Chapter 43: The Army Presses on the City

Within the City of No Escape.

"Ancestor." The sixty-one Celestial Immortals and True Immortals all spoke with reverence.

As for the other Celestial Immortals and True Immortals? They had all died in the previous great battle. The losses of the No-Win Sect in that battle were severe. If not for the intervention of 'Master Wuxiao,' both the God-King and Patriarch Mozhu would have chosen to concede and withdraw from the Daxia world.

"This realm war has cost us dearly," Patriarch Mozhu said, looking down from above. "But if they think we'll admit defeat and leave—dream on!"

"Not admit defeat?"

The sixty-one Celestial Immortals and True Immortals below were startled. The three demon gods of Tunlong Mountain looked at Patriarch Mozhu; they had long been subdued by the Seven Luminaries Celestials led by Red Snow Celestial, and they had always thought that at this point in the war, it was time to retreat.

"May I ask the Patriarch, how do we deal with the Seven Luminaries Celestials?" The eldest of the three demon gods, 'Tunshan Great Sage,' spoke in a high-pitched voice.

"Watch." Patriarch Mozhu waved his hand.

Whoosh.

In the midair of the main hall appeared a colossal object, entirely gold-red, dazzling and eye-catching. Its form resembled a spider, with eight slender legs like sharp swords. It hovered in midair, exuding an aura that made all the Celestial Immortals and True Immortals below tremble with fear.

"A Patriarch puppet?" Exclamations arose.

Patriarch Mozhu nodded: "Indeed, a Patriarch puppet."

"I need to choose one among you to control this Patriarch puppet," Patriarch Mozhu said.

The sixty-one Celestial Immortals and True Immortals were momentarily stunned, then grew fervent, even the three demon gods of Tunlong Mountain showed eagerness. They all knew the power of a Patriarch puppet: its body was so tough that even True God Patriarchs found it hard to damage; it possessed immense strength and was nearly indestructible, with pure power reaching the level of a Patriarch.

The might of a Patriarch puppet far surpassed that of the 'Three-Eyed Demon God.'

"This is the war trophy 'Breaker' obtained from the Chiming realm," Patriarch Mozhu said with a thought, and the Breaker transformed into the form of the Patriarch puppet. "You will control this treasure, Breaker, and change it into the shape of a Patriarch puppet, attacking with its eight legs."

"You will spar among yourselves."

"The strongest will control the Patriarch puppet."

Patriarch Mozhu gave the order.

"Yes!" All the Celestial Immortals and True Immortals were extremely excited.

...

They began their internal sparring, and soon the powerful ones emerged: White Extreme True Immortal, Evergreen Sword Immortal, the three demon gods of Tunlong Mountain, the Great Fairy of the White Mist Nine Fairies... These formidable figures competed against each other...

In the end, the contenders for control of the Patriarch puppet were Evergreen Sword Immortal and the Nine-Headed Lion.

After a long struggle, Evergreen Sword Immortal, controlling 'Breaker,' won by a narrow margin.

"Great Sage Tunshan, the eight slender legs of this Patriarch puppet are like eight swords. I am a sword immortal, skilled in the 'Eight Trigrams Demon-Slaying Sword Formation' created by the Human Sovereign Fuxi, making me most suited to control this puppet. That's why I could only win by a slight advantage after such a long fight," Evergreen Sword Immortal said with a smile. "And you, Great Sage, are a Celestial, adept at close combat. Competing with me in this was inherently disadvantageous. My victory was fortunate."

Evergreen Sword Immortal maintained a humble demeanor.

He knew well when to be proud and when to lower his head.

The three demon gods of Tunlong Mountain were clearly not people he could afford to offend. Even if he controlled the Patriarch puppet, it was under the command of the No-Win Sect; the puppet belonged to the sect, not granted to him.

"Hmph." The Nine-Headed Lion's face darkened—he had actually lost.

Evergreen Sword Immortal's expression shifted slightly, then returned to normal, but inwardly he thought: "I was so courteous, yet he doesn't show me face. When I become a True God Patriarch, you'll kneel before me with utmost respect."

"Evergreen, you will temporarily control the Patriarch puppet," Patriarch Mozhu ordered.

"Evergreen will not disappoint the Patriarch." Evergreen Sword Immortal spoke with utmost reverence, yet his voice was full of confidence.

...

Dark clouds covered the sky, fierce winds howled, and even raindrops began to fall.

At this moment, the vast army of the No-Win Sect surged with overwhelming momentum. The power of heaven and earth churned violently, causing the dark clouds high above to become chaotic. Patches of clouds collided, sending lightning bolts darting about, as if even they were terrified of the immortal and demon army below.

"Chiming, come out and fight!"

The army began to issue challenges.

The No-Win Sect army was on the wilderness thousands of miles from the Eight Dragon Cloud City, and their shouts resounded through heaven and earth.

...

"They dare to challenge us?"

"They didn't dare come out before, but now they're taking the initiative?"

"Hmph, the No-Win Sect thinks they haven't died enough."

"Let's teach them a lesson."

The Eight Dragon Cloud City buzzed with noise. All the Celestial Immortals, True Immortals, and a group of generals and commanders, including Ji Ning, flew toward the great hall.

Inside the great hall.

Patriarch Chiming was already seated high above.

As Ji Ning and the others entered, their eyes burned with battle intent, clearly eager to go out and fight.

"Do not engage," Patriarch Chiming said, his brow furrowed with worry, his voice low.

"Huh?"

Everyone was stunned.

Do not engage?

"May I ask the Patriarch, what is the reason?" Red Snow Celestial spoke up.

"The No-Win Sect is determined to seize the heart of our Charming realm this time. They have even forged a Patriarch puppet," Patriarch Chiming shook his head. "Sending you now would be sending you to your deaths."

"Patriarch puppet?" Red Snow Celestial, Yuanguang Celestial, Snow Scorpion Celestial, and the others looked puzzled.

The seven of them had long been in the Picking Star Grand World, living in seclusion for too long and knowing little of the outside world.

"Patriarch puppet?" Xia Huang and the others exclaimed.

Ji Ning was also puzzled; he didn't know what a Patriarch puppet was either.

"You have seen the Celestial puppets," Patriarch Chiming began. "I believe you understand how troublesome they are."

"Yes, their strength barely reaches the Celestial level, but they are extremely tough, and ordinary Celestial Immortals and True Immortals find it hard to destroy them," Red Snow Celestial nodded.

"A Patriarch puppet's strength barely reaches the Patriarch level, but it possesses immense power and is also extremely tough. Even I cannot destroy it," Patriarch Chiming sighed. "You cannot harm it in the slightest, but it can harm you. Red Snow... your Seven Luminaries Celestials would need another Seven Luminaries Celestials of equal strength to assist each other in order to restrain that Patriarch puppet. Otherwise, a single Seven Luminaries Celestials would only be trampled and beaten without the power to fight back."

Everyone understood.

Their hearts turned cold.

Having one Seven Luminaries Celestials was already fortunate. Finding another? Easier said than done?

With a Patriarch puppet stronger than the Punishment Celestial Ji Ning and the Seven Luminaries Celestials combined, there was no way to fight. And remember, the enemy also had a Three-Eyed Demon God only slightly weaker than the Seven Luminaries Celestials. If battle truly commenced, it would indeed be one-sided.

...

The atmosphere in the great hall was oppressive.

Everyone was unwilling to accept it.

"Hmm~~~" Suddenly a ripple spread.

Ji Ning and the others turned to look. Through the hall's doors, they saw a figure emerge from a rift in the sky in the distance. It was a handsome youth with a red mole between his eyebrows, dressed in a Daoist robe. He drifted down and came directly to the great hall of the Eight Dragon Cloud City.

"Yunchen pays respects to the Patriarch," the Daoist-robed youth said with a smile, bowing.

Patriarch Chiming's eyes lit up.

"I have been sent by the Human Sovereign Shennong to assist the Patriarch in winning this battle," the Daoist-robed youth said confidently with a smile.

...