Chapter 793: I'll Sleep for a While

Chapter 793: I'll Sleep for a Bit

Boom! Rumble! Roar!

The night was as dark as ink, yet it was anything but calm. The rumbling sounded like thunder, deafening the ears.

Zhengyang Zong's nine halls had arrived in full force.

In the sky, divine rainbows filled the air—some riding flying swords, others mounted on spirit beasts, and still others treading the void. Each one was immensely powerful, their bodies radiating brilliant divine light, like stars in the night.

On the ground, a vast expanse of black covered the earth like a dark carpet. The Yin Ming army was arrayed in formation, completely surrounding Qingyun Zong, leaving no escape. They looked like forces from hell.

"At least six-tenths of them are the Yin Ming army."

Watching the colossal formation, the higher-ups of Hengyue, Yanhuang, and the various great families whispered to each other through secret transmissions.

"This is more than just the forces of the nine halls—at least fifteen halls are present."

The Su family ancestor mused.

"It seems Zhengyang Zong is determined to annihilate Qingyun Zong."

Hengyue Zhenren stroked his beard gently.

"With such a formidable lineup, Qingyun Zong won't be able to hold out."

"Did you know earlier that Zhengyang Zong possessed the Yin Ming army?"

On the mountaintop, Ye Chen turned his gaze to Ji Ningshuang.

Ji Ningshuang shook her head slightly.

"Although I am the holy maiden of Zhengyang, I am not privy to their most classified secrets. I knew the Yin Ming army existed, but I had no idea of their exact numbers."

"They've hidden it well!"

Ye Chen snorted coldly.

"Gongsun Zhi, will you open the barrier yourselves, or should we attack directly?"

As the two spoke, an ethereal and mocking voice echoed through the void. It came from a cloud platform, where a middle-aged man in black armor stood. He was the hall master of Zhengyang Zong's first sub-hall.

"It seems Zhengyang Zong still doesn't realize Qingyun Zong has changed hands."

Watching the first hall master of Zhengyang Zong, Situ Longshan, the ancestor of the Situ family and standing in front of Qingyun Zong's grand hall, chuckled softly.

"So, today they are doomed to come but never leave."

Beside him, Zhou Ao, also clad in armor, spoke resolutely. Behind him were the experts from Qingyun Zong, Hengyue, Yanhuang, and the various great families, who had stationed themselves in Qingyun Zong the previous night to launch a pincer attack and annihilate Zhengyang Zong's forces.

Zhou Ao and his group remained composed, knowing Zhengyang Zong would attack tonight. However, the disciples and elders of Qingyun Zong were not as calm. Seeing the overwhelming might of Zhengyang Zong's army, many of them had turned pale with fear.

"How insolent!"

With no response from Qingyun Zong, the first hall master of Zhengyang Zong snorted coldly and waved his hand, shouting,

"Attack!"

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

As soon as he spoke, buzzing sounds erupted from all directions. The void killing arrays of Zhengyang Zong's army activated, radiating intense divine light and unleashing devastating power, all targeting Qingyun Zong.

In addition, the countless experts of Zhengyang Zong summoned their natal magical weapons, powerful divine abilities, or jointly activated terrifying killing tools, all aimed at Qingyun Zong. Even the Yin Ming generals on the ground erupted with Yin Ming light.

A second later, the onslaught swept toward Qingyun Zong like a tidal wave.

Boom! Bang! Rumble!

Earth-shattering explosions followed immediately. The attacks struck Qingyun Zong's nine-layer protective mountain barrier one after another, causing massive vibrations that cracked the surrounding void.

However, despite the ferocity of Zhengyang Zong's assault, they failed to shake Qingyun Zong's barrier.

The three sects of Southern Chu each had their strengths: Qingyun Zong's protective mountain barrier was formidable, Hengyue Zong's intelligence network was terrifying, and Zhengyang Zong's combat power was overwhelming. This was no exaggeration, as Qingyun Zong's barrier was indeed extraordinarily strong, leaving even Gu Santong and Wuya Daoren, experts in arrays and barriers, in awe.

"Again!"

Seeing Qingyun Zong's barrier remain unshaken, the various hall masters of Zhengyang Zong smirked.

They appeared quite leisurely, with jade carriages raised in the southeast, northwest, and other directions. In each, two hall masters reclined casually, watching Zhengyang Zong's army attack Qingyun Zong with great interest.

In their eyes, breaking through Qingyun Zong was only a matter of time, and they relished the sight of their enemies struggling desperately.

"Aren't you going to make a move?"

As Zhengyang Zong's momentum surged, Chu Ling'er on the mountaintop looked at Ye Chen.

"Don't rush. Let me find out who is controlling the Yin Ming army."

Ye Chen's Six Dao Xianlun Eyes scanned Zhengyang Zong's Yin Ming forces continuously.

"Once I identify the controllers, the Yin Ming army will collapse on its own."

"If the Yin Ming King is controlling them personally, it will be tricky."

Zhong Jiang said gravely from the side.

"That's why I need to check."

Ye Chen replied while his Xianlun Eyes continued to sweep around.

"If he shows up today, that would be ideal."

Hengtian Shangren took a deep breath.

"No matter how strong one person is, they cannot stop an entire army of cultivators. We would pay a heavy price, but eliminating him would make it all worthwhile."

"Unfortunately, he's not here today."

Ye Chen shook his head helplessly, pointing to several directions.

"The controllers of the Yin Ming army over there are the nine sub-hall masters of Zhengyang Zong. Remember, to capture the thieves, first capture the king. Once the fight starts, take them out first."

"Don't worry, we have assigned the tasks."

From another direction, Gu Santong's sly laughter came through.

"Thirty-six Quasi-Tianjing experts against nine Quasi-Tianjing experts—that's four-to-one odds. There's no way we'll lose, and that doesn't even count you as an unknown factor."

"Even so, don't underestimate them."

Ye Chen transmitted his voice to all sides.

"As I mentioned before, the Yin Ming King controls even more sinister Yin Ming Kui generals. For an operation this big, he wouldn't hold back the Kui generals, but I haven't spotted any yet. So, be on guard—they could appear at any moment."

"You've said all this—when are we actually going to fight? Let's finish this quickly so we can go back and sleep."

Wuya Daoren sounded impatient.

"We've come this far; there's no hurry."

Ye Chen shrugged.

"Qingyun Zong's barrier won't fall anytime soon. Let them tire themselves out, then we'll strike. It's not too late."

As he spoke, Ye Chen turned to Ji Ningshuang beside him.

"How many of Zhengyang Zong's forces, aside from the Yin Ming generals, can we incorporate?"

"The ninth sub-hall was once my direct lineage—over eighty percent can be incorporated."

Ji Ningshuang said slowly.

"For the other eight sub-halls, about forty percent of the members, excluding the most treacherous and evil ones, can be brought in. But that depends on eliminating Zhengyang Zong's nine hall masters first. Once they're leaderless, they'll be like scattered sand."

"Perfect."

Ye Chen smiled faintly, then pulled out a void transmission stone from his pocket.

"Activate Qingyun Zong's void absolute killing array and target the directions of Zhengyang Zong's nine hall masters."

"Capturing the king first—I get it."

Zhou Ao's laughter came from the transmission stone.

"Just give the order."

"Excellent."

Ye Chen put away the transmission stone and took out a wine gourd. He sat down on a rock and leaned back, leisurely sipping his wine.

"What the hell? This is a battle—can you take it seriously?"

Gu Santong couldn't help but curse.

"Arrays and barriers are your expertise, but warfare is mine."

Ye Chen said, taking another swig.

"Trust me—once they wear themselves out, it will be smooth sailing."

"I just love this guy's arrogant style."

Wuya Daoren stroked his beard meaningfully.

"It's so damn refreshing."

"Tch!"

Ye Chen shrugged it off, finished the wine in his gourd in one go, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and leaned against the boulder to fall asleep.

"Wake me up in three hours."

As soon as he said this, Ji Ningshuang furrowed her brows slightly but said nothing.

Indeed, when it came to warfare, she was far outclassed by Ye Chen. The bloody example from the past three-sect chaos proved it—if he had been in command, her ninth sub-hall wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses.

What followed was quite absurd.

On one side, inside Qingyun Zong, Zhou Ao and his group stood ready, prepared to charge out at any moment.

On the other side, Zhengyang Zong's army continued their relentless bombardment of Qingyun Zong's protective mountain barrier.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen and his allies on the outskirts of Zhengyang Zong's forces played the role of spectators. Everyone waited for the order to attack, but as the commander, Ye Chen was sound asleep.

Boom! Rumble! Roar!

The dark night remained chaotic, with the rumbling shaking the heavens and earth, drawing the attention of many in Southern Chu. But upon seeing Zhengyang Zong's massive formation from afar, their expressions changed simultaneously.

"What a huge force—this must be aimed at swallowing Qingyun Zong in one go!"

Someone exclaimed in amazement.

"What about Hengyue Zong? They should be here to help by now."

"Speaking of Hengyue Zong, they haven't been very active since the battle at the Ancient Cang Plains."

Someone whispered.

"That day, Yin Zhiping was captured by Ye Chen—who knows if he was rescued."

"Whether he was or not, tonight Southern Chu is bound for rivers of blood."

An elder cultivator sighed.

"The three-way balance in Southern Chu, with constant skirmishes, is just eroding our own strength. Who knows when we will end up mutually wounded, only for the Bloodthirsty Hall of Northern Chu to profit as the fisherman."

Amid the discussions, Zhengyang Zong's army kept up their assault on Qingyun Zong, while Qingyun Zong and Ye Chen's group held their ground.

At that moment, the forces led by Zhong Li had already divided into nine routes and infiltrated Zhengyang Zong's nine sub-halls, advancing more smoothly than expected.

This was one reason Ye Chen hadn't moved yet—he was waiting for Zhong Li's group to secure Zhengyang Zong's nine sub-halls. Once that happened, Zhengyang Zong would be completely isolated, and they could turn their attention to the forces attacking Qingyun Zong at any time.

Time passed slowly, and the sky grew later, deep into the night.

It wasn't until some point that Chu Ling'er irritably kicked Ye Chen on the mountaintop.

Woken by the kick, Ye Chen rubbed his sleepy eyes and glanced around before looking toward Zhengyang Zong's forces.

"Three hours already?"

"What do you think?"

"Then let's get started."

Ye Chen slapped the ground and sprang to his feet.