A Scroll of Infinite Glory

Chapter 172 Hunting Chang'an, Shadows of Dragons, Thunder Shakes the Heavens

Chang'an City, in this era, on this continent, under this sky, is undoubtedly the number one city.

As the Jade Rabbit fell and the Golden Crow rose, wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of Chang'an City, and the sounds of people gradually grew louder.

Even with the impending arrival of demons and the tense atmosphere of the Imperial Guards being mobilized, the city could not descend into a state of anxiety. They would talk about the turmoil and feel uneasy, but life still had to go on.

Fortunately, this day did not seem to be the day chosen by the flames of war.

Until the golden palace and the gray streets, after enduring the full day's scorching sunlight, the moonlight finally arrived.

Shao Lingxiao and his four attendants appeared on a high point in Chang'an City under the moonlight.

Originally, from the moment the Imperial Guards were mobilized, all buildings in Chang'an with a certain high vantage point had already been guarded by elite troops assigned by the Imperial Guards.

They were aware that every fifteen minutes, they would use the sound of drums to signal their presence to their comrades guarding other high places. Moreover, the intensity of the drumbeats varied each round, so if anyone intruded into these places and attempted to imitate the drumbeats of the previous round, they would be immediately detected.

However, when Shao Lingxiao appeared here, all the imperial guards in this pavilion had already perished under the sword energy. The sword energy, as thin as a hair, passed through their throats, destroying their trachea, leaving only needle-like holes and a little blood.

These men, some strong and some wiry, showed no signs of injury unless one looked closely. They simply leaned against railings, walls, or potted plants, looking exhausted, their heads bowed, their spears and swords still clutched tightly in their hands, propped haphazardly against the ground.

Unconcerned about the drumbeats a quarter of an hour later, Shao Lingxiao remained calm and composed, seemingly relaxed in every part of his body, overlooking the city in the moonlight.

The only "tense" part was probably his left sleeve, which was still wrapped tightly around the blade of the flying sword, so tightly that it looked as if his left hand, which was behind his waist, was holding a black and somber mourning staff.

Looking down from above, the streets of Chang'an City were divided into sections, and the roof tiles were arranged in a dense pattern like fish scales, or like a black wheat field that had just been finely plowed, leaving behind so many neat and intricate marks.

Tiles next to tiles, eaves next to eaves, the buildings in every market town are connected together, as if they have been closely intertwined since the day the city existed, until now.

Only the ridges of rooftops rising from the fields of tiles reveal the differences in height and social status. Some ridges are tall and long, with flying eaves and corners, and are adorned with dragons and mythical beasts, while others are so low that they seem to be swallowed up by the shadows of other rooftops.

Night had fallen, and the market was silent. Yet, Shao Lingxiao could hear the breaths of countless people in the wind. This was a tranquility that enveloped the entire city, but also a tranquility overflowing with vitality.

Shao Lingxiao's eyes were filled with those tiled roofs, his pupils much darker than the black tiles, their meaning unreadable, as he craned his neck to look into the distance.

Outside the city walls, which rise as high as mountains, the moon shines like a silver veil, and in the vast wilderness, many places shimmer with light.

The Wei, Jing, Feng, Lao, Yu, Hao, Chan, and Ba rivers, which belong to the Yellow River system, flow around this city.

As early as the Western Han Dynasty, Sima Xiangru wrote in his "Shanglin Fu": "The eight rivers flow in all directions, each with its own distinct appearance."

The magnificent beauty of the eight rivers surrounding Chang'an is clearly outside the city, yet it is controlled by the atmosphere within the city. The government orders here reach all over the world, to Silla and Baekje, to the Western Regions beyond the Great Wall, to the vast plateau, and to the boundless sea.

The former Shiwan Mountains, the Six Zhao Kingdom, and the present-day Nanzhao Kingdom, though so far away, have inevitably been influenced by the atmosphere of this city.

Another round of drumbeats sounded, but there was no response from the pavilions on this side. An unusual silence fell over the area. The slightest sound could not escape the ears of the master, and it was closing in from all sides.

The sound of a messenger taking flight, its feathers flapping in the wind, was also mixed in.

But just as one of the blood eagles soared into the sky, a dark shadow pierced through the roof below, turning the difficult-to-tame bird of prey into a shower of blood mist that exploded in the air.

The long, dark shadow paused slightly in mid-air, its segments gleaming with a dark luster. The large poisonous bud and sharp spikes at its tip made it impossible for anyone to mistake it.

—This is a scorpion's tail.

Its long, upright tail continued to extend rapidly, its carapace clanging as it grew thicker and thicker until it was almost as tall as the city wall.

Immediately afterwards, the house was torn apart as if it were made of paper. Amidst the flying fragments, eight black shadows, roughly the same length as the previous tail, extended outwards.

It crashed through the walls and swept away the pillars. The people in the nearby houses were buried under the debris of the walls and roofs before they could even scream.

The iron whistles of the inner guards sounded urgently, spreading from one point to another, and then from one area to another, until they could be heard clearly even outside the city.

In the blink of an eye, at least tens of thousands of lights and torches from all over the city began to sway and rush toward this place.

More than a dozen nearby towns and villages were thrown into chaos.

And the source of those nine venomous scorpion tails, the six-armed creature that was originally nearly humanoid, was also rapidly expanding.

Large clumps of muscle burst forth from his body like exploding cotton. When the muscles in his shoulders swelled up, one large and one small, they squeezed his head out of sight. Then, this swelling sensation extended to his arms and back.

For a moment, all that remained was a fleshy ball larger than a house, its six arms buried in muscles and completely invisible.

But soon, hundreds of firecracker-like sounds came from inside, and the bones proliferated wildly, supporting the overgrown muscles again.

The six arms transformed into giant claws, with sharp tips. The arm muscles were bulging, giving it a more fluid and beautiful shape. The joints were covered with carapace, while the rest of the body was covered with keratinous skin, giving it a rough appearance like a crocodile.

Its legs became incredibly thick, perhaps due to its weight, so it could only squat. The two hands at the bottom of its six arms also had to help support and maintain the balance of this huge monster.

Finally, there was a huge head that grew out from between muscles, with rugged features, and you could vaguely make out Sun Ling's appearance.

The hair is gone, but the top of the head is covered with bony spikes, like a monster's crown made of countless thorns.

The abyss being with golden eyes supported itself on the ground with its two arms and hind legs bent at its waist, while its upper body was slightly upright and its four arms were outstretched.

This posture only shows most of his height, but even so, the height of his head is already over fifteen meters, and his nine tails are more than twice as long as his upper body.

With the slightest movement, the ground trembled within three miles; when he roared, a house in front of him was blown down, and the whole city could hear it.

But such a huge monster only aroused Shao Lingxiao's curiosity for a moment before he looked away and focused more on Chang'an's response.

The Imperial Guards' heavy crossbows were carried by strongmen as they rushed over. Many experts were also heading in that direction. The sound of the pipa countered the terrifying pressure of the demons' roars.

The Spring and Autumn Greatsword, wielding the flowing water, slashed horizontally, clashing with the Abyss One's fist. It shattered the fist, but flesh and blood rapidly regenerated from the wrist.

Nine long tails whistled back and forth, sometimes near, sometimes far. Wherever they went, the bodies of soldiers and civilians alike would melt into a highly toxic slurry and be absorbed if they were grazed by the sharp spikes at the tips of the tails.

Even so, the morale of the Imperial Guards was not greatly affected. They seemed to have anticipated and rehearsed this, with heavy crossbows positioned a short distance away before being fired rapidly. The brave and strong officers roared and threw their spears.

The roars of the Abyss Ones echoed, and the demonic mutated creatures outside the city, upon hearing these sounds, seemed to receive a command and rushed towards the city from all directions at full speed.

Those deformed, inhuman figures scaled the city walls and plummeted downwards. Some were blocked by top-tier experts, while others charged straight ahead from secluded angles, recklessly wreaking havoc. Under the leadership of the Abyss Lord, these mutated demons became even more excited.

However, the torchlight quickly dispersed and converged, representing the guards of Chang'an who were advancing wave after wave to stop the demons.

The entire city of Chang'an was awakened. War raged everywhere, with flames rising and torches being extinguished, but no flames were dissipated.

"The glorious Tang Dynasty, blessed by Heaven with all nations..."

Witnessing all this, Shao Lingxiao recited verses praising the Tang Dynasty in a long, drawn-out voice, neither a eulogy nor a mockery.

But seeing such a united and determined scene, he felt that only these eight words could be applied.

To truly inflict pain on such a great Tang Dynasty, is the death of one or two emperors and the destruction of some grain enough? What does that amount to?

Even if they wanted to stay far away from Tang and gather enough strength to launch a war, it would take at least twenty or thirty years of planning.

But that was too late, too slow, and many people couldn't wait.

It wasn't that Shao Lingxiao couldn't wait, nor that Ye Motian couldn't wait, but rather it was the people of the Tang Dynasty.

Those who survived the Southwest War ten years ago—the martial arts figures, high-ranking officials of the imperial court, and even more soldiers—are the targets of revenge.

Those court officials who, though not personally going to the battlefield, controlled logistical deployment strategies and contributed to the war in other ways, were the targets of revenge.

Those who cheered and shouted in empathy for the great battle ten years ago, those common people of the Tang Dynasty who were everywhere in every city and every village...

Yes, it's the goal of revenge!

Shao Lingxiao has wasted ten years. He can't wait any longer. If he waits and waits until the generation from ten years ago is almost dead and has almost forgotten how he felt ten years ago, what kind of revenge will it be then?

He wanted to usher in the most chaotic era, and plunge those people into a torrent of suffering in the shortest possible time.

Only the suffering of so many people can shatter the cocoon of hatred that binds me, free me from the heavy and complicated constraints accumulated over the past ten years, and allow me to regain liberation and freedom.

To achieve this and deliver a crushing blow to the mighty Tang Dynasty, the only option is, of course, to use the power of "Heaven".

Above the pavilion where Shao Lingxiao was, in the moonlit night sky, clouds suddenly surged, and an ancient heavenly gate slowly emerged.

The flying sword trembled slightly, and the sleeve of his left hand was completely shattered.

The Abyss Warrior marched straight toward the palace, destroying any obstacles in his path. Although the four wielders of divine weapons, including Lu Ningxian, could inflict some injuries on him, they were rapidly healing and regenerating, unable to truly slow him down.

Especially around this Abyss Being, blood-red magic circle patterns continued to appear in various places.

Some magic circles suddenly accelerate the Abyss's heavy fists, some provide hardened defense for a part of the Abyss's body, and some are illusions to confuse and distract the enemy.

Fux remained invisible, stepping on the Abyss's left shoulder.

If this Abyss Being were truly just an Abyss Being, it would never have coordinated with her so skillfully. However, when the one controlling the Abyss Being's body is also a magic user, their coordination becomes incredibly terrifying.

Even when Abbot Wangsheng arrived, he was enveloped in a blood-red aura and overwhelmed by the relentless attacks of his four arms, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, and was repeatedly sent flying backward.

The blank streets and city walls between the imperial city and the outer city were destroyed by the nine long tails. When the Abyss Warriors were about to break into the imperial city, the people of the major families had no choice but to join the battle.

Buzz!

Shao Lingxiao gripped the hilt of the Flying Light Sword with his right hand, and the sword intent of "Dragon Crying for a Thousand Miles" reached its peak. The entire pavilion, the surrounding atmosphere, and all the things around it trembled.

The supreme master's spiritual power caused his sword intent to transform into one after another water-colored dragon shadows, accompanied by clear and melodious chants, flying out from his body, circling and swimming in the sky, making them appear even more slender.

The experts from the various powerful families couldn't help but exclaim in shock.

They saw the Heavenly Gate in the night sky and the many dragon shadows lingering between heaven and earth, but this was not what terrified them. What horrified them was that the true energy exerted by any expert who had reached the first-class level was suddenly absorbed by those dragon shadows.

Even the true energy flowing through their meridians couldn't help but leak out and fly away.

The true energy of a top-tier master is refined to the point of being as pure as steel. If one can guard one's energy and calm one's mind, even a supreme grandmaster could not accomplish such a feat simply by shining those water-colored dragon shadow sword energies through the air.

However, they are currently engaged in fierce battle. The Abyss Beings, Blood Magic, and Demon Mutants make it impossible for them to concentrate their true energy. Instead, they have to unleash their true energy intensely in order to resist the enemy. As a result, the trend of their true energy being drawn away becomes even more uncontrollable.

Amidst the roar and shadow of dragons, the entire city was bathed in a light that seemed both faint and deep, converging towards that towering pavilion.

The entire area where the skyscraper was located was glowing, and the power it contained made all knowledgeable people tremble with fear.

If that sword were to be swung, it could probably blast its way from the high-rise building into the depths of the palace.

Although its immense power is the result of concentrated efforts and its signs are obvious, any person who reaches the highest level has a chance to escape, but frankly speaking, no one can resist it.

However, if the sword's target was not the inner palace, but rather a specific person, then given the wide coverage of the sword's energy, there would likely be no hope of escape.

How could they possibly understand that the target of this sword strike was neither the emperor in the inner palace nor these martial arts masters?

Shao Lingxiao raised his head, and the sword energy flying between his hair shattered the rooftop, clearing away even the fragments, powder, and dust, leaving a clear view above him.

The Heavenly Gate in the night sky became clearer and more profound, and continued to enlarge. If someone looked up at it, the carvings on the Heavenly Gate would be revealed in every detail.

His sword strike was meant to destroy the Heavenly Gate!

The battles between hundreds of top-tier masters, the major families of Chang'an City, and nearly a hundred demonic mutants will all contribute to this sword strike.

Starting from the Eastern Capital, this ostentatious journey, which aroused righteous indignation among all martial arts practitioners, was aimed at destroying the Heavenly Gate.

Those truly ancient and powerful sects have preserved the messages and fragments of information passed back by their ancestors after they shattered the void and explored what lay beyond the Heavenly Gate.

The connection between this world and the greater world is like a taut thread; even the slightest imbalance or impact would sever this connection and shatter the Heavenly Gate.

Of course, this so-called slight imbalance is something that ordinary human beings cannot achieve. Even the most outstanding masters cannot exert such effort. Only a scene like tonight's could achieve this.

The commotion involving both worlds will begin at the point where the Heavenly Gate shatters, disrupting the flow of energy between these worlds.

It's not something as tangible as a thunderous meteor or celestial tribulation, but rather an imbalance of the energies of heaven and earth.

From that moment on, for the next five to ten years, the spring floods will turn into devastating floods, and sunny days will lead to droughts. The imbalance of the earth's energy will result in a significant reduction in grain production, and may even trigger famine and locust plagues. The Tang Dynasty will inevitably fall into decline.

Then, as expected, came war.

Once this sword is swung, the survivors will understand that they came here full of chivalrous spirit and patriotism, only to end up making everyone an accomplice to the chaos of the world!

All heroes, and those who aspire to be heroes, must linger in sin, witnessing the suffering of the masses until death.

This is Shao Lingxiao's revenge.

However, just as the sword was about to be swung, the movement slowed down.

Shao Lingxiao gazed at the sky filled with dragon shadows. The power gathered by his mind and will had already exceeded the limits of a Grandmaster, but...

wrong……

He frowned.

………………

Fux was also keeping an eye on Shao Lingxiao, which was the most important step in their plan. Even vampires with cold body temperatures couldn't help but feel a little excited and uneasy at this time, and of course, even more eagerly anticipating it.

However, while keeping an eye on the situation there, she did not let her guard down regarding the battlefield.

Only with the battle continuing can things proceed smoothly on that side. The enemies facing the Abyss Warriors have now been joined by Swift Lightning Shadow and Ancient Orchid Fragrance.

Even with the support of demonic mutants and the aid of blood magic, the enormous monster was forced into a stalemate.

While casting spells to assist, Fux searched for Guan Luoyang.

She threw out a bunch of magic scrolls, which were destroyed in mid-air.

The crimson magic circle simultaneously expanded in over thirty directions, both vertically and horizontally.

Defense and counterattack, Ice Blade, Thunder, Low Temperature, Sloth, Pleasure.

The Abyss One's four fists swept across the patterns of the various magic circles, each fist seemingly wrapped in a layer of crimson flames, and slammed down with tremendous force.

Fux watched as Abbot Wangsheng and Gulanxiang each blocked one of the attacks, while his other two fists slammed into the ground.

As the lightning-fast figure dodged and moved, three overlapping magical patterns appeared along his evasive path, slowing his movement.

Where exactly did Guan Luoyang go?

The armored figure passed through the magical patterns and suddenly disappeared.

Before Fuchs could even finish pondering his question, he felt his vision spinning rapidly, and everything around him turned into distorted and elongated colors.

My head feels very dizzy and lightheaded.

"Were you looking for me just now?"

The vampire on the Abyssman's shoulder was now just a headless body.

The Flying Shadow Armor, carrying Fux's head, soared over the Abyss's height from the ground and hovered high in the air.

The vampire's head wasn't dead yet, so much so that she saw that scene after she became dizzy.

Beneath the crystalline armor on the face of the armored figure, a pair of eyes gleamed with the light of flames, and the words that emanated from them... were Guan Luoyang's voice!

The summoner of the Flying Shadow Armor has a similar system of recognizing a master. After a summoning is completed, it will leave a mark of the summoner's energy. However, this system of recognizing a master is not so extreme as to last until death, and can only be broken if either the summoner or the summoner is destroyed.

As long as other people's mental energy also exceeds the standard for summoning armor and covers the previous energy imprint in the summoner, they can become the new summoner.

With Anfeiyu voluntarily handing over the summoner, it would be effortless for Guan Luoyang to do so.

This armor, which provides a percentage boost to the summoner's inherent qualities, left an indelible mark on Guan Luoyang's body, leaving an impression on everyone, both friend and foe, in mid-air.

It was a dazzling aurora, with thunderous currents, like a raging torrent of lightning capable of piercing through mountains!

The roar of wind and thunder and the screams of vampires rang out at the same time.

With only his head remaining, Fuchs let out the most twisted howl of his life.

She didn't know if she had realized what was happening to her, but all the protective magic on her body was shattered in that instant. She didn't have time to use her life-saving magic, and at this moment, all she had left was the instinct to escape as a blood mist of bats.

But it's also slower.

On the armored hand, flames and lightning exploded, destroying all traces of anything.

The figure, hovering in mid-air, suddenly turned back like lightning, slamming a heavy foot into the back of the Abyssman.

The enormous monster tried to turn around, but was struck from behind by an irresistible force, forcing it to collapse completely, with a deafening roar and waves of dust rising up.

Guan Luoyang stood atop the small hill formed of flesh and bone, stepping on the monster's broken spine, looking down at the enemy surrounded by dragon shadows.

(End of this chapter)