Xuan Qinghong shot to his feet, his face etched with seriousness. "Tell me about the current situation."
The disciple quickly gathered his thoughts and then spoke, "Three kilometers from Medicine Valley, there are over fifty thousand demonized humans attacking. They are estimated to arrive in half an incense stick's time!"
"And! There are also demonized humans in the air riding flying spirit beasts!"
Xuan Qinghong exchanged a look with Long Yu behind him, both nodding in unison.
Xuan Qinghong looked at the disciple with a somber expression. "Go inform the disciples in the valley to prepare for battle!"
"Yes!"
The disciple scrambled away in a hurry. Long Yu watched his retreating back and slowly stood up. "How many disciples does Medicine Valley have available to fight?"
"Roughly, a little over twenty thousand."
Twenty thousand... Xuan Qinghong's eyes dimmed slightly.
With more than fifty thousand demonized humans, even if all of Medicine Valley's disciples went to battle, they would have no power to resist...
On the other side, Long Yu took out his communication jade pendant and contacted his son. "Medicine Valley is under attack by demonized humans. The enemy force is around sixty thousand."
"They will arrive in an incense stick's time."
There was a pause on the other end of the communication jade pendant, followed by a response, "Mhm, send people over immediately."
After the communication ended, Long Yu stepped forward and clapped Xuan Qinghong forcefully on the shoulder. "Junior brother, it's been a long time. We get to fight side by side again."
A deep chuckle echoed, and Xuan Qinghong couldn't help but sigh. "No matter the time, you always maintain such a calm demeanor..."
No matter how great the crisis or how desperate the situation, his senior brother was always smiling, as if nothing could stump him.
"Hahaha, rushing only makes things worse," Long Yu said with a smile, which somewhat eased Xuan Qinghong's tensed nerves.
"For such a major event, aren't you going to notify Bai girl?"
Xuan Qinghong lowered his gaze, a complex glint in his eyes. "She is currently in seclusion. You know, if her mind is disturbed during seclusion, she could very well suffer qi deviation..."
"It's best not to notify her..."
At the same time, within the demon realm,
Xiao Zi, standing by the shore, suddenly felt the communication jade pendant he wore around his waist heat up.
He frowned, connected the call, and Jing Feng's anxious voice came through, "Fox spirit! The demonized humans are attacking Medicine Valley!"
Medicine Valley!? Xiao Zi's expression grew stern. He glanced down at the still sea surface, then abruptly turned and walked towards the palace.
"Don't rush! Tell me precisely what's happening!"
"Including flying spirit beasts, there are an estimated sixty thousand demonized humans who will arrive at Medicine Valley in an incense stick's time!"
The sound of wind rustled from the other end of the Tongyun jade pendant, indicating someone was on the move. "Right now, Dongfang Wuji and I are leading troops and are on our way to Medicine Valley!"
"How many forces has the demon realm dispatched?" Xiao Zi's steps quickened, and his expression grew increasingly grim.
Medicine Valley... the little brat's master is there...
"Dongfang Wuji and I are each leading thirty thousand troops."
"I cannot use my spiritual energy, but Lin Ze will be there shortly."
"Good."
Back in the palace, Xiao Zi quickly relayed the news of the demonized humans to Lin Ze, who readily agreed.
"I'll be back soon. I'm leaving the demon realm in your care."
Xiao Zi nodded solemnly. "The demonized humans are extremely cunning and difficult to deal with. Be careful."
Lin Ze waved his hand behind his back. "What's there to worry about? It's rare to be able to contribute something for her. I'll be honored even if I die."
His slender figure strode away. Xiao Zi, sitting back in his chair, had a complex expression.
He also wanted to lead troops to support them, but if he led troops now, he would have to use his spiritual energy, which would completely expose his identity, and he wouldn't be able to conceal it anymore...
"Damn it! I shouldn't have lied in the first place—!"
The three major powers, excluding the ghost clan, had all experienced a shift in atmosphere within a few breaths. However, the ghost clan remained as calm as ever, as if isolated from all news.
...
Within Medicine Valley, Long Yu and Xuan Qinghong stood side by side, gazing at the approaching army of demonized humans in the distance.
Behind them stood the ready Medicine Valley disciples, each holding a long sword, their expressions serious and focused.
The sky was obscured by flying spirit beasts, a dark, oppressive mass, both terrifying and awe-inspiring. On the ground, the armies of demonized humans, marching in droves, were equally imposing.
Long Yu hefted his heavy sword, the solid weight bringing a smile to his lips. It had been a while since he'd been on the battlefield; this sense of urgency felt so familiar...
"Junior brother Qinghong, how about we have a competition to see who can kill more demonized humans?"
Xuan Qinghong glanced at him, then finally let out a light laugh and nodded. "Don't lose to your junior brother."
As the demonized humans drew closer, the situation became tense, a standoff.
"Leader! Medicine Valley is just ahead!"
At the forefront of the demonized human army was a man with his long hair half-tied and clad in armor.
He looked at Medicine Valley, surrounded by a barrier, his dark eyes narrowed, a dangerous killing intent radiating from him. "Form the array."
As he spoke, several tall demonized humans emerged from the ranks, standing at six points, forming seals with their hands, and channeling spiritual energy towards the barrier.
A complex hexagonal formation appeared, and with a blinding flash of light, a strong gust of wind erupted, whipping at the robes and hair of the demonized human army.
As the six figures exerted their utmost, draining the last bit of spiritual energy from their bodies, the barrier surrounding Medicine Valley shattered with a resounding crack.
"Bang—" The barrier was broken, and the six figures collapsed heavily to the ground, lifeless.
"Advance," the man said, casting a cold glance at the six corpses before ordering them to continue forward.
The corpses were trampled by tens of thousands of demonized humans, gradually turning into a pool of blood. The death of a few compatriots meant nothing to the demonized humans.
They possessed no emotions, no human love or hate. All they had was a heart filled with killing intent.
The next moment, the sound of arrows slicing through the air rang out. The leading man slightly tilted his head, dodging an arrow.
He looked up and saw a dense crowd of humans standing before them, with two elders with white hair at the very front.
Xuan Qinghong lowered his bow and frowned. "It missed?"
"Could it be that your aim has grown rusty?" Long Yu teased Xuan Qinghong, a relaxed smile on his face.
The man squinted, his spiritual energy surging instantly. He parted his thin lips, seemingly provoked by their conversation. "Kill—"
At his command, the demonized humans behind him immediately charged towards the Medicine Valley disciples.
The man stood in the center of the demonized humans, staring directly at Xuan Qinghong and Long Yu, whose figures were indistinct.
"It seems that's their leader," Xuan Qinghong sheathed his bow and drew a slender sword.
Long Yu beside him nodded. "Very strong. Be careful."