Chapter 93: Three Sword Lights

Eight streams of brilliant divine light, like giant swords, cleaved directly into the lake. Bursts of astonishing demonic energy erupted, as two powerful demonic beasts surprisingly withstood the Heavenly Wood Divine Light and charged onto Qingguang Island.

Zheng Deming blocked one of the two-tiered demonic beasts. However, the other majestic demonic beast, with two horns, a human upper body, and a snake lower body, could no longer be stopped by anyone. A small team of Qi-refining cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect desperately tried to force it back into the water, but even after deploying all their magical artifacts and talismans, they only managed to push it back three steps. The cost was the complete annihilation of this team of Divine Wood Sect cultivators.

Wang Yuanwu, who had just slain three Black Plague Birds, turned his head to see the majestic demonic beast on the southern shore of Qingguang Island. This beast had single-handedly crushed the Divine Wood Sect's defenses and destroyed a Spirit Tree Formation Flag. A look of deep anxiety spread across his face. "Oh no," he murmured, "the demonic beasts are on the island, and the Heavenly Wood Divine Light can't be used effectively now."

He wondered, "Can the Heavenly Wood Divine Light not be activated within the formation's range? Or is there a fear that its immense power would damage the island's spirit veins and harm our own people?" As Chen Mobai listened to Wang Yuanwu's words, he secretly pondered in his heart, even while cooperating with others to deal with two large Black Plague Birds.

Just as they were growing anxious, three powerful sword lights suddenly shot out from Qingguang Island's teleportation array, simultaneously piercing various parts of the majestic demonic beast's body. Then, with a flourish of sword light, this previously almost invincible demonic beast was astonishingly dismembered into more than ten pieces in an instant.

"Have the sect elders arrived?" Witnessing this, Wang Yuanwu was filled with both surprise and joy. Chen Mobai was momentarily stunned, then his expression shifted to one of realization. Oh, of course. The Divine Wood Sect is one of the Seven Great Sects of the Eastern Wilderness, with many Foundation Establishment experts within its ranks. With Qingguang Island under siege by demonic beasts, they would certainly send people to help protect it. With a teleportation array at their disposal, perhaps at a crucial moment, even Nascent Soul cultivators could arrive. Perhaps these reinforcing elders had already arrived and were simply waiting for the second-tier demonic beasts to come ashore and fall into their trap.

And sure enough, after slaying the half-human, half-snake demonic beast, these three sword lights then turned towards the other second-tier demonic beast that was fiercely battling Zheng Deming. The latter, sensing the dire situation, attempted to flee. However, the Heavenly Wood Divine Light Formation's containment function activated, causing its movements to become sluggish. The three sword lights crisscrossed and charged back and forth, working in concert with Zheng Deming. All four Foundation Establishment cultivators launched their attacks together. Amidst splashing blood, in merely the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, this demonic beast was slain on the island.

Only then did Chen Mobai finally let out a sigh of relief. Earlier, when the demonic beasts were rampaging on the island, he had already felt a strong urge to flee.

Just as the demonic beasts that had landed on the island were slain, the two Black Plague Bird Kings circling above the water on their western shore let out a loud cry. This seemed to be a signal for retreat. The large birds that had been besieging Chen Mobai's group simultaneously spat out a volley of gust arrows, sweeping across the cliff like a torrential storm. After this final assault, they all flew up into the air, leading the small surviving flock of Black Plague Birds away from Qingguang Island.

Wang Yuanwu's expression hardened. "Kill as many as possible," he declared, "to lessen the burden for future battles." He controlled his flying sword, pursuing the Black Plague Birds that were lagging behind. The remaining cultivators on the cliff fired crossbow bolts and unleashed talismans in unison, assisting the attack. Chen Mobai and the late-stage Qi-refining cultivator teamed up and seized this opportunity to slay a large bird. He then threw two Green Arrow Talismans, shooting down three more fleeing Black Plague Birds. However, they were all rational individuals and did not leave the safety of the cliff to pursue.

Once all the Black Plague Birds were out of their attack range, everyone finally let out a collective sigh of relief. However, the atmosphere remained somewhat somber. It was only the first day of defending the island, yet five cultivators had already closed their eyes forever.

"Junior Brother Qi," Wang Yuanwu instructed, "please cremate these five fellow daoists. After the battle, return their ashes to their families according to the roster. For those without families, we will find a geomantically auspicious place on the island to bury them." Wang Yuanwu issued the order to a Divine Wood Sect disciple, who immediately nodded.

Chen Mobai's mood was complex. This was because one member of his own small team had also sacrificed his life. It was Gao Tuo, who had previously injured his arm; his cultivation at the third layer of Qi Refining was truly insufficient for such a battle. Luo Lin, at the same cultivation level, despite Shi Pengyi's protection, still looked deathly pale, and one arm hung limp. She had been using her Black Armor Shield to help defend against the Black Plague Birds' gust arrows. Not only was her spiritual energy exhausted, but the bones in her right hand had also given way and were already broken. If the Black Plague Birds had charged for another round, she would likely have perished.

Regeneration Talismans were distributed to every cultivator. Chen Mobai also received a "Revival Talisman" and a "Restoration Talisman." After receiving them, he walked to Gao Tuo's corpse and gently closed the open eyes of the deceased. Watching the raging flames engulf the five cultivators who had just moments ago been laughing and chatting, Chen Mobai felt a wave of confusion. Is this what war is like? Having lived on Diyuan Star since childhood, he had never truly experienced a situation where people in the prime of their lives were permanently separated. He then looked at the other surviving cultivators and noticed that while their faces showed sadness, their eyes also held a sense of resignation, as if accustomed to such losses. The cultivators of this world live such difficult lives. Chen Mobai thought this to himself but found it difficult to voice. He could only stand by the cremation pyre, watching Gao Tuo's remaining form disappear, turning into ash.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Wang Yuanwu said, approaching him, "we might need to re-divide the teams." Chen Mobai nodded gently, not wanting Wang Yuanwu to notice that his emotions differed somewhat from the others.

"Well, four fellow daoists are too severely injured and have decided not to participate in the island defense battle," Wang Yuanwu explained. "We now only have 18 people left. My plan is to divide into four small teams, each with four fellow daoists. Junior Brother Liu and I will serve as mobile personnel, ready to support you at any time during battle. Fellow Daoist Chen, you and Fellow Daoists Shi and Luo will remain in one team. After I depart, I will transfer Junior Brother Qi to your team."

Wang Yuanwu's plan was very thorough, and Chen Mobai expressed his agreement. That Junior Brother Liu was the Divine Wood Sect disciple who could control the Spirit Tree Formation Flags with talismans; he was said to be a formation master. Having him and Wang Yuanwu holding the line would indeed give them a greater sense of security. As for Junior Brother Qi, he was a burly cultivator with a square face. Chen Mobai had just teamed up with him to slay a large Black Plague Bird, and their cooperation had been quite good.

On one side of the cliff, the newly formed team gathered. A little color returned to Luo Lin's face; the Regeneration Talisman's effect was good, her broken bones had been reconnected, and she was actively circulating her vital energy. Shi Pengyi, however, was sitting cross-legged beside her, diligently breathing in and out, not missing any opportunity to cultivate.

"My name is Qi Rui," the new Divine Wood Sect disciple began, introducing himself. "I cultivate the Crimson Flame Sword Art, and I'm also a talisman master."