Chapter 59: The War's Heart
The Ironfang border stretched into a brutal expanse of war-torn land, the air thick with the acrid sting of smoke and the coppery tang of blood, the midday sun beating down with unrelenting heat over a landscape scarred by craters and shattered trees. The ground trembled under the thunderous advance of Ironfang's major offensive, led by General Feng Wuji, a towering figure with a 4th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura, his crimson armor gleaming as he directed Hellbound Beasts and elite troops with ruthless precision. Lin Xuan stood at the forefront, his crimson eyes blazing with unyielding valor, the robust power of his 8th Layer Qi Transformation surging through him like a tidal wave. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed with a steady rhythm, a quiet guide as he raised his voice. "Hold the line—we strike at their heart!"
He led with Severed Crimson Unity Slash, a masterful blend of Crimson Blood Crystallization Art and Scriptures of Severed Unity, the crimson arc slicing through the air to wound Feng Wuji. The general staggered, a deep gash opening across his chest, blood seeping through his armor as he roared in fury, retaliating with a qi storm that shook the earth. "You'll fall here, whelp!" Feng snarled, but Lin Xuan ducked and countered, his voice firm. "Not today," he said, his tone resolute, wiping sweat from his brow as he braced for the next exchange. Liu Yue, her 5th Layer Qi Transformation qi flowing with Frost Phoenix Cry, supported him, her snowflake mark blazing as she froze a beast's maw mid-roar, its body crashing to the ground. "I've got your left, Senior Brother—keep him busy!" she called, her moonlight eyes alight with determination, her raven hair streaked with frost.
Liu Yang, his 2nd Layer Qi Gathering qi growing steadier, assisted with coordinated attacks, his blood-forged glaive arcing to shatter an enemy shield, his young face set with focus. "I'll cover the rear—don't let them flank us!" he shouted, his voice thick with effort, the glaive's crimson edge a defiant spark. The Dawnriver Sect and Veilmoon Sect reinforcements clashed with the enemy, their chants rising as Elder Gao Feng's 3rd Layer Qi Transformation aura bolstered the line. "Push them back—now!" he roared, his staff a whirlwind as he struck down a beast.
Ji Yunjing, at the peak of the 3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, deployed the Azure River Guards, his silk robes fluttering as he directed the troops with a commanding presence. "For Dawnriver—break their advance!" he called, his voice carrying authority, though his eyes darted with concern as the battle intensified. Bai Ningxue, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a serene contrast, sealed enemy formations with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art, her seals shimmering as she turned the tide. "I'll lock their qi—hold steady!" she said, her hands steady despite the chaos.
Back at the royal council, the air grew tense with political discord, the marble hall echoing with debates over Zhao Heng's influence. "His escape weakens us—deal with him!" an advisor snapped, while another countered, "Focus on the war first!" Lin Xuan joined the discussion later, his breath heavy but his resolve firm. "We'll handle both—Zhao's a symptom, Ironfang's the disease," he said to Ji Yunjing, his tone thoughtful. Ji Yunjing nodded, his voice steady. "Then we strike at both hearts—together." The warfront buzzed with the clink of armor and the murmur of strategy, the war's heart a crucible of battle and politics, the team's unity a fragile but growing strength against the looming threat.