293: Ziwei Po Qiyao (two chapters in one)

After calming down, Qianqiu returned to her Empress-like demeanor.

Clad in the Nine Feather Armor, she strode onto the square with her head held high and chest puffed out.

On April 28th, the Great Abyss Empress Qianqiu personally led the expedition, deploying troops from the Great Abyss and fighting her way north.

On the same day, Jun Ao Zhi and his group fought their way east from Azure Dragon Pass.

Upon seeing this, Due Holy Land provided unconditional support to the small nations along the way, solely to slow down the Great Abyss's expansion.

However, all their efforts were in vain. The five individuals, including Jun Ao Zhi, were all valiant and skilled in battle, rendering the Due Prodigies utterly defenseless against them.

Furthermore, ever since the Anti-Yuanyuan Alliance was annihilated, these small nations had long been terrified, with most surrendering voluntarily before the Great Abyss's army even arrived.

By the end of June, they reached the Chu Kingdom and rendezvoused with the Supreme Jade Pool Disciples, facing the Wei Kingdom across the river.

On June 6th, Qianqiu also cleared all obstacles placed by the Due Holy Land on the road, heading north. With Jun Ao Zhi and his group, they formed a pincer movement, trapping the Wei Kingdom between them.

The people of Due dared not be careless and split their forces to intercept them.

The next day, news came from Great Chu that the Great Chu Emperor had voluntarily pledged allegiance to the Great Abyss. From then on, there was no longer a Chu Kingdom, only the Great Abyss!

By this point, the Great Abyss had already taken half of the Eastern Continent's territory, one step ahead of Great Chen!

Most importantly, this was not just half of the Mortal World.

During the process of establishing the Fu Long Court, all forces that opposed the Tai Shang Sect were also annihilated.

Those that remained were either members of the Dao Alliance or those who dared not resist.

It could be said that half of the Eastern Continent's Cultivation World now belonged to the Tai Shang Sect!

This made many people ponder, secretly thinking that Gu Liangyuan's ambition was not small.

On June 9th, Qianqiu and Jun Ao Zhi launched their attacks simultaneously.

Qianqiu led nine thousand Rank Six Yao Beasts, sweeping through everything and capturing thirteen cities in a row.

The five individuals, including Jun Ao Zhi, led their troops across the great river and captured nine cities consecutively.

While others could discern Gu Liangyuan's objective, the Mo Emperor naturally could as well.

He intended to directly sweep through with his Mahayana Realm Puppets, but he was stopped by Grand Tutor Qi's words:

"One who does not plan for Qianqiu is insufficient to plan for a lifetime; one who does not plan for a lifetime is insufficient to plan for a moment!"

"If Your Majesty were to deploy such a valuable treasure now, it would inevitably make Gu Liangyuan wary."

"Even if we win the struggle for the Fu Long Court, Your Majesty will not be able to annihilate the Tai Shang Sect because of it."

"In this old minister's opinion, Vehicle Lord should be ordered to hold his troops and deliver a fatal blow to the Tai Shang Sect Disciples at a crucial moment."

"We must lure the enemy deep, catch them off guard, and completely annihilate the Tai Shang Sect, the Supreme Jade Pool, and even the Dao Alliance Disciples!"

"As long as the excellent Disciples are all dead, then the Tai Shang Sect and Supreme Jade Pool will be like rootless duckweed. As the older generation of powerhouses reach the end of their lives, the Tai Shang Sect will lack successors..."

"To speak words Your Majesty may not like, even if Your Majesty fails to secure the Eastern Continent, as long as the Tai Shang Sect declines, Your Majesty's descendants will still have a chance."

The Mo Emperor listened and found it reasonable.

Therefore, he ordered Che Hongzhou (Sun Anjian) not to act rashly.

He also dispatched five hundred thousand troops and set up a Rank Three Grand Formation to guard the Great Wei Zhenbei Pass.

The core objective was to use this to lure all the Great Abyss Disciples outside the pass and wipe them out in one fell swoop!

However, the Mo Emperor did not know that the real Che Hongzhou had already died, killed by Yang Yijia's Soul Searching Art.

Outside Zhenbei Pass, five million troops formed a battle formation.

The Great Abyss banner fluttered in the wind!

Qianqiu sat astride a Dragon Steed, holding a precious sword, and gazed towards Zhenbei Pass.

Jun Ao Zhi, Song Xianer, Mo Chen, Zai Xiyue, Oriental Heng, Jiang Wubing, Yue Wan, Female Vajra, and a group of Personal Disciples stood behind Qianqiu.

Among them was Jin Zhonger, Lü Qingmei's Personal Disciple.

This Jin Zhonger was the Disciple who had entered the sect with Song Xianer and the others and had once questioned Gu Liangyuan.

She had cultivated assiduously for a long time, and her Dao Heart had been repeatedly damaged by Qianqiu.

Now, witnessing this scene, she felt her Dao Heart being damaged once again.

After the Ten Thousand Sects Assembly battle, she realized the gap between herself and Qianqiu.

So, she entered the Forbidden Ground for arduous cultivation.

She successfully formed her Core a few days ago, and only then did she emerge from seclusion.

The first thing she did after emerging was to inquire about Qianqiu's current situation. Upon learning about the Fu Long Court, she immediately rushed to the main battlefield without stopping.

She had originally thought that even if there was a gap between her and Qianqiu this time, it wouldn't be very significant.

But what she never expected was that despite her unremitting efforts, the gap between her and Qianqiu had actually grown wider and wider.

And looking at the Disciples Gu Liangyuan had taken in, each of them was indeed stronger than her.

However, this time, she didn't feel the disappointment she had imagined.

Instead, she felt a sense of relief.

Sometimes, the difference between people is greater than that between people and dogs.

Being unable to surpass might actually be the norm...

After the Personal Disciples, the Beast Taming Peak Disciples led six thousand Black Tiger Army, ninety thousand Earth Splitting Army, and three thousand Black Eagle Army.

Two-thirds of the Great Abyss's military strength had gathered here!

The Dan Peak Disciples led a million troops on warships, while the Invincible Peak Disciples interspersed among the Mortal army, forming battle formations in an orderly manner.

Jun Ao Zhi looked at Zhenbei Pass and complained, "Another Grand Formation."

Then, he turned to Qianqiu and asked, "Senior Sister, should we launch a direct assault now?"

Qianqiu naturally knew that the "direct assault" Jun Ao Zhi referred to was deploying the Mahayana Realm Puppet.

Qianqiu did not reply but instead looked at Jiang Wubing, who was beside her:

"Eighth Junior Brother, what are your thoughts?"

Jiang Wubing already had a plan in mind and spoke without hesitation:

"This formation must be broken, but not too quickly."

Qianqiu casually set up a sound-insulating formation:

"What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Wubing smiled slightly, "Although we have means to defeat the enemy, once we use them, the opponent will surely become vigilant. The next time we use them, they might not be as effective."

"In my opinion, it would be best if we could fight Due to a mutually destructive stalemate."

"The Mo Emperor, seeing an opportunity for victory, will definitely send troops to support them."

"At that time, we can use thunderous methods to wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"Thus, once this pass is broken, Ancient Mo will be like a withered bone in a tomb, easily manipulated."

One can only say that they were indeed intelligent people; Grand Tutor Qi and Jiang Wubing had thought of the same thing.

However, Gu Liangyuan had already arranged a mole beside the Mo Emperor, while on the Great Abyss's side, Gu Liangyuan could see through anyone's loyalty at a glance, making it impossible for there to be any moles.

Although their ideas were similar, Jiang Wubing had the advantage of information over Grand Tutor Qi!

Before Qianqiu could reply, Jun Ao Zhi, mimicking Gu Liangyuan's manner, stepped forward and patted Jiang Wubing's shoulder:

"Old Eight, when it comes to being devious, I don't admire anyone but you."

"Aren't you going to destroy some Jiang Family? Leave it to your big brother. Your big brother can send a letter later and leave no chickens or dogs in the Jiang Family."

Jiang Wubing smiled, "Fourth Senior Brother is thoughtful, but a man's vengeance does not require others. I can resolve it myself."

Jun Ao Zhi spread his hands and did not try to persuade him further.

Qianqiu immediately made a decision: "We shall proceed according to Eighth Junior Brother's plan!"

Above Zhenbei Pass, the Due Holy Master looked at the Great Abyss's five million troops, his brows tightly furrowed:

"Sir, are you sure this Seven Luminaries Grand Formation can stop them?"

"Back then, Great Lu's Hetu Grand Formation didn't achieve any merit."

The Due Holy Master was speaking to a young man dressed as a scholar.

This young man was a special envoy sent by the Mo Emperor, which was why the Due Holy Master addressed him as "Sir."

The special envoy, hearing this, gently stroked his beard:

"The Hetu Grand Formation is naturally useful. Didn't you see that Gu Liangyuan's several Disciples almost couldn't get out after entering?"

"The Hetu Grand Formation was broken because Gu Liangyuan personally intervened."

"This time, as long as Gu Liangyuan doesn't intervene, they will have no chance of breaking through the pass!"

"Although this Seven Luminaries Grand Formation is also Rank Three like the Hetu Grand Formation, it is a top-grade among Rank Three Grand Formations."

"With seven hundred seventy-seven thousand seven hundred seventy-seven Core Formation cultivators forming the array, borrowing the power of the Seven Luminaries stars, and using Yin and Yang Strange Stones as the formation eye, it can transform into a Star God phantom!"

"Unlike the Hetu Grand Formation, which focuses on defense, the Seven Luminaries Grand Formation focuses on offense!"

"This Star God phantom can fight against a Body Integration Great Perfection!"

"Even a weaker Mahayana Realm cultivator might not be able to pass through."

Seeing that the Due Holy Master's worried expression remained unchanged, the special envoy continued:

"Holy Master, you need not worry. Even if we truly cannot stop the opponent, Vehicle Lord will back you up."

The Due Holy Master was naturally familiar with the Vehicle Lord mentioned by the special envoy.

Due's allegiance to the Mo Emperor was entirely orchestrated by Che Hongzhou.

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he had seen this Vehicle Lord.

The special envoy's words continued:

"Your Majesty has already informed me that a batch of Puppets has been handed over to Vehicle Lord..."

Puppets!

Upon hearing these two words, the Due Holy Master's eyes immediately lit up.

His nervous mood instantly relaxed considerably:

"With your words, Sir, I am completely at ease."

As the two were conversing and laughing, the Great Abyss's five million troops moved.

Song Xianer soared into the air, hovering in the center of the five million troops.

In her hands, two Formation Flags waved left and right.

The three thousand Disciples of Xuan Du Peak, leading the generals, moved with the flags.

Before long, the five million troops arranged themselves into a grand formation according to a specific, unique pattern.

Song Xianer's clear, cold voice rang out:

"The Seven Luminaries are ancient stars!"

"However, all stars bow to the Purple Star, and the Purple Star is the Emperor of stars!"

"Today, I shall use the Purple Star to break the Seven Luminaries!"

"Master of all stars, Zong of all phenomena!"

With Song Xianer's final shout, the five million troops disappeared, replaced by a towering giant phantom!

This giant was clad in a purple robe, with a solemn Dharma appearance.

On the purple robe, nebulae surged, as if forming a self-contained heaven and earth!

He wore an imperial crown and had handsome eyes without a beard!

Looking closely, his appearance was seven parts similar to Qianqiu's.

Indeed, although Song Xianer set up the formation, the primary controller was Qianqiu!

The reason was none other than that this formation required a person with an Emperor's fate to control it in order to be formed.

If an ordinary person were to forcefully control it, they would be unable to withstand the Emperor's Qi of the Purple Star God, suffering a loss of fortune, blessings, and lifespan.

As soon as this Star God appeared, the Purple Star in the sky actually shone brightly in broad daylight, vying for glory with the sun!

Streaks of purple Qi cascaded down, covering the entire Zhenbei Pass with a faint purple hue!

"How audacious!"

A loud shout came from within Zhenbei Pass, and another giant phantom appeared.

The Seven Luminaries: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Sun, Moon—these seven stars!

This Star God was only half a head shorter than the Purple Star God.

Clad in armor, holding a long spear, he was awe-inspiring.

Five glowing orbs rotated ceaselessly on his chest, like the Five Elements stars in the sky, constantly interchanging.

His eyes shone brightly, sparkling with the light of the sun and moon!

Zhenbei Pass had five hundred thousand elite troops.

The Disciples of the two Great Abyss sects present, along with the members of the Dao Alliance and the surrendered forces gathered along the way, could also gather over two hundred thousand Core Formation cultivators.

Moreover, Song Xianer's method of array formation was clearly more sophisticated; she not only incorporated Core Formation cultivators into the array.

She also included eighty thousand Rank Seven Yao Beasts and nine thousand Rank Six Yao Beasts into the array.

Nine thousand Rank Six Yao Beasts, this was comparable to nine thousand Nascent Soul cultivators!

The inclusion of these Yao Beasts made the power of the Purple Star Grand Formation three-tenths stronger than that of the Seven Luminaries Grand Formation!

What's more, there was also the Blood Qi power of the Human Race's five million troops providing enhancement!

The Blood Qi power of a single person might be minuscule, but the Blood Qi power of five million troops, when unleashed, would definitely be immense.

Under the combined enhancement of various factors, the Great Abyss's Purple Star God was clearly much stronger in Aura than the opponent's Seven Luminaries Star God.

Seeing the Seven Luminaries Star God appear, the Purple Star God slowly spoke.

The voice was vast and ethereal, yet it was Qianqiu's voice:

"I, the Empress of the Great Abyss, face external enemies today. All my subjects under heaven, quickly lend me a hand!"

As soon as Qianqiu uttered these words, the common people of the Great Abyss, from peddlers and porters to princes and generals, all felt a stirring in their hearts and simultaneously raised their left hands.

The moment they raised their hands, the common people felt that most of the Spiritual Qi in their bodies was instantly consumed.

The ordinary people of the various nations subdued during the Fu Long Court, who had not yet had time to cultivate the Mortal Method, felt a sense of weakness.

It seemed as if most of the strength in their bodies had been drawn away in that instant.

The power of one person is minuscule, but the power of millions, tens of millions, or billions of people gathered together is extremely vast!

Endless Spiritual Qi, mixed with Blood Qi power, transformed into a Spiritual Qi storm, surging madly towards the Purple Star God.

However, as soon as the Purple Star God absorbed half of this power, there was a faint sign of collapse, which frightened Qianqiu into immediately stopping the absorption.

The method Qianqiu used was precisely a technique from the Emperor's Scripture that Gu Liangyuan had taught her.

Qianqiu knew that the reason the Purple Star God showed signs of collapse was because its Foundation was too shallow to support it in unleashing excessively high combat power. Body Integration Great Perfection was already the limit that a Rank Three Grand Formation could bear.

Qianqiu endured the heartache, dispersed the excess magical power, and then suddenly raised her hand:

"Under the heavens, there is no land that is not the King's territory!"

"Imperial Sword, come!"

As these words fell, the ground within the Great Abyss's territory trembled slightly.

Immediately after, the power of the earth veins rose, condensing into a sword-shaped phantom.

This sword had the Chu and Zhao Kingdoms as its hilt!

The Sun and Qi Kingdoms as its guard!

The seven kingdoms of North Kong, Su, Pan, Wenren, Lu, Yuan, and Qi as its blade!

Sword Gorge Pass as its tip!

Mountains formed its spine, and great rivers its blade face!

At this moment, a wisp of Purple Star Qi poured into it, adding even more majesty to this sword!

This was the Imperial Sword!

The Imperial Sword formed and slowly hovered in the air.

Qianqiu reached out and grasped it in her hand!

From the front, the sword bore the sun, moon, and stars, sparkling with light.

From the back, it displayed mountains and rivers, with a magnificent Aura!

With the Imperial Sword in hand, Qianqiu's entire Aura changed. A grand Emperor's Qi permeated the surroundings, causing all beings to submit!

Before the two sides even began to fight, merely feeling the pressure of this Imperial Sword, the Disciples at Zhenbei Pass were already three points weaker in Aura!

"If the sovereign wishes his subject to die, the subject must die!"

"This sword is named 'Sovereign and Subject'!"

As Qianqiu spoke, her movements did not cease.

Imperial Sword Qi surged madly, pouring into the Imperial Sword!

The Son of Heaven's Sword glowed with golden light, its blade tearing through the air towards the Seven Luminaries Star God, aiming to cut off its head!

Feeling the incoming sword strike, the Disciple controlling the main formation at Zhenbei Pass felt a moment of trance, and suddenly a sense of submission arose within him.

At the crucial moment, the five stars on his chest flashed, restoring clarity to his mind.

However, by the time he reacted, the Imperial Sword had already reached his face.

With nowhere to dodge, he gripped his spear with both hands and placed it in front of his chest, attempting to block Qianqiu's attack with it.

Clang!

As soon as he finished, the Imperial Sword swept horizontally!

Both the Imperial Sword and the long spear were phantoms.

When they collided, however, the sound of clashing metal rang out!