**Chapter 96: Huang Xiao’s Battle for Renown**
**Author: Gu Zhenren**
Tie Ao had never imagined things would turn out this way. The Tie Family’s fleet was segmented into countless smaller units by the Shu Family’s warships, forced to fight individually and at a significant disadvantage.
Tie Ao exerted his utmost effort to reorganize his troops, but his actions only worsened the already dire situation. No matter how he shifted his strategy, Huang Xiao was always able to react instantly, making adjustments that completely countered the Tie Family’s every move.
“Enough! Since I cannot outmaneuver him tactically, I will take matters into my own hands and kill Huang Xiao myself.” The immense casualties and heavy losses forced Tie Ao to take direct action.
“Huang Xiao, your life is forfeit!” he roared, riding a Ghost Raven and charging with fierce, imposing momentum directly towards the Shu Family’s flagship.
“This is bad, Tie Ao is personally intervening!” Seeing him advance, the Shu Family’s generals’ faces turned grim. With the Young Island Master Chu Yun absent, they lacked the confidence to face the renowned young general of the Tie Family.
“What’s there to fear?” Huang Xiao scoffed, summoning a Great Demon-level Red Rainbow Demon to envelop him as he ascended into the sky, fearlessly meeting Tie Ao.
“Huang Xiao, surrender now, and you might live. If you pledge loyalty to my Tie Family, I’ll make you a Great General!” Tie Ao declared menacingly, looking down at Huang Xiao from atop his Ghost Raven.
Huang Xiao let out a mocking laugh. “Since I, Huang Xiao, have sworn allegiance to Chu Yun as my Young Master, I will be loyal to him forever. Any offer of surrender is an insult!”
“You ungrateful wretch! I pity your talent. I possess the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, which is unparalleled in suppressing demonic creatures. Its defenses are superb, and it is also a Destiny Demonic Treasure. You are no match for me in a one-on-one fight!” As Tie Ao spoke, he summoned the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, holding it above his head.
The Demon Suppressing Pagoda was exquisite and compact, with seven tiers. Gleaming with golden splendor, it radiated a dazzling brilliance, hovering in mid-air like a small sun.
To his surprise, Huang Xiao let out a cold laugh. “A Destiny Demonic Treasure, you say? I have one too.”
With that, he patted the Immortal Pouch at his waist, and a small triangular flag flew out.
The flag was miniature, its fabric a deep, mysterious yellow, emblazoned with two golden characters: “Wang Shi” (Royal Army). The brass flagpole was ancient and sturdy.
The small flag fluttered in the wind, encircling Huang Xiao and generating a mighty, golden aura of righteousness that enveloped him. It was both offensive and defensive, its aura no less imposing than Tie Ao’s Demon Suppressing Pagoda.
“This is the Wang Shi Zhongyuan Banner, one of the five great army banners in Xingzhou’s history!” Tie Ao’s eyes blazed, fixing intently on the small triangular flag. Understanding dawned on him. “No wonder your tactics are so brilliant. The five great army banners can transform the bodies of Monster Tamers, enhancing their qualities and bestowing them with exceptional tactical talent! However…”
He changed his tone abruptly, shouting sternly, “Even with this Wang Shi Zhongyuan Banner, you cannot escape a gruesome death at my hands. I am not the Tie Ao of the past. Come forth, my Phoenix-Winged Golden Halberd!”
As soon as he spoke, a sound like metal striking metal, a phoenix’s cry, echoed through heaven and earth.
Instantly, a golden light appeared in Tie Ao’s hand.
He clenched his fist, and the golden light dispersed, revealing the domineering and formidable true form of his Phoenix-Winged Golden Halberd. An aura befitting a Spirit Demon Soldier erupted with a whoosh, causing waves to churn and the sails and banners of the warships to flap violently.
That’s right, this was Tie Ao’s second Spirit Monster.
He had proposed marriage to the Ning Family, hoping to secure their assistance. To his utter delight, Island Master Ning had personally gifted him a Rejuvenation Pill.
After consuming the Pill, Tie Ao’s spiritual energy surged, allowing him to control a second Spirit Monster. During the month of recuperation, he had honed his Phoenix-Winged Golden Halberd’s cultivation to the Spirit Monster level.
Now, with the Demon Suppressing Pagoda and a Spirit Monster-level Phoenix-Winged Golden Halberd, he had caught up to Chu Yun, possessing the combat power of two Spirit Monsters!
This was the greatest trump card he held for this expedition.
“My heavens, two Spirit Demon Weapons!”
“With the Young Island Master absent, who can stand against Tie Ao?”
“Tie Ao has such powerful trump cards to avenge his shame!”
…
A wave of gasps swept through the Shu Family Army. Their previously high spirits faltered, the immense psychological pressure exerted by Tie Ao taking its toll. This was the power of a Great General, capable of turning the tide of an entire battle.
“This was originally prepared for Chu Yun. Since you, Huang Xiao, are not wise, I will have to reveal my hand early. Tremble with fear! In today’s battle, I, Tie Ao, shall return to my peak and never fall again!” Tie Ao exuded an air of confidence, his black hair whipping in the wind, his face filled with self-assurance and arrogance.
However, Huang Xiao’s expression remained calm.
“A Spirit Monster, you say? Do you think I don’t have one?” he asked, his gaze filled with mockery and amusement as he stared at Tie Ao. At the same time, he repeatedly patted the Immortal Pouch at his waist.
*Boom!*
A rainbow, sapphire blue like a gemstone, precisely a Spirit Monster-level Blue Rainbow Demon, materialized and hovered to Huang Xiao’s left.
“Ugh…” Tie Ao’s expression froze.
*Boom!*
Another rainbow, a fiery, passionate crimson, a Spirit Monster-level Red Rainbow Demon, also appeared and hovered to Huang Xiao’s right.
“You, you!” Tie Ao’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Huang Xiao.
“What in the world is happening?!” Many were dumbfounded, staring up at the sky.
“Do you think I spent 61 years on Rainbow Island idly?” Huang Xiao sighed, grasping the Blue Rainbow Demon in one hand and reaching out with his other hand towards the Red Rainbow Demon.
“Eighteen kinds of weapons!” he called out softly, activating a peculiar Cultivation Method. The Rainbow Demons in his hands transformed rapidly, cycling through forms like sabers, spears, axes, whips, swords, hammers, and clubs.
Huang Xiao revealed his true power, shocking the entire battlefield. He charged ferociously, attacking with a saber one moment, a spear the next, then a whip.
“Damn it!” Tie Ao’s two Spirit Monsters were naturally no match for the combined might of Huang Xiao’s three Spirit Monsters. He was thoroughly outmatched, defending more than attacking, finding Huang Xiao’s onslaught relentless and unpredictable.
After two hundred rounds of combat, both Tie Ao and Huang Xiao were covered in blood. However, Tie Ao’s injuries were far more severe, with large and small wounds on his body, some spurting blood, and others exposing bone.
“I am not reconciled! I am not reconciled!” Tie Ao roared repeatedly, activating his Gold Essence True Body and transforming into a golden giant, attempting a comeback.
Huang Xiao snorted coldly and clapped his hands together. To everyone’s astonishment, the two Rainbow Demons temporarily merged into a single Crimson-Blue Rainbow Demon.
*Boom!*
An invisible aura instantly emanated from the Rainbow Demon, sweeping across the heavens and earth.
“Is that the lost Demon Beast Combination Technique?” Those who recognized it gasped, their jaws dropping in astonishment. As the battle progressed, Huang Xiao’s trump cards were revealed one after another, showcasing his true strength and leaving everyone in awe.
This applied to both his Sea Battle expertise and his personal power.
“I never imagined General Huang Xiao was this strong! So strong!”
“His fame will spread throughout the Archipelago today!”
“No wonder Chu Yun went to such lengths to recruit him. So that’s why, so that’s why…”
There was no longer any suspense in the battle. The appearance of the Crimson-Blue Rainbow Demon utterly shattered Tie Ao’s ambitions. Finally, his face turned ashen, and he retreated in utter defeat.
Of the hundred warships he led, four generals, thirteen junior officers, and over nine thousand soldiers, less than a tenth returned. It was a devastating loss!
