Zhong State, Shenmu City
While both sides were taking a break, the big shots from Zhong Stateâs Tao Achieving were arguing fiercely. They had received news that Purple Cloud Sect was breached, and they already got the message that Demon Queen was advancing to the east.
Just as Lin Jiang expected, all the sects were panicking. In order to support Shenmu Sect, they brought almost all of their elite forces, leaving their homes empty. If they didnât go back to rescue them, their hometowns would surely be robbed.
The safety of the sects was too important. All the family members of the disciples in battle were there, along with their wealth. Even if their places were not taken, just being involved in the big battle would bring them heavy losses.
"Stop arguing, be quiet!"
Ancestor He shouted loudly, calming the situation down.
"Arguing now is useless. You want to go back, right? Go back immediately. I donât want Shenmu City anymore. Retreat to Shenmu Sect and close the mountain immediately."
Ancestor He was very angry and said that if these people dared to leave, he would block the mountain. Because if they left, Shenmu Sect would not be able to resist the demon clan.
"Please donât say mean things, Ancestor He. If Shenmu Sect retreats, there will be no defense for the southern gate of Zhong State. The demon clan could attack any sect in Zhong State from any direction. Itâs like they want us to die."
Wu Zilin quickly spoke up, trying to persuade Ancestor He. He pointed out the advantages and disadvantages by speaking his mind.
As expected, everyone fell silent. If Shenmu Sect blocked the mountain, it would be pointless for them to go back home unless they also blocked their own mountain. But if everyone did that, would the demon clan retreat? Impossible. It would only make it easier for the demon clan to attack each sect one by one.
"Ancestor He, Ancestor Wu, letâs not speak harshly. Letâs discuss what to do next. The news is spreading beyond control, itâs not that we want to leave, but the disciples canât control themselves. Everyoneâs family and friends are inside the mountain gate. Who wouldnât worry about their loved ones, right?"
"Thatâs true. We need to find a solution. Ancestor Wu, please share some good news."
"Alright, the news I just received today is that Yun Stateâs Tao Achieving Cao Ying has already entered Qing State. Cao Ying has defeated the demon clans in Yun State, He State, and Liu State, and now she is leading over two million cultivators to fight against the demon clan in Qing State. After dealing with the demon clan in Qing State, she plans to move to Bing State to cut off the demon clanâs escape route."
"I have never heard of Yun Stateâs Cao Ying."
"Who is Cao Ying?"
"Does she have this ability?"
When Wu Zilin mentioned the news from Yun State, of course, he exaggerated the data a bit. At first, people didnât believe it because Cao Ying advanced to Tao Achieving in a short time and was not well-known in the cultivation world. Many Tao Achieving experts usually keep to themselves for cultivation and were unaware of this matter.
"Cao Ying is the second Tao Achieving in Yun State after Lin Batian. Before achieving Tao, Cao Ying was known as the Witch of Yun State, showing impressive strength. There are already examples of her defeating Demon Emperors in battle. Besides, Zhou Huaiying is also in Yun State."
"Zhou HuaiyingâŠ"
Wu Zilin added, making everyoneâs face change drastically. They had joined hands to kill Zhou Huaiying, and almost everyone present had been involved, except for a few who later advanced to Tao Achieving.
"Everyone, donât worry. Zhou Huaiying has already been controlled and enchanted."
"Ancestor Wu, what is special about Yun State?"
Someone voiced everyoneâs thoughtsâwhat exactly makes Yun State so special? They continuously defeated numerous demon clans, and even Zhou Huaiying was controlled.
"I donât know either. Now is not the time to discuss this. We need to focus on our strategy. The Demon Queen of the demon clan advancing eastward is indeed threatening our rear. We must find a way to solve this problem."
"Ancestor Wu, what do you think we should do?"
"What I mean is, we must not give up on Shenmu City. Our main forces will stay put, each sect will have some members staying behind. All the remaining members should gather at the Qingchen Sword Sectâs gate to resist the Demon Queenâs army. What do you all think?"
"What about the Demon Queen?"
"We will send Tao Achieving from here, Cao Ying will go to Qing State, and the Demon Emperor will definitely need to go as well. We can spare a few people here, and try our best not to engage in battle later. Defense will be our priority."
"Will this plan work? What if we canât hold them off and have to split our forcesâŠ"
"This is the best plan for now. If we were to scatter now, it would be a death wish. We can only take a gamble now, see who can hold out. I donât believe the demon clan can ignore their rear, as long as Cao Ying enters Bing State, they will have to make a choice."
Wu Zilin said that their only hope now is Cao Ying, watching to see whether Cao Ying or the Demon Queen makes their move first, who can outflank the other will have a chance to win.
"I agree with this decision. Friends, we have no room for luck now, itâs either live or die, letâs take a gamble."
"I agree as well, but each sect must send all their remaining forces, no more playing tricks."
The ancestor of the Qingchen Sword Sect said that even if their home would be destroyed in the battle, it was better than losing it completely.
Everyone nodded in agreement. They knew that they had to stay united at this critical moment, or else they would risk losing everything.
·······
The reinforcements from the Demon God Temple in the Qing State had arrived. The powerful Split Sky Divine Ape and Peng Bird Demon Emperor came this time, as the Snake Dragon Demon Emperor had been defeated by the Yun State forces. The Demon God Temple sent their top Demon Emperors for this battle.
Along with the original Demon Emperor from the Qing State, they had a total of three powerful beings. Feng Jiu believed they would be sufficient to deal with the situation.
This is not about the Demon God Temple wanting to add more troops. Feng Jiu also wanted to send ten or eight Demon Emperors to crush the Yun State, but they couldnât send out any more. If they add more troops, they will lose the battle in Zhong State.
The old Divine Ape Demon Emperor and Peng Bird Demon Emperor led their respective clans to the Qing State to join forces with the demonic army. They were accompanied by Small Shadiao, a Level Five Demon King.
The Aurora Falcon was very fast, and Small Shadiao quickly volunteered to scout the movements of the human forces. Once away from the demonic army, Small Shadiao contacted Lin Jiang for a secret meeting.
"Brother, how come youâre here in the Qing State? You really made it!"
"The reason is too complicated, I canât explain it, but I really came."
"Oh no, what should we do? Are we going to fight, brother? Please donât, a lot of my sons have come."
Little Shadiao was about to cry. His descendants are all under the command of the Peng Bird Demon Emperor, and they are highly valued in the army. If they fight, wonât they be killing each other?
"Little Shadiao, Iâm asking you, is Xia Qingshan in the demon army?"
"I havenât found him. I only met Xia Qingshan once, then he disappeared. My father-in-law is very wary of this and never mentions it. Brother, what should I do now?"
"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"Of course I want the truth."
"Listen to me and run, make your descendants run too. You are no match for the Yun State."
"Brother, is the Yun State really that strong?"
"I am not strong myself, but there is a terrifying presence in Yun State that controls us all."
"Ah!"
"I canât say much in detail, but Peng Bird Demon Emperor is definitely not a match in a fight. He is also your father-in-law and has never mistreated me before. I donât want to see you all perish in battle. You must find Xia Qingshan as soon as possible, there may be a chance."
Lin Jiang said, the demon clan is paying close attention to Yun State now, sending a top Demon Emperor. But the demon clan is unaware of Lin Dieâs situation. Lin Jiang has witnessed Lin Dieâs skills in action, and Peng Bird Demon Emperor is definitely not a match.
"Brother, my mind is in a whirl right now. My father-in-law wonât listen to me, what should I do?"
"I donât know either. As I mentioned, I am being controlled."
Lin Jiang said he is also being manipulated now and doesnât know what to do. They can only take it step by step.
"Ah, why fight at all? Canât we all live peacefully together?"
"Talking about this is pointless."
"Iâm in a difficult position, bro."
Small Shadiao was really going to cry, he was really feeling distressed, he didnât want to see his brothers fight.
"Small Shadiao, how about this â we fight in a few days, both of us fight. I will come find you first and then I will injure you. You can then escape back to Wilderness, okay?"
"But what about my children?"
"How many children do you have?"
"Thirty-six, six of them have already died, there are nine here, the others are with Lin Fanghua."
"·····"
Lin Jiang felt unable to express his surprise, he had no idea Small Shadiao was so strong.
"BrotherâŠ"
"You make your decision, I have nothing more to say."
Lin Jiang said. He actually wanted to say, "Give up what needs to be given up."
These words are cruel and heartless, but the truth is that not all parents treasure their children. Think about incidents of infant abandonment and infanticide, where parents are responsible. The first instinct of living beings should be survival.
But Lin Jiang truly couldnât say these words, they were too cruel.
"BrotherâŠ"
"I canât say more, or I wonât be able to explain. Remember, in the first battle, we will fight together. You must find me, then weâll fight while retreating towards the battlefieldâs edge. I will injure you, and you will run, preferably straight back to the Wilderness."
Lin Jiang said. There were not only two of them as scouts, but many others. They didnât have time to reminisce and quickly left.
Back in the military camp, numerous cultivators were still busy. Like the demon tribe, they were all adjusting their state, waiting for the decisive battle.