Chapter 2053: Siege Approaches

Pfft!

With Ye Chen's final punch, Tian Mo's head exploded, and its remaining body turned to ash, vanishing from the world.

This time, it was truly dead, taking with it fear, anger, confusion, and resentment.

One could say it was quite unfortunate—within a single day, it had been killed twice by a mere mortal. First in its semi-immortal state, then even after becoming a cultivator, it still couldn't escape death.

Amid the misfortune, there was also suppressed frustration.

Earlier, it had been on the verge of eliminating Ye Chen, but who could have anticipated the sudden downpour of thunderous rain? And who would have thought that this freak, Ye Chen, could actually absorb the lightning? That rainstorm had allowed this mortal to stage a magnificent comeback, while it, after lying dormant for endless ages, ultimately failed at the last hurdle.

If given another chance, it might have quietly found a hiding spot, absorbed the source crystal first, and then settled scores with Ye Chen. It had been too hasty, and in a moment of carelessness, it had doomed itself.

However, in a way, it was also fortunate.

Throughout history, the only ones ridden and beaten into the ground by Ye Chen were it and three others: two Tian Mo Emperors and one Tian Mo Emperor's body. As the fourth, it could consider itself having the supreme honor of being brothers in misfortune with the emperors.

With Tian Mo destroyed, the dark and gloomy Gui Shan regained its vitality, sprouting a touch of green as if it had magically changed into new clothes.

At that moment, in the ancient tomb, Yin Yue Huang Fei felt the source crystal's spiritual power stop draining and let out a slight sigh of relief. She could easily guess that Ye Chen had resolved the crisis once more. If it had dragged on for another hour, the source crystal's power would have been completely depleted, and what awaited Qin Xiong would have been death.

The city of Gui Yu Zhi was deathly silent.

Tian Mo was gone, and Ye Chen collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.

Seeing this, Ling Feng and the others rushed over in a panic, pulling out golden wound medicine from their pockets and applying it to Ye Chen's wounds. When they finally removed his clothes, everyone was deeply moved by the sight. The martial arts legend's body perfectly embodied the phrase "a mass of wounds."

"The heart pulse is weakening rapidly. Hurry!" Yang Ge Lao said anxiously, being the first to sit down cross-legged, placing his palm on Ye Chen's back and forcibly channeling his inner force into Ye Chen's body to protect his heart pulse.

"This was meant for myself, but I'll let you have it." Shangguan Jiu took out a purple pill with a strong medicinal fragrance and reluctantly placed it in Ye Chen's embrace. From his expression, it was clear this was some kind of healing spiritual medicine.

Not just him—Tian Gang Yang Xuan and Dugu Jian Sheng had some too, and they all used their treasured spiritual medicines on Ye Chen.

The others weren't idle either. They sat cross-legged in a line: Yang Ge Lao, Ling Feng, Yang Xuan, and Shangguan Jiu positioned at the four cardinal points, with the rest sitting behind them in sequence, hands pressed against the person in front, transmitting their inner force one by one until it reached Ling Feng and the others, who then channeled it into Ye Chen's body.

Thanks to everyone's efforts, Ye Chen's weakening heart pulse finally stabilized. With the spiritual medicine integrating into his system, his breathing grew steadier, and his pale, bloodless face gained a hint of color. He was out of immediate danger, though it would take many days to fully recover.

After half an hour, they all withdrew their hands, completely exhausted. After all, they were injured themselves—severely wounded by Tian Mo earlier—and it was a miracle they could still sit there.

The martial arts experts couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. Even the martial arts legend had been pushed to the brink of death, proving just how terrifying Tian Mo was. Fortunately, Ye Chen hadn't let them down and had slain the demon.

As evening fell and night was about to descend, the unconscious Ye Chen wearily opened his eyes.

Everyone gathered around, their hearts finally at ease.

"Thank you," Ye Chen said hoarsely, his voice faint and weak, knowing they had saved him.

"We should be the ones grateful," Yang Ge Lao said with a smile.

No one objected to that. They were all still alive because Ye Chen had fought with his life on the line.

"Let's get out of here first," Shangguan Jiu said, stepping forward and hoisting Ye Chen onto his back. "You've barely escaped with your life, but your internal injuries are severe. It's best to find Yao Wang—that's the most reliable option."

With that, Shangguan Jiu strode toward the exit, and the others followed.

However, before they could leave the city, they felt the ground trembling.

Listening carefully, it was the sound of many feet hitting the earth—likely because there were so many people marching in unison, causing the ground to shake. Such a large-scale movement had to be an army.

And indeed it was. From a distance, they saw a massive black mass of figures closing in, all clad in armor and gripping spears, exuding a heavy aura of killing intent that could only be forged on the battlefield. It was undoubtedly a vast army, and they could see war banners fluttering wildly, each emblazoned with a prominent "Yan" character.

"The army of Yan Wang," Shangguan Jiu frowned as they exited the city.

"Don't let a single one escape. Kill them all," a cold command echoed from the army, resounding through the mountains and forests.

"Quick, close the city gates!" Shangguan Jiu, still carrying Ye Chen, retreated back into Gui Yu Zhi Cheng. The message was clear—if they foolishly went out now, they'd be walking to their deaths. A volley of arrows could turn their wounded group into sieves.

The martial arts experts didn't dare delay, working together to shut the heavy gates. They weren't fools; they knew exactly why Yan Wang had brought his forces here—it had to be for the meteorite from beyond the heavens.

It was also for Yang Xuan. Yan Wang had been pursuing him for over half a year and wouldn't let him slip away this time. This massive force was clearly meant to eradicate them completely.

Everyone hurried up to the city walls and gazed out.

At the sight, their corners twitched involuntarily. The mountains and fields were teeming with figures, like swarms of ants, making their scalps tingle.

"At least 200,000 troops. They've probably pulled in the garrison from Bei Lang Cheng," Shangguan Jiu tsked.

"They sure think highly of us," someone remarked.

"What a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," Yang Xuan snorted coldly, grinding his teeth in hatred toward Yan Wang. Yan Wang hadn't shown up to help during the Tian Mo chaos, but now that the demon was dead and the danger passed, he brought his army to swoop in for the spoils.

Ling Feng frowned as well. With such a massive force, even at his peak, escape would be impossible—let alone now, when they were all gravely injured.

Among them, only Ye Chen remained composed, staring indifferently at the scene outside the city. In his current state, he couldn't break out either. This was a calamity, but according to his calculations, within the calamity lay a chance for survival—they weren't fated to die here.

As they spoke, Yan Wang's army had already arrived at the city gates, forming ranks like a black carpet spread across the land. Even the surrounding hills were crowded with soldiers, all archers with bows drawn to the full moon, waiting for Yan Wang's order to unleash a hail of arrows.

In the center of the army, a war chariot rolled forward, carrying a man in golden armor, a silver sword at his waist, his cloak billowing. His stature was solid and unyielding, like a mountain, exuding the authority of a ruler.

He was Yan Wang, the king of Yan Di, one of the most powerful warlords in the land.

On the chariot with him was an old man in a purple-gold daoist robe, leaning on a dragon-headed staff with a small bagua disk hanging from the top. Wasn't this Yin Shan Lao Dao? He was here too, and his position beside Yan Wang showed how highly Yan Wang valued him.

As for Gui Wu Chang, ranked tenth, he didn't enjoy such honors—he was merely following the chariot on foot. Yan Wang's side was never short of martial arts experts, and a few of them were even stronger than Gui Wu Chang. In the martial arts rankings, after Dugu Jian Sheng, Luan Shi Dao Kuang, and Tian Gang Yang Xuan, the rest had significant gaps in strength.

The chariot halted, and Yan Wang slowly stepped out, looking toward the city walls with a faint smile.

"What fine spirits you all have, esteemed heroes!"

"As if you're any different, Yan Wang," Ling Feng replied calmly, his expression like still water.

"You're too kind, Jian Sheng. We're just out for a leisurely excursion," Yan Wang said with a playful laugh.

"Dragging 200,000 troops along for a stroll? You're quite the idle one, Yan Wang," Shangguan Jiu retorted coldly.

At that moment, Yin Shan Lao Dao also stepped forward, ignoring the others and fixing his gaze on Yang Xuan with gritted teeth. The humiliation from that night outside the ancient tomb was still fresh in his mind, and he was determined to avenge it. To that end, he had even made demands to Yan Wang, plastering wanted posters for Yang Xuan across all of Yan Di.

"You old Yin Shan dog, resorting to schemes at your level? It's an eye-opener," Yang Xuan exploded in anger, cursing outright. "Are you some kind of mad dog?"

"It was you who wronged me first."

"Go to hell with that! What a load of nonsense to justify your grudge."

"Still talking tough at a time like this?"

Before the battle even began, Yin Shan Lao Dao and Tian Gang Yang Xuan were already trading insults—one on the city walls, the other amid the army. Both were renowned figures in the jianghu, but now they were like fishwives brawling, hurling vulgarities without restraint.

Yan Wang watched with amusement but said nothing, merely observing with a mocking gaze. He had no interest in jianghu affairs; his eyes were on the meteorite.

He might not care, but his soldiers looked on with strange expressions. Were all these martial arts folks like this? Not only were their skills impressive, but their ability to hurl abuses was top-notch too.

On the city walls, Shangguan Jiu and the other martial arts experts covered their ears. Yang Xuan's voice was deafening, each shout more fervent than the last, making their ears ring.

As for Ye Chen, he kept coughing. The reason for their fierce quarrel was all because of his schemes.

"We're all on the same side here. No need for this," Yang Ge Lao chuckled, trying to mediate.

"Did a donkey kick your head? How are we family?"

"What makes you think you're worthy of being related to me?"

Yang Ge Lao's attempt at peacemaking backfired, drawing the ire of both Yang Xuan and Yin Shan Lao Dao, who turned their verbal onslaught on him. He was left utterly embarrassed. At this point, he still didn't know what deep grudge existed between Yang Xuan and Yin Shan Lao Dao, but one thing was clear—they'd been at each other's throats from the moment they met. If he tried to intervene further, they'd probably keep at it until the end of time.

Helpless, he turned to Ye Chen. "Young friend, that's your master. Maybe you should say something."

PS: I'd like to apologize first. Due to some reasons, I haven't been able to reply to many of your messages lately. From now on, I'll make more time to respond to everyone's comments as soon as possible. If you have any suggestions, questions, or notice any errors in the book, feel free to leave a message for me.

Finally, Liu Jie San Dao thanks you all for your support. I'll keep working hard.