The Pursuit
"My lord! Why are you the only one who has returned?"
Ji Qingqing quickly stepped forward, a fleeting look of surprise on her face quickly replaced by worry.
Lu Feng did not answer, but took out a jade bottle from his robes and handed it over:
"Distribute the Healing Pill and treat the injuries."
Ji Qingqing took the jade bottle and gave one to each person.
After taking the pills, the complexions of several seriously injured female disciples visibly improved.
Ji Qingqing swallowed one herself and then turned to collect the essence blood of the demon beast.
Lu Feng reached out to stop her. "Go and heal your wounds, I'll collect the essence blood."
Ji Qingqing opened her mouth, as if to say something.
Lu Feng glanced at her, and Ji Qingqing had no choice but to swallow her words and retreat to sit down against the wall to practice her internal energy.
Lu Feng walked to the monster's corpse, squatted down, and skillfully extracted its essence blood.
Ji Qingqing sat not far away, watching this scene, her eyes slightly stinging.
She had served under several commanders, and none of them had ever personally collected the essence of their subordinates.
After the essence blood was collected, everyone's injuries stabilized.
"I've received word that we should retreat back into the city. Let's pack up and get ready to leave."
He thought someone would ask why, after all, he had defended the first line of defense for so long, and it would be hard for anyone to just give up like that.
"Yes!"
Ji Qingqing and the others spoke almost simultaneously, and no one questioned them.
Lu Feng was slightly taken aback, then nodded.
He let Ji Qingqing walk in front, while he lagged behind.
Given their injuries and cultivation levels, it would take them more than two hours to return to the city even at full speed.
Outside the third line of defense,
Lu Shuang, Jiang Han, Lin Jingfeng, and their group discussed their destination at the intersection.
"Should we go check out the third line of defense first?"
Lin Jingfeng spoke first. He was still seething with anger outside the fourth entrance, and his killing intent hadn't completely dissipated. He felt unwilling to return to the city like this.
"Regardless of your plans, we are heading back to the third line of defense."
A Grandmaster had come from another pass to provide support took over the conversation.
The people behind him nodded in agreement.
They were originally the garrison of the third line of defense, and were transferred to support the fourth entrance. Now that the fourth entrance has been temporarily stabilized, they naturally have to go back.
"Where is Miss Lu?" Jiang Han asked, looking at Lu Shuang, who hadn't spoken yet.
Lu Shuang gazed towards the city center and remained silent for two breaths:
"I promised Lu Feng I'd return to the city to investigate why the second line of defense was breached. I must go back."
Jiang Han opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
He actually wanted to go to the third line of defense as well.
He's currently ranked third in points, and he hasn't killed enough monsters yet. It's really not worth returning to town empty-handed.
But he also understood Lu Shuang's concerns.
The breach of the second line of defense was too bizarre; if we don't figure it out, it's like fighting a war with our eyes closed.
"Alright, a few of us will go to the third line of defense to provide support. Miss Lu will return to the city. We'll split up and keep in touch with each other," Jiang Han said.
After a few more quick words of discussion, the group parted ways.
Jiang Han, Lin Jingfeng, and several other Grandmaster flew towards the third line of defense, while Lu Shuang sped alone towards the city.
Before leaving, Lu Shuang glanced back at the direction of the third line of defense. Although she also wanted to go to the third line of defense, she had promised Lu Feng. A promise is a promise.
When Jiang Han and his group arrived at the third line of defense, the battle was nearing its end.
Of the two Fifth-Tier Demon Lord, only one was still struggling to hold on, its body covered with deep, bone-revealing wounds.
Nearly half of the remaining Demon King were dead, and the rest were all wounded.
On Guan Shanhai's side, nearly a hundred Ming Jin and Nei Jin disciples were killed in action, and the high ground of the defensive line was littered with corpses and broken swords.
But compared to other countries, humanity has already achieved a great victory.
They slew most of the Demon King, paying only a relatively small price.
With the arrival of Jiang Han and the others, the remaining Demon King were divided and surrounded.
In less than half an incense stick's time, the last Demon King was also torn to pieces.
Guan Shanhai sheathed his sword, his chest heaving a few times, then strode quickly to Jiang Han and the others.
Did you encounter the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King and Zhao Changgeng on your journey?
"No, we came directly from the fourth entrance and didn't encounter any people or monsters along the way."
Guan Shanhai was silent for a moment, then murmured softly:
"Has Zhao Changgeng already caught up with it?"
"Si Zheng, the demonic beasts have all been wiped out. Shouldn't we return to the second and first lines of defense and continue setting up defenses?" a Grandmaster asked.
"No. Defend the third line of defense first. Everyone stay put and rest to heal their wounds."
Guan Shanhai stated this directly without explaining the reason.
He didn't tell everyone that if Zhao Changgeng successfully killed the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King, then according to the plan above, their next step would be to retreat back to the city.
If Zhao Changgeng fails and the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King escapes back beyond the pass, then they will have to reorganize their forces to retake the first and second lines of defense.
Before the news arrives, acting rashly will only result in certain death.
Guan Shanhai glanced back at his exhausted disciples, then finally focused his gaze on Jiang Han, Lin Jingfeng, and a few other outside helpers. He called them aside separately.
"You are now ordered to return to the city."
"Si Zheng, may I ask why?" Jiang Han couldn't help but ask.
"If you want to know the reason, go back and ask your own Si Zheng."
Jiang Han and Lin Jingfeng exchanged a glance.
Having said all that, there's no point in asking any further questions.
"Yes."
The group clasped their hands in acceptance of the order, then took to the air and flew towards the city.
Meanwhile, on the way from the second line of defense to the third entrance of the first line of defense.
Zhao Changgeng caught up with the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King once again.
Without giving his opponent any chance to breathe, a powerful Sword Intent swept out from his body, pressing down on the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King.
The White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King suddenly stopped running.
The Sword Intent struck, and blood continued to seep from the piercing wound in his chest.
But there was no fear in its eyes.
It raised its head and let out a tiger's roar.
A pale red glow emanated from his body as his bloodline power was activated.
The tiger's roar transformed into a visible shockwave, forcefully shattering Zhao Changgeng's Sword Intent.
Taking advantage of this opening, the White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King turned around again and, with his last bit of strength, ran towards the direction beyond the pass.
Zhao Changgeng's face turned ashen.
The moment his Sword Intent was dispersed, the force of the recoil made his hand holding the sword go numb.
He glanced down at the faint traces of blood seeping from the base of his thumb, his brows furrowing even more deeply.
"This White-Foreheaded Tiger Demon King is incredibly difficult to kill. Despite being so severely injured, it can still use its bloodline power."
He gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, once again channeling all his True Essence to chase after them.
"I'd like to see how many more times you can pull this off."