The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

"Boom——"

With the final roar, a figure plummeted from the high sky, piercing through the layers of clouds, and fell straight to the earth.

The battle of the tenth-ranked grassland overlord on the Heavenly List concluded, and the victor emerged. It wasn't the confident Golden Wolf Khan but the Cangsheng Sect Master, Daqian Emperor Ancestor Mu Cangsheng.

This tenth-ranked warrior was quite young in the eyes of the world. Yet, nobody knew he was over three hundred years old, only a few decades younger than that white-haired old man Meng Shanhe.

When he achieved Divine Communication, the Golden Wolf Khan wasn't even born.

However, though the Khan was defeated, he was not dead. The falling figure suddenly moved, transforming into a stream of light, flying towards the grassland.

"Trying to escape?"

Mu Cangsheng looked at the stream of light fleeing in panic, "You can't escape."

The backbone of the grassland people was the Golden Wolf Khan, this supreme warrior. If he died, the Golden Wolf Han Court would be finished, unless another supreme warrior emerged from the grassland.

But Mu Cangsheng would not give the grassland the chance or time to produce another supreme warrior.

Once the Golden Wolf Khan was dead, Daqian would no longer need Northern Zhou as a northern barrier. Mu Cangsheng could command Daqian to conquer Northern Zhou, possibly even march straight into the grassland, reaching the Great Snow Mountain at the grassland's edge, unifying the Central Plains along with the grassland.

Therefore, the Golden Wolf Khan had to die.

Mu Cangsheng shot out like an arrow, directly pursuing the defeated grassland overlord.

······························

At Nalanda Temple, Fantian sat on the lotus platform, his golden visage devoid of any ripples, merely watching the images in the hall in silence.

In the image, the Golden Wolf Khan and Mu Cangsheng were fiercely clashing. From the furious battle to the eventual defeat, the Golden Wolf Khan never gained any advantage, completely overshadowed by Mu Cangsheng.

This tenth-ranked warrior on the Heavenly List was somewhat excessive, Indra, watching from the side, couldn't help but feel alarmed.

Until the figures of the two disappeared one after another into the Western Regions, Fantian waved to disperse the images, saying: "Central Plains people are indeed powerful. Even if we Peacock Remnant and grassland people invade Central Plains, it's difficult to make further progress and occupy enough land."

"Fantian," Indra clasped his hands together, "as long as Indra and Auspicious Day can refine the Divine Artifact, Central Plains will eventually belong to us Peacock Remnants."

"That's why Buddha agreed to Mu Cangsheng's terms, letting him think we only need this land of the Western Regions······"

Recalling the discussion with Mu Cangsheng, Fantian's eyes bore an indescribable look, as if mocking and ridiculing.

"Mu Cangsheng thinks we only need the Western Regions as a foothold, without realizing that our aim is not just a foothold, but to revive the Peacock Dynasty.

What we want is not this barren desert, but a true Pure Land where our people can live and work in peace."

"And that day is not far······"

Fantian twirled the prayer beads, seemingly talking to himself, or perhaps speaking to Indra, "Since Buddha led the Peacock Remnants to Central Earth, it has been thousands of years. Our Peacock Remnants have longed for a turnaround, and now, it's finally here.

Indra, how goes the refining of the Divine Artifact?"

"Not far from complete refinement."

A golden Divine Pestle appeared in Indra's hand, the air in the entire hall clenching as if there was a sound of shattering, seemingly as if the space itself was vibrating from the power of the Divine Pestle.

"As long as you and Auspicious Day refine the Divine Artifact, the day of reviving the Peacock Dynasty isn't far. Henceforth, the Cangsheng Sect will withdraw from the Western Regions, and we will have ample time and opportunity to refine the Divine Artifact. Meanwhile, the Central Plains people will fight until they die, eventually allowing us, the citizens of the Peacock Country, to restore our rivers and mountains."

Behind Fantian, a Dharma Image with four faces and four arms appeared, radiating endless Buddha Light that corresponded with the Divine Pestle. Yet within this Buddha Light, it seemed as if something else was brewing, an unknown entity moving mysteriously, exuding a disquieting aura.

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Inside Heavenly Gate Pass, corpses lay everywhere, and blood was the predominant sight.

Gao Boyang's Northwest Army, after entering the Pass, launched a surprise attack on the unsuspecting Divine Martial Army left behind, catching the defense soldiers completely off guard.

Luo Feng had not anticipated that the enemy would lay deadly traps not only within Daqian but also internally. He had dispatched most of the soldiers stationed within Heavenly Gate Pass to attack Kartim, leaving the gate undefended and allowing Gao Boyang to capture it at a small cost.

"Report, General, the remnants of the Divine Martial Army within Heavenly Gate Pass have been completely eradicated. Our army now fully controls this pass."

Sitting atop a pile of corpses, Gao Boyang, having heard the report from his deputy, lightly waved his hand and said, "Get busy."

"Yes."

After the deputy left, Gao Boyang casually sat there, watching the bustling soldiers around with a slightly bewildered expression.

The plan proceeded smoothly, Heavenly Gate Pass was captured, and the next step was waiting for the grassland armies to arrive, to pincer the Yin Soldiers and Duke Shenwu in Kartim.

Yet the signal from the grassland armies had not reached him, and an ominous premonition lingered in Gao Boyang's heart.

It felt as if something was wrong, or rather, a certain crisis was approaching.

"Something is not right······" Gao Boyang murmured to himself.

"It is indeed not right."

A familiar voice sounded in his ear, and Gao Boyang's face lit up with joy as he whispered, "Senior Shiming, is it you who have come?"

"It is I. Boyang, the action has failed. You must immediately withdraw from Heavenly Gate Pass."

"Withdraw? Withdraw to where?"

No matter how much he imagined, Gao Boyang never expected Senior Shiming to advise withdrawal. At this point, where else could he withdraw to?

Betrayal was inevitable, and if he didn't facilitate the Golden Wolf Han Court's advance, he'd face Daqian's reckoning.

The moment he killed the first Divine Martial soldier, he had no retreat.

"Do not worry. This time, Daqian's move was shrewd, catching us by surprise. However, with swift action, this defeat can turn into an opportunity for victory," Senior Shiming's voice transmitted.

Mu Cangsheng indeed planned meticulously, even taking the Japanese into account. He must have investigated extensively into the Nine Heavens, understanding their purpose.

The Japanese invasion drew the Sword God to the East Sea, leaving him unable to intervene in the Western Regions. Mu Cangsheng seized the chance to pacify the Western Regions, possibly severely battering the Golden Wolf Han Court.

Yet, Mu Cangsheng did not realize, his focus on the Western Regions gave Shadow King an opportunity.

At this moment, was he not like another Sword God, lured away, allowing others to seize the chance?

"Daqian Shunping Prince will rebel, and we have resolved to fully support him in seizing the throne. After you leave Heavenly Gate Pass, join Prince Shunping's ranks and serve him. Starting tonight, tear apart Daqian's rivers and mountains, dividing the world into three."

Senior Shiming's words left Gao Boyang alarmed.

The actions would be so radical, taking place overnight, or adding tomorrow's daylight, to tear apart half of Daqian's territory. At least, occupy enough land during this time.

For others, this would be a fantasy, but for Nine Heavens, it was not impossible.

After the initial shock, what followed for Gao Boyang was a deep sense of anticipation.

Prince Shunping was a figure who could stir the clouds and rain in the court. He undoubtedly could protect the Northwest Army and Gao Boyang. Moreover, he had the capability to conduct such a rebellion.

More importantly······

"When war breaks out, it's my wish!"

The Po Jun Star in the night sky shone brighter, strands of Star Power cascaded from the stars, merging into Gao Boyang's body. Po Jun Star Lord was born for war, and what Gao Boyang looked forward to most was just that—warfare.

"Give the order!" Gao Boyang stood up and shouted, "The whole army, march to Shu Province."