Jun Changxiao habitually pulled open the data panel and clicked on the displayed epic mission.
The content read—
Epic Mission [Four]
Mission Details: Zhenyang Prefecture invades, Qingyang Prefecture is in grave danger. Host must lead disciples to resist foreign enemy invasion and successfully defend Qingyang City.
Mission Failure: Qingyang City is breached.
Mission Reward: ???
The core of this epic mission lay in defending Qingyang City!
“That’s way too simple!”
Jun Changxiao was quite speechless—at least give me some objectives so I know what counts as completion!
Now it was just “defend Qingyang City”!
“No, no.”
Recalling experiences from previous missions, Jun Changxiao murmured, “This mission definitely has something hidden.”
As for what was hidden, he had no way to know.
Ask the system?
As if it would tell him.
“Yes.”
The system said with satisfaction, “I appreciate Host having such self-awareness.”
“Get lost.”
Jun Changxiao rested his chin on his hand, murmuring, “Seems with an epic mission on hand, I have no choice but to participate.”
As a sect power, he could choose to close the mountain gate and not participate in secular warfare.
But now, having reached Peak Wuzong with an epic mission arriving, whether for homeland or for rewards, he absolutely had to participate.
“At least it’s defense. If it asked me to attack, that would be really screwed up.”
Jun Changxiao said.
Wait!
There was another problem!
“Epic Mission Four doesn’t give a clear timeline.”
Jun Changxiao frowned, “Can I only wait for Zhenyang Prefecture’s army to arrive, then defend Qingyang City, before it counts as complete?”
“Correct,” the system said.
Jun Changxiao scratched his head, “If Heyang Prefecture and Huayang Prefecture resist stubbornly for one or two years, won’t I be stuck at Peak Wuzong for one or two years?”
The system said, “So Host should pray they quickly choose to surrender. That way Zhenyang Prefecture will free up forces to attack Qingyang Prefecture.”
Jun Changxiao curled his lip, “Right now I’m hoping they hold out longer and give me more time to develop.”
The mission condition was to defend Qingyang City.
If Zhenyang Prefecture’s army came now, even if they defended successfully, they would definitely pay quite a price.
If the Iron Bones Sect had more time and the disciples broke through to higher levels, not only could they easily defend, but casualties would also be reduced.
……
“Kill!”
“Kill!”
On the spacious grassland of Iron Bones Mountain, a thousand Wolf Cavalry Hall members wielded Overlord Spears in their right hands, riding Hurricane Wolves as they charged forth.
Leading at the front was Zhong Yi.
This man of honor and righteousness had been selected as a Wolf Cavalry Hall member.
Because his realm was high and he trained extremely diligently, recommended by Xue Rengui, he was appointed by Jun Changxiao as Wolf Cavalry Regiment Commander.
Though he hadn’t joined the Iron Bones Sect too long ago, relying on various resources and possessing superior-grade spiritual roots, Zhong Yi had already reached ninth-rank Wushi level.
Previously wandering outside, risking his life for resources.
Who could have imagined that in such a short time, he could break through so quickly!
Zhong Yi had completely integrated into the Iron Bones Sect. If asked to enter battle, he would absolutely brave fire and water without hesitation!
Swish!
Atop the mountain peak, Xue Rengui waved his battle flag.
“Change formation!”
Zhong Yi shouted loudly, and behind him, the Wolf Cavalry Regiment members, like surging river waters, gathered together.
Viewed from above, they transformed from scattered chaos into an indestructible spear formation!
“Sect Master.”
Xue Rengui said, “This is the Single-Point Spear Formation I researched. It can ruthlessly tear through enemy defense lines.”
Jun Changxiao nodded, “Very professional.”
Xue Rengui said, “On the battlefield, I’m confident I can break any defensive formation and throw the enemy into chaos.”
His confidence stemmed from the Wolf Cavalry Regiment members’ strong cultivation, high coordination, and excellent equipment. Even a military formation of tens of thousands of third to fifth-rank Wutu, they could kill until the enemy was thrown into complete disarray.
Jun Changxiao said, “When Zhenyang Prefecture’s army arrives, our Wolf Cavalry Hall should be able to give them quite a surprise.”
“However.”
Xue Rengui frowned, “I’m worried Bai Ruihu’s legion is equipped with Demonic Blast Crossbows. This type of weapon with enormous destructive power would cause great trouble for the Wolf Cavalry Regiment.”
Jun Changxiao waved his hand casually and produced the Demonic Blast Crossbow obtained from the Demon Penetration Hall’s evil cultivators, saying, “You mean this thing?”
Xue Rengui said, “Exactly.”
How did the Sect Master have such a thing?
“Zuiji.”
Jun Changxiao called down below, “Hold up your Solid Iron Shield. This master will shoot an arrow to test it.”
Xiao Zuiji summoned his Solid Iron Shield, saying, “Sect Master, should I activate the barrier?”
“No need.”
As he spoke, Jun Changxiao had already drawn the bowstring and loaded a Demonic Blast Arrow.
Xue Rengui’s expression changed slightly, “Sect Master, this Demonic Blast Arrow’s power is equivalent to an ordinary Peak Wushi. An iron shield absolutely cannot block—”
Whoosh—
Sect Master Jun had already pulled the trigger. The Demonic Blast Arrow instantly transformed into a stream of light that shot forth explosively.
Boom!
A thunderous sound rang out, stirring up a gust of wind.
After the smoke and dust scattered, Xiao Zuiji stood in place without moving an inch. The Solid Iron Shield blocking in front showed only scorched blackness on the struck surface.
“This…”
Xue Rengui’s face froze, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He knew the Sect Master had equipped members with quite a lot of gear, but he never imagined an iron shield could actually withstand the bombardment of a fifty-thousand-jin Demonic Blast Arrow!
Xiao Zuiji said, “Sect Master, the Solid Iron Shield should be able to endure four or five arrows.”
“Hall Master Xue.”
Jun Changxiao smiled, “If I’m not mistaken, this type of arrow with explosive capability shouldn’t come cheap, right?”
Xue Rengui said, “One costs ten thousand taels.”
“Meaning every arrow shot equals shooting a manmade spirit stone. This master doesn’t believe Zhenyang Prefecture would use them like ordinary wooden arrows just for fun,” Jun Changxiao said.
“Impossible.”
Xue Rengui said firmly, “Even higher-ranked prefectures wouldn’t use them like wooden arrows just for fun—the cost is too high.”
“So with Wolf Cavalry Hall members having Solid Iron Shields, can Demonic Blast Crossbows still cause trouble?” Jun Changxiao asked.
“No.”
Xue Rengui completely relaxed.
With shields of such high defense, it would only allow the highly mobile Wolf Cavalry Regiment to display even greater combat effectiveness!
“Furthermore.”
Jun Changxiao said, “If they really dare bring out Demonic Blast Crossbows, this master guarantees they won’t have a chance to fire—instead, they’ll explode in chain reactions first.”
“Chain explosions?” Xue Rengui looked puzzled.
“Hall Master Li.”
Jun Changxiao said, “Show Hall Master Xue the training results of your Fine Rain Hall members recently.”
“Yes.”
Li Luoqiu snapped her fingers.
Two Fine Rain Hall members who had prepared long ago crouched in the distance, setting up the AWM sniper rifles before them.
After simple calibration, they decisively pressed the triggers.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Faint wind-breaking sounds rang out!
Two streams of light flew at extreme speed, striking rocks in the distance the size of fists with perfect accuracy, shattering them instantly!
Seeing this, Xue Rengui’s eyes widened.
The distance between those two disciples and the rocks was at least five hundred-plus zhang (around 1,500 meters). To accurately hit the stones was simply formidable!
“Click-click!”
The two members pulled the bolts to chamber rounds.
Li Shangtian walked over and casually tossed two rocks into the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
During their descent, bullets shot out again.
Bang!
Bang!
Both rocks were instantly shattered.
“…”
Xue Rengui’s mouth twitched violently.
To accurately shatter rocks in flight so precisely—far too accurate!
“Hall Master Xue.”
Jun Changxiao smiled, “If we position Fine Rain Hall members in hidden locations and the enemy brings out Demonic Blast Arrows, wouldn’t that be the same as collective suicide?”
Xue Rengui mentally pictured enemy soldiers en masse setting up Demonic Blast Crossbows, loading Demonic Blast Arrows, only to have the arrowheads struck by tiny streams of light.
This… would definitely be a massive chain explosion!
“Sect Master.”
Xue Rengui said seriously, “If they dare display them, they’re absolutely digging their own graves!”
Jun Changxiao said, “If our Iron Bones Sect disciples’ strength improved a bit more—say, all broke through to Wushi level—do you think we’d have confidence defending Qingyang City?”
All break through to Wushi?
With over 2,500 disciples, if they truly all reached Wushi level, it would form incredibly terrifying combat power!
Xue Rengui, based on his experience as a general, replied, “Absolute certainty!”
Jun Changxiao thought silently, “Heyang Prefecture and Huayang Prefecture had better stall for a while—until the medicinal materials for refining Wushi Pills mature.”
They didn’t need too long—about twenty days would do!