Taiyi Dao Fruit

"Feng Manlou issued an order", and immediately, the Divine Travel Grand Protector conveyed the command. The troops stationed outside the city began to break camp, preparing to march.

Thanks to the application of storage magic tools, the army didn't need to worry about transporting supplies and could set off in the shortest time. In an instant, dust billowed outside Jun City as Soldier Evil converged.

Meanwhile, inside the city, some colonels and commanders were either galloping on horseback or hastening on foot using their lightweight body techniques, all converging towards the army. The whole of Jun City began to be pervaded with an air of grim military sharpness.

Within a civilian residence in the city, Yan Hanqing pushed the door open and, with due respect, reported to the two Mo Family leaders inside: "The news has been confirmed. The Long Prince Consort has suddenly ordered a march, intending to wage war against the Taiping Sect."

"Start the war ahead of time?"

The burly middle-aged man furrowed his brow, "The issue of the weather can be overcome, but what about our military strength? During the last grand battle, a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers suffered heavy losses, and now that Long Prince Consort has revealed his identity, the Royal Family used his lineage as a Great Venerate Clan member to justify dispatching the main forces to Bado, not under his command. Now in Feng Manlou's hands, there are only fifty thousand troops."

The identity of the Great Venerable as a member of the Feng Clan had gradually become known, and to some high-ranking officials, it was no longer a secret. Feng Manlou was exposed as a member of the Feng Clan during his shootout with Luu Tianpeng.

It was only because the Princess had vouched for him and he had made notable achievements in the Donglin Battle that this Dragon King's Son-in-law, who had shown his fangs, had not been taken down. However, even so, the royal clan took this as a reason to restrict Feng Manlou's available power.

The army not only had to contend with equally matched enemy forces but also needed to play a restraining role in fourth-rank battles, presupposing that their number and quality were sufficient. Currently, the troops under Feng Manlou were incapable of such a role and could only fight against the enemy's expendable soldiers.

"What if we add the experts from our Mo Sect?" spoke up the other leader in the room—Tan Wuwei.

"With our Mo Sect's fifth-rank and fourth-rank support, we should be able to make up for the lack of troops."

If the lower ranks were not powerful enough, they would be supplemented by the upper ranks. Furthermore, the Mo Sect had a large number of Mohists who were highly disciplined, rivaling the military force among the sects, and also possessed various mechanisms and mechanical devices. In the comparison of lower rank combat power, they might not necessarily fall behind.

"However, only the Mo Sect Master can issue a command for full-scale participation in the war, and the Taiping Sect also does not lack experts," the middle-aged man shook his head.

"Then I will be the one to give the command."

As the words fell, a sudden dark shadow appeared by the open wooden window, faintly saying, "I, as the Mo Sect Master, issue the command, to participate in the war."

Clad in black attire, with a conical hat covering his face, only revealing a bearded chin, the suddenly appearing shadow was dressed plainly yet exuded a certain mysterious air. One hand rested behind his back, while the other pressed on a sheathed black sword.

That sword was forged by the Great Master of the Mo Sect, Long Yue, during the Sword Discussion Conference, winning the contemporary battle of Artifact Dao for the Mo Sect. Today's owner of the Heavenly Will Sword was none other than the Mo Sect Master.

The three people were about to pay their respects but were stopped by a casual wave from the Mo Sect Master. He then said, "As for the fourth-rank of the Taiping Sect, they must now be too preoccupied to care."

The Mo Sect Master looked up at the sky outside the window, where dark clouds had already gathered overhead, and the lightning in the distance was even more dazzling.

With the core strategic location under attack, and if there were troops advancing from the front, the Taiping Sect would indeed be caught in a dilemma. Now was an excellent opportunity to attack.

"Strike like the Nine Heavens Thunder, swift and unmatched. Elder Jiang's actions caught everyone by surprise and had an astonishing effect."

As the Mo Sect Master spoke, he turned to address everyone, commanding, "Release the Flying Kite and the wooden ox, help the men and horses under Feng Manlou march at their fastest speed."

"Yes."

The three complied and turned to leave the house.

Tan Wuwei was last to leave, hesitating a step. Just as she was about to step out, the Mo Sect Master suddenly spoke, stopping her, "Wuwei, the Clan Elders from the Jiang's Ancestral Land have already set off for the Divine Capital."

"Has the Master seen through it?" Tan Wuwei stopped in her tracks; her words seemed unrelated to what the Mo Sect Master had said.

"Just a reminder."

The Mo Sect Master shook his head and said, "Jiang Li's actions today are not only to deal with the Taiping Sect but also to pursue other aims. Now that he has been promoted to fourth-rank, he is finally starting to reclaim the power and status of the Jiang family. The court will also soon be stirred by waves. It would be best to stay out of it if possible."

"If we don't get involved, how can we change the malady of today's world?" Tan Wuwei didn't turn back, speaking with resolved tone, "According to the rules of the Mo Sect, grounded in the common folk, we must not involve ourselves in the court's affairs. When the day comes, Tan Wuwei will take her leave from the Mo Sect on her own accord."

With that, she stepped out the door, striding away without hesitation.

Soon after, one by one, large wooden birds flew out from the city, carrying batches of soldiers who set off in advance, while on the ground, mechanical beasts accompanied the fifty thousand marching soldiers.

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At the border between Yong and Liang, the Daxing Mountain Range.

When Jiang Li passed by earlier, the overcast sky above the sprawling mountain range was merely normal weather, and even the cloud cover had been driven away by someone's grandiose actions.

But now, the dark clouds had once again enveloped the sky, darker and heavier, with thunder and electric snakes flashing among the clouds. Occasionally, a crack of thunder would pierce the gloom, revealing an imposing Divine Image.

Zhang Zhixuan was standing right above the roiling dark clouds, with thunder weaving behind him, thirty-six bolts intertwining into a vast Thunder Pool, hanging behind his head like a wheel.