Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Chapter 274 The Final Battle Begins_1

"Has there been news from Yulong City?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing and several other Innate Realm martial arts grandmasters' expressions changed drastically. The situation in Yan State was in great chaos, and it was extremely difficult to convey information. They were in the dark about the extent of developments in Yulong City. Enjoy more content from empire

"Could it be that something has happened in Yulong City?" Wang Jiuzhi's brow furrowed. They had some clarity about the initial situation in Yulong City; facing the barbarian horde of 120,000, the city's defenses were not particularly strong.

But there was no helping it—Yongxue City was also in a dire situation, and the main forces of both sides were concentrated here.

One could say that the barbarians and the demonic sects had divided the battlefield into two, significantly dissipating Da Xia's focus.

"Damned Cao Shuang, I must kill him!" Wang Jiuzhi's expression was icy as his killing intent towards the Marquis of Pingxi surged.

No one could have imagined that the Marquis of Pingxi, who had suppressed the frontiers for Da Xia for so many years, would betray Da Xia and join the demonic sects.

Once the battle of Yan State concluded, if this news were to spread, it would shake the entire world.

The two grandmasters from the Wang family and the elderly lady from the Yao Platform Sect also darkened with worry. If Yulong City fell, wouldn't all their younger generations be lost there?

Such a loss was truly difficult for the Wang family and the Yao Platform Sect to accept.

In that moment, what first came to mind for the five Innate Realm grandmasters was the possibility that Yulong City had fallen.

Because, apart from Yulong City's fall and the barbarian army driving straight in, there would be no other news coming from there.

"Come in!" the Metropolitan Procurator of Yan State Jing Tian Department, Yan Qing, called out in a deep voice.

Inevitably, even this seasoned official, boasting a complete Innate Realm cultivation, couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness in his heart.

Chen Yu, upon hearing the call, walked in from outside the hall. As he noticed all the martial arts grandmasters looking at him with solemn expressions, Chen Yu was momentarily taken aback.

"Has something happened in Yulong City?" Wang Jiuzhi asked Chen Yu, his expression grave.

Yan Qing, along with the two grandmasters from the Wang family, and the elderly lady from the Yao Platform Sect, were all fixed intently on Chen Yu.

Under the gaze of five Innate Realm grandmasters, Chen Yu suddenly felt his body tense up, his muscles tightening.

He took a deep breath and respectfully said with a salute, "My lord, nothing has happened in Yulong City."

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing this, all five people, including Yan Qing, were visibly taken aback, for they did not expect such a response from Chen Yu.

"Nothing has happened in Yulong City?" Wang Jiuzhi, seemingly in disbelief, repeated the question.

Chen Yu felt a bit helpless but still responded, "My lord, it is true that nothing has happened to Yulong City."

"Then what are you here to report?" Wang Jiuzhi's confusion deepened, with even Yan Qing furrowing his brow slightly, puzzled.

At this, a smile appeared on Chen Yu's face as he announced loudly, "My lords, Yulong City—has achieved a great victory!"

"What?!"

At these words, Wang Jiuzhi abruptly stood up from his seat. Even the Metropolitan Procurator of Yan State Jing Tian Department, Yan Qing, clenched his fist tightly, while the two grandmasters from the Wang family and the elderly lady from the Yao Platform Sect all jolted with shock.

"Did you just say Yulong City achieved a great victory?" Wang Jiuzhi clearly found it hard to believe.

Yan Qing and the other three grandmasters were also staring intently at Chen Yu, wanting to hear the truth of the matter from his own mouth.

Chen Yu confirmed yet again, "My lord, the news is accurate, Yulong City has triumphed greatly. The barbarian army of 120,000 suffered heavy casualties."

"How is that possible?"

No one could blame Wang Jiuzhi and the others for their disbelief, for they were all too aware of the military strength remaining in Yulong City—up against a barbarian army of 120,000, it was already difficult enough to defend the city, let alone win a decisive victory?

It was almost like a dream.

"Explain the details of the event," said Yan Qing, the Metropolitan Procurator of Yan State Jing Tian Department, in a serious tone.

"Yes."

Then, Chen Yu relayed the details of the battle at Yulong City, exactly as he had learned from Gu Chen, to the five Innate Realm martial arts grandmasters present.

"Gu Chen?! So he is alive!" exclaimed Wang Jiuzhi, visibly relieved upon hearing the name.

"Is he the one who cultivated the indestructible Vajra body?" asked one of the grandmasters from the Wang family.

"So it is him," the elderly lady from the Yao Platform Sect remarked with realization, obviously recognizing the name Gu Chen.

"This is wonderful!"

Upon learning of the great victory at Yulong City, Wang Jiuzhi was visibly invigorated, his earlier defeatism swept away.

Even Yan Qing and the other four grandmasters showed rare smiles on their faces, their moods considerably lightened.

"I never expected that without making a sound, he would breakthrough to the grandmaster realm. I thought he had met with an accident!" said Wang Jiuzhi to himself.

Despite this, they were all actually very shocked in their hearts. Although Chen Yu glossed over many details because Gu Chen hadn't spoken much about his own actions, including Wang Jiuzhi, all five Innate Realm grandmasters knew that the victory at Yulong City was undoubtedly all thanks to Gu Chen.

"What a man, Gu Chen, a pity that with the current chaos in Yan State, otherwise, he would surely be rewarded greatly!" Wang Jiuzhi said with regret.

Yan Qing, the Metropolitan Procurator of Yan State Jing Tian Department, nodded slightly, acknowledging that if it were any other time, for such great achievements as Gu Chen's, not only the Jing Tian Department but even the Imperial Court would have to grant him significant honors.

Unfortunately, it was a time of emergency, and the situation in Yan State was still very grave, so they could not give Gu Chen any recognition at the moment.

"Where is he now?" Wang Jiuzhi asked.

"My lord, he is in the City Lord's Mansion."

At this moment, the Jing Tian Department's defense commander of Yan State, Yan Qing, spoke, "We achieved a great victory in the battle of Yulong City, which has settled a matter that weighed on my mind. While there's still time, you all should quickly take your leave with your men."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu was momentarily stunned, failing to grasp the meaning behind Yan Qing's words.

Wang Jiuzhi and the other three martial arts grandmasters, however, had their expressions darken, and Wang Jiuzhi advised, "Sir, we were victorious in the battle for Yulong City, and the battle for Yongxue City may not necessarily be beyond our reach!"

Yan Qing shook his head slightly. Yulong City was Yulong City, and Yongxue City was Yongxue City. Although Yulong City had an army of a hundred and twenty thousand barbarians, their high-tier power only consisted of three grandmasters.

But what about Yongxue City? Da Xia, the barbarians, the demon sects, and the top forces from Yan State's Jianghu, when all these forces joined together, the grandmasters sent to the battlefield numbered in the tens. Moreover, there were as many as eleven grandmasters at the Innate Realm, a stark contrast to the battle at Yulong City.

Wang Jiuzhi obviously knew that the battle for Yongxue City was going to be extremely tough; if they continued to be worn down, more people from Da Xia would die, and it was very likely that even they wouldn't survive.

Because, the demon sects had always been collecting essence blood on the battlefield, and once one or two undead of the abyssal level were born, everyone on Da Xia's side was bound to die without question.

"Jiuzhi, there's no point in continuing this stubborn resistance. Preserving our limited strength is what truly matters," Yan Qing said solemnly.

The three grandmasters of the Wang family and the Yao Platform Sect remained silent, not saying a word. Clearly, they had also accepted this point.

Chen Yu, down below, finally understood what the five grandmasters were discussing. He could see that the commander Yan Qing was prepared to die, believing that Da Xia was bound to lose the battle for Yan State and was urging them to evacuate now.

With that thought, the exhilaration from the triumphant victory at Yulong City instantly vanished, and Chen Yu was extremely unwilling in his heart.

He didn't want to give up Yan State without a fight, but, if even the grandmasters of the Innate Realm had no solution, what could he do?

Seeing that Wang Jiuzhi remained silent, Yan Qing heaved a soft sigh and said, "You've just achieved the Innate Realm, and your future holds great promise. There's also Gu Chen, whose talent can be considered exceptional in all the lands, including the various commanders and Metropolitan Procurators, as well as those soldiers who are loyal to Da Xia.

Every single one of your lives is of utmost importance; there's no need to stay here and die with me."

Wang Jiuzhi's expression was cold and unyielding, unwilling to compromise. He said, "Then let everyone leave as quickly as possible. I'll stay here!"

For Wang Jiuzhi, Yan Qing's favor was as heavy as a mountain, and having worked together for many years, his respect for Yan Qing was immense. The thought of fleeing to save his own life and leaving Yan Qing alone here was absolutely unthinkable for Wang Jiuzhi.

The temperament of Wang Jiuzhi was well-understood by Yan Qing and the other two grandmasters from the Wang family. Seeing Wang Jiuzhi's persistent reluctance, Yan Qing also couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Just as he was about to give a forceful order for everyone to leave, the ground suddenly began to shake, and at the same time, a majestic voice echoed from the heavens and the earth.

"Yan Qing, come out and meet your death!"

The voice, layer upon layer, reverberated throughout Yongxue City, long-lasting and unceasing.

The leader of the Holy Shadows Sect!

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing's face darkened instantly; he knew that the barbarian and demon sects might be preparing for a final assault!

It was already too late to leave.

"I've involved you two," Yan Qing said to the three grandmasters of the Wang family and the Yao Platform Sect as he gave a clasped-fist salute.

"Never mind that," the three grandmasters shook their heads, their faces turning grave.

Soon after, the army within Yongxue City stirred and converged toward the city gates, and Yan Qing and the others were the first to arrive there.

Not far off, a vast swarming mass of black dots surged like a tide—barbarian soldiers one after another, with a man in black robes leading them, his face grim. It was actually the Marquis of Pingxi!

He was indeed the leader of this barbarian army!

Behind him followed Lin Zhan, Xu Wei, and others.

"Cao Shuang!"

Seeing this, Wang Jiuzhi's face turned fierce, and even Yan Qing and the other two grandmasters' expressions darkened.

"Lord Wang, long time no see," the Marquis of Pingxi, Cao Shuang, said with a slight smile, greeting them from a distance.

Merging with an undead had changed the Marquis of Pingxi, making his aura even more sinister. Not only that, but he'd also taken this opportunity to break through to the Hundred Orifices Stage, with specks of light twinkling all over his body.

The Marquis had been stuck at the stage of Transformation for quite a while, but after merging with the undead, he realized how terrifying they were.

With such power, the Six Union God Sect, in the Marquis's view, was indeed worthy of ruling the world.

The undead inside of him was the perfect tool to help him realize his ambitions.

The only regret was that they hadn't captured Gu Chen and taken all his potential, leaving the Marquis with a bit of remorse.

"Lord Yan, Lord Wang, and all of you, today, Yongxue City will certainly fall, and the entirety of Yan State will be overrun. Why must you insist on holding this place? Why not join my God Sect and together we plot for the world?" the Marquis of Pingxi spoke aloud.

"The God Sect? Cao Shuang, you sure switch sides fast. And quite shamelessly too!" Wang Jiuzhi said with a cold voice.

The Marquis of Pingxi did not get angry, after all, Wang Jiuzhi was a grandmaster of the Innate Realm. With a faint smile, he said, "A wise man submits to the times. The Human Emperor has fallen, and Da Xia's twilight years are upon it. It will not last long. Why don't you, like me, seek a new path?"

"You can forget about that idea. We disdain to associate with demon sect fiends!" a grandmaster from the Wang family said with a stern face.

When he heard the term "demon sect fiends," the Marquis of Pingxi's face immediately darkened and, with a cold huff, he said, "You do not know what's good for you!"

"What a demon sect fiend!"

Suddenly, the void trembled violently, the heavens and earth thundered, and in the sky not far from Yongxue City, seven figures appeared, crossing the sky effortlessly.

Only grandmasters at the Innate Realm could achieve such a feat of levitating and traversing the void!

"Seven?!"

At that moment, Yan Qing and the others' pupils contracted. The barbarian and demon sect alliance had gained another grandmaster at the Innate Realm?!

At that moment, as the seven grandmasters stood suspended above the ground, they were like seven towering mountains, overwhelming the area. The air itself seemed to freeze, and their powerful auras made it so that everyone in Yongxue City was stiff, struggling to breathe, their bodies trembling.