On the mountain ridge, a Deer Demon turned and fled.
More and more weak demon beasts ran away. The wicked cultivators of lesser strength slipped away even faster. Those who dared remain on the ridge to watch the spectacle all had something to rely on. Though they could not afford to provoke the dynasty's army, merely watching the excitement would not get them exterminated.
The fleet moved swiftly. Its sails and banners were exceptionally conspicuous, bearing down with immense majesty and pressure.
Below the deck of the tower ships, military generals roared, and the brawny slaves at the oars stopped rowing.
As the masts and sails were adjusted, they snapped and flapped in the wind. Deceleration devices engraved with formations unfolded from both sides of the ships, and the tower ships rapidly slowed.
A fierce wind swept in, sending dust flying.
The cultivators and demon beasts standing on the ridge reflexively shut their eyes.
When they opened them again, the tower ships had already stopped a hundred zhang away.
The dynasty's armored soldiers leaped from the ships and formed ranks in midair. Disciples from the various local lineages also arranged themselves into formations, encircling the chaotic ridge in a semicircle.
Suddenly, drums and music rang out from the largest tower ship, leaving the tense humans and demon beasts on the ridge looking at one another.
The drum music rose and fell melodiously, grand and majestic.
Then, amid the music, a man clad in an elegant crimson official robe appeared at the ship's prow.
"..."
The cultivators and demon beasts on the ridge twitched at the cheeks, utterly speechless. Was there really any need to put on such airs? The atmosphere had been built up so thoroughly that anyone unaware might have thought court officials were attending an audience.
Once the