Translator: CinderTL
Six hundred miles outside the capital of Star Province.
Dongfang Wu, escorted by two of his trusted aides, fled in a daze via Sword Flight.
Even now, he seemed unable to accept what had happened.
Why had they suddenly lost!? With thirty-six Core Formation cultivators forming the Dipper Calamity Dragon Formation, they could have even contended with a Nascent Soul True Lord.
But in the end…
For some inexplicable reason, the formation had been broken.
When Li Chunjun summoned his Flying Sword, Dongfang Wu had sensed it immediately and mobilized the formation's power to intercept it.
But…
The other Core Formation cultivators in the formation seemed oblivious to the Flying Sword's presence, causing the Battle Formation to slow down by a fraction.
That fraction was all it took for the Scarlet Sky Sword to pierce through unimpeded, effortlessly killing three Core Formation cultivators and creating a breach in the Dipper Calamity Dragon Formation.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Chunjun quickly expanded his advantage, causing the formation to collapse before it could unleash its full power due to the heavy losses.
At one point, Dongfang Wu had considered using the Fifth-Tier Talisman bestowed upon him by the Sect Master to strike Li Chunjun with a devastating blow.
But Li Chunjun was too agile, constantly maneuvering into the midst of the Zhou Tian Sect's Core Formation Elders, forcing Dongfang Wu to hesitate, fearing collateral damage.
As for the Tier 4 Talismans…
Li Chunjun always seemed to sense them in advance, swiftly evading them.
When evasion was impossible, he would rely on the power of his Flying Sword to cleave through the attacks, which were comparable to strikes from a Nascent Soul True Lord!
What did this mean!?
Nascent Soul-level combat power!
Li Chunjun…
had already attained combat power comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator!
At least in terms of offensive capabilities, he had reached the Nascent Soul standard!
Thus, the Zhou Tian Sect cultivators, unable to leverage the advantages of their formation, quickly crumbled.
After losing more than a dozen members, they fled in disarray toward the capital.
Li Chunjun followed the retreating Core Formation cultivators, infiltrating the capital of Star Province and systematically destroying the foundations of the Six Harmonies Linked Array, preventing the formation from fully manifesting its power.
Adding to the chaos, over thirty Core Formation cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect arrived shortly after…
A complete defeat!
The Battle of Star Province ended in a crushing loss for the Zhou Tian Sect! As Dongfang Wu gradually pieced together the events, an overwhelming sense of pain surged in his eyes: "It's all my fault!"
His face was filled with regret: "If I hadn't led everyone out to welcome An Xiu and the others, we could have at least held the capital of Star Province. Now, not only did we fail to save An Xiu and his group, but the entire Star Province has fallen…"
The two men fell into silence.
In truth, their True Inheritor had been quite cautious.
Upon learning that Li Chunjun had led the Taixu Sword Sect forces into the Zhou Tian Sect, he had immediately gathered all the Core Formation cultivators to fortify the capital.
However…
Compared to the Chiyang Sword Sect, which had faced Li Chunjun multiple times, the Zhou Tian Sect clearly had no understanding of the terror that Li Chunjun, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, could unleash.
Seeing is believing.
Without witnessing Li Chunjun's ferocity firsthand, how could these Core Formation cultivators truly admit that they were inferior to him?
Especially to a Blue Star native? Some of the Zhou Tian Sect's Core Formation cultivators had even looked forward to Li Chunjun's arrival.
They had been waiting for him to come, intending to severely wound and repel him, using him as a stepping stone to prove their own abilities.
Dongfang Wu…
had also harbored a similar thought deep within his heart.
The world praised him for his cautious nature.
But caution also meant being labeled as lacking ambition.
He, too, had been waiting for an opportunity to prove himself.
What the Chiyang Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators couldn't achieve, the Zhou Tian Sect could.
Zhou Wu Gou couldn't handle it, but Dongfang Wu could.
This was also the reason why he ultimately agreed to lead the group out of the city under the urging of many Core Formation cultivators.
But in the end...
They chose the wrong target.
They underestimated the terrifying prowess of Li Chunjun, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy.
This led to their complete defeat.
They were utterly routed.
If it weren't for the Fifth-Tier Talisman he activated at the last moment, he might not have been able to escape from the capital of Star Province.
"Li Chunjun!"
Dongfang Wu gritted his teeth: "The humiliation I suffered today, I will repay it tenfold, a hundredfold in the future!"
Just as he uttered these words, his trusted aide, who was skilled in detection and perception, seemed to sense something and suddenly narrowed his eyes as he looked behind them: "Bad news, Li Chunjun is catching up!"
Dongfang Wu was startled.
"We're less than a thousand miles from the capital of Moon Province. Let's request reinforcements from Moon Province. If we fly at full speed, we can rendezvous at the outskirts of Moon Province's capital in just a quarter of an hour!"
Another Core Formation cultivator immediately took out a Message Jade Talisman.
But almost the moment he took it out, Dongfang Wu realized something: "No!"
Then, his eyes filled with unwillingness and anger: "I finally understand why a True Inheritor Disciple like me wasn't his primary target. The principle of 'capture the leader first' is something anyone should understand, yet he deliberately let us escape the battlefield. His goal was to make us request reinforcements from Moon Province!"
His two trusted aides, who had also achieved Golden Core cultivation, thought of this as well.
But...
What could they do about it?
Could they simply not request reinforcements? Without reinforcements, facing Li Chunjun would be a certain death sentence.
"True Inheritor Dongfang, True Inheritor Hai also has a Fifth-Tier Talisman. If the two of you join forces, along with the other Core Formation cultivators setting up a formation, you might be able to wear Li Chunjun down."
One of the trusted aides said solemnly: "As everyone knows, a Sword Cultivator's Lifebound Flying Sword also suffers damage when clashing with Mystic Treasures or Spirit Artifacts. Li Chunjun broke through our Star Province and killed countless Core Formation cultivators, so his Lifebound Flying Sword must have been severely damaged. He might not be as powerful as he was at the beginning."
Dongfang Wu knew in his heart that if he accepted this reasoning, it would mean requesting reinforcements from Moon Province, which would inevitably lead to the deaths of many Moon Province Core Formation cultivators.
But...
If he didn't request reinforcements, he would surely die.
Better to let others die than himself.
In that moment, Dongfang Wu made his decision.
At the same time, the Message Jade Talisman on his person began to vibrate.
"It's the Sect Master!"
Sensing the fluctuations emanating from the Message Jade Talisman, Dongfang Wu quickly connected.
Soon, the Divine Sense of Yi Hanliu, the Sect Master of Zhou Tian Sect, came through: "Star Province is lost?"
"This disciple is incompetent..."
Dongfang Wu was filled with guilt.
But Yi Hanliu clearly wasn't here to reprimand him: "Did Li Chunjun forcefully break your Heavenly Dragon Calamity Formation?"
It seemed the Sect Master had some information, but...
It wasn't entirely complete.
"Yes!"
Dongfang Wu's mood was heavy: "Sect Master, Li Chunjun definitely has Nascent Soul-level combat power! We set up the Heavenly Dragon Calamity Formation to face him head-on, but he forcefully broke through it. That Flying Sword of his is truly unstoppable..."
"No matter how strong he is, he's still a Core Formation cultivator! Even if he has Nascent Soul-level combat power, it's only because of the unparalleled killing power of the Sword Cultivator's Dao!"
Yi Hanliu spoke with a calm tone, "However, although the path of the Sword Cultivator is indomitable, it also has significant drawbacks! Once their Lifebound Flying Sword is destroyed, it can either severely damage their foundation or even lead to instant death! And destroying Li Chunjun's Lifebound Flying Sword is easier than killing him directly!"
Dongfang Wu was slightly taken aback, "Sect Master, what do you mean…"
"Li Chunjun led his forces into our Zhou Tian Sect's territory, truly thinking that our Zhou Tian Sect has no one capable of stopping him!"
Yi Hanliu snorted coldly, "Our sect's Four Symbols True Lord has already taken command of a Flying Boat, gathering forty-nine Golden Core cultivators, and carrying our sect's top-tier fourth-grade formation banner—the Eight Desolations Dragon Locking Formation. They are heading towards your location and will arrive in Star Province within a quarter of an hour. Keep a close eye on Li Chunjun's movements, and make sure he doesn't escape. If Li Chunjun dares to come, we will ensure he never leaves!"
This Nascent Soul True Lord was clearly furious, "Does he think he can single-handedly cut through our entire Zhou Tian Sect? How arrogant!"
There is an unspoken agreement among the Nine Sects that Nascent Soul cultivators must not take direct action! However, Nascent Soul cultivators are not restricted from traveling and delivering people to the battlefield.
This is also why one side dares not venture too deeply into the territory of another.
The opposing side can use Nascent Soul cultivators to transport people, and if one is not careful, they could be trapped and unable to escape.
The last time Li Chunjun was able to move freely in and out of Great Shang was ultimately due to the short time frame, catching the Chiyang Sword Sect off guard, and the situation quickly deteriorated to the point where even mobilizing the entire sect's available forces could not reverse the outcome.
But the Zhou Tian Sect is different.
They have long been prepared for Li Chunjun's invasion.
At this moment, with a single order, those Nascent Soul cultivators naturally sprang into action.
"I have already instructed Hai Fenglie to lead his forces to reinforce you! All you need to do is ensure that before the Four Symbols True Lord and his forces arrive, you keep an eye on Li Chunjun and prevent him from withdrawing from Star Province!" Yi Hanliu said quickly.
"Keep an eye on Li Chunjun…"
Dongfang Wu glanced at the figure that was now visible at the horizon, "No need to keep an eye on him, Li Chunjun is already charging towards me."
"Charging towards you?"
Yi Hanliu snorted coldly, "How audacious! To act so brazenly within our Zhou Tian Sect's territory, completely disregarding our Zhou Tian Sect! This time, we will use the Eight Desolations Dragon Locking Formation to shatter his Flying Sword and destroy his foundation!"
"Has the Sect Master already given orders to Hai Zhenchuan?"
"Indeed."
Yi Hanliu said, "You coordinate with each other. This time, we must make Li Chunjun pay the price! If you can hold out until the Four Symbols True Lord arrives, I promise to grant you a Superior Core Formation Pill."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Wu's pupils contracted sharply.
A Superior Core Formation Pill! What is a True Inheritor!?
The most formidable Golden Core cultivator! But that does not necessarily mean they are the most likely to advance to Nascent Soul.
Dongfang Wu has spent most of his time cultivating Arcane Arts and comprehending True Intent, and his chances of forming a Nascent Soul are not particularly high. However, a Superior Core Formation Pill could increase his chances by twenty percent!
This already means that he has a real hope of forming a Nascent Soul in this lifetime!
"I understand, I will go and join Hai Zhenchuan immediately! I will not let the Sect Master down!" Dongfang Wu said quickly.
"Go quickly! I await your good news!"
Yi Hanliu wasted no more words and ended the communication.
Without needing Dongfang Wu to issue any orders, his trusted subordinate exclaimed with excitement, "True Inheritor Dongfang, Hai Zhenchuan has just sent a message. They have already reached the border between Star Province and Moon Province, less than two hundred miles from our location!"
After speaking, he added, "He has brought all thirty-six elites from Moon Province, enough to set up the Dipper Calamity Dragon Formation!"
Hearing the name of this formation, Dongfang Wu's mouth twitched slightly.
Not long ago, he had led a group of Core Formation cultivators to set up this formation, only to have it inexplicably breached.
But there was no other choice—this was one of the formations most frequently practiced by the Core Formation cultivators of the Zhou Tian Sect.
Immediately, he issued an order: "Move at full speed and rendezvous with True Inheritor Hai!"
The three of them rode their sword lights, heading straight for Moon Province.
As Dongfang Wu and the other two accelerated, the speed of Li Chunjun's pursuing sword seemed to rise as well.
In this battle, counting the eighty or so Core Formation cultivators from Star Province, the thirty-six from Moon Province who had come to aid, and the forty-nine brought by the Four Symbols True Lord, the number of Core Formation cultivators had already exceeded half of the total in the Zhou Tian Sect.
It was no exaggeration to say that the Zhou Tian Sect had staked half of its available forces, all for the purpose of surrounding and killing Li Chunjun, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy.
(End of the Chapter)
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