Translator: CinderTL
"Whoosh!"
In the sky above, dozens of sword lights tore through the clouds, piercing the void as they sped toward the capital of the Great Shang.
At this moment, a sword light swiftly approached.
"True Inheritor Zhou! Why are we retreating to the capital!? With thirty-three Core Formation Great Cultivators and you leading us, how can we retreat without a fight against the traitor who poses the greatest threat to our sect? If this gets out, how will our Chiyang Sword Sect maintain its dignity?"
Before the person arrived, their Divine Sense did.
"Bai Fei."
Zhou Wu Gou saw the figure that appeared after the sword light.
Clad in white, she looked valiant and extraordinary, but her expression was cold and stern, her gaze as sharp as a sword. Anyone who met her eyes felt as if they were being cut by a blade.
She was the strongest Golden Core cultivator below the three True Inheritors of the Chiyang Sword Sect! Back when she competed with him for the position of True Inheritor, if not for her Mystic Treasure being slightly inferior, the outcome might have been different.
Now, she was making a move...
Clearly, she was unwilling and wanted to challenge his authority as the True Inheritor.
"Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit! According to the reports from the front, that traitor managed to break through a Battle Formation composed of ten Core Formation cultivators single-handedly. His strength is not much inferior to that of the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy from back in the day. Such a formidable opponent deserves our utmost attention!"
Zhou Wu Gou spoke in a deep voice, "If we lead our forces to engage him and fight in formation, we can certainly defeat him, but how many sacrifices will that entail? Rather than that, it's better to rely on the capital's defensive formations. With the power of the formations, we can trap him with no escape."
"Formations? Ridiculous!"
Bai Fei snorted coldly, "The formations are set up in the capital and cannot be moved. If that traitor doesn't attack the capital, what good will it do even if the formations can unleash Nascent Soul-level power under your control? Are you just going to sit back and watch as the Taixu Sword Sect roams freely in our Chiyang Sword Emperor's territory, hiding in your turtle shell and doing nothing?"
"Li Chunjun's mother is in the capital. If he doesn't attack the formation, we'll refine and kill her right in front of him! We'll force him to attack!"
Zhou Wu Gou spoke with conviction.
"How can we, as cultivators, be coerced by others!? That traitor clearly hasn't reached his peak yet. Once he cultivates his Golden Core in the future, he will truly become unstoppable!"
Bai Fei glared fiercely at Zhou Wu Gou, "Instead of seizing this opportunity to eliminate the greatest threat to our Chiyang Sword Sect, you're hiding in the capital with the formations closed. What are you plotting!?"
At this point, she raised her voice, echoing through the void, "Zhou Wu Gou, do you still consider yourself a True Inheritor of the Chiyang Sword Sect!?"
"Insolence!"
Zhou Wu Gou roared in anger, "Bai Fei, I am the True Inheritor of the Great Shang! My strategy is not for you to question!"
"It's you who's being insolent! You're turning our Chiyang Sword Sect into a laughingstock. From now on, how will we have the face to stand in the Blue Star Minor Realm!?"
This Golden Core cultivator's voice rose sharply, "Junior Brothers and Sisters, the sect has spared no expense, offering Mystic Treasures, Nascent Soul Pills, and Mystical Powers as rewards for this traitor. This shows the determination of the higher-ups to eliminate him! Are you really willing to sit back and watch as this traitor struts around our Chiyang Sword Sect's territory like a coward, hiding in the capital and doing nothing?"
She suddenly raised her arm and shouted, "I've already gathered four Golden Core cultivators and ten True Core cultivators, ready to move! Among them is the Shadow Sword Zhan Wuji. Those who are willing to join me in hunting down this traitor and defending the honor of the Chiyang Sword Sect, follow me!"
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately caused a stir among the thirty or so Core Formation cultivators.
Being forced to retreat and defend the royal city by a mere five-member team had already left them feeling deeply humiliated.
Not to mention being called cowards to their faces.
Moreover, aside from the rewards such as Mystic Treasures, Nascent Soul Pills, and Mystical Powers, the fact that Bai Fei had gathered fourteen Core Formation cultivators and that Zhan Wuji had stepped forward had already made them somewhat tempted.
Zhan Wuji was also a strong contender for the position of True Inheritor Disciple, and he excelled in Sword Flight, with his sword speed being extremely fast.
It was precisely because he devoted most of his energy to the art of Sword Flight that his combat prowess was slightly inferior to the three major True Inheritors.
With him responsible for ambushes and Bai Fei providing frontal containment, along with the dozen or so Core Formation cultivators among them…
Why worry about not being able to surround and kill Li Chunjun, allowing the Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect to regain their pride? Immediately, a Core Formation cultivator stepped forward: "Being chased by a five-member team while we have thirty or forty Core Formation cultivators, I've lived for three cycles of sixty years and have never felt so humiliated. I can't stand this disgrace!"
Soon, other Core Formation cultivators chimed in: "Back then, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy was arrogant and domineering, but that was because he had dozens to hundreds of Core Formation cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect backing him. Li Chunjun has only four people by his side, yet he dares to invade the heart of our Chiyang Sword Sect!? Even the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy wouldn't dare to do such a thing! How dare he!? Today, I'll make sure he never returns!"
"Hiding in the royal city, letting the enemy roam freely outside, even resorting to dishonorable means to force the enemy to attack our formation!? Has our Chiyang Sword Sect really lost all face!? I can't accept this!"
In an instant, four or five Core Formation cultivators spoke up.
It was unclear whether they truly felt this way or if it was premeditated.
Their words also resonated with many other Core Formation cultivators.
Immediately, a few more stepped forward from the crowd.
Among them, someone even advised Zhou Wu Gou: "Senior Brother, let's fight! If we, with so many people, are truly blocked in the royal city by that traitor's five-member team, the face of all the Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect will be completely lost!"
However, Zhou Wu Gou's expression remained cold and stern.
He had already realized that those who had just spoken were cultivators who were close to Bai Fei and Zhan Wuji.
And Bai Fei and Zhan Wuji…
Had been colluding and sharing the same interests for three years.
Now, these people wanted to go to their deaths…
Then let them!
Let them go and clash head-on with Li Chunjun.
He would wait and act according to the situation.
If Li Chunjun fled, he would lead the pursuit in the name of the Great Shang True Inheritor, boosting morale.
If they couldn't handle Li Chunjun and suffered significant losses…
He would surely report to the sect and severely punish Bai Fei and Zhan Wuji. Thinking of taking his position as a True Inheritor Disciple!? It wouldn't be that easy!
A True Inheritor Disciple must not only have strength but also cunning and strategy.
If one can't oversee the overall situation and only knows how to charge recklessly, how can they be called a True Inheritor Disciple? "My stance is firm! Every Core Formation cultivator is a valuable asset of our Chiyang Sword Sect, and we cannot afford any losses. Elder Bai Yang's plan forced Li Chunjun out of the Taixu Sword Sect, and it has proven effective. Next, relying on the royal city and forcing Li Chunjun to attack our formation is the best way to eliminate him!"
After saying this, Zhou Wu Gou no longer looked at Bai Fei and waved his hand decisively: "Return to the city!"
He then flew toward the Great Shang royal city, leading the way.
The thirty or so cultivators by his side…
The Core Formation cultivators, who were loyal to Zhou Wu Gou, fearful of Li Chunjun's strength, naturally cautious, and reluctantly dragged into the battlefield, quickly followed him as he retreated.
In the end, only ten people truly remained! However, even with just ten, their side now had over twenty-five Core Formation cultivators.
This number surpassed Zhou Wu Gou's side, which had twenty-three Core Formation cultivators, by two.
Moreover, they would soon join forces with other Core Formation cultivators, further bolstering their momentum...
In this covert struggle between Bai Fei and True Inheritor Zhou Wu Gou, she had already gained the upper hand! Next, she would lead the cultivators to crush Li Chunjun!
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As long as they could force Li Chunjun to retreat, even if it was just making him flee, it would be a significant victory for them.
At that point, she could use this to impeach Zhou Wu Gou for cowardice and incompetence, seize his position as the True Inheritor, and take control of all the resources and benefits within the Great Shang.
Of course, there would be some risks involved.
But...
Opportunities don't just fall from the sky! If you want to rise, you must take risks!
"Junior Brothers and Sisters! Today is the day we execute the traitor Li Chunjun and uphold the might of the Chiyang Sword Sect!"
With a long cry, Bai Fei and her group transformed into streaks of sword light, heading straight for the direction of the Taixu Sword Sect.
Some of the Core Formation cultivators who had followed Zhou Wu Gou back to the royal city looked at their now-thinned ranks and couldn't help but sigh.
Where there are people, there is conflict.
Many even saw the current crisis as an opportunity to rise.
Times create heroes.
The chaos of sect warfare and the turmoil of the world were the circumstances they sought.
Few who ventured from the Immortal Cultivation World to the Blue Star Minor Realm, where the Divine Race Believers were active, were truly content to remain idle.
...
"The great roc rises with the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles in a single day!"
Bai Fei and Zhan Wuji joined forces, leading twenty-three Core Formation cultivators...
As they gathered more unsuspecting Core Formation cultivators along the way, the number behind them swelled to twenty-eight.
For a moment, Bai Fei felt an unprecedented surge of ambition.
At this moment, another streak of sword light hurriedly approached from the horizon. Upon seeing Bai Fei's group, it quickly changed direction, and a Divine Sense call for help echoed: "Senior Sister Bai, Senior Brother Zhan, Li Chunjun is too ferocious! We scattered and retreated, but he continues to pursue us relentlessly. He's already closing in behind us..."
"Perfect timing!"
Bai Fei shouted.
Seeing the streak of sword light indeed chasing the cultivator from the horizon, she immediately commanded, "Enter the formation! Join us and let's kill this traitor!"
"What about True Inheritor Zhou? Li Chunjun is extremely powerful, his sword strikes are beyond what we True Core or Golden Core cultivators can withstand! We need Senior Brother Zhou to engage him directly to give us the chance to set up the formation for a decisive strike!"
The Core Formation cultivator looked around anxiously.
"Zhou Wu Gou won't make it in time! Hurry and join the formation! We already have thirty people in the formation, and with you, it's thirty-one. This surpasses the group Zhou Wu Gou has with him. How could we fail to surround and kill a mere Li Chunjun!?"
Zhan Wuji interjected.
The Core Formation cultivator wanted to say more, but Li Chunjun was getting closer and closer. With no other choice, he could only plunge into the battle formation of Bai Fei and the others.
"On the battlefield of Great Shang, all the capable warriors of our Chiyang Sword Sect have gathered by our side. This battle is one that will determine the fate of Great Shang's territory! Today, let us unite our strength and slay the traitor Li Chunjun here!"
Bai Fei shouted, boosting morale, and then rallied everyone to boldly face the sword light that showed no intention of retreat.
"One person dares to charge into our battle formation of thirty-one Core Formation experts!?"
Beside her, Zhan Wuji's eyes were sharp, his entire body surging with Qi: "Who do you think you are!? Jiang Lingyun!? For me..."
"Boom!"
A giant sword tore through the sky!
A terrifying giant sword, filled with the power of destruction, pierced through the heavens and descended with an overwhelming aura of doom, instantly shaking Zhan Wuji to his core.
Although the thirty-one of them had formed a battle formation, how much coordination could a hastily assembled team truly have?
Under the Sword Intent, the first dozen or so Core Formation experts were all mentally shaken by this destructive force, their faces filled with terror.
Just as their Essence Qi was being suppressed and annihilated by the Sword Intent, Li Chunjun's figure, riding his sword like a meteor, crashed into this formation, which, despite its numbers, was even less coordinated than the previous battle formation.
(End of the Chapter)
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