The Wu Clan was retreating, but they soon began to encamp outside the Endless Forest. More and more Wu Clan members were gathering from all directions of the Endless Forest.
Under the starry night.
Lei Dong was still seriously injured and hadn't recovered. Even with a large amount of medicinal herbs, it might take two or three years to fully recover from such injuries and dispel the deathly aura clinging to his body from being contaminated by the Heaven-Piercing Coffin. At this moment, he was kneeling in worship towards a bonfire. Behind him were many of the Wu Clan's High Priests and Priests, and around them stood the totems of these tribes.
As everyone chanted incantations, the flickering flames gradually formed the pattern of a firebird. This firebird, vivid and lifelike, soared and cried out towards the night sky. After soaring in a circle, it formed a diagram array, swirling in the air.
"Reporting to the Honored Elder."
Lei Dong knelt on one knee, his head lowered in shame. "In the battle of the Azure Cloud region, this lowly one was defeated. This lowly one underestimated the Azure Cloud region, underestimated the Azure Cloud region Li family. They..."
Before he could finish speaking.
A flash of fire streaked from the diagram array towards Lei Dong. He didn't dare to resist in the slightest. Smoke and dust rose from his chest, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. Now it was even better; it would take at least four or five years to fully recover.
Lei Dong disregarded his injuries and struggled to his feet. The surrounding High Priests and Priests were trembling with fear. He knelt in worship and said, "Honored Elder, this lowly one needs assistance. The Azure Cloud region Li family is extraordinary. They have a woman named Li Yaoqing, who is about to break through to the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation of Nascent Soul. The Li family's old ancestor, whose name is Li Dalong, cultivates the path of deathly aura, commands zombies and dead souls, and is likewise a peerless genius who had endured the Nine-Nine Nascent Soul Tribulation."
This time, the diagram array did not inflict any punishment. Lei Dong's expression was solemn. "These two possess extraordinary talent. If they are allowed to reach the Divinity Transformation stages, they will surely become a grave threat to our Divine Bird Totem in the future. Now that the Azure Cloud region is our Wu Clan's land, it will not provoke the powerhouses of the Azure Dynasty. I request that the Honored Elder send elders to eliminate them!"
A moment later.
Lei Dong stood atop an ancient tree, gazing at the vast sea of stars at dawn. He sighed, "The Honored Elder is also so cautious towards the Li clan. To deal with a mere small clan, they've even dispatched three elders?"
"Brother Dalong, I originally admired heroes, but you repeatedly refused to heed my advice. Forgive me for being despicable this once; I can no longer fight you fairly."
...
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
By this time, almost all of the Azure Dynasty's county cities on the southern border had been occupied by the Wu Clan. The Wu Clan members began to change the land in these counties; some had even started a year ago. It was difficult to find any trace of the Azure Dynasty's people anymore. And on the southern border of the Azure Dynasty, the Azure Cloud region, which still retained some of its former appearance, was so conspicuous.
Every day, cultivators still flew to the Azure Cloud region on their swords. If they were rogue cultivators, they didn't fear being recognized. If they had a master or sect, and were righteous individuals, they would wear masks. Even if they were recognized, they would put on a show, so as not to give others an excuse to criticize them and cause trouble for their sect or family.
Every one of them had seen Li Yunbing's letter asking for help.
The Azure Dynasty had ceded territory to seek peace, losing its backbone. The Azure Cloud region was the Azure Dynasty's last backbone. They were willing to fight for the Azure Cloud region, and also willing to contribute their small efforts. If they won the battle, perhaps it would make the Emperor come to his senses. Of course, there were also those who simply fought for the sake of fighting. Fighting the Wu Clan alongside the Azure Cloud region cultivators also meant the possibility of profiting from the Wu Clan.
"Azure Cloud region..."
At this moment, two people were flying toward the Azure Cloud region on their swords. One was a young man with an ordinary appearance, and the other was clad in armor, extremely imposing. As soon as the burly man entered Azure Cloud region territory, he was stunned. "They actually held it?"
Coincidentally, a cultivator riding a tiger below, who should have cultivated some kind of "Sharp Hearing" technique, looked up and shouted, "Fellow Daoist, where are you from? Haven't you heard? Azure Cloud region won a great victory!"
Li Kuangren's eyes were filled with joy. The fist in his sleeve clenched tightly, and he exhaled a long breath, as if speaking to himself, "General Wang, you should have trusted me. My Li family still has hope; my clansmen will not be defeated!"
Wang Jinhu had already teleported down in a flash, startling the tiger-riding cultivator. His eyes were blazing.
"Tell me in detail." Wang Jinhu looked up at the sky and shouted, "Li Kuangren, don't you want to know the news about your family?"
"Hmph! I naturally know that my Li clan will be victorious, so why should I be curious?"
Ten minutes later.
Wang Jinhu watched as Li Kuangren slapped his thigh wildly, tears welling up in his eyes, shouting, "Good, good, good! All the forces have returned! My Second Uncle's brilliant plan, leading the clansmen to make the Wu Clan flee in terror, hahaha!"
"....."
Wang Jinhu waved his hand, dismissing the cultivator. He then looked solemnly at Li Kuangren. "Your Second Uncle's brilliant plan, and you said earlier that the conditions you proposed to the Emperor in court were also taught to you by your great-grandfather Li Dalong. It seems he is also not a simple person. Your great-grandfather has good methods; this time, the Li family is saved."
"Hmm?"
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