Divine Emperor City, the Mural World.
On the broad plaza, Xiao Qixing's large force was facing off against a group of Bean Divine Soldiers.
The Bean Divine Soldiers' numbers were even greater than Xiao Qixing's side.
"How should we fight?" Sun Yuanhua had barely asked when the Bean Divine Soldiers had already launched their charge.
Xiao Qixing stopped the others who were about to act and smiled. "Everyone, please serve as reserves for now. Let me handle them."
After speaking, Xiao Qixing let out a sharp whistle, his fingers flicking rapidly as a large number of Gu Insects flew out from his Empty Orifice.
These Gu Insects landed on the ground and quickly transformed into humanoid figures. Most were ordinary soldiers, a smaller portion were clearly elite, and a very small number were even more imposing and fierce.
"Those are Soldier Gu, Sergeant Gu, and Corporal Gu?" Gu Ting narrowed his eyes slightly.
"That should be right." Wei Wushang did a rough count. "About five hundred in total. It seems Xiao Qixing has been thriving in the military camp to have accumulated so many Human Path Gu Insects."
"Form formation!" Xiao Qixing barked in a low voice, activating the Arrow Formation Gu within his Empty Orifice.
The soldiers under his command immediately assembled. Centurions led corporals, corporals commanded sergeants, and soldiers gathered around the sergeants.
The entire army was shaped like a massive arrow, without dodging or evading, charging straight into the oncoming Bean Divine Soldiers.
"Kill—!"
Xiao Qixing's army let out thunderous battle cries, while the Bean Divine Soldiers' side was deathly silent.
The two forces crashed into each other like opposing waves, and after the collision, began to intermingle.
Xiao Qixing's eyes blazed like lightning, starlight radiating from them, as he focused completely on commanding his forces.
In the chaotic battle, the troops he controlled always remained united in small clusters, maintaining the most basic military formations.
The Bean Divine Soldiers, on the other hand, were scattered and disorganized.
After an initial stalemate, the situation gradually came under Xiao Qixing's control. Once local advantages were gained, they snowballed rapidly. Soon, local superiority evolved into overall dominance.
In the end, Xiao Qixing's side achieved total victory, and the Bean Divine Soldiers were completely wiped out.
"How was that?" Xiao Qixing returned victorious, his face brimming with excitement as he looked around at the other Gu Immortal seeds. His pride was unmistakable.
Zhao Shuye rolled her eyes and paid him no mind.
"Brother Xiao is truly formidable!" Chen Dajiang gave a thumbs up.
"Hahaha." Xiao Qixing laughed heartily and said to Chen Dajiang, "If you had joined me back then, you would have achieved similar accomplishments by now."
"We should keep moving. We've only cleared one mural," Wei Wushang said.
"Don't let your guard down. These soldiers are merely Soybean Soldiers—the most basic units among the Bean Divine Soldiers," Gu Ting spoke up.
The group continued forward, sweeping through Bean Divine Soldiers along the way.
Before long, they arrived at the most prosperous street in Divine Emperor City.
The Bean Divine Soldiers were wantonly massacring the city's residents, creating utter chaos.
Sun Yao's eyes ignited with fury upon seeing this. The first time she had entered this place, she had come to this very street and witnessed its prosperous splendor. Never had she imagined that such a beautiful scene would be completely destroyed by the Bean Divine Soldiers. Corpses lay everywhere, blood flowed in rivers.
"This is where everyone else needs to step in," Xiao Qixing said with rare modesty. "The terrain here is narrow, visibility is poor, and my forces can't spread out."
The other Gu Immortal seeds naturally had no objections and rushed to the front line, attacking in unison.
Xiao Qixing stayed at the rear, carefully advancing his soldiers while observing intently.
He knew well in his heart: these fellow Gu Masters competing alongside him for the Yuanlian True Inheritance were his greatest rivals. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you shall never be defeated—now was the perfect opportunity to learn about these people.
These elites from the Central Continent's Ten Great Ancient Sects were truly extraordinary once they took action.
Xiao Qixing had accumulated much, but these Gu Masters were not one bit inferior.
Ying Shengji continuously produced Doctor Gu that transformed into humanoid forms, rushing about to heal the wounded.
Chen Dajiang had entered the government service, surrounded by a group of constables, while also wielding a broadsword and iron chain, participating in front-line combat.
Sun Yao impressed Xiao Qixing even more. Three dancing girls surrounded her, their long sleeves fluttering as they systematically weakened the Bean Divine Soldiers. Sun Yao also commanded a Human Path killer move—Joy of Helping Others—which proved extremely effective at buffing allies.
As for Wei Wushang, he appeared and disappeared intermittently, his figure moving through the chaotic battlefield like a fish in water.
"This fellow has already mastered the Thief Gu," Xiao Qixing realized.
These elites from the Ten Great Ancient Sects were truly dazzling once they showed their power. Xiao Qixing felt mounting pressure and grew ever more vigilant. "I really can't underestimate these people!"
The chaotic battle lasted for half a cup of tea's time before the entire street was finally cleared.
Without lingering, Xiao Qixing and the others pressed onward toward other murals.
Bean Divine Soldiers at each location were successively eradicated by their group.
Of course, the counterattack wasn't limited to just their squad. The mural world's natives had also spontaneously organized numerous teams, all fighting fiercely to kill the Bean Divine Soldiers.
Ye Fan and Hong Yi were embedded among other teams, secretly communicating.
"These Bean Divine Soldiers are truly fascinating—so many varieties. It's quite the eye-opener."
"The elites from the Ten Great Ancient Sects have grown as well. We need to be careful and keep a low profile. We can't let them discover us."
They had been the earliest to enter the mural world.
Their current accumulation far exceeded the Central Continent group's, but Ye Fan and Hong Yi could only operate covertly. After all, the Five Regions' outside world was the main stage—if the two of them were discovered by the Heavenly Court, the situation would become dire.
The resistance squads killed faster and faster, their efficiency continuously improving while casualties dropped rapidly.
Once they had gained sufficient experience, they fully understood the different types of Bean Divine Soldiers. Soybean Soldiers were cannon fodder, Mung Bean Soldiers could fire flying arrows, Red Bean Soldiers' self-destruction needed to be watched out for, Black Bean Soldiers had the hardest bodies, and so on.
With knowledge of each type's characteristics, they launched targeted offensives. These Bean Divine Soldiers proved far weaker than they appeared.
The resistance squads won victory after victory, reclaiming more and more territory.
In the end, they all converged at one point—the city wall of Divine Emperor City.
Outside the wall stretched an ocean of Bean Divine Soldiers. At the first sight of this scene, Xiao Qixing couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
The enemy's forces were immense—far beyond what his squad could handle. Only by joining forces with other squads could they hope to hold the city.
The Bean Divine Soldiers surged forward in complete disarray, a chaotic mass charging straight at them.
Xiao Qixing and the others occupied the top of the wall, looking down from their high vantage point as they continuously cut down the enemy below.