Strong Enemy Approaching, Crisis Lurking

The Elite Squad stepped into the Misty Mountain Range, the thick fog instantly shrouding their figures. The member at the very front suddenly stopped, whispering, "Everyone be careful, I feel like something is watching us." The others immediately became alert, gripping their weapons tightly as they advanced slowly. The surroundings were eerily silent, with only their soft footsteps echoing in the mist. Unknown dangers seemed to be quietly approaching.

Meanwhile, on Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race was busy making final preparations for the Elite Squad's departure. Hu Shu moved through the crowd, his eyes filled with both determination and worry. Determination stemmed from his hope that the Elite Squad would find the key to improving the Human Race's strength, while worry was for the numerous dangers they would face on their journey to the Misty Mountain Range.

"Everyone double-check your equipment. We must ensure everything is perfect," Hu Shu said loudly, his voice echoing in the open space.

The Human Race members responded one after another, diligently inspecting their weapons and armor. Some were sharpening their blades to make them even keener; others were repairing minor damages on their protective gear. The air was filled with a tense and serious atmosphere.

Just then, in a Demon Race territory far from Shouyang Mountain, a powerful Demon Marshal sat on a massive stone throne. A dense demonic aura emanated from its body, and its pair of blood-red eyes glinted with ferocity.

"I heard a human not only repelled our Demon Race's attack but also made that Guang Chengzi fellow suffer. Hmph, how audacious," the Demon Marshal's voice was low and filled with anger.

Below, a group of Demon Race experts lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

"I've decided to take action myself and teach these humans an unforgettable lesson. You, accompany me, and completely annihilate that human and his clan!" The Demon Marshal suddenly stood up, its demonic aura erupting, causing the surrounding space to tremble.

"Yes!" the Demon Race experts responded in unison, their voices laced with bloodthirsty fervor.

This Demon Marshal held a high position within the Demon Race, and its strength had reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. Under its command, a group of formidable Demon Race experts quickly assembled. Among them were Grand Unity Golden Immortal level powerhouses, all eager to unleash their full strength in the upcoming battle and crush the Human Race into dust.

At this moment, on Shouyang Mountain, Hu Shu was completely unaware of the immense crisis that was about to descend. He was still discussing various matters with several elders of the Human Race regarding the Elite Squad's departure, such as the Human Race's future cultivation plans and how to deal with potential beast threats.

"Hu Shu, the Elite Squad's journey is fraught with uncertainty. Our Human Race is counting on them," an elder with white hair said worriedly.

Hu Shu nodded slightly, his gaze firm. "Senior, please rest assured, I believe in them. Furthermore, our Human Race cannot solely rely on the Elite Squad. Everyone must continue to cultivate diligently and improve their own strength. Only when our Human Race is collectively powerful can we establish ourselves in this Primordial World."

Everyone agreed. However, they were unaware that a catastrophe was rapidly approaching them.

As time passed, the Demon Race's forces, led by the Demon Marshal, rapidly advanced towards Shouyang Mountain. Their figures moved through the forests, and wherever they passed, birds and beasts took flight in alarm, as if even nature feared their arrival.

On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race continued their preparations in an orderly fashion. Some Human Race children watched the adults busy at work with curiosity. Although they didn't understand what was about to happen, they could feel the tense atmosphere in the air.

"Daddy, where are those big brothers and sisters going?" a child asked, tugging on his father's clothes.

"They are going to a very dangerous place to find something that will make our Human Race stronger," the father replied softly, his eyes filled with hope for the Elite Squad.

Meanwhile, the Elite Squad had already ventured some distance into the Misty Mountain Range. Suddenly, a low roar echoed from ahead, followed by a massive fierce beast charging out of the mist. It was covered in sharp thorns, green venom dripped from its mouth, and it exuded a nauseating odor.

"Careful, it's a Misty Thorn Beast!" the captain of the Elite Squad shouted. The team quickly formed a defensive formation, preparing to fight.

On Shouyang Mountain, Hu Shu was about to check the route markers for the Elite Squad's departure. He hadn't walked far when he felt a strong wave of demonic energy wash over him. His heart leaped, and he knew something was wrong.

"Everyone be alert, a powerful enemy is approaching!" Hu Shu shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Hearing this, the Human Race members immediately stopped their work, picked up their weapons, and looked in the direction of the demonic energy. In the distance, a dark cloud was rapidly approaching Shouyang Mountain, and within it, numerous Demon Race figures could be vaguely seen.

"It's the Demon Race, they're here again!" someone shouted in panic.

Hu Shu's expression grew grave. He knew that this group of Demon Race members must be extraordinary. Judging by the dense demonic energy, the approaching enemies were extremely powerful.

"Everyone, don't panic! Follow our previous drills and quickly get into defensive positions!" Hu Shu commanded the Human Race members while circulating the Spiritual Power within his body, preparing for the fierce battle ahead.

However, facing a powerful Demon Marshal and numerous Demon Race experts, the Human Race members couldn't help but show a hint of fear. After all, the previous battles with the Demon Race had already inflicted heavy losses on the Human Race. Now, with strong enemies attacking again, and appearing even more powerful than before, they didn't know if they could withstand them this time.

In the tense atmosphere, the Demon Race forces arrived at the foot of Shouyang Mountain. The Demon Marshal stood at the forefront of the army, looking at the Human Race arrayed on the mountain, a cruel smile curling its lips.

"Humble humans, today is your end!" the Demon Marshal roared, its voice like rolling thunder, echoing through the mountains.

At the Demon Marshal's command, the Demon Race experts surged towards the mountain like a tide, and a fierce battle was about to erupt. On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race members gripped their weapons, their eyes filled with resolve. They knew this battle was about the survival of the Human Race; they had no retreat. Hu Shu looked at the charging Demon Race, silently vowing to protect the Human Race at any cost. But facing such a powerful enemy, could the Human Race overcome this crisis? And how would Hu Shu respond? Everything was filled with uncertainty, and the shadow of death had already quietly enveloped Shouyang Mountain.

On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race members stood ready, the tense atmosphere seemingly frozen. Hu Shu stood at the forefront of the formation, his gaze fixed on the Demon Race surging forward like a tide. He knew that the Demon Race's current offensive was far more formidable than anything before, and a fierce battle was inevitable.

Among the Demon Race, Grand Unity Golden Immortal level experts led the charge. Their movements were swift as lightning, and they instantly reached the Human Race's defensive line. One Demon Race expert flicked his long spear, its tip flashing with cold light, and thrust it directly at a Human Race warrior. The warrior, unafraid, raised his shield and blocked with all his might. With a loud "clang," the powerful impact made the Human Race warrior's arm go numb, and his steps faltered, retreating a few paces.

Seeing this, Hu Shu immediately employed his movement technique, weaving through the crowd like a phantom. He swung his glowing long sword, and a sharp sword energy whistled out, heading straight for the Demon Race expert. The expert felt the sharpness of the sword energy and his expression changed slightly. He quickly dodged to the side. The sword energy grazed his body, slicing a nearby boulder in half.

Meanwhile, the Demon Marshal stood in the distance, observing the battlefield with cold eyes. It sneered inwardly, viewing these humans as mere ants that could be easily annihilated with a slight effort from itself. But it wanted to witness their struggle in desperation, to satisfy its own cruel amusement.

Under Hu Shu's command, the Human Race members cooperated with each other, struggling to resist the Demon Race's assault. However, the Demon Race had many experts, and their strength was immense. The Human Race gradually began to falter. Human warriors were continuously injured and fell, their blood staining the ground of Shouyang Mountain, and the air filled with a thick scent of blood.

"Hold on, everyone! We cannot give up!" Hu Shu shouted loudly while fighting, trying to boost the morale of the Human Race members.

Just then, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal of the Demon Race seized an opportunity and charged at Hu Shu. It raised its great blade high, carrying immense power, and swung it down at Hu Shu. Hu Shu felt the immense pressure from above and quickly circulated his Spiritual Power, forming a Spiritual Power Shield in front of him. The great blade struck the shield, sending sparks flying. The shield trembled violently, on the verge of shattering.

Hu Shu was shaken by the impact, his Blood Essence surging, but he endured the discomfort and counterattacked with his sword, stabbing towards the Demon Race expert. The expert dodged to the side and simultaneously kicked out, sending Hu Shu flying several yards away.

"Hu Shu!" the Human Race members exclaimed in unison.

Hu Shu struggled to his feet, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained resolute. He knew he couldn't fall; if he fell, the Human Race would truly be finished.

At this moment, the Demon Race's offensive intensified, and several breaches appeared in the Human Race's defensive line. The Demon Race experts seized the opportunity to pour in, plunging the Human Race into extreme danger. At this critical juncture, could Hu Shu devise a countermeasure and lead the Human Race to resist the Demon Race's assault? What would be the fate of the Human Race on Shouyang Mountain? Everything hung in the balance, and the shadow of death grew heavier.

At this moment of extreme peril, Hu Shu took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surging Blood Essence within him. He understood that any panic now would plunge the Human Race into eternal damnation.

"Everyone, listen to my orders! Contract the defensive line and concentrate our forces!" Hu Shu shouted loudly. Though his voice was somewhat hoarse, it carried an undeniable authority.

Hearing Hu Shu's command, the Human Race members moved towards the center. The previously loose defensive line gradually tightened, forming a compact defensive circle. Hu Shu, seizing this brief respite, quickly took a pill from his embrace and swallowed it. The pill dissolved instantly, and a surge of immense Spiritual Power erupted within him. His injuries quickly healed, and his Spiritual Power recovered somewhat.

The Demon Marshal saw the Human Race rapidly adjust its defenses under such fierce attacks, and a hint of surprise flashed in its eyes. But it quickly regained its disdainful expression. In its view, the Human Race's struggles were merely the death throes of a cornered beast.

"Increase the intensity of the attack! Don't give them any chance to breathe!" the Demon Marshal commanded, and the Demon Race experts launched an even more ferocious assault. Instantly, various magical light beams flashed, and the sounds of shouting and killing were deafening.

Hu Shu held his long sword, standing at the forefront of the defensive circle, continuously repelling the Demon Race's attacks. With each assault, he felt immense pressure, but with his tenacious will, he steadfastly held his ground.

Suddenly, a Demon Race expert, taking advantage of Hu Shu's distraction while fending off other attacks, stealthily approached from the side. The sharp blade in its hand aimed directly at Hu Shu's back. At this critical moment, a Human Race warrior spotted the danger and unhesitatingly charged forward, using his own body to block the fatal blow. The blade pierced the Human Race warrior's chest, and blood gushed out.

"No!" Hu Shu roared, his heart filled with grief and anger. He turned and, with a single sword strike, slew the Demon Race expert. Looking at the fallen Human Race warrior, Hu Shu silently vowed to make these demons pay a terrible price.

However, the Demon Race's attacks continued to surge like a tide, the Human Race's defensive circle was shrinking, and casualties were mounting. Hu Shu was extremely anxious, knowing that if this continued, the Human Race would eventually be annihilated by the Demon Race. While fighting, he quickly contemplated a countermeasure.

Just then, he suddenly remembered a combined attack technique he had learned from a Mysterious Rogue Cultivator before. This combined attack technique required multiple people to cooperate and unleashed immense power. Although the Human Race members hadn't practiced it before, there was no other way at this moment.

"Listen everyone, I'm going to perform a combined attack technique. Everyone act according to my instructions!" Hu Shu shouted loudly.

Although the Human Race members were bewildered, they trusted Hu Shu completely and nodded in agreement to follow his command.

Hu Shu quickly imparted the essentials of the combined attack technique to everyone. At this moment of life and death, the Human Race members displayed astonishing learning abilities and soon grasped the key points.

"Prepare, listen to my command, and launch together!" Hu Shu shouted.

With Hu Shu's order, the Human Race members simultaneously circulated their Spiritual Power, converging their strengths. A dazzling light shot up into the sky, forming a massive pillar of Spiritual Power that blasted towards the Demon Race's formation.

The Demon Race experts saw this sudden attack and their expressions changed drastically. They dodged one after another. Where the pillar of Spiritual Power passed, the Demon Race formation descended into chaos. Many Demon Race experts were hit and fell to the ground, injured.

The Demon Marshal saw this scene and a hint of solemnity finally appeared in its eyes. It hadn't expected these humans to have such a method. But as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, how could it be easily intimidated by these humans?

"Hmph, a mere trick. Let's see how this Marshal breaks it!" The Demon Marshal roared, its demonic energy surging wildly around its body. It quickly formed seals with its hands, and a massive black demonic light shot out from its hands, meeting the pillar of Spiritual Power.

With a loud "boom," the pillar of Spiritual Power collided with the black demonic light, unleashing earth-shattering energy fluctuations. The trees on Shouyang Mountain were uprooted, the rocks were pulverized, and the entire Shouyang Mountain trembled violently.

Under this powerful energy impact, the Human Race members were all knocked to the ground, and Hu Shu was once again severely injured. On the Demon Race side, many experts were also injured.

The Demon Marshal looked at the injured Human Race members, a ferocious smile appearing on its face. "You think this can stop me? Today, not a single one of your Human Race will survive!" As it spoke, the Demon Marshal prepared to launch another attack.

The Human Race members looked at the Demon Marshal, their eyes filled with despair. Would the Human Race truly be exterminated today? Hu Shu lay on the ground, filled with unwillingness. He looked up at the sky, thinking silently, Have I ultimately failed to protect my clan members? However, a trace of defiance still flickered in his eyes. Even at the last moment, he would not give up. At this critical juncture of survival, was there still a glimmer of hope for the Human Race? Could Hu Shu once again lead the Human Race to escape from desperation? Everything remained unknown, and the shadow of death still weighed heavily on every Human Race member's heart.

Hu Shu endured the pain of his injuries and slowly stood up. His gaze swept over the injured clan members around him, a resolute will surging in his heart. "We cannot give up. As long as we have a breath left, we must fight these demons to the end!" Though his voice was weak, it was filled with determination.

Hearing Hu Shu's words, a spark of hope rekindled in the eyes of the despairing Human Race members. They struggled to their feet, gripped their weapons tightly, and prepared to face the Demon Marshal's final blow.

The Demon Marshal looked at the Human Race members' demeanor and let out a disdainful cold laugh. "Just a dying struggle." It raised its hand, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to completely annihilate the Human Race.

At this critical moment, a melodious bell chime suddenly echoed from the sky. The sound was clear and pleasant, yet it seemed to contain endless power, invigorating the mind and spirit.

Upon hearing the bell chime, the Demon Marshal's expression changed drastically. "Not good, it's Great Immortal Zhenyuan!" it thought inwardly, realizing that Great Immortal Zhenyuan's appearance here would surely ruin its plans.

Indeed, as the bell chime faded, a figure slowly descended from the sky. This person was Great Immortal Zhenyuan, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. He wore a green Taoist robe, held a horsetail whisk, and had a kind face that exuded an extraordinary and transcendent aura.

"Demon Marshal, why are you being so presumptuous in my Human Race territory?"