World of Cultivation Nine Hundred and Fourteen – Pride

The streets were absolutely packed with people, a sea of faces etched with reluctance as they frequently glanced backward.

"Everyone, please make haste!" A xiuzhe hovered above, their voice amplified by a sound-sealing formation, reaching every corner. "Kindly take note of your ship's vessel number and secure your valuables. Parents, please keep a close watch on your children."

"Do not worry, everyone, all your losses will be compensated!"

A multitude of xiuzhe filled the air, their organized efforts maintaining a semblance of order within the throngs.

"Mama, will we come back?" a child asked, looking up at his mother with pleading eyes.

The mother gently patted the little boy's head. "Yes, we will."

"Really?" Hope flickered across the boy's face. "Wonderful! Yun Yun said she'll be back too, so we can play together. Mama, when will we return?"

"We'll return when we win," the mother replied patiently.

"Then we must win quickly!" the boy declared, turning to gaze back at their home.

An identical scene of evacuation was unfolding across all the jies of Mo Cloud Sea.

The meticulously crafted plan by Gongsun Cha and his associates was being executed flawlessly. The entirety of Mo Cloud Sea was in motion, operating like a colossal, coordinated machine.

Every available treasure ship and transport vessel had been requisitioned. Fleets blanketed the sky, and nearly all transportation formations operated at peak capacity. Jingshi was expended as if it were limitless.

A mobilization of such magnitude had never before been witnessed in history.

Mo Cloud Sea's manpower and resources were being stretched to their absolute limit.

This was their final stand!

Mu Xi received her orders. Though penned by the Council of Elders, she recognized the distinct command of the Nether King behind them.

She wasn't particularly taken aback. The two preeminent battle generals among the yao were herself and Bing Lan Daren. With Bing Lan Daren having retired to establish a battle general house, she stood alone.

As the new directives were disseminated, the yao forces rapidly stabilized, an indication that the king had regained control of the situation. What truly surprised Mu Xi was the absence of the widespread chaos she had anticipated. Instead, as the new orders permeated, the yao emerged from the somber atmosphere of past purges, displaying burgeoning signs of prosperity.

This new king… he was truly formidable!

Mu Xi was not alone in this observation; the other elders shared the same realization. Not all elders and prestigious families were solely driven by avarice. In truth, they desired the prosperity of the yao more than anyone, as only through such prosperity would they reap the greatest rewards.

Their opposition to the king had begun to wane.

The Mo King had demonstrably proven his capacity to secure greater benefits for them.

Nothing could compel their obedience more effectively than this.

The Palace Lake Wood Clan was among those who recognized this shift.

The astute leader of the Wood Clan immediately perceived the advantageous opportunity. Without hesitation, he extended his goodwill towards the Mo King. The Palace Lake Wood Clan possessed a distinct advantage over all other clans: their most potent asset, Mu Xi!

Mu Xi understood the clan's intentions and raised no objections.

She was appointed the supreme commander of the yao battalions. An astonishing number of yao battalions were mobilized, totaling over three hundred thousand individuals – nearly the entirety of the yao forces. While the yao had once numbered higher, Ming Yue Ye's purges in previous years had significantly reduced their ranks.

Mu Xi was no longer the obscure, unknown maiden of the past. She now commanded both considerable resources and a stellar reputation. As Bing Lan Daren faded from public prominence, she became the sole qualified candidate for the position of supreme commander.

The activities of the Council of Elders drew the attention of the populace. Consequently, the mobilization of the battalions garnered little public notice.

Upon reaching the departure point, Mu Xi was taken aback. An army exceeding five hundred thousand mo awaited, their weapons poised. She immediately grasped that this undertaking was of paramount importance.

An mo officer politely welcomed Mu Xi. In terms of rank, they were equals.

The common folk perceived this as a routine alliance between mo and yao. However, among the mo high command, everyone was profoundly astonished by the King's actions. Uniting the yao and mo was an unparalleled achievement that had eluded all previous Mo Kings.

Those mo, including Liang Wei and others privy to Zuo Mo's true identity, were even more shocked and simultaneously filled with immense excitement. A united yao and mo, leading Mo Cloud Sea – there was no doubt that the King was on the verge of unifying the world.

Mu Xi's gaze settled upon Liang Wei.

This yao commanded the foremost battalion among the four great mo battalions, the King's Horn.

She surveyed the mo ranks, brimming with renowned generals, in stark contrast to her own side, where she stood alone. Mu Xi’s expression tightened. If the mo were to launch an assault on the yao, the latter would likely find themselves unable to withstand the onslaught.

Was Ming Yue Ye Daren's previous action incorrect?

A strange thought entered her mind.

She quickly refocused.

Liang Wei sensed Mu Xi's gaze, but it had no effect on him.

An Mo acknowledged Liang Wei with a nod, stating, "We can commence." An Mo held Liang Wei in high regard. He couldn't fathom how the King had managed to recruit such a talent. During a past conversation, An Mo had found Liang Wei's experiences almost unbelievable. How could such a remarkable battle general not find a place among the yao? Did the yao possess an abundance of outstanding generals?

The mo were inherently adept at assaults and intense combat. Among the four battle generals, none surpassed Liang Wei. Consequently, Liang Wei was entrusted with formulating strategies, with the other three serving as his aides.

Liang Wei understood and, without preamble, declared, "Our strategy this time is to advance from this position."

He gestured with his hand towards a jie within Kun Lun.

"All battalions have completed their assembly!" Xue Dong's voice boomed with palpable excitement. A similar thrill spread across the faces of all the battle generals present.

This was a grand final battle of an unprecedented scale. The sheer number of soldiers conscripted by Kun Lun had reached a staggering two million and four hundred thousand!

A number that instilled sheer despair!

Even they felt a tremor at the sight of the seemingly endless human tide.

This was a force capable of obliterating all!

Everyone held their breath, awaiting the decisive command to attack.

Lin Qian rose, his expression composed, and announced, "Then, let us advance!"

Advance!

The command reverberated through the ranks, reaching the vast army!

The army of two million and four hundred thousand surged forward like an immense, inexorable ocean. Nothing could impede their relentless march.

Forward! Forward! Forward!

In the name of Kun Lun!

Bright Wood Jie!

Meteor Shower Jie!

Fifth Sky Jie!

Kun Lun's forces seemed an unstoppable juggernaut. They encountered no opposition, sweeping through empty jie after empty jie.

Such an immense battalion, while making them unstoppable, also hampered their speed. The transportation formations along their path had been systematically destroyed. They were compelled to traverse the jie rivers via transport ships, unable to accelerate their journey.

Kun Lun quickly discerned the intentions of Mo Cloud Sea.

"They aim to wear us down," Chao Xin stated, his expression considerably grim. "A scorched earth tactic! It's an exceedingly effective strategy!"

The others wore equally displeased expressions. They had faced no combat whatsoever, as if the opposing side was willingly ceding territory. Furthermore, every jie they entered had been stripped bare. No supplies could be salvaged.

Subtly, the morale of the main forces began to erode. While victory would elevate spirits, the enemy's preemptive surrender of land coupled with their scorched earth policy made the soldiers feel as though they were striking at mere air. There was no elation to be found.

The objective of Mo Cloud Sea was evident. This was an overt stratagem.

However, they were left with no viable alternative but to press onward.

"We must accelerate our pace. We cannot afford them time to regroup or retreat. Our supply lines must be secured," Xue Dong advised Lin Qian.

Lin Qian, however, shook his head. "We will relinquish the supply lines."

"Relinquish the supply lines?" Astonishment rippled through the assembled leaders at Lin Qian's proposition.

The enemy's scorched earth approach already prevented scavenging for provisions. If they were to abandon their own supply lines as well... ...

"This represents Kun Lun's final campaign," Lin Qian declared, his voice hard as ice. "Our capacity for a protracted conflict is limited. I have already dispatched urgent orders for the rear to expedite the delivery of three months' worth of provisions. They are expected within the coming days. Post-delivery, these supplies will accompany the advancing troops. Prolonging this campaign will prove increasingly disadvantageous for us."

Xue Dong and the others grasped Lin Qian's reasoning immediately, enlightenment dawning in their eyes. "A brilliant solution!"

By surrendering the existing supply lines, they eliminated the concern of the enemy targeting their logistical support.

"Three months!" Lin Qian's gaze intensified, his tone chilling. "If we do not secure victory, we perish!"

A collective shiver ran through everyone present!

The Sect Leader's resolve was unshakeable.

"What methods can we employ to increase our travel speed?" Lin Qian inquired of Chao Xin.

Chao Xin clenched his jaw, responding, "For such a massive force, there is no effective solution. If the army were under three hundred thousand, a possibility might exist! However, without a god-level protector, that contingent of three hundred thousand would face extreme peril!"

Silence descended upon the rest. An army lacking the aegis of a god-level cultivator was inherently vulnerable.

The terrifying appearance of their current battalion stemmed from the presence of Lin Qian, a god-level expert. Without his protective aura, this formidable army would easily become a tempting target.

In the face of a god-level entity capable of annihilating an entire jie, sheer numbers held little significance.

All forms of power operated within a relative framework.

Splitting their forces would present the enemy with invaluable opportunities.

Lin Qian grasped the situation. It was only upon conquering the enemy's god-level that Kun Lun's strategy of overwhelming numbers would truly bear fruit.

Wei Sheng!

Securing Wei Sheng was imperative!

“I will undertake this task,” Lin Qian declared, his expression serene.

He accepted without hesitation, speaking as if discussing a mundane affair.

His gaze traversed the assembled individuals as he calmly stated, “Should I perish, A Xin will assume the mantle of Sect Leader.”

The youth trembled, his head snapping up. Yet, no one met his gaze; all eyes were fixed upon Lin Qian in stunned disbelief.

Xue Dong felt a lump form in his throat, attempting a smile that appeared more pained than joyous. “Please do not utter such ill omens... ...”

Lin Qian offered a faint smile before continuing with gravitas, “My life is expendable, but Kun Lun must achieve victory.”

With that, he turned and proceeded towards the tent's entrance.

Brilliant sunlight streamed in from the opening, casting Lin Qian's tall silhouette against the light, obscuring him from clear view. Abruptly, his steps faltered slightly.

“From this day forward, you need not concern yourselves with Wei Sheng.”

The voice emanating from the doorway retained its characteristic haughty tone.

Translator's Notes: Reflecting on events, Pu Yao's race indeed faced the bleakest fate. A regrettable outcome.