Facing Jiang Shicheng's furious attack, Ying Mo stood her ground and braced herself for the blow. The spiritual energy around them crackled and their weapons blazed with power.
Jiang Shicheng, realizing he couldn't make a breakthrough, suddenly withdrew his strength. He retreated to mid-air, standing suspended with an expressionless face.
"That's enough. Go find Orion and I'll speak with him personally!" Jiang Shicheng declared coldly.
His frustration was palpable. Not only was he unable to defeat Ying Mo's forces, but the situation also undermined his plans and made him appear weak. The incident had completely derailed his strategy and left him feeling humiliated.
Meanwhile, Ying Mo was unfazed by Jiang Shicheng's internal struggles. Upon hearing that Jiang Shicheng wanted to see his master, she sneered.
"Haha! You still want to meet my Lord? Don't even think about it!"
Without giving Jiang Shicheng a chance to explain, Ying Mo charged at him again.
Jiang Shicheng shook his head, realizing he was now in a tight spot. He had to engage in battle once more.
The clash between the six semi-saints was cataclysmic. Unlike strategic passes like Yumen Pass, Beiyang City lacked suppressive formations. The semi-saints' combat wreaked havoc on the city walls, causing massive destruction with each movement.
The noise of the battle grew louder. Inside the city, reinforcements arrived, but they quickly realized they couldn't intervene in the semi-saints' fight. Instead, they turned their attention to the Shadow Guards.
"Kill!" The defenders charged at the Shadow Guards, swords raised, driven by desperation.
"Kill, kill, kill!" The cries of battle filled the air as defenders threw themselves into the fray.
Jiang Shicheng was elated to see support arriving. "Jiang Guards! Secure the city gate!"
"Notify all major battalions to provide support immediately!"
"Brother Yi! Brother Jing! Deal with the enemies quickly and then assist the Imperial Guards!"
"Understood!" The two half-saints acknowledged the orders.
Jiang Shicheng hoped that stabilizing the situation and eliminating Ying Mo and her allies would turn the tide in their favor.
However, Jiang Shicheng soon realized something was wrong. The defenders were being mercilessly slaughtered by the Shadow Guards in a one-sided massacre. The defenders' purpose was to delay the Shadow Guards for a moment, but their efforts were futile against the overwhelming enemy forces.
On the city walls, a thick fog of blood hung in the air due to the numerous casualties. Despite their sacrifices, the defenders only managed to slightly slow the Shadow Guards' advance.
Jiang Shicheng, watching the carnage, felt a pang of helplessness. He knew that their defeat was only a matter of time.
"No! We can't wait any longer!" Jiang Shicheng roared, a terrifying aura bursting forth. "Brother Yi! Brother Jing! I'll confront the three of them myself, while you deal with the Shadow Guards!"
With a powerful step, Jiang Shicheng shattered the city wall, propelling himself toward Ying Mo and her allies. At that moment, his aura reached the level of a Holy Realm warrior.
Ying Mo's exposed eyes flickered with determination as she tensed like a coiled spring. "Handle your respective opponents; I'll deal with him!"
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Ying Mo prepared to counter Jiang Shicheng's attack. She spoke softly, "Shadow Kill – Instant Prison!"
Ying Mo unleashed her unique martial arts technique, vanishing without a trace. In an instant, she appeared behind Jiang Shicheng, her dagger poised to strike.
Jiang Shicheng's eyes widened as he realized Ying Mo had vanished. A sense of dread surged through him as he felt the cold touch of danger.
Reacting instinctively, Jiang Shicheng leaned forward, narrowly avoiding a lethal cut. The sharp sword energy grazed his neck, drawing blood. He broke into a cold sweat from the near miss.
Turning solemnly, Jiang Shicheng faced Ying Mo, who was catching her breath. He smiled slightly. "You're quite skilled. But your abilities are suited for assassination and stealth. In a direct fight, I doubt you can match me."
"Enough talk! Let's fight!" Ying Mo's voice was sharp as she readied herself.
"Very well!" Jiang Shicheng laughed, eager to test her strength. "Show me what you've got!"
The two stared each other down, their eyes filled with resolve. Jiang Shicheng was momentarily startled to realize that the figure before him was a woman.
Even more surprising was the intensity of her gaze—a fierce, unwavering determination.
Jiang Shicheng, perplexed, wondered why such a formidable subordinate was loyal to someone he deemed unworthy. Was this a hidden asset left by an old friend?
Confused but resolute, Jiang Shicheng abandoned his plan of confronting all three adversaries at once. The other two half-saints were also engaged, preventing them from assisting him.
Desperate, Jiang Shicheng hoped that the city guards could hold out a little longer.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Guards, having overwhelmed the defenders, paused as no more opponents remained. Witnessing the slaughter and the fleeing defenders, fear gripped the remaining soldiers.
"Monsters… these people are monsters! Run!"
"Bang, bang, bang…"
"Let me through! I need to escape!"
The defenders abandoned their helmets and armor, fleeing in panic. The Shadow Guards, uninterested in pursuing them, remained where they were. They did not need to occupy the city gate, as it had already been destroyed in the battle.