The Eternal Way-Chapter 165: The Ambush

Inside the carriage, the general and Li Qi sat facing each other.

Shen Shuibei sat behind Li Qi, looking bewildered, as if in a dream, merely sitting there without any movement.

Old Horse, outside the carriage, was competing with the general's horse. One would raise its head higher than the other, neighing loudly, almost coming to blows until the stable hands hurriedly separated the two dragon horses.

Inside the carriage, Li Qi conversed with the general: "So, to summarize, your meaning is that the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest is currently consolidating its forces for an unknown reason? It's likely preparing for another demon nest surge, which is why you abandoned the frontier garrison?"

"Not abandoned, but rather the garrison couldn't hold. If demons were to attack en masse like a tidal wave, holding the garrison would only lead to certain death," the general explained.

"Therefore, the State Preceptor has decided to evacuate nearby civilians, abandon the garrison, and use the terrain to fortify defenses."

"So, young hero, although your intentions are noble, I must advise caution during the demon nest's imminent attack to avoid unnecessary sacrifice," the general said.

"General, have you considered the possibility that they might actually be defending?" Li Qi suggested.

Although the sudden consolidation seemed suspicious, Green Mountain's ruler had mentioned that this was due to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign leaving for another realm.

But such information was known only to Rank Five rulers, and these soldiers probably weren't aware of it.

Even the Hundred Forests' ruler might not know about it; news of the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign leaving "Tianxia "(Under Heaven) for another realm should be highly classified.

It was unclear how Green Mountain's ruler obtained this information, but he clearly had vast connections.

"Indeed, some think so, but we can't gamble on it. If a demon tide comes, who will take responsibility for the consequences? Better not risk lives needlessly. You could join us, helping fight demons when they emerge," the general advised.

"Thank you for your concern, but I have my own methods of self-protection. Moreover, besides slaying demons, I have other reasons to enter," Li Qi politely declined.

"If that's the case, I won't insist further," the general shook his head, concluding the conversation.

They were strangers meeting by chance, and there was no need for lengthy discussions. Even with good intentions, ultimately everyone follows their own path. Since Li Qi had made up his mind, there was nothing more to say.

Li Qi bid farewell to the army, pulling along Old Horse, who was eager to challenge the other horse again, and left with Shen Shuibei.

The army didn't linger either, quickly moving away until both sides were out of sight, widening the distance between them.

Li Qi continued towards the frontier garrison.

On the way, he said to Shen Shuibei behind him, "It seems the Hundred Forests isn't keen on fighting. Their first reaction to encountering enemy changes is to flee."

Shen Shuibei thought for a moment before replying, "It's probably because the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign is too powerful. They've been terrified by previous defeats. I heard that the three kingdoms here, plus the Righteous Sword Palace, have three Rank Fives. The palace lord alone rivals half a Rank Five. Four of them together ambushed the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign, even with the element of surprise, but still returned empty-handed. The Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign remains alive and well. Even I've heard of this."

"One against four? That strong?" Li Qi was astonished.

He hadn't heard of this before. Wasn't the Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign also Rank Five?

Shen Shuibei explained, "There's a huge difference within each rank. Fighting ordinary Rank Nines, you could handle dozens easily, right?"

"At lower ranks, you could defeat dozens, but as ranks increase, the differences shrink. For instance, the Righteous Sword Palace master or Green Mountain's divine Jinchi, being Rank Six, can fight over a dozen ordinary peers without much trouble. The Swallowing Heaven Demon Sovereign is similar."

Li Qi nodded in understanding. Each rank indeed varied greatly.

Due to the significant differences between ranks, whoever established the ranking system must have considered "one heaven per rank," making differences within the same rank substantial.

A newly entered Rank Six facing someone like Green Mountain's divine warrior capable of fighting a Rank Five head-on would likely be defeated instantly. Gathering a dozen together might barely level the playing field.

"That makes sense, but why do the differences shrink at higher ranks?" Li Qi asked.

These were common knowledge to Shen Shuibei, so she explained straightforwardly, "I haven't seen higher ranks, but let's talk about Rank Five. By then, cultivation isn't as important in battles. What matters are resources, divine abilities, and magical artifacts."

"Rank Fives live long lives. Unless struck by misfortune, they slowly enhance their cultivation. Breaking through to Rank Four requires more than just effort, so most Rank Fives are already at their peak."

Shen Shuibei struggled to explain, sounding somewhat disorganized.

However, she clarified, "Imagine breaking through to Rank Five. Wouldn't you stabilize your realm?"

"Of course," Li Qi nodded.

"Most Rank Fives reach a bottleneck while stabilizing their realm. After breakthrough, they immediately go into seclusion. Upon emerging, their cultivation is at Rank Five, indistinguishable from others. Without cultivation differences, distinctions lie in weapons and divine abilities."

"But at Rank Nine, you can't do this because you're accumulating. Lifespan pressures you to improve rapidly. As your rank increases and accumulation reaches a point, further accumulation becomes natural. Breaking through requires more than accumulation—it needs a spark of enlightenment."

Shen Shuibei's explanation was messy, making it difficult for her to convey clearly.

Fortunately, Li Qi understood quickly.

He clapped his hands, "Ah, I get it!"

Li Qi clarified for Shen Shuibei, "From zero to one is an infinite increase. From one to two is doubling. But from one million to one million and one thousand is minimal. The difference isn't significant."

"Cultivation works similarly. Higher ranks make percentage increases harder, narrowing gaps. Thus, combat power differences rely on multipliers, right?"

"In early stages, base value is crucial. A tenfold increase means doubling strength. But at later stages, increasing cultivation by a thousand points from a million doesn't matter much. Multipliers from divine abilities become essential."

"Yes, exactly!" Shen Shuibei nodded vigorously, finally expressing her thoughts clearly.

Li Qi articulated it better.

Base values matter initially, but once advanced, increasing base values becomes extremely hard.

Early on, with cultivation at ten, a divine ability adding 10% boosts combat power to eleven. Instead of developing a divine ability, it's better to boost cultivation to twelve for stronger power and longer life.

But at higher levels, with cultivation at a million, increasing by a thousand is negligible. Yet, a 10% multiplier from a divine ability instantly adds ten thousand to combat power, far surpassing mere cultivation improvement.

Thus, early combat power relies on base cultivation, while later stages depend on divine abilities and multipliers.

However, Shen Shuibei reminded, "Combat power isn't everything. Cultivation isn't solely for fighting. Pursuing combat power obsessively leads astray."

"I understand. Combat power ensures practicing one's path, not pursuing it for its sake," Li Qi nodded.

Cultivation ultimately serves a purpose.

Achieving that purpose defines your Dao path.

Combat power preserves oneself, but cultivating shouldn't aim solely for combat power.

Some pursue strength purely for strength, often called martial fanatics, differing from most cultivators.

Take Shen Shuibei as an example. In Rank Five, she excels in medicine and alchemy despite poor combat skills, earning respect nonetheless.

Li Qi knew combat power wasn't everything but indispensable.

All peace, harmony, beauty, and pursuit of Dao require a strong foundation, otherwise risking one's life.

Discussing cultivation topics, they enjoyed their usual interactions—mutual questioning and learning. Shen Shuibei often asked about worldly affairs and stories, while Li Qi sought advice on cultivation challenges.

Despite varying topic values, both seemed happy.

Perhaps, questions were just excuses for interaction.

As they chatted and headed towards the garrison, suddenly, both looked up simultaneously.

"There's human presence. Is there a village? Weren't they evacuated?" Li Qi frowned.

The general had told him the Hundred Forests were evacuating entirely. How could there be people now?

"Not just human presence, but also death and blood energies. And... demon and soldier energies. It seems like a battle," Shen Shuibei's senses were sharper, detecting more details.

"Do demons dare ambush? And time it perfectly?" Li Qi frowned.

After hearing Shen Shuibei's observations, he grasped the situation.

Soldier, blood, demon, human, and death energies mixed—this was a battlefield!

With many humans present, did the Hundred Forests encounter demons during evacuation? Were the evacuation troops fighting?

Though many things unfolded, Li Qi reacted swiftly, deciding, "Let's go check."

"Okay." Shen Shuibei nodded, and they changed direction, heading towards the human presence.

Before reaching, Li Qi saw the battlefield from afar.

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As expected.

Tens of thousands of civilians were being forcibly relocated. A force of over ten thousand soldiers resisted demons ahead.

Unknown demons, led by two Rank Eight demons, accompanied by dozens of Rank Nines and tens of thousands of lesser demons, charged the soldiers amidst chaos.

Civilians began suffering casualties, losing order and fleeing, disrupting the military formation. Officers killed to enforce discipline, forcing them to stand firm.

Blood-soaked earth emitted a foul stench. Numerous war spells created explosions unique to this world.

War spells, enhanced by soldier energy, illuminated the battlefield with brilliant flames and black clouds of smoke. Each synchronized volley shook the earth violently, flames burning the sky, thick black smoke swirling like beacon fires.

Yet, demons outnumbered the soldiers. Their soldier energy, dark and murky, weakened the soldiers' spells, reducing their effectiveness and range, sometimes nullifying them outright.

Amidst thunderous footsteps, crackling rocks, and piercing laughter, demons suffered minimal losses under bombardment, piercing through the soldiers' formations like knives.

Colliding violently, blood splattered everywhere.

Frontline soldiers faced charging demons, their spears blazing, stabbing through formations. Despite fierce resistance, tough-skinned demons pushed forward, suffering heavy casualties but eventually overwhelming the soldiers, scattering their equipment.

Battle lines broke into chaotic melee.

Above, two Rank Eight demons used divine abilities, suppressing the army while avoiding civilian harm.

Their goal seemed to capture civilians.

The army had only one Rank Eight, struggling to maintain soldier energy, barely holding off.

Without soldier energy, armies face slaughter. Disarray turns disciplined troops into rabble.

"We must hurry, or these people won't survive," Li Qi urged.

"Right." Shen Shuibei nodded firmly.