The 45th Chapter

The Human Race observer on the watchtower saw this and immediately rang the large bell hanging—"Clang! Dong! Dong! Dong!"

The clear alarm bell sound quickly spread throughout the Tuqi Tribe.

The Humans in the tribe reacted to the sound. The women quickly took their children and hid within the defensive formation, while the men immediately picked up their weapons, preparing to face the enemy.

The entire process was smooth and practiced, clearly the result of repeated drills.

This set of countermeasures was taught by Li Wu, who required every Human tribe to master it to reduce casualties during Yao attacks.

Initially, many tribes did not take it seriously, but after experiencing several Yao attacks, they realized the importance of this method.

Now, every Human tribe had memorized it.

In a moment, a battle formation was arranged on the open ground outside the tribe, with the men forming a simple formation.

This battle formation was improved by Li Wu based on the characteristics of Martial Artists. It could gather the Martial Artists' Blood Essence and magic power, allowing for either a combined attack or concentrating power onto one person to temporarily boost their cultivation. The more people involved, the stronger the formation's power.

Just as the Human battle formation was completed, the Yao forces arrived.

The leader was a Yao general at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal level. He stood at the front of the formation and ordered, "Charge, all troops! Kill all the Humans here!"

As soon as the order was given, countless Yao, wielding various weapons, charged forward. Those without weapons simply revealed their true forms—cattle, sheep, snakes, tigers, lions, and other giant beasts appeared one after another, pouncing towards the Humans.

The Tuqi Tribe chief was a Martial Artist at the Acupoint Realm (Golden Immortal). Seeing the Yao surge forward like a tide, his expression became grave.

He shouted loudly, "Everyone prepare! Gather your Blood Essence, converge it upon me, attack!"

As soon as his voice fell, the Martial Artists present circulated their Blood Essence, transferring their magic power and Bloodline Power to the chief.

In an instant, the chief's face turned red, his aura surged dramatically, and in a flash, he reached the Golden Body Realm (Grand Unity Golden Immortal) level.

Immediately after, he fiercely punched forward—

A giant fist imprint, condensed from Blood Essence and magic power, instantly tore through the air, covering a thousand-meter radius, and heavily struck the charging Yao.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Tens of thousands of Yao at the forefront were instantly turned into piles of minced meat by this fist imprint.

A large area in front of the Tuqi Tribe chief was instantly cleared.

However, this open space was immediately filled again by the surging Yao.

The Tuqi Tribe chief had no choice but to punch again, his fist imprints raining down like meteors upon the invading Yao.

"Interesting, it's a formation? To gather the power of ants onto one person, forcibly elevating a Golden Immortal to Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Unfortunately, how long can such forcefully boosted cultivation last? How can the number of your Human Race be fathomed by us Yao?" the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Yao general whispered coldly.

He was so calm because these charging Yao were not from the Heavenly Court's direct lineage, but merely conscripted rabble from the Primordial Era continent. Even if they were all annihilated, he would not feel any pain.

Suddenly, the Yao general shouted loudly, "Whoever takes the head of the Human leader will be appointed a Yao Commander, and enter the Yao's core cultivation!"

As soon as this statement was made, thousands of Yao fell into a frenzy, surging towards the Tuqi Tribe chief like a tide. These scattered Yao of the Primordial Era lived daily under the shadow of the Witch Clan's slaughter. Now, they had a chance for promotion within the Heavenly Court, how could they not fight desperately?

Facing the increasingly frenzied assault, the Tuqi Tribe chief had no choice but to continuously speed up his punches. As his fist shadows flew, bloodstains gradually seeped from his body; his physical body could no longer withstand the violent backlash of magic power.

But he ignored it completely, instead pushing his offensive to the extreme. Even if he died, he would tear open a sliver of life for his tribesmen.

Hundreds more fist imprints were unleashed, and the swarm of Yao fell like wheat being cut.

"Pfft—"

The Tuqi Tribe chief finally could not hold on, spitting out a mouthful of blood and kneeling on one knee.

"Chief!"

All the Humans cried out in unison.

He waved his hand with difficulty, "Don't mind me... Break through quickly later, and be sure to send the news of the large-scale Yao invasion to the Human Ancestral Land. This is a grave responsibility concerning the survival of our race!"

The Tuqi Tribe chief's entire body ignited with bloody aura, his power surging abruptly. He roared at his tribesmen and then single-handedly charged into the Yao army.

Amidst earth-shattering roars, countless Yao soldiers turned to dust. The Grand Unity Golden Immortal Yao general in the sky secretly rejoiced; if he had rashly attacked earlier, he would be dead or injured by now.

The surviving Human Martial Artists suppressed their grief; they had to relay the news of the Yao invasion back to the Ancestral Land. Just as everyone was breaking through towards the Human Ancestral Land, the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Yao general sneered and personally led his troops to intercept them. In less than an hour, all the breakthrough attemptors perished.

The Yao general ordered a complete purge. The entire tribe was filled with resentment, and the souls wailed. However, he was satisfied as he took out a treasure bottle, collecting all the resentment, souls, and Human blood.

The same scene was unfolding simultaneously in countless Human tribes.

Li Peng suddenly opened his eyes, sensing the rapid loss of Human Destiny. He counted on his fingers to deduce, but saw that the Heavenly Secrets were chaotic, and he immediately felt alarmed. Recalling the records of the Yao slaughtering Humans in the Primordial Era history, he immediately broke out of his seclusion.

Just as he exited seclusion, he saw Fuxi and Nuwa approaching with grave expressions.

Before Nuwa even landed, she anxiously asked, "Husband! Has the Human Race encountered a mishap? Why is the Human Destiny rapidly declining?"

Li Peng's expression was solemn, "We will know when we go together to investigate."

He immediately tore through space, attempting to construct a passage to the Human Ancestral Land, but was shocked to find that he could not lock onto the Ancestral Land's coordinates, so he reluctantly dissipated the spatial rift.

Nuwa looked surprised, "Husband, why did you close the passage?"

"The external space has been disturbed, and the Ancestral Land cannot be connected," Li Peng said coldly. "It seems someone can't wait any longer."

"Could it be other Saints causing trouble?" Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes. They found it hard to believe that any Saint would dare to challenge Li Peng's authority.

"Since they have made a move, let us see who is so bold!" Li Peng's eyes filled with killing intent, and he was the first to charge out of Three Immortal Island. Fuxi and Nuwa followed closely behind.

As soon as they left the island, they saw the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints standing in the air.

"It was you lot causing trouble!" Li Peng's killing intent erupted.

Laozi said calmly, "The Human Race's tribulation is fated by Heaven. Why must you insist, fellow Daoist?"

"Fate?" Li Peng sneered. "You think you're Heaven just because you became a Saint? Move aside, or I'll make sure your saintly faces are disgraced today!"

"Please wait here, fellow Daoist. We will depart once this is concluded," Laozi's tone was placid.

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Peng, enraged, laughed instead. Just as he was about to make a move, the System's prompt suddenly sounded:

"Host is facing a choice:

1. Annihilate the Three Pure Ones, Western Second Saints, and the Demon Clan. Reward: One Yuan Hui of magic power, God Slaying Spear, Pangu Body Refining Technique.

2. Repel the invasion of the Saints and the Demon Clan. Reward: Ten million years of magic power, Treasure Dropping Golden Coin, Yin-Yang Law enhancement.

3. Flee to Three Immortal Island and ignore the survival of the Human Race. Reward: Innate Concealment Grand Formation, Ten Thousand Years of cultivation."

Reward: Human Race Favorability reduced by 50 points. Special Title: Cowardly Turtle!

"Please make your choice quickly, Host!"

After hearing the System's prompt, Li Peng carefully examined the choices.

Upon seeing choice one, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

The rewards were generous, but he'd need to be alive to claim them.

Were the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints that easy to kill?

As long as Heaven existed, Saints were immortal.

Even if Li Peng used his Hunyuan Wuji Tai Luo Golden Immortal trial card to temporarily defeat them, they could still resurrect through their souls within Heaven's origin.

This was assuming Hongjun and Heaven didn't interfere.

If Heaven and Hongjun intervened, Li Peng wouldn't even have a chance to defeat them.

Therefore, choice one was immediately discarded.

Li Peng turned his gaze to choice two.

Defeating the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints—not too difficult.

Repelling the Demon Clan—also not hard to accomplish.

The rewards were quite generous and worth considering.

Next, he looked at choice three.

With just one glance, Li Peng gave up.

Bowing to the Three Pure Ones and the others was absolutely impossible.

Moreover, the rewards were suffocating.

He wouldn't choose the third option.

"I choose the second one," Li Peng said to the System.

After making his choice, Li Peng spoke, "Let's fight in Chaos."

The Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints nodded and lifted the spatial blockade around them.

Without a word, Li Peng opened a space channel and, bringing Nuwa and Fuxi, headed into Chaos.

As soon as they exited the channel, the Three Pure Ones and the Western Second Saints also appeared from the space channel.

Upon seeing them, Li Peng immediately summoned the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda and suspended it above his head, then summoned the Yin Yang Twin Swords.

After a moment's thought, he took out the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler and handed it to Nuwa.

Nuwa took the ruler and asked, "Husband, why give this to me?"

"I will hold off the Three Pure Ones first. You and Fuxi, use this ruler to quickly defeat the Western Second Saints, then rush to support the Human Race," Li Peng said calmly.

Li Peng's magic power surged, pouring entirely into the Yin Yang Twin Swords. Instantly, the swords' power soared, and sword energy filled the sky, rushing towards the Three Pure Ones.

Seeing this, Nuwa and Fuxi no longer hesitated. Nuwa, holding the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler, went straight for Zhunti; Fuxi faced Jieyin. The battlefield instantly became clear.

Facing the surging sword energy, the Three Pure Ones remained composed. Laozi summoned the Heaven and Earth Exquisite Yellow Pagoda to protect them; Yuanshi wielded the Pangu Banner, and dozens of chaotic sword energies howled in response; Tongtian activated the Immortal Slaying Four Swords, and the sword energies of Zhu, Lu, Xian, and Jue broke through the air, fiercely colliding with the sword energy of the Yin Yang Twin Swords.

Rumbling sounds echoed incessantly as the chaotic space continuously shattered and reformed in this earth-shattering confrontation. Li Peng's offensive did not cease. The Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda above his head transformed into a colossal peak tens of thousands of feet high, pressing down on the Three Pure Ones. Laozi dared not delay and also transformed the Heaven and Earth Exquisite Yellow Pagoda into a similar scale to meet the attack.

The collision of the two giant pagodas unleashed a world-destroying impact. Chaos energy surged like a tide, forming chaotic tides tens of thousands of feet high that swept in all directions.

Nuwa promptly unfurled the Rivers and Mountains Painting to protect Fuxi. Zhunti and Jieyin, however, lacked defensive treasures and could only manifest their Dharma bodies to resist. Under the impact of the tide, their golden bodies showed cracks, and their expressions immediately turned grim.

Just as they were contemplating how to obtain spiritual treasures, Nuwa, holding the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler, attacked again.

Two hundred and seventy-four attacks landed consecutively.

Although Nuwa had not fully refined the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler, with Li Peng's active cooperation, she wielded the treasure without any hindrance. While she couldn't unleash its full power, its offensive capability still far surpassed top-grade Innate Spirit Treasures.

Zhunti had no choice but to summon the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree to defend himself.

"Boom—Crack!"

The Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler and the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree collided violently, first with a deafening roar, followed by the sound of breaking. Zhunti looked up to see that one of the branches of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree had been severed by a single strike from the Merit Ruler.

He felt a sharp pain in his heart, his anger flaring. The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was formed from Zhunti's own essence, and any damage to it would affect his origin.

Nuwa did not stop. She swung the Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Merit Ruler again, smashing it towards the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree. Zhunti dared not meet the blow head-on and dodged.

For a moment, the scene became somewhat comical—Nuwa pursued Zhunti with the ruler, while Jieyin was completely suppressed by Fuxi, unable to offer any assistance.

Meanwhile, Li Wu, in the Human Race's ancestral land, sensed that the Human Race's Destiny was draining away.

He immediately realized that the Human Race might have encountered a crisis, instantly recalling the calamity of the Demon Clan slaughtering humans. Li Wu had been preparing for this Demon Clan tribulation all along, and now, with the sudden decrease in Destiny, he concluded that it was due to the Demon Clan's invasion.

Li Wu set off immediately and arrived at the mountaintop near the Human Race's ancestral land.

Soon, he found Daoist Jinlian, who was lecturing Sanxiao, Zhao Gongming, and the Yin Yang Panda.

"Fellow Daoist Jinlian, please quickly investigate what has happened to the Human Race," Li Wu urged, his voice hurried.

"Alright." Daoist Jinlian, seeing his urgent expression, agreed without hesitation.

Li Wu then departed. Daoist Jinlian also instructed Sanxiao and the others, "I have urgent matters to attend to, so you should cultivate here." With that, he vanished.

Sanxiao, Zhao Gongming, and the Yin Yang Panda looked at each other, bewildered.

Two hours later, Li Wu arrived at the cave where the Human Race elites were hiding.

Li Wu gazed at the tens of thousands of Human Race elites before him, a surge of pride welling up in his heart.

The weakest of these elites had reached the Golden Body Realm, while the strongest few had already entered the late stage of the Martial Intent Realm.

In just tens of thousands of years, Li Wu had managed to cultivate so many experts for the Human Race; it was truly something to be proud of.

However, after this group left, he wondered how many would return alive.