Chapter 68: Great Principle

Western City.

Within a dilapidated old mansion, the side chamber bore traces of burnt ash, and the courtyard pond was choked with weeds and green moss—long abandoned, lifeless.

In the courtyard, Li Yuanzhao and the others, clad in dark robes and led by Cui Fan, carried their weapons as they scoured the crumbling ruins, searching for signs of a Spirit Beast. But the creature had long since vanished. Nothing remained.

Just as Cui Fan was about to call off the search, a gray sparrow suddenly darted in from the sky.

Cui Fan raised his hand instinctively, and the bird landed gently upon it, its leg tied with a scroll of paper.

He unrolled the scroll with a quick flick of his fingers. His expression hardened instantly.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Wei asked from nearby, concern flickering in his voice.

Cui Fan clenched the scroll tightly, his face pale. “The patrol mission is over. We just received word—there’s a Demon Invasion of the City. We’re to rendezvous at the Western City Defense Post immediately. We’ll assess how to deploy.”

“A Demon Invasion?” The others exchanged stunned glances. Even those who had lived deep within the realm knew how grave such news was.

“Then let’s go—now!” Li Yuanzhao reacted first, urgency in his voice.

Cui Fan’s face twisted in thought. How could this happen? Was the intelligence exaggerated? He couldn’t make sense of it. But there was only one way to find out.

“Move.” He gave the order, turning to leave.

Suddenly, two figures shot through the air like streaks of lightning, landing with a soft thud. They dashed forward in perfect formation.

“Qianqian!”

“Yuanzhao!”

It was Wei Feng and Li Fu. They had already learned of the invasion and had seen the thick, ominous Demon Mist gathering in the north—ominous signs of a catastrophe.

“Uncle Wei?” Ren Qianqian blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to come.

Her sharp mind quickly deduced the truth: he must have been trailing her all along, silently guarding her from the shadows.

A faint frown touched her lips. Her heart stirred with quiet frustration. She had come here to train, to grow strong. Yet her father still couldn’t let her go. How could she ever stand on her own if he never trusted her to face danger alone?

“Fu Bo?” Li Yuanzhao was equally stunned, then realized the truth—Li Fu had come because he couldn’t bear to leave Li Hao behind.

“Where’s Hao?” Li Fu scanned the area, his voice sharp with worry. “He’s not here?”

Li Yuanzhao answered honestly, “Hao ate too much for lunch—he went to the outhouse.”

“Him? Of all times!” Li Fu muttered, irritation flaring. “Now’s not the moment to be dawdling!”

Cui Fan, sharp-eyed and perceptive, instantly understood—these two were the true guardians behind the younger ones. He felt a pang of envy and respect.

“Senior Masters,” he said, bowing slightly, “we just received news of the Demon Invasion. Is it true?”

“Don’t you trust your city’s intelligence?” Li Fu shot him a cold glance, his tone edged with irritation.

Cui Fan flinched, feeling the rebuke. But beneath the surface, his heart raced—this wasn’t a bluff. The invasion was real. A once-in-a-century crisis.

“Is it really happening?” Ren Qianqian pressed. “How many demons?”

The others leaned in, eyes wide.

Wei Feng exhaled deeply. “This wasn’t sudden. The Spirit Beasts have been planning this for a long time. You just arrived at the worst possible moment. Qianqian, come with me—I’ll get you out of the city.”

Ren Qianqian shook her head firmly. “I’m not leaving. This is my chance to train. You’re a Fifteen Li Stage cultivator—enough to hold a great city! Can’t you stop them?”

Wei Feng’s expression darkened. “I sensed a presence within the Demon Mist—a presence so deep in Demon Qi, it must be a Fifteen Li Stage cultivator, and an exceptionally strong one. And who knows what else lies hidden in the shadows? If I were alone, I’d charge in. But you—”

“I’ll protect myself,” Ren Qianqian said without hesitation.

Wei Feng shook his head. “This isn’t a matter of courage. I’m bound by my master’s command—to safeguard you. I cannot risk your life.”

“Uncle Wei, you can’t—” Ren Qianqian’s voice cracked with frustration.

Beside him, Li Fu’s gaze flickered with quiet intensity. He turned to Li Yuanzhao. “Find Hao. Bring him here. Stay put. I’m sending a message back to the clan. Even if this is the Xia Family’s territory, I can’t ignore this. I must go north. If we don’t act, the city will fall.”

He turned to Wei Feng. “Brother Wei, I ask you to watch over my two young kin. I’ll never forget this debt.”

Wei Feng didn’t refuse. To earn the favor of the Li Clan was no small honor.

“Fine,” he said. “You’re really going to face the demons in the north?”

“Born into a military family,” Li Fu said with solemn pride, “how could I turn away when I see the threat? Even if this land belongs to the Xia Family, I cannot stand idle.”

Wei Feng’s eyes sharpened. He bowed slightly. “Your sense of duty is admirable, Brother Li. Go. As long as I live, I’ll protect them.”

“Then I’m at peace,” Li Fu said, nodding.

With a Fifteen Li Stage master watching over them, they were safer than if Li Fu had stayed. He turned to Li Yuanzhao. “Yuanzhao, stay close. Find Hao. No matter what.”

Li Yuanzhao nodded firmly.

With that, Li Fu leapt into the sky, vanishing toward the northern horizon.

Wei Feng watched him go, then turned to Li Yuanzhao. “Come. Let’s find your brother.”

Li Yuanzhao’s heart pounded. He was terrified for Li Hao. He nodded quickly—then glanced at Cui Fan.

Cui Fan sighed, forced a smile. “Well… shall we regroup first, then head to Western City?”

Wei Feng shook his head. “Defending the city is your duty. I only protect my master’s charge—my lady, and the Li Clan’s young heir. The rest is none of my concern. As for your evaluation… do as you please.”

The word “as you please” was emphasized—sharp, almost mocking.

He wasn’t like Li Fu. He had no obligation to this city. He could leave. Stay. Do as he pleased.

Cui Fan fell silent, then quickly said, “The patrol mission is over. Their performance was excellent. I’ll report it truthfully. But—”

Wei Feng cut in with a cold laugh. He knew exactly what Cui Fan was trying to do—bind him to the city. He opened his mouth to rebuke him—

But Ren Qianqian stepped forward, voice firm.

“Uncle Wei, I’m staying. I won’t let these demons slaughter innocent people!”

“Miss!” Wei Feng’s face paled.

She drew her sword in one swift motion, pressing the blade across her own forearm. Her eyes burned with resolve.

“If you try to knock me out and drag me away, I’ll cut off my arm the moment I wake.”

“Miss…” Wei Feng’s chest tightened. He knew she was young, kind-hearted, but this was madness.

He exhaled, defeated. “Fine. I’ll stay and assess the situation. But if it turns dangerous—no exceptions—you follow my orders. Or I’ll take you back to the mountain myself. My master will deal with you.”

Ren Qianqian paled, then nodded. “Understood.”

With that, they set off—leaving the old mansion behind, racing toward the Demon Subduing Bureau.

But the Bureau was empty. The hall was deserted.

After questioning a lone warehouse attendant, they learned that everyone had already been deployed—scattered to the city’s four gates under the command of the city defense forces.

“Hao! Hao!” Li Yuanzhao called out, searching frantically. No sign of Li Hao.

At that moment, a yellow smoke signal erupted from the city wall—

The battle alarm.

Ren Qianqian’s face drained of color. “It’s too late. We must go to Western City. Uncle Wei, use your Spirit Soul to search—where is Hao?”

Wei Feng nodded. But inside, he felt no real fear. The Li Clan elder who had been following them hadn’t shown up yet. And Li Fu had left so confidently—likely because that hidden guardian was still watching.

That man could effortlessly kill two Fifteen Li Stage serpent spirits. If he chose to act, the entire demon crisis could be ended before it began.

Under Wei Feng and Cui Fan’s guidance, the group hurried toward the Western City’s wall.

Wei Feng revealed his strength. The city defense commander, bowing respectfully, welcomed them and led them onto the wall.

As they stepped onto the battlements, their eyes widened.

Beyond the wall, the wasteland was alive with movement.

Thousands of Spirit Beasts surged forward—emerging from the distant mountain forests, as if united with the northern horde. They were preparing to breach the city walls in a coordinated assault.

“Hundreds… no, thousands of them!” Li Yuanzhao gasped, his face ashen.

Ren Qianqian and the others stood frozen. Even seasoned soldiers trembled, their hearts pounding.

The beasts were massive, grotesque, some transforming mid-leap into swirling Demon Mist. The air was filled with their eerie, screeching laughter—chilling, soul-wrenching.

It was a true Spirit Beast uprising.

“Uncle Wei… have you found Hao?” Li Yuanzhao asked, voice strained.

Wei Feng was about to reply—when his eyes snapped toward the sky.

Two figures raced across the horizon—flying in perfect tandem.

And then, he saw the one in front—

A young man in a dark robe, soaring through the wind like a storm-born shadow.

Wei Feng’s breath caught.

Could it be? That boy—the one from the Divine General’s Residence—was flying?

In shock, he watched as Li Hao, accompanied by City Guardian Yue Shuhong, descended from the sky with grace and power.

Li Hao spotted Li Yuanzhao and the others. He landed before them, calm, composed—his presence a beacon in the storm.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end