1399 - 1409

Chapter 1399: Leaving Air Cavalry Regiment

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

"Two days ago, Major Zhang Tie destroyed the remote-sensing device on his plane, causing connection failure between the regimental headquarters and the no. 1 battalion. Therefore, I sent him in custody for one week!" Xing Xiangtian immediately interpreted it to them when he noticed the two knights' weird expressions.

"How…how…how could you do that…" Wei Jingxian pointed at Xing Xiangtian as he stammered, "Hurry, lead us there…"

Xing Xiangtian was confused about Wei Jingxian's anxiety. Out of timidity, suspicion, amazement and curiosity, he brought the two knights to Zhang Tie's guardhouse.

…

When the sound of footsteps approached the door, Zhang Tie almost finished his communication with many people. With flickering lotus flower eyes, he threw a glance outside through the thick iron wall when he saw Xing Xiangtian bringing here 2 knights.

When he contacted Zuoqiu Mingyue just now, Zhang Tie had received the news that Zuoqiu Mingyue assigned two people to "escort" him back to Xuanyuan Fortress. The two knights, one heavenly knight, the other shadow knight must be assigned by Zuoqiu Mingyue.

The four provinces in the Western Theater of Operations had already been chaotic. Those pilot academies in this territory had already suspended. The provincial and prefectural agricultural agencies across the region had been struck all of a heap. As a result, the Kangzhou Provincial Agricultural Bureau received a multitude of inquiries, driving Lu Yanyu mad. Many senior officers of frontline corps and knights in Xuanyuan fortress had already known this news, eradicating the morale very much. Xuanyuan Fortress urgently needed Zhang Tie to show up in the public for shattering the "rumor" and reassuring the people.

The no. 46 air cavalry regiment would not be a permanent choice for Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie let out a sigh inside. 'I've not accomplished my plan in the no. 46 air cavalry regiment. Air cavalries are still exploring and improving air wolf pack tactic of wing demons. With over one month, I could only lead the low altitude or super low altitude parachute training of air cavalries into the right track and reduce some loss for them in the future. That's all I could do. However, individual power always has its upper limit. It's a national affair. In many cases, it couldn't be tackled by me alone. After leaving the no. 46 air cavalry regiment, I could only have the subordinates explore the corresponding training themselves. Thankfully, I have Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and could have them explore the training skills themselves in advance. As long as Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory make their achievements, all the other local air cavalries would definitely imitate them based on the position and influence of air cavalries in Taixia Country. There would definitely be a rosy future.'

At this moment, unlocking sound drifted from outside the door. With a click, the iron door of the grim guardhouse was pushed open from outside.

"Ahem..ahem…" The heavenly knight on Wei Jingxian's side pretended to cough twice before opening his mouth, "General must have already known what happened outside. The commander-in-chief is waiting for the general in Xuanyuan Fortress so as to make people reassured…"

The moment this knight opened his mouth, Xing Xiangtian who was standing outside the guardhouse had felt a buzz in his mind, 'General? Why this knight who seems to have a higher rank than Wei Jingxian calls Zhang Tie general? Is that a hallucination…'

"Thanks…" Zhang Tie picked himself up with a calm look as he exited the guardhouse.

"It's my pleasure!" Even the shadow knight dared not behave insolently in front of Zhang Tie.

"I'm clear that the general is merciful. However, I've not imagined that the general would like to enter the camp once again for the sake of tens of millions of air cavalries in the theater of operations. On behalf of tens of thousands of air cavalries in the theater of operations, Wei Jinxian extends my thanks to general…" Wei Jingxian bowed deeply towards Zhang Tie with a long sigh and a complicated expression.

"General Wei, you're being too polite. As a member of Taixia Country and a knight, I just did what I should do…" Zhang Tie helped Wei Jingxian stand straight.

Xing Xiangtian widely opened his mouth with a shocked look. He couldn't utter any voice anymore. Even Wei Jingxian called this Zhang Tie 'general', who else could he be other than Zhang Mushen the Qianji Hermit and Weiji General who stabilized the rear end of the theater of operations and invented the airplane and Fiery Oil? 'Major Zhang Tie is the very renowned one who was sent in confinement…'

"Regimental Commander Xing…"

"Ahh…this humble…humble…humble officer is here…" Xing Xiangtian stammered at once.

"Regimental Commander Xing, sorry to bring you troubles these days in the no. 1 camp!" Zhang Tie said elegantly and gently.

"It's…it's the honor…aww, no, the glory of this humble officer…and the no. 46 air cavalry regiment…"

"Over the past month, the no. 1 battalion has been carrying out the training of air wolf pack tactic. Here are my gnosis and training guidelines. Please have officers of the no. 1 battalion continue the training of fighters of the no. 1 battalion if possible…" Zhang Tie said as he took out a thick pile of documents from his space-teleportation equipment.

Although being the Weiji General of the theater of operations, Zhang Tie couldn't interfere with military affairs directly. Therefore, Zhang Tie presented what he had compiled over the past month to Xing Xiangtian.

Xing Xiangtian nodded as he took Zhang Tie's compilation of documents by two hands respectfully which felt so heavy.

"Additionally, Stone has been LV 2. I've promised him to enroll him as an air cavalry in the pilot academy after he reaches LV 3. Stone is talented. Please take care of him after I leave, Regimental Commander Xing…"

"It's my pleasure; it's my pleasure…" Xing Xiangtian said.

After saying these words, Zhang Tie looked at the other two knights as he said, "Okay, let's go…"

Zhang Tie and the other two knights then walked outside while slowly changing his look. When they exited this building of Law Enforcement Center of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment, Zhang Tie had already recovered his original look——a comely Hua teenager.

Watching Zhang Tie gradually becoming another person, even the other two knights were greatly shocked, not to mention Xing Xiangtian.

All the officers and fighters in the Law Enforcement Center of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment were gazing at Zhang Tie out of amazement who came out of the guardhouse while changing his look.

When something icy fell onto his face, Zhang Tie raised his face as he found some snowflakes were descending facing the north wind in the evening sky.

It was snowing…

Closely after that, Zhang Tie flew off and made a circle above the camp of the no. 1 battalion. Zhang Tie's arrival shocked the fighters of the no. 1 battalion while many fighters ran out of their barracks and pointed at the sky. Zhang Tie just threw a last glance at them before flying towards Xuanyuan Fortress above the east bank of Weishui River…

Not until Zhang Tie left did the fighters of the no. 1 battalion realize that it was him who came here to bid a farewell to them…

Chapter 1400: Zhang Tie's Return

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Before they arrived at Xuanyuan Fortress, the north wind and snow had grown stronger while great drifts of snow had blown towards them…

Knights were not afraid of extreme weather. Such weather, although being bad, didn't affect knights at all, not to mention Zhang Tie.

In the sky, Zhang Tie felt a bit gloomy when he saw the ground and the distant Weishui River through strong wind and snow. Bad weather didn't affect knights; however, it could severely affect the ordinary ground forces; especially when Weishui was not far from being frozen in this first heavy snow at the advent of winter.

The three people moved faster than the airplane. Only after a short while, they had already finished the travel of about 180 miles and seen the giant Xuanyuan Fortress in front of them.

In the heavy snow, Xuanyuan Fortress and the other human battle fortresses were still standing to tower in the sky, distantly confronting with the army of demons and the demon battle fortresses. On the battlefield covering 120 miles, battle qi tornadoes and smokes were twisting wind and snow, indicating ceaseless fight…

Teams of human knights were patrolling around Xuanyuan Fortress and the neighboring battle fortresses while casting covetous eyes on the demon camp. More human knights were accessing Xuanyuan Fortress and the neighboring human battle fortresses. Fighters' camp was on the ground while knights' camp was in the sky.

When Zhang Tie approached Xuanyuan Fortress, he had already rapidly exchanged his military uniform with a boa silk robe. No matter what, it would be too eye-catching if a knight in the uniform of major of air cavalries appeared in Xuanyuan Fortress which was no different than fishing for fame.

"The news that the general was assassinated has just reached Xuanyuan Fortress, which shocked those knights in Xuanyuan Fortress very much. There're various gossips about your assassination around Xuanyuan Fortress. Many knights are discomposed about that. As general has returned safely, you'd better do something to attract their attention…" The shadow knight on Zhang Tie's side reminded Zhang Tie.

"Your Excellency, it's easy for me to attract their attention, hold a minute please…" Zhang Tie instantly released his battle qi tornado. Closely after that, a huge fiery dragon appeared in the sky while flapping its wings and skyrocketing. Its roar rocked hundred of miles…

In Taixia Country, this virtual image of a fiery dragon almost became Zhang Tie's sign. Except for Zhang Tie who could imitate the virtual image of Fiery Dragon Sutra using "Chaotic Treasure Body" that he fabricated, nobody else in Taixia Country could manifest the virtual image of a fiery dragon.

The moment they saw this virtual image, everybody knew that Zhang Tie had returned.

The virtual image of a fiery dragon almost drew the attention of all knights nearby Xuanyuan Fortress.

Zhang Tie didn't enter Xuanyuan Fortress immediately; instead, he watched the battlefield in the distance for a few seconds. Closely after that, his eyes gleamed as he rushed over there as fast as a lightning bolt.

Zhang Tie didn't rush towards the battlefield in the sky, but that on the ground. After flashing dozens of miles away, Zhang Tie released his Engulfing Dragon, which instantly expanded into a huge fierce dragon. Closely after that, the Engulfing Dragon changed into an immortal weapon and fell into Zhang Tie's hand. With Engulfing Dragon in hand, Zhang Tie slashed towards the ground from over 500 m high in the sky.

The berserk and sharp sword qi instantly lurked into the earth like a lightning bolt, causing a huge pit around dozens of meters in diameter. Right from the huge pit, a badly mutilated earth spider demon knight shot into the sky while spewing out blood. 3 of its 8 feet had been broken by Zhang Tie's sword. After being severely wounded, the spider demon was escaping towards the demon camp. However, only after hundreds of meters' flight, it had been split open by a sword light. Zhang Tie then flew back lifting the spider demon's bloody head, whose fangs were exposed.

Right under the gaze of everyone, Zhang Tie rapidly killed an earth demon knight who was lurking on the battlefield.

The shadow knight then gazed at Zhang Tie with widely opened eyes. It was not shocking for Zhang Tie to kill an earth spider demon knight as Zhang Tie had already displayed his ability to fight a shadow knight after he got the essence of sword song in last large-scale battle between human knights and demon knights. What shocked him was how Zhang Tie knew a spider demon was hiding beneath the earth.

"How do you know that a spider demon was hiding beneath there?" The shadow knight asked.

"No matter how it hides, it would always leave some clues. You can discover it using your mind!"

Zhang Tie put it simply, which shocked the shadow knight as he felt Zhang Tie was really profound.

Holding the bloody head of the earth spider demon knight, Zhang Tie entered Xuanyuan Fortress with that shadow knight.

"Qianji Hermit, Qianji Hermit is back…"

"Ahh, wasn't Qianji Hermit assassinated…"

"I'm sure about that. The virtual image of the fiery dragon is a sign of Qianji Hermit…"

At the entrance of Xuanyuan Fortress, a group of strange knights hurriedly gave way to Zhang Tie respectfully at the sight of that bloody head of demon knight in his hand.

Zhang Tie had already hidden his virtual image of the fiery dragon.

There were many knights inside Xuanyuan Fortress. There was a square near the entrance. Many knights on the square had seen Zhang Tie entering with a bloody head of a spider demon knight in hand. Since he showed off his ability in the last large-scale battle and got the essence of sword song, almost everybody had been familiar with his look in Xuanyuan Fortress even though he didn't release his virtual image of a fiery dragon. Across Xuanyuan Fortress, only Zhang Tie was a comely 17-year-old earth knight whose look formed a sharp contrast with his battle strength.

The bloody head of an earth spider demon knight in Zhang Tie's hand was more convincing.

"Ahh, Zhang Mushen is back…"

"Wasn't Zhang Tie ambushed and killed by a heavenly demon knight according to the news from Xinglin Prefecture, Military Province…"

"Sh*t, I've just sent the news back to my clan. Who's cooking the rumor…"

…

Spider demons could secrete venom; especially those above LV 10 could already cause extra wounds to human fighters using their venom in fight. The toxicity of spider demons could barely be eradicated by common drugs. The best antidote was a gland in the mouth of a high-level spider demon. The higher level the spider demon was, the more effective and precious it would be as an antidote. The gland of earth spider demon was a war rarity which could hardly be bought in the market.

Under the gaze of all the others, Zhang Tie came to the front of a counter on the square. Closely after that, he dropped the spider demon's head onto the counter before heading for Zuoqiu Mingyue's office…

Only after a short while, the news of Zhang Tie's return had spread over Xuanyuan Fortress. The panic that filled the entire Xuanyuan Fortress disappeared in a split second. The same news soon spread over all the 4 provinces in the theater of operations. Therefore, the discompose caused by Zhang Tie's death gradually subsided…

Chapter 1401: Asking for Resignation

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

In the same room of the highest tower in the center of Xuanyuan Fortress, Zhang Tie faced Zuoqiu Mingyue once again…

Sitting beside a teapoy, Zuoqiu Mingyue was holding his breath and slowly injecting hot water into a teacup full of ritual sense, causing a dense and elegant fragrance of tea leaves gradually fill the room…

Although having met this old man for many times, Zhang Tie still felt strange about Zuoqiu Mingyue.

The death of over 10 million civilians of Taixia Country outside the camp of demons, the whines and cries, the corps that covered over 600 miles two days ago didn't leave any trace on the face of Zuoqiu Mingyue.

This old man still remained calm and nonchalant while performing the teaism1 of Taixia Country consummately without shaking his hands.

However, sitting on the other side of the teapoy, Zhang Tie's heart slowly sunk.

A cup of limpid and dark green tea water was pushed in front of Zhang Tie by Zuoqiu Mingyue. The tea cup's porcelain was as white as the moon with the gentle and lubricating luster of moonlight. Some tea leaves were swiveling, rolling and pursuing each other in the water like tumbling and rising mist and cloud in mountain and the mysterious rule deduced by yin and yang. This cup of tea seemed to contain the entire universe.

"Sitting there, I pour cold water into a pot; watching the green matcha as fine as dust being boiled, I hold a cup of tea, sending this sentiment to the one who likes tea…" Zuoqiu Mingyue suddenly opened his mouth leisurely. Closely after that, he sipped it as he closed his eyes satisfactorily.

Watching the cup of tea water, Zhang Tie didn't move. Even though being a famous earth knight, Zhang Tie still didn't understand tea. No matter how qualified and rare the tea was, Zhang Tie would always feel lacking a bit pureness and sweat, which, although being cheap, was Zhang Tie's favorite. At home, all of Zhang Tie's family members knew that Zhang Tie liked to add sugar in his tea. This was the sear of one's born which was hard to alter. Neither did Zhang Tie prepare to change it.

"Why…" Looking at Zuoqiu Mingyue's calm face, Zhang Tie asked, "Why not save those innocent civilians instead of watching them dying in front of demons?"

"How?" Zuoqiu Mingyue let out a sigh as he put down his teacup and asked Zhang Tie calmly with abruptly sharp eye light, "Would I have human knights fight demons at the risk of their lives only to save those common civilians?" Zuoqiu Mingyue revealed a faint, genial yet cold smile as he continued, "I opine that all the civilians in the area occupied by demons had been dead the moment they were captured by demons. They're now demon's war resources and tools instead of being civilians of Taixia Country. The civilians of Taixia Country is in the east of Weishui River and Helan Mountain instead of in the west. Knights in Xuanyuan Fortress are for civilians in the east of Weishui River and Helan Mountain…"

"However, they're not captured by demons voluntarily. Taixia's army couldn't protect them that they finally fell in the hand of demons…" Zhang Tie demurred out of excitement.

"The army of Taixia Country have already tried their best, including me. I'm the military god of Taixia country; instead of being a real deity. The army of Taixia Country is also comprised of a multitude of commoners. Undoubtedly, demons are powerful. It's a holy war, not a court on morality!"

"You've long known that demons would have those civilians of Taixia Country clear mines?" Zhang Tie asked with his eyes close on Zuoqiu Mingyue.

"I've told you that everything could become their war resource and tool for demons. Facing Taixia's new weapons and war pattern, demons would send these captives onto the battlefield without demur. It's the same on the battlefield, whether they're forced or voluntary!" Zuoqiu Mingyue watched Zhang Tie calmly as he said, "Demons have even done something more brutal in the last holy war. It's nothing fresh at all. The difference between you and me is that you could be responsible for your conscience; however, I should be committed to more civilians and thousands of corps of Taixia Country in the theater of operations. I should not live up to their trust. In order to not turn more civilians of Taixia Country into slaves of demons, I would issue a decree to wipe out anyone who dare wallop the troops or line of defense of Taixia Country regardless of their identity and reason. I believe that each mine being detonated actually curtails the war potential of demons and contributes to Taixia Country in the holy war…"

Being silent, Zhang Tie felt a bit bitter in the mouth. Taking up a teacup, he raised his head and bottomed up the tea water. Closely after that, he put down his teacup and revealed a bitter smile, "It seems that I really don't fit to be an officer…"

"Nobody is born fit to be an officer. Nobody is born to be hard-hearted. Nobody is born to be a butcher!" Zuoqiu Mingyue lowered his tone, "But we have no other choice…"

"Would the same tragedy happen again?"

"Over the past 1 month, demons were constantly transporting civilians of Taixia Country that they've captured to the camp of demons. It's roughly estimated that the population of human captives being transported to the frontline has already reached 200 million. In the following days, as long as Weishui River becomes icy, demons would drive all of them onto the battlefield to wipe out the landmines that we've buried on both banks of Weishui River. By then, the large-scale war would come to a start…"

"If so, commander-in-chief would never allow them to pass Weishui River…"

"Yes!" Zuoqiu Mingyue put it straightforwardly, "I would never allow them to pass the line of defense in the east bank of Weishui River. As long as these captives pass the landmines in the west bank of Weishui River, I will order the troops of airships and bombers to tackle them…"

Zhang Tie knew that the word "tackle" mentioned by Zuoqiu Mingyue actually referred to eradication. As long as the airships and bombers could block those captives near Weishui River for 2 days, most of the Hua civilians would be starved or frozen to death.

Within imagination, the 200 million common civilians being moved to the frontline by demons had long been destined to die.

Zhang Tie seemed to have seen two banks of Weishui River being covered with corpses…

"I've already taken the office of Weiji General of the theater of operations for almost 1 year. During the past year, the production of grains and Fiery Oil have been basically stabilized. As long as everything goes smoothly, as usual, it would be fine. I couldn't do anything more in this position…" Zhang Tie said as he put the seal and relevant tokens of Weiji General onto the desk in front of them, "Therefore, commander-in-chief, I officially propose to resign today!"

After looking at Zhang Tie for quite a while, Zuoqiu Mingyue let out a sigh, "You've made remarkable achievements in this position and you are too eye-catching. Even demons have sensed the threat and would like to assign a heavenly knight to kill you. If you were killed in Anxi City, the rear end of the Western Theater of Operations would be in great chaos for sure. If you resign at this time, it would not be bad for the entire theater of operations. All the provinces around Taixia Country have been preparing to establish an air cavalry army. I've already sent a proposal to Xuanyuan Hill lately. His Majesty has already agreed on it and named it Heavenly Army. In the future, the Heavenly Army would be on equal footing with the top 4 armies. I prepare to recommend you as the marshal of Heavenly Army with the awards of heavens suppression general and deputy commander-in-chief. You could leave the theater of operations and establish Heavenly Army in the rear end. By then, all the air cavalries of Taixia Country would be under your leadership. You could turn your innovative thoughts about air cavalries into reality no matter what it is. What do you think about it?"

If it was another person who sat in front of Zuoqiu Mingyue, this special treatment would definitely make his heart pound. Compared to the position of Weiji General, marshal of Heavenly Army, heavens suppression general and being able to be on the same footing with the other marshals of top 4 armies of Taixia Country in the near future was already able to drive people mad by its brilliance and privilege.

If Zhang Tie accepted this promotion, he would make great progress as his ability and meritorious services had been confirmed. To be honest, nobody else could match Zhang Tie in understanding air cavalries around Taixia country.

Zhang Tie had not imagined that the "gossip" that he received from the no. 46 air cavalry regiment 1 month ago was actually real.

It seemed that that "gossip" was either an insight of a wise person towards the trend or Zuoqiu Mingyue's temptation.

Zuoqiu Mingyue's recommendation of Zhang Tie as the marshal of Heavenly Army indicated his favor and protection about the latter.

"Thanks, commander-in-chief. But I clear that I'm not suitable to rule the army due to my limited ability and poor experience. Therefore, I dare not accept it! If commander-in-chief really favors me, please recover my freedom and enable me to be free in the theater of operations, even I could be a scout once again…" Zhang Tie declined…

Chapter 1402: Regaining Freedom

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

'Would a person who's ambitious about power refuse such a rare chance?'

'Of course not!'

'Is this young man cheating me?'

Zuoqiu Mingyue denied the second thought immediately at the sight of Zhang Tie's pure eyes. Based on Zuoqiu Mingyue's rich experience, no trick could cheat his eyes. As a sage-level knight, his could see through all the ruses.

Zhang Tie's bright and pure eyes caused Zuoqiu Mingyue to sigh with emotions. In Zuoqiu Mingyue's opinion, this young knight was consummate in all aspects except being too soft-hearted sometimes and lacking interest in power. What others gagged for was nothing but sh*t for him.

If not, how could he leave those poetic lines of "The Beloved Ones" and get the essence of sword song by reciting a poem on the battlefield?

Because he was sentimental, he could get the truth.

"If so, you could be a guerrilla general…" Zuoqiu Mingyue let out a sigh as he added, "From today on, you, as a guerrilla general, don't have to follow anyone's decree. Guerrilla general could fight demons wherever he wants at his discretion, above the ground or beneath the ground. When you encounter enemies, you could launch a strike whenever you want. As the proverb goes, being far away from Xuanyuan Hill, you could not follow His Majesty's decree…"

When Zuoqiu Mingyue said these words, a bizarre token appeared in his hand. Closely after that, he gave it to Zhang Tie.

"Guerrilla general��" Zhang Tie was a bit curious about that. Holding the token, he started to observe it carefully. The token looked very delicate being similar to his Xuanyuan token. However, this one was apparently more senior. A line of words was engraved on one side of the token——Guerrilla General of Taixia Country; while "Being free from His Majesty's decree" were on the other side. The entire token was covered with secret grains. The token also carried some special rune effects. Additionally, a top quality remote-sensing crystal was embedded in the center of the token. The token looked very distinctive.

"The position of the guerrilla general is definitely special. Because it is specially prepared for heavenly knights of the top 6 sects in Taixia Country on the battlefield. With this token, you could even access to the emperor's city in Xuanyuan Hill and the camps of armies in Taixia Country. In emergencies, you could even assign all the soldiers and mounts under the affiliation of Cheji General of a province. In Lion Fortress of Earth Element Realm, you could even enter heavenly knight's tower for cultivation by showing this token…"

Zhang Tie's heart pounded as he finally understood that this token was the exclusive result when the imperial court gave compromise to the top 6 sects in Taixia Country. When in a holy war, the top 6 sects might fear that the imperial court would curtail the power of them by assigning their heavenly knights to fight demon heavenly knights. Therefore, the imperial court set guerrilla generals so that both parties thought it was fair-minded. Nominally, those heavenly knights of top 6 sects followed the leadership of His Majesty; actually, both parties could counter with each other when it was involved with their lives. No matter how powerful Xuanyuan Emperor was, he could not order a heavenly knight of a top clan to die for him.

Although guerrilla general was not well-known around the country, he enjoyed an exceptional position.

This token was appropriate for Zhang Tie well.

Although Zhang Tie didn't fully agree with what the imperial court and Zuoqiu Mingyue did in the theater of operations and what he did might not satisfy everyone, he shared the general orientation with Zuoqiu Mingyue and imperial court of Taixia Country. With this new identity, he might cooperate with and maintain a distance with the imperial court of Taixia Country.

"Thanks, commander-in-chief…" Zhang Tie stood up as he bowed deeply towards Zuoqiu Mingyue sincerely.

"Perhaps others might be unsuitable to take this token, but I opine that you're qualified to own it. Your strength is indeed not in using people and commanding the army. Perhaps you could perform better if you're given greater freedom. With the identity of guerrilla general, you could leave the theater of operations whenever you want without any concern…"

"Commander-in-chief, do you want me to leave the theater of operations?"

"Demons have already assigned a heavenly knight to kill you. Unless you leave Xuanyuan Fortress, you would be killed for sure even with the help of the mutated thunder hawk!" Zuoqiu Mingyue told Zhang Tie sincerely as he looked into Zhang Tie's eyes, "There's still a long way to go before the end of this holy war. You're still too young. You should have a bit insight. Based on your quality, you would definitely have a bright future after promoting to a heavenly knight. The demon army's attack is still strong with great potential. Taixia Country has also just spared one hand to deal with the crisis facing the Western Theater of Operations. Neither party has fully exerted their efforts. The four provinces in the Western Theater of Operations might also be collapsed in the future. If Taixia Country could win the holy war in the end, it would be acceptable for us to lose the four provinces!"

'It depends even if I encounter a heavenly knight!'

Zhang Tie muttered inside. However, he still appreciated Zuoqiu Mingyue's good intention. Additionally, Zuoqiu Mingyue's insight and judgment about the general trend of the holy war enlightened Zhang Tie well, "Thanks, commander-in-chief. I will consider whether to leave or not. As there are still so many things to enjoy, I treasure my own life very much!"

"Glad you think that way. With body changing immortal bloodline, as long as you don't want demon heavenly knight to discover you, they would never be able to find you no matter how many heavenly knights do they have!" Zuoqiu Mingyue said as he looked straight into Zhang Tie's eyes, " Who do you think could take the office of Weiji General after you?"

"I opine that commander-in-chief must have your own consideration about that. I don't think it's proper for me to say too much about that. However, given the situation facing the rear end of the theater of operations, everything has already been on the right track. As long as Lu Yanyu is there, the rear end would run normally as usual even if this position is vacant. In this way, it could indicate that commander-in-chief prefers to make people reassured than having a new Weiji General disrupt the existing order of the rear end for meritorious services in case of the internal disorder…"

Zhang Tie suggested as Zuoqiu Mingyue nodded slowly and sighed with feeling, "You're indeed experienced, talented and considerate. After you leave, it's indeed a way for adjustment by leaving that position in vacancy. With this suggestion, you don't live up to be my assistant over the past year…"

Zuoqiu Mingyue's words revealed his favor and pity about Zhang Tie.

"I'm so sorry about that…" Zhang Tie was indeed sorry about that. Over the past one year, being nominally Zuoqiu Mingyue's secretary and assistant, he didn't even fulfill his responsibility at all. Not only that, he even quarreled with Zuoqiu Mingyue, causing the latter to smash his desk. What an audacious assistant of commander-in-chief…

"Have the last cup of tea with me…" Zuoqiu Mingyue made another cup of tea for Zhang Tie.

…

After finishing the last cup of tea with Zuoqiu Mingyue, Zhang Tie left. When he exited the highest tower in the center of Xuanyuan Fortress, he felt pretty relaxed all over and regained his freedom like a dragon returning to the ocean. Although the identity guerrilla general was not well-known or powerful, it was much more valuable than being a Weiji General for Zhang Tie. Its value could be manifested based on the identity of those who could get this token.

In some sense, this token could be his amulet in Taixia Country. With this amulet, he could basically avoid from being suppressed and taken as cannon fodder by someone in name of righteousness.

To date, it's self-evident that nobody in Taixia Country could suppress him in name of righteousness. Zuoqiu Mingyue didn't put it straight; however, Zhang Tie still owed to Zuoqiu Mingyue.

As the adage went, one felt carefree when he was relieved of official duties. Zhang Tie had the same feeling at this moment. However, when he realized that 200 million innocent Hua civilians would be killed by his incendiary mines and incendiary bombs whose corpses would spread over the west bank of Weishui River, Zhang Tie felt an extremely heavy burden once again, causing a heavy frown…

"I got you. Do you know how much I worry about you…" A figure threw into Zhang Tie's arms like a baby swallow returning to its nest as she put her arms tightly around Zhang Tie…

Of course, it was Bai Suxian.

In Zhang Tie's arms, Bai Suxian's shoulder was quivering out of fear. She just put her arms around Zhang Tie tightly as if she was afraid of losing him all of a sudden. Zhang Tie's chest soon turned wet by her tears.

Zhang Tie didn't know Bai Suxian's response when she heard about his assassination. However, given her current look, Zhang Tie knew that Bai Suxian must have been scared too much by that news.

After quite a long while, Bai Suxian separated with Zhang Tie. Raising her tearful eyes, she looked into Zhang Tie's eyes affectionately.

"If something bad happened to you, I would have died…"

Bai Suxian's voice sounded resolute yet weak, causing Zhang Tie's heart to pound. Being silent, Zhang Tie just wiped off her tears tenderly as he kissed her forehead slightly…

Feng Cangwu also appeared in front of Zhang Tie. As he walked towards Zhang Tie slowly on the street, he checked Zhang Tie all over carefully. Closely after that, he pursed his lips and punched Zhang Tie's shoulder.

"You disappointed me. I guessed that you lack an arm or a leg. How could you enjoy such a beauty here? That's too preposterous…"

Zhang Tie also punched Feng Cangwu's shoulder as they laughed at each other.

At this moment, another person appeared. It was Mountain Lifting Hermit whom Zhang Tie had not seen for a long time. At the sight of Zhang Tie, Mountain Lifting Hermit let out a deep sigh…

"Let's go for a drink…" Zhang Tie waved his arm as he burst out into laughter, "No drunk, no return!"

Chapter 1403: Being Hot-Blooded

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

When Zhang Tie opened his eyes, Bai Suxian was still sleeping on the bed sweetly.

After opening the quilt, Zhang Tie threw a glance at Bai Suxian's elegant curve. He then covered her with the quilt lightly before getting off the bed and walking to the front of the window in a coat, looking in the distance.

The day had just broken outside the window of the airboat. It was cold and frozen outside with flying snowflakes. Overnight, the earth had been in a vast expanse of whiteness.

At the sight of this scenery, the poet might feel like creating a poem. When Zhang Tie saw Weishui River gradually icing up, he heavily frowned as he knew that the demon army's attack would arrive once again after a couple of months' rest with the freeze-up of Weishui River.

The Weishui River, when it was frozen, would offset the advantage of Taixia's fleet on water and collapse many means of Taixia Country in water. Additionally, the ground forces of demons would drive straight in the east bank of Weishui River without any tool.

As the cannon fodder and vanguard of this attack of demons, hundreds of millions of Hua civilians' corpses would cover 600 miles on the west of Weishui River.

There might be more in the days to come!

'The incendiary mines that I've invented would become the hell of those captured Hua civilians.'

Zuoqiu Mingyue could regard all this as the consumption of demon's war resources and potential; however, as the inventor and culprit of Fiery Oil and various Fiery-Oil weapons, Zhang Tie felt guilty when he saw his inventions being used to slaughter common Hua civilians…

As Zhang Tie watched the ground grimly with a heavy frown, he was brewing a thought.

Since Zhang Tie was in custody in the Law Enforcement Center of the no. 46 air cavalry regiment, Zhang Tie had already got this thought. In the beginning, he was not sure whether this method was feasible. However, after a heavenly knight was assigned to assassinate "him", Zhang Tie had confirmed its feasibility, namely, he could save almost 200 million Hua civilians!

Even so, he should pay a high price for it. He should not only expose all of his trump cards, but also might lose his life.

Such a decision could barely be made by anyone. Therefore, Zhang Tie was still a bit hesitant. Zhang Tie didn't mean to be a renowned saint; neither had he dreamed for a legendary life. He only wanted a comfortable life being accompanied by wives and kids, which was also his favorite. He would also be hesitant, balk at and measure dangers. However, whenever he closed his eyes, he would see numerous poor Hua civilians being driven to clear mines by demons, a mother trying to put out the flame over her baby, the old man kneeling down to whine, causing Zhang Tie hot-blooded ceaselessly.

He could continue to watch everything happening distantly and calculate all the benefits and shortcomings precisely like a difference engine. He would not expose his trump cards and risk his life unless in need.

On the other hand, he could live and do as he liked. He would surge forward even if there were tens of thousands of demon knights!

'Which way should I choose?'

Forming a sharp contrast with the cold outside the airboat, the inside of the room was as warm as spring. When Zhang Tie was watching the scenery outside the window and simmering his plan, Bai Suxian had already come to his back and put her arms around Zhang Tie tightly, putting her face close against Zhang Tie's back.

"You're thinking about something…" Bai Suxian muttered.

As Zhang Tie's woman, Bai Suxian could well sense Zhang Tie's feeling.

Revealing a smile, Zhang Tie looked at the distance as he said, "There's a flower called udumbara in the legend. It opens per 3,000 years when it encounters someone who could interact with it. Do you think it is worth that or not?"

"Some flowers open yearly and fade lonely in woods with its fragrance. Although they have opened millions of times, they're still alone. By contrast, some flowers open per 3,000 years when they could interact with people who understand them, even if they won't open anymore…" Bai Suxian replied with emotions as she put her arms around Zhang Tie tightly.

"Thanks, I see…" Zhang Tie let out a deep sigh as he finally determined his mind. Turning around, he cupped Bai Suxian's pretty face and said, "I have to leave Xuanyuan Fortress for some days. During this period, you'd better not stay here. Go back to Iron-Dragon Sect…"

As the princess of Lord Guangnan's Mansion, Bai Suxian was actually already free when Bai Runcheng and the other knights of Lord Guangnan's Mansion arrived at the theater of operations. Nobody forced her to stay in the theater of operations to fight demons.

"You want me back?" Bai Suxian asked Zhang Tie out of amazement.

"I'm a guerrilla general. I'm free. I will go back after a few days too. I will be more reassured when you're at home. Additionally, your uncle and the other knights of Lord Guangnan's Mansion would not allow you to fight demons on the battlefield. Why not help me look after the house…" Zhang Tie said with a casual smile.

"Where're you heading for?"

Zhang Tie slapped Bai Suxian's plump butt and said with a serious look, "Women don't need to know their man's plan…"

"I just care about you…" Bai Suxian liked Zhang Tie's crafty very much. When she found that Zhang Tie was silent, she embraced Zhang Tie as she twisted her waist and acted like a spoiled child cheerily.

…

Half an hour later, Zhang Tie left Xuanyuan Fortress after bidding a farewell to Feng Cangwu and the other friends using remote-sensing crystals.

Zhang Tie left stealthily. Even Bai Suxian didn't come out to see him off. As for Mountain Lifting Hermit, he had already left after escorting a batch of materials to Xuanyuan Fortress and having a drink with Zhang Tie last night.

Standing in the strong wind and snow, Zhang Tie threw a deep glance at the demon's camp. Closely after that, he whistled while his thunder hawk flashed towards him from the skyline. After Zhang Tie jumped onto its back, the thunder hawk instantly rushed into the sky and disappeared from the bank of Weishui River at a speed which was two times the speed of sound towards east…

The thunder hawk moved so fast that the wind and snow had been blown away by the wave caused by the supersonic flight before they touched the thunder hawk. None of it fell onto Zhang Tie.

The moment Zhang Tie left Xuanyuan Fortress, many people had already known that…

Chapter 1404: Being Determined

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

"Master, Zhang Tie has left Xuanyuan Fortress this morning…" a disciple of Feng Yexiao passed this news to him soon after Zhang Tie left there for more than 10 minutes.

As Zhang Tie was already a pillar in Xuanyuan Fortress like a star, each of his movement would catch others' attention for sure.

Feng Yexiao frowned. After hearing that Zhang Tie was assassinated by a heavenly demon knight yesterday, Feng Yexiao felt pretty good. Although he couldn't celebrate it apparently, he couldn't stand hiding his smile. However, after hearing that Zhang Tie came back and killed an earth spider demon knight outside Xuanyuan Fortress, Feng Yexiao felt completely disappointed. He had sworn that the heavenly demon knight was as silly as an idiot many times inside.

Feng Yexiao didn't have a liking for Zhang Tie since they met in Earth-elements Realm. After Zhang Tie won an airboat from him, Zhang Tie had become sore in his eye.

Zhang Tie was an earth knight; Feng Yexiao was a shadow knight. Previously, Feng Yexiao could still look down upon Zhang Tie as Zhang Tie was just sore in his eyes; after Zhang Tie got the essence of sword song on the battlefield, this sore had become a rising morning star, whose brilliance ached Feng Yexiao's eyes, scorching his heart. As a result, Feng Yexiao could not look down upon him in a discomposed way anymore…

"Where is he going?" Feng Yexiao asked with a frown.

"He left for the east by his thunder hawk…"

Feng Yexiao sneered as he told his disciples, "After his substitute was assassinated by that heavenly demon knight yesterday, he has resigned as Weiji General out of fear. I've not imagined that he has left the theater of operations for the rear end out of fear soon after being a guerrilla general. It's so preposterous that such a timid guy who escaped with the onset of the large-scale war could have such a great reputation in the theater of operations…"

"I agree with you, master…"

"I agree with you, Elder Feng…"

"Zhang Tie is just an undeservingly honored person…"

Those disciples of Taiyi Fantasy Sect who had suffered a loss from Zhang Tie started to swear Zhang Tie one after another after getting the essence of Feng Yexiao's words.

In less than 1 hour, the news that Zhang Tie had left Xuanyuan Fortress for the rear end out of fear had been spread over Xuanyuan Fortress being pushed by someone malicious…

After hearing this news, someone held his own wrist out of concern, someone was disappointed, someone was driven mad, someone swore, someone was delighted in his discomfiture…

Zuoqiu Mingyue also got the news.

In the highest tower in the center of Xuanyuan Fortress, Zuoqiu Mingyue stood there with hands on his back and a slight frown as he looked at the gloomy sky in the far.

'Where's Zhang Tie?'

Zuoqiu Mingyue would never believe that Zhang Tie escaped out of fear. However, with the outset of the large-scale war, Zhang Tie left Xuanyuan Fortress for the east soon after he was appointed as a guerrilla general. No wonder it arose heated discussions…

…

When many people in Xuanyuan Fortress were talking about Zhang Tie's sudden departure, the thunder hawk had already landed in a remote, lofty and towering mountain in Ningzhou Province over 1,200 miles away.

Snowflakes were flying over the vast land of Ningzhou Province, whitening the ground. Facing strong wind and snow, Zhang Tie could barely open his eyes. Nobody else could be found within hundreds of miles of this mountainous area, except for Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie landed on a boulder that reached out of the cliff in the mountainous area. It was a clough beneath this cliff. In dense mist and cloud, the cliff was enshrouded by woods, making it a pretty hidden place.

There was an old vigorous pine beside the boulder. A mountain cave was right behind the boulder.

"Go back to Youzhou Province. Don't come back unless I call you…" Zhang Tie whispered to the thunder hawk while stroking its furry head.

After receiving Zhang Tie's order, the thunder hawk rubbed its head against Zhang Tie for a few seconds before rushing into the sky towards Youzhou Province.

As the thunder hawk only stayed here for less than 10 seconds, nobody could find that Zhang Tie had already got off his thunder hawk within hundreds of miles.

Seeing off his thunder hawk, Zhang Tie turned around and entered the mountain cave behind him.

A faint, sweet flavor emitted from the mountain cave. However, it was definitely not from an exotic herb.

A 30 cm-thick and over-30 m-long mutated bloody boa was hibernating in the cave while emitting a faintly sweet flavor.

After sensing someone entering the cave, the boa opened its eyes. However, the moment it looked into Zhang Tie's eyes, it had been still out of fear. After sensing a bit of Zhang Tie's looming qi, the bloody boa had felt soft all over, including its bones as if the doomsday was coming. It didn't even have the thought to resist.

It was the qi from the "Weapon" sutra in "King Roc Sutra" that Zhang Tie cultivated. Any sort of dragon or snake would be completely oppressed by this qi, whether it was a virtual image or a mutated beast, not to mention such a tiny bloody boa.

"Baby, just sleep; don't look around; I will not hurt you. However, if you see something, some animal controlling powerhouses might get some information from you. By then, I have to kill you…" Zhang Tie said with a smile.

Zhang Tie entered this mountain cave only for the sake of changing his clothes and look. While resting inside, he started to wait for the night.

The bloody boa seemed to have understood Zhang Tie's words as it nodded and closed its eyes.

Zhang Tie then sat down on a clean rock inside the mountain cave. With eyes closed, he took out a water element crystal as he started to absorb it.

Zhang Tie left Xuanyuan Fortress only for promoting to a shadow knight.

He had to promote to a new stage of shadow knight at his utmost effort before Weishui River was completely frozen. Only by making it come true could he carry out his plan for a greater probability of success.

He only had fewer than 7 days left. Therefore, Zhang Tie had to break through it within 7 days.

As for common knights, it was a pretty tough breakthrough; however, for Zhang Tie who had already lit 357 scales on his water chakra, he only needed 1 or 2 earth knights of demons or heavenly reaching church to accomplish this promotion…

As earth knights of demons and heavenly reaching church were in the west, Zhang Tie especially left the theater of operations towards the east so as to eliminate suspicion.

Chapter 1405: A 10,000 miles' Rush

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Whenever it was, the deep night was always the best protection for all the nocturnal animals.

Few people moved in the evening. Additionally, even if they had night-viewing medicaments, their vision could never match that in the daytime. If it was too far away from the target, the effect of night-viewing medicaments would be greatly discounted.

After using up all the 20-odd water-element crystals in his hand, Zhang Tie opened his eyes. Although it was still windy and snowy outside the mountain cave, it had already been pitch-dark. As the gloomy sky was covered with thick clouds, no starlight could be seen through.

It was time for action.

The huge boa just slept on Zhang Tie's side quietly. Zhang Tie picked himself up as he teleported those empty water-element crystals into Castle of Black Iron. In a split second, he was in the hard and grim armor of Chaos.

Zhang Tie triggered a master-level hiding skill. Closely after that, the pitch-dark Chaos had become looming like the skin of a chameleon, completely integrating its color with the background color of the mountain cave, manifesting the grains of nearby stones.

When Zhang Tie exited the mountain cave, the Chaos changed its color into a dark gray. When the snowflakes fell onto his Chaos, snowflake-shaped spots soon covered over his Chaos.

Being silent, Zhang Tie immediately rushed into the sky from the boulder and reached the cloud over 20,000 m high as fast as a lightning bolt before moving towards the north.

In this case, clouds could prevent him from being discovered.

Zhang Tie could see through the clouds and see things far away by his lotus flower eyes; however, the others couldn't do it.

Zhang Tie moved very fast as he had already triggered his flight ability as a divine dominator. Only after a short while, he had reached 8 times the speed of sound. Benefited from such a high speed, he soon flew across Ningzhou Province and entered the air territory of Huanzhou Province. After passing by Huanzhou Province, Zhang Tie changed his direction and flew towards Helan Mountain Range in the west.

At such a high speed, Zhang Tie was like a specter and a lightning bolt that penetrated through clouds. Even heavenly knights couldn't catch up with him.

Only after a short while, the familiar Helan Mountain Range had appeared under his foot.

Compared to the two banks of Weishui River, Helan Mountain Range was another battlefield. Because Helan Mountain Range had sophisticated terrain, high mountains and dense woods like a huge barrier that lasted thousands of miles, no troop of over 10,000 population could carry out the action in the mountains freely. Additionally, ground forces would find it difficult to move to the mountains. There were many dangerous abysses in the mountain range where even birds couldn't fly across. In this case, demons put their main force to break through Weishui River while only leaving 10 more spider demon corps in Helan Mountain Range and some demon knights in the periphery of Helan Mountain Range.

Helan Mountain Range had become the battlefield of middle and small forces between Taixia Country and demons.

The battles in Helan Mountain were not as mighty and overwhelming as that on banks of Weishui River. However, it was more dangerous for fighters of Taixia Country to attend battles in Helan Mountain Range.

Even at a high altitude, Zhang Tie could still see clearly the sparkles and silent killings in the woods of Helan Mountain Range lasting 600 miles.

The sparkles were caused by incendiary mines and bolts. Killings were undergoing throughout the time. Both parties were trapping and killing each other. Tens of thousands of small units of Hua fighters and demons were crisscrossing and spraying blood over the snow land in Helan Mountain Range.

Zhang Tie flew by Helan Mountain Range and continued to move towards the west.

Although the battlefield at the foot was fierce, it didn't belong to him.

Demons set a floating battlefortress in the west of Helan Mountain Range. Demon Knights were accessing to it. Similarly, Taixia Country set two floating battle fortresses in the east of Helan Mountain Range, confronting with demons.

This place was not far from the main camp of the demon army. Additionally, many demon knights were guarding there. It was not proper for hunting earth demon knights here. Therefore, Zhang Tie rushed over without demur, leaving behind the floating battlefortress of demons.

After flying across Helan Mountain Range, Zhang Tie entered the air territory of Wuzhou Province. At this moment, the entire territory of Wuzhou Province had been collapsed. Zhang Tie kept moving towards the west.

After crossing the frontline of the demon army, Zhang Tie could see a demon camp in every 600 miles. Each demon camp was based on the original city of Taixia Country and contained millions of demon fighters and over 100 demon knights. In case of Hua knights' raid, demon camps were strictly safeguarded. Knights were taking actions in terms of squads, sparing no chance for Zhang Tie.

Last time, Yan Feiqing almost fell in a trap set by demons in such places. Of course, Zhang Tie would not make the same mistake.

In fact, Zhang Tie had long predicted about such a situation. Therefore, he didn't target these demon camps. His target was actually in Yinzhou City. Yinzhou City was once the provincial city of Yinzhou Province and now the "capital" of Heavens Reaching Empire. A band of remnants of Heavens Reaching Church who betrayed Taixia Country and went and sought refuge and honor with demons was ruling the city.

At least half of the 29 earth knights on the ranking list of criminals in Supreme Court of Taixia Country were in Yinzhou City.

Yinzhou City was about 8,000 miles away from Helan Mountain Range.

In addition, Yinzhou City had already been renamed as Heavens Reaching City by the remnants of Heavens Reaching Church.

Zhang Tie flew over demon camps and cities which were occupied by demons one after another. At the speed which was 8 times the speed of sound, it only took him less than 2 hours to arrive at the sky above Yinzhou City.

Yinzhou City was a magnificent Class A city. The entire city was girdled by a demon camp. All the way here, Zhang Tie found that most of the cities occupied by demons were pitch-dark. However, in order to prove the "prosperity" of the capital of Heavens Reaching Empire, the entire city was covered with fluorescent lamps, including the top of city walls. From the sky, Yinzhou City was a bit boisterous.

Squads of demon fighters were patrolling in the city. Whenever those patrolling demon fighters passed by Hua captives, those fraught Hua civilians would hurriedly give way to them as they stood on the roadside…

Chapter 1406: Zhang Tie's Trap

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Although Yinzhou City looked brightly lit from the sky, it was a bit contradicting behind those lamplights.

In such heavy, snowy weather and such a deep night, most of the stores in other provinces must have been closed. However, all the stores in the downtown of Yinzhou City even those small shops in lanes were still brightly lit, making it a bit unreasonable.

Previously, Zhang Tie heard that the band of remnants of Heavens Reaching Church founded Heavens Reaching Empire with the support of demons and issued some absurd decrees to display the prosperity and popularity of the region under the rule of Heavens Reaching Church, for instance, those stores inside the city couldn't close up until 12 am. At the sight of the nightscape here, Zhang Tie realized that the gossip was true.

Demons and humans had been living together in the same city while the former was in a supreme position. This city might be the blueprint and template of demons' rule over Hua people in the future.

The aborigines inside Yinzhou City had already started to be brainwashed. When Zhang Tie saw those patrolling demon fighters passing by, those Hua captives balked at them on the roadsides while giving a salute to them. Nobody dared oppose demons. Those dissidents might have already been "tackled" by demons and Heavens Reaching Church…

Of course, such a case looked a bit abnormal for the time being. However, if demons really won this holy war, when the brilliant history of humans and Taixia Country was completely eliminated and all the seniors who knew this period of history had passed away for 100 or 200 years, would those commoners who were born to worship demons as nobles and idols feel it abnormal to worship demons? By then, demons might prefer themselves to be called deities while those puppets and lackeys with the support of demons would also become the ruling class of humans…

New religion would appear; so would history being comprised of lies. By then, humans might be forced to forget about cultivation; instead, they would submit themselves to the ruling system established by demons and their lackeys.

It was not an illusion, but the reappearance of the reality facing humans before the Catastrophe.

Watching Yinzhou City, Zhang Tie further determined his mind to fight demons until the end.

Many buildings inside Yinzhou City had been ruined by battle flames. At least the White Tiger Platform in the center of the downtown, where the Yinzhou Provincial Mansion was, had been burned into ashes. Although half of it had been restored, nobody was living inside. The entire White Tiger Platform was girdled by building materials. Those construction workers were crowding in low tents in order to avoid from the sharp frost…

Many residents had migrated into the city. The factories in the city were still running. Even the villages outside the city were occupied by people. Even the farmland was not wasted. Given the current situation, the industrial and agricultural production in Yinzhou City were both running normally. Many people were living there according to the will of Heavens Reaching Church and demons.

In this case, even though there were knights of Three-eye Association inside the city, it was not easy for Zhang Tie to find them from such a big city even with lotus flower eyes.

After thinking for a short while in clouds and glancing at Yinzhou City for a few seconds, Zhang Tie had already got an idea.

With a master-level hiding skill, Zhang Tie was like a transparent snowflake. Being covered by darkness, he slowly declined into a tidy storage area in the west of Yinzhou City from over 20,000 m high.

Just now, Zhang Tie found that this storage area was full of new weaponry and military materials.

…

"Old six, it's too cold. Why not take out the sweet potato spirit that you got from widow Xu outside the city and share it with our brothers?"

In the gatehouse, 6 soldiers in odd uniforms of Heavens Reaching Empire were warming themselves around a fire basket meticulously. The moment Zhang Tie landed, he had heard these words.

"Hehhehheh, Brother Xu, I have no sweet potato spirit…"

"No crap. I saw you drink it yesterday. Don't be that stingy. Otherwise, how about our brothers traveling to the village outside the city and having a chat with widow Cao in a couple of days and be your brothers-in-law? That woman is a good b*tch. You must have been coveting her for a long time. Previously, you were sent to prison for the crime of pilferage; after being released, you could still open her door with your uniform. Wouldn't our brothers do it?" A libertine and a threatening voice sounded.

"Brother Xu, it's my fault. Here's the sweet potato spirit. I'm holding it for you. Let's share it…" That man instantly gave concession to the other one.

As Zhang Tie listened to the talk, he walked over there quietly.

"Tut-tut…it tastes great. I've not drunk for a long time…Old six, don't be that narrow-minded. This father respects you today for letting us drink your sweet potato spirit. Do you know 3rd Boss Ma? This father might serve him one day…"

"Ahh, you know 3rd Boss Ma, Brother Xu…" Brother Xu was soon buried by flattery.

"Of course, when 3rd Boss Ma was hunted by those black-skin dogs of the court in Langu County due to some beauties, I saved him by hiding him in my cellar and had him stay inside for half a month. Now, 3rd Boss Ma has gained the favor of a high-rank official and become the chief patroller of the east city district of Heavens Reaching City. If I met him, of course, he would promote me. It's just a matter of one sentence. By then, we would not be worried about our lives…"

"Yes, yes…"

"Brother Xu, how about taking a round?"

"It's so cold. Who would dare find trouble here? The gate is right in front of us. We have the key. Let's go inside. Don't worry about that…"

At this moment, Zhang Tie had already arrived at the gate of the guardhouse. A guy with some pigmented naevus and some fine hair on his red face replied loudly, sending saliva in the air. When he finished the word "that", he had already seen Zhang Tie in Chaos. Under the lamplight, the Chaos started to change its color.

Brother Xu was struck dumb at once. At the sight of Brother Xu's abnormal look, all the others turned around. When they caught sight of Zhang Tie, they instantly became still as if their heads were frozen.

These lackeys were nothing but sh*t for Zhang Tie. Therefore, Zhang Tie didn't feel like paying any attention to them. Only by snapping his fingers, a magical note had entered their ears, causing their eye light puzzled. However, in a split second, all of them recovered as if they had not seen Zhang Tie at all or Zhang Tie was transparent. They continued to drink fervently inside the door…

"I heard that 3rd Boss Ma married Boss Liu's daughter a few days ago. I've seen her daughter before. She's really bright and beautiful. 3rd Boss Ma is really lucky…"

"Of course, how could Miss Liu be matched by old women like Widow Cao?"

…

Zhang Tie just gazed at the lock of the gate of the warehouse. Only by running his spiritual energy, he had already unlocked the gate. After the gate opened partly and quietly, Zhang Tie entered it calmly.

After staying in the warehouse for 2 minutes, Zhang Tie left out of there. The guardhouse was still noisy. The gate of the warehouse then closed while being locked up automatically. After that, Zhang Tie flashed away.

After returning to the sky, Zhang Tie just hid in the cloud and waited quietly.

Only after one minute, the warehouse where Zhang Tie entered just now had caught fire. Closely after that, with a boom, a part of the roof of the warehouse was sent flying into the sky, exposing the top of the flame. The glow of the flame reflected the sky at once while the boom shocked almost half of Yinzhou City.

"Ahh, hurry up, put out the fire…" When the warehouse was burning up and exploding, those guys outside the gate of the warehouse instantly rushed over here like heroes…

The demon camp both inside and outside Yinzhou City was shocked by the explosion. A band of colorful meteors instantly flew towards this warehouse.

Over 30 demon knights rushed out of the demon camp under the leadership of an ox-head shadow demon knight. Among 20-odd knights that flew towards here from inside the city, 7-8 of them were earth knights of Heavens Reaching Church being hunted by the Supreme Court of Taixia Country.

None of them could find Zhang Tie who was right above their head in the cloud. However, Zhang Tie had already born their looks and origins where they came from in mind.

As long as the ruse of beating the grass and frightening away the snakes was adopted well, it would save a lot of strength and time. Zhang Tie thought in the cloud as he revealed a sneer.

The ox-head shadow demon knight entered the warehouse first. Closely after that, it flew out of the warehouse as it said in a stentorian voice, "Nobody's inside…"

All the other knights looked around and didn't find anybody at all.

A nearby camp was shocked while thousands of soldiers set off their barracks towards the warehouse in preparation for putting out the fire.

The reason for the fire accident was a bit strange. It seemed that some military materials in the warehouse got burned all of a sudden. However, the gate and all the facilities in the warehouse were well preserved. After putting out the fire, they found no loss greater than some materials and the lives of some soldiers who were responsible for guarding this warehouse, not to mention any enemies.

As it was cold, mismanagement might lead to some loopholes sometimes. However, sabotage was not excluded. However, it was not a big deal, at least for knights. Therefore, after over 1 hour's relief, they finally put out the fire. After realizing that nothing else happened, all the over 30 knights returned to the places where they came from.

Standing in the cloud, Zhang Tie watched those earth knights of Heavens Reaching Church as he licked his lips…

However, Zhang Tie didn't move; instead he just fixed his eyes onto his targets with lotus flower eyes. Not until 6-7 hours later when it came to midnight did Zhang Tie start his action like a nocturnal predator.

Zhang Tie's first target was the most powerful one among those earth knights of Heavens Reaching Church.

However, as for Zhang Tie, that lackey was just a joke.

With the effect of divine dominator, lotus flower eyes and master-level hiding skill, Zhang Tie's movement was so secretive that he was not discovered until he came to the bedside of that earth knight. Soon after that guy opened its eyes, before it uttered any voice and released its protective battle qi, it had been knocked out by Zhang Tie's punches on its temples…

…

On the next early morning, the entire Yinzhou City was filled with alarms and in chaos. All the members of the the demon camp outside the city had been mobilized; because half of the 20-odd knights who were pillars of Heavens Reaching Empire inside Yinzhou City disappeared overnight, driving all the other lackeys of Heavens Reaching Church flurried…

Chapter 1407: A Merciless Feast

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

"I'm the prime minister of Heavens Reaching Church, Wang Baozhong, where am I? Who're you…"

"Let me go…"

Inside Castle of Black Iron, the band of remnants of Heavens Reaching Church who were knocked out and teleported into Castle of Black Iron woke up one after another. After finding that they were restricted by the professional cage prepared for them by Edward, all of them shrieked.

In the lobby of the palace tree, Zhang Tie took out of a bloody furnace. The solemn 30 m higher deity integrating human and snake was looking down at the sacrificial altar with its 3 eyes, causing the atmosphere of the lobby depressive and dangerous at once.

Not to mention that it was a palace in front of their eyes. Additionally, a Hua teenager was talking to his foreign steward with his back against them. What a weird scene! They could never figure out where they were no matter how they racked their mind.

Edward and Zhang Tie's three servants were pushing Zhang Tie's "captives" out of the dungeon one after another.

Zhang Tie gained 7 earth knights and 4 black iron knights from Yinzhou City. Those d**chebag "pillars" of Heavens Reaching Empire were reduced to half by Zhang Tie. If Zhang Tie submitted them to the Supreme Court of Taixia Country, it would be a great meritorious service. However, that bit of meritorious service could never match that of promoting himself to a shadow knight, not to mention that he could enjoy fruits after killing these b*stards.

The 11 knights of Heavens Reaching Church brought Zhang Tie 2 space-teleportation equipment. Zhang Tie was speechless about it. It appeared to be very difficult for others to get space-teleportation equipment; however, Zhang Tie could always get space-teleportation equipment. Even though some of them had been taken away by Yan Feiqing, Zhang Tie still got two more in Yinzhou City. Zhang Tie didn't even know what to say…

From Han Zhengfang and his sons, Gao Tianzhao to these "pillars" of Heavens Reaching Empire, even Zhang Tie found that he was born to eliminate the remnants of Heavens Reaching Church. Since these b*stards started to screw him in Fuhai City, what he did later could always almost uproot the foundation of Heavens Reaching Church in Taixia Country; additionally, he had destroyed Heavens Reaching Church's conspiracy regarding the construction of bloody pools across Taixia Country. If what he had done could be counted as his meritorious service, Zhang Tie wondered how he would be awarded.

When Zhang Tie heard that guy's clamor, he couldn't help but turn around as he threw a cold glance at that guy. In Zhang Tie's eyes, the so-called prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire was completely a little-known small figure. Even though their names were on the Ranking List of Criminals of Taixia Country, Zhang Tie was still not interested in them.

"Zhang Tie…" The 'prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire' instantly recognized Zhang Tie as it shouted in a daze.

Since Zhang Tie became hostile against Heavens Reaching Church, he had been familiar with their top brass.

"You're right. But you've got no reward��" Zhang Tie said calmly, "But, I'm not used to mistreating people. Don't worry. I promise you a quick death!"

"Where are we? What do you want to do with us…"

"You're in the world that I've created. You could call it Castle of Black Iron. Simply, I want you to die…" Zhang Tie put it straightforwardly.

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, all the captives of Heavens Reaching Church changed their faces as they drooled sweat all over. They might not know where was Castle of Black Iron, not to mention the meaning that "you're in the world that I've created". However, all of them guessed that they were in the private territory of Zhang Tie. Additionally, they would have no good result in Zhang Tie's hand. As for how they were transported here from Yinzhou City, they didn't feel like asking about it as their lives counted most at this moment…

"It's not us who screwed you in Fuhai City. It's the order from our leader…" The 'prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire' still argued that he was innocent to survive himself.

Zhang Tie sneered, 'At this moment, do these people really think that they could survive by their "eloquence"? You're too naive…'

Right then, Zhang Tie's three servants had already pushed out the two shadow knights, Gao Tianzhao and Ockham from the dungeon.

At the sight of Gao Tianzhao, all the other knights of Heavens Reaching Church at present were dumbfounded as they had not imagined that Gao Tianzhao who had disappeared was also in Zhang Tie's hand.

"Elder Gao, why're you here…"

"Elder Gao, what happened to you…"

Those knights of Heavens Reaching Church exclaimed.

At this moment, Gao Tianzhao had been sluggish and moribund with disordered hair after several times' extraction. He was far from a shadow knight. Previously, Gao Tianzhao's eyelight still contained hatred and killing intent; whereas, his eyes were full of fear at this moment.

Zhang Tie didn't waste time anymore.

'As I've almost fully extracted the value of Gao Tianzhao and Ockham, after killing these two shadow knights, I could still get fruits of bloodline and fruits of brilliance. But after promoting to a shadow knight, I would not have any fruit of bloodline. Additionally, the knights of Heavens Reaching Church could donate a quality fruit of brilliance to me. As I'm desiring for a great strength, it's unnecessary for me to leave them alive.'

'This is the last and merciless feast before I promote to a shadow knight.'

Zhang Tie didn't have any mental burden about those knights of Heavens Reaching Church who betrayed humans and went and sought refuge with demons and that Ockham who couldn't wait to sweep out Ice and Snow Wilderness. In this world, someone's existence was a disaster; Zhang Tie would not casually kill a stray dog; however, he felt that these b*stards couldn't even match a stray dog.

Under the gaze of all the knights of Heavens Reaching Church at present, Zhang Tie walked straight to the front of "The prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire, Wang Baozhong". In Wang Baozhong's frightened eyelight, Zhang Tie put on hand onto his head as he started his Purgatory Samsara Method.

Wang Baozhong was an earth knight who had reached 6 changes realm. He had already lit over half of his water chakra. It could be said that he had plentiful water elements which were sufficient for Zhang Tie to promote to a shadow knight.

Therefore, Wang Baozhong became Zhang Tie's first target…

Chapter 1408: The Baptism of Deity

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

Someone said that labor pain ranked highest. The one who said that must have not tried the taste of Purgatory Samsara Method. The pain of Purgatory Samsara Method could be recognized literally. Being tortured by Purgatory Samsara Method, even knights would collapse physically and mentally…

When Zhang Tie started to shatter the water chakra of the "prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire", this guy instantly dropped off tears and nasal mucus while uttering earth-shaking howls.

Hearing the miserable howls of the "prime minister of Heavens Reaching Church", Gao Tianzhao and Ockham couldn't help but turn pale. Like a rabbit in cold wind, Ockham the chief halos priest of the east parish of Sacred Light Empire kept quivering.

As Ockham was quivering, he kept randomly glancing here and there. Based on his "existential experience", he had already sensed that the atmosphere today was apparently different than before. Zhang Tie behaved more grimly, Today, Zhang Tie didn't even pay attention to him. After he was pushed out of the dungeon by Agan, Ockham had felt that he was more like livestock being sent into the slaughterhouse or a rusty part being thrown into the steelmaking furnace for recycling instead of a knight.

"If you knew that you would face such a result, did you do that at the beginning? Whatever you howl, can you imagine how many innocent Hua people died miserably because of the bloody figures that you curtained in bloody pools after the turmoil in Xuanyuan Hill? Do you know how many harmonious and warm families were disrupted because of you? Until today, the bloody figures had not been eradicated. Some bloody figures are hiding in the depth of dense woods and still causing troubles everywhere. Over dozens of years, you've deliberately demonized the grains of Taixia Country. Do you know how many tragical scenes of exchanging children for food would happen in Taixia Country if the food crisis really happened across Taixia Country in the holy war? A knight could be wealthy and dignified wherever he is; is it really that necessary for you to serve demons at the risk of your lives?"

Zhang Tie said icily as he kept shattering Wang Baozhong's water chakra and refining his water elements.

The "prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire" completely fainted in miserable howls.

With the effect of Purgatory Samsara Method, Zhang Tie soon absorbed enough water elements to light 3 scales of his water chakra. Closely after that, he grabbed Wang Baozhong's head and threw Zhang Baozhong into the furnace.

"The prime minister of Heavens Reaching Empire" was instantly burned into ashes in the bloody sacrifice furnace.

Closely after that, Zhang Tie moved his hand onto the head of the other pillar of Heavens Reaching Empire. As that b*stard turned miserably pale, Zhang Tie threw the second earth knight into the bloody sacrifice furnace without demur once again.

After throwing these b*stards into bloody sacrifice furnace, even though Zhang Tie killed them, he could still get corresponding fruits from the small tree. Meanwhile, their bodies could serve as the source of energy for the bloody sacrifice furnace.

Only after eating two earth knights, the third eye on the forehead of that deity above the bloody sacrifice furnace had started to shine. At the same time, the small tree which was not far started to give out strange brilliance and exotic fragrance as a fruit of brilliance gradually grew up on a twig.

"Ahh, don't kill me. I will do whatever you want me to do…" The third earth knight started to implore.

Not everyone could withstand the test of life or death situation.

"You're too dirty. I'd rather raise a dog…" Zhang Tie said coldly as he waved his arm, throwing another earth demon knight into the bloody sacrifice furnace.

Watching Zhang Tie throwing 3 earth knights who could be throne priests in Sacred Light Empire into the incinerator, Ockham who was quivering all over had incontinence. He finally figured out why the atmosphere today was different than usual; because Zhang Tie had lost his patience and wanted to dispose of all of them today. However, Ockham still had a faintly fluke mind——perhaps Zhang Tie only wants to recover the water chakra of his or Gao Tianzhao's like before…

That was a marvelous sacrificial platform and furnace. However, all this was a nightmare that Ockham would not touch anymore for the rest of his life. In Ockham's eyes, Zhang Tie was the devil of the devil. If the time could turn back, Ockham preferred to not step in Ice and Snow Wilderness as well as hope that he had not heard Zhang Tie's name and seen this young yet chilling face.

However, after realizing that Zhang Tie didn't spare any chance for them to surrender, all of them started to swear Zhang Tie ferociously.

"Zhang Tie, let's see it. Our patriarch would avenge for us and break you into ashes and destroy your entire family…"

"I wouldn't let you go even if I were a ghost…"

"You will die in a miserable way…"

"I'm sorry, Han Zhengfang and his sons have already been killed ahead of you by me. I've already turned their bones into ashes. Therefore, don't expect that someone else could avenge for you. As for being ghosts. You couldn't even live as a sensible person, not to mention being ghosts. As you encounter me, I will refine you both physically and spiritually…" As Zhang Tie said, he soon threw all the 7 earth knights and 4 black iron knights into the bloody sacrifice furnace without demur and eradicated them.

Zhang Tie then came to the front of Gao Tianzhao.

"Humans would not win this holy war. Zhang Tie, don't be complacent too early. You will not have a good result either…" Gao Tianzhao said with forlorn laughter, "You will also have a miserable fate like me. You can never escape it…"

As an elder of Heavens Reaching Church, Gao Tianzhao performed a bit more backbone.

"I prefer a clear conscience. I don't consider whether humans would win the holy war or not. I would only do my job well. Even if humans couldn't win in the end, I would still survive myself. It's none of your business. But, you would not see the end of this holy war whatever it is…" Zhang Tie smiled as he grabbed Gao Tianzhao with his neck and threw him into bloody sacrifice furnace like how he did to a chick.

The moment Gao Tianzhao was thrown into the bloody sacrifice furnace, he had turned into ashes. Closely after that, the deity above the bloody sacrifice furnace gave out strong brilliance as if it had taken a tonic.

Zhang Tie then came to the front of Ockham as he frowned about the latter's wet pant. It was out of Zhang Tie's imagination that Ockham was such a coward.

Gao Tianzhao's annihilation had already destroyed the last glimmer of hope for Ockham. Ockham cried and howled as he told Zhang Tie in the most pious way as soon as possible.

"Don't kill me. I could be your most pious slave servant. There's a secret method in Sacred Light Empire in which a knight could submit his fate to another one by opening his own awareness and chakra to that one in case of betrayal. I wish to open my awareness and soul to you and become your most pious servant. I wish to donate all the honors and wealth that I've acquired in Sacred Light Empire, Western Continent to you and follow you forever. Your most pious slave servant Ockham beseech you to spare me a chance of confession, my master…"

Ockham put it very poorly. However, before Zhang Tie replied, Edward, Agan and Aziz on the side of Ockham had fixed him with a furious glance.

"B*stard, we're the most pious servants of our master. Do you want to deprive of our honor?"

"How dare you ignore our existence…"

"Liar. When I started to run an errand for our master and brewed wine for our master, you've not even entered Castle of Black Iron yet…"

The 3 pious slave servants of Zhang Tie couldn't curb their anger as they directly beat up Ockham, causing him to shriek miserably.

The poor Ockham, who was the former renowned halos priest of Sacred Light Empire couldn't even believe that he would be beaten badly by Zhang Tie's slave servants when he expressed his instance.

When Ockham was shrieking miserably, Zhang Tie threw a glance at Heller. Heller then nodded slightly.

Everyone had his own strong point. Zhang Tie had not imagined that there was a secret method that could be used to control knights in Sacred Light Empire. In addition, this secret method was so abnormal and distinctive that it required someone to open his awareness and chakra to another one voluntarily. Unless the knight himself wished to do that, he could never be affected by this secret method. This explained why many 'controlling' secret methods of Bloody Soul Sutra were futile for knights.

Zhang Tie waved his arm to end his servants' ferocious beating. With bruised nose and swollen face, Ockham watched Zhang Tie with a poor look, trying to be loyal.

"Now that Sacred Light Empire has such a secret method, why did you not tell me about that before?" Zhang Tie asked calmly.

"Who would reveal it to be under other's control unless life or death situation…" Ockham said pitifully.

"Haven't you been under other's control before…"

"In Sacred Light Empire, most of the knights have to open their awareness and soul to someone on higher levels for more cultivation resources and greater power. In Sacred Light Church, this ritual is called baptism of deity; namely, the one being baptized would submit his fate to another one by opening his awareness and soul. During this process, the one being baptized would find a more powerful reliance as he joins a cult or faction of Sacred Light Church. When I promoted to a knight, I received this ritual from a halos priest of Sacred Light Empire. Pitifully, that halos priest has fought to death in the later stage of the 2nd holy war. Therefore, I'm free now. As I'm a halos priest of Sacred Light Empire, unless the incumbent pope abdicates voluntarily and seeks for a reliable one to take over of his position, nobody else across the country could baptize me…"

"Did you also control others using this secret method?"

"I baptized 3 throne priests in the eastern parish of Sacred Light Empire…"

"Only 3?"

"The time of the baptism of deity is limited. As it undergoes between knights, a black iron knight could only baptize 2 people; an earth knight could baptize 3; a shadow knight 5, a heavenly knight 8. It's said that a sage-level knight could make it 13. However, the baptism of deity poses high request on the baptizer. Each baptism would consume a lot of spiritual energy and part of the vital essence of the baptizer…" Ockham said with a bit bashful look, "Therefore, I could only control 3 although I could at most control 5 with my existing ability…"

'What? Each baptism of deity would consume vital essence?' Zhang Tie slightly frowned, 'Isn't it like the animal controlling skill in the Great Wilderness Sutra ? Could it be said that the baptism of the deity of the Sacred Light Empire shares the same principle with the secret method in the Great Wilderness Sutra or Ockham's expression is incorrect? The "vital essence" that he mentioned might be utterly different than that consumed by triggering the secret method in the Great Wilderness Sutra .'

"Well, I'd like to check your baptism of deity before determining whether to keep you alive or not…" Zhang Tie said calmly.

"Okay, okay. The baptism of deity is similar to the pattern of enlightenment in process. Only by putting your hand onto my head and receiving my awareness would you understand it…"

Zhang Tie then put his hand onto Ockham's head as he closed his eyes…

A few minutes later, Zhang Tie suddenly opened his eyes out of shock.

Even though Zhang Tie had made well preparation for it, he still couldn't curb his surprise…

If not being proficient in many secret skills of the Great Wilderness Sutra , Zhang Tie would not be shocked that much. As Zhang Tie excelled at the "incarnation" skill of "Great Wilderness Sutra", he found that the so-called baptism of deity was akin to the "incarnation" skill of Great Wilderness Sutra . Actually, it shared a central ideology with the "incarnation" skill of Great Wilderness Sutra , plus the essence of two other secret methods.

This modification was basically based on regarding knights as mutated beasts as an "animal controller". That was why the process would consume the baptizer's vital essence. Zhang Tie even discovered the trace of a secret method of Bloody Soul Sutra that could sow one's soul in other's 8 senses…

Those who could fuse different secret methods and create a wholly new secret method was definitely a top genius. Even Zhang Tie couldn't do it as such a secret method required him to master both the animal controlling skill of theGreat Wilderness Sutra and the soul sowing method of Bloody Soul Sutra. Perhaps, the creator didn't read the complete version of the Great Wilderness Sutra and Bloody Soul Sutra , he could only speculate some know-how. Therefore, this baptism of deity was not consummated.

This imperfection was reflected in the number of knights that could be baptized. Additionally, this process couldn't be started until the one voluntarily opened his awareness and soul to the baptizer…

If the creator of this secret method could have the Great Wilderness Sutra and theBloody Soul Sutra , he would be able to control knights as many as he wanted and treat knights as his own pets and slaves…

When Zhang Tie realized that, he couldn't help but quiver a bit. That was really terrifying. Although Zhang Tie mastered the Great Wilderness Sutra and the Bloody Soul Sutra , he couldn't further improve the baptism of deity. Because another secret method that was used to connect the two utterly different secret methods which Zhang Tie had not heard of…

In a split second, a whim occurred to Zhang Tie's mind——the extermination of the Great Wilderness Sect and the Bloody Soul Temple might not be a pure coincidence. Perhaps the culprit who toppled over the Great Wilderness Sect and the Bloody Soul Temple was related to the creator of this baptism of deity…

What a terrifying and shocking presumption…

Chapter 1409: The Earth-shaking Birth of King Roc

Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem

After the last geometrical patterns on the water chakra of King Roc Sutra were lit, a strong wave spread over every inch of the space of Castle of Black Iron centered on Zhang Tie. The sky appeared to catch fire within 600,000 miles with rolling colorful mist. The entire sky was in a glow. A pair of huge wings covered the sky. Behind the wings was a pair of golden pupils of the virtual image of the domineering king roc. Closely after that, it roared and flapped its wings as if it was not satisfied with the limited space, causing a tsunami-like tide of elements in the Elements Realm…

After flapping its wings once again, the virtual image of king roc couldn't be held by the space of Castle of Black Iron anymore as if it immediately flew out of Castle of Black Iron and appeared in the wuthering Elements Realm. When it flapped its wings for the 3rd time, it appeared in the real world…

The sudden wuthering tide of elements shocked over 100,000 human and demon knights who were cultivating. They were instantly pushed out of the Elements Realm. Just now, it was cloudy outside. The sudden glow within 600,000 miles frightened both ground forces and knights; especially those knights who cultivated virtual images of dragons and snakes felt heart racing, dry and sweating all over. As for them, this scene was like doomsday. Therefore, they were all in great panic and held this scene in special reverence…

Zuoqiu Mingyue and Sagus the Abyss King of demons appeared above Xuanyuan Fortress and the demon's central battlefortress almost at the same time as they both looked up at the glow in the sky with shiny eyes.

The virtual image of a pair of wings covering 6,000 miles appeared behind the fiery clouds. The extended wings covered Xuanyuan Fortress and the demons' main camp.

Behind the virtual image of the pair of wings was a pair of looming, golden domineering pupils. The pair of eyes threw a glance at Zuoqiu Mingyue and Sagus. After flapping its wings, the king roc disappeared immediately. It flew eastward, splitting the rolling fiery clouds which lasted one million miles into two halves…

It was the king roc. Someone was cultivating the King Roc Sutra and had promoted to a shadow knight, arousing a tide of elements in the Elements Realm at the same time…

Zuoqiu Mingyue was really shocked as his face turned a bit pale. Based on his experience, he had already understood what happened.

Zuoqiu Mingyue looked at Sagus. When he saw Sagus' shocked and dubious expression, he let out a sigh immediately. Given Sagus' expression, it was also wondering about who was cultivating King Roc Sutra and had promoted to a shadow knight. At least it was not a top brass among demons; otherwise, Sagus the Abyss King would not reveal such a shocked expression.

Such an abnormal phenomenon caused an uproar in both human and demon armies…

Zhang Tie felt he was dreaming where he became the king roc. As he flapped his wings, he broke the void and traveled across the universe freely.

He saw the camps of humans and demons above Weishui River along with Zuoqiu Mingyue and Sagus the Abyss King of demons. Oddly, the two sage-level knights who were so powerful and domineering became minuscular in his dream, feeling not threatening at all…

After flying across the theater of operations, Zhang Tie wanted to take a look around Xuanyuan Hill. Only by flapping his wings twice, he had seen Xuanyuan Hill under his feet.

Xuanyuan Hill was as magnificent as before. Zhang Tie saw numerous sparkles on the ground of Xuanyuan Hill. Additionally, a great band of knights had already flown into the sky and was watching him like facing a powerful enemy. Some people flashed out of the emperor's city and stood still above the imperial palace as they were observing the king rock like how Zuoqiu Mingyue did. Meng Shidao was among them. However, in the dream, Meng Shidao was different than that Zhang Tie saw last time. This time, Meng Shidao was dressed like a prime minister, one of the top three Immortal-level officials in Taixia Country. A middle-aged man in a golden boa silk robe with dragon patterns on it was standing beside Meng Shidao and watching the king roc with an extremely embarrassed look…

'F*ck, are you jealous that I could fly faster than you?' Zhang Tie muttered in sleep.

As those people in Xuanyuan Hill were boring, Zhang Tie didn't stay there for too long. After throwing a glance at those noisy ones, he continued to move forward.

Only after flapping his wings once again, he had already arrived at a vast ocean. Even the seawater could not block Zhang Tie's vision. Zhang Tie looked down, scaring away all the living beings without exception, whether large or small. Huge whales, brutal mutated beasts hiding in oceanic trenches and huge deep-sea monsters were all scared away in a flurried way like little fish and shrimps, making Zhang Tie speechless.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Tie had already flown across the endless sea and came to the waters in the north of Weiyi Subcontinent.

When Mutated Snake Island entered Zhang Tie's vision once again, Zhang Tie immediately caught sight of a mutated snake hiding in the magma tens of thousands of meters deep beneath a volcano. Being over 100 m long, that mutated sea serpent was covered with pitch-dark scales with horns on its head. It appeared to be more powerful than ordinary black iron knights. Only after throwing a glance at that little loach, Zhang Tie had felt that the little loach became still all over. Eyes closed, it had already passed out due to panic…

Ice and Snow Wilderness remained unchanged. As it was winter, the ports in the south of Ice and Snow Wilderness had been frozen. Few ships could be seen over there. However, due to developed trade, numerous ships were traveling on the waters between Ewentra Archipelago and the Western Continent.

When Zhang Tie flapped his wings once again, he saw a strange continent and many cities under his feet. It should be the Western Continent.

Some sparkles rushed into the sky and gazed at him like those in Xuanyuan Hill.

After taking a round in the Western Continent, Zhang Tie felt bored as he instantly entered the void above his head…

AAnazure planet appeared behind Zhang Tie. Two satellites were revolving around that azure planet. The sun was not far away. Zhang Tie felt strange as the sun was like a fireball at the bottom of a funnel. Due to the existence of the sun, the space surrounding the sun was like a deep funnel-like pit. Those stars were revolving around this sun like hoodles. The entire universe was like a piece of huge sponge being full of such pits. Those sun-like fixed stars in the pits were like heavy objects on the sponge. Sometimes, although two heavy objects were far away from each other, the 'pit' space, where they were in, were very close to each other. Precisely, those suns were actually portals to other galaxies.

In the 'pit' space, Zhang Tie found that he could rapidly slide down the sun like how a kid played on a slide. Actually, he could move faster than light.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Tie had entered the sun…

…

After that, Zhang Tie quivered all over as he found that he had "woken up"…