Under the carriage gate and within the reed house.

    A hundred or so immortals and cultivators were seated on cushioned mats, gazing at the senior figure.

    The forces within the reed house can be roughly divided into three factions.

    Firstly, Chen Yun's disciples and followers, plus Nezha, Li Jing's nine-headed ox-demon king.

    This group is the most powerful and has the largest number of people present, totaling over a hundred.

    This doesn't include the divine troops and generals, otherwise the number would be even greater.

    Secondly, the immortal group led by the Black Mother of the Outing Immortal Temple.

    For example, there are five patriarchs and some prominent figures of the temple, around 40 or 50 people.

    The Shamanism is the weakest among the three forces.

    Although there are immortals such as the Horse Immortal Qi Shou, the Heavenly Maiden, Naihe, and Yahe, among others, with the exception of four or five of them, the rest have not become immortals through enlightenment.

    The main reason is that Shamanism has a very broad scope, and the Mongol Shamanism is just one branch.

    Although the number of Shamanism gods is the smallest, Qishou and Tiannv as the founders and mother of the Khitan, now become "Alliance Head", and sit on the first seat.

    Instead, Chen Yun and the Black Mother's factions sit on the left and right in order.

    Ni Zha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king seem to slight Shamanism, not looking at it directly.

    Chen Yun has no such thoughts. He looks seriously at Qishou, wanting to hear what the other party's countermeasures are.

    The Black Mother, Hu San Taiye, and other immortals also hold a similar attitude.

    Everyone knows that this is not the time for power struggles and battles for position.

    Only by defeating the gods defending Yingyang City, can they allow the Khitan army to continue advancing.

    Therefore, the most important matter at hand is how to face the challenge of tomorrow.

    Hu San Taiye spoke first: "Qishou brother, the gods of the stars Kui and Mao of Yingyang City will definitely come to stop us tomorrow. At that time, how do you plan to arrange it?"

    All the cultivators and immortals turned their attention to Qishou's face.

    Qishou is in a complicated mood at the moment, and has no countermeasures.

    He looks at Nezha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king nervously and doesn't know if he can direct them.

    Qishou took a deep breath and said, "The immortals of Kui and Mao are highly skilled with powerful magic and divine abilities. The only ones among us capable of opposing them are the Third Prince, General Li, and the Ox King. Therefore, my suggestion is to have the three of them initiate a challenge tomorrow to secure one-on-one duels. If Kui and Mao's eighteen celestial officials join forces, our side will surely not be able to withstand them."

    Nezha snorted coldly: "What's the big deal about twenty-eight constellations? If it weren't for me not being able to manifest my true form in the mortal realm, I could take them all on alone."

    Chen Yun understands what Nezha means.

    His large form is like Mount Sumeru, with a thousand arms, holding the sun and moon, and various staffs.

    His physical body is simply too large. If he were to appear in the mortal realm, it's possible that the world itself could be burst by his presence.

    In the Buddhist cosmology, Mount Sumeru is located at the center of the universe, surrounded by the Saline Sea. Above the sea are the four great continents and eight smaller continents.

    It can be imagined just how enormous Nezha's body really is.

    Li Jing sighed: "If my precious Golden Tower could be summoned, I wouldn't be afraid of the twenty-eight constellations."

    Chen Yun looked at Nezha and smiled.

    Because of the "tower tip law", Li Jing basically cannot use the precious Golden Tower of Li Zhi.

    Otherwise, with the power of this tower, even immortals of the Tiangong level would find it hard to deal with it.

    After all, there are Buddha statues on every layer of the precious Golden Tower of Li Zhi.

    Even the lowest enlightenment of the Buddha is comparable to the Tiangong level.

    The nine-headed ox-demon king had always looked down on Qishou and the Heavenly Maiden, and he simply didn't respond at all with his mind journeying through the void.

    Chen Yun wouldn't mix business and personal matters, and spoke straightforwardly: "Ox King, what do you think?"

    Niu Pings Tian yawned and said: "Without Kuai Mu Lang, I would not be afraid, but Kuai Mu Lang is my natural enemy. He will surely be watching me closely at all times, so I am not confident in this battle."

    The three strongest combatants have made their statements.

    Due to various restrictions, they also feel that the probability of defeat tomorrow is somewhat higher.

    Qishou's face is even uglier, and his gaze turns towards the Black Mother, Hu San Taiye, and others again.

    Hu San Taiye spoke boldly, "Our cultivation levels are similar. If you think you can handle it, I'll go into battle with you. But if you think you can't stand up to them, don't count on me."

    Qishou took a nosebleed and had to suppress his dissatisfaction. He spoke courteously: "Black Wind Master, do you have any ideas?"

    The Black Mother said, "My cultivation realm is slightly higher than yours, but the gap between me and the twenty-eight constellations is too large. Unless I can invite the immortal from Changmei to come out and join forces with Nezha, General Li, and the Ox King, there might be a chance. However, Changmei is currently in seclusion, and I am unable to call upon him either."

    After a round of discussions, there is still no solution.

    As the "Alliance Head", this is Qishou's first time leading a battle.

    Seeing that they were about to lose, he felt very uncomfortable in his heart.

    For a moment, he couldn't help but look at Chen Yun, showing a rather plaintive expression.

    Qishou thought in his heart, if he had known that such a situation would arise, he wouldn't have fought for power and position, leaving himself with no way out.

    The atmosphere inside the reed house was very oppressive. There were more than two hundred people there, yet there was not a sound to be heard.

    Chen Yun noticed the tense atmosphere and thought for a moment before speaking, "Firstly, let the mortal army attack the city tomorrow. If the gods of Yingyang City come out to challenge, then let the Third Prince, General Li, and the Ox King step forward to engage in a duel. If they can win, that's great. But if they can't stand up to them, they should immediately retreat and come back. I'll figure out another way."

    Nezha said, "I have no problem."

    Li Jing nodded slightly, "I will follow Mr. Chen's orders."

    The attitude of the nine-headed ox-demon king towards Chen Yun is completely different from his attitude towards Qishou.

    He laughed and said, "Okay, old ox, as long as Mr. Chen says so, I will definitely give it my all."

    Chen Yun hurriedly said: "Ox King, there is no need to go all out. Try it first. If you feel that you cannot hold your ground, do not force it. Retreat immediately."

    The nine-headed ox-demon king said, "As you wish."

    Originally, the three sacred beings were all hesitant.

    Chen Yun's words immediately convinced the three divine beings to volunteer for battle.

    Such an action left Qishou feeling a mixture of emotions.

    Qishou was both delighted that Ni Zha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king were willing to fight, but also felt helpless. Although he is now the "Alliance Head," they still listen to Chen Yun's orders.

    Thinking about it, Qishou continued to ask: "Mr. Chen, if Nezha, General Li, and the Ox King are not able to hold their ground, do you have any other strategies?"

    Chen Yun said, "I might call some fellow cultivators to assist."

    Qishou's eyes brightened, "May I ask, Mr. Chen, who will you call upon to assist?"

    The Black Mother, Hu San Taiye, and others all perked up their ears.

    They all knew the identity of Chen Yun, as a disciple of the orthodox school of the Taoism, and were naturally curious about how powerful an immortal he would be able to summon for assistance.

    Chen Yun did not mention it explicitly, "You will know at that time."

    Qishou, the Black Mother, and Hu San Taiye and others could not pry further and had to give up.

    After discussing the matters, everyone returned to their tents to rest and gather their strength for the battle ahead.

    ...

    The next day, early in the morning.

    It seems that the defenders of Yingyang City expected that the Khitan army would launch an attack on the city first.

    Kuai Mu Lang, Bao Er Xing Zhuang, Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan, and other immortals, worried that the Later Jin army would not be able to withstand it, so they stepped forward to challenge them first.

    At that time, Chen Yun, Qishou, and the Black Mother had just arrived at the central military tent. They hadn't had a chance to speak with the commander Zhao Yanlü yet.

    Suddenly, nineteen long rainbows spread across the sky from Yingyang City.

    It turned out that the eighteen celestial officials and Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan had all stepped out of the city to challenge the Khitan sacred beings.

    At the moment, the whole sky was filled with auspicious light, fragrant incense, and mist.

    Kuai Mu Lang, stepping on a auspicious cloud, placed his hands behind his back and loudly declared, "There was once a time when warriors fought on the battlefield. Today, seeing so many sacred beings in the Khitan army excites me, so I have come here with Mo Xing and my celestial officials to challenge you. Is there anyone among you brave enough to fight us?"

    Chen Yun and Zhao Yanlü, as well as other cultivators and mortals, all turned their gaze towards Qishou.

    Qishou's face slightly changed, but he still hardened his heart and slapped his horse.

    Instantly, the four hooves of the white horse were surrounded by colorful clouds, gathering and surging, lifting a person and a horse into the sky.

    Qishou responded in a loud voice, "Celestial officials, the eighteen celestial officials and Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan, are you coming here to bully us with your numbers?"

    Kuai Mu Lang laughed heartily and said, "The twenty-eight constellations and sixty Jiazi have always fought together. Today, you have come with one person, and we have nineteen. Even if you were to come with ten thousand people, it would still be the same."

    It has to be said that Kuai Mu Lang is very good at speaking. With just one sentence, he eliminated the despicable nature of "bullying with numbers."

    Qishou was just trying to see if he could convince the other party to fight one-on-one. Seeing that they were determined to send nineteen deities, he didn't bother anymore. He followed the plan made yesterday and responded: "Since that's the case, my army will certainly not sit back. Ni Zha, General Li, and the Ox King, please go and meet the nineteen divine beings."

    "Yes."

    "Always follow the army's orders."

    Nezha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king responded immediately, using their skills to fly to the battlefield.

    Nezha transformed into a streak of flame and arrived at the presence of the nineteen sacred beings first, standing proudly.

    Chen Yun focused and saw that Nezha had somehow acquired a pair of fire wheels on his feet, a large axe in his hands, and the Naga's sash shining brilliantly.

    Li Jing and the nine-headed ox-demon king followed closely behind, respectively emitting Buddha's radiance and a vast sea of black mist.

    Li Jing followed closely behind, wearing armor adorned with green turquoise, chain mail boots, holding a precious umbrella in one hand, supporting an exquisite and translucent alms bowl in the other, with a treasure-tooth rat slumbering on his shoulder, and riding a red-maned white lion.

    The nine-headed ox-demon king wore a water-polished silver and bright iron helmet on his head, a set of embroidered gold armor on his body, a pair of fur-covered and delicate jade boots on his feet, a belt of fine silk and three strands of lion cords around his waist, and a pair of double hand clubs in his hands.

    Though they were outnumbered, they stood before the nineteen divine beings without fear and even seemed to possess an aura that overshadowed theirs.

    Nezha spoke first, "I am Nezha. You may state how you wish to fight."

    Li Jing and the nine-headed ox-demon king did not speak, just holding their weapons and looking forward.

    Kuai Mu Lang and Bao Er Xing Zhuang stepped forward together, "Show your true colors and fight to the death."

    Nezha smiled, "No rules? That's even better."

    Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan urgently said, "Hold on."

    Nezha looked over, "What's the matter?"

    Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan said, "There are countless mortals here. In our fight, we must control our power so as not to harm the innocent."

    Nezha said, "That's easy to say. I will not take my true form."

    Kuai Mu Lang, Bao Er Xing Zhuang, and Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan et al., these celestial officials only began to breathe a sigh of relief.

    They were really afraid that if Nezha got angry and revealed his true form, the world would crumble, and their sins would be enormous.

    Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan still wasn't sure, "Let's just engage in a physical fight and add our cultivation to our weapons. We should not use too powerful magic."

    Nezha said, "Fine, go ahead. Can we start now?"

    Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan looked to the side.

    Kuai Mu Lang and Bao Er Xing Zhuang nodded slightly.

    Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan raised his hand, and two dragons appeared in his palms.

    Kuai Mu Lang wore a single garment of cinnabar silk and held a bright white sword in his hand.

    Bao Er Xing Zhuang still wore the official robes of the Court, adorned in gold thread, and held a jade board in his hands.

    The remaining sixteen celestial officials were all radiant with divine light, each holding a mystical artifact.

    Such items as the Earth Book, an arch bridge, bamboo slips and brushes, and whips.

    The twenty-two powerful beings, whether divine or demonic, had already activated their cultivation and were preparing for a world-shaking battle.

    ...

    Khitan army, central command tent.

    Chen Yun looked up at the sky and his expression became somewhat complicated.

    On the side, came the inquiry from the apprentice disciple of Lin's Sect, Mei Junyan: "Teacher Ni, do you think we can win this battle?"

    Niu Dali's eyes were very serious, "The opponents ahead are General Zhao Da from the Sixty Jiazi and the Shengwu Taiyi, the Kui Mansion Nine Star Official, and the Mo Mansion Nine Star Official, all of whom have reached the realm of divine cultivation. Ni Zhaotai, General Li, and the Ox King are at a similar level. Although there is still a significant gap among cultivators at the level of divine beings, such as Ni Zhaotai and Chi Cheng Wang who have the power to fight with those in the early stage of celestial realm, but there are too many sacred beings on their side. I truly can't predict who will win."

    Chang Wei, as another noted disciple of Chen Yun, may not have the cultivation level of Niu Dali, but he has been accompanying Liu Taiye for a long time and has a higher level of experience.

    He said, "Master Mei, if Ni Zhaotai can take his true form, he has a good chance of winning. However, if he can't take his true form now, it will be difficult for him to win."

    Although Chang Wei's cultivation level and realm far exceed those of Mei Junyan, he became a disciple of Chen Yun later, so he addresses Mei Junyan as senior brother.

    After listening, Mei Junyan seemed to be thinking deeply and fell silent on the other side.

    Zhang Qian and Lin Chen exchanged a look and saw concern in each other's eyes.

    Jiao Daoren, Gong Juji, and Gu Wang Wei Shu, as well as Chen Yun's other disciples and students, all looked the same.

    They were well aware that Nezha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king all belong to their own faction.

    If they were defeated today, it would be a problem. But if they were captured by the enemy, their strength would be greatly weakened among the numerous cultivators and sacred beings in the Khitan army. Their influence in the future would also decline.

    Of course, Zhang Qian, Lin Chen, Bao Xin, and other disciples of Chen Yun all did not want Nezha and others to lose the battle.

    However, from the current paper-based strength alone, it is likely that they will lose. This has caused them to feel very confused and worried.

    It's not just Chen Yun's disciples who are worried.

    Even figures like Hei Mama, Hu Sangaizi, and Qi Shou are worried.

    Internal power struggles are one thing, but now they must all be united against an external enemy.

    If Nezha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king were defeated, they would truly be stuck here, unable to advance even a single step further.

    By then, the Later Jin army would be fighting on their home soil and would not fear any lack of supplies.

    And if the Khitan army runs out of food and grass, they may not even survive the battle without supplies. It's hard to talk about defeating the Later Jin army.

    What is different from everyone else's mood is that Chen Yun basically didn't have much hope for this battle.

    Yes, he didn't think they could win.

    That's why Chen Yun sent Nezha, Li Jing, and the nine-headed ox-demon king to fight, to test the strength of the Kui Mansion, Bao Er Xing Zhuang, and Zhao Da Dadi Jian Guan and other sacred beings. He wanted to analyze and determine who he should ask for help from.

    This is something that must be understood.

    Although Emperor Yu Huang had given him a list of sacred beings to assist, Chen Yun was certain that he couldn't just casually summon the Four Emperors, the Eastern Immortal King, and the Western Immortal Queen out of retirement.

    So it would easily reveal their own faction, making the Zi Wei Tai Di think of countermeasures.

    Chen Yun thought to himself in the dark: "I hope that the three of them can probe out the strength of the opponents so that I can think of what kind of assistance I should seek."