Staying in the sect, controlling beasts and cultivating immortals

"You evil beast! Stop being so arrogant!"

Lin Hao's hair and beard bristled, his eyes bloodshot, and he charged forward like a madman.

He no longer pursued killing, but instead concentrated his life's sword intent into a single point on the tip of the sword, transforming it into a sword light refined to the extreme, carrying the will to destroy everything, and piercing straight at the wrist of Meng Silan's claw that was about to strike Chen Xueqing!
The target was the corrosive hole that the Hidden Poison Spear had just pierced!

At the same time, "Buzz!"

A soft yet incredibly strong emerald green beam of light enveloped Chen Xueqing once again—it was the Colorful Star Deer!
Ignoring its own depletion, it pushed its healing power to the limit, desperately protecting Chen Xueqing's dying embers of life. Lin Hao's desperate sword strike was solely to buy Cai Xinglu a glimmer of hope!
laugh!
Lin Hao's sword pierced the corroded hole with perfect precision!

The sharp sword intent and residual poison contained in the sword instantly invaded Monslan's arm!
Monsilan's arm trembled violently, and his movement toward Chen Xueqing faltered for an extremely brief moment!

"Now! Seize the sword!" Huang Xiren forced himself to stand up again and roared at Feng Yin and another Nascent Soul cultivator who were closest to Meng Silan.

A fierce glint flashed in Feng Yin's eyes, and he instantly understood Huang Xiren's intention!
He charged forward like a ghost, his target the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword still embedded in Meng Silan's abdomen! Another Nascent Soul cultivator followed closely behind, unleashing his magic weapon at full power to strike Meng Silan's head, attempting to draw his attention.

Monslan has gone completely berserk!

It ignored the sword piercing its arm and Lin Hao, and also ignored the magic weapon hurtling towards its head. It only felt the damned sword in its abdomen continuously tearing at its wound, preventing the crystal energy from repairing itself, like a maggot clinging to its bone!

It suddenly stretched out its sharp claws, not to strike, but to grab the hilt of the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword on its own abdomen!
It will uproot this symbol of shame! And then use it to tear this human race to pieces!

However, Feng Yin was even faster! Just before Monslan's giant claws fell, he narrowly managed to grab the hilt of the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword!
"Let go!" Feng Yin grinned maliciously, channeling all his magical power and a strange suction force into the sword hilt! What he wanted to do was not to pull out the sword, but to twist it inwards sharply, following the angle at which Yu Changsheng had thrust it in!
At the same time, his insidious poison skills also traveled along the sword, like a venomous snake, and burrowed deep into Monslan's wound!

"Roar-!!!"

This time, Monslan's roar was no longer one of anger, but a scream of extreme pain! His abdominal wound was mercilessly torn apart, the deadly poison was frantically eroding his internal organs, and coupled with the excruciating pain from the sword wound on his arm, even the mighty Triangle Abyss Clan suffered an unprecedented blow!
For the first time, its massive body shook violently from the intense pain, and the purple crystal energy surging across its surface became extremely chaotic, like a candle flame in a storm. The terrifying pressure receded significantly, like a receding tide!

"Kill it while it's sick!"

Seeing this, Huang Xiren's eyes flashed with a light of desperation, and he roared angrily.

He, He Li, Tuoba Xin who could barely stand up, and several Nascent Soul cultivators who could still move, like moths drawn to a flame, poured out their remaining magical power without reservation. Various magical treasures and spells bombarded the agonizingly wailing Monslan like a storm!
Golden hammers flashed wildly! Talismans exploded! Sword light crisscrossed! Poisonous mist filled the air!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Rumble!

The continuous explosions completely engulfed Monslan! Smoke and chaotic energy turbulence soared into the sky, obscuring half of the heavens.

At the center of the energy storm, a faint, resentful roar from Monslan echoed, though his voice was noticeably weaker: "Despicable...humans...this grudge...will be avenged! The Abyss Clan...army...will crush...your...ancestral land!!!"

Amidst the roar, an extremely intense purplish-black light suddenly erupted, forming a terrifying repulsive force that violently blasted the attacking crowd away once again!

The smoke and dust slowly dissipated.

Monslan's massive body staggered back dozens of feet, his abdomen wound a bloody mess, purple blood gushing out like a spring, and the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword stuck in it had disappeared (pulled out or swept away by Feng Yin in the explosion).

Its aura plummeted, and the triangular crystal that symbolized its status and power dimmed, even developing a tiny crack.

It swept its venomous gaze across the group of Nascent Soul cultivators, who were all staggering and injured, and lingered for a moment on Yu Changsheng, Feng Yin, and Chen Xueqing, as if trying to brand their souls into their very bones.

Instead of launching another attack, it suddenly let out a peculiar, piercing screech that seemed to penetrate the clouds.

With a hissing sound, the Abyss Clan army, which had been somewhat chaotic due to the loss of its high-ranking commander, converged towards Monslan like a tide, forming a thick purple barrier.

Monslan gave everyone a deep look, his gaze seemingly emanating from the deepest hell.

Immediately, under the protection of the Yuan Clan army, it turned around without hesitation and retreated in a direction far away from the core area of ​​Yongzhou, transforming into a slightly staggering but still swift purple light!
The battlefield was deathly silent, save for the heavy breathing and suppressed groans of the wounded.

The setting sun, like blood, dyed the shattered landscape a tragic golden-red. The smoke of battle had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the stench of blood, scorched earth, and the unique, sweet, corrosive scent of the Abyss Clan's purple blood.

In the center of the battlefield, all was deathly silent. Yu Changsheng knelt on one knee, cradling Chen Xueqing, whose breath was faint and whose face was as pale as paper.

The light of the Rainbow Deer had dimmed to its lowest point, like a candle flickering in the wind, yet it stubbornly poured its last bit of emerald life energy into Chen Xueqing's body, sustaining her nearly severed heart meridian. Each flicker of light tugged at Yu Changsheng's heart.

His trembling hand pressed against Chen Xueqing's wrist, feeling the faint pulse. His own injuries and the excruciating pain in his mind seemed to have gone numb, and all he could see was the paleness of the person in his arms.

"Xueqing... hold on..." The hoarse voice carried indescribable pain. He looked up at the Rainbow Star Deer, which let out a weary whimper, the light of its antlers growing weaker and weaker, clearly having reached its limit.

"Cough cough..." Not far away, Feng Yin leaned against a cracked boulder, coughing violently, black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

He gripped the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword tightly in his hand. The blade was stained with Monslan's murky purple blood and was now emitting an eerie purplish-black luster, as if it were absorbing the remaining energy of the Abyss Clan.

He greedily stroked the sword hilt, his eyes gleaming with the relief of surviving the ordeal and a desire to possess the divine weapon, oblivious to the horrific scene around him.

"Old Ghost Fengyin!" A loud shout broke the silence.

Huang Xiren, leaning on his nearly shattered giant hammer, staggered to his feet, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Feng Yin. "That sword is Fellow Daoist Yu's natal magic weapon! It was also the key to severely injuring that beast! How dare you take advantage of the chaos to seize it for yourself?! Hand it over!"

Behind him, Lin Hao, He Li, and the others, who were barely holding on, also gathered around with unfriendly expressions, their gazes towards Feng Yin filled with anger and disdain.

Tuoba Xin was dug out of the rocks by two cultivators from Yongzhou. His sternum was collapsed and he was barely breathing, but his gaze toward Feng Yin was equally cold.

Feng Yin smiled sinisterly, gripping the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword even tighter. Green mist surged around his body, carrying a strong warning: "Old man Huang, stop pretending to be benevolent! If I hadn't risked my life to aggravate my wound and draw the poison into my internal organs, who among you could have severely injured that triangular monster? This sword is my rightful trophy! If you have the guts, come and take it!" The gear-shaped poisoned blade behind him hovered silently, its poisonous light flashing.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Having just survived a life-or-death battle, the rift between allies has deepened due to greed and suspicion.

"Enough!" Yu Changsheng suddenly looked up, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable pressure and a chilling killing intent. His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over Feng Yin and Huang Xiren.

"With a formidable enemy at hand, those who instigate internal strife shall die!" The last word, "die," seemed to carry the chilling aura of the Eternal Night Domain, causing even a ruthless man like Feng Yin to feel a chill run down his spine.

His gaze finally settled on Feng Yin, his voice low yet stormy: "The sword is temporarily entrusted to you. If you dare to refine even a fraction of it, I will kill you to the ends of the earth!"

After saying that, he ignored everyone else, lowered his head, carefully picked up Chen Xueqing, and whispered to Cai Xinglu, "Let's go, let's find a place to save her."

The Crimson Hell Dragon roared and lowered its body. Yu Changsheng, carrying Chen Xueqing, leaped onto the dragon's back.

The Golden-Winged Roc circled in the air, keeping watch, while the Black Tortoise, though its shell was badly shattered, struggled to keep up with its guard.

The colorful star deer transformed into a faint green light and merged into Yu Changsheng's body to recuperate.

Watching Yu Changsheng and his group disappear quickly, Huang Xiren and the others looked ashamed and deeply worried. Lin Hao hurriedly directed the surviving cultivators to treat the wounded and collect the bodies of their fallen comrades.

The battlefield was filled with a complex mix of sorrow and relief.

The imperial city of Qingzhou, deep within its palace and secret halls.

The dim candlelight flickered, illuminating Huangpu Hongxuan's gloomy face.

He had crushed the urgent report about the cultivators from the four states "stirring up trouble" into pieces.

The old chief eunuch knelt silently on the ground, his body hunched over, holding in his hands a jade slip that shimmered with a faint spiritual light and was engraved with special concealment runes.

"Your Majesty... we've intercepted it. It originated from the Yongzhou battlefield... sent by Yu Changsheng... using the highest-level code. Our men went to great lengths to intercept it..."

The old eunuch's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Huangpu Hongxuan grabbed the jade slip and violently invaded it with his divine sense.

The jade slip contained little information, yet every word was startling:
Yongzhou suffered a pyrrhic victory, with the Triangle Abyss Clan's Monslan suffering severe injuries and retreating.

We suffered heavy casualties, and Chen Xueqing is in critical condition. Although the main force of the Yuan Clan has retreated, their influence remains, and we must be vigilant against their retaliation.

In addition, the strategy to lure the enemy has been successfully completed. The two groups of Yuan tribes from Fuzhou and Yongzhou have been successfully lured to the border of Qingzhou and are expected to arrive within three to five days.

We urge Wu, Yong, Fu, and Cang to quickly dispatch reinforcements to the 'Duanlong Gorge' on the border of Qingzhou to jointly defend against the powerful enemy, and... seize the opportunity to counterattack Huangpu!
At the end of the jade slip is a flame mark representing urgency and determination.

"Haha...hahaha!"

Huangpu Hongxuan was taken aback for a moment, then let out a chilling laugh filled with endless mockery and the smug satisfaction of being in complete control.

Laughter echoed through the empty hall, sending chills down one's spine.

"What a formidable anti-Abyss alliance! What a shrewd Yu Changsheng!"

His eyes gleamed with a venomous light. "They've lost so many soldiers and even their own women, yet they still dare to plot against me? They want to lure the Yuan Clan, this scourge, right to my capital, and then use that opportunity to gather their remaining troops and bite back? How naively laughable! How pathetic!"

He abruptly stopped laughing, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he looked at the old eunuch on the ground: "What's the trend of those two torrents of the Abyss Clan? Are you sure they're heading towards the Imperial City?"

The old eunuch bowed even lower: "Your Majesty, the spies have confirmed the situation. The army of tens of thousands heading towards Fuzhou, led by a triangular abyss tribe, has not lost momentum despite the harassment and is heading straight for Luoxia Pass. The remnants of the retreating Monsilan forces heading towards Yongzhou are gathering scattered soldiers along the way, along with some of their original forces, numbering in the thousands, and are moving rapidly along the Blackwater River, heading... towards the Iron Wall Fortress outside the imperial city! They are spreading a strong sense of resentment along the way, vowing... to massacre Qingzhou in revenge."

"Good! Very good!" Huangpu Hongxuan slammed his hand on the table and stood up. His face was no longer gloomy. Instead, it showed the excitement and cruelty of a hunter who saw all his prey caught in his trap.

"I was just worried about not having a chance to wipe out you treacherous prefectures and those filthy Yuan tribes in one fell swoop! They've delivered themselves to my doorstep, saving me the trouble!"

He strolled to the huge map of Qingzhou's territory, pointed heavily at the "Broken Dragon Gorge" location, and then traced the map past "Luoxia Pass" and "Iron Wall Fortress".

Huangfu Hongxuan traced the locations of Luoxia Pass and Iron Wall Fortress on the map with his fingertips, a cold smile playing on his lips. He crushed Yu Changsheng's secret jade slip into dust. "Trying to lure the Yuan Clan eastward and watch them fight from the sidelines? Yu Changsheng, you're too naive!" He abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "Pass on the order!"

"Commander of Luoxia Pass, listen to my command! Strengthen the defenses and activate all backup formations, but... only defend and do not attack. Let the vanguard of the Yuan tribe from the direction of Fuzhou approach. When they are exhausted and see that our army is 'outmatched,' retreat slightly and lure their main force deep into the plains below the pass!"

"Ironwall Fortress garrison! Closely monitor the movements of the remnants of Monslan's forces, maintain a scorched-earth policy along their route, leaving empty fortresses and fortresses. Once they gather their scattered troops and vagrants in front of the fortress, immediately activate the 'Nine Fiends Soul-Destroying Array' and trap them at all costs! In addition, secretly dispatch 'Shadow Guards' to infiltrate the outer perimeter of the battlefield, targeting—any non-Qingzhou Nascent Soul cultivator attempting to approach the battlefield, especially…those surnamed Yu!"

The order was cold and resolute. Huangpu Hongxuan wanted more than just to defeat the Yuan Clan; he also wanted to bury Yu Changsheng and the others who came to "support" or "bring trouble."

Yongzhou - Temporary Camp: The atmosphere was heavy as lead.

Feng Yin sat cross-legged as if no one else was around, with the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword lying horizontally on his lap, a chilling and eerie aura trying to seep into the sword.

Huang Xiren's face turned ashen. He tried to step forward to argue several times, but was stopped by the glances of the Nascent Soul cultivators beside him.

Yu Changsheng's face was ashen as he continuously channeled spiritual energy into Chen Xueqing's body, causing the healing radiance of the Rainbow Deer to dim further.

“Xue Qing’s injuries are too severe; ordinary pills are unlikely to save her…” His voice was hoarse as he glanced at the crowd before finally settling on Cai Xinglu. He then looked towards the direction in which the Yuan Clan army had retreated. “I have a method that may be worth trying, but it requires Cai Xinglu’s full cooperation, and… it also requires a pure and powerful life essence.”

He was referring to the core amethyst within Monslan of the Triangular Abyss Clan! This statement shocked everyone. Pursue the heavily wounded but still terrifyingly powerful Monslan? This was tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

At this moment, Tuoba Xin strode over, his face grim: "I just received a message from He Yong! Luoxia Pass and Tiebi Fortress in the Qingzhou direction are both under attack!"
The main force of the Fuzhou Yuan tribe has approached Luoxia Pass, and the remnants of Mengsilan, along with a large number of scattered Yuan tribes, are moving towards Iron Wall Fortress, vowing to massacre Qingzhou! Huangpu Hongxuan... has ordered the two passes to be held at all costs, but has demanded that our remnants from Yongzhou immediately come to their aid!

This is clearly a case of using one tiger to devour another, sending the Yongzhou cultivators, who have just experienced a bloody battle, to become cannon fodder again. (End of Chapter)