Wen Zhong looked at the father and daughter, respect for their integrity and courage arising in his heart. He nodded, gesturing for his subordinates to settle the two comfortably and simultaneously dispatched messengers in all directions, declaring that Qingxia Pass had been captured and that Deng Jiugong and his daughter had surrendered.

Wen Zhong stood atop the city walls of Qingxia Pass, gazing at the stars beneath the veil of night, silently contemplating his next moves. He knew that every step from here on was of utmost importance, allowing no room for error.

He ordered the defeated troops to be mixed up and reorganized, selecting twenty thousand elite soldiers to bolster his own army, subjecting these new recruits to rigorous training and baptism to ensure their loyalty and combat effectiveness.

As for the remaining soldiers, he only kept a small number to garrison Qingxia Pass, just in case, while he dispersed the rest on the spot.

These captured soldiers, who had thought they would be made slaves, sent to labor in mines or for sacrificial rites, were unexpectedly allowed to live and even given their freedom; they were overjoyed and could not stop falling to their knees in gratitude.

After reorganizing his troops, Wen Zhong had already led his army to set out towards Chaoge.

At the same time, Jiang Ziya at Jiepaiguan received news of the fall of Qingxia Pass. He knew that Wen Zhong's power was at its zenith, and that in the future he would be a formidable adversary. Jiang Ziya understood that whoever conquered Chaoge first would be the one to replace Great Shang.

Therefore, he began to expedite preparations, instructing his soldiers to prepare large quantities of tung oil during the day, readying for a fire attack.

In reality, he was luring the enemy deeper into his territory.

As expected, in the dead of night, Flame Immortal quietly approached Xi Qi Camp with three thousand Fire Dragon troops. They laid out the Burning Sky Formation, planning to set Xi Qi Camp ablaze and overturn the situation in one fell swoop.

However, the movements of Flame Immortal did not escape the watchful eyes of the Daoist disciples of the Chan Sect.

They had already laid a trap, quietly waiting for the arrival of Flame Immortal.

Daoist True Monarch Qingxu, Dao Xing Venerable, and Yellow Dragon Daoist joined forces, launching a direct assault on Flame Immortal.

Although the power of the Burning Sky Formation was enormous, with the cooperation of the three Chan Sect disciples, breaking the formation was not difficult.

Especially since Daoist True Monarch Qingxu wielded the Five Fire Seven Feather Fan, capable of controlling flames, it was the perfect counter to the Burning Sky Formation. Not only did he fend off the fierce attacks of the Fire Dragon troops, but he also turned the tables and manipulated the burning flames to strike back at the Fire Dragon soldiers.

Seeing that the opportunity to break the formation was lost, Flame Immortal knew something was wrong and immediately ordered the Fire Dragon troops to retreat.

Under the Five Fire Seven Feather Fan wielded by Daoist True Monarch Qingxu, the Fire Dragon soldiers were like mere paper figurines, instantly engulfed by the fierce fire and reduced to ashes. Flame Immortal, seeing the tide had turned against him, began to think of withdrawal.

However, Yellow Dragon Daoist was quick and nimble, a dragon roar resounding across the battlefield, as a golden, glittering giant dragon emerged from behind him, firmly sealing off Flame Immortal's escape route. Flame Immortal's face turned instantly pale, aware that his end was nigh.

Dao Xing Venerable, however, was the epitome of composure. With a casual swing of the Demon Suppressing Treasure Mallet in his hand, a breeze whisked by, scattering all the flames around Flame Immortal. Under the united effort of the three Chan Sect masters, no matter how much Flame Immortal struggled, he could not escape the binds of fate.

In the end, under the Five Fire Seven Feather Fan wielded by Daoist True Monarch Qingxu, Flame Immortal was directly burned to ash, not even able to utter a scream, before dissipating into nothingness.

The death of Flame Immortal, like a massive rock thrown into a tranquil lake, stirred up towering waves.

The Shang army, seeing their general fallen, was instantly scattered in spirit, with morale entirely extinguished.

Jiang Ziya had long anticipated this scene and immediately ordered the already prepared army to advance with clamorous noise, attacking Jiepaiguan.

Jiang Ziya's troops, like a torrential flood, were unstoppable. The defenders at Jiepaiguan, under the fierce onslaught, were completely powerless to reverse their fate and could only watch helplessly as their position was overrun. Under Jiang Ziya's command, the Xi Qi army sprinted all the way, successfully capturing Jiepaiguan with minimal loss.

Huang Feihu fought valiantly on the battlefield, but ultimately could not overcome the hand of fate. Leading his remnant forces, he retreated in disarray to Chuanyun Pass. This was a hilly region amidst mountains, strategically difficult to access and surrounded by peaks—an easily defended and hard-to-assault fortress.

Surveying the mountains in all directions, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart. He was well aware that this terrain was a natural barrier for them. He immediately ordered his soldiers to reinforce the defenses, preparing for a drawn-out resistance.

Although Jiepaiguan had been lost, he did not concede defeat.

He believed that as long as they held Chuanyun Pass, they could securely block the Xi Qi army outside and ultimately achieve victory.

In Chaoge, under the sparkling starlight, the lanterns of Xingxing Pavilion shone brightly, with melodious songs and graceful dances. Di Xin, dressed in a luxurious robe and wearing a golden crown, wore a smile of self-satisfaction. He drank Jade Liquid with Daji, indulging in the enchanting fairy music. Amidst the decadence of wine ponds and meat forests, the air of extravagance was palpable. Court ladies and guards all bowed their heads, fearing a misstep that could enrage the inept and unprincipled king.

Just then, a servant walked in tremblingly, his forehead covered in cold sweat. He knew the news he brought would enrage the king, but as a loyal subject, he had no choice but to present the truth.

"Your Majesty, Qingxia Pass and Jiepaiguan have fallen successively. Wen Zhong's and Jiang Ziya's troops are now approaching Chaoge..." The servant's voice grew softer, until it was nearly a whisper.

Di Xin's complexion instantly turned from red to white, then quickly flared with rage. He stood up abruptly, his wine cup sent flying by a swipe of his hand, the spilled liquid on the ground resembling blood, strikingly vivid.

"Damn it... All useless!" Di Xin roared, commanding to drag the servant away, "Throw him into the scorpion pit for the punishment of a thousand snakes devouring his heart!"

The palace fell deathly silent in an instant, fear filling everyone's hearts, aware that Di Xin's fury was like the fires of hell, igniting and sparing no one.

Seeing this, Daji gently wiped the wine stain from her sleeve, a cunning glint in her eye. She softly and flatteringly said to Di Xin: "Your Majesty, what's most urgent is to stabilize the soldiers' spirits. Incompetent men like Huang Feihu should not be allowed to command the army anymore.

Why not behead him to warn others, so that the front-line soldiers dare not neglect their duty again?"

Di Xin, upon hearing this, saw the sense in her words and nodded his head.

"Let's start with Huang Feihu then. Issue my decree, immediately proceed to Chuanyun Pass, behead Huang Feihu in public, and let all the soldiers know the consequences of defeat!" Di Xin's voice was cold and merciless, like a verdict from the Nine Nether Hells.

Daji smiled sweetly, finishing the beautiful wine in her cup in one gulp.

Her appearance was graceful and refined, exuding an aristocratic quality, like a lotus rising from the water, eliciting admiration at first glance.

In the warm Xingxing Pavilion, she was clad only in a sheer layer of light gauze around her perfect body, sitting close beside Di Xin, her jade hand gently adjusting the jade hairpin in her coiffure, her smile as gentle as the breeze of spring, stunningly beautiful.

Soon after, a group of soldiers in bronze armor hurriedly set out. They carried the imperial edict from Di Xin, heading straight for Chuanyun Pass.