Demonic Birds

Gourd Valley.

A large valley.

This valley stretches for fifty or sixty li from end to end, with the outer valley being over twenty li and the inner valley over thirty li. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it two small basins connected together.

Moreover, the terrain of this valley is treacherous, with a large river on the left and a huge crevice on the right.

Although the crevice is only a dozen miles long, it is located at the entrance to the valley.

In addition, the valley has a sloping terrain, so if heavy artillery is placed behind the valley, its altitude is hundreds of meters higher than that at the valley entrance.

At this moment, heavy cannons had been moved to the mountain peaks behind the valley, overlooking the valley entrance.

At the valley entrance, the area was also divided into grids, similar to those used in the Battle of Cloud Sky City, to facilitate precise strikes by soldiers wielding swords and heavy cannons.

There used to be a lot of forest in the outer valley, but now the forest has been doused with kerosene and will burn fiercely after the shelling.

Although most Demonic Beasts are not afraid of fire, their animal instincts will drive them toward the path left in the middle, which may cause further chaos and increase the killing effect.

The people of Lingxiao City were making preparations in an orderly manner.

Fang Linghai, Liu Jingtao, Wuyou, and the others stared in astonishment at the heavy artillery pieces that had been pulled and carried to the best vantage points.

"Seeing is believing. This time I'm finally fortunate enough to witness the true power of the 'Sharp Sword' heavy cannon."

"Even a Celestial Master can step onto the battlefield and possess astonishing combat power with the aid of a 'sharp sword'? This truly broadens one's horizons."

"Rumor has it that the 'Sharp Sword' heavy cannon can even kill high-level Demonic Beasts... If even a high-level Demonic Beasts's physique can't withstand it, what would happen to a human cultivator...?"

The group looked around, seemingly trying to figure out exactly how powerful this war Spirit Artifact was.

After a series of arrangements were made Gu Jinlai, several Primordial Spirits True Lord found.

"Gentlemen, we are all ready. Now it's up to you. Just wait for you to lure the Demonic Beasts into the valley, and we will deliver a fatal blow to them."

This Gu Jinlai.

Everyone's attention was drawn away from the sharp swords and heavy cannons.

Fang Linghai solemnly stated, "We will abandon Lengfeng Fortress and use a large-scale retreat to lure the Demonic Beasts into this valley..."

He looked at Gu Jinlai, "Once we reach the valley, we'll entrust the task to Lord Gu."

If, Gu Jinlai, they could not stop the Demonic Beasts' charge in Calabash Valley, their losses would be extremely heavy, leaving them with no defensible position after retreating from the fortress.

"Should we abandon Cold Peak Fortress?"

Some people, Gu Jinlai, were surprised. "Isn't this too deliberate?"

"Won't."

Fang Linghai said with a wry smile, "In reality, Lengfeng Fortress is already dead in name only. During this period, this fortress has been almost like a meat grinder, and it has been running for two months. No matter how strong the defenses are, they will be destroyed under such collisions. Even if the Lord of Guzhou doesn't come, we will have to retreat to Hanyue City in the south-central part of Lanzhou in three to five days at most."

"Good."

Gu Jinlai nodded. "As long as the Demonic Beasts enter the valley, I will make sure Demonic Beasts never return."

Fang Linghai nodded vigorously and led his men away.

"The Demonic Beasts of Muzhou are different from those Demonic Beasts Tianhe. Although there are only 70,000 Demonic Beasts in Muzhou, and more than 10,000 were lost in the fierce battles of the past two months, leaving less than 60,000, the quality of the Demonic Beasts in Muzhou is much higher than that of the Demonic Beasts in Tianhe. More than 20 high-ranking Demonic Beasts have clashed with us during this period. You must be very careful."

Liu Jingtao gave instructions.

Finally, he transmitted his voice, saying, "If things become unmanageable, preserve your strength and withdraw from Calabash Valley."

"I see."

Gu Jinlai nodded.

After showing his concern, Liu Jingtao turned and left.

After he left, Gu Jinlai arranged for the Demon God's personal guards to provide defense.

The main defensive point is located in the narrow passage between the outer and inner valleys of Hulu Valley.

The main force was defended by the retreating Cold Moon Sect, Yellow Spring Sect, and Purgatory Sect, with the Demon God's personal guards assisting.

This place is less than a mile wide, with steep mountains on both sides. Although Demonic Beasts can still climb over it, the treacherous terrain slows their progress much slower than city walls.

Furthermore, Gu Jinlai guarded the mountains, this place will undoubtedly significantly slow down the advance of Demonic Beasts.

"Demonic Beasts want to put on a show, we'll play along and make the show a success."

Gu Jinlai, people have looked up and gazed into the distance.

At the edge of the horizon, the Demonic Beasts aura deep within Muzhou remained completely still.

On the contrary, the energy that invaded Lanzhou continued to surge forward, about to collide head-on with the energy from all directions led by the Cold Moon Sect.

A major battle is about to break out in Lanzhou.

At this moment, in Tianhe, a massive army, pulling a full thirty heavy cannons, was slowly crossing the river.

This was the elite army led by General Shang Zhenbei.

These thirty heavy cannons were purchased by the Great Qian imperial family for ninety portions of Immortal Refined Gold.

Because thirty heavy cannons were sold to the Great Qian royal family, it was perfectly legitimate for Gu Jinlai to bring one hundred and eight heavy cannons to Lanzhou.

"Be careful, these are all treasures, and we can't afford to make the slightest mistake with any of them."

Shang Zhenbei was directing the soldiers.

Several experts at the Core Forming level were stationed next to each heavy cannon to guard it and prevent any accidents.

Beside him stood a middle-aged man dressed in silver scale armor.

This kind of outfit...

It was the most elite Qian Tian Guard of the Great Qian Empire.

The nature of the Qian Tian Guard is similar to that of the Meteor Guard. They are the most elite special forces in the Great Qian, and the selection criterion is the cultivation level of the Qi Refining Realm.

Because of these stringent selection requirements, the Qian Tian Guard has only a little over ten thousand members and obeys only the Emperor's orders.

This time, the deputy commander Ding Luoyang led the team to meet Shang Zhenbei and guard the Thirty-Meter Sword Heavy Artillery along the way.

Of course, the Qian Tian Guard claims to act entirely on the orders of Emperor Jiang Tianji, but over the years, various clans in Zhongzhou have also infiltrated the Qian Tian Guard.

These thirty heavy cannons, on their way to the capital, would inevitably pass through several cities controlled by top clans, where they would rest for a few days under the guise of recuperation.

These past few days have been a precious opportunity for these powerful clans to study their sharp swords and heavy cannons and see if they could replicate them.

"Thirty heavy cannons and ninety portions of immortal refined gold—that's almost equivalent to ninety high-grade Spirit Artifacts. A top-tier sect only possesses thirty or forty, or even twenty or thirty, high-grade spiritual Spirit Artifacts. Lingxiao City is really asking for the moon."

Looking at the swords and cannons being transported across the river, Ding Luoyang said with some dissatisfaction, "Those who have served as the rulers of Star Province Gu Jinlai do not even understand the principle of being loyal to the ruler when they receive the ruler's salary."

Shang Zhenbei glanced at him but did not agree. Instead, he said, "The ancient state lord guards Star Province and fights against Demonic Beasts. He needs to consume a lot of manpower and resources, so he naturally has his difficulties."

"Difficulties? They have difficulties, but don't we? Of the Demon Realm rifts in the world today, Zhongzhou has two and Rizhou has one. Weren't we the ones who sealed all three rifts? The Demonic Beasts who have died at our hands is no less than that of those from Gu Jinlai, but we will not be like them, taking credit for our achievements. General Shang, don't you agree?"

Ding Luoyang said.

Shang Zhenbei didn't know who this Deputy Commander Ding represented, so he didn't dare to answer easily. He simply said, "That's true, but Lingxiao City has done a great job in defeating the Demonic Beasts and killing tens of thousands of Demonic Beasts from the Heavenly River, including a top-tier Demonic Beasts king. It's not unreasonable to reward such a feat with ninety portions of Immortal Refined Gold."

"Rewards and purchases should not be confused, as for Lingxiao City..."

Ding Luoyang was about to say something more, but Shang Zhenbei seemed to sense something and suddenly looked towards the horizon.

But then, in the distance, a patch of white clouds that covered the sky was suddenly torn apart.

Hundreds of black dots emerged from the white clouds, flying in this direction like arrows.

"A demonic bird!?"

Shang Zhenbei's expression changed.

He immediately mounted his sword and soared into the sky.

But at that moment, looking down from his vantage point, he seemed to sense something and peered out.

In the distance, the Heavenly River Water was surging violently, with large waves constantly splashing and rapidly approaching their ferry crossing.

It's like there are a lot of creatures moving wildly underwater.

This change made Shang Zhenbei instantly realize something, and he shouted loudly, "Demonic Beasts are attacking! Protect the Spirit Artifacts!"

Ding Luoyang then gave the order, "All Hundred Commander, take your 'Sharp Sword' heavy artillery and retreat ashore!"

What makes the Heavenly River Demonic Beasts able to block the north and south?!

They rely on their advantageous geographical location in the Tianhe River Basin.

After wreaking havoc on the river and causing widespread destruction, they only need to hide at the bottom of the river, and even the flying swords of Spirit Transformation cultivators cannot harm them.

Therefore, neither Shang Zhenbei nor Ding Luoyang dared to fight the Demonic Beasts on the river.

"Hurry!"

Shang Zhenbei kept urging his soldiers on, while he looked up at the hundreds of demonic birds that were tearing down from the clouds at incredible speed, intending to hold off these flying Demonic Beasts by himself.

Only...

In just a moment, his expression changed drastically.

Among the hundreds of demonic birds, one of them suddenly leaped out, its body seemingly engulfed in a layer of crimson flames.

As the crimson flames boiled, the terrifying aura emanating from this demonic bird could no longer be concealed and was fully unleashed.

That terrifying pressure...

"Demonic Beasts King!"

A desperate cry escaped from Shangzhen Beikou's mouth.

He was not particularly afraid of ordinary demonic birds, or even those that were equivalent to high-ranking Demonic Beasts.

The demonic birds are not good at fighting, so these Primordial Spirit True Lord can easily take on many of them.

But Demonic Beasts king-level demonic bird...

It was a demonic bird that seemed to conceal its aura and had integrated its Qi and Blood and demonic nature into one, equivalent to a perfected immortal demonic body. Unless Celestial Person being personally intervened, this primordial Primordial Spirit True Lord would be unable to withstand it.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

Shang Zhenbei roared angrily.

He suddenly turned around and fled at full speed on his sword.

Not only him, but Ding Luoyang also made the same choice after sensing the aura of this Demonic Beasts king-level demonic bird.

The difference between the Demonic Beasts King and the Primordial Spirit True Lord made them dare not confront him directly.

Two Primordial Spirit True Lords led the core officers in an escape, while the remaining soldiers...

What awaited them was a complete massacre.

Several hours later, blood stained the Heavenly River Water.

Countless Demonic Beasts devoured the corpses of the soldiers left behind by the Zhenbei Army, as if it were a carnival feast.

But...

This feast is clearly not over yet.

A gigantic Demonic Beasts, resembling a Xuanwu (a mythical tortoise-like creature), was speaking to the leading demonic bird.

After a long while, the demonic bird finally spoke in a shrill voice, "Are you saying... you fell into a human trap? You were lured out of the Milky Way and were then attacked from both sides, leading to your defeat?"