Chapter 685 - 686: Xuanjia Army

Chapter 685: Chapter 686: Xuanjia Army

One by one, the soft tubes were tied into knots.

Energy could no longer be transported through the tubes into the black mist. It was forced to build up inside, swelling the tubes thicker and thicker.

The Main God hidden within the black mist seemed to sense the danger.

The black mist, which had only been rising and falling gently, suddenly began to churn violently. It transformed into a monstrous, terrifying beast, opening its cavernous maw and lunging viciously at Hua Manman, intending to swallow her whole.

Hua Manman shrieked in terror and scurried away in a panic.

As the black mist moved, the surrounding tubes shook with it.

By now, the tubes had swelled to dozens of times their original size. Their once-translucent surfaces were now almost completely transparent, looking as thin as a cicada’s wing and exceptionally fragile.

After being violently shaken by the black mist, the tubes finally couldn’t take any more. One after another, they ruptured and snapped.

In that instant, a countless amount of energy burst out from them.

It was like a volcanic eruption.

The powerful energy swept through the entire void with the force of an avalanche.

The scene was countless times more terrifying than the most powerful tsunami. Even the colossal black mist was shaken, swaying precariously from side to side.

Hua Manman was sent flying by the impact.

Fortunately, her reflexes were quick enough. She hurriedly grabbed onto a broken tube.

She wrapped herself tightly around it.

The tube whipped about wildly in the energy blasts, like a small snake dancing in a gale.

Hua Manman was forced to whip around with it.

She was flung around until she grew dizzy and nauseous.

’I’m lucky I’m just a consciousness right now, without a body,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I would’ve thrown up on the spot.’

At first, the black mist was able to use its own stored energy to barely stabilize itself.

But over time, the energy within it was gradually depleted, and it could no longer hold on.

Large swathes of the black mist were blasted away, gradually revealing the true form of the Main God hidden inside.

It turned out that the so-called Main God looked like an irregularly shaped black crystal.

Its surface was covered with a dense array of red eyes.

Those eyes emitted a dim glow, filled with an ominous and bizarre aura.

Seeing this, Hua Manman felt her scalp tingle with fear.

’This thing is a nightmare for anyone with trypophobia!’

At this moment, the Main God was consumed by a rage so intense it felt like it could explode on the spot.

All that energy... it had spent countless hours and immense effort to painstakingly collect it.

And now, it had all been destroyed by some wretched girl.

The energy in the void continued to multiply, constantly colliding and crashing into itself, triggering round after round of terrifying explosions.

The shockwaves from the explosions were horrifyingly powerful, almost capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Even the Main God could not withstand it.

If it stayed here any longer, it would surely be blasted into dust.

Though unwilling to concede, it had no choice but to retreat for now.

The Main God mobilized the last bit of energy remaining within it, and the black crystal began to emit a faint white light.

It suddenly leaped up and shot straight toward Hua Manman!

Hua Manman was startled.

But she didn’t dare let go.

If she let go now, she would be swept into the energy explosions and instantly blown to smithereens.

She could only watch helplessly as the Main God drew closer and closer.

The light on the crystal’s surface grew increasingly intense.

From a distance, it looked like a falling meteor with a long tail, hurtling straight toward Hua Manman and striking her dead-on.

Hua Manman felt her entire world being swallowed by white light.

...

Thirty li outside the Celestial Capital, an army of 500,000 was stationed.

They were the rebel army that followed the Regent King.

Because Li Ji held the Mystic Armor Order, all the soldiers under his command wore Xuan-black armor.

They were also known as the Xuanjia Army.

Initially, the Xuanjia Army had risen up in Lingnan with only 100,000 troops. But after a series of victorious battles, the Regent King Li Ji’s reputation grew, and more and more people flocked to his side.

With the addition of prisoners of war conscripted after battles, the army’s numbers grew rapidly.

Now, the Xuanjia Army under Li Ji’s command outnumbered the court’s forces. Even if all the Vassal Kings from the various fiefdoms joined forces, they would not necessarily be his match.

The Vassal Kings who had originally planned to take advantage of the chaos and claim a piece of the pie had all obediently abandoned the idea.

Some Vassal Kings even took the initiative to extend an olive branch to Li Ji, expressing their willingness to lend him a hand.

For example, there was Lu Wanqing, far away in Longdong County.

Because she had to guard the border and prevent invasion from the enemy forces across the sea, she could not personally come to support the Regent King.

However, she sent men with large quantities of provisions, armor, and weapons, greatly easing the pressure on the Xuanjia Army’s supply lines.

In the camp, the soldiers were setting up pots to cook, taking a brief rest.

After days of constant marching and fighting almost every day, they were utterly exhausted. Now that they could finally catch their breath, everyone seized the opportunity to rest well, waiting to recover their strength before taking the Celestial Capital in one fell swoop.

Inside the command tent, a group of men stood around a map.

Many red circles had been drawn on the map.

The circled areas had all been conquered by them, becoming their spoils of war.

Li Liao picked up a small black flag and planted it on the spot representing the Celestial Capital.

"This is all that’s left."

All the generals present held their breath, staring unblinkingly at the small black flag.

Everyone knew in their hearts that this would be the final battle, the decisive conflict that would determine victory or defeat.

If they won, they would be rewarded for their part in establishing the new dynasty, and countless riches and honors would await them in the future.

Li Liao spoke slowly.

"Judging by the current situation, we have the upper hand. Our chances of winning this battle are high."

Hearing this, the generals couldn’t help but grow excited. Their hearts pounded, and their breathing quickened.

Victory was within their grasp.

Bian Ziming couldn’t help but speak up. "My Tiger Roar Camp once guarded the city gates. We know the layout of the Celestial Capital like the back of our hands. I request that the Regent Prince allow me to lead the vanguard and clear a path for Your Highness’s army!"

The other generals immediately cursed Bian Ziming in their hearts. ’That guy is such an opportunist!’

Everyone knew the chances of victory in this battle were high. For Bian Ziming to volunteer at this moment was a clear attempt to seize an opportunity for personal glory.

Not wanting to let Bian Ziming snatch the credit so easily, the others also spoke up, expressing their own willingness to lead the vanguard.

Li Liao waved his hand, signaling for them to be quiet.

"This matter still depends on the Regent King’s decision."

At this, everyone turned their heads to look at the man sitting to the side, who had remained silent all this time.

Li Ji was looking down at the green Brocade Bag he held in his hand.

It was the Brocade Bag that Manman had made for him. He always kept it with him, and whenever he missed her, he would take it out to look at it.

Li Liao comforted him, "Once we break into the Celestial Capital, you’ll be able to see the person you want to see."

Li Ji looked much thinner. The angles of his face were sharper, his gaze deeper, and a thin layer of stubble on his chin gave him a rugged, untamed look.

He closed his fingers, clenching the Brocade Bag tightly in his palm.

He had rushed here day and night, attacking relentlessly as if his life depended on it—attacking, attacking, and attacking again—leaving himself no room for retreat, all so he could reach Tianjing as quickly as possible to see Manman.