C688 Igniting a Fire
Beyond the southern outskirts of the city, the heavens were torn asunder by a cacophony of thunderous roars, accompanied by torrential rain and lightning, illuminating the sky with divine brilliance. The heavens were blanketed with soul clouds and specters, while towering archdemons, having revealed their true forms, reached into the clouds. Divine Weapons and streams of sword light cleaved through the firmament.
Even separated by the Phoenix Skybreak Array, the cultivators within the city walls could sense the pulse of the heart-stopping battle unfolding beyond them.
It was clear to all that those who had departed Afnetalos, seeking to evade the Soul-Igniting Mist and the onslaught of the Star-Spawned Terror, must have clashed with a horde of Evil Demons, led by the Otherkin, Terra Fiends, and archdemons, sparking a fierce and bloody conflict.
Victory would mean a safe passage away from the city. But in defeat...
The hundreds who had ventured forth might find their final resting place just outside the city, their remains shrouded and decayed by the Ashen Shadowmist. They risked being consumed by the Sky Fiends or having their corporeal bodies ravaged by the archdemons and Otherkin.
Wars between different races are often merciless. Human cultivators, seeking to ascend to the realm of the Solar Spirit, would venture into the extraterrestrial Star River to capture Sky Fiends, using their souls to refine their own Lunar Spirit and Solar Spirit, thereby enhancing their powers and cultivation levels.
The extraterrestrial fiends and Otherkin, in turn, coveted the souls of these cultivators, as well as the bones and blood of the archdemons. To the victors went the spoils of war, reaping all that was left behind. The defeated, however, would vanish without a trace, their essence erased from existence.
"Where is your Master Tan?" Jin Xiaolie, head of the Chamber of Commerce branch, felt the violent tremors from the outside world with his soul and called out anxiously, "I heard Tan Junshan was seen in the Scarlet Dunes. Hasn't he returned to Afnetalos?"
Liu Ying shook her head, her voice tinged with sorrow, "We've lost contact with him."
"If he were here, we wouldn't be at such a disadvantage," Jin Xiaolie lamented. "I've taken note of the strongest among those who left the city; it's Ditdite from the Ethereal Void Sect. But Ditdite, being only in the middle period of the Solar Spirit Stage, likely lacks the strength to lead everyone safely out of the Ashen Shadowmist."
To many, the turmoil of the Scarlet Dunes seemed inconsequential, hardly warranting the involvement of a cultivator at the Solar Spirit Stage.
Even with the influx of Sky Fiends into the Scarlet Dunes, the reinforcements sent by the major sects were mostly below the Solar Spirit Stage. Cultivators who had attained the Solar Spirit Stage were dispersed across perilous locations such as the Moonfall Sanctuary, the Godsblight Marsh, and the Land of Terror.
Tan Junshan of the Starmoon Sect, a figure unknown to many, was a cultivator at the Unbound Stage. Jin Xiaolie, who managed the local branch of the chamber of commerce, had heard tales of Tan Junshan's prowess. He was convinced that only under Tan Junshan's leadership could they have a hope of survival.
"Even if Master Tan were here, victory wouldn't be guaranteed," Liu Ying murmured, stealing a quick glance at Yu Yuan before lowering her gaze.
Through the Fallen Star Eyes, she had glimpsed Zu Ann deep beneath the Scarlet Dunes. Zu Ann, a legendary figure who had merged with the highest peaks of the Everlands, was renowned long before Tan Junshan's rise to fame. With dominion over countless Sky Fiends deep within the earth, how could Tan Junshan be so sure of victory?
"If we could find a way to contact them, it would be best to have them return to the city," Yu Yuan interjected. "I'm confident that the Chen family and the Songbird Empire will soon stabilize the situation. The Soul-Igniting Mist, now scattered, requires cultivators as a medium to grow in strength. I can sense that the 'soil' feeding the Soul-Igniting Mist is dwindling."
Two hours later, Yu Yuan, who kept in touch with the Crucible of Evil, noticed a rapid decline in the evil energy it could amass. The cauldron spirit relayed that the Chen family's relentless assault was swiftly quelling the city's unrest.
Before long, the production of Soul-Igniting Mist would cease. With caution, they could locate and seal the wells that were the source of the mist, thereby averting further danger.
"Yu Yuan," called Chen Langzhi, gliding towards him in the Golden Carriage from across Cloud Lake.
The general from the Songbird Empire was drenched in sweat and appeared utterly fatigued.
"Greetings, General Chen!"
Ma Jianjiang, along with other members of the Chamber of Commerce and even Jin Xiaolie, offered their salutations as the Golden Carriage made its entrance.
It was evident that there was genuine admiration for this member of the Chen family.
"I came here specifically to express my gratitude," Chen Langzhi said as his Golden Carriage came to a halt, casually wiping the sweat from his brow. "Had you not notified me promptly, the destruction in Afnetalos would have been beyond measure. As it stands, the tally of casualties includes six hundred and seventy-three mortals and over two hundred cultivators."
"Fortunately, our efforts have managed to stabilize the situation for the time being."
"All the wells in Afnetalos have been sealed with fallen rocks and are under the watchful guard of our soldiers. No one is permitted to tamper with them."
He updated everyone on the current state of affairs.
"General Chen, have you considered who might have unleashed the Soul-Igniting Mist?" Jin Xiaolie from the Chamber of Commerce demanded, his expression grim. "Such despicable cowards deserve the severest of punishments! We must identify the saboteur and reduce him to ashes!"
"Mr. Chen, surely the Chen family has a method to reach out to those in the southern part of the city?" Yu Yuan suggested thoughtfully. "Battling those from the extraterrestrial realms within the Ashen Shadowmist is far from prudent. You should inform them that the issue with the Soul-Igniting Mist has been resolved and urge them to return to the city posthaste."
Chen Langzhi nodded in agreement. "The message has been conveyed."
He paused, then sighed before continuing, "As to how many will return alive, that remains uncertain. I suspect the emergence of the Soul-Igniting Mist was a ploy to draw them away from Afnetalos. Regrettably, Ditdite and his companions disregarded my warnings and were determined to venture out."
He sighed again.
Two more hours slipped by.
Throughout this period, Chen Langzhi intermittently transmitted messages using a crescent-shaped crystal.
"Ditdite of the Ethereal Void Sect, his Solar Spirit shattered, his remains ground to dust by the extraterrestrial Otherkin, his very soul consumed by the Sky Fiend. Thus perished one of the seven esteemed Sages of the Ethereal Void Sect."
Hu Qian's Thunder Chariot, commandeered by an archdemon, met its demise, leaving him utterly consumed—his organs, blood, and bones all devoured.
Weixian from the Winter's Bite Sect faced a Terra Fiend's assault, which left his mind in turmoil. He has since retreated back to Afnetalos.
Qu Jing relied on his Spectral Umbrella to evade the Sky Fiend's onslaught and is now on his way back.
Tan Junshan has made a sudden appearance! He's aiding them in fending off the malevolent fiends!
...
Chen Langzhi, with a Sound Stone in hand, must have used Afnetalos's secret magic circle—a remarkable device—to remotely observe the southern battlefront and relay the unfolding events.
With the death of Ditdite and Hu Qian, who was in the late period of the Spirit Walk Stage, and Weixian's severe injuries, the toll was heavy.
There were others, names unfamiliar to Yu Yuan, likely elders from the Taintborn and Skyblight Cult, summoned by Chen Langzhi.
Those called upon were either gravely wounded or dead.
Moreover, those recognized and named by Chen Langzhi were significant figures from the major sects—either highly advanced in their cultivation or, like Qu Jing, seen as future sect leaders in training.
"Master Tan!"
Upon hearing Chen Langzhi mention Tan Junshan, Liu Ying's spirits soared with a cheer.
Her concern for Tan Junshan had been constant, fearing the worst as he clashed with Zu Ann in the Scarlet Dunes.
She had seen Zu Ann underground but was uncertain whether other extraterrestrial experts of his caliber were present, including the local Unbound cultivators.
Should they choose to besiege Tan Junshan, even he might not escape with his life.
Whoosh!
The Crucible of Evil, after hours spent soaring through the city collecting 'evil qi,' returned and hovered before Yu Yuan's chest.
Peering inside with his spiritual sense, Yu Yuan discovered hundreds of nascent gray clouds—embryos of evil spirits, ready for later refinement.
"Not a bad haul," Yu Yuan whispered to himself.
"Yu Yuan!"
An indignant accusation pierced the air from the direction of the Azure Vault, "Why is he the first to uncover the Soul-Igniting Mist? How does he recognize such a thing?"
"To me, it's clear that Yu Yuan is a spy within our city, the very one who unleashed the toxic smog!"
"It's him, without a doubt!"
