Junior Sister is skilled in subduing demons.

Chapter 209 Gathering at Dragon Cauldron Mountain

Longding Mountain is a vital transportation route from Qiang City to the heart of Sichuan and Chongqing. Once this place is captured, the Ge people can use it as a base to continuously send troops into the heart of Sichuan and Chongqing. This place also becomes a key target for the demon soldiers to assist the Ge people in their attacks.

After several rounds of fighting, the outline of Longding Mountain appeared and disappeared in the smoke of battle. This treacherous peak, which stretched west of Qiang City, had now become the meat grinder that would determine the fate of Sichuan and Chongqing.

The mountain resembled a giant python coiled up, and the plank road on the cliff was originally a natural barrier guarded by the seven tribes of Qiang City for generations. Now, it was filled with the figures of the Ge people, who wore animal skin armor, carried bone arrows, and mingled with the dark blue demon soldiers.

"Quick! Push the rolling stones down!" The roar of the Bashu allied general was drowned out by the howls of the demon soldiers. His armor was soaked in blood, and the third of his long swords had been broken, yet he still couldn't stop the tide of enemies surging forward.

The bone arrows of the Ge people, with barbs, would explode upon piercing a soldier's chest, while the claws of the demon soldiers could easily tear through the black iron armor. The putrid blood flowed in streams along the mountain path, down the stone steps, and stained the bamboo forest at the foot of the mountain red.

"Hahaha...this bunch of trash!" The Black Python General's massive tail swept across, shattering the entire section of the plank road. A dozen allied soldiers screamed as they plummeted into the abyss. The Black Python General licked the bits of flesh from its mouth, its voice like the scraping of countless snake scales: "Pass down the order! Within three hours, all demonic soldiers must assemble at the altar on the mountaintop!"

The giant python coiled around the mountaintop, its black scales reflecting the setting sun, each scale stained with the blood and flesh of the allied soldiers. It suddenly opened its mouth, spewing out a cloud of dark green poisonous mist. The warriors of the seven tribes who were resisting on the mountain path froze instantly, their skin festering at a visible speed, and their scimitars clattering to the ground.

"General! The Go people on the west flank have broken through the third line of defense." A demon soldier with bat wings landed on the black python's shoulder, his voice shrill: "They say the main force of the seven tribes of Qiang City has been lured to the north gate, and the remaining troops here are no match for them!"

“Very good.” A cruel glint flashed in the black python’s vertical pupils: “Let those Ge people fill the gap. Once they have exhausted the strength of the seven tribes, we will head straight for Emei, hahahaha.”

Midway down the mountain path, several surviving allied soldiers leaned against the rock wall, panting. They were the bravest warriors among the seven tribes of Qiang City, but now their faces were filled with despair. Their armor had been pierced by the bone arrows of the Ge people, their comrades' corpses blocked their retreat, and above them came the increasingly sinister laughter of the demon soldiers.

“Father said that Dragon Cauldron Mountain is our backbone…” The young soldier coughed up blood, the bronze sword in his hand already chipped: “We can’t… we can’t let them pass…”

Before the words were finished, a dark shadow descended from the sky—the head of a black python. Its massive jaws opened, bits of flesh still clinging to its fangs, and it let out a deafening hiss at the surviving soldiers.

The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, knowing they would die, yet they still raised their swords. It was the belief passed down through generations of the seven tribes: even if they became mountain spirits, they would guard this barrier.

"Die!" The black python's massive tail swept across once more.

The battle at Longding Mountain has begun, and at this moment, Lingjizi is leading a group of cultivators to prepare to rush to the rescue.

The candlelight crackled inside the central command tent, casting Lingjizi's figure onto the yellowed map, making him appear exceptionally solemn. His fingertip landed heavily on the location of Dragon Cauldron Mountain; the mountain range, outlined in vermilion, had been mostly stained with ink, marking the area where the demonic soldiers were gathering, expanding at a visible speed.

"Urgent news from the Bashu Allied Forces." Lingjizi's voice carried an unquestionable authority as his gaze swept over the people in the tent: "The Black Python is assisting the Ge people in attacking Longding Mountain, and ten Emei disciples have already perished." He paused, then pointed the command flag in his hand at Zi Lingxuan: "Zi Lingxuan, lead the left-wing disciples to harass the demon army's rear."

"Emei Zilingxuan accepts the order." Zilingxuan cupped her hands, the Emei dagger gleaming coldly from her sleeve. The bloodstains on her skirt were not yet dry, but she showed no sign of fatigue.

"Ge Wensong." Lingjizi turned to Ge Wensong and pointed the command flag again: "You and Xuanfeng Yichen of Qingcheng Mountain will guard the western plank road of Longding Mountain. You must not let the demon soldiers get close."

Ge Wensong gripped his longsword tightly, his gaze unconsciously sweeping over Shen Anzhi, and said loudly, "This junior obeys!"

"Shen Anzhi." Lingjizi's gaze fell on Anzhi, carrying a hint of expectation: "You will wield the Demon-Slaying Sword and break through head-on. Monk Tongda and Mo Jianchen of Shushan will protect you. You must hold back the main force of the Black Python and buy time for the allied forces!" Anzhi suddenly looked up, the Demon-Slaying Sword humming softly in its sheath, as if it could not contain itself any longer: "This disciple will certainly not fail in his mission!"

The voices of those inside the tent responding to the order were uniform and synchronized, the clanging of armor and the scraping of sword sheaths mingling together, actually drowning out the howling wind outside.

Looking at the group of young faces before him, Lingjizi suddenly recalled himself many years ago, when he was just as spirited and dared to venture into the Demon Cave with his sword. He waved his hand and said, "See you at the foot of Dragon Cauldron Mountain in half an hour."

As everyone dispersed, Anzhi deliberately slowed his pace, his gaze falling on the corner of the tent, where Tuantuan was curled up, the bronze armor on her left paw gleaming faintly, but she kept her head drooping, ignoring the arrangements inside the tent.

"Tuantuan." Anzhi walked over, her voice softening slightly. "Dragon Cauldron Mountain is dangerous. Your front paw injury hasn't fully healed yet. Stay in the main tent to recover." She deliberately spoke calmly, but a hint of expectation lingered in her eyes. She wanted to see if this iron-eating beast, who always talked about "starting a business," could truly abandon its responsibilities on the battlefield.

Tuan Tuan raised her head, a complex look flashing in her dark eyes, but she only gave a soft "hmm," her appearance somewhat submissive.

Anzhi's heart sank. She thought Tuantuan would get angry as usual and howl to follow her, but it didn't.

“You…” Anzhi wanted to say something, but Duoqi had already walked over, nuzzled Tuantuan’s neck with his head, and made a low, admonishing growl in his throat.

The two mythical beasts were actually communicating in a way that Shen Anzhi couldn't understand or comprehend...

But Tuantuan just buried her head even deeper, not even lifting her eyelids.

"Never mind." Anzhi turned around, her voice carrying a disappointment she herself didn't realize. As she walked out of the tent, she heard Duoqi let out a helpless roar, and then scold Tuantuan, but the guy remained unmoved.

“Sister Anzhi, don’t be angry.” Ge Wensong caught up and said, “It’s probably just really tired.”

Upon hearing this, Anzhi recalled Tuantuan's earlier statement that "the panda family will never become slaves of the human race," and a nameless rage surged within him: "When I return, I will definitely capture that mischievous monkey who bewitched Tuantuan and roast him over a fire until he is charred on the outside and tender on the inside!"

Ge Wensong was amused by her clenched teeth, but still gently advised, "The monkey may have its reasons. Besides, Tuantuan... maybe she wants to stay in the tent to guard something?"

Anzhi paused for a moment, then looked back towards the direction of the central army tent, where the candlelight was still on, and he could vaguely see Tuantuan walking back and forth inside the tent.

"I'm leaving." Anzhi gripped the Demon-Slaying Sword tightly and didn't look back.

Half an hour later, torches lit up like stars on the open ground at the foot of Longding Mountain.

Zi Lingxuan's Emei disciples were all ready to go. Xuan Fengyichen's Qingcheng Mountain sword formation gleamed with a blue light. Monk Tongda's staff stood on the ground, and the sound of his prayer beads turning was particularly clear in the night wind. Lingjizi rode Duoqi in.

"Let's go!" The sound of horses' hooves broke the silence of the night, and the army, like a fiery dragon, snaked its way towards Dragon Cauldron Mountain.