Splitting Into Two Paths, I'll Go Back to Report!

The flesh-and-blood monster, despite its immense strength and tough hide, was ultimately at a disadvantage against the coordinated pincer attack of Wang Lang and Wei Qing, two experts whose skill far surpassed that of ordinary mid-stage Spirit Condensation cultivators.

Its movements were clumsy, its attacks direct and predictable. Under Wang Lang's powerful restraint and Wei Qing's control and weakening effects, it struggled to mount any effective counterattack.

After only seven or eight exchanges, Wang Lang seized an opening. His six arms moved in unison, his precious staff channeling the full might of his Vajra Qi and Grand Righteous Qi.

It transformed into a brilliant golden stream of light, striking the monster's dark red heart in its chest with the force of a thunderclap!

"Roar!!!"

The monster let out one final, piercing shriek. Its chest was pierced, and its dark red heart abruptly extinguished.

Its massive body convulsed violently. The flesh and blood that formed its body seemed to lose its cohesion, rapidly decaying and melting away, turning into a pool of foul-smelling, viscous black and red sludge.

The great cleaver also clattered to the ground, quickly rusting into scrap metal.

With the mini-boss dead, the green flames in the eyes of the skeleton soldiers, which had been suppressed by the pressure of the Black Tortoise Dharma Idol, simultaneously extinguished. They collapsed with a clatter into piles of dry bones, no longer showing any signs of life.

The battle ended quickly, but no one felt even the slightest bit of relief.

Wei Qing swiftly moved towards the alley entrance they had come from.

The writhing mass of withered bones, minced flesh, and condensed black mist still blocked their path.

She channeled her Black Tortoise power and struck it with a palm!

The substance rippled violently, but like an incredibly resilient gel, it dispersed and absorbed the force, eventually returning to its original state.

"This substance... contains some kind of formation and death energy. Breaking through it forcefully will require a stronger burst of power," Wei Qing's expression turned grim.

"Let me try." Wang Lang, maintaining his three-zhang Dharma Idol form, stepped forward with heavy strides.

He took a deep breath, pouring all his strength into his Tin Staff, and slammed it down with immense force!

The substance caved in dramatically, stretching inward to an astonishing degree. The black mist and flesh writhed wildly, yet it still didn't break. Instead, it transmitted and dissipated most of the impact force.

"Hmm?" Wang Lang raised an eyebrow. Its toughness was beyond his expectations.

Refusing to believe it, he willed it, and a more ferocious power within him began to awaken.

It was the Grand Intent from the Intentional Blast Punch trait!

Wang Lang's entire Vajra Dharma Idol seemed to transform into a molten war god on the verge of eruption, his aura surging once more!

He no longer held back, injecting a small portion of the Grand Intent he could currently muster into the Town Mountain Tin Staff without reservation.

This time, the impact was completely different in terms of sound and visual effects.

Like the sun breaking through the dawn, a scorching and powerful crimson-gold torrent struck the substance at a single point along with the Tin Staff!

Screech!

The incredibly tough, writhing substance finally couldn't withstand this concentrated, intensely fierce impact, and a hole several meters in diameter was blasted open!

The path was clear.

Wei Qing looked at Wang Lang with even greater astonishment.

The momentary power of that strike made her heart palpitate.

It wasn't just brute force; it carried an indomitable will!

She even felt that the sharpness of this blow was comparable to the full-power strike of some late-stage Spirit Condensation cultivators.

Wang Lang retracted his Dharma Idol, returning to his human form, his expression unchanged.

Continuously activating his Dharma Idol and unleashing Grand Intent at high intensity was, for him, merely a warm-up.

He glanced at the gaping hole, then at the silhouette of the Star Gazing Platform in the distance, his mind made up.

He turned to Wei Qing and said, "Commander Wei, the people of this city are likely beyond saving."

"However, the demon behind this scheme has clearly set a trap with significant intentions."

"I want you to take Centurion Zhao and the others and quickly withdraw from Black Stone City through here."

Wei Qing immediately understood his meaning and said urgently, "Young Master Wang, are you planning to go to the Star Gazing Platform alone?"

"You can't! The enemy is hidden, and we are exposed. It's too dangerous!"

Wang Lang waved his hand. "If this fiend isn't eliminated, we might be able to retreat today, but since it has already laid its net, Black Stone City may not be the end. The repercussions will be endless."

"Since I possess some ability, I must at least try to sever this root of disaster."

"Therefore, you all retreat first and provide support from outside. If things go south, I will find a way to escape."

Wang Lang's confidence naturally stemmed from his Ageless and Undying trait.

If he truly couldn't win, it would simply mean dying once and reviving outside the city.

Although there had been frequent incidents recently, preventing him from focusing on secluded cultivation, But with the blessing of the Innate Qi · Orange attribute, he was becoming stronger every moment.

Wei Qing wanted to persuade him further, but Wang Lang no longer spoke. He turned and swept towards the Star Gazing Platform.

Wei Qing's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. Staring in the direction he disappeared, her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

She had organized this city entry, thinking that there would be strength in numbers, and that ordinary patrolmen could play a role in rescue, investigation, and defense.

But now, there were no living people left in the city. Facing enemies of this caliber, ordinary patrolmen had become burdens that needed protection.

Wang Lang was a powerful reinforcement she had invited. Both morally and logically, she couldn't stand by and watch him venture into danger alone while she led her team to retreat.

As her thoughts raced, Centurion Zhao and the others gathered around with tense expressions.

"Lord Wei!"

Wei Qing glanced at the people beside her, then looked in the direction Wang Lang had left.

Finally, she made up her mind and said rapidly:

"Centurion Zhao! You will immediately lead the other brothers and retreat the way you came out of Black Stone City!"

"Then, my Lord...?" Centurion Zhao asked anxiously.

"I'm going to support Young Master Wang," Wei Qing said resolutely. "He is venturing into danger for my Demon Subduing Division's affairs, and I cannot abandon him."

"You all retreat quickly, this is an order!"

However, Xiong Yue, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke in a deep, muffled voice: "Lord Wei! Xiong has something to say!"

Wei Qing looked at him.

Xiong Yue straightened his back and said solemnly:

"Previously, you said we should retreat the way we came, and I had no objections. That was to consider the overall situation."

"But now it seems that the demon behind this clearly wants to wipe us all out! Even if this retreat path is temporarily opened, it's hard to guarantee peace on the way back!"

"Young Master Wang is noble and dares to be the first. Although I, Xiong Yue, am just a martial artist at the ninth level of Body Tempering, and I don't understand Qi Refinement, this blood, qi, muscles, and bones are not for show!"

"If Lord Wei is going to help Young Master Wang, I, Xiong Yue, am willing to go with you! One more person means one more strength!"

After speaking, he didn't wait for Wei Qing's explicit reply.

He cupped his fists towards Centurion Zhao and the others and then rushed in the direction Wang Lang had left.

"Brother Xiong is right!"

"Lord Wei, Young Master Wang came to help us, we can't let him take the risk alone!"

"It's just some demons and ghosts, we'll risk our lives to tear off a piece of them!"

"The Demon Subduing Division has no cowards who flee from battle!"

Xiong Yue's actions seemed to ignite the fighting spirit in everyone's hearts.

Their strength might be inferior, but having dealt with demons and evil spirits for years, they had long since disregarded life and death.

Amidst this passionate and inspiring atmosphere, a discordant voice weakly sounded:

"Ev... everyone... calm down, calm down!"

Everyone looked over and saw Zhou Xuantong, whose face was pale and his eyes darting around.

He forced a smile and cupped his hands towards Wei Qing: "Lord Wei, I admire the bravery of all of you!"

"However, the situation in Black Stone City is critical, and we must immediately request reinforcements! I, Zhou, am willing to take on this responsibility and will immediately depart for Yuan Province to report to the Prefect!"

Although he spoke righteously, in his heart, he was already filled with regret, only wishing to escape quickly.

If he had known the strange situation inside Black Stone City earlier, he should have run away with Meng Qianfan without a second thought when he slipped away!

What face and rewards ultimately mattered less than life itself.

As his thoughts raced, his feet had already subtly retreated half a step.

Wei Qing looked deeply at Zhou Xuantong and did not stop him.

"Since Fellow Daoist Zhou has this intention, travel safely," Wei Qing said calmly.

Zhou Xuantong nodded profusely as if granted amnesty: "Lord Wei, take care! Everyone, take care! I will not fail my mission!"

Before his words even fell, he had already used his movement technique and, without looking back, sped towards the opening Wang Lang had blasted.

His speed was astonishing, as if he was afraid of being called back to share their hardships if he was even a moment slower.

Looking at Zhou Xuantong's disappearing back, Wei Qing's heart was unmoved.

However, what the other party had said reminded her.

Wei Qing immediately took out the Myriad Miles Communication Talisman from her bosom and attempted to contact Prefect Jiang of Yuan Province.

However, as soon as the talisman lit up with a faint glow, it was as if it was interfered with by an invisible force and quickly dimmed.

"As expected... this black fog enveloping the entire city has the effect of blocking communication," Wei Qing's expression turned grim.

At this point, she no longer hesitated. Her gaze swept over Centurion Zhao, Patrolman Li, and the remaining six patrolmen:

"Centurion Zhao! Execute the order, lead them to retreat immediately!"

"Xiong Yue and I will go meet Young Master Wang. If we can find the key to breaking this situation, we'll find a way to escape."

"Keep this talisman safe. Once you're out, be sure to report the strange speed of Black Stone City to Prefect Jiang!"

As he spoke, he handed the talisman in his hand to Centurion Zhao.

Centurion Zhao took it, knowing that his team's strength was limited and that staying would only be a burden.

He clasped his fists heavily and quickly led his men away.