After Ash Ink blocked the demon's attack, his heart immediately sank.
The opponent's Realm was clearly several levels higher than his own; the profoundness of his True Essence was far beyond what he, who had just entered the Origin Realm, could compare to!
But if he retreated immediately, he would lose too much Face: "Everyone, how can the Grey-Clothed Group manage without me!"
After saying those bold words, Ash Ink forced out a resolute smile.
Several Grey-Clothed Martial Artists were greatly moved. You old slacker usually slack off every day, but who knew you'd be this reliable at a critical moment!
Ash Ink felt bitterness in his heart, but Ash Ink wouldn't say it.
He had finally advanced to the Origin Realm and could live for another hundred years, not knowing how many more fish he could catch.
He never expected to run into something like this.
As for being a hero, whoever wants to be one can be one; he certainly didn't want to be one.
However, the situation was pressing, and some things ultimately could not be avoided.
"Damn it! If only Li Xuanxiao were here, that kid loves battle; he would surely be overjoyed!"
"No, no, it's a good thing he's not here. With that kind of talent, give him a little more time, and he will surely reach a higher level!"
"Why should he be here, throwing his life away so early."
A myriad of thoughts swirled through Ash Ink's mind.
"Benefactors, please go and focus on facing the enemy; I will treat this injured Benefactor!"
With an "Amitabha," Abbot Fan Lu of Fanyin Temple came to the side of the group.
The Grey-Clothed Group exchanged glances, and Ash Ink nodded toward Abbot Fan Lu:
"Then we will have to trouble you, Great Master."
He still trusted the methods of the Buddhist High Monk, so he immediately turned back to continue facing the enemy!
Abbot Fan Lu silently recited scriptures, and vast, Xuan Buddhist Path True Essence emanated from him.
It slowly enveloped the injured Grey-Clothed Martial Artist.
Waves of vitality emerged, and the Grey-Clothed Martial Artist's aura gradually stabilized.
If he could maintain this treatment for a few days, he would probably recover about seventy or eighty percent.
Thinking of this, Li Xuanxiao's figure couldn't help but pop into Abbot Fan Lu's mind.
If that Benefactor Li were here, with his comprehension of Buddhist Dharma, the healing time would likely be much faster!
The other party's attainments in Buddhist Dharma were far deeper and more exquisite than those of them, the disciples of Buddhism.
...
In the sky, after a few more exchanges, a Pseudo-Origin Martial Artist failed to dodge in time and was captured by the Demon Venerable!
Perhaps to flaunt its power, or perhaps to crush the fighting spirit of the Royal City Martial Artists.
That Demon Venerable revealed its true form, showing its ferocious Face, glanced sideways at the people of the Royal City, and threw the Martial Artist into its mouth in front of them.
"Ahhh—"
A shrill scream immediately echoed above the Royal City.
Trickling blood spilled from its mouth, and the sound of chewing bones made everyone's entire body go numb.
But as the demon's throat moved, the scream abruptly stopped—
The tragic fate of a peer made everyone present feel the sorrow of the rabbit's death leading to the fox's grief.
Morale plummeted to the bottom, and there were even faint signs of wanting to abandon the fight and flee.
Ash Ink held back a breath. Is this the extent of the Martial Artists of Dayu's Royal City?
It's truly unsightly!
It can't compare to that kid Li Xuanxiao at all!
A surge of anger rushed into his heart, and he almost roared the words out loud.
"To still have thoughts of preserving life now is truly pitiful and lamentable..."
"We! Have no way to retreat now!"
"Will fleeing the war preserve our lives?"
"Do you think leaving Dayu will make you safe?"
"Stop dreaming!"
"As Martial Artists of Dayu, now is the time for us to dedicate ourselves!"
"Fight with the resolve to die, and you will live!"
"To cling to life and fear death is certain death!"
"Dying bravely on the battlefield is the highest honor for a Martial Artist!"
"Fellow colleagues, welcome the most brilliant moment of your lives!"
Ash Ink's impassioned speech halted the continued slide in morale and dispelled the timidity in many Martial Artists' eyes.
The anger in the Martial Artists' hearts was awakened! The flames of rage gradually suppressed the fear of the demons.
If Dayu ultimately lost the battle, everyone would suffer the same fate as that Martial Artist!
Everything they cared about, everything they cherished, would cease to exist, leaving behind only themselves, barely clinging to life.
"Damn it!"
"Let's fight the demons to the death!"
"Even if I die, I will tear off a piece of flesh from a demon!"
Fighting spirit was ignited, and the Martial Artists showed determination, rallying their forces. A tragic aura enveloped the sky above the Royal City.
"Glory belongs to Dayu!"
"Fight bravely for Dayu!"
In the Royal City, the Mystic Realm Martial Artists, who were far more numerous than the Origin Realm experts, were also moved by this passionate scene. Many brave men rushed out beyond the barrier.
They activated their True Essence and unleashed ranged Martial Arts to harass and pin down the enemy.
Even if the effect they could have was minimal, it was better than nothing.
They too wanted to contribute their share of light and effort!
Unfortunately, the gap in strength was ultimately too great.
Once a Mystic Realm Martial Artist was targeted by a Demon Venerable, it meant certain death.
In the end, they only ended up providing the demons with blood food to recover their condition.
As a result, the Mystic Realm Martial Artists could only suppress their impulse and stop rushing out to cause trouble.
Five of the ten Demon Venerables from the Myriad Demon Nation had been drawn away.
But even these remaining five could firmly suppress the Dayu Martial Artists.
This was due to the immense gap in Realm.
As the battle progressed to this point, the five Demon Venerables all had injuries of varying severity, but not a single one had perished.
In contrast, among Dayu's contingent, nearly one-third of the dozen or so Martial Artists who charged out had already perished!
If the fight continued like this, Dayu's defeat was only a matter of time.
Ash Ink gasped heavily, his Great Saber's edge was already rolled, and his tiger's mouth was split open.
The two Elder Councillors' white hair was disheveled, and their auras were mixed; four members of the Grey-Clothed Group had already been killed...
Everyone had exerted their full strength, but they still could not reverse the outcome; the situation kept sliding toward failure.
In the distance, the five Demon Venerables returned, although they were injured, not one of them had fallen.
"Is Dayu truly finished?"
Sorrow filled everyone's hearts.
However, in the next second, a faint, ethereal Zen sound echoed in the sky...
At first, this Zen sound was very faint and small, like a soft whisper.
But soon, as a figure rapidly approached, the Zen sound, distant as it was, grew louder and louder.
A majestic and boundless aura, one that made everyone, including all the demons, tremble with fear, swept over them.
Whether it was the Demon Venerables of the Myriad Demon Nation or the Martial Artists of the Dayu Royal City, they all looked up.
A tall and upright figure streaked across the sky, like a meteor chasing the bright moon.
His speed was incredibly fast, and his movement generated sonic booms.
At first glance, he was not clearly visible.
However, after a few seconds, the youth's figure gradually became clearer in the eyes of the many Demon Venerables and human Martial Artists.
"Such a terrifying aura..."
The first person to recognize who it was was Ash Ink. His eyes widened so much that an egg could fit in his mouth:
"Li... Li Xuanxiao!?"
Although Abbot Fan Lu maintained his calm expression, upon closer inspection, one could see that the wrinkles around his eyes had instantly smoothed out considerably.
"Lord Li, it seems you have advanced quite a bit further on the Martial Path now!"
Origin Realm Martial Artists naturally had sharp eyesight and saw him immediately.
But as Li Xuanxiao gradually approached the sky above the Royal City, many Mystic Realm Martial Artists also got a glimpse of his Face.
Si Bingwen narrowed his eyes, trying hard to look at the figure in the sky.
The eyesight of a Mystic Realm Martial Artist was inferior; he could only see clearly when the person got closer.
However, in the next second, his eyes immediately widened:
"Hiss—"
Lady Si next to him became anxious when she saw his expression. Why are you hissing! Hurry up and tell me who it is!
"Husband, did you see who arrived? Hurry and tell me!"
But Si Bingwen was still immersed in shock and didn't reply for a long time.
The woman in palace attire stomped her foot in anger; it was making her anxious!
Si Miaoyin was also curious, but from her father's expression, she saw shock, not terror or horror.
She guessed that the person arriving was likely not a demon!
Although she was equally curious, she did not act as impatient as her mother.
It's just a powerful expert arriving; why such a fuss?
It's better for people to be steady and remain unperturbed when things change.
Si Bingwen sighed again, shaking his head and revealing a faint smile.
This series of actions made Lady Si even more agitated.
She desperately wanted to know who it was.
Si Bingwen's lips curved slightly:
"The person who arrived is Li Xuanxiao."
"What!?"
A surprised shout rang out, not from Lady Si, but from Si Miaoyin.
Her beautiful eyes widened, and her small Face showed an expression of disbelief:
"Li... Li Xuanxiao?"
In a room not far away, Ya Qin gracefully walked out and looked up at Li Xuanxiao in the sky.
At this moment, compared to her previous gentle and docile demeanor, a trace of seductive charm and allure had been added.
Two completely different auras appeared on one person, strangely blending into a breathtaking charm.
A purple light flowed deep within Ya Li's eyes. She licked her pink tongue out slightly, revealing a look of infatuation.
"Lord Li, Ya Qin is hungry..."