The Armor-Breakers Gift

The golden city, surrounded by eight entwining azure dragons and clusters of clouds, floated amidst ripples in space as a crack appeared. The golden city flew directly into the crack and vanished.

Within the city.

A million Immortals filled the city. The sky above was covered in endless clouds, completely obscuring the view outside—clearly, there were restrictive formations in place.

“Return to your respective army camps. No one is to act without orders. Violators will be executed!” The black-robed Xia Emperor’s voice boomed throughout the Eight Dragons Cloud City.

“Yes!”

A million Immortals answered in unison.

Immediately, the nine army corps, as well as the corps directly commanded by the Xia Emperor, entered their respective camps. Each and every one of them followed the rules, not daring to leave without permission. Everyone understood that during wartime, military discipline was strict. If Immortals wandered about randomly, the great army could not be mobilized quickly.

“It’s quite spacious.” Entering the Northsea Army camp, Ji Ning saw that it was indeed very vast. It contained countless meditation rooms, enough to house a hundred thousand Immortals.

“Each of you, find a place to rest and do not leave the Northsea Army camp without permission,” Ji Ning ordered.

“Yes, General!”

The hundred thousand Immortals answered in a voice that shook the heavens.

From afar, similar sounds could be heard coming from the other army camps.

“Nine Generals, come to the main hall for a discussion.” The Xia Emperor’s voice suddenly rang out in their ears.

“Senior apprentice-sister, get some rest first. I’ll be back shortly,” Ji Ning said.

“Mm.” Yu Wei nodded. This time, although she had come with the army, she was not required to participate in battle at all.

Soon.

Within the central main hall of the Eight Dragons Cloud City, Ji Ning and the other eight Generals had all arrived. The Xia Emperor and the other five Empyrean Gods and True Immortals were already there.

“In this campaign, I am the commander. I will direct all actions. Only I know the plan of action,” the Xia Emperor said from his seat above. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but the Seamless Gate’s intelligence-gathering methods are beyond imagination. Once I tell you, the Seamless Gate will likely learn of the plan. That is why I have not informed you.”

Ji Ning and the other eight all nodded.

“Your Majesty, rest assured. During the battle, we will know the weight of things.”

“Since Your Majesty is the commander, all decisions shall be made by Your Majesty.”

Several Celestial Immortal generals quickly spoke.

Ji Ning, having received Patrairch Subhuti’s guidance, knew the Seamless Gate’s capabilities well and understood the Xia Emperor’s difficulties. As for whether the others understood… that was unknown. Still, the Xia Emperor had at least explained himself.

“Mm.” The black-robed Xia Emperor nodded slightly, then waved his hand.

Whoosh!

Instantly, eighteen black, fleshy spheres appeared in the air. They were covered in faint black fur and dotted with a heart-shaking golden light. Each of these eighteen spheres possessed a powerful aura that startled even Ji Ning—they seemed no weaker than his own Universal Salvation Sword of Ananda.

“These are Pure Yang supreme-grade magic treasures,” the black-robed Xia Emperor said. “A total of nine pairs, named ‘Armor-Breakers.’ One pair for each of you.”

“Pure Yang supreme-grade?”

Everyone present, including Ji Ning, was shocked.

Even for an Empyrean God or True Immortal, this was astonishing value. The total worth of some Empyrean Gods’ and True Immortals’ treasures might not even match these nine pairs of ‘Armor-Breakers.’

“Why haven’t you accepted them yet?” The black-robed Xia Emperor frowned.

“Yes.” Ji Ning and the others dared not delay. They each accepted a pair. As soon as their Celestial Immortal power poured in, they were easily refined. Once refined, Ji Ning immediately understood how to use this Pure Yang magic treasure.

Swish! Swish!

This pair of Pure Yang magic treasures, ‘Armor-Breakers,’ directly merged into Ji Ning’s hands, instantly making them resemble the claws of a wild beast. Thick black fur and tough skin appeared on his palms and the backs of his hands. The tips of his fingers bore inch-long, razor-sharp claws, like sharp blades. It was truly a beast’s claw.

“Change.” Ji Ning willed it.

Instantly, the sharp blade on one of his fingers elongated, transforming into a longsword. The other claws shrank and vanished.

“Change.” The longsword vanished, but a sharp blade-edge appeared on the side of his palm, like the edge of a giant axe.

Axe, spear, sword, staff…

All could be transformed.

The nine Celestial Immortals were all experimenting with delight.

The black-robed Xia Emperor observed from above and smiled slightly. “Enough.”

Ji Ning and the others immediately stopped.

“The ‘Xingtian Spirit’ you form through the formation has limitless strength and excels at close combat. You will be fighting in close quarters as well. This magic treasure, ‘Armor-Breakers,’ is the weapon of the Xingtian Spirit,” the black-robed Xia Emperor said. “I don’t care if you are skilled in swordsmanship, saber arts, or other close-combat techniques. The Armor-Breakers will suit you all.”

Ji Ning and the others understood. It was for use when they formed the Xingtian Spirit through the formation.

“But I must warn you,” the black-robed Xia Emperor continued. “The Xingtian Spirit is immensely strong, but it is somewhat lacking in speed and agility. Your combat methods must be better suited to the Xingtian Spirit. Return to your camps and ponder carefully how to use the Xingtian Spirit to maximize its power.”

“Yes.” Ji Ning and the others withdrew.

…

Within the Northsea Army camp.

In the tallest meditation room at the center, which served as the commander’s quarters, Yu Wei was inside. Ji Ning entered as well.

“How should I fight?”

Ji Ning was still frowning, deep in thought.

He recalled the feeling of controlling the Xingtian Spirit from before—that sensation of overwhelming power. Ji Ning nodded slightly. “The Xingtian Spirit is better suited for heavy weapons like giant axes or hammers. It’s more fitting for straightforward, brute-force combat. Not for flexible fighting styles.” In battle, one had to play to their strengths.

If he lacked flexibility and still tried to use nimble sword techniques, it would be suicide.

Fortunately, Ji Ning was a Fiendgod. He had a deep understanding of close combat and knew several sword techniques. He quickly settled on a fighting style.

“What’s wrong? You’re back, but you’re still muttering to yourself,” Yu Wei said with a smile.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about how to fight when we engage the Seamless Gate,” Ji Ning explained with a laugh. “The Xingtian Spirit is different from one’s own Fiendgod body, after all.”

“Mm, take your time thinking, then.” Yu Wei smiled and sat to the side.

Ji Ning nodded and began to practice.

…

The Eight Dragons Cloud City, a mere hundred zhang in size, was hidden within the clouds and mist.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three black-armored figures appeared out of nowhere, followed by the black-robed Xia Emperor. The Xia Emperor stood beside the Eight Dragons Cloud City, looking at the three black-armored men.

“Master.” The three black-armored men all spoke respectfully.

“Mm. Your mission this time is of utmost importance. You must set up the grand formation perfectly,” the Xia Emperor said. “If you fail, we will have to pay an even greater price.”

“Rest assured, Master.”

The three black-armored men replied respectfully.

“Go.” The black-robed Xia Emperor nodded.

Whoosh! Whoosh. Whoosh. The three black-armored men flew off in three directions, then tore through space and vanished.

The black-robed Xia Emperor stood in the clouds, silently sensing the positions of his three servants.

…

Above a wide river, a black-armored man appeared out of nowhere. He stood there for a moment, contemplating, then tossed something out. A pagoda-shaped formation base flew directly into the river, sank to the bottom, and even burrowed deep into the riverbed.

…

Above a towering mountain, a black-armored man appeared. In his hand was another pagoda-shaped formation base. The small pagoda was covered in complex, endless runic patterns. He tossed it downward. With his immense strength, the pagoda was smashed directly deep into the mountain.

…

Above a desolate swamp, a black-armored man appeared and also dropped a small pagoda.

…

In just a short time, nine small pagodas had been set up throughout the Baiji Commandery of the Grand Xia world, each exactly five hundred thousand li from Baiji City.

Within the territory of Baiji Commandery.

Amidst the clouds and mist, the black-robed Xia Emperor stood silently in the sky. When he sensed that all nine pagodas had been firmly placed, a smile appeared on his face. “He who moves first, moves fastest! Did the Seamless Gate think I would rely on the Grand Xia imperial capital and stubbornly hold out?” He had spent endless ages fortifying the Grand Xia imperial capital; it was indeed his most secure bastion.

Now, the Xia Emperor had only left the ‘white-robed Xia Emperor’ there to oversee things, with no fear of the enemy breaching the capital.

But the Xia Emperor had not chosen the easier path of relying on a fortified city to hold out. Instead, he launched an active assault!

“Rise!” The Xia Emperor willed it.

Rumble~~~

In a wide river, the once-calm waters suddenly began to surge and churn. The turbulence grew more and more violent, until with a thunderous crash, a massive pagoda tip emerged from the water. It rose continuously, finally coming to a stop. This tip, rising above the water alone, was tens of thousands of zhang tall. The entire pagoda was covered in golden runic patterns, and at once, heaven and earth began to warp, and visible ripples appeared in space itself.

A towering mountain began to collapse entirely, as an even more massive black divine pagoda grew out from within it. The pagoda was covered in golden runic patterns.

In the swamp, a giant divine pagoda also emerged.

In an instant, a vast region of a million li across the Baiji Commandery was completely drawn in by these nine divine pagodas, falling under their control.

Within the Seamless City, a black floating city hanging above Baiji City.

In the main hall of the Seamless City.

Whiteclad Immortal Bai Ze sat at the very top. Below him sat Empyrean Gods, True Immortals, and some Celestial Immortals.

“The Grand Xia imperial capital won’t be easy to crack. The best approach is to gradually conquer the Grand Xia’s other territories, forcing the Xia Emperor to panic and leave his nest,” Ten Thousand Caves Lord said in a deep, rumbling voice.

“I just received news,” the Azure Fox Sect Leader said. “The Xia Emperor has taken out the innate spirit treasure ‘Eight Dragons Cloud City’ and moved his entire army into it. But all the Immortals inside the city have no idea where they are. It seems the Xia Emperor is guarding against us, not letting us know his movements.”

“Bzzzz~~”

Suddenly, space itself began to shift.

Everyone present had their expressions change.

“A formation restriction?” a black-haired, black-robed elder with red pupils sneered. “Didn’t you say the Xia Emperor would rely on the Grand Xia imperial capital? What’s this formation restriction about?”

“The space is sealed. No Greater Teleportation, no void shuttling, and even one’s heartforce cannot penetrate,” the Azure Fox Sect Leader said softly. “The Xia Emperor is even more confident than we expected. He’s abandoned his Grand Xia imperial capital and is taking the initiative to attack?”

A glint of cold anticipation flashed in Whiteclad Immortal Bai Ze’s eyes. He said coldly, “The more he jumps, the faster he dies. In this Grand Xia world, I am the master after all. Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Wuu——”

A low sound suddenly rang out throughout the Seamless City—the alarm horn.

“They’ve already attacked?” Whiteclad Immortal Bai Ze, the Azure Fox Sect Leader, and the others all wore expressions of shock. It was too fast! The formation restrictions had just been set up moments ago, and now the enemy had already launched their assault!