Ethan Longbridge, the leader of the Wudang Seven Heroes, possessed cultivation and swordsmanship of the highest order. Even as he leapt through the air, his longsword was already free of its scabbard, a silver flash descending with lethal intent upon the three Stormbane retainers.
Benedict, Griffin, and Sterling stood their ground, forming a tight line. Their blades whirled like cyclones, meeting Ethan's furious assault in a unified front.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing steel rang out in a rapid, discordant symphony as the three retainers engaged the enraged Wudang master. Consumed by grief and rage over his son's death, Ethan's attacks were brutally aggressive, completely forsaking defense. Under this relentless onslaught, the three brothers soon bore bleeding wounds.
"Brothers Stormbane!" bellowed Clayton Earthward, a note of grim admiration in his voice. "I know our factions are at odds, but to actually kill Ethan Longbridge's son? I salute your nerve! Men of the Earth Banner! Cover their retreat! Attack!"
With a roar, he drew a large yellow banner from his back, the fabric snapping loudly in the wind as he led the charge toward Ethan Longbridge. His five disciples followed suit, each brandishing their own yellow banners. They moved in bizarre, interweaving patterns, their flags whipping through the air, stirring up a thick, blinding cloud of dust and sand from the ground.
"Heretics, stand your ground!" Julian Yule's voice cut through the chaos. His form shot forward like a bolt of lightning, aiming straight for Clayton Earthward. Capture the leader, and the rest will falter, was the clear strategy.
The remaining Wudang disciples, under the command of Stephen Rowan, Morris Glen, and the pallid Lucas Rowan, fanned out from three directions, aiming to surround and annihilate the Ming Cult forces.
From his perch, Liam Ardent's eyes narrowed. He prepared to intervene, to tip the scales in favor of the Earth Banner and the besieged retainers.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A series of heavy, dull thuds echoed as several of the Wudang disciples who had charged ahead suddenly vanished, plummeting into hidden pits dug beneath the sand.
"Kill them all!"
Shouts erupted as squads of men wearing iron helmets and wielding heavy spades surged from the billowing dust. Their spades rose and fell with brutal efficiency, catching the disoriented Wudang disciples completely by surprise. Cries of pain and shock filled the air.
Liam's gaze sharpened. The Earth Banner was prepared. They ambushed men underground. He assessed the new force quickly: a hundred men, their formation tight and disciplined, their movements emphasizing teamwork over individual prowess.
Though most were only Third-Rate Experts, their coordinated assault and the element of surprise gave them a decisive upper hand, quickly overwhelming the Wudang ranks.
The shock of the ambush seemed to cut through Ethan Longbridge's blinding rage. "Wudang disciples!" he yelled, his voice regaining some of its commanding steadiness. "True Martial Seven Extremities Formation!"
The disciples reacted with trained precision. They quickly found their nearest comrades, grouping into units of seven. Each unit moved as one organism: some members focused purely on attack, others on defense, others harassing the enemy, and others watching the flanks. Each had a role, and together they were far greater than the sum of their parts.
Liam's brow furrowed. The True Martial Seven Extremities Formation was documented in the Wudang scripture library; he knew its principles. Its power was formidable, its effectiveness multiplicative with each added member. Seven disciples fighting together could unleash the combined power of sixty-four. It was ruthlessly efficient.
The tide of battle turned instantly. The Wudang disciples' cultivation was already superior. Their initial disadvantage, born of surprise, was now erased by the devastatingly effective formations. Earth Banner soldiers began to fall rapidly, cut down by the coordinated Wudang units. It became a one-sided slaughter. Within moments, several Earth Banner men were dead, and a dozen more were wounded.
"Commander Clayton! Brothers of the Earth Banner! We appreciate the sentiment!" Sterling Stormbane shouted over the din, his blade swinging in wide, desperate arcs as he pressed a frenzied, suicidal attack against Ethan Longbridge. "But you must withdraw! We three brothers will cover your retreat!"
Before Clayton could respond, Ethan Longbridge's voice roared out, thick with grief and vengeance. "No one leaves! Everyone here will bury my son!"
His swordplay became even more ferocious. He deliberately turned his back on Benedict and Griffin, their blades slicing into his flesh to open two deep wounds on his shoulders. He ignored the pain, using the opening to drive his own sword down in a devastating arc.
Schlick!
Sterling Stormbane's right hand, still clutching his saber, was severed at the wrist. Blood fountained from the stump.
Sterling had been the one to land the killing blow on Tristan. Ethan was determined to make him pay first, no matter the cost. Not pausing for a breath, Ethan's blade, now slick with blood, flickered like a serpent's tongue, darting toward Sterling's exposed throat.
Benedict and Griffin tried to intercept, but they were too slow, too late.
Klang!
A clear, sharp, resonant sound, like a single perfect chime, cut through the noise of battle.
Ethan Longbridge's prized sword shattered as if made of glass, the broken shards scattering in the dust.
Standing between the Wudang leader and his dying prey was a handsome youth in immaculate white robes. In his hand was a blade that seemed to hold a shard of autumn water, its light almost liquid. On its hilt, two ancient characters were carved.
Heaven-Reliant.
Liam Ardent had arrived.
Glossary – Chapter 47
True Martial Seven Extremities Formation: The premier combat formation of the Wudang Sect. Its power increases exponentially with each additional member, allowing a group of seven disciples to fight with the combined strength of sixty-four individuals. It is a devastatingly effective tool for group combat.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic