Chapter Twenty-Seven: The White Tiger Descends to the Mortal Realm—Xue Rengui

While Xing Tian and Shan Shitu were engaged in a fierce battle, other skirmishes were breaking out one after another. The most intense of these was the clash between Xue Rengui and the two Jin brothers, Wanyan Jindanzi and Wanyan Yin'danzi.

Seeing the soldiers being ruthlessly slaughtered by the hands of the Wanyan brothers, Xue Rengui could not stand idly by. He spurred his horse, the Snow-Treader, and charged toward them.

"Barbarian general, taste the strike of my halberd!" As he approached Wanyan Jindanzi, Xue Rengui let out a long shout and brought his long halberd down upon him.

Since Xue Rengui had made no effort to conceal his approach, Jindanzi was too seasoned a warrior to ignore such a formidable opponent. Sensing the imposing aura radiating from Xue Rengui, Jindanzi did not dare to be careless, swinging his massive hammer with full force to meet the attack.

"Ding! Xue Rengui’s skill 'White Tiger' activated. Effect 1: Upon activation, Might +5. Effect 2: The White Tiger governs slaughter; as the killing intent in one's heart increases, Might +3, stackable up to three times. Effect 3: Aura of Slaughter; negative effects on Might and Command are halved. With Effect 1 activated, Might +5. Xue Rengui's base Might is 105, equipment +2, current Might 112."

"Ding! Wanyan Jindanzi’s skill 'Angry Hammer' Effect 1 activated, Might +4. Base Might 105, equipment +2, current Might 111."

Within moments, the two had exchanged over a dozen blows, their weapons clashing with such intensity that sparks showered from the point of impact.

Seeing that someone could fight his brother to a draw—and perhaps even hold a slight advantage—Wanyan Yindanzi spurred his horse forward, joining the fray to fight alongside his brother.

"Ding! Wanyan Yindanzi’s 'Angry Hammer' Effect 1 activated, Might +4. Base Might 100, equipment +2, current Might 106."

"Ding! Wanyan Yindanzi and Wanyan Jindanzi fighting together activates the 'Brotherhood' attribute. Both gain Might +2. Wanyan Yindanzi’s current Might is 108, Wanyan Jindanzi’s current Might is 113."

Xue Rengui had not expected the two brothers to be so troublesome. Jindanzi assaulted him from the front, while Yindanzi provided cover from the side, occasionally launching surprise attacks at critical moments. Though Xue Rengui attempted to unleash lethal techniques, he was repeatedly interrupted by Yindanzi. While Yindanzi was weaker than his brother, Xue Rengui dared not take a direct hit from those hammers, lest he suffer grievous injury.

With Yindanzi’s intervention, the tide turned against Xue Rengui. After another dozen exchanges, the brothers managed to suppress him. It seemed as though Xue Rengui’s defeat was only a matter of time.

At the critical moment, Qin Qiong arrived, engaging Yindanzi and saving Xue Rengui from certain defeat.

"Ding! Qin Qiong’s 'Gate Guardian' skill activated. It can randomly seal one of the opponent’s skills during combat. It seals Wanyan Yindanzi’s 'Angry Hammer' skill. Wanyan Yindanzi’s Might drops to 104."

Seeing their advantage disrupted, Yindanzi roared in anger.

"Ding! Wanyan Yindanzi’s 'Angry Hammer' Effect 2 attempted to activate... blocked by 'Gate Guardian'. Activation failed. Current Might 104."

Although his skill was sealed, Yindanzi maintained a Might of 104 due to the 'Brotherhood' attribute. Even though Qin Qiong was well-equipped, his base Might was only 100, and he was soon suppressed by Yindanzi. If not for Qin Qiong’s sudden burst of his 'Hidden Dagger' skill, which he used to catch Yindanzi off guard, he likely would not have lasted until the end of the battle.

While Qin Qiong struggled, Xue Rengui’s situation remained difficult. Even with Yindanzi occupied, he could not gain the upper hand against Jindanzi alone.

"Ding! Xue Rengui’s 'White Tiger' Effect 2 activated, Might +3. Current Might 115."

"Ding! Wanyan Jindanzi’s 'Angry Hammer' Effect 2 activated, Might +3. Current Might 116."

Xue Rengui attempted to crush Jindanzi to assist elsewhere, but he nearly fell into a trap, forcing him to refocus entirely on the duel. Xue Rengui was finding the going tough, but Jindanzi was equally astonished; every time his own momentum peaked, the white-robed general would match him, leaving the battle at a stalemate.

"Ding! Wanyan Jindanzi’s 'Angry Hammer' Effect 2 activated a second time, Might +3. Current Might 119."

As expected, no sooner had Jindanzi increased his Might than Xue Rengui, refusing to be outdone, increased his own.

"Ding! Xue Rengui’s 'White Tiger' Effect 2 activated a second time, Might +3. Current Might 118."

Elsewhere, Xiong Kuohai was locked in combat. Wanyan Shemu, a top-tier general of the Jin Dynasty, was known in historical records for his bravery and for leading the Jin forces to conquer the Five Capitals of the Liao and sack the Northern Song capital of Kaifeng. Although not as strong as Xiong Kuohai, Shemu's base Might exceeded 100, and together with Wanyan Zongbi, they kept Xiong Kuohai completely at bay.

Though Xiong Kuohai had seemed evenly matched against Shan Shitu in their previous encounter, that success was largely due to Meng Tian’s defensive buff, which was not applicable in this offensive maneuver. Furthermore, Xiong Kuohai's 'Heavenly King' suppression effect was ineffective here as neither opponent possessed a higher base Might than him.

While these three fronts remained deadlocked, the situation for Meng Wu was dire. He had no major general to contend with, and the enemy commander, Nian Deli, was obsessed with Xing Tian. Having heard of Xing Tian’s terror from Jindanzi, Nian Deli dared not challenge him alone, instead hoping to double-team him with Shan Shitu. To his surprise, however, Shan Shitu had unleashed a hidden power, nearly matching Xing Tian’s strength—a development that left the well-informed Nian Deli deeply confused.