The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

"Ye Xuan, there's no time to lose, let's get going!" Jiang Chuan suddenly said.

Ye Xuan nodded heavily, and the two quickly packed their bags, led out two strong horses, and under the cover of night, plunged into the biting cold wind.

The cold wind was like a knife, cutting into their faces, causing unbearable pain.

Along the way, Jiang Chuan and Ye Xuan hardly stopped, only changing horses when necessary.

Their lips were chapped, their faces were weary, and when they were hungry, they would nibble on some dry rations; when they were thirsty, they would drink some cold spring water.

And so, on the third day, just before nightfall, they finally saw the towering Hulao Pass.

Hulao Pass, known as the foremost pass in the north, lies like a giant dragon across the Dushan Mountains, forcefully dividing the Yan Kingdom into north and south.

On the city wall, the couplet "The emperor guards the nation's gate, the monarch dies for the state" still stands out against the dim sky, reminding people of the thrilling duel between King Zhao of Yan and King Cheng of Qi seventy years ago.

Jiang Chuan and Ye Xuan sped along and finally entered the pass at dusk.

Ye Xuan led Jiang Chuan through the streets and alleys of the city, and soon they arrived at an inconspicuous courtyard house.

"Jiang Chuan, this is my temporary residence at Hulao Pass. Please rest here for now," Ye Xuan said.

Jiang Chuan thought he would see Xie Xuan as soon as he entered the courtyard, but Ye Xuan's next words surprised him.

"Lord Xie Xuan is temporarily unable to come to see you, so please wait here patiently."

Although Jiang Chuan had some doubts, he didn't ask too many questions and could only nod.

He pushed open the door, and there was light shining from the courtyard, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimney, but Xie Xuan was nowhere to be seen.

After giving a few hurried instructions, Ye Xuan turned and left.

Jiang Chuan stood at the gate of the courtyard, hesitated for a moment, and then pushed the gate open.

As soon as Jiang Chuan entered the courtyard, he heard a girl's voice coming from the kitchen: "Yuan Fang, isn't the fire a bit too big?"

Why does that voice sound so familiar? He strode towards the kitchen, where a girl was squatting in front of the stove, helping to tend the fire. That profile was none other than Chen Yuanfang!
"Yuan Fang!" Jiang Chuan couldn't help but shout.

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Yuanfang turned around abruptly, and the moment she saw Jiang Chuan, she almost dropped the firewood in her hand.

"Jiang Chuan! It really is you!" Chen Yuanfang stood up in surprise and rushed towards Jiang Chuan.

The two embraced each other excitedly, their unspoken words turning into tears in their eyes.

"Jiang Chuan, you've grown so much taller in the past six months!" Chen Yuanfang released Jiang Chuan, looked him up and down, and smiled broadly.

Jiang Chuan scratched his head and said with a smile, "Yuan Fang, I didn't expect to see you here. I'm relieved."

Liu Ling came out of the main room and saw Jiang Chuan. A happy smile appeared on her face: "Jiang Chuan, you're here!"

Jiang Chuan noticed that Liu Ling's aura seemed much stronger than before, and asked in confusion, "Liu Ling, have you broken through to the Zhiwei realm?"

Liu Ling smiled and nodded: "I was lucky to break through, and it's also the result of my hard work in Hulao Pass during this period."

Caiyun ran out of the kitchen and her eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Chuan: "Brother Jiang Chuan, you've finally come! Wow, you've really grown so much taller!"

Looking at the people in front of him, Jiang Chuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The fatigue and exhaustion of the past six months seemed to vanish in an instant.

Jiang Chuan and Chen Yuanfang volunteered to cook in the kitchen, while Caiyun insisted on making her specialty, scallion pancakes, herself. The kitchen immediately became lively.

As Chen Yuanfang chopped vegetables, he asked curiously, "Jiang Chuan, where have you been for the past six months? Tell us quickly."

Jiang Chuan poured oil into the pot and said, "In the past six months, I first went to Heyang City and encountered a lot of things there."

Later, we went to the hot spring valley, where we unexpectedly encountered Xianzhen's army.

"Hot Spring Valley? Isn't that place protected by the Black Serpent?" Caiyun interjected from the side, her face full of surprise.

Jiang Chuan nodded and said, "Yes, that Xuan Snake is really powerful. If I hadn't been swept away by the undercurrent, I really don't know how I would have escaped."

"Oh dear, that was close! Thank goodness you're alright."

Chen Yuanfang stopped what he was doing and looked at Jiang Chuan with a worried expression.

Jiang Chuan chuckled and patted Chen Yuanfang on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I'm determined to become a sword immortal of the Nine Provinces, how could I fall so easily?"

Chen Yuanfang smiled and reminded him, "You'd better be careful. There are many dangers on the path of cultivation."

Jiang Chuan nodded and continued, "After I came out of the hot spring valley, I went through some things, and finally arrived here safely."

In the past, Xie Xuan always looked disheveled, with messy hair and unkempt clothes, as if nothing in the world mattered to him.

But today, things are very different.

He was dressed in a brand-new plain robe with delicate cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, a warm jade pendant tied around his waist, and his hair was neatly tied up with an antique wooden hairpin, making him look refreshed and energetic.

Jiang Chuan quickly stepped forward, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting, "Thank you, Senior. You've dressed so well today, I almost didn't recognize you."

Xie Xuan smiled and returned the greeting, saying, "It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, I just tidied things up."

"Jiang Chuan, it's been a long time. Your aura is steady, and your cultivation has improved considerably."

Jiang Chuan's face was full of joy, and he hurriedly said, "It is all thanks to your guidance, senior, that I have made some progress."

Jiang Chuan said with some guilt, "It's just a pity that I failed to complete the task of collecting spiritual herbs that you entrusted to me before, and I have really let you down."

Xie Xuan waved his hand, his expression indifferent, and said, "It's alright. Although that spiritual medicine is good, it is not indispensable. Besides, what you have obtained now is probably more precious than that spiritual medicine."

Jiang Chuan was puzzled and was about to ask when Xie Xuan seemed to see through his thoughts, but just smiled mysteriously and said nothing more.

Xie Xuan had his own plans. He had a far-reaching scheme. Along the way, through various opportunities, such as the magical Nine-Turn Golden Elixir and the fortuitous half-step sword immortal inheritance, he had achieved his goals.

Furthermore, the Mountain Spirit Seal, which contains mysterious power, and the Xuanhuang Dragon Qi were all things he guided Jiang Chuan to obtain step by step; everything was under his control.

"Come, let me see just how far your cultivation has progressed," Xie Xuan said, extending his right hand with his palm facing up.

Jiang Chuan understood and extended his right hand, palm to palm with Xie Xuan's.

The two were surrounded by surging spiritual energy, and Jiang Chuan's innate pure Yang true energy surged forth. Xie Xuan sensed that true energy and said approvingly, "Not bad, your innate pure Yang true energy has already fused with 70% of your own true energy. At this rate, you will be able to form a golden core and reach the second level of the Pure Yang True Scripture in less than three years."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan asked with delight, "Senior, what exactly does the Nascent Soul realm described in the Pure Yang True Scripture look like?"

Xie Xuan withdrew his hand, his expression becoming solemn, and slowly said, "The Nascent Soul Realm is not something everyone can reach. It requires unparalleled talent, plus immense good fortune; neither can be lacking."

I was fortunate enough to reach the Nascent Soul realm, but unfortunately, I paid a heavy price for attempting to sever the secrets of heaven with a single finger, and my nascent soul fell into a deep slumber.

The two then discussed the lifespan of humans and the immortality of sword immortals.

Jiang Chuan asked with a face full of curiosity, "Senior, I have heard that the Taoist method of cultivating qi can prolong life. Is it really possible to achieve immortality?"

Xie Xuan shook his head and said, "Immortality is easier said than done."

While Taoist practices of cultivating inner energy can indeed prolong life, the universe operates according to its own rules, making immortality virtually impossible.

Jiang Chuan then asked, "Then, given the long history of swordsmanship in the Nine Provinces, how long do the sword immortals live?"

Xie Xuan pondered for a moment and said, "Li Muzhi, the sword immortal of this era, is over two hundred years old, which is considered a long life among sword immortals."

Just then, Caiyun came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of steaming hot scallion pancakes, and said with a smile, "Everyone must be hungry, come and try my scallion pancakes, and some freshly cooked white rice porridge."

The group sat around the stone table, their appetites whetted by the golden, crispy scallion pancakes and the aroma of rice porridge.

Jiang Chuan picked up a scallion pancake, took a bite, and his eyes lit up immediately. He praised, "Miss Caiyun's cooking skills are becoming more and more exquisite. This scallion pancake is truly a masterpiece."

Chen Yuanfang smiled and nodded in agreement.

Jiang Chuan then looked at Chen Yuanfang and teased, "Yuanfang, you're so lucky to be able to eat such delicious food every day."

Chen Yuanfang blushed and said with a smile, "You're just being cheeky."

The three chatted and laughed. After the meal, Xie Xuan got up to say goodbye, saying, "I have some things to take care of, so I'll take my leave first."

Jiang Chuan and Chen Yuanfang bowed and saw them off.

After Xie Xuan left, Jiang Chuan and Chen Yuanfang returned to their room and lay on the bed, but they couldn't fall asleep.

Jiang Chuan looked at the bright moon outside the window and said, "Yuan Fang, the situation is tense now, and a major battle may be imminent."

Chen Yuanfang sighed and said, "Yes, but I wonder how many lives will be lost in this battle."

Jiang Chuan clenched his fist and said, word by word, "But I firmly believe that justice will prevail."

Chen Yuanfang turned to look at Jiang Chuan and said, "I also believe that we can protect this land."

The two smiled at each other and gradually fell asleep.

The next day, before dawn, a thick winter fog blanketed the area outside Hulao Pass, like a thick veil enveloping the entire world.

The garrison soldiers patrolled the city walls as usual.

Suddenly, a soldier's eyes widened, and he pointed into the distance, shouting, "Look, what's that?"

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and a black line appeared in the distance.

The black line grew thicker and thicker, gradually turning into a black tide that surged toward Hulao Pass.

Upon closer inspection, one could vaguely discern the silhouettes of various magical beasts in the tide, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, exuding a menacing aura.

"Oh no, the enemy is attacking!" the soldiers shouted.

The garrison quickly sounded their horns, the sharp sound piercing the quiet morning.

The war drums were also sounded, and the "dong dong dong" sound of the drums quickly spread throughout the entire Hulao Pass.

This formidable northern pass, which had been dormant for seventy years, slowly awoke to the stirring sound of war drums.

The strategist Yuan Zhe stood on the city wall, gazing at the couplet on the tower. He had written it himself when he was young, and after twenty years, he had finally witnessed this war.

Yuan Zhe felt his blood boiling; he had waited far too long for this moment. This time, he would be facing an army of 200,000 men led by Xian Zhen.

Inside the majestic and solemn city lord's mansion in Heyang City
Mu Suifeng and Zhao Dun sat facing each other, with a map spread out on the table in front of them. The map was covered with various symbols and lines, but their minds were not on the map at all. Instead, they were filled with anxiety about the upcoming decisive battle.

Zhao Dun said anxiously, "Brother Mu, as you know, Xie Xuan specifically instructed that our Heyang army must set off on the seventh day, with the goal of gathering 30,000 cavalry."

"But right now, Heyang City only has 20,000 horses in total, and with only three days left, it's really difficult to gather 30,000 horses!" He sighed heavily, his face full of helplessness.

Mu Suifeng also looked worried and said, "Brother Zhao, this matter is indeed troublesome. But we can't just sit here and worry; we have to think of a solution."

Zhao Dun slammed his hand on the table and said, "That's right! We've done our best and left the rest to fate! We can't just give up like this." With that, he raised his voice and shouted towards the outside, "Someone, bring Lu Qian here!"

Before long, Lu Qian rushed over, entered the house and bowed, saying, "Lord of the City, what brings you here?"

Zhao Dun pointed to the map on the table and said urgently, "Lu Qian, quickly calculate the marching route for me and see where we can find more horses along the way. Our cavalry is insufficient, and we need to find a way to replenish them."

Lu Qian quickly leaned closer to the map and examined it carefully. After a while, he straightened up, looking troubled, and said, "City Lord, this is not a good matter."

From Heyang City to Hulao Pass, most of the towns and villages along the way have been affected by the war, and the people are too busy to take care of themselves to have any spare horses.

However, I did find a side path that might offer some hope, but it's rugged and difficult to traverse, and it will likely take some time.

Mu Suifeng frowned and asked, "Will this delay affect our army's expedition?"

Lu Qian hesitated for a moment before replying, "It would normally take cavalry at least five days to travel from Heyang City to Hulao Pass. If we take this side road, it will probably take even longer."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dun's face grew even more grim. He paced back and forth in the room, muttering, "What are we going to do? Xie Xuan's request to depart on the seventh day must have been carefully planned."

Xian Zhen's army of 200,000 fallen soldiers, marching day and night without rest, might already be nearing Hulao Pass. How could the 50,000 garrison at Hulao Pass possibly withstand Xian Zhen's massive army!

Mu Suifeng pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke up: "Brother Zhao, I just remembered something. Back then, King Cheng of Qi led an army of 400,000 to besiege Hulao Pass, but failed to conquer it. Firstly, Hulao Pass was strategically located, easy to defend and difficult to attack, with its city walls reaching a height of 15 zhang."

Secondly, with King Zhao of Yan personally overseeing the defense of Hulao Pass, the morale of the Yan army was high, and they were united in their resolve. However, facing Xian Zhen, a figure hailed as the greatest war god in the nation's wars, the situation at Hulao Pass was likely even more critical than it had been years before.

Zhao Dun stopped, his face filled with worry, and said, "Yes, this battle will be tough. But we cannot back down. We must find a way to boost morale and give our soldiers the determination to fight to the death." (End of Chapter)