Chapter 1892: Luring Allies

The sentinel tower area at the very top of the towering city wall had been empty moments before. However, just as Xu Yang and his team were preparing to enter the city, dozens of figures materialized seemingly out of thin air. From their vantage point, it was impossible to discern the precise features of these individuals; they appeared more like specters concealed within the dark night.

Soon after, a large, armored figure, clearly a general, suddenly ascended to the pinnacle of the sentinel tower. Assuming the posture of a leader, he looked down upon Xu Yang and his companions, who were still outside the city wall.

"I've been waiting a long time for you. Glad you've finally decided to show yourselves. Don't just stand there deliberating like a bunch of timid turtles. If you have the courage, make your move directly. I'm curious to see what method you'll use to overcome this hundred-zhang-tall city wall. The entire structure beneath my feet is reinforced and blessed by incredibly powerful array formations, making it impossible for even the strongest among you to breach it in the slightest. However, I do suggest you try traversing the void and leaping in from directly above the tower. That should prove quite exciting."

This individual was truly speaking without concern for consequences. The reason he proposed such a scenario with a mocking tone was self-evident. The enemy had clearly stationed enough personnel to specifically guard the void. Should Xu Yang and his team attempt to descend from above, they would undoubtedly face the most brutal void strikes.

Xu Yang, of course, was unconcerned by these tactics; if he wished to enter the city, no one could possibly stop him. However, he genuinely wanted to assess the capabilities of this arrogant individual who had dared to address his team in such a manner.

Without Xu Yang needing to utter a word, he simply exchanged a glance with Long Kun, who stood eager at his side. Long Kun instantly grasped his leader's unspoken command and let out a cold laugh.

Long Kun squared his fists and took a step into the air, ready to strike a direct blow against the hidden city wall guards and demonstrate the unparalleled might of Xu Yang's team. However, neither Long Kun nor the others anticipated what happened next: just as he ascended dozens of meters into the void, a silver light flashed before each of the shadowy figures concealed atop the tower. In a mere moment, a glowing longbow materialized out of thin air before every single figure. Clearly, this was the source of pride for the arrogant commander of the city's defense forces.

Simultaneously, the arrogant and rather contemptible figure dressed as a general mirrored the actions of the dozens of dark-clad figures beside him. Before him, a treasured bow, shimmering with deep purple light, materialized from thin air. He, along with the dozens of dark-clad figures surrounding him, simultaneously drew their bows and nocked their arrows.

This display caused Xu Yang, observing from below, to furrow his brow slightly. The light in his eyes sharpened, and he immediately sent a mental message to Long Kun, who was in the void, as a timely warning.

"Don't be careless or underestimate them. Since these individuals knew we were coming, they must have made thorough preparations. You had better put your full strength into this punch."

Xu Yang's mental message, echoing within his soul world, immediately served as a stark reminder for Long Kun. Upon receiving his leader's caution, he naturally did not dare to be complacent. The phoenix totem, shimmering with fiery power, reappeared behind him. Potent flames swiftly enveloped Long Kun's fists, causing his punch-winds to crackle as if burning with a fire capable of incinerating all things in the world.

Then, with a deafening roar, Long Kun's colossal, luminous fist was fully ignited in the void, expanding into a vast, panoramic orb dozens of meters in diameter. It then hurtled ferociously towards the hundred-zhang-high city wall. The power of the Phoenix Fire perfectly delineated this massive fiery orb, causing it to resemble a moving mountain of flames. It propelled itself parallel to the ground, directly towards the center of the enormous city gate.

Witnessing this incredibly visually impactful scene, Lan Ling'er, Little Mushroom, and the other girls below all stared wide-eyed, completely stunned.

"I never realized you had so many talented individuals in your company," Lan Ling'er exclaimed. "This young man seemed like a greenhorn, yet his very first move unleashed such a magnificent aura." Lan Ling'er smiled brightly, praising Xu Yang at her side. The sheer power displayed by his subordinate implicitly demonstrated the extraordinary influence wielded by Xu Yang, the absolute core of the team. At least in Lan Ling'er's estimation, even setting aside Xu Yang himself—an almost monstrously powerful prodigy—any one of his team members could effortlessly qualify for an elder's position within the Empire's foremost sect, the Changyun Heavenly Sect.

This was the first time Lan Ling'er had seriously begun to consider persuading Xu Yang to bring his team under the banner of the Changyun Heavenly Sect. However, the young woman was also keenly aware of Xu Yang's immense power, recognizing that attempting to control him would be virtually impossible. After a moment of contemplation, she ultimately decided not to speak immediately.

The colossal fist light slammed fiercely against the city wall's surface. However, to Long Kun's surprise, the dozens of figures on the wall, who had drawn their bows and nocked their arrows, did not direct their power at the fiery punch-light he had unleashed. Instead, they locked their aim directly onto him.

"No wonder the boss was concerned I'd fall into their trap; he must have seen through their true intentions long ago. Still, this city wall is surprisingly resilient."

Long Kun stood proudly in the void, a slight flush of embarrassment coloring his face. Despite unleashing eighty percent of his strength in that mighty punch, he had failed to even create a dent in the massive city gate before him. Yet, just as he was preparing to unleash a second wave of attack, the dozens of arrow silhouettes above the city wall had already left their precious bows and hurtled ferociously towards Long Kun's physical form.

The life-reaping aura emanating from each arrow made Long Kun gasp sharply. Evidently, the destructive power unleashed by these projectiles far exceeded that of arrows loosed by ordinary archer-warriors.

Long Kun sneered, immediately retracting the power of the phoenix totem into his back. Simultaneously, a brilliant starlight flashed in his pupils, and a starry barrier materialized before him, instantly shielding his body. The martial auras unleashed by dozens of bowstrings were completely absorbed by this luminous protective curtain, which shimmered like a galaxy.

Leader Xu Yang smiled and nodded upon witnessing Long Kun's defensive maneuver. He then personally began to explain the unique characteristics of Long Kun's stellar power to Little Mushroom, Lan Ling'er, and the others.

"Boss," Lan Ling'er began, "all your brothers are top-tier talents. Haven't you ever considered finding a better path for them? Regardless, our Changyun Heavenly Sect is a premier force within the empire!"