Longevity Begins With Gu Refining

Chapter 162: Zhu Ning's Defeat

Not all of Nanli's land had turned into a world of metal.

There were many rivers and lakes in Liupan Kou, but only half of the ponds and lakes had turned into mercury.

This special situation prevented large numbers of Foundation Establishment cultivators from quickly turning into a world of metal and exposing them if they hid here.

After all, half of this place had turned into a world of metal in the first place.

After reorganizing the army, Jiang Xin was placed in the middle of the group. She had a Gu worm that was skilled in healing.

Her mission was to continuously transfer life force to the Foundation Establishment cultivators at the frontlines after the battle began.

She adjusted her sleeping position in the pool of water. Sleeping in ice-cold water was not too difficult for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

For the sake of cultivation, they had done even more ridiculous things.

A hand suddenly emerged from the pool of water in front of her, handing her a lotus root.

Jiang Xin took a closer look. It was Yan Chou, his face covered in mud.

Yan Chou's body was tough, so he was in charge of defence at the frontlines.

Because Yan Bailiang had used a technique to isolate probing spiritual qi, she did not know Yan Chou was hiding in front of her.

Jiang Xin received it and washed it clean.

Hmm, it seemed the water here was not very clean.

She hid under a lotus leaf and ate the lotus root in small mouthfuls.

The lotus root had been soaked in cold water at this time. It was crispy and had a hint of sweetness to it.

To cultivators who were used to eating wind and dew, this was already quite good food.

They had already been lying in ambush for three days. According to the newcomer, Lu Shenglong, this was a place Zhu Ning had to pass through. They were going to intercept and kill him here.

Jiang Xin did not know much about this, but she knew a little about one-on-one battles.

In a large-scale battle like this, she was completely blind.

She would fight however the higher-ups told her to.

Since that Lu Shenglong wielded Lord Qing Xu's sword, she would listen to him.

Only in the evening did she finally see cultivators flying through the sky.

The densely packed cultivators were like a flock of birds. They swept across the ground and cut through the clouds.

They were in charge of intercepting from the rear. There were only three hundred of them.

Their orders were to wait for the frontlines to start fighting, then suddenly charge out and intercept Zhu Ning's rear army.

However, through the water, Jiang Xin discovered that Zhu Ning's army didn't have a so-called rear army.

All kinds of cultivators were hurrying on their way in a mixed group. There was no longer any formation.

Oh right, Lord Qing Xu is keeping Floating Sky City busy, so Zhu Ning must think that our main forces are near Floating Sky City.

As such, there was no need for them to pay attention to this. Most likely, Zhu Ning was planning to adjust the group once they got closer to Floating Sky City.

Unfortunately, he had already been divined by Master.

Just as she watched these troops fly past, the wind and rain suddenly came.

A gale suddenly rose from the east and swept over.

Dense black clouds condensed in the sky, and a torrential downpour instantly fell from the sky.

Rumble!

As the thunder fell, a battle suddenly broke out in front of Zhu Ning's army!

"Kill!"

"Fellow Daoists, kill them!"

"Under the orders of the Lord Guard, Zhu Ning has obstructed us from paying our respects to God Miao. He is disrespectful to God Miao. Kill him!"

Thunderstorms were raging, and the howling winds were strong enough to uproot large trees.

The torrential rain poured down like a torrential downpour. The entire battlefield, with a radius of tens of li, had completely turned into a land of water.

This was discussed beforehand. The first thing to do was for the cultivators with wind and rain Gu to create a storm and completely change the terrain, which was more advantageous to them.

Jiang Xin's head popped out from the water, and she looked ahead curiously.

According to Lu Shenglong's orders, all those with strong physiques had to stand at the front, and fight to the death without retreating.

At this moment, she knew why Lu Shenglong dared to give such an order. Because Lu Shenglong was standing at the front alone.

He was the first to face Vermillion Bird Tribe's main force, and was baptized by a wave of fire, his entire body was charred black.

Even so, he still shouted. "Kill Vermillion Bird Tribe that disrespects God Miao!"

Countless void swords condensed into dao swords, and raged in the sky, like a storm erupting in the center of the battlefield.

In just an instant, close to twenty corpses fell from the sky.

Seeing that Zhu Ning's army was about to retreat, Yan Chou immediately jumped out. "Everyone, it's our turn!"

Three hundred foundation establishment cultivators rushed out, and pounced towards Zhu Ning's retreating army.

Jiang Xin remembered her mission, and began to wholeheartedly send the life force in her body to Yan Chou.

It was like a green dog leash was tying Yan Chou.

Yan Chou charged left and right in front of her, and continuously attacked the raging fire and wooden thorns that were sweeping towards him.

The azure dragon roared, the vermillion bird flew, and the enemy was intercepted by them for a second time, and immediately fell into chaos.

Yan Chou's spear pierced through an azure dragon phantom that was baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, and pounced towards the raging fire at the side. He waved his spear repeatedly, and extinguished the raging fire.

At the beginning, he was in a rather sorry state, but fortunately, Jiang Xin was continuously sending him life force, and he was able to endure it.

Right at this moment, the sword cultivators and archers behind them also began to exert their strength!

Countless ice arrows and flying swords flew across the sky, and began to cause damage to the enemy.

Jiang Xin occasionally caught a glimpse of an enemy, and he was instantly sliced into pieces by more than ten swords.

The army at the rear began to join in the attack, and the pressure on the soldiers at the front was greatly reduced.

Further ahead, Lu Shenglong had already led his men to kill the enemy, and began to chase after them.

The Vermillion Bird Tribe's army was instantly thrown into chaos, and no matter how much Zhu Ning shouted from the center, it was of no use.

They had only gathered an army, and had yet to experience such a devastating scene.

They were ambushed twice, and their rear army was killed twice.

A large number of cultivators only wanted to scatter and escape, and not continue to fight.

More than twenty foundation establishment cultivators were killed in a single exchange.

This fear immediately lingered in their hearts.

For foundation establishment cultivators, this was a little too strong.

Foundation establishment cultivators were high and mighty, and when had they ever been slaughtered like this?

After a long period of chaos, and after the enemy left hundreds of corpses behind, Zhu Ning finally led the Vermillion Bird Tribe's main army, and once again reorganized the army.

They began to launch an effective counterattack, but unfortunately, it was too late.

A large number of soldiers in the Vermillion Bird Tribe's army fled in panic, and hundreds of them were killed. Now, there were less than three hundred people left who could fight.

In addition to the previous casualties, the Vermillion Bird Tribe was no longer able to maintain an effective formation, and all that was left was a protracted siege.

The outcome of this battle had been decided.

"At the right time, our army fought for a day, and killed three hundred and twelve foundation establishment cultivators, one hundred and eighty-three surrendered, and about a hundred escaped."

"Zhu Ning was jointly killed by Yan Bailiang and Zhang Can. Our army has won!"

When Chen Qing heard this, a smile appeared on his face. "Finally, we won."

This battle wasn't won by a fluke.

Because it involved a very crucial point, which was that Chen Qing's army was made up of Wu Country and Dragon Elephant Tribe.

Even if Fire Country was a vassal, it was still the old Dragon Elephant Tribe.

Wu Country and Vermillion Bird Tribe were not related at all, so it was impossible for them to collude with the enemy.

Dragon Elephant Tribe and Vermillion Bird Tribe had old enmity, so it was impossible for them to collude with the enemy.

And Vermillion Bird Tribe had many Aurora Sect members.

Zhu Ning was playing a card against Chen Qing.

And Zhu Ning was completely unaware of Chen Qing's movements.

Zhu Ning didn't expect that Chen Qing would suddenly attack.

He even dared to send two hundred soldiers to interfere, which was another big mistake.

Chen Qing stood up and said: "Send a letter to Floating Sky City and bring me the heads of all Vermillion Bird Tribe's Foundation Establishment. I accept their surrender."

"Otherwise, the whole city will be slaughtered!"

Zhu Yan who was stunned finally came back to her senses. She shouted angrily: "No, impossible, you must be lying to me!"

"Brother led an army of six hundred soldiers, how could they be annihilated!"

"You must be playing a trick, trying to trick Floating Sky City."

Chen Qing said indifferently: "You are useless now."

Chen Qing continued: "I will give Floating Sky City's Foundation Establishment three days, if I don't see the heads of Vermillion Bird Tribe's Foundation Establishment by then, I will slaughter the whole city."

After waiting for two days, Chen Qing saw Lu Shenglong leading a large army towards Floating Sky City.

When Zhu Yan saw a large number of Vermillion Bird Tribe's captives, she realized that Vermillion Bird Tribe was really defeated.

Lu Shenglong held Zhu Ning's head and strode forward, offering the Big River Sword. "I did not disappoint you, I have defeated Zhu Ning, this is his head!"

Chen Qing took it with a big smile. With this victory, Fire Country would no longer have any power to resist him. The whole Fire Country would become his backyard!

Chen Qing had just taken his Big River Sword when he heard battle cries coming from all over Floating Sky City. It was the vassal Vermillion Bird Tribe's Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

What Chen Qing wanted was very simple, and that was to kill all of the Vermillion Bird Tribe's Foundation Establishment level cultivators, leaving only Zhu Yan alive, and use the Vermillion Bird Tribe's name to summon all the other tribes of the Fire Country to surrender.

Chen Qing helped Lu Shenglong. "Very good, you have done well.....

"From now on, you will be the first official general of the Li Army."

After that, Chen Qing naturally added the general position to Zhang Can, Yan Bailiang and Su Yi.

Chen Qing didn't bother with any honorific titles or whatnot. They were only at this stage. What was the use of those fancy titles?

His army was just that simple. There were three ranks: General, Commander, and Sergeant.

Once it stabilized in the future, they could then divide it further.

Chen Qing and the four generals sat in the main hall of Floating Sky City. Su Yi asked, "Lord Wei, why don't you allow us to continue hunting down the remnants of the Vermillion Bird Tribe?"

..................

Hearing this, Su Yi exclaimed, "Is this Yan Shiying's trick?"

Chen Qing said. "You can say that. But we suddenly attacked and suppressed the Vermillion Bird Tribe. I think Yan Shiying can't do anything about it."

"We have thousands of people guarding the city. With the geographical advantage of Floating Sky City, Yan Shiying can't do anything to us."

Lu Shenglong heard this and began to admire Chen Qing's foresight. His Lordship had already calculated everything.

September 21st.

Yan Shiying led eight hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators down south and arrived at Floating Sky City.

Chen Qing sat on the city wall and exchanged a glance with Yan Shiying.

They didn't say anything and just looked at each other calmly.

After a few breaths, Yan Shiying withdrew his army and returned to Wu Country.

The news of Zhu Ning's defeat spread throughout the Fire Country. Many Foundation Establishment Cultivators were anxious, afraid that Chen Qing would give the order and the army would come.

Zhu Ning's defeat made it difficult for the entire Fire Country to gather an army that could fight against Chen Qing. No one had the prestige to do so.

Chen Qing brought Lu Shenglong to the dungeon and looked at Zhu Yan who was covered in mud and was no longer noble.

Chen Qing said softly: "I heard that the Dragon Elephant Tribe and the Vermillion Bird Tribe have been holding grudges for a long time. Today, I would like to be the middleman to settle the grudges between the two tribes."

Zhu Yan glared at Chen Qing and didn't even look at Lu Shenglong beside him.

Chen Qing couldn't be bothered with Zhu Yan's attitude. "If you marry Lu Shenglong, I will spare the Vermillion Bird Tribe and your tribesmen. You can join my Li Army and be under Lu Shenglong's command."

"Three days. If you still don't agree, I will not spare anyone from the Vermillion Bird Tribe except you!"

However, what surprised Chen Qing was that Zhu Yan didn't think for long before she said: "I will marry."

Chen Qing looked at Zhu Yan. She was a woman who could endure.

Fortunately, it would be Lu Shenglong's chains and not his.

To Lu Shenglong, this was also a benefit.

If he married Zhu Yan, he would have the authority to command the Vermillion Bird Tribe and he would be able to control the large tribes affiliated to the Vermillion Bird Tribe through Zhu Yan's name.

Of course, the price was that he had to rely on Chen Qing's power.

Otherwise, Zhu Yan could bite back at any time.

"If that's the case, Lu Shenglong, I will leave Zhu Yan to you."

"I will arrange the marriage for you. This matter, I will definitely make it a big deal."

"After all, it is a marriage between two of the most powerful tribes in the Fire Country. I will definitely make it a good one."

As the news of Lu Shenglong and Zhu Yan's wedding spread throughout the Fire Country, all the foundation establishment cultivators understood.

The outcome had been decided and the overall situation was set.

The head of the Li Army who led the army into the Fire Country had completely controlled the situation in the Fire Country.

In the entire Fire Country, no foundation establishment cultivator would dare to say no to Chen Qing.

In an instant, a large number of foundation establishment cultivators set out to congratulate the marriage between the two tribes.

Zhu Yan sat in her old residence and the one who served her was still her maid.

But now, this residence had become Lu Shenglong's.

Lu Shenglong only settled her here and didn't do anything else.

They both understood that each took what they needed.

Zhu Yan clenched the teacup in her hand tightly, as if the jade cup would be crushed in the next moment. But she put it down in the end.

"Qing Xu, as long as you don't walk out of the Death World, I will still be the master of the Vermillion Bird Tribe!"

"If you are defeated in the future, I will not show you any mercy."

Chen Qing wasn't interested in Zhu Yan's little thoughts.

There were many people who wanted to kill him. She was just a little Zhu Yan who couldn't even compare to a finger of Ji Chang. Did she need to pay too much attention to her?

What he was thinking now was how to take over the power of the Fire Country legitimately.

The current power of the Fire Country, to be precise, was completely controlled by his army and the marriage between Lu Shenglong and Zhu Yan.

It was not safe. He still needed a better name to take over.

In this way, the resources of the entire Fire Country would be at his disposal.

He still needed to pay a visit to God Miao.

(End of Chapter)