ZhaoGe City head, Hu Shu The moment the fingertips touched Bamboo Slip, a biting chill rushed down the meridians straight to the heart. It was not an ordinary cold, but a sense of erosion that twisted the will., as if there were countless tiny insects swimming under the skin. He quickly ran Human Dao Power to force the chill out of the body, and a faint Black Qi appeared on the surface of Bamboo Slip, which then dissipated in the night wind.
"Three tribes and 3,700 households all lost contact overnight." Wu Zetian stood beside him with a low voice. "The spies sent reported that those villages were empty, but the stoves in every household were still steaming, and there were unfinished meals on the tables. It was like... it was like everyone suddenly disappeared."
Hu Shu unfolded Bamboo Slip and glanced at the map marked above. The locations of the three lost tribes - Black Stone Village in the north, White Water Stockade in the west, and Green Wood Ridge in the south - happened to form an almost perfect equilateral triangle. The geometric center of the triangle is exactly Shouyang Mountain.
"This is not a coincidence." He repeated, with a metallic coldness in his voice, "This is a formation, a positioning, and a mark."
The night wind blew from the west, bringing with it the strange smell of sulfur and sandalwood. In the sky, the black clouds rolled more violently, and the twisted shadows deep in the clouds let out sharp screams, which made people's eardrums hurt. Inside ZhaoGe City, people hid in their houses in fear. The cries of children, the prayers of adults, and the uneasy neighing of livestock were mixed together, forming a noise like the end of the world.
Hu Shu took a deep breath and suppressed the anxiety in his heart. He turned around and looked at Wu Zetian: "In the conference hall, all core members will gather immediately. In addition, contact Tongtian Cult Master. I need to know the situation at the Interception Sect."
"Yes."
Half an hour later, Chaoge arrived at the meeting hall of the palace.
The candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of everyone in the hall on the wall. Those shadows twisted and deformed as the flames swayed, as if they had a life of their own. The air was filled with a dignified atmosphere, mixed with the smell of sandalwood, sweat and a touch of rust - that was the smell of weapons coming from the military camp outside the city.
Hu Shu is sitting in the main seat, on the left are Wu Zetian, Fu Xi, Di Xin, and on the right is Human Race The seven elders of Think Tank. Except for the breathing and the crackling of candlelight, there was no other sound in the hall. Everyone's face was full of solemnity, and their eyes were looking in the direction of the hall door - they were waiting for news from Tongtian Cult Master.
"Master." Wu Zetian spoke in a low voice, breaking the silence, "Anomalies have occurred in Chaoge City. This afternoon, three officials suddenly fainted while discussing matters. When they woke up, their eyes were dull, and they muttered unintelligible Sanskrit or magic spells. After examination, the imperial doctor found that there was a faint trace of evil energy remaining in their bodies."
Hu Shu frowned. "How many people have similar symptoms?"
"Seven people have been found so far, all middle and low-level officials. But..." Wu Zetian paused, "I'm worried that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Devilish Qi Erosion is silent, and Buddha Light's deception is even more difficult to detect. If they cannot be screened and cleared in time, once Buddha-Demon Alliance launches an attack, these corrupted people are likely to destroy the defense from within."
Fu Xi closed his eyes and deduced, and his fingers drew golden trajectories in the void. Those trajectories were intertwined into complex patterns, vaguely resonating with Laws of Heaven and Earth. After a moment, he opened his eyes, a trace of fatigue flashed in his eyes. "Heavenly Secrets Chaos, Calamity Qi is covered. But I have deduced two points: first, Buddha-Demon Alliance's first wave of offensive will be launched two days later on Zi Hour, one day earlier than we expected; second, their primary target... is Shouyang Mountain."
"Shouyang Mountain?" Di Xin stood up suddenly and hit the table with his fist, making a dull impact, "That's Ancestral Land of the Human Race! It's the source of Human Race Fortune's gathering! If Shouyang Mountain is missing, the luck of the entire Human Race will be damaged!"
A Think Tank elder said in a trembling voice, "Although Shouyang Mountain has a restricted guard, the defenders are only three thousand. If Buddha-Demon Alliance attacks with the main force, I'm afraid..."
Before he finished speaking, the space at the palace door fluctuated.
A flash of blue light flashed, and Tongtian Cult Master's Clone appeared in the hall. But this clone was more illusory than before, and there were even slight cracks on the edges, as if it would dissipate at any time. The clone's face was extremely ugly, with rare anxiety in its eyes.
"Hu Shu, fellow Daoist, the situation has changed." Tongtian Cult Master's voice was urgent, "Interception Sect... there is something wrong internally."
Hu Shu's heart sank. "Please speak."
"After the arrival of Tribulation of Buddha and Demons, the disciple Zi Shou within the sect was affected by demonic energy or Buddha Light, and his mind was shaken." Tongtian Cult Master's Clone shook his head in vain, as if he was under some kind of pressure, "One-third of Inner Disciple, nearly one Half of Outer Disciple began to question whether they should fully support Human Race. They believed that Buddha-Demon Forces was powerful and Human Race had an unstable foundation at the beginning. If Interception Sect intervened with all its strength, it might be Calamity of Sect Destruction."
There was dead silence in the hall.
Wu Zetian's face turned pale. "Sect Master, what do you mean..."
"I am personally suppressing the unrest within the church." Tongtian Cult Master's Clone said with a bitter smile, "But it will take time. At least... at least for three days, Interception Sect will not be able to send large-scale reinforcements. I can only guarantee that myself and some Personal Disciple will arrive at Shouyang Mountain on time, but the number will not exceed a hundred people."
Hundreds of people.
Facing the main attack of the Buddha-Demon Alliance, a hundred people are just a drop in the bucket.
Hu Shu closed his eyes, feeling the mana that had not yet fully recovered in his body. Invincible Domain slowly circulated in his meridians, covering a range of up to three thousand miles. However, if he dealt with multiple battlefields at the same time, Domain Power would be dispersed and his power would be greatly reduced. He had to make a choice - should he concentrate his efforts to protect Shouyang Mountain, or divide his forces to deal with Ten Great Strongholds?
"Master." Wu Zetian stood up and walked to the center of the hall. The candlelight stretched her shadow very long, "I suggest that before going abroad, you must first seclude yourself inside. Chaoge is the capital of Human Race, if the interior is penetrated, the consequences will be disastrous. Please use Invincible Domain to cover Chaoge and the surrounding three hundred miles, and screen all officials, generals, and guards. If you find those who have been eroded, immediately isolate and purify them."
She paused and her voice became firmer. "At the same time, I would like to sit in charge of Chaoge and preside over Purification Operation. You can bring your elite troops to rescue Shouyang Mountain. Both places are key, but if Shouyang Mountain is lost, Human Race Fortune will be damaged; if Chaoge is in chaos, the command system will collapse. We must divide our troops."
Fu Xi shook his head. "That's inappropriate. Invincible Domain is the biggest support. If you stay at Chaoge for screening, Hu Shu's combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced when he goes to Shouyang Mountain. Besides, screening takes time, two days... is too short."
"Then what should we do?" Di Xin said in a deep voice, "Are we just watching an internal hidden danger explode?"
A Think Tank elder said tremblingly, "Perhaps... we can ask the underworld for help. Empress Houtu In harmony with the Tao, there should be ways to restrain the soul and inner demons."
Hu Shu opened his eyes, determination flashed in his eyes.
"Fu Xi." He looked at Human Emperor, "Use the power of Human Dao Saint to contact the Human Race strong men from all over the country and inform them that Buddha-Demon Alliance's attack time has been advanced to two days later Zi Hour. Order all important towns to enter the highest alert, use all formations, and defend without mercy."
"Di Xin." He turned to King of Shang, "You mobilize Emergency Legion and divide it into ten groups, each with 5,000 men, ready to rush to the rescue of important towns at any time. But remember, you are not allowed to attack without my order."
"Wu Zetian." His eyes fell on the apprentice, "Chaoge screening must be carried out, but Invincible Domain cannot be used. I will teach you 'Heart Cleansing Incantation' and 'Demon Breaking Seal', which together with Human Dao Power are enough to identify the corrupted ones. The screening scope will be limited to senior officials and generals first, and middle and low-level officials will be temporarily isolated for observation."
Finally, he looked at Tongtian Cult Master's Clone: "Sect Master, please tell me that in three days, no matter what happens inside the Interception Sect, I will need at least three hundred disciples of Golden Immortal level and above to rush to rescue Shouyang Mountain. This is the request of the allies and also the plea of... Human Race."
Tongtian Cult Master's Clone was silent for a moment and nodded solemnly. "I will try my best."
"As for me." Hu Shu stood up, and the candlelight cast his shadow on the palace wall. The shadow was tall and firm, "I will lead Three Thousand Elites and set off for Shouyang Mountain immediately. Invincible Domain will accompany me, Shouyang Mountain... must not make any mistakes."
"Master!" Wu Zetian said anxiously, "Your magic power has not been restored, and you are going to be in danger..."
"It is because of the danger that I have to go." Hu Shu interrupted her, his voice calm but unquestionable, "Shouyang Mountain is Ancestral Land of the Human Race, the place I first protected when I traveled through time. There is Nuwa Creates Humans there The Innate Restriction left behind at that time has the luck accumulated by Human Emperor in the past generations and the faith of hundreds of millions of Human Race. If the Shouyang Mountain is broken, the Human Race backbone will be broken."
He walked to the window of the palace and opened it. The night wind poured in, the candlelight swayed violently, and the lights and shadows in the palace danced wildly. In the western sky, a faint outline could be seen in the black clouds - that was the figure of the monster, the array of Buddha Soldier, and the upcoming Torrent of Destruction.
"Two days." Hu Shu looked into the distance, and his voice spread throughout the hall, "We only have two days to prepare. Chaoge Screening, deployment of defenses in various places, mobilization of legions, calls for allies... Everything must be completed within two days. I know this is difficult, but Human Race has no way out."
He turned around and glanced at everyone in the hall. "Tribulation of Witches and Demons, Human Race is the sacrifice; Investiture of the Gods Calamity, Human Race is the chess piece; At Journey to the West Tribulation, Human Race was the background. But this time, Tribulation of Buddha and Demons, Human Race will be the protagonists - either rise in the disaster or perish in the disaster. There is no third way."
Everyone in the hall was silent, but flames gradually lit up in their eyes.
Fu Xi was the first to stand up. "I will contact all places immediately."
Di Xin grasped the hilt of the sword. "The legion has been assembled and is ready to fight at any time."
Wu Zetian took a deep breath. "Chaoge Screening, leave it to me."
Think Tank The elders looked at each other and bowed in unison. "I am willing to die for Human Race."
Tongtian Cult Master's Clone took a deep look at Hu Shu, and his figure gradually disappeared. "See you in two days, Shouyang Mountain."
The plan was decided and everyone quickly dispersed to implement it. Only Hu Shu and Wu Zetian were left in the hall.
"Master." Wu Zetian walked to him and whispered, "Do you really... want to go to Shouyang Mountain yourself? Your injuries..."
Hu Shu shook his head. "The injury is not harmful. But you, Chaoge must be careful when screening. Demonic Qi Corrupted is no different from ordinary people in the early stage, but once it is aroused, it will become extremely dangerous. Remember, if there is resistance, kill without mercy. Tribulation of Buddha and Demons There is no room for mercy in front of Tribulation of Buddha and Demons."
"I understand." Wu Zetian bit his lip, "But you must also promise me that if things cannot be done... don't stick to it. Shouyang Mountain is important, but you are more important. Human Race can lose his ancestral land, but he cannot lose you."
Hu Shu looked at her. This girl who once needed his protection has now grown into a leader who can take charge of her own business. He reached out and patted her shoulder gently. "Don't worry, I have Invincible Domain, so I can't die."
Having said that, both of them knew in their hearts that Invincible Domain was not truly invincible. The domain range was limited and the mana consumption was huge. If they were trapped in a tight siege, if they were restrained, if... there was a Saint-level being who took action personally.
But there are some things that don't need to be said.
"Go." Hu Shu turned around, "It's time for me to set off."
Half an hour later, Outside ZhaoGe City.
Three Thousand Elites has been assembled. These warriors are all veterans who have survived all the wars. The lowest level of cultivation is Earth Immortal, and the highest level is Golden Immortal. They wear black armor, hold standard longgears, carry swords at their waists, and carry bows on their backs. Battle Formation is solemn, no one talks, only the occasional snort of war horses and the metallic sound of armor rubbing.
Hu Shu is riding on a White Dragon Horse - this is a strange beast selected by Di Xin from Royal Stable. It has a thin True Dragon Bloodline and can travel a hundred thousand miles a day. Behind him, three thousand warriors are also riding various spiritual beast mounts, forming a dark array.
Wu Zetian, Fu Xi, and Di Xin stood in front of the city gate to see them off.
"Take care." Wu Zetian only said two words, but his eyes were already red.
Fu Xi handed over. "I have deduced the best route. If you drive along this road quickly, you can reach Shouyang Mountain in one day and night. But there may be interceptions on the way..."
Di Xin handed over a Tiger Tally: "This is a token of troop deployment. If the Shouyang Mountain defenders disobey the order, they can use this symbol to seize power."
Hu Shu took Tiger Tally and held it cold. He nodded, without saying much, turned his horse's head and said, "Let's go!"
Three thousand iron cavalry rushed out of the ZhaoGe City gate like a black torrent and galloped towards the north. The horses' hooves hit the ground, making a thunderous roar, and dust flew up, covering half of the sky. On the city wall, the defenders stood in awe and watched, and the battle flags sounded in the night wind.
Wu Zetian stared at the smoke and dust in the distance until the team disappeared from the end of the field of vision. She turned around and sternly said to the officials waiting behind her, "Send the order, the four doors of Chaoge are closed, and no one is allowed in or out. All officials above the fifth rank and generals above the captain of a thousand men are to assemble at Royal Palace Square immediately. Anyone who disobeys the order will be killed!"
A chilling atmosphere filled Chaoge.
Hu Shu led the team to gallop through the night.
Primordial Great Land retreated quickly underfoot, leaving mountains, rivers, forests, villages... everything behind. The night wind was like a knife, hurting the face, but no one slowed down. The warriors poured mana into their mounts, and the spirit beasts made wind from all four hooves, almost flying close to the ground.
The route deduced by Fu Xi is indeed the best choice - avoid the main mountains, bypass large lakes, and go straight to the north along the ancient Official Road. This road is sparsely populated and difficult to detect, but it also means that if it is attacked, reinforcements will be difficult to arrive.
After three hours of galloping, the sky was getting brighter.
The sky in the east is turning white, but the black clouds in the west are still thick and even thicker. The sunlight shining on the surface of the clouds is completely absorbed, and not a trace of golden light can penetrate that layer of darkness. The entire Primordial World seems to be divided into two halves - one half is normal daytime, and the other half is eternal night.
"Stop!" Hu Shu suddenly reined in his horse.
The dragon and horse men stood up and neighed. The three thousand warriors behind them all stopped and their movements were uniform, showing extremely high training quality.
Hu Shu closed his eyes, and Spiritual Sense spread around like a tide. Invincible Domain was slowly running in the body. Although it was not fully expanded, its perception ability covered thousands of miles.
He "saw" it.
Three hundred miles ahead, at the entrance of a canyon, there are at least five thousand soldiers and horses ambushed. The aura of those soldiers and horses is strange - half exudes violent demonic aura, and the other half circulates peaceful Buddha Light, and the two coexist harmoniously. They are hidden in the mountains and forests on both sides of the canyon, and have set up concealment formations. If Hu Shu Spiritual Sense is not keen, it will be almost difficult to detect.
"There is an ambush." Hu Shu opened his eyes and said calmly, "Buddha-Demon Alliance's vanguard force, five thousand people, led by Golden Immortal."
The deputy general rode forward. "Commander, take a detour or attack by force?"
Hu Shu is calculating the time. The detour will take an extra eight hundred miles, which will delay at least two hours. A strong attack... Although it can break through quickly, casualties will inevitably occur and the whereabouts will be exposed.
He looked to the north, which was the direction of Shouyang Mountain. Spiritual Sense extended, and he could vaguely feel Energy Wave coming from a very far distance - it was very faint, but it was indeed there. The battle... has started?
"You can't go around, and you can't attack by force." Hu Shu made the decision, "I will lead three hundred elites to feint attack from the front to attract attention. You lead the main force to go around from the flank to the back of the canyon, and attack from the front and rear. Remember, fight quickly and don't be reluctant to fight."
"Yes!"
The order was conveyed quickly. The three thousand soldiers were divided into two teams. One team of 297 people followed Hu Shu, and the other team of 2,703 people was led by the deputy general and quietly sneaked into the flanking mountains and forests.
Hu Shu took a deep breath, urged the dragon and horse, and slowly walked towards the entrance of the canyon.
In the morning light, his figure was stretched very long. The armor reflected the shimmer, and Long Sword around his waist made a low hum. Invincible Domain was accelerating in his body, ready to unfold at any time.
The canyon is getting closer.
On the cliffs on both sides, you can vaguely see swaying shadows and hear suppressed breathing. The smell of demonic energy and Buddha Light is getting stronger and stronger, and the air begins to be filled with the weird smell of sulfur and sandalwood.
Hu Shu stopped a hundred feet in front of the canyon entrance.
He raised his head and looked at the height of the cliff. His voice was calm but spread throughout the canyon. "Since you are here, why hide your head and show your tail?"
Silence.
After a moment, loud laughter erupted from both sides of the canyon.
"Hahahaha! Hu Shu! Human Race Guardian! You are indeed here!" A voice came from the cliff on the left. The voice was hoarse and harsh, with a strong demonic quality.
From the cliff on the right, a gentle Buddha's call rang out, "Amitabha. Donor Hu, this road is blocked, please turn back."
Two figures floated down from the cliff.
The man on the left is more than ten feet tall, covered in black scales, with two horns on his head, eyes glowing red, and holding a giant ax burning with Black Flame in his hand. The demonic energy is rolling around him like substance. Wherever it passes, the vegetation withers and rocks corrode.
The man on the right is wearing a golden cassock, with Buddha Light on his head, a kind face, and holding a string of white bone rosary beads. But each of the rosary beads is made of a skull, and green will-o'-the-wisps dance in the eye sockets. Buddha Light is intertwined with the aura of death, forming an extremely strange harmony.
"Demon General Hei Sha." Hu Shu looked to the left, "Buddha Venerable Gu Chan. Buddha-Demon Alliance really thinks highly of me, so he sent two Primordial Unity Golden Immortal to intercept."
Black Fiend smiled ferociously, "Interception Sect is in internal turmoil and cannot provide full support. Human Race The important towns are too busy to take care of themselves and are unable to come to the rescue. Hu Shu, you are now alone and unable to fly!"
Bone Zen put his hands together. "If the donor is willing to take refuge in my Buddha and enter Devil Dao, he can have eternal life. Why should he sacrifice his life for a race of ants like Human Race?"
Hu Shu did not answer.
He slowly pulled out Long Sword from his waist. The moment the sword was unsheathed, the sound of Qingyue's sword resounded through the canyon, and the sword light flowed like autumn water, dispelling part of the demonic energy and Buddha Light.
"Three hundred people versus five thousand people." He whispered to himself, and then his voice suddenly turned sharp, "That's enough!"
Invincible Domain, Expand!