West River Immortal City.
A colossal entity sprawling in the heart of the Western Border!
At this moment, the City Defense Array of the Immortal City has already been activated, shrouded in a misty spirit light like a canopy over the entire city, with array patterns slowly flowing on the light membrane.
On top of the city walls, cultivators hold magical artifacts in their hands, their eyes vigilant as they stare outside the city. The tense atmosphere stirred by demon cultivators outside makes everyone's nerves stretched tight.
On this day, a figure enveloped in black demonic flames suddenly appeared in front of the city.
Within the demonic flames, Venerable Black Demon's face was hideous and terrifying. He hovered in mid-air, his voice full of arrogant laughter echoing across the city:
"Li Yuan brat, back then you managed to wound me by relying on the grand array. Dare to come out and fight with me today?"
Master Li Yuan, stationed in the Immortal City, was reviewing defenses in his residence. Upon hearing the report from his subordinates, his heart sank instantly.
Ten years ago, he lured the opponent into the array, barely injuring Venerable Black Demon by leveraging the power of the Tier Three City Defense Array and forced him to retreat.
Now the opponent has returned, surely well-prepared, a foreboding premonition spreading in his mind.
Li Yuan quickly ascended the city wall, holding the Array Order, and coldly shouted:
"If you have the ability, attack the city! The grand array of West River Immortal City is not for you to mess with!"
"Hahaha, just as I wished!"
Venerable Black Demon burst into wild laughter, gesturing to the demon cultivators behind him.
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Dozens of qi cultivating demon cultivators were seen pushing twelve sinister war chariots slowly forward.
The war chariots were crafted entirely from profound iron, their bodies covered with twisted demon patterns, their barrels aimed at the Immortal City Array, exuding a creepy forbidden-breaking atmosphere.
Venerable Black Demon patted the war chariot, eyes full of pride:
"This is my 'Array-Breaking Vehicle', built with ten years of painstaking efforts, specifically to counter your City Defense Array!"
"Li Yuan, you're just an Alchemist, not even an Array Master. You control the array with the Array Banner, the Tier Three Array in your hands can exert at most thirty percent of its power!"
"Once I break your array, I will turn you and this Immortal City into ashes!"
"Fire!"
With an order from Venerable Black Demon, twelve Array-Breaking Vehicles roared simultaneously.
Black demonic qi waves surged forth like tides, carrying sharp forbidden-breaking runes, ruthlessly slamming into the light membrane of the Immortal City Array.
"Boom——"
A deep rumbling shook the city walls slightly, intense ripples emerged on the light membrane, array patterns flickered unsteadily, seemingly on the verge of shattering at any time.
Li Yuan's hand holding the Array Order tightened slightly; he could clearly feel the spiritual power of the array rapidly depleting.
He hurriedly summoned several Tier Two Array Masters from the city, speaking deeply:
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"Quick, deploy all reserve spirit stones to reinforce the array!"
Several Tier Two Array Masters swiftly stepped forward, heading to core nodes, quickly tracing over the branch array banners, injecting streams of spirit light into the array.
Soon after, a trusted aide reported:
"Rest assured, Master! At the current attack strength, it's enough to support three months!"
Only then did Li Yuan breathe a sigh of relief, three months' time is adequate for the sect to receive the message and send reinforcements.
He immediately called a trusted disciple and instructed:
"Strictly control the order within the city, thoroughly investigate spies, do not let demon cultivators cause chaos inside the city!"
"Yes!"
The trusted disciple accepted the command and left.
Outside the city, seeing the attack effect of the Array-Breaking Vehicles gradually weaken the array's light membrane, yet never breaking, Venerable Black Demon suddenly frowned.
He turned to look at a chubby old man behind him, the old man dressed in a black robe, exuding a sinister aura, was none other than the Enchanting Elder adept at manipulating minds.
Venerable Black Demon said coldly:
"Enchanting, the spies you planted inside the city should be moved now, have them damage several array nodes, stir up some trouble."
Enchanting Elder showed a sinister smile, cupped his hands, and said:
"Rest assured, Venerable, everything is prepared."
He raised his hand to form a seal, a wisp of black qi overflowed from his fingertips, merging into the ground.
Inside the city, several seemingly ordinary cultivators suddenly turned pale, faint bloody patterns emerged on their chests, their eyes turned dull and frenzied—they were precisely the spies planted by Enchanting Elder.
Following prior instructions, they rushed towards the locations of the array nodes, holding demon artifacts prepared in advance, intending to destroy the array base.
But as soon as they approached the nodes, a purple spirit light suddenly shot out from the direction of the city wall.
Li Yuan held the Array Banner, sneering as he looked at the scene:
"I knew you had further plans; such petty tricks try to flaunt in front of me?"
He waved the Array Banner, its thunder patterns instantly lit up, several purple lightning bolts descended accurately upon the spies.
"Crackle—"
The lightning flashed, the spies didn't even have time to scream and were struck into charcoal, the demonic qi inside them completely purified by the lightning.
Seeing this, outside the city, Venerable Black Demon turned livid with rage, gathered a black flame whip in his hand, and viciously lashed at Enchanting Elder.
"Useless! Don't even deploy a few spies properly, why keep you!"
Enchanting Elder was knocked to the ground, his black robe instantly burnt with several holes by the demonic flames, he scrambled to rise up, kneeling and pleading repeatedly:
"Forgive me, Venerable! It was my failure to underestimate Li Yuan's vigilance, it won't happen again!"
Venerable Black Demon snorted coldly, retracting the fire whip, his gaze again fixed on the Immortal City Array, eyes full of resentment.
On the Immortal City, Li Yuan watched Venerable Black Demon outside the city, furious and exasperated, slowly exhaled a foul breath.
He knew, this was just temporary calm, Venerable Black Demon would not easily give up.
He quickly walked to the long-distance Communication Array, meticulously documented the situation of West River Immortal City onto a Jade Scroll, infused it with spiritual power, the Jade Scroll transformed into several streams of spirit light and fled towards Qinghua Sect.
...
Qinghua Sect, inside the Hidden Dragon Cave Mansion.
Chen Sheng was in seclusion cultivating, surrounded by red spiritual power. As the "Sea Overturning Flood Dragon Technique" circulated, his aura grew increasingly robust.
Suddenly, a golden token at his waist flickered with a faint light, engraved with the words "Qinghua Emergency." It was a signal summoned by the sect's high-level members.
Chen Sheng immediately ceased his cultivation, his figure flashed, transforming into a streak of purple thunder rainbow light, flying towards the meeting hall on Piaomiao Peak.
The atmosphere inside the meeting hall was tense.
Qinghua Sect's Sect Master Hua Taixuan sat in the main seat, with Master Lin Xian and Master Chen Xin seated on either side.
Only Li Yuan, guarding West River Immortal City, and Li Weiyang, guarding Fenghua Immortal City, were absent from the top members.
Upon seeing Chen Sheng's arrival, Hua Taixuan got straight to the point:
"An urgent report has come from West River Immortal City, stating that the Golden Core demon cultivator, Venerable Black Demon, who attacked ten years ago, is assaulting the city again, and he has brought a vehicle specifically designed to break arrays. Although Fellow Daoist Li Yuan can hold out temporarily, he urgently needs assistance."
He waved his hand, sending three jade scrolls towards Chen Sheng, Lin Xian, and Chen Xin.
The three caught the jade scrolls, and upon injecting their divine sense, the battle situation in West River Immortal City, the power of the array-breaking vehicle, and the disturbances caused by spies were instantly clear in their minds.
Chen Xin, after reading the jade scroll, stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with anger:
"I am willing to lead a team to support! West River Immortal City is named in honor of my grandfather, who sacrificed himself for the cause of the Western Border. I absolutely cannot allow the Immortal City to fall into demon cultivators' hands!"
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Hua Taixuan nodded slightly, turning his gaze towards Lin Xian:
"Fellow Daoist Lin, what do you think?"
Lin Xian pondered for a moment before speaking slowly:
"In my opinion, perhaps we should let go of West River Immortal City."
Chen Xin turned sharply to look at Lin Xian, glaring angrily:
"What did you say?"
"West River Immortal City is a crucial stronghold of our Qinghua Sect. How can it be abandoned so easily?"
Hua Taixuan raised his hand to stop Chen Xin, speaking in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoist Lin, explain your reasoning."
Lin Xian sighed and took out a jade scroll:
"Our Lin Clan has a branch in West River, and this is the news they sent back. It's less than ideal."
"That Golden Core demon cultivator's combat power is extremely powerful. Last time he broke through the grand array, he carved out a path of life."
"His presence has forced Fellow Daoist Li to retreat into the city defensively, and over the years, the areas outside have almost become a paradise for demon cultivators."
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Chen Xin refuted:
"Impossible!"
"Our Chen Clan also has a branch in West River, and the news from them says the market outside the city is still operating normally, and the family is unharmed!"
Hearing this, Chen Sheng sighed helplessly in his heart, knowing that Chen Xin, who was focused on cultivation, had always been insensitive to schemes and plots, failing to see the anomalies within.
Lin Xian looked at Chen Xin, his tone heavy:
"That's precisely the most dangerous sign!"
"If the demon cultivators dare to blatantly attack West River Immortal City, what chance do the quasi-Tier Three arrays of our family branches stand to remain unharmed?"
"There is only one answer—the demon cultivators are deliberately sparing them, to numb us and make us reluctant to abandon this stronghold."
Hearing this, Chen Xin was rendered speechless, and the anger on his face gradually faded as he had never considered this aspect.
Reflecting now, it was indeed as Lin Xian described, filled with strange occurrences.
Hua Taixuan looked at Chen Sheng and asked:
"Hall Master Chen, what are your thoughts?"
Chen Sheng stood up, speaking in a deep voice:
"I agree with Master Lin's viewpoint. Not only should we consider giving up West River Immortal City, but Fenghua Immortal City should also have Master Li ready to withdraw to the sect."
Lin Xian, surprised, looked at Chen Sheng:
"Hall Master Chen, isn't this approach too conservative? Fenghua Immortal City is relatively closer to Qinghua Sect; abandoning it might affect the sect's morale."
Chen Sheng's tone was firm:
"Conservatism is better than annihilation."
"We have no knowledge yet of the full extent of the demon cultivators' top-tier forces. Since Venerable Black Demon, a Golden Core demon cultivator, is present, there might be a second, a third, or even mid-stage Golden Core cultivators hidden in the shadows."
"Their siege on West River Immortal City is likely a 'strategic bait' to lure us into sending reinforcements and setting an ambush midway."
"Or perhaps, while our forces are weakened, they might directly attack the Qinghua Mountain Sect. Either scenario puts us at a severe disadvantage."
After hearing this, Chen Xin's face completely changed.
He had never thought that the demon cultivators had such grand plans. If it were truly as Chen Sheng described, rashly supporting West River might lead Qinghua Sect into an abyss of eternal damnation.
After listening to everyone's words, Hua Taixuan laughed heartily:
"It seems I don't have to persuade you, fellow Daoists, after all."
Saying this, he took out three more jade scrolls, handing them to the three for inspection. Ever since the demon cultivators became dormant, the three sects' high-level members set up a remote communication array to exchange information at any time.
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"It's not just our sect; the other two have faced similar situations. Those demon cultivators have also colluded with the demon race of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and are now fiercely attacking Linglong Immortal City."
"Dormant for ten years, now erupting in full force, they have come with unstoppable momentum, targeting the three sects, wielding vast power that cannot be underestimated."
"After receiving the news, I thought to avoid the brunt first, not expecting the two fellow Daoists to have come to similar conclusions."
The three of them took the jade scroll, and after a sweep of their divine sense, their expressions grew increasingly solemn.
The city defense array of Linglong Immortal City had been half-broken, while Nanling Immortal City of Yue Ling Sect suffered severe casualties. Clearly, the demon cultivators were well-prepared this time aiming to annihilate the three sects of Chu Country in one go.
After a moment of silence, Chen Xin proposed a suggestion:
"We could divide our forces. I'll lead a group of cultivators to support West River, while you stay to guard the sect, ensuring both the city can be saved and demon cultivators' sneak attacks can be prevented."
"Impossible!"
Hua Taixuan shook his head, his tone decisive:
"Now that the demon cultivators are advancing fiercely, splitting our forces will only lead to them being defeated one by one!"
"According to the ancestral teachings of the sect, the Three Treasures of Qinghua must not be taken out of the sect. In the face of a great calamity, all forces outside must be recalled to defend the mountain gate to the death!"
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a deep voice:
"If we preserve the people and lose the land, the people and land both exist. If we lose the people and preserve the land, the people and land both are lost."
"Mere two Immortal Cities, we can afford to lose! As long as the foundation of the Qinghua Sect remains, as long as we survive, there will always be a chance to reclaim the Immortal Cities and eradicate the demon cultivators in the future!"
Chen Sheng, Lin Xian, and Chen Xin exchanged a glance and cupped their hands together:
"We respectfully follow the Sect Master's order!"
Hua Taixuan nodded and immediately ordered:
"Deliver my command to Daoists Li Yuan and Li Weiyang to abandon the Immortal Cities at any time and forsake most forces, so long as the two Daoists can retreat, leaving the green hills behind means not fearing the lack of wood to burn!"
The implication was rather cruel, exchanging the cultivators of two cities for two Fake Pill experts!
"At the same time, activate the Cyan Cloud Mountain Protection Array, close all entrance and exit points of the sect, scrutinize every cultivator entering the sect, and make sure that no demon cultivators infiltrate!"
"Yes!"
The high-ranking members in the council hall all received the order together and quickly turned to leave, starting to set up defenses.
...
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The communication spirit light of the Qinghua Sect shot towards West River Immortal City and Fenghua Immortal City like two meteors.
Inside the City Lord Mansion of West River Immortal City, Li Yuan held the Communication Jade Scroll, his eyes turning cold—abandon the Immortal City?
This meant that the land he had protected for many years would fall into the hands of the demon cultivators, with countless descendants of the Li Clan still in West River.
Yet, the order from the sect could not be disobeyed.
He took a deep breath, holding a sliver of hope in his heart, did not take the most extreme plan, but immediately gathered the clan elders and the leaders of the city's cultivators, and said sternly:
"The sect orders us to abandon West River, immediately arrange the tail cutting escape plan!"
"Young cultivation seeds will evacuate first, senior cultivators will stay with me to cover the rear. We must utilize the city's spirit vein resources and cooperate with the array to gain more time!"
The elders, though reluctant, also knew the dire situation, and each took the order to leave.
In no time, West River Immortal City was plunged into a tense evacuation. Cultivators packed spirit stones, elixir pills, magical artifacts, and other resources into storage pouches.
The young disciples were protected in the center of the group, while the able-bodied cultivators held magical artifacts, vigilantly watching the city's perimeter.
At the same time, inside the City Lord Mansion of Fenghua Immortal City, Li Weiyang was sitting cross-legged in meditation.
The Communication Jade Scroll dropped in front of him, and, after a sweep with his divine sense, a glimmer shone in his eyes, then stood up to gather the core disciples:
"Immediately, under the name of 'fortifying city defenses', collect all high-tier resources within the Immortal City, spirit vein ore crystals, tier two or above elixirs, artifact refining materials, pack them all into storage pouches without any mistake!"
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Though puzzled, the disciples dared not question and quickly took action in different directions.
In just one day, dozens of top-grade storage pouches were packed to the brim.
Li Weiyang patted the storage pouch with satisfaction.
He immediately ordered the sect cultivators and affiliated forces to divide onto nearly a hundred ships, escaping from different directions to avoid being caught in a trap and wiped out.
...
Deep in the Hundred Miles Mountain Range between Fenghua Immortal City and Qinghua Sect, a concealed array was surrounded, where demonic qi enveloped the entire mountain like thick fog.
The Blood Refining Dharma King, dressed in crimson robes, sat cross-legged on a large black stone, surrounded by sixteen three-inch-long Blood Pattern Nails, each exuding a chilling murderous aura.
A chubby elder hurried to his presence, bowed, and whispered:
"Dharma King, the Qinghua Sect has ordered to abandon the Immortal Cities, Li Weiyang has already retreated with resources, while Venerable Black Demon is still acting, unable to draw out Qinghua Sect's main forces."
"Useless!"
The Blood Refining Dharma King's eyes abruptly opened, a flash of blood light, palm slapped onto the boulder, instantly pulverizing it into powder.
"That fool White Bone, cultivators are inherently selfish, who would risk their lives for others?"
"If I weren't prepared early, even Fenghua Immortal City, this 'fat chicken', would have escaped!"
He stood up, blood flames surging around him, voice carrying an undeniable majesty:
"Send a message to Black Demon, have him stop the act immediately, use the Sealing Spirit Pillar to break West River Immortal City's grand array, sweep all spirit vein dojos in the Western Border!"
Then, he looked at the elder, coldly saying:
"Mo Yunshan, take people to intercept Fenghua Immortal City's escaping ships, keep a close eye on those core figures, especially alchemists, array masters, and the like."
"Once Li Weiyang is found, report immediately. I want to personally behead him as a sacrifice before launching a full assault on Qinghua Sect! A mere rural sect dares contend with me?"
Mo Yunshan hastily bowed to accept the command:
"Subordinate obeys!"
With that, he led dozens of Foundation Establishment demon cultivators, transforming into voids of black qi, disappearing into the depths of the mountain.
A Tier Two spaceship was swiftly flying over Mist Valley, its body crafted entirely of cyan iron, inscribed with faint defense runes.
Li Weiyang sat cross-legged at the bow of the ship, surrounded by a layer of faint cyan spirit light, seemingly alert.
The disciples beside him were quietly conversing.
Suddenly, a blood light shot out from the clouds, as fast as lightning.
"Screeech—"
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The blood light transformed into a massive Blood Claw, directly tearing apart the defense runes of the spaceship, gouging a yard-long crack in the hull, wooden splinters, and spiritual power scattering everywhere.
Li Weiyang's spirit light surged, attempting to resist, but was caught by the Blood Claw, seizing his head.
With a "crack", the head was forcibly snapped off, the body collapsed onto the ship, staining the deck with blood.
"Hmm?"
The Blood Refining Dharma King looked at the head in his hand with a trace of doubt in his eyes, then snorted coldly, crushing the head: