Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

Ten days later, at Sishui Pass.

On the watchtower of the city wall, the garrison commander Han Rong frowned deeply.

Fifty miles outside the pass, the Xiqi camp stretched endlessly, its banners obscuring the sun. Since the demons withdrew, Xiqi's offensive had intensified significantly, with small groups of troops harassing the pass daily.

"General, Xiqi has sent cavalry to harass the grain supply route again!" the deputy general hurriedly reported. "More than 30 civilians escorting the grain have been killed or wounded, and 20 grain carts have been lost."

Han Rong slammed his fist on the wall: "That old fox Jiang Ziya, he doesn't dare attack the city head-on, he just targets its weak points!"

"Should we request reinforcements from Chaoge?"

Han Rong pondered.

Chaoge has just suffered a siege from the demon race and is still recovering. To call for help now...

"No rush," he shook his head. "Strengthen the defenses of the supply lines and send out more scouts. If Xiqi dares to launch a large-scale attack, it's not too late to report it then."

"yes!"

The deputy general accepted the order and withdrew.

Han Rong looked towards the Xiqi camp, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

What exactly is Jiang Ziya waiting for?

Xiqi Camp, Central Command Tent.

Jiang Ziya looked at the sand table, stroked his beard, and remained silent.

Standing beneath the tent were Yang Jian, Nezha, Lei Zhenzi, and other disciples of the third generation of the Chan Sect.

"Uncle-Master, why not just attack the city directly?" Nezha asked impatiently. "The garrison at Sishui Pass numbers only 50,000, while our army has 200,000. We can take it in one battle!"

Jiang Ziya shook his head: "To conquer cities is the inferior strategy; to conquer hearts is the superior one."

He pointed to a winding line on the sand table.

"This is the supply route from Chaoge to Sishui Pass. Chaoge has just suffered a major battle and its food reserves are insufficient. If we can cut off its supply route, Sishui Pass will fall without a fight."

Yang Jian spoke up: "Uncle-Master, with Su Yunbai in charge of Chaoge, they won't sit idly by and watch their supply lines be cut off."

"That's why we need your help." Jiang Ziya looked at him. "Yang Jian, you will lead a thousand elite troops to harass the supply lines tonight. There's no need for a direct assault; focus on harassment to wear down the defenders."

"Nezha, you take the Wind-Fire Wheels and provide support from the air. If you encounter any Jie Sect cultivators, send a message immediately."

"Lei Zhenzi, lead three thousand men to meet us fifty li away."

The generals shouted in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Jiang Ziya added, "Remember, this battle is only a test. If Su Yunbai shows himself... retreat immediately."

"yes!"

That night, at midnight.

Fifty li outside Sishui Pass lies a valley that the grain transport route must pass through.

Yang Jian led a thousand elite Xiqi soldiers to ambush in the mountains on both sides.

The night was dark and the wind was high.

The sound of carriages and horses could be heard in the distance—the grain convoy from Chaoge had arrived.

The grain transport was escorted by Xu Gai, the deputy general of Sishui Pass, who led two thousand soldiers as guards. In the center of the procession were fifty grain carts, pulled by oxen and horses, moving slowly.

"Get ready," Yang Jian whispered.

The grain convoy reached the center of the valley.

"Release the arrows!"

Whoosh whoosh!

Arrows rained down!

"Enemy attack!" Xu Gai shouted. "Form ranks! Protect the grain wagons!"

The defending troops quickly formed a circular formation, their shields forming a wall.

However, the Xiqi soldiers, positioned on higher ground, had significantly more powerful arrows. Defenders continued to fall, struck by arrows.

"General! There are too many Xiqi soldiers!" the personal guard said urgently.

Xu Gai gritted his teeth: "Fire a signal flare! Call for help!"

call out--!

Red fireworks shot into the sky.

Yang Jian frowned: "Let's finish this quickly!"

He personally took action, his three-pointed double-edged sword transforming into a streak of silver light as he slashed towards the grain cart!

At that very moment—

A silver thread flew in from the horizon and wrapped around the blade.

"Yang Jian, it's been a long time."

Su Yunbai arrived under the moonlight, followed by Jiang Xiaowu and three hundred Iron Blood Army soldiers.

Yang Jian sheathed his sword and retreated, his eyes serious.

"Su Yunbai..."

"It's me." Su Yunbai landed on the ground, her fingers entwined with a thread of affection. "What, Jiang Ziya doesn't dare come himself, so he sent you to do this petty theft?"

Yang Jian said coldly, "In a battle between two armies, each side relies on its own methods."

"Well said, each according to their own methods." Su Yunbai nodded. "Then today, I'll show you my methods."

He raised his hand, and his affection transformed into countless silver threads, covering Yang Jian from all directions!

Yang Jian retreated hastily, his third eye between his eyebrows opened, and golden light shot out, colliding with the silver threads.

Boom boom boom—!

The air surged, and the mountains and forests were destroyed.

The Xiqi soldiers were shaken and staggered.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jiang Xiaowu led the Iron Blood Army out to attack, like a tiger among sheep, and the Xiqi army suffered a series of defeats.

"Retreat!" Yang Jian decisively ordered.

The Xiqi soldiers were well-trained and retreated quickly.

Su Yunbai did not pursue.

He looked at Xu Gai: "What are the casualties?"

Xu Gai bowed and reported to the general: "We have suffered over a hundred casualties, but the grain carts are undamaged."

"Strengthen the defenses," Su Yunbai said. "Xiqi will not give up."

"yes!"

On the way back to Sishui Pass.

Jiang Xiaowu rode her horse alongside Su Yunbai.

"General, why didn't you give chase earlier?"

"Yang Jian didn't use his full strength," Su Yunbai said. "He was testing him."

"What are you testing?"

"He's testing whether I'll leave Chaoge." Su Yunbai looked westward. "Jiang Ziya is waiting for an opportunity—once I leave Chaoge, he can launch a full-scale attack."

Jiang Xiaowu suddenly realized.

"Then the general will come tonight..."

"It's to let him know that I'm here," Su Yunbai said calmly. "I can take care of both Chaoge and Sishui Pass."

Jiang Xiaowu's eyes filled with admiration.

Xiqi Camp.

Yang Jian reported on the battle situation.

After listening, Jiang Ziya pondered and said, "Su Yunbai has come in person... It seems that Chaoge is indeed vulnerable."

"Uncle-Master, what's the next step?"

"Continue the harassment," Jiang Ziya said, "but change the target."

He pointed to another part of the sand table.

"Thirty li northeast of Sishui Pass, there is a Green Dragon Mountain. There is a spring in the mountain, which is one of the water sources for Sishui Pass. Take your men there and poison the spring."

Yang Jian frowned: "Poisoning... is against the natural order."

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures," Jiang Ziya said calmly. "Remember, use a slow-acting poison that will take effect in three days. By then, the defenders of Sishui Pass will be weakened, and our army can press on with full force."

"Yes."

Yang Jian withdrew.

Jiang Ziya sat alone in his tent, gazing eastward.

"Su Yunbai... how many points can you defend against?"

Three days later.

Inside Sishui Pass, a large number of the garrison troops experienced symptoms of fatigue and dizziness.

After being examined by the military doctor, his complexion changed drastically.

"General, it's poisoning!"

Han Rong slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Water source! Investigate the water source!"

Soon, the poisoning of the Qinglong Mountain spring was discovered.

"Seal the well immediately! Divert water from the backup source!" Han Rong ordered urgently. "Gather the poisoned soldiers for treatment!"

However, more than a thousand people have been poisoned, and although not fatal, they have lost their fighting ability.

Worse still, the backup water supply is only enough for three days.

"General, should we request reinforcements from Chaoge?" the adjutant asked.

Han Rong gritted his teeth: "Please!"

Chaoge, General's Mansion.

Su Yunbai frowned upon receiving the urgent report.

"Poisoning... Jiang Ziya is indeed ruthless."

Yunxiao said from the side, "I'll go. The Way of Music can purify water sources."

"I will go with you." Su Yunbai stood up. "Bixiao and Qiongxiao, you two stay behind to guard Chaoge."

Bixiao nodded: "Don't worry."

Qiongxiao said calmly, "With me here, Chaoge has nothing to worry about."

That afternoon, Su Yunbai and Yunxiao rushed to Sishui Pass.

Yunxiao played the "Clear Spring Melody" on the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Qin, and the music transformed into a clear stream that flowed into the water source. Three hours later, the poison was completely neutralized.

However, the problem of backup water sources remains unresolved.

"The spring at Qinglong Mountain has been polluted and is unusable in the short term," Han Rong reported. "It will take at least ten days to dig a new water source."

Su Yunbai looked at the map.

Where is the nearest clean water source?

"Seventy li to the southeast is White Dragon Pool."

"It's too far," Su Yunbai shook his head. "We can't transport water that far."

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Where is Ao Ling?"

"The Dragon Princess returned to the East China Sea yesterday to coordinate the allocation of supplies."

Su Yunbai took out a dragon scale—a communication device left behind by Ao Ling.

He infused it with magic.

A moment later, Ao Ling's illusory image appeared.

"What is it?"

"Sishui Pass is short of water; could water be diverted from the East China Sea?"

Ao Ling pondered for a moment: "Alright. But we need to set up an array to guide it, and it can only be maintained for seven days."

"Seven days is enough."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

The illusory image dissipated.

Su Yunbai looked at Yunxiao: "I'll trouble you, Fairy, with the matter of setting up the formation."

"It's my duty."

Two days later, the waters of the East Sea were introduced into Sishui Pass through a teleportation array.

The water crisis has been resolved.

But Su Yunbai knew that this was just the beginning.

Since Jiang Ziya has already made his move, he won't just use one move.

Sure enough, five days later.

The Xiqi army suddenly split into three routes.

They launched a feint attack on the front of Sishui Pass.

They took a detour and launched a surprise attack on the granary behind the pass.

The third route was the most bizarre—an altar was built ten miles outside the pass, with Jiang Ziya personally presiding over it, seemingly to perform some kind of magic.

"What is he doing?" Han Rong asked, puzzled.

Su Yunbai climbed the city wall and looked towards the altar.

Flags fluttered and talismans covered the altar.

Jiang Ziya, holding the God-Slaying Whip, is performing the ritual of stepping on the Big Dipper.

"He is...invoking a deity."

Su Yunbai's eyes were serious.

In the novel *Investiture of the Gods*, Jiang Ziya repeatedly asked the gods for help.

Who will he invite this time?

Night falls.

The altar shone with golden light.

A majestic figure emerged from the golden light, clad in golden armor and wielding a golden whip.

It is... King Wu Cheng, Huang Feihu?

No, it is the god bestowed upon Huang Feihu after his death—the Great Emperor Tianqi Rensheng of Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak!

Jiang Ziya actually invited this person!

Huang Feihu's phantom image overlooked Sishui Pass, his voice like thunder:

"Han Rong! An old friend is here, why not open the city gates and let us meet?"

Han Rong trembled all over.

Huang Feihu and he had a past relationship, and the two had fought side by side.

Now that the deceased has become a deity, he stands on the opposite side.

"Brother Huang..." Han Rong smiled bitterly.

Su Yunbai pressed down on his shoulder.

"He is no longer Huang Feihu, but a god invited by Jiang Ziya."

Han Rong took a deep breath and nodded.

He walked to the top of the city wall and proclaimed loudly:

"Brother Huang, we each serve our own masters. If you attack the city today, don't blame me for my ruthless swordsmanship!"

Huang Feihu's illusory figure sighed.

"In that case... I apologize for the inconvenience."

He raised his hand, and the golden whip fell!

boom--!

The city walls trembled violently, and cracks appeared in the protective array!

The power of that single strike was terrifying!

"This is just the beginning," Su Yunbai said coldly. "Yunxiao, activate the formation!"

"yes!"

The sound of a zither ringing in the sky echoes, and the Yellow River Array, winding through the nine heavens, begins anew.

At the same time, Su Yunbai unleashed his Love Threads, with thousands of silver threads wrapping around Huang Feihu's illusory image.

The great war broke out again.

This battle lasted from midnight until dawn.

Huang Feihu's illusory image was ultimately just a manifestation of the divine summoning technique; it would dissipate on its own when the time was up.

However, the defenders of Sishui Pass also suffered heavy casualties, and the defensive formation was almost completely destroyed.

Once Jiang Ziya had achieved his goal, he sounded the retreat.

On the city wall, Su Yunbai watched the retreating Xiqi army with a heavy heart.

This was just a small-scale clash.

The real battle is yet to come.