madnovel Chapter 169 Azure Heaven
Chapter 169 Azure Heaven
"Come on over."
A slender, sharp-eyed man stood up.
The faint sound of swords rang out around him; he was none other than Luanfeng Zhenren (of the Gengjin lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm).
This person single-handedly slew seven demon kings on the battlefield of the Spirit Realm, leaving no survivors.
"Fellow Daoist Luanfeng's swordsmanship is divine; we can rest assured that you will lead this route." True Master Taixu nodded. "The second route, Crimson Flame Heaven, is entrusted to you."
Master Luan Feng nodded and took his seat.
"The Third Heaven of Xuanhuang..."
Before Master Taixu could finish speaking, a female Zhenren with a chilling aura stood up.
"I'm coming."
The voice of Master Song (of the Cold Qi lineage, late stage of the Purple Mansion) was clear and cold, yet unquestionable.
She single-handedly froze thousands of miles in the Heavenly Battlefield, trapping and killing three mid-stage demigods, earning her a fearsome reputation.
Master Taixu laughed and said, "With Fellow Daoist Tusong making a move, those demigods of Xuanhuang Heaven will probably be frozen into ice sculptures."
Everyone laughed.
With the three main commanders appointed, the next step is to select the deputy commanders. Master Taixu looked at the assembled late-stage cultivators:
"For the first route, Azure Heaven, I will be the leader, and I need two deputy commanders. Fellow Daoists Chongyi and Miaochong, would you be willing to assist me?"
Master Chongyi (of the Gen Earth lineage, late Zi Fu stage) clasped his hands in greeting: "That is indeed my wish."
Master Miaoyu (of the Kanshui lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm) was a middle-aged Daoist with a slender face. He nodded slightly and said, "I obey the command of Fellow Daoist Taixu."
"The second route, Crimson Flame Heaven, will be led by Fellow Daoist Luanfeng. Fellow Daoist Xuanyang, and True Person Tingxiao (of the Lesser Yang lineage, late-stage Purple Mansion realm), would you two be willing to serve as deputies?"
Master Xuanyang (of the Sun Dao lineage, late stage of the Purple Mansion realm) had a faint phantom image of a sun around him. He grinned and said, "Just what I wanted."
Master Tingxiao (of the Shaoyang lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm) was a tall, burly man with faint flashes of lightning between his brows. Upon hearing this, he clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "I am willing to follow Fellow Daoist Luanfeng."
"The third route, Xuanhuang Heaven, is led by Fellow Daoist Huosong. To True Person Aoqun (of the Jiaomu lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm) and Lord Liaoyun (of the Xiaojin lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm), thank you both for your hard work."
Master Aoqun (of the Jiaomu lineage, late-stage Purple Mansion) is a gentle and graceful female cultivator, but her eyes reveal a fierce spirit when they open and close—it is said that she used a green vine to entangle and kill two mid-stage demon kings on the Xuan Domain battlefield. She smiled and nodded, "I am willing to follow Fellow Daoist Tusong."
Lord Liaoyun (of the Xiaojin lineage, late stage of the Purple Mansion realm) moved erratically, his voice seemingly coming from the clouds, ethereal and uncertain: "As you command."
The three main and deputy commanders, a total of nine late-stage Purple Mansion realm experts, have been assigned their roles.
Only then did True Person Taixu look at those True Persons in the mid-stage and early-stage of the Purple Mansion realm, his gaze sweeping over Li Xiaoyao and the others.
"The rest of you fellow Daoists will be divided into three groups according to your lineage and combat strength."
Each path is further divided into several smaller teams, each led by one or two mid-stage Daoist practitioners, with early-stage Daoist practitioners as members.
"The specific personnel to be assigned will be decided by the three main and deputy commanders. The army will set off in one hour."
Everyone responded in unison.
An hour later, outside the Heavenly Demon City.
Three hundred and seventy thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators and eighty-six million Qi Refining cultivators stood in formation, a dark mass stretching for hundreds of miles.
The three armies lined up in three directions, their banners waving.
The First Route, Azure Heaven: Commander-in-Chief: True Man Taixu; Deputy Commanders: True Man Chongyi and True Man Miaochong.
He has five late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators under his command (including the main and deputy), fifteen mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, and ten early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators. He has 120,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 30 million Qi Refining cultivators.
The second route, Crimson Flame Heaven: Commander-in-Chief: True Man Luanfeng; Deputy Commanders: True Man Xuanyang and True Man Tingxiao.
He has five late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, seventeen mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, and eight early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators under his command. He also has 130,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 30 million Qi Refining cultivators.
The Third Route of Xuanhuang Heaven: Commander-in-Chief: True Man Song; Deputy Commanders: True Man Ao Qun and Lord Liao Yun.
He has five late-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, sixteen mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators, and nine early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators under his command. He also has 120,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 26 million Qi Refining cultivators.
Li Xiaoyao was assigned to the first route, Qingming Heaven, and placed in a squad under the command of Master Miaoyu (of the Kanshui lineage, late stage of the Zifu realm).
Also in the same team were several fellow Daoists of the water element, including True Man Tingyuan (of the Yin Water lineage, early stage of the Purple Mansion realm) and True Man Yuheng (of the Fu Water lineage, early stage of the Purple Mansion realm).
"Young friend from Shangyuan."
Master Miao looked at him and smiled slightly, "I heard that you used the Radiant Light Divine Power to trap and kill a demigod in the Battle of the Desolate Region, achieving remarkable results. I relied heavily on you in this battle."
Li Xiaoyao cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Miaochao, you flatter me. This junior is at your service and will do my utmost."
Master Miao Chao nodded and said no more.
In the distance, the voice of the True Man of Taixu resounded throughout the entire army:
"Everyone, the Five Regions have been settled, but in the Nine Heavens, countless compatriots are still suffering."
"This battle is for those who are still enslaved by the demon race."
"This battle is for those fellow cultivators who fell on the path."
"Set off!"
The three armies simultaneously rose into the air, like three dark clouds that blotted out the sun, surging towards the heavens.
Li Xiaoyao flew beside Master Miaoyao and glanced back at the Heavenly Demon City below.
There, countless humans were gazing at the sky, watching them depart into the distance.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at the faintly visible entrance to the Nine Heavens ahead.
That place is the first heaven—Azure Nether.
The three armies, like three torrents, broke through the boundary barriers of the lower three heavens.
Li Xiaoyao only felt a blur before his eyes, and the world suddenly changed—
Azure Sky.
The name "Sky" is truly fitting. The sky is a deep blue, almost black, as if the firmament has been frozen for billions of years.
The clouds were leaden gray, hanging low overhead, exuding an indescribable sense of oppression.
In the distance, mountain peaks floated in the air, with the outlines of palaces and pavilions faintly visible on their surfaces—the lair of the demigods.
The air was thick with the stench of incense and prayers, mixed with the stench of blood, making one want to vomit.
"Form ranks!"
The voice of Master Miaoyu rang in his ears. Li Xiaoyao composed himself and, together with Masters Tingyuan and Yuheng, advanced towards the designated position according to the pre-battle plan.
Behind him, 120,000 Foundation Establishment cultivators and 30 million Qi Refining cultivators spread out like a tide, occupying the void for a radius of a thousand miles.
In the distance, the demigods of Qingmingtian finally reacted.
Golden light flashed, and demigods emerged from the floating mountains—human bodies with animal heads, their bodies surrounded by the power of incense and prayers, and wielding various divine artifacts.
Behind them followed a densely packed horde of half-beast demon soldiers, their demonic aura soaring into the sky.
"Enemy attack—!"
"It's the human race! The humans from the Five Regions have attacked!"
"What's the panic! A bunch of lowly ants from the lower realm dare to defy my divine might!"
Amidst the chaos, an exceptionally tall demigod soared into the sky. He had a lion's head and a human body, wore golden armor, and wielded a trident; his aura was clearly that of a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator.
"I, Lionfire, have guarded the Azure Heaven for three thousand years!" he roared. "Who goes there?!"
In the distance, the voice of the Great Void Immortal drifted over:
"The one who killed you."
With a wave of his hand, three armies pressed forward simultaneously.
.....
Li Xiaoyao followed behind Master Miao Liao, advancing towards the predetermined target.
Their mission was to clear out the three floating mountain peaks in the southeast of Qingmingtian. According to intelligence, five mid-stage demigods, ten early-stage demigods, and tens of thousands of demon soldiers were entrenched there.
"Young friend from Shangyuan."
Master Miao Liao suddenly spoke.
"Please speak, senior."
"Your magical ability of radiant light excels at trapping enemies, but is not good at attacking strongholds."
Master Miaoyu's eyes were sharp. "When the battle begins, you don't need to fight head-on. Your task is—if you see any demigod trying to escape, use your [Yuxiao Curtain] to trap him. If you see any fellow Daoist in danger, use your [Yuxiao Curtain] to protect him."
Li Xiaoyao was taken aback, then cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir."
Master Miao Chao nodded and said no more.
Ahead, the first floating mountain peak is almost within reach.
On the mountain peak, palaces stood in rows, shimmering with golden light. A leopard-headed demigod charged out first, followed by four early-stage demigods and thousands of demon soldiers.
"Humans! You're courting death!"