NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1214: The Situation
The five Zifu Realm Great Demons were slain by Tangyu and Sun Wukong, causing the rest of the Yao Race army to naturally fall into disarray, defeated miserably and fleeing. Pursued by the formidable army of Yanshan City, countless were dead or injured.
Yanshan City, besieged by the Yao Race army for over a month, achieved such a great victory for the first time, greatly boosting morale, making the whole city celebrate, finally breathing life into the previously lifeless Yanshan City.
The army returned, Yan Nantian was overjoyed and said, "After defending for over a month, everyone is tired; this victory is the best reward for us. Now, everyone should start resting in two shifts, the Yao Race army likely won't invade again for a short period."
With Yan Nantian's orders, the morale soared again.
This month-long defense indeed pushed many to the breaking point, both physically and mentally tortured.
Yan Nantian said to Tangyu and Sun Wukong, "Let's go back first, today's victory, as a master, I must host you and wash away the dust."
Tangyu nodded, the group returned to the sect main hall, where only a few dozen led by Tangyu were qualified to enter, discussing major matters together. After everyone took their seats, Tangyu directly asked, "Master, how is the current situation in the Cultivation World?"
Yan Nantian sighed softly and shook his head, saying, "Not optimistic, war is everywhere. Every day a large number of people die, cultivators are slaughtered en masse, cities and sects are conquered one by one. Our Human Clan's territory, the outskirts have mostly fallen into the hands of the three races, the war is pushing inward, surrounded by enemies. Without your timely return, Yanshan City couldn't be secured either. The offensive of the three races is too fierce."
"It's not just the attack by three races to fear, internal conflicts are also very severe, many forces are fighting fiercely. The power of Hongchen Palace is truly terrifying, many forces have Hongchen Palace spies, now the entire Cultivation World is engulfed in flames of war. If this continues, it's really terrifying, hard to imagine."
"Fortunately, our Yanshan Sect is in a remote corner, so Hongchen Palace hasn't targeted our Yanshan Sect, otherwise it would truly be a terrifying scenario. For now, we can only fortify the city and strive for self-preservation."
Tangyu raised his eyebrows, the current situation is indeed very dire, the power of Hongchen Palace is truly too terrifying.
Lurking for five thousand years, only for this Red Ten Tribulation. Many forces have fallen as claws of Hongchen Palace, the Demon Beasts three races have also become Hongchen Palace's dogs, fighting as Pioneers for Hongchen Palace. This disaster is likely even more terrible than that of five thousand years ago. In such a world-ending disaster, being able to survive is considered lucky.
This situation made everyone frown, their faces heavy.
Yan Nantian sighed silently, "Fate decides, my lifelong pursuit was just to advance Yanshan Sect step by step. Now this step has gone far enough, I am already content. Under this great trend, we can't change things. Under the Red Dust Tribulation, no one can escape. Alright, everything shall follow destiny."
"Follow destiny" sounds like such a weak phrase, but at this time it is the truest reflection of everyone's hearts.
No choice, saying this now is the most truthful.
Under the Red Dust Tribulation, not just a small Yanshan Sect, even top Immortal Sects, even Holy Lands might face annihilation, even those in the Immortal Realm might each die one by one. This is a catastrophe, an extinction disaster for the Cultivation World, before which Yan Nantian and the others seem too weak.
Tangyu clenched his fists, secretly gritted his teeth, "My fate is in my hands, not heaven's. If people want me dead, then I will kill them. If Buddha wants me dead, then I will slay Buddha. If God wants me dead, then I will slaughter God. If destiny wants me dead, then I will defy heaven. Who says destiny can't be defied? Who says fate is determined by heaven and earth? Fate is one's own, how are heavens to determine? I seek immortality, asking the Great Dao, only to become an Immortal, transcend all, achieve Boundless, transcend all laws, above everything of the Great Dao."
Tangyu's belief filled him with boundless strength; he did not fear the Red Dust Tribulation. No matter who, trying to kill him is impossible.
After staying for a while, Tangyu stood up and said, "Master, Senior Fu Long, Yanshan City is left to you."
Yan Nantian knew Tangyu still had an important mission, naturally could not expect Tangyu and Sun Wukong to stay in Yanshan Sect, nodded and patted Tangyu's shoulder, "Alright, take care of everything."
Leaving behind the treasures from those five Zifu Realm Great Demons under Mo Su, Tangyu and Sun Wukong left once again.
The Yao Race army in the Yanshan region all retreated, pulling back to the borders, in a truly miserable state.
"Tangyu, where are we going now?" Sun Wukong asked, brimming with energy and ready to massacre the Yao Race.
Tangyu replied, "Killing some small demons is pointless. If we kill, let's kill Great Demons of the Zifu Realm. On the edge of our Jiuzhou Immortal Sect's territory, bordering the Dark Nether Wilderness, there are six second-class Immortal Sects. Beyond us, it's Xia Country's territory. Shengfeng has returned to Shengfeng City. I imagine Shengfeng City is also in dire straits now. Let's head to Shengfeng City first. Shengfeng is our brother; we can't just ignore him in his time of need."
Sun Wukong nodded, "Alright, then let's go to Shengfeng City to lend Shengfeng a hand."
Shengfeng City is merely a small town, but its location is less than ideal. It borders the Dark Nether Wilderness and lies on Xia Country's frontier, also near the Yanshan region, thus being besieged from both fronts, facing a perilous situation.
Shengfeng City was naturally the first to be attacked by the Yao Race's demon army. However, this small city has remarkably managed to hold the demon army at bay and persevered until now without being breached. The warriors defending the city walls are all brimming with morale. This small Shengfeng City now has almost the entire population taking up arms, all jointly defending it, swearing to live and die with Shengfeng City.
The City Lord of Shengfeng having such rallying power and cohesion truly is an extraordinary matter.
On the main city wall, inside the tower, several figures led by the City Lord of Shengfeng stand there, their eyes fixated on the demon army outside the city. The densely packed demon army has encircled the entire Shengfeng City impenetrably, and not even a fly could escape from the over ten thousand-strong demon army. In the main military camp, demon energy rises to the sky, clearly indicating several Great Demons of the Zifu Realm are present there.
This Yao Race demon army is merely one contingent attacking Xia Country. They haven't concentrated their strength on attacking Shengfeng City. If they had, the city might have been captured by now.
The City Lord of Shengfeng's face was somber and heavy, standing with his hands behind his back. Beside him stood a beautiful noblewoman, her face also full of cold determination. Shengfeng also stood beside the pair, along with a dozen of the City Lord's most loyal subordinates. Among them, a stooped old man stood there expressionlessly, his eyes glimmering with a strange light. This stooped old man was actually a Zifu Realm Great Power.
No one expected that aside from the City Lord himself, such a small Shengfeng City would have a Zifu Realm Great Power. With two Zifu Realm cultivators guarding Shengfeng City, it's no wonder the city has managed to hold out against such storms for so long; it's truly an astonishing feat.
The noblewoman said, "Brother Feng, we cannot go against the current situation. Our forces alone cannot fend off the Yao Race's demon army. They've besieged us without attacking, likely waiting for reinforcements. Once another demon army arrives, Shengyang City will undoubtedly fall. If that happens, our family of three will also perish here. Brother Feng, let's withdraw. Let's return to Xia Country and assist them in defending the Royal City; it will greatly increase our chances of survival."
Shengyang said, "Father and mother, don't go to Xia Country. It's not safe there either. I think Yanshan City is safer. My brother Tangyu guards Yanshan City, and the Jiuzhou Immortal Sect has also sent powerful Zifu Great Powers to defend it. Besides the Jiuzhou Immortal Sect, Yanshan City is probably the safest place now. Tangyu and I are brothers. If we go to Yanshan City, we will surely be welcomed. Father, we can't hold Shengfeng City any longer. Once another demon army arrives, we'll be utterly defeated."
Shengyang was also getting anxious; the bad premonition in his heart was growing stronger.
This kind of siege clearly indicates they are planning a larger move. Once the storm comes, it will be a disaster.
Shengfeng's eyes flickered with peculiar light. He looked ahead, then at Shengfeng City, and after a long time, he said, "We can go, but what about the citizens of Shengfeng City? There are still hundreds of thousands of people in the city. Should we disregard their life and death? We can escape, but what about them? Should they die in our place? I founded Shengfeng City, and as the City Lord, I'm loved by hundreds of thousands of people. If I abandon them now, how could I ever face such disgraceful survival?"
Shengfeng's words left Shengyang's noble mother silent. They understood Shengfeng's character, knowing his principles. If they really forced him to do that, it would indeed be more painful for him than death.
People can be selfish, but sometimes a bottom line is needed.
The City Lord of Shengfeng is known for his compassion and broad heart. Precisely because of this, he has such rallying power and cohesion, serving as Shengfeng City's unique spiritual leader. As long as he is there, Shengfeng City will fight with one heart, unto death.
Once the City Lord leaves, Shengfeng City will immediately collapse, unresisted, and the hundreds of thousands of citizens will surely be slaughtered by the demon army.
In the face of such righteousness, the City Lord of Shengfeng chose not to be selfish. This righteous act is precisely what makes others admire him so greatly, willing to die fighting on the battlefield for him.
Shengfeng said, "Juan'er, Shengyang, leave. Go to Yanshan City. I will live and die with Shengfeng City. As long as you are alive, even if I die, it doesn't matter."
"No, Brother Feng, I won't leave. If we're to die, we'll die together," the noblewoman immediately and resolutely shook her head.
Shengyang also firmly said, "Father, I'm not leaving either. At most, it's just death. As long as we three are together, even in death, there are no regrets. In the face of the mortal world's calamity, how many can survive? This calamity seems even more terrifying and bloody than the one five thousand years ago. After the calamity, there will undoubtedly be widespread devastation."