Chapter 63: The Annihilation of Two Strongholds

Ye Qingyun could see that Fang Xian’s physical abilities had barely reached the threshold of a Grandmaster, but his true strength was not quite there yet. However, the Starfall Sword in his hand was a divine weapon, enough to make up for some shortcomings and allow him to barely match Tang Zhi, who was gravely injured. Besides, with Ye Qingyun watching from the sidelines, Fang Xian would not be in any real danger. This was a rare opportunity for sparring, for even if Ye Qingyun acted as a partner, he would never strike as ruthlessly as Tang Zhi.

Clang—

After more than ten rounds of fierce combat, Tang Zhi’s Nine-Ringed Saber shattered with a resounding clang, losing half its blade. The repeated clashes with Fang Xian’s Starfall Sword had finally broken it, and not even Tang Zhi’s powerful internal energy could save his weapon. Such was the might of a divine weapon: when two similarly skilled warriors face off, one with a divine blade and the other with an ordinary weapon, victory inevitably belongs to the one with the divine arm. It was for this reason that Feng Ling could barely contend with Tang Zhi, a Grandmaster, despite being only at the pinnacle of first-class expertise.

With a furious roar, Tang Zhi launched a mad assault at Fang Xian, determined to drag him to death in a final, desperate struggle. He had already failed against Ye Qingyun; now, to his shock, Fang Xian proved just as indomitable.

Fang Xian bellowed back, recklessly battling Tang Zhi with equal ferocity. Yet, within his madness, a thread of calm remained. He fought with clear awareness, exploiting his strengths against Tang Zhi’s weaknesses.

The myriad Stars Formula whirled ceaselessly within him, channeling endless starlight into mysterious energy that surged through his body, strengthening him and swiftly replenishing his spent vigor.

Clang, clang, clang—

Neither man would yield. Tang Zhi fought with utter abandon, seeking mutual destruction, neglecting all defense in his ravenous onslaught against Fang Xian, as if possessed. Fang Xian, though he need not match Tang Zhi’s recklessness, refused to shrink from this rare training opportunity. His regenerative ability far surpassed Tang Zhi’s, so he attacked with equal fervor, willing to risk injury for the sake of growth.

After relentless combat, Fang Xian sensed Tang Zhi’s internal energy waning, his stamina failing—now their strengths were nearly matched. Seizing the moment, Fang Xian pressed to finish him, determined to establish the prestige of Azure Cloud Fortress.

Meanwhile, most resistance in Peach Mountain Fortress had been crushed. All strategic points were seized by Azure Cloud’s soldiers, and the remaining bandits had surrendered.

The wild duel between Fang Xian and Tang Zhi drew every eye. The bandits of Peach Mountain Fortress watched in horror as their chief was forced into desperate battle by a young man from Azure Cloud Fortress.

Conversely, the people of Azure Cloud Fortress, seeing their young lord so valiant—fighting a Grandmaster with such abandon—felt not only growing respect but also a deepening awe.

“Our young lord is incredible.”

“Indeed, even though Tang Zhi was wounded by the old master, he’s still stronger than most top-tier experts. Who would have thought our lord could fight him for so long?”

“He’s truly skilled. His strength must now be comparable to an ordinary Grandmaster.”

“The stronger he is, the brighter our fortress’s future. Following him gives us hope.”

The soldiers of Azure Cloud Fortress whispered excitedly. In the distance, Huang Yuantao watched in shock. He hadn’t expected Fang Xian’s strength to surpass his own within a few short months, nor that Fang Xian would dare face Tang Zhi head-on.

Even with Tang Zhi badly wounded, Huang Yuantao admitted he lacked the courage to challenge him. After all, the dying camel is still larger than a horse—Tang Zhi remained a Grandmaster. But Fang Xian dared.

“Soon, he’ll break through and become a Grandmaster himself. If the Ninth Prince learns of this, he’ll surely seek such talent,” Huang Yuantao thought anxiously.

With another roar, dozens more exchanges passed. Tang Zhi’s Nine-Ringed Saber was reduced to little more than its hilt. Fang Xian pierced Tang Zhi’s palm with a sword strike, severing half his arm. Tang Zhi’s screams echoed, and Fang Xian finally slew him on the spot.

“Tang Zhi is dead! The young lord is mighty!” Er Niu suddenly shouted, breaking the stunned silence.

“Tang Zhi is dead! The young lord is mighty!” Instantly, soldiers all around the fortress erupted in cheers, as though intoxicated, witnessing firsthand the death of a Grandmaster.

“The young lord is mighty!” Even soldiers farther away joined the cry. Whether original members of Azure Cloud Fortress or new recruits, all found a sense of belonging in the triumphant chorus.

“Hahaha—Xian’er has slain Tang Zhi, possessing the strength of a new Grandmaster! Excellent!” Ye Qingyun was overjoyed, proud to see his son-in-law so accomplished.

“Congratulations, Brother Xian, for killing a Grandmaster and earning great merit for the fortress,” Ye Hongxiu said, approaching Fang Xian.

“The real credit belongs to Father. Without him wounding Tang Zhi, I wouldn’t have dared fight, let alone kill him. If Tang Zhi hadn’t been injured, he could have crushed me with a single blow,” Fang Xian replied, not letting pride cloud his judgment. He knew he had benefited from circumstance.

“Good, maintaining such caution is wise. Though you’ve slain Tang Zhi, you’re still no match for someone like Lei Bupo, let alone Zhu Jiu Chong or Feng Ling,” Ye Qingyun said, pleased with Fang Xian’s humility.

“Rest assured, Father. I’ll continue training, and soon I’ll be able to truly match a Grandmaster, not relying on a divine weapon or fighting a wounded opponent,” Fang Xian answered confidently.

“Quickly clear the battlefield and move everything from Peach Mountain Fortress back to Azure Cloud Fortress,” Ye Qingyun ordered. All the soldiers sprang into action, joined by Feng Sanshun and a group of minor leaders from Peach Mountain Fortress who had swiftly pledged allegiance. With their example, the rest soon followed.

All top-tier experts of Peach Mountain Fortress were dead, leaving only second-rate leaders and those from smaller fortresses who had recently joined. Now, Peach Mountain Fortress had a population of over five thousand.

“We’ve always lacked numbers. With Peach Mountain Fortress absorbed, our population will reach over seventeen thousand, and our soldiers nearly ten thousand. Once we train an elite force, we’ll have a foothold in these chaotic times,” Fang Xian marveled.

“It’s more than that. If we add Flying Phoenix Ridge and Southern Departure Fortress, and then take down Thunder Ridge Fortress, the combined forces of the Great Bashan Mountains could approach fifty thousand,” Ye Hongxiu said.

“Thunder Ridge Fortress will fall today. Chief Zhu and Sister Feng have already joined forces to divide it,” Fang Xian replied with a smile.

At that moment, Thunder Ridge Fortress was ablaze with battle. Southern Departure Fortress and Flying Phoenix Ridge each dispatched two thousand troops, with Zhu Jiu Chong and Feng Ling leading seven or eight top-tier experts. Together, they encircled Thunder Ridge Fortress.

“Zhu Jiu Chong, Feng Ling, you treacherous pair will meet a dreadful end!” Lei Bupo, wounded by Feng Ling wielding a divine weapon, tried to escape but was blocked by Zhu Jiu Chong, who answered his rage with a cold sneer.

“The Great Bashan Mountains have been chaotic for too long. It’s time to unite. Lei Bupo, you’ll never flee to another nation—keep dreaming,” Zhu Jiu Chong said, then struck to kill.

With Lei Bupo dead, his loyal top-tier experts soon fell as well. The rest had no choice but to surrender. Southern Departure Fortress and Flying Phoenix Ridge each took half the population and supplies, then set Thunder Ridge Fortress ablaze.

“Thunder Ridge Fortress is finished. From now on, only three major powers remain in the Great Bashan Mountains.” As the people of Azure Cloud Fortress directed the Peach Mountain bandits to move, they saw flames rising in the distance, mingling with the fires of Peach Mountain Fortress.

“However, the strength of Southern Departure Fortress and Zhu Jiu Chong has grown even greater with all these new recruits. If we want to unify the fortresses, Southern Departure will be our biggest challenge,” Ye Qingyun said, pointedly addressing Huang Yuantao.

“That’s true. Zhu Jiu Chong is powerful, and his sister is a prodigy of the Daoist Sect. She may soon break through to Grandmaster herself. If that happens, unifying them will be even harder,” Fang Xian agreed.