Chapter 537: The Three Great Lords of the White Marsh Demon Kingdom! Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong! Stirring the Hearts of Men!

At the outset, Prince Qing’s army had relied on cultivators and demon creatures to wreak havoc across the battlefield. Now, however, Prince Qing’s forces appeared to be at a disadvantage.

The key issue was that even if the casualty ratio were reversed, with three garrison soldiers dying for every one of Prince Qing’s troops, Prince Qing’s side still couldn’t afford such losses. After all, he had not truly taken control of the entire military strength of Donglin Prefecture.

Unlike the Xu family of Beifeng Prefecture, whose Northern Marquis wielded absolute authority and held the power of life and death with all the prefecture’s troops firmly in hand, Prince Qing couldn’t afford to lose his men like this.

Yet General Wei Pingchuan did not feel at ease at all. He was a seasoned commander, and Prince Qing’s Mansion’s abnormal behavior now cast a heavy shadow over his heart.

If the slaughter continued like this, the final victory would undoubtedly belong to Donglin Prefecture’s garrison troops. Why, then, would Prince Qing’s Mansion willingly expend its strength in such an obviously losing battle?

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Suddenly, earth-shaking roars erupted from the mountain forests, and demon qi surged sky-high. Countless wild beasts in the woods, with their eyes blood-red, charged toward the military camps fearlessly like a rolling flood.

“A beast tide?” General Wei Pingchuan’s brows knit tightly.

At this time, an uncountable number of birds and beasts surged forward in a frenzy. Not only that, mixed among them were many demon creatures as well, and demon qi filled the skies.

Suddenly, three enormous figures appeared upon the battlefield: a mighty eagle with a wingspan of seven or eight zhang, a massive python as thick as a water vat, and a black panther standing three zhang tall.

Although the demon clan’s strength was not judged solely by size, the moment these three demon beings appeared, they carried an intense aura of bloodshed, demon qi so dense it was nearly tangible, and an overwhelming sense of pressure. They were clearly no ordinary foes!

They were the three Lords of the White Marsh Demon Kingdom; the Wrath Lord had already died at Li Yanchu’s hands, and there were still six other peak powerhouses in the White Marsh Demon Kingdom.

Originally, the White Marsh Demon Kingdom had intended to dispatch all six Lords together. But the Tiger, Deer, and Ram Lords had vanished without a trace. At the same time, a large group of demon creatures from the White Marsh Demon Kingdom, along with a powerful prodigy, had also gone missing.

Thus, only three Lords had come this time; they were the only ones willing to expose their identities and manifest their true forms just to help Prince Qing’s Mansion achieve victory.

Seeing this, General Wei Pingchuan widened his eyes in shock, and the cultivators of the orthodox sects were likewise struck with horror!

Even among those at the advanced second realm, there were vast differences in combat power. These three great demon Lords were clearly among the most terrifying of existences.

Just then, the eagle in the sky let out a piercing cry that split metal and stone, then dove straight down from the heavens. At this moment, there was simply no one who could stop it. Or rather, the cultivators of the orthodox sects present had no energy left to split their focus and deal with such a terrifyingly powerful predatory bird!

Master Wuse sighed softly, “Amitabha!”

Then, a vast golden light, like a giant golden bowl, enveloped the military camps at Qingfeng Ridge.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A great noise resounded like great bells across Heaven and Earth, so loud that it was deafening to the ears. The monstrous flying bird with a wingspan of seven or eight zhang was blasted back by the golden light, circling above, and did not continue its attack.

“Well done, young monk. Those who have taken the monastic path should embody compassion!” an aged voice called from the horizon.

Just then, an old man in black robes descended upon the wind, floating in midair. He was the third realm venerable who had slaughtered a hundred thousand lives in Huaiyang City, Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong.

Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong held back from direct action, merely releasing his aura without striking personally. His purpose was to lure the young third realm venerable into making the first move, exhausting his spiritual power.

When masters clash, sometimes the contest is about seizing the initiative; victory or defeat may hinge on a single move.

“Amitabha, you have condensed your Yang Spirit, which is no small feat. Yet I did not expect you to tread the path of demonic cultivation and slay sentient beings. Sooner or later, Heaven and Earth will stop tolerating such deeds,” Master Wuse said solemnly.

“Haha, young monk, you possess great fortune, yet how could you understand the concerns of us mortals? To plunder the myriad things of Heaven and Earth, to enrich oneself, to break free of the shackles, that is my way!” Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong replied lightly.

Hearing this, Master Wuse shook his head. The other had already fallen to the Demonic Dao, so there was no point in arguing further.

“Young monk, do you wish to duel me here, or follow me away from this place?” Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong asked.

Master Wuse fell silent. At this moment, three terrifyingly powerful great demons appeared on the battlefield, and they were an uncontrollable variable. If he left Donglin’s army now, it would almost certainly collapse like a landslide. But if he fought the Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong here, many would likely perish in the aftermath.

Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong’s true aim was to probe the human heart.

Master Wuse shook his head again and sighed.

No wonder Prince Qing’s forces are attacking recklessly, disregarding casualties. They aim to capture Qingfeng Ridge before another Yang Spirit powerhouse arrives

, Wuse thought to himself.

Although he did not understand military strategy, he knew the opponent’s intentions were far from simple. And all of these plans depended entirely on the positioning of the court’s reinforcements. If another Yang Spirit expert were stationed here, Prince Qing’s schemes would fail entirely.

“You are most calculating. I have been searching for an open space to experience your methods!” Master Wuse slightly bowed to General Wei Pingchuan.

Golden light erupted beneath his feet, and in an instant he soared into the sky.

“Heaven values the virtue of preserving life, young monk. Whether to kill or save a life lies within the power of your own mind,” Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong said calmly.

Destroying someone’s body was not as effective as exposing and condemning their motives, thoughts, and intentions. No matter how Wuse chose, there would be regrets.

As the two third realm Yang Spirit experts departed, the oppressive weight on the battlefield immediately lessened somewhat. The Yang Spirit realm was a transcendent level of power; should two of them clash here, it would truly shake Heaven and Earth!

Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong clearly did not wish for his forces to be wiped out. After all, many tasks still required ordinary soldiers.

Soon, the two arrived at a quiet, remote place deep in the mountains. Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong’s expression was solemn as he looked at the young monk and gave a faint smile.

“Young monk, should you leave, Donglin Prefecture’s army will likely suffer a crushing defeat. The deaths of the innocent will fall upon your head,” Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong said lightly.

He had guessed that the monk would not personally strike and kill soldiers on either side.

Master Wuse remained silent; there was a soul-corrupting power hidden within the other’s words.

“You are indeed calculating. How could you think to use such means to drive me into demonic cultivation?” Wuse said coldly.

“Demonic cultivation? When you chose to sacrifice the Donglin Prefecture army, you have already crossed into Demonic Dao. Tens of thousands of soldiers will die horrifically. With such overwhelming sins, I see no hope for your cultivation,” Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong said with a laugh.

Wuse’s expression darkened. “You demon, don’t you dare disturb my mind!”

Instantly, solemn and magnificent golden Buddhist light enveloped his body, coating him as if in a layer of gilding. Then, he unleashed a punch!

The golden fist, carrying immense Buddhist power, smashed directly toward the Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong.

Boom!

Daoist Spiritual Master Jiugong struck back with an equally domineering technique, intercepting Wuse’s attack.

“I have divined the secrets of Heaven. In this round, you are doomed to lose. You won’t be able to turn the tides!” His voice carried that soul-corrupting power, constantly provoked Wuse.

In truth, this was indeed the case. At this moment, whether it was Mount Longhu, the Great Xiangguo Temple, or the Court of Judicial Review in the capital, all were far too distant to arrive in time.

Anger flared in Wuse’s eyes, and faintly a black shadow flickered past. It was his inner demon!