The mountain path traversed several large canyons, with strange peaks and unusual rocks jutting out, creating terrain as jagged as interlocking teeth, making reconnaissance extremely difficult. Howling winds blew year-round through these valleys. As troops turned around the mountain wall, they suddenly reached the windward side. With no shelter in any direction, several soldiers who lost their footing were blown straight to the bottom of the ravine, their fate unknown.

Of course, this was merely the beginning. This place was also known as Tiger’s Roar Valley, where nothing could be heard except the howling, roaring wind. Even two people standing face to face would have to shout themselves hoarse to communicate, let alone transmit orders up and down an entire army—it was simply impossible.

The Wei army’s solution was to take out wind-stabilizing discs, distributed to officers stationed around the troops. This method could prevent the fierce winds from impeding the army’s progress, but the rate at which it consumed spirit stones was quite astonishing.

Feng Miaojun followed beside Yun Ya, both concealed within the third division, currently waiting at Xiao Pass.

After an unknown period, blood-colored fireworks exploded in the distant sky, creating a magnificent spectacle.

This was the signal that the advance forces had successfully passed through Blade Gorge and reached the other side of Wufu Snow Mountain.

Seeing this, everyone instinctively felt half-relieved. As long as the vanguard passed through safely, they could establish defensive fortifications on the other side of the snow mountain to resist attacks and support the following troops.

The difficulty of crossing the snow mountain was instantly reduced by more than half. Whispers spread throughout the army, everyone calling the Yao people cowards for giving up such a perfect ambush opportunity.

The military officers issued repeated reprimands to suppress this wavering.

Before the entire army had passed through, many variables remained, and it was too early for complacency.

Having received the signal, the second division began advancing into the snow mountain. Feng Miaojun looked up toward the snow mountain, feeling that its calmness was spine-chilling.

A cultivator’s sixth sense was usually accurate, so an ominous premonition had already risen in her heart. She wondered if Yun Ya shared the same feeling.

She instinctively looked around but couldn’t see that familiar figure. At such a critical juncture in the battle, the State Preceptor was naturally by the King’s side. And now, with the King hidden among the troops, few knew his exact location.

So Feng Miaojun also didn’t know where Yun Ya was at that moment.

The King of Wei patiently waited for another half-hour before ordering: “Move out!”

The third division, already fully equipped and ready, finally set off toward the great snow mountain.

But before even two thousand people had entered, a red firework exploded in the distant sky!

And then, another one.

The scattered fireworks painted the sky particularly desolate and ominous. The army watching from the ground immediately grew restless.

Because that was an emergency signal from the advance team on the other side of the snow mountain—

Enemy attack!

The Yao army had finally made its move, choosing a very clever moment. The Wei army’s advance team across the snow mountain numbered only eight thousand, with over ten thousand currently crossing through Blade Gorge, and over twenty thousand still on the Xiao Pass side. Not only were their forces scattered, but the second division was now inside the great snow mountain, unable to support either end.

This meant the Snow Mountain had divided the Wei army into three parts, unable to aid each other.

However, the Wei army had contingency plans for this situation. As a series of military orders were passed down, the clamor immediately subsided. The advance team possessed formations and military equipment; their task was to withstand wave after wave of attacks, buying time for their comrades to cross the snow mountain. For every additional Wei soldier who passed through Blade Gorge, Wei’s advantage grew.

As long as the third division crossed the snow mountain, victory would be essentially secure.

This was a situation they had anticipated—the appearance of the Yao army signaled their determination to fight to the end. For the Wei army to pass through the great snow mountain, they would inevitably have to carve out a bloody path!

So the division Feng Miaojun was in receiving the order: “Accelerate forward!” The sooner they crossed the snow mountain, the sooner victory would come.

From now on, this was a race against time, with devastating consequences for the loser.

The army quickened its pace toward the snow mountain.

However, at that moment, a clear cry suddenly came from the distance. Feng Miaojun looked up to see a giant, multicolored bird emerge from the thick clouds above the snow mountain, flying toward Xiao Pass without hesitation, covering hundreds of zhang with each wing beat.

Red body, blue tail—Feng Miaojun had seen these vibrant colors in the Yao capital.

The Rainbow Luan!

For this interception battle, the Kingdom of Yao had actually sent out their national guardian beast, showing the importance they placed on this conflict.

Feng Miaojun had a premonition that this great battle was about to escalate.

Xu Guangxiang’s clear shout reached her ears: “Release arrows, shoot them down!”

She activated her divine abilities, her voice carrying for ten li. Instantly, ten thousand arrows were fired from the ground, all aimed at the Rainbow Luan.

How could it fear mortal arrows? A faint golden light surrounded its body, and even if the flying arrows reached a high altitude, they couldn’t penetrate its protective energy barrier. But at that moment, several giant crossbow carts were raised from among the Wei army, aiming and firing at it with a thunderous sound.

This giant crossbow was called the “Wing Clipper,” a powerful weapon developed by the Human Kingdom to deal with mighty beast spirits. The specially crafted bolt tips not only carried various armor-piercing and bleeding techniques enhanced by cultivators, but most crucially, they also contained a trace of elemental power!

Elemental power was extremely lethal to any creature other than a country’s cultivators.

The Rainbow Luan finally didn’t dare to be careless, carefully avoiding two bolts, but was still hit in the wing by the third. It tilted in the air and quickly descended.

Its landing point was between Xiao Pass and the great snow mountain, exactly ten li behind Feng Miaojun’s division.

“Capture it!” Angry roars rose one after another, and the army changed direction at both ends, dispatching several thousand troops directly toward the Rainbow Luan.

Killing the enemy’s national guardian beast would be a devastating blow to the Yao nation’s morale.

Feng Miaojun, however, glanced back at the crossbow carts.

She had seen Yun Ya use a bow before, with power far greater than these crossbow carts, and shooting down the Rainbow Luan should not have been a problem. But he remained hidden among the troops, not making a move.

He was wary, unwilling to display his divine abilities even in the face of such temptation.

As the Rainbow Luan landed, a figure immediately leaped down from its back, standing tall!

This person had broad shoulders and a tiger-like back, with a heroic countenance. Even facing the large army about to appear on the horizon, he remained fearless.

Beyond the forest was a gentle slope, with a vast plain behind it, and this person stood at the top of the slope, visible at a glance.

The massive five-colored Rainbow Luan crouched behind him, appearing extremely respectful.

Feng Miaojun’s eyesight far surpassed ordinary people. With one glance, she felt that figure was strangely familiar. Looking more carefully, she was greatly shocked:

Miao Fengxian!

This person was the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Yao, Miao Fengxian!

Had he gone mad? One man and one bird daring to face an army of tens of thousands? The troops here were like a tidal wave—they could swallow them without creating even a ripple!

Feng Miaojun couldn’t help but stop in her tracks.