Chapter 321: Assassination

Science Fiction

“The King!”“The King is in Yulan City!”All the low-level Origin-Source creatures lurking in Yulan City became fanatical.

Low-level Origin-Source creatures are generally undisciplined. While the scarce core members might obey a leader's command, the vast majority of mid-to-low-level clans would pay little heed. They might not see their leader for long periods, and could easily die at the hands of cultivators any day. Naturally, they are even more wayward and disorganized. Waywardness, recklessness, and disorganization have become a tradition among low-level Origin-Source creatures.

The Mind-Corrupting Worm clan, the Soul-Devouring Serpent clan, and the Void Wanderer clan — these are the three major infiltrating races.

Once a ‘King’ of these three infiltrating races is born, they possess an incredible power of command, even influencing the Kings of other races to obey their decrees. This is because only a King of an infiltrating race can easily enter a city, and their unique ability allows them to significantly reduce the difficulty of breaching a city's most critical defenses.

In the history of the Nine Rivers Holy Realm, nine out of ten city breaches occurred because a King of the three infiltrating races emerged.

Once a King of an infiltrating race is discovered, cultivators in the Nine Rivers Holy Realm immediately call for aid, and the Dark Holy Realm dispatches extremely powerful cultivators to hunt them down. Therefore, the birth of a King among the infiltrating races is always kept absolutely secret.

A King has only one chance in their lifetime to breach a city.

If they fail, they will not survive the pursuit of cross-realm powerhouses from the Dark Holy Realm.

“This is my only chance, my only opportunity to regain freedom.” The red-robed cultivator rose, his eyes cold.

The entire Nine Rivers Holy Realm was a vast prison. Only after enduring great hardship to become a Transcendent-level being did he gain this single opportunity to ‘regain freedom’.

As long as the city is breached, he only needs to kill a portion of the hundreds of millions of cultivators to accumulate enough merit.

“Act now,” the red-robed cultivator commanded.

At this moment, all the leaders hidden throughout Yulan City began to move, while the rest of their clans remained dormant.

“Whoosh.”The red-robed cultivator also emerged from his cave dwelling. Amidst the faint mist, he flew towards the cave dwelling of Master Weiyang.Simultaneously, a total of 32 other leaders also flew towards Master Weiyang’s cave dwelling. Throughout the Nine Rivers Holy Realm, summoned by the King, 32 leaders from the Mind-Corrupting Worm clan, the Soul-Devouring Serpent clan, and numerous branches, all having reached the peak Divine Emperor realm, had gathered here.

Firstly, among the various branches scattered across the 35 city regions of the Nine Rivers Holy Realm, some had not produced any peak Divine Emperor level beings. The strongest entities within these branches were merely late Divine Emperor clan members, making leader-level existences from the Mind-Corrupting Worm and Soul-Devouring Serpent clans inherently rare throughout the Nine Rivers Holy Realm. Secondly, some leaders chose not to participate in the battle, meaning those who did only represented about half of the two races' elites.

“Rumble.”The four city gates of Yulan City rumbled shut.With the gates sealed, all cultivators were temporarily prohibited from entering or leaving!

“All cultivators, immediately return to your respective cave dwellings, or you may temporarily stay within nearby businesses,” Master Yuanxiang’s gentle voice echoed throughout the city.“After a short while, all cultivators are forbidden from going outside. Anyone attempting to escape will be regarded as a lurking low-level Origin-Source creature.”“This inspection process will be completed within one day. All cultivators must cooperate.”As the announcement spread, cultivators scattered across the city. Those nearby hastened to their cave dwellings, while those further away temporarily took shelter in various businesses.

As time passed, cultivators in Yulan City moved swiftly, and the number of cultivators outside buildings became increasingly sparse.

“Hmm.”The red-robed cultivator was now very close to Master Weiyang’s cave dwelling, but the other 32 leaders were still at varying distances, moving at different speeds, and many had not yet arrived. “Order the first branch to attack the entire city and draw as much attention from the cultivators as possible.” The red-robed cultivator immediately issued the command.

“Yes, sir,” the leader of the first branch responded.They immediately proceeded according to the plan.

“Quickly.” Immediately, in multiple areas of Yulan City, cultivators emerged from their cave dwellings. Over two hundred of them acted simultaneously, all being clones of Mind-Corrupting Worms or Soul-Devouring Serpents. These suicidal actions were all carried out by clones as planned.

However, these clones were very powerful; some were even clones of core clan members. Cultivators below the Divine Emperor realm fell one by one under the assault of the Mind-Corrupting Worm and Soul-Devouring Serpent clones, dying at an extremely rapid pace. “Hahaha, it’s been a long time since I’ve wantonly slaughtered cultivators like this.” “I killed more than ten in a blink of an eye.” “With the merit gained from this slaughter, my bloodline will surely evolve to be even stronger.” These over two hundred infiltrators killed recklessly. Now, secrecy was no longer a concern; the crazier, the better.

“Just as we were about to conduct a full scan, some infiltrators couldn't wait?”“Annihilate them.”The elders, who controlled Yulan City’s various defensive formations, showed no mercy. They immediately activated the formations and began to attack these wantonly killing infiltrators.

Booming thunderbolts struck furiously.In the blink of an eye, within the entire city, all the infiltrators who were attacking wildly were struck by lightning, with nowhere to hide. The vast majority of these infiltrators were instantly incinerated into ash, yet three of them astonishingly withstood the lightning strikes.

“These three infiltrators are either true bodies of late Divine Emperors or leader-level clones,” an elder controlling the grand lightning formation reported to the other elders.

If low-level Origin-Source creatures at the late Divine Emperor stage were to appear in their true bodies, their vitality would be far too tenacious. A single elder’s long-range formation attack would not be enough to destroy them.

“They should just be clones of leaders.”“These infiltrators are very cunning; they generally don't dare to enter the city in their true bodies, always sending clones instead.”Boom, boom, boom.Within a single breath, the three infiltrators who had withstood the lightning were continuously assailed by multiple formations. Flames scorched their bodies, or invisible, colorless winds swept over them, or chilling cold descended to freeze them. Under these multiple formations, each controlled by the elders, the three infiltrators were ultimately killed.

At this moment, not far outside Master Weiyang’s cave dwelling, the red-robed cultivator had already met with 7 leaders.

“Send the second branch to attack the entire city and continue to buy time,” the red-robed cultivator ordered again.

“Yes, sir,” came the reply, as the command was executed.Another 192 infiltrators rushed out of their cave dwellings. At this point, very few cultivators remained outside. These emerging infiltrators attacked every cultivator they saw, even rushing directly into businesses to target attendants within.

“More infiltrators?”“What’s going on? How did so many more appear?”The elders managing the formations were all astonished. The previous emergence of over two hundred cultivators had been within their expectations. However, a second wave of 192 infiltrators suggested something was amiss.

“First, annihilate them.”“Annihilate!”The elders unleashed their formations, launching long-range attacks one after another. The 192 infiltrators continued their frantic assault. For them, even if their clones were destroyed, as long as they killed enough, they would still earn sufficient merit from the slaughter.

In just three breaths, all 192 infiltrators were dead. Of course, they had also killed hundreds of innocent cultivators in the vicinity.

“Something isn't right.”Master Yuanxiang also perceived the problem; two consecutive waves of frantic attacks raised his concerns. “All cultivators who have not yet returned to their cave dwellings must immediately enter the nearest business establishment. In ten breaths, a full inspection will commence,” Master Yuanxiang’s voice resounded.

“Quickly, quickly, quickly!”“Ten breaths is too short!”The majority of cultivators in Yulan City were below the Divine Emperor realm, and under the suppression of the Nine Rivers Holy Realm’s rules, their speed was not particularly fast. At this moment, they couldn't afford to hesitate and could only rush towards the nearest businesses.

Outside Master Weiyang’s cave dwelling, the red-robed cultivator had now been joined by 12 leaders.

“Only ten breaths? This operation is too rushed.” The red-robed cultivator frowned slightly.

According to the original plan, he and at least 20 true bodies of leaders would act simultaneously to eliminate Master Weiyang with overwhelming superiority. After that, they would defeat the defenders one by one, combining internal and external forces to easily breach the city.

But now?Only 30% of the external forces had gathered. The deployment of forces within the city was also hindered by Yulan City’s full alert.

“Though it's rushed, we can't afford to wait,” the red-robed cultivator said, glancing at the nearby leaders, all 12 of whom noticed him. “Enter the cave dwelling.” The red-robed cultivator commanded telepathically.

All 13 of them acted simultaneously.“Boom.” A terrifying wave of energy instantly shattered the protective gate of Master Weiyang’s cave dwelling.

Inside his cave dwelling, Master Weiyang sat cross-legged, his face expressionless. He was currently controlling the city-wide formation, working with the other elders to deal with the infiltrators.

“Hmm.”Master Weiyang instantly stood up and looked into the distance. Twelve terrifying energy waves descended, each one startling Master Weiyang.

“Twelve leaders, and all of them in their true bodies.” Master Weiyang could hardly believe it.

The leaders of the Mind-Corrupting Worm and Soul-Devouring Serpent clans were incredibly difficult to deal with, as their attacks directly targeted the soul. If Master Weiyang were to face one of them in a one-on-one battle outside the city, he would be confident of victory, but against three, his chances would be slim.

“Now that I am within the city, with the entire city’s formations aiding me, even if 12 true bodies of leaders attack simultaneously, I might still have a glimmer of hope.” Master Weiyang felt deeply uneasy. “But they usually send clones into the city. Why risk their true bodies this time?” Something was wrong. Master Weiyang sensed danger and immediately called for aid from Master Yuanxiang, Master Gaitao, and the other elders.

“Master Weiyang, prepare to die.”As the 12 terrifying energy waves approached, one particular wave only fully erupted when it was right next to Master Weiyang. A red-robed cultivator, seemingly illusory, appeared directly within Master Weiyang’s mind. This red-robed cultivator twisted and transformed into a colossal worm, instantly devouring Master Weiyang’s mental power.

“Transcendent-level!”Master Weiyang was utterly shocked and enraged. He had never heard of a Transcendent-level being emerging from the Mind-Corrupting Worm or Soul-Devouring Serpent clans in the Nine Rivers Holy Realm.

Because if a Transcendent-level being from an infiltrating race were ever discovered, immediate aid would be sought from the Dark Holy Realm. “Kill!” “We have no retreat.” “This is our only chance at freedom.”

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! The 12 true bodies of the leaders, each in a frenzy, all burrowed into Master Weiyang’s body, joining the King in assailing him.

(End of Chapter)