The Clan Strikes Back

Chapter 5: The Clan Strikes Back. Alarms echoed above the clan like talismans demanding their lives, instantly plunging everyone into tense preparations for battle. Mu Chen's gaze sharpened. He knew the time had come to test the results of their training. He hurried toward the front line of the clan's defenses, with Tan Qingshan, Tang Qian'er, and the other young disciples close behind him. When they arrived, they saw a group of Black-Robed People locked in fierce combat with the clan's guards. There were more attackers than last time, and their attacks were even more ferocious. Black spiritual energy surged toward the guards like raging ocean waves. Although the guards resisted with all their might, they gradually began to falter beneath the overwhelming assault. "Everyone, stay calm! Engage them in the formation we practiced!" Mu Chen shouted. His voice was steady and forceful, almost magical in the way it eased some of the tension around them. The clan's young disciples quickly spread out, each squad taking its position to form a tightly coordinated offensive and defensive formation. Mu Chen's squad stood at its heart, serving as the main attacking force for the counterattack against the Black-Robed People. Heavy axe in hand, Tan Qingshan was the first to charge. Like an enraged bull, he tore toward the densest cluster of attackers. His heavy axe swung, every descending blow stirring up a bloody storm among the Black-Robed People. Their black spiritual energy collided with his fierce, unyielding spiritual energy, producing deafening crashes, but Tan Qingshan showed no fear. The flames of battle burned in his eyes. "Come on, you scum! Get a taste of what I can do!" Tan Qingshan roared. His attacks grew ever sharper as he carved a bloody path for the clan's disciples. Seizing his chance, Mu Chen unleashed his new spiritual technique. The star power around his body rapidly gathered into an enormous Spiritual Power Vortex. Stars flickered within it, radiating tremendous suction and destructive force. He swept both hands forward, sending the Spiritual Power Vortex flying toward the Black-Robed People. Sensing the powerful threat, they tried to evade it, but its pull was too strong, and several were swept straight inside. Within the vortex, star power sliced through their bodies, drawing agonized screams. "Qian'er, enhance everyone!" Mu Chen shouted. Tang Qian'er swiftly unleashed her support skills. She waved her spiritual energy staff, showering the clan's disciples with rays of gentle light. The light sank into their bodies, strengthening their spiritual energy, while their wounds swiftly healed beneath its glow. Bolstered by her support, the disciples' morale soared, and their attacks grew even fiercer. The other squads refused to be outdone. Those specializing in defense deployed their Spiritual Energy Shields, linking them together into an impregnable defensive line that blocked wave after wave of attacks. Behind the shields, the squads specializing in ranged combat unleashed spiritual energy arrows, spiritual energy orbs, and other attack skills, inflicting devastating casualties on the Black-Robed People. Seeing such tenacious resistance from the clan's disciples, the Black-Robed People leader deeply furrowed his brow. He had never expected these youngsters to possess such formidable fighting strength. It was completely at odds with their previous intelligence. "Hmph. We can't let them keep running rampant." With a cold snort, the Black-Robed People leader raised his black Magic Wand and began chanting. As his incantation rang out, the surrounding air grew colder, and black spiritual energy gathered at the tip of his Magic Wand, forming an enormous black skull. Its gaping, blood-red maw radiated an aura that chilled the heart. "Die!" the Black-Robed People leader shouted, hurling the skull toward Mu Chen and the others. Wherever it passed, it corroded a deep trench into the ground. It seemed to devour all the surrounding spiritual energy, creating a zone of death. Mu Chen sensed the tremendous power of the attack and knew they could not withstand it head-on. He quickly ordered, "Everyone, scatter! Don't let it hit you!" The clan's disciples swiftly scattered in every direction, but the Black-Robed People leader's attack was so fast that some failed to evade it in time. Just as the black skull was about to strike them, Mu Chen stepped forward. He pushed the spiritual energy within his body to its limit and unleashed the strongest form of Star Transformation, blending in the soul power of his new spiritual technique at the same time. A dazzling phantom star vault appeared around his body, with star power surging through it like mighty rivers. "Star Vault Protection!" Mu Chen bellowed. He shaped the phantom star vault into an enormous shield before the clan's disciples. The black skull slammed into it with a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering crash. The entire clan compound trembled beneath the tremendous impact. The shock wave cracked some of the surrounding buildings and brought others crashing down outright. Mu Chen felt an immense force transmitted through the shield, sending searing pain through his body as though he had been struck by lightning. Yet he gritted his teeth and desperately held the shield in place. His eyes brimmed with resolve. He could not let the Black-Robed People harm his clansmen. After a brief stalemate, the black skull finally began to dissipate under the resistance of the phantom star vault shield. Seeing Mu Chen block his strongest attack, the Black-Robed People leader's eyes flashed with surprise and fury. "You think this is enough to stop us? How naive!" he roared. He raised his Magic Wand again, preparing to launch another attack. However, the Black-Robed People had also suffered heavy losses during that exchange. Their numbers had dwindled considerably, and their morale was low. Although many of the clan's disciples had been injured as well, their fighting spirit remained high under Mu Chen's leadership. "Don't give them a chance to catch their breath! Counterattack!" Mu Chen shouted. Unleashing his new spiritual technique once more, he charged toward the Black-Robed People. The clan's disciples answered his call, surging toward the enemy like a tide. Amid the fierce fighting, Mu Chen, Tan Qingshan, and Tang Qian'er worked together, their attacks flowing in perfect harmony like drifting clouds and running water. Mu Chen's new spiritual technique struck in ways the Black-Robed People could scarcely guard against, Tan Qingshan's heavy axe wrought slaughter among their ranks, and Tang Qian'er's support skills kept both of them in prime fighting condition. The other clan disciples also brought their strength to bear, raining attacks upon the Black-Robed People. Under the clan's counterattack, the enemy began to retreat steadily. "Withdraw!" Seeing the battle turn against him, the Black-Robed People leader ordered a retreat. The Black-Robed People fled the clan compound like dogs driven from their homes. As they departed, cheers rang out across the clan. With this counterattack, the disciples had successfully repelled the evil forces' first assault and secured their clan's safety. But Mu Chen knew this was only the beginning. The Black-Robed People would not let the matter rest. They had to continue strengthening their defenses and improving their strength, preparing for the next, even crueler battle.