Chapter 566: Royal Grace Repaid With Life

Accompanying Lord Long's open challenge to Du Tiechuan, the entire battlefield fell silent.The collapsing momentum of the Thousand Peaks Forest Alliance subtly shifted.The Two Pillars Nation, who had seized the advantage and launched a massive assault, simultaneously slowed their offensive, their gazes converging upon the central combat zone.Du Tiechuan was naturally no longer within the Commander's Manor.He primarily cultivated the Military Dao, and the matter of his early relocation had been undertaken long ago."Hmm?!" In a darkened corner, Du Tiechuan's eyes emitted a piercing glint, cutting through the present darkness.Lord Long's open challenge stirred anger within Du Tiechuan, but this was immediately replaced by a sense of vigilance and crisis."So confident, trying to provoke me into action. Could it be that the Ginseng Root Dragon King lies in ambush nearby?""He did not act during the previous great rout; this is far too strange!""Could it be that the Ginseng Root Dragon King has been brewing for a long time, and when he finally acts, it will surely shake the heavens and earth?!"Regarding this point, Du Tiechuan was all too familiar.In the first major battle, the reason he had gained the upper hand, repelling the Ginseng Root Dragon King and directly opening up the campaign, was precisely because he had employed the military strategy Iron Current Leveling the Plains!And in utilizing this military strategy, he had also brewed for a long time, expending heavy resources to construct the Commander's Platform and the like.Essentially, it was a path of action where, once initiated, the power would be unparalleled.With the Ginseng Root Dragon King not appearing, Du Tiechuan felt a doubled sense of threat."Or perhaps, this is merely his feigned strength scheme..." It wasn't that Du Tiechuan hadn't considered this possibility, but in the end, he still did not act, choosing forbearance.This was because his state was poor; if the enemy were to seize this opportunity, the entire grand situation would be overturned.To some extent, not gambling meant not losing the gamble."Now, it is not yet the time when I must act." Du Tiechuan slowly closed his eyes, continuing to conceal his presence and tracks.A majestic army commander, a Nascent Soul stage existence, facing the challenge of a Core Formation cultivator, yet choosing not to respond in any way — such an action immediately impacted the entire grand battlefield."Du Tiechuan actually didn't respond; it's highly likely his state is concerning. Is there still a chance in this great battle?" The Thousand Peaks Forest Alliance discovered the subtle shift, and their morale began to rapidly rise.Conversely, the Two Pillars Nation side generally displayed worry.Instances where powerful individuals determined the outcome of a large-scale battle were far too common in the cultivation world. Turning through history books, they were truly everywhere.Therefore, the strongest individual was often the most capable of swaying hearts and morale."I won the gamble!" Lord Long exhaled a turbulent breath. He knew the movements of the Ginseng Root Dragon King, and thus the pressure he endured in his heart was also extremely immense.Actively provoking Du Tiechuan was overly risky, but since he had won, he had temporarily intimidated Du Tiechuan.Lord Long burst into loud laughter: "Hahahaha..."His laughter echoed throughout the battlefield, for a moment radiating unparalleled heroism.He charged towards the nearest Core Formation cultivator.The Core Formation cultivator in the Two Pillars Nation army's eyes flickered, and he immediately retreated.Lord Long roared: "Face me, coward!"Divine Ability — Dragon King Divine Might!This divine ability originated from the Ginseng Root Dragon King, a fusion of dragon's might, divine might, and even a hint of royal decree.The more fearful and timid the target, the more superior the power!Lord Long, borrowing the divine ability, focused on a single target, immediately causing the attempting-to-dodge enemy Core Formation cultivator to freeze in place."糟糕!" The Core Formation cultivator was greatly alarmed, but the more fearful he became, the more he was restrained by the Dragon King Divine Might.Lord Long, like a malevolent dragon emerging from the sea, arrived before him, punched through his chest, and then tore outwards, directly ripping the Core Formation cultivator's physical body into two.The exposed Nascent Soul shrieked in terror, but was still bound by the Dragon King Divine Might!Lord Long's eyes emitted divine light, fiercely shooting into the Nascent Soul, destroying it on the spot.Lord Long killed one person without the slightest pause, and then lunged towards the second Core Formation cultivator.He repeated his trick, and the Core Formation cultivator's will to fight crumbled, leaving him fixed in mid-air, unable to move.Shuang Ling and others reacted, one after another extending a helping hand.Various protective spells were cast upon the Core Formation cultivator, and a large number of attacking spells and magic treasures were deployed to intercept Lord Long.Lord Long charged headlong!He forcefully relied on his Divine Dragon Treasure Body, breaking through the sky-filling net of fire, his blood spurting as he charged before the Core Formation cultivator.The Core Formation cultivator, supported by the others, barely regained some ability to move: "I won't die!"He exerted all his might, utilizing his hidden cards, and fiercely attacked Lord Long.Lord Long extended his large hand, his tone flat: "Meaningless struggle."The Core Formation cultivator's eyes widened. At this moment, Lord Long's palm in his eyes suddenly grew larger and larger, capable of covering the sky and earth.The gigantic palm covered the heavens and earth, and also covered all his vitality.Martial Technique — Seizing Will, Taking Head!Lord Long and the Core Formation cultivator crossed paths. In the former's hand appeared a head, while the latter's headless corpse, from the neck upwards, sprayed a torrent of blood, falling weakly to the ground.Lord Long gently squeezed with his right hand, directly crushing the Core Formation cultivator's head.He opened his arms, chest out and head held high, as if embracing the sky: "Who else comes to die?!"For a moment, he was like a military banner, deeply ingrained in people's hearts.The Thousand Peaks Forest had clearly suffered a great rout, but at this moment, their spirits were rekindled, and many began to counterattack."Lord Long!!!""With Lord Long here, it's impossible for us to lose.""Did you see? Lord Long is still fighting, we can still win!"Not far away, Lu Hongtu could not hide his shock, his eyes reflecting Lord Long's majestic figure, his heart trembling incomparably: "Turning the tide of a collapsing situation! Lord Long is doing just that!!"The great battle between the Two Pillars Nation and the Thousand Peaks Forest entered its second stage.At this moment, the Thousand Peaks Forest side displayed their own advantages.As the commander, Lord Long, in the face of the unfavorable situation of a great rout, stood forth, and through means both wise and courageous, rekindled morale and inspired courage, changing the trend of this war with his own power alone.In contrast, Du Tiechuan remained hidden, and the substitute supervisor Zhao Xi had long been "injured and unconscious," retreating to the second line.Someone from the Two Pillars Nation must step forward!Someone must suppress Lord Long's might!!"Mere mountain savages, do not be so arrogant!" With a delicate shout, Shuang Ling ascended into the high sky.At a critical moment, the Mechanistic Princess of the Two Pillars Nation once again stepped forward.Numerous mechanical creations surrounded her, forming a mechanical army in the high sky, unleashing various mechanical techniques, bombarding Lord Long fiercely."Good timing." Lord Long laughed loudly, neither dodging nor avoiding, attacking fiercely and charging directly at Shuang Ling.Divine Ability — Dragon King Divine Might!Within Shuang Ling's Sea of Consciousness, an umbrella immediately unfurled, protecting her mind.Martial Technique — Dragon Roar Palm.Divine Ability — Divine Dragon Treasure Body!Martial Technique — Withered Dragon Claw.Divine Ability — Vitality Collapse!Lord Long met attack with attack, charging forward all the way. Wherever he went, various expensive mechanical creations were either shattered into pieces or violently disassembled."He can actually use Vitality Collapse again?" The gathered intelligence made it clear to Shuang Ling the means Lord Long was employing.This was the third use of Vitality Collapse.After Lord Long used it, fine cracks appeared throughout his bones, and his physical body swelled once again, like a balloon reaching its limit, on the verge of bursting.Blood gushed from his seven apertures, and his vision was a hazy blood mist.Shuang Ling saw such a Lord Long charging towards her and immediately felt the latter's determination to die and his疯狂 (fēngkuáng - frenzied) fighting spirit."He no longer cares about his life!"Shuang Ling shrieked and also chose to flee.She was a princess of a nation, and there was no need to fight to the death with a mountain savage, to the point of exchanging lives.At this time, Lord Long's combat power was infinitely close to the Nascent Soul stage. Like a blood-soaked mad dragon, he surged forth from the Nine Abysses, easily shattering the mechanical formations along the way. Numerous Golden Core stage mechanical war puppets could not withstand even a single round against him.Lord Long's speed was astonishingly fast, and he collided with Shuang Ling's back.At the moment of life and death, a treasured talisman on Shuang Ling was triggered, taking Shuang Ling to tear through the void."Where do you think you're going!!" Lord Long roared, a divine ability erupting, stabilizing a small portion of space.Shuang Ling shrieked: "No—!"If she were to forcefully traverse the void at this moment, her body would be torn into two. If she stopped to face the enemy, she would likely be directly blown up by Lord Long.The Mechanistic Princess's life hung by a thread, and a sword qi suddenly pierced out!The sword qi was condensed to the extreme, appearing ordinary, but upon piercing Lord Long's massive body, it immediately penetrated deeply.Lord Long's Divine Dragon Treasure Body possessed formidable defense, but the power of the spiritual treasure-grade shoulder armor was also spread throughout his entire body.Yet, the sword qi pierced through the treasure body, as if piercing a thin sheet of paper, with utter ease."Du Tiechuan!" Lord Long violently turned his head, his eyes emitting divine light, and at the same time, his mouth unleashed spring thunder, roaring abruptly.A two-pronged attack caused the air before him to explode violently, blasting out a figure.He was tall and slender, with chiseled features and eyes like knives. He wore a silver-threaded hair-binding crown, a grey-blue long robe, and a silver armor on the outside. It was precisely Du Tiechuan!Lord Long mocked: "A dignified Nascent Soul stage, to deal with me, a mere Core Formation cultivator, even needs to resort to a sneak attack, hahaha!"Du Tiechuan's face was expressionless, only a small portion of his divine sense covering Lord Long: "The principle that in war, there is no end to deception, how could a barbarian understand? You have been so rampant for so long, it's time to end this."Du Tiechuan lightly turned his wrist, leading the sword edge, emitting streaks of azure light sword qi.Lord Long was utterly fearless, laughing repeatedly, charging directly towards Du Tiechuan.Du Tiechuan continuously retreated, increasing the distance between himself and Lord Long.Although Lord Long's combat power was infinitely close to Nascent Soul, Du Tiechuan was no ordinary Nascent Soul stage cultivator!He was one of the Two Pillars Nation's high-ranking generals, the commander of an army. Not to mention his own strength, the blessings of magic treasures, armor, national techniques, and so on, were all the essence of the nation.Lord Long could easily reach Shuang Ling and others, but pursuing Du Tiechuan was unsuccessful; instead, the distance grew wider.Puchi, puchi...The azure light sword qi continuously landed on Lord Long's body, causing him to gain over a hundred new wounds within a few breaths.Many wounds were deep enough to reach the bone, causing Lord Long's blood to flow like a river for a moment.Although his vitality was abundant, the sword qi lingered on his wounds, preventing his recovery ability from manifesting at all.Lord Long roared repeatedly, employing various martial techniques and divine abilities, but they were all resolved by Du Tiechuan.Du Tiechuan primarily used the azure edge in his hand, calmly deploying various magic treasures, weapons, as well as national techniques and military strategies, rendering Lord Long's countless methods utterly ineffective.On the vast battlefield, everyone's fighting rhythm slowed down again and again.Almost everyone was closely watching the battle between Du and Long!Du Tiechuan fully displayed the demeanor of a grand master of military strategy, never fighting an unprepared battle. He had secretly observed for a long time, already thoroughly understanding Lord Long's various methods, and had designed various countermeasures.Lord Long's painstaking efforts yielded no results, and his injuries grew heavier.His vision was originally blood-red, but at this moment it was already obscured by dark clouds, with flashes of blackness before his eyes.At the same time, a sense of fatigue and weakness originating from the depths of his bone marrow assailed his heart.Lord Long instantly had the clearest premonition: "Is it... coming to an end?"In that instant, a forgotten memory surged from the depths of his heart.Within Canglin Immortal City.A young Lord Long knelt on the ground, pleading bitterly with the physician in the medical hall: "Please, my father is gravely ill, he is about to die. Lord Physician, I beg you for mercy, please save my father!"The physician was very impatient: "Boy, you want me to leave the city and go deep into the Thousand Peaks Forest for a house call? And you can't even produce spirit stones, are you playing games with me?"Lord Long quickly shook his head: "No, I have spirit stones, I have them."He took out his entire fortune, nearly a hundred spirit stones spread on the ground, showing them to the physician.The physician looked down at him, saw these spirit stones, and his face filled with the anger of being humiliated: "You pauper, with merely less than a hundred low-grade spirit stones, you dare to ask me for a house call?"He flicked his sleeves and left.Lord Long was panic-stricken, subconsciously grabbing the physician's leg: "Sir, sir, I beg you to show mercy..."The physician kicked him down fiercely: "Get lost!"After saying that, the physician strode away.Lord Long took a kick, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fainted on the spot.When he woke up, he found himself already thrown outside the city, and the spirit stones that were his entire fortune were all gone.He returned to the Thousand Peaks Forest disheartened, back to his tribe.Seeing his elderly father on the sickbed, burning with fever and unconscious, he covered his face and wept bitterly.Just then, a priest from the Dragon King Temple came to his home and told Lord Long that if he wanted to save his father's life, he could go to Dragon King Heavenly Pillar Mountain to make a pilgrimage. As long as his heart was sincere, he could receive the Dragon King's grace.The young Lord Long then traveled over mountains and rivers to reach Dragon King Heavenly Pillar Mountain. He kowtowed with every step, spending seven days and seven nights. He was about to reach the summit, but his physical strength failed, and he was swept off the cliff by the strong mountain winds.He fell onto a protruding rock face on the cliff, at his wits' end, yet still kowtowed and prayed.A miracle appeared.Vines like snakes and pythons intertwined into a ladder. The hard mountain rock broke open its surface, extending a segment of ginseng root, and it actively detached itself.Lord Long quickly picked up this segment of ginseng root and safely descended the mountain along the vine ladder.Returning home, his father only took a small bite of the ginseng root and gained abundant vitality, resolving his severe illness and turning the danger into safety.This was the turning point in Lord Long's life. From then on, he became the most steadfast supporter!The memory flashed through his mind, Lord Long's spirit was rekindled, and his entire body was filled with strength again, as if he had returned to his peak moment.But Lord Long knew in his heart that this was merely a final burst of energy before death.His vision cleared again, allowing him to firmly lock onto Du Tiechuan."Two Pillars Nation? Heh heh.""I was born in Thousand Peaks Forest, grew up in Thousand Peaks Forest, and have never received an ounce of grace or charity from the Two Pillars Nation.""Only my Lord Ginseng Root Dragon King is the King of my Thousand Peaks Forest, the shared ruler of my Thousand Peaks Forest!"Martial Technique, Self-Created — Long Grace Repaying Body!Please read: m.badaoge.org