In the eastern frontier of Liangzhou, the Great Wall stretches across the land, offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape. The sky is veiled by gray clouds, and the grasslands lie still, devoid of wind.
Within the wall lies a vast border defense line, patrolled by soldiers clad in light armor, ever vigilant.
In the military camp, Li Tiangang holds a military report, containing the latest intelligence on the situation in various parts of Liangzhou.
Half a year ago, there had been a demon attack from the north, but a secret letter from him to the Xia family had prompted them to send border troops to aid, successfully repelling the threat.
The Xia family had been reluctant to cross borders, as this matter concerned the Li family. Although the two families maintained a decent relationship, sending troops across borders was still a difficult decision, unless there was a major disaster affecting multiple cities.
However, Li Tiangang's letter had clearly stated that the attack could be a probe by the demons. If the Xia family did not intervene and merely watched from the sidelines, the demons outside Liangzhou would use the north as a breakthrough point, turning it into the largest battlefield.
In that case, the battle would inevitably spread to the Xia family's Ji State, resulting in even heavier losses for them.
To convince them, Li Tiangang shared a portion of Liangzhou's military intelligence, including the stringent defenses in the eastern and western frontiers and the presence of four established realm experts guarding the Tianmen Pass in the south. Eventually, the Xia family realized that the fire might spread to their own territory, and thus they joined forces with the northern Liangzhou army to drive away the demons.
After that incident, the north remained peaceful, just as Li Tiangang had predicted, with no further signs of demon activity.
The Xia family also came to recognize the military strategies of this true dragon of the Li family. No wonder, despite being at a significant disadvantage in Yanbei, he had been able to fight the demons for over a decade and ultimately emerge victorious.
"The demons on Fifth Brother's side haven't shown themselves in a long time. They feigned a retreat, but unfortunately, the demon horde in Liuzhou has yet to withdraw. Their feigned retreat is too obvious!"
"The real goal is to tie down our forces there!"
"Their true killing move isn't aimed at Liuzhou, but at Liangzhou or Youzhou!"
Li Tiangang's eyes turned cold as he spoke. It had been almost a year since he arrived in Liangzhou to take command. Ever since he first drove back the invading demons from the east, they had not dared to launch large-scale attacks, only occasional incursions.
His gaze swept across the landscape of Liangzhou, and beyond, to the other states. Intelligence gathered from various states had helped him discern the true intentions of the demons.
This was why he had remained here for so long, despite the lack of significant battles—he had been waiting to unravel their plans.
Now, he had seen through their intentions.
"Cang Cliff City has been rebuilt..."
Li Tiangang's expression turned somber as he read the latest intelligence. In the south, at Tianmen Pass, Li Hao held the fort, and he had been keeping a close eye on the situation there. However, the news that had been arriving was not exactly cause for celebration.
Ever since Li Mu Xu and the master of Tianji Tower, Lu Chunsheng, had joined forces with Li Hao to defeat the Wan Shan Demon King and two other ancient demon kings who had been entrenched beyond the pass for many years, Tianmen Pass had enjoyed a long-awaited peace.
In this peaceful era, the city that had once been reduced to a small mound of rubble had been rebuilt.
This was a good thing, a cause for joy.
Li Tiangang could understand that.
However, if it had just been the reconstruction of the city, that would have been fine—the establishment of a new defensive line, complete with arrays, was also acceptable.
But after the city's reconstruction, they had allowed people from various states to come and go as they pleased, leaving the city gates wide open without any restrictions. Even many commoners had moved there, along with merchants setting up shop, turning the border city into a thriving hub akin to those found deep within the inner states.
Currently, Cang Cliff City was bustling and prosperous, resembling a major city in the heart of the realm.
But this was still the borderlands, not the inner realm!
Demon incursions could happen at any time!
Especially considering the precarious situation in Liangzhou, if the demons were to attack Tianmen Pass, it would result in another bloody battle, claiming countless lives.
"A little success, and they become arrogant." Li Tiangang's voice was filled with displeasure. "Hongzhuang is the same. She's not stopping this either. It's understandable for a child to be ignorant, but has she not learned anything from her years of guarding the border? Can't she see through this false prosperity?"
Li Tiangang's expression grew grimmer. It seemed that everyone close to that child indulged and spoiled her.
His Second Uncle, Fifth Uncle, Eldest Aunt, and now even his little sister, who had been commanding troops on the battlefield and guarding the border for years—they all treated her the same way.
Was it because of her unparalleled talent?
He acknowledged that Li Hao possessed extraordinary talent, far surpassing his own. But precisely because of that, they shouldn't spoil her!
Li Tiangang's frustration grew as he thought of Li Hao's recent actions. He regretted not keeping a tighter rein on her sooner. The prolonged battle in Yanbei had kept him from returning home, and it was his greatest regret during these days.
"Bring me paper and ink," Li Tiangang ordered. He intended to write a military order instructing Li Hongzhuang at Tianmen Pass to disperse the commoners from the city.
As a border city, only a small population was needed to facilitate the flow of supplies. Gathering so many people in one place was a liability in times of demon attacks.
Li Fu, upon hearing the order, turned to fetch the writing implements. However, just then, a thunderous roar echoed from the distant border, shaking the very air:
"Li Tiangang, come out and face your death!!"
The terrifying sound waves, despite the distance, caused the curtains of the military camp's tents to flutter violently.
Li Fu, who had just stepped out of the tent, paled with a mix of shock and anger. His soul burst out from his back and leaped into the sky, scanning the distant border.
In the distance, a tiny figure stood in mid-air, clad in a luxurious golden battle robe, his hands clasped behind his back, and his eyes cold.
Li Fu's expression changed as he sensed the overwhelming pressure emanating from the figure, a pressure as vast as an ocean, causing his heart to tremble.
With his years of experience fighting alongside Li Tiangang, he instantly recognized the figure for what he was—a Demon King!
Before Li Fu could turn to report this development, the commotion had already alerted the nearby border camps.
Li Tiangang, upon hearing the roar, narrowed his eyes. "So, the beasts have grown impatient, have they?"
Without another word, he strode out of the camp and soared into the sky.
From a distance, he locked eyes with the Demon King clad in luxurious golden robes, standing beyond the border defense line.
That damn brat had ruined his chance at immortality! It was akin to taking his life!
To use up that one opportunity to defy destiny, how dare he! This was akin to a mortal grudge!
"Die!"
Feng Shanjun roared, summoning a long spear of blazing flames in his hand, and charged forward.
Within the defense line, everyone was stunned and alarmed.
This was the first time a Demon King had appeared to attack the city alone, and his audacity was shocking.
"Activate the formation!"
Li Tiangang's eyes turned cold, but he remained calm and shouted loudly.
His commanding voice resonated throughout the area, stabilizing the shaken morale of the troops.
As Feng Shanjun charged towards the border with his flaming spear, he triggered the formation.
The formation erupted with countless golden clouds, forming a protective barrier that enveloped the entire defense line.
Glowing golden runes flowed on the barrier, imbued with the profound power of the stars and celestial phenomena.
Feng Shanjun's attack was blocked by the formation, causing it to tremble violently. His eyes blazed with rage as he relentlessly assaulted the formation, causing it to shimmer with golden light.
At this moment, within the military camp behind the defense line, the troops quickly assembled with impressive efficiency.
The first to form a battle formation was the Li family's strongest battalion, the Yuan Battalion!
A total of ten thousand Yuan Battalion soldiers communicated with the formation, infusing their power into it.
With this Six Stars Celestial Formation and under the leadership of the Yuan Battalion, they could withstand the Demon King's attacks for a stick of incense's time!
"Yuxuan, quickly go and notify the other battalions to enter full combat readiness. The demon horde might arrive at any moment!" Li Tiangang swiftly ordered Yuxuan, who stood beside him.
Yuxuan was slightly taken aback but quickly realized the situation. This Demon King, risking being hunted down, had come to challenge them alone, most likely to draw their attention.
And since there was no demon tide beyond the border, it was evident that the rest of the demon horde might be heading towards other sections of the defense line.
Without hesitation, Yuxuan accepted the order and left to carry it out.
Soon, the sound of horns reverberated across the defense line, echoing through the air. The ancient and majestic sound of the horns resembled the trumpeting of wild elephants.
Upon hearing the battle horns, all the military camps within the defense line tensed up, quickly donning their armor and taking up their weapons, each soldier ready to face the impending battle.
Far in the distance, at the edge of the horizon beyond the border, the ground shook violently, and a massive black shadow surged forward like a torrent of black mud, bringing with it an overwhelming might.
As expected, there was indeed a demon tide approaching. The distant defense line immediately released signal flares.
Pillars of fire soared into the sky, emitting a sharp, bird-like whistle.
These signal flares were also spotted by the soldiers at the other sections of the defense line, a clear and unmistakable warning.
Li Tiangang's prediction had been correct.
"Kill!"
Li Tiangang's eyes turned icy as he gazed at the Demon King in front of him, who was relentlessly assaulting the formation. With a step forward, he borrowed the power of the formation and summoned a demon soul sealed within it!
However, he did not unleash the full might of the formation, as he knew they would need its power to face the upcoming demon onslaught.
He summoned only one demon soul and merged it into his body.
With a wave of his hand, a brilliant divine blade flew out from the military camp, along with pieces of battle armor that swiftly assembled themselves onto his body.
Shoulder guards, cape, heart mirror, wrist guards, knee pads, battle boots, and other protective gear swiftly fell into place.
In the blink of an eye, he was fully geared, holding the divine blade in his hand, its radiant power burning fiercely.
"Die!"
Li Tiangang took a step forward, resembling a domineering and mighty war god as he charged out of the formation towards the Demon King.
"You dare challenge me, a mere Triple Immortal Ascension cultivator?" Feng Shanjun laughed loudly, his face twisted with rage.
He swept his flaming spear horizontally, the intense heat scorching the air and distorting it.
With the aid of his profound techniques, his attack would never miss.
Facing the fiery spear, the demon soul within Li Tiangang unleashed a fierce roar, and the divine blade in his hand shone brilliantly, cleaving through the air.
The blade's edge resembled a golden river, splitting the heavens and severing the fiery spear.
However, the shattered flames transformed into a sea of fire that engulfed Li Tiangang's body.
The intense heat caused the golden runes on the formation to flicker and distort, rapidly consuming its energy.
Feng Shanjun raised his hand, emitting a phoenix cry, and his body spiraled forward, breaking through the sea of fire. He thrust his spear straight at Li Tiangang's chest.
Bang! Li Tiangang's body was forced back, slamming violently into the formation.
But he didn't stop there; he charged forward again, the demon soul within him sinking into his body, enhancing his aura slightly. He took consecutive steps, each one accompanied by a fierce slash of his blade.
"Do you think you can emulate your son and slay a Demon King as a Triple Immortal Ascension cultivator?"
"Not enough! Not nearly enough!"
Feng Shanjun's eyes shone with a frightening light as he roared, "Compared to your son, you are far inferior!"
"You despicable beast, die!"
Li Tiangang's eyes widened with rage as he unleashed a heaven-shaking slash with his blade, the power of which exploded forth like a rainbow.
Feng Shanjun's body retreated, narrowly avoiding the blade's edge, but he saw Li Tiangang pursuing him relentlessly. A mocking smile appeared on his face as he swung his spear, shattering the second wave of divine power emanating from Li Tiangang's blade.
"You should die!"
A true phoenix flame suddenly appeared behind Feng Shanjun, forming fiery wings. His body abruptly stopped, and he charged towards Li Tiangang.
He manipulated the air in front of Li Tiangang, causing his body to shift instantly, appearing right before him. The spear swept horizontally, aiming straight for Li Tiangang's head.