The soldiers stood motionless like statues, their ranks saturated with Blood Qi.

On every face was a pride unique to the Northern Wilderness.

The Allied States had a saying: "If the Qin Kingdom’s military might were ten measures, the Three States of Northern Wilderness alone would possess eight."

Though the words were clearly meant to sow discord...

...Xiao Mo now felt that even if it wasn’t eight measures, it was at least five or six.

This expedition against the Wei Kingdom was a battle for the very fate of the nation, one where the Qin Kingdom was betting everything it had.

Xiao Shi stood atop the battlements, his gaze sweeping over the entire army. His voice, amplified by Spiritual Power, boomed across the wilderness:

"My Northern Wilderness Army does not execute the nameless, nor do we deign to look upon petty kingdoms!

When we fight, we fight the hard battles!

When we annihilate, we annihilate great kingdoms!

The Wei Kingdom has harassed our borders, violated our people, and contended with our Qin Kingdom for centuries.

Today, that ends!

As the sharpened blades of the Qin Kingdom, what is your duty!?"

"KILL!"

"KILL!"

"KILL!"

The million-strong army roared as one, their voices shaking the heavens and the earth.

After three roars, the million soldiers fell silent once more, leaving only the echoes of their war cry to reverberate between heaven and earth.

"Northern Wilderness Army! March forth!"

At Xiao Shi’s command, the million-strong army moved as one, a singular long spear aimed directly at Bishui City!

When the million-strong army arrived before the walls of Bishui City, its City Lord, Xiahou Nan, was already waiting with his own seven hundred thousand troops arrayed for battle.

The two armies faced each other, a bloody charge seemingly imminent.

Xiahou Nan rode forward, two giant axes in hand. He spat out a blade of grass he’d been chewing and eyed Xiao Shi and his retinue with utter contempt.

Flanking Xiahou Nan were two Immortal Realm Cultivators, and stationed in the very center of his army was a powerful Ascension Realm Cultivator!

Although Xiahou Nan was the City Lord, his own cultivation Realm was not the highest among them.

This was common in the armies of the Allied States; after all, a high Realm didn’t necessarily translate to skill in leading an army.

Furthermore, higher military ranks came with more responsibilities, leaving a Cultivator with less time to train.

Thus, generals in the Allied States typically didn’t have exceptionally high Realms. The high-Realm Cultivators were usually Tributors who accompanied the army on campaigns.

However, there were always exceptions.

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao Shi, for instance, was at Jade Realm Perfection.

Then there was Xiahou Nan himself. Though not yet fifty, he had already reached Golden Core Realm Perfection. He was both brave and cunning, highly regarded by the Wei Kingdom’s Imperial Court. His eventual ascent to the Upper Three Realms was considered all but guaranteed.

"My, Prince Zhenbei, you’ve come with such a menacing army. It’s truly terrifying."

Xiahou Nan looked at Xiao Shi, his expression betraying not a hint of fear. He even seemed to entertain the idea of capturing Xiao Shi alive and dragging him back to the Imperial Court.

"Xiahou Nan, the Wei Kingdom’s Imperial Court is corrupt, with treacherous officials in power and the people suffering. Its mandate is exhausted. Why throw your life away for them? I recognize your talent as a commander. If you surrender to the Qin Kingdom, the lands of Wei will be your future fiefdom."

Xiao Shi said, attempting to persuade him to surrender. His tone was utterly sincere.

"Hahaha, you make a fine offer, Prince." Xiahou Nan propped a foot on his saddle and took a swig from a wineskin. "But how about this instead? You defect to my Wei Kingdom. With the great army under your command and the backing of Wei, you could become the future ruler of the Qin Kingdom! Wouldn’t that be a fine thing?"

Xiao Shi shook his head. "It seems there’s nothing more to discuss."

"If we were here to talk, would we have brought millions of soldiers with us? Are we playing house?" Xiahou Nan sneered. "You’re over a hundred years old, Prince. How can you still be so childish?"

Xiao Shi paid the taunt no mind. Instead, he turned to his officers and said, "Since General Xiahou is unappreciative, which of you will go and test his mettle?"

Xiao Mo saluted with his spear. "This general is willing to test himself against General Xiahou’s Double Axe!"

Xiao Shi smiled. "Good. Then make sure you give General Xiahou a proper welcome."

"Yes, sir!"

Xiao Mo, holding a snow-white long spear and clad in Silver-White Dragon Armor, rode his Snow-Trampling mount to the front lines.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Xiahou Nan clicked his tongue as he eyed Xiao Mo. "You’re just a pretty boy, as frail-looking as one of those scholars. You’re handsome, I’ll give you that. State your name."

"Left General, Xiao Mo."

"Xiao Mo? So you’re the so-called Frost King. Your Realm is too low. It wouldn’t even be satisfying for me to kill you. Scram and send someone else!" Xiahou Nan shook his head, disappointed.

"There’s no need for anyone else. I am more than enough to kill you." Xiao Mo’s voice carried across both armies.

"A bit of spirit. You destroyed the little Wei State and now you think you’re invincible?" Xiahou Nan turned to his men. "But since the Frost King has made his boast, which of my generals wants to go and have a little chat with him?"

"I volunteer." A burly, bearded man rode forward, licking his lips. "The Frost King is a looker, that’s for sure. Once I take him alive, I’m going to have some fun ’comforting’ him in my tent."

"I don’t mind, just don’t break him. The noble ladies in the Wei Kingdom’s Imperial City are all dying to get their hands on Xiao Mo. We’ll have to send him over for them to play with afterward."

"Don’t you worry, City Lord." The bearded man dug his heels into his horse’s sides and charged forward with a long saber. "I am Li Heilong of Shanhe County! Xiao Mo, get your ass ready for me!"

’Looks like I’ll have to start wearing a mask.’

Xiao Mo sighed and shook his head, muttering to himself.

Then, Xiao Mo tightened his grip on his long spear and spurred his mount into a charge.

The instant Xiao Mo attacked, Li Heilong knew he was in trouble.

’This man’s Spear Technique is no simple matter.’

In less than three exchanges, Xiao Mo’s spear pierced Li Heilong’s throat.

With a casual flick of his weapon, Xiao Mo severed the man’s head, impaled it on his spear, and then flung it to the ground before Xiahou Nan. He spoke slowly, "Next."

"Don’t get cocky, boy! I’ll take you on!"

The next moment, a general wielding a Meteor Hammer charged forward.

Xiao Mo met his charge.

Five exchanges later, Xiao Mo’s spear had pierced the man’s heart.

"GOOD!"

After Xiao Mo killed two enemy generals—both at Dragon Gate Realm Perfection—the officers of the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry erupted in cheers.

They had initially worried that Xiao Mo was all form and no substance, just an empty pretty face.

But who would have thought? Xiao Mo slaughtered cultivators of the same Realm as if they were mere chickens and dogs!

"Has the Wei Kingdom truly run out of men? Is there anyone who can give me a real fight?" Xiao Mo jeered.

"I will!"

A Golden Core Realm Sword Cultivator surged forward to engage Xiao Mo.

But thirty exchanges later, this Sword Cultivator was also struck down from his mount.

Then, long spear in hand, Xiao Mo charged alone, directly toward the enemy army!

"Such audacity! Come on, then!"

Xiahou Nan no longer looked down on Xiao Mo. He hefted his Giant Axe and moved to intercept him.

Xiahou Nan’s Cultivation Technique was the "Mountain-Cracking Axe," a style that emphasized powerful, sweeping strikes. Each blow carried the weight of a mountain, aimed at smashing Xiao Mo into a bloody pulp.

He had expected Xiao Mo to evade his ferocious assault.

But Xiao Mo neither dodged nor retreated, meeting every blow head-on. The movements of his long spear were unpredictable, crackling with violent lightning that boomed like thunder.

"The Godslaying Spear? Are you that master’s disciple?" After fifty exchanges, Xiahou Nan finally recognized his opponent’s Spear Technique.

Xiao Mo didn’t answer. He leaped into the air as a bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, coalescing around the long spear in his hands.

The long spear erupted in a brilliant light, which extended for dozens of feet from both its ends.

Xiao Mo hurled the spear. It transformed into a streak of thunderous light, shooting directly toward Xiahou Nan.

Knowing he couldn’t dodge in time, Xiahou Nan mobilized every ounce of his Spiritual Power and brought his axe down in a desperate strike.

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted between the two armies, kicking up a dust cloud dozens of feet high.

As the dust settled...

The long spear flew back into Xiao Mo’s waiting hand.

Xiahou Nan coughed up a mouthful of blood as he tumbled from his horse.

Xiao Mo reversed his grip on the spear and thrust downward. The strike descended like a Thunder Dragon crashing into the sea, aimed squarely between Xiahou Nan’s eyes.

In that critical instant, an Immortal Realm Cultivator from the Wei Kingdom’s side threw out a Mountain Flipping Seal, intending to crush the young prodigy Xiao Mo!

’Otherwise, if he’s allowed to mature, he’ll become a huge threat!’

’The older they get, the more shameless they become!’

Xiao Shi, who had been ready for such a move, snorted coldly. He flew out, positioning himself in front of Xiao Mo. With a single thrust of his spear, he intercepted the Mountain Flipping Seal and slammed it into the ground.

"KILL!"

Xiao Shi roared the order and pointed forward.

The Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry led the charge, and the million-strong Northern Wilderness Army, their morale at its peak, surged forward for the slaughter.

The two armies finally clashed in a storm of steel.