Governor Jiang Bai personally took command at the Governor Mansion, leading the allied Liang forces to advance toward Chu Country’s territory.
"Chu Country is already frail and powerless. This time, we will surely claim victory in one fell swoop!"
Standing high above, Jiang Bai overlooked the lands of Chu Country, his eyes glimmering with ambition and greed.
"Governor, your wisdom is unparalleled. Chu Country will surely fall!" The generals beside him echoed his words, morale surging.
"Swish!"
Suddenly, a beam of golden light shot up from the depths of Chu Country, piercing straight through the clouds. The light was dazzling, carrying an immense surge of power within.
"What is this?" Jiang Bai’s expression changed, an unease swelling in his heart.
"Could it be..." Among the generals, someone seemed to realize something, their face suddenly paling.
"Could it be the power of the Dragon Pearl?" Jiang Bai took a deep breath, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
They all knew that the Dragon Pearl was Chu Country’s national treasure, a source of formidable power.
Now that the Dragon Pearl had been stolen, Chu Country had already plunged into the abyss of despair.
However, the appearance of this golden beam of light brought forth an overwhelming sense of threat.
"We must seize Chu Country quickly. We cannot allow the Dragon Pearl’s power to awaken!"
Jiang Bai’s eyes flickered with ruthlessness as he ordered the entire army to advance at full speed.
In the depths of Chu Country, at the source of the golden light, a young man sat cross-legged, holding a radiant Dragon Pearl in his hand. His entire figure emanated golden brilliance, as if merging with the heavens and earth.
"Chu Country cannot perish!"
The young man murmured softly, his eyes glimmering with resolve.
He understood that his destiny was intertwined with that of Chu Country.
Only by awakening the power of the Dragon Pearl could he save Chu Country from disaster.
That young man was none other than Chu Country’s extraordinary prince, Chu Xingchen.
The skies over Chu Country were shrouded in dark clouds, an oppressive aura weighing down like a mountain.
Liang’s allied army, a million strong, surged toward Chu Country’s borders like a tidal wave, their armor gleaming as their momentum soared.
Among the allied forces, masters of the Marrow Refining Realm stood out prominently, while warriors of the Golden Bone, Silver Bone, and Copper Bone realms were too numerous to count.
Clad in battle armor and wielding deadly weapons, they advanced, eyes gleaming with bloodthirst.
Governor Jiang Bai, dressed in a purple robe, carried himself with an almost celestial elegance. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Marrow Refining Realm—deep and unfathomable.
Standing at the forefront of the allied forces, his piercing gaze seemed capable of seeing through all illusions.
"Chu Country, today marks your end!"
Jiang Bai’s voice was icy and authoritative, like a cold wind cutting through, chilling all who heard it.
Meanwhile, at the rear of the allied forces, Princess Zishuang and Emperor Yun Wu oversaw strategies from behind the scenes. Their gazes cut through layers of mist, scanning every inch of Chu Country’s land.
Princess Zishuang, as a tactician, commanded respect with her brilliance and courage.
At the same time, the land of Chu Country pulled figures like Gu Sheng, Lin Tianhao, Lin Qingyu, and Lu Biluo into the vortex of this war.
They hadn’t originally sought involvement, but fate thrust them into this storm.
"What should we do?"
Lin Tianhao clenched his fists, a flash of determination in his eyes.
"We cannot remain idle. Liang may be what we call home, but we must defend it!"
Gu Sheng was silent for a moment before nodding.
"You’re right. We can’t avoid this. But we must tread cautiously. This war isn’t one we can handle easily."
Meanwhile, disciples of the Holy Pill Sect found themselves unwillingly dragged into the chaos.
Lin Miaomiao, Huang Miaoyin, and others—though cultivators—had no choice but to confront this brutal conflict.
The warriors of the Giant Sword Sect, including Linghu Qingwan, also showcased their prowess and bravery in this war.
Standing alongside Gu Sheng and others, they charged into Chu Country.
From the moment they stole the Dragon Pearl, their fates were forever at odds with Chu Country.
It could only be said that, in Jianghu, no one was truly in control of their own destiny.
Gu Sheng’s side saw the scene and grew solemn. They recognized that Chu Xingchen’s power was not to be underestimated; only an all-out effort would suffice to counter him.
"Lin Tianhao, Lin Qingyu, the three of us will join forces. We must defeat Chu Xingchen!" Gu Sheng commanded gravely.
Lin Tianhao, wielding a longsword, dashed forward like the wind, launching the Haoyang Swordsmanship with sweeping Sword Qi of tremendous might. Lin Qingyu moved with graceful agility, deploying the Jade Maiden Sword Skill; wherever her blade pointed, her adversaries reeled in retreat.
Gu Sheng activated his Ancient Sacred Body, golden light flowing around him as he wielded both the Jade Maiden Sword and Thirsty Blood Battle Axe. His attacks alternated between the Gale Nine Swords and golden palm strikes, ferocious and relentless.
Chu Xingchen smirked coldly, unwavering.
He drove the Dragon Pearl’s power to its peak, causing heavenly attacks to grow increasingly violent—thunder and lightning seemed ready to rend the battlefield apart.
As both sides fought fiercely, Chu Country’s princes joined in, engaging in battles against Lu Biluo and his allies.
Lu Biluo played the Heavenly Earth Flute, its melody hauntingly beautiful, hiding severe corrosion power. Illusory Heavenly Earth Water formed from the song, ambushing foes in all directions.
Sword Qi clashed with lightning bolts across the battlefield, each fighter displaying their divine skills in endless combat.
"Gu Sheng, you may be skilled, but a few of you aren’t enough to halt Chu Country’s indomitable march!" Chu Xingchen sneered.
Gu Sheng returned a cold smile. "Chu Xingchen, don’t be so arrogant.
The victor of today’s battle remains undecided!"
With those words, Gu Sheng vanished using the Shadow Concealment Skill, reappearing moments later behind Chu Xingchen.
Wielding the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe, he struck fiercely at Chu Xingchen’s back.
Chu Xingchen reacted swiftly, dodging the blow, but an unsettling dread swept over him—Gu Sheng’s power could not be underestimated.
Amid the battle, the clash between Gu Sheng and Chu Xingchen stood out as intensely ferocious.
Both were cultivators of unparalleled skill; every exchange seemed to shake the heavens and earth, leaving spectators breathless.
With the Dragon Pearl in hand, Chu Xingchen wove thunder and lightning from the skies, assuming the aura of a Heavenly God.
He spoke harshly, "Gu Sheng, today, you’ll become the stepping stone for my rise to greatness!"
Gu Sheng’s eyes sparkled with cold determination as he silently activated his Ancient Sacred Body, golden brilliance emanating while his golden palms clashed forcefully against Chu Xingchen’s heavenly attacks.
The two clashed fiercely, exchanging blows countless times in mere moments.

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