Outside Wolong Ridge.
Luo Cheng led a small troop of soldiers, galloping towards their destination. Originally a remote area, Wolong Ridge was now bustling with activity. Camps were set up at the foot of the mountain, filled with cold iron armor and chilling blades, exuding a daunting atmosphere that sent shivers down one's spine.
Lu Changkong specifically sent him to investigate the situation at Wolong Ridge. At first, Luo Cheng didn't take it seriously. After all, he still held doubts about things like Immortal Fate. Could there really be immortals in this world? Aren't they just made up by those Taoist charlatans?
Although Luo Cheng had wiped out three major families with Lu Fan, he had never set foot on Lake Heart Island and was therefore unaware of the spiritual storms within. Naturally, he remained skeptical about the existence of so-called immortals.
Luo Cheng was very cautious. The presence of so many troops at Wolong Ridge startled him. Instead of riding into the mountains, he ordered his men to dismount about ten miles away from Wolong Ridge. One person was left to watch the horses, while the rest cautiously ventured into the mountains on foot.
As they entered the mountains, they walked through dense forests. The more Luo Cheng looked, the more alarmed he became.
"The influence of Dantai Xuan, the Governor of Beiji County!"
Taking a deep breath, Luo Cheng saw a troop of soldiers camping outside Wolong Ridge. Not only that, but as he hid in the dense forest and shifted his gaze, he saw even more troops. Countless soldiers, numbering in the tens of thousands.
"From Nan County, Jinyun County, Donghai County..."
The pressure on Luo Cheng increased dramatically, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. No wonder the lord of the city felt so serious. If so many forces were to target Beiluo City, it would undoubtedly lead to a fierce battle.
"That's... the Governor of Xijing, Xiang Shaoyun?!"
Suddenly, Luo Cheng saw a robust figure walking out of a large tent below, exuding a terrifying aura and presence just by appearing. Luo Cheng felt as if his soul was being drawn out.
Below, Xiang Shaoyun seemed to sense something and glanced at the deep forest. "Spies from Beiluo City? It's truly pathetic. Without strength, even with Immortal Fate at their doorstep, they can't grasp or control it..."
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. He had heard that Lu, the Young Master of Beiluo, was also someone blessed with Immortal Fate. Now that Immortal Fate had appeared at his doorstep, yet the Young Master of Beiluo dared not come, it was truly pathetic.
Xiang Shaoyun's lips curled slightly. He was quite interested in the Young Master of Beiluo. Rumor had it that when Lu Xuan led the 50,000-strong army to attack the city, Beiluo was almost taken. However, the situation was changed by the Young Master of Beiluo and his three maids.
If the Young Master of Beiluo were to come to Wolong Ridge, Xiang Shaoyun would like to have a chat with him.
In the main tent, a graceful figure walked out, and Luo Mingsang's stunning face looked at Xiang Shaoyun's robust figure with tenderness.
Xiang Shaoyun sensed Luo Mingsang's gaze, turned around leisurely, and smiled brightly on his resolute face. "Shaoyun, with the strange appearance of Immortal Fate, shouldn't you be worried?"
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Xiang Shaoyun said, taking Luo Mingsang's slender and delicate hand, smiling gently.
Around them, many people looked over. Leading an army with their womenfolk, Xiang Shaoyun, the Governor of Xijing, was as arrogant and confident as ever.
Suddenly, inside Wolong Ridge.
Dozens of scouts from different factions rushed out, their faces filled with fear and excitement.
Rumble...
The scouts somersaulted down from the mountainside, kicking up dust as they descended. The situation of these scouts made the many forces stationed below the mountain feel serious.
A soldier scout from Xijing knelt in front of Xiang Shaoyun, his face still showing traces of excitement.
"Reporting to the Governor! There has been a huge fluctuation in the Immortal Fate secret realm. A refreshing aura is constantly surging out, and there are rolling rays of light, as if there are dragons singing inside, indicating signs of opening!"
This soldier scout hurriedly reported.
Xiang Shaoyun's eyes lit up. "Let's go."
Without hesitation, Xiang Shaoyun called his generals and led them to the depths of the mountains. Not only Xiang Shaoyun, but other forces that received the information also moved.
Of course, because the mountain roads were rugged, the large army did not enter. Even if a major battle broke out, it would not be possible within the mountains. After all, there were many poisonous insects and miasma in the mountains. Once soldiers were infected, it would be troublesome for the army.
Xiang Shaoyun's speed was extremely fast.
He stood nearly two meters tall, his muscles bulging, carrying a halberd, an axe, and a shield on his back. The halberd, shield, and axe weighed over a thousand catties, but Xiang Shaoyun carried them as if they were nothing.
The West Liang warriors behind him looked on with fervor in their hearts. The Overlord of West County was their belief, the pinnacle of martial arts in the world. Even when facing tens of thousands of troops, Xiang Shaoyun charged forward with just an axe.
It was rare to see the Overlord wielding his halberd and shield, but today, in the Immortal Fate territory, the Overlord was finally serious!
Soon, they arrived at the "Eggshell" immortal trace deep within Wolong Ridge. This wasn't their first time seeing the Eggshell, but everyone was still shaken by it.
In the sunlight, the Eggshell's surface shimmered like colored glass, emitting a rainbow-like brilliance, a beauty unlike anything earthly.
Faintly, many people could even see the immortal palace and majestic buildings within the Eggshell!
The soldiers dared not approach closer than five miles to the Eggshell, as the terrifying pressure of heaven and earth would force them to kneel.
Xiang Shaoyun, carrying the halberd, gazed intently. He could see the Eggshell undulating, as if about to shatter.
Xiang Shaoyun held an "Earth Qi Token," but he didn't take it out. Instead, he wanted to try relying on his own strength to break into the Immortal Fate secret realm.
He moved forward with determined steps. His jet-black hair flew like steel needles piercing the air.
The West Liang generals behind him stared at Xiang Shaoyun's figure with fanaticism.
In the distance, someone rode a white horse, the sound of hooves thundering.
On the white horse, a young man dressed in a black robe, handsome and elegant, with a sword at his waist, approached. Within five miles of the Eggshell, Dantai Xuan wore armor, with Mo Juyu feather fan lightly swaying by his side, his eyes flashing as he murmured, "It's the Mo Family... Mo Shougui!"
Mo Shougui stood on the back of the white horse, suddenly rising into the air, displaying top-notch light skills, effortlessly following behind Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun glanced at him but said nothing, turning his gaze to another figure in the distance.
There, a young scholar carrying a bamboo-woven book box appeared, sweating profusely, with a gentle smile on his face, stepping into the Eggshell's five-mile perimeter.
Seeing this scholar, everyone squinted.
Mo Juyu shook the feather fan again. "Interesting. With the appearance of the Immortal Fate, heroes gather... This person is the grandson of the Confucian master, also the second disciple, Kong Nanfei."
Not only that, Mo Juyu's gaze swept toward the dense forest surrounding Wolong Ridge.
Faintly, there were terrifying energies surging, indicating that there were still many hidden powerhouses.
"Moo."
A bull's lowing echoed.
The sound of hooves striking the ground followed, accompanied by a melodious flute.
Mo Juyu's fan motion paused, looking towards the distance.
There, a green bull approached at a steady pace, carrying a young man in a white robe as smooth as jade on its back, playing a long flute and wearing a wooden sword at his waist.
Seeing this person, Mo Juyu's pupils suddenly contracted. "The Dao Sect's number one, Li Sansi, why has he appeared too?!"
Li Sansi rode the green bull, slowly approaching the Eggshell, following behind the scholar Kong Nanfei.
Only four people advanced within the five-mile radius of the Eggshell. Interestingly, none of these four took out their Earth Qi Tokens. They intended to break into the Immortal Fate with their own strength.
...
Beiluo Lake, Lake Heart Island.
White Jade Capital Pavilion, second-floor terrace.
Ni Yuzhu brewed Qingmei wine and carefully scooped a spoonful into a wine glass, handing it to Lu Fan. "Young Master, here's the wine."
Ni Yuzhu's pretty face blushed.
Her big eyes were fixed on Lu Fan's chessboard, but she felt an inexplicable sense of terror, making it hard for her to breathe.
Lu Fan took the wine glass but placed his other hand on Ni Yuzhu's forehead, turning her head away gently.
"Focus on brewing the wine. Don't look at things you shouldn't," Lu Fan said.
"Yes," Ni Yuzhu's body trembled slightly.
She felt her Young Master was terrifying at this moment, his gaze like that of a lofty immortal. Just one glance made her legs go weak.
Countless lines intersected in Lu Fan's pupils.
Watching the countless figures converging on Wolong Ridge and the four figures pressing forward within the five-mile radius of the Eggshell, a slight smile curved his lips.
"Breaking into the secret realm without using the Earth Qi Tokens, do they think my set rules mean nothing?"
"Interesting..."
Lu Fan took a sip of the Qingmei wine brewed by Ni Yuzhu, and as the wine flowed down his throat, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"If you want to break the rules, let's see if you have the ability."
Then, he made his move, the black piece falling.
Plap!
Lu Fan's soul intensity surged like a torrent.
One piece fell onto the Wolong Ridge suspended on the chessboard.
The next moment, a phenomenon occurred in front of Wolong Ridge!