World of Cultivation Nine Hundred and Eleven – Lin Qian’s Counterattack

Wei Sheng glanced at Kun Lun behind him, then turned his back without a second thought.

Gongsun Cha, Bie Han, and Yang Yuan Hao had joined forces. These three supreme battalions represented Mo Cloud Sea's ultimate fighting strength. He had to race back swiftly to prevent Lin Qian from targeting them; such a loss would be utterly devastating.

Although no new god-level expert had emerged in Kun Lun's ranks, Wei Sheng couldn't afford to be complacent. These three top-tier generals formed the bedrock of Mo Cloud Sea.

Gu Liang Dao's demise at Lin Qian's hands had demonstrated to all that the optimal strategy currently involved a synergy between a top battle general and a god-level cultivator.

A god-level expert was virtually unstoppable, capable of sowing utter chaos within an army and eliminating its commanders. However, their power alone was insufficient to conquer and hold an entire territory. A dedicated battalion was necessary to solidify control.

Conversely, without the protective shield of a god-level expert, a top battle general would become a prime target for the enemy's god-level forces.

With the three battle generals now united, Wei Sheng felt compelled to act with extreme caution, taking it upon himself to ensure their safety.

Wei Sheng was also acutely aware that single-handedly eradicating all of Kun Lun was an impossible feat.

Such a colossal entity possessed a resilience and vitality far beyond the comprehension of ordinary individuals.

Upon surveying the desolate remnants of Kun Lun's main peak, Lin Qian's tears began to fall. His countenance was ashen, his spirit adrift as the tears streamed unchecked. He remained motionless for a prolonged period, akin to a lifeless log.

No words could adequately convey the suffering he endured at that moment. Protecting Kun Lun had been his lifelong ambition since childhood, a dream that persisted unyielded through his formative years.

The sacrifices of the Elders and his Master, who had infused his very soul into a sword, only served to solidify his unwavering resolve.

From the moment he assumed leadership of Kun Lun from his Master, he had poured all his effort into its cause, never daring to falter. Yet, under his command, Kun Lun had suffered an unprecedented disgrace.

Even their sacred main peak had been sundered.

He scanned his surroundings. What met his gaze were the despondent, hollow stares of the disciples, accompanied by their mournful cries.

A searing pain, as if a blade were twisting in his heart, gripped Lin Qian.

Returning with haste, Xue Dong, Mu Xuan, and the others breathed a collective sigh of relief upon finding Lin Qian. The entirety of Kun Lun's high command had convened for the first time since their crushing defeat.

A potent mix of fury and sorrow was etched onto every face.

Their gazes all converged on Lin Qian, the man who had led them to numerous victories. Hope had not yet extinguished in their eyes. As long as he remained alive, the prospect of eventual triumph still existed.

All of Kun Lun fixed their sights on their leader, their beacon of hope.

"Never in the annals of Kun Lun have we endured such profound humiliation," Lin Qian's voice, steeped in sorrow, resonated through the sound tablets, reaching every recess of the Sect.

"This is my failing, my burden to bear. Following the conclusion of this conflict, irrespective of the outcome, I shall relinquish my position as Sect Leader."

Exclamations of utter disbelief erupted throughout Kun Lun, eyes wide with shock. Xue Dong, Mu Xuan, and the other leaders exchanged looks of dismay; Lin Qian had not consulted them on this momentous decision.

"A failure such as I is unworthy to hold the esteemed position of Kun Lun's Sect Leader."

The profound sense of guilt in Lin Qian's voice was palpable to all. Many disciples' eyes welled with tears. While Kun Lun's main peak had been desecrated, and some had harbored resentment towards Lin Qian,

no one cast blame upon him at this juncture.

This was a man who prioritized Kun Lun's welfare above his own existence!

Who among them could bear to condemn him?

"However, before I step down, there remains a battle to be concluded. Nay, it is *we* who have an unfinished battle! In Kun Lun's entire history, no disgrace has ever been so stark! This is Kun Lun's humiliation, and it is ours to avenge! Only the clash of swords, the shedding of blood, and ultimate victory can cleanse this stain!

"Disciples of Kun Lun, people of Kun Lun, this is our sanctuary, our home where our kin reside. Yet now, we have been subjected to insult, our kin slaughtered, our homes reduced to ashes! Kun Lun stands at a precipice! We have no sanctuary to seek, no retreat to find, and no mercy will be shown to us!

"I implore all of Kun Lun, draw your blades!

"For the honor of Kun Lun, for our kindred, for our homes!

"As Kun Lun's Sect Leader, I decree a complete mobilization of all able-bodied warriors within Kun Lun!

"Regardless of gender or age, any individual possessing cultivation above the mortal rank is hereby conscripted!

"All commercial enterprises, irrespective of their scale, are forbidden from selling any goods. All resources shall be redirected to support the war effort.

"All battalions, assemble and await further command!

"I, Lin Qian, shall lead you onto the battlefield!

"In the name of Kun Lun, victory or death!

"In the name of Kun Lun, we march towards our final confrontation!

"We fight until the very end!"

As Lin Qian's resolute voice echoed through the sound tablet, an absolute silence descended upon the entire command tent.

A collective grimace spread across every face. Nobody had anticipated Kun Lun’s counteroffensive, or rather, Lin Qian’s audacious and reckless gambit. It was as if Gongsun Cha himself hadn't foreseen Lin Qian’s strategy, akin to a gambler who, having suffered immense losses, stakes everything on the next hand.

The advantage Gongsun Cha and his allies had painstakingly built up vanished in an instant.

Shen power had been cultivated for a decade; the number of Kun Lun's sword cultivators who had reached the mortal level was unknown, but it was widely acknowledged to be substantial.

While the Nether King's five hundred thousand elite troops had shocked the world, the sheer potential unleashed when the colossal entity of Kun Lun mobilized its entire populace was something even Gongsun Cha and his peers hesitated to contemplate! Kun Lun’s military strength was already formidable, with vast territories requiring constant garrisoning by numerous battalions.

Lin Qian’s conscription order extended beyond the standing battalions to encompass the general populace, enabling the swift formation of an army exceeding a million. Gongsun Cha and his associates wouldn't have been surprised if the number had swelled to two million. Even if these recruits lacked formal training and fell short of the standards of even the lowest-ranked battalions, the sheer scale of their numbers represented a terrifying force!

Such a move was unprecedented!

With his back against the wall, Lin Qian had completely derailed Mo Cloud Sea's meticulously laid plans.

The hastily erected defensive forts, the jinzhi constructed by Mo Cloud Sea, proved utterly ineffectual against such an overwhelming tide of humanity.

“He's a madman!”

Someone voiced the sentiment, and universal agreement followed. Such a drastic action seemed to disregard all consequences. Even if Kun Lun emerged victorious, the cost would be a devastating blow, necessitating years, perhaps even decades, for recovery.

Yet, it was undeniable that Lin Qian's maneuver was exceptionally cunning.

Mo Cloud Sea's battalions had inflicted numerous breaches within Kun Lun's territory, resulting in significant losses. Their original strategy was to prolong the conflict, gradually weakening Kun Lun over time until resistance became impossible. However, Lin Qian's decision to wager all his assets on a decisive final confrontation changed everything. At this moment, Kun Lun, reeling from recent setbacks and akin to a band of soldiers mourning their fallen comrades, was galvanized by Lin Qian's fervent resolve: victory or death. The sheer force they could now muster was immense.

The legendary tales of triumph achieved by enraged and grieving soldiers were born from precisely such circumstances.

“What if we focus on holding our ground? If we can endure long enough, their morale might falter, and their untrained conscripts could break…” Yang Yuan Hao glanced expectantly at Gongsun Cha.

“We cannot hold!” Gongsun Cha declared, shaking his head, his expression grave. “None of our defensive lines are sustainable.”

Yang Yuan Hao showed no surprise. In truth, he harbored no belief in the feasibility of any such defensive stand.

Mo Cloud Sea had traditionally relied on its elite forces. While they possessed a limited number of battalions, their training and equipment were consistently of the highest caliber. This approach was typically effective, but in the face of Lin Qian's overwhelming numerical superiority, it immediately proved inadequate.

“Perhaps we should outflank Kun Lun and attack its rear? Kun Lun’s rear is completely exposed!” Tang Fei pondered, her brow furrowed in deep thought.

“Lin Qian is committing his entire force; attacking the rear would be irrelevant. He’s unconcerned about the state of his rear,” Gongsun Cha dismissed the suggestion.

“What about Teacher Wei…?” Ma Fan inquired with a sly grin.

All eyes turned to Wei Sheng.

Wei Sheng responded candidly, “Lin Qian and I are evenly matched. My previous victory was largely due to Gu Liang Dao and Shuang Yu weakening Lin Qian before their demise, coupled with my own enlightenment. However, I sense from his voice that he may have also experienced a breakthrough. If I were to engage him now, he would possess the advantage of territory, potentially meaning the assistance of several pseudo god-level cultivators, placing him in a superior position.”

“But we also have pseudo god-level cultivators…” Ma Fan mumbled. Mo Cloud Sea boasted a greater number of pseudo god-level experts than Kun Lun. Hearing this, the others' eyes lit up with hope.

“Pseudo god-level cultivators cannot traverse the void,” Wei Sheng clarified.

A collective realization dawned upon them. Indeed, while true god-level cultivators could access inaccessible realms by traveling through the void, pseudo god-level experts were incapable of such feats.

An exchange of glances, each reflecting a grim realization, passed between them.

Upon receiving the communication from Mo Cloud Sea, Zuo Mo was taken aback. He had not anticipated Lin Qian mirroring the actions of the Chief Mo God. Nevertheless, he had to acknowledge the formidable power of such a move.

In comparison to Lin Qian's strategy, the Chief Mo God's execution had been lacking. When Lin Qian made his decree, no dissenting voices arose within Kun Lun; the entire sect was united in this gamble for survival. Conversely, when the Chief Mo God attempted a similar strategy, significant opposition had surfaced within the Mo Shen Temple. Even without Shui Yue's intervention, the Chief Mo God would have faced considerable internal challenges.

Despite having faced numerous formidable adversaries, Zuo Mo found no one to be Lin Qian's equal. This opponent stood supreme in both might and technique, possessing virtually no discernible flaws.

This situation presented a significant challenge!

Engaging in a decisive confrontation of this magnitude immediately brought to light the inherent frailty of Mo Cloud Sea's underdeveloped foundation. In times past, Zuo Mo would have readily issued such a conscription order for Mo Cloud Sea. However, despite its considerable expansion, the faction's current structure was far more intricate and lacked true cohesion. This disunity stemmed from Zuo Mo's decade-long absence. Without sufficient unity, resorting to such a drastic measure was akin to self-immolation.

While Lin Qian could afford such gambits in other realms, Zuo Mo could not.

Yet, Zuo Mo's own schemes had reached a critical juncture. Until the present situation was favorably resolved, he dared not reveal his true identity as the Nether King.

Once more, the passage of time became the ultimate determinant of success or failure.

After a night of contemplation, Zuo Mo dispatched his resolution to Mo Cloud Sea.

Zuo Mo's directive was remarkably straightforward.

A single instruction: delay. Employ every conceivable tactic to postpone the engagement.

The objective was to stall the decisive battle!

Editor's Note: Throwback to way back. This was my introduction to jazz.