Chapter 977 - 358: Empress (Double-Length - )
Zhang Dongyuan is dead, and the condition of the Blue Abyss Sword is unknown.
Previously, an important part of the Yin Mountain defense line had collapsed.
New powerful enemies have appeared on the opposing side.
Under such circumstances, Prince Zhao Zhang Teng, Xiao Xueting, Abbot Ningru, Fang Huansheng, and others judged that it was impossible to continue holding their ground and were forced to retreat, which is understandable.
Otherwise, they might have all been encircled and killed at Yin Mountain.
With the loss of the Yin Mountain defense line, moving southward, there is the natural barrier of the Grand River to the west and the east has Hedong, Youzhou, Jizhou, Cangzhou, and other areas all exposed to foreign forces.
Lei Jun frowned slightly upon hearing the news.
The thundercloud beneath him continued its relentless journey northward.
The closer he got, the easier it was to communicate.
However, chaos in the north resulted in increasingly mixed messages.
Lei Jun roughly tried to discern the real situation.
The Tang Dynasty cultivators retreating from the Yin Mountain defense line split into three groups, breaking through the outer blockade of the foreign roving cavalry to retreat.
Led by Xiao Xueting with the Mountain and River Sword, one group headed west, moving near the Grand River towards the He Xi area, with Celestial Master Mansion disciples like Chu Kun and Zhang Jingzhen mainly in this group.
Another group, led by Prince Zhao Zhang Teng with the Zhenshi Blade, was retreating east towards Youzhou.
The most urgent situation was in the middle path, where everyone retreated towards the Sacred Land of Yunzhou Buddhism, Xuantian Temple, which was relatively closer but had the most pursuers hot on their tails.
However...
Lei Jun looked at the report, lost in thought.
For Prince Zhao Zhang Teng to run towards either direction was normal.
But Xiao Xueting not heading directly south from the middle was rather unusual.
From the direction of the Imperial Capital Luoyang, news came that Empress Zhang Wantong had already left the capital and was heading north.
Where would she be by now?
Was Xiao Xueting heading to rendezvous with her?
Lei Jun’s gaze turned towards the expansive northern mountains and rivers.
Above, in the high heavens, the mirror light of the Great Celestial Mirror turned.
Empress Zhang Wantong, after ascending the throne years ago, besides battling the Great Demons in the Western Regions and East Sea, had no other battle records.
It has been three to four decades since then.
Though she once stayed in Guanlong for some time, apart from nonchalantly defeating Pure Yang Palace Elder Guan Jing who sided with the Mortal Tao Country, her actions were more about stabilizing the old capital Chang’an.
Now she was finally leading a campaign in person once again.
On the opposing side, it was the Lone Eagle khan Harigeer also leading forces in person.
A Martial Saint from an alien race at the Ninth Heavenly Layer’s Perfection realm.
...
Yunzhou.
Exotic beasts roared, echoing throughout the Northern Border.
Many roving cavalry warriors on swift, exotic beasts maneuvered through the Yunzhou area, spreading out.
Fewer in number, but their gathered momentum was even more terrifying, heavy cavalry warriors pressed together, heading south, making the earth tremble.
In the distance, the Buddhist Precept Adhering Lineage’s Sacred Land, Xuantian Temple, inverted and hanging in the sky atop the mountains.
Nine eagle-feathered Great Banners approached unhurriedly.
Suddenly, numerous dark shadows appeared in the sky, covering it entirely.
The heart-stopping cries of eagles echoed in all directions.
Sky-hawks, comparable to Ninth Heavenly Layer human experts, spread their wings, soaring in the sky.
Yet at this moment, there was no one on the eagle’s head.
On the ground below, under the protection of numerous heavy cavalry of foreign races, there was a giant demon bear resembling a mountain.
The demon bear moved with a slight slowness, its head drooping, with a solitary eye half-closed, hiding its essence.
It was none other than the mighty Ninth Heavenly Layer Great Demon, the Snow Country Bear King.
Although no grave injuries seemed apparent on it, its once fierce demon aura had waned.
On its back stood Lone Eagle khan Harigeer.
Beside the Snow Country Bear King stood Bomo Ge, chief of the Sunset Tribe, and Jiasheng Upper Master of the Vajra Division.
Three Springs Palace Master Zhao You’an led a group to chase the Tang Dynasty cultivators retreating west.
Adatum Barry, chieftain of the Angqin Tribe, led his group to pursue the Tang Dynasty cultivators retreating east.
Consort Yang Jinming and a few monks from the Sumeru Lotus Sect were currently absent.
They petitioned Lone Eagle khan Harigeer for orders to join the pursuit of the Tang Dynasty cultivators fleeing west.
Harigeer didn’t mind, granting them leave.
Jiasheng Upper Master had no additional comments.
He understood well that Consort Yang Jinming and others from the Lotus Division were using this time to gain further insight into various aspects of the Tang Dynasty Human Realm.
Not that the Lotus Division held any true aspirations towards the Tang Dynasty Human Realm.
More of a matter of courtesy exchange.
The Vajra Division leader and Jiasheng Upper Master, having previously traversed the Lotus Division’s path, not only connected with the Solitary Eagle Khanate but also gained considerable understanding of the Great Song’s human society.
Now, Jiasheng Upper Master would not obstruct Consort Yang Jinming and others.
He was more focused on the tall man atop the Snow Country Bear King’s back.
The Lone Eagle khan Harigeer.
The ruler and foremost expert of the Solitary Eagle Khanate.
A Martial Saint of the Riding Martial Tao with cultivation at the Perfection realm of the Ninth Heavenly Layer’s fifth level.
Martial Saints of this level are customarily known as Immortals.
Martial Tao Immortals, the apex of the Mortal World.
Although unlike emperors wielding the Emperor’s Technique, capable of harnessing the land’s geography, Riding Martial Tao Martial Saints’ greatest marvel lies within their cultivation’s apparent inversion from outward to inward, strengthening both their formidable bodies and mental fortitude, displaying a formidable offensive force distinct from ordinary martial artists, exerting suppressive or even commanding influence over people and other lifeforms.
Facing a Riding Martial Saint, those lacking high cultivation realm or profound spiritual cultivation might suffer defeat without a fight.
Previous battles at Yin Mountain owed much to Prince Zhao Zhang Teng’s unwavering stance against Daturan Bari, lest the pressure exerted by Daturan Bari on other Tang Dynasty cultivators not fall short compared to that from Great Vehicle High Immortal of the Taoist Alchemy Cauldron Sect, Zhao You’an.
And the advantages of the Lone Eagle khan Harigeer, who surpasses Daturan Bari in both strength and realm, would only be greater in these aspects.