Past life sage: This life a dual cultivator

The devil army tightly encircled the Yellow stone city while the human cultivators anxiously awaited the arrival of reinforcements. The devils continuously strengthened their positions but didn't take the initiative to launch an attack on the Yellow stone city.

As nervousness grew among the human cultivators, a sudden sound of marching caught their attention. All eyes turned towards the distance where they saw golden dots appearing in the distant sky. The golden dots gradually enlarged and appeared as glorious looking war banners. Gigantic flying ships came flying towards the Yellow stone city and the fluttering war banners caught the attention of both humans and devils alike.

"It is the imperial army!"

"We are saved!" voices echoed through the Yellow Stone City, a wave of relief washing over the cultivators. They knew that the arrival of the imperial army would rescue them from the seize.

The marching of the ground troops heard across the battlefield as they gradually revealed themselves in the distant horizon. The forward marching troops were riding Cold steel horses, a kind of magical beasts which were known for their speed and resilience.

Shui Liying, Huang Mei and the other emperors observed the approaching imperial army with a look of anticipation on their faces. They exchanged glances and a look of relief appeared on their faces.

"Finally, they are here", Shui Liying murmured.

"It took them long enough. I have started to doubt the sincerity of the imperial army", another emperor commented.

"They have to show up even if they don't want. If the Earth province falls, the next in line will be the Dragon province. The imperial family wouldn't like to face such a scenario", an aged looking emperor commented. There was a hint of mockery hidden in his words.

"Senior brother Deming, what should we do now?", Shui Liying inquired. Other emperors also looked towards Fu Deming as he was their nominal head.

"Wait and watch. We will see the response of the imperial army. We will coordinate with them after they take the initiative", Fu Deming replied.

"Ying Chao, gather the group leaders who have led our disciples into battle. Instruct them to prepare their groups and be ready to escape as soon as they receive our signal", Fu Deming sent a mental communication.

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"Boom", a defeating sound was heard as a flying ship fired an energy attack towards the devil army. The ground caved in and a portion of devil army obliterated in an instant.

"What is that?", Yin Ran muttered with a surprised expression on her face. She looked towards her two sisters, Hui Ling and Xue Yi and found them as shocked as she was.

"Sister Ran, these are the attacks from the magical cannons installed in the sky grade ships of the imperial army", the leader of their group explained. The leader was a mature looking disciple with a calm look on his face.

"Boom! Boom!", the magical cannons rained down fire as the formation of the devils immediately disturbed. Six sky grade flying ships attacking at once was a disastrous calamity for the devil army. Devils escaped here and there and the area outside the Yellow stone city became chaotic.

"Charge ahead. Clear a way for the Xuantian sect cultivators", a general of the imperial army commanded. He swung his hand forward and the soldiers behind him charged towards the Yellow stone city.

"Clang!", the sound of weapons colliding was heard as the imperial army and the devil army collided. The devils were already at a disadvantage after they bear the brunt of the magical cannons. They couldn't resist the imperial army steadily as the armoured soldiers advanced.

"Prepare to escape the city at any moment. No one is allowed to act independently without the permission from your group leader", Ying Chao spoke. He took a look at every group leaders including Zhan Chen.

Zhan Chen was standing with his one hundred and fifty odd group members. Every Xuantian sect disciple was standing orderly behind their group members as they listened to instructions of Ying Chao.

"Senior, Can I brought three more person with me?", Zhan Chen asked after Ying Chao finished speaking.

"You may", Ying Chao spoke. "Prepare to leave at any moment", he instructed before flying towards the city wall.

Zhan Chen looked towards the group with whom Hui Ling, Yin Ran and Xie Yi were standing. He unhurriedly walked towards them and approached their group leader.

"Senior borther Chen, I am Gui Tu. How many I help you?", the calm looking group leader asked. He was slightly puzzled because he never had a conversation with Zhan Chen.

"I want to take three person from your group. Will it trouble you?", Zhan Chen looked towards the group leader.

"No, three person is nothing compared to such a larger group", Gui Tu replied.

"Thanks", Zhan Chen cupped his fists as well. He took a look towards Hui Ling, Yin Ran and Xue Yi and all of them understood what he wanted. Yin Ran and Hui Ling were blushing slightly and were happy but Xue Yi felt slightly complicated. She still decided to follow her sisters as they walked towards Zhan Chen.

"No can say what will happen in a war. So, it is best to stay close", Zhan Chen softly spoke. He threw a look towards Xue Yi before leading the three girls towards his group.

"What is the relationship of these three with senior brother Chen? To think, he personally come to fetch them", few girls in the previous group of Hui Ling, Yin Ran and Xue Yi murmured among themselves. There was an envious expression on their faces as they saw Xue Yi, Yin Ran and Hui Ling following Zhan Chen.

"These three are a step ahead of us. Particularly, Yin Ran and Hui Ling. I have heard that they have got a fortuitous encounter and found some heavenly pills. But now I am certain that their fortuitous encounter is senior brother Chen. He most have helped these two to increase their cultivation", a girl explained. Her living quarter was close to Hui Ling, Yin Ran and Xue Yi. So, she knew more than others how Hui Ling and Yin Ran broke through to Martial ascension realm in a short period.

Few girls were still curious but suddenly they heard defeating sounds coming from the city outskirt. It was the flying ships of the imperial army who rained down another round of fire at the devils.

The ceize outside the eastern gate loosened up considerably. Devils were running here and there to save their own lives. Even the devil general leading them, fell back to avoid the rain of attacks.

"It is our best chance. Xuantian sect disciples, charge ahead", Ying Chao shouted. He had received instructions from Fu Deming. So, he gave the gree signal for the group leaders to escape the Yellow stone city.

"There is a problem here. Fight should not be this easy. But regardless, it is a good chance", Zhan Chen thought to himself. He felt fighting with the devils should not be this easy as it appeared on surface. But he was not the decision maker here. Moreover, he couldn't point out exactly what was wrong with retreating now. So, he decided to follow sect instructions and led his group towards the outskirts of the Yellow stone city.