Chapter 215: Retreat

"Trying to escape? No chance." Lu Aotian sneered. With a flip of his hand, an entirely black mirror appeared in his palm.

He aimed the mirror at the descending Blue Lotus Boat. With a flash of black light, a thick black beam of light shot out.

Wang Changsheng was already prepared. He swiftly cast a spell, and the Blue Lotus Boat abruptly changed direction. The black light beam struck the ground, creating a massive explosion and leaving a large crater several *zhang* in size, from which hot steam rose.

Several massive fireballs hurtled towards them again. Wang Changsheng quickly conjured his Profound Ice Banner. With a gentle wave, a large volley of white ice needles shot out, shattering the giant fireballs.

"Rumble!" Explosions continued, and flames billowed.

Soon after, the Blue Lotus Boat landed. Wang Mingjiang summoned a blue porcelain bowl, which emitted a blue glow that transformed into a massive blue energy shield, encompassing everyone.

If it had just been Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang, Wang Changsheng would not have needed to land and fight on the ground.

Seeing Wang Changsheng's group descend to the ground, Lu Aotian, fearing an ambush, dared not land.

His companions released a double-headed python over three *zhang* long and two green crickets with four wings, which charged towards Wang Changsheng's group.

The double-headed python opened its mouth and spewed a large cloud of black poisonous mist. The green crickets flapped their four wings, sending out a volley of green wind blades.

"Spirit insects again! Uncle Twenty-One, protect me. Uncle Six, you two work together to block those two green crickets."

Wang Changsheng gave his orders. He then rapidly summoned five giant eagle puppet beasts, which swooped towards the double-headed python.

The giant eagle puppet beasts opened their mouths and each spewed dozens of green light swords, striking the double-headed python.

With a flip of his palm, the Golden Moon Meteor Hammer appeared in his hand. He flicked his wrist, and the hammerhead shot out. As it flew, its size rapidly expanded to that of a house, and it slammed fiercely towards the double-headed python.

Dozens of green light swords struck the double-headed python, causing several scales to fall from its body.

Seeing the massive hammerhead hurtling its way, the python was about to dodge. Just then, a thick green beam of light shot out, enveloping the double-headed python's body and instantly pinning it in mid-air.

The enormous hammerhead smashed violently onto its head, sending it flying backward uncontrollably.

With a loud crash, the giant hammerhead plunged into the side of a peak, leaving a massive crater in the mountain. The double-headed python was flattened into a bloody mess.

"Attack, don't hold back."

Lu Aotian's eyes hardened. The black mirror in his hand flared intensely, emitting an even thicker black beam of light that struck the blue energy shield in a flash, causing it to ripple slightly.

Wang Mingjiang focused on protecting Wang Changsheng, while Wang Mingzhan and others used spirit artifacts, spells, or talismans to temporarily hold back the two green crickets.

The other two disciples from the Poison Gu Sect each conjured three massive claw-shaped artifacts and four black flying forks, attacking Wang Changsheng's group.

Wang Changsheng sneered. With a flick of his wrist, the hammerhead quickly shrank and flew back to him. It danced up and down, forming an impenetrable golden wind wall in front of him. As soon as the claw artifacts and black flying forks approached the golden wind wall, a metallic clanging sound erupted.

Meanwhile, the five giant eagle puppets flapped their wings and charged towards Lu Aotian and his two companions.

Lu Aotian aimed the black mirror in his hand. A thick black beam of light shot out, striking one of the giant eagle puppet beasts, which then swayed slightly.

The five giant eagle puppet beasts simultaneously opened their mouths, each spewing dozens of green light swords that sliced towards Lu Aotian and his two companions.

Lu Aotian's expression shifted slightly. He quickly cast a spell, and the purple disc beneath him swiftly changed direction, evading the hundred-plus green light swords.

Before they could catch their breath, the five giant eagle puppets swooped in.

Lu Aotian frowned. He flicked his finger, and two purple orbs shot out to meet the incoming puppets.

"Rumble!" With two loud bangs, the two purple orbs exploded, releasing a large spray of purple liquid. As soon as two of the giant eagle puppets touched the purple liquid, green smoke immediately rose from them. Their surfaces became pitted, and they flew erratically, swaying back and forth.

Lu Aotian and his two companions each conjured an artifact and sliced the two heavily damaged giant eagle puppet beasts into pieces.

Seeing this, Wang Changsheng quickly maneuvered the remaining three giant eagle puppets to avoid the liquid. He then released five crow puppets, which flew towards Lu Aotian and his two companions.

Because he feared an ambush, Lu Aotian consistently refused to descend to the ground, preventing him from unleashing his full power.

Seeing eight flying puppet beasts charging at them, Lu Aotian inwardly cursed. He knew he had encountered a formidable opponent, and his expression became serious.

"Senior Brother Lu, let's retreat! Our opponents are clearly not ordinary. If two more Foundation Establishment cultivators arrive, we'll be in trouble."

The fact that Wang Changsheng could control so many second-tier puppet beasts clearly showed he was no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Hearing this, Lu Aotian hesitated briefly, then agreed. He conjured two more purple orbs and, with a spell, the purple disc beneath his feet glowed intensely as he flew back the way he came.

Seeing Lu Aotian conjure two more self-detonating artifacts, Wang Changsheng quickly maneuvered his puppet beasts to avoid them.

Taking this opportunity, Lu Aotian's companions quickly retrieved their artifacts and fled back the way they came. Their spirit insects also began to retreat, but Wang Changsheng naturally wouldn't let them escape so easily.

He shone the Azure Light Mirror in his hand, and a wave of green light shot out, enveloping a red centipede. The hammerhead then struck, smashing it to smithereens.

The other green cricket and two red centipedes accelerated, making their getaway with their masters.

Seeing the enemies retreat, Wang Mingjiang breathed a sigh of relief.

If the fight had truly escalated, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"Why are disciples of the Poison Gu Sect stationed at the Tang Family? It's really strange. Uncle Twenty-One, let's head back first!"

After careful consideration, Wang Changsheng said this. The cultivation families of Shu were clearly prepared in advance. This was, after all, Shu territory, and if the Tang Family called for reinforcements, they would be in serious trouble.

"Go back? Senior Li told us we absolutely must complete the mission. If we return without completing it, won't Senior Li blame us?"

Wang Mingjiang looked troubled.

"As you can see, they aren't foolish. If they're determined to defend, just the two of us won't be able to take down the Tang Family. Staying in Shu would only be courting death. We haven't come away empty-handed either; at least we know the Tang Family has Poison Gu Sect disciples. If I'm not mistaken, other areas also have disciples from Shu's Three Sects. This war isn't as easy as we thought. Let's go back first and plan for the long term."

Wang Changsheng retrieved his puppet beasts and artifacts, took the inner core from the green cricket, and hastily left with his clansmen.

Over a month later, Wang Changsheng and his group returned to Ten Thousand Snake City.

As Wang Changsheng expected, other areas were also defended by disciples from Shu's Three Sects. Several teams had fallen into ambushes, suffering heavy losses. Two of these teams had gone missing, most likely annihilated.