Chapter 68: The Crimson Horizon
The northern front of Dawnriver stretched into a foreboding expanse, the air heavy with the earthy scent of damp soil and the faint, metallic tang of blood from recent skirmishes, the late afternoon sun casting a dim, golden hue over a landscape dominated by Ironfang's fortified border. The rugged terrain was punctuated by jagged outcrops and hastily erected stone walls, bristling with watchtowers where sentries clad in dark armor stood vigilant, their qi signatures pulsing with a menacing rhythm. Lin Xuan moved like a shadow through this war-torn frontier, his crimson eyes sharp with reconnaissance intent, the robust power of his 9th Layer Qi Transformation a silent force as he employed Abyssal Lotus Step. His form glided effortlessly over the uneven ground, the Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsing faintly, a quiet guide as he navigated the enemy lines. "We need their weaknesses—every detail counts," he murmured to himself, his voice a low whisper carried away by the wind, his senses attuned to the slightest movement.
He scouted the Ravencrest Clan's fortifications, noting the strategic placement of qi-infused traps and the patrol patterns of 5th Layer Qi Transformation guards. As he crept closer, a patrol spotted him, a burly guard lunging with a qi-charged spear. Lin Xuan sidestepped with fluid grace, countering with a precise qi burst that sent the guard sprawling, his armor clattering as he hit the ground, dazed but alive. "Stay down," Lin Xuan said, his tone icy, melting back into the shadows as he marked the trap locations on a mental map. Liu Yue, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation qi flowing with Icy Skin mist, and Liu Yang, his 6th Layer Qi Gathering qi steady, mapped the defenses from a vantage point, her snowflake mark glowing softly as she froze a small stream to obscure their tracks, his blood-forged glaive ready to fend off any pursuit. "Keep low, Elder Sister—their scouts are sharp," Liu Yang whispered, his young face etched with focus, the glaive's crimson edge glinting in the fading light.
Back at the war camp, Ji Yunjing, at the mid-4th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, strategized with the council, his silk robes rustling as he traced routes on a map, his voice firm. "We need a breach point—Lin Xuan's intel will guide us," he said, his brow furrowed with the weight of command, the air thickening with the clink of armor as officers nodded. Bai Ningxue, her 8th Layer Qi Transformation aura a serene presence, sealed scout routes with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art, her seals shimmering like delicate barriers as she wove them into the terrain, her hands steady and precise. "This will blind their patrols—proceed with caution," she said, her tone calm and focused, her efforts enhancing the team's covert advantage.
The scouting mission stretched into the evening, the air growing cool with the scent of pine and the distant rumble of war, the team regrouping under the cover of dusk. Lin Xuan returned, his breath steady but his eyes alert, presenting a detailed layout to Ji Yunjing. "Their northern wall is weakest—hit it hard," he said, his voice thoughtful. Liu Yue nodded, her breath even but her resolve firm. "We'll plan the strike, Senior Brother—your work gives us the edge," she replied, her hand brushing his arm in quiet support. The war camp buzzed with the murmur of strategy and the clink of sharpening blades, the crimson horizon a promise of the decisive battle to come.