The moment Princess Yao Ye finished speaking, Liu Xi had yet to respond when Xiao Yixian's expression changed sharply, her voice filled with disbelief.
"You mean… the enemy has three Dou Zong-level powerhouses?"
Zi Yan's delicate face also grew solemn. Both she and Xiao Yixian had only recently broken through to the Dou Huang realm. Against those of the same rank, they had nothing to fear — but facing a Dou Zong? That was another matter entirely.
Liu Xi rubbed his temples slightly, feeling a dull ache rise. If Jia Xingtian was being held back by the Chu Yun Empire's Xie Bi Yan, then the Luo Yan Empire's Yan Luotian could be dealt with by Elder Yao. But as for the Mulan Empire's Three Mulan Elders — who could match them?
The Jia Ma Empire had no other Dou Zong to spare. If he wanted to stop the Mulan trio, it would have to be him. He could borrow the strength of the Fallen Heart Flame to fight a pseudo-Dou Zong, but if there was a Protector from the Hall of Souls hidden in the shadows… that would be a nightmare.
Liu Xi fell silent, his thoughts racing. 'Jia Ma cannot be abandoned… but to face three Dou Zong, where do I even begin to break the balance?'
Yao Ye's eyes reddened slightly. She understood she was asking for the impossible, but the royal family had run out of options. There was only one path left — to fight. Lose, and the empire would perish.
"Please, sir, help us. If the Jia Ma Empire survives this calamity, everything we have will be shared with you."
Her voice trembled, but her eyes were firm with resolve.
Liu Xi exhaled softly, the corners of his lips lifting into a faint smile.
"Let's talk about rewards later. I will help the Jia Ma Empire — that much is certain. Where's the main battlefield? I'll head there immediately."
Yao Ye's eyes lit up with joy. "The main battlefield is at Black Mountain Fortress on the empire's northeastern border. The fiercest fighting is happening there. Most of our empire's top experts have already gathered."
Understanding the urgency, Liu Xi didn't waste another second. With a flicker of Dou Qi, azure wings unfurled from his back, propelling him into the sky.
Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan exchanged a glance — neither tried to stop him. In the next moment, their own Dou Qi wings spread wide, and the two followed closely behind.
Yao Ye stood rooted to the ground, her gaze fixed on the three streaks of light fading rapidly into the distant sky. A quiet sigh escaped her lips.
"Please… let him turn the tide. If he can't, then the Jia Ma Empire truly has no future left."
---
On the endless plains stretching toward the horizon, two towering mountain ranges pierced the clouds. Between them lay a narrow pass, and there — wedged like a guardian of stone and steel — stood a massive fortress. Its walls were thick, ancient, and unyielding, like the maw of some primordial beast guarding the empire's main gateway.
This was Black Mountain Fortress.
Upon its vast ramparts, rows upon rows of soldiers stood in tight formation. Catapults and giant crossbows lined the battlements, their metal arms gleaming coldly under the sun. Every gap in the wall was sealed by deadly weaponry, making the fortress impregnable — a death trap for any army foolish enough to charge.
But what truly mattered were the hidden powerhouses among them. Each Dou Wang was worth an army on their own — a one-man legion capable of turning the tide of battle.
At the center of the city wall, a group of the Jia Ma Empire's top experts had gathered — figures whose names once shook the empire. Yet their expressions were heavy; the air hung thick with tension.
"The Luo Yan and Mulan Empires' armies will arrive in less than three days," Hai Bodong sighed, his voice weary. "Their commanders, Yan Luotian and the Three Mulan Elders, are both Dou Zong-level threats. This time… I fear there's no saving us."
After consuming a Spirit Recovery Purple Pill, Hai Bodong had fully restored his strength, rising to the peak of 9-Star Dou Huang after months of relentless battles. But even so, against a Dou Zong, he was helpless. Without a joint attack technique like the Three Beast Wild Formation, it was nearly impossible to fight across realms.
He turned toward the tall man in a plain hemp robe standing before him — a middle-aged figure exuding quiet majesty. It was none other than Jia Xingtian, who, after his breakthrough to Dou Zong, had regained his youthful vigor.
"Old Jia, can you still hold out?" Hai Bodong asked quietly.
Jia Xingtian gave a wry smile. "Xie Bi Yan broke through to Dou Zong many years before me. Holding him off this long has already been no small feat. But to fight two more Dou Zong on top of that…"
His gaze drifted toward a woman in white robes, her slender hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword — Yun Yun. Regret flickered in his eyes.
"If that old ghost Yun Shan were still alive, the two of us together might have stood a chance. But now…"
Yun Yun's body trembled ever so slightly at the mention of her late master. 'If Master were still here, would the Yunlan Sect ever have fallen so far?'
She bit her lip softly, her eyes hardening with resolve. If the Jia Ma Empire fell, so too would the Yunlan Sect. She had come here ready to die.
Then, as though catching a flicker of light in the darkness, Yun Yun murmured, "If Master Liu were here… perhaps there might still be hope."
The others turned to her in surprise.
She continued softly, "He has a Dou Zong-level soul companion, and his techniques allow him to temporarily match peak Dou Huang strength. If anyone can stall a Dou Zong… it's him."
The group fell silent for a heartbeat — then sighed almost in unison. No one doubted Liu Xi's potential, but at this moment, against three Dou Zong… how could he possibly prevail?
Suddenly, Fa Ma's expression shifted. His eyes gleamed as he raised his head, sensing something in the distance.
Three powerful auras were streaking toward the fortress at incredible speed. A smile broke across the Alchemist Association president's face.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "the heavens have heard us after all… He's coming."
"What?"
Gasps spread across the wall. For the first time in days, a spark of hope lit in their hearts.
Ten minutes later, three streaks of light — one azure, one gray, one violet — descended from the sky. The pressure in the air lifted as Liu Xi, Xiao Yixian, and Zi Yan landed gracefully upon the fortress wall.
Retracting his Dou Qi wings, Liu Xi glanced around — Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, Fa Ma, Yun Yun — all familiar faces.
His smile was calm. "Everyone… it's been a while."
Jia Xingtian stepped forward, his voice laced with restrained excitement.
"Little friend, you know our situation — three Dou Zong opponents. Do you have any strategy?"
"I do," Liu Xi replied solemnly. His tone was firm, steady — enough to reignite hope in every heart present.
"Elder Yao, please, come out."
At once, a faint white light shimmered from Liu Xi's ring. A figure emerged — tranquil, imposing, with a presence no weaker than a Dou Zong. Yao Tianhuo's form, though translucent, radiated power.
The air itself seemed to steady.
"Yan Luotian and the Three Mulan Elders," Liu Xi asked evenly. "When will they arrive?"
"Less than three days," Hai Bodong answered.
"Good," Liu Xi said. "Then give me those three days. Prepare a quiet chamber for me — I'll be ready."
Though confusion flickered across their faces, something about Liu Xi's calm confidence silenced their doubts. For the first time in weeks, a fragile spark of belief began to grow.
(End of Chapter)
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