Free Web NovelChapter 1334: Chapter 516: Empress: Sorry, My Stats Surpass Yours!
On the Observatory, there were two "heavy weapons" stationed—
One was the Heavenly Observation Mirror used for divining the fate of the nation, and the other was the Demon Extermination Crossbow that struck terror into the hearts of the Demon Clan.
Years ago, in order to combat the Southern Barbarians, the Great Yuan dispatched all its elite troops, leaving the Capital City’s defenses vulnerable, thus providing an opportunity for the Demon Clan.
In no time, chaos reigned as demons and strange creatures ran rampant, plunging Tiandu City into deep water and scorching flames.
These demons were cunning and excelled at disguise, making it difficult even for those nearby to distinguish friend from foe. Some even replaced a First-rank Official of the current dynasty, causing grievous harm!
Seeing the nation’s society on the brink of collapse, the court teamed up with Wuwan Temple to set up the Eightfold Exorcism Array to consolidate national fortune and discern demons.
The then Director of the Military Equipment Supervision, Zou Jiansu, the Ultimate Venerable of the Art of Craftsmanship, could not bear to see the people suffer. He poured his life’s work into creating the Demon Extermination Crossbow, a weapon of destruction connected to the City Defense Array. Should it detect demon energy, it would activate automatically, drawing on the nation’s fortune to suppress and slay demons.
When the array was completed, golden light rained down over the Capital City. Thousands of demons perished instantly, and even Great Demons in the Grandmaster Realm could not escape death!
However, this was only the limit of the Demon Clan, not the Demon Extermination Crossbow.
It is said that at full power, the Demon Extermination Crossbow could even confront an Ultimate Venerable!
Even though the Demon Clan later devised the ’Evil Suppressing Jade’ to hide their demon energy, they only dared to send Transcendence Realm demons to infiltrate the Capital City. As for Great Demons, they at most split a wisp of their Divine Soul to attach to someone, while their true body dared not take a single step into the Capital City.
"The Demon Extermination Crossbow hasn’t activated for nearly ten years; why now, at this critical juncture... could it be that the Demon Clan is targeting Ling Yishan?"
The Demon Suppression Department was originally established to combat demons, and over the years, they had slain countless demons, becoming a thorn in the side of the Demon Clan. It was understandable for them to take the risk to stop Ling Yishan from rebuilding his Dao Foundation.
Rumble—
The mechanism roared, the pavilion rotated, and the hundred-zhang-high platform transformed into an enormous crossbow.
The star discs at both ends shot forth radiant light, connecting to form a bowstring. The ground beneath trembled violently, and countless golden lights surged forth, coalescing into arrows in the air.
The star disc served as the mechanism, the Yuheng as the string, the arrows forged from Taiyin Geng Metal, altering the colors of heaven and earth—this was the true power of the Demon Extermination Crossbow!
The bowstring gradually tightened, the golden light grew more intense, and the overwhelming killing intent chilled one to the bone!
"Even if they want to stop the formation of the Alchemy Pills, this commotion is far too excessive..."
Qi Chengze frowned deeply, feeling somewhat puzzled.
With the Daoist Venerable and several Grandmasters stationed at the Capital Camp, unless the Demon Lord resurrected, they could gain no advantage, especially with the killer weapon of the Demon Extermination Crossbow present... Committing such an open, high-profile assault was practically courting death.
Unless...
It was done deliberately?
Realizing this, Qi Chengze broke into a cold sweat, disregarded his physical weakness, and flew towards the training field.
"Not good!"
"They intend to use our weapon against us!"
...
...
On the training field.
Ji Hongxiu’s breathing was slightly labored, and fragrant sweat trickled down her temples.
Over the past ten days, she had to withstand the tribulation while maintaining a steady output of Alchemy Fire to ensure the Furnace Tripod wasn’t affected. Even for a Supreme, the mental strain was taxing.
Fortunately, the Alchemy Pills remained unaffected.
Inside the Furnace Tripod, the pill embryo had grown from the size of a sesame seed to a broad bean, pulsating rhythmically like a heartbeat.
A mysterious aura continuously gathered towards the Furnace Tripod, and the color of the pill’s shell was transitioning from profound black to pure white.
"The pill embryo has formed and begun autonomously gathering Innate Dao Rhyme. This marks the completion of the second stage."
"Next, it’s crucial to maintain a gentle flame to refine, allowing the pill embryo to fuse with the Great Dao and ultimately become a fully-formed pill."
Compared to the first two trials, this final stage carried almost no risk. As long as there were no accidents, the pill stood a good chance of forming!
Yet at that moment, the dissipated tribulation clouds reconvened, the lead-gray clouds were dense, filled with greenish-brown Thunder Juice interspersed with hints of flame light.
"..."
Ji Hongxiu’s eyelid twitched, "Green Gang Li Fire Thunder?!"
The pill hadn’t even emerged, and yet two heavenly tribulations had occurred consecutively—such occurrences were unprecedented even for her.
"You think I wouldn’t recognize you just because you changed your disguise? Pulling tricks now, are you!"
Ling Yishan glared, clenching his teeth angrily, "You damned thieving heavens, I’ve swallowed my pride for all these years just to find a way out, and you’re really going to kill me off completely? I’ll curse you and your ancestors... cough cough..."
Overcome with emotion, his injuries flared up, causing a violent cough, a trace of blood seeping from his lips.
Ling Ningzhi hurriedly supported him, reassuring, "Grandfather, don’t worry, with the Master’s presence, everything will be fine..."
As soon as she spoke, harsh sounds of breaking the air came from afar, and dozens of dark shadows flew towards the training field.
"Who goes there?!"
The Yulin Army Commander, Guo Xiaoyong, took a step forward, shouting loudly, "This is a forbidden zone; intruders will be executed without mercy!"
The approaching figures seemed oblivious, closing the distance swiftly.
"Hmph, courting death!"
Guo Xiaoyong’s eyes turned cold; he snatched a spear from someone beside him and twisted his body, hurling it fiercely at the lead figure.
Swoosh—
The spear shot forward like an arrow, reaching the target in an instant.
The person raised a hand, firmly catching the spear shaft, the blade inches from their throat yet unable to advance further. However, the immense force carried by the spear caused them a momentary pause, and the fierce wind blew away the hat obscuring their face.
