When Huang Jutao's blood-red escape light descended into Wangjiang City, many people saw it. The city's defensive formation rose soon afterward, throwing everyone into a panic. Ordinary townsfolk were somewhat calmer. The Huang Clan members were the most alarmed: Huang Jutao was their only Foundation Establishment Ancestor, the anchor that held them steady amid the waves.
"I saw him clearly when that escape light came down. The Ancestor was riding the Startling Silver Shuttle!"
"Is the Ancestor hurt?"
"He must be. Who hurt him?"
"Why did the Ancestor raise the formation so urgently? Is a powerful enemy still pursuing him? Will those villains break through and storm the city?"
"Don't panic. Breaking the formation won't be easy. With the Ancestor directing it and all our Qi Refining cultivators helping, even two or three Foundation Establishment cultivators would struggle to breach it. If we hold out long enough, the Gu Clan, the Yu Clan, and other clans tied to us by marriage—even our overlord sect—might send aid!"
"The overlord sect? Hah—"
"I don't know when the Ancestor left the city, but if they only dared ambush him outside it, they must not be confident they can break the formation. We're probably safe."
"Whether they attack Wangjiang City or not, send the order at once. Every Qi Refining cultivator in the clan is to report to the inner city, draw artifacts, pills, talismans, and other supplies from the clan treasury, and prepare for battle!"
"Yes!"
Uneasy, the Huang Clan's elders and stewards gathered in the inner city. They drew artifacts and pills from the treasury, then took up posts throughout the city. Members of the clan's branch lines were conscripted into a hastily formed city defense force.
Huang Fupei and Sun Yun were among them. He was at the sixth layer of