Chapter 553: All-Out Attack

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High Cuo required the Shroud of Fireflies to cultivate a false countenance, specifically for mimicking inanimate objects, to achieve a wondrous realism.

However, on regular days, Qiong Teng Peak was heavily guarded, a self-contained fortress with no vulnerabilities.

Thus, High Cuo could only endure in hardship, awaiting the opportune moment.

This time, during the great battle, he had fled preemptively, intending to seize the chance to gain a fortune. Furthermore, he received the latest war report, that Physician Bi Teng’s physical body had been destroyed by Shuang Ling.

High Cuo swiftly conferred with Sword Lao, altered the original plan, and quickly arrived near Qiong Teng Peak.

After all, such an opportunity was exceedingly rare.

“Hmm?” Sword Lao uttered a soft exclamation.

High Cuo perceived naught, but soon, he beheld the entire Qiong Teng Peak raising its defensive formation, presenting its strongest posture of preparedness.

High Cuo’s heart stirred, and he instantly understood: “Ah, it must be Physician Bi Teng’s Nascent Soul, traversing the void, returning to her great base.”

Physician Bi Teng was one of the high-level leaders of the Ancient Vine Tribe, having acted with impunity for many years, and her own strength was considerably formidable.

Yet in this great war, she had experienced an unprecedented challenge, her physical body destroyed, leaving only her Nascent Soul to narrowly escape death.

This sudden change caused the always pampered Physician Bi Teng to fall into a state of stress, fearful of any accidents, and thus upon her return, she activated all defensive spell formations, making Qiong Teng Peak as solid as a golden citadel.

“However, in doing so, she has also exposed critical information.”

Speaking thus, Sword Lao sighed deeply: “High Cuo, you also possess much intelligence on Physician Bi Teng, her cultivation journey.”

“She is originally a child of the tribe’s high echelons, of noble birth. Although she adheres to the savage tribe’s character of being fierce and competitive, she has mostly relied on her background, innate talent, and her own cultivation to be arrogant and bully the weak.”

“On the surface, there is nothing wrong with this. But when facing significant setbacks or life’s trials, her flaws are immediately revealed.”

“Therefore, though many Nascent Soul cultivators appear to be of high status and authority on the surface, in reality, they are strong in appearance but weak in substance, and their character is not commendable.”

“Physician Bi Teng’s correct approach would have been to keep it secret, appearing relaxed on the outside while being tightly guarded within, maintaining concealment. But now, within a radius of hundreds of li, anyone who sees Qiong Teng Peak engaged in such drastic actions will know that a major event has occurred. Combined with the latest war report, it is easy to deduce Physician Bi Teng’s current predicament.”

“If there are truly vengeful enemies, they will definitely strike at this time!”

“One must know, the Nascent Soul is far weaker than the Soul.”

High Cuo, guided by Sword Lao, suddenly gained enlightenment: “Sword

Lao, I understand.”

“On one hand, you mean that although most Nascent Soul cultivators possess great power, their character is difficult to assess, perhaps even inferior to mine. This is a path for me to target Nascent Soul cultivators in the future.”

“On the other hand, the path of cultivation is not just about increasing one’s cultivation level, but also about tempering one’s character. Especially in the weak period, the pressure from the outside world is often immense, which can bring about growth in one’s temperament.”

“And after this period, once cultivation reaches a certain height, for example, the Nascent Soul level, it is difficult to feel pressure from the outside world in ordinary times. This is actually detrimental to a cultivator’s entire Dao path!”

Sword Lao laughed heartily: “Precisely. Therefore, there are often those who achieve greatness late in life.”

“Cultivators who are always pampered and do not experience setbacks and failures will not have a long journey on their path of cultivation.”

“So, were the first two failures, for you, truly just failures?”

“These are also a kind of success.”

High Cuo had experienced two failures consecutively.

The first was the evil god bone on Azure Sky Mountain. The second was the wood-contained fire in Ten Li Burning Forest.

Both left High Cuo empty-handed.

Now is the third time.

He intended to steal the Shroud of Fireflies from Qiong Teng Peak.

Compared to the first two times, he was noticeably more composed: “Sword Lao, your words are profoundly reasonable. It’s just… I still prefer to truly succeed.”

As he spoke, the numerous green vines on Qiong Teng Peak began to retract, the vast green color quickly fading, forming a surging wave of emerald light, converging into the interior of Qiong Teng Peak’s mountain body.

Sword Lao murmured: “It has begun.”

High Cuo nodded slightly, knowing that Physician Bi Teng would consume a massive amount of vitality to shape her body.

This would severely impact the defense of the entire Qiong Teng Peak, creating defensive vulnerabilities.

And these vulnerabilities would also be his opportunity.

Sword Lao reminded: “Prepare yourself.”

High Cuo nodded again and began to circulate his cultivation technique.

This time, he truly unleashed his full power, the entire process silent, without a single trace of aura leaking out.

After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, he transformed into a stone ball – Old Eccentric Stone!

Had Physician Bi Teng’s Nascent Soul not returned, High Cuo would not have exerted his full power and disguised himself as Old Eccentric Stone.

But since her Nascent Soul had returned and was presiding over Qiong Teng Peak, obtaining the Shroud of Fireflies would likely lead to a direct confrontation.

In this situation, only the Soul Transformation level Old Eccentric Stone could make Physician Bi Teng apprehensive.

More importantly, with this layer of disguise, even the Dragon King Temple party would not want to continue their investigation. Because doing so would likely create an internal conflict between the Ginseng Beard Dragon King and Old Eccentric Stone, the two Soul Transformation level existences within Thousand Peaks Forest.

Under the unfavorable circumstances of a great enemy at hand, the Ginseng Beard Dragon King would inevitably be apprehensive and exercise restraint.

This perfectly suited High Cuo and Sword Lao’s intentions.

“Old Eccentric Stone?!” Physician Bi Teng’s Nascent Soul shrieked.

Indeed, when High Cuo made his move, he startled Physician Bi Teng, making her dare not act rashly and only request aid immediately.

The request for aid was delivered with extreme speed to the Dragon King Temple, to Lord Long’s hands.

“The true form of Old Eccentric Stone discovered!”

“He has finally appeared!”

“Is it real?”

“Physician Bi Teng is absolutely certain!”

“Then act according to the previous arrangements!!”

The Dragon King Temple’s reaction was extremely swift.

Because they had long hypothesized about Old Eccentric Stone and established numerous contingency plans. Several of them had even been rehearsed and practiced.

They had to take it seriously.

Because in their eyes, Old Eccentric Stone was of the Soul Transformation level, a key figure influencing the overall situation of the entire Thousand Peaks Forest.

During Old Eccentric Stone’s disappearance, they had searched frantically but found nothing.

Now, Old Eccentric Stone had finally surfaced!

In all the plans, the first thing the Dragon King Temple did was consistent – offer incense and report to the Ginseng Beard Dragon King.

Upon receiving the message, the Dragon King statue’s eyes instantly gleamed, transforming from lifeless to alive!

A moment later, Lord Long received the latest instructions.

“Old Eccentric Stone?!” He abruptly stood up from his seat.

Upon learning of Old Eccentric Stone’s appearance, the Ginseng Beard Dragon King immediately took action!

Lord Long also received the latest order — full-scale assault on the Two Brooks Nation’s main camp, without a moment’s delay.

“All soldiers, heed my command, full army attack!!” Lord Long roared violently, his voice spreading throughout the battlefield.

Zhao Xi:?!!

Two Brooks Nation’s army:??!

The duel was in full swing, and the Thousand Peaks Forest side had even begun to gain the upper hand, so why suddenly launch a full-scale attack?

This was very strange!

Not only did the Two Brooks Nation side feel this way, but the Thousand Peaks Forest Allied Army was also momentarily stunned, looking at Lord Long, not knowing what the other party was up to.

And Lord Long, with a serious gaze, scanned the surroundings, responding to the many doubts: “Full army attack, no errors allowed!”

He ordered again.

“Hahahaha. This is more like it!” The first to react was none other than the current Elephant King, Xiang Yue.

Xiang Yue stopped his hearty laughter, abandoned Shuang Ling, and fiercely charged towards the Two Brooks Nation’s city and military camp.

His momentum was mighty and heavy, tearing through the air, displaying an extremely ferocious posture, like a cannonball advancing unhindered!

Zhao Xi abruptly stood up, and immediately activated the spell formation.

Azure Moon Flying Shield Formation!

Seven hundred silver shields ascended into the sky, moonlight flowing on their surfaces, the庚金 (Gengjin, Metal) energy on the surface of the flying shields solidifying into tangible light blades, combining offense and defense!

Bang bang bang.

Xiang Yue charged straight ahead, smashing through shield after shield.

“This is the kind of battle I like. Hehehehehe…”

On the other side, Li Jiu Qu abandoned Mo Ye Chen and flew to a higher altitude.

He grinned sinisterly, his lips splitting to his earlobes. As the Corrupted Immortal Poison Basket tilted, three hundred thousand Corrupted Immortal Maggots, like a torrent of asphalt, swept across the sky, raining down and covering the military camp city!

Zhao Xi and the others’ expressions changed drastically.

Zhao Xi activated the Azure Moon Flying Shield Formation again, releasing over a thousand silver shields that circled and combined with each other, forming a round moon wheel above the city.

The 庚金 (Gengjin, Metal) energy transformed into a hurricane of myriad blades.

The first wave of poisonous insects that rushed forward collided with the light blades, shattering into pieces, the sound of their carapaces breaking like hail striking a jade plate, continuous and unending.

Crack, crack.

In the military camp city, the formation plate of the Azure Moon Flying Shield Formation showed cracks, and the cracks rapidly increased and spread, extending across the entire plate after a few breaths.

“I see it!” Among the Thousand Peaks Forest Alliance, the Scorpion Cave Master suddenly shot out a scorpion tail poison needle.

The poison needle was silent, first mixed within the insect swarm, successfully approaching, and then suddenly bursting forth, instantaneously piercing through the void, reappearing when it had precisely struck the formation plate.

The formation plate shattered with a bang.

The Azure Moon Flying Shield Formation immediately became chaotic, the obstructed Xiang Yue and the intercepted insect swarm broke through the obstacles, and their momentum resumed.

The shattered shield fragments broke into a myriad of stardust, scattering across the battlefield, and over a dozen formation masters presiding over the formation died on the spot from the backlash.

The 庚金 (Gengjin, Metal) energy dissipated like wind.

Lightning Net Locking Void Great Formation!

The next moment, from the gaps in the city walls, myriad lightning snakes surged out, purple and white electric light interwoven into a hexagonal grid.

The wolf claw patterns on Gu Ya’s face glowed with green light, and his muscular right arm suddenly swelled to three times its normal size.

“Wolf Fang Break!”

He roared, his wolf fang club enveloped in a green sharpness, fiercely striking the lightning net.

The next moment, the explosion’s smoke engulfed Gu Ya and the surrounding area.

The Scorpion Cave Master’s purple veil fluttered lightly as she flew onto the battlefield.

Her tail needle, in mid-air, slowly outlined a scorpion-shaped symbol.

The next moment, the five formation masters responsible for the Lightning Net Locking Void Great Formation suddenly spewed black blood from their seven orifices, the formation artifact of the Lightning Net Locking Void Formation, the Red Copper Green Dragon Pillar, tilted accordingly, and the electric light chains twitched like dying pythons.

Xiang Yue, who had charged here, directly tore the electric net apart with both hands, like a savage beast, and continued his charge!

Li Jiu Qu’s insect swarm was a step slower, and the electric net was about to recover when it was covered by the insect swarm, and the two engaged in a fierce consumption.

“Azure Sea Soldier Tide Formation, open!” Zhao Xi’s topknot completely broke, his long hair flying in the wind.

His face covered in cold sweat, he frantically activated the spell formation.

Nine streams of water converged like dragons, rising from the moats surrounding the city, their roars stirring up a hundred-zhang angry tide.

The river waves surged to the sky, quickly forming a water screen barrier.

Just as the barrier was about to completely close, Xiang Yue slammed into it, entering the water screen one step ahead.

Martial Technique – Army Breaker Stance!

Xiang Yue continued his blind charge, the martial technique he unleashed specifically countering armies. The nine water dragons successively blocked him, but their military force dispersed, allowing Xiang Yue to neither dodge nor evade, smashing them one by one!

The insect swarm that followed then clung to the water screen and began to savagely gnaw at it.

“Archers, fire! Archers, fire!” A general anxiously commanded.

On the city walls, ten thousand arrows were immediately fired.

With military tactics employed, the arrow rain was extremely dense, almost entirely aimed at Xiang Yue.

Divine Ability – Adamantine Indestructibility!

Xiang Yue’s entire body radiated golden light, his defense soaring to its limit, enduring the arrow rain and continuing his fierce charge.

“He wasn’t stopped by this either?!”

On the city walls, the generals’ expressions all changed, feeling a sense of horror.

Xiang Yue’s ferocity exceeded their imagination.

Just as they were filled with trepidation, about to face Xiang Yue and the city wall’s thunderous collision, a mechanical puppet suddenly appeared in front of Xiang Yue.

The two collided, and the mechanical puppet was sent flying backward.

But soon, it adjusted its posture and stood firm.

One could see that the mechanical puppet’s face vaguely resembled Shuang Ling’s, but its body was soft like a snake, covered in flowing robes, starlight sprinkled, and within the robe, steam permeated.

Nascent Soul level!

Xiang Yue snorted coldly, exhaling a mouthful of hot turbid air from his nostrils, and charged again.

Bang bang bang…

He stepped on the ground, each step leaving a deep footprint.

The mechanical puppet moved towards him, like a baby running into its parent’s embrace.

Martial Technique – Steel Fist.

Xiang Yue’s fist emitted the silver-black color of steel, its hardness skyrocketing as he fiercely struck and smashed.

The mechanical puppet raised its pair of palms and directly collided with Xiang Yue’s steel fist.

In an instant, thousands of suspended threads sprayed from the center of the mechanical palms.

The suspended threads covered the steel circle, combined with the soft palm martial technique, forming a mechanical technique – Entangling Cloud Hand, Thousand Silk Bind!

Xiang Yue felt as if his steel fist had struck a ball of cotton, his massive and strong power being rapidly dissipated.

From the moment he entered the battlefield until now, he showed a hint of surprise for the first time, re-examining the mechanical puppet before him.

“Using softness to overcome hardness! This is the Soft Bone Profound Concubine, it should be Shuang Ling’s trump card.”

“Three thousand six hundred环形 (環形 - ring-shaped) joints, each embedded with a ‘Force Dissipating Rune’, capable of freely deflecting according to the direction of impact.”

“Internally fitted with ‘Nine Winding Corridor’ liquid mercury, capable of diverting seventy percent of the borne force elsewhere.”

“The outer flowing robe appears ordinary, but it is actually woven from Star Silkworm silk, naturally possessing a force-dissipating net-like structure, and capable of changing the direction and trajectory of external forces.”

“Thus, the core of this mechanical puppet should be the Tears of the Merman.”

Ning Zhuo watched with sparkling eyes.

Although the Soft Bone Profound Concubine temporarily blocked Xiang Yue, it also occupied a large amount of Shuang Ling’s energy and divine sense.

To achieve using softness to overcome hardness, she had to employ more exquisite combat techniques.

As a result, the situation that Shuang Ling had painstakingly maintained in battle completely collapsed.

The Nascent Soul cultivators, who had been in a stalemate with Shuang Ling, now gained freedom and quickly retreated.

Shuang Ling was clearly a tough nut to crack; it was more practical to first kill and injure others, and seize the merit and achievements.