Powerful Enemy Approaches, Crisis Lurks

The elite squad stepped into the Misty Mountain Range, and the dense fog instantly swallowed their figures. The member at the front suddenly stopped and said in a low voice, "Everyone, be careful. I feel like something is watching us." Everyone immediately became alert, gripping their weapons as they slowly advanced. The surroundings were terrifyingly quiet, with only their faint footsteps echoing through the mist. An unknown danger seemed to be silently drawing near.

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 determination and worry. He was determined because he hoped the elite squad would find the key to strengthening the Human Race, yet he worried about the many dangers they would face in the Misty Mountain Range.

"Everyone, check your equipment carefully one more time. Make sure nothing can go wrong," Hu Shu called loudly, his voice echoing across the open grounds.

The Human Race members responded one after another, carefully inspecting the weapons in their hands and the armor on their bodies. Some sharpened their blades to make them keener, while others repaired minor damage to their armor. The air was thick with tension and solemnity.

Just then, in a Demon Race territory far from Shouyang Mountain, a powerful Demon Marshal sat upon a massive stone chair. Dense demonic energy radiated from its body, while ferocious light flickered in its blood-red eyes.

"I heard there's a human who not only repelled our Demon Race's attack, but also made that fellow Guang Chengzi suffer. Hmph, what audacity," the Demon Marshal said in a low voice filled with fury.

The many Demon Race experts below lowered their heads, not daring to breathe too loudly.

"This marshal has decided to act personally and teach these humans a lesson they will never forget. You will accompany me and wipe out that human and his entire tribe!" The Demon Marshal abruptly rose to its feet, and the demonic energy around its body erupted instantly, shaking the surrounding space.

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

This Demon Marshal held a high position within the Demon Race, and its cultivation had reached the realm of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. At its summons, a group of formidable Demon Race experts rapidly gathered. Among them were many Grand Unity Golden Immortal-level powerhouses, all eager for battle and ready to display their strength in the coming fight, crushing the Human Race into dust.

At that moment, Hu Shu on Shouyang Mountain had no idea that this enormous crisis was about to descend. He was still discussing various matters concerning the elite squad's departure with several elders of the Human Race, such as the Human Race's upcoming cultivation plan and how to deal with the possible return of ferocious beasts.

"Hu Shu, the elite squad's journey is fraught with uncertainty. The Human Race is counting entirely on them," an elderly Human Race elder with white hair said worriedly.

Hu Shu nodded slightly and said with a firm gaze, "Rest assured, Senior. I believe in them. Besides, the Human Race cannot rely solely on the elite squad. Everyone must continue cultivating and strengthening themselves. Only when the Human Race as a whole grows strong can we establish ourselves in this Primordial World."

Everyone voiced their agreement, but they did not know that a devastating catastrophe was rapidly bearing down on them.

As time passed, the Demon Race army, led by the Demon Marshal, swiftly closed in on Shouyang Mountain. Their figures flashed through the forests, and wherever they passed, birds and beasts scattered in terror, as though even nature feared their arrival.

On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race continued its preparations in an orderly fashion. Some Human Race children watched the busy adults with curiosity. Though they did not yet understand what was about to happen, they could still sense the tension in the air.

"Father, where are those big brothers and sisters going?" one child asked, tugging at his father's sleeve.

"They are going somewhere very dangerous, to search for something that can make the Human Race stronger," his father answered softly, his eyes full of hope for the elite squad.

By then, the elite squad had already ventured deep into the Misty Mountain Range. Suddenly, a low roar came from ahead, followed by the charge of a massive ferocious beast from the fog. Its body was covered in sharp thorns, and green venom dripped from its mouth, releasing a nauseating stench.

"Careful, it's a Misty Thorn Beast!" the Captain of the elite squad shouted. Everyone swiftly formed up and prepared for battle.

On Shouyang Mountain, Hu Shu was about to inspect the route markers left for the elite squad. He had only walked a short distance when he suddenly felt a powerful demonic aura rushing toward him. His heart jolted, and he immediately realized something was wrong.

"Everyone, stay alert! A powerful enemy is attacking!" Hu Shu shouted urgently.

Upon hearing this, the Human Race members immediately stopped what they were doing, seized their weapons, and looked toward the source of the demonic aura. In the distance, a mass of black clouds surged rapidly toward Shouyang Mountain. Within those clouds, countless Demon Race figures could vaguely be seen.

"It's the Demon Race! They've come again!" someone cried in terror.

Hu Shu's expression turned grave. He knew that the Demon Race forces arriving this time were anything but ordinary. Judging from the dense demonic aura alone, their strength was exceptionally formidable.

"Do not panic! Follow the drills and quickly take up defensive positions!" Hu Shu instructed the Human Race while circulating his spiritual power, preparing for the coming fierce battle.

However, when facing the powerful Demon Marshal and so many Demon Race experts, the Human Race could not help but show a trace of fear. Their previous battle against the Demon Race had already cost them dearly. Now, a powerful enemy had returned, seemingly even stronger than before. They did not know whether they could withstand this assault again.

Amid the tense atmosphere, the Demon Race army arrived at the foot of Shouyang Mountain. The Demon Marshal stood at the very front, gazing at the Human Race waiting in formation on the mountain, a cruel smile curling across its lips.

"Lowly 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 up the mountain like a tidal wave, and a brutal battle was about to erupt. On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race gripped their weapons tightly, determination in their eyes. They knew this battle concerned the survival of the Human Race. There was no retreat. Hu Shu watched the Demon Race charge forward and silently swore that, no matter the cost, he would protect the Human Race. Yet before such powerful enemies, could the Human Race survive this crisis? How would Hu Shu respond? Everything remained unknown, while the shadow of death had already silently enveloped the skies above Shouyang Mountain.

On Shouyang Mountain, the Human Race stood ready in battle formation, the tense atmosphere seemingly frozen solid. Hu Shu stood at the front of the ranks, his eyes fixed on the Demon Race surging forward like a tide. He knew that this attack was far more threatening than the last. A fierce battle was unavoidable.

Among the Demon Race, Grand Unity Golden Immortal-level experts led the charge. Their figures flashed like lightning, and they reached the Human Race's defensive line in an instant. One Demon Race expert flicked his spear, its tip gleaming coldly as it shot toward a Human Race warrior. The warrior showed no fear and raised his shield to block with all his strength. With a loud clang, the tremendous impact numbed his arms and forced him back several steps.

Seeing this, Hu Shu immediately unleashed his movement technique, weaving through the crowd like a phantom. He swung his shining Long Sword, and a sharp Sword Qi howled forth, shooting straight at the Demon Race expert. Sensing the Sword Qi's fierce edge, the Demon Race expert's expression changed slightly, and he hastily twisted aside. The Sword Qi grazed past his body and split a nearby boulder in two.

Meanwhile, the Demon Marshal stood at a distance, observing the battlefield coldly. It was filled with disdain. In its eyes, these humans were nothing more than ants. With the slightest move, it could annihilate them all. Yet it wanted first to watch their struggles in despair, indulging its twisted amusement.

Under Hu Shu's command, the Human Race worked together and barely held back the Demon Race's assault. However, the Demon Race had too many experts, and they were too powerful. The Human Race gradually began to falter. More and more Human Race warriors were wounded and fell, their blood staining the earth of Shouyang Mountain red as the air filled with a heavy scent of blood.

"Hold on, everyone! We cannot give up!" Hu Shu shouted as he fought, trying to raise the Human Race's morale.

Just then, a Demon Race Grand Unity Golden Immortal seized the opportunity and charged fiercely at Hu Shu. He raised his broadsword high, carrying overwhelming force as he hacked down at Hu Shu. Feeling the immense pressure descending from above, Hu Shu swiftly circulated his spiritual power and formed a Spiritual Power Shield before himself. The broadsword struck the shield, sending sparks flying. The shield shook violently and nearly shattered.

The impact sent Hu Shu's Qi and Blood churning, but he endured the discomfort and thrust his sword back at the Demon Race expert. The expert twisted aside to evade it, then lashed out with a kick that sent Hu Shu flying several yards away.

"Hu Shu!" the Human Race cried out in alarm.

Hu Shu struggled to his feet. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained firm. He knew he could not fall. If he did, the Human Race would truly be finished.

By then, the Demon Race's offensive had grown even fiercer, and breaches appeared throughout the Human Race's defensive line. The Demon Race experts took advantage and poured through, pushing the Human Race into extreme danger. At this critical moment, could Hu Shu think of a solution and lead the Human Race in resisting the Demon Race's assault? What fate awaited the Human Race on Shouyang Mountain? Everything hung by a thread, and the shadow of death grew ever heavier.

At this moment of extreme peril, Hu Shu took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the churning Qi and Blood within him. He understood that if he showed even the slightest panic now, the Human Race would fall into the Place of Eternal Damnation.

"Listen to my command! Contract the line and concentrate our strength!" Hu Shu shouted. Though his voice was somewhat hoarse, it carried unquestionable authority.

Hearing Hu Shu's command, the Human Race members moved toward the center. Their originally loose defensive line gradually contracted, forming a tight defensive circle. Taking advantage of the opening, Hu Shu swiftly pulled out a pill from his robe and swallowed it. The Pill melted the moment it entered his mouth, and vast spiritual power erupted within him. His injuries quickly eased, and some of his spiritual power returned.

When the Demon Marshal saw that the Human Race could rapidly adjust their defensive line even under such fierce attacks, a trace of surprise flashed through its eyes. But it quickly returned to its disdainful expression. In its view, the Human Race's resistance was merely the struggle of those at death's door.

"Intensify the attack! Do not give them a chance to catch their breath!" At the Demon Marshal's command, the Demon Race experts launched an even fiercer assault. For a time, all manner of spell lights flashed, while battle cries shook the heavens.

Holding his Long Sword, Hu Shu stood at the forefront of the defensive circle, constantly blocking the Demon Race's attacks. Every strike brought immense pressure, but with sheer willpower, he held his position without yielding.

Suddenly, while Hu Shu was occupied blocking other attacks, a Demon Race expert quietly approached from the side and thrust his sharp blade at Hu Shu's back. At that critical instant, a Human Race warrior noticed the danger. Without hesitation, he rushed forward and used his body to block the fatal strike. The blade pierced the Human Race warrior's chest, and blood gushed out.

"No!" Hu Shu roared, his heart filled with grief and rage. He spun around and cut down the Demon Race expert with a single strike. Looking at the fallen Human Race warrior, Hu Shu silently swore that he would make these demons pay a terrible price.

Yet the Demon Race's attacks continued to crash forward like waves. The Human Race's defensive circle kept shrinking, and their casualties mounted. Hu Shu was frantic. He knew that if this continued, the Human Race would sooner or later be destroyed by the Demon Race. As he fought, he rapidly considered a countermeasure.

Then he suddenly remembered a Combined Attack Technique he had learned from the Mysterious Rogue Cultivator. This Combined Attack Technique required the cooperation of many people, but its power was immense. Although the Human Race had never practiced it before, they had no other choice now.

"Listen to me! I am going to use a Combined Attack Technique. Follow my instructions!" Hu Shu shouted.

Though the Human Race was puzzled, they trusted Hu Shu completely and all nodded in agreement.

Hu Shu swiftly taught them the essentials of the Combined Attack Technique. At this life-or-death moment, the Human Race displayed astonishing learning ability and quickly grasped its key points.

"Get ready! On my command, attack together!" Hu Shu shouted.

At Hu Shu's command, the Human Race simultaneously circulated their spiritual power and gathered their strength together. A dazzling beam of light shot into the sky, forming an enormous pillar of spiritual power that blasted toward the Demon Race formation.

The Demon Race experts' expressions changed drastically at the sudden attack, and they scattered to evade it. Wherever the pillar of spiritual power passed, the Demon Race formation descended into chaos. Many Demon Race experts were struck and fell to the ground wounded.

Seeing this, the Demon Marshal finally showed a trace of gravity. It had not expected these humans to possess such a method. But as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, how could it be easily intimidated by them?

"Hmph, a petty trick. Watch how this marshal breaks it!" the Demon Marshal roared. Demonic energy surged wildly around its body as its hands rapidly formed seals. A massive black demonic light shot from its hands and met the pillar of spiritual power head-on.

With a deafening boom, the pillar of spiritual power collided with the black demonic light, unleashing a heaven-shaking Energy Wave. Trees on Shouyang Mountain were uprooted, rocks were blasted to pieces, and the entire mountain shook violently.

Under the powerful energy impact, the Human Race members were all thrown to the ground. Hu Shu was severely injured once more. On the Demon Race's side, many experts were wounded as well.

The Demon Marshal looked at the injured Human Race and revealed a savage smile. "Do you think this is enough to stop this marshal? Today, not a single one of you humans will leave alive!" With that, the Demon Marshal prepared to launch another attack.

The Human Race looked at the Demon Marshal with despair in their eyes. Could the Human Race truly be exterminated today? Hu Shu lay on the ground, his heart full of unwillingness. He looked at the sky and silently wondered, Had he ultimately failed to protect his people? Yet a trace of defiance remained in his eyes. Even at the final moment, he would not surrender. At this critical moment of life and death, did the Human Race still have a sliver of hope? Could Hu Shu once again lead them to survive against impossible odds? Everything remained unknown, while the shadow of death still weighed heavily upon every Human Race heart.

Enduring the pain, Hu Shu slowly rose to his feet. His gaze swept over the wounded members of his tribe, and resolute determination surged within him. "We cannot give up. As long as we still draw breath, we must fight these demons to the bitter end!" Though his voice was weak, it was filled with resolve.

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

The Demon Marshal looked at them and gave a disdainful sneer. "The struggle of the dying, nothing more." It raised its hand, ready to unleash a fatal strike and wipe out the Human Race completely.

At that critical moment, a melodious bell suddenly rang out from the sky. The chime was crisp and pleasant, yet it seemed to contain boundless power, stirring everyone's spirits.

When the Demon Marshal heard the bell, its expression changed drastically. "Not good, it's Great Immortal Zhenyuan!" It inwardly cried out in alarm. If Great Immortal Zhenyuan had appeared here, he would surely ruin its plans.

Sure enough, as the bell rang, a figure slowly descended from the sky. It was Great Immortal Zhenyuan, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. He wore an azure Daoist robe and held a Fly Whisk. His face was gentle, yet he exuded an otherworldly presence.

"Demon Marshal, what right do you have to run rampant in the territory of my Human Race?" Zhen