Chapter 95: Return to the Sect
Chapter 95: Return to the Sect
If Inspector Envoy Chang Baimei had not fallen and stirred up the Barbarian Wildlands, the impressive achievements of Warzone Three Ninety-Seven would certainly have been a major event recorded at Two Realms Mountain:
Hundreds of warzones in the core region, the Fifth Zone, and the Fourth Zone collapsed completely. Even a few warzones in the Third Zone destroyed themselves during the fierce battle. Yet, over half of the people in Warzone Three Ninety-Seven survived.
However…
The Inspector Envoy who suppressed Two Realms Mountain sacrificed himself, sealed the Mystic Light Stage Snake Demon, turned the tide, and contributed the most. The Sect Leaders of the Seven Great Sects personally came to pay their respects.
The four great Marketplaces of Two Realms Mountain were destroyed. Tens of thousands of Cultivators were devoured by Monster Beasts. On this day, over a hundred thousand Cultivators perished at Two Realms Mountain, making it the most severe casualty event in centuries. Similarly, people had no time to pay attention to Qin Huai and the others who withdrew from Two Realms Mountain.
Southern City was destroyed.
Lu Hangzhi and his group had nowhere to stay.
All forces from the Reinforcement Department entered the warzone.
Reinforcements from the Seven Great Sects fully dedicated themselves to cleaning up the battlefield. On one hand, they carried out post-war reconstruction work; on the other hand, they dispatched more personnel to pursue the Monster Beasts that escaped from Two Realms Mountain.
In the end, Qin Huai and the others became the most unique and also the most idle group at Two Realms Mountain.
“Venerable One?”
Everyone was deeply worried about the current situation at Two Realms Mountain.
Revered Qin was also very helpless. He instructed:
“Rest here for now.”
Lin Lang and other disciples from the Seven Great Sects returned to their respective sects to find their seniors. Qi Yuanfeng and the other eight people stayed behind, becoming Revered Qin’s new followers.
Just as the group was resting and waiting for the latest orders, Revered Qin brought good news:
“Hangzhi.”
“Venerable One.”
“The position of Southern City Inspector is temporarily held by Elder Honglian. I just received her reply. We are to immediately lead you to participate in the pursuit and suppression of the Monster Beasts that fled Two Realms Mountain. I will first go with you to the Xuanxin Sect.”
“Thank you, Venerable One!!”
Lu Hangzhi was overjoyed.
Nangong Jun, Hu Bugui, and the others were also immensely happy.
They had not felt at ease for a single moment since the Xuanxin Sect was besieged by Ghost Cultivators. They never expected that Qin Huai would manage to find a way, securing an opportunity to leave Two Realms Mountain early.
Excellent!
“We should set off immediately without delay.”
Qin Huai knew that Lu Hangzhi and the others were anxious to rescue people. Resolutely, he summoned the Flying Boat, swiftly took the lead, and boarded the deck first.
The group boarded the boat one after another.
The thirty-nine people hurriedly departed from the devastated Two Realms Mountain.
Looking down from above.
Lu Hangzhi saw the Two Realms Mountain below, filled with rolling smoke and rubble. He saw the Cultivators from the Seven Great Sects constantly fighting fierce battles with Monster Beasts in the distance, and… the Monster Beasts fleeing on the outskirts of Two Realms Mountain…
For the first time in the centuries it had been guarded, Monster Beasts had escaped from Two Realms Mountain.
Lu Hangzhi sighed with deep emotion.
“It was the first time a Mystic Light Demon Beast appeared at Two Realms Mountain.”
“It was too dangerous. The Mystic Light Demon Beast completely broke through the defenses as soon as it appeared, and even destroyed the entire Reinforcement Department. The Seven Great Sects will certainly take this as a warning and strengthen their defenses. Otherwise, if such things happen a few more times, the Two Realms Mountain defense line will become useless.” Cheng Fei came over and sat down in front of Lu Hangzhi.
Nangong Jun and Hu Bugui nodded and sighed:
“The problem is, over the past centuries, who knows how many Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Monster Beasts that broke through to Mystic Light are still hiding in the mountain peaks.”
“The major sects have mobilized and rotated personnel three times within a year. This situation is unprecedented. The escape of Monster Beasts is unprecedented. Add the Mystic Light Demon Beast to that. I think, from now on, the Two Realms Mountain defense line will become more and more dangerous. Our group that entered Two Realms Mountain this time is really unlucky.”
Qi Yuanfeng and the veiled girl Tang Zhen gradually joined this small circle.
More and more people gathered around, deeply concerned about the future of Two Realms Mountain and the future of the Human Race.
Revered Qin stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the people gathered around Lu Hangzhi, a trace of a gratified expression appearing on his face.
In just over two months, Lu Hangzhi had become the absolute core of the team.
Whether it was Cheng Fei, the original core of the warzone, or later arrivals like Qi Yuanfeng, Tang Zhen, or Lin Lang from the Seven Great Sects, these proud sons and daughters of heaven, all had been looked after by Lu Hangzhi’s performance and broad view in the warzone. Although Lin Lang had left now, Lu Hangzhi had unquestionably become the number one person under the Venerable One.
While the group chatted and lamented, what everyone paid the most attention to was still Lu Hangzhi’s words.
Lu Hangzhi did not let everyone down.
He knew.
To win over these proud sons and daughters from the major sects, what was needed was definitely not just strength, but also a broad perspective, a calm and steady mindset, and the spirit to unite everyone.
“This period is a dangerous signal for all sects and all of the Human Race. But, for us, it is an opportunity for rapid growth, a great chance. If you don’t believe me, everyone can think back. Before you experienced these two fierce battles… what was your strength like? Now… what is your strength like?”
As soon as Lu Hangzhi spoke, everyone showed deep contemplation.
Hu Bugui was the first to speak:
“…Two months ago, before I entered Two Realms Mountain, I was at the peak of Seventh Grade. Killing an Eighth-grade Monster Beast was very difficult. But now, I have broken through to the early stage of Ninth Grade. Killing a Ninth Grade Demon Beast is easy for me.”
“Me too.”
Nangong Jun chimed in agreement.
Cheng Fei also seemed thoughtful and nodded in reply:
“Before I met you all, I was at the peak of Eighth-grade. Now I am at the late Grade-Nine. The number of Ninth-Grade Monster Cores I possess has skyrocketed from a few dozen originally to hundreds now. Hangzhi is right. We really have become much stronger.”
Qi Yuanfeng and the others nodded one after another.
The atmosphere changed.
Lu Hangzhi keenly sensed that his teammates, who were previously worried and full of misgivings, had now become vibrant and confident, one by one. He showed a pleased expression.
“Mystic Light Stage Demon Beasts are naturally the concern of Mystic Light Stage experts of the Human Race. Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts are resisted by figures like Revered Qin. What we need to do now is… focus all our efforts on annihilating Epiphany Stage Monster Beasts, cultivate at full speed, and break through to the Spirit Condensation Stage as soon as possible. So, don’t think about so many useless things. Focus on the present and break through to Spirit Condensation as soon as possible.”
“Hangzhi is right. Our main goal now is to break through to Spirit Condensation. If we haven’t reached Spirit Condensation, we are just ants in front of Monster Beasts. Challenging those of the same level, under normal circumstances, it’s hard for us to win one-on-one. If it weren’t for the spatial rules of the Sky Passage, the Flight Prohibition Array of Two Realms Mountain, and the protection of the Matrix Tower, how many of us could face a group of Monster Beasts head-on?”
Everyone looked at each other.
“Without the Sky Passage and the Flight Prohibition Array weakening the Monster Beasts’ Vital Qi Power, under normal conditions, I could fight against two Ninth Grade Demon Beasts at most.”
Cheng Fei smiled wryly and admitted frankly.
“I can only deal with one Ninth Grade Demon Beast at most.”
“Even though I am now at the early Ninth Grade stage, dealing with even one Ninth Grade is difficult.” Lei Qun smiled bitterly.
“So this pursuit and suppression of Monster Beasts involves encounter battles. It’s an entirely new challenge! During the fight, the Monster Beasts can dodge freely, charge forward at high speed, and use their Vital Qi Power, Art Techniques, and innate abilities to their heart’s content… We don’t have Matrix Towers. The Venerable One cannot look after many people at the same time. Everyone… must not be careless!”
Lu Hangzhi warned solemnly.
Everyone nodded silently.
Then, Lu Hangzhi revealed the plan he had in mind:
“In light of our current situation, I propose that everyone form combat teams of three. Once engaged, one person is responsible for defense, one for disruption and support, and one for offense.”
“…”
Everyone looked confused.
Naturally, Lu Hangzhi wouldn’t say this insight came from years of competitive gaming. He explained seriously: “Select those good at defensive Art Techniques and with strong defensive awareness to fully block the Monster Beast’s attacks, creating a safer and more comfortable spell-casting environment for teammates. Another person is responsible for using spells like Mud Marsh, Gale Wind, Fog, Poison Arrows, Weakening, Vines, and the like, combined with Flying Swords for support, to harass the Monster Beast and distract it. At critical moments, they can also assist in defense. The last person is responsible for long-range firepower output – Flying Swords, Art Techniques, go all out, aiming to take down the Monster Beast in the shortest time possible.”
His words were simple and clear. Everyone suddenly understood:
“I get it. It’s just slightly adapting our tactics from Two Realms Mountain. Changing from one person defending and two attacking to two people defending/disrupting and one person attacking.”
Cheng Fei’s eyes lit up as he said:
“This is a good method! On Two Realms Mountain, time was precious. The goal was to resolve battles quickly without delay. But outside Two Realms Mountain, there will be much more rest time. As long as we don’t encounter large groups of Monster Beasts, if we can protect against the Monster Beast’s attacks, three against one, we can definitely wear the Monster Beast down!”
“Haha! Good idea!”
“Let’s do it that way.”
“Mhmm.”
Seeing the positive response, Lu Hangzhi sighed with relief and said:
“So, everyone needs to think carefully about which role they are better suited for.”
Everyone discussed animatedly.
Soon, the thirty-eight people formed twelve teams…
Lu Hangzhi and Tang Zhen, because of their outstanding strength and balanced offense and defense, proactively joined Revered Qin’s team, responsible for disrupting Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts.
Regarding this, everyone was convinced.
They had witnessed the strength of these two.
There was no need to mention Lu Hangzhi. His minor mastery of the Seven-Seven Sword Formation allowed him to unfold a powerful Sword Formation capable of independently confronting at least ten Ninth Grade Demon Beasts. His Flame-Rebirth Kirin was even more powerful than an ordinary Imitation Magical Treasure and could pose a significant threat to Spirit Condensation Stage Monster Beasts.
Tang Zhen’s Profound Ice Sword was a superior grade weapon. Its Freezing Annihilation Array could easily annihilate Epiphany Stage Monster Beasts, exceptionally domineering. The Eternal Ice Soul’s freezing energy contained within the Flying Sword could affect the Monster Beast’s movements anytime, anywhere, making her an excellent disruptor type talent, equally capable of threatening Spirit Condensation Stage Monster Beasts.
After some discussion, the three of them formulated a series of provisional tactics for encounters with Spirit Condensation Stage Demon Beasts.
Not long after, the Flying Boat passed over countless mountains and entered the territory under the jurisdiction of the Xuanxin Sect.
A sinister wind howled!
Black clouds covered the sky!
The Spiritual Peak where the Xuanxin Sect was located was shrouded in black fog, no longer possessing its initial immortal realm ambiance. Within a hundred-mile radius, countless Evil Spirits and malevolent ghosts wailed in the eerie wind, frequently gathering together, fiercely charging against the increasingly dim Sect Protection Array.
Outside the array, a dense gathering of various Evil Cultivators took turns attacking and wearing down the Xuanxin Sect’s Sect Protection Array.
The prestigious Xuanxin Sect’s Sect Protection Array was on the verge of collapse, appearing bleak and miserable.
As they flew amidst the clouds and saw this scene, Nangong Jun, Hu Bugui, and the others were instantly filled with indignation. They wished they could immediately land the Flying Boat and fight the Ghost Cultivators besieging their sect to the death.
Qin Huai, however, laughed:
“The Sect Protection Array is still up! This proves the Xuanxin Sect still preserves the majority of its strength. Your Ancestral Master is fine. However, repelling these Ghost Cultivators is no simple matter.”