Chapter 58: First Steps into Two Realms Mountain
Chapter 58: First Steps into Two Realms Mountain
As the bizarre peaks drew closer, Lu Hangzhi and the others saw it clearly. The legendary Two Realms Mountain, humanity’s final defense line, actually hung among the firmament itself.
The tallest part of Two Realms Mountain stretched over hundreds of miles, meaning the gaping hole punched through the heavens by the Demon Realm was also hundreds of miles wide…
This immense passage between worlds was a potent lure for countless Monster Beasts. Like sharks catching the scent of blood, they surged relentlessly, attempting invasions like tigers trying to break into a sheep pen.
Above the firmament, a dark red gateway burned like hellfire. Cracks spread like veins, the destructive power of distorted space everywhere. Many Monster Beasts descending felt the oppressive rule. While carefully avoiding the Law Power and Spatial Rifts of the human world, they plunged towards the Two Realms Mountain like falling meteorites, weathering attacks from human Cultivators.
Some Monster Beasts were instantly shredded to pulp by the spatial forces within the passage. Some died under attacks from human Cultivators… And those landing unscathed immediately bared their fangs, rushing mindlessly towards the nearest human Cultivators.
Innumerable Monster Beasts crashed down like waves of fiery comets. Their attacks, thunderous and constant, hammered the scattered human defenses across the Two Realms Mountain.
On Two Realms Mountain, humans fought in small squads near strange, unique structures, trading blows with the Monster Beasts. Flying Swords and Art Techniques shot out from these structures at intervals, aiding the defenders;
Even when slammed by the monsters’ attacks, an invisible barrier would immediately shimmer around these structures, defending. Simultaneously, the structures intensified their own attacks, swiftly tearing the surrounding Monster Beasts to pieces in moments.
Lu Hangzhi’s mind stirred. He was about to speak when Revered Qin’s voice resonated through the Flying Boat.
“I’ll keep this brief.”
“Two Realms Mountain lies ahead.”
“A bit further, and we’ll hit the Flight Prohibition Array over the mountain. Nothing can fly there. We must enter the battlefield on foot, locate our assigned defensive position.”
“The Human Race’s defensive line encircles Two Realms Mountain. The straight distance from the mountaintop to the outermost line is three hundred and fifty miles. The total line stretches over a thousand miles.”
“The Two Realms Mountain defense revolves around the Matrix Towers. Each tower marks a war zone, anchored by a powerhouse at the Spirit Condensation Stage, covering roughly three square miles. Cultivators defending that zone can retreat into the Matrix Tower to rest or recover Magic Power, and also launch attacks on the outside monsters from within.”
“The Matrix Towers were personally constructed by the great one from Yuding. They’re dense with Formations. Powered by twelve embedded Supreme Grade Spirit Stones and twelve Demon Beast Inner Cores from peak Spirit Condensation Stage monsters, they should provide an endless, powerful barrier and constant self-repair. But… we tested them. If a Matrix Tower suffers over twenty strikes from a peak Spirit Condensation Stage enemy in a short time, the Spirit Stones inside get destroyed. The Formations fail! So, the instant you see a Spirit Condensation Stage Monster Beast, assist me with everything you’ve got. Once a Matrix Tower falls, we lose our fallback, left completely exposed to the monsters.”
Revered Qin spoke with utmost gravity.
“Normally, one Matrix Tower can hold up to thirty people. That means most Cultivators will fight outside the tower.”
“Each individual must fight steadily outside the tower for at least one hour, then wait for someone to take their place.”
“A maximum of one member from each squad is allowed inside the tower for rest at a time. If there’s an excess, the person who rested the longest must immediately exit and return to the fight! So, manage your Magic Power carefully. Decide your rest order.”
The True Disciples’ expressions shifted repeatedly. A change every hour, and only one person resting each time? This forced absolute teamwork. Anyone with selfish motives could doom the entire squad.
Nangong Jun’s expression also darkened. Her squad currently had only two members… Meaning she might very well face fighting entirely alone.
Lu Hangzhi’s expression changed. He stuffed the last True Essence Pill into his mouth.
Heat surged through him.
His Spiritual Power Pool churned wildly once more, pushing outward violently. Expansion was relentless.
The effects of the first pill were nearly fully absorbed. His Spiritual Power Pool kept growing, already pushing into late Fifth Grade capacity. With this second pill, advancing to the peak of Fifth Grade felt imminent…
The Flying Boat landed safely on the outer perimeter of Two Realms Mountain. Looming immediately above was the shocking vista of a blood-red sky. Fiery meteors rained down relentlessly. They hammered the mountain like celestial waves, radiating hundreds of miles from the peak. The thunderous impacts never ceased.
A choking mix of sulphur, smoke, the thick stench of blood, potent surges of power, interspersed with the strange howls of the Demon Race and the furious roars of human Cultivators, turned all of Two Realms Mountain into a battlefield. Pure hell rolled across the human world.
Normally rare powerful Monster Beasts were common sights everywhere. Their terrifying forms skimmed low, making menacingly short flights.
“Welcome back, Revered Qin.”
A figure awaited beneath the boat, their cultivation level unclear.
The group trailed Revered Qin, tense yet excited, eyes darting everywhere.
More Flying Boats descended constantly nearby. From each stepped a Spirit Condensation Stage powerhouse, leading a formation of similarly nervous Sect disciples, their strength falling between Sixth Rank and Eighth-grade cultivators. Their awe of Two Realms Mountain was palpable.
Revered Qin recalled the Flying Boat, approached the waiting Cultivator, and handed it over.
“Which Sector?”
The other clutched a crystal sphere. He quickly traced something on its surface and tapped a point marking the landing location.
“Southeast. Sector 112. Currently managed by newly contracted Spirit Condensation Revered Gu Lie. His shift ends soon. You should proceed there.”
“How many remain?”
“Fifty-seven… ah, another lost. Only fifty-six now. Still above the critical red alert line of fifty.”
“Understood.”
Revered Qin nodded.
If the numbers were too low, some of the fresh Xuanxin Sect disciples might have been reassigned to other battlefields. Despite their inexperience, fellow disciples shared bonds. Their pre-existing camaraderie and unspoken teamwork made them far more suitable than lone wanderers.
“Let’s go.”
“Hold. You have a Spirit Condensation Revered in your ranks?”
The assigning Cultivator glanced back, his gaze locking onto Mo Li.
Revered Qin nodded in explanation.
“This is Xuanxin Sect’s Revered Mo. He recently attained the Spirit Condensation Stage. Transferred now. As per protocol, he needs three days attached to a Matrix Tower to learn procedures. He’ll remain with me in my Sector for those three days, then be reassigned elsewhere.”
“Understood. Logging it.”
The Cultivator nodded, made a swift note, and handed Mo Li a token.
“In three days, I will contact you via this communication stone.”
Mo Li met his eyes once and nodded, then followed Revered Qin’s group away.
Moving away from the Flying Boat docks, two Matrix Towers stood nearby, side-by-side. Yet, the surrounding area lay eerily devoid of Monster Beasts.
Further ahead, however, the monsters flew unchecked. Strong auras swept back and forth at terrifying speeds.
The group turned pale.
Revered Qin faced them.
“Our assigned defensive post is fourteen miles away – middle zone of the defenses. Not the worst, not easy either… We must traverse three other War Zones. Stay behind me. Keep Defensive Barriers raised! Move at full speed! No stopping! No falling behind! Is that clear?”
“CLEAR!”
Entering Two Realms Mountain sharpened their focus intensely, priming their battle spirit.
Lu Hangzhi roared among the group, releasing tension and fear through the shout.
An array of defensive Art Techniques sprang up in various hues.
Some even readied Defensive Magical Devices as added precaution.
Lu Hangzhi watched Revered Qin and Elder Mo Li silently.
Both seemed composed.
Traversing War Zones sounded terrifying, but facing monsters below the Spirit Condensation Stage? The two peak powerhouses within their group could manage… the true nightmare began after they arrived at their defensive spot.
“Advance!”
Revered Qin gave the order and led the charge out.
The thirty disciples concentrated their willpower, activating Swift Movement Art to follow.
Mo Li fell back, guarding the rear.
At full speed, they swiftly passed through the first, remarkably calm War Zone.
Cultivators there looked relatively relaxed. Their eyes wandered occasionally to Lu Hangzhi’s group, registering only mild surprise at spotting two Spirit Condensation powerhouses.
The first zone was crossed quickly…
Monster Beast figures appeared in the second War Zone. A dozen-plus Cultivators nearby weaved frantically to evade pursuit. They simultaneously cast spells at blinding speed while controlling Flying Swords to inflict damage, completely ignoring Lu Hangzhi’s approaching group.
“Incredible!”
“They can wield swords AND cast spells? So fluid!”
“Are they really just True Disciples from other sects?”
Gasps of astonishment rose from the Xuanxin True Disciples.
Nangong Jun stated flatly,
“When you find your footing here, you too will manage this. Possibly surpass them.”
Indeed.
Pure necessity forced the skill. Those who couldn’t master it… perished long ago.
Lu Hangzhi’s expression tightened.
Simultaneously.
Revered Qin signaled Mo Li.
“Stay alert.”
“Understood.”
They crossed the second zone without incident, now nearing the more intense frontline firefight of the third War Zone. The number of Monster Beasts markedly increased.
Over a dozen five-meter tall, bull-headed Demons, wreathed in raging flames, scattered dozens of Cultivators like toys. The defenders mostly blocked attacks and fled, countering sporadically and looking desperate.
Spotting Revered Qin’s group of thirty-two, they scrambled towards them in relief.
“Senior! Lend assistance!”
“Senior!”
Seeing the peril, many True Disciples reacted instantly, attacking without hesitation. Hu Bugui and Nangong Jun moved first. Driven to test the strength of Two Realms Mountain’s monsters, they summoned their Flying Swords but held back around 80% power.
Two Bull Demons sneered contemptuously. A flick of their massive horns casually knocked the blades aside.
The others’ attacks similarly clattered against bull-horn defenses.
Shock registered on every face!
“These beasts… formidable combat instinct! They actually used their horns to deflect the blades!”
“Incredibly tough horns! They can clash hard with Magical Artifacts!”
Lu Hangzhi too was stunned.
Among the True Disciples, only Nangong Jun and Hu Bugui wielded Magical Artifact-grade Flying Swords. Their strikes matched a full-power blow from an Eighth-grade Cultivator, which prevented their weapons from getting flung away like the others.
Distracted by the volley of blades, all thirteen Bull Demons turned as one. Their fiery auras flared dramatically as they thundered towards Revered Qin’s group.
“Spoiled brats! Couldn’t help but cause trouble.”
Blocked by thirteen Eighth-grade monsters, Revered Qin frowned slightly.