The next day, the Great Shang army approached the city.

Linhuan Pass was built with the natural defense line of the Huai River at its back, but the other three sides were plains with no natural strongholds for defense.

The Great Shang's army of three hundred thousand soldiers arranged their formation, sprawling for tens of miles. The sound of iron hooves and clanking weapons, along with the roar of orders, vibrated in the air, buzzing in one's eardrums.

Wen Zhong stood atop the city walls and looked into the distance. He saw Huang Feihu riding on the Five-Colored Divine Bull, holding a long spear, his bright silver armor highlighting his heroic and domineering presence.

As Huang Feihu beheld the towering city walls, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

He had heard before that Linhuan Pass had high and thick walls, rivaling even those of Chaoge.

Now, seeing it with his own eyes, it was even more majestic than he had imagined.

What intrigued him even more was that the city walls seemed to be carved from a single massive stone, seamless and without any visible brick joints.

He couldn't help but speculate in his heart, could it be that these walls were the work of an Immortal?

Otherwise, how could mere mortals construct such a grand fortress in such a short period?

What he didn't know was that Linhuan Pass was indeed built by the hands of ordinary people.

The reason it looked integrated without any gaps was because cement had been used as a binding agent, and the brick and stone walls were thoroughly plastered with it.

That was why such a small area was able to construct such majestic defenses.

Of course, Huang Feihu was unaware of these details, assuming that Immortal Gods were aiding Linhuan Pass.

But he wasn't worried.

For under his command were many Immortal Gods with vast Divine Skills, and even the Five-Colored Divine Bull he sat upon was no ordinary creature, capable of cloud-riding and diving into the sea, which were mere trifles to it.

He turned his head and looked around, asking in a deep voice, "Which general wishes to step forward and issue a challenge?"

"I am willing!"

A burly and powerful warrior immediately stepped forward, riding a fierce-looking Exotic Beast with a single horn on its head and quickly approaching the city gate.

The warrior stood tall and proud, eyes wide with rage, and then let out a mighty roar, "I am Evil, the Vanguard General under King Wu Cheng, tasked with quelling rebellion! Rebels and traitors within, surrender immediately!

Otherwise, when the city falls, we will skin and dismember you, scrape your flesh and boil your oil!!!"

This thunderous shout was loud and grating, like the clanging of metal, and it paled the faces of Linhuan Pass's defending soldiers.

They had only formed the army recently, undergoing some basic training and lacking full armor and weapons. They had hastily prepared some defensive weapons and practiced day and night, barely looking the part of an army.

But they had never really faced battle, and upon hearing this boastful challenge, they were so frightened that they could hardly hold their weapons.

Wen Zhong, standing on top of the city wall, saw this and was ready to step forward to fight personally.

A single victory could boost morale and stabilize the troops' hearts.

However, at this moment, Yu Yuan stopped him, smiling and saying, "You are now the Commander; you can't rush into battle so lightly."

Wen Zhong questioned, "But surely, Teacher Brother, you can't take action for this small skirmish..."

Before he could finish, Yu Yuan shook his head, "Now is not the time for me to act."

"Then it's up to my soldiers," Wen Zhong said with difficulty, "But these soldiers were all farmers and slaves before. They're good at tilling the land and menial labor, but facing Evil on the battlefield would mean certain death!"

Yu Yuan shook his head and smiled, "There's no need to worry, I have already arranged a Vanguard General for you, and he should be arriving shortly."

"What?"

Wen Zhong, full of confusion, "My Vanguard General?"

Yu Yuan stretched out his hand towards the distant horizon and said with a smile, "Look, he's here."

As soon as his voice fell, a thunderous ripping noise appeared in the clouds, followed by the Chasing Sun Chariot, pulled by nine Divine Dragons, descending from the sky and hovering over Linhuan Pass, radiating a dazzling light.

The one driving the chariot was none other than Ao Yi, the second Crown Prince of the Dragon Clan of the East Sea.

At this moment, he was clad in silver armor, exuding a vibrant and spirited energy, and especially his piercing green eyes, which shone as brightly as stars.

However, his slender figure and youthful appearance revealed the fact that he was still but a young adolescent.

"Greetings, Master!"

Ao Yi retracted the Chasing Sun Chariot and bowed to Yu Yuan on the city wall.

Yu Yuan nodded slightly, "Now you are the Vanguard General of Linhuan Pass. Go, welcome the challenge."

"Understood!"

Ao Yi respectfully accepted the order, then leapt down from the city wall, landing steadily on the ground, looking calmly at Evil and said, "I am Ao Yi, the Vanguard General of Linhuan Pass."

"Tsk tsk..."

Seeing the young and slender Ao Yi, Evil did not take him seriously. He smacked his lips mockingly, "To think Linhuan Pass doesn't have a proper general and instead sends a kid like you into battle.

You might as well surrender quickly, otherwise, when my hammer comes down, you rebels will become nothing but mounds of flesh!"

Ao Yi responded with a cold laugh, retorting, "So all you can do is flap your lips?"

"Hey, you tired of living, kid?"

Enraged, Evil swung his pair of Golden Gourd Round Hammers and urged his Exotic Beast to charge toward Ao Yi.

Ao Yi also drew a Fangtian Halberd and after a few exchanges, the clash of hammer and halberd rang out, ting ting tong tong, and neither could gain the upper hand over the other.

Amazement crossed Evil's eyes; he had not expected this seemingly delicate young man to be such a formidable opponent.

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