"The Yang family of Yizhou!"
Ma Sanye's pupils contracted sharply. Wàn Mìzhāi and Chéng Yǎojīn were indeed from the Yang family! Not long ago, he had also ventured into the tomb of the alchemist Mu Hua and reaped some small gains.
In the tomb, Chéng Yǎojīn, with his invincible stance, had slain a Heaven Star Sect expert at the ninth level of the Innate realm with a swift chop of his blade.
Outside the tomb, Wàn Mìzhāi single-handedly withstood the full force of three half-step Grandmasters, subduing Liu Ji, the foremost among half-step Grandmasters, with his formidable strength and bringing peace to Wú Huí Lǐng.
He had witnessed that battle from the periphery and was deeply shaken by Wàn Mìzhāi's terrifying aura. "Go, inform the other bandits to be a little more restrained. Avoid trouble recently, strengthen your defenses, and report any news immediately."
The Yang family's sudden involvement in Liangzhou's affairs was likely not a good omen.
Ma Sanye's expression slightly eased as he stared at Dú Lóngfù.
Before Dú Lóngfù could even leave.
"Report, Commander! A thousand-strong force has been spotted outside the city, slowly advancing towards us!"
Just then, a subordinate outside the door shouted.
Ma Sanye's eyes narrowed. "Let's go. We'll go out and meet them!"
...
...
Outside the city gates of Tianshui Commandery.
Gāo Shùn, astride a black warhorse, clad in finely forged armor, and wielding the Soul Chasing Spear in his hand, was followed by eight hundred elite soldiers of the Vanguard Camp, appearing as a formidable army, their presence overwhelming.
"Who are you?"
A minor subordinate on the city wall cursed, "Don't you know this is the territory of Ma Sanye, the Grand Commander of the Xiliang bandits?"
"So what if I know? What if I don't?"
Gāo Shùn's tone was firm, with a hint of playfulness.
"You dare! How dare you disrespect the Grand Commander so!"
The minor subordinate's face changed. This fellow was incredibly arrogant. Even the Inspector of Liangzhou would have to show Ma Sanye some respect.
Who was Ma Sanye? He was the kingpin of the Xiliang bandits, commanding tens of thousands of them.
When Ma Sanye arrives, you'll regret this. This minor subordinate had some insight and knew Gāo Shùn was no ordinary person.
"Who are you? Why are you bringing troops here without reason? Do you not take me seriously!"
A voice crossed the city walls, spreading outwards.
The city gate slowly opened.
A burly man appeared before everyone, holding a nine-ringed iron mace, followed closely by a crowd of bandits.
"It's good that you're here. It saves me the trouble of searching for you. I don't have much time!"
Gāo Shùn spurred his warhorse, which whinnied. The Soul Chasing Spear glinted, its sharpness like starlight. "Vanguard Camp, attack!"
Thump, thump, thump!
A thousand men moved as one, their momentum surging. Their heavy armor exuded a monstrous aura of killing intent. Each man held his shield before his chest, their hooked sabers flashing, stirring the wind and clouds!
The thousand-strong army charged, raising clouds of dust, blocking the arrows from afar, and heading straight for the city gates.
Boom, boom!
The Vanguard Camp fiercely struck the bandits, raising a sky full of bloody mist. Their hooked sabers sliced through the bandits' necks, and blood flowed like a river.
Clang!
The thousand-strong army was fearless, their morale awe-inspiring. They churned in all directions, blood filling the air, sweeping across the battlefield!
"Die!"
On the battlefield, Gāo Shùn attacked with his spear. The void trembled, blood qi churned, and in an instant, he appeared like an Asura descending from heaven, piercing the sky.
Sorrowful, desolate.
A figure of a sea of blood slowly emerged, emanating dark flames that scorched the void.
"Who is this powerhouse?"
Ma Sanye frowned deeply. An expert at the ninth level of the Innate realm, his strength was comparable to his own, yet he had never heard of this person, nor had he ever seen such a formidable army!
A thousand men at the eighth level of Nascent Yuan, what a grand display, comparable to the Imperial Guard!
"Who are you? State your name! Under my nine-ringed iron mace, I don't strike the nameless!"
Seeing Gāo Shùn attack without preamble and disregard him entirely, Ma Sanye was furious.
"Take this!"
Ma Sanye swung his nine-ringed iron mace, agitating the void. Then, he stepped forward, his body moving agilely, and ferociously collided with the Asura figure!
"Charge forward, with no retreat!"
"Vanguard's will, to die or not to live!"
A mournful slogan echoed through the heavens. A monstrous killing intent whipped up waves of blood, which instantly condensed into an Asura spear!
What!
"That's a battle formation!"
A terrifying army, even Ji Hu, a veteran of two dynasties from the capital, would have been greatly astonished!
A chilling aura swept across the sky and slowly fell into the Asura figure's hand. Ma Sanye's pupils contracted sharply. The powerful aura and pressure made him feel fear.
Strengthened by the battle formation, the Asura figure's aura surged, exerting pressure on the Innate realm, as if a Grandmaster had arrived.
The Asura figure extended its palm and grabbed towards Ma Sanye. The sky grew dark and lightless.
Ching!
The Asura spear, emitting a dark red glow, pierced through the thick clouds. The agitated void shattered!
The nine-ringed iron mace fiercely smashed towards the heavy blood palm, stirring up layers of bloody waves. The powerful impact forced his bones out of alignment.
"Ah!"
The ground caved in, and a terrifying handprint appeared. One could imagine the consequences of being struck by it!
Ma Sanye was furious. Who was he? He was the incredibly glorious Grand Commander of the Xiliang bandits, an expert at the ninth level of the Innate realm. How could he be defeated by this unknown man.
Swish!
The Asura spear instantly pierced his chest, his beating heart clearly visible. Blood stained his front clothes, his face contorted, veins bulging.
"Hah!"
The nine-ringed iron mace swung towards Gāo Shùn in a desperate attack. Ma Sanye looked expectantly, hoping to see Gāo Shùn crushed.
Clang!
The nine-ringed iron mace was swept aside by the Soul Chasing Spear, instantly killing many bandits.
Then, a black streak of light flashed across the Tianshui city walls.
Gāo Shùn, with a blank expression, urged his horse into the battlefield.
Behind him, Ma Sanye's head drooped slightly, blood trickling down his chest, his eyes wide with terror.
Ma Sanye, the Grand Commander of the Xiliang bandits and an expert at the ninth level of the Innate realm, had been slain!
The bandits were dumbfounded. That was Ma Sanye, a god-like figure in Xiliang, their spiritual leader, now buried in the earth.
"Grand Commander!"
Dú Lóngfù, who was in the midst of fierce fighting, shouted loudly.
Clang!
The Asura spear slowly rose above the Vanguard Camp.
Ching!
"Charge forward, with no retreat!"
"Vanguard's will, to die or not to live!"
The battle horn sounded, and the Asura spear emitted a terrifying demonic might, piercing towards Dú Lóngfù on the ground!
Ching!
The Asura spear, step by step, blasted open Dú Lóngfù's protective barrier, stirring up gusts of wind, like a monstrous beast, relentlessly gnawing at Dú Lóngfù's vital energy shield.
Crack, crack, crack!
The powerful impact, like demonic might descending, sent sparks flying, instantly engulfing Dú Lóngfù's body!
"Suppress!"
The Vanguard Camp roared. The Asura spear's spiritual light flared, like Mount Tai pressing down. The cold, glittering Asura spear passed through Dú Lóngfù's chest.
Ninth level of the Innate realm. Ma Sanye's most capable assistant, perished in a thousand-strong army. The eighth level of Nascent Yuan battle formation reached great perfection, fighting against an Innate expert.
Complete victory!
"Don't come any closer!"
"Quick, run!"
Seeing Ma Sanye and Dú Lóngfù both killed, a sense of death spread among the bandits. A terrifying general, a god-like army.