The Northern Divine Capital's army had arrived at Zhulu a day ahead, their golden armor gleaming like exposed nuggets on the plain.
Shining brilliantly, they were a dazzling spectacle on the boundless fields.
Four city lords galloped on their horses, appearing as if they were on holiday rather than at war.
The entire Northern Divine Capital army remained in place, resting, with every soldier's gaze sharp and focused.
Their faces, filled with anticipation, exuded an air of absolute certainty.
In another day, they would face a grand, decisive battle, and on those faces, already anticipating victory, was a look of endless expectation.
This was perhaps the first large-scale decisive battle they had experienced in a thousand years.
While there had been battles before, none had involved such a commitment of all their forces and the gathering of so many seasoned warriors.
Everyone had heard of the Ghostly Tribe's new leader, the Myriad Demon King, but no one had truly witnessed her formidable power.
Thus, they eagerly awaited the Myriad Demon King's arrival, hoping to witness firsthand the strength of this newcomer.
As night fell, a cool breeze swept across the plains, and countless campfires ignited, dotting the vast expanse like scattered starlight, lending a touch of humanity to the previously desolate landscape.
Meanwhile, deep within the vast forest, the entire allied army had entered a state of rest.
Xue Gucheng looked up at the moon, a slender crescent hanging in the sky like a small boat.
He recalled the moon they had drawn on the rooftops of Xi Zi Kingdom that day, and he still felt their creation was superior.
Yan Wushuang stood up and looked curiously towards the sky, seeing the half-moon hanging above.
She guessed that Xue Gucheng was reminiscing about their moon-gazing days.
Liu Mei sat beside Yue Jiu, also looking at the two with curiosity. She hadn't been obligated to come.
However, she, like everyone else, wanted to contribute her strength to the alliance and to victory.
Shui Fang pointed to the crescent moon in the sky and said, "I didn't expect to see a crescent moon even here."
Hei Feng also looked up and scoffed, "It's not as perfectly round as the one we saw in Xi Zi Kingdom."
At this moment, everyone else looked up as well, but remained silent. The four elders gazed at the half-moon.
They instinctively rose, closed their eyes, and began to calculate. Afterward, Elder Hei Yi opened his eyes, his brow furrowed with worry as he looked at the other elders.
The elders slowly opened their eyes, exchanged glances, and understood each other's calculations. Elder Mo Xuefu spoke first.
"It seems this will be another battle of rivers of blood, just like a thousand years ago."
Elder Wan Gu, however, said, "Where there is battle, there will be bloodshed and sacrifice. As children of the Ghostly Tribe, we are accustomed to such things."
Elder Mo Xuefu nodded and slowly walked over to me, saying,
"Demon King, I surmise that the Northern Divine Capital has already reached the Zhulu Plain. We will also arrive at the battle site within a short while tomorrow."
"Alright, then let us rest early tonight, conserve our energy, and have a good fight with them tomorrow."
"Alright."
At this moment, Lin Er suddenly remembered something and called Xue Gucheng, Ye Changfeng, and Liu Shinian over, giving them instructions.
"Gucheng, your Boundless Bag is meant to deal with the City Lord of the Northern Divine Capital. The true form of the Northern Divine Capital City Lord is the ancient Azure Dragon.
His ultimate move is called 'Dust-Chasing Water,' said to originate from the Heavenly Water of the human realm. Only the Boundless Bag can absorb it.
It will protect our soldiers from harm, so as soon as he transforms and spews the Dust-Chasing Water, use the Boundless Bag against him."
"Alright."
Lin Er then said to Ye Changfeng,
"Your Earth Fire Bead is meant to deal with the City Lord of the Southern Sea. The Southern Sea City Lord is also an ancient divine being, whose true form is the White Tiger.
He can spew 'Bone-Chilling Ice,' and your Earth Fire Bead, also an ancient divine artifact, can easily melt ice.
So, whenever the Southern Sea City Lord makes his move, unleash the Earth Fire Bead."
"Alright."
Finally, Lin Er took out the Jade Water Bead, gifted by the leader of the Mermaid Tribe, from her embrace and handed it to Liu Shinian.
"This Jade Water Bead is to deal with the Town Lord of Dongyue. His true form is the ancient Black Tortoise.
His move, 'Sky-Shattering Stone,' is immensely powerful, so you must use the Jade Water Bead when he attacks."
Liu Shinian took the Jade Water Bead with a serious expression and said, "Alright, I will use this Jade Water Bead well."
"Good, then you should all rest early. Tomorrow will be a fierce battle, and we will need to exert our full strength and lifelong learning to fight a good fight."
"Alright, Elder, you should also rest early."
"Mm."
After the instructions, the group returned to sit around the campfire. As night deepened, the humidity in the forest gradually rose.
Everyone felt a wave of cold air and instinctively moved closer to the fire. Finally, they drifted into a deep sleep under the hazy moonlight.
I watched the sleeping crowd and then looked up at the hazy crescent moon in the sky, my thoughts turning to Liu Xiang.
He would surely come tomorrow, and then it would be a true confrontation, a time to fulfill promises.
...
The next morning, a faint mist rose over the entire Zhulu Plain, and the Northern Divine Capital army slowly rose and organized their formations.
However, they waited in the mist for a long time, but there was no sign of the Myriad Demon King. The Southern Sea City Lord, growing impatient, asked,
"Is she afraid?"
The Northern Divine Capital City Lord replied, "No, they set out before us and should be arriving now."
The Dongyue Town Lord became somewhat arrogant.
"I think they are definitely afraid. If they are truly afraid, they should send a letter of surrender, which would at least preserve a shred of their dignity."
Hearing this, the generals behind him burst into laughter, all believing the Myriad Demon King was not as formidable as rumored.
The Southern Sea City Lord disagreed with his words and cautioned him,
"The Myriad Demon King is astute and capable, possessing both courage and strategy. We should not underestimate her."
"If she were truly that powerful, she should have appeared for the battle by now."
As they were speaking, they suddenly heard the sound of urgent hooves from within the mist.
Then, a fiery red-clad woman on a swift horse emerged from the mist, her steed then slowing its pace as it came into view.
At this moment, everyone clearly saw the person before them, clad in red armor like the rising sun, carrying a large brocade box on her back, seemingly containing something of great importance.
Though she was a woman, her eyes, filled with determination and unyielding spirit, held more authority than any man.
Then, with the sound of scattered hoofbeats,
Twelve men and women, appearing composed and confident, emerged from the mist. They were said to be her Twelve Star Generals.
Following them, more urgent hoofbeats sounded, and then twenty-four fine horses appeared from behind.
Without a doubt, these were the main forces of the three great alliances, the twenty-four Mountain Lords.
At this point, the mist dissipated, and five more people rode over from the side, one a young man and four elders.
The five arrived beside the Myriad Demon King and took their positions opposite the Northern Divine Capital.
The Northern Divine Capital City Lord looked at the familiar faces and a slight smile touched his lips as he called out their names one by one.
"Elder Wan Gu, Elder Zhu Liuyun, Elder Mo Xuefu, Elder Hei Yi, it has been many years, and you all still look so vibrant."
Elder Wan Gu returned the greeting with courtesy, saying,
"It is rare that the City Lord still remembers us. We parted ways in haste back then, and I thought we would never meet again in this life, but unexpectedly, we meet so soon."
The Northern Divine Capital City Lord replied with a slight smile,
"Elder Wan Gu, although you are not skilled in combat, your mind holds the wisdom of generations of your Ghostly Tribe. I must admit I admire that."
Elder Wan Gu retorted without yielding,
"City Lord, as a noble of the ancient divine race, by seniority, you can be considered an old immortal.
But since the fall of the divine race ten thousand years ago, the world believed there were no more divine beings. I never expected you all to still be alive."
The Northern Divine Capital City Lord gained no advantage from this exchange of words before battle, but he was not angered, finding it quite amusing.
Then, the Southern Sea City Lord addressed me, "You are the Myriad Demon King?"
"Indeed."
"As expected, young and talented. If you do not mind, come to the Northern Divine Capital. We are in need of a Grand General of the Frontier."
I replied with a slight smile, "Thank you, City Lord, but I am more interested in the entire Northern Divine Capital."
"Such bold words. The Northern Divine Capital has never been defeated in a thousand years. I wonder if you have the ability to break this undefeated legend."
"If we were unprepared, we would certainly not dare to come so rashly. Since we are here, we have made up our minds to defeat everything."
The Dongyue Town Lord, unable to watch any longer, reprimanded,
"Arrogant fool. Do not think that by taking control of three cities you can conquer the world. It is not that simple.
I see you are young and frail; you probably cannot withstand even one of my moves."
Upon hearing this, the soldiers behind him burst into laughter again.
I smiled indifferently, unafraid, and said, "Since the City Lord is so confident, a battle will reveal who is stronger and who is weaker."
"Good, we have waited for you for a day and a night, and we are already impatient. Let the battle commence."
Before I could reply, a loud noise echoed from the sky, as if something had exploded. Everyone looked up.
They saw a red meteor flying from the horizon, and then with a "thud," it struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
As the dust settled, a red figure appeared before the four city lords. Behind him were two warriors, Li Zilai and Jin Yulan.
Everyone looked at the red figure in astonishment and exclaimed, "Liu Xiang!"
Liu Xiang first turned to greet the four city lords, saying, "Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother."
The King of Xi Zi Kingdom asked him in surprise, "Cousin Liu Xiang, why are you here?"
Liu Xiang was originally from the divine race. His parents and the Four Divine Beasts had known each other since they were in the human realm.
Although they were of the divine race, tracing their origins, they were collateral relatives of Zhu Shen, hence the term "cousin."
Azure Dragon was the eldest brother, Black Tortoise the second, White Tiger the third, and Vermilion Bird the fourth.
Liu Xiang explained,
"I made a vow with Liu Muye. If she ever mastered her skills, she would come to fight me.
Now that she has achieved her mastery, I must honor my previous vow and come to battle her."
"Since that is the case, with you here, our chances of victory have increased."
Seeing Liu Xiang's arrival, I was not surprised at all, only at his relationship with the four city lords. My heart couldn't help but churn with suspicion and indignation.
"I never expected this Liu Xiang to be related to the four city lords. No wonder he has been opposing me everywhere and trying to put me to death.
It seems he has planned everything. That cunning old fox."
If it weren't for the need to maintain my dignity on the battlefield, I would have spat in his face and cursed him soundly.
However, the Four Evils behind me were equally incredulous. They stared blankly at Li Zilai, and Ye Changfeng angrily shouted at Li Zilai,
"Li Zilai, I know your nature. Like me, you are only interested in masters. Why have you defected to this person today?"
Liu Xiang, seeing someone's dissatisfaction, quietly said to Li Zilai, "Tell him your decision."
Li Zilai nodded, smiled slightly, and said to him,
"You can risk your life for the Myriad Demon King, why can't I risk my life for Liu Xiang? Moreover, mine is much stronger than yours."
Zhu Yan also looked at him in disbelief and asked, "Are you truly going to draw swords against us?"
"I don't mean that. War is not a battle between two people, but a battle of many. So, if we truly have to draw swords, it will be unavoidable."
Ye Changfeng looked at his former friend, who was now cold and heartless, and felt a pang of pain. He could not believe they would meet in such a way.
He gritted his teeth and hardened his heart,
"Alright, Li Zilai, since you insist on this, I told you before that if I considered you a friend, then you are a friend.
Now that you are determined to be our enemy, let us sever our ties as friends in front of everyone today."
Saying this, he drew his sword and cut off a corner of his robe. The others also cut off their robe corners, severing their friendship with him.
Li Zilai felt a sudden pain in his heart, but his expression remained defiant,
"Fine, if we are to sever ties, then let us sever ties."
Saying this, he also drew his sword and cut off a corner of his robe, henceforth having no affection, only enmity.
Ye Changfeng declared,
"From now on, you and I are no longer friends. When we fight later, I will show no mercy."
"Likewise, I will show no mercy to any of you."
Liu Xiang was very pleased with the severing of their ties. He smiled with satisfaction and then looked at me,
"Liu Muye, do you remember our agreement?"
"I do."
"So today is not a decisive battle between you and the four cities, but a decisive battle between you and us. Are you ready?"
"Come, today is the decisive battle between you and me."
"Good, then make your move."
Saying this, he fanned himself and took the initiative. I immediately threw out the brocade box, quickly opened it, took out my twin swords, and swung one to cut through the strong wind.
He nodded slightly, satisfied,
"You have indeed become much stronger. It is inconvenient to fight here, let us go above to fight."
After saying this, he leaped into the air.
I turned back to the crowd and said, "The rest is up to you."
The crowd responded, "Rest assured, Demon King, we are here."
"Good." I turned to the elders and the elders, saying,
"Elders, and you esteemed elders, please retreat to the back. You are the backbone of everyone."
Lin Er replied, "Alright, Demon King, we will guard the rear." Then she said to the elders, "Four elders, let's go."
"Alright, Demon King, we are going."
"Go."
Thus, the five of them rode away.