Chapter Five Hundred and Sixteen – To Cross Swords
Shi Dong looked coldly at the xiuzhe scouts that were roaming nearby.
Starting from the first day of contact, the fighting between the two side's scouts never stopped. The scouts were the elite of an army. The fighting was short yet fierce, ending in serious wounds if not death.
Shi Dong did not feel surprised. He had spent many years in the military, and his heart was as hard as stone. The conflict between scouts were the prelude to a battle and he had confidence in his men.
These scouts had followed him for many years. Each one of them had been promoted based on their merit and service.
Yet the development of the situation still shocked him greatly.
In three short days, twenty seven elite scouts had been wounded or killed. Even with a rock-solid heart, Shi Dong felt a hint of coldness. The number of wounded and dead spoke to the violence of battle. But pitting their scouts against the enemy scouts, the other had sustained an insignificant number of wounds and fatalities. Shi Dong's gaze grew colder.
Shi Dong understood. They had encountered a great enemy!
However, this did not cause him to feel nervousness and uncertainty. It was the exact opposite. Under his icy expression, the battle intent in his mind was like the hidden turbulence under the thick layer of ice that was slowly rippling.
The vice commander looked at the xiuzhe scouts roaming at the surroundings. Even now, he couldn't quite believe it that his scouts were defeated.
"Does Cloud Sea Jie really have such a powerful battalion?" he murmured to himself in a voice filled with disbelief. At the start when they entered Cloud Sea Jie, they hadn't know anything but as they gathered together information, Cloud Sea Jie became clear in their eyes.
Nothing had mentioned that Cloud Sea Jie had such a powerful battalion!
The battalions they had defeated before had battalions that ranked in the top ten of Cloud Sea Jie but compared to this mysterious battalion, they weren't even worth mentioning.
Was this battalion the strongest battalion of Cloud Sea Jie, the Na Shan Battalion?
Shi Dong did not speak. There was no meaning in trying to guess the origins of this battalion. In his eyes, there was only victory. He was not concerned at all with the other's name or history.
The enemy scouts had created a dense net. Their scouts could not leave.
Subsequently the amount of information that reached Shi Dong decreased. This feeling was terrible. He seemed to be trapped in quicksand and any struggle was useless.
The other did not seem to be in a hurry to attack. Other than these scouts that stuck to them like glue, the other's primary force did not show themselves.
Suddenly, Shi Dong's mind shifted. He recalled Turtle Island. Was this battalion Turtle Island Battalion?
The information on Turtle Island Battalion was almost nonexistent. There was only scattered mentions in the information they gathered and that was just about a small conflict. Thinking about Turtle Island's recent reputation, and this mysterious battalion that suddenly appeared , Shi Dong instantly made the connection between the two.
So this was how it was ... ...
Gazing at the scouts, Shi Dong gripped the mantis blade at his waist tightly!
The other was dragging it out for time!
Yes! The other was trying to make time!
But why were they trying to drag for time? Shi Dong's thought became clearer. The other needed time, they were waiting for something! Were they waiting for Turtle Island's defenses to be completed?
It was not so simple ... ...
This short contact could not be said to be a conflict but Shi Dong could smell the danger level of the other's battle general.
An expert!
The other's aims definitely were not so simple. Also, defending Turtle Island was not a very good idea ... ...
Was it ... ...
Shi Dong's heart suddenly jumped. He turned around abruptly. "Inquire about Ye Ling's situation! Immediately!"
Frightened by his commanding officer's moves, the vice commander stilled for a moment before reacting. "Yes."
He took out a black insect on his hand and cut his finger. With a flick, a drop of blood entered the forehead of the insect. The insect started to fade in his hand at a visible rate until it disappeared.
Time slowly passed but the insect never came back.
The vice commander's expression changed.
As expected ... ...
Shi Dong whose expression did not change had his suspicions confirmed. He had just been speculating on the other's intentions, now he was definitely sure.
"Have we brought along any mo grass seed?" Shi Dong suddenly asked about something completely unconnected.
"Yes!" the vice commander reflexively answered.
Shi Dong gripped the mantis blade at his waist. He raised his head against the wind. The blue cap that represented the Sky Mantis flapped in the wind.
The ocean-like eyes suddenly gave off a sharp light. It was as though he drew out the mantis blade that was sheathed at his waist. His body was filled with the determination to advance.
"Our target is Turtle Island, advance at full speed!"
———
The other was not easy to fool.
Gongsun Cha hadn't expected this mo army to suddenly accelerate without warning. It formed a perfect assault battle formation and headed straight for Turtle Island like a sharp blade!
Without a doubt, the enemy battle general had detected his aims. The counter-attack was expected, but it was unusually strong.
The great majority of people in this situation would turn back to act as reinforcements if their retreat was cut off. Yet this mo army did the opposite and advanced at an accelerated rate!
It was a decision filled with bravery!
Even though the two were enemies, Gongsun Cha could not help himself from sighing in praise.
The other was forcing him into a final battle.
If the other reached Turtle Island, even if he could win, the number of fatalities would reach a terrifying number. Turtle Island's defenses were very strong but Turtle Island itself could not hold that many xiuzhe. Xu Ling City had not finished rebuilding, and the defenses were next to nothing.
If this was any other time, Gongsun Cha would not hesitate to use these people to trade for a victory.
But given the situation right now ... ...
A ruined Cloud Sea Jie was not of any benefit for them. Even Gongsun Cha, who was only interested in being a battle general, could understand a concept as shallow as this.
Actually, when Zuo Mo had said the words at the time, Lil' Miss had been very surprised. But if there had to be one person that he would support unconditionally, there was only Zuo Mo.
As to whether Shixiong's decision was correct, the obstacles they faced, and what consequences there were, it was not within the realm of his consideration.
The only thing he would use his mind for, to scheme for, was victory!
"You want a final battle?" Lil' Miss' eyes flashed with an insane light. The shadow formed by the bangs at the front of his face seemed to cover his entire face.
"Then come!"
His mouth unconsciously curved in a smile that was as bashful as usual.
———
"Can we win?" Bu Si Dong's sweat was running in rivers down his face. The exhaustion caused his voice to gasp.
They had just experienced an abnormally difficult session of training. Almost all the strength in their bodies had been squeezed out.
This really was demonic cultivation!
Before this, no one had ever heard of training like this. They didn't even dare think of this. Even with the great benefits, they were full of groans and complaints. Some people had even planned on running away. But ever since those few that ran away were captured and thrown into the sword formation, the wails that occurred daily caused all of Black Martial Camp to feel their scalps prickle.
Ma Fan had found experts from Golden Crow Camp to set up fifty sword formations that were placed right beside the campsite.
Everyday when they trained, they could clearly hear the inhuman screams coming out of the sword formation.
Everyone settled down.
Bu Si Dong never thought of running away. He didn't have any talent but he could endure hardship. In reality, the potential of a person was greater than they themselves realized. These people were starting to adjust to this terrifying level of training.
The departure of Vermillion Bird Camp and Guard Camp could be concealed from other people but not from Black Turtle Camp that was adjacent to Vermillion Bird Camp. Everyone knew the counter-attack had started.
When they had the time, they would discuss the situation.
"They probably can." The one who spoke was called Luo Wei. He was a sword xiu and had a natural advantage in the camp. He was also the primary attacker of their small team.
However, Luo Wei's tone did not hold much confidence.
"I want us to be able to participate. Didn't we come just to fight against the mo army? Just hiding here and training everyday, it is so irritating!" Da Ban couldn't help but mutter from the side. He had a pair of conspicuous front teeth. He was unusually proud of them and wouldn't think of using ling power to modify them. Consequently, everyone called him Da Ban.
Luo Wei said without raising his head, "If Vermillion Bird Camp and Guard Camp cannot win, then we aren't even enough for a mouthful. Before, I felt I was strong, now I know how laughable that idea was."
Everyone became silent.
Luo Wei was right. At the beginning, there were many rebellious people but after training for a few days, they finally understood how great the difference was between themselves and Vermillion Bird Camp.
"Who do you think is stronger, Guard Camp or Vermillion Bird Camp?" Bu Si Dong saw everyone was silent and hurriedly said.
"Does it need to be said, of course it is Vermillion Bird Camp!" Da Ban said without thinking.
Everyone's interests were stirred by this topic and spoke up.
"I also feel it is Vermillion Bird Camp."
"Vermillion Bird Camp! Ma Fan Daren is too strong!"
"Those animal from Vermillion Bird Camp are not human!"
All of them supported Vermillion Bird Camp. Compared to Guard Camp that had never showed its face, they had a direct experience with the strength of Vermillion Bird Camp. Some of them even felt that there wasn't a stronger battalion than Vermillion Bird Camp in the world.
Bu Si Dong noticed that Luo Wei did not speak. He couldn't help but ask, "Luo Wei, what do you feel?"
"I don't know," Luo Wei stopped what he was doing, "but I feel that since Guard Camp can rank together with Vermillion Bird Camp, it must have its strengths."
When he spoke, he suddenly recalled when he had seen a person from Guard Camp the other day.
The other person just glanced at him, and he felt all the blood in his body freeze!
This incident had given him a deep impression.
He was preparing to tell everyone about the incident when Ma Fan Daren's serene voice came like a ghost out of the ground.
"You've rested long enough, prepare for the next part of training."
Everyone instantly jumped up as though something had bitten their behinds and sprinted towards the field.
Ma Fan's figure slowly floated out of the air as he looked into the distance.
This really was so troublesome ... ..
And he was missing such a spectacular battle ... ...
Translator Ramblings: Lots of scene jumps in this chapter ... ... Fang Xiang wants to do setup.Chapter Five Hundred and Seventeen Who ... ... Who Is The Mo Here ... ...
Ye Ling's position was quartermaster, it was his primary duty, but he was not unfamiliar with battle. In truth, in the mo military, people who could not fight were unable to survive.
The mo respected power. From childhood, they were taught the philosophy of fighting and its unparalleled and ultimate status. Status, wealth, mo skills, the hopes of the clan and others, all of them had to be earned through fighting prowess. This was a long battle that began in youth, a life that was cruel and filled with blood. Those that could survive this battle and achieve something were the elite of the mo.
Ye Ling was that kind of elite. Even if he was just a quartermaster, even if it had been many years since he last fought, this kind of instinct would not degrade.
The other's mo-esque style of fighting shocked him but he quickly recovered his calmness. His years of experience in the military allowed him to face anything calmly.
His preferred position as he commanded differed from Zuo Mo. His position was at the center of the battle formation.
For mo this was a rare position to stand in.
Mo revered directness and brute force. Their battle generals usually stood at the front of the battle formation, as the tip of the blade! This could maximize the amount of strength they gathered from the entire battalion to unleash the strongest attack!
That was where Zuo Mo was standing.
Ye Ling couldn't help but feel slight strangeness. As a true-blooded mo, his position was not like the mo but more similar to the yao and the xiuzhe. The enemy was clearly a xiuzhe but what he used was a conventional mo battle style.
Who really was the mo here?
This absurd thought flashed through his mind.
He quickly refocused his attention. Threads of power responded to him. Everything in the surroundings suddenly became unprecedentedly clear. A feeling of strength grew quickly in his mind!
Such a familiar feeling!
Strangely, he felt emotional. The battle spirit in his blood had remained cold for many years, but now the excitement of his youth was reawakened. His eyes became misty black.
Like a ball of mist, his figure disappeared in the air.
Almost at the same time, every mo soldier under his command had their eyes turn red as though they were dyed in fresh blood.
Silently, murderousness grew!
———
"[Mist Hand Seat]!" The holy smile on Wei's face suddenly froze and he showed shock.
"What is that?"
Zuo Mo didn't dare to be careless. In a flash, the enemy troop suddenly seemed to inflate. The murderousness made him feel great pressure.
"A very interesting mo skill." Pu Yao's voice suddenly inserted but his tone was full of undisguised schadenfreude. "I and Little Wei encountered this in the past. Tsk tsk, I really miss that time!"
Pu Yao dragged out the sound as he smacked his lips. He really appeared to be reminiscing about the past.
Little Wei ... ...
Wei's smile became increasingly forced.
Hearing Pu Yao's words, Zuo Mo suddenly had a bad feeling. "It's very powerful?"
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"Powerful?" The corners of Pu Yao's lips rose slightly as he shook his head. "No no no! It isn't powerful, but it is very interesting. Haha ... ..."
As though he seemed to recall something, Pu Yao roared with laughter. The laugher that was furious and as sharp as blades echoed in Zuo Mo's sea of consciousness.
Wei's expression became increasingly terrible.
Zuo Mo's bad feeling grew. Had they encountered a difficult enemy!
———
"I wonder how Ye Ling Daren is right now?" The vice commander was full of worry. "The other has gambled on Ye Ling Daren, and the troop they sent definitely would not be weak ... ..."
The vice commander's nagging had caused Shi Dong's patient to finally reach its end. He impatiently interrupted, "You don't need to worry for Ye Ling!"
"But ... ..."
Seeing the worry on his vice commander's face, Shi Dong thought and decided to say something. "Do not underestimate Ye Ling. What he cultivates is the [Mist Hand Seat.]"
"Ah!" The vice commander was shocked and his mouth was gaped so wide an egg could be shoved through it. After a long while, his mind refocused. He stammered out a question. "[Mist Hand Sea]? Heavens! Ye Ling Daren actually cultivates [Mist Hand Seat]!"
A military officer that was the quartermaster who cultivated the [Mist Hand Seat,] this was insane!
Shi Dong was silent for a moment. He suddenly said nonsensically, "It is a pity, if only he also cultivated the Mist mo physique ... ..."
The vice commander paused again but this time, he understood.
Shi Dong suddenly raised his head. His blue eyes narrowed slightly and his hand went to the mantis blade at his waist.
Looking down from the sky, the entire mo army seemed to stop without any warning. The entire process was carried out like clockwork, in sync and unified without any confusion.
In front of them, a troop was silently floating in the air.
Shi Dong gripped the handle of the mantis blade, his expression was icy and his back straight as he slowly walked towards the front.
With every step, his presence increased. When he reached to the front of the formation, he was like an unsheathed sword, the sharp edges exposed to the air without any reservation.
The mantis blade was unsheathed!
Pointing forward!
———
When Gongsun Cha saw Shi Dong's action, his lips couldn't help but curl up. Without any warning, his peaceful eyes suddenly began to boil.
The shy and bashful smile suddenly held a thread of craziness and undisguised admiration.
The other dared to advance alone after detecting his intentions and aimed straight at Turtle Island. Just this action was enough to win Lil' Miss' respect.
When the opponent realized Vermillion Bird Camp's advantage in speed, the other advanced at full speed without holding anything in reserve. This action that seemed reckless had greatly weakened Vermillion Bird Camp's advantage of fighting on home ground. It forced Vermillion Bird Camp into an early battle with him.
This was a pretty good opponent!
The wind blew the fine bangs at his forehead. Under the excitement and pleasure of facing a matching opponent, Gongsun Cha's neck turned red.
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His consciousness spread like a net.
"Let's start!"
———
Mist Hand Seat?
Zuo Mo didn't have the time to ask further when Ye Ling had started to attack.
Woosh!
A ball of mist exploded within the mo army and grew rapidly. In a flash, it spread out and covered the sky. Thousands of mo soldiers were quickly swallowed by the grey mist and disappeared without a trace.
The grey mist roiled restlessly as though an enormous monster was moving inside.
Zuo Mo was on his guard. Pu Yao and Wei's reactions right now proved that the enemy was powerful.
But as the battle began, Zuo Mo threw all other thoughts to the back of his head.
He stared at the grey mist as though he was staring at prey. Viciousness shone in Zuo Mo's eyes. Focused on fighting, Zuo Mo did not have any more terror or hesitation.
It might have been the stimulation from Pu Yao and Wei that Zuo Mo's attention was exceedingly focused. The power of the Great Day mo physique was yearning to go inside his body while his ling power and consciousness were circulating on their own.
After cultivating shen power, the connection between the three powers grew closer and moving one would activate and pull everything along.
But Zuo Mo's attention was not on his own body. His attention was focused all behind him!
He seemed to be standing inside a void with two thousand candle flames behind him each was a star.
Every hardship guard was like wisp of candle flame. They pulsed along with the rhythm of his own heart! The two brightest flames should be Shu Long and A Wen. Zuo Mo seemed thoughtful.
Two thousand candle flames pulsed to the same beat.
The threads of power gathered between them.
Power and killing essence was continuously added. Zuo Mo felt his body was like an inflated balloon filled with dark killing intent and destructive power. They continuously beat against his mind.
"Kill!"
Zuo Mo's roar carried a thread of pain as he slapped towards the ball of black mist!
"Kill!"
The hardship guards shouted angrily and attacked at the same time!
The black smoke condensed from killing essence gathered at Zuo Mo's right pal as though it was the rivers flowing into the ocean.
The Day Script on Zuo Mo's right palm suddenly activated.
It wasn't the usual blinding golden light but a terrifying dark red!
Day Script Palm!
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Woosh-hiss!
The sharp howl sounded in all directions!
———
The moment the dark red Day Script left Zuo Mo's hand, it furiously pulled at the air and all the ling power within ten li. The air seemed to be dyed with a layer of red and the temperature of the air shot up.
"Day Script Palm! Great Day mo physique!"
Ye Ling was so shocked he almost shouted. Zuo Mo was completely ignorant of mo skills and mo physiques but as a true-blood mo, Ye Ling was familiar with all kinds of famous mo physiques.
When he saw this dark red Day Script , he almost went insane.
The Crow Fiend Mo Kill Formation, standing in the position of that mo would standing, people unaffected by the mo grass seed, these all shocked him.
But when he saw this Day Script , he completely turned into chaos.
All Hail The King!
Day Script Palm ... ... this ... ... this really was the Day Script Palm ... ...
Great Day mo physique, ranking second in colonel mo physiques!
Day Scrip Palm, one of the six transformations of the Great Day mo physique!
But ... ... wasn't the Great Day mo physique something only mo with the highest of bloodlines could cultivate?
When were even xiuzhe able to cultivate the Great Day mo physique? Was it now fashionable for xiuzhe to cultivate mo physiques?
Who really was the mo here ... ...
Wait!
Mo ... ... unless the other was mo as well!
Ye Ling was astounded at this daring and crazy idea that popped up. He seemed to be struck by lightning!
Mo!
Yes, the opponent was a mo!
Only mo could cultivate the mo physique. Ye Ling always paid attention to news from the front lines. They had never discovered any xiuzhe that cultivated the mo physique. The only thing similar to the mo physique were the dhyana xiu of the xiuzhe but the two had innate differences.
He was ten thousand percent sure this was the Great Day mo physique, and this Great Day mo physique that had been cultivated to an extremely high level! The cultivation difficulty of the Great Day mo physique was just as famous and terrifying as its ranking among colonel level mo physiques. Its six transformations were even harder to cultivate!
This definitely was not any dhayna technique!
The dark red Day Script pulled at all kinds of energies within ten li!
Even fine black smoke that were like razors were layered by the purest of mo killing essence.
Yes, he had not seen it wrong!
Ye Ling was frightened by his own thinking.
Mo?
A mo that had been lost in xiuzhe territories?
Lost in the xiuzhe world, possessing the highest bloodline, a mo that tried to create a mo army!
Oh, All Hail The King!
Translator Ramblings: Mo culture dump. Mo skills – anyone can cultivate them with hard work, mo physique, something to do with bloodlines. This is why Pu Yao and Wei found it weird Zuo Mo could have a physique.