Infinite Professions

Chapter 434: Chapter 223: The Three Sides (Part 2)

Bypassing formidable passes and venturing into the enemy’s heartland is a military taboo; one wrong move could lead to total annihilation of one’s forces.

Xiao Ye felt quite helpless about this, and ultimately had to dispatch ten thousand state soldiers, led by a trusted general, to besiege Huangshan Pass, ensuring a safe retreat.

But this division left him with only twenty thousand troops to take Qinghe Port Water Village and Qinghe County Town, which was simply wishful thinking.

Although the Jinling Prefecture was still operational behind him, and there would be a continuous supply of provisions and reinforcements, those would also take time.

Despite the fact that from an overall perspective, his time was not pressing, and the longer it dragged on, the more favorable the situation became for him, he had an inexplicable sense of unease urging him to settle the battle swiftly.

He didn’t know where this unease came from.

The current situation was indeed helpless; all three strategic passes were difficult to assault, and he could only hope for the army of Jinyang to defeat the enemy, or... a battle of the deities.

The world has rules, Yin and Yang are distinct; deities must not interfere excessively in the mortal realm, or else heavenly punishment would descend.

Even for mundane matters, this is true, let alone military conflicts; even a Third-Rank Great God would not dare to slaughter mortal armies, lest they face divine retribution — thunder would strike, eradicating them.

But not being able to slaughter mortal armies doesn’t mean deities can’t dictate the course of the battle.

Soldiers face soldiers, generals face generals, deities face deities!

In this world, the Divine Dao is ultimately supreme.

As long as Qingping Temple and Donglian Temple can fulfill their promise to eliminate Song Xiang, this battle will soon conclude; without deities supporting from behind, the Song Clan and Li Clan are mere chickens and dogs.

Thus, the current strategy is three-pronged: One army directly attacks Qinghe, another performs a surprise raid on Jinyang, while deities engage in a fierce battle in the Underworld.

Any breakthrough in these three fronts would bring him tremendous advantage, potentially determining the entire battle.

But which of these three fronts can actually break through?

Xiao Ye furrowed his brows, speechless.

At this moment...

"Report!"

A soldier entered the tent: "Outside the camp stands a Daoist, calling himself Qingxuan, requesting an audience with Your Highness!"

"Oh!?"

Xiao Ye’s eyes lit up: "Quickly invite him in!"

...

Moments later, a person entered the tent, youthful yet refined, exuding an aura of immortality—Daoist Qingxuan.

"This humble one, Qingxuan, pays respect to Your Highness!"

Qingxuan bowed with utmost courtesy.

"No need for formalities, Daoist!"

Xiao Ye stood and gently aided him to rise, his respect evident.

The officials and generals in the tent observed in silent frowns, but knowing the Daoist was extraordinary, they refrained from speaking.

"I’ve long heard of the Daoist’s name; meeting you today proves your reputation well-deserved!"

Xiao Ye humbled himself, enquiring: "With your visit, what guidance do you offer?"

"As cultivators, we follow celestial will and aid humanity; this time, it is to assist Your Highness in pacifying Jinyang."

Qingxuan smiled, revealing his purpose, yet remained enigmatic: "However, the secrets are not for six ears..."

With this, his gaze swept the surroundings.

"Hmm!?"

The officials and generals were puzzled, eyebrows furrowed.

"This..."

Xiao Ye pondered briefly, then decisively acted, dismissing the officials and generals: "Everyone, return to your posts."

"Your Highness!"

"No need to argue!"

Xiao Ye firmly commanded; though reluctant, the others dared not oppose, leaving reluctantly.

Finally, only Xiao Ye, Qingxuan, and Guo Xiu remained in the tent.

Xiao Ye explained further: "Jingfu is my trusted aide!"

Qingxuan understood and went straight to the point: "The opportunity for breakthrough lies in Jinyang; I have prepared everything—once Your Highness dispatches the surprise forces, you can seize Jinyang, reform the world, and under the Court’s law and the banner of righteousness, rally the regions of Jinyang, aiding Your Highness in quelling this chaos."

"Oh?"

Xiao Ye’s eyes lit, then returned to calm: "How should I assist in this?"

Qingxuan replied solemnly: "I request Your Highness to immediately launch an assault on Qinghe County Town!"

"Hmm!?"

Xiao Ye frowned: "That is a fortified town; a direct assault would be unwise!"

"Indeed unwise."

Qingxuan’s expression remained unchanged: "But only by doing so can we lure the tiger from the mountain, prompting Li Mubai to lead reinforcements."

"Li Mubai?"

Xiao Ye furrowed his brow, contemplating the gains and losses.

Qingxuan did not conceal: "Although this person is a rebel, he is exceptionally talented, with the Celestial Halberd in his destiny. If he cannot be removed from the Prefecture City, even if Your Highness’s surprise troops attack, it will be difficult to reclaim Jinyang, and might even be completely defeated by him."

"Celestial Halberd in his destiny?"

Xiao Ye murmured, tightly furrowing his brow, eyes filled with doubt.

Witnessing this, Qingxuan refrained from speaking further, waiting in silence for a decision.

"As the Daoist says!"

Ultimately, Xiao Ye’s eyes sharpened, directly turned to Guo Xiu to issue an order: "Jingfu, convey the command to the three armies, attack Qinghe!"

"Yes!"

Without further words, Guo Xiu acknowledged swiftly and departed to execute the command.

Seeing this, Qingxuan also exhaled a silent breath of relief.

"A Hidden Dragon indeed deserves being a Hidden Dragon; his mind is truly resolute, understanding the importance of priorities, capable of decisive action!"

With this thought, Qingxuan glanced, activating the Qi Observation Skill. Above Xiao Ye, the gathering cloud of fortune faintly formed the image of a Parasol, emanating golden light, containing purple Qi, indicative of the Hidden Dragon Celestial Mandate.

The Qi of Deities, lesser gods are green, True Gods are red, Great Gods are purple.

This purple Qi within the Hidden Dragon is the power of the reincarnated Great God, now gradually revealed as the Hidden Dragon rises, not only with formidable presence but also with prowess; his Venerable Dragon Qi power makes all below Third-Rank retreat three steps.

This is merely a Hidden Dragon; should he contend for the realm, achieving the True Dragon Celestial Mandate, even Third-Rank Great Gods must bow to his authority.

This is also the main reason Qingxuan came here.

A surprise attack on Jinyang?

Certainly a brilliant move, yet it cannot ensure absolute success.

Song Xiang, borrowing the power of a grand sacrifice, likely attained Fourth-Rank Divine Position. If pressed, might resort to Burning Jade and Stone Together, even causing significant losses to our grandmaster and Donglian Temple’s Venerable Huide.

Thus, to be prudent, it’s best to swiftly aid the Hidden Dragon’s entry into Jinyang, utilizing the Hidden Dragon’s power to knock Song Xiang off the divine pedestal, only then can he be firmly subdued.

But this intricacy, it’s unwise to say much; one can only guide.

As such...

Anping County, City God Temple.

In the Underworld, three factions confront each other.

Celestial Master Qingping led the Daoist Sect Deities, Venerable Huide led the Buddhist Sect Buddhas, encircling Shen Hex and his followers.

The atmosphere was filled with murderous intent, tension palpable.

"Thunder come!"

Qingping struck first, summoning the five thunders with a palm. Instantly, the wind rose, clouds surged, heaven and earth responded with thunder.

It was none other than the Celestial Heart Five Thunder True Method of the Daoist Sect!

Thunder, the pivot of heaven and earth, bears the greatest authority, most majestic presence, most intense might, strongest power; it is the chief among all Daoist techniques.

In the Divine Dao, magical techniques are performed using Divine Power to command heaven and earth, utilizing all pathways and techniques. In his palm, the thunder truly gathers like it has a spirit, containing a Talisman, surrounded by five guardians, none other than the Five Thunder Divine General.

Such an attack, earth-shattering, aimed straight at Shen Hex, desiring to execute the Celestial Dao’s great authority to punish the opponent.

With this movement of the five thunders, it feels as though heaven and earth impose, expelling and occupying all forces of all things, all techniques and ways, entirely boosting this Thunder Technique.

Deities in battle, one relies on divine position, the other on authority.

Divine position, needless to say, relates to realm cultivation, responsible for supplying Divine Power and driving Magical Techniques and Divine Techniques.

Authority is somewhat peculiar, comprehensible as weapons, armor, Spirit Beasts, Arrays, and other external objects capable of empowering oneself, enhancing the capability of Magical Techniques and Divine Techniques.

The greater the authority, the stronger the Divine Techniques!

Originally, the greatest authority in Jinyang Prefecture belonged to the Jinyang Prefecture City God Zhou Qian, capable of commanding Jinyang Heaven and Earth, allowing sun and moon, stars, plants, mountains, rivers, wind, fire, and water to assist him, enhancing himself or suppressing adversaries.

However, now he has reincarnated, Qingping Temple and Donglian Temple seized the opportunity to snatch divine positions across various places, coupled with their accumulated strength, now Celestial Master Qingping holds half of Jinyang’s authority.

Activating the Thunder Technique now, aided by this authority, Jinyang Heaven and Earth empower him, amplifying this Thunder Technique’s might several-fold.

Fourth-Rank True God, Tier Nine existence, this Thunder Technique unleashed can be described as earth-shattering, the strongest enemy Shen Hex has encountered in his cultivation journey, the strongest force he has witnessed.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Meanwhile, Donglian Huide, unwilling to be overshadowed, similarly activated Buddhist Technique Deity Power, a blooming golden lotus, like a great sun soaring skyward, manifesting the abilities to burn mountains and boil seas, with Jinyang Heaven and Earth’s response, fortifying his magical technique, enhancing his Divine Techniques.

The Divine Dao profound and mysterious, now manifested, fully seizing the advantages of time and place.

Immortal Martial Cultivators, lacking extraordinary measures, face extreme adversity.

Yet...

"Celestial Punishment Order!"

However, Shen Hex remained fearless, directly mobilizing the authority of punishment.

Suddenly, a decree issued, like a mountain appearing, pressing upon the two divine entities of Dao and Buddhism.