At this moment, Tianlong, Qingyu, Wangyuan, and Muhan hurriedly retreated from the encirclement to rescue the twenty-four mountain lords.
However, it was regrettable that by the time they arrived, only cold corpses littered the ground. Qingyu slowly knelt down to close Feng Xiaoyi's eyes.
"Big brother, will we also meet the same fate?" Qingyu asked Tianlong sorrowfully.
Tianlong remained silent for a moment before replying, "Once war breaks out, it is the beginning of death and slaughter. Every participant should be prepared to die."
Qingyu slowly stood up and turned to gaze at the Beishendu army that had already charged into the battlefield.
Watching the splattering blood and the Merfolk soldiers dying under swords and blades, he couldn't help but ask,
"Big brother, who will win this time?"
Tianlong shook his head, unsure himself.
Suddenly, someone from the side shot a cold arrow towards them. Fortunately, Wangyuan's hand was quick, and he waved out a water barrier, blocking the arrow.
The other three were slightly stunned as a figure hastily rose and fled. The four of them rushed forward, with Tianlong reaching him first.
With a kick, he sent the man sprawling to the ground. Just as he was about to question him, several arrows suddenly flew from the surroundings towards them.
Wangyuan quickly used his water barrier to protect the group from the arrows.
At this moment, a Beishendu general, riding a tall horse, wearing a mask and golden armor, and wielding a Fangtian Huaji, slowly approached them from behind.
Taking advantage of the four's unpreparedness, he hurled his halberd, piercing Wangyuan's back. Fortunately, the water barrier's cushioning prevented him from being killed instantly.
Wangyuan cried out in pain and knelt to the ground. The three turned to see Wangyuan's back impaled by the Fangtian Huaji. They cried out in distress,
"Wangyuan! Wangyuan! Wangyuan!"
At this point, they also saw a Beishendu general who had arrived behind them. The man raised his hand, and the Fangtian Huaji flew back into his grasp.
Tianlong quickly applied pressure points to Wangyuan to stop the bleeding, temporarily saving his life.
Tianlong slowly stood up and addressed the man, "You are Beishendu's foremost general, Ji Ruye, aren't you?"
The man chuckled coldly and replied without hesitation,
"I have not participated in battle for a thousand years. Now that I am fighting, I shall wield my Fangtian Huaji with gusto."
"Very well, I am the Great Protector of the Merfolk. I should be worthy of being your opponent."
"I have heard some rumors about you, that your swordsmanship is superb and your martial arts are peerless. Although we have never fought.
However, the Merfolk are also a great clan of the vast ocean. I accept your challenge."
"Good, allow me a moment to speak with my brothers."
With that, he turned to his three brothers behind him and said to them,
"Qingyu, Muhan, take Wangyuan to a safe place now, and then continue the fight."
The two nodded. Muhan said, "Big brother, be careful yourself."
"Alright, you may go."
With that, he turned to face Ji Ruye, and Qingyu and Muhan then left with Wangyuan.
"Come, let us have a good fight," Ji Ruye said.
"Good," Tianlong agreed, drawing his sword and charging towards him. Although Ji Ruye was on horseback, he could freely wield his halberd, easily deflecting Tianlong's attacks.
Tianlong smiled slightly and then spat out a torrent of water towards him. He sliced through the water with his halberd, but Tianlong had vanished. At this moment, Tianlong had flown behind him and launched an attack.
He quickly turned to strike, wielding the Fangtian Huaji, leaping off his horse and slashing at Tianlong's sword. Tianlong pushed back with all his might.
Flipping over, he drew his sword and slashed at him. Ji Ruye swung his Fangtian Huaji, batting the sword back.
As the two fought fiercely, Qingyu and Muhan had brought Wangyuan out of danger, to a spot beneath a hill where no one would come for the time being.
Qingyu said, "Wangyuan, stay here and wait for us to come back for you."
Qingyu nodded weakly, pretending to be fine, and said to them, "This is just a small injury, it's nothing. Hurry up and go, everyone needs you."
"Alright, we'll be back."
Wangyuan nodded his agreement, and then Qingyu and Muhan turned and left, rejoining the battle.
After they left, Wangyuan took a breath and thought that victory would surely belong to the alliance. Just then, he inadvertently glimpsed a shadow appearing on the ground.
He hurriedly looked up and saw five Beishendu soldiers holding long spears appearing beside him.
Wangyuan's heart leaped in alarm, but he quickly calmed himself, thinking they were just common soldiers.
The men approached him with their spears raised. Wangyuan immediately spat out flowing water, which transformed into a water dragon and lunged at them. The men hurriedly defended themselves.
Just then, several arrows suddenly shot towards him from the side. Wangyuan quickly got up and waved his arm, creating a water barrier to protect himself.
At this moment, he saw a group of Beishendu soldiers wearing quivers emerging from all directions, surrounding him and then shooting arrows at him.
Although Wangyuan was injured, he did not want to sit idly by and await death. He immediately swung his hands, forming water arrows with the surrounding moisture and firing them at them.
However, they were prepared, wearing helmets and standing together. The water arrows could not harm them. It seemed the four city lords had devised countermeasures against the Merfolk's techniques.
At this moment, he saw them pull out a black feather arrow from behind them and shoot it at him. As he watched with confusion,
The black arrow pierced the water barrier and struck him. He knew this was a black feather arrow specifically made for the Merfolk, capable of penetrating water barriers.
Knowing he was doomed, he used all his strength to unleash a water dragon towards them.
The water dragon, imbued with immense demonic power, surged towards the archers like a world-breaking dragon, sending them flying.
With the water barrier gone, the remaining soldiers aimed their arrows at him. Finally, Wangyuan was struck by several arrows. With his last breath, he said,
"Big brother, I'm leaving first." He then fell to the ground and died.
When Qingyu and Muhan returned to check on Wangyuan, they only saw his body riddled with arrows.
They also saw the scattered bodies of Beishendu soldiers all over the ground. Qingyu and Muhan hadn't expected the Beishendu forces to arrive here so quickly after they left and kill Wangyuan.
At that moment, self-blame, regret, and pain welled up from the depths of their hearts. The two of them rushed to Wangyuan, weeping bitterly. Qingyu blamed himself, saying,
"It's all my fault, I shouldn't have left you here alone. Wangyuan, I've failed you."
Muhan also cried and blamed himself, "It's my fault, it's my fault. I should have stayed with Wangyuan."
"No, it's my fault."
"It's my fault."
As they argued, several feather arrows suddenly flew from the sky, raining down upon them.
"Be careful!" Muhan shouted, and immediately used his water barrier to protect them both.
At this moment, they heard the sound of marching footsteps and saw the Beishendu archers who had been ambushing them emerge and surround them.
The same five Beishendu generals who had surrounded and killed Wangyuan were also present. They mounted their swift horses, brandishing their spears, and charged towards the two.
Qingyu and Muhan exchanged glances, knowing that the opportunity to avenge Wangyuan had arrived. They then dispelled their water barrier and, drawing their swords, charged towards them.
At this moment, the archers watching from the side also took out the black feather arrows they had placed behind them and shot them at them.
The two, unable to dodge, were struck by the black arrows in their arms, thighs, and backs. Despite this, they fought bravely and fiercely, dispatching the five men in front of them in just a few moves.
Then, as they were about to charge at the archers, the archers preempted them, firing feather arrows that struck their bodies. The two, severely wounded, still refused to give up.
Seeing that they were near their end, the archers put away their arrows and drew their swords, charging towards them. The two finally fought with all their might.
They cut down the vanguard but were still surrounded and killed by the advancing archers.
Meanwhile, Tianlong, who was engaged in a one-on-one battle with Ji Ruye, suddenly felt dizzy and unsteady, his sword wavering.
Ji Ruye, seeing him weakened, seized the opportunity to attack, thrusting his halberd into his left chest. Tianlong then regained his senses.
He hastily retreated, wrenching himself free from the halberd.
He suddenly realized that Qingyu, Wangyuan, and Muhan might be in trouble, but he couldn't afford to worry about them now. He then applied pressure points to himself to stop the bleeding.
Gathering his strength, he swung his sword and attacked again. Flying forward, he first spat out mist to blind his opponent, then, as the man swung his halberd, he flipped over and thrust his sword towards his throat, only to have the man catch the sword tip with his hand.
Tianlong was somewhat taken aback but quickly recovered, leaping forward and kicking him away with a powerful blow.
Ji Ruye slid several meters on the ground before stomping his foot and leaping up to engage Tianlong again.
This time, Tianlong spat out a dense fog to trap Ji Ruye, then used his sword to attack from both sides, disorienting him.
Finally, seizing the opportunity, he delivered a sword thrust to the throat and then flipped over, kicking him away with force.
Ji Ruye landed and slid several meters before stomping his foot and leaping up to engage Tianlong again.
Tianlong spat out a dense fog to trap Ji Ruye, then used his sword to attack from both sides, disorienting him.
Finally, seizing the opportunity, he delivered a sword thrust to the throat and then flipped over, kicking him away with force.
Tianlong saw him fall motionless and assumed he was dead.
He then turned to search for Wangyuan, Qingyu, and Muhan. Unexpectedly, Ji Ruye suddenly got up and hurled his Fangtian Huaji, piercing Tianlong.
Tianlong turned back, looking at him in surprise. Ji Ruye laughed triumphantly,
"Hahaha, all's fair in war. To be defeated by the Great Protector of the Merfolk is enough. On the road to the underworld, keep me company."
With that, blood gushed from his neck like a pillar, and he fell to the ground, dead.
Tianlong, full of regret, spoke to the sky,
"Qingyu, Wangyuan, Muhan, big brother is leaving first. In the next life, we will still be good brothers."
With that, he sank to the ground and died in the dazzling sunlight.
Thus, all four Great Protectors of the Merfolk bravely perished.
...
Meanwhile, Xian Ling'er and Thirteen Niang, who were fighting the City Lord of Nanhai, were also beginning to falter against him.
The City Lord of Nanhai, Baihu, forcefully pushed Xian Ling'er away. He said with some displeasure, "Alright, it's time we settled this."
He then took a deep breath and exhaled onto his sword, causing the entire sword to turn snow-white.
He then charged forward rapidly. After a few exchanges with Xian Ling'er, he knocked away his sword, moved behind him, and pierced his body with a sword.
"Ling'er!" Thirteen Niang cried out in alarm and hastily drew her sword to advance. Baihu drew his sword, turned, and thrust it, also piercing Thirteen Niang through.
He then slowly drew his sword and said to the two, "Since you still have some breath left, say whatever you wish."
With that, Baihu turned and left, leaving them both in their place.
Thirteen Niang slowly crawled towards Xian Ling'er, tightly grasping his hand, and finally mustered the courage to say,
"Ling'er, there's something I... I've wanted to tell you for over a thousand years. I... I've always loved you."
Xian Ling'er raised his hand to stroke her head and said softly, "I know, I know everything."
So he knew everything but had never told her. Hearing his reply, Thirteen Niang was moved to tears and made a promise with him.
"Then, let's... let's be together in the next life, as an ordinary couple."
"Good," Xian Ling'er nodded in agreement.
Thirteen Niang, having confessed her feelings and fulfilled her wish, contentedly lay in his arms and slept forever. Xian Ling'er stroked her head, his wish fulfilled, with no regrets.
He only regretted failing Thirteen Niang in this life; their deep affection could only be repaid in the next. He then slowly closed his eyes and journeyed to the underworld with Thirteen Niang.
After Dao Lang and Fei Xiong fought valiantly, seeing that the City Lord of Nanhai was unhindered, they jumped out to stop him.
Upon seeing the two, Baihu's anger flared. He pointed at them and said resentfully,
"You two, unlearned and incompetent, have colluded with others to commit evil and kill my generals. If I had my way, I would flay you alive."
Fei Xiong and Dao Lang listened, confused, and exchanged glances, not understanding what he meant.
Baihu continued, "I will spare you because you are the last bloodline of the Yanhuo Kingdom. Now, get out of the battlefield."
Fei Xiong and Dao Lang were stunned by his scolding. Fei Xiong said sincerely,
"We promised Muye that we would live and die with him, so we cannot leave."
Dao Lang also nodded and said, "Yes, we must live and die with Muye."
Baihu listened to their words, extremely angered by these two fools who didn't know their place.
He was speechless that they would risk their lives so fiercely for someone who wanted them dead, and even enjoy it.
He then blew on his hand, conjuring a bundle of ropes, which he flung at them, binding them. He then stepped forward, grabbed the ropes, and began to swing them.
Fei Xiong cried out in terror, "What are you doing!"
Baihu said, "Get out! This place does not belong to you. If you dare to return, I will kill your entire family."
With that, he flung the two of them away like discarded balloons, tossing them out of the battlefield.
Fei Xiong and Dao Lang were flung out and landed in the Cao River in the Zhulu Plain.
They had no idea what had happened, only finding the City Lord of Nanhai very strange for driving them out of the battlefield like this.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiang, finding the situation somewhat boring, looked at Li Zilai and saw that he and Ye Changfeng had been fighting for a long time without a clear winner. He then flew over, intending to help him.
"Li Zilai, what's going on? Everyone else is almost dead, and you and Ye Changfeng still haven't decided a winner. Let me help you."
Saying this, he waved his bone fan, sending a gust of wind towards Ye Changfeng. Ye Changfeng quickly dodged. Li Zilai then noticed Liu Xiang had arrived beside him.
Li Zilai said, "Sir, you don't need to help. I can handle this minor opponent myself."
Ye Changfeng retorted indignantly, "You're the minor opponent."
Liu Xiang frowned and said, "I've been watching you for a while, and you still can't kill him. Let me help you."
Saying this, he was about to make another move. Li Zilai quickly stopped him, saying, "Sir, you don't need to personally deal with him. I can handle it myself."
With that, Li Zilai flew forward and unleashed fierce attacks on Ye Changfeng, each sword strike carrying force, each move deadly.
Liu Xiang watched for a few moments and found it uninteresting, saying, "Let me help you."
Saying this, he stepped through the air and struck Ye Changfeng with a palm. Li Zilai, seeing this, quickly shielded him. Liu Xiang's palm struck him directly.
Li Zilai immediately spat blood, his life hanging by a thread. Liu Xiang and Ye Changfeng were both shocked. Li Zilai, while still able to speak, pleaded with Liu Xiang,
"Sir, although I have followed you for a short time, I am loyal to you with all my heart and have no ulterior motives. However, Ye Changfeng and I have known each other for a thousand years.
He is my good friend, and I cannot bear to see him die here. I beg you, let me exchange my life for his."
Ye Changfeng was touched that Li Zilai had kept him in his heart.
"No, don't beg him. I'm not afraid of death. It was I who wronged you."
Li Zilai did not listen to him and continued to plead with Liu Xiang, "Sir, please spare him, sir, please."
Liu Xiang looked at Li Zilai helplessly and recalled that Li Xingye had also pleaded with him in this way. His heart ached.
Those he cared about most had all left him, leaving him alone in the end.
He sighed helplessly, turned, and left, tacitly agreeing to Li Zilai's request.
Ye Changfeng asked him, confused, "Why, why would you do this for me?"
Li Zilai smiled bitterly, "Because we are friends, my only good friend."
Ye Changfeng, deeply moved, hugged him tightly. Li Zilai finally said,
"In the next life, we will also be lifelong good friends."
Ye Changfeng promised him, "Good, I promise."
Hearing his reply, Li Zilai closed his eyes in satisfaction and fell into a deep sleep. Ye Changfeng held him, mourning for a long, long time.