Chapter 1156: Blood Battle

Yang Jiyong was horrified to hear this. He immediately grabbed Mo Hua, his voice trembling:

"You can't just say things like that. If the Great Desolation Sect truly rebelled, that would be one thing. But if they haven't rebelled, and Mo Hua says such things, if word gets out, it would be slandering a sect directly under the Daoist Court and shaking military morale. The crime would be extremely severe. Besides, how could the Great Desolation Sect possibly rebel, and how would they dare? The Daoist Court's power is too immense. Is the Great Desolation Sect rebelling because they want to die?"

Mo Hua shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure of the exact reasons, but the Great Desolation Sect has likely rebelled, and it's highly probable they will launch a mutiny tonight." Otherwise, a sign of death wouldn't appear on Yang Jiyong's glabella.

Yang Jiyong frowned deeply and cast a scrutinizing glance at Mo Hua. In his impression, Mo Hua would never lie, but to truly believe him, Yang Jiyong found it difficult. To say, without any reason, that the Great Desolation Sect was about to mutiny, and that it would happen tonight, of all times. Yet, Mo Hua's expression was incredibly serious.

Time was pressing, and Yang Jiyong couldn't make a decision easily, so he said, "Come with me; we'll talk to Big Brother about this." He couldn't make the call on this matter.

Mo Hua nodded. Yang Jiyong then led Mo Hua to Yang Jishan's tent.

Yang Jishan was handling military affairs. Upon hearing Yang Jiyong's words, he was momentarily both astonished and apprehensive, looking at Mo Hua in disbelief: "Is that true?"

Mo Hua nodded, "It's highly probable."

Yang Jishan frowned, "How do you know?"

"I—" Mo Hua paused for a moment, deciding it would be better to reveal a small secret. He said, "I've studied a bit of Heavenly Secret Karma Arts."

"Heavenly Secret Karma?" Yang Jishan's expression changed, and Yang Jiyong's countenance was even more shaken. Heavenly Secret Karma, such an ethereal, mysterious, and nearly endangered inheritance, was not something ordinary cultivators could encounter, let alone learn. Even within the Yang family, high-ranking cultivators who understood Karma Arts were few and far between. And these cultivators all had hundreds of years of cultivation, having experienced great changes and accumulated various cultivation experiences to finally grasp a bit of heavenly mystery and understand some karma. How could Mo Hua, a young man in his twenties, have such experience or learn Karma from anywhere?

Yang Jiyong looked utterly bewildered. Yang Jishan also found it hard to believe.

Mo Hua then said, "I really can do it."

Yang Jishan pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Even if you truly understand karma, still—" Yang Jishan paused slightly, then honestly stated, "Actually, most cultivators don't know this, but before the Daoist Court undertakes large-scale military movements, there are always experts who divine heavenly secrets beforehand. Even at this very moment, among the high-ranking officials accompanying the army, there are Grand Strategists in the Feathered Ascension realm who are proficient in karma—"

After speaking, Yang Jishan looked at Mo Hua contemplatively. The implication was that Mo Hua wasn't the only one who understood Karma Arts; high-ranking officials of the Daoist Soldiers' Bureau, including Grand Strategists in the Feathered Ascension realm, also did. These Grand Strategists in the Feathered Ascension realm hadn't divined any karma related to a mutiny. But a small cultivator in the Foundation Establishment realm like Mo Hua had figured it out?

Mo Hua was taken aback. This indeed came as a surprise to him. As expected, the cultivation world was vast, and talented individuals were numerous. Many advanced skills weren't exclusive to him. But the problem was, he had indeed divined an ominous sign. So why did the Grand Strategists in the Feathered Ascension realm show no reaction at all? Had he made a mistake?

Mo Hua glanced at Yang Jishan and noticed that Yang Jishan's glabella also showed a faint grayness, which was also a sign of impending misfortune or death. However, as a Golden Core commander, Yang Jishan's higher cultivation meant a greater chance of survival, so the death omen was lighter than Yang Jiyong's. But even so, as time passed, the death omen on Yang Jishan's glabella continued to deepen gradually. There was no mistake!

Mo Hua's heart sank, and his gaze became extremely solemn as he said to Yang Jishan: "I don't know the overall situation of the Daoist army. But Commander Yang, you and Big Brother Yang are both in mortal danger. You absolutely must find a way to save yourselves! When someone is destined to die, they will die. At such a time, if one doesn't think about self-preservation, it would be impossible to reverse their fate."

Mo Hua was genuinely afraid that Yang Jishan and Yang Jiyong would follow in the footsteps of Elder Ji and Steward Wang from Xiaoyi City and perish in the mutiny.

Yang Jishan frowned deeply. He could tell that Mo Hua was genuinely concerned about his life and death, and that he was utterly sincere, not speaking falsehoods. But this matter—

Yang Jishan looked at Mo Hua, and his heart was suddenly startled. He noticed that when Mo Hua was serious, his demeanor was strikingly different from before. Previously, Mo Hua had appeared as a clear-eyed, cheerful, and approachable youth. But now, in the darkness, as Mo Hua spoke of heavenly mysteries, the aura emanating from him was profound and weighty. His eyes revealed an unfathomable depth, and as he looked around, karma seemed to flow.

Yang Jishan's heart trembled. This kind of demeanor he had only seen in some high-ranking family members who were adept at strategy. This young brother, just who was he? Yang Jishan's thoughts returned to Nanyue City, but after long deliberation, he still had no clue. His past memories seemed to be shrouded in mist, impossible to glimpse, without even a single hint.

Just then, the night wind howled over Fenghuo Ridge. The biting cold wind pierced through the tent, causing the lamplight to flicker. The fiery red light reflected on Mo Hua's face, like flowing blood. Outside the tent were the rugged, grotesque mountains of Fenghuo Ridge, resembling walking corpses or specters. As this scene entered his view, Yang Jishan's heart suddenly trembled, and the mist obscuring heavenly secrets dissipated for an instant. A scene suddenly appeared in his mind.

The sky was obscured by blood-red, and mountains and fields were filled with zombies, like ghouls from Avici Hell, their roars shaking heaven and earth. Among the ten thousand corpses, there was also a king, tall and majestic, exuding a terrifying and brutal aura. Yet, at this moment, this terrifying king of corpses was kneeling. It was kneeling before a young cultivator who appeared to be only about ten years old. At the same time, the zombies all over the mountains and fields also prostrated themselves. The Corpse King knelt, the Iron Corpses submitted, and ten thousand corpses paid homage. And the young cultivator whom the Corpse King knelt before, with picturesque features and a profound majesty, was none other than the youth standing before him—it was... Mo Hua.

Like a bolt from the blue, it echoed in his mind. Yang Jishan remembered everything; he finally recalled who Mo Hua was. He was the peculiar young man who, back then, quelled the zombie plague in Nanyue City, and at a critical moment, made the Corpse King kneel and ten thousand corpses submit. Turbulent waves surged in Yang Jishan's heart, and he couldn't help but tremble all over. How could he have forgotten such an important matter? How could he forget? But moments later, the battle-hardened Yang Jishan managed to maintain his composure amidst the intense emotional turmoil. Now was not the time to ponder these things. If Mo Hua was indeed the young boy who suppressed the Corpse King back then, then his words surely wouldn't be false. Regardless of whether the Great Desolation Sect would truly mutiny, he, at least, needed to make full preparations.

Yang Jishan's expression was serious as he said to Yang Jiyong: "Pass down the order: have all soldiers in the camp put on their armor, activate the formation, be fully on alert, and watch out for enemy attacks—" Then, with a solemn expression, he continued, "I'll go to the main camp and consult with the Grand Commander." He was merely a third-rank Golden Core realm commander and could only decide the actions of the soldiers in his own camp. He had no authority to decide the overall situation of the Daoist army. Even if the Great Desolation Sect truly rebelled and betrayed them, he still had to consult with higher-ups, and the Grand Commanders in the Feathered Ascension realm would discuss, decide, and issue orders.

"Yes, sir!" Yang Jiyong said solemnly, relaying Yang Jishan's orders.

The Yang family cultivators in the military camp had just rested for a short while. Upon hearing the order, they all began to put on their armor and grab their spears, becoming vigilant. Yang Jishan walked a round, confirmed that the camp's defenses were in order, and only then prepared to set off for the main camp.

But just as he was about to depart, Mo Hua suddenly pulled him back. Yang Jishan was momentarily puzzled and turned to look at Mo Hua. Mo Hua's expression was serious as he shook his head. Yang Jishan realized something and released his spiritual sense, only then discovering that amidst the howling wind, numerous figures were lurking in the night on Fenghuo Ridge, crawling inch by inch towards the camp like ghosts. The direction they came from was precisely the Great Desolation Sect's encampment. The timing they chose was just right; it was clear they were well aware of the Daoist army's movements. And their armor seemed to be equipped with some concealment formations. If they hadn't known beforehand, it would have been impossible to guard against them.

Yang Jishan looked at Mo Hua, marveling that Mo Hua's words were true, and also surprised that Mo Hua, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had a spiritual sense even keener than his own as a Golden Core cultivator, detecting the enemy attack several breaths earlier than him. Yang Jishan waved his hand. Yang Jiyong understood and turned to relay the order: "Proceed according to plan." Within the Yang family's military camp, soldiers quickly went into hiding.

Not long after, a formation's light flared, and a Great Desolation Sect cultivator attempting a sneak attack was cut in half at the waist. The scent of blood spread. The previously still night instantly became grim, filled with earth-shattering battle cries.

"Enemy attack!""Kill!""Kill!"

Fighting erupted abruptly; almost in an instant, blood seeped into the darkness. In the darkness, it was unclear who was killing, who was dying. Who was beheaded by a sword, pierced through the heart by a spear, or strangled by a formation, leaving dismembered limbs scattered everywhere. Black and red mingled, and killing intent boiled. In such an intense battle, Yang Jishan had no time to report to the main camp. And he didn't need to report anymore, because soon after, the Great Desolation Sect's full-scale mutiny began.

On Fenghuo Ridge, there were dense masses of Great Desolation Sect cultivators. They turned their slaughtering blades against the Daoist Court's soldiers. The flames of war, fanned by the cold desert wind, spread rapidly in just a few blinks of an eye. And the battle was exceptionally fierce. As soon as the mutiny began, it immediately escalated to a white-hot intensity. Yang Jishan also encountered Golden Core cultivators from the Great Desolation Sect and was fighting desperately. Yang Jiyong and his men were also engaged in a bitter struggle. Fortunately, with Mo Hua's prior warning and the marching formation he had set up as a barrier, the situation did not take a rapid turn for the worse. Otherwise, with a prepared attack against unprepared defenders and the Great Desolation Sect's hidden assassinations, who knew what would happen to the other Daoist soldiers, but Yang Jishan, Yang Jiyong, and this camp of Yang family soldiers would likely have met a grim fate.

After a period of entangled fighting, the situation reached a stalemate. Yang Jishan was tied up with a Golden Core cultivator from the Great Desolation Sect, and the two fought to a standstill. Mo Hua then exceptionally intervened, using a bit of divine sense and the Startling Spirit Pupils technique to momentarily stun the Great Desolation Sect Golden Core for a few breaths. In a life-or-death battle, these few breaths were enough to decide victory or defeat. By the time the Great Desolation Sect Golden Core regained his senses, Yang Jishan had already pierced his chest with a long spear.

In Daoist army combat, the commander is primary, then the soldiers. In a third-rank battlefield, Golden Core cultivators serve as commanders, and Foundation Establishment cultivators as soldiers. Once a Golden Core cultivator died, the commander was lost, and the top combat strength was gone. The remaining Great Desolation Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators' combat power plummeted. Yang Jishan thrust his spear, killing several Great Desolation Sect cultivators, then moved like a whirlwind, charging back and forth a few times, routing the remaining group of Great Desolation Sect cultivators. The crisis at the Yang family's military camp eased slightly.

But before anyone could catch their breath, an astonishingly brilliant sword light suddenly illuminated the dark sky above. Its mighty power instantly spread like a roaring tsunami. Mo Hua's heart froze, and he looked up to see the pitch-black night sky become as bright as day. In the sky above, a cultivator strode through the air, pure white sword light like wings protecting his body, dazzling and resplendent, like an immortal. Striding through the air! A Feathered Ascension True Man! This was the true power of Feathered Ascension. This Feathered Ascension cultivator, seemingly a Grand Commander from the Daoist Court, now drew his fingers together and sliced, causing a heaven-shaking sword qi, like a sheer cliff, to plummet straight down. The sword qi plunged into the Great Desolation Sect cultivators' ranks, and spiritual energy erupted like a landslide, tearing open the earth. Regardless of Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, or Golden Core cultivators, all were instantly annihilated by the Feathered Ascension cultivator's brilliant sword qi. The might of a single sword strike was truly immense. Mo Hua watched, his mind reeling, utterly shocked and lost in awe.

And while the Feathered Ascension sword cultivator was slaughtering Great Desolation Sect cultivators with his Feathered Ascension sword qi, a yellow light shot up from the Great Desolation Sect's ranks. A Feathered Ascension True Man from the Great Desolation Sect, bearing tiger stripes, his body like a fierce tiger, his vital energy surging, directly stepped into the void and unleashed a punch, clashing with the Daoist Court's Feathered Ascension sword cultivator. A punch and a sword intertwined, and intense vibrations spread. All cultivators affected by this spiritual energy vibration, whether from the Daoist Court or the Great Desolation Sect, were utterly annihilated. The Feathered Ascension sword cultivator evaded the tiger-striped man, then struck again with a sword, cleaving towards the Great Desolation Sect's positions, annihilating countless Great Desolation Sect cultivators. The tiger-striped man sneered and let out a fierce roar towards the Daoist Court's soldiers. This tiger's roar was incredibly savage, and in the blink of an eye, it caused several Golden Core commanders and many Foundation Establishment Daoist soldiers from the Daoist Court to have their flesh evaporate, leaving only skeletal remains. The battlefield instantly became even more brutal.

Mo Hua was even more astonished in his heart—this was a true Feathered Ascension cultivator. A Feathered Ascension realm True Man who could traverse the battlefield mid-air, without any restraints. From their elevated position, slaughtering lower-level cultivators was truly like immortals massacring mortals. Golden Core and Feathered Ascension, though only separated by one major realm, truly felt like they were separated by an "impassable chasm," with a world of difference between them. No wonder Golden Core cultivators were only called Grand Cultivators. Once one reached Feathered Ascension, they could be called a True Man.

And in the sky above, the battle between Feathered Ascension realm cultivators continued. Several Grand Commanders from the Daoist Court and high-ranking officials from the Great Desolation Sect, all Feathered Ascension realm True Men, had even joined the fight. For a time, on Fenghuo Ridge, spiritual energy soared to the heavens, and Daoist techniques shattered the earth. Mountains collapsed, the ground cracked, flesh and blood flew everywhere, and the scene was utterly horrific.

Yang Jishan's face was aghast, "Feathered Ascension True Men have joined the battle!" Without hesitation, he immediately ordered the Yang family's Daoist soldiers, "Quick! Everyone! Take refuge in the third-rank territory to the east!" A Feathered Ascension battlefield was a slaughter; no one below Golden Core could resist. If they stayed any longer and were caught in the aftermath, they would all die. After speaking, he quickly pulled Mo Hua, "Quick, let's go together!"

Mo Hua nodded with a solemn expression. Yang Jishan and Yang Jiyong then led the Yang family's Daoist soldiers, protecting Mo Hua, and retreated together towards the third-rank territory of Fenghuo Ridge to the east. Other Daoist soldiers evidently had the same idea, pushing and jostling each other as they moved to the east and west sides. While moving, they were still fighting with the Great Desolation Sect. The battlefield became chaotic for a while.

But before Mo Hua and the others reached the third-rank territory, a group of people suddenly flashed out in front of them, led by three Golden Core cultivators from the Great Desolation Sect. Behind them were one or two hundred Great Desolation Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators. As soon as the two sides met, one of the Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores said: "It's Yang Jishan! Kill them!"

Yang Jishan's heart sank upon seeing three Golden Cores opposite him, but it was a narrow path with no escape, so he could only thrust his spear and charge forward. But fighting three opponents at once was extremely difficult. Moreover, the Great Desolation Sect had two early-stage Golden Cores and one mid-stage Golden Core. Yang Jishan, whose cultivation was only early-stage Golden Core and who had already fought several battles, naturally ran out of strength. Under the siege of the three Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores, his moves became increasingly weary. Once he fell, the remaining Yang family cultivators would only be slaughtered by the Great Desolation Sect. This, perhaps, was also a type of death omen.

Mo Hua's face was grave; he wanted to use the Startling Spirit Sword to help Yang Jishan kill the enemy again. But Yang Jishan was currently being besieged by three people, under immense pressure, and could only struggle to hold on. Even with the opportunities created by the Startling Spirit Sword, he had no strength left to slay the Great Desolation Sect's Golden Core cultivators. To act himself, directly using the Decapitating God Sword, that would inevitably trigger life-bane. In a chaotic battlefield like this, triggering life-bane and allowing the malevolent qi of the strange path to backlash would be tantamount to seeking death. Mo Hua had no choice but to temporarily use some formations and Five Element spells to restrain the three Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores.

But as soon as he made a move, a tall, thin Golden Core from the Great Desolation Sect, with sharp eyes, said to Mo Hua: "It's this brat! The one Young Master wants! Catch him! Or kill him. The Young Master said he wants him alive or his corpse."

Two early-stage Golden Core cultivators from the Great Desolation Sect immediately charged at Mo Hua, while the remaining mid-stage Golden Core continued to engage Yang Jishan. But the two early-stage Golden Core cultivators clearly couldn't catch Mo Hua. Mo Hua's figure moved like water, with a light flash, he escaped from the encirclement of the two Golden Cores.

"Damn it, what the hell is this brat—""Isn't he just Foundation Establishment? Two Golden Cores can't even catch him?""Stop babbling, hurry up!"

The tall, thin Great Desolation Sect Golden Core continued to use a poisoned hook to strike at Mo Hua's neck. The other Golden Core wielded a spiked club, smashing it towards Mo Hua's head. But Mo Hua transformed into water mist and dodged again. The two Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores cursed and tangled with him again.

Yang Jishan saw Mo Hua in danger and wanted to help, but alas, his cultivation was lower, and he was suppressed to the point of breathless by the mid-stage Golden Core Great Desolation Sect cultivator wielding a ghost-head saber. He couldn't help but be consumed by anxiety, his face full of worry. Yang Jiyong, only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, was also wounded and trapped in the encirclement of Great Desolation Sect disciples, fighting desperately.

Mo Hua, entangled with the two Golden Cores, observed the situation, and his heart sank slightly. He knew that if this dragged on, the situation would become unfavorable. The death omen he predicted was about to come true again—

Mo Hua frowned slightly, then glanced at Yang Jishan, infusing a trace of spiritual sense into his voice, and said softly: "Commander Yang, flee quickly!"

Yang Jishan was startled. Mo Hua then coldly faced the three Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores and asked, "Did that bastard young master send you to capture me?"

"'Bastard—'" the tall, thin Golden Core muttered subconsciously, then immediately reacted, slapping his own mouth. "Bah—how dare you call the Young Master a bastard, boy, you deserve to die!"

Mo Hua sneered, "Did I say something wrong? If he's not a Great Desolation bastard, what is he?"

This remark further enraged the three Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores."Insulting the Young Master! Once I catch you, I'll carve you into a thousand pieces!""And grind your bones to dust!"

Mo Hua scoffed, "The movement techniques of you three pieces of trash are so slow, even if you were dogs scrambling for scraps, you wouldn't get anything fresh."

"Brat, you're asking for death!" The mid-stage Golden Core cultivator from the Great Desolation Sect, wielding a ghost-head saber and clad in Great Desolation Sect armor, immediately flew into a rage, abandoning Yang Jishan and raising his saber to attack Mo Hua. Amidst the shimmering water, Mo Hua flashed, avoiding the saber strike, then mockingly smiled at him and directly activated his movement technique to escape. This was undoubtedly a blatant provocation.

The other two Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores, one with a poisoned hook and the other with a spiked club, both struck at the water mist but failed to stop Mo Hua.

"Damn it! Big Brother!" the tall, thin Golden Core said, looking at the mid-stage Golden Core Great Desolation Sect cultivator.

The mid-stage Golden Core Great Desolation Sect cultivator cursed and said: "Chase him! We must get the person the Young Master wants. Otherwise, if the Young Master is displeased, we'll have no way to explain to the Matron."

"Alright!""We'll skin this brat alive and pull out his tendons!"

The three Great Desolation Sect Golden Cores immediately abandoned the Yang family's Daoist soldiers and pursued Mo Hua. Yang Jishan wanted to give chase, but exhausted from prolonged fighting and severely wounded, he was utterly powerless to rescue Mo Hua again. He could only watch as Mo Hua, alone, lured away three powerful Golden Core cultivators from the Great Desolation Sect, sacrificing himself for their camp of Yang family Daoist soldiers.

Blood trickled from the corner of Yang Jishan's mouth. At that moment, his heart was filled with both shame and regret.