Fortune Across the World

Chapter 165: Crisis Strikes, Fiery Rain Reveals Power (Part 2)

The black wooden tubes were larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, forming an octagonal frustum shape. Ding Qiyu named them "Fiery Rain." Each Fiery Rain could be loaded with thirty-two Shenji Arrows, designed not for precision but to target large groups of enemies. Once mounted, activating the trigger would launch all thirty-two arrows simultaneously, igniting them as they shot into enemy ranks. The explosive effect of the Shenji Arrows, akin to a rain of fire, was devastating against many foes.

"Bring all these fire... tubes, the arrows too, and as many bows and crossbows as you can carry," Ding Qiyu instructed, taking as much as she could handle and hurrying back. On the way to the bamboo courtyard, they encountered several injured Qianli Palace disciples being carried back, likely from the other two blasting sites. This only reinforced Ding Qiyu's resolve; if the enemies were so ruthless, she had no qualms about using powerful weapons.

Arriving with the Fiery Rain, they found that Meng Lan and the others had already chosen strategic, concealed positions. Seeing Ding Qiyu and her group with such impressive-looking equipment, everyone was thrilled.

Ding Qiyu quickly set up the Fiery Rain with a folding wooden stand, teaching the disciples how to use the Fiery Rain and Shenji Crossbows, advising them to aim for the densest clusters of enemies without worrying about precision.

Estimating the numbers, there were dozens of visible enemies below, with an unknown number hidden. The three Fiery Rain tubes and Shenji Crossbows were more than enough to handle them. Once the targets were confirmed, everyone took their positions, ready to unleash the Fiery Rain and crossbows on Ding Qiyu's command.

Truthfully, Ding Qiyu was anxious. On one hand, she was uneasy about the impending violence—would this count as killing? On the other, she worried about the untested Fiery Rain. If it failed, how could she quickly adapt to help Qianli Palace and Zhuyi through this crisis?

Wounding others was a last resort, and the Fiery Rain needed testing. Calming herself, Ding Qiyu adjusted the Fiery Rain's direction, took a deep breath, and whispered the order. She pulled the control handle, and the disciples followed suit, triggering the other two Fiery Rain tubes and the Shenji Crossbows. The area filled with the hiss of ignition as countless Shenji Arrows, their tips glinting silver, soared into the enemy ranks, trailing smoke.

Below, Zhenxiao Sect's men, puzzled by the lack of resistance, looked up at the sharp sounds from above. What they saw was a rain of arrows, trailing sparks and black smoke, descending upon them.

With nowhere to hide on the open valley floor, the men panicked, scattering like sand. The arrows, propelled by gunpowder, were swift and powerful, leaving them no time to escape the deadly net. Many were pierced by arrows, followed by the fiery explosion that consumed those nearby, sparing none.

Unexpectedly, the Shenji Arrows' explosions ignited the explosives carried by Zhenxiao Sect members, who favored using thunder and fire weapons. The chain reaction caused chaos, as their own weapons detonated amidst them.

Cries and explosions mingled in a deafening cacophony. Ding Qiyu, who didn't want to witness the bloodshed, got her wish—the Fiery Rain performed as expected, albeit imperfectly. The smoke from the arrows enveloped her, and the heat sparked flames. Fortunately, Ding Qiyu and the other Fiery Rain operators, forewarned, managed to avoid the flames, ending up covered in soot and coughing but unharmed.

Meng Lan and the Shenji Crossbow users dealt with the enemy's mountain-blasting group. Their explosives had detonated during setup, turning the sparse vegetation into a sea of fire. Zhenxiao Sect suffered heavy casualties in the fire and arrow storm. Reinforcements, arriving to aid them, hesitated, unwilling to enter the deadly zone. Their leader withdrew to regroup.

With the immediate threat repelled, Meng Lan and the others were elated at their victory. Meng Lan, holding a Shenji Crossbow, praised Ding Qiyu, "Little Yu, your mechanisms are amazing! They fled!"

Ding Qiyu, wiping her eyes with a soot-free sleeve, looked like she'd just escaped a disaster camp. Hearing Meng Lan, she forced a smile, "Good, they retreated..." Her soot-covered face made her features indistinguishable, and Meng Lan likely couldn't see her smile.

Noticing their disheveled state, Meng Lan asked worriedly, "Little Yu, are you hurt?"

Ding Qiyu waved her sooty hand, "Cough, cough, no, just some issues with the Fiery Rain. Let's go see if the others need help!" The Fiery Rain needed improvement; it was too dangerous and hindered reloading efficiency.

Leaving ten Shenji Crossbow-wielding disciples there, Ding Qiyu and Meng Lan returned to Yan Tian Hall.

Inside, Meng Chun had gone to support Meng Han. Le Zhuyi, briefing disciples, prepared to send reinforcements to Ding Qiyu's group when they returned. Seeing Ding Qiyu's soot-blackened state, Zhuyi's worry deepened. She stepped forward, asking urgently, "Are you hurt?"

Warmed by her concern, Ding Qiyu shook her head, "No, not hurt. Just some flaws with the mechanisms." She set down the Fiery Rain, "How's Sister Han's side? I can help if the terrain suits my mechanisms!"

Zhuyi, surprised, glanced at the Fiery Rain and the group, incredulous, "So, you solved it?"

"Yes, Sister!" Meng Lan answered eagerly, "Little Yu's mechanisms routed Zhenxiao Sect's men!"

With the situation urgent, Zhuyi couldn't delve into how they succeeded without a fight. She asked, "Can the mechanisms be divided into three teams?"

"Not enough," Ding Qiyu admitted, "I only made five Fiery Rain. For sufficient power, each site needs four. I left one behind and brought four here."

"Even with our fighters, it's not enough?" Zhuyi, unfamiliar with the Fiery Rain's capabilities, questioned.

"Right. The Fiery Rain hits indiscriminately. To use it, we must withdraw our people." Without time to explain fully, Ding Qiyu gestured to illustrate the Fiery Rain's impact.

After a moment's thought, Zhuyi decided, "Sister Han's situation is worse than Sister Xiao's. Support Sister Han first!" She instructed Meng Lan, "Meng Lan, the enemy may return. Continue guarding your site."

With orders, Ding Qiyu and Meng Lan split the team, preparing to act. Zhuyi called to Ding Qiyu as she turned to leave, "Qiyu, thank you!"

"I told you, treat me as one of your own! I'm Qianli Palace's carpenter!" Without looking back, Ding Qiyu shouted, rushing out with the Fiery Rain. She rarely heard Zhuyi call her "Qiyu," but she preferred the usual, carefree "carpenter."

Zhuyi, touched, watched her leave, a faint smile appearing. But with the situation critical, she refocused, deploying two patrol teams to guard against further enemy actions.

Rushing to the first blasting site, Ding Qiyu encountered Meng Han, Meng Chun, and others returning from the mechanism path. Sister Han's left arm was injured by a thunder orb, bandaged tightly, while Meng Chun, though not seriously hurt, was bloodied, her red clothes stained dark.

Learning the enemy had retreated after Meng Han and Meng Chun's fierce battle, albeit with heavy losses, Ding Qiyu and Meng Chun returned to Yan Tian Hall. They learned that even Senior Sister Meng Xiao was injured, but her site was also secure.

Ding Qiyu distributed the five Fiery Rain and all Shenji Crossbows. Zhuyi selected a dozen disciples skilled in mechanics but not combat, helping Ding Qiyu quickly produce more Fiery Rain and Shenji Arrows during this brief respite.