The Xiao Yue uproar (Part one)
The three newly-leveled Five-Star Zombie were quickly killed by Zhuge Xiang and his companions. Immediately afterward, the Record Badge worn by Zhuge Xiang three of them flashed with light, and a black Corpse Qi emanated from the Zombie's bodies. At the same time, the values on the badges increased by one hundred points each.
The points earned for killing Zombie vary depending on their strength: One-Star Zombie earn 1 point, Two-Star zombies earn 3 points, Three-Star zombies earn 10 points, Four-Star earn 30 points, and Five-Star zombies earn 100 points...
One-Star increase in strength yields approximately three times the points gained. For example, killing a single Hairy Zombie would earn a full 1000 points.
"Mizheng, didn't you go back to the Inn? How come you're trapped here by a few Zombie?" Zhuge Xiang asked Mizheng after putting away the Sword of Slaughter.
Judging from Mizheng's appearance, his body was covered in wounds, and the blood from the places where he was scratched by the Zombie had turned a light black color, clearly indicating that he had been poisoned by the zombies. If it weren't for his Buddhist Sect Cultivation Technique, which had a certain restraining effect on the zombie poison, Mizheng might have already succumbed to the poison.
He took out several Pills from his Storage Ring and put them in his mouth. He then dissolved some of the Pill in water to wash his wounds. At the same time, Mizheng pointed to the bodies of several Rakshasa City guards killed by Zombie nearby and said, "I originally returned to the Inn, but after thinking it over, I still felt uneasy and wanted to go out to look for you. However, I didn't know where you were. While wandering around, I saw these guards being attacked by Zombie, so I helped them. Unexpectedly, they were still killed, and I almost died at Zombie hands too. Thankfully, you arrived in time. Seeing that you are all alright, I am relieved."
Mizheng only said he was relieved to see Zhuge Xiang was safe, but didn't ask about the Heavenly Heart Begonia. Zhuge Xiang didn't bring it up either. Looking at the wound Mizheng was cleaning, the dark blood had slowly turned back to red, Zhuge Xiang felt relieved. "We've been busy all night. Let's go back and rest. Your injuries should heal by tomorrow night. Tomorrow we'll officially begin clearing out the Zombie in Yanling Commandery." Nodding, Zhuge Xiang and the other two burned the corpses of several guards killed by the Zombie before returning to the Inn. Because of the Zombie attack, the entire Rakshasa City was on high alert, and no one could be seen at night. The next morning, Zhuge Xiang was startled by a commotion, accompanied by cheers.
After getting up and washing up, Zhuge Xiang met Su Huayu and Mizheng on the first floor of the Inn. They sat down and had some breakfast. The first floor of the Inn was already full of distinguished guests, all kinds of Cultivator, including Rogue Cultivator, disciples of various sects, and representatives of various forces. The topics of their conversations were also different.
However, the conversation among these people today focused on one thing: the Rakshasa City Lord had issued a notice that all Cultivator could receive a Record Badge at the City Lord's Manor in any city within Yanling Commandery. Killing Zombie would earn them points, which could then be exchanged for various supplies at the Corpse Extermination Alliance, led by the Asura Sect, after the Zombie riots subsided.
"Hmph, what Corpse Extermination Alliance? The Asura Sect is trying to use us as pawns. Suppress the Zombie uprising? What benefits will we gain? Perhaps we'll die while we're killing the Zombie."
"That's not quite right. Regardless, we are both from Yanling Commandery. In this Zombie outbreak, it's our duty Cultivator to protect our homes. Besides, isn't this also a form of training for us? The Corpse Extermination Alliance is led by the Asura Sect and is a combination of forces large and small from Yanling Commandery. Do you think the rewards will be lacking?"
"Slaying Zombie has only honed my Swordsmanship. I was planning to use Zombie to practice my moves, and now I even get points to exchange for supplies? Hehe, I'll definitely keep this one."
Regarding the Corpse Extermination Alliance incident, some were indignant, others spoke righteously, and still others couldn't wait to leave to collect their Record Badge. Regardless, generally speaking, most people accepted the idea of obtaining these Record Badge. Slaying Zombie was the inescapable responsibility of Cultivator in Yanling Commandery, and why not earn points?
Hearing the lively conversation among the people in the Inn, Zhuge Xiang understood why things were so lively today and why there was such a loud cheer. While Cultivator could manage to protect themselves to some extent from Zombie attacks, it was a terrifying disaster for ordinary people. Zombie were born with extraordinary abilities, outside the Three Realms and Six Paths, possessing incredibly strong bodies. Even the strongest young people found it difficult to harm Zombie. Now that the Asura Sect had deployed such a countermeasure, mobilizing thousands of Cultivators, these ordinary people naturally cheered with joy.
"The Asura Sect reacted quickly. This decision was indeed timely. It greatly reduced the panic among the people and further motivated the Cultivator in Yanling Commandery to eliminate the Zombie. There are more than ten million Cultivator in the entire Yanling Commandery." Listening to the conversation among the people in the Inn, Mizheng nodded and said regarding the Asura Sect's decision. "As expected of the Nine Great Sects, they can see the whole picture from a single point."
"Let's go, we need to get started quickly. The sooner we get rid of these Zombie, the better." After they had finished eating, Zhuge Xiang nodded, paid the bill, and left with Su Huayu and Mizheng.
Throughout Rakshasa City, the atmosphere of eliminating Zombie was stirred up. All sorts of Cultivator could be seen everywhere, wearing Record Badge, searching for traces of Zombie. Zombie would often appear in the city, and before they could even harm those around them, several Cultivators would rush in and kill Zombie.
How many Cultivators are there in the entire Rakshasa City? And in the entire Yanling Commandery, there are more than a hundred cities like Rakshasa City, how many Cultivators are there? The Zombie that escaped from the Land of Death only about 200,000. Although they are troublesome, once they start moving, it is only a matter of time before they are wiped out.
When the Golden Winged Corpse King left that day, he was resentful of being suppressed by the Void Realm Great Expert of the Asura Sect. As he left, he shattered the Land of Death and released more than 200,000 Zombie. Naturally, he did not expect these Zombie to achieve anything great. It would be enough if they could just annoy these Cultivators of the Asura Sect.
Throughout Yanling Commandery, in over a hundred cities, most of the Cultivator within the territory mobilized. Naturally, the Zombie in Yanling Commandery also disappeared rapidly, their numbers decreasing drastically. Some even fought each other for the right to kill a single Zombie.
Ten days have passed in the blink of an eye. In these ten days, the number of Zombie in Yanling Commandery has been largely brought under control, and the Zombie extermination operation is nearing its end. If it weren't for the contagious nature of these Zombie, it is believed that Zombie would have been completely wiped out within these ten days.
In Ink Martial City, Zhang Kuang has been fighting like a madman these past few days, with Zombie falling one after another to his Spear. It is worth mentioning that during this time, Zhang Kuang actually abandoned his Magic Artifact and found an ordinary blacksmith in Ink Martial City to forge an Iron Spear that he was completely unfamiliar with.
In Zhang Kuang's hands, an ordinary Iron Spear became incredibly nimble. Through the battles of the past few days, Zhang Kuang could feel that the Iron Spear in his hand was gradually becoming one with him, as if they were connected by blood. Once he was completely absorbed in the spear, he would have a mysterious feeling, as if the Iron Spear had become a part of his body.
Zhang Kuang knew he was getting closer and closer to comprehending the Spear Intent. Moreover, the bloodthirsty and violent energy from the battles of recent days had been absorbed into his body, allowing his Asura True Body, which had undergone transformation, to slowly begin to perfect itself. Although the pace of perfection was as slow as a tortoise's pace, it was, in general, constantly improving...
Lu Yuling, sitting in the Shadow Hall, learned that Zhuge Xiang's team had encountered the Puppet Cult's upheaval. Her expression changed drastically. Most of the disciples had been sucked into the Land of Death and spent several months there. She hadn't heard of anyone escaping. It would be a lie for Lu Yuling to say she wasn't worried.
However, Lu Yuling soon learned that Mo Wuyan, the former Squad Leader of the 108th Combat Squad, had returned, and from him she learned that Zhuge Xiang was alright, which put her at ease.
Regarding Zhuge Xiang's whereabouts, Lu Yuling, working in the Shadow Hall's intelligence department, quickly found a report from Rakshasa City. She learned about Zhuge Xiang's situation and that his cultivation had actually reached the Fourth Layer of the Void Splitting Realm. Lu Yuling's eyes widened; this growth rate was indeed astonishing.
"Is Rakshasa City still here? It seems I need to get rid of this troublesome place as soon as possible." Having received information about Zhuge Xiang's whereabouts, Lu Yuling turned her head and looked at a small white dog locked in an iron cage next to her, a smile appearing on her face.
"You wretched woman! What do you think you're doing? You lowly human! How dare you be so disrespectful to the esteemed Xiao Yue, and even lock me in a dog cage!" The pure white dog bared its teeth at Lu Yuling, its voice filled with rage in its Divine Sense, roaring as it tried to tear the iron cage apart and break free, but unfortunately, a Profound Mysteries Formation was set up on the iron cage.
The Spirit Gathering Formation can gather the spiritual energy between Heaven and Earth, accelerating the cultivation of disciples in the Nascent Deity Transformation stage, and also amplifying the power of Spell. However, the array on the iron cage is the opposite of the Spirit Gathering Formation; it can shield the surrounding spiritual energy. It is precisely because of this that Xiao Yue cannot cast Spell.
"Don't be impatient. Your noise here is making it impossible for me to concentrate on my cultivation. Do you think I like leaving you here? It's only because of the trouble you caused in the Inner Sect that I'm treating you this way; otherwise, you would have been killed and eaten long ago."
Looking at Xiao Yue's ferocious, baring teeth in the dog cage, Lu Yuling calmly shook her head. As she spoke, she picked up the iron cage holding Xiao Yue, left the room, and found the Hall Master of the Shadow Hall, requesting a transfer to Rakshasa City. (To be continued...)