Start of the Battle

Start of the Battle...

Today, Chu basked in the glory of a brilliant, sunlit day. Above, the Chu skies played host to drifting clouds that, from time to time, flirted with the sun, casting a soothing veil over the land.

This weather was a pure delight. Gentle breezes brushed through, carrying a refreshing coolness that invigorated the senses.

On the balcony of a grandiose mansion, besides Qin Wentian and Chu Wuwei, a few more figures appeared. Immortal Drunken Wine, Chu Mang, and an unfamiliar young man took their places. It was Qin Wentian's first encounter with this young man, and Chu Wuwei introduced him as a member of one of Chu's apex powers—the Jiang Clan.

Much like the Mo Clan, the Jiang Clan held immense sway and independence, preferring to remain neutral and uninvolved in Royal Clan affairs. When Chu Tianjiao had sought their support in the past, they had refused. Yet here they were today, represented by a descendant of the Jiang Clan, summoned by Chu Wuwei.

"Jiang Huai, if your old man knew you were here at my request, he'd probably hate me," Chu Wuwei chuckled.

"Well, blame our clan members for being so stubborn, refusing to send help your way," Jiang Huai responded with a laugh, revealing his support for Chu Wuwei. His actions were forcing the Jiang Clan out of its neutral stance, whether they liked it or not. Qin Wentian couldn't help but be impressed by Chu Wuwei's charisma.

Suddenly, servants appeared, carrying colossal drums that they positioned in two rows across the vast field. Qin Wentian's brow furrowed in confusion. These drums seemed to shimmer with Astral Energy. Were they a complete set of divine weapons?

Divine weapons didn't always consist of a single piece. For instance, a set of divine artifacts might include nine sword-type weapons. Only as a complete set could these divine weapons truly unleash their potential. The thirty-six drums before him gave Qin Wentian the strong impression that they formed a complete set. With so many drum-type divine weapons gathered in one place, their combined power could be terrifying.

Gradually, a sense of impending danger permeated the air. Qin Wentian turned his gaze toward the horizon, where formations of troops could be seen marching in the distance. Over a thousand heavily armored soldiers, each wielding a long spear, advanced in lockstep, their murderous intent palpable in the air.

In the heart of the vast field, the troops stood poised, their gazes fixed upon the balcony where Chu Wuwei stood. With a commanding shout, they swiftly reached for the bows strapped to their backs, drawing arrows and taking aim at Chu Wuwei, Qin Wentian, and their companions on the balcony.

Meanwhile, a group of over ten experts from the Yuanfu Realm soared through the air, coming to a halt above the thousand soldiers.

One of the Yuanfu experts spoke coldly, "Chu Wuwei, as the eldest son of our former Emperor, you dared to support the rebels and commit treason against Great Chu. Come with me to see His Majesty."

"Do you really think this is enough to subdue me? My third brother must have underestimated me." Chu Wuwei chuckled, remaining seated as calm as ever. Suddenly, a strange, wheezing sound filled the air. Out of nowhere, figures dressed in plain white appeared behind each of the thirty-six colossal drums arranged in two rows along the field. Their features were utterly ordinary, and they emitted a nearly identical aura—cool, composed, and unremarkable. If one wasn't vigilant, they would go unnoticed.

"Thunder Dragon Drums," the leader of the Yuanfu experts exclaimed, drawing in a sharp breath. His expression darkened as he recognized the drums. These legendary third-grade, top-tier divine weapons were capable of unleashing devastating power. With thirty-six Yuanfu cultivators channeling their energy through these drums, they could obliterate any opposing force below the 6th level of Yuanfu, no matter how numerous.

The leader's face contorted with frustration as he glanced at Chu Wuwei. However, Chu Wuwei remained unperturbed, calmly sipping his wine as if nothing in the world could shake him.

"Chu Wuwei, take a good look around you. It's not too late to surrender. His Majesty might show you mercy considering your familial ties," the leader urged. Though Qin Wentian hadn't risen from his seat, he could sense the approaching thundering hooves of warhorses. The entire pavilion must have already been surrounded by enemy soldiers.

"Why shed unnecessary blood? Surrender and come with me."

Chu Wuwei continued to disregard the enemy leader, instead, he turned to Qin Wentian with a smile. "Just wait and see; my third brother should be arriving soon."

Then, Chu Wuwei rose and approached the balcony's edge, fixing his gaze on the enemy leader. "Uncle Heng, please, don't partake in the madness created by my third brother."

Chu Heng locked eyes with Chu Wuwei. In Chu Wuwei's gaze, there was only tranquility and sincerity. Though Chu Heng's heart was heavy with regret, he felt he had no other recourse. Raising his hand, he signaled his troops to begin the attack.

"CHARGE!" A deafening roar filled the air as the troops surged towards the pavilion. A deluge of arrows darkened the sky as it rained down upon Chu Wuwei.

"BOOM!" The very fabric of space quaked as a streak of lightning slashed through it.

"BOOM! BOOM!" Lightning bolts cascaded from the heavens, weaving a vast tapestry of crackling electrical currents that obliterated the oncoming arrows.

Beneath the pavilion, a group of shadowy figures, cloaked in black, moved with uncanny swiftness toward the archers who had unleashed the arrows. In their hands, they brandished various divine weapons as they darted forward like phantoms.

"Hmm?" Chu Heng and the other Yuanfu cultivators wore expressions of astonishment. They had intended to descend and assist their troops, but in that moment, they felt a potent surge of electricity that bound their movements. Coupled with the deafening reverberations of the colossal drums, the earlier web of lightning morphed into a colossal thunder dragon, its tyranny beyond measure.

Rumble! A thunderous roar resonated as the thunder dragon bellowed with fury, hurtling forward with resplendent violet brilliance.

Chu Heng and the Yuanfu cultivators' faces turned ashen. The thunder dragon conjured by the thirty-six drums was every bit as terrifying as the legends described.

Xiu, xiu! A piercing slashing sound rang out as nine golden lightning streaks shot forth, colliding with the thunder dragon. In an instant, the ensuing explosion's force was so immense that it tore through space, its blinding brilliance rendering onlookers unable to open their eyes.

From the distance, several cultivators could be seen soaring through the skies, their collective attack sending shockwaves through the hearts of those who witnessed it.

Leading the charge was an individual draped in a golden dragon robe—the current Emperor of Chu, Chu Tianjiao.

Behind Chu Tianjiao and the cultivators accompanying him, a sea of soldiers approached, the very earth trembling under their march. Aside from the troops assigned to defend the city gates against the Qin Rebels, Chu Tianjiao had also mobilized the remainder of his forces.

Chu Tianjiao understood that Qin Wentian was with Chu Wuwei. With both of them within his grasp, this war would swiftly come to an end.

By Chu Tianjiao's side, a figure drew back the string of a gleaming golden bow. This bow was undoubtedly a formidable divine weapon.

"Elder brother, even if you had chosen to remain neutral, I would have tolerated it. But why have you aligned yourself with the rebels?" Chu Tianjiao's gaze bore into Chu Wuwei as he asked, his tone a blend of curiosity and frustration.

"From the very beginning, you should have understood my intentions. I had no desire to contend with you for power. However, your path has veered further and further off course. If you continue down this path of destruction, our Chu Clan's bloodline will surely meet its end under your rule," Chu Wuwei responded.

"Is that so? So you claim that all the internal turmoil you've caused was for the sake of our Royal Clan? Preposterous! Your actions are pushing our clan to the brink of disaster. Do not blame me for showing no mercy," Chu Tianjiao retorted, his eyes flashing with icy determination.

"Are these the pitiful souls you've cultivated? Now, they've all become your loyal death-warriors. Don't you feel a pang of guilt, asking them to sacrifice their lives for you?" Chu Wuwei's words dripped with sarcasm, eliciting only a chilling command from Chu Tianjiao: "KILL!"

The cultivators around Chu Tianjiao surged forward, yet Chu Wuwei remained unperturbed. As he looked upon the faces of these death-warriors, he sighed, "There's still time for all of you to turn back. I, Chu Wuwei, guarantee that none of you will come to harm. However, if you persist, I won't be able to save any of you, even if I wanted to."

The death-warriors hesitated briefly, but they were already riding the tiger's back, making it nearly impossible for them to halt their charge.

In the distance, a cloud of dust choked the skies, a sign of a multitude of galloping horses heading their way. An army of unknown origin encircled the area, their spears all pointed menacingly at Chu Tianjiao's forces. Clearly, in this bitter conflict between the two brothers, each had garnered their own loyal supporters.

"People from the Jiang Clan," someone exclaimed as the Jiang Clan experts arrived in a show of force. The leader cast a critical eye at Jiang Huai, whose actions had forcibly dragged the Jiang Clan into this dispute.

"Even the Mu Clan has thrown their lot in with Chu Wuwei." Gongyang Hong's promise to Mu Rou had set a precedent, leading Chu Tianjiao to harbor suspicions about them. Now, on the brink of the final decisive battle, the Mu Clan had made their allegiance clear by siding with Chu Wuwei.

From the eastern direction, a group of masked figures, clad in black, emerged. These were none other than the Yuanfu cultivators hired by Qin Wentian.

As more and more experts joined the scene, Chu Tianjiao's expression soured. He could only grit his teeth and mutter in anger, "Very well."

"Today, we settle everything. KILL, KILL THEM ALL!" Chu Tianjiao's voice thundered with rage, and his overwhelming killing intent surged to the heavens.

The battlefield erupted into frenzied chaos as both sides clashed.

Amidst the turmoil, a cold wind swept by, carrying Chu Tianjiao aloft in the air. From this vantage point, he surveyed his elder brother Chu Wuwei and Qin Wentian. He had expected Chu Wuwei to muster an even greater force against him. It seemed he had overestimated his elder brother. Did Chu Wuwei truly believe that this level of support could overthrow him?

For this pivotal battle, Chu Tianjiao had even called upon the freshly trained troops from the Military Training Palace. He aimed to amass an overwhelming military force, gathering every faction under his control. His strategy was straightforward: eliminate Chu Wuwei first, then deal with the Qin Rebels!