: Withdrawal of Troops

July 7, 2025, Author: Gu Zhenren

A mournful wind howled.

The sky remained shrouded in rolling black clouds, layer upon layer, creating an overwhelmingly oppressive atmosphere.

The Ghostfire Prefect had already been defeated and fled. He hadn't waited for the Painted Skin Rakshasa to gain ground in the Wangchuan Immortal City; instead, he had been the first to falter and withdraw from the battlefield.

The primary factor behind this outcome—the Nether Python Scissors—was now sealed within an ice coffin, motionless and lifeless.

Outside the ice coffin, the towering and burly Earth Fiend Filth Deity had discovered that any spells cast upon it would freeze and become fuel. It could only resort to pummeling the coffin with its fists and feet repeatedly, stirring up countless gusts of cold air and frosty powder.

The ice coffin, formed from the entire Cold Abyss Ice Coffin Candle, showed signs of shaking and wear but not severe damage. To the naked eye, it was clear it could hold for a long time yet.

As for its true form—the Wangchuan Prefect—it remained hidden within a tributary of the Wangchuan River, rapidly recovering in deep slumber.

The Earth Fiend Filth Deity couldn't help but feel agitated: "With the Nether Python Scissors separated from its true form and lacking the boost of fortune, more unfavorable changes are likely to occur."

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the altar underwent a strange transformation: the bloody glow intensified once more, its radiance flowing with a jade-like smoothness.

Seeing this, the Earth Fiend Filth Deity's restless aura eased slightly: "Luo Si has done well; the blood sacrifice is nearly complete."

"He has proven his capability. Hmph, the other generals are too afraid of taking responsibility and are unfit for major tasks!"

"After this, he must be promoted at least three ranks in a row."

---

**Mortal Realm.**

**White Paper Immortal City Battlefield.**

An unending flow of black water gathered into mountainous waves, lifting the entire immortal city.

Though the army of ghost soldiers was vast in number, their uphill assault on the immortal city showed no progress.

Xie Sicong's expression was grim: "Damn it! The lord of White Paper Immortal City is too cunning, using the southern gate to set a trap that cost us too many of our elite."

"Without them, how can we breach the city's defenses?"

Luo Si remained calm and silent, merely observing the battlefield quietly.

The Deathbone Colossus climbed the black water mountain, but the currents under its feet constantly washed downward, causing it to slip repeatedly. Even when it reached the mountainside, Tie Guzheng targeted it specifically, concentrating fire to knock the giant down.

Unable to approach the walls, the Deathbone Colossus was of little threat. The smaller ghosts, flying skin-peeled spirits, and wall-climbing soul-snatching geckos were similarly ineffective against the city's defenses.

*Boom!*

A loud crash echoed as the Bone Crocodile slammed into the city wall, shaking off many cultivators from the battlements.

This was the work of the Bone Crocodile Demon, commanding his王牌 (trump card) monstrous pet.

On the black water mountain, his monstrous pet adapted even better, repeatedly displaying formidable combat strength and relentlessly assaulting the walls, forcing the defenders to take it seriously.

But relying on him alone was far from enough.

"Full army, attack!" Luo Si suddenly ordered.

Many generals in the command tent cast puzzled and doubtful glances his way.

But Luo Si had no intention of explaining.

The generals had no choice but to grit their teeth and obey.

Thus, the ghost soldier army launched a frenzied assault on White Paper Immortal City from all sides.

The pressure on the city's defenses skyrocketed.

Tie Guzheng, however, was pleased rather than alarmed, exclaiming inwardly, "The enemy is at their limit!"

He wasn't afraid of an all-out attack; he worried more about the enemy resorting to tricks. A full assault meant an honest defensive battle—exactly what he excelled at, and White Paper Immortal City held a significant geographical advantage.

Undoubtedly, the ghost soldier army was using their weakness to attack the enemy's strength.

Soldiers swarmed like ants, arrows fell like rain, and countless spells collided mid-air, with a few landing on both sides' formations, causing casualties.

"Hurry, hurry! Reinforce the armor, replace the talismans!" The rotation frequency of the cultivators on the walls increased severalfold.

They had no respite, no waiting time after shifts—only seizing every moment to recover quickly.

Tie Guzheng continuously received reports of casualties.

He kept a clear mental tally and decisively ordered the paper puppet army to deploy.

These sentient paper puppets were a unique feature of White Paper Immortal City and had always served as the reserve force for city defense.

The paper puppets raced along the walls, wielding talisman-enhanced long weapons, slicing the ghost soldiers climbing the battlements into pieces. More ghost soldiers piled up on the bones of their comrades, scrambling upward to engage the paper puppets in a brutal tug-of-war for every inch of space on the walls.

Bone fragments, shredded paper, and blood soon coated the once-pristine city walls.

The ghost soldier army pressed forward wave after wave, each surge stronger than the last.

The defenders of White Paper Immortal City were nearly drained of their magical power, their talismans and magical instruments depleting rapidly. Their paper armor grew thinner, and repair efforts couldn't keep up with the damage.

The stark white walls were gradually being stained black, eroded, and occupied by the dark mass of ghost soldiers.

Even Tie Guzheng, an experienced defender, found himself clenching his fingers until they turned white. He had never encountered such casualties before.

He gritted his teeth and held on stubbornly.

Finally, when he saw large sections of the wall overrun by ghost soldiers, he immediately ordered, "Tell Wen RuanYu to make his move!"

---

**Inside White Paper Immortal City, Ink Pond.**

Wen RuanYu, having been rescued and revived, had been stationed here for some time.

He had grown impatient, his mouth dry from waiting, and finally received Tie Guzheng's command.

"Good!"

His aura surged as he flung open his scholar's robe and slammed both palms onto the bricks of the Ink Pond.

*Rumble...*

The pond shook violently, rising up before Wen RuanYu's magical power overturned it, pouring all the ink out.

**Confucian Art—Total Ink Submersion!**

Under the influence of the Confucian art, the ink transformed into an ink dragon that burst through the dome and soared into the sky.

As it flew, it churned up a tidal wave of ink.

The ink tide surged fiercely, dyeing everything in its path!

The originally snow-white walls, towers, and platforms were instantly splashed with an inky, impenetrable black.

The ink waves continued to roll, crashing onto the walls.

Any ghost soldiers in their path were completely engulfed.

The ink first enveloped them, then rapidly corroded them.

The skeletons of the ghost soldiers sizzled and burned. The flickering phosphorescent flames in their eye sockets, like candles in the wind, swayed wildly and quickly dimmed. All traces of ghostly and Yin energy melted away as if meeting the blazing sun!

Their terrifying roars turned into agonized wails; their fierce charges became struggles in the ink!

The ghost soldier army's formation fell into disarray, their combat power plummeting!

Tie Guzheng's eyes flashed with sharp light as he decisively ordered, "Now is the time! Full army charge! Kill—!"

The defenders, who had been holding back their energy, unleashed a earth-shattering counterattack!

The ink was harmless to them but severely suppressed the ghost soldier army.

The defenders broke through like a hot knife through butter, reclaiming the lost wall sections in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, led by a few like Yang Sanyan, the cultivators charged out of White Paper Immortal City, inflicting even more casualties.

The ghost soldier army collapsed like a mountain!

Even the command banner began to waver.

"Lord Luo Si!" Many looked to Luo Si, expecting him to decide how to counterattack.

But unexpectedly, Luo Si calmly ordered, "Withdraw the troops."

The generals were bewildered.

Luo Si explained, "The Prefect has long commanded that my primary purpose in leading this army is to offer sacrifices for the Tribute Calamity Rite."

"Now, White Paper Immortal City has suffered heavy losses, meeting the blood sacrifice requirement."

"They still have considerable combat strength. Continuing a fight to the death now would be highly unwise."

"By order, withdraw all troops!"

After a brief explanation, Luo Si reiterated the command.

Hearing Luo Si cite the Wangchuan Prefect, the generals dared not disobey.

Xie Sicong, however, had deeper thoughts, his eyes darkening: "This blood sacrifice likely isn't limited to White Paper Immortal City's losses; our own casualties are probably part of the offering as well."

Of course, this speculation remained in his mind, unspoken.

"The ghost army is defeated!"

"They're running, they're running away!!"

"Charge after them!!"

Seeing the enemy's retreat, the morale of White Paper Immortal City's defenders soared.

Tie Guzheng quickly organized pursuit teams while assigning most cultivators to remain and guard the city.

The pursuit force burst forth like tigers released from a cage, unstoppable.

The doppelgänger of the White Paper Immortal City Lord personally led the chase, capitalizing on the momentum to slaughter the ghost soldiers, who couldn't resist and suffered heavy losses.

Luo Si managed the retreat with precision, constantly arranging rearguard units.

Though withdrawing, the ghost soldier army maintained most of its order, avoiding widespread rout.

"This commanding general is quite capable," the White Paper Lord's doppelgänger thought, gritting her teeth.

She could have expanded their gains and achieved a rare, centuries-worth victory, but Luo Si's tactics significantly reduced the pursuit's success.

By the end of the chase, the White Paper doppelgänger caught sight of the command banner.

Frustrated and seething, she decisively threw out the Primordial Plain Scattering Ruler.

**Spell—Primordial Wild Goose Returning Wave!**

Jade light surged around the Primordial Plain Scattering Ruler.

The light gathered into a sphere, then burst forth, releasing a large wild goose.

With a flap of its wings, the goose soared high into the sky, flying toward the ghost soldier army.

Wherever it passed, it emitted waves of light. Under this radiance, ghost soldiers disintegrated and scattered.

Ghost generals watched in terror, murmuring fearfully.

Luo Si turned his horse, glanced back, and snorted coldly, "So persistent."

"Fine."

"Since you're pushing your luck, let me teach you a harsh lesson."

He spread his fingers and made a grasping motion in the air.

A fishing rod with a line materialized out of nowhere.

**Wangchuan Ferry Line, Three Lives World-Hanging Hook!**

The hook flashed with a spiritual light, instantly crossing the sky to hook the wild goose.

The goose cried out in pain, its beak caught, and was dragged back.

The White Paper Lord was shocked and tried to disperse the spell to recall the Primordial Plain Scattering Ruler.

The spell was cast, but there was no response.

The wild goose's form had been locked by the World-Hanging Hook and couldn't change.

Luo Si lifted the fishing rod, extended his left hand, and caught the incoming goose.

He gripped it firmly, his ghostly aura dense and magical power surging. Layers of spells and talismans quickly叠加 (stacked), suppressing the struggling goose.

Seeing this, the fallen morale of the troops rose significantly, regenerating some of their military strength.

The White Paper Lord's doppelgänger hadn't expected Luo Si to possess such a shocking method. She instantly regretted her decision and subconsciously ordered a full assault to reclaim the precious Primordial Plain Scattering Ruler.

But Luo Si issued a military order, and Xie Sicong activated a pre-arranged formation, summoning a massive surge of Nether Python River water.

The ghost soldiers stood firm, immersed in the raging river.

Now it was their turn to hold the geographical advantage.

The pursuers from White Paper Immortal City fought for a while but achieved little while suffering significant casualties.

"Lord City Master, the situation is unfavorable. Should we withdraw back to the city?!" A subordinate worriedly suggested, mustering courage.

The White Paper doppelgänger pressed her lips tightly, glaring fixedly at the command banner.

The Primordial Plain Scattering Ruler!

That was a treasure left in White Paper Immortal City by the Mysterious Plain Scholar, and she had lost it.

Even though they were one entity, the doppelgänger felt too ashamed to face her true form!

Just as she was about to persist, the Nether Python River water changed again. Another enemy formation activated, releasing boundless Yin energy.

The barrier between the Yin and Yang worlds was breached once more.

The ghost soldier army no longer needed to retreat further; they could withdraw directly to the underworld.

Halting and reorganizing their formation, the ghost soldiers quickly regained their momentum, standing like a mountain before the pursuers.

The White Paper Immortal City pursuers instinctively gathered together.

Under the command banner, Luo Si spoke calmly, his voice clear and far-reaching: "White Paper City Master, thank you for the parting gift."

That single sentence boosted his side's morale even further.

The White Paper doppelgänger's eyebrows shot up in anger, almost ordering an attack, but she restrained herself in the end.

She stared intently at the command banner and forced out the word, "Withdraw."

The pursuers, who had charged out with high morale, now retreated somewhat awkwardly.

"Lord Luo Si, aren't we going to pursue?"

"They aren't a proper army, after all; we can use military tactics."

Many ghost generals grew restless, offering their advice.

Luo Si swept his gaze over them coolly: "If you wish to go, then pursue. But I will follow the Prefect's command, return to base, and assist in defending the altar."

The more troublesome ghost generals had already perished in the攻城战 (city assault battle). Though on the losing side, Luo Si had established considerable authority during the battle. For a moment, the ghost generals fell silent and chose to follow Luo Si's orders.

---

The paper puppet army marched swiftly.

By the Wangchuan River, waves crashed sky-high. In the distance, an immortal city towered above the river surface, its pagodas standing tall amidst vast water mist.

"That is Wangchuan Immortal City," the Buddha Physician, Meng Yaoyin, said from her war chariot, pointing into the distance to Sun Lingtong.

Sun Lingtong scrutinized it carefully, spiritual light flickering in his eyes, and said with difficulty, "The immortal city is in the middle of the river. How is our army supposed to attack it? Even getting close is incredibly difficult. This is the Wangchuan, after all."

The Buddha Physician, Meng Yaoyin, smiled slightly and shook her head: "This army doesn't need to approach the immortal city."

Sun Lingtong: "Auntie, do you have a clever plan?"

Buddha Physician, Meng Yaoyin: "You will infiltrate it alone. My army must head to the Water Burial Valley immediately."

Sun Lingtong stared wide-eyed: "What?!"

He pointed at himself, exclaiming in disbelief, "A-Auntie, just me and a dozen or so ox cavalry, infiltrating the enemy's stronghold?"

Buddha Physician, Meng Yaoyin, shook her head: "Just you. The ox cavalry will rejoin the main force."

Even bold as he was, Sun Lingtong sucked in a cold breath and smiled wryly, "Auntie, Auntie, this is no time for jokes."

(End of )