Chapter 119: Armored in Steel, Beaten by Fate

Under a leaden sky, silence blanketed the land.

The terracotta warriors—once lifeless effigies—now opened their eyes with eerie synchronicity, sending chills down spines. The elite Xiliang soldiers led by Xiang Shaoyun stood tense, fixated on the reanimated sentinels.

Having once ventured through the Wolong Ridge secret realm, the Overlord remained composed—such uncanny phenomena were not unfamiliar. In that realm, grotesque spirits once clambered across walls, no less terrifying than these awakened warriors.

Boom!Xiang Shaoyun hurled a punch at the nearest effigy. The air roared, surging with demonic aura. The warrior's eyes blazed with fury, drawing its crude earthen blade with a grating screech that set teeth on edge.

Blade clashed with fist—clangorous, resounding.Despite its appearance, the earthen sword bore the strength of a finely forged weapon.

Xiang Shaoyun had brought no more than twenty elite soldiers, nearly all top-tier martial artists—two of whom were martial masters. Xu Chu, his trusted confidant, was not among them, stationed outside the realm as guard.

These terracotta warriors far surpassed the creatures of Wolong Ridge—not merely in defense, but in their brutal offense. Unlike the bare-handed phantoms, these wielders of sharpened earth-blades could cleave men in two with ease.

With a second punch, Xiang Shaoyun cracked another warrior's form."You, go," he commanded a martial master.

Without hesitation, the master ignited his inner force. Blood and qi surged to their peak as he unsheathed his blade, decapitating the warrior in one stroke. Three more cuts followed, reducing the statue to shattered fragments.

A stream of pure spiritual energy surged from the wreckage, flowing into the master's body.His form quivered; astonishment flashed in his eyes."My lord… I can feel it. Spiritual essence!"

"Excellent." Xiang Shaoyun's gaze gleamed. As expected, these warriors—like the phantoms before them—contained strands of immortal fate.

Once the first statue fell, the rest stirred to fury, all unsheathing their blades.

"Follow me."Xiang Shaoyun's voice was low, yet forceful. Demonic energy coursed over his body as he struck another warrior, cracking it for his soldiers to finish.

Each success gifted the elite with nourishing essence. Though a few failed to refine the energy, most saw their strength grow.

In the distance, scattered rubble began to converge—one by one, warriors regenerated, never exceeding ninety-nine in number.

The Overlord, however, found no challenge in them. They posed no threat to drive him toward the elusive Body-Seal realm.But they served well as whetstones for his men—perhaps even a path to forge an elite force of cultivators.

When all twenty soldiers had absorbed spiritual essence, Xiang Shaoyun spoke:"Slaying these warriors grants spiritual energy—the more you fell, the greater the reward. Work together. Reap what you can."

The soldiers' eyes blazed with fervor. They roared in unison.

Xiang Shaoyun nodded, slinging his battle-axe onto his back as he strode toward the chain bridge.A warrior sought to bar his path—he shattered it with a single punch.

Across the bridge floated a sky-island. Upon it stood a palace, before which rested a towering bronze cauldron. Within the vessel, faint violet smoke swirled upward.

…

Northern Luo, Lake-Heart Island.

A gentle breeze stirred.

Lu Fan, propped on one elbow, gazed at a spiritual-pressure chessboard. Lines danced in his eyes, forming visions of each Dragon Gate secret realm.

His gaze shifted, fixing on a single domain.There, the invincible Overlord carved his way forward—the earthen warriors, nothing before him.

"He's grown…"

Lu Fan tapped his cheek and smiled. He held high hopes for the Overlord, who stood on the cusp of the Body-Seal realm—perhaps he would be the first to break through.

Yet, something was still lacking.

Watching the Overlord run rampant, Lu Fan chuckled and recalled an old saying:

"Clad in the thickest armor, only to suffer the fiercest blows."

"Seems I'll need to apply more pressure."

Straightening, Lu Fan raised his hand above the board—Snap.

A finger clicked.

…

The Overlord stepped onto the chain bridge. Behind him, the clash of steel and roar of battle ceased. Silence reigned.

From the bronze cauldron, thick violet smoke coiled outward, coalescing into two ethereal figures—a man and a woman, both bearing long swords, poised upon the bridge's chains.

The oppressive force of their spiritual pressure surged forth.

Sensing it, Xiang Shaoyun clenched his fists. His body trembled—not from fear, but from exhilaration.

"These two… surpass even the ancient Qi Refiners of Wolong Ridge!"

And this was merely the first minor palace of the Dragon Gate realm.What terrifying presence must dwell within the great central palace of the Eight Dragon Gates?

Still, Xiang Shaoyun did not waver.His boots struck the wooden planks with unwavering rhythm, echoing across the iron bridge.

The male and female spirits—mere wisps shaped from smoke—erupted toward him in purple streaks.

The Overlord's muscles surged. He roared like a beast, demonic aura swirling.Seizing his battle-axe, he swung it with a thunderous cry—

…

Tiandang Mountain.

The innkeeper, silver in hand, delivered two letters to the Daoist Sect himself—a profitable errand.

Dao Sect was well-established in the southern prefectures. With no bandits daring to trespass near their territory, the journey held little risk.

After the letters were received, a young Daoist courier sprinted up the stone steps, reaching Star-Plucking Peak—Only to be stopped at the gate. The letters were taken. He was dismissed.

Star-Plucking Peak was sealed.

Descending, curiosity burned in the boy's heart. He glanced back repeatedly, glimpsing what looked like a floating, ornate door at the summit.

On the stone plaza of the peak, incense smoke curled from a bronze censer.

"Elder,"A green-robed Daoist handed the letters to an old man seated beneath an ancient pine.

The elder shifted his gaze from the Dragon Gate, opened the envelope, and scanned its contents—his expression darkened.

"Disciple of Baiyu Capital… Nie Changqing."

"A castaway now dares challenge our sect? The Honored One once personally mentored him. We truly raised a thankless wolf."

To the elder, having granted Nie Changqing his skills, the sect held every right to reclaim—or even extinguish—him.

"And now he dares send a letter to Star-Plucking Peak? A threat? A declaration of war?"

The paper crumpled in his hand.

Around him, younger Daoists exchanged puzzled glances."Elder… what has happened?"

The letter passed to another. His face paled after reading."Nie Changqing?!"

"I heard he joined Baiyu Capital… became a mere driver for Lu Ping'an of Beiluo. How dare he return!"

"The Honored One warned us before entering seclusion: never provoke Beiluo… Now look—he's come to us. A wolf we raised who turned and bit our hand!"

…