The south gate of Thousand Flower City wasn't really a gate. The city had no protective wall so there was nowhere to put one. Instead, it was a small outpost that guarded the southern road. All travelers coming from the south of the province had to report their identity and purpose of visit for the city records.
It was here where the antagonizing factions decided to reveal themselves first. A large group of bandits from all walks of life had disguised themselves as a merchant caravan. They consisted of twenty horse-drawn carriages and over a hundred people on foot.
The people on duty at the outpost consisted of the same number of hired guards as well as one person from the Zhou Clan. Zhou Jiyan was his name. He was from the same generation as Zhou Ziyun. Although his talent was relatively average, he still had a bright prospect ahead of him. As long as he worked hard, he would get a comfortable position within the Zhou Clan hierarchy as well as the wealth and power that came with it.
The bandits acted swiftly and without mercy. When the outpost guards stopped them, they burst into action. Hundreds of well-armed fighters jumped out of the carriages and attacked without warning.
"Retreat! Send help!" Zhou Jiyan shouted amidst the chaos.
That was about all he could do before several experts from the bandits descended around him. After a short exchange, his head was sent flying. He could have never expected his life to come to an end like this.
The bandits moved quickly after clearing the outpost. The carriages rumbled forward along the wide road, directly for the edge of the city and the city blocks that were still under construction or being occupied by newcomers. Behind them, more bandits appeared out of the forest and inside additional horse carriages. It was a whole army. The rats had really come prepared.
"Ahh!"
"They're killing people!"
"Help!"
The first screams rang out in the southern outskirts of Thousand Flower City. Scores of construction workers were killed in the blink of an eye. This city which had seen peaceful prosperity ever since its establishment was experiencing its first challenge.
The bandits spread out and formed several teams. They attacked multiple city blocks at the same time. Unsuspecting pedestrians were cut down before they could react. Those who ran were shot down by arrows and killed just the same.
It was chaos. Those far away didn't know what was going on. Some even ran in the direction of the commotion. Others who were confident in their own strength even intended to help others.
However, the bandits were organized and they were strong. Their lowest cultivation level was at the upper levels of the Mind Focusing Realm. And among the experts that led this operation, a few were at the peak of the Spirit Initiate Realm. Such a force was obviously not an ordinary bandit group.
"Kill! Kill everything that moves!"
With the streets quickly taken over, some of the bandits charged into the buildings. They kicked down doors or broke them with swords and axes. They hacked the inhabitants to pieces without regard. Their goal was to cause the most damage and deaths.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Quickly, block the door! They're coming!"
"Quiet! Don't make a sound"
A small family panicked inside their small residence on the upper floor of a city block. There was a young woman holding two small children. An elderly man watched over the barricaded door with an old sword in hand. His face was scarred and he was missing an arm. Even so, he was prepared to sacrifice his life to protect his daughter-in-law and his grandchildren.
They had fled the Red Bamboo Province at the onset of the monster invasion. After coming to Dragon Flower Province, they struggled for a few years before finally saving enough money to buy a property in Thousand Flower City. Although it was in the outskirts, it represented the start of a better life. They never expected that it could all come crashing down like this.
How could anyone dare to attack a city of the immortal lord? It was a matter that mortals would find difficult to understand. But reality was just so cruel. When immortals clashed, the lives of mortals were like ants, likely to be squashed into nothingness in an instant.
"Open up!"
"Resisting will only make it worse!"
"Ahhh!"
Shouts and screams pierced through the building, floor by floor. Soon, the bandits reached the door of the frightened family. They hacked through the door only to be stopped by a haphazard pile of furniture.
The bandit leader peered inside and sneered, "Old fart, you did well. We'll kill you last and make you watch as we deal with your family. Hahaha! Tear this crap down!"
"Yes, boss!"
However, before they could act, another bandit rushed up in panic.
"Boss! Not good!"
"What's wrong?"
"They are attacking!"
"Who? Is it the city guards?"
"I don't know!"
Several screams rang out, coming from the bottom floors.
"Go, check it out!" The leader ordered.
"Ahhh!"
"Stop her!"
"Kyaaah!"
A swordswoman in white strode up the stairs. Her glowing purple sword dripped with fresh blood. Her beautiful face was a mask of fury.
Wu Qianyu looked around and found her targets. These were the last remaining enemies within this building. She had rushed across half the city, riding ahead of the city guards who were still trying to organize.
"You are the leader?" She asked.
The bandit grimaced, "Kill her!"
Four other bandits brandished their weapons and rushed at her. At the same time, three more behind her attacked together.
Wu Qianyu didn't even raise her sword. She let out a sharp exhale, expelling her spiritual aura in all directions. Infused with sharp sword intent as well as her own Dao, this attack blew away the seven bandits all at once. Some struck walls while others were sent tumbling.
"Ahh!"
"It hurts!"
"Oww!"
Although nobody lost their lives, it would have been better if they had. They were currently suffering pain all over their body, even in places that weren't injured. It didn't make any sense not that they could think clearly. They were so occupied by the pain that they could no longer fight.
Sha! Sha!
Arcs of purple sword light shot out. Nobody defended themselves and the seven bandits all lost their lives in an instant.
"So, this is the famous disciple of the immortal," The leader said in a low voice, "Truly formidable."
Wu Qianyu whipped her sword around and pointed it at him, "Why did you attack Thousand Flower City? What is your purpose? Speak and I can spare your life!"
"Hahaha! Our purpose? Our purpose is death!"
Boom!
An explosion shook the whole building. It came outside but it was so strong that cracks appeared on the walls.
"Hahaha! You can kill us all but you can't stop us! Ha!"
The bandit leader raised his sword and charged. He managed to cross swords with her for three breaths before a beam of purple sword energy pierced his skull. He collapsed in a heap, a smile still on his ugly face.
Wu Qianyu let out a sigh and took stock of her surroundings. There were no enemies nearby. She found a window and looked outside where it was still chaos everywhere. The bandits were pushing north into the city. A few residents were fighting back but most were fleeing. Without hesitating, she leaped out and towards another group of bandits.