Chapter 43: The Vanguard Clash
The northern border of Dawnriver unfurled into a rugged, windswept expanse, its plains scarred by the jagged remnants of past battles, the air thick with the acrid sting of smoke and the coppery tang of freshly spilled blood. The afternoon sun hung low, its harsh rays cutting through a haze of dust stirred by the frenzied charge of Ironfang forces, their alliance with Crimson Claw and Bloodshade Abyss bringing forth a terrifying wave of Hellbound Beasts—hulking creatures with glowing red eyes and claws that gouged the earth. Lin Xuan stood at the forefront, his crimson eyes blazing with a mix of determination and quiet resolve, the weight of his 5th Layer Qi Transformation anchoring him as the chaos unfolded. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed with a faint, steady rhythm, a silent guide as he prepared to lead with Battle Soul Unity from the Scriptures of Severed Unity, his voice rising above the din. "Stay close—we fight as one, no matter what comes!"
He channeled the technique, his qi and spirit merging in a surge that rippled through the air, striking a 6th Layer Ironfang cultivator with a force that sent the man staggering, a deep gash opening across his chest as blood seeped through his robes, his cry of pain cutting through the roar of battle. "Take that, you bastard," Lin Xuan muttered under his breath, his focus unyielding. Liu Yue, now at the 2nd Layer Qi Transformation, darted to his side, her Icy Skin mist curling around her like a protective shroud, her snowflake mark glowing softly as she froze a beast's leg mid-charge, its roar turning to a whimper. "I've got your back, Senior Brother—keep them guessing!" she called out, her moonlight eyes sharp with adrenaline, her voice a lifeline amidst the tumult.
Liu Yang, his 8th Layer Body Refining qi a solid bulwark, swung his blood-forged glaive with a grunt, the crimson blade shattering a beast's claw in a spray of dark ichor. "I'll cover the flank—don't let them through!" he shouted, his young face etched with concentration, the weight of his lineage pressing against his resolve. The Dawnriver Sect and Veilmoon Sect held the line with disciplined fervor, their cultivators clashing in a symphony of steel and qi, Elder Gao Feng's 3rd Layer Qi Transformation aura a rallying cry as he twirled his staff. "Push them back, now!" he bellowed, his gray beard catching the wind, his voice a gravelly anchor for the troops.
Ji Yunjing, having advanced to the early 3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, led the Azure River Guards with a commanding presence, his silk robes fluttering as he raised his sword, his voice booming. "For Dawnriver—stand firm!" The guards responded with a unified shout, their morale bolstered by his leadership, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty. Bai Ningxue, her 5th Layer Qi Transformation aura a steady glow, moved through the fray, her Thousand Lotus Seal Art shimmering as she purified the curses lacing the air, her voice calm yet firm. "I'll keep the taint from spreading—focus on the fight!" she called, her spirited demeanor a contrast to the grim scene. Lin Xuan, seizing a brief lull, planted Crimson Vein Suppression traps, their crimson threads weaving a deadly lattice across the battlefield. "This'll slow their next move," he said to Liu Yue, wiping sweat from his brow, the air thick with the promise of a hard-won respite.
The clash stretched into the afternoon, the ground trembling with each beastly charge, the air filled with the clash of metal and the occasional scream. Lin Xuan's mind raced, plotting their next defense as the enemy's advance faltered, their wounded retreating into the dust. "We've held them off for now," he said to his team, his voice rough but relieved, the northern border a testament to their resilience amidst the growing shadow of Ironfang's ambition.