"Ah! Ah!"
The sound of crows echoed in his ears, and Zhao Xing felt intense pain all over his body, as if he had been struck by countless punches. His eyelids were incredibly heavy, and he struggled to open them but couldn't manage to do so.
[What's happening? Am I injured so badly that I can't even lift my eyelids...?] [I can't even perform internal vision... so... is my soul out of my body?]
Nothing happened. Zhao Xing's vision remained engulfed in darkness.
It wasn't entirely dark, though. As his eyeballs moved, it seemed as though specks of starlight were drifting and rotating before him. He wasn't sure how long it had been, but suddenly, a cool sensation filled the air beside him.
It seemed to give Zhao Xing some strength. His body began to feel like it was waking up, and in an instant, Zhao Xing opened his eyes wide. "Ah! Ah!"
Dead vines, an ancient tree, and a crow of unknown species flapped its wings and flew away. The sky was gray—not night, but the light was faint and dim.
Dark clouds obscured everything, and Zhao Xing realized that he wasn't lying flat but was instead leaning against a dead tree.
Actually, that wasn't entirely accurate. It seemed as though he had become part of the tree, his whole body stuck in the middle of the dead tree, surrounded by withered leaves and vines.
"Where did I get to... what's going on?"
Zhao Xing felt a sharp headache, and his energy couldn't focus. After resting for a long time, he finally started to feel his strength and clarity returning.
Hiss~
Zhao Xing sucked in a sharp breath.
"I'm in the range of the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection!"
"Damn Moon God, he activated the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection on Mount Fulong." "Have I become a normal person?"
Zhao Xing flicked his fingers, trying to dispel the dark clouds, but he found that nothing happened at his fingertips. His energy was gone, his magic was gone, and even his connection to the Three Divinities Destiny Palace was absent.
"Forget about summoning clouds or winds, my physical strength now is no different from the fifteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar." "What the hell happened?"
Zhao Xing simply stopped moving and began thinking back to the scene before he lost consciousness.
"The Purple Bone Heavenly Lord was being pursued, and I, Yun Tiandao, King Luohou, and Ji Si rushed to rescue him. On the way, we encountered the Moon God's interception."
"I didn't step on Yun Tiandao's Star Cloud and fought directly with the Moon God."
"Before I passed out, I saw the Emperor's Sword, but then everything spun, and I don't know where it went." "Looking around, this doesn't seem to be Mount Fulong anymore."
"I don't even know how much time has passed."
Zhao Xing glanced at the ground around him. The black earth only had a solitary dead tree.
It seemed he had fallen onto a plain. When the dark clouds finally dissipated, the light became slightly brighter, but there was nothing around.
"Mount Fulong's highest peak is over fifty thousand meters tall. Even if the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection can alter the environment, it shouldn't be this extreme. There are many peaks of varying sizes, so this should not be near Mount Fulong."
"Well, that's a good sign," Zhao Xing sighed in relief.
If this were still near Mount Fulong, the southern barbarians would certainly search for him after the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection was activated.
In the early stages of the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, Great Zhou had no cultivators, but the Southern Barbarians did. So, if this were still near Mount Fulong, it would be easy to find him.
"The Moon God's divine powers include the ability to move stars. His technique is different from the Purple Dragon God's spatial movement. He has already reached the divine level. It's likely I was thrown away by that technique in that battle."
"So, I couldn't step on Yun Tiandao's clouds because of that move."
"The cloud that Old Yun gave me was moved by the Moon God—only its form remained, with no power." "The bad news is, I have no idea where I am now, and survival itself is a problem." Gulp~
After a while, Zhao Xing felt a sharp pang of hunger.
Yes, even without the Southern Barbarian army searching for him, his chances of survival were slim. The Southern Barbarian wilderness was vast, and as a mortal, surviving in such a wilderness was as difficult as climbing the heavens.
"Damn Moon God!"
"Could the Purple Bone Heavenly Lord have been intentionally sacrificed by him? Was it all to kill me?" Zhao Xing reexamined the series of events that unfolded after the beginning of the Great Barbarian War.
"It's quite possible."
"To complete the spiritual revival and ascend, they need both me and Yun Tiandao."
"However, Yun Tiandao is in the Dao Establishment realm; he's hard to kill, whereas I'm relatively easier." "If I die, even if Emperor Wu conquers the barbarians, the outcome will still be the same as in the previous life." "Then, the Dragon Court ancient land will also lose its head because of the loss of the Dragon Emperor."
"The trap the Moon God set for me didn't work during the Dragon Court expedition. It was almost like he let me go. He had no chance in the Return to the Ruins because I took a shortcut. So, does the Purple Bone's betrayal mean this is a true deadlock?"
"Given the situation now, how long can I survive? No need for anyone to come kill me—hunger will kill me first." "No knowledge of time, no knowledge of direction, no magic, no energy... hmm?"
Zhao Xing's attention was suddenly drawn to a glimmer of purple-gold.
His vision had been focused on the distance, as he had been stuck inside the dead tree and unable to look down. Now that he had regained some strength, he moved.
Looking down, he saw a small seedling swaying a meter away from his feet, at the root of the dead tree. The purple-gold aura was fine and delicate, almost like a needle pulling thread, transmitting through the withered vines to his body.
Zhao Xing realized where the cool sensation he had felt before and after his fainting came from. "Mo Yun Vine!"
"Hahaha, big brother is still the best!"
Zhao Xing used his hands to push against the nearby dead wood, which seemed to have decayed and was easily broken apart. Then, he freed himself from the trunk.
Hiss~
Zhao Xing felt some pain in his body. He looked down and noticed many root-like tendrils connected to his flesh, almost like countless intravenous tubes.
Slap~
Zhao Xing removed each of these plant-based intravenous tubes one by one and finally got a clear view of the dead tree. "Ice Soul Divine Tree?"
It turned out he had been living inside the heart of the Ice Soul Divine Tree all this time.
Zhao Xing looked around and discovered that there was actually a lotus flower next to him, along with half-dead bamboo. "Lihuo Lotus!"
"Dragon Spirit Bamboo!" "Bloodthirsty Dragon Vine!"
From the withered forms of these plants, Zhao Xing could faintly make out the traces of the Lihuo Lotus, Ice Soul Divine Tree, and Dragon Spirit Bamboo. "I understand now."
Zhao Xing squatted down and sat beside the Mo Yun Vine.
"After the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection was activated, I wasn't immediately affected by this great divine power."
"My Pure Essence Projection was instinctively released, and the Mo Yun Vine, Dragon Spirit Bamboo, Ice Soul Divine Tree, Lihuo Lotus, and Bloodthirsty Dragon Vine protected me."
"Among them, the Ice Soul Divine Tree had a great freezing effect, preventing my body from decaying, while the Lihuo Lotus's seeds preserved my vitality. Otherwise, as a mortal, I would have starved to death in seven days."
"But they too were affected by the great divine power. Only the Mo Yun Vine acted as a bridge, with the Bloodthirsty Dragon Vine serving as my meridians, absorbing the essence of these plants' life force to provide me with vitality."
"The time I spent unconscious wasn't short."
A light sparkled in Zhao Xing's eyes, and suddenly, he could see the detailed surroundings up to five kilometers away.
"In critical moments, the Self School is really reliable."
"This place used to be a forest, but I drained its life force."
Zhao Xing murmured to himself.
He flicked his fingers again.
Zii, zii~
A strand of energy leapt from his fingertips, flickering like a candle in the wind, extremely unstable, ready to extinguish at any moment.
Zhao Xing saw this and quickly extinguished the energy, even instinctively wiping his hands.
"The Self School is amazing!"
Zhao Xing flashed a smile.
The Self School's guiding principle was "self-strengthening," allowing one to survive in even the harshest environments.
And what harsher environment could there be than the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection?
In the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, neither of the other two schools could save anyone.
Only the Self School not only saved his life but even gave him hope for survival.
Among the wandering Shennong in the universe, the Self School was rare, but the ones who could be found were all extraordinary people.
Zhao Xing's experience again proved this point—during the Spirit Qi Revival, the Self School was invincible!
"It looks like in my plant army, only the Mo Yun Vine is still alive."
"Only by staying near the Mo Yun Vine can I cast spells and use energy."
Zhao Xing walked around and soon returned to the Mo Yun Vine's side.
He quickly figured out the current situation.
"Leaving a one-meter range around the Mo Yun Vine will bring the suppression of the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection back on me, turning me back into a normal person." "Even when I stay near the Mo Yun Vine, I don't fully recover, only a very limited recovery."
Zhao Xing summoned his status panel to check his condition.
[Name: Zhao Xing]
[Realm: Unranked / Rule Realm Perfection (Abnormal)]
[Occupation: Shennong]
[Fortune: Derivation Nine]
[Essence Gathering: Eighth Stage / Hundred Stages (Abnormal)]
[Soul: Rule Realm Perfection (Abnormal)]
[Remaining Lifespan: 1790 years]
"From the panel, I can see that I'm now only an Unranked Shennong. The total amount of energy I can use is only at the Twelfth Stage."
"But my fortune is normal. Even in the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, my luck is unaffected." "As for the remaining lifespan, I'm not sure how accurate this calculation is."
"In the sixty-second year of the Yuan Shuo era, my remaining lifespan was 1850 years."
"The Yuan Shuo era lasted ninety-eight years, and after the war in the first year of Yuan Ding, it took sixteen years to complete the second stage."
"My remaining lifespan in the sixteenth year of Yuan Ding was 1798 years."
"Now it's 1790 years, which means I've lost consciousness for eight years?"
Zhao Xing pondered, realizing this calculation might not be accurate since he hadn't considered the effects of injuries shortening his life. "In addition to the personal data on the panel, there are a few more records."
[Affected by the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, your magic has become abnormal.]
[Affected by the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, your level has become abnormal.]
[Affected by the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, your soul has become abnormal.]
"Abnormal magic, sky and earth."
Zhao Xing sat cross-legged, carefully sensing his surroundings.
"In the Heavenly and Earthly techniques, only the Hou Transformation method is usable. All others show abnormalities." "The Hou Transformation method can only be practiced internally, but my level is too low now, so it's essentially useless."
"All Self School techniques are usable, but strangely, even though I'm Unranked, I can still use Pure Essence Projection." Zhao Xing focused his mind, and soon, a shadow appeared within a one-meter radius around the Mo Yun Vine.
"I can still take things out of the Pure Essence Soil." He flipped his palm, and a Yuan Crystal appeared from the shadow.
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xing threw the Yuan Crystal one meter away. Snap~
The Yuan Crystal, which had been glowing brightly, quickly dimmed as soon as it left the shadow's coverage, and with a final snap, it exploded into nothingness.
The Yuan Crystal was a pure energy crystal, similar to Dragon Crystals, except one was used by humans and the other by dragons.
"That being said, even though I can take things out, they don't have much effect. Once they leave the Pure Essence Projection's range, they still get suppressed by the great divine power."
"Since I haven't truly recovered to a certain realm, but instead forcibly gained a moment of breathing space within the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection, my current strength recovery is very limited."
Zhao Xing finally had a rough understanding of the situation.
After figuring things out, he knew that at least he wouldn't starve to death.
"Thank goodness Mo Yun Vine is something that Moon God doesn't know about, otherwise, I'd have been in trouble this time," Zhao Xing thought. He had never used Mo Yun Vine in front of others.
The two times he had used it were in the Dragon Court Ancient Land, before he had perfected the Three Divinities Destiny Palace. At that time, he was still within his Pure Essence Soil, and after completing it, he couldn't be influenced by karma and couldn't perform deductions. He had only used it twice when subduing the Dragon Vine and Ice Soul Divine Tree.
Big big big!
Zhao Xing activated his military spirit technique, and the shadow continued to expand.
After several days of exploration, he finally managed to extend his Pure Essence Projection to a radius of about five meters.
"This is the limit. With Mo Yun Vine's help, the maximum range at which my Pure Essence Projection can actively extend is five meters."
Zhao Xing got up and pulled a bamboo basket out from the shadow.
Then, he dug up the Mo Yun Vine and placed it into the bamboo basket, slinging it on his back.
"Eh? Why am I carrying this myself?"
Zhao Xing laughed, then pointed at the dead branches and vines under the Ice Soul Divine Tree.
"Mighty Straw Puppet, rise!"
Although the Heavenly Time Technique and Earthly Advantage Technique couldn't be used, the Straw Puppet Technique belonged to the Self School.
Of course, the only Straw Puppet techniques Zhao Xing could use right now were low-level spells, like Reviving Straw Puppet, Reconnaissance Straw Puppet, Mighty Straw Puppet, and Thorny Straw Puppet.
"Carry me, big brother."
The Mo Yun Vine couldn't be put back. If it were, the Pure Essence Projection couldn't expand anymore.
This was because Zhao Xing could only use the Pure Essence Projection by treating the Void Seed as an anchor. So, the Mo Yun Vine could only stay outside.
"Five meters is enough to position several Straw Puppets."
Since he was using Straw Puppets, Zhao Xing decided to create a few more and also fashioned a sunshade palanquin. "That way, I won't have to walk myself."
Zhao Xing jumped into the palanquin and lay down.
He was extremely weak now; he couldn't fly, and if he walked himself, he'd probably collapse from exhaustion.
Before leaving, Zhao Xing looked back at the withered vine tree.
"Ice Soul Divine Tree, Lihuo Lotus, Bloodthirsty Dragon Vine, Dragon Spirit Bamboo."
"Thank you all for saving me."
These four divine trees were truly gone, and even if their remnants were moved later, they would never return to life.
Zhao Xing quietly observed for a moment, then chose a direction and began walking. As he walked, he kept his eyes peeled.
His Soul Vision had transformed back into the Night Vision Technique, though it was now capable of observing up to five kilometers in detail, with everything visible.
"The range of the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection is probably the territory of the Four Mansions. It's not that big, but not that small either."
Zhao Xing thought to himself, "If this were before the seal, traveling across the Four Mansions would only take a few days. One mansion is equivalent to the area of the Earth, so four mansions would be about four Earths."
For movement before the seal, it wasn't too big, but now that he was still not in the Essence Gathering Realm, this was really going to take forever.
"The good thing is that it will be hard for the enemy to find me. When I first took office as a Fifth Rank, traveling from Donghai to Nanyang by warship, it would take one or two months."
"The bad thing is that people from the Great Zhou will also have difficulty finding me."
"I can't confirm my position right now, so I'll just walk in one direction randomly."
"Hopefully, my Derivation Nine fortune can come through," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "Eight years... I wonder how the situation in the Great Zhou is going now."
Great Zhou, Nanyou Prefecture
Nanyou Prefecture was the twentieth province of the Great Zhou Dynasty, established in the seventeenth year of Yuan Ding. It was marked by the Yin You Mountain and surrounded by a city built around it.
It was also the highest military capital for the Great Zhou in their southern conquest of the Southern Barbarians.
Yin You City was constructed to royal standards, because since the seventeenth year of Yuan Ding, the Emperor of Great Zhou had personally led the troops and stayed in the city.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"The latest report: On the southwestern battlefield, King Luo Hou has captured the first Fifth Rank Wu City. He petitions Your Majesty to name the city."
In the Tai Chi Hall, Tong Wenzhuo congratulated the towering figure on the throne.
"I understand," the Emperor replied. "For naming, let the Chancellor consult with the Ministry of Rites."
"I am tired, there's nothing urgent. The Chancellor may call the Six Ministries to discuss it."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Tong Wenzhuo respectfully retreated. As soon as he left, he bumped into the Grand Elder Ji Wenchang.
"Chancellor, why are you leaving so soon? Not even staying for lunch in the palace?" Tong Wenzhuo asked softly.
"The Emperor did not keep me," Ji Wenchang replied.
Ji Wenchang silently cupped his hands in respect.
As he watched Tong Wenzhuo leave the palace, Ji Wenchang glanced back at the Tai Chi Hall and couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
A long time ago, Ji Che and the ministers were very close, sharing meals and laughter. It was common for them to stay overnight and hold feasts.
But since the sixteenth year of Yuan Ding, Ji Che had grown more imposing, and no one could guess what he was thinking. He no longer joked or scolded the ministers casually. Ji Che had truly become a monarch.
This was the Emperor Ji Wenchang had wanted to see, but for some reason, now that he had seen it, he felt a complicated mix of emotions.
After a moment, Ji Wenchang collected his thoughts and entered the Tai Chi Hall to report quietly, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."
"Speak."
"The position of Grand Shennong has been vacant for eight years. There has been much discussion within the court. I humbly request Your Majesty to reconsider..."
Ji Che had maintained his stance, gazing at the horizon. When he heard Ji Wenchang's words, he lowered his head and looked down at him.
"Ji Wenchang, I've said before, anyone who dares to bring this up again will be executed. Do you think my words are just a breeze in your ears?" Ji Wenchang wanted to say more, but found himself unable to speak.
Ji Wenchang realized that his strength was rapidly depleting, and his hair was visibly turning white.
"Considering you're my Clan Elder, I won't kill you. I'll strip you of your noble title, demote you to a commoner, and give you twenty more years of life. Go back and enjoy your old age," Ji Wenchang spoke. He found that he could still speak, but the only words that escaped his lips were, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Tai Chi Hall finally quieted down.
Before long, a figure emerged from the shadows behind the throne.
"Your Majesty, I still haven't received any news about the Grand Shennong," Ji Si's voice was deep. "But I believe he's still alive."
"I don't believe he's dead either," Ji Che's gaze was deep, "Otherwise, Moon God wouldn't be constantly struggling with me."
Southern Barbarians, Sacred Mountain, Moon God Temple
The towering and ancient temple stood atop the Sacred Mountain. The temple hall was empty except for a large stone seat.
The walls of the temple were etched with cryptic, difficult-to-understand symbols that flickered with a subtle light, seemingly responding to the stars. On the stone seat sat a young man in a white robe, seated in the same posture as Ji Che, gazing at the sky outside the temple.
Crack, crack, crack~
A sound of bones grinding came from the throne, breaking the young man's thoughts. He withdrew his gaze and looked down at his chest.
A large sword was stabbed into his chest, pinning him to the throne.
The sword emanated supreme imperial majesty, its blade shining with a dazzling light, flickering in time with the young man's breathing. The Human Emperor Sword's blade was deeply embedded into the backrest, firmly trapping Moon God in place.
Moon God's pristine white fingers emitted gentle white light, wrapping around the sword's blade. Clang!
Golden lines spread from the sword's blade, winding around Moon God like chains. Each line contained immense power, suppressing Moon God's own strength.
The muscles under his white robe tightened, and Moon God clenched his fists tightly. But every time he exerted force, the glow of the Human Emperor Sword grew even more intense, and the suppressive force also became heavier, making it impossible for him to break free.
After thinking for a long time, Moon God transmitted his voice outside the temple, "Ke, come here."
A body appeared outside the temple. The god Ke, with long black horns on his head and razor-sharp wings like knives, appeared inside the temple. He glanced at the sword embedded in Moon God's body and couldn't help but ask, "Wu, can't you pull it out yet?"
Ke remembered clearly that when Moon God had fought against the emperor of Great Zhou, that sword pierced through the powerful Wu and pinned him back into the temple.
The Grand Shennong of Great Zhou was also sent to an unknown location.
Afterward, Wu struggled for eight years, and the sword was only pulled out by one-tenth.
"The power of the Human Emperor Sword wasn't supposed to be this strong," Moon God spoke.
"But the sword's master has become much stronger than expected."
"Because the entire Great Zhou's national fortune is far stronger than expected."
Moon God whispered to himself, "All of this is caused by Zhao Xing."
"His death should weaken Great Zhou's fortune, and in turn, reduce the power of the Human Emperor Sword. But since you haven't pulled the sword out yet, does that mean he isn't dead?"
Ke thought of something. "Can you calculate whether he is alive or dead? If he's still alive, we should find him and kill him."
"He's probably not dead yet."
Moon God looked at the distant sky. "He practiced the 'Three Divinities Destiny Palace,' and I haven't been able to find him for many years." "Ke, only you and Jiuyou can search for him using the most primitive methods to prevent him from returning to Great Zhou."
"Understood."
Ke respectfully replied, "I and Jiuyou will do our utmost."
After Half a Month of Travel, Zhao Xing Finally Discovers Human Presence
Zhao Xing stood at the bottom of a small hill, excitedly touching the black dirt in his hands.
"The traces of the military stove should have been left three days ago."
"Three days ago, a military unit passed by here."
"But I don't know if it was Great Zhou's or the Southern Barbarians' forces."
Both possibilities existed. Generally speaking, the areas where the Southern Barbarians marched were places where Great Zhou's military operated. Based only on the stove ash, Zhao Xing couldn't determine whether it was left by Great Zhou's army or the enemy's.
"I have to be careful."
"If it's the Southern Barbarian army, I'm in danger."
If his brother didn't intervene, killing Zhao Xing would only take a sharp arrow.
Even though Mo Yun Vine could intervene, it could only exert the fighting power of a Fifth Rank at most, and the range was limited. The size of the Pure Essence Projection determined how far Mo Yun Vine could influence.
To maintain Zhao Xing's life and use his Yuan Qi, these conditions in the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection were already quite good.
If his position were exposed to the Southern Barbarian army's sight, it would be very dangerous. There would be no need for Moon God to act personally. Even with two more Fifth Rank experts coming over, Zhao Xing would be doomed.
Scatter!
Zhao Xing dispelled the Straw Puppets and personally carried Mo Yun Vine on his back.
Now, he had to move stealthily; making too many Straw Puppets could easily reveal his position.
Following the traces of the military stove, Zhao Xing continued to search for two more days and determined that it was a transport convoy of grains, and it was Great Zhou's grain convoy!
"Only Great Zhou people use the arc-shaped stoves, and they bury them this deep. They also take care to cover them when they leave."
Zhao Xing dug through the soil. "Heh, Derivation Nine's fortune really isn't for show. Just walking out and I run into Great Zhou's army." Even so, Zhao Xing remained cautious and didn't speed up.
He traveled by day and rested at night, continuing his search. On the seventh day, he finally saw people.
Da-da-da~
The sound of hooves came from the wilderness ahead. Zhao Xing lay on a hill, observing.
Soon, he saw a group of light cavalry, around a hundred men, riding warhorses and wearing gray leather armor. Zhao Xing glanced at the flag. It was embroidered with a single character: "Dragon."
The character "Dragon" was surrounded by a green dragon, with water waves below it, representing the ocean or rivers. Zhao Xing stared for a moment, then blinked and rubbed his eyes.
"Isn't that the Qinglong flag of Long Xiao? Am I seeing things?"
"Wait, why does the leading cavalryman look so familiar?"
"Huh? Isn't that Zhao Chuanzong?"
Zhao Xing was confused. By all logic, Zhao Chuanzong should have been with the Shenwei Army, not in the Qinglong Army. What was going on?
Hiss~
Zhao Chuanzong pulled the reins and stopped by a creek. The cavalry behind him followed suit and halted.
"Take a break for two quarters, let the horses drink water."
"Wang Wu, Ma Liu, take a few men and bring the equipment up the hill. Let's see if we can set up a 'Li Huo Zhuang' on the south slope." Zhao Chuanzong gave orders, and soon, some cavalrymen were unstrapping boxes from their backs and heading up the south slope.
A unit (fifty men) began to lead their horses to the creek to drink water, while the other cavalrymen spread out to remain on alert.
"Liu Shi Zhang," Zhao Chuanzong called over a squad leader. "Bai Jiang."
A middle-aged man with a large mole on his forehead hurried over.
"Take ten men and stand guard on the north hillside. I keep feeling like someone is watching me, be careful," Zhao Chuanzong pointed his horsewhip toward Zhao Xing's direction.
"Yes, Bai Jiang."
Liu hurriedly mounted his horse and galloped away with his nine men toward the north hill.
Zhao Xing watched his younger brother take command, his high alertness making Zhao Xing's expression turn serious.
"Has Zhao Chuanzong really transformed in the military? Is this still my younger brother who only knew how to make babies?"
Running into an old acquaintance in a foreign land was a peculiar feeling, especially when that person turned out to be his own brother.
Zhao Xing immediately stopped hiding. He jumped down from the north hillside and began walking toward Zhao Chuanzong.
Before long...
Whoosh!
An arrow flew past, grazing his head.
The arrow didn't miss, it was deflected by Zhao Xing using his technique.
Ahead, six people led by Liu Shi Zhang formed a pincer formation, surrounding Zhao Xing in threes.
Three others crouched low, using the bushes as cover, attempting to circle behind him.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Another wave of arrows rained down.
"Hold on!" Zhao Xing waved his hand and shouted, "It's us!"
Liu Shi Zhang, seeing his arrows had no effect on the opponent, let out a cold laugh.
With a swing of his hand, the sound of a mechanism clicking echoed.
Zhao Xing quickly leaped to the side.
Two "San Ting Arrows" appeared at his feet.
"F*ck!, it's the Divine Bow."
Zhao Xing cursed loudly.
The Divine Bow was three feet three inches long with a string of two feet five inches.
It came from the ancient crossbow techniques.
It was said to be the strongest mortal single weapon in the Severing Heaven and Earth's Connection.
Even someone in the Essence Gathering Realm couldn't withstand it, and it could also injure someone in the Spiritual Bridge Realm.
Liu Shi Zhang clearly didn't believe Zhao Xing was one of his own.
Who else would be out here in the wilderness?
Seeing Zhao Xing unable to fly yet still dodge his sharpshooter's arrows, Liu instantly made a judgment: This was a Southern Barbarian scout in the Essence Gathering Realm!
Hoo hoo!
Liu Shi Zhang quickly blew on a whistle hanging from his neck. The sharp whistle, like the cry of an eagle, was short but rhythmic. It echoed and soon reached Zhao Chuanzong's cavalry.
"A Essence Gathering Realm monster, still alone?" Zhao Chuanzong stood up abruptly and growled, "Unit Two and Unit Three, arm up!"
To the north was a valley filled with sand and stones, unsuitable for cavalry, but the distance wasn't far, so they could just run over.
Hoo~
A net of chains was pulled taut from behind, about eight meters long, and filled with small diamond-shaped spikes. It rapidly darted toward Zhao Xing.
One of the soldiers holding a spear rushed forward, closing in quickly, ready to stab Zhao Xing with several holes as soon as his comrades trapped him in the net. Zhao Xing couldn't believe how they just didn't get it.
"Stop! I am Zhao Xing, Grand Shennong..."
Clang!
An arrow struck a nearby rock. Liu Shi Zhang dropped his Divine Bow, unsheathed his sword, and leapt forward with a powerful slash.
"Unbelievable."
Wave after wave of attacks came, not giving him a single moment to catch his breath. They didn't even listen to his explanation.
Left with no choice, Zhao Xing activated his martial skills.
Roar!
The Kui Bull Thunder Roar!
The soldiers within five meters of him immediately collapsed after hearing the roar.
Liu Shi Zhang, who had leapt into the air with his sword raised, was also blasted away by the forceful sonic wave. With just that roar, ten soldiers fell to the ground.
After all, they were ordinary people, and Zhao Xing was no ordinary Essence Gathering Realm cultivator.
Thud~
Liu Shi Zhang fell to Zhao Xing's feet.
Just as he was about to resist, three cold arrows shot out from his arm. The angles were tricky, heading straight for Zhao Xing's lower body.
Slap!
Zhao Xing kicked them away and then stepped on Liu Shi Zhang's back.
"Everyone, stop! What's wrong with you? I've already said I'm one of your own, why don't you listen?"
"Hmph, Grand Shennong? Why don't you say you're King Luo Hou?" Liu Shi Zhang struggled, grabbing Zhao Xing's ankle.
"Southern Barbarians don't even know how to lie properly."
Zhao Xing: "..."
At that moment, Zhao Chuanzong arrived. When he saw Zhao Xing, he froze for a moment but still didn't stop the attack.
This was because, many times before, enemies had impersonated his older brother to lure the army into a rescue mission. After it happened enough times, no one believed it anymore.
"Zhao Chuanzong! When you were eight, I taught you how to sit on the mountain pile! You don't even recognize your own brother anymore?"
"What? Stop!" Zhao Chuanzong exclaimed in shock, immediately calling off his men's attack.
Sitting on the mountain pile was a martial technique passed down by Zhao Xing's father, Zhao Ruide, but it was Zhao Xing who taught it to him when he was bored at home.
The enemy could impersonate his older brother, but childhood memories couldn't be faked. Zhao Chuanzong immediately stepped forward.
"You, you really are my older brother?"
Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Zhao Chuanzong finally recognized him. "Chuanzong, it's me."
"I'm back."
Zhao Chuanzong still seemed to find it hard to believe. His voice trembled as he said, "Brother, the family banquet during the Yuan Shuo years, the one Mom took you to..."
"It was Zhao Chen. I had Zheng'er kill him, and then sent you to the Shenwei Army." Zhao Xing answered quickly.
"Brother!" Zhao Chuanzong no longer doubted it. He knelt to the ground with a thud, crawling over and hugging Zhao Xing's legs. "It really is you, woo woo."
"Alright, stop crying."
Zhao Xing patted Zhao Chuanzong's head. "You're hundreds of years old, and here you are crying like this."
The soldiers around them exchanged looks, still unable to believe that the person before them was the legendary figure of Great Zhou.
Didn't they say Zhao Xing was killed by the Moon God of the Southern Barbarians eight years ago?
"Brother, how, how are you..."
"This will be explained when we get back."
Zhao Xing summoned the wind and lifted Zhao Chuanzong. "You're actually in the Essence Gathering Realm now? If I'm not mistaken, you're working for Long Xiao now... Did you take a Wu City?"
"Yes, Brother."
Zhao Chuanzong wiped his face. "General Long is stationed fifty miles ahead at the 'Fengwu City.' It's a Seventh Rank city."
"In the city, not only General Long, but also General Xia, General Chen, and even Second Brother are there."
"Oh? How many people do you have?" Zhao Xing asked, surprised.
"Totaling around thirty thousand, with various units surrounding Fengwu City," Zhao Chuanzong replied.
"But there are only twelve thousand stationed in the city."
"That many?" Zhao Xing was curious. Thirty thousand wasn't a small force. And Long Xiao and the others were all here?
"Let's go, take me to Fengwu City."