Chapter 295 - 291: Breaking Through the Encirclement into the Imperial Palace
Chapter 295: Chapter 291: Breaking Through the Encirclement into the Imperial Palace
"There haven’t been any before, but I’m afraid one is about to be born!" National Master Meng Shuming’s pale face was incomparably grim.
Emperor Li Bi was startled and asked hurriedly, "National Master, what do you mean?"
"Your Majesty should be aware that the Dragon and Phoenix List ranks two hundred peerless geniuses, all with power at the Innate Realm level. However, only about a hundred of them have truly broken through their Qi Sea Acupoint, opened their Dantian, and entered the Innate Realm. Dozens are still stuck at the Martial Arts Ninth Layer. While the Inner Power True Qi of these geniuses has yet to reach the Innate Realm, many have cultivated their External Sword Techniques to a terrifying degree. The most exceptional among them can even slay Innate Powerhouses using only Postnatal Power." National Master Meng Shuming took a deep breath and said gravely, "Without a doubt, Lord White Cloud is one of them. He is already this formidable, and he hasn’t even reached the Innate Realm. If one day he does step into the Innate Realm—"
Emperor Li Bi’s expression changed drastically. He was thrown into a panic, as if sitting on pins and needles.
Just then, a commotion broke out among the besieging Imperial Army in the distance. A soldier with a panicked expression rushed over. "Your Majesty, this is terrible! Minister Ma was killed on the spot by one of Lord White Cloud’s Hidden Weapons! The army has no one to command."
’That useless Ma Hongxiao.’ Emperor Li Bi was furious. He quickly ordered, "Commander Jiao, go take command at once! You must contain Lord White Cloud. General Lin, go to the West City Military Camp immediately and mobilize a hundred thousand troops."
"I will kill Lord White Cloud, no matter the cost!" Emperor Li Bi said viciously, his gaze sinister.
......
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! CLANG! CLANG!
BANG! BANG! BANG! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
A rain of arrows split the air, and iron chains swept across the field. The massive army formed ring after ring, tightening the encirclement. At the very front stood a row of heavy infantry, each clad in Steel Helmet and Armor, gripping a heavy Iron Shield with both hands.
Each Iron Shield was as tall as a man and as wide as a doorway. Pitch-black and heavy, they advanced step by step, causing the encirclement to shrink continuously.
The arrow-rain howled, and Iron Chains crisscrossed through the air, sealing off the area. The space left for him to dodge and weave grew smaller and smaller. Unable to evade in time, Ye Xing took two arrows to the arm in quick succession. Fresh blood stained his sleeve, and he winced in pain.
’Damn it, that hurts like hell. No wonder so many Innate Realm experts get worn down and killed when they’re surrounded by an army. This battle formation is actually pretty intimidating. Screw it, I’m done playing! Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the best is to retreat.’ With a glint in his eye, Ye Xing swung his Cyan Blade Treasure Sword, deflecting more than a dozen arrows. He then quickly opened his Qiankun Bag and pulled out two Flash Grenades.
He pulled the pins and tossed the Flash Grenades.
In an instant, a dazzling white light erupted. The surrounding Imperial Army soldiers were all blinded, unable to open their eyes against the searing glare.
"What’s going on? It’s so bright!"
"Agh, my eyes! It hurts! I can’t see!"
"Where did that white light come from? Where’s Lord White Cloud?"
"Don’t panic! Everyone, stay calm!"
"Ah! Who stabbed me? I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch!"
Shrouded in the white light, the surrounding Imperial Army descended into chaos. Gripped by terror and panic, some soldiers even began to turn on each other.
SCHLICK! SCHLICK!
Ye Xing executed his Gale Sword Skill. The Cyan Blade Treasure Sword hummed as he swung it, cutting down several nearby Iron Shield Soldiers and swiftly carving an opening in the encirclement.
Then, wearing protective goggles, he used his Lightweight Skill. Pushing off the ground, he leaped into the air and ran across the heads and shoulders of the Imperial Army soldiers, making for the edge of the encirclement.
"What’s going on? What happened over there? Why was there a sudden, intense white light?" Emperor Li Bi exclaimed in alarm.
The civil and military officials were also shocked. "Your Majesty, look! Someone’s breaking out of the encirclement! Ah, it’s Lord White Cloud!"
"Quick, stop him! Don’t let him escape!" Emperor Li Bi shouted, completely flustered.
The effect of the Flash Grenades was limited in both time and range. Using his Lightweight Skill, Ye Xing quickly broke out of the affected area.
The Imperial Army soldiers outside the blast radius spotted Ye Xing immediately. In an instant, a massive volley of arrows shot toward him with a whistle.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Ye Xing deflected the incoming arrows as he sprinted.
Compared to the archers, the Shield Soldiers and Iron Chain Soldiers at the center of the encirclement posed a much greater threat to Ye Xing.
The massive, heavy Iron Shields overlapped to form four towering iron walls, trapping their target inside. Combined with the crisscrossing Iron Chains, once the space was completely sealed, even an Innate Powerhouse would perish within.
That was why Ye Xing had to escape before the Iron Chains sealed him in. After all, he was facing tens of thousands of Imperial Army soldiers; it would be bad news if he messed up.
CLANG! PING! PANG!
Ye Xing’s longsword was a blur as he dodged and weaved, deflecting arrow after arrow. Using his Wind Shadow Step, he broke free of the encirclement after a dozen leaps and bounds, finally landing atop the walls of the Imperial City.
He looked down to see the densely packed Imperial Army, a panicked Emperor Li Bi with his civil and military officials, and in the distance, countless onlooking Martial Artists.
"Hahaha! Your Majesty! You tried so hard to make me stay. It would be rude to refuse such hospitality. So, I’ll just have to accept your ’invitation,’ take a nice tour of the Imperial Palace, and leave you a little souvenir while I’m at it!" A surge of bravado filled Ye Xing. He laughed boisterously and headed deeper into the Imperial Palace.
Of course, before entering the Imperial Palace, Ye Xing didn’t forget to drop two Heaven-shattering Thunders.
BOOM! RUMBLE!
Two earth-shattering explosions rang out in succession. The entire Imperial Palace gatehouse blew apart. Dust, ash, and tiles rained down, while flaming splinters of wood tumbled from the top of the wall.
"Insolence! Utter insolence! Is he trying to bomb my Imperial Palace?!" Emperor Li Bi’s face was deathly pale. Overcome with fury, he roared at the Imperial Army, "You useless trash! Hurry up and stop him! Capture that madman for me! Kill him! If you can’t kill him, you can all bring me your heads!"
The tens of thousands of Imperial Army soldiers were scared into silence. Squad by squad, they hurriedly charged into the Imperial City in pursuit.