6: The dashing son of the sect leader (The End)

Time passed quickly.

Four years soon flew by.

Over these four years, Li Yun's cultivation progress was extremely slow.

Relying solely on the resources within the Qingyun Sect was completely insufficient to support the enormous cost of his Spirit Transformation Realm Cultivation.

Lacking Cultivation resources, he was stuck at the Fourth Level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

During these four years, he and Jiang Yiyi had a son and a daughter.

The boy was named Li Chaoyang.

The girl was named Li Xiyue.

Watching the two little ones chasing and playing in the courtyard, Li Yun rarely felt such peace.

In this life, the evaluation should probably not be too bad.

It was just, how should he solve the resource problem?

If his cultivation remained stagnant, the final settlement evaluation would also be affected.

At the dinner table, Jiang Yiyi placed a piece of meat on Li Yun's plate, and seeing his distracted look, she asked softly.

"Husband, are you worried about something recently?"

Li Yun snapped out of his thoughts, took a mouthful of rice, and suppressed his irritation.

He sighed.

"The Empire is not peaceful. Prince Zhenbei in the north has rebelled."

"War is coming again."

"I just hope the flames of war don't spread to our area."

Jiang Yiyi's expression also dimmed.

"I hope the Empire can quell this quickly."

In a chaotic world, everyone's wish was this simple.

Another year passed.

The wish fell through.

The situation in the Shenwu Empire did not stabilize; instead, it became even more volatile.

Prince Zhenbei's army was unstoppable, sweeping south with irresistible force.

The Shenwu Empire subtly showed signs of being unable to resist.

The flames of war, in the end, still spread here.

Tianxing City, where the Qingyun Sect was located, was forcibly requisitioned by the Shenwu Empire.

The entire city was placed under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Legion.

All Cultivators, whether willing or not, had to be conscripted into the army.

Li Yun was at the Fourth Level of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

He was undoubtedly a master.

He had no choice; he was directly dispatched by the army and sent to the front lines.

On the day of departure, Jiang Yiyi did not cry, but with reddened eyes, she repeatedly urged him to be careful and make sure to return alive.

The two children clung to his legs, crying incessantly.

"I... must come back alive."

"At home... someone is waiting for me."

Despite his extreme reluctance, Li Yun eventually left.

This departure lasted ten years.

Ten years was a long time.

And also a short time.

The battlefield was the best whetstone, yielding far greater gains than mere arduous Cultivation.

Over the decade, Li Yun tempered himself through repeated life-and-death struggles.

Fighting, killing enemies.

Cultivating.

He used military merits to exchange for every resource he could get, frantically raising his cultivation.

Now, he was already at the Ninth Level of Spirit Transformation Realm.

With deep military merits, he also held considerable prestige and fame on the front line.

He also commanded an elite force of several thousand men, becoming a General.

The civil unrest in the Empire was finally nearing its end.

Inside the military tent.

"General, a report from headquarters!"

A Personal Guard at the First Level of the Spirit Transformation Realm quickly walked in and handed over a military order.

"We are ordered to immediately proceed to Luoyun Slope to launch a surprise attack on Prince Zhenbei's right flank vanguard."

Li Yun unfolded the military order and read the contents.

A rare look of joy appeared on his face, and he let out a long breath.

It was finally going to end... This surprise attack concerned the trajectory of the entire war.

As long as the raid succeeded, he could retire from the army and return home.

He could achieve fame and glory, return to his hometown, go back to Tianxing City, and be with his family.

Ten years.

He was almost unable to clearly recall the faces of his wife and children.

"Moon and Sun must look like adults now, right?"

Li Yun felt a brief moment of warmth, but he quickly returned to a serious expression and spoke slowly.

"Transmit my military order!"

"The entire army is to assemble, objective: Luoyun Slope!"

Luoyun Slope.

Dust flew up on the forest path. The troops led by Li Yun were advancing along the rugged mountain road.

Suddenly, a scout ahead urgently reported back.

"General! A troop has been spotted ahead! Number unknown!"

The troop instantly stopped, and the atmosphere tensed. The soldiers immediately tightened their formation, drawing their sabers and nocking arrows.

"Has our movement been exposed?" Li Yun frowned, his gaze wary.

He gripped the battle saber at his waist. Years of experience on the battlefield made him subconsciously prepare for battle.

A white-robed figure appeared somewhat frail in the mountain wind. Murong Zhaoxue spurred her horse onward, and beneath her cold face, a hint of anxiety was hard to hide.

A few days ago, she had accidentally heard an ambiguous "rumor" that Li Yun's current trip was extremely dangerous and was likely a trap.

She had no idea what kind of trap it was or who had set it.

But the unease in her heart grew stronger, making her restless and sleepless.

She knew that although she currently held an important position, rashly interfering with military affairs was already overstepping her bounds.

But recalling the figure who was always charging at the front on the battlefield, an uncontrollable worry arose in her heart.

She was deeply in love with Li Yun; this was the deepest secret buried in her heart.

Therefore, she rushed here regardless of the consequences, hoping only to give an early warning or contribute her own strength.

Yet, facing Li Yun, she felt slightly guilty, unsure how to explain her presence, and even less daring to reveal the vague yet potentially fatal news.

Soon, the figures of that troop became clearly visible.

Li Yun spotted the white-robed figure at the very front of the troop immediately.

His heart skipped a beat.

"Murong Zhaoxue?" he blurted out.

The white-robed figure rode forward, her face cold and aloof. It was Murong Zhaoxue, the Heavenly Pride of the Shenwu Empire.

"General Li, I trust you are well." Murong Zhaoxue reined in her horse, her voice as cold as ever, though a hint of panic could be detected upon closer listening.

The moment her gaze met Li Yun's, she quickly shifted it away, avoiding direct eye contact.

Li Yun breathed a sigh of relief, then felt suspicion rise.

"General Murong, why are you here?"

He stepped forward a few paces.

"This mission is highly classified; only we should know the marching route."

Murong Zhaoxue smiled faintly, her eyes cunning yet slightly evasive. She knew her arrival was ill-timed and that she couldn't explain the ambiguous "rumor," so she could only use her official authority to cover it up.

"I am here by confidential order from my superiors to provide support. As for the specifics, I cannot disclose them."

Her words were perfunctory, carrying the unquestionable authority of a superior, yet they struck Li Yun as odd. Beneath that authority, something seemed to be deliberately hidden.

Li Yun felt confused. The "secret" nature of this mission seemed less than strict, and Murong Zhaoxue's appearance was also suspicious.

But he didn't dwell on it. With war at hand, having extra strength was always a good thing.

"In that case, thank you, General Murong. More hands mean more strength, and the chances of victory in this battle have increased."

He cupped his hands in salute.

Murong Zhaoxue nodded slightly, her gaze resting on Li Yun with a hint of scrutiny and a profound meaning that others couldn't decipher.

"The battlefield is dangerous, General Li. Please be careful in everything you do."

Every word she spoke carried a heavy warning.

Li Yun said no more and led his people forward. Murong Zhaoxue's troop also merged with theirs.

The cover of night was the best disguise.

Before long, the sound of hooves and rolling carriage wheels came from the valley floor.

They had arrived.

Li Yun made a gesture.

When most of the enemies had entered the ambush circle, he fiercely waved his hand.

"Kill!"

Cries of battle shook the heavens.

Countless arrows and magical techniques rained down, covering the enemy forces below.

The surprise attack was highly successful.

Prince Zhenbei's vanguard was caught completely off guard, and their formation instantly fell into chaos.

Li Yun drew the battle saber from his waist and was the first to charge down.

Where the saber light passed, heads rolled.

Murong Zhaoxue followed closely behind, her long sword dancing. Sword Qi crisscrossed, and every strike precisely harvested an enemy soldier's life.

Her gaze was fixed on Li Yun's location, and whenever a straggler approached him, her sword would strike a step ahead, slaying them.

The scale of victory began to tip in their favor.

"Brothers! Kill! Shenwu must win!"

"Our families... are waiting for us to return!"

"Victory... Strive to live!"

The soldiers roared; every one of them was incredibly excited.

Every one of them understood that if they won this battle!

They could retire from the army, achieve glory, and return to their hometowns!

They could reunite with the families they had been separated from for so long!

Just as they were about to completely annihilate the enemy forces.

A sudden change occurred.

Large numbers of troops suddenly poured out from both ends of the valley.

A dense, dark mass.

They carried Prince Zhenbei's banners.

They were surrounded.

"What is going on!"

"Where did all these enemies come from!"

"Who leaked our movements?!"

Feelings of despair began to spread through the army.

This was a trap.

A trap specifically aimed at them.

The situation instantly reversed.

The battle turned into a one-sided slaughter.

"We... it seems we can't go back..."

Li Yun's Personal Guards fell one after another.

"General! Hurry and leave!"

"We will cover your retreat!"

Li Yun's eyes turned red.

Leave?

Where could he even go?

He roared, and the aura of the Ninth Level of Spirit Transformation Realm fully erupted as he met several enemy masters.

His saber broke.

He used his fists.

His arm broke.

He used his teeth to bite.

But there were too many enemies.

A long spear pierced through his chest.

Intense pain surged through him.

His strength was rapidly draining away.

He collapsed.

As his consciousness blurred, Murong Zhaoxue's figure rushed over. She was covered in blood, but she still stood tall.

She glanced at Li Yun, who was lying in a pool of blood, her eyes filled with complex emotions: anger, unwillingness, and deep resolve. She knew that the so-called "rumor" had ultimately come true.

"General Murong! Don't worry about me!" Li Yun shouted with difficulty.

She ignored him, merely signaling to a few nearby soldiers with her eyes.

"Protect him!"

Then, she turned without hesitation, her long sword emitting a mournful hum, erupting with an unprecedentedly powerful Sword Intent.

Her figure was as fast as lightning, charging toward the most concentrated area of the enemy forces.

That was the location of the enemy commander.

"Kill her for me!" Enemy masters saw Murong Zhaoxue's intent and roared as they lunged at her.

Murong Zhaoxue, by herself, held off several enemy Spirit Transformation Realm masters.

Her sword light was like snow, and every strike brought forth a spray of blood.

"Li Yun... at least... you must live..." Blood spilled from the corner of her mouth as she whispered to herself. In this moment, her cold mask completely shattered, leaving only a heart full of tenderness and resolve.

A violent explosion rang out; it was the sound of Murong Zhaoxue self-destructing her Spirit Core.

The savage spiritual energy shockwave swept in all directions, completely engulfing the enemy troops surrounding her and herself.

Excruciating pain.

Endless, agonizing pain.

Li Yun's consciousness gradually faded... [Host's second life, complete.]

A cold voice sounded in his mind.

[Evaluating...]

[Evaluation: Green One-Star.]

[Reward: 70 Reincarnation Points.]

[Please allocate attribute points for the next life.]

Aptitude: 0

Comprehension Ability: 0

family background: 0

Luck: 0

"Aptitude, maxed out! family background, maxed out! Comprehension Ability, also maxed out! Luck? Whatever."

Li Yun's voice carried exhaustion and unwillingness.

[Attribute allocation is as follows:]

[Aptitude: 30]

[family background: 20]

[Comprehension Ability: 15]

[Luck: 5]

[Allocation complete. The third life begins.]