The crossbow bolts were shorter than standard war arrows, but their speed in piercing the air was no less formidable. In fact, empowered by the runes engraved on the Divine Mechanized Crossbows, each bolt shot out like a flash of lightning, one after another in an unending barrage.
In a split second, it seemed as though countless streams of light burst from the ground into the sky.
Over ten thousand Divine Mechanized Crossbows each fired ten bolts simultaneously. In an instant, a storm of a hundred thousand bolts rained upward, blanketing the sky.
It was like a black cloud rising from the earth, accompanied by countless sharp whooshes as the air was ripped apart.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!!
The bolts were so fast they defied belief. Immediately, streaks of blood exploded in the sky as vicious avian beasts were pierced, their wings torn through. Not every creature could withstand this onslaught.
The bolts, with their speed, penetrative force, and destructive power, were terrifying. Even if slightly weaker than traditional bows, the sheer density of the attack compensated for any shortcomings.
With that one volley, the sky darkened with falling corpses — as though it were raining birds. Feathers and blood showered down like a grisly rainfall.
Piercing screeches echoed from above.
A vast number of vicious birds were slaughtered, but there were simply too many of them. Even the crossbow barrage could not eliminate them all. Still, large groups continued to descend.
Although powerful, the Divine Mechanized Crossbows required reloading. For cultivators, that took only a second or two, but in battle, a single second could be fatal — and the enemy would not grant such mercy.
Those birds that broke through the barrage now had eyes filled with bloodlust.
Their sharp talons, savage beaks, and bladed wings turned into deadly weapons in the blink of an eye.
"Prepare for close combat!" Yang Ye shouted solemnly, gripping his spear tightly.
Boom!
All the soldiers instantly assumed battle positions, their eyes locked on the descending aerial beasts. A burning fighting spirit surged among them.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"
Cries of war erupted from their mouths, filled with murderous intent and a powerful aura that even subdued the savagery of the beasts.
"Finally, it's my turn to shine! I, Young Master Hollow, shall make my name known! Who dares say I'm empty now?" he exclaimed, his fingers trembling with excitement.
These beasts arrived at just the right time — a perfect chance to prove himself.
"They're coming."
Fu Hongxue's eyes narrowed. His hand had already gripped the hilt of his blade, his essence, energy, and spirit channeling into it.
"Xuanhuang Town must not fall," said Bu Jingyun, drawing the sword on his back. His cold expression did not waver, his gaze locked onto the incoming horde.
"Time for this monk to shine," Monk Hua sneered, a feral smile curling on his lips.
Ding dong!!
Just as the cultivators were about to strike, a sudden crisp note — like a stream trickling through a quiet valley — cut through the tension and resounded through the void.
Under that sound, the frenzied birds inexplicably paused in midair, as though receiving some strange command.
The murderous aura surrounding them faltered.
Their previously violent dive halted completely. Those on the ground ready for hand-to-hand combat froze in surprise.
"This melody... it's the Phoenix Zither! It's Zhao Ji!" cried Huang Chengyan immediately.
"Miss Cai's 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'," murmured Master Lu, his eyes lighting up.
Looking up, they saw Cai Yan seated atop the city wall, the mystical Phoenix Zither resting on her knees.
Ding dong!!
The melody flowed like water, full of clarity and penetration. Not even the battlefield's killing intent could mask it, nor could the shrieks of the vicious birds overwhelm its brilliance.
Cai Yan's ten fingers danced elegantly over the strings, like butterflies fluttering through the air, each stroke of the zither infused with true essence and imbued with the power of the Heavenly Sound Life Aperture (Tianyin Mingqiao).
The Phoenix Zither channeled this unique force, granting the music powerful reach. The sound waves rippled and transformed across the battlefield.
This performance of 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' had reached new heights — its artistic conception even deeper, her expression more fluid and graceful.
There was something strange in the music. In the sky, the feral birds inexplicably hovered, ceasing their assault. The melody seemed to exert an irresistible pull, calming their murderous rage.
Caw!!
Unexpectedly, one of the vicious birds let out a cry — not a screech of aggression, but a melodic note that harmonized with the zither.
One bird's call led to another, and soon, the entire flock joined in. Yet instead of chaos, their calls aligned seamlessly with the tune, as though rehearsed.
Ding dong!!
Suddenly, a vivid sparrow, formed purely from musical energy, emerged from the zither's resonating sound waves. It chirped brightly and soared into the air, joining the vicious birds in a playful dance.
This melody carried a boundless vitality, as though spring had returned to the land.
One by one, other avian manifestations appeared — sparrows, finches, phoenix-like figures — all conjured from music, leaping forth like sprouts after rain. They mingled freely with the real birds above.
The sky transformed into a surreal spectacle. Real beasts and musical illusions mingled in a breathtaking dance, indistinguishable from one another.
Then, an incredible scene unfolded before every cultivator and commoner's eyes.
The countless birds above began to circle over Xuanhuang Town, forming a giant, swirling vortex — not of destruction, but of celebration, as if paying homage to Cai Yan.
"They're not attacking… they're circling us? Is this... her music's doing?" a stunned cultivator muttered.
If the melody could truly command these beasts, it was terrifying beyond belief.
"There's an old saying: 'In empty mountains, play the zither, and birds and butterflies come to dance.' Never imagined it could be true... and these are ferocious beasts!" another whispered in awe.
"Wasn't this supposed to be my grand performance? My chance to shine?" Young Master Hollow stared blankly at the scene above, wanting to cry out, Don't leave, birds! Let me fight you!
His stage for greatness was gone, just like that.
"The first movement of the 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' — Contention of the Birds — has clearly reached an extraordinary level," thought Yi Tianxing, watching Cai Yan play as the birds circled. "This piece carries an inescapable allure for avian creatures. They're immersed in it, unable to resist."
Caw!!
Suddenly, the Wind God Winged Dragon King flapped its massive wings, slamming the Golden Roc aside. Seeing its minions controlled by music, it let out a furious screech.
That shriek, razor-sharp, pierced through the melody — and some of the birds began to grow confused, their eyes flickering once more with bloodlust.
Ding dong!!
Sweat beaded on Cai Yan's brow. Her music surged with renewed vigor. True essence flowed stronger through her fingers.
The flock's agitation faded. The melody reclaimed them.
Then, it shifted again.
Now it felt urgent, almost competitive — as if the birds had found a meal in the woods and scrambled over who would eat first.
The tempo grew sharper and more intense.
Caw!!
Suddenly, the birds' eyes gleamed with fresh ferocity — but this time, not toward the town.
They turned as one and launched a savage assault on the Wind God Winged Dragon King, filling the sky in a flood of wings and claws.
Even the dragon king was stunned.
The nearby birds attacked it furiously — talons ripping, beaks stabbing.