There was no doubt about the message that had come from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory. After all, the superintendent of the observatory had a profoundly high and unfathomable spiritual cultivation, even having one foot already stepping into the legendary realm of the Celestial Humans. Messages from such a powerful being would definitely not have any error.
The governor of Yunzhong County ordered the Black Cloud Knights to lead the troops out of the city, drawing the attention of Da Li's army.
On the other hand, he quietly dispatched Guo Yi, a commander of the Black Cloud Knights, to search for Young Master Min in Yunzhong grassland.
What he didn't know was that, just as he was making this decision, Pei Xuanjing, who had just left the city, ran directly into a group of Da Li cavalry who were searching for him.
The strong smell of blood lingered several miles away, but he didn't care about the dozens of Da Li cavalry in front of him. His expression was indifferent, his mind calm without a trace of ripples, as if he was not the one who had just killed these people.
He had long been aware of the Da Li dynasty's intention to hunt him, but he didn't care, assuming this was all within his expectations.
This was already an unknown number of Da Li cavalry he had killed on his journey, and to these foreign invaders, Pei Xuanjing naturally showed no mercy.
He dusted off his clothes, leapt onto a war horse, and headed in the direction of Yunzhong County.
The cold wind was dreary, and the flakes of snow drifted down from the sky. Unconsciously, winter had arrived.
Pei Xuanjing drove the horse forward, his spirit wandering. With only a sliver of his mind left on guard, his eyes half-closed, he directed most of his attention to contemplating his spiritual cultivation.
As for how to step into the Heavenly Rank next, he needed to think about it.
He also understood that if he followed the path of spiritual cultivation in this world, he only needed to comprehend the mysteries of the Mysterious Pass in order, break through the Mysterious Pass to sense heaven and earth, and then he could naturally step into the Heavenly Rank.
However, Pei Xuanjing, who had learned from both this world and the original Daming World, had his unique understanding of the road ahead.
Although the spiritual cultivation of this world is unique in Qi Refinement and is much more prosperous than the Daming World.
However, the fact that Pei Xuanjing was able to kill a Heavenly Rank strongman with the power of the Yin Spirit proved that this path was not perfect and at least had some flaws.
The Way of Essence Refinement, Path of Qi Refinement, and Spiritual Refinement.
These three paths were the spiritual cultivation paths that Pei Xuanjing had determined after countless explorations and research. Even now, although some deviation, the general direction is correct.
He had already condensed the Yin Spirit, which could be said to have followed the path he had originally deduced.
As for the Way of Essence Refinement, Pei Xuanjing initially thought that the first step should be to condense acupoints. Later, he discovered that the physical body should first go through a rebirth to step into the Spirit Realm, and then continue to condense acupoints.
As for the Dao of Qi Refining, by using the Qi within his body to stimulate the force of Heaven and Earth, born of Heaven and Earth but surpasses Heaven and Earth. There is a similar ingeniousness to the Heavenly Path of this world.
Thus, Pei Xuanjing always believed that only by cultivating the Three Ways simultaneously, advancing essence, Qi, and spirit together is truly the perfect path.
What he is considering now is, since breaking through the Mysterious Pass and sensing the Heaven and Earth can connect to the force of Heaven and Earth all around and control the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
Then can he take this opportunity to use this to nourish his physical body, let his body enter the Spirit Realm at this moment, thereby saving many years of hard cultivation.
Shenxiao True Qi was circulating in his body, constantly refining his physical body.
With his spirit wandering, Pei Xuanjing focused on sensing the changes in the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi around him, trying to release his True Qi to combine with it and stimulate the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
Clip-clop…
The horse moved forward, and Pei Xuanjing's presence gradually became weaker, as if he was about to merge with Heaven and Earth.
The Shenxiao True Qi around him was sometimes gentle, sometimes violent, sometimes calm, and sometimes cold. It was like the change of four seasons revolving around him, which then affected the surrounding Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.
Where the horse stepped, the originally yellow grass and trees beneath his feet sometimes gained life against the seasons, while others seemed to wither rapidly. It was a scene of great diversity.
Hmm?
Pei Xuanjing felt the horse suddenly pause and stop.
He woke up from his meditation and looked straight ahead.
Hundreds of Da Li cavalry were lined up in battle formation, unknowingly surrounding Pei Xuanjing.
"Fire arrows!"
These Da Li cavalry didn't even bother to waste their words with Pei Xuanjing. They decisively picked up their bows and shot arrows, with countless arrow rains falling from the sky.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Countless strong crossbows released a rain of arrows, coming from all directions. These crossbow arrows were not ordinary arrows, but were made of Mysterious Iron, specifically Gang-breaking Arrows designed for Martial Arts Cultivators.
Martial Artists at the third realm, the Gang Qi Realm, had extraordinary Gang Qi that was extremely fierce and capable of tremendous damage. Ordinary soldiers simply couldn't handle it, primarily because they couldn't get close.
Therefore, these specially made Gang-breaking Arrows were almost the nemesis of Martial Artists in the Gang Qi Realm.
Seeing the fierce arrow rain, Pei Xuanjing's expression didn't change, his eyes were as calm as an old well, and there was not a ripple in his heart.
He just quietly sat on the warhorse, waiting for the arrow rain to fall. As it did, his True Qi surged.
A strong gust swept out, and vast amounts of True Qi were released, enveloping all of the arrow rain within.
Then he operated the Universe Shift method of borrowing force, lightly swung his sleeve, and the arrow rain followed his sleeve's motion, making a sharp turn and falling towards the cavalry.
Using Pei Xuanjing's method of returning the favor, the power of the arrow rain not only didn't decrease but had become even greater.
Pfft…
The cavalry had not expected Pei Xuanjing to have such a method and couldn't dodge in time. In the blink of an eye, many of them had been pierced by sharp arrows and fallen from their horses.
Pei Xuanjing chuckled, just about to make a move when his gaze was suddenly drawn to the north.
A line of warriors clad in dark armor were storming in, their momentum thunderous.
Black Cloud Knights!
Pei Xuanjing raised his eyebrows slightly, thinking that these were the people Mr. Pei Laozhu had sent.
He didn't continue to make a move, instead leaving these men to the arriving Black Cloud Knights.
"So you're saying this is an order from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory?"
Pei Xuanjing accompanied Guo Yi, the officer of the Black Cloud Knights, on horseback. After listening to recent events, he asked.
Regarding Young Master Min, despite being older, Guo Yi didn't presume to regard himself as his senior.
As a third order martial artist, being able to kill the strong at Heavenly Rank was unheard of. Such talent and strength were in great demand in the military which revered the strong. How could he not respect such a person?
Moreover, he was valued by the mysterious superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory in the Capital. In the future, he was sure to be prosperous and hold a high position.
Of course, the most critical point was that Guo Yi had seen the numerous dead
Da Li cavalry along the way.
Looking at this young man with a juvenile face, who could imagine that his mind was so deadly?
"Yes." Guo Yi nodded, answering Pei Xuanjing's queries without any hesitation.
"Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory!" Pei Xuanjing sounded out the name.
The Imperial Astronomical Observatory was the most mysterious place in the empire. Although the Superintendent was only a fourth-grade official, he held a high-rank and had the privilege to meet the Emperor at any time.
Furthermore, there were rumors that the incumbent Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory was the strongest individual in the world, with unfathomably deep powers, having almost stepped into the Realm of
Heavenly People. Such a powerful individual magnified the influence of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory in people's hearts.
"Heavenly People, I wonder how strong they are. According to records, after achieving the status of Heavenly People, they could ascend in broad daylight and leave this world. Therefore, the Heavenly People would be considered the strongest individuals that this world can accommodate." Pei Xuanjing pondered.
"Why does he want to see me?" Pei Xuanjing wondered.
It was unclear why the Superintendent, who was known to be the strongest individual in the empire, desired to meet him and for what purpose.
Please note that in his initial life simulation, there was no mention of the Superintendent of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.
Although he was curious, he didn't want to waste too much time on this.
Pei Xuanjing quickly made a decision – he would certainly go to the Capital. Since he was in this world, how could he refuse a meeting with an individual who was almost treading in the Realm of Heavenly People?
However, he didn't have to meet him right away.
He needed some time, waiting to transcend to the Heavenly Rank before meeting the other person.
As per Pei Xuanjing's estimates, by the time he transitions to the Heavenly Rank, his strength would have improved significantly, minimizing threats to him in this world.
Boom…
Just as Pei Xuanjing was engrossed in his thoughts, intense vibrations echoed beneath his feet. Even being on a horse, he could clearly feel it.
"Damn, it's the Da Li cavalry!" Guo Yi's face changed.
As a veteran Black Cloud Knights captain, he naturally recognized the vibration that occurs when large groups of cavalry appear.
At this time, the only force capable of assembling so many cavalry in the Grasslands was the Da Li cavalry moving southward.
"Young Master Min, we must leave this place quickly." He spoke to Pei Xuanjing.
Unexpectedly, Pei Xuanjing slightly shook his head and said in a gradually gloomy tone, "We can't leave."
While Guo Yi's strength was at the Martial Arts third-tier, he was nothing compared to the Heavenly Rank.
He could only sense the arrival of the Da Li cavalry and hadn't spotted the Heavenly Rank individual approaching with them.
With Pei Xuanjing's acute perception, he distinctly felt that a Heavenly Rank individual was not far away, having locked onto their whereabouts, making it impossible to leave.
This Heavenly Rank individual was stronger than the white-haired old man Pei Xuanjing had killed. At least that's what he perceived.
"Form a battle array!" Guo Yi immediately ordered.
He wasn't foolish and naturally trusted Pei Xuanjing's judgment.
He decisively commanded numerous cavalrymen to form the formation, preparing to resist the enemy.
Hundreds of Black Cloud Knights promptly formed a battle line to protect Pei Xuanjing.
"You should be careful, don't worry about me." Pei Xuanjing stopped them.
The unidentified Heavenly Rank individual was undoubtedly coming for him. While these knights might have been elite, they couldn't contribute much in front of a Heavenly Rank individual. In fact, they were just risking their lives in vain.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing's determined eyes, Guo Yi nodded and changed his command. Hundreds of Black Cloud Knights created a defensive formation.
Guo Yi took off his long sword and handed it to Pei Xuanjing for self-defense.
Pei Xuanjing didn't refuse, picked up the long sword, and found it to be a Divine Weapon of indomitable grade.
"Thank you." Pei Xuanjing smiled at him.
Guo Yi nodded, silent, and carrying his spear, carefully surveyed their surroundings.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop."
The chaotic sound of hooves echoed from afar.
In the blink of an eye, a group of galloping figures appeared on the horizon, their hooves stirring up clouds of dust that blotted out the sun and sky.
Countless Da Li cavalry surrounded them like a tide, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The banners fluttered, and a tremendous killing intent emerged, making it seem as though the color of the heavens had shifted.
It was none other than the Red Sun Cavalry leading them!
Guo Yi's expression changed. The Da Li cavalry was reputed to be unmatched, and the Red Sun Cavalry was their foremost unit.
Legend had it that this Red Sun Cavalry was an unparalleled force of riders formed under the personal guidance of the National Diviner of Da Li. Although it only comprised five thousand men, it was the cream of the crop drawn from countless knights of Da Li.
Da Li was located in the grasslands where all its people, irrespective of gender, age, or upbringing, were skilled horse archers. Every one of the knights was far from weak. Those selected from among them were extraordinary.
Once these knights were chosen, they all cultivated the same skill that strengthened their physical bodies. Any one of them was several times stronger than the average cavalry.
Even Guo Yi, who led the elite Black Cloud Knights of the cloud realm, admitted that they would struggle against the overpowering Red Sun Cavalry and this was when their numbers were in order. Now they were only a hundred, severely outnumbered.
Moreover, the Red Sun Cavalry had also learned a unique collaborative charge formation taught by the National Diviner of Da Li. Once in attack formation, they fought as one, invincible and unstoppable. No one could stand against them.
Facing such an unparalleled cavalry, even a Heavenly Rank individual would not dare to rush into them without sufficient preparation. If they got entangled, they would hardly stand a chance.
He softly shared everything he knew about the Red Sun Cavalry with Pei Xuanjing who was beside him.
"I see." Looking at the Red Sun Cavalry rushing in from a distance, Pei Xuanjing
couldn't help but express slight astonishment.
Having heard Guo Yi, he understood that this was the foundation of the empire in this world, the means they used to quiet the world.
A martial arts third-tier expert could be easily surrounded and subdued by ordinary troops. However, those who achieved Heavenly Rank were not afraid of exhaustion as they could draw on their spiritual energy endlessly.
If the empire did not have a means to deal with these Heavenly Rank forces, they would not be able to maintain control over the world and be its dominant force.
The Daming World, where Pei Xuanjing came from, was a clear example. The original first-grade martial artists of the Great Ming Dynasty could be dealt with, and their power could be stabilized.
However, when Pei Xuanjing's strength exceeded the limit and no one could balance it, the Great Ming imperial court had no choice but to comply with his wishes and had little power to resist.
The formidable Red Sun Cavalry stopped a few miles away from them. At the moment the leader pulled back his horse, all the Red Sun cavalrymen ceased with no chaos..
Observing the small leads to understanding the big.
Just from this single act, it can be seen that these Red Sun Cavalry are extremely disciplined.
For a loose nation like Da Li, this is extremely rare.
The leader spurred his horse forward and said coldly, "I am General Hé Liån Qngtiän, today will be your last, Pei Min."
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The deafening battle cry echoed around the world, its power astonishing.
He Lian Qingtian!
Guo Yi's heart trembled, even his calm demeanor was shaken when he heard this name.
He Lian Qingtian, the third disciple of Grandmaster Da Li, is now the actual commander of the Red Sun Cavalry.
Under his leadership, the Red Sun Cavalry swept through all directions, and countless powerful cavalry have perished under his hooves.
And most terrifying of all, he is not only a veteran of numerous battles, but also a powerful cultivator who has reached the Heavenly Rank.
After Hé Liån Qngtiän's promotion to the Heavenly Rank, he has been overseeing a region, rarely moving, the Red Sun Cavalry is also mostly commanded by others.
Guo Yi had never expected that this time, even HE Liån Qngtiän would be alarmed, and even leave his garrison, leading the Red Sun Cavalry to hunt down Pei Xuanjing.
But thinking it over, Pei Xuanjing, alone on the plains, killed Li Tiange and a Heavenly Rank powerhouse and an unknown number of Da Li cavalries.
Such a terrifying person attracting the personal attention of Hé Liån Qngtiän was not surprising.
Whoosh…
The cold wind swept through, stirring up the withered grass on the plains, but it could not disperse the tense killing intent-
"Protect yourselves, what happens next is not related to you," He said in a cold voice to Guo Yi and the others.
"Young master!" Guo Yi's face changed dramatically.
Pei Xuanjing had already spurred his horse forward, his calm voice fell into Guo Yi's ears: "The Red Sun Cavalry may be fearsome, but they can't take my life."
Guo Yi remembered the previous means of this young master, undoubtedly proving that he was no ordinary person.
He also knew that the Black Cloud Knights he commanded could be considered elite, but it depended on who they faced. At least this hundred or so knights could not retaliate against the Red Sun Cavalry at all.
They couldn't help the other party, but might drag them down.
Of course, he also made a decision in his heart, even if it was to risk his life, he would die in front of the other party, that was his duty.
Pei Xuanjing did not know Guo Yi's thoughts, he only spurred his horse forward, alone.
A single man against five thousand Red Sun Cavalry.
Such a situation would have been unheard of even for the Pei Xuanjing of Great Ming World.
But, has he ever been afraid?
What of the Red Sun Cavalry! Pei Xuanjing scoffed in his heart.
You should know that there is another way to break through to the Heavenly Rank besides the painstaking effort to break through the Mysterious Pass.
Extreme breakthrough.
Using endless pressure to stimulate one's own potential, breaking one's own limits, one can also take the opportunity to break through the realm by this chance.
But this method is too harsh and dangerous, if careless, it will not only fail but one's own life will be lost.
But right now, Pei Xuanjing couldn't care less, the situation being what it is, he couldn't back down.
It doesn't comply with his principles.
The worst-case scenario would be to risk this simulation failure, and he absolutely would not retreat easily.
"If you want my life, come and see who dies first!" Pei Xuanjing immersed his heart, his aura slowly rising, and endless killing intent was released. A terrifying aura spread for several miles, dissipating the chilling aura of war emanating from the formation of the Red Sun Cavalry.
The Red Sun Cavalry, who initially had a determined look on their faces, couldn't help but be moved by this terrifying killing intent.
Such a horrifying killing intent was even stronger than that of their veteran soldiers who had been always at the warfront.
It seemed as though the sword in Pei Xuanjing's hand sensed his mood and began to tremble faintly.
Zing!
The long sword flew out of its scabbard and fell into Pei Xuanjing's hand.
At this moment, his aura changed again, a sharp energy soared into the sky, causing even the gathering clouds above to disperse.
"With such strength, it's no wonder that my unsuccessful disciple and his Taoist died in your hands," Liån Qngtiän felt the terrible aura emitted from Pei Xuanjing and shook his head.
From his words, it could be inferred that he disdained Li Tiange, the top genius of the younger generation from Da Li who had died.
To him, a person who came from the common people and had a long battle experience, aside from Li Tiange's talent, Li Tiange had nothing extraordinary about him, he was just a spoiled waste.
Though he looked down upon Li Tiange, Li Tiange did carry the name of his disciple. If he died here, it wouldn't just be a disgrace for Li Tiange, it would be a dishonor to his master as well.
That's why 1—1& Liån Qngtiän made a personal move, leading the Red Sun Cavalry.
He abruptly gestured and coldly spat out a few words: "Kill him!"
To He Lian Qingtian, the strength displayed by Pei Xuanjing at present was good, but not worth his personal effort, so he casually commanded a hundred of his subordinates to strike.
When a cat catches a mouse, it always plays with the mouse until it has had enough, before killing it with a thunderous strike.
"Yes!"
Immediately, one of the centurions of the Red Sun Cavalry accepted the order, he voiced sternly: "Follow me!"
Boom…
The Red Sun Cavalry launched a neat and unified charge, the sound of their horse hooves like thunder.
In an instant, they had charged a hundred yards and while charging, the riders clamped their legs on the horse and steadied themselves, pulling out arrows from behind and shooting towards the sky, raining arrows falling in an instant.
"Hehe." Pei Xuanjing sneered, completely indifferent to the incoming arrows.
If the Red Sun Cavalry had fired all at once, with countless bows and bolts shooting together, then such a terrifying rain of arrows would have required him to avoid its sharpness.
But the mere hundred or so cavalries, even if their shooting was rapid, were nothing to him, and not worth mentioning.
The wild wind howled, Pei Xuanjing sped his horse, his clothes flapping in the wind, with one hand he held the reins tightly, with the other he swung his sword.
In an instant, a streak of sword light appeared, as if it was the dawn breaking the night, illuminating the sky.
His Shenxiao Heaven's Intention Technique was used, Innate Thunder Gang Qi permeated over his body, and even covered the long sword in his hand, making the original sharp long sword look divine and radiant.
Pei Xuanjing swung his sword, and instantly numerous sword qi appeared crossing each other, countless Heaven and Earth Essence Qi was attracted by his sword qi, turning into a giant sword-qi dragon.
The giant dragon roared and rolled forward, rushing towards the rain of arrows, with countless Heaven and Earth Essence Qi accompanying it, the wind and thunder howled with awe-inspiring momentum.
The seemingly dangerous rain of arrows, upon collision with the sword-qi dragon, was easily blown away and fell to the ground.
Hiss!
When the people on both sides saw Pei Xuanjing dismiss the rain of arrows so easily, they couldn't help but gasp..