Chapter 294 - 290: Heaven and Earth Dragon Phoenix Wind and Cloud List

Chapter 294: Chapter 290: Heaven and Earth Dragon Phoenix Wind and Cloud List

"All soldiers, hear my command! Iron Chain Soldiers and Shield Soldiers, form up in the front! Crossbowmen, provide support from the rear! You must capture this fiend—dead or alive!" Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao roared.

WHOOSH! SWISH SWISH SWISH!

SWISH SWISH SWISH!

In an instant, a storm of arrows filled the sky. They whistled through the air, dense as raindrops, their sharp tips glinting coldly in the sunlight.

At the same time, dozens of pitch-black iron chains swept through the air with a deafening rattle. They whistled toward Ye Xing, seeking to bind him and cutting off more than half of his room to maneuver.

CLANG! CLANG! PING! PANG!

Ye Xing swiftly executed his Gale Sword Skill. The Cyan Blade Treasure Sword in his hand became a blur, an impenetrable wall of cyan light that deflected every incoming arrow.

However, the rain of arrows intensified, the whistling sound echoing across the field. Soon, Ye Xing could only focus on protecting vital areas like his head, leaving his chest and back exposed. Of course, his heart was also a vital organ, but he had no need to defend it. He was wearing the Golden Silk Armor.

The Golden Silk Armor’s defense was astonishing, far surpassing that of the Silver Threaded Armor. Many a Martial Artist dreamed of owning a set. But each piece was incredibly expensive and exceedingly rare. Ye Xing had, of course, found his among the Daluo Sect’s treasures. The armor’s defensive power was immense. Ordinary blades couldn’t even scratch it. Even a Treasure Artifact would struggle to pierce it in a single strike unless it was a top-tier, Upper Grade Treasure Sword. As for Fine Steel Level Weapons, they stood no chance at all.

A Martial Artist wearing Golden Silk Armor was incredibly difficult to kill, unless the attacker could find a way around it. After all, no matter how powerful, it was still just armor. It only protected the torso, leaving the head, hands, and feet completely vulnerable.

SWISH! SWISH SWISH SWISH!

A few arrows whistled through the air, striking Ye Xing in the chest and back.

The sharp arrowheads tore through his clothes, revealing the glittering Golden Silk Armor beneath. The arrows struck the armor and bounced off, falling to the ground with a series of CLINKs and CLANKs.

"That’s Golden Silk Armor! To think Lord White Cloud has a set... Damn it!"

From his position among the troops, commanding the Imperial Army, Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao’s expression soured, his brows knitting together.

"Heh heh. Why worry, my lord? Even with Golden Silk Armor, Lord White Cloud is only delaying his death. He’s surrounded by tens of thousands of our troops; his fate is sealed. All you need to do, Minister, is command the Imperial Army to cut him down. When it’s over, His Majesty might be so pleased he’ll award the armor to you," a nearby Vice General said with a sycophantic laugh.

"Hahaha, Vice General Wang is absolutely right! Lord White Cloud is a fish on the chopping block. He can flail about a little longer, but I have nothing to worry about." Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao nodded, a smug look on his face. He then shouted towards Ye Xing, "Lord White Cloud, why make this so difficult? All this jumping around must be tiring. You’re going to die either way, so why not just drop your weapon and accept your fate! Hahaha!" As he spoke, the minister burst into a triumphant, booming laugh.

PING! PANG! CLANG! CLANG!

At the center of the army’s encirclement, Ye Xing continued to wield his Cyan Blade Treasure Sword against the onslaught of arrows. At the minister’s words, he glanced over at Ma Hongxiao, who was busy directing the attack.

’You’re courting death! Meng Shuming was protecting you before, but now, you can die!’ Ye Xing’s gaze turned glacial. He pulled a handgun from his waist, aiming the pitch-black muzzle straight at the head of Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao.

Ma Hongxiao was directing the Imperial Army’s siege on Ye Xing when he suddenly saw him pull out the pitch-black handgun. A tremor of fear shot through him. "It’s... it’s that Hidden Weapon again! National Master, save me! National Master, quickly, save me!"

Ma Hongxiao screamed in terror, but then he remembered—National Master Meng Shuming had been grievously wounded by Lord White Cloud’s sword. He was in no condition to save anyone. By the time the realization fully dawned, it was too late.

BANG!

A gunshot cracked through the air. The bullet flew from the barrel and shot across the distance, its sharp tip burying itself between Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao’s eyebrows. It left a bloody, finger-sized hole from which crimson blood trickled down the bridge of his nose.

THUMP!

With a thud, the body of Minister of the Ministry of War Ma Hongxiao tumbled from his horse. The surrounding Imperial Army fell into disarray.

「On the very edge of the encirclement」

Protected by rings of Imperial Guards, Emperor Li Bi sat high on his palanquin throne, watching the fierce battle unfold alongside his civil and military officials.

"That Lord White Cloud’s strength is terrifying."

"Indeed. Not even National Master Meng was a match for him."

As the civil and military officials murmured amongst themselves, their eyes kept straying to a pale, middle-aged man on a nearby lounge chair. This was, of course, National Master Meng Shuming. His robes were stained with blood over his chest, where a sword wound had missed his heart by a hair’s breadth, nearly costing him his life. Several Imperial Physicians were bandaging the injury and applying Golden Wound Medicine.

"How is the National Master’s condition?" Emperor Li Bi asked with concern.

"Your Majesty, the National Master is grievously wounded. An ordinary Martial Artist would have surely died from such an injury. Fortunately, as an Innate Realm expert, he was able to use his Innate True Essence to protect his heart. He should make a full recovery in two to three months."

"I see. The National Master is severely injured. Help him back so he can rest," Emperor Li Bi said at once.

"Cough... *cough, cough*... Your Majesty, there is no need. This humble servant is not dead yet." National Master Meng Shuming coughed violently, then quickly circulated his energy to stabilize his breathing and suppress his internal injuries. He looked at Emperor Li Bi and said gravely, "Your Majesty, we cannot let Lord White Cloud live. Otherwise, I fear the Southern Tang Country will be annihilated!"

"Lord White Cloud killed my son. I will see him dead for it, of course," Emperor Li Bi’s expression flickered. "But he is incredibly powerful. Even with our army surrounding him, it will take time. In your opinion, National Master, what level of the Innate Realm has he reached?"

"Your Majesty, strictly speaking... Lord White Cloud is not in the Innate Realm," National Master Meng Shuming said gravely.

"Not in the Innate Realm?"

Emperor Li Bi and the surrounding officials were utterly bewildered. ’If he isn’t in the Innate Realm, then how did he defeat the National Master, who is? Even the top three experts at the Peak of the Ninth Realm on our Tang Country’s Wind and Cloud List could, at best, only fight the National Master to a draw.’

"Your Majesty is aware of the Martial Arts world’s Dragon and Phoenix List, correct?" National Master Meng Shuming said gravely.

"I have, of course." Emperor Li Bi’s voice was resonant. "The Martial Arts world has three great lists: the Heaven and Earth, the Dragon and Phoenix, and the Wind and Cloud Lists. The Dragon and Phoenix List catalogs the top two hundred monstrous geniuses on the entire Martial Arts Continent. Every one of them possesses formidable strength and even more astonishing potential. Alas, these peerless geniuses are almost all from the Central Plains Martial Arts world, many of them disciples of the Central Plains Super Major Sects. They are exceedingly rare in the Hundred Border Countries, and our Southern Tang Country has none at all!"