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The weather grows colder, with the biting north wind cutting through like a blade. Meanwhile, the struggle for the royal court intensifies, reaching a fever pitch.

In Mengqiu, Tu battles Jiang Baoya.

A novice enslavement path Gu Master, Tu leads a pack of leopards to overpower the veteran enslavement master Jiang Baoya, ultimately defeating him.

With this single victory, Tu ascends to the ranks of the Northern Plains' enslavement masters, joining Jiang Baoya, Yang Poying, Ma Zun, and Chang Shanyin as one of the Five Beast Kings.

This battle was mutually destructive; Tu's forces suffered heavy casualties. Despite absorbing the remnants of the enemy and receiving war reparations, the momentum of Tu's army was hindered.

Jiang Baoya, the Rat King, narrowly escaped and regrouped his scattered forces. His once-mighty horde of over 600,000 rats was reduced to fewer than 30,000. Yet, even in this diminished state, he remains highly sought after by various factions. Over a dozen powers have already extended invitations to him.

In the 独角 region, Yelü Sang, bolstered by an immortal Gu, achieves dominance.

With his formidable personal strength at the peak of the fifth rank in the fire path, he overpowers all rivals, sweeping aside the final obstacles to establish control over the 独角 region.

However, just as Yelü's forces begin to spread like wildfire, they are met with a coordinated assault from seven allied armies.

Each of these seven armies boasts at least 100,000 troops. Together, they form a formidable force. Yelü's army, which had just begun to make headway, now finds itself in a precarious situation.

In the Yutian region, the winds of change are blowing.

After more than ten days of rest, the Hei family absorbs the remnants of the eastern forces, increasing their military strength by 60%, and sets out once more to confront the Gu family army stationed in **Guanxi**.

The Gu family is no match and suffers a crushing defeat, abandoning their defensive lines and retreating to their family stronghold. The Hei family's forces, unable to break through, find themselves in a stalemate.

At this critical moment, Tai Bai Yunsheng, having received a message from the Hei family's Gu Immortal Hei Bai, appears. Using his deep-rooted influence in the Northern Plains, he persuades the Gu family to surrender.

Meanwhile, the Liu family, having recently absorbed the Luo family coalition, moves to aid the Gu family and advances on the Hei family, attempting to sandwich them between the two forces. However, Tai Bai Yunsheng's intervention leads to the Gu family's submission to the Hei family.

Thus, the two prominent figures, Hei Lou Lan and Liu Wenwu, are forced into an early confrontation.

After the Ma family ambushes and kills Song Qingyin in Qitian, they exploit the resulting chaos within the Song family coalition, sowing discord and causing the alliance to collapse.

The Ma family absorbs most of the clans, leaving only a few scattered remnants fleeing in all directions.

With this battle, Song Qingyin, one of the Northern Plains' few flying masters and a fifth-rank water path Gu Master, falls, cementing the reputation of the enslavement master Ma Zun.

Ma Zun's displayed strength is awe-inspiring, and whispers of him being the "Number One Enslavement Master of the Northern Plains" begin to circulate.

The defeated have not lost everything; some surrender, others flee, seeking new alliances. In the early stages of the royal court struggle, there is still hope and possibility.

The victors, meanwhile, absorb the weak, securing vast war reparations and strengthening themselves.

The countless corpses of beasts, Gu Masters, and ordinary mortals become nourishment for the grasslands, destined to sink into the icy snow, never to rise again.

Victors reign, while the defeated are scorned!

After more than ten days of rest at Mirror Lake, Ma Shangfeng absorbs surrendering forces, increasing his army by 50%, and sets out once more.

This time, his target is Huainan.

There, the Dou family's forces are stationed. Due to their weakened state, they become an ideal target for Ma Shangfeng's expansion.

Five days later, the Ma family army clashes with the Dou family forces.

The Ma family holds a clear advantage. Their upper echelons boast four fifth-rank experts: Ma Shangfeng, Ma Zun, Cheng Long, and the Zhao family leader. Additionally, there are nearly twenty fourth-rank experts like Cheng Hu, Fei Sheng, and Wei Bi. Their lower ranks are even more dominant, supported by a massive herd of horses.

The Dou family's forces are pushed back, losing two defensive lines and retreating to their stronghold. During this time, the Dou family leader, Dou E, leads a counterattack, ambushing the Ma family forces and killing the Zhao family leader.

Although the Zhao family leader was not particularly strong, as a fifth-rank Gu Master, he had his own means of survival. Yet, Dou E overpowered and killed him. This marks the first loss of a fifth-rank Gu Master for the Ma family, significantly impacting their morale.

Ma Shangfeng halts the battle for three days to console his troops and rally their spirits before launching another offensive against the Dou family.

The Dou family's stronghold lies within a vast swamp. The Dou family's Gu Masters, accustomed to living here, wield Gu worms suited for swamp warfare, giving them a home-field advantage that stalls the Ma family's advance.

In such an environment, 独角 horses, wind horses, and flame-hoofed horses are ill-suited, so Qitian stations them at the rear. Only the 恐爪 horses**, which can traverse swamps with ease, are brought forward, numbering over 100,000.

The high-ranking fighters, equipped with comprehensive Gu worms, remain largely unaffected by the swamp terrain.

Roar!

Ma family's fierce general Cheng Hu lets out a thunderous roar.

Tiger Roar Gu! A sonic blast, deafening and disorienting!

Tiger Fang Gu! Sharp as spears, piercing through defenses!

Tiger Claw Gu! Razor-sharp, tearing through anything!

Tiger Skin Gu! Unyielding, offering unparalleled defense!

Tiger Tail Gu! Hard as steel, whipping with precision!

With five fourth-rank Gu worms activated simultaneously, Cheng Hu transforms into a ferocious tiger, unleashing a devastating offensive that immediately shifts the battle's momentum.

Another fierce general, Fei Sheng, is fully equipped with Gu worms, including the rare fourth-rank Numb Gu, which rivals fifth-rank Gu in value. Once a Gu Master is struck by it, their body becomes paralyzed, rendering them nearly immobile. Although the effect is short-lived, in the heat of battle, it can be deadly.

Using this Gu, Fei Sheng slays two enemy fourth-rank Gu Masters in quick succession, making a name for himself.

Wei Bi, clad in black iron armor, wields a sturdy iron shield in his left hand and a dark spear in his right, resembling a war god, his presence unshakable.

At the core of the battlefield are two fifth-rank Gu Masters engaged in combat.

Both are transformation path experts.

One transforms into a three-clawed golden dragon, soaring into the sky. The other takes the form of a giant crocodile, standing on its hind legs, fighting while retreating.

Their clash is thunderous, immediately drawing the attention of all on the battlefield.

These two are the leaders of the Cheng and Dou families, respectively. Though their battle is fierce, they hold back, conserving their strength and maintaining a tacit understanding.

As enemies, their true concern lies in the survival of their clans. If they fall, their clans will be left leaderless and vulnerable to annexation.

Despite the binding oaths of alliance, there exists an unspoken rule of restraint.

The setting sun casts a bloody hue over the swamp, its dim light reflecting off the countless corpses strewn across the muddy terrain, where blood mingles with the earth.

After half a day of fighting, the Ma family's forces grow more ferocious, their morale soaring. In contrast, the Dou family's army is demoralized and on the verge of collapse.

In the duel between Dou E and Cheng Long, Dou E gains no advantage and is even pushed to the defensive.

Surveying the battlefield and seeing the heavy losses on his side, Dou E's heart wavers. Unwilling to see more of his lower-ranked Gu Masters perish, he loses the will to resist.

Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Long persuades Dou E to surrender.

In the end, the Dou family capitulates, and Dou E becomes a high-ranking member of the Ma family's coalition, warmly received by Ma Shangfeng.

Fifth-rank Gu Masters, being the pinnacle of mortal power, are crucial forces in the struggle for the royal court. To achieve ultimate victory, one must secure as many fifth-rank experts as possible.

The Ma family places great importance on acquiring such formidable allies.

Despite trudging through the muddy swamp, the Ma family's army remains in high spirits.

The joy of absorbing the Dou family's forces and the excitement of their recent victory are still evident on their faces.

Qitian, riding atop a恐爪 horse, calmly observes the bustling activity of the coalition forces.

After a major battle, countless Gu Masters are occupied with various tasks: clearing the battlefield, tallying achievements, treating the wounded, exchanging Gu worms... The workload is overwhelming.

The high-ranking officers are swamped with responsibilities. As leaders, they must shoulder the burden of securing greater benefits for their factions.

In contrast, the demonic path Gu Masters appear carefree and unburdened. Most are not tied to any faction, focusing solely on their own well-being. Beyond ensuring their contributions are properly recognized, they spend their time healing their wounds, exchanging battle merits for new Gu worms, and preparing for the next fight.

Though Qitian holds the title of Ma Zun within the Ma family, the day-to-day affairs are managed by Ma Shangfeng and his son Ma Yingjie, leaving Qitian free from such responsibilities.

Seated on his horse, Qitian opens the latest intelligence report delivered by a scout Gu Master.

"Yelü's forces were attacked overnight by seven allied armies. Despite Yelü Sang's formidable strength, having defeated six fifth-rank experts in a row, he is unable to turn the tide. The remnants of Yelü's army are now fleeing toward the Qing'an region."

"Rat King Jiang Baoya has accepted the Yang family's offer and officially joined their coalition."

"**Tu's forces have halted their campaign, focusing instead on recuperating and capturing wild leopard packs."

...

"The Hei and Liu families have clashed, resulting in heavy losses for both sides. They are now locked in a stalemate."

The contents of the report do not surprise Qitian.

Yelü Sang, having relied on his immortal Gu to bolster his personal strength, now faces the consequences of his arrogance. The sudden attack by seven armies is undoubtedly linked to the demonic path Gu Immortals of the Great Snowy Mountain, who covet his immortal Gu. Truly, his rise and fall are both tied to the immortal Gu.

With Jiang Baoya joining the Yang family, the Rat King and the Eagle King Yang Poying have formed an alliance, making the previously underestimated Yang family a new contender for the royal court. However, the Yang family's foundation is weak, and Jiang Baoya's forces are severely depleted, making them less of a threat.

Tu, the Leopard King, suffered heavy losses to his leopard pack in the battle against Jiang Baoya. Without sufficient support from his Gu Immortal backers to replenish his forces, he has resorted to capturing wild leopards himself.

Qitian pays little attention to these developments. His focus remains on the impending clash between Hei Lou Lan and Liu Wenwu.

The Liu family boasts an impressive lineup of high-ranking experts: Liu Wenwu, Luo Bojun, Nie Yaqing—all fifth-rank experts—alongside fourth-rank powerhouses like Mo Shi Kuang and Ouyang Bisang, who rival fifth-rank fighters. With additional formidable generals like Pei Yanfei and Chang Biao, their strength is unmatched in recent royal court struggles.

In comparison, the Hei family's current leadership, though strong, pales in comparison. Hei Lou Lan, Tai Bai Yunsheng, and Gu Guolong are their three fifth-rank experts, supported by over twenty fourth-rank experts like Chang Shanyin, Tang Miaoming, Hao Jiliu, Bian Sixuan, and Pan Ping. However, they are still outmatched by the Liu family in terms of high-tier combatants.

As Qitian anticipated, Hei Lou Lan places his hopes on Chang Shanyin, seeking aid from his Gu Immortal backer to assemble a pack of exotic wolves to counter the Liu family's superior forces.

Hei Bai, the Gu Immortal supporting Hei Lou Lan, uses his Withered Wood Blessed Land to connect with the Treasure Yellow Heaven, aggressively purchasing exotic wolves.

After announcing his intent to buy exotic wolves at a high price, Hei Bai quickly receives a message from the Fox Immortal, who offers over a hundred exotic wolves at an inflated price, clearly taking advantage of Hei Bai's desperation.

Hei Bai had anticipated such opportunism but was surprised by the Fox Immortal's swift and precise response. Gritting his teeth, he purchases the wolves.

While the high price is a loss for Hei Bai, it is a necessary investment in his quest for the immortal Gu within the Eighty-Eight True Yang Building.

However, a hundred exotic wolves are not enough. As Hei Bai continues his search, he encounters the Night Immortal, who also offers exotic wolves at a steep price.

These two sellers are none other than the Earth Spirit Fox Immortal and the Night Immortal, acting under Qitian's instructions.

With surplus immortal essence stones, Qitian had previously tasked the two Earth Spirits with purchasing **Purple Crystal Sacred Gu** while keeping an eye on the Treasure Yellow Heaven for cheap wolf packs.

By now, the two blessed lands have accumulated over a hundred exotic wolves, including **Blood Forest Wolves**, **Frenzied Wolves**, **Fishfin Wolves**, and **White-Eyed Wolves**.

These wolves were recently sold to Hei Bai at a high price, netting a tidy profit.

As for the ordinary wolf packs stored in the blessed lands, they will be sold to Hei Bai in the future, along with the **Wolf Emperor**.

The Wolf Emperor, a treasure of the blessed land, is rarely sold by Gu Immortals. Acquiring one requires luck or constant monitoring of the Treasure Yellow Heaven. With Hei Bai in urgent need, selling it at a premium will be possible.

Meanwhile, Qitian sits calmly in his tent, receiving news of the successful transaction from his blessed land.