: Not Sharing the Blossom

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-12-16

Shuang Jing continued using talismans, one after another, each different from the last, striking them upon himself.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

A series of Nascent Soul-level talismans were consumed in succession, boosting his combat power to more than three times what it was before.

Long Ye had been battering the Golden Core deputies into a sorry state. Noticing Shuang Jing enhancing himself, he initially paid it no mind, but soon his expression shifted, his gaze turning icy cold.

Shuang Jing's aura had surged too much, almost reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul stage!

Most of the treasures he used, Long Ye couldn't even identify. The few he recognized were so exorbitantly valuable that they made him inwardly alarmed.

Long Ye threw back his head and let out a long roar, starting as a human voice but quickly transforming into a majestic dragon's cry.

Divine Blessing—Life Force Surge!

The life force he had absorbed from others all turned into violent vitality, erupting at this moment to enhance every aspect of his condition.

His height increased once more, reaching sixteen feet. Already burly, he now appeared even more imposing. His upper body resembled a city wall, while the martial pants on his lower body strained against his bulging leg muscles, looking as if they might tear apart at any moment.

"This old geezer can still get stronger?!"

"Damn, he's absorbed our life force. His aura has become chaotic, and the battle formation's weakening effect on him has drastically reduced."

"Not just that, even the national power seems hesitant, as if he's one of us!"

The Golden Core deputies, realizing the intricacies, were terrified.

Their ability to engage in direct combat relied entirely on the battle formation, military strength, and national power. In contrast, Long Ye had been weakened and suppressed by multiple factors.

But now, Long Ye's combat power had skyrocketed, and the reduction from national power had lessened, immediately shattering the stalemate that the White Jade Battalion had barely maintained.

Which of the Golden Core deputies wasn't already injured?

Seeing Long Ye's ferocious stance, they hesitated, only daring to surround him without pressing the attack.

Shuang Jing's heart raced at the sight.

If the generals retreated in the face of battle, it would be a severe blow to morale and fighting spirit.

He quickly roared, "Change formation!"

With the general's seal on him, the Golden Core deputies immediately received the order, heaving sighs of relief as they swiftly retreated.

The White Jade Battalion soldiers hurriedly shifted, transforming the Seven Stars Gathering Formation into the Stars Surrounding the Moon Formation.

Starlight twinkled, but this time, instead of converging on the seven deputies, it formed a pillar of moonlight that poured entirely into Shuang Jing.

Shuang Jing's aura surged once more, his combat power skyrocketing wildly!

Shuang Jing opened his mouth and spat out a sword aura.

At first, it was just a mist, glowing with a white-gold hue.

Then it shot out instantly, turning into a radiant beam so bright it blinded the eyes.

White Tiger Tearing Heaven Sword Aura!

One of the Four Symbols Sword Auras, renowned throughout the world, brimming with the intent of warfare and slaughter, perfectly suited to battle formations and the battlefield.

This was Shuang Jing's ultimate trump card.

The white-gold sword aura arrived in an instant, giving Long Ye no time or chance to dodge.

Boom!

A violent aura swept through like a hurricane, the dazzling white-gold light shooting into the sky, forming a massive pillar that pierced through the clouds.

Shuang Jing laughed heartily, "The Tyrant's Break-the-Cauldron Pill I took grants me domineering power for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. A single pill costs 380,000 mid-grade spirit stones on the market."

"My Ant Shaking the Tree Powder has the effect of the Heavenly Demon Dissection Art but without any side effects. A bottle costs 420,000 mid-grade spirit stones."

"My Spirit Resonance Talisman, Fierce Dragon Talisman, Frenzy Talisman, Dragon-Tiger Empowerment Talisman, and others total over 1.6 million mid-grade spirit stones."

"To cultivate this one White Tiger Tearing Heaven Sword Aura, I used the marrow of a Nascent Soul-level white tiger, absorbed the sword spirit of a Nascent Soul-level sword, and consumed Tears of Heaven. Over sixty years, I killed thirteen white tigers, destroyed seven Nascent Soul-level swords, and used sixty-four drops of Tears of Heaven. The material cost alone amounts to 76 million mid-grade spirit stones."

"Old geezer, can you withstand it? Can you take it? Hahaha!"

"Huh?!"

Shuang Jing's expression shifted slightly.

The white-gold light was rapidly fading, and a massive dark figure stood clearly within the pillar.

As the light dissipated, Long Ye stood in a crater spanning an acre, his body towering like a mountain, unyielding.

The translucent dragon scales on his body were in tatters, and he bled from multiple wounds, but his aura remained fiercely strong.

On his broad, sturdy shoulder sat a small dragon-horned child.

The child had golden pupils and bright red coral-like dragon horns, sucking his thumb with audible smacks.

Noticing Shuang Jing glaring intently at him, the child blushed with embarrassment and instantly reverted to his true form—a right shoulder guard.

The shoulder guard, shaped like a dragon's head with jaws open, enveloped Long Ye's right shoulder.

It was gold and red, its surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting a metallic sheen. The dragon's eyes sparkled like diamonds or stars.

Intricate cloud patterns adorned the guard, flowing slowly in endless, layered transformations.

"Spirit... Spirit Manifestation!" Shuang Jing and the others were stunned.

Long Ye smirked proudly, "That move was indeed powerful."

"But if what you say is true, and you spent so many spirit stones to build such an attack,"

"Then how much should this spiritual treasure of mine be worth?"

Shuang Jing's Adam's apple bobbed, speechless for a moment.

Long Ye lowered his head and vanished from his spot.

In the next instant, he appeared almost teleported in front of Shuang Jing, thrusting out a dragon palm.

Boom!

"Damn it!!"

Shuang Jing had no time to dodge, hastily blocking, only to be struck three zhang deep into the ground.

"Commander!"

"Quick, rescue Lord Shuang Jing!"

The White Jade Battalion fell into chaos as the deputies gritted their teeth and swarmed to attack.

Boom, boom, boom!

Dragon roars echoed continuously.

Soldiers of the White Jade Battalion were sent flying into the air, tumbling before crashing to the ground, many lifeless.

"Truly worthy of Long Ye!"

"Quick, let's join the attack."

The Golden Core cultivators from Thousand Peaks Forest, seizing the opportunity, immediately struck.

Caught between internal and external attacks, the White Jade Battalion's situation worsened, casualties mounting rapidly.

News of Long Ye's rampage in the White Jade Battalion and his overwhelming advantage soon spread to all battle groups.

Inside the Light Mountain Heavy Mist Diagram,

Lord Mo Yuan smiled faintly, passing the jade slip containing the latest military report to the other three cultivators.

Mo Xin and the others were convinced, "As expected, everything unfolded just as you foresaw, Great Cave Master."

Lord Mo Yuan replied, "Thus, we have taken the initiative."

"Send this report to the other side as well."

Mo Xin and the others were puzzled—what kind of move was this?

Sun Gan of the Golden Halberd Army soon received the jade slip. After verifying it held no traps, he learned of its contents and his face fell.

Pleas for help from outside also flew in.

Lu Hongtu decisively loosened the formation diagram, creating a gap to let the messages through.

Sun Gan's expression turned ashen upon reading them.

Just as Lord Mo Yuan, Mu Lan, and others had anticipated, most of the White Jade Battalion's soldiers were connected to influential nobles and meritorious officials in the Two Pillars Kingdom.

If Sun Gan ignored their plight, even if he returned victorious, he would have offended half the court and faced dire consequences.

"Quick, full army advance!" Sun Gan urgently roared.

The Golden Halberd Army's long-accumulated battle formation, though not at its peak, unleashed its manifestation.

The manifestation resembled a giant, golden halberd, shining brilliantly as it shot into the mountains and heavy mist, cleaving through peaks and fog with unstoppable force.

Lord Mo Yuan and the other three wore grave expressions, exerting their full power to maintain the formation.

In the Barbarian Demon Camp,

"Advance, advance!!"

Xu Dali, drenched in blood, led the Iron Barrel Formation against Gu Ya.

Wolf corpses littered the ground, casualties severe.

Di Lu had long joined the fray, clashing with Xu Dali multiple times but failing to gain the upper hand, retreating step by step with increasing injuries.

In a one-on-one fight, Xu Dali was no match for Di Lu. But bolstered by the battle formation, military strength, and national power, he could take on two opponents, forcing the two Nascent Soul cultivators of the Cang Yue tribe into absolute disadvantage.

However, Xu Dali had also paid a heavy price.

Half of his elite and personal guards had been lost!

These were not losses easily replaced by random recruits.

A plea for help from the White Jade Battalion arrived.

A deputy's eyes lit up, hastily presenting the message to persuade, "General! Our comrades are in crisis, seeking our aid! If we turn back to rescue them, we can thwart the enemy's plans."

But Xu Dali, bloodlust in his eyes, stubbornly refused without hesitation, "No!"

"Those young masters in the White Jade Battalion always look down on everyone. Let them suffer a bit."

"Besides, when we sent pleas for help earlier, they didn't budge. Now they want us to rescue them?"

"I'm going to kill these two barbarian beasts to avenge our soldiers!"

With a roar, Xu Dali charged forward once more.

The deputy sighed deeply, quickly directing the remaining soldiers to reassemble the Iron Barrel Formation and follow Xu Dali into the fray.

The plea for help also reached the Red Blossom Camp.

Mu Lan paled upon receiving it.

Her worst fear had come true!

"If the White Jade Battalion collapses, the Golden Halberd Army will be stretched thin, likely exploited by the enemy."

"Worse, since we're traveling together, if we don't rescue them, even if we win this battle, the civil and military officials at court will further ostracize my Mu General's Manor."

"How can I restore the manor's prestige under such circumstances?"

Mu Lan looked up at the sky.

Ma Fei Tui, transformed into a giant heavenly steed, flapped his wings, stirring gusts of wind. His hooves, heavy as mountains, stomped down fiercely, shaking the battle formation's Red Blossom Manifestation repeatedly.

The soldiers, forming the formation and channeling their energy, ran continuously, already panting heavily.

Fortunately, the Red Blossom Camp was equipped with a mana pool, effectively assisting and reducing the soldiers' mana consumption.

"But if this continues, our army will be completely pinned down here."

"Damn it!"

"Though I have means to defeat this demonic cultivator, using them would leave me with little strength to fight afterward."

"Let alone lead troops to rescue the White Jade Battalion."

"What should I do?"

As Mu Lan hesitated, sudden battle cries came from the east.

She turned sharply to see smoke and flames rising, forests trembling, and birds scattering in chaos.

Mu Lan felt both shock and joy, "Could it be the Three Generals Camp?"

Sure enough, moments later, she could see the Three Generals Camp charging.

Liu Er, Guan Hong, and Zhang Hei formed the vanguard, two setting up formations while one attacked, taking turns to press forward, forcing Chen Lingfeng, Wu Hen, and others into retreat and misery.

With the Three Generals Camp holding the initiative, Ning Zhuo had ample time to recover his mana leisurely.

Once restored, he acted as the situation demanded, casting spells not to kill but to delay and hinder.

With his assistance, the three generals managed to kill three Golden Core cultivators in succession!

"The military advisor's methods are profound."

"Rotating through the five elements, his techniques seem endless!"

"Coming from a great clan is indeed extraordinary. So young, yet he's mastered so many spells, easily employing the most suitable ones to counter the enemy."

The three generals' estimation of Ning Zhuo rose another notch.

Ning Zhuo, however, was not entirely satisfied with himself.

"Though amplified by multiple factors, my spell attacks have reached Golden Core level, but my mana consumption has skyrocketed. After two or three casts, my mana is nearly depleted—I can't sustain prolonged combat!"

In Mu Lan Camp,

"Excellent! Generals Liu, Guan, and Zhang have arrived. With such strong reinforcements, we can repel Ma Fei Tui," Zhang Zhongyi exclaimed joyfully.

Seeing Ning Zhuo's impressive performance, he added to Mu Lan, "See, I told you this young man is remarkable. Today's battle proves his dazzling brilliance."

Mu Lan, however, watched the Three Generals Camp's maneuvers, her eyes flickering thoughtfully, "These three are no ordinary Golden Core cultivators; their combat power is exceptional."

"But even so, for our combined forces to repel Ma Fei Tui will take time."

"If we delay, what will happen to the White Jade Battalion?"

"The White Jade Battalion is the key!"

Mu Lan, with her keen insight into the battle situation, worried about the overall picture.

Her expression darkened as she made a decision.

The next moment, she waved the command flag, directing a formation change.

The Red Blossom Manifestation suddenly expanded, enveloping Ma Fei Tui and trapping him temporarily.

Having faced the Red Blossom Camp multiple times, Ma Fei Tui was familiar with this move. Unfazed, he laughed while struggling, "Girl Mu, have you lost your mind? This move consumes a lot but can't hold your Grandpa Ma!"

Mu Lan's expression remained unchanged as she waved the flag more urgently.

The Three Generals Camp quickly approached the Red Blossom Camp. Liu, Guan, Zhang, and even Ning Zhuo looked forward to joining forces with their allies.

"General Mu Lan, Lord Zhang Zhongyi, let's fight together!" Ning Zhuo, positioned within the formation, called out loudly.

The soldiers of the Three Generals Camp, seeing the reunion with allies, cheered, their morale lifting despite exhaustion.

But the next moment, the Red Blossom Manifestation spiraled upward, carrying the trapped Ma Fei Tui and descending upon the entire Three Generals Camp.

Formation Variation—Not Sharing the Blossom!

The Three Generals Camp's marching speed plummeted as if bearing a mountain's weight.

In contrast, the Red Blossom Camp, light and unburdened, sped away from the battlefield at an astonishing pace.

"Don't go!" Ma Fei Tui roared in fury, struggling violently within the Red Blossom Manifestation.

The more he struggled, the greater the pressure on the Three Generals Camp.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang's faces turned yellow, red as blood, and black as a pot bottom respectively. They had hoped to fight alongside Mu Lan, but she had dumped the Nascent Soul-level enemy on them!

Even Ning Zhuo's expression turned stern, his gaze fixed coldly on the departing Red Blossom Camp.

"Fine, what a Red Blossom Camp, what a Mu Lan!"

(End of )