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Chapter 223: Sand Disaster
Chapter 223: Sand Disaster
Sixth-Stage Demon Beast!
The Grand Proclamation categorized demon beasts into ten stages, with the first to sixth stages corresponding to the strength of a warrior at the stages of Skin Toughening, Flesh Tempering, Sinew Transformation, Bone Forging, Organ Realms, and Six Viscera Realm respectively.
Just like the Organ Realms, the Six Viscera Realm had no significant differences in minor stages. However, if one were to differentiate based on strength, they could be roughly divided into 'Weaker', 'Stronger', 'Extremely Strong', and 'Peak'.
The 'Weaker' category was basically those who had barely entered the Six Viscera Realm and had not yet comprehended the second step of their Mystic Intention. Their strength was roughly equivalent to Meng Danyun, who had mastered the second step of two Mystic Intentions—Wind and Water—but had not yet reached the Six Viscera Realm.
The 'Stronger' category included Meng Danyun, who had barely made the cut. After experiencing the Six Viscera Realm's Returning to the Source, her strength had essentially doubled compared to the Organ Realms. Additionally, with the advancement to the second step of Gale and Water Cavern Intention, she was roughly at this level.
The 'Extremely Strong' category was on par with Chu Jing Su and Xia Hou Yan's current level. They were not yet at the level of the Gale Wind Rankings, but they were much stronger than Meng Danyun, who had just entered the Six Viscera Realm. Their Mystic Intention was much deeper, and their Primordial Energy was also much stronger.
The 'Peak' level belonged to those on the Gale Wind Rankings.
A sixth-stage demon beast was roughly between the 'Weaker' and 'Stronger' levels. There were basically no demon beasts at the 'Extremely Strong' level, let alone higher stages, as they were beyond the scope of the sixth stage and belonged to the seventh stage.
"A sixth-stage demon beast, and it's right at the beginning of its arrival. What a formidable foe."
Chen Mu's thoughts echoed silently within him.
Having experienced numerous demon disasters in Jade Prefecture, he had never encountered a sixth-stage demon beast. Now, shortly after arriving in Sand County, a sixth-stage demon beast had appeared. The situation on the border was entirely different from that of the inland regions.
Even though Jade Prefecture was relatively remote compared to Jade State, it was still considered part of the mainland. It had been swept through by the Seven Mysteries Sect multiple times, and there were rarely any demon beasts above the sixth or seventh stages. However, Sand County was different. Beyond Yunlu Pass, there was almost no human presence, and it was rare for anyone to venture deep into the desert for decades. As a result, the level of demon beasts gradually increased.
Inside the stone chamber.
All the guards were solemn.
A sixth-stage demon beast was no trivial matter. After all, at Yunlu Pass, there was usually only one Six Viscera Realm expert, Xia Hou Yan, and under his command were seven Marquis at the Organ Realms.
Aside from Xia Hou Yan, the others could barely fight a sixth-stage demon beast if they joined forces, but their chances of victory were low.
"Should I go there?"
Chen Mu asked Xia Hou Yan proactively.
However, Xia Hou Yan's eyes were grave, and he shook his head. "No, I'll go myself to prevent any mishaps."
He knew that Chen Mu was very strong, having made it onto the Rising Talent List a year and a half ago and mastering the second step of three Mystic Intentions. Now, a year and a half later, he must have made significant progress in the Seven Mysteries Sect. Even if he faced a sixth-stage demon beast, he could definitely put up a fight.
Nevertheless, since Chen Mu had not yet entered the Six Viscera Realm, Xia Hou Yan still did not want him to take the risk. If Meng Danyun or Chu Jing Su were here, he would have entrusted the task to them. Moreover, the Southern Twenty-Third Fortification was not too far from the main pass, so he could quickly reach it and return soon after dealing with the situation.
Swish!
Xia Hou Yan left swiftly, and as soon as he finished speaking, his entire person disappeared within the stone chamber.
Seeing Xia Hou Yan's decisive departure, Chen Mu did not say anything and continued to sense the fluctuations of the Earth Quintessence Stone's Earth Meridian power. However, after the previous six fluctuations, it had returned to stability.
"The array is truly exquisite..."
Chen Mu carefully sensed the intricacies of the Profound Origin Earth Array.
In essence, the existence of arrays utilized unique spirit materials to harness the power of the Earth Meridian, or the Heavenly-Earth power, creating a stable cycle that could be controlled.
Strictly speaking, there was not much difference between a warrior controlling the Heavenly-Earth power and an array. The difference was that warriors used Mystic Intentions, which were their personal insights, while arrays relied on 'Spirit Materials' and did not require insight because the spirit materials could directly resonate with the Heavenly-Earth power.
This was actually his first real encounter with an array. Although he knew about the existence of the Skyward Dragon Locking Array in the Seven Mysteries Sect, he had not yet qualified to study it.
Through this Profound Origin Earth Array.
Unconsciously, Chen Mu gained some insights into the flow of the Earth Meridian power.
"It's good that I don't have to take action. If I carefully comprehend this Profound Origin Earth Array, I should also gain a lot of experience."
A thought flashed through Chen Mu's mind, and as if in response to his thoughts, the next moment, the fluctuations in his perception appeared again, this time at the most remote node of the Earth Meridian.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Almost all the guards in the stone house turned pale once more.
"The seventy-seventh Northern Fortification is under a demon attack! A sixth-stage demon beast has appeared!"
One of the guards spoke urgently.
Liu Jing, who was responsible for assisting Xia Hou Yan, had a grim expression. "Why is it a sixth-stage demon beast again?"
Although Yunlu Pass was a remote border pass, and the desert outside was usually uninhabited, sixth-stage demon beasts were not that common, especially during the early stages of a sandstorm. Now, two locations had reported the appearance of sixth-stage demon beasts.
Xia Hou Yan had just left for the Southern Twenty-Third Fortification, and he had not been gone for long. The Six Viscera Realm Protector from the Seven Mysteries Sect had not yet arrived, making the manpower to deal with the sixth-stage demon beast severely insufficient. The situation was becoming complicated.
However...
Liu Jing turned his gaze towards Chen Mu, who was standing next to the Earth Quintessence Stone.
As a Rising Talent on the list, Chen Mu was only at the Organ Realms, but he could definitely put up a fight against a sixth-stage demon beast. At the very least, he could delay and resist until the arrival of other Protectors from the Seven Mysteries Sect or until Xia Hou Yan was free.
But sending Chen Mu was still a risky decision. After all, dealing with a sixth-stage demon beast during a sandstorm disaster was dangerous, and no one could predict if there would be any unforeseen circumstances.
"The seventy-seventh Northern Fortification?"
At this moment, Chen Mu had already withdrawn his hand from the Earth Quintessence Stone and spoke calmly.
"Yes..."
Liu Jing looked at Chen Mu and immediately responded. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Chen Mu walking upwards and disappearing into the stone house after a few steps.
Liu Jing was slightly startled and quickly followed, saying, "Chen True Disciple, be careful. If the situation becomes unmanageable, temporarily abandon the pass!"
But Chen Mu's figure was already out of sight, and only his voice echoed through the spiral passage.
Seeing Chen Mu's departure.
Liu Jing couldn't help but shake his head and let out a bitter laugh.
This True Disciple of Lingxuan Peak was indeed fearless. With no hesitation, he went to face the sixth-stage demon beast. Perhaps this was the audacity of a rising talent, and one could only hope that nothing would go wrong.
……
Yunlu Pass.
The Northern Seventy-Seventh Fortification.
This place is one of the northernmost fortifications of Yunlu Pass, and just a few dozen li north, one enters the borders of Bingzhou.
In addition to the endless yellow sand stretching as far as the eye can see, the climate here is noticeably colder.
At this moment,
Dark clouds blanket the sky, and the raging sandstorm sweeps across the land, forming a hundred-zhang-high wall of dust and sand that engulfs the towering Yunlu Cliff and completely covers the fortification located above it, making it almost impossible to keep one's eyes open.
Amidst this ferocious sandstorm, there are about a dozen demonic creatures struggling to climb the towering Yunlu Cliff, and one of them has already reached the top of the cliff and entered the fortification, where it roars amidst the swirling dust and sand.
"Roar!"
Its eyes are bloodshot, and it pounces towards a nearby domed building, then suddenly swipes its claws, causing the entire structure to collapse and shatter.
However, there is no one inside.
Not only is there no one in this domed building, but at this moment, the entire fortification seems to be completely empty.
Aside from the main pass, the other smaller fortifications at Yunlu Pass are mainly used for surveillance, and the soldiers stationed at each are not particularly strong, with their leaders only reaching the Sinew Transformation Realm.
They can hold off second and third-stage demonic creatures during sandstorms, but once they encounter fourth-stage or higher creatures, they immediately retreat into the buildings or even the tunnels carved within the Yunlu Cliff.
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
The fortifications built on the Yunlu Cliff are not very sturdy.
However, the interior of the Yunlu Cliff is infused with Earth Meridian Power, making it much more durable than the structures above. It is not something that can be easily torn apart.
At this moment,
In a cramped stone chamber, over twenty soldiers crowd around a small piece of Earth Quintessence Stone in the center.
"Damn, are you sure you didn't mistake it? It's really a sixth-stage demonic creature?"
"It can't be wrong, it's a sixth-stage Sand Phantom."
"What if I'm wrong? The signal has been sent out for half a quarter of an hour... I hope the arrangements above can buy us some more time."
The soldiers are all tense.
The fortifications are specially arranged with some enticing demonic creature bait, which can make the creatures more agitated and restless, causing them to destroy the buildings above, thus delaying them at the pass.
However, the problem is that the demonic creature that has arrived is too terrifying, a sixth-stage existence, truly an unlucky encounter! After all, there are over a hundred fortifications in the entire Yunlu Pass, and even during sandstorms, it is rare to encounter sixth-stage creatures. Most of the time, the sandstorms only carry some scattered second and third-stage creatures.
A sixth-stage demon beast is a terrifying existence that only the governor, Xia Hou Yan, can handle in this hundreds-of-li-long Yunlu Pass.
The critical issue is that they are located at one of the most remote fortifications, over a hundred li away from the main pass. Even if Xia Hou Yan rushes over, it would still take nearly two quarters of an hour. From the time they realized something was wrong and sent out an urgent report to the arrival of the sandstorm, only half a quarter of an hour has passed.
Now, the demonic creature is wreaking havoc, destroying the fortifications.
No one knows if they can hold out for another quarter of an hour.
From time to time, sounds of movement come from above, further heightening the tension in everyone's hearts.
Another half a quarter of an hour passes, and suddenly, a loud rumble echoes through the stone chamber above the soldiers' heads. The sealed ceiling is torn open by a violent force, and in an instant, a stream of dust and sand pours through the passage, accompanied by a suffocating demonic aura. The soldiers see a massive head appear in the cave, staring into the passage and gazing at the stone chamber where the soldiers are hiding.
Oh no.
The soldiers in the stone chamber are all shocked.
Although there are arrangements outside and inside, and there is bait to conceal their scent and presence, it is difficult to hide from the perception of fifth and sixth-stage demonic creatures, let alone trying to remain hidden for an extended period.
"Sand Python..."
The two dozen soldiers, including their captain, are all too scared to breathe.
This is not the sixth-stage demonic creature but a fifth-stage Sand Python. However, for them, it is still a terrifying existence that they cannot possibly confront, just like a tiny ant before a giant.
What they fear the most is the timing. By the time help arrives from the main pass, it might be too late.
Boom!
A loud rumble echoes as the massive Sand Python spits out a thick snake tongue and charges towards the passage, attempting to enter the stone chamber. However, its enormous size causes the passage to rumble and even break apart, but it still cannot get in.
The stone chamber is located within the Yunlu Cliff, which is infused with Earth Meridian Power, making it much more durable than the structures above.
The Sand Python repeatedly rams the passage, breaking some parts but unable to force its way in. Although the passage is long, it is clear that it cannot enter in a short time.
It shakes its head, and its snake eyes seem to express human-like anger. It spits out its tongue again, and suddenly, a surge of demonic energy gathers, forming a torrent of sand from all directions.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Wei and the other soldiers turn pale with fear.
This is what they fear the most!
Fourth-stage demonic creatures are manageable, as their size prevents them from entering. But fifth-stage creatures possess 'demonic energy' akin to the 'Essence Energy' of Viscera Realm warriors, allowing them to employ extraordinary means.
In the next moment, a flash of blood-red light flickers in the Sand Python's eyes, and the sand torrent converging from all directions transforms into a concentrated stream, rushing towards the passage.
But.
At that very moment.
As Zhang Wei and the other soldiers watch in astonishment, a streak of light flashes from afar and pins itself at the entrance of the passage, blocking the entire sand torrent! The raging sand, upon reaching the light, crumbles and disperses, and not a single grain of sand enters the passage or the stone chamber, completely blocked by that streak of light.
"That's..."
Zhang Wei and the others all reveal a look of surprise.
They see clearly that the blade pinning the passage and blocking the sand torrent is glowing with a faint red light!
(End of Chapter)
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