Chapter 729: The Fall of Jiang Yu; Luo Chen Emerges from Seclusion (II)

Treating Mei Ruoqi would perhaps have been difficult for Luo Chen in the past. Even with Cleanse at Perfected Mastery, he could only remove second-tier fiend qi at most. Once third-tier demonic beast power became involved, the power would be comparable to an Initiate's mana. Hence, such methods were utterly insufficient.

Fortunately, Luo Chen had been practicing the Dragon Slaying Art. Although this spell was quite difficult to master, it was not as difficult in the early stages. Moreover, Luo Chen had good talent for spellcasting, so he had reached the Beginner level very fast and was now at the Skilled level. Moreover, the demonic power within Mei Ruoqi was merely the result of collateral damage; she had endured the aftershocks of a strike from a third-tier Frost Wolf King, but she hadn't been the target. Hence, it was not particularly difficult for him to remove.

The only thing that caused Luo Chen discomfort was the Concealment Veil Formation on his body. Due to it being engraved into his flesh, the mana flow within the formation constantly interfered with the normal flow of his mana. This was precisely why he had kept a low profile in recent times and rarely showed himself—for the time being, he was actually pretty weak.

The Dragon Slaying Art was unleashed again and again, steadily cutting away the glacial demonic power entrenched within Mei Ruoqi's body. During this process, Luo Chen occasionally employed his medical techniques, now at major mastery, to protect her heart meridians.

Once two hours had passed, a faint flush gradually returned to Mei Ruoqi's pale complexion. During that time, Luo Chen also learned the full sequence of events from Zeng Yilong.

"It matches the intelligence Xing Zhonghan sent back. The demonic beasts of the Howling Moon Mountain Range are no longer the dumb beasts we know. You know what they're like; they each occupy a single area, shut themselves in, and refuse to help each other even with death at the door. But under the command of that unconventional demon emperor, the wolf clans of the Howling Moon Mountain Range have really united into a single force. They even have something like an imperial court! They call it the Defiant Howl Wolf Court.

"In the early stages, we practically plowed through them; they died by the tens of thousands. But the further we advanced toward the Wolf Court, the stronger the resistance became. They even started employing human-like tactics! In fact, we think that the supreme-grade third-tier spirit vein was used as bait to lure us deep inside the wolf territory, and the so-called urgent reinforcements were planned out from the very start, so they could deal a massive blow to the allied forces.

"And the result was that... the five major sects suffered a crushing defeat. On the battlefield, the Sword Enforcer Hall lost three Adepts, and several others were severely wounded. More than a hundred True Inheritors from various sects were either killed or injured. Without question, this battle was the most catastrophic loss we've suffered since the start of the frontier war."

Once everything had been clarified, Luo Chen supported Mei Ruoqi with his mana and sent her floating to Zeng Yilong.

"I understand now. Thank you for the detailed report. Now take her back and prepare the medicine according to the prescription I gave you. Have her take it consistently for three months, and she will recover fully."

Zeng Yilong nodded repeatedly; the worry on his face was clearly gone. But just as he was about to leave with the woman in his arms, Luo Chen shook his head and said, "Come here."

"

Hm

?"

Although Zeng Yilong was puzzled, he still moved closer. Luo Chen extended a hand and brushed it across his face. A tingling sensation spread through Zeng Yilong, making his toes curl against the soles of his shoes. Luo Chen slowly withdrew his hand, residual mana rippling at his fingertips.

"That ugly scar was not befitting of an outstanding talent of the Luo Tian Sect. Alright, go back now!"

Zeng Yilong touched his own face and instantly felt warmth rising in his chest. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Daoist Uncle."

As he turned to leave, he suddenly recalled Luo Chen's hand—it had been covered in strange black lines, something he'd never seen before.

Could it be that he is practicing some weird secret art?

After he left, Luo Chen sat silently in the cave residence for a long time before finally standing up. "They must have been waiting for me for quite some time. Forget it. I will not fully adapt to the Concealment Veil Formation in a few days anyway. I should just go and see them."

Beneath the cover of his black robe, Luo Chen moved quietly. Before long, he arrived at the massive estate atop Azure Iron Mountain. Even before he stepped inside, the sound of wailing and cries already rang out.

Without any attempt at concealment, his divine consciousness spread outward. Amid the grieving crowd, Jiang He came into view at the center, his lips pressed tightly together and his expression firm and unyielding.

He was Jiang Yu's only son and was at the ninth stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. His father had arranged a lesser third-tier spirit land for him before departing; he was now not far from reaching Perfected Mastery. Yet the one who had shielded the Jiang family from the storms was gone. What could Jiang He feel right now?

If I were to suddenly pass away one day, what would become of the cultivators of the Luo Tian Sect?

As the thought rose quietly within his heart, Cen Qiusheng's weathered voice reached him from nearby. "Since you are here, Fellow Daoist, why not come in and talk?"

"I am coming."

After replying through a divine consciousness transmission, Luo Chen headed straight into Stormwind Manor. He did not deliberately conceal his figure, yet along the way, not a single person noticed him.

Though he was nowhere near fully adapted to the Concealment Veil Formation, it was already sufficient to casually pass by Initiates without being noticed. Once he was in full control of it, even the divine consciousness of Adepts would likely fail to perceive him clearly. And if he actually activated the formation...

***

Diwu Qi, Cen Qiusheng, Fu Jiusheng, and Luo Chen gathered together once more. It should have been just like before—a scene of five Adepts talking and laughing together. But Jiang Yu was gone forever, and so was that atmosphere. Moreover, it was clear that further changes would follow. The Sword Enforcer Hall had suffered heavy losses and would inevitably mobilize experts from the major sects to replenish their battle strength.

The Luo Tian Alliance could not escape this either. When they joined the Frontier War back then, the alliance agreement clearly stipulated that all major sects were to obey the deployment orders of the upper sect overseeing the war. As long as the orders were reasonable, they had to go. Otherwise, there would be no way to account to the upper sects. And if matters escalated, the Divine Transformation holy land, the Nether Origin Sect, would naturally support the side that held the moral high ground.

Diwu Qi finally drew a deep breath and broke the silence. "Speak!"

Fu Jiusheng glanced at Luo Chen, then chuckled bitterly and said, "According to our previous agreement, this time it is Fellow Daoist Cen's turn."

An equally bitter smile appeared on Cen Qiusheng's face. "Even Fellow Daoist Jiang, with all his strength and experience, did not last three years. If I go, I don't assume I will come back alive."

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be so pessimistic—"

"How am I being pessimistic? This time, eleven people went out. And how did that go? One of us Adepts, gone. Three Initiates from the Myriad Phenomena Sect, gone. The Luo Tian Sect Initiates, one injured lightly and one on the brink of death. The Stormwind Manor sent three Initiates but only two returned; one is dead. The two from my family came back more or less intact but they're both badly shaken by what happened there. As for matters concerning Defiant Howl's court, everyone already understands things clearly. There is no need to hide anything."

After these words, Cen Qiusheng fell silent, and the others did not refute him. How could they?

This Frontier War was completely different from the dozens before it. Its scale was the largest in recorded history; nine upper sects were involved, eighteen major sects, and over a million cultivators in total fighting the demonic beasts for territory.

In fact, even the term "demonic beasts" was no longer accurate enough to describe the enemy. No, this time they were proper demon clans, with a proper structure and leadership. Defiant Howl truly lived up to the reputation of a prodigy; he had unified an entire domain and was leading it with uncanny proficiency. As a result, the resistance the demonic wolves put up was something absolutely unheard of.

Some reports even stated that many powerful wolf clans within the newly-minted Wolf Court came from the depths of the Great Million Mountains, from regions not under Defiant Howl's direct control. In other words, the demonic beasts were getting support from deep within the Great Million Mountains. That was why the cultivator army that had advanced smoothly at the outset was ultimately halted.

What had been touted as a thunderous sweeping advance came to an abrupt stop in less than four years. Anyone with even a bit of insight could already glimpse what lay ahead. This Frontier War would most likely follow the same path as those of the past, sinking into a protracted predicament, with no telling how many years would be needed before it could be won.

Yes—even under such circumstances, human cultivators were still optimistic. It would be difficult, but it would definitely be won.

Cen Qiusheng's gaze swept across everyone and lingered for a long while on the figure shrouded beneath the black robe. With a resolute tone, he said, "Since an agreement has already been made, I will not refuse. But whether I return alive or not, all of you must ensure that my family is treated appropriately. On this matter, I am firm."

A smile appeared on Diwu Qi's face. "That is only proper. Even if you hadn't said it, we would have done the same."

Cen Qiusheng shook his head. "That is not enough. I need a direct promise!"

After receiving Luo Chen's voice transmission, Fu Jiusheng immediately spoke up. "The Luo Tian Sect promises. We will protect your family and treat it generously."

Diwu Qi pondered for a moment and then said quietly, "If you can bring along the remaining two late-stage Initiates of the Myriad Phenomena Sect when you go, I am also willing to promise."

Cen Qiusheng frowned slightly; he did not understand why Diwu Qi repeatedly targeted the Myriad Phenomena Sect. Of course, how would he know? He had not been present when Diwu Qi ambushed their Adept at Azure Iron Mountain. But in any case, the Myriad Phenomena Sect had nothing to do with him, and he didn't hesitate for even a moment before agreeing.

He then suddenly looked toward Luo Chen. "Fire Spirit Lord, I have to embarrass myself with a request. I hope you will agree to it."

Though the black hood did not let the others see it, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Cen Guangyi has already achieved Perfected Mastery of Foundation Establishment. He should be able to form his core within the next few years. I will probably not be here for it, so I ask that you act as his guardian and protect him from any disturbance during his Core Formation. Fellow Daoist, I entrust this matter to you!"

Luo Chen pressed his lips together.

No wonder you didn't call me Fellow Daoist Luo or Dan Chenzi, but instead Fire Spirit Lord

. Still, he smiled faintly. "Understandable. I agree."

"In that case, I have no further worries." Cen Qiusheng let out a breath, and a sincere smile appeared on his aged face. He chose to trust Luo Chen's reputation as a man of integrity. Only Diwu Qi's mouth twitched slightly; he had not expected such a development to arise.

***

Time passed by quickly. Before there was even time to properly grieve Jiang Yu, Cen Qiusheng was already being sent back to the battlefield on behalf of the alliance.

On the Myriad Phenomena Sect's side, matters were rather turbulent. After Zong Jiulang had died in battle, the remaining two late-stage Initiates were to be dispatched. The sect made a commotion, yet under Cen Qiusheng's suppression, they ultimately had no choice but to send those two out.

Under the unwilling gazes of several thousand people, the Crimson Flame Dragon Boat set sail once more, but gone was the spirited vigor of the first departure. This time, the atmosphere was heavy. Amid that heaviness, Luo Chen personally saw off the two Initiates of the Luo Tian Sect heading to the battlefield. Afterward, with a flicker of light, he departed from the alliance's spirit land.

According to the rules, it would be his turn to go to the front lines next. In other words, he could no longer afford to take his sweet time with certain matters. The pace had to be accelerated!