Western Frontier, Vanguard of the Heavenly Elite Pioneers

After the army set out, the heavens and earth seemed to tremble under the iron hooves.

What a momentum it was for a six-hundred-thousand-strong army to march west!

The vanguard cleared the way, the left and right wings spread for a hundred miles, the central army's dragon banners blotted out the sky, and the rear army's supply train stretched endlessly like a long dragon.

Every single runic war chariot was engraved with the latest demon-suppressing runes developed by the Great Zhou Ministry of Works.

Every runic heavy cannon was manned by three Aperture Opening Realm soldiers responsible for loading spirit stone shells.

In the sky, hundreds of small flying boats patrolled, with recording crystals and detection arrays hanging from their bottoms.

This was no ordinary expedition.

This was the first time Great Zhou had tied its state machinery, sect resources, strange item powers, and public opinion together to launch a domain-destroying war against foreign enemies.

Along the way, the commoners of various prefectures knelt on both sides of the road.

Some shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Some were in tears.

There were also those who looked at the sect cultivators being escorted west with complex expressions.

They didn't know how many people would die in this war.

But they knew one thing—

As long as Wang Hao stood at the forefront, Great Zhou would not retreat.

That was enough.

Thirty days later.

The army arrived at the border between the Eastern Wasteland and the Western Regions.

This place was called Broken Sun Pass.

Further west was the Blood Sand Wasteland on the border of the Western Regions.

Fierce winds blew year-round in the Blood Sand Wasteland, and the sand was dark red. Legend had it that it was dyed by the blood of countless martial artists during the ancient war between humans and demons.

When the wind blew, the sand and dust looked like a blood mist.

The sky in the distance was dim and yellow, and at the end of the horizon, one could vaguely see a twisted black mountain range.

Those mountains looked like the spines of giant beasts lying on the ground, giving people an indescribable sense of oppression.

Wang Hao stood on the Nine Dragons War Chariot, a palm-sized black ancient tower floating beside him.

Thunder Abyss Demon-Suppressing Tower.

Strange Item Ranking: 56.

The tower had nine levels, each wrapped in faint blue thunder runes.

This tower could imprison lightning and use it as a weapon.

The first to ninth levels corresponded to the full-force strikes of martial artists from the first to ninth realms.

Currently, the tower's reserves could unleash seven full-force strikes of the eighth realm, the Sky Soaring Realm—Thunder Phoenix attacks.

Attacks below the eighth realm would take the form of thunder snakes.

Wang Hao gently tapped the tower with his finger, looking as relaxed as if he were teasing a bird.

Low rumbles of thunder could be heard from within the tower, seemingly very dissatisfied.

Wang Hao smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry. There will be plenty of things for you to strike."

Wei Zhongxian reported in a low voice from the side:

"Your Majesty, thirty miles ahead is Blood Centipede Gorge. Scouts report chaotic auras in the gorge, suspected to be demonic activity."

Wang Hao's eyes flickered.

[Ding!]

[Detected that the host has arrived at a special sign-in location: Broken Sun Pass Broken Stele.]

[Sign in?]

"Sign in."

[Sign-in successful. Obtained 100,000 high-grade spirit stones.]

[Obtained intelligence update: There is a leyline evil eye underground in Blood Centipede Gorge, which can shield ordinary detection arrays. Western Region demonic ambushers are waiting for the Great Zhou vanguard to enter deep into the gorge.]

[Hidden intelligence: This ambush is not the real main force, but the first pawn deliberately thrown out by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion to test the host's trump cards.]

[Extra hint: There are Nightfiend remnant pollutants in Blood Centipede Gorge, suitable for the New Emperor Sword to devour and evolve, but it may cause the artifact spirit's behavior to lose control.]

After reading this, the corners of Wang Hao's mouth curled up.

Testing me?

What a coincidence.

I also like to use others to test things.

He turned to look at the vanguard camp ahead.

A hundred prodigies had already assembled.

Xiao Chen wore cyan battle armor, a long sword on his back, his face cold.

Ye Guyun was dressed in white, a long saber hanging from his waist, his eyes calm but with a restrained sharpness.

Wanyan Gu carried a giant axe on his shoulder, his face full of displeasure.

Qin Hongye held a long spear, her fighting spirit burning fiercely.

There were also young powerhouses from forces like Fire Cloud Valley, Wind and Thunder Sect, Heavenly Net Clan, and Ice and Snow Divine Palace.

They were all famous on the Prodigy Roll.

Normally, any one of them would be a precious treasure pampered by their sects.

Now, they stood in a row, waiting to be sent by Wang Hao to scout the way.

Wang Hao picked up a voice-amplifying dharma artifact, his voice lazy:

"Vanguard camp, listen to my command."

"Within a thirty-mile radius of Blood Centipede Gorge ahead, there are suspected activities of Western Region demonic scouts."

"Your mission is to clear out enemy hidden sentries, scout the path, and ensure the passage of the main force."

"Those who complete the mission will receive 300 contribution points, 1,000 high-grade spirit stones, and 100,000 taels of silver."

Xiao Chen looked up. "And if we fail?"

Wang Hao smiled. "That means you tried very hard, but unfortunately died."

Everyone: "..."

Wanyan Gu couldn't help but curse, "This dog emperor really doesn't speak a word of human language."

Ye Guyun reminded him, "The voice-amplifying array is still on."

Wanyan Gu's face stiffened.

Sure enough, Wang Hao's voice came through:

"Wanyan Gu, insulting the Alliance Leader, deduct 10% of this month's performance points. Considering you are about to go into battle, the military beating is temporarily suspended and will be made up when you return."

Wanyan Gu almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Xiao Chen closed his eyes. At least this dog emperor knew to offer rewards; that was progress. He took a deep breath.

"Move out."

The hundred prodigies turned into streaks of light and swept toward Blood Centipede Gorge.

They were extremely fast, passing through the Blood Sand Wasteland with sand and dust billowing like waves under their feet.

The closer they got to Blood Centipede Gorge, the colder and more sinister the surrounding aura became.

The rock walls on both sides of the gorge were a bizarre dark red, densely covered with black vines.

Those vines squirmed slowly like living creatures, occasionally dripping foul-smelling slime.

"It's poisonous."

Qin Hongye picked up a drop of slime with the tip of her spear, and white smoke immediately rose from it.

Xiao Chen said in a deep voice, "Form the Three Talents Array, do not separate."

Everyone quickly grouped up.

Those who could enter the Prodigy Roll were not fools.

They might curse Wang Hao verbally, but they knew in their hearts that this was war.

On the battlefield, a single moment of carelessness could cost lives.

Barely five miles into the gorge, the first wave of attacks arrived.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

From the rock walls, dozens of black bone spikes shot through the air.

The bone spikes were entwined with evil energy and were astonishingly fast.

Xiao Chen drew his ruler.

With one strike of the ruler, ruler intent like frost instantly severed more than a dozen bone spikes.

Ye Guyun flashed, his sword light turning into a moon, shattering all the bone spikes attacking from the left.

Wanyan Gu let out an angry roar, his giant axe sweeping across, directly smashing down a piece of the rock wall.

Boom!

From the rubble, three bizarre monsters shaped like centipedes but with human faces were shaken out.

Tier-7 anomalies, Human-Faced Blood Centipedes.

They were ten zhang long, with tough carapaces, and emitted baby-like cries from their mouthparts.

"Waaah—"

Hearing the cries, the eyes of several prodigies with slightly weaker cultivation instantly blurred.

"Don't listen!"

Qin Hongye shouted sternly, her long spear turning into a crimson beam, piercing through the head of a Human-Faced Blood Centipede.

However, the monster didn't die immediately. The severed human face suddenly split open, spewing out a blob of green acid.

Qin Hongye dodged sideways, but a Fire Cloud Valley disciple behind her couldn't dodge in time. Half of his shoulder armor was instantly corroded through, and he flew backward screaming.

Ye Guyun's eyes turned cold.

His sword intent surged.

"Heavenly Frost Twelve Swords!"

Twelve intersecting sword lights cut the Human-Faced Blood Centipede into pieces.

However, after the pieces fell to the ground, they were still squirming.

"These things can't be killed completely!"

Xiao Chen split another monster with his ruler, his face ugly.

Right at this moment—

Clang!

A sword chime suddenly rang out beside Xiao Chen.

No.

It wasn't Xiao Chen's sword.

It was the New Emperor Sword at Wang Hao's waist in the distant army.

A pitch-black sword light suddenly pierced through the air.

Its speed was so fast that no one could react.

Boom!

The sword light plunged into the center of the canyon, kicking up a ring of black air waves.

The next moment, the sword's body twisted and actually transformed into the figure of a young man wearing a black-and-gold robe.

The youth looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old. His features bore a thirty percent resemblance to Wang Hao, but his smile was much more arrogant and far more punchable.

He stretched lazily, his eyes shining as he stared at the strange remains littering the ground.

Whoa.

A buffet?

Xiao Chen's pupils shrank.

A Weird Artifact taking human form?

Ye Guyun's expression was grave. Is this... Wang Hao's Emperor Sword?

The black-robed youth turned his head to look at them, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Let me correct you.

I am the New Emperor Sword.

My Weird Artifact ranking just rose from five hundred and forty-three to three hundred and forty-five.

You may call me—Master Sword.

Everyone: ...

Wanyan Gu was dumbfounded. Even a sword can be this punchable?

The New Emperor Sword smiled brightly.

Thanks for the compliment.

The next moment, his figure vanished.

When he reappeared, he was already standing on top of the head of a Human-Faced Blood Centipede.

He did not use a sword.

Because he himself was a sword.

He plunged his five fingers into the monster's skull, and black patterns instantly spread out.

That Rank Seven Weird entity struggled frantically, letting out ear-piercing shrieks.

But in just three breaths, its massive body shriveled up. All of its flesh, evil qi, and Weird origin essence were completely devoured.

The New Emperor Sword closed his eyes, a look of intoxication on his face.

The taste is average.

But it's filling.

Xiao Chen and the others felt their scalps tingle watching this.

This sword was not normal.

Extremely abnormal.

Even more abnormal than Wang Hao himself.

Deep within the canyon, more evil demons were alerted.

Black shadows surged out from the cliff walls, the underground, and behind the vines.

Evil demonic cultivators of the Western Regions, wearing tattered black robes, had their skin covered in evil tattoos.

They controlled Weird entities and let out eerie cackles.

The little brats from the Eastern Wasteland are here!

Kill them!

Dig out their hearts for sacrifice!

Xiao Chen's eyes turned cold.

Engage the enemy!

Boom!

A hundred heaven-chosen prodigies clashed head-on with the evil demons.

Sword light, saber glints, spear shadows, flames, and ice instantly filled the canyon.

This battle was extremely tragic and fierce.

Xiao Chen fought alone against three True Intent Realm demonic cultivators, his sword qi tearing through the bloody mist.

Ye Guyun's saber intent was like a lone moon; with every strike that fell, severed demonic limbs would fly into the air.

Wanyan Gu was bathed in blood. After smashing a Rank Seven Weird entity with his giant axe, half of his own arm was corroded by acid.

Qin Hongye's spear was like a dragon, consecutively taking down seven enemies, but her waist and abdomen were also sliced open by a bone spike, leaving a wound deep enough to show bone.

The New Emperor Sword was the most insane.

He didn't look like he was here to provide support at all.

He looked like he was here for a banquet.

Wherever there were more Weird entities, he charged in that direction.

Killing while devouring.

Devouring while laughing.

Don't run!

You grew up this ugly just to be eaten by me, didn't you?

Don't worry, I'm not a picky eater!

An evil demonic cultivator retreated in terror. What kind of monster is this?!

The New Emperor Sword grinned. I am justice.

Pfft!

He pierced through the opponent's chest with one hand, forcefully extracting the evil qi and swallowing it.

In the distance, on a war chariot.

Wang Hao looked at the scene in the recording crystal and frowned slightly.

Wei Zhongxian asked cautiously, Your Majesty, should we recall the Emperor Sword?

Wang Hao fell silent for a moment.

Then he said, No need.

Wei Zhongxian was taken aback.

Wang Hao narrowed his eyes at the depths of the canyon.

Let it eat.

The happier it eats, the easier it is for the fish to take the bait.

A chill ran down Wei Zhongxian's spine.

He suddenly realized that from the very beginning, His Majesty never expected the vanguard camp to merely scout the way.

How was this scouting?

This was using a hundred heaven-chosen prodigies as blood bait.

And the fragrant kind at that.

Inside the Blood Centipede Canyon, the battle lasted for half an hour.

The hundred heaven-chosen prodigies slew thirty-two Rank Seven Weird entities and over two hundred evil demonic cultivators.

But they also paid a heavy price.

Four heaven-chosen prodigies died in battle.

Six were severely injured.

Of those remaining, almost everyone was wounded.

Xiao Chen decapitated the last demonic scout with a strike of his ruler, panting as he said:

Send the signal.

Ye Guyun took out a signal talisman.

But just as he was about to activate it—

Heaven-shaking battle cries suddenly rang out from behind.

Rumble!

The earth trembled.

The main army of the Great Zhou had unexpectedly begun to advance at full speed!

Xiao Chen's expression changed drastically.

We haven't cleared the flanks yet!

Wanyan Gu clutched his wound and roared:

Dog Emperor! You sold us out?!

The next moment, the cliff walls on both sides of the canyon burst open with a loud boom.

Densely packed evil demonic cultivators and Weird monsters surged out from underground, rock crevices, and behind the black vines.

At least three hundred thousand of them.

Like hunters who had been waiting for a long time, they finally bared their fangs.

Xiao Chen and the others were surrounded in the center of the canyon.

Ye Guyun looked around and swore for the first time.

Damn it.

The New Emperor Sword stood on a pile of Weird remains, yet his eyes were terrifyingly bright.

Nice.

Extra meal.