We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 409: Because He Promised Me

Two years dissolved in the blink of an eye after Xiao Mo personally spearheaded the grand offensive against Qi State.

Despite the support of Ten-Thousand Islands State assisting Qi State, Qin’s forces relentlessly captured one city after another throughout those two years.

Xiao Mo’s army now loomed menacingly close to Qi State’s Canghai Pass, a critical juncture.

Reaching Canghai Pass signified the final stages of the protracted war within Qi State.

With Canghai Pass breached, the path to Qi State’s imperial capital would lie utterly exposed to Qin’s advancing army, akin to a maiden revealing herself.

At that point, even if the capital remained standing, its sovereignty would be a mere illusion.

Recognizing the gravity of their predicament, the King of Qi personally led the combined forces of Qi State and Ten-Thousand Islands State, determined to engage Xiao Mo in a battle to the bitter end.

Meanwhile, in Zhao State, the situation proved far less straightforward for Qin’s campaigns.

Initially, Li Jing and his commanders maintained a significant advantage, even if city captures weren’t swift.

However, the formidable demon armies from Flowing-Flame State and Creek-Valley State presented a formidable challenge.

Subsequently, a pact formed among the demon realms, leading each to dispatch additional forces to bolster Zhao State.

From the perspective of the demon kings, if Zhao State could hold its ground, repel the enemy, or even seize Qin territory, they intended to capitalize on the momentum and claim their share of the spoils.

Should Zhao State falter, their contingency was simple: a swift withdrawal.

The potential loss of some demon cultivators was deemed an acceptable risk.

To them, such losses were inconsequential.

However, a full-scale invasion of the myriad arts world by massive armies was out of the question.

Firstly, a significant number of demon kings felt disconnected from the affairs of the myriad arts world.

The notion of their demon race sacrificing its own for the defense of a human realm was, to them, utterly preposterous!

Without persuasive efforts from a particular individual, they wouldn’t have committed any troops at all!

Secondly, a large influx of demon cultivators into the myriad arts world would undoubtedly provoke the reclusive mountain sects.

Such a scenario would transcend a mere conflict between dynasties, potentially igniting an all-out war between two distinct worlds.

Consequently, the existing contingent of demon cultivators supporting Zhao State was deemed sufficient.

It was precisely the deployment of these demon cultivators that enabled the King of Zhao not only to fend off the assaults by Li Jing, Fang Weiming, and their counterparts but also to gain considerable ground.

Yet, after stabilizing Zhao State’s position, the King of Zhao did not immediately pursue an offensive strategy.

In the King of Zhao’s assessment, the paramount priority was reinforcing Qi State.

Failure to do so would leave Zhao State vulnerable and isolated should Qi State fall, like a solitary tree unable to withstand the tempest.

Seizing an opportune moment, Zhao State’s combined human and demon army breached the defensive line established by Fang Weiming, advanced through Jin territory, and then executed a wide flanking maneuver to rendezvous with Qi State’s forces.

Furthermore, after careful deliberation, the sovereign of Ten-Thousand Islands State resolved to increase their investment and place an even larger wager on Qi State!

A substantial number of Ten-Thousand Islands State’s cultivators had perished, making a withdrawal now unbearable for the ruler!

Consequently, the ruler of Ten-Thousand Islands State dispatched an additional three hundred thousand troops to Qi State.

The lowest cultivation realm among these reinforcements was the Cave-Abode Realm.

The ruler of Ten-Thousand Islands State had, in essence, committed all their resources.

The arrival of both the human-demon allied reinforcements and the additional forces from Ten-Thousand Islands State provided Qi State’s army with crucial respite, significantly boosting their morale.

The King of Qi was elated, convinced that they could repel Xiao Mo and even transition from defense to a counter-offensive.

Within the Qin army encampment.

Xiao Mo, alongside his assembled generals, intently studied the immense sand table positioned at the center, their expressions etched with deep concern.

“General, the combined forces of Qi State, Zhao State, the demon race, and Ten-Thousand Islands State now number four million. Their cultivation realms are at least at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Our own troop count stands at four million as well, but approximately thirty percent consist of Qi Refining martial cultivators, placing us at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation realm,” Xu Yao stated, his brow furrowed.

“General, perhaps we should redeploy some forces to this front?” Chen Wang inquired.

“No.”

After a prolonged period of contemplation, Xiao Mo’s head shook in negation.

“While I did execute a number of rebelling feudal lords earlier, instilling fear, a considerable number still harbor hidden dissent, awaiting a suitable opportunity.

Moreover, the loyalty of the great clans and noble houses remains ambiguous and difficult to ascertain.”

Currently, every territory within Qin requires a contingent of troops to maintain order, ensuring the compliance of the regional lords and nobles. Should Li Jing decide to redeploy forces here, there's a concern that our defensive perimeter might falter.

As his observation concluded, Xiao Mo's gaze shifted to the expansive terrain stretching beyond Canghai Pass, depicted on the sand table.

"Canghai Pass itself is vast; the plains before it can accommodate a conflict involving tens of millions, suitable for both large-scale battles and spellcasting. Yet, the pass is also constrained—too confined to effectively defend with a force of four million."

"The Qi State is acutely aware that prolonging this stalemate works against their interests. The impatience of the Ten-Thousand Islands State and the demon cultivators from the demon-race world is a considerable factor. Furthermore, Liu Xing and his forces continue their relentless, albeit slow, attacks on our flanks, akin to a dull blade steadily drawing blood. Therefore, they are certain to engage us in a fight to the bitter end."

"And we absolutely cannot afford to retreat. A withdrawal here would jeopardize the other two invasion routes as well. Given this situation!"

"We shall charge forth and shatter their defenses in a single, decisive engagement!"

With conviction in his voice, Xiao Mo raised his head and offered a smile. "The destiny of the world of myriad arts—whether it moves towards unification or remains fragmented—hangs in the balance of this imminent clash."

Upon hearing Xiao Mo's resolute words, the resolve of everyone present intensified.

Despite their years of command experience, a palpable sense of tension settled upon them. If all past skirmishes and major engagements were merely stages in the grand unification of the world of myriad arts— then this climactic Battle of Canghai Pass would serve as the definitive conclusion to the entire era of the world of myriad arts.

"Proceed with the preparations," Xiao Mo instructed with a smile to the assembled officers. "Ensure the soldiers conserve their energy and disseminate news of the impending battle."

"Understood, General!" The assembled generals offered a salute before departing the command tent.

Once they had withdrawn, Xiao Mo picked up his brush and penned a letter. It detailed the current military situation and announced the imminent decisive engagement with the Qi State forces outside Canghai Pass.

In addition, Xiao Mo composed a second letter, marking it with a blood fingerprint from his own finger.

The first missive was dispatched to the imperial palace via a flying-sword letter.

The second letter, bearing the seal of the Northern Pacification King, was entrusted to a messenger for Qiu Wen.

Having finalized all arrangements, Xiao Mo exited the tent and gazed into the distance, towards the direction of Qin's royal capital.

After a prolonged moment, Xiao Mo withdrew his gaze.

He retrieved a small clay figurine from within his robes.

Though the figurine was simple in its craftsmanship, to Xiao Mo, it held profound beauty.

Xiao Mo extended a finger, gently rubbed the figurine's nose, and a faint smile touched his lips.

After carefully returning the figurine to his chest, Xiao Mo took a deep breath and strode forward with purpose.

Three days later, Qin Siyao received Xiao Mo's flying-sword letter, informing her of his impending decisive battle against the Qi State outside Canghai Pass.

Clutching the letter, Qin Siyao remained in quiet contemplation for a considerable time.

"Your Majesty, please do not despair. The young master will undoubtedly return victorious," Huasheng said, attempting to comfort her as he observed Qin Siyao's worried expression.

"I am aware."

Qin Siyao reached out, her fingers delicately tracing the elegant strokes of his handwriting on the envelope.

"I know he will return.

Because he gave me his promise."