Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 148 The Styx Ancestor Attacks

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The situation in the three northern continents has been largely stabilized.

The Tiger Warriors and the Border Army began joint drills, with the Eight Great Warriors personally instructing the battle formations, and Zhao Zilong taking command of the entire army.

Li Chunfeng began to set up numerous defensive formations along the border.

Zhuge Liang oversaw logistics, ensuring the supply of food, provisions, and military equipment.

Lin Chen continued to live a leisurely life, spending his days enjoying flowers and the moon with his three wives in the mansion.

Occasionally, they would take a stroll around the military camp, ostensibly for "inspection," but in reality, it was just a casual walk.

That afternoon, Lin Chen was listening to Qin Shuyan play the zither in the courtyard when Ye Qingying suddenly rushed over.

"Eighth brother, something's happened."

"Hmm?" Lin Chen opened his eyes.

"A powerful aura is approaching from the direction of the East China Sea." Ye Qingying's expression was solemn.

"The speed is extremely fast; it will take at most half a day to reach Dingbei City."

Moreover… that aura was cold and deathly still, originating from the same source as the Netherworld Sect's techniques, but even stronger.

Lin Chen sat up, narrowing his eyes: "Ancestor Styx?"

"It should be." Ye Qingying nodded.

"The Heavenly Secrets Institute has just sent word that Ancestor Styx left the East Sea three days ago and his whereabouts are unknown."

Now it seems he came for Dingbei City.

Xiao Yulou stopped peeling grapes and said worriedly:

"Eighth Brother, Ancestor Styx is ranked second on the Heavenly Ranking, with peak Celestial Realm cultivation. If he really comes, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?" Lin Chen laughed. "It's good that he's here, so I don't have to go looking for him later."

He looked at Ye Qingying: "Sixth Sister-in-law, have Mr. Li strengthen the city's defenses."

Inform Zilong and the Eight Great Vajras to be on high alert. Also... please have Mr. Li Bai come over.

"Yes."

Nightfall was a fleeting shadow.

Xiao Yulou also stood up: "Eighth Brother, I'll go make some preparations."

"Prepare what?" Lin Chen asked, puzzled.

"Let's meet the enemy," Xiao Yulou said matter-of-factly. "Although I'm only at the early stage of Grandmaster, I can still be of help."

Qin Shuyan also said, "I'll go help set up the defenses too."

Seeing the two women's earnest expressions, Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart and smiled:

"Okay, then you guys go ahead and get busy, remember to be careful."

After the two women left, Lin Chen lay back down on the recliner and closed his eyes.

"Ancestor Styx... at the peak of the Celestial Realm, what gives you the confidence?"

……

Half a day later, at dusk.

Dark clouds covered the sky above Dingbei City.

A figure in black robes stood in mid-air.

It was none other than the Styx Ancestor.

He looked down at the city below, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"The aura of the Demon Lord's essence... though faint, it is indeed present," he murmured.

"It seems that the ancient holy power has not completely obliterated its origin."

He scanned the entire city with his divine sense and finally locked onto the General's Mansion.

"Found it."

Just as he was about to make a move, a figure in a green robe suddenly appeared opposite him.

Li Bai, carrying a wine gourd, looked at him with hazy, drunken eyes:

"What brings you here from afar?"

The Styx Ancestor's pupils contracted: "Li Bai!"

"That is indeed me," Li Bai said, taking a sip of wine.

"You must be the Styx Ancestor, second on the Heavenly Ranking. I've heard so much about you."

"Enough with the nonsense," the Styx Ancestor said coldly. "Hand over the Demon Lord's essence, and I may spare your life."

"The Demon Lord's Origin?" Li Bai raised an eyebrow. "What is that? I've never heard of it."

"Playing dumb?" Old Ancestor Styx sneered. "Then don't blame me for being impolite."

With one step, the pressure of a peak Celestial Realm expert erupted!

But the next moment, Li Bai's aura was suddenly released.

Both were at the peak of the Celestial Realm, but their sword intent was so sharp it seemed to pierce the sky!

"A terrestrial immortal?!" The Styx Ancestor's expression changed slightly. "How did you break through?"

"Just lucky," Li Bai laughed. "So, do you still want to fight?"

The Styx Ancestor stared at Li Bai, then suddenly laughed:

"Li Bai, do you think you can stop me just because you've broken through to the level of a terrestrial immortal?"

Black energy surged around him, and his aura began to rise wildly!

Peak Celestial Being... Half-step Land Immortal... Early Stage Land Immortal!

Ultimately, he reached the mid-stage of the Land Immortal realm!

"What?!" Li Bai's expression finally changed. "You...you already broke through?!"

"Didn't expect that, did you?" Old Ancestor Styx grinned maliciously.

"After two hundred years of forbearance, I have finally refined the remnant soul of the Demon Lord and broken through to become a terrestrial immortal."

Today, I will use you as a guinea pig, a sacrifice to my demonic path!

He raised his hand and slapped down.

A gigantic black hand, a thousand feet in size, materialized out of thin air, its palm churning with demonic energy and carrying a world-destroying power, and struck directly at Li Bai!

This palm strike has transcended the realm of the Celestial Realm; it is the true power of a terrestrial immortal!

Li Bai dared not be negligent and drew his long sword.

"Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come down from the sky—"

The sword energy poured down like a reversed Milky Way, heading straight for the giant black hand.

"boom--!!!"

The two forces collided, shattering space inch by inch and revealing dark void cracks.

The aftershocks swept down, causing the defensive array of Dingbei City to tremble violently, its light flickering erratically.

The people in the city looked up in terror and saw that half of the sky was filled with sword energy like rainbows and the other half with raging demonic energy, as if the end of the world had come.

Inside the general's mansion, Lin Chen stood in the courtyard, looking up at the battle raging in the sky, his expression calm.

Qin Shuyan and the other two women stood behind him, their faces pale.

"Eighth Brother... can Mr. Li Bai win?" Qin Shuyan asked in a trembling voice.

"Yes," Lin Chen said calmly. "Mr. Li will not lose."

Even so, a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes.

The Styx Ancestor was actually a terrestrial immortal, and at the mid-stage, which was beyond his expectations.

The battle in the sky grew increasingly fierce.

Li Bai's swordsmanship was divine; each strike contained the ultimate truths of the universe.

However, the Styx Ancestor possessed overwhelming demonic power, and his every move was filled with surging demonic energy, which subtly suppressed Li Bai.

"Li Bai, although you have broken through to the level of a terrestrial immortal, your time is still short." The Styx Ancestor laughed wildly.

"Having refined the remnant soul of the Demon Lord and obtained the true teachings of the demonic path, I will surely slay you today!"

He formed hand seals, and the demonic energy around him transformed into nine ferocious demonic dragons, roaring as they pounced on Li Bai.

Each of the nine demonic dragons possesses the power to destroy cities and the earth; when all nine appear together, the world changes color.

Li Bai's face was solemn, his long sword pointing to the sky.

"Everyone has their own unique talents, and though I may spend all my wealth, it will return."

The sword light split into thousands of sword shadows, forming a sword array to meet the nine demonic dragons.

"BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!"

The explosions continued incessantly, tearing the sky open with dark cracks.

The defensive array protecting Dingbei City finally gave way and shattered with a crash!

The aftershocks swept down, causing buildings to collapse in large numbers throughout the city, and people cried out and fled.

Lin Chen's eyes turned cold, and he raised his hand and waved it.

An invisible barrier rose up, protecting Dingbei City within it.

But some parts of the city were already in a state of chaos.

"Mr. Taibai, let's finish this quickly," Lin Chen said loudly.

In the sky, Li Bai also realized that he could not fight for long.

He took a deep breath, and the longsword in his hand emitted a dazzling golden light.

"Ancestor of the Styx, take my final sword strike—"

He recited in a loud voice:

"He can kill one man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles!"

With each word uttered, the sword light intensified.

After the cross was recited, the sword light illuminated the entire sky, even suppressing the demonic energy.

"Having accomplished his task, he dusted himself off and departed, concealing his identity and fame!"

As the last two lines were recited, the sword light suddenly receded, transforming into a thin golden thread that pierced towards the Styx Ancestor.

This sword strike embodies Li Bai's lifelong insights into swordsmanship; it is a true, deadly strike!

The Styx Ancestor's expression changed drastically, and he frantically activated his demonic energy, setting up layers of defense in front of him.

But where the gold thread passes, the defense crumbles like paper.

Finally, the golden thread pierced the forehead of the Styx Ancestor.

Time seemed to stand still.

The Styx Ancestor stared wide-eyed at Li Bai in disbelief.

"What...what kind of swordsmanship is this...?"

"The Sword of Slaughter." Li Bai sheathed his sword and said calmly, "I use poetry as my sword, and my sword as my poetry."

The Styx Ancestor's body began to disintegrate, turning into a sky full of black mist.

But just as he was about to completely dissipate, a barely perceptible black light shot out from his body, disappeared into the void, and vanished.

Li Bai frowned, wanting to give chase, but he could no longer sense the whereabouts of the black light.

He shook his head and returned to the general's mansion.

"My lord, I have not failed you."

Looking at Li Bai's pale face, Lin Chen knew that he had been greatly exhausted in this battle.

"You've worked hard." Lin Chen nodded. "Go and rest first."

"Yes."

After Li Bai left, Lin Chen looked up at the sky.

Although the Styx Ancestor was dead, the escaped black light left him with a lingering unease.

"The demonic path... is indeed troublesome."

He turned to Zhuge Liang and said:

"Master Kongming, pacify the people and repair the city."

Furthermore, with heightened security, I fear... this is just the beginning.

"I understand."

Lin Chen then looked north: "Wanyan Honglie should have seen this battle as well."

"Order the entire army to prepare; a great battle... is about to begin."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"

Night falls.

Dingbei City was brightly lit as the military and civilians worked together to repair the city.

Meanwhile, to the north, at the Wolf Mountain camp.

Wanyan Honglie stood outside the tent, watching the sword light and demonic aura gradually dissipate in the southern sky, his expression solemn.

"A battle between terrestrial immortals..." he murmured.

"Truly terrifying!"

He then turned to his lieutenant and said:

"Order the entire army to strengthen its defenses."

Furthermore…send a message to His Majesty requesting reinforcements; this battle is going to be difficult.”

"yes!"

In the darkness of night, undercurrents surged.

A storm is brewing in the North.