Chapter 280: Chapter 270: Fleeing at the News, A Reputation Overwhelms the Heavenly Talent

"Hahaha, Big-Ears is just Big-Ears, actually fleeing in disarray from a junior."

A burst of ridicule mercilessly lashed out at Zhu Jiushi.

Zhu Jiushi’s face turned ashen as he glared fiercely at the newcomer.

The only one who could speak to him like that and not be killed for it was naturally Lang Fanyun, who was also one of the Upper Three Tao Seeds.

"Damn it all! You, born of some lesser wife, what the hell do you know?!" Zhu Jiushi viciously cursed back without reservation.

Lang Fanyun’s eyes instantly reddened. He hated nothing more than other demons mentioning his lowly birth.

On the super warship, an atmosphere of intense confrontation, like needlepoints against wheat awns, radiated outwards, forcibly pushing aside many demons. Those powerful demons with energy to spare also took advantage of this shockwave, making a strategic withdrawal.

Intimate conversations between big shots are better left unheard by the small fry.

Once the demons had cleared the scene, Zhu Jiushi and Lang Fanyun simultaneously dispelled their anger. The two demons moved closer and sat shoulder to shoulder, their attitudes calm.

Outsiders only knew that they had fought their way here, constantly trying to kill each other. They did not know that they were actually close friends, the kind to whom they could entrust their very lives.

"Old Zhu, tell me, how exactly were you defeated?"

"Don’t even mention it. Just talking about it infuriates me. Not only is that Li Jianqiu’s strength comparable to mine, but the Energy Array they set up is also extremely ingenious, especially that blue Sub-banner demon artifact..."

Zhu Jiushi recounted his defeat, all the while praising the Flood Gathering War Banner’s Sub-banner. If it were not for the powerful support ability provided by the Flood Gathering War Banner’s Sub-banner, he would not have been defeated so easily.

"I see. I understand now," Lang Fanyun nodded. He took the Flood Gathering War Banner’s Sub-banner and inspected it repeatedly.

「Gale Sea Area defensive line.」

The thick, lingering stench of blood, like the choking, foul odor of a garbage heap, was enough to make demons retch.

Lang Fanyun led his Swallowing Wolf Army, pressing down upon the Gale Sea Area.

He had learned from Zhu Jiushi’s defeat. Even though his forces were stronger than the complete Overbearing Pig Army, he did not advance rashly. Instead, he deployed his troops slowly and methodically, posing a significant threat to Li Jianqiu.

A tough enemy indeed, worthy of being an Upper Three Tao Seed. Just like his Food Tao cultivation path, he truly knows how to bide his time. Li Jianqiu thought, feeling a headache coming on.

She was not afraid of an all-out assault like Zhu Jiushi’s, as she was well-prepared with multiple, tightly interconnected lines of defense.

"Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish. This applies to ruling a country, and to warfare as well," Lang Fanyun remarked as he calmly arranged his troops.

One by one, the defensive lines established by Li Jianqiu and the other demons were dismantled, and the tide of battle slowly began to turn in Lang Fanyun’s favor.

Seeing this, Li Jianqiu occasionally launched counterattacks, but Lang Fanyun remained unwaveringly steady—so steady it was nauseating. Lang Fanyun simply used his obvious numerical superiority to openly and repeatedly crush Li Jianqiu’s strategies.

By now, Li Jianqiu was almost out of options.

Sigh, I hope Xuan Guangqiao sends reinforcements soon. I can’t hold on much longer, she sighed inwardly with helplessness.

At this moment, Hong Yuan, whom Li Jianqiu was anxiously hoping for, encountered an unexpected enemy.

Hong Yuan had run into Liu Hongde!

Hong Yuan led his most elite Black Dragon Army, while Liu Hongde also led his most elite Mad Cow Army Corps. The two faced each other from a distance, separated by half an ocean.

Xuan Guangqiao!? Liu Hongde’s eyes flashed with astonishment, and panic surged through him. Others might not know Hong Yuan’s strength, but he had some idea. If they were not wary of Hong Yuan’s power, they, the renowned Upper Three Tao Seeds, would not have bothered to form an alliance.

One-on-one, how can I possibly defeat Xuan Guangqiao? This is bad! I knew I shouldn’t have been so impetuous!

Liu Hongde’s brow furrowed. He silently consolidated his Mad Cow Army Corps into a circular defensive formation, ever vigilant against an attack from Hong Yuan’s Black Dragon Army. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Ignore them. Continue at full speed," Hong Yuan commanded. He then merely glanced over before leading his men towards the Gale Sea Area, completely unconcerned about Liu Hongde and his followers—a display of sheer arrogance.

Seeing this, Liu Hongde was dumbfounded but could only watch as Hong Yuan and his troops departed into the distance.

An idea sparked in Liu Hongde’s mind.

Xuan Guangqiao is heading to reinforce the Gale Sea Area? If I attack his rear, wouldn’t victory be within easy reach...

No, that’s not feasible. In doing so, I’d become Xuan Guangqiao’s primary target. Then, even if he were defeated, he would probably drag me down with him.

I can’t just pave the way for Lang Fanyun and Zhu Jiushi, fighting their battles for them.

After some thought, Liu Hongde abandoned the idea.

The Bridge-Claiming Army belongs to everyone, not just me. I don’t want to be the great demon who sacrifices himself for victory.

Thus, Liu Hongde led his Mad Cow Army Corps to hold their position, awaiting the arrival of his main Mad Cow Army.

「On the boundless open sea」

Hong Yuan, guided by his connection with heaven and earth, led his men on a headlong charge. He had once refined the Water Order of the Gale Sea Area, earning the favor of its heaven and earth. Thus, Hong Yuan naturally possessed a one-way link to the Gale Sea Area’s location.

Now, as they advanced directly at top speed, they were about to reach the Gale Sea Area. The blood-red currents had already spread beneath them.

RUMBLE!

After multiple defensive lines were breached, the battlefield erupted into chaos. Massive swarms of Water Wing Wolves rampaged, with groups of Lightning Feather Wolves drifting above them.

Besides these, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning... All sorts of fierce Demon Skill attacks streaked across the sky and crashed into the sea. Meteors fell from above, colossal beasts soared through the air, and lightning bolts flashed and struck...

The Gale Sea Area’s natural defense of fierce winds was no longer effective!

The Demon Soldiers wailed and shrieked, at times falling into a berserk frenzy. The chaotic battle involving millions of Demon Soldiers engulfed the vast expanse of the Gale Sea Area.

"Black Cloud Tribulation!"

As defeat loomed, Li Jianqiu could no longer hold back. She swung her oiled-paper umbrella, her crimson battle armor gleaming. A tribulation aura spread, howling fiercely, carrying world-overturning momentum as it slammed down with a thunderous crash.

"I didn’t say you could make a move," Lang Fanyun chuckled lightly.

With a turn of his hand, a blue-and-white porcelain vase appeared. Its mouth aligned with the black clouds of the tribulation, emitting a fierce, whining drone. An endless suction force was born from it, wildly drawing in the black clouds of the tribulation, like a waterspout.

With Lang Fanyun fully prepared for an unsuspecting Li Jianqiu, her attack was completely countered!

"Haha, junior, let me teach you what it means to respect your elders!" Lang Fanyun laughed heartily, his disheveled hair dancing wildly as he lunged towards Li Jianqiu.

Inevitably, Li Jianqiu was pinned down.

Having lost Li Jianqiu’s command, the Zero Desolate Army began to show clear signs of defeat, and the situation grew increasingly dire.

Suddenly, a chill ran through Lang Fanyun’s heart. After clashing with Li Jianqiu, he staggered back, creating distance. He struggled to turn his head and look towards his distant rear.

There, he saw a white-robed general with a striking bearing, sharp brows, and star-like eyes, looking down at him with cold indifference. Beside this white-robed general, a large blue banner floated eerily, and he was surrounded by formidable warriors.

"Xuan... Guang... Qiao..." Lang Fanyun’s voice was hoarse.

He felt as if he had plunged into purgatory, his limbs turning to ice. A deadly chill spread from the depths of his heart, making it difficult to breathe, almost suffocating him.