: The Arrow That Decided Moonhook Mountain

Author: Gu Zhenren

2025-02-11

Cangyue Ancient God was utterly baffled—why would the mighty Dice Bone Demigod betray them?

Deities grow powerful through faith, which forms their foundation. This faith comes from their vast number of followers.

Thus, gods often rely on belief, their every action mindful of their worshippers' thoughts.

Now, with Liangzhu Kingdom attacking the Thousand Peaks Forest, the two sides have become mortal enemies. Liangzhu seeks to purge demonic influences for the kingdom, while the Thousand Peaks Forest defends its home and freedom.

Naturally, the followers in Thousand Peaks Forest deeply despise Liangzhu Kingdom.

The gods of Thousand Peaks Forest should be the staunchest defenders against Liangzhu, their greatest foe.

Yet, Dice Bone Demigod had betrayed them and surrendered!

Cangyue Ancient God urgently whispered, "Dice Bone Demigod, what spell has ensnared you? Tell me, and I'll find a way to help."

Dice Bone Demigod snorted coldly, offering no reply, instead channeling more power to expand his Dice Bone Domain further.

The two domains pressed against each other, locked in a stalemate as they interpenetrated. What were once distinct realms merged into a new, combined domain.

Within this domain, alternating black and white lights formed patterns like fences.

The crescent moon hung like a hook in the night sky.

Above everyone’s heads, a white bone dice hovered.

Enraged, Cangyue Ancient God let out a low roar, summoning divine power to unleash a vast shower of moonlight arrows.

The arrow rain blotted out the sky, threatening to engulf the entire Red Flower Camp.

Mid-attack, the dice above Cangyue Ancient God’s head spun and landed on six.

In Dice Bone Demigod’s eyes, his dice showed a four.

The dice in his other eye socket was damaged and couldn't be cast, a lingering injury from the previous battle that hadn't healed.

Above Ning Zhuo’s head, the dice showed a five.

The Red Flower Camp, counted as one entity, rolled a two.

Two plus five plus four equaled eleven, exceeding six.

Thus, the moonlight arrow rain weakened, and the lost bet added defensive power to Red Flower Camp, Ning Zhuo, and Dice Bone Demigod.

Seeing this, Mu Lan’s eyes gleamed sharply. She immediately sent a mental message to Ning Zhuo: "Young Master Ning, the priority is still to form the Red Flower Battle Formation!"

"Understood." Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, slapped his storage belt, and released a large number of puppet constructs.

He led the puppets to charge at Di Lu.

Ning Zhuo: "I'll hold him off for now."

Mu Lan seized the chance to retreat: "Be extremely careful!"

She withdrew into Red Flower Camp and immediately activated her skills.

Military Strategy—Speed is Paramount!

Red Flower Camp attempted to form the battle formation again, and with Mu Lan leading, the speed increased nearly tenfold.

The barbarian cultivator Di Lu, wielding a massive crescent-shaped blade, charged toward Red Flower Camp.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong covertly coordinated, controlling the puppet constructs to intercept him midway.

As a Nascent Soul level cultivator, Di Lu was immensely powerful. With a flip of his crescent blade, he unleashed sharp arcs of energy, slicing the puppets in half.

He charged forward unstoppably, cutting through the puppet army with ease.

No matter how Sun and Ning manipulated the puppets, they couldn't halt his advance.

Di Lu quickly broke through the puppet ranks, inflicting heavy casualties single-handedly.

Ning Zhuo’s aura surged again due to the massive losses among his puppets.

His eyes turned bloodshot, veins bulging on his head and neck, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Xiao Zhuo, your physical reserves are low. With the Hero’s Return technique boosting you, your body can’t take much more!" Sun Lingtong spotted the danger through her spiritual sight.

Ning Zhuo nodded: "No choice, we have to try."

He cast elemental spells.

A fiery tiger roared, only to be sliced in two by the crescent blade.

Vines intertwined, trying to bind Di Lu, but he sidestepped effortlessly.

Golden needles shot toward Di Lu, but his protective artifacts glowed, deflecting them all.

Ning Zhuo summoned water snakes to entangle Di Lu’s feet. Di Lu adjusted his steps, crushing the snakes one by one.

Earth element—Sand Shackles and Stone Locks!

Mana surged, transforming into yellow sand that enveloped Di Lu.

The sand clung to his body, quickly solidifying into stone locks that actually restrained him.

Di Lu was surprised.

Ning Zhuo’s first four elemental attacks were at the Golden Core peak level—powerful, but within Di Lu’s expectations.

Yet this final earth spell’s power suddenly skyrocketed, surpassing the Golden Core level and reaching Nascent Soul tier!

How was this possible?

Ning Zhuo hadn’t mobilized additional troops.

Ning Zhuo’s forces were part of Red Flower Camp, which was forming its battle formation and couldn’t afford to expend large amounts of energy, as it would disrupt the process.

Moreover, Ning Zhuo’s personal enhancements had reached his physical limit, so even if he wanted to use more troops, it would be limited.

The real reason was the Earth Spleen Temple!

The improved Five Organs Temple Divine Spirit technique Ning Zhuo developed didn’t just accelerate cultivation; it also enhanced corresponding elemental spells.

He hadn’t needed to use this ability before.

But now, facing a Nascent Soul expert like Di Lu alone, he had to go all out.

Crack, crack.

The stone locks on Di Lu began to fracture.

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and cast Sand Shackles and Stone Locks again to mend the cracks.

Despite his efforts, the fractures multiplied and widened.

Bang.

After a dozen breaths, Di Lu shattered the stone locks and broke free.

"You should be proud to have held me off this long."

He tore off the black cloth covering his eyes, revealing entirely white pupils with a terrifying gaze.

This was one of his seals.

Once removed, he entered a frenzied combat state.

At this moment, Di Lu’s combat power surged to its limit.

This state couldn’t last long and had severe aftereffects.

Martial Art—Dead Eyes Blind Rampage!

Di Lu’s aura exploded with suppressed fury, but instead of targeting Ning Zhuo, he veered toward Red Flower Camp.

Under Mu Lan’s command, the Red Flower Phantom was nearly fully formed.

Di Lu, not blinded by rage, knew one key to this battle was the Red Flower Phantom.

Mu Lan and Ning Zhuo understood this too.

Seeing Di Lu charge, Mu Lan sighed inwardly: "Ning Zhuo has done exceptionally well, but Di Lu is ultimately a Nascent Soul expert. It seems I must stop him myself!"

As Mu Lan prepared to re-enter the fray, Ning Zhuo caught up.

"Fellow Di Lu, hold on!"

With that, Ning Zhuo deployed a Golden Core level construct.

Heavy Blood Ape · Great Victory!

Yuan Dasheng descended from above, landing in front of Di Lu and swinging his palms to block him.

Di Lu exchanged three moves, his crescent blade slicing Yuan Dasheng into three pieces.

"Not bad skills," Di Lu commented, stepping over the debris.

But the next moment, a shadow flickered behind Di Lu.

Shadow Blade · Night Tiger!

You Lu’s claws extended, striking hard at Di Lu’s back.

Di Lu stepped forward without looking back, twisting his waist and arm to unleash a mighty blade energy.

The energy split Meng Yehu straight down the middle!

Di Lu seized the momentum to charge at Red Flower Camp.

At the critical moment, the Red Flower Phantom completed first.

Mu Lan let out a clear cry, and the entire Red Flower Camp moved as one under her command, launching an attack.

A blood-red light shot from the Red Flower, instantly hitting Di Lu.

With a loud boom, Di Lu was sent flying.

He crossed his arms, using the crescent blade to block the crimson blast. His feet plowed grooves in the ground for over ten meters before he stabilized.

Di Lu, with his dead white eyes, stared at Red Flower Camp, filled with resentment.

They had still managed to form the Red Flower Battle Formation!

With this, Red Flower Camp was secured, everyone’s power consolidated into one entity.

They were no longer a burden to Mu Lan and Ning Zhuo but a crucial force influencing the entire battle!

Dice Bone Demigod manifested his form, falling from the sky.

Cracks covered his body like fractured porcelain, giving the impression he might shatter at any moment.

Kneeling, he bowed to Ning Zhuo: "Master, please punish this unworthy servant for my defeat."

While Ning Zhuo was holding off Di Lu, Cangyue Ancient God had also been attacking Dice Bone Demigod relentlessly.

In terms of divine power, Cangyue was an elder with deeper reserves. In terms of condition, Cangyue was unharmed, while Dice Bone fought injured.

Thus, as their domains interwove, Cangyue’s full-force attacks forced Dice Bone to endure them head-on, eventually knocking him down and forcing him to retract his domain.

Once again, they were under the deep night sky, the crescent moon prominent overhead.

"Come back for now, Old Dice." Ning Zhuo showed no blame, extending his wrist.

Dice Bone Demigod returned, transforming back into a bracelet.

Of the six white bone dice on the bracelet, three had shattered, and the remaining three were severely damaged, on the verge of disintegration.

"Old Dice won’t be able to fight again anytime soon."

Ning Zhuo realized this, his mood heavy.

"It’s fine." Mu Lan shouted lightly, soaring into the sky.

She entered the Red Flower Phantom, a red flower mark appearing between her eyebrows.

Mu Lan stood straight as a spear, holding a large bow.

The bow was massive, nearly as tall as she was.

Its body curved like a crescent, reddish-brown, with fiery light occasionally flowing across it.

The bow arms exuded an ancient aura, warm and stirring.

From the center to the tips, bright golden feathers extended along the reddish-brown arms. Each feather was exquisitely detailed, lifelike, trembling slightly with the bow’s movement.

The golden feathers intertwined, sparse in the middle and denser toward the ends.

With the sharp, upward-curving tips, the magnificent golden wings resembled a phoenix spreading its wings—sharp, gorgeous, bold, and passionate.

This was the Red Phoenix Bow!

Mu Lan drew the bow, unveiling her ultimate trump card.

Divine Ability—Sincere Heart Swan Arrow!

Enhanced by military strength, battle formation, and national power.

The arrow shot forth like a phoenix’s cry.

A blazing stream of fire, dazzlingly bright, flew straight toward the crescent moon in the night sky.

Boom!!

Flames erupted, producing blinding light and heat.

It was as if a sun had suddenly appeared. The night sky was torn to shreds, and Cangyue Ancient God cried out in pain, retreating in panic and swiftly vanishing.

The crescent moon shattered like broken glass!

"My god!" Di Lu roared, his expression tense.

His fighting spirit plummeted, and he withdrew quickly.

"Trying to escape?!" Mu Lan’s face was pale, her body swaying violently, but she gritted her teeth and held on.

She bit a pill hidden in her mouth, her spirits abruptly lifting!

She shot a second arrow.

This one aimed at Di Lu.

Di Lu used escape techniques, fleeing with all his might.

The fire arrow was slender, far less imposing than the first.即便如此, it pierced through Di Lu’s body, incinerating even his Nascent Soul!

Di Lu fell face-first to the ground with a thud.

His corpse slid across the mountain terrain from momentum, smashing several rocks and breaking tree trunks before coming to a stop.

Nascent Soul cultivator Di Lu had fallen!

The Red Flower Phantom dissipated moments later.

Mu Lan fell from the sky.

Zhang Zhongyi flew up to catch her but paused, sending a mental warning to Ning Zhuo while casting a spell to let Mu Lan drift down gently like a feather.

Ning Zhuo rushed over, caught Mu Lan, and landed holding her.

"General Mu Lan, your might is divine!" Ning Zhuo praised, looking down at her with admiration.

Mu Lan forced a faint smile at him before fainting.

Red Flower Camp, well-trained, was quickly taken over by Golden Core deputies with little chaos.

"Please take good care of our general, Young Master Ning and Physician Zhang." The deputies, aware of Ning Zhuo and Mu Lan’s relationship, also trusted Zhang Zhongyi.

Zhang Zhongyi looked at Ning Zhuo: "Young Master Ning, it seems we must join forces again to treat General Mu Lan."

Ning Zhuo scanned the battlefield and nodded: "No time to waste, let’s discuss in the tent."

The Nascent Soul cultivator hiding in the shadows felt awkward.

"General Mu Lan’s Sincere Heart Swan Arrow is so sharp—one arrow repelling an ancient god, another killing a Nascent Soul expert beyond her level!"

"I hesitated on when to intervene, and the battle ended already."

The myna on his shoulder said: "Well, we better not show ourselves now, master."

The Nascent Soul cultivator nodded slowly: "I’m too ashamed to appear. You go on my behalf and deliver the new orders for Red Flower Camp to retreat."

Myna: "Yes, master."

The myna delayed a bit before appearing.

"A Golden Core level demon cultivator!" Red Flower Camp was on high alert at the sight.

The myna quickly proved its identity and relayed the new orders.

Zhang Zhongyi: "Great, we can retreat."

Ning Zhuo provided more details.

Zhang Zhongyi’s good impression of the myna soured, his attitude flipping completely: "Pah! So it’s a filthy coward who wouldn’t save us."

He looked at the unconscious Mu Lan and sighed: "The court’s suppression of the Mu General’s estate continues."

Ning Zhuo: "Mu Lan’s injuries are stabilized. The military situation is urgent; let’s retreat and continue treatment on the way."

Zhang Zhongyi and the Golden Core deputies agreed readily.

Red Flower Camp’s retreat went smoothly.

Approaching Mulun Town, Ning Zhuo spotted the banners of the Three Generals Camp and the Barbarian Demon Camp.

"Why is the Golden Halberd Army not here?" This puzzled Ning Zhuo.

Thousand Peaks Forest.

Dragon King Mountain.

The current Elephant King pushed open the hall doors and stormed in.

His massive, burly frame made entering slightly difficult.

An Nascent Soul cultivator’s head hung at his waist, and he held another Nascent Soul level cultivator captive in his right hand.

The captive was none other than Sun Gan!

The Elephant King tossed Sun Gan onto the floor tiles, his murderous gaze sweeping the room, his voice booming through the hall: "The Golden Halberd Army is annihilated."

"Where is the Elephant Vein Fertility Pill I demanded?"

(End of )