Chapter 74: The Crimson Resolve
The warfront blazed with the intensity of a pivotal breakthrough, the air thick with the pungent scent of blood and the acrid sting of scorched earth, the midday sun beating down with fierce determination over a battlefield scarred by craters and fallen warriors. The ground trembled under the weight of clashing forces, Ironfang's Ravencrest Clan pushing back with desperate ferocity, their 9th Layer Qi Transformation leader wielding a qi-infused axe that carved deep gashes into the allied lines. Lin Xuan stood at the heart of the fray, his crimson eyes alight with a profound resolve, the power of his 9th Layer Qi Transformation peaking as he advanced further with Battle Soul Unity. The technique amplified his qi into a roaring torrent, the Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsing with a steady rhythm, a quiet beacon as he reflected on past losses—Mo Tianyin's betrayal, the weight of his rebirth. "This is for every scar," he murmured, his voice a low growl, charging forward with renewed purpose.
He clashed with the leader, their qi colliding in a blinding explosion that sent shockwaves rippling across the field. The axe swung with a thunderous roar, forcing Lin Xuan to sidestep, his robes singed, but he countered with a devastating qi burst, the impact shattering the weapon and sending the leader staggering, blood streaming from a gash on his chest. Lin Xuan pressed the advantage, a second strike felling the man with a choked cry, his body crumpling amidst the debris. "We break through now!" he shouted, his voice resonant with inspiration, wiping sweat from his brow as he rallied the troops. Liu Yue, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation qi surging to the 8th Layer in the crucible of battle, stepped into the culmination of her leadership journey, her snowflake mark blazing as she unleashed a decisive Frost Phoenix Cry. The icy wave froze a swath of enemies, their screams silenced in crystalline tombs, her moonlight eyes gleaming with pride. "Rise with me—victory is ours!" she called, her raven hair streaked with frost and sweat, her voice a rallying cry that echoed across the front.
Liu Yang, his 6th Layer Qi Gathering qi robust, and Bai Ningxue, her 9th Layer Qi Transformation aura a serene yet potent force, held the line, his blood-forged glaive flashing to deflect a qi lash, her Thousand Lotus Seal Art shimmering as she shielded the troops from a dark barrage. "Hold steady, Senior Sister!" Liu Yang grunted, his young face set with determination, the glaive's weight a grounding force. Bai Ningxue nodded, her tone calm and focused. "I'll protect the flank—keep pushing," she said, her hands steady as she wove the seals. Ji Yunjing, at the peak of the 4th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, stabilized the front, his silk robes fluttering as he directed the Azure River Guards, his voice firm. "Secure the breach—don't let up!" he called, his brow furrowed with the strain of command.
The breakthrough stretched into the afternoon, the air thick with the relentless clang of steel, the guttural roars of the wounded, and the occasional crash of falling structures, the allied forces gaining ground as Ironfang's line buckled. Lin Xuan gathered his team later at the royal assembly, his breath heavy but his spirit soaring, his mind lingering on the past as a source of strength. "We've turned the tide—let's end this war," he said, his voice proud, a rare smile breaking through the grime. Liu Yue nodded, her hand resting on his shoulder in a gesture of solidarity. "Together, Senior Brother, we've found our resolve," she replied, her tone warm and resolute. The assembly buzzed with the clink of celebratory cups and the hum of final assault plans, the crimson resolve a testament to their growth, the path to victory clear.