Those that died didn't even get a chance to scream. Even those that had barely touched this spiritual shield turned to ash in a split second, from a searing blue flame that instantly covered them from head to toe. The remaining disciples looked around and at each other. Although they had been turned into crazed killing beasts by some secret medicine, they still had the instincts of self-preservation.
One-Eyed Tu Jing clicked his tongue, "How did the shield array get activated? All the guard commanders are dead."
He glanced at his feet to make sure that it was indeed the case. All of the commanders had been killed without a chance to perform their critical duty. It should have been an easy task from that point on to destroy the teleportation array and deal Ten Thousand Flower Valley a heavy blow.
"We'll have to go with the second plan." He said and raised a message talisman.
After a brief pause, it shot into the air and disappeared amidst the clouds.
The first plan hinged on disabling the teleportation array. This way, the master of Ten Thousand Flower Valley could not return within half a day at least. The attackers had the time to pick their targets and accomplish their goals. It wasn't necessarily a suicide mission like it normally was to attack an immortal's territory. Now, it definitely was.
"Everyone, take your second pills. You know what to do afterward!" Tu Jing ordered.
His disciples took out the second and last pill from their bottles and swallowed it. Their bodies surged with strange spiritual auras. They all howled as if in pain and some doubled over. After a moment, they all straightened, looking like they had lost most of their lifespan. Each person's face was shriveled like a dried plum and their complexion was white as chalk.
At this moment, a series of angry shouts filled the city square.
"Kill!"
"Kill the criminals!"
A squad of hundred city guards dressed in shiny armor charged over, waving spears and swords. They were furious at being attacked and eager to avenge their fellow guards. They quickly saw Tu Jing's group and picked up speed, going into a battle frenzy.
"Kill them all!"
"Avenge Brother Zhou!"
Amidst the shouts, two of Tu Jing's disciples rushed up and threw themselves at the front row of the charging guards. With such disparity in numbers, even two people driven crazy by medicine couldn't win. However, the two people simply leaped into the fray and exploded, turning into large purple clouds. These clouds quickly swept through the troops, causing them to cough violently and scream in pain. A short while later, they had all fallen over, never to get up again.
Tu Jing saw the carnage and smiled, "Good, there are still enemies everywhere, go!"
His remaining disciples turned in many directions and charged toward the innocent people who were scattered across the city square and the wide avenues.
Pu!
Pu!
Pu!
Three rays of sword light descended from afar, piercing three of the disciples before they had even moved their feet. The three corpses then exploded into three clouds of purple poison, far away from possible victims.
"Who!" Tu Jing shouted, facing the north.
From that direction, a person approached rapidly, faster than a warhorse at full gallop. More sword lights erupted from their sword, striking the Herbal Master's disciples where they stood.
Peng Lingxi came to a stop at a safe distance, about fifty meters away. She flicked her sword at the remaining scattered enemies, destroying them in quick succession, before turning to the strongest one.
"You," She said, pointing her sword at him, "What is your relationship with the Nine Poison Gorge?"
"Heh… were you the one who activated the shield array?" Tu Jing retorted, "You arrived quite fast."
"You don't want to answer my question? That's fine too, then answer to my sword!"
Peng Lingxi thrust her sword forward, driving a sharp ray of sword light toward Tu Jing's forehead.
Ping!
A sword appeared in Tu Jing's hand, which swept upward to deflect the attack, sending it flying into the sky. There was a long pause as the two stared at each other. Peng Lingxi was at the Lesser Realm of Spiritual Growth. Tu Jing wasn't at the same level but the pill he ingested allowed him to temporarily match her strength.
"So, you are from Nine Poison Gorge. Your Nine Poison Sword Art is pretty good."
Tu Jing smiled thinly and raised his sword in a strange stance, "It's better than good."
Peng Lingxi laughed brightly and attacked.
---
"I activated the shield array." Chen Wentian said.
He was currently in the form of a silvery sparrow which was perched on Zhou Ziyun's shoulder. Together, they were looking over a map of Thousand Flower City arranged on a large table. Several flags of different colors were arrayed across the map. There was a small collection at the city center as well as a larger collection to the south. Elsewhere, there were small pockets of various colors.
"They killed everyone around the teleportation array." He said, "Lingxi has engaged their leader…"
The situation was urgent so it was quicker to directly convey information through his souls.
"Qianyu has reached the southern outskirts and is fighting the bandits. Additional reinforcements from the central garrison have also arrived. Chengcheng is still mobilizing her disciples within the House of Paradise."
"Mmm, what about the other city guard garrisons?" Zhou Ziyun asked.
Chen Wentian paused to review some of his shadow anchors. "The eastern garrison has deployed to their posts on the bridges. The northern garrison is still gathering. The western garrison… has already clashed with unknown enemies."
He paused again to look over his remaining shadow anchors, "Three groups of enemies."
He pointed to the map, placing three small ethereal feathers in specific locations to the west. This was in addition to the ten or so other feathers already scattered around the city.
This time, they had severely underestimated the number of rats in the city. There were so many that Chen Wentian couldn't keep track of them all. Some of those he was tracking didn't do anything today while others he wasn't even aware of popped out to bite them.
Enemies were everywhere but it didn't mean they had to panic. Chen Wentian decided that this was a good opportunity for his disciples. He wanted to see how they would react and handle the challenges. He would not interfere unless he had to.
"Zhou Lai!" Zhou Ziyun called out.
"Yes, clan head!" Zhou Lai entered the room and bowed.
"Prepare my horse, we are going to support the west. Gather all available fighters for me. Get everyone!"
"Everyone?"
"Yes!" Zhou Ziyun snapped, "The west is our most vulnerable spot. The east looks over the Dragon River and to the north leads to the sect. Only the south and west lead to open land where more enemies can gather."
"Yes, clan head!"
The Zhou Clan headquarters erupted into activity at her command. Soon, clan members rushed out on horseback and in carriages towards the western outskirts. Those who remained behind were frail elders and youths with low cultivation.
---
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