Immortal Sovereign's Ascension

Chapter 16: Turning the Tide

The battle showed no signs of slowing. The mountain echoed with the clash of weapons and the cries of cultivators locked in combat. The Azure Sky Sect's disciples fought valiantly, their techniques honed by years of training, but the Shadow Fang Sect's relentless assault continued to test their limits.

Zhang Wei stood at the edge of the front lines, his spear raised and his senses heightened. He scanned the battlefield, searching for an opening to strike. The enemy's forces were well-coordinated, their movements precise as they pressed the attack.

The system's voice rang in his mind: Host must adapt to the enemy's tactics. Utilize acquired techniques to disrupt their formation.

Zhang Wei nodded to himself. The Shadow Fang Sect's strength lay in their coordination. If he could break their formation, the Azure Sky Sect could regain the upper hand.

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Quest: Turning the Tide

Objective: Disrupt the Shadow Fang Sect's formation and rally the Azure Sky Sect's forces.

Reward: Sect Contribution Points and an advanced group battle technique.

Penalty: Risk of being overwhelmed by enemy forces.

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Liang Feng's voice cut through the chaos, commanding the Azure Vanguard with unwavering authority. "Hold the line! Protect the gates at all costs!"

Zhang Wei moved toward Liang Feng, dodging an enemy strike as he approached. "Senior Disciple Liang!" he called out.

Liang Feng turned, his blade cutting down an enemy as he spoke. "What is it, Zhang Wei?"

"They're too coordinated," Zhang Wei said, his voice steady despite the battle raging around them. "If we disrupt their formation, we can weaken their offensive."

Liang Feng's eyes narrowed as he considered Zhang Wei's words. "What's your plan?"

"I'll break through their ranks and target their leaders," Zhang Wei replied. "If we take them out, their forces will lose cohesion."

Liang Feng hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Do it. Take a team with you. We'll hold the line here."

Zhang Wei saluted, then turned to a group of disciples nearby. "With me!"

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The Shadow Fang Sect's formation was dense, their cultivators moving as one to overpower the Azure Sky Sect's defenses. Zhang Wei led his team through the chaos, his Shadow Step Technique allowing him to weave through the enemy lines with precision.

He spotted the enemy leaders at the center of the formation—three cultivators radiating dark Qi, their auras oppressive and commanding. Zhang Wei tightened his grip on his spear. These were the ones orchestrating the attack, and they needed to be stopped.

"Stay close," Zhang Wei told his team. "Focus on protecting each other. I'll handle the leaders."

The disciples nodded, their determination evident as they followed Zhang Wei into the fray.

---

The first enemy leader noticed Zhang Wei's approach, his eyes narrowing. "So, you're the one causing all this trouble," he sneered.

Zhang Wei didn't respond. He surged forward, his spear glowing with Qi as he struck. The leader blocked the attack with a blade infused with dark energy, the clash sending sparks flying.

"You'll regret challenging us," the leader growled, his Qi flaring.

Zhang Wei dodged a flurry of strikes, his movements fluid as he countered with precise thrusts. The battle was intense, each strike testing Zhang Wei's limits.

The system chimed: Utilize Shadow Step Technique to exploit enemy's blind spots.

Zhang Wei activated the technique, moving like a blur as he struck from unexpected angles. His spear found its mark, piercing the leader's shoulder and forcing him to stagger back.

"You're stronger than you look," the leader admitted, blood dripping from his wound. "But strength alone won't save you."

The leader unleashed a wave of dark energy, forcing Zhang Wei to retreat. He braced himself, his Qi shielding him from the brunt of the attack.

"Focus!" Zhang Wei told himself, channeling his energy into a counterattack.

With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, his spear striking with unrelenting force. The leader faltered, his defenses crumbling under Zhang Wei's assault.

The final strike came swiftly, Zhang Wei's spear piercing the leader's chest. The man collapsed, his dark Qi dissipating like smoke.

---

The remaining two leaders turned their attention to Zhang Wei, their expressions grim.

"He's more dangerous than we thought," one of them said.

"Then we take him down together," the other replied.

Zhang Wei readied himself, his spear glowing brighter as he drew on his Qi reserves. The two leaders attacked simultaneously, their strikes coordinated and deadly.

Zhang Wei dodged and countered, his Shadow Step Technique allowing him to evade their attacks with precision. He focused on their movements, searching for an opening.

The system chimed again: Divide and conquer. Separate the leaders to exploit their weaknesses.

Zhang Wei lured one of the leaders away, using the terrain to his advantage. The narrow space between two boulders forced the leader to fight alone, his movements restricted. Zhang Wei struck with calculated precision, his spear cutting through the man's defenses.

The leader fell, leaving only one remaining.

---

The final leader was the strongest of the three, his dark Qi swirling around him like a storm. Zhang Wei faced him head-on, their weapons clashing in a flurry of strikes.

"You've done well to make it this far," the leader said, his tone cold. "But this is where your luck runs out."

"We'll see about that," Zhang Wei replied, his voice steady.

The leader unleashed a powerful attack, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Zhang Wei blocked the strike, his spear vibrating from the impact. He countered with a thrust aimed at the leader's chest, but the man dodged, his movements unnaturally fast.

The battle continued, each clash pushing Zhang Wei closer to his limits. But he refused to give up. Drawing on every ounce of his strength, he activated the Shadow Step Technique one final time, his movements faster than the eye could follow.

With a swift and decisive strike, Zhang Wei pierced the leader's defenses, his spear finding its mark. The leader's eyes widened in shock as he fell to the ground, his dark Qi dissipating.

---

The Shadow Fang Sect's formation faltered without their leaders. The Azure Sky Sect's disciples seized the opportunity, rallying together to push the enemy back.

Liang Feng's voice rang out, commanding the disciples to press the attack. The tide of the battle shifted, the enemy forces retreating under the relentless assault.

Zhang Wei stood amidst the chaos, his chest heaving and his spear stained with blood. He had done it—he had turned the tide of the battle.

The system chimed: Quest complete. Rewarding Sect Contribution Points and advanced group battle technique.

Knowledge flooded Zhang Wei's mind, the new technique enhancing his ability to lead and coordinate in battle.

As the enemy retreated, the disciples of the Azure Sky Sect let out a cheer, their voices echoing across the mountains.

Zhang Wei lowered his spear, his body weary but his spirit unbroken. The battle was far from over, but for now, they had secured a hard-fought victory.

"This is just the beginning," Zhang Wei murmured, his gaze fixed on the horizon.