City Under Lockdown

With a dizzying sensation, Qin Fei suddenly appeared at the foot of the tower.

The surrounding area was filled with deafening shouts of battle, and countless cultivators fled in panic.

Qin Fei steadied himself and then took a clear look at the scene around him.

A massive Barbarian Tribe army surged across the river from the opposite bank.

Anyone who was even slightly slower would be blasted to pieces by the overwhelming Technique Method.

Ignoring everything else, Qin Fei spread his black wings and joined the fleeing cultivators.

But a sense of unease lingered in his heart. Weren't the barbarian army attacking Shangyu Market? How did they end up here?

He stopped a slower-flying monk and asked him a question.

The man looked displeased, but after sensing Qin Fei's Late Qi Refining aura, he put on a smiling face, though it looked more like a grimace.

"Fellow Daoist, run! Attacking Shangyu Market is just a pretext; the barbarian army's true objective is to seize the secret realm!"

Qin Fei was taken aback.

It's said that Barbarian Tribe are a bunch of savages who only know how to charge and kill, and have no brains.

But in the past few days, they have completely outmaneuvered the humans of Shangyu Market.

The only saving grace is that the tower was occupied by the Barbarian Tribe, so even if they later discover that the fortuitous opportunity at the top floor is gone, they won't suspect Qin Fei.

I wonder what expressions those barbarians will have after their efforts come to nothing.

Qin Fei shook his head and suddenly increased his speed.

The scene inside the secret realm was chaotic.

Barbarian soldiers were everywhere, pursuing and intercepting them.

Once upon a time, the human and barbarian races divided the secret realm into two, ruling it along a river.

Now they all belong to the Barbarian Tribe.

It must be said that the Barbarian Tribe's strategy was very successful.

Shangyu Market has sturdy city walls and a wide moat, and with the secret realm not far away, those Foundation Establishment cultivators can quickly come to its aid.

The barbarian army would suffer heavy losses if it wanted to conquer it.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that while injuring the enemy by a thousand, one's own losses were eight hundred.

However, now, they have seized the entire secret realm with almost no casualties.

The human race suffered a complete defeat.

The Lin Household's meeting room.

Eight Foundation Establishment cultivators sat on either side.

The scene was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's face was more grim than the last.

"Stop arguing, now is not the time to assign blame."

"If we really have to determine who's right and who's wrong, both of us were greedy for that secret realm, which gave the Barbarian Tribe an opportunity to take advantage of us. Both sides bear responsibility for this."

"The key issue is, now that the secret realm is lost, the three major sects are holding us accountable. How are we supposed to make amends?"

The Daoist Fuchen of high moral character and great prestige, spoke first.

He was filled with bitterness. He had come all this way specifically for this secret realm, but instead of gaining any benefits, he had run into this mess.

He couldn't explain things to the Azure Wood Palace either.

His master sent several messages, but he could only pretend he didn't see them.

In the end, he simply stayed there to see if there was any way to make amends, so that he could return to his clan with face.

The Fairy Caiyi wasn't having an easy time either. Fighting among her own kind, losing the secret realm, and the human race being played for a fool—none of these things would sound good if word got out.

As for the two major Lineage in Shangyu Market, needless to say.

They are the biggest victims.

Of course, they brought it on themselves.

Seeing no response, Daoist Fuchen continued:

"Let me be frank, can the Lin and Lu families put aside their past grievances and cooperate sincerely? Give me a straight answer."

"If not, there are plenty of Foundation Establishment Lineage willing to move into Shangyu Market. I refuse to believe that no one will take a bite of this lucrative opportunity!"

Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a harsh and cold border region; it's only the lower-level, Rogue Cultivator who suffer.

The Lin and Lu families controlled almost all the resources in the vicinity; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were incredibly wealthy.

However, at this moment, Daoist Fuchen was clearly enraged.

Although he did not have the authority to replace the Lineage stationed in Shangyu Market, if he reported this matter to his Core Alchemist, his say would be different.

"Fuchen Daoist Fuchen, please calm down. We never said we couldn't cooperate. It's just that the Lin Household bullied us outsiders and ruined many of our businesses. How do you account for that?"

"How dare you say that? Gathering Immortals Pavilion and Wondrous Pill Pavilion, weren't they both destroyed by your Lu Household? If we're talking about losses, my Lin Household's losses are far greater!"

Seeing that the two sides were about to start arguing again, Daoist Fuchen's face turned completely cold.

"You're all hopeless; you've gotten so used to throwing your weight around that you still haven't learned your lesson!"

A powerful pressure suddenly erupted, making it almost impossible for everyone to breathe; only a few Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivators fared relatively well.

You've already stepped into the Foundation Establishment Late Stage!

Everyone was shocked, especially the Fairy Caiyi, whose face turned as cold as ice.

Daoist Fuchen did not deny it, and said in a deep voice:

"I will temporarily take over Shangyu Market. Does anyone have any objections?"

"Rest assured, I will report this matter to the Azure Wood Palace immediately. If you wish to impeach me, go ahead and do so."

"But now, everyone must obey my orders and launch a counterattack against the Barbarian Tribe. We must give the three major sects an explanation for this!"

The group exchanged incredulous glances.

"Are you crazy? We're already at a disadvantage, and you still want to take the initiative? That will result in a lot of casualties among the Rogue Cultivator."

"I don't care about casualties, I only want victory! Even if Shangyu Market out, I'll fight to the bitter end!"

The group exchanged glances, all feeling that Daoist Fuchen had gone mad.

"If you insist on this, I cannot stop you, but I reserve my opinion."

"Hmph, you old Fuchen, I'll definitely report you!"

The Daoist Fuchen ignored him and proceeded to explain the specific plan to everyone.

"Effective immediately, the entire area is locked down; entry is permitted, but exit is not."

"Recruit cultivators to the front lines and fight in the Barbarian Tribe territory!"

After several twists and turns, and three days later, Qin Fei finally returned to his own courtyard.

During his absence, nothing changed at the puppet scrapyard.

The restriction left at the entrance remained untouched, which relieved him greatly.

After activating the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Array, Qin Fei plunged into the secret chamber.

Although the Barbarian Tribe army's siege of the city was a feint, it still gave him an unprecedented sense of urgency.

He realized that Shangyu Market could be destroyed at any time, and it was not a good place for cultivation.

The reason we didn't leave before was because we weren't strong enough; we were afraid we wouldn't be able to go far before being spotted by the barbarian soldiers and wandering Demon Beast.

Now that I've broken through to the Late Qi Refining, I have some ability to protect myself, making it a good time to leave.

He stored all the puppets in the underground factory into his Mustard Seed Space, erasing all traces of how he had ever created them.

He then packed some everyday items into Storage Bag and quietly left the house.

As he approached the city gate, he turned into an alley, where several figures were already waiting.

Brother Qin.

"Brother Qin."

Tang Zhan, Tiezhu, Xu Meiniang, Old Zhang, Wang Hu —not one was missing.

"Have you thought this through? My decision might not be right, and things might not be as comfortable elsewhere as they are in Shangyu Market."

Qin Fei was not a heartless person; before he left, he sent a message to everyone.

He declared that he was leaving Shangyu Market, and whether people went with him or stayed was up to them to choose.

Unexpectedly, without even asking why, everyone followed them out.

"Why say such things? We brothers have finally managed to get together; there's no reason for us to separate again."

Tiezhu, being simple-minded, spat out a word.

Others echoed this sentiment, even Xu Meiniang, who was heavily pregnant, said:

"You named the child. If we don't go with you, what will we do if the child asks about you later?"

Qin Fei smiled slightly and turned to look at Wang Hu:

"Tiger, what about you?"

Unlike the others, Wang Hu joined the team later. He had lived in Shangyu Market since childhood and had many attachments, which is why he asked this question.

"I'm not doing this to you. I'm the children's godfather. If they want to leave, I naturally have to go with them."

Upon hearing this, Xu Meiniang covered her mouth and chuckled:

"You didn't ask us if we were leaving; you came on your own."

Wang Hu blushed, but everyone else laughed.

"Let's get going without delay."

Everyone nodded in unison, returned to the main road, and headed towards the city gate.

But the further they walked, the stranger it seemed; why were there so many soldiers on the road?

When they arrived at the city gate, the scene before them left them speechless.

The gates were tightly shut, and the tall city walls were covered with people, clearly indicating that they were heavily guarded.

"Temporary lockdown measures in place; leaving the city is prohibited during this period. Fellow Daoists, please return."