Undying Life
Chapter 317: Yi Yan Returns

Chapter 317: Yi Yan Returns

Outside Yi Yan's residence:

After seeing off Nalan Piaoxue, Yi Yan stood at the door for a while, took a deep breath, lightly adjusted his sleeves, and walked back inside.

Iron Blood had been silently following Yi Yan, not saying a word until they entered the residence. Finally, Iron Blood spoke up, "General, why did you agree so readily? His Majesty has been so biased against you before. You should have considered it more carefully before agreeing. After all, you've endured a lot of grievances over these years."

Yi Yan furrowed his brow and replied, "Iron Blood, we must not show disrespect to His Majesty."

"I don't disrespect His Majesty. It's just that in my heart, I hold even greater respect for you, General," Iron Blood shook his head.

"Hehe," Yi Yan smiled faintly, feeling warmth in his heart.

"Why did I agree so readily? It's not for His Majesty, but for the late Emperor. His Majesty's cultivation talent surpasses his ancestors, but in terms of vision and political acumen, he is far inferior to the late Emperor. When I was at my lowest point, it was the late Emperor who helped and cared for me. Although I knew he showed me kindness, I cannot forget my sense of duty. This agreement with His Majesty is actually a response to the late Emperor," Yi Yan explained.

"I understand," Iron Blood nodded solemnly.

"I will immediately issue a 'decree of rewards and punishments' to be swiftly transmitted to all officials and soldiers of Da Yu, stabilizing morale and letting everyone know that I have returned," Yi Yan continued.

"Yes," Iron Blood responded promptly.

"Compile all the military actions of these years, the tactics used by enemy commanders, siege strategies, and the number of casualties, and report them all to me," Yi Yan instructed.

"Yes," Iron Blood replied.

"Also gather all the military intelligence related to the conflicts between the Great Light Dynasty and the Great Luo Dynasty," Yi Yan added.

"Yes!" Iron Blood affirmed eagerly.

"And gather information on all active sects and sacred places, any sightings or movements related to them," Yi Yan concluded.

"Understood!" Iron Blood responded with excitement.

The once legendary Grand Commander had returned!

At the battlefield of Da Guang, in the White Emperor City:

Zhong Shan sat in the central hall, with generals lined up on both sides.

"General, as you said, Yi Yan has returned. The situation in the Da Yu Dynasty has become uncertain once again," Shui Wuhen spoke up immediately.

"Uncertain? Haha, Yi Yan has returned, making the situation in Da Yu even more complex, but it's too late!" Zhong Shan shook his head.

"Too late?" Shui Wuhen asked in confusion.

"Yes, you'll understand later. Nalan Piaoxue, heh, a mediocre general spells disaster for an army, and a mediocre ruler spells disaster for a dynasty!" Zhong Shan sighed.

"But..." Shui Wuhen frowned, wanting to say more but hesitating.

"Alright, we'll see about that later. Zhao Chuan, what about the information I asked you to investigate?" Zhong Shan turned to Zhao Chuan.

"General, about the cities of Yue Ming and Yue Xi, two large neighboring cities, Xiao Wang has withdrawn his troops, leaving them defenseless. Moreover, these two cities are located in the center of the battlefield between the Great Luo Army and the Da Guang Army. Once the Demon Clan emerges, they will definitely become the focal points of contention for both sides," Zhao Chuan reported.

"Withdrawn completely?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Yes, according to the spies, each city had ten experts of the Emperor Realm supervising, but faced with the pressure from supreme experts, Xiao Wang had no choice but to withdraw his forces," Zhao Chuan explained.

"Good! Good! Good!" Zhong Shan exclaimed with a slight excitement.

"General, what should we do?" Zhao Chuan asked.

"Quickly gather fifty thousand of our most elite archers. We'll depart in three days," Zhong Shan said in a deep voice.

"General, are we going there? What about the war decree?" Zhao Chuan expressed some concern.

"The war decree? Hmph, I'll take fifty thousand troops with me. Let's see who dares to oppose me!" Zhong Shan sneered.

"Huh? But there are fifty Emperor Realm experts and Da Wei Tian Long who have jointly issued the order," Zhao Chuan still worried.

"Fifty Emperor Realm experts? Da Wei Tian Long? Haha, they wouldn't dare. They lack the backing of the Golden Cicada. They're rootless. Once this is over, they'll each go their separate ways. If they dare to cause me even the slightest trouble, they'll be wanted throughout the Great Luo Territory! Are fifty Emperor Realm experts many?" Zhong Shan laughed.

Zhao Chuan furrowed his brow slightly.

"But General, what exactly are we going there for this time?" Zhao Chuan asked.

"You'll know once we get there!" Zhong Shan affirmed.

"Yes!" Zhao Chuan immediately responded.

"General, what about me?" Shui Wuhen asked with anticipation.

"You? I have other arrangements for you!" Zhong Shan looked at Shui Wuhen.

"Yes!" Shui Wuhen responded immediately —

Three days later, Zhong Shan departed from White Emperor City with fifty thousand of the most elite archers. Every one of these archers was at least at the Golden Core stage.

What was Zhong Shan planning to do?

Strength!

Zhong Shan urgently needed strength now. His cultivation at the Seventh Layer of Golden Core was inadequate, far from sufficient.

Although his current strength allowed him to face and not be defeated by someone at the Mid-stage of Yuan Infant, it still wasn't enough. With high rank and heavy responsibility came even greater pressure. He needed to rapidly enhance his strength.

How to enhance his strength? Zhong Shan had a convenient method.

The Eight Extremes Heavenly Robe devoured the souls of Emperor Realm experts. Rapid consumption.

Slaying Emperor Realm experts. Why did Zhong Shan have the audacity and capability to do this? It was because Zhong Shan possessed another treasure, the Purple Cotton Kasaya. Zhong Shan could also infer the purpose of the Golden Cicada! If you leave behind the Purple Cotton Kasaya, then contribute more to me!

Twenty days later.

Zhong Shan arrived with fifty thousand troops at a wooded area. Zhao Chuan's military had arranged it. Ada and Zhihuo stood at Zhong Shan's side.

Within this wooded area, Zhong Shan's army came to a halt.

This was because Zhong Shan's fifty thousand troops were blocked by a black-robed man. This black-robed man was the person who had previously issued a "war decree" to Zhong Shan's army.

The man soared in the air, coldly glaring at Zhong Shan. This was the commander-in-chief of an army, yet he neither accepted the war decree nor came in person.

However, this commander-in-chief was quite peculiar, wearing a kasaya? Was he a monk?

"I don't care who you are, get lost!" the man said coldly, his eyes fixed firmly on Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan, at the Seventh Layer of Golden Core, could see in one glance. Although he knew Ada and Zhihuo were not easy to deal with, the commander-in-chief focused on the "ants" in the field. Once he grasped them, who would dare to act wildly?

"Ignorant!" Zhong Shan snorted coldly.

"Huh? Ignorant? I see you're the ignorant one. In my lifetime, I've killed countless people, and I've exterminated millions in two cities. How dare you act arrogantly in front of me? You seek death!" the man snorted coldly, a sudden surge of momentum emanating.

"Squeak~~~~~~~~"

Fifty thousand troops, fifty thousand Pogang arrows suddenly stood up, aiming directly at the man in the sky!

"Insolence!" Zhong Shan said coldly.

"Hmph!..." The man snorted.

At that moment, almost simultaneously, the fifty thousand archers aimed their Pogang arrows at the man and shot them all together.

The fifty thousand Pogang arrows swiftly shot out, suddenly forming a powerful air current, surging towards the man, sealing off all his escape routes. The fifty thousand Pogang arrows seemed to transform into a massive arrow, fiercely shooting towards the man!

At the same time, Ada and Zhihuo also acted simultaneously. Ada swung his sword, darkness enveloping the sky, a powerful black light flashing and rushing towards the man. Zhihuo punched out, the surroundings instantly turning into a fiery red sun, fiercely smashing towards the man.

The man was momentarily stunned, realizing quickly that this commander was specifically targeting him.

Ada and Zhihuo's attacks seemed to block the man's movements. The man could only dodge at the fastest speed possible.

"Boom~~~~~~~~"

Avoiding Ada and Zhihuo's attacks, the man managed to evade them. However, about thirty thousand Pogang arrows shot directly onto the shield protecting the man.

"Boom~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The shield was shattered by the thirty thousand Pogang arrows.

Although the Pogang arrows were blocked, the man's face flushed red, his internal organs shaken by the heavy impact just now.

Amidst the surging blood and energy, the fifty thousand Pogang arrows were strung again, while Ada and Zhihuo rushed towards him from left and right.

The man could escape instantly; in a moment, no one could catch him. However, the man was unwilling to admit defeat, his face full of fierceness.

Coincidentally, Zhong Shan was in a vulnerable position, and the enemy commander seized the opportunity to capture him.

Seeing this, the man endured Ada and Zhihuo's attacks, swiftly moving his body, leaving behind a residual image, and at the fastest speed, rushing towards Zhong Shan. With a palm strike, a huge black hand appeared in the void, fiercely slapping towards Zhong Shan.

In this dire situation, Ada and Zhihuo couldn't save him in time, and the archers dared not shoot.

As Zhong Shan was about to be injured or captured, at that moment, a strange smile appeared on Zhong Shan's lips.

"Hum~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

In the instant the black hand approached, the kasaya on Zhong Shan suddenly emitted a brilliant golden light, a tremendous force violently dispersing the black giant hand.

"Bang~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

The man was sent flying backwards.

With arrows raining down, Ada and Zhihuo swiftly attacked. In the sky, it was instantly enveloped by a blend of black and red aura.

The terrifying collision of fists and punches caused the surrounding space to tremble.

"Boom~~~~~~~~Boom~~~~~~~~Boom~~~~~~~~"

"Boom~~~~~~~~Boom~~~~~~~~Boom~~~~~~~~"

... The man was indeed formidable, actually holding his own against Ada and Zhihuo. During this time, he even tried to capture Zhong Shan again, but the Purple Cotton Kasaya on Zhong Shan's body was too powerful. A ninth-grade magic treasure like this for defense was something the man couldn't break.

"Boom~~~~~~~~"

With a loud bang, Zhihuo smashed the man deep into the ground, leaving a deep pit.

Zhihuo looked somewhat incredulously at his own fist, while the man in the deep pit suddenly felt something unusual. His whole body was boiling with blood, and in his mind, there appeared the shadow of a [***] woman. In this life-and-death struggle, he unexpectedly recalled a woman? **, endless **. ** How could he suddenly be ignited?

This is bad, he's been poisoned!