Chapter 534: Encountered an Attack

The State of Chu, Yunhu Grassland.

Tens of thousands of demonic beasts were relentlessly attacking a magnificent golden city. The city's surface was pockmarked with craters, and its walls stretched for several miles. A massive yellow light barrier enveloped the city, and thousands of cultivators, mostly Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, stood guard on the city walls.

A large number of demonic beasts lay in pools of blood; some were still alive, letting out pained roars. Blood stained the ground, and the air was thick with a strong scent of gore. Numerous large, steaming craters dotted the landscape, while various magical lights clashed and intertwined, accompanied by continuous roars and rumbles.

Four imposing giant puppets rampaged through the hordes of demonic beasts. These were Level 3 puppet beasts, equivalent to Core Formation stage cultivators. The four Level 3 puppet beasts were battered and scarred. Not far away, five other Level 3 puppet beasts lay on the ground, severely damaged and unusable.

A low horn blast sounded, and the demonic beasts halted their assault, gradually retreating.

Seeing this, the cultivators on the city walls collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

Although protected by the city's grand defensive formation, no one could guarantee that the demonic beasts wouldn't breach it. If the city fell, the consequences would be unimaginable.

For demonic beasts, the flesh and blood of cultivators were powerful tonics.

Large numbers of demonic beasts lay dead outside the city, and all of them were potential spirit stones.

The cultivators dispatched personnel to collect the demonic beast materials while remaining vigilant against sudden attacks.

A colossal red flying boat, over a hundred zhang long, flew in from the distant horizon. Hundreds of cultivators stood aboard it, including Wang Qingshan and his companions.

Wang Qingshan gazed at the demonic beasts lying dead outside the city, his brow slightly furrowed. It seemed the demonic beast offensive was fierce, but thankfully, the city's defensive formation held.

The red flying boat landed at the entrance of a magnificent, opulent hall within the city. Song Delin led Wang Qingshan and his group inside to register.

They registered their names, origins, cultivation levels, and skills, which would facilitate task assignment.

The Wang family possessed a secret art for concealing cultivation, called the Breath Concealment Art, but it might not be effective against high-level cultivators.

Wang Qingshan dared not take chances; if he provoked a high-level cultivator, it would bring no benefit to either himself or his family.

After registration, the managing disciple assigned them tasks. Among the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, only Wang Qingjing possessed a specialized skill; the others had studied, but hadn't truly mastered anything.

Wang Qingjing was a top-grade Level 2 puppet master, responsible for crafting puppet beasts. The others were assigned to the city walls to combat demonic beasts.

Wang Qingshan and his nine companions were housed in a green pavilion, while Wang Qingjing proceeded directly to the Artifact Forging Hall.

Among the nine Foundation Establishment cultivators, Mo Caiyun was the most senior, but Wang Qingshan held the most influence, followed by Wang Changhao, with Wang Qiuming at the bottom.

"When fighting demonic beasts, use spells or magic tools as much as possible," Wang Qingshan instructed with a solemn expression. "Avoid using consumables like talismans and pills unless absolutely necessary, as they are difficult to replenish once expended."

Everyone else agreed and assented.

"We don't know how long this battle will last. Don't run around idly; cultivate diligently indoors. Avoid conflicts with other Foundation Establishment cultivators; there are many forces stronger than our Wang family. Don't bring trouble upon yourselves or the family."

Everyone agreed to this point as well.

Wang Qingshan gave a few more instructions, then sent them to their respective rooms to cultivate. Wang Changhao, however, remained.

"Qingshan, you must protect yourself at all costs. Nothing must happen to you. Ninth Brother said you are the hope of our family. If there weren't literally no one else to dispatch, Ninth Brother wouldn't want you on the front lines." Wang Changhao spoke with a hint of sadness. He was married and currently had a son and a daughter, both with triple spirit roots, which was considered quite good.

"I understand, Eighteenth Uncle. Please be extra careful and try to stay with me."

Wang Qingshan held great respect for Wang Changhao. It was Wang Changhao who had personally taught him how to hunt demonic beasts and fight. Wang Changhao had lost an arm, so his strength was not what it once was.

Wang Changhao nodded with satisfaction. After a brief chat, he bid farewell and left.

After seeing Wang Changhao off, Wang Qingshan began to cultivate.

Northern Territory, a somewhat desolate plain.

A crimson flood dragon, over twenty zhang long, swiftly flew through the sky. Meng Tianzheng and three Core Formation cultivators sat on its head, while Wang Mingren and other Foundation Establishment cultivators sat on its back.

Meng Tianzheng and the three Core Formation cultivators were tasked with escorting a batch of important materials prepared for a large-scale auction. Due to the demonic invasion, the Taiyi Immortal Sect had recalled two Nascent Soul cultivators to the Eastern Barren Lands, which was why they were assigned to escort these goods.

After the Taiyi Immortal Sect officially established itself in the Northern Territory, it annihilated one sect to assert its authority and subjugated three forces with Core Formation cultivators. Its strength grew significantly, and no other force dared to openly oppose it.

This was an excellent assignment; a significant amount of contribution points could be earned just by running an errand. Wang Mingren had the backing of his master, so he was assigned a good task, and Meng Tianzheng didn't mind bringing him along.

Ximen Feng was also among them, and her father accompanied her.

She had often undertaken such tasks; a trip with her father could earn her a substantial amount of contribution points, which was far easier than hunting demonic beasts like other disciples.

"In half a month, we'll be back at the sect. Senior Brother Wang, you owe us a meal," Ximen Feng smiled faintly and teased.

Wang Mingren chuckled and said, "No problem. Once we return to the sect, I'll..."

Before he could finish, a tremendous roar echoed.

Everyone was startled and looked around.

Two black masses of light flew from a distance: a gigantic black python and a massive four-winged centipede. Fifty to sixty cultivators stood on the back of each, led by eight Core Formation cultivators.

Each of these cultivators wore a grotesque mask, making it impossible to discern their appearances even with spiritual sense.

The strongest presence was a tall, thin man in grey robes, an eighth-layer Core Formation cultivator.

The grey-robed man waved his hand, initiating an immediate attack without a word.

Wang Mingren was shocked. Someone dared to ambush the Taiyi Immortal Sect's goods? Were they tired of living?

"No good, enemy attack! Retreat quickly!"

Meng Tianzheng had a bad premonition and quickly gave the order. His eyelids had been twitching for the past two days, a sign he knew something was about to happen. Their mission was to escort goods, and the enemy's strength was clearly superior to theirs. Naturally, he was unwilling to fight to the death, especially not knowing if the opponents had reinforcements.

A dragon's roar echoed within Meng Tianzheng. He slammed his right fist towards the void, and countless crimson flames erupted around his body, rapidly transforming into a lifelike crimson fire dragon that lunged at the enemy.

The crimson flood dragon circled and flew back the way they came. However, before it could fly much further, a palm-sized green circular bowl flew towards it, instantly expanding and releasing a beam of green ethereal light that enveloped the crimson flood dragon.

"The enemy came prepared! Junior Sister Leng, quickly join me in breaking the formation!" Meng Tianzheng called out to his companions. For some reason, his heart felt unsettled. This wasn't him losing his composure but an inexplicable premonition. This type of premonition, which helped him avoid danger, was sometimes accurate and sometimes not, but he preferred to believe it than dismiss it.