A Chaotic World 230 Unnatural Strength

"Things are strange indeed," Formation Master Beimu agreed, her tone one of worry. "I'm sure they have already anticipated that we will solidify our advance at this point. I wonder what they are planning as well."
"Perhaps they have given up after suffering such a huge defeat, and are now contented with guarding their end of the borders?" Beimu Fei asked.
"That will certainly be for the best," Formation Master Beimu nodded.
Before Formation Master Beimu could continue, the sound of a horn suddenly reverberated in their ears, prematurely cutting off whatever she wanted to add.
The loud horn blasted across the the entire camp, stopping everyone in their tracks as they looked up in confusion.
"This is a warning horn…" Formation Master Beimu narrowed her eyes. "It seems like the Dragon Cauldron Army has finally decided to make their move."
"It is from the southern end!" Lu Tianzi turned around and sped off, not even bothering to wait for their replies.
After all, the southern end was where Elder Mingxin's battalion was based!
This meant that there was a high chance that Nanlan Qianxue, Nanqing Haowen, Juncheng, and the rest of his sect mates were still there.
Coming along with Beimu Fei to greet Formation Master Beimu, Lu Tianzi had effectively left the rest of the group alone to fend for themselves.
Of course, Lu Tianzi had felt safe to do because they were in the safety of the camp, and there were other Origin Core realm martial artists around.
But now that the warning horn had already sounded, who knew what had happened?
They were in the midst of a war right now.
If things were serious enough, even an Origin Core realm martial artist like Elder Mingxin could find it difficult to guard the lives of the members of the battalion all by herself!
In such a situation, how would Lu Tianzi still bother with proprieties, patiently waiting for the replies from Formation Master Beimu and Beimu Fei before moving out?
If he was in the mood for that, he might as well just go have some tea before strolling over slowly instead!
Of course, the one whom Lu Tianzi was truly worried about was Nanlan Qianxue.
Even though he treated Nanqing Haowen and Juncheng as friends, their relationship was ultimately still established upon a lie. Who knew what they would think or do once they discovered that Lu Tianzi was originally human?
Nanlan Qianxue, on the other hand, was the only one who could be considered a true comrade.
Seeing Lu Tianzi rush off in such a hurried manner, Formation Master Beimu looked at Beimu Fei in slight confusion.
Understanding what her Master was thinking about, Beimu Fei shrugged. "That seems to be where the Nine Suns Sect people are staying."
"So that's why…" Formation Master Beimu furrowed her eyebrows in response. "We should go take a look as well then."
Right as they were about to leave, another warning horn sounded out, this time from the northern end of the camp.
"What?!" Beimu Fei exclaimed in shock.
"Formation Master Beimu!"
The group of Origin Core realm martial artists from before had rushed over with eyes full of worry.
"Let's split up into three groups," Formation Master Beimu did not hesitate to give out instructions. "One group head to the northern end, one group head to the southern end. The third group stay with me. We will go take a look at the western end that is directly facing Rockfall Plain."
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
Many of these martial artists were leaders in their own right. Yet none of them second-guessed Formation Master Beimu, all of them willingly carrying out her instructions without question.
This was the authority that came naturally with prestige.
"I will go look for Tianzi!" Beimu Fei reported to her master before hurrying off as well.
Lu Tianzi weaved through the camp at top speed. By the time the other soldiers reacted, Lu Tianzi was already nearing the southern end.
Here, the scene took a sudden change for the worse.
All around him, things were in a complete mess!
Multiple tents had been torn down, injured people rolled around on the ground crying out in pain, and random soldiers scrambled around, trying to help whoever they could.
There were even quite a number of people who had already lost all signs of life, their limp bodies lying in a puddle of blood.
Seeing the wreckage before him, Lu Tianzi felt a chill run down his spine.
Just what could have led to this horrific scene before him?
Lu Tianzi dared not slow down one bit, moving on as he headed straight towards the edge of the camp.
"Brother Nanlu!" Nanqing Haowen's agitated voice stopped him in his tracks. "You are finally here!"
Lu Tianzi had sent both Nanlan Qianxue and Nanqing Haowen a message through his communication ring on the way. While the former had curtly answered that they were fighting the enemy, at least Nanqing Haowen had been more detailed in his explanation, telling him their exact location.
"Brother Nanqing!" Lu Tianzi dashed over immediately. "Are you all right? What exactly happened here? Where are the rest?"
Nanqing Haowen looked to be in a terrible state.
His clothes were tattered, his hair in a mess, and there was a trace of blood by the corner of his lips. Even the young Black Maned Shadow Lion by his side was limping slightly from an injury.
"It is an enemy sneak attack! They struck before we knew it, dealing us a huge blow before retreating just as fast. Elder Mingxin is now in pursuit of the enemy, and many of them are still with her. Unfortunately, I received quite a serious injury earlier, and would only be a burden if I followed along…" Nanqing Haowen explained with his head hung low. "Hurry, go on and help them!"
"Got it, you go get some rest," Lu Tianzi nodded before heading off once more.
Nanqing Haowen might be injured, but it was nothing life threatening.
Rather than waste time trying to help him, Lu Tianzi was better off seeking out the retreating enemy forces. That way, he might be able to prevent further casualties.
Along the way, all he saw were further wreckages. More than a couple of injured people called out to him for help, but Lu Tianzi decisively ignored them all.
He stretched out his perception, scanning the area for signs of Nanlan Qianxue. Even so, he failed to find any signs of her until he finally arrived at the southern boundary of the camp.
From afar, he could already see Elder Mingxin and one other Origin Core realm martial artist battling against an enemy in the air. On the ground, Nanlan Qianxue was actually the one leading the charge against the enemy Essence Condensation and Essence Building realm martial artists.
It was at this moment that Lu Tianzi finally let out a sign of relief.
At least he had finally confirmed Nanlan Qianxue's safety.
Then again, that was to be expected.
As long as she had the Frost Jade Sword in hand, the current Nanlan Qianxue was capable of defending herself against a weaker Origin Core realm martial artist, even if only for a few moments.
This also meant that as long as she was not targeted by an Origin Core realm martial artist, there shouldn't be anyone who could pose a threat to her in battle.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Lu Tianzi finally slowed down his steps to take a closer look at the enemy in the air.
In this situation, if there was anyone who could break the current balance and allow the enemy to escape, it would have to be the opponent's Origin Core realm martial artist.
Thus, he was the one whom Lu Tianzi decided to focus on first.
He was a young man with long black hair tied into a single braid behind him. His complexion was fair and his features gentle, looking more like a learned scholar than a martial artist.
However, Lu Tianzi could not help but narrow his eyes in disbelief when he saw the young man's cultivation level.
Second Cycle Origin Core…?
At the Second Cycle Origin Core realm, he was actually able to keep Elder Mingxin and her fighting partner at bay, both of whom were at the Third Origin Cycle!
Even if he had been forced to stay on the defensive throughout the entire fight, this was still an impressive feat!
What's more, his expression was calm and without a single trace of panic, almost as though he was the one who had the situation under control instead.
This made Lu Tianzi feel a deep sense of unease.
"Tianzi, go help Qianxue!" Elder Mingxin shouted out immediately upon noticing Lu Tianzi's arrival.
"Help Qianxue?" Lu Tianzi paused for a moment, unsure of Elder Mingxin's intentions.
With Nanlan Qianxue's strength, surely she would be fine against her opponents?
But upon further observation, Lu Tianzi realised that things were far from what he had expected.
Even though those from the Scarlet Moon Army were pursuing the enemy, it was like chasing after a ball of iron. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not bring down any of the retreating enemies!
In fact, despite the Frost Jade Sword in her hands, Nanlan Qianxue was actually being fended off perfectly, unable to find a single weakness in the opponent's defence!
Lu Tianzi widened his eyes in shock.
Just what was going on here?
The enemy numbered at least fifty. How could all of them be this strong, to the point where Nanlan Qianxue could not find a weak link at all?
Such strength was simply unnatural!
Had the Dragon Cauldron Army forces been this capable all along, the Scarlet Moon Army would never have been able to reach Rockfall Plain in the first place!

Chapter end