"If General Cangmu has such intentions, it would be somewhat detrimental to our alliance if I were to decline any further."
"In order for us to take South-Garrison Pass and echo the forces from north and south, the task of taking action is entrusted to General Cangmu."
The Tree Demon glanced at him coldly and immediately left with the Snake Demon.
Moments later, more than ten Great Demons, disguised as ordinary Barbarian Warriors, merged into the army and charged towards the city walls up ahead.
Gongye Jiahong watched silently, his eyes growing even colder.
"High Priest, with their assistance, our clan will surely breach South-Garrison Pass before Gongye Jiahong."
"In that case, it will only be natural for you to become the Leader of the Divine Sealing Sect," the dark-golden masked Barbarian behind him complimented.
Just as Gongye Jiahong was about to speak, a Barbarian entered from outside.
"High Priest, reports from the back indicate that the Sect Leader has recalled those kings!"
Gongye Jiahong furrowed his brows beneath the mask, pondered for a moment, and then spoke:
"It seems that our friends who originally came via the primeval pathways have failed in their plan!"
The two old Barbarians exchanged looks, puzzled, "Are you saying that the Heavenly Pride of the Wei people has already escaped from the dense forest?"
Before Gongye Jiahong could finish, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he waved his hand, "Let the Tu Barbarians take action now!"
"You, you're not going to wait for General Cangmu to deal with the Wei 'Barbarian King' atop the gate?"
"No need to wait!" A touch of anxiety flickered in Gongye Jiahong's eyes, "The Wei people have a saying that is correct—better not to let the night grow long and be filled with dreams!"
Hundreds of Barbarians sounded their horns, causing those fighting all over the battlefield to pause momentarily.
The Barbarian Clan's army went insane in an instant, roaring as they brandished their weapons in a desperate charge.
The defending soldiers on the city walls, especially those who had been watching the Barbarian Clan's rear, changed color.
"The Barbarians are bringing in the big guns!"
"The 'Barbarian King' has emerged!"
Even Xu Hengjun and Pang Zongkang showed signs of change. One stood on the city wall and cautioned the elder behind him:
"Elder Wu, those big Barbarians are here, this time the Southern Barbarian Sect is determined to settle the fight now!"
Elder Wu's gaze was ice-cold as he stared at the dozen or so towering Barbarians in the distance.
"I myself will be careful, however..."
Before he could finish, his words were cut off by several screams nearby.
Elder Wu followed the sound, his eyes widening in shock as he exclaimed, "Great Demons? Be careful!"
Just as Xu Hengjun was about to act, two light laughter sounded from behind:
"I am Cangmu, on behalf of the Demon Emperor, I greet you."
Xu Hengjun sensed trouble, let out a loud shout, and swung the Mountain-opening Axe behind him.
Two vine-like withered branches instantly wrapped around the two axes. The enormous strength on them suddenly yanked Xu Hengjun toward the side of the city wall.
Xu Hengjun's expression tensed, his feet planted firmly on the ground.
Despite still being pulled toward the side of the city wall, his stance was stable, muscles bulging, veins standing out prominently.
"Axe Technique·Mountain Opening!"
With a low roar, Xu Hengjun's True Yuan connected with the might of heaven and earth. The True Intent emerged on the Mountain-opening Axes, and two massive axe blades surged outward.
"Heh heh heh... Your cultivation is far inferior to that of Duke Wuan, Chen Taiping."
The Barbarian in the shape of Cangmu chuckled as he turned twice, returning to his true form—a towering tree several dozen zhang tall.
Clear eyes and a nose emerged in the middle of the trunk; the dark, black tree body was entwined with vine-like branches as thick as arms.
The axe blades that Xu Hengjun slashed out didn't even leave a mark on the tree's body.
The next instant, General Cangmu let out a sinister laugh and took action.
Vines spiraled out, their dreadful might shattering the mountains and rocks of South-Garrison Pass, sweeping directly towards the surrounding shield-bearing soldiers.
"Be careful not to let it get close; those vines can suck away our True Yuan, and even our flesh..."
"You deserve to die!"
The nearby sword and shield wielders were entangled by the vines, turning into nothing but skeletons in a mere three breaths.
Seeing this, Xu Hengjun's eyes almost burst with fury, heedlessly swinging the Mountain-opening Axe, severing the vines.
The blood and flesh that had just been ingested and not yet absorbed by the Tree Demon sprayed out from the severed vines, staining the surrounding walls red.
"Demon, you're courting death!"
Elder Wu's face turned solemn. He continuously formed hand seals, and the undead and Barbarian Corpses around him stood in front, protecting him as he cast spells.
Seeing his actions, the Cangmu Demon did not stop him. A smile showed on the withered tree body, and a huge mouth opened, spewing out dense black demon energy.
Like mist, the energy blanketed the surrounding ten li of fortresses, obscuring the vision of all the Baihua Army and sword and shield bearers.
Within it, the vines whipped around like ghostly whips, shredding the soldiers into dismembered limbs and scattering them about.
As blood sprayed, it dyed everything red.
Xu Hengjun's countenance was tragic, his last stand feeble, unable to halt the enemy, only able to protect himself from danger.
"Heavenly Destiny, can overcome others and oneself; with my blood, meld with the Drought Corpse, accomplish the supreme..."
As the Spell was cast, Elder Wu bit through ten fingers, clapped his hands, and dozens of blood-red talismans were thrown.
When they hit the ground, a gray whirlpool emerged on them, and a coffin vivid as blood surfaced.
In an instant, the coffin's seal was undone.
Inside, a silver-white zombie stepped out, its body naked, covered densely in standing silver-white hair.
With the appearance of the Drought Demon, Elder Wu spat blood, struggling to create two more talismanic seals, commanding: "Go!"
The silver-white Drought Demon roared, its hairs suddenly falling off, transforming into handfuls of silver-white flames.
Amidst the roaring, the fire burned everything in its vicinity, the blood, severed limbs, even the vines in the demon wind, all set ablaze.