Chapter 109: The Battle of Banquan (Part 1)

More than half a month had passed since the Great Human Emperor election, and internal reforms within the human race were progressing fervently.

First came domestic affairs: numerous official positions were established within the human clan, structured clearly so that each individual understood their role and responsibilities. Alongside this, many laws were promulgated, fostering legal awareness and understanding among the people, thereby paving the way for a more prosperous human society.

Next was the military aspect. The Yellow Emperor, known as Gongsun Xuanyuan, had invented the war chariot long before the humans had a leader from the Youxiong clan. The war chariot was a decisive factor in securing victories, and now, as the human leader, the Yellow Emperor was vigorously producing these vehicles in preparation for any eventuality.

The formation of troops reflected the discipline within an army; the integration of tactical arrays revealed the cohesion and strength of the forces.

Under the Yellow Emperor’s command was the capable minister Feng Hou, who, inspired by Fuxi’s Eight Trigrams Formation, created the Feng Hou Eight Formation. With this formation, the combat effectiveness of the human side soared dramatically.

Even the Daoist master Xuan Daozi marveled, exclaiming, “The great revival of the human race is imminent!”

Moreover, the Yellow Emperor’s subordinates innovated various military tools and equipment essential for marching and warfare, such as armor, banners, stoves, horns, and drums.

An elite army must be outfitted with a complete set of gear and marching apparatus to truly earn the title of “elite force.”

The Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden also brought troops from the Heavenly Court to aid the Yellow Emperor’s victory. Beyond that, she imparted all her cultivation secrets to the Yellow Emperor as a gesture of loyalty—likely a form of retribution against the two figures of the Heavenly Court.

As the decisive battle with Chiyou approached, every human warrior trained relentlessly, strengthening their bodies to defend their homeland with unyielding resolve.

At that time, warfare began with both sides taking their positions on the battlefield, with commanders engaging in duels to determine initial advantage, followed by a full-scale assault. This was the customary mode of battle.

Xuan Daozi considered launching a surprise attack but then reflected that since their side upheld justice, stealth was unnecessary. Thus, he conformed to the prevailing tactics.

“Barbarians, surrender now, lest you suffer unbearable pain and eternal shame!” The human side launched their verbal offensive first.

“Enough talk! Take this!” From the ranks of Chiyou’s army, a warrior brandishing a great axe charged forward from the frontline towards the Yellow Emperor’s contingent. The human general fearlessly spurred his horse forward to meet him in combat.

Before the human general could strike, the tribal warrior showed no change in expression and brought his axe down in a single blow, cleaving both man and horse into pieces.

“Well done!” The tribal soldiers raised their weapons high and roared triumphantly.

The morale of the human side took a heavy blow. Another horseman charged forward with spear in hand, but the outcome was no different.

This time, the tribal forces’ momentum dominated the battlefield; their bloodthirsty aura subtly but steadily influenced the tide of battle.

Eventually, Xuan Daozi gave the order for the human cultivators to engage.

“Think you’re strong? Let me show you the might of humanity!”

The human cultivators were far more astute than ordinary generals. As soon as a tribal commander stepped forward at the formation’s center, the cultivator unleashed a Five Elements spell, sending the foe to meet their earth goddess.

Initially, both sides held back, weighing whether to settle the conflict with a decisive engagement. The Yellow Emperor instructed the human warriors to test their strength first.

Seeing no urgency from the enemy, Xuan Daozi also remained composed.

Suddenly, a roar thundered from within Chiyou’s ranks: “The Twelve Heavenly Flags Formation!”

The once clear sky darkened abruptly as vast black clouds materialized from nowhere, shrouding the heavens like night. Fierce winds and heavy rain manifested within the battlefield space, battering the human phalanx.

“Do not panic! Stay calm!” The Yellow Emperor, sensing disaster, shouted loudly to steady the troops.

“Celestial immortals of the Chan sect, disciples of the Ling sect, and human cultivators—advance with me to repel the enemy!” Recognizing Chiyou’s desperation to determine life or death, Xuan Daozi issued commands without hesitation.

Leading the combined forces of the Three Teachings, Xuan Daozi surged forward like brilliant shooting stars, dispelling the malevolent weather and shielding the human ranks.

Breaking through the black clouds, he found himself surrounded by ten eerie black banners crackling with dark lightning.

Once all disciples assembled, a voice echoed: “I have long awaited this day. Taste the might of my tribal people!”

The voice was ethereal yet ominous, unmistakably Chiyou’s. The disciples braced themselves for the fierce battle ahead.

“Guang Chengzi, you and your group seize the eastern and northeastern flags. Duobao, lead your disciples to capture the southern and southeastern flags. The northern and western four gates are entrusted to the human cultivators and me. Let us swiftly reclaim these banners and restore peace to the primordial wilderness.” Xuan Daozi bowed deeply to the disciples of the Three Teachings.

At this moment, Xuan Daozi was not a mere avatar of the Heavenly Sovereign but a representative of the primordial beings, expressing gratitude to the cultivators.

“Rest assured, we will do our utmost,” Guang Chengzi and the others responded with bows before charging forward without hesitation.

Approaching the great banners, they were suddenly confronted by monstrous creatures exhaling black mist emerging from the dark flags.

“Be cautious! These are the Earthly Manifestations of the Twelve Ancestral Witches!” Xuan Daozi finally understood how Chiyou dared to defy the world and challenge human supremacy over the primordial chaos.

One bore golden scales, a golden serpent pierced through its left ear, two golden dragons beneath its feet, a human face with a tiger’s body, and wings growing from its shoulders—this was the Ancestral Witch Ruo Shou.

Another was clad in verdant hues, with a bird’s face and human body, treading upon two azure dragons—this was the Ancestral Witch Ju Mang.

The shrunk forms of the Twelve Ancestral Witches had manifested on the battlefield! They had such a formidable trump card.

In the underworld, a voice lamented in the Earth Goddess’s palace: “I never imagined he would succeed in refining it. This is truly my calamity!”

These ten monstrous creatures were the Earthly Manifestations of the Ancestral Witches, terrifying the cultivators of the Three Teachings.

Their eyes glowed red as they pounded their chests and bellowed hoarsely, as if heralding the apocalypse.

Xuan Daozi wielded his gourd rod tirelessly, directing it to strike the beasts incessantly. Above the monsters hovered a celestial sword—the Execution Sword from the Ling sect’s Execution Sword Formation.

As the beasts were struck, black mist emanated from their bodies and was absorbed by the Execution Sword. Gradually, two of the beasts shrank and vanished.

Xuan Daozi clapped his hands, declaring, “Handled!”

On the human cultivator side, led by the three human ancestors including Cang Jie, they silently incanted and shouted, “Suppress!”

A colossal character meaning “Suppress” appeared before them. The beasts raged and struggled to break free, but the combined power of the cultivators held them down. However, the monsters were not easily subdued.

Each counterattack from the beasts drained vast amounts of the cultivators’ spiritual energy. Every clash released more black mist, which was absorbed into the Execution Sword granted by Tongtian, continuously replenishing its power.

At this moment, the human cultivators and the beasts were locked in a protracted struggle. Whoever could endure would claim the final victory.