Chapter 110: Intelligent Demon Beasts
Chapter 110: Intelligent Demon Beasts
Xuanxin Sect.
The situation gradually came under control.
A group of Xuanxin Sect Elders and True Disciples stared at the silver magical power vortex near the Matrix Tower with awe and shock!
They never expected that the extremely dire situation would actually stabilize after Lu Hangzhi intervened.
He gracefully swept across the battlefield, dozens of Ghost-Faced Demon Wolves were killed, resolving the most urgent crisis for the Xuanxin Sect Elders and True Disciples;
Then, the Seven-Seven Sword Formation descended with grandeur, separating the Matrix Tower from the demon beasts while cutting off support from the Demon Ape and Crocodile-Dragon Turtle, forcing the Demon Ape to abandon its attack on the Matrix Tower, alleviating the pressing danger for Venerable Qin Huai and the Matrix Tower;
Immediately after!
The sword formation unleashed its full power, consecutively killing three Early Spirit Concentration Stage demon beasts and two Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage demon beasts, reducing their numbers to under twenty, turning the tables in one fell swoop.
Who would have thought that just a year ago, Lu Hangzhi was merely an unknown Outer Sect Disciple who had just entered Xuanxin Sect;
Who would have thought that with Fifth Grade Cultivation when entering Two Realms Mountain, Lu Hangzhi achieved astonishing growth in just a few months and left Two Realms Mountain alive.
Who would have thought that Lu Hangzhi advanced from the Epiphany Stage to the Spirit Condensation Stage in about a year;
So many unimaginable feats!
So many conventions broken.
While most Xuanxin Sect Elders and True Disciples were watching in shock and discussing animatedly, Lu Hangzhi focused solely on manipulating the sword formation, continuously channeling more magical power into it.
After all, the spiritual energy vortex still had a radius of about thirty meters, enough to support several rounds of strong attacks. Lu Hangzhi quickly locked onto two new target demon beasts, coordinating with Venerable Zhao and others’ Art Techniques and Flying Swords to break them down one by one, gradually reducing the demon beasts’ living forces.
Under the care of the five Sword Spirit seniors, the Demon Ape’s qi and blood continuously decreased sharply, and it dared not mobilize large amounts of vital qi power to continue attacking the Matrix Tower.
Seeing their companions dwindle, the Demon Ape and Crocodile-Dragon Turtle could no longer hold back. The former leaped onto the Crocodile-Dragon Turtle’s back, and the Crocodile-Dragon Turtle started running on all fours, swinging its tail to knock away two Flying Swords before turning to flee.
The remaining demon beasts also scattered like birds and beasts.
In the blink of an eye!
A Flying Boat appeared in the firmament.
“Evil beasts, don’t even think about escaping!”
Dozens of figures swiftly descended to the ground.
Before the Demon Ape and Crocodile-Dragon Turtle, a flickering red dot appeared…
The next second.
A fire lotus bloomed;
Boom!
Terrifying high temperatures and soul-scorching flames erupted from the fire lotus, instantly engulfing the area within a thousand meters;
The two Late Concentration Stage demon beasts and those behind them were caught off guard, all trapped in the sea of fire. Their qi and blood rapidly weakened. Except for the Crocodile-Dragon Turtle managing to leap out of the fire, the rest had their qi and blood incinerated, perishing in the flames.
The Crocodile-Dragon Turtle didn’t fare well either; it was covered in wounds, utterly disheveled, and charging forward with its head down when it saw a female cultivator in red robes drifting ahead.
Her gaze was as calm as a lake, yet her magical power surged like the sea—two extremes coexisting perfectly in one person.
Honglian had arrived.
Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage!
The Crocodile-Dragon Turtle was doomed…
The attack on Xuanxin Sect had failed.
Hidden in the shadows, a pair of demon eyes narrowed into slits, withdrew their gaze, and slowly retreated.
…
With Honglian and her team arriving, the demon beasts were subdued one after another, and the battle finally drew to a close.
Qin Huai emerged from the Matrix Tower with a weary expression;
Lu Hangzhi sheathed his sword formation and stepped forward with a smile:
“Venerable One, you’ve worked hard.”
“Kid, not bad. You broke through so quickly and arrived just in time. Otherwise, these old bones of mine would have been done for.”
“Venerable One is blessed with great fortune…”
“Don’t spout nonsense. Come on, I need to rest properly.”
“Everyone, please proceed to the main hall. I, Mo, will arrange a banquet to host all of you esteemed guests!” Mo Li glanced approvingly at Lu Hangzhi before addressing the crowd.
“Alright!”
“Indeed, I’m exhausted.”
A group of Venerable Ones didn’t need to show Xuanxin Sect such respect, but Lu Hangzhi’s post-breakthrough strength made them reassess the sect’s future potential and influence. They unanimously agreed.
Mo Li instructed the Xuanxin Sect Elders and True Disciples to stay and repair the formation, then went with the group of Spirit Coalescence Elders to welcome Honglian:
“Thank you, Lady Honglian, for personally leading the team to our aid. Xuanxin Sect is deeply grateful!”
“Revered Mo, you’re too polite.”
“Xuanxin Sect has actively hunted demon beasts escaping from Two Realms Mountain recently, and now you’ve contained and eliminated the last batch of Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts, performing a great service for the Human Race. Honglian admires this and only did what was necessary.”
“Xuanxin Sect dare not claim credit. For successfully hunting the demon beasts, Venerable Qin deserves the primary credit; containing and eliminating the Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts was also thanks to the strong support of Venerable Zhao and other esteemed guests! Otherwise, Xuanxin Sect would have ceased to exist long ago. I, Mo Li, dare not take credit.”
“Revered Mo, you’re too modest!”
Honglian smiled, glancing at the dimly lit Matrix Tower nearby before her gaze settled on Venerable Qin Huai and Lu Hangzhi, brightening slightly.
“Hangzhi.”
The latter stepped forward:
“Hangzhi pays respects to my lady.”
“It’s only been a month, and you’ve become distant with me?”
“Hangzhi wouldn’t dare.”
Lu Hangzhi sensed that Lady Honglian was unusually showing closeness and naturally smiled: “It’s just that I’ve just broken through, and my state is unstable, so I rested a bit more. Please forgive me, my lady.”
“Your current state is quite strange—like the Spirit Condensation Stage, yet not. By the way… you’ve practiced ‘The Path to Divinity,’ so your current cultivation should be equivalent to the legendary Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage, right?”
At Honglian’s words, everyone was shocked.
“Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage?”
“Isn’t Ninth Grade of Comprehension Stage the limit? How can there be a Tenth Grade?”
The group buzzed with discussion.
Venerable Zhao, knowledgeable and experienced, smiled and took over, affirming, “I’ve heard before that the Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage allows one to grasp the power of heaven and earth before concentrating the spirit, with strength comparable to Early Spirit Concentration Stage! The path to breakthrough is longer… but once you break through, you advance directly to Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage, even possessing the power of Late Concentration Stage. Your future hope of achieving Mystic Light is much higher than that of ordinary Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage cultivators.”
“Exactly!”
Honglian nodded:
“I recall that Lord Baimei also practiced ‘The Path to Divinity’ and remained at the Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage for several years, consolidating his foundation. Only after mastering the technique did he break through, becoming the top Spirit Condensation Stage expert in Two Realms Mountain.” She paused here, her gaze toward Lu Hangzhi growing even softer and more affectionate:
“Hangzhi, how old are you now?”
“Not yet sixteen.”
Lu Hangzhi answered honestly.
A group of Spirit Coalescence Elders showed astonishment.
A sixteen-year-old at the Tenth Grade of the Epiphany Stage—even if he cultivates for a few more years to condense his spirit—he’s still younger than Baimei was back then!
Someone couldn’t help but exclaim:
“If Hangzhi can achieve Mystic Light, Xuanxin Sect will immediately rise to the ranks of major sects. It seems Xuanxin Sect… has been playing a long game.”
Lu Hangzhi didn’t become arrogant from everyone’s praise and admiration.
“Lady Honglian, you now hold the position of Southern City Inspector in Two Realms Mountain, responsible for defense and dispatch matters. Coming personally to Xuanxin Sect this time, it surely wasn’t purely to aid us.”
“…”
Everyone was taken aback.
Mo Li couldn’t help but scold softly:
“Hangzhi! How can you speak to Lady Honglian like that?”
“It’s fine.”
Honglian smiled, comforting Mo Li, then looked steadily at Lu Hangzhi and said solemnly: “Two Realms Mountain has faced two large-scale demon invasions in quick succession. The death toll this time… is bound to be high. But that’s not the worst news.”
A group of Spirit Coalescence Elders nodded silently.
Yes.
The current situation in Two Realms Mountain is worse than it has been in centuries. If reinforcements don’t arrive in time, Two Realms Mountain—humanity’s last line of defense—could fall at any moment!
Honglian sighed and said:
“I remember Lord Baimei once said that humanity’s true threat lies at the peak of Two Realms Mountain!”
“…”
“The demon race inside the peak of Two Realms Mountain are the true demon race. They are the most terrifying… Unlike ordinary demon beasts, the demon race in the peak possess patience, intelligence, and the ability to coordinate—things ordinary demon beasts lack. They have a clear hierarchy. Once the demon race from the peak break through to Mystic Light and officially descend, it will mark the fall of Two Realms Mountain’s defense line and plunge all humanity on the Barbarian Continent into deep suffering!”
As soon as Honglian finished speaking, several Venerable Ones immediately refuted:
“Honglian, Lord Baimei did say those things, but the experts from the Seven Great Sects also disputed them.”
“Exactly! Although the peak of Two Realms Mountain has accumulated considerable power over centuries, they launch strong attacks periodically and die in the War Zone. It’s impossible for demon beasts to break through to Mystic Light Stage in Two Realms Mountain… Two Realms Mountain is a barren wasteland, utterly unsuitable for cultivation, lacking the resources and environment needed for demon beasts to advance to Mystic Light.”
Most Venerable Ones favored the arguments opposing Lord Baimei’s views.
Including Qin Huai and Mo Li, they nodded subtly.
With piles of resources, breaking through from the Epiphany Stage to the Spirit Condensation Stage is already extremely difficult. Advancing from Spirit Condensation to Mystic Light requires vast resources; even a Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage demon beast cultivating nonstop for centuries couldn’t make progress.
Taking in the reactions of all the Spirit Coalescence Elders, Lu Hangzhi wasn’t thinking about demon beasts breaking through to Mystic Light. He pondered and said:
“Lady Honglian, you came to Xuanxin Sect this time actually because of this batch of Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts, right?”
At these words, everyone was stunned, not understanding.
Only Honglian’s eyes sparkled. She glanced at him once more and laughed with pleasant surprise: “Lord Baimei indeed didn’t misjudge you.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and instinctively rubbed the back of his head, saying:
“Actually, I noticed that you mentioned the demon race at the peak of Two Realms Mountain are very patient, intelligent, and know how to cooperate. It suddenly occurred to me that the Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts attacking Xuanxin Sect fit that description perfectly.”
“Really?”
The Spirit Coalescence Elders who came with Honglian looked at each other in confusion.
But Qin Huai, Mo Li, Venerable Zhao, and the other thirteen people all showed exceptionally cautious and alert expressions, nodding one after another:
“If Hangzhi hadn’t mentioned it, I would have overlooked it.”
“Right! These Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts are indeed different from the ones we encountered in Two Realms Mountain.”
“Whether it was their approach using Illusion Arts to hide near Xuanxin Sect’s mountain, or how they fought us—it wasn’t the usual tactic of ordinary Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts. Their actions seemed to have a unified command.” Qin Huai’s tone deepened: “Especially when I deployed the Matrix Tower, whether they focused their attacks on it or targeted Venerable Zhao and you all, we had ways to quickly eliminate them. But instead, they quickly adopted the best tactics to counter the mystic ice aura formation. There must have been an intelligent leader among those demon beasts!”