CHAPTER 299: CHAPTER 296: CROSSING GHOST IMMORTAL RIDGE_1

At night, successive waves of dark clouds obscured the moonlight, creating a pitch-black landscape when viewed from a high vantage point. The sporadic ghostly howls ringing through this darkness made one’s skin crawl.

"What a cursed place, this is no place for people. I hope the Qin Dynasty withdraws its troops soon!"

"Indeed! Even with my blanket wrapped around me, I still feel incredibly cold. I can barely hold onto my weapon!"

"Even the warmth from the fire feels cold. This ghostly environment is much harsher than the frontier!"

The patrolling soldiers grumbled quietly, repeatedly complaining about ’Ghost Immortal Ridge’ and venting their dissatisfaction. They hadn’t realized that on the pitch-black earth, an army was speeding along, as swift as specters of the night.

"Everyone be careful, don’t get frostbite!"

"Once we enter the tunnel, immediately circulate your Spiritual Energy to expel the cold from your bodies!" Zhao Yun commanded in a hushed voice. The chilling air made even him uncomfortable; it felt as if the warmth had vanished from his hot blood.

Keep in mind, he was a Ninth-Turn Saint King Realm expert, his physique countless times stronger than that of ordinary soldiers. If even he was negatively affected, one could only imagine the state of these ordinary soldiers.

"General, rest assured, we can hold on!"

The army following Zhao Yun was the Azure Dragon Army. They were all brave men, their gazes firm and their steps steady, seemingly unaffected.

Four hours later, the army finally arrived at the tunnel entrance. Many soldiers’ faces had turned blue from the cold, and their lips had turned black.

"Enter the cave in order!" Zhao Yun stood at the entrance and made a gesture.

One by one, the soldiers bent down and quickly entered the cave. They circulated their Spiritual Energy to expel the chill from their bodies, then lit torches and ran deep into the tunnel.

The temperature inside the cave was slightly higher, and before long, the faces of those who had entered the tunnel gradually returned to normal.

It took a full six hours for all 500,000 soldiers of the Azure Dragon Army to enter the tunnel. By then, the sky outside was gradually lightening. They would have to wait in the tunnel until nightfall before they could emerge from the other side.

Everyone sat cross-legged, circulating their cultivation methods to maintain their peak condition.

「 」

"Any movements from the Qin army?"

On the other side of ’Ghost Immortal Ridge’, the land was dotted with white military tents. The nine major army corps of the Canghai Divine Court that had retreated, as well as the various supporting factions, had all set up camp here.

In the central command tent, Liu Jimin sat high on the commander’s chair. Below him stood many generals. To his left were the commanders of the nine major army corps, and to his right were the great generals from eleven King-ranked factions.

Originally, there were thirteen King-ranked factions. However, the Vajra Royal Court had fallen, and another King-ranked domain adjacent to it, though not fallen, dared not dispatch troops. As for the generals from ordinary factions, they were not qualified to stand within the command tent.

"Great General, at dawn, the Qin army launched an attack. However, before they could get close, they were repelled by the Magic Crystal Cannons. There’s no movement at present!" a general cupped his fist and replied, a smile on his face.

"Haha! ’Ghost Immortal Ridge’ has only one pass. As long as we guard its entrance, we’ll be perfectly fine!" Liu Jimin nodded, his hearty laughter booming out of the tent and reverberating under the heavens, lingering for a long time.

"The General is wise!" the numerous generals cupped their fists and declared, their faces wreathed in smiles. Everyone was confident of victory in this defensive battle.

If they couldn’t defend the border, could they not even defend a single pass?

"Enough with the flattery. Go and patrol. Don’t let the Qin army exploit any openings!" Liu Jimin waved his hand and said sternly.

Upon hearing this, the generals paid their respects with a salute and departed from the central command tent in an orderly fashion.

The Qin Dynasty! Zhao Yun!

Inside the empty tent, Liu Jimin clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot. He let out a beast-like roar, "This time, I will definitely defeat you and avenge my fallen brothers!"

He had enlisted in the army at the age of twenty. From then until now, hundreds of thousands of years had passed, during which he had commanded countless battles. Although he had suffered defeats, none were as devastating as the Vajra Battle. Over ten million soldiers had perished, and the nine great army corps had lost more than half their strength!

Of course, this was inextricably linked to the might of the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court. But victory was victory, and defeat was defeat! He had to defeat the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court at least once to wash away this disgrace.

「 」

That night, on the pitch-black plain, Lv Bu led the White Tiger Army, speeding towards the tunnel.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun, gripping his battle spear, emerged from the tunnel. He used the dark bushes for concealment as he observed the surroundings.

The climate here was also extremely cold. Coupled with the alliance’s attention being entirely focused on the tunnel entrance, there were no patrols for dozens of miles around. He could only see the bright glow of distant fires.

"Let’s go!" Zhao Yun waved to the soldiers behind him and walked out of the bushes.

The soldiers of the Azure Dragon Army emerged in single file. It took over two hours for all of them to exit the tunnel and assemble on the cold plain. Excitement was visible on everyone’s faces.

After restoring the trampled bushes to their original state, Zhao Yun led the army, and they vanished into the darkness. From the direction they departed, their destination could be roughly determined: the encampment of the Huangdao Royal Court, two hundred miles from the tunnel exit.

"Quick! Hurry and get in!"

Just as the Azure Dragon Army finished exiting the tunnel, Lv Bu arrived at the entrance with the White Tiger Army. He directed the soldiers, their faces and noses swollen and bruised from the cold, into the tunnel.

The process was exactly the same as the previous day.

By dawn, the entire White Tiger Army had entered the tunnel and began to wait quietly.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun led the Azure Dragon Army, now clad in the armor of the Huangdao Royal Court, and stealthily entered their encampment.

"General, due to the extremely low temperatures at ’Ghost Immortal Ridge’, the troops garrisoning the tunnel entrance must be rotated daily. The rotation consists of one Ancient Court army corps and one army corps from a King-ranked faction!"

In the central tent, Zhao Yun sat in the seat of honor. A general of the Huangdao Royal Court stood below him, reporting deferentially. This general was a confidant of the Huangdao Divine Emperor and a member of the imperial family. He already knew that the Huangdao Ancestor had submitted to the Qin Dynasty’s Divine Court, so he felt somewhat apprehensive in Zhao Yun’s presence.

"When is it our turn for the defensive rotation?" Zhao Yun held a steaming blue-and-white porcelain teacup and took a light sip.

The Huangdao Divine Emperor quickly replied, "General, in two days, we are scheduled to relieve the garrison at the tunnel along with the Ancient Court’s Fourth Army Group!"

Two days... Zhao Yun set down the blue-and-white porcelain teacup. A dense, murderous Evil Qi emanated from his eyes, making the Huangdao Divine Emperor standing below shudder.

Over the next two days, the White Tiger Army, the Ding Yang Army, and the Yan Yun Eighteen Cavalry arrived at the Huangdao Royal Court’s encampment via the secret tunnel and concealed themselves.

"By order of the Great General! At noon, the Huangdao Royal Court shall lead its forces to relieve the garrison!"

Early that morning, a general from the Canghai Ancient Court strode into the Huangdao Royal Court’s encampment and announced loudly.

The Huangdao Royal Court general replied politely, "Order received! Thank you for your trouble, General!"

Inside the tent, Zhao Yun, Lv Bu, and Huang Zhong exchanged glances, each seeing the profound killing intent in the others’ eyes.