Chapter 576 68: Qingxing Returns to the Gui Race

"Disciples of the Lieyang Sect, hear my command! Follow the direction of my Magical Treasure and slowly retreat."

"Members of the Rong Clan, hear my command! Retreat in the direction of the [Clear Light Banner]!"

Beneath the vast sky, two Magical Treasures hung in the air, releasing a dazzling light.

The light pierced through the heavy fog and reached the eyes of the Lieyang Sect and Rong Clan disciples. Utterly exhausted, they felt their spirits lift. They fought as they fell back, carrying the bodies of their comrades and slowly withdrawing from the battlefield.

The first battle of Vast Mist Peak thus came to a close.

Song Xianming watched Hex Tai and the others withdraw from the Grand Array before he and Yuann Tianshu descended from the sky.

The moment he landed, an unnatural flush appeared on Song Xianming's face. He felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Song Luzhou's face fell. He hurried forward to support him, asking anxiously, "Great Uncle, are you alright?"

Yuann Tianshu, standing nearby, couldn't help but cast a concerned glance his way.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Song Xianming gently pushed Song Luzhou away. "It's nothing serious. I just pushed my body beyond its limits. I'll be fine after some meditation.

"Don't worry about this old man. Go and tally the casualties. Recover the bodies of the fallen and see to the wounded immediately. You can use any of the clan's treasures as needed. Don't be frugal."

"This nephew obeys." Song Luzhou gave Song Xianming a worried look, then turned and left.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH."

After he was gone, Song Xianming suddenly began to cough violently. His face turned from red to a frightening pale.

"Fellow Daoist Song?" Yuann Tianshu exclaimed in shock. He quickly moved behind him and used his own mana to soothe the turbulent mana in Song Xianming's meridians.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Song Xianming's complexion finally improved slightly. Looking at Yuann Tianshu, who was drenched in sweat from the effort, he said sincerely, "I've troubled you, Fellow Daoist."

"The power of the Clan Protection Array is tyrannical. It has already damaged your meridians," Yuann Tianshu said, shaking his head slightly with a grim expression.

"I also didn't expect Hex Tai to find so many helpers."

If it were only Hex Tai and Rong Mingtao, Song Xianming could have easily handled them with the power of the Clan Protection Array. It might have even been possible to defeat them.

But that black-robed person had the cultivation of a Mid-stage Purple Mansion Cultivator. Every one of their moves was incredibly sharp, putting Song Xianming under immense pressure. He had no choice but to overdraw on the power of the Clan Protection Array to fight the enemy, injuring his meridians.

Fortunately, this was just a probe. They had no intention of fighting Song Xianming to the death, or his injuries would have been far worse.

"Alas, if only Young Friend Song were here," Yuann Tianshu sighed softly, a hint of worry on his face. "With his strength, he could have used the Grand Array to hold back one of the Purple Mansion Cultivators. That would have greatly reduced the pressure on you."

'This time was a probe. The next will be an all-out assault.'

"Don't you worry, Fellow Daoist. I am not completely unprepared. When the time comes, I'll be sure to knock their teeth out!" Song Xianming said viciously.

Hearing this, Yuann Tianshu was lost in thought...

On a barren mountain outside Vast Mist Peak, Xu Mei watched the disciples of the two families slowly retreat from the battlefield. Her eyes glinted as she said, "So that's how it is. These three outer Spirit Mountains aren't just the Array Hubs for the [Three Mountains Linked Ring Array]; they're also three pillars extending from the Song Clan's Clan Protection Array, providing it with a continuous supply of power.

"If we can just pull out these three pillars, it would be like cutting off one of Song Xianming's arms. I can also use this opportunity to lay a Grand Array of my own to counter the Song Clan's Clan Protection Array!"

With this thought, Xu Mei turned, descended the mountain, and returned to their encampment. Hex Tai, Rong Mingtao, and the others were already waiting for her in the main tent.

The moment she appeared, Hex Tai stepped forward and asked, "That Array of the Song Clan is truly formidable. Has Master Xu found a way to break it?"

This time, Xu Mei didn't hide anything and recounted her findings. "I have a few leads. In our next attack, we should make the three outer Spirit Mountains our primary target. First, we'll sever one of the Song Clan's arms. Then I'll set up an Array to counter theirs. When that happens, Song Xianming will be powerless to cause any more trouble."

Hearing this, Hex Tai was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "Good, excellent! We'll let the disciples rest for a few days, then we will launch an all-out assault!"

After everyone had dispersed, Hex Tai summoned a disciple and ordered, "Send a message to the Sect Leader. Tell him we will launch the final battle after resting for a few days. He should resolve the situation at the Marketplace as soon as possible and rendezvous with us."

"As you command."

——————

Back at the Moon Viewing Marketplace, Zhang Hongguang had completely started slacking off after launching a few fierce assaults at the beginning.

Because of the Guardian Array and the Quasi-Celestial Ship, the defenses of the Moon Viewing Marketplace were as solid as a fortress. Breaching them would inevitably come at a steep price.

And that was a price he was unwilling to pay.

'All I have to do is tie down this Quasi-Celestial Ship anyway. Once Vast Mist Peak is taken, won't this insignificant Marketplace be mine to do with as I please?'

'There's no need to take that risk.'

Having figured this out, Zhang Hongguang had been living quite comfortably. He spent his days holed up in the encampment, cultivating and keeping his ears perked for news of victory from the front lines.

"Sect Leader, a message has arrived from the Supreme Elder," a Lieyang Sect Elder came to report.

Zhang Hongguang's spirits lifted at the news. He said hurriedly, "Is it a victory? Quick, give it to me."

He snatched the Communication Flying Sword and scanned the message inside as quickly as possible. After reading it, his brow furrowed. He casually crushed the sword and said with a blank expression, "Reply to the Supreme Elder. Tell him the battle at the Marketplace is at a stalemate, and we cannot rendezvous with them anytime soon."

With that, he waved his hand, dismissing the Elder.

'What a joke. Forget not being able to take the Marketplace in a few days—even if he could, he had no intention of going to a dangerous place like the main battlefield.'