Dawn's light pierced the night's silence.

  Outside Yuanchi City.

  Tantai Xuan stood armored and solemn on his chariot, wheels crunching through snow, leaving deep furrows.

  Snow fell coldly, blanketing the earth in thick white.

  Jiang Li in silver armor led a crimson steed, snorting steam like fire in the snow.

  "My King, you need not join us in the assault."

  Jiang Li eyed Tantai Xuan on the chariot.

  Tantai Xuan shook his head, waving dismissively. "My Daxuan soldiers charge into battle—how could I hide behind?"

  "If we fight... we fight together."

  Resolute.

  Jiang Li inhaled deeply. "If Your Majesty leads personally, the troops' morale will soar."

  Tantai Xuan smiled, gazing toward Wangtian City.

  Overlord assaulting Wangtian—with Xiliang forces and a peerless Body Storage cultivator—breaching it was no challenge. The battle likely ended; Xiliang prepared to march on the capital.

  Jiang Li spoke of racing speed; Mo Ju too.

  Yet Tantai Xuan lacked confidence—Overlord's Xiliang was too strong.

  Still, he didn't underrate himself. Daxuan forces were no weaklings!

  War drums thundered; banners waved.

  Muffled horns shattered falling snow.

  Jiang Li mounted.

  "Protect the King."

  He donned his silver helm, addressing two Xuanwu Guards seriously.

  Gripping silver spear, heels clamped—hooves exploded, earth splattered.

  Neighs echoed heaven and earth.

  Crimson horse charged.

  Jiang Li rode through Daxuan ranks, shouting orders, arraying troops to drumbeats, advancing slowly on Yuanchi City.

  The fight was brutal.

  No Overlord-like Body Storage powerhouse.

  Breaching Yuanchi wasn't easy, but with Mo Beike's siege strategies and Jiang Li's formations...

  Cruel, yet easier than expected.

  Yuanchi under Black Dragon Guard control; Black Dragon Thirteen led assaults.

  Daxuan suffered heavy losses—cultivator armies were battlefield meat grinders.

  Jiang Li gripped silver spear, eyes blazing, leading Xuanwu Guards against Black Dragons.

  No war is easy.

  Victory stacked on corpses.

  Black Dragon and Xuanwu Guards both bled heavily, but Xuanwu outnumbered; fearless charges...

  Black Dragons faltered.

  Black Dragon Thirteen fled on horseback, baffled by Xuanwu ferocity—suicidal.

  Tantai Xuan, eyes red with kill, charged frontline despite kingship.

  Black Dragons and Thirteen withdrew.

  Yuanchi lord didn't flee—like Wangtian's, these old defenders clung to their cities, wielding weapons against Tantai Xuan, pierced by guarding Xuanwu blades.

  Yuanchi battle ended.

  For Daxuan, no easy win.

  Tantai Xuan's armor dripped blood; he approached the lord's body, sighing.

  The old lord could have retreated with Black Dragons.

  Unexpectedly... chose death in Yuanchi.

  "A true man."

  Tantai Xuan inhaled, ordering thick burial.

  Daxuan forces entered slowly.

  Controlled Yuanchi.

  Tantai Xuan knew it well.

  Mo Ju swiftly managed, restoring order; scouts rode in.

  Yuanchi's war room.

  Listening to reports, armored generals grew grave.

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  "Xiliang breached Wangtian in under an hour..."

  "Overlord single-handedly shattered gates, repelled Black Dragon Thirteen and nearly a hundred Guards!"

  Scout knelt, delivering.

  Jiang Li's silver armor blood-beaded; he gasped.

  "Worthy of Overlord... his valor holds off armies!"

  "Body Storage cultivator—name well-earned."

  Jiang Li sighed.

  Mo Ju in crane cloak paced the cold room.

  Unlike generals' awe, Mo Ju thought deeper.

  "Compared to Xiliang, Daxuan has one glaring weakness."

  He eyed Tantai Xuan.

  "We lack a matchless Body Storage like Overlord."

  Seriously.

  "If Daxuan clashes with Xiliang, we'll suffer..."

  "No one counters Overlord. If he beheads—like before, charging alone to capture the King—who stops him?"

  Mo Ju said.

  His warm voice carried gravity.

  A grave issue; even Jiang Li headache.

  "How many Body Storage in the world? Beyond Baiyujing disciples, Overlord reigns—we're helpless?"

  Tantai Xuan smiled.

  "Our goal: topple Zhou. Don't fret Overlord yet—strike Great Zhou first!"

  War room fell silent.

  "Don't mope. I failed immortal encounters multiple times without your gloom. Fear what? Soldiers for generals, earth for floods."

  "Overlord strong, but Daxuan troops no dough!"

  Tantai Xuan slammed table, booming.

  Generals roused, echoing.

  Unlike fired-up warriors, strategist Mo Ju stayed calm, glancing deeply at Tantai Xuan.

  Tantai Xuan dismissed, but Mo Ju wouldn't allow imbalance.

  Thus...

  He exited the room.

  Left Tantai Xuan a letter, cloaked in crane, rode from Yuanchi.

  Alone north.

  Vanished in endless snow.

  Beyond Baiyujing disciples, one Body Storage could counter Overlord.

  ...

  Capital.

  Old eunuch head low, hurried.

  Crossed Zijin Palace threshold, entered hall swiftly.

  Yuwen Xiu on dragon throne, eyes half-closed, napping.

  Eunuch bowed, shrill voice: "Your Majesty... frontline reports."

  Hall silent long.

  Yuwen Xiu opened eyes. "Speak."

  Once, he'd be frantic like ants on hot pan; now, oddly calm.

  "Xiliang under King Xiang Shaoyun breached Wangtian in under an hour; lord died in battle..."

  "Yuanchi stalemated Daxuan four hours; Black Dragon Guards lost, retreated; lord died, city fallen."

  "Tong'an under Xiliang general Xu Chu held three hours; lord opened gates, surrendered to Xiliang..."

  Hall quiet.

  Only eunuch's shrill tone recounting defeats, atmosphere eerie.

  Finished, he偷瞥 Yuwen Xiu.

  Normally, rage.

  But...

  Yuwen Xiu calm, beyond expectation.

  "Your Majesty, of six defenses, three lost..."

  Eunuch said.

  Yuwen Xiu waved. "I know."

  Rubbed temples, to eunuch: "Six defenses, three down; Beiluo nominal, north and west armies can drive straight..."

  Squinting, rose from throne.

  Hands behind, paced above.

  Eyes sharp: "By my decree, Pingnan and Zuilong lords withdraw guards to capital, muster forces against rebels!"

  Yuwen Xiu ordered.

  Better consolidate five defenses than lose one by one.

  He had means.

  Squinted, took two letters from throne, patted lightly.

  ...

  Beiluo Lakeside.

  Heavy snow, yet lake unfrozen.

  Mo Beike paced to shore, eyeing spirit-shrouded waters, heavy bags twitching.

  Saw cultivators wave-walking from lake.

  Casual strides—Baiyujing disciples.

  Saw Lu Changkong.

  Body Storage Lu Changkong held peach petal, crossing lake.

  Said nothing, pointed opposite shore, departed.

  If Lu allowed entry, Mo Beike could; else, no.

  Mo Beike found bamboo raft.

  Boarded, poled himself, rippling lake toward heart-isle.

  Raft drifted; shores' views lost, crashed into lake-mist.

  Dense spirit; Mo Beike inhaled deeply.

  Saw Dragon Gate, little dragon atop glancing, nostrils flaring steam.

  Raft docked; Mo Beike tucked robes, ascended.

  Giant chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly.

  Peach blossoms like shy maidens' flushed cheeks.

  Mo Beike sighed—Baiyujing like fairyland.

  Beneath pavilion.

  White-robed figure in silver wheelchair, hair windswept.

  Turned slowly to Mo Beike.

  Mo Beike felt immense pressure, breathless.

  Bags twitched; no retreat, pressed on.

  Finally, ten steps from Lu—could advance no more.

  "Mohist Giant, you finally dare enter Beiluo."

  Lu smiled.

  "This old man apologizes to Young Master Lu; past matters my fault..."

  Mo Beike bowed thrice.

  Lu knew: Yin-Yang scholar Wei Luan impersonated him in Beiluo; though Yin-Yang and Mohist rangers died by Lu's hand, Mo Beike bore the blame.

  He'd studied Lu—knew his temperament.

  Lu eyed deeply, said nothing.

  Smiled.

  Felt like meeting the Master.

  Mo Beike and Kong Xiu alike—Hundred Schools prodigies.

  Lu didn't press.

  Sleeve sweep.

  Spirit Pressure Board floated before him.

  "A game?"

  Lu asked.

  Pushed gently; white pieces box flew to Mo Beike.

  Caught; face twitched.

  "Rumors of Young Master's unmatched chess... this old man will embarrass himself."

  Mo Beike held white box, placed piece.

  Lu sleeved, placed black lightly.

  Snowy winds; quiet game.

  Snow background, unaffected.

  Back and forth; crisp falls endless.

  Mo Beike frowned deeper; sweat beaded forehead.

  His chess strong, but couldn't match Lu's pace—elusive momentum, eyes on every corner.

  Sweat dripped from nose to snow.

  Set down piece, shook head.

  "This old man loses."

  Lu leaned wheelchair, waved; pieces returned to boxes.

  "I know why you're here. After this game, you have your answer."

  "Trip in vain."

  "To spare regrets, I'll answer as I did the Master."

  Lu leaned, white robes floating, eyeing Mo Beike.

  Stunned—answer to Kong Xiu?

  Mo Beike sat straight. "Eager to hear."

  Lu smiled, gazed lake. "Daxuan or Xiliang—as long as they don't provoke Beiluo, Beiluo ignores..."

  "If not provoke me."

  "This court, this world—however it goes... what concern of mine?"

  "After all, I Lu Ping'an treat with sincerity."

  Mo Beike stunned.

  Recalling Baiyujing's emergence—no direct court meddling.

  Only when provoked.

  Like Beiluo families, capital ministers denouncing Lu...

  Baiyujing's purpose: nurture cultivators.

  Pure cultivation force?

  Beyond initial Heavenly Secret cease-war order—later, Mo Beike knew it anticipated world's change, Five Barbarians chaos, thus issued.

  Complex emotions; rose, bowed: "This old man understands."

  Now, he saw his obsession—studying Lu trapped him; stepping back, trip meaningless.

  Even Jiang Li knew: no provocation, no Beiluo action.

  Answer from Lu; no more questions. Lu ignored, set board alone.

  Mo Beike saw distant Kong Nanfei.

  Approached Master's tomb.

  Mo Tianyu and Kong Nanfei complex—Master's lifelong rival, meeting thus.

  Mo Beike sat before tomb, spoke much to stone.

  Like casual chat.

  Lifetime rivals, never peaceful talk; Mo Beike spoke alone, happily.

  Finished.

  Left, poled raft from Beiluo Lake.

  On raft, hunched, eyed tomb.

  Under bags, envy.

  Master buried in isle fairyland.

  His own end—unknown dust.

  Mo Beike left Beiluo.

  Boarded carriage, whipped to Yuanchi.

  ...

  Under leaden clouds.

  Wangtian City.

  Overlord on chariot, three horses pulling.

  Aimed: capital.

  Behind, Xiliang generals waved weapons; drums, horns.

  Xiliang vast... marched capital-ward.

  Tong'an: Xu Chu checked sky—time with Overlord—ordered unload baggage, rapid capital strike.

  Jiang Li saw race; Xu Chu and Overlord too.

  For Overlord: no rest, crush through, straight to capital dragon.

  ...

  Yuanchi City.

  Tantai Xuan on warhorse; Jiang Li, generals near.

  No Mo Ju or Mo Beike; Tantai Xuan decided.

  Eyed dim sky, capital.

  Behind, Daxuan post-Yuanchi weary, but excited, expectant faces.

  No retreat, no fear—topple Zhou, rival Xiliang.

  Tantai Xuan laughed.

  Clang.

  Blade gleam tore lead clouds.

  Tip pointed capital.

  Horns blared; bare-chested drummers in snow swung mallets—drums like sparks in dry grass, igniting Daxuan blood.

  Tantai Xuan blade distant-point.

  Jiang Li spear waved; Daxuan from Yuanchi, crushed snow, charged capital.