Outside Black Mountain Fortress, the sky trembled beneath the thunderous roar of war drums. The deep, rolling rhythm spread across the vast plains, echoing through the air like the coming of a storm.
"The allied forces of the three empires have arrived! Prepare for their assault!"
The moment the urgent drumbeats reached their ears, Jia Xingtian and the others straightened instantly, expressions turning grave.
Moments later, the ground began to quake. From beyond the horizon, a dark and endless wave of soldiers surged forward like a flood of black clouds, rushing straight toward the fortress walls.
War banners fluttered furiously, blotting out the sky and sun.
Before long, the combined armies of the three empires stretched across the plains outside Black Mountain Fortress. The vanguard stood less than a kilometer away, while the seemingly infinite lines behind continued to roll forward, pressing upon the heart with a suffocating weight.
"Order all imperial experts to take their posts along the walls and fortify the defensive lines! Beware of enemy Dou Wang assaults!" Jia Xingtian's deep voice carried across the ramparts.
"Today's battle decides life or death! But so long as Black Mountain Fortress stands—so long as the Jia Ma Empire breathes—we will not fall!"
As he spoke, the full might of his Dou Zong aura burst forth, enveloping the entire fortress in an oppressive yet reassuring presence.
When his rousing words faded, he leaned toward the others and muttered under his breath, "Where's our little friend? Has he emerged yet? Without him, this old man feels far from at ease…"
Hai Bodong shot him a disdainful glare. "Hmph, you sure have a nerve. One moment you're stirring up morale, the next you're trembling like a leaf. If I hadn't heard it myself, I wouldn't believe it."
"Bah! Easy for you to say," Jia Xingtian retorted, unashamed. "We're facing three Dou Zong powerhouses. Even if I throw my life on the line, I can't hold them all off. You, a mere Dou Huang, standing there so casually—it's easy to talk big when you're not the one dying first."
Hai Bodong's brows twitched. He was no saint when it came to temper. "Heh! A 'mere Dou Huang,' am I? Don't be so smug, old man. Once I get my hands on that Zong Breaking Pill and step into the Dou Zong realm, I'll be the one challenging you!"
Jia Xingtian's expression remained calm, carrying the air of a seasoned master. "When that day comes, I'll let you have three moves first."
"Enough, both of you. The enemy's moving!" Fa Ma cut in sharply, his tone heavy with focus.
"Humph."
"Humph."
Despite the tension, the banter had lightened the oppressive air. Having fought side by side for decades, the three old comrades were used to such exchanges, and even at the brink of war, they could still find space for laughter.
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From the sea of soldiers ahead, countless figures with wings unfurled soared into the air, their overwhelming auras pressing down upon the fortress from above. Each one carried the power of a seasoned Dou Wang or higher.
"Jia Xingtian," a cold, aged voice boomed across the battlefield, resounding in every ear. "I'll admit, your breakthrough to Dou Zong was… surprising. But even as a Dou Zong, you'll find no escape today."
A moment later, ripples stirred through the air as an old, hunched figure slowly stepped out of the void. With each footfall, concentric waves spread beneath his feet until he stood before the allied forces—his presence alone twisting the air around him.
Leaning on a staff carved into the shape of a scorpion's head, his thin lips curled into a sinister smile. Behind him, the poison masters of the Chu Yun Empire erupted into cheers, their fanaticism bordering on worship.
This was Xie Bi Yan—the 3-Star Dou Zong and true ruler of the Chu Yun Empire. His grotesque appearance was the price of his cultivation; poison masters trained with venom and toxins, their power immense, yet their life force decayed rapidly, leaving their bodies twisted and frail.
Jia Xingtian snorted coldly, his own Dou Zong aura flaring to meet Xie Bi Yan's. "You failed to kill me last time, and you won't succeed today! We'll see whose life ends first!"
"Hahaha… Jia Xingtian, today your empire meets its end. The fall of the Jia Ma Empire will be remembered with honor, at least. Don't worry—this old man will make your death swift." His mad laughter echoed as a golden radiance shot into the sky. A brilliant figure emerged from the allied ranks, floating above the army like a god bathed in sunlight.
The sight of him sent the troops of the Falling Swan Empire into frenzied cheers.
Clad in gold armor, his back adorned with enormous golden wings that shimmered like divine light—this was none other than Yan Luotian, the strongest Dou Zong of the Falling Swan Empire.
Jia Xingtian's expression darkened. Another Dou Zong had appeared—his chances grew slimmer by the moment. He sneered nonetheless. "Yan Luotian! A man of your so-called reputation, lowering yourself to join forces with that venomous wretch Xie Bi Yan to attack my empire? Have you no shame?"
Yan Luotian's golden eyes gleamed coldly. "Shame? Victory defines justice. Your blood will forge our glory. Who dares speak of right or wrong when kings rise and empires fall?"
As his voice fell, three streaks of light—one blue, one green, one white—shot up from the allied camp. They hovered midair, revealing three aged figures robed in deep cyan.
Jia Xingtian's eyes twitched. His teeth clenched as he muttered grimly, "The Three Mulan Elders…"
The battle was on the verge of eruption.
'Little friend… if you don't appear soon,' Jia Xingtian thought bitterly, 'you may only find my corpse when you do.'
A calm, confident voice suddenly rang across the skies.
"Heh… well said—victory decides all. But I'm afraid today, none of you will be leaving this place alive."
All eyes turned toward the fortress walls.
There, under the roaring wind, Liu Xi appeared, stepping forward with composed grace. Behind him trailed a stunning woman cloaked in red, her aura seductive and dangerous all at once.
The moment the defenders recognized her, gasps of shock rippled through the ranks.
"Queen Medusa!"
The name alone sent waves of fear and awe through the fortress. Her reputation as both beauty and terror had long since spread across every empire on the continent—none failed to recognize that alluring, deadly face.
Among those most shaken was Hai Bodong. His face twitched violently as long-buried memories clawed their way up. Even as a 9-Star Dou Huang now, he could never forget those decades sealed in ice by her hand.
Medusa's violet eyes swept across the stunned faces with cold indifference before she withdrew her gaze. Her expression softened as she looked toward Liu Xi's back, the faintest glimmer of uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She could only hope he would honor his promise.
Liu Xi cleared his throat lightly, sensing the crowd's unease. "No need to panic. The Queen and I have reached an agreement—she will lend her strength to the Jia Ma Empire for this battle."
On the city wall, Xiao Yixian—busy strengthening the defensive formations—froze mid-motion. Her expression darkened, her teeth gritting softly. "So that's what it was… huh. I see."
Beside her, Zi Yan tilted her head curiously. "Sister Xian'er, if that woman was Zi Ling, then why did she used to look like a tiny seven-colored snake?"
Xiao Yixian's lips twitched. "Hmph, he must've used some trick to disguise her. Bringing back another woman right under my nose… the Young Master really has his ways."
She exhaled through her nose sharply. "We'll see how he explains this when it's all over."
Still, she knew this wasn't the time for confrontation. With a final huff, she turned away and continued her work.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun stood silently nearby, her delicate brows knitting faintly as she gripped her sword. Watching Liu Xi and Medusa stand together stirred an inexplicable feeling in her heart.
'A year ago, Liu Xi lured Queen Medusa away… she vanished afterward. Could it be…? No. He's not that kind of man.'
And amidst the uneasy emotions and glimmers of hope, Jia Xingtian's heart finally steadied.
Another Dou Zong had joined their side—perhaps, just perhaps, the Jia Ma Empire might still be saved.
(End of Chapter)
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