Until demonic aura swept across the sky.
All the soldiers in Soaring Dragon City watched in shock as a Nine Dragon Golden Chariot flew through the air and stopped beside Qiao Yunli.
On it, a young man in white robes, with a handsome and clear-cut face, held a jade cup, sipping wine lightly.
He actually held a green-clad young girl in his arms.
But that young girl…
Hiss! Hiss!!
So beautiful!!
Her immortal countenance was like a painting, her delicate eyebrows slightly weary and lazy. Her deep eyes held a frosty chill, like a Ninth Heaven Snow Maiden who had mistakenly descended to the mortal world!
But…
This was a border fortress, a bloody battlefield.
Those standing in the city were all passionate soldiers protecting their homeland.
What was the background of this pampered young master, to make the Grand Tutor bow his head?
Could he be the Emperor's illegitimate son, here to gain experience and accumulate military merits before returning to the court to receive a title?
Although the events in the Great Xia capital had long spread throughout the Western Frontier, Ling Xiao's identity had been kept tightly under wraps.
Thus, even Li Kuo now had a trace of doubt between his brows.
But no matter what, anyone who could make a sixth-grade Divine Emperor bow surely had a significant background!
"We welcome the Lord!!"
Qiao Yunli bowed, remaining in that position for a long time without rising.
Ling Xiao nodded indifferently, stepped down from the chariot, and glanced at the soldiers in the city.
"Prepare to dispatch troops and attack Great Zhou."
"What?!!"
Li Kuo and the others exchanged bewildered glances.
Dammit!
Do you even understand military campaigns?
We haven't even discussed battle plans, and you're launching an attack recklessly?
"Are you deaf? This lord holds the Dragon Talisman and is the supreme authority of Great Xia, above imperial power! Hurry and prepare!" Qiao Yunli shouted coldly, his majestic aura shaking the heavens.
The doubt in Li Kuo's and the others' eyes deepened, but they couldn't help secretly speculating.
Supreme authority?
Above imperial power?
Could it be… this person is the Emperor's father?!
Quite inexplicably, a mix of fear and excitement arose in everyone's eyes.
Yes!!
For the Grand Tutor, a sixth-grade expert, to serve so respectfully, this young man's strength must surely be above his.
What use are battle formations and strategic plans in the face of absolute power? They're child's play!
No!! No!!
This is blitzkrieg! This is blitzkrieg!!
Strike unexpectedly, giving Great Zhou no time to prepare!
Now that the Grand Tutor and the lord have just arrived at the border, others certainly won't know about it!!
Launching the army now…
Brilliant!!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
War drums sounded, and the thunder of iron hooves echoed throughout Soaring Dragon City.
Even the generals from the other dynasties stood dumbfounded on their city walls, looking towards them.
Was Great Xia… seeking death?
The prince and imperial son-in-law turned into demons; the Emperor usurped the throne.
Great Xia was already in a precarious state; how dare they take the initiative to send troops now?
Yet, quite inexplicably, a sense of unease rose in everyone's hearts.
Who were they going to attack?
It wasn't until Qiao Yunli took the lead, riding the momentum like wind and clouds, leading Great Xia's three defending generals to the gates of Great Zhou's border fortress, the Northern Frontier, that the place truly erupted.
Was Great Xia… directly declaring war on the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty?
---
Northern Frontier Fortress, Tiance City.
Originally, this city didn't have this name. It was renamed Tiance after Ning Tiance achieved his god-like status.
The hundred-zhang city walls piercing the clouds had long been stained black by blood.
Atop the city walls, five generals stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing into the distance.
There, a thousand troops pressed forward, their black armor like a raging flood, awe-inspiring at first glance.
"General, we've just received news that Great Xia's Grand Tutor Qiao Yunli arrived today with ten thousand Iron Wolf Riders and immediately led troops out of the city, heading straight for our Tiance City!"
A scout reported from behind the five.
"Hmph! Has Great Xia grown a bear's heart and a leopard's gall? How dare they take the initiative to attack?!"
The leader, with a broad back and sturdy shoulders, a square face, and thick eyebrows, had an aura that actually reached the fourth-grade Emperor Realm.
After Ning Tiance was recalled to the capital, the nominal commander of the Northern Frontier was the Cavalry General Zhang Liao, who was sent from the capital.
But in the hearts of the thousands of Northern Frontier soldiers, the general before them was the true soul of Tiance.
And he was also War God Ning Tiance's most loyal former subordinate, General Yuan Fei!
He comprehended the Dao Principle of Divine Wood. He once famously forged a ten-thousand-zhang wooden prison by himself, suppressing and killing thirty thousand enemy cavalry in a single battle.
After Ning Tiance left, he led the Northern Frontier army, defending Tiance City to the death, guarding the dynasty's safety.
"Qiao Yunli actually came personally."
Yuan Fei's face also showed gravity.
Ultimately, in dynasty warfare, the commander was crucial.
Military strategy is about deception, capable of concentrating the power of ten thousand into the general.
But if the general himself lacks strength, how can he break the momentum of a thousand troops or stop the might of ten thousand horses?
Although Qiao Yunli hadn't comprehended a Dao Principle, his strength had reached the sixth grade. In a head-on confrontation, Yuan Fei wasn't afraid, but he wouldn't have the upper hand.
Moreover, the imperial court hadn't sent military provisions for a year; Northern Frontier morale had hit rock bottom.
Fighting now went against military strategy.
"General, what should we do?"
"Defend Tiance City to the death! I don't believe they can breach our mighty fortress!!"
Yuan Fei snorted coldly, his gaze intense.
If… the War God were here, why would they need to turtle up? Just one order from the War God, and who would dare invade this border?
Unfortunately, in the blink of an eye, he had been gone for over ten years.
God Ning, I wonder if you, in the capital, ever miss the days on the frontier?
"Report!!"
Just as Yuan Fei sighed inwardly, another figure rushed into the city and bowed.
"General Yuan, the Commander orders: Open the city gates and engage the enemy!"
"What?!"
Yuan Fei's eyes widened, his spiritual might pressing down on the sky, nearly shattering the void.
He hated how Zhang Liao never valued the lives of his Northern Frontier soldiers!
He felt helpless; this was undoubtedly the deliberate doing of the Zhou Emperor.
The goal was to erase the reverence the generals felt for Ning Tiance.
Ten years of warfare, countless casualties among the Northern Frontier's million elite troops.
The imperial court not only never provided consolation or rewards but repeatedly withheld military provisions.
But…
The War God was still in the capital; they didn't dare act rashly!
"Tell Commander Zhang, this battle cannot be fought."
Yuan Fei took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly calming.
If the city gates opened and Great Zhou engaged, perhaps the Northern Frontier would fall today.
Qiao Yunli alone could contend with two Divine Emperors.
And Li Kuo and the others were enough to kill the remaining two Emperor Realm generals in the Northern Frontier.
Then, they would lose both their lives and their honor.
Of course, since following Ning Tiance, Yuan Fei and the others had long entrusted their lives to the battlefield.
But watching his soldiers and people be slaughtered for no reason was, for the generals… utter humiliation!
"General!!!"
The expressions of the generals beside Yuan Fei twisted fiercely; clearly, they couldn't bear this humiliation either.
That Zhang Liao simply didn't care about the lives of the Northern Frontier soldiers!!
"Cannot be fought? General Yuan, let me advise you, this is a military order. Are you defying a military order?"
The messenger stood up, a trace of disdain on his face.
"I dare not! But I am the defending general of the Northern Frontier. Although I am under Commander Zhang's command, my duty is to guard the border. If we fight this battle, Great Zhou will surely lose. If we lose the city, dare I ask, can Commander Zhang bear this responsibility?"
Yuan Fei gritted his teeth, a bear-like fire burning in his eyes. An ancient, towering tree seemed to manifest behind him, exuding endless mystery.
Ten years of suppression seemed to have brought him to the breaking point.
"Hahahaha, General Yuan, you are mistaken!"