Three days later.
In the early morning, as Lin Zhao emerged from Tianran Ju and performed a clumsy set of farmer's punches that made the two young girls, Tong Yu and Wang Yue, wrinkle their noses, the sky east of Xueyu Tianchi suddenly turned a shade of azure. Amidst the layered clouds, a colossal entity seemed to be descending upon the Snow Ridge east of Xueyu Tianchi.
"Shuanzhi!"
Lin Zhao called out, "Let's go, take me there."
"Yes, my lord!"
Shuanzhi descended gracefully from the mountain, grasped Lin Zhao's shoulder, and lifted him onto a flying sword. The next moment, they tore through the clouds, flying dozens of miles in mere moments. Looking up, Lin Zhao saw a cyan immortal vessel floating in the air. It was only slightly smaller than the Kunpeng Immortal Vessel. Its entire body was a mountain-green hue, and its form resembled a giant sea turtle. Its limbs were heavily petrified, and mountains had formed on its back. Within these mountains, palaces were clustered, and countless Mohist cultivators were busily transporting supplies.
"It's so huge..."
Lin Zhao frowned and asked, "What's its origin?"
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be the Mohist's Giant Ao Immortal Vessel."
Shuanzhi gazed at the distant immortal vessel with her beautiful eyes. "Legend has it that in the past, the previous Mohist Patriarch, while traveling in the East Sea, tamed a giant deep-sea Ao. Since then, this Ao has become the guardian spirit beast of the Mohist ancestral land. Later, with the Ao's permission, Mohist artisans transformed it into the Giant Ao Immortal Vessel, capable of traveling between heaven and earth. There's no place it cannot go. Aside from the Kunpeng Immortal Vessel, this Giant Ao Immortal Vessel is likely the most powerful artifact of its kind in existence."
Lin Zhao was stunned. "A Giant Ao Immortal Vessel coming to the Snow Ridge... what is its purpose? Is the Mohist clan planning something new?"
"Yes."
Not far away, a figure pierced through the clouds and floated to stand alongside Lin Zhao and Shuanzhi. Clad in white robes and silver armor, holding a bright silver spear, it was the thirteen-realm Saint of the Military School, Lord Piaoyao. He smiled slightly and said, "Lin Zhao, you might not know, but the Mohist ancestral land is dedicating its resources and manpower to establish eleven Sword Suppression Towers along the entire Snow Ridge. This is the site for the first Sword Suppression Tower, located eighty li from Xueyu Tianchi, allowing for mutual support."
"Sword Suppression Tower?"
Lin Zhao's expression grew serious. "Brother Huo, could you elaborate?"
"I can only say so much."
Lord Piaoyao chuckled lazily. "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. If you weren't the Sect Master's junior brother, I wouldn't have told you even this much. All I can tell you now is that the eleven Sword Suppression Towers are a joint undertaking by the Mohist and Military schools. Once completed, they will use the Snow Ridge as a boundary to completely isolate the four northern tribes, and the Sword Dao's fortune in the human realm will no longer flow northward."
"I see."
Shuanzhi's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "I think I'm starting to understand. As the saying goes, the Sword Dao's fortune in the world is seven parts in the south and three in the north. Since ancient times, humans have produced many Sword Cultivators. Moreover, the Sword Cultivators of the upper five realms, apart from those who perished in battle, mostly choose their final resting place in their homeland. When they die, their dispersed Sword Dao fortune nourishes the human realm. This is why humans have always had so many Sword Cultivators, while the demon race has rarely produced a thirteen-realm Sword Cultivator. Once, the entire demon race nurtured a thirteen-realm cultivator named Bai Lan, who was slain by my lord with a single sword. As a result, the demon race has not produced another thirteen-realm Sword Cultivator in all these years and has not recovered."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao looked towards the north, a hint of joy in his eyes. If this were the case, the completion of the eleven Sword Suppression Towers would benefit Xiao Jiuer the most. Xiao Jiuer resided in Changming Mountain, which was in the southern part of the human realm and had a rich Sword Dao fortune. Xiao Jiuer was currently at the peak of the twelfth realm and would likely reach the threshold of the thirteenth realm soon.
He gritted his teeth, a flicker of anticipation in his heart. He had been harboring a secret: Huang Tingyu, who was suppressed beneath Qianliang Mountain's Qianlong Abyss. Lin Zhao had promised him that when the time was right, he would lead the descendants of the Great Chen Dynasty to rescue Old Huang. But what constituted the right time? He was too cautious. A twelfth-realm Xiao Jiuer might not be able to defeat a thirteenth-realm Zhao Jingyu. He had to wait for Xiao Jiuer to reach the thirteenth realm. He couldn't put Xiao Jiuer in danger for the sake of revenge or rescuing Old Huang.
Therefore, in Lin Zhao's mind, the perfect scenario would be for Xiao Jiuer to reach the thirteenth realm, Shuanzhi and Mu Geng to reach the twelfth realm, and Chu Yu and Chen Ben to reach the eleventh realm. Only with such a formidable lineup at the mountain peak villa could Qingliang Sect be completely defeated. Of course, if Xiao Shitóu were still the same Xiao Shitóu as before, and with a twelfth-realm Xiao Shitóu added, it would be truly perfect.
Alas, hearts change. The moment Xiao Shitóu dismissed him, Lin Zhao's brother, with 5,000 gold coins, Lin Zhao knew that everything was in the past. From now on, Lin Zhao was Lin Zhao, Shi Hu was Shi Hu, and their paths diverged.
...
"Buzz~~~"
From afar, a roaring sound echoed. Stone steps began to extend from the underside of the Giant Ao Immortal Vessel, connecting with the snow-covered Snow Ridge. Immediately, countless Mohist cultivators descended from the Giant Ao Immortal Vessel with supplies. It appeared that the construction of the first Sword Suppression Tower was about to commence.
"It's starting."
Lord Piaoyao smiled slightly, raised his bright silver spear, and pointed towards the north. Instantly, from the southern mountains, forests, and grasslands of the Snow Ridge, countless figures soared into the air. Each of them exuded a potent aura of military might. They were all Military School cultivators, ascending into the wind. After crossing the Snow Ridge, they landed one by one to the north of the first Sword Suppression Tower. A total of a thousand people, led by an eleventh-realm Military School cultivator, formed ranks to the north.
The Mohist clan built the Sword Suppression Towers, and the Military School defended them. This had been agreed upon long ago.
Not far away, a figure drifted from the head of the Giant Ao Immortal Vessel. Clad in a green robe, with a long sword strapped to his back, exuding an air of ethereal grace, it was Xu Zhan, one of the guardians of the Mohist ancestral land.
"Greetings, Lord Huo Piaoyao."
Xu Zhan clasped his fist and smiled respectfully. After all, the person before him was ranked extremely high among the seventy-two generals in the Military School's ancestral temple, or rather, had a high probability of being at the very top. It was likely that after the Four Sages and Ten Philosophers, he would be next. Furthermore, the Military School's ancestral land had sent people on expeditions year after year, resulting in many casualties. Fewer than half of the Ten Philosophers remained. In reality, Lord Piaoyao's true rank within the Military School's ancestral land might be in the top ten!
"Lord Xu Zhan."
The young Saint of the Military School cupped his fist and smiled. "We will trouble you with the construction of this first Sword Suppression Tower. May I ask, with the Mohist clan's skills, what is the estimated construction time?"
"Three days."
Xu Zhan held up three fingers and smiled. "If a Sword Suppression Tower cannot be erected here within three days, then I, Xu Zhan, will leave the Mohist ancestral land and wander the world as a street performer."
Lord Piaoyao couldn't help but chuckle. "Already thought of a backup plan?"
Xu Zhan also laughed heartily. "Very well, I'll leave this place in your charge, Lord Piaoyao. I will begin construction of the Sword Suppression Tower now."
"Good!"
Xu Zhan flew away on his sword and, along with a group of Mohist disciples, began to strike the mountain. This was to lay the foundation and connect the tower's formation with the spiritual energy of the mountain's roots, ensuring true solidity. Otherwise, if the demon or devil races made any slight move, the tower would collapse. Durability was the primary requirement for buildings from the Mohist ancestral land.
...
Northern Snow Territory.
One hundred li north of Guxiao Pass, rows of military tents stretched out. In the wind and snow, demonic flags fluttered. Columns of cavalry galloped between the camps. Even in the snowy weather, the demon race's two hundred thousand cavalry had not stopped training.
Through the snow curtain, three figures appeared outside the demon army's camps: a woman in a black long dress and veil, a handsome eleventh-realm great demon, and a twelfth-realm great demon carrying a long sword. They were Shi Jungang, Bai Ye, and Feng Quan.
"Shi Jungang of the demon race, requesting an audience with Marshal Su Yi!"
After a short period of notification, they were invited to the commander's tent. As Shi Jungang stepped into the tent, he observed the distribution of troops within the demon camp, his heart instantly filled with understanding. Su Yi was indeed the brother of Su Chan, the commander of the demon race's three armies, and one of the ten great Divine Cavalry Commanders of the demon race. Even the layout of the tents showed a deep understanding of military strategy.
Inside the commander's tent, a young Heavenly Origin Realm warrior of the demon race stood up. He was exceptionally handsome. He cupped his fists towards Shi Jungang and the others and said with a smile, "I greet Lord Shi Jungang, Lord Feng Quan, and Lord Bai Ye!"
"You are too kind!"
"Please, take a seat."
Su Yi gestured, ordering a few graceful demon attendants to serve Shi Jungang and the others with snacks and fine wine. He smiled and asked, "May I ask the purpose of your visit to our Divine Race's camp?"
"Marshal Su Yi should have already heard news from the southern Snow Ridge."
Shi Jungang spoke directly. "The Mohist ancestral land has dispatched a Giant Ao Immortal Vessel to the Snow Ridge and is constructing some unknown building, guarded by a thousand Military School cultivators. Although the intentions and plans of the Mohist and Military ancestral lands are unclear, they are clearly directed at us, the four northern tribes. The demon race has just fought with Xueyu Tianchi and is in the process of recuperating, while your Divine Race has been stationed here for months. It's time for some action."
She smiled slightly. "This is not just my intention, but that of Ancestral Mountain. The Demon Ancestor has issued a decree: your Divine Race has recuperated for a hundred years, and it's time to act. Let our demon race see how much combat power its allies still possess. As long as the demon cavalry successfully attacks the mountain, the forces from our four demon camps will follow, and we will crush the plans of the Mohist and Military ancestral lands in one fell swoop."
"Is that so..."
Su Yi's brows furrowed. "I heard... there is a thirteenth-realm Saint of the Military School residing at Xueyu Tianchi. If he is also present, it will be quite troublesome. No matter how strong our Divine Race cavalry is, we cannot directly confront a thirteenth-realm Military cultivator!"
"Rest assured."
Shi Jungang smiled. "At sunset today, two thirteenth-realm cultivators, Fu Sheng and Nan Qingfeng, will arrive at Panyun Mountain from the Demon Ancestral Mountain. With them present, that thirteenth-realm Military cultivator will not dare to act rashly. If he engages with the Divine Race cavalry, we will immediately attack the mountain and flatten Xueyu Tianchi."
"Understood."
Su Yi nodded, stood up, and cupped his fists. "Please rest assured, Lord Shi Jungang. I will personally lead fifty thousand Divine Race cavalry to attack the mountain and will not allow the Mohist ancestral land to lay even a single brick on the Snow Ridge!"