Desolate Era (Book 16 - Book 18)

The eight azure dragons swam around the golden city within the clouds. Space undulated around the city as a spatial tear formed, and the golden city flew straight into the tear, disappearing.

Within the city.

A million Immortals were present. The skies above them were filled with endless clouds; they were completely unable to see the outside world at all. Clearly, they were in a separate space.

“Each of you shall return to your own camps. You are not to act without permission. Any who violate orders shall be executed!” The black-robed Xia Emperor’s voice rang out, echoing throughout the Eight Dragons Cloudcity.

“Yes,” the million Immortals assented in unison.

Instantly, the nine armies and the army commanded by the Xia Emperor all entered their respective camps in an ordinary fashion, none of them daring to leave their camps without permission. Everyone understood that in a time of war, military discipline would be extremely tight. If the Immortals were permitted to act and wander about as they pleased, there would be no way an army could be quickly mobilized.

“It’s quite large.” After entering the Darknorth army camp, the hundred thousand Immortals saw a vast region with countless private rooms, more than enough for all of them to reside in.

“Find your own places and go rest for now. You are not to leave the Darknorth army camp,” Ji Ning ordered.

“Yes, General.” The hundred thousand Immortals answered in an awe-inspiring chorus, their voices shaking the skies.

Sounds from the other army camps could be heard from far away.

“Nine generals, come to the main hall for a meeting,” the Xia Emperor’s voice suddenly rang out.

“Senior apprentice-sister, take a rest first. I’ll be back soon,” Ning said.

“Alright.” Yu Wei nodded. Although she had joined this army, there was no need for her to enter the battle.

Soon, Ning and the rest of the nine generals arrived within the central main hall of the Eight Dragons Cloudcity. As for the Xia Emperor and the other five Empyrean Gods/True Immortals, they had arrived long ago.

“In this campaign, I shall serve as the field marshal. I, and I alone, shall be responsible for our movements and our plans,” the Xia Emperor said from his throne on high. “It isn’t that I don’t trust you; rather, the Seamless Gate’s intelligence mechanisms are simply unfathomably great. If I tell you, they will probably find out, and so I am keeping it to myself for now.”

Ning and the rest of the nine nodded.

“Don’t worry, your Imperial Majesty. This is a time of war; we know what is at stake.”

“Since you are our field marshal, then it is natural that you shall be in charge of everything, your Imperial Majesty.”

The Celestial Immortal generals all hurriedly assented.

Ning had been informed by Subhuti as to how powerful the Seamless Gate was. He understood the Xia Emperor’s predicament. As for the others, they might or might not understand, but they accepted the Xia Emperor’s explanation.

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

Whoosh!

Instantly, eighteen black globes of fur-covered flesh appeared in the air. The black-furred globes also emanated heart-quaking golden light. These eighteen globes all had tremendously powerful auras, causing Ning to feel startled; he felt as though these were on the same level as the Ananda World-Swords.

“These are top-grade Pure Yang treasures,” the black-robed Xia Emperor said. “There are nine pairs in total. They are known as the ‘Splitters’, and each of you shall have a pair.”

“Top-grade Pure Yang treasures?” Everyone present, Ning included, was surprised.

These were incredibly valuable items, even for Empyrean Gods and True Immortals. In fact, for many Empyrean Gods and True Immortals, all their treasures combined were not worth as much as a pair of ‘Splitters’.

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

“Yes.” Ning and the others didn’t dare to be slow; they immediately accepted the treasures, filling them with their Immortal energy and easily binding them. Upon doing so, Ning immediately understood how these Pure Yang treasures were meant to be used.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The pair of Pure Yang ‘Splitters’ merged into Ning’s hands, causing them to instantly transform into bestial paws. Thick black fur grew out from the palm and the back of Ning’s hands, and his fingernails became inch-long and knife-sharp. These were the claws of a vicious beast!

“Transform.” Ning willed it, and one of his fingernails instantly began to lengthen at high speed, transforming into a longsword. As for the other dagger-like fingernails, they grew shorter until they disappeared.

“Transform.” The longsword vanished, but a sharp blade appeared at the edge of his palm, making it seem like the edge of a greataxe.

Axe, spear, sword, staff…

All of these could be manifested.

The nine Celestial Immortals couldn’t help but feel delighted with the results of their experiments.

The black-robed Xia Emperor glanced downwards towards them, then smiled. “Enough.”

Ning and the others immediately came to a halt.

“The Heaven Punishers that your formations create possess tremendous power and are skilled in close combat, and so in the war you shall be fighting in melee. These treasures, the ‘Splitters’, shall serve as the weapons for your Heaven Punishers,” the black-robed Xia emperor said. “It doesn’t matter if you are skilled in swords, sabers, or other weapons; the ‘Splitters’ will transform to be of use to you.”

Ning and the others now understood. So these were meant for the Heaven Punisher Formations!

“However, let me warn you,” the black-robed Xia Emperor said, “That although the Heaven Punishers possess enormous strength, they are not very fast or nimble. Your battle tactics have to be adjusted accordingly. Return to your camps and ponder on what is the best way for you to use your Heaven Punishers in battle, so as to allow them to unleash their maximum power.”

“Yes.” Ning and the others immediately withdrew.

……

Within the Darknorth army camp.

Within the largest, centermost private room. This was the commander’s residence, and Yu Wei was present here, along with Ji Ning.

“How should I battle?” Ning was frowning, pondering this question pensively.

He thought back to the feeling he had when he had first taken control over the Heaven Punisher, that feeling of tremendous power. Ning nodded slightly. “Right. The Heaven Punisher is most suited for using greataxes or warhammers; in short, heavy weapons. They should be used to fight in a straightforward, head-on manner, rather than in a nimble, graceful manner.”

In a battle, one had to make use of one’s advantages. If one was clearly weak in terms of agility, and yet still insisted on using flashy, agile sword-arts, one would be courting death.

Fortunately, Ning’s true body was that of a Fiendgod, and so he had many insights with regards to close combat. He also knew multiple sword-arts, and so he was quickly able to come up with a battle method that suited him the most.

“What’s going on? You’ve already come back to rest, but are still here mumbling to yourself,” Yu Wei said with a laugh.

“I’m fine. I’m just thinking about my battle tactics for when I fight against the Seamless Gate,” Ning said with a laugh. “Using the Heaven Punisher is different from using my own Fiendgod body, after all.”

“Mm. Then go ahead and spend some time thinking about it.” Smiling, Yu Wei sat down next to him.

Ning nodded, then immediately began to train.

……

The Eight Dragons Cloudcity was now merely three hundred meters long, and it was hidden within the clouds.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!