terrifying than a hundred ordinary Celestial Immortals. These were the elite of the Outcast Gate, dispatched only for truly troublesome opponents.

The eighteen Celestial Immortals waited silently in the clouds for the final order. All two thousand teams had to attack simultaneously.

After a moment...

"Crack."

The talismans in the hands of the eighteen Celestial Immortals shattered simultaneously.

...