Chapter 474: Taking Action
Li Hao and Mi Xueyao did not act, instead choosing to stay hidden in the dark and observe.
The sudden appearance of the Peacock Army's immortal formation did not detect their presence, as it rushed straight into the Demon Tide.
The immortal formation transformed into a massive immortal deity, this was the Peacock Army's class A formation, the Original Form Immortal Formation. This formation could gather the strength of over ten thousand perfect Immortal Realm cultivators, with commanders at the third level of the Immortal King realm at the core, unleashing a power equivalent to an Immortal King at the eighth level.
On the battlefield, an Immortal King at the eighth level was already considered a top-tier powerhouse, capable of destroying stars and changing the course of a battle.
As the massive Original Form Immortal Deity entered the Demon Tide, it immediately caused a great disturbance. Demon blood sprayed everywhere, and immortal power split the void, tearing open monstrous dark ravines.
Meanwhile, the Immortal Kings who had appeared earlier followed suit, helping to open gaps for the Original Form Immortal Deity to push through to the depths of the Demon Tide's rear.
Li Hao and Mi Xueyao watched closely and saw that the Demon Tide's rear was caught off guard, and many ancient demons fell to their deaths in an instant.
These demons were at the fourth or fifth level of the Immortal King realm, but in front of the Original Form Immortal Deity, they were easily suppressed and swept away with a simple motion. The difference of two or three levels in cultivation was like a vast chasm in combat; even the uniquely gifted ancient demons could not overcome this gap.
As the Immortal King leaders among the demons fell one by one, the battle situation in the frontlines of the Demon Tide became chaotic.
Seeing this, Li Hao quietly circulated his immortal energy, ready to seize this rare opportunity to return to the Immortal Army at the border.
Mi Xueyao sensed the change in Li Hao's aura. She stared intently at the Demon Tide's rear and said, "Don't rush. Let's wait a bit longer. The Di Jiang clan should make their move soon. The Peacock Army alone might not be able to easily defeat the Demon Tide."
Li Hao's gaze shifted, and he focused on the situation.
As the Original Form Immortal Deity swept through and slaughtered, the Demon Tide began to ripple like a lake disturbed by countless waves, and this chaos gradually spread outward.
At this moment, a deep, vast aura suddenly emerged from the Demon Tide, like an ancient force descending from the heavens, enveloping and attacking.
It was a jet-black light, only two to three zhang long, but it seemed to pull the entire starry sky with it, twisting into a spiral of power aimed to pierce through the massive form of the Original Form Immortal Deity!
The Original Form Immortal Deity suddenly raised its head, sensing the immense danger. The ten thousand soldiers of the Peacock Army within its body all turned pale and roared in unison, their bodies exploding with crimson blood energy. The Immortal Deity also unleashed its full power. Its enormous hands, like lakes, clapped together and pressed toward the black light.
In its palm, golden light exploded, containing immortal laws, attempting to destroy the black light.
However, upon contact, the golden light dissipated rapidly, and before the two hands could close around the black light, a terrifying tearing force stripped away the immortal power from the palms, scattering it like dead bark, revealing the soldiers of the Peacock Army beneath. Their screams were swallowed instantly as they were obliterated without a sound.
With the collapse of the two palms, the Original Form Immortal Deity let out an angry roar, its body retreating continuously. Its towering form was pushed back by the three zhang-long black light for thousands of miles before it barely managed to dispel the remaining power of the black light.
When the black light finally dissipated, what appeared was a fine black thread, drifting in the void, slowly descending, looking as if it were a single strand of hair!
Li Hao saw clearly that the residual power of the black light had not been blocked by the Original Form Immortal Deity. Instead, as the black light attacked, a powerful aura suddenly surged from behind the Immortal Army and charged toward the rear of the Demon Tide.
There, an even more terrifying battle broke out, with attacks that Li Hao couldn't even comprehend shaking the void.
A circle of dark ripples spread outward, and the ancient demons nearby fled in panic. Anyone who touched those ripples was instantly devoured, vanishing without a sound.
As the ripples spread, the power of the black light that had been attacking the Original Form Immortal Deity also dissipated.
From the Demon Tide, a towering figure, about eight zhang tall, emerged with a low growl. Its body was covered in raging black hair, waving in the wind. Its shoulders and chest were adorned with silver feathers, surrounded by silver light, revealing an extraordinary presence.
"The Di Jiang clan actually sent someone from the King's Realm. It looks like the Di Jiang clan has taken control of this battlefield."
Mi Xueyao's eyes flickered as she looked at the muscular figure, pondering. Was this figure from the royal family of the Di Jiang clan hiding in the shadows, or had they come to search for her because of her involvement?
She knew that the matter surrounding her was of great importance. Even if someone from the King's Realm personally came to capture her, it would be justified.
"Immortal King's Realm…"
Li Hao focused, recognizing that the blurry figures in the battle were on the same level as Elder Wang, someone of that caliber.
But compared to Elder Wang, it was hard to say who was stronger.
With his current cultivation, seeing someone from the Immortal King's Realm felt like looking at a speck of dust in the vast sky. He could sense its breadth but had no idea how high or vast it truly was.
However, the black light wrapped around a strand of hair and nearly pierced the Original Form Immortal Deity, almost wiping out the entire Peacock Army. This was enough to demonstrate the terrifying power of someone from the Immortal King's Realm.
"I didn't expect to… meet you here. It seems we also have someone from the Immortal King's Realm among the human race. That aura seems to be from the Great Immortal Master of the Demon Subjugation Division."
Mi Xueyao glanced at Li Hao nervously, almost letting slip "you humans."
Demon Subjugation Division? Li Hao's mind stirred. This was the most powerful department within the Yan Chu Immortal Dynasty, and only the Chu Immortal Army could rival its power.
But the Chu Immortal Army was responsible for the border defenses, while the Demon Subjugation Division dealt with the internal suppression of all demons and monsters, especially the ancient demons. When battles broke out at the borders, the Demon Subjugation Division would also assist, intervening in the border wars and issuing commands, with authority superior to that of local armies.
"The old Immortal Master is holding down the fort. It seems they sent the Peacock Army to probe the situation, forcing out the Di Jiang clan's Royal Realm flaws. I wonder how the battle will turn out…"
Mi Xueyao whispered, her heart sighing softly.
Although she was currently a wanted fugitive for desertion, her heart still leaned toward the Ancient Demon race. After all, it was only the Lunzhuan King and the Di Jiang clan who were chasing her, and the other royal families hadn't made a move yet. As long as she returned to her royal family, she would be safe.
Li Hao listened to her words and realized that this demoness might know more about the human race than he did. After all, he had just arrived in the True World, while she didn't know how many years she had been fighting here.
At this moment, as the human race's Old Heavenly Master engaged with the Di Jiang clan's King Realm in battle, their battlefield quickly ascended to the sky, entering a confrontation on a whole new level. The surrounding space shattered, and the immortal kingdoms suppressed and collided with each other, unleashing waves of terrifying pressure. The pressure, if it scattered down, would be enough to cause huge disruptions to the battle below.
But both sides were extremely restrained, not letting this force affect the battlefield. After all, the battlefield had already become a chaotic melee, and with this power falling, it was unclear whether it would kill demons or humans, so no one dared to take that risk.
As they fiercely clashed, several more powerful auras suddenly erupted behind the human and ancient demon forces, rushing into the battlefield.
Li Hao's eyes narrowed. He knew that the battle was about to reach its decisive moment.
The Peacock Army, which had been forced back ten thousand miles by that strand of hair earlier, was now regrouping. They had returned to the battlefield, though many of the warriors within their palms had been obliterated. Now, there were no palms, only two broken arms remaining.
Despite this, the Original Form Immortal God still strode forward, stepping through the void with a rumbling sound. The laws of immortality gathered on his broken arms, forming palms made of immortal power, which he used to slaughter through the Ancient Demon Tide.
Boom!
The primary fighting strength of the Ancient Demon Tide was facing off against the front of the battlefield, but a strong presence from the Di Jiang clan suddenly rushed toward the Peacock Army.
This Di Jiang clan first flashed next to several Immortal Monarchs and, with a wave of his hand, swung out a golden divine chain. The chain, with both golden light and black flames intertwined, whipped out and directly exploded the bodies of the Immortal Monarchs who had appeared behind the Ancient Demon Tide.
The order force on the divine chain was irresistible, and the Immortal Monarchs died instantly.
Then, the Di Jiang clan coldly glanced at the Original Form Immortal God, who was continuously slaughtering the Ancient Demons, and leaped toward him. The divine chain seemed to stretch endlessly, growing to thousands of miles, and came crashing down.
The Peacock Army within the Original Form Immortal God's body had already sensed this, but they knew that striking the rear of the Ancient Demon Tide was fraught with danger. They were deep in enemy territory, and it was a perilous situation. They were all prepared to die, knowing that even if they didn't win, they would be remembered for eternity with their immortal merits.
"Kill!"
The Peacock Army soldiers roared in fury and charged forward, unwilling to retreat. Even if they couldn't win, their deaths would be accounted for, and their immortal merits would be passed down to their closest relatives, clans, and fellow tribes.
Boom! The divine chain trembled, tearing apart the immortal power on the Original Form Immortal God's body. The chain was as sharp as a blade, and its cutting power was terrifying.
The Original Form Immortal God activated golden secret powers, condensing terrifying immortal techniques like the explosion of the bright moon and the reversal of the blood sea, engaging in a deadly battle with the Di Jiang clan.
The Di Jiang clan's momentum, however, continued to rise, growing more powerful and fierce, unleashing the aura of an Immortal Monarch at the ninth stage. The divine chain in his hand became both a soft whip and a divine sword, continually tearing through the immortal power on the Original Form Immortal God, weakening his immortal body.
Li Hao stared at the battlefield. At his current position, Mi Xueyao was covering him, and no one noticed them.
Aside from the Peacock Army, which was being held back, other members of the Peacock Army were being intercepted by powerful figures from the Ancient Demon race. Though the battlefield appeared chaotic, the strong in the Ancient Demon race outnumbered the human forces by a couple of warriors and were continuously fighting.
The high-ranking Immortal Monarchs among the Ancient Demons were unimpeded by their peers and rampaged across the battlefield like hungry wolves, trampling the Tiger and Lion armies of the True Immortal Realm wherever they went.
Li Hao's eyes flashed. It was an extremely dangerous moment to act, but it was also the right time.
"Let's go!"
Li Hao didn't forget to pull Mi Xueyao along. Since she wanted to impersonate the human race, it was time for her to do her part.
Mi Xueyao glanced at Li Hao and, this time, didn't refuse. She realized that it was a rare opportunity. In the midst of the chaos, they could slip through the Ancient Demon Tide's blockade and enter human territory. Once they were there, it would be much harder for anyone to chase her down.
"There's a gap over there."
Mi Xueyao pointed, as she had been observing more closely than Li Hao.
Li Hao glanced at the spot she pointed to. There were members of the Human Wildfire Army fighting the Ancient Demons, and for them, it was indeed a gap. If they went to assist, they could blend into the human forces.
But he glanced at the retreating Original Form Immortal God and then at Mi Xueyao beside him.
"We'll work together. You'll be the main force, and I'll support you. Let's see if we can assist them and deal with this Ancient Demon."
Upon hearing Li Hao point out the Immortal Monarch at the ninth stage of the Ancient Demon, Mi Xueyao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you crazy?"
"You should be able to do it. The two Ancient Demons who chased you before weren't at the ninth stage, but you managed to escape from them. You're not too far behind now."
Li Hao said, "And besides, we have the Peacock Army."
"You think too highly of me," Mi Xueyao said with frustration. She glanced at the Di Jiang clan's Ancient Demon, who was at the ninth stage of the Immortal Monarch realm. Her gaze flickered. If this were three months ago, she might not have been able to fight him, especially with such a significant difference in cultivation. But now, under Li Hao's training, her soul power had greatly increased, and she could use some secret techniques.
In a real fight, she wasn't entirely without confidence.
With the help of the Peacock Army, she was 90% sure she could defeat him.
But… as an Ancient Demon, why should she take such a risk for the human race?
"I can't do it. You'd better not go and get yourself killed. You're only at the third stage of True Immortal, how dare you challenge an Immortal Monarch at the ninth stage?" Mi Xueyao looked at Li Hao, speechless. "We should just go back quietly."
"Must go!"
Li Hao shook his head, staring at her. He had been exposed to military strategy and battle tactics in that mansion, and now, looking at the battlefield, he could tell that the situation wasn't too difficult to manage. If the Ancient Demon at the peak of the Immortal King realm were to eliminate the Yuanshang Immortal God, then turn to rejoin the battle, it could easily disrupt the balance and result in massive casualties on the battlefield!
The fight between the two Immortal Kings above the battlefield seemed like it would not end anytime soon. If the battlefield lost control, it would be devastating!
"You!"
Mi Xueyao became furious when she saw Li Hao's stubborn look. "You're risking your life, I won't listen to you."
Li Hao gave her a deep look, saying nothing further, and charged straight towards the Ancient Demon at the peak of the Immortal King realm.
Mi Xueyao was stunned for a moment, then her face turned pale with shock. She hurriedly ran to stop Li Hao.
But Li Hao shook off her hand, not even looking back as he charged forward.
"You, you're simply courting death!"
Mi Xueyao ground her teeth in anger, stomping her feet in frustration. She had never seen anyone so stubborn. She bit her lip, her expression conflicted. If she left now, she could slip through the gap and into the human territory.
But the border control of the human race was strict. Even though she had disguise techniques, she wasn't sure she could pass the various tests.
With Li Hao by her side, it was different. He was such a prodigy, undoubtedly a top talent from a major sect. If he traveled with her and vouching for her, many problems could be avoided.
Moreover, if Li Hao died, she would lose the opportunity to rapidly improve her soul power.
"Bastard, go die, go die, go die!"
Mi Xueyao muttered angrily, cursing under her breath, but she still chased after Li Hao.
Li Hao sensed the aura behind him and silently breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed she couldn't bear to leave him behind.
If she hadn't followed him, he would've been powerless alone.
"Let's die together then!"
Mi Xueyao passed Li Hao, speaking through gritted teeth in anger.
Li Hao saw her angry face but smiled, "Alright."
Mi Xueyao turned her head and charged straight toward the Ancient Demon of the Di Jiang Clan.
Once she decided to act, she held nothing back. She released a terrifying amount of soul power, masking it with an immortal technique, and summoned a long pen-like weapon, which cut through the air and headed straight toward the Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon.
The Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon felt the sudden surge of danger and his expression changed slightly. When he sensed the peculiar nature of the power, he froze for a moment, then looked at Mi Xueyao in surprise and suspicion.
At this moment, as Mi Xueyao attacked, her aura flickered slightly. Being from the same Ancient Demon race, the Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon immediately recognized her, and his surprise quickly turned into fury, followed by an expression of anger so intense that his face twisted.
Betrayal from one's own kind was the most detestable thing in battle.
"You… What clan are you from?!"
He roared, completely abandoning the Peacock Army and charging straight at Mi Xueyao.
Betrayal was worse than an enemy.
"You're not worthy to know."
Mi Xueyao's eyes grew cold, and her soul power exploded, clashing directly with him.
The battle-worn Yuanshang Immortal God received reinforcements and let out a sigh of relief before quickly joining forces with Mi Xueyao to fight the Ancient Demon.
Upon seeing Mi Xueyao was there to help, they didn't have time to carefully sense her aura, and instead, they fought side by side with all their strength.
By the time Li Hao got closer, Mi Xueyao and the Peacock Army's combined assault had already begun to force the Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon into retreat.
Mi Xueyao's attacks were extremely vicious, aiming to finish the battle quickly to prevent her aura from being exposed.
The Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon was under heavy pressure, feeling extremely aggrieved and enraged, but it seemed he had figured out Mi Xueyao's intention. Suddenly, he roared in human language:
"Bastard, you, as an Ancient Demon, dare to betray your own kind, you should die!"
Hearing this, Mi Xueyao's face changed, but she was already prepared. She sneered and said, "Don't try to slander me!"
As she spoke, her attacks became even fiercer. Her soul transformed into a dark pen, which stabbed through the Di Jiang Clan youth, dealing a serious blow.
The Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon continued to roar in anger, but Mi Xueyao's soul power, which had been greatly enhanced over the past three months, was now comparable to the Immortal King Ninth Stage. At this moment, she used a soul technique, quickly causing significant wounds to him.
Boom!
The Di Jiang Clan Ancient Demon, heavily injured, tried to flee back to the Ancient Demon Horde.
The Peacock Army pursued, while Mi Xueyao, panting, returned to Li Hao's side. She acted as if nothing had happened, saying casually,
"He's just talking nonsense. You didn't believe him, did you?"
"I know."
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