Crash!

The wine jar in Li Lingsu’s hand shattered on the ground as he stared at Asura with wide eyes, stammering:

“A-what?”

Asura’s expression remained unchanged as he repeated:

“Asura!”

The Holy Son stuttered:

“Wh-what Sura?”

Asura patiently answered:

“Asura!”

The Holy Son swallowed:

“A-what-ra?”

Asura pressed his fingertip to his brow, suddenly exerting force. Golden lacquer swiftly spread across his entire body, transforming him into a dark golden statue. Simultaneously, a blazing ring of fire ignited behind his head with a “hiss,” its high temperature dispelling the cold and bringing the sweltering heat of midsummer to the surroundings.

Crash…

The wine jars in the hands of Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, and Master Hengyuan all shattered on the ground simultaneously.

Their expressions matched the Holy Son’s perfectly as they stared blankly at Asura’s golden form.

Damn it, Number Eight is Asura?! The Buddhist Realm combined Second and Third Grade Vajra, master of both Chan and martial arts?! Chu Yuanzhen’s mind buzzed as he recalled his previous attempts to test Asura’s abilities and his show of superiority. The scholar’s face burned with embarrassment.

A-Asura? The son of the Asura King, a key member of that chaotic family… Li Miaozhen, the renowned Flying Swallow Female Hero, felt her reputation crumbling as she remembered how she and Li Lingsu had mocked him repeatedly in his presence. She wanted to roll around on the ground in shame and embarrassment.

Thud!

Li Lingsu’s knees gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

“What’s wrong?” Asura asked considerately.

“N-nothing… Number Eight, you kept your identity well hidden.”

Li Lingsu felt that at this moment, he had finally glimpsed the true meaning of Supreme Emotional Detachment. If he had already achieved that state, he could have handled this situation with composure.

Asura’s gaze carried a hint of amusement as he swept his eyes over Holy Son Li Lingsu, Holy Maiden Li Miaozhen, and Chu Yuanzhen, saying:

“I apologize for letting you witness my family’s embarrassing matters.”

The scene fell into dead silence.

Li Miaozhen’s face flushed red as she awkwardly turned away, pretending to admire the scenery.

Chu Yuanzhen lowered his head, unconsciously digging at the ground with his feet.

Li Lingsu’s mouth twitched as he forced himself to maintain an awkward but polite smile.

Too awkward, too awkward… the three of them screamed internally, their spiritual souls rolling around on the ground.

Fortunately, this poor monk didn’t speak carelessly… Master Hengyuan looked at them with pity.

Daoist Golden Lotus maintained his composure as he drank his wine, appearing completely uninvolved.

Hahaha, I’ve been waiting for this day for so long… Xu Qi’an nearly covered his mouth with his hand, but forcefully suppressed his spreading smile and raised cheeks using his Yuan-level strength.

Seeing the Heaven and Earth Society members collectively speechless and trapped in an indescribably awkward situation, Asura felt thoroughly satisfied.

In the frozen atmosphere, the Daoist Golden Lotus coughed:

“Asura is the main force in this operation to eliminate Black Lotus. Let’s review the plan again.”

Phew… Li Miaozhen and the other two exhaled simultaneously, and Chu Yuanzhen immediately said:

“The Earth Sect has moved their headquarters to Qing Province. It will be difficult for us to forcibly kill Black Lotus in Qing Province territory.”

To ease the previous awkward atmosphere, Li Miaozhen eagerly spoke:

“It depends on whether Xu Ningyan can hold back Xu Pingfeng and the Karura Tree Bodhisattva.”

Xu Qi’an took a sip of wine and gave an affirmative response:

“I have a way to hold back Xu Pingfeng and Karura Tree, but you need to seize the opportunity and ensure Black Lotus is eliminated within a quarter hour.”

Killing a Second Grade expert within a quarter hour, isn’t that too difficult… As this thought flashed through Li Miaozhen and the others’ minds, Asura spoke:

“No problem.”

No problem… Chu Yuanzhen and the others were left speechless.

The general plan had already been discussed in detail through the Book of Earth fragments. This meeting was just a brief review, and the Heaven and Earth Society quickly dispersed.

Except for Xu Qi’an, the others would secretly infiltrate Qing Province tonight. To ensure safety and avoid detection by Xu Pingfeng, Yang Qianhuan specifically brought a qi-concealing spell, while Xu Qi’an would add another layer of protection—Star Manipulation.

In the night sky, Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Li Lingsu flew on their swords, deliberately lagging behind Asura and the Daoist Golden Lotus.

Li Lingsu transmitted:

“I just remembered something…”

Chu Yuanzhen transmitted back:

“If Number Eight is Asura, then the Demon Sealing Nails in Xu Ningyan’s body can be removed. No, they’ve already been removed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so confident.”

Li Miaozhen gritted her teeth and concluded:

“That Xu fellow has been deceiving us.”

They had misplaced their trust after all.

Chu Yuanzhen transmitted quietly:

“Daoist Golden Lotus too…”

This isn’t over, we must get revenge… the three silently vowed in their hearts.

…

Xun City was the largest city on the border of Yong Province, with a canal to its south connecting to the capital in the north and Yu Province in the south.

This made Xun City an important commercial and transportation hub of Yong Province, as well as a strategic point that both armies would fight for.

After retreating to Yong Province, Yang Gong took control of this commercial metropolis and several surrounding counties, forming a line of defense that could respond to each other.

At the Xun City Governor’s Office.

In the hall, Yang Gong sat in the main chair and said to the official in the guest seat:

“Tell Provincial Administrator Yao that after I arrange matters in Xun City, I will go to Yong City.”

That official looked relieved, stood up, and bowed:

“Very well then, this official shall take his leave.”

Early in the morning, Li Mubai entered, stroking his goatee and smiling:

“That old fox Yao Hong certainly knows how to adjust to changing circumstances.”

Yang Gong took a sip of tea:

“Who among those who reach the position of Provincial Administrator is a fool? The situation in the capital has been decided. The Long Princess, no, Her Majesty and Inspector Xu are both hawks. Now, whoever dares to advocate for peace will lose their official hat.

“The peace proposal from the Cloud Province rebels was submitted by Yao Hong, and he fears retribution from Her Majesty and Inspector Xu.”

In fact, during the power transition turmoil in the capital, Yong Province also experienced a struggle for authority.

A power struggle between Yang Gong, the former Qing Province Provincial Administrator, and Yao Hong, the Yong Province Provincial Administrator.

Yang Gong was an unwavering hawk, while Yao Hong was exactly the opposite, a dove.

The conflict in strategic objectives made Yang Gong unwilling to entrust the rear to Yao Hong, fearing he might cut off supplies and reinforcements one day. As a scholar, he knew such examples were common in history books.

At the height of their struggle, Yao Hong made a decisive move by reporting the Cloud Province peace negotiations to the capital.

Later, Yongxing and the ministers agreed to negotiate peace, and Yang Gong angrily returned to Xun City to begin fortification work, preparing for the inevitable attack when the Cloud Province rebels would break the treaty.

Unexpectedly, Long Princess Huaiying and Xu Qi’an joined forces in a coup, overthrowing Yongxing from the throne.

After the news reached Yong Province, Yao Hong immediately yielded, sending people to invite Yang Gong to Yong City to plan strategy.

“How are Ciju’s injuries?” Yang Gong asked.

“Recovery is going well, there won’t be any lasting effects,” Li Mubai said.

Yang Gong felt relieved upon hearing this.

Surviving a blow from a Fourth Grade expert was due not only to Xu Ciju’s luck but also to having a good brother.

Xu Ciju possessed an impenetrable soft armor, a protective magical device made by the Bureau of Astronomy and Geography. It was this device that blocked the Fourth Grade warrior’s full-force strike.

Otherwise, a mere Seventh Grade Benevolent One would likely not even have had a chance for rescue, dying on the spot.

Given Xu Ciju’s official position and status, he wouldn’t have such a high-grade protective device.

Besides being a gift from Xu Qi’an, there were no other possibilities.

Just then, an advisor hurriedly entered the inner hall and said urgently:

“Lord Yang, scouts report that Cloud Province rebel forces are gathering at the border, advancing toward Xun City.”

Yang Gong and Li Mubai’s expressions changed slightly.

“Send the Heart Insect Division’s flying beast army to scout again… Issue orders to prepare for defending the city… Have the Assault Division’s three thousand cavalry leave the city, find a place to hide, and await orders…”

Soon after, drums thundered atop Xun City’s walls as garrison troops quickly assembled on the battlements, and militia transported defensive equipment.

In the military camp quarters, Xu Xinnian walked out of his room upon hearing the drums and gazed toward the city walls.

His face was slightly pale, appearing as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

This made Second Young Master Xu, already known for his fair complexion and handsome features, appear even more delicate and pitiful, the kind that could soften women’s hearts.

In the neighboring room, Miao Youfang and Mo Sang, who had been playing chess, also walked out.

Mo Sang cursed in the Southern Frontier language, then switched to official Chinese:

“Damn it, are the Cloud Province forces attacking again?”

Second Young Master Xu frowned deeply. The Cloud Province rebels had limited numbers; stabilizing and digesting the entire Qing Province wouldn’t be accomplished overnight.

With an unstable rear, fighting would be problematic.

Logically, they shouldn’t attack Yong Province so quickly.

The three immediately left the quarters and climbed the city walls with other soldiers, preparing for battle.

The sun gradually rose higher, moving from the east to directly overhead. Finally, the garrison troops on the walls spotted vast armies appearing on the horizon.

Spears and halberds stretched like a forest, banners fluttering fiercely.

“This… they’re going all out against us?” Miao Youfang’s expression changed.

The neat formations advanced steadily, their momentum overwhelming, with a total force of at least fifty thousand.

The main force of the Cloud Province army had all come.

This posture clearly showed their intention to take Xun City in one swift strike.

The garrison troops on the walls stirred slightly.

Soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, silently swallowing saliva, facing a formidable enemy.

The artillery troops were tense, their bodies rigid as statues.

Their fear was not unfounded. Compared to the civilians in the capital and other regions, these soldiers who had retreated from Qing Province to Yong Province truly understood the terror of the Cloud Province army.

The fierce rebel elite troops were secondary; the truly terrifying ones were the superhuman experts among the rebels.

The peerless warrior who had collapsed the walls of Dongling, and the fearsome expert who had killed the Director… these godlike figures were beyond their ability to resist.

In contrast, Xun City didn’t have a single superhuman expert.

The Cloud Province army halted slowly, just outside the range of the wall’s artillery.

Then, a single rider broke from the ranks, galloping toward the city gate.

“Ji Xuan…” Miao Youfang watched the approaching rider and gritted his teeth.