Chapter 8, The Blood Battle at Dawn

There is still an arrow left in hand

At this moment, they were less than ten zhang away from the enemy's main force positioned on the right bank. Although the enemy, due to certain concerns, did not dare to shoot arrows, every one of them wielded their swords and spears like a pack of hungry wolves eyeing their prey, sharpening their teeth and flexing their claws, wishing for a command that would allow them to pounce down and fiercely attack the seven enemies who were entangled in a chaotic battle with their cavalry, fully displaying the fearless and valiant nature of the Turkic warriors.

The warhorse, having lost its master, was startled and began to leap wildly. As the chaos spread like ripples, Long Ying charged down between the two riders on Xue Er, switching to a wide, straight blade shaped like a wave at the other end. He struck at the four riders blocking the way with various techniques of chopping, slashing, slicing, and stabbing, hitting his opponents before their fluctuations reached him. His magical energy was incredibly fierce, causing the fluctuations to become extremely brief and rapid, breaking into the bodies of his adversaries like a bolt of lightning. Those struck were left with shattered meridians, spitting blood and being thrown aside.

This hillock concentrated the strongest elite troops, commanded by Lin Zhuang, with all members of the expert team present, responsible for the outer defense. They held off the enemy's attacks with shields and long weapons, with one hundred and fifty elite soldiers occupying every inch of the high ground, forcing the enemy onto the slope and gaining the advantage of height. However, without the breakthroughs from Long Ying and others, no matter how formidable the formation, they would ultimately be unable to withstand the relentless assaults of the enemy, who had the advantage in numbers. Yet, with Long Ying and others charging head-on against the enemy's sharp attacks, the pressure was significantly reduced. Otherwise, once breached, it would devolve into a situation of fighting individually, leading to rapid consumption and annihilation by the enemy. But without the breakthroughs from Long Ying and others, no matter how formidable the formation, they would ultimately be unable to withstand the relentless assaults of the enemy, who had the advantage in numbers. Yet, with Long Ying and others charging head-on against the enemy's sharp attacks, the pressure was significantly reduced. Otherwise, once breached, it would devolve into a situation of fighting individually, leading to rapid consumption and annihilation by the enemy.

The commander, with the knife falling to the ground, let his hands hang limply. It was unclear what force sustained him, yet he remained upright for a moment longer, steady and unwavering, before, under the gaze of hundreds of Turkic warriors, he toppled backward like a collapsing mountain of gold or a falling jade pillar.

Because he is situated in the night sky three zhang above, his range is greatly extended, making him even harder to defend against. When he immerses himself in the darkness above, the enemy has no idea what he is doing, as if he has suddenly vanished

In the past, on the Grand Canal, a delegation from Hengkong Muye descended south on a large ship. They were pursued at night by three superior warships from the Yangtze River. He relied on the power of a catapult to launch himself into the air, and then fired rockets from that height, setting the enemy's ships ablaze and rendering them unable to escape, turning them into live targets. At that time, if he failed to hit the target, it would be their ships that sank and their lives that were lost. The current situation is no different; if the leading opponent cannot be eliminated, both sides will be trapped in a bitter struggle, and it remains uncertain who will emerge victorious.

A scream erupted as the commander moved away from his position. The third arrow found its scapegoat, descending from the sky and piercing through the shoulder and neck, entering the body of another soldier, its force shattering his internal organs.

The elite troops were divided on both banks and surged forward like a furious tide, overwhelming the enemy. One side's soldiers were devoid of fighting spirit, while the other side's momentum was like a rainbow. Additionally, the right bank had already been breached by skilled troops, leaving little time to catch their breath. The front line of the Turkic army quickly collapsed, and the enemy scattered in flight, with most abandoning their weapons, seeking only to mount their horses and escape as far as possible.

He closed his eyes and fell from the highest point, simultaneously multitasking; on one hand, he monitored the movements of the enemy commander, while on the other, he listened to the relentless roar of the artillery that was breaking through the enemy lines, and speculated on the point where its force would finally wane and it would fall.

The commander swiftly drew his saber, slicing upwards. With a resounding "bang," although he struck true, he was forcefully pushed aside by the immense power contained in the arrow, causing half of his body to go numb.

Seeing this, Xue'er was extremely excited. Without waiting for his command, she dashed down, swaying left and right, causing the two enemy horses to stumble and fall. A single thread can affect the whole body; how much more so on a battlefield where retreat is not an option and the front lines are constantly pressing forward. Chaos spread from Long Ying and his horse to the front and sides, and the originally orderly enemy cavalry fell into an unacceptable disarray. Men and fallen horses rolled down the slope, and the situation became even more dire. Seizing the opportunity, Long Ying and Xue'er charged down, carving a bloody path for their comrades amidst the swarm of enemies that surged like ants.

After the Empress of the Great Zhou finished reading the "Demonic Seed Cultivation Method," the insights she gained were not merely a form of philosophical thought capable of communicating with the subtle and the divine, but also an extremely powerful mental technique. However, only those who have mastered the Demonic Seed Cultivation Method, like the Dragon Eagle, can truly comprehend it. The first to hear it, the plump eunuch, could not personally experience it as he did.

This high ridge is only fifty or sixty zhang away from the peak of another hill in the rear. Over eight hundred soldiers, commanded by Ding Fumin, have formed a powerful battle formation on the hillside, using thick ropes to create obstacles. This not only supports their comrades at the front but also allows them to shoot mercilessly at the enemy attacking from around the ridge. In the darkness, visibility is poor, and with the urgency of the situation, they cannot pay attention to what is beneath their feet. The first wave of over ten enemy cavalry that charged in were all tripped by the thick ropes stretched across the front of the formation, tightly bound to the tree trunks at both ends. Both horse and rider were shot full of arrows, resembling a beehive, creating yet another obstacle. In the darkness, visibility is poor, and with the urgency of the situation, they cannot pay attention to what is beneath their feet. The first wave of over ten enemy cavalry that charged in were all tripped by the thick ropes stretched across the front of the formation, tightly bound to the tree trunks at both ends. Both horse and rider were shot full of arrows, resembling a beehive, creating yet another obstacle

Ding Fumin's main force was advancing along the river, positioned parallel to the high ground at the front line. Upon hearing Long Ying's long howl as a signal, the soldiers hurriedly began to beat the war drums, shifting from a slow advance to a rapid charge. With a single surge of energy, they charged towards the enemy, over a hundred zhang away, all raising their shields to counter the renowned archery skills of the Turks. Fortunately, the retreating cavalry still obstructed their line of sight, preventing the enemy from using long-range attacks.

However, for the Dragon Eagle, whether friend or foe, everything transforms into a kind of fluctuation, including the attacking weapons, force, and the intangible essence, energy, and spirit, with no omissions whatsoever

The sound reverberated through every corner of the oasis. The morale of the elite troops immediately surged to a boiling point, and they shouted in unison, charging forward at full speed

On the right side, the seeker of difficulties wielded a black blade and a shield made of dragon and eagle materials. With the shield in the left hand and the sword in the right, the combined weight exceeded 200 pounds, making it a super heavy weapon. Those who were struck by it, whether man or weapon, were thrown off their horses with broken bones and torn flesh, truly overwhelming any who dared to stand in its way

His situation fell entirely within the perception of Long Ying, and at a height of two zhang above the ground, he shot out the last arrow

The enemies at the front line and in the middle formation, upon hearing the cries of despair coming from the rear, turned to look. They saw that everyone, including the commander, wore expressions of fear, searching the night sky before dawn.

The "Jietianhong," which can be regarded as the most formidable "mingqi" in the world, forcefully created a significant breach in the seemingly impenetrable front line of the enemy. Those in the rear, unaware of the mischief caused by the Jietianhong, mistakenly believed that the enemy was launching an attack and naturally surged forward to engage, only to collide with the returning cavalry. This resulted in chaos, disrupting the previously orderly formation that had remained unshaken despite earlier minor setbacks.

In the next moment, he leaped off the horse, crouched with his bow drawn, and let out a piercing scream that stunned the entire arena

The Dragon Eagle has completely mastered the fluctuations of both the enemy and our side. Knowing that the Seven-Man Assault Team has exhausted all their efforts, they are already at the end of their strength. If the enemy cavalry is allowed to retreat back into formation, fresh troops will surge in like ants drawn to a carcass. Even with their own capabilities, they would face a disaster of being overwhelmed. It is difficult to advance and equally difficult to retreat. Such battle achievements are hard-won; if we allow the enemy to regroup, by dawn, they will lose all their advantages.

The Dragon Eagle soared into the air with a somersault, kicking three enemies away in succession. It then landed at the place known as Jietianhong, just before more than a dozen enemies pounced. Jietianhong was lifted by him and fell into his hands, which swiftly and skillfully split it in two. The combined spear and halberd measured eight and a half feet in length, with the spiral blade section being six feet long. In an instant, it transformed into a flickering shadow that darted around him, crashing into the enemy ranks, causing them to be thrown into disarray and filled with dread. In their eyes, the Dragon Eagle had become an invincible harbinger of death, something no human strength could resist, and it would never be defeated.

The archers within the formation continuously shot arrows at close range towards their comrades ahead. In the darkness just before dawn, it was nearly impossible to defend against, resulting in a significant number of enemy casualties

In fact, all seven masters suffered injuries, particularly the relatively weaker Jun Huaipai and Guan Yifu, who were severely affected. Although Hu Yi only had two wounds, he was in a dire situation due to excessive exertion and the need to use his energy to control the horse, nearing the point of exhaustion. It was a wise decision to take advantage of the enemy's withdrawal and retreat.

On the battlefield, victory and defeat are commonplace; the issue lies in whether the outcome in a particular corner can influence the overall situation. The defeated strive to prevent the opponent from turning a small victory into a significant one. Therefore, the enemy commander sounded the retreat order precisely when the casualties were not yet severe and our main forces were still in reserve, recalling the attacking cavalry to regroup.

In this perilous situation of war, deeply entrenched in enemy lines, amidst the glint of swords and the clash of weapons, it is impossible to employ the usual extraordinary techniques. Instead, one must rely on the skills honed through years of diligent practice, almost instinctively, to counter the enemy and respond to the battle. There is hardly any time to observe clearly; one must depend solely on intuition and knowledge from books to cope.

This mental technique is extraordinarily effective during a duel between two individuals, but its greatest potential is undoubtedly realized on the battlefield

In the rear, the figures of Huang Yuanwu, Jun Huaipiao, Guan Yifu, and Hu Yi found themselves with little to do for quite some time, until Long Ying arrived at the middle section of the slope. It was only then that Huang Yuanwu's sword, Jun Huaipiao's red tassel spear, Guan Yifu's long iron rod, and Hu Yi's dual axes found their purpose as the enemies on both sides closed in to attack.

The artillery shells swept diagonally over the heads of the enemy troops, directly targeting the front line on the opposite bank. The valiant Turkic warriors were also taken aback, each one scrambling to evade the onslaught. Those unable to escape were immediately met with a gruesome fate, their bodies torn apart and flung in all directions

If they withdraw at this point, the final outcome is unpredictable, but they will certainly be unable to fulfill their promise of not losing a single person; even in victory, it can only be a pyrrhic one

The one shouting is Lin Zhuang, whose loud call resonates across the river with Long Ying's voice, instantly creating the illusion that the entire battle situation is under the control of Long Ying's side

The dragon eagle evokes a sense of history repeating itself

It is precisely because the commander has been overthrown that everyone is left in a state of despair, their hearts and courage diminished, leading to this terrifying sensation

Like an incredible miracle, with brilliant tactics, Long Ying once again led by example, fulfilling his promise of "not losing a single person"

The Dragon Eagle faction suffered over 100 injuries, among which five individuals were in critical condition. Fortunately, all were rescued, and the Dragon Eagle employed every possible means of the infamous physician to achieve this.

Everything transforms into waves

In an instant, the cries of battle echoed across the oasis, as the flames of war spread like wildfire

Ding Fumin is well-versed in military strategy and possesses ample experience. He has issued orders for the entire army to advance steadily and unhurriedly towards the front lines, waiting for the optimal moment for the dragon eagle to seize the opportunity amidst the throngs of troops.

Never has there been a moment when he could better comprehend this state of mind and express it to its fullest extent

At this moment, consolidating the achievements gained from years of traversing the world, along with the enlightenment of the Empress, he ascended another step in the seemingly insurmountable "Realm of Demonic Transformation," deepening his mastery of demonic arts.

As the sky was struck and spun around once more, the weapons of the four men were swept from their hands. When it returned, the four enemies were sent flying, each accompanied by a spray of fresh blood.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhuang immediately changed from defense to offense, charging down the slope. Seven or eight of the more skilled members of the elite group displayed their agility, catching up to the rear of the cavalry, killing and seizing horses without hesitation, fiercely attacking the enemy cavalry who were reluctant to engage. This caused the opposing forces to scatter and ultimately led to their collapse. Lin Zhuang and over a hundred elite soldiers advanced while shooting arrows, and due to the ease of distinguishing the light bands, there was no risk of mistakenly hitting their own brothers.

Three arrows are released in succession, each arrow representing the swiftest fluctuation. The essence, energy, and spirit of the dragon and eagle are tightly focused on the opposing commander, who is undoubtedly an exceptional master of the Turkic tribe, making it no easy task to kill him

The enemy leader's spiritual fluctuations suddenly underwent a dramatic change; truly a master. He crouched forward, and the first arrow narrowly grazed over his head. Another general behind him was unable to evade in time and was pierced through the face by the arrow, unable to even let out a scream before falling backward and meeting his demise.

His weapon, forged from the fusion of the heavens, measures 1 zhang 2 chi in length and weighs 120 jin. The most terrifying fluctuations emanate from it; one end is a hybrid of a halberd and a spear, featuring a conical tip combined with a horizontal blade. It is designed for hooking, pecking, crashing, and stabbing. Two long spears thrust forward, having already hooked the enemy. The tip of the spear vibrates twice, piercing through the opponent's breastplate and shattering their heart. The force of the fluctuations sends two enemies flying backward, causing two others to fall from their horses. In the current circumstances, it is impossible to escape the fated destiny of being trampled by hooves. Two long spears thrust forward, having already hooked the enemy. The tip of the spear vibrates twice, piercing through the opponent's breastplate and shattering their heart. The force of the fluctuations sends two enemies flying backward, causing two others to fall from their horses. In the current circumstances, it is impossible to escape the fated destiny of being trampled by hooves.

In this battle, over 600 enemies were killed; although this number does not exceed half, a substantial amount of grain, arrows, and weapons was obtained. However, those who successfully escaped the oasis do not necessarily return alive to the grassland area

Long Ying swiftly retreated to the center of the six men and shouted, "Brothers, stay in your positions. Guo Ting, protect Xue Er for me."

The Dragon Eagle naturally ascended into the "Extreme of Magical Transformation," seamlessly embedding itself into another extraordinary space. In this realm of martial arts, the distinction between friend and foe vanished, and the concepts of distance and proximity lost their usual significance. Life became a vibrant wave of energy, shifting with emotions, will, aura, and vigor.

At that moment, an arrow seemed to appear from nowhere, suddenly emerging with the speed of a flash of lightning. By the time everyone was startled into awareness, it had already pierced through the armor protecting the commander’s neck, emerging from the other side of his neck.

Everyone experiences a sense of unreality

The Jietian Hong whirled above the head of the Dragon Eagle, spinning faster and faster. Suddenly released, it transformed into a mass of light and shadow, reflecting the flames of the enemy's torches, sweeping diagonally past the front lines of the enemy, capturing the astonished gazes of all the foes. The sound of the wind generated by the spinning made it clear that it was beyond the capacity of any human strength to withstand; even if the one receiving the blow was the Empress herself, she would have to consider evading it first.

The dragon hawks pursued until the edge of the oasis, just as the sun emerged from the horizon

In less than a quarter of an hour, the enemy cavalry units attacked from both sides. One group advanced from the right bank of the Zhennv River to assault the high ground, while another flanked from the left bank for a strong advance. Their offensive was completely shattered. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the enemy commander sounded the horn, recalling the cavalry while simultaneously ordering the central army, which had advanced to within three hundred zhang of the high ground, to dismount and form a shield and arrow formation. He himself took command from a higher position in the rear to stabilize the formation, shifting from offense to defense. Unfortunately, it was too late, and he regretted it too late.

This was his first time engaging in battle against the Turks. In the battle in the northeast beyond the Great Wall, he heavily defeated the Turks with the help of Sun Wanrong, without lifting a finger. The subsequent river crossing ambush was primarily carried out by warriors from the Xianbei and Khitan tribes, and it was not a fair fight. Previously, outside the city of Kucha, he was attacked by a coalition of the Zhennu and Bian'ao forces. Only in this oasis did he finally confront the Turks head-on, and their fierce and valiant soldiers greatly exceeded his expectations. Although the enemy before him was undoubtedly the elite troops of the Turks, it also provided a glimpse into the combat capabilities of the Turks, who are renowned as the mightiest army beyond the Great Wall and in the realm of literature. It is no wonder that the Great Zhou army suffered defeat in every battle against them.

The commander and his close guards were filled with anxiety and unease, scanning their surroundings to determine the source of the cold arrows, while another arrow was shot from a slightly different angle.

More than 800 people shot arrows together. The enemy was constrained by the terrain of high hills, slopes, and rivers. Even though their military strength was double ours, under Ding Fumin's advantage of holding the high ground, the enemy found it extremely difficult to advance even a step beyond the frontline high hills and the thunderous marsh. They did not dare to ascend the high ground to launch an attack within the range of our arrows, which made the position commanded by Lin Zhuang as solid as a steel barrel and as secure as a fortified city.

The Dragon Eagle landed on the shoulder of a Turkmen warrior who was still in a state of shock. Utilizing a technique to sever his heart's meridian, it launched a powerful strike towards the sky, seizing the opportunity to shout in Turkmen: "I, the Dragon Eagle, have already taken down the leader of the Turkmen!"

Chaos spread to the central and rear formations, and in the absence of a leader, panic spread like a plague. The defeat was overwhelming, and when the soldiers in the rear turned their horses around and fled the oasis in a rush, the outcome was already clear.

The wind sweeps through the courtyard, seeking the difficult sky to the left and right wings. The desolate plain dances, with Jun Huai Pu and Guan Yi Fu, Hu Yi, divided into two groups, arranged in front and behind. Following the three, the formation is orderly, and the momentum is like a rainbow, charging forward.

The thunderous roar of the sky had not yet faded as it fell to the ground, capturing the full attention of the enemy. In that moment of displaying power and wreaking havoc, the Dragon Eagle launched into the air, one hand wielding a folding bow while the other drew four arrows from the quiver hanging at Xue'er’s side, aiming at the enemy commander located behind the hill.

Another powerful voice echoed from the opposite shore, shouting in Turkic: "Brothers, charge! No prisoners left alive"

In the courtyard where the wind blows to his left, the Rainbow Sword came into his hand, transforming into a lightning strike, resembling a divine dragon whose head is seen but whose tail is not. As soon as the battle commenced, it severed two long spears of the enemy, relying on astonishing speed. In its fierce execution, it was not beneath the thunderous sky, capable of compensating for the shortcomings of the Dragon Eagle's long weapon, and like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, it maneuvered through the gaps of flesh and bone. The opponent clearly aimed to strike him, yet unbeknownst to them, a flash of light as thin as paper appeared, and in an instant, their throat was cut, just a hair's breadth away, leading to their demise. It could both compensate for the Dragon Eagle's long weapon's deficiencies and, like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, it navigated through the gaps of flesh and bone. The opponent clearly aimed to strike him, yet unbeknownst to them, a flash of light as thin as paper appeared, and in an instant, their throat was cut, just a hair's breadth away, leading to their demise.

The fluctuation of all things

At the moment when the Dragon Eagle charged out from the ranks, just before the enemy's vanguard engaged in close combat on the hill, it rushed down the slope densely filled with enemy cavalry.

Under normal circumstances, after experiencing the benefits, the Dragon Eagle's assault team should know when to return to their own ranks. Although the fierce battle lasted only a short while, with seven members deeply entrenched in the enemy's formation and having slain over a hundred foes, each moment required them to deal with relentless counterattacks. Even super experts would find it difficult to cope due to the depletion of their true essence, not to mention the additional factors of injuries and blood loss affecting their actions

He himself is also a fluctuation, using fluctuations to grasp all the incoming fluctuations in close combat, and then relying on his spiritual response to expand from his own body as the core to the entire battlefield