Chapter 337: The Fortress War! The Sudden Arrival of a Strong Warrior!
Chapter 337: The Fortress War! The Sudden Arrival of a Strong Warrior!
Outside a magnificent fortress located at the border of the Tagore Desert and the outskirts of the Demon Beast Mountain Range, a fierce battle is unfolding. In this complex terrain, countless soldiers from the Jia Ma Empire and serpent-men warriors are engaged in a life-and-death struggle. However, the true key to the outcome of this war lies in the battle taking place high in the sky among nine dazzling figures.
In this war, the highest-ranking general of the Jia Ma Empire is Nalan Jie, who has just recovered from a severe illness. Among the four other human warriors, three are former top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, while the last one is a mysterious newcomer to the battlefield.
“Brother Yan Xiao, we’re really fortunate to have your help this time!”
In the sky, after separating from the serpent-men leader, the elderly Nalan Jie smiled warmly at the somewhat thin figure of a young man.
“Marshal Nalan, you’re too kind. If it weren’t for the troops providing me with some herbs to counteract the serpent poison, I probably wouldn’t even be able to speak here today.”
This thin young man was none other than Xiao Yan, who had previously been pursued by the three serpent-men leaders: Mobas, Nanshe, and another. After managing to shake them off, Xiao Yan was severely wounded by Mobas and eventually found his way to this fortress.
This fortress, being on constant guard against the serpent-men tribe, had accumulated a significant stock of herbs and antidotes for serpent poison over the years.
Xiao Yan successfully used these herbs to refine an antidote for Mobas's serpent poison.
Because of this, Xiao Yan owed a great favor. When the other four serpent-men leaders led an army to attack the fortress, Xiao Yan also joined the battlefield.
Originally, the four serpent-men leaders, relying on their combined battle formation, were overpowering the four Dou Kings of the Jia Ma Empire. However, with Xiao Yan’s sudden entry into the fray, the situation immediately stabilized.
The two sides fought seven or eight times without a clear victor.
This time, just like before, the five Dou Kings of the Jia Ma Empire fought to a draw against the four serpent-men leaders.
After leaving behind a harsh threat, the serpent-men tribe reluctantly chose to retreat temporarily.
Seeing the serpent-men retreat, a burly man loudly asked Nalan Jie, “Nalan Jie, this war has been dragging on for so long. Why hasn’t the royal family sent reinforcements yet?”
“Indeed, although we can still hold out for now, the serpent-men tribe still has Queen Medusa, who hasn’t made a move yet. If Queen Medusa joins the battle, I’m afraid we won’t stand a chance!” echoed a thin, elderly man.
“Lion King, Feng Li, are you implying that Elder Jia is deliberately not sending us support?” Nalan Jie asked directly, catching the meaning behind their words.
“That’s right, old man Nalan! You’re now the highest authority on this battlefield for the empire. You should know the situation here well. If Queen Medusa suddenly attacks, it would be a one-sided massacre!” Yan Shi, the hot-tempered man, responded irritably.
“Sigh, I’ve contacted Princess Yao Ye many times, but she said that the other neighboring empires are also showing signs of unrest, so Elder Jia is currently too preoccupied to assist us!” Nalan Jie sighed helplessly.
“If the royal family is planning to use us as cannon fodder, then we won’t play along!” Hearing Nalan Jie’s response, the three men, except for Xiao Yan, were ready to retreat.
“Please calm down, the empire will not abandon us. It’s said that Princess Yao Ye has already gone to seek help from Yun Lan Sect’s Sect Master Yun Yun. If Sect Master Yun Yun can come, even Queen Medusa herself won’t be able to do anything to us!” Seeing their attitudes, Nalan Jie quickly explained.
“Sect Master Yun Yun?”
Upon hearing Nalan Jie’s explanation, Yan Shi, Feng Li, and the others felt a sense of relief.
However, Xiao Yan, who was wearing a mask, remained silent as he listened to their conversation, his thoughts becoming increasingly complicated.
He never imagined that at the edge of the Tagore Desert, he would inexplicably end up becoming "comrades-in-arms" with Nalan Yanran's grandfather, Nalan Jie. And soon, he might even encounter Nalan Yanran's teacher, Yun Yun, the Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect.
"Brother Yan Xiao! Once this war is over, I will personally report your achievements to Princess Yao Ye. The empire has never been stingy in rewarding those who have rendered meritorious service."
Noticing that Xiao Yan had remained silent, Nalan Jie walked over and spoke to reassure him. Nalan Jie truly admired Xiao Yan—not only was he able to refine a third-tier pill at such a young age, but he also possessed the strength of a Dou King. Nalan Jie believed that Xiao Yan's future accomplishments might not fall short of a Dou Emperor, so he was very polite in his speech toward him.
This attitude caused Xiao Yan to slightly alter his perception of the Nalan family.
However, the matter of Nalan Yanran breaking off the engagement had always been a thorn in Xiao Yan's heart. As Nalan Yanran's elder, Nalan Jie could not possibly be unaware of it, so Xiao Yan was very curious about Nalan Jie's opinion on the matter.
"Marshal Nalan, I’ve heard that your granddaughter, Nalan Yanran, was previously engaged to the Xiao family in Wu Tan City, correct?" Xiao Yan asked calmly.
Hearing Xiao Yan suddenly bring up this matter, Nalan Jie’s elderly face froze for a moment before showing a deeply ashamed expression. He sighed, "Sigh, this is all my fault, Nalan Jie. I failed Brother Xiao Lin. Yanran broke off the engagement without even consulting us..."
Although Nalan Jie did not directly comment on Nalan Yanran's decision to break off the engagement, his words carried a tone of guilt and regret, which made it difficult for Xiao Yan to harbor resentment toward him.
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in his complicated thoughts, a terrifyingly powerful aura suddenly emanated from the retreating serpent-men army.
Sensing this aura, Nalan Jie, Yan Shi, Feng Li, and the other Dou Kings, who had just relaxed, immediately tensed up and went on high alert.
Under their watchful gaze, a woman slowly approached, walking through the air and eventually stopping above the serpent-men army.
"This is—!"
When they saw that the woman had legs indistinguishable from those of a human, the four renowned Dou Kings of the Jia Ma Empire couldn’t help but gasp.
They were well aware of what it meant for a member of the serpent-men tribe to shed their tail and take on a human form.
"Could this be the fabled Queen Medusa of the serpent-men tribe?"
"Who would have thought that Queen Medusa has already reached the Dou Zong realm!"
As they spoke, the four Dou Kings, including Xiao Yan, who was frowning, unconsciously began retreating toward the fortress.
(End of this chapter)
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