"How long will it take you to break the formation?" On the cloud ship, Qiu Huahui looked at the black dragon and white tiger standing on the barrier of the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array and asked Elder Lin behind her.
"Three hundred and sixty breaking-array nails, specially crafted for the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array. As long as these breaking-array nails are driven into the barrier formed by the grand array and then activated with spells to connect them, the foundational array patterns of the grand array can be destroyed..." Elder Lin replied, "I need three hundred and sixty cultivators to drive the nails. Foundation Establishment cultivators won't do; they must be Golden Core cultivators. Additionally, I need twelve array masters, each responsible for thirty breaking-array nails, to activate them. Then I will..."
Qiu Huahui interrupted him directly, saying, "I asked you, how much time will it take?"
Elder Lin paused, estimating briefly, and said, "About three days."
"Good!" Qiu Huahui nodded. "I will have someone buy you three days!"
"Go prepare."
Elder Lin acknowledged and turned to find qualified array masters.
Qiu Huahui then summoned eight powerful Nascent Soul cultivators, presenting them with a scroll and explaining, "This is the Eight Immortals Subduing Demon Scroll. When used by eight cultivators, it can summon a Sword Immortal from ancient times whose strength surpasses yours by one major realm. I want you to hold this scroll and hold off that black horned dragon."
The eight Nascent Soul cultivators agreed and took the scroll, departing.
Qiu Huahui then found five other powerful Nascent Soul cultivators, giving each a talisman and explaining, "This is the Ancient Immortal Breaking Demon Talisman, which can restrict the demon's cultivation and movements. I bestow these upon you to subdue that Xuanming Spirit Tiger."
She glanced at the five and added, "That Xuanming Spirit Tiger is not yet fully grown... Whoever subdues it, it belongs to them."
The five Nascent Soul cultivators were thrilled and hastily took the talismans, leaving in a hurry.
Qiu Huahui then summoned Sun Yicheng, instructing him to lead one hundred Golden Core cultivators and five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators to attack the array, creating confusion.
Sun Yicheng agreed and turned to gather the appropriate cultivators.
Soon, the five Nascent Soul cultivators holding the Ancient Immortal Breaking Demon Talismans flew out from the cloud ship, heading toward the right side of the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array, stopping in front of the white tiger. They did not attack but waited silently.
Sun Yicheng rose from the cloud ship, hovering in mid-air. One by one, cultivators from the cloud ship or the surrounding groups of cultivators below flew up, gathering behind him. Nearly a thousand cultivators, roughly forming ranks like an army, hovered behind him. Sun Yicheng led them forward, stopping in front of the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection array. They did not attack but waited silently.
After a short while, a powerful and sharp aura rose from the cloud ship. The aura was both divine and ancient, resembling a true ancient Sword Immortal.
A towering figure, over ten zhang tall, clad in white robes and holding a sword, appeared from the cloud ship. His form seemed to be a mix of light and shadow, vague and unclear.
As soon as he appeared, he wielded his sword, performing a series of sword techniques, and attacked the black horned dragon at the left side of the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array.
The other two groups had been waiting for him. As soon as he moved, they followed.
The five Nascent Soul cultivators, holding the Breaking Demon Talismans, charged at Chasing the Wind; Sun Yicheng led the thousand cultivators in an attack on the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array.
(Among Sun Yicheng's thousand cultivators, there were one hundred Golden Core, five hundred Foundation Establishment, and three hundred and sixty Golden Core breaking the array.)
Five hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, four hundred and ninety Golden Core cultivators, five Nascent Soul cultivators, and one ancient Sword Immortal comparable to a Demon Lord attacked together, a scene both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Chasing the Wind and Ao Yi, who had been posing on the barrier of the mountain protection grand array, glanced at each other upon seeing this and did not engage in battle. Instead, they turned and dove directly into the array.
Their actions were completely inconsistent with their initially arrogant entrance.
"We have the array as a barrier and fortress; why should we fight them head-on?" Qin Ran watched the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators who had charged forward but couldn't stop in time, crashing into the barrier of the Dao Sword Sect's mountain protection grand array, and smiled, saying to Gu Yueming, "Minimizing losses while maximizing gains is the art of war.
"Bullying the weak and overpowering the strong is the essence of war."
Seeing the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators furiously attacking the array barrier in their frustration, Gu Yueming could somewhat understand their feelings.
After all, how could a cultivator in a world of cultivation not pursue longevity and power but instead study military tactics and warfare?
Was it not somewhat off for a cultivator to lead an army into battle?
He looked at Qin Ran, puzzled, and asked, "You are quite strategic, which is normal, but why do you also know military tactics?"
"It's not that I understand military tactics," Qin Ran shook his head. "In the mortal world, I am less knowledgeable about military strategy than a third-rate general. You think I understand military tactics, but it's only because no one in the cultivation world understands them. They are completely ignorant."
As he finished speaking, the white tiger suddenly burst out from the middle section of the array barrier, where a dozen Hengduan Mountain Alliance Foundation Establishment cultivators were located.
How fast was the white tiger? The Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't react in time. With a single charge, the white tiger sent seven or eight of them flying in a straight line.
Given the white tiger's physical strength, those seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators were either dead or severely injured.
The white tiger then turned, using its claws and tail to send another four or five who couldn't escape in time to meet their end.
Only three or four quick-witted ones managed to escape far enough. The white tiger didn't pursue them but dove back into the array.
The Nascent Soul cultivators holding the talismans had just arrived but hadn't had the chance to act when they saw only the white tiger's hindquarters disappearing.
Meanwhile, the black horned dragon also emerged from the array barrier, finding a group of seven or eight Golden Core cultivators and charging through, instantly taking out five of them.
Before the Sword Immortal's sword energy arrived, he too retreated back into the array.
"A great military strategist who excelled at defeating larger forces with fewer troops once said a sixteen-character mantra," Qin Ran watched the scene with satisfaction and smiled, "It goes: 'When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue.'"
"Isn't that the despicable and sneaky mosquito-style tactic?" Gu Yueming commented.
"Whatever the enemy opposes, we must support..." Qin Ran smiled gleefully, nodding, "If the enemy thinks we are like flies, annoying, disgusting, and despicable, then we are doing it right."
"But flies are still flies. Once the powerful enemy reacts and concentrates their strength, this tactic won't work anymore," Gu Yueming said.
"What more can they concentrate?" Qin Ran replied, "The goals of both sides in this second phase are different.
"Their goal is to break the array and enter the Dao Sword Sect to wage a destruction war; our goal, however, is to inflict as much damage as possible on their forces.
"They want to break the array; we want to kill.
"I don't care about the array. Let them break it if they can. As long as we kill enough of them before they break it, that's all that matters."
Gu Yueming began to understand, asking, "Is this what you meant by 'trading time for space, space for damage'..."
As they spoke, Chasing the Wind and Ao Yi had already switched several locations, killing multiple enemies.
Meanwhile, Liu Baixuan also led a group of Dao Sword Sect disciples, employing the same tactic, backed by the array barrier, inflicting casualties on the enemy.
After two or three rounds of defensive attacks by the Dao Sword Sect, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had suffered nearly a hundred casualties.
"Fall back! Don't get close to the array barrier!" Someone noticed the problem and urgently shouted, "Keep your distance; they won't dare to chase us out!"
As soon as this voice rang out, the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators understood and quickly retreated, pulling back about ten zhang away.
At a distance of ten zhang, even if the black dragon and white tiger came out to ambush, the ancient Sword Immortal and Nascent Soul cultivators on their side could react in time. Once the black dragon, white tiger, Liu Baixuan, and others were entangled, it would be difficult for them to easily escape.
This was the reason the Hengduan Mountain Alliance cultivators believed they wouldn't dare to chase them out.
The initial contact of the array-breaking battle ended in a short time, with both sides pulling back. The ground below was littered with some corpses, belonging to both the Hengduan Mountain Alliance and the Dao Sword Sect. Ao Yi had a special connection with the mountain protection grand array, allowing him to freely enter and exit; Chasing the Wind, being well-versed in arrays and capable of transforming into darkness, could also easily move through the array; but the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect...
When entering and exiting, they need to use their identity tokens, unlike the others who can do so seamlessly, so casualties are inevitable.
After pulling back, both sides entered a brief period of peace, standing ten zhang apart and gazing at each other.
After a while, seeing that the Hengduan Mountain Alliance had no intention of attacking again, the disciples of the Dao Sword Sect sneered contemptuously, then retreated into the formation using their identity tokens.
They were the first five Nascent Soul cultivators assigned to deal with Chasing the Wind.
But before they could even throw their talismans, the tiger that had been in a hungry pouncing stance suddenly slammed on the brakes and turned to run in another direction.
This little tiger's first attack was originally just a feint; he just wanted to see who the Hengduan Mountain Alliance would send to deal with him.
He had learned a lot of tricks from his dad, and he was quite cunning.
When he saw that Nascent Soul cultivators were coming to deal with him, he immediately knew what he needed to do: lure them to a suitable position and take them out.
Seeing the white tiger turn and run, but not towards the direction of the protective mountain formation, but away from it, a Nascent Soul cultivator's eyes lit up and he shouted, "This beast is panicking, it's running in the wrong direction!"
Immediately following, a Nascent Soul cultivator shouted, "Quick, take it down!"
Five Nascent Soul cultivators each wielded talismans in one hand and magical artifacts in the other, employing their movement techniques to chase after the white tiger.
Sun Yicheng, seeing this, instinctively felt something was amiss and quickly transmitted his voice to stop them, "Be cautious, it might be a trap! Don't chase too far!"
But these were five Nascent Soul cultivators, not some random cats or dogs. How could Nascent Soul cultivators, who were so high and mighty, possibly listen obediently to his commands? They trusted their own judgments more.
They exchanged glances and decisively ignored Sun Yicheng's words.
The white tiger's speed was incredibly fast. In just a few breaths, it had dashed several hundred feet in the opposite direction of the sect's protective array. Only then did it realize it had run the wrong way, quickly stopping and turning back to head towards the protective array.
The five Nascent Soul cultivators grew excited, their doubts dissipating. They were now convinced that the white tiger had indeed panicked and run the wrong way.
"Quick, catch it!" one of them shouted.
They all exerted their full strength, their speeds increasing significantly, closing the distance to the white tiger.
One of them activated a magical artifact, launching an attack towards the white tiger.
Seeing this, the white tiger grew even more flustered and no longer dared to run towards the protective array. Instead, it circled around the array and fled further away.
"Hahaha, this Black Water Spirit Tiger is mine!" One of them surged forward with a burst of speed, using a secret technique, his sword rapidly closing the gap with the white tiger.
Closer now, he cast a spell with his left hand, a Ancient Immortal Exorcism Talisman shot out, accurately striking the white tiger.
In an instant, the white tiger's speed visibly slowed down.
"Hahaha..." He laughed wildly, a seventh-tier beast mount was now within his grasp.
The other four Nascent Soul cultivators, seeing the white tiger hit by the talisman, no longer had any doubts. They were sure the white tiger had run the wrong way and each began to cast their own spells, accelerating their pursuit.
The white tiger's speed was astonishing, but the Nascent Soul cultivators chasing it were equally fast. In just a few breaths, they had circled around the Dao Sword Sect's protective array and reached the other side.
Due to being struck by a talisman, the white tiger's speed had slowed, causing it to be hit by another talisman. Its speed continued to decrease, and in no time, it was caught up by the five Nascent Soul cultivators.
Realizing it couldn't escape, the white tiger stopped, turned around, wrinkled its lips, exposing its four long fangs, and bared its teeth in a threatening manner.
But how could it possibly threaten Nascent Soul cultivators?
The five Nascent Soul cultivators each held their magical artifacts, laughing at the white tiger's feeble attempt at intimidation. One of them said, "I urgently need a mount. I'll trade treasures of equal value. Brothers, don't compete with me, alright?"
Another said, "I need a spiritual beast to guard my home. You should let it be mine!"
"I've been eyeing your technique. If you let me study it, I won't compete with you," said another.
They all thought this Black Water Spirit Tiger was already beyond escape.
But then, one of them noticed the Black Water Spirit Tiger no longer baring its teeth in threat. Instead, it began leisurely licking its paw, its bright red tongue occasionally glancing towards them, its eyes filled with disdain and contempt, exuding a very human-like expression.
He felt something was off and activated the magical light of a spell in his hand, ready to unleash it.
"Something's not right," he said.
The other four stopped their argument and looked towards the white tiger.
The white tiger finished licking its paw, shook its head at them, as if lamenting their intelligence, then trotted away, strutting proudly towards the Dao Sword Sect's protective array.
"Beast, stop!"
One of them cast his spell, aiming it at the white tiger.
But the white tiger ignored him completely, not even sparing him a glance.
Just as his spell was about to hit the white tiger, a vast and domineering sword energy emerged from the array, cutting off the light of his spell.
"A trap?" one of them said in disbelief.
Setting such a crude and laughable trap for five Nascent Soul cultivators?
But at that moment, three Nascent Soul cultivators stepped out from the protective array's barrier, their swords already drawn.
Simultaneously, a powerful, overbearing, and wild aura appeared behind them. They turned in alarm and saw the massive black dragon.
The five Nascent Soul cultivators suddenly realized they had indeed walked into a trap.
And this trap was effective against them.
They... had been outwitted by a tiger's intelligence?!
"Fun?" The white tiger turned around, smiling at them, its expression eerily similar to that of the Dan Peak's first seat.
The five Nascent Soul cultivators' faces turned ashen, but they didn't respond. Instead, they silently retrieved their lifebound artifacts. At the same time, they hoped they could hold out until the ancient sword immortal's projection arrived.
"Kill them all!"
The white tiger no longer wasted time, roaring loudly and charging forward to engage one of the Nascent Soul cultivators.
Liu Baixuan immediately led the other two Nascent Soul cultivators to hold back three more.
By holding back four Nascent Soul cultivators, Ao Yi was able to swiftly eliminate the fifth.
From the moment the five Nascent Soul cultivators and the white tiger disappeared from sight, to when Sun Yicheng noticed no battle had erupted, to when he realized something was wrong and transmitted a message to the eight Nascent Soul cultivators controlling the ancient immortal, and finally to when the ancient sword immortal arrived with his sword, the entire time might not have even been five minutes.
But when the ancient sword immortal arrived, he found he was still too late. Two Nascent Soul cultivators had already perished.
He quickly unleashed a sword strike to force back the dragon Ao Yi and save one of the Nascent Soul cultivators.
"Retreat!"
Seeing his arrival, the white tiger decisively shouted.
The five from the Dao Sword Sect immediately disengaged and retreated, pulling back into the protective array.
Ao Yi clenched his claws, but ultimately did not attack the ancient sword immortal. He too retreated back into the protective array.