fantasy novels Chapter 127 Bloodbath
Chapter 127 Bloodbath
Chapter 126 Bloodbath
After Ye Zhi Qiu left, Ting Tao Courtyard returned to quiet.
Standing in the courtyard, Liang Cheng could clearly hear the commotion coming from the direction of the city wall in the distance.
Commands, the movement of supplies, and occasionally a few short exclamations.
The city of Bibo is being rapidly activated.
He returned to the house, sat cross-legged, and took out the fourth-tier black shark demon core.
The demon core is about the size of a fist, completely black, with faint water ripples flowing on its surface. Holding it in your hand, you can feel the surging water-attribute energy within.
Ordinary True Essence Realm martial artists cannot directly absorb it, firstly because it would be a waste, and secondly because it is impure. It needs to be refined into pills before it can be absorbed.
However, Liang Cheng possesses a fragment of the "True Meaning of Crossing the Sea," making him the most suitable candidate to directly devour the demon core's true essence and enhance his strength.
He closed his eyes, concentrated, and began to practice his internal energy cultivation technique.
The incomplete mental cultivation method operates automatically.
The third level of the Broken Wave Technique guides the violent energy in the demon core to slowly flow into the meridians, and then, through the Broken Wave Technique, it is refined into pure true essence.
The Hunyuan Gang Body operated simultaneously, and two hours later, the demon core had finished absorbing the energy, and its surface luster had dimmed slightly.
Liang Cheng opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.
[The third level of the Broken Wave Technique: Minor Success (4892/12000)]
[Primordial Body Technique: Minor Success (1296/8000)]
As expected of a fourth-tier demon core, its energy is immense, allowing me to advance further.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard; it wasn't Ye Zhi Qiu.
"Is Young Master Liang here?"
Liang Cheng got up and opened the door. A steward from the Ye family was standing outside, followed by two guards.
"Young Master Liang, the old master invites you. Please come with me."
The main hall of the Ye family.
Old Master Ye sat in the main seat, with Ye Zhi Qiu and several elders of the Ye family sitting below him, all with solemn expressions.
Upon seeing Liang Cheng enter, the old master nodded slightly: "Young Master Liang, please sit down."
Liang Cheng sat down at the end of the table.
"Just received the message."
Old Master Ye slowly began to speak, "The City Lord's Mansion has issued a city-wide conscription order. All martial artists above the True Qi Realm must register with the City Defense Division before noon tomorrow and be incorporated into the defense sequence."
He looked at Liang Cheng: "Young Master is an outsider martial artist, and could have temporarily refrained from participating. However, the City Lord's Mansion has ordered that the entire city's strength be mobilized for this beast tide crisis. If Young Master is willing to assist in defending the city, the City Lord's Mansion will record his contributions and reward him handsomely afterwards. If not—"
The old man paused for a moment, then said, "You may stay with the Ye family, but you will be given supplies at the civilian rate and will not be allowed to move around freely."
The words were very polite, but the meaning was very clear: either do your part or stay at home as a regular guest and don't cause any trouble.
Ye Zhi Qiu quickly said, "Grandfather, Junior Brother Liang is a guest I invited, and also a top student of the main academy. Letting him participate in the defense of the city, is that appropriate—"
Liang Cheng raised his hand, directly stopping Ye Zhi Qiu from speaking.
"This junior is willing to participate in the defense of the city."
His voice was calm. "It's just that I'm not familiar with city defense matters and need someone to guide me."
The old man's expression softened: "Of course. Zhi Qiu will be in the same group as you, responsible for the seventh section of the eastern city wall. The specific details will be explained by someone from the city defense department later."
He looked at Liang Cheng, his tone becoming solemn: "Young Master Liang, on behalf of the Ye family and Bibo City, I would like to express my gratitude in advance."
Liang Cheng quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "It's my duty."
As Ye Zhi Qiu walked out of the main hall, he said in a low voice, "Junior brother, you really don't need to force yourself. I'll go and talk to grandfather and ask him to let you stay in the Ye family's inner courtyard—"
"Senior brother."
Liang Cheng interrupted him directly, "If the sea monster tide breaches the city, how will the inner city differ from the outer city?"
Ye Zhi Qiu was speechless.
"Besides," Liang Cheng said, gazing towards the city wall, "we're sworn brothers, as close as siblings. Do you think I can stay comfortably in the rear?"
Ye Zhi Qiu was taken aback upon hearing this, and then nodded emphatically.
"You're right. In that case, let's fight side by side as brothers."
-
The following day at noon, the city defense command.
The hall was bustling with people. A hundred martial artists at the True Qi Realm or above had gathered here, their cultivation levels ranging from True Qi Realm to True Gang Realm, and they were divided into several lines to register.
When Liang Cheng and Ye Zhi Qiu arrived, a long queue had already formed, and the surrounding martial artists were discussing among themselves, creating a tense yet restless atmosphere.
"Have you heard? More than a dozen guards died at the West Wharf last night, when two Tier 4 Sawtooth Sharks attacked the defensive line simultaneously—"
"All of my family's cargo ships have been requisitioned, supposedly to be converted into warships."
"The prices of medicines and weapons in the city lord's mansion have already increased by 30%. If they continue to rise, even if we fight to the death to defend the city, we won't be able to afford healing medicine."
Just then, a quarrel broke out at the registration desk ahead.
"Why should I hand over my spoils? I risked my life to kill monsters; it's only right that I keep the materials!"
A burly man with a face full of scars, a True Yuan Realm expert, slammed his fist on the table and roared.
The city defense officer in charge of registration was a thin middle-aged man who said coldly, "This is a new rule of the city lord's mansion. All those who participate in the defense of the city must hand over the materials obtained from killing monsters to the city defense for the purpose of refining pills, which will be distributed among the people to compensate for the casualties."
"Brother, these are special times, so let's handle this for now. Just bear with it."
The burly man's face flushed red, and after gritting his teeth, he finally pressed his fingerprint on the document.
"Oh shit!"
When it was Liang Cheng and Ye Zhi Qiu's turn, the deacon looked up at them, and took a closer look at their hospital uniforms.
"Name, cultivation level, and affiliated faction."
"Liang Cheng, True Essence Realm, Headquarters Academy."
"Ye Zhi Qiu, True Qi Realm, Ye Family."
After the steward finished recording, he handed over two black iron tokens: "These are your identification tokens. You will receive supplies and have your battle merits recorded with these tokens. You will need to stand guard in the defense zone for four hours each day. The specific shift schedule will be posted on the city wall."
He paused, then said, "Disciples of the main academy are, by convention, eligible to serve as squad leaders, leading teams of ten. Liang Cheng, are you willing?"
Before Liang Cheng could answer, a sarcastic voice interrupted, "So what if he's a disciple of the main academy? You're just a greenhorn. You think you're qualified to be a team leader with only True Yuan Realm cultivation? Don't lead your men to their deaths."
The speaker was a young man with triangular eyes, dressed in a brocade robe, whose aura was at the late stage of the True Yuan Realm.
Ye Zhi Qiu's face darkened: "Yang Xian, what do you mean?"
Ye Zhi Qiu introduced in a low voice.
Yang Xian, a member of the Yang family, is Yang Chen's cousin.
"Literal meaning."
Yang Xian scoffed, "Defending the city is not child's play. What the captain needs is strength, not powerful backers. Some people are just flaunting the name of the General Hospital. If a real fight breaks out, they'll probably wet their pants."
A murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd.
Liang Cheng ignored him, saying, "I'll just work under Senior Brother Ye."
The deacon said calmly, "Have you thought this through? A squad leader can lead ten men, independently arrange defenses, and receive an additional 30% bonus for their battle merits."
.
"I've thought it through."
Liang Chengdao.
Yang Xian sneered from the side and stopped talking, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Canglan Island Main Hospital, Chuan Gong Hall.
Chen Xuanfeng sat cross-legged on the jade couch with his eyes closed, his aura mysterious. Suddenly, a purple jade pendant at his waist vibrated gently, emitting a warm glow.
He opened his eyes, tapped his fingertip, and a hurried voice came from the jade pendant: "Elder Chen, please come to the council hall. Urgent report from Bibo City: the high seas barrier is fluctuating abnormally, and the sea beast tide has been confirmed to have broken out. The entire city is under lockdown."
Chen Xuanfeng frowned and entered the council hall. The senior members of the main academy were already seated. After some discussion, the main academy began preparations.
Chen Xuanfeng's face was grim.
The initial assessment of this sea monster tide was that it was of medium scale, but now the reason for the fluctuations in the barrier is unknown, and there is even a trend of expansion. Bibo City has activated the city's protective formation, and the city lord's mansion has summoned all the warriors in the city to assist in the defense.
Unexpectedly, Liang Cheng followed Ye Zhi Qiu back to Bibo City to participate in the celebration, but unexpectedly encountered this incident and is temporarily unable to leave the city.
However, with the flight route now disrupted, it will take some time before the main hospital sends reinforcements.
Liang Cheng, Zhi Qiu, you must hold on.
Yunhai City, the secret room on the fourth floor of Jubaoxuan.
Qian Wanjin sat behind the ebony wooden table, holding a jade slip that had just been delivered in his hand, his fat face showing a variety of expressions.
Opposite him stood a steward in black, head bowed, barely daring to breathe.
"Azure Wave City — Sea Beast Tide —"
Qian Wanjin murmured repeatedly, his eyes gleaming.
After a long while, he suddenly burst out laughing, laughing louder and louder until he was doubled over and tears were almost streaming down his face.
"Great! What a timely rain!"
The steward in black bowed his head silently.
Qian Wanjin wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, his voice suddenly turning cold: "Is Liang Cheng in Bibo City right now?"
"Yes, according to our informants, he went to sea with Ye Zhi Qiu and was attacked by a ferocious beast. He is now trapped in the city and has been assigned to the city's defenses."
"Defend the city—"
Qian Wanjin tapped his fingers on the table, tap, tap, tap, "Swords have no eyes, monsters are merciless, it's perfectly normal to die defending a city."
""
The steward in black felt a chill run down his spine.
"How many of us are left in Azure Wave City?"
Qian Wanjin asked.
"On the surface, there are seventeen shopkeepers and employees, but in secret there is a herb-gathering team of forty-two people, the highest of whom is at the late stage of the True Essence Realm."
"Liang Cheng, if you die in the main hospital, that old bastard Chen Xuanfeng will definitely investigate thoroughly. But if you die in the beast tide, then it's just bad luck."
He took a sip of tea, a smile playing on his lips.
"If you have to blame someone, blame your own bad luck."
2
At dusk, outside Bibo City, on the seventh section of the eastern city wall.
This section of the city wall is about ten zhang high and three zhang wide. Every ten steps behind the crenellations, there is a crossbow cart with arrow slots filled with armor-piercing crossbows as thick as an arm.
At the base of the wall, there were piles of rolling stones and kerosene, and dozens of martial artists were busy setting up.
Ye Zhi Qiu, as the squad leader, led a team of twenty-eight people, excluding Liang Cheng. The remaining twenty-eight were all local martial artists from Bibo City, including ten at the True Qi Realm and eighteen at the Transformation Realm, ranging in age from twenty to forty.
The twenty-eight people looked at Ye Zhi Qiu with solemn expressions.
"I am Ye Zhi Qiu, a member of the Ye family and a disciple of the main academy, at the True Qi Realm."
Ye Zhi Qiu got straight to the point: "For the foreseeable future, we will guard this wall together. My rules are simple: obey orders and do not desert your post. Merit will be shared, and mistakes will be punished equally."
He glanced at the remaining twenty-eight people: "Anyone who is dissatisfied can apply for a transfer now."
No one spoke.
"Okay." Ye Zhi Qiu nodded. "You all introduce yourselves, then familiarize yourselves with the protective gear and equipment, and work together to defend."
,
After everyone was introduced, they dispersed as arranged.
After nightfall, fog rolled in on the sea.
Thick white fog spread from the sea, gradually enveloping the city walls. The fog carried a salty, fishy smell, and a hint of blood.
-
Torches lined the city walls, but their light became dim and blurry after penetrating the thick fog, illuminating only a few feet around.
Liang Cheng stood behind the wall, his gaze piercing through the mist, looking out at the dark sea.
Suddenly, his ears twitched.
In the distance, on the sea, came a dense splashing sound, like countless schools of fish leaping out of the water at the same time.
Immediately afterwards, a sharp screech pierced the night sky!
"Enemy attack—!"
The alarm bells rang loudly!
The moment the alarm bell rang, all the warriors on the city wall tensed up simultaneously.
In the thick fog, the dense splashing sound on the sea surface approached like a torrential rain, interspersed with ear-piercing hissing.
"Ready—!"
Ye Zhi Qiu's voice boomed from the top of the wall, and with the infusion of true energy, it clearly reached the ears of everyone in the team.
Liang Cheng gripped his sword tightly and stood three steps to Ye Zhi Qiu's left, which was the forward position of the team.
The first dark figure broke through the thick fog.
It was a strange fish, gray-black in color and covered with bony spurs, nearly two meters long, with a mouth full of fine, sharp teeth and scarlet eyes.
It launched itself from the sea and hurtled straight at the top of the wall!
"Bone-Spiked Arrowfish, a second-tier ferocious beast!"
Ye Zhi Qiu shouted sharply, "Prepare the crossbows, fire!"
hum!
The ten ballistae on the wall trembled simultaneously, and the thick, broken crossbows tore through the air and shot directly into the fog!
puff!puff!
Blood splattered everywhere as seven or eight bony arrowfish were pierced by the crossbow bolts, screaming as they fell back into the sea.
But more shadowy figures were already following closely behind!
"Too many!"
One of the True Qi Realm martial artists in the squad turned pale as he saw at least dozens of bone-spined arrowfish swooping down from different angles.
"Defend according to formation!"
Ye Zhi Qiu drew his sword. "Zhao Tie, Wang Meng, advance in shield positions! Ballista riders, suppress them!"
Everyone sprang into action instantly.
Two True Qi Realm warriors carrying thick shields stepped forward, their shields crashing to the ground to protect the breach in the wall. Behind them, three crossbowmen drew their longbows and fired a barrage of arrows.
Other groups followed suit and launched simultaneous attacks.
Liang Cheng did not move.
He was the roaming position designated by Ye Zhi Qiu, responsible for filling gaps and dealing with unexpected threats.
A swordfish broke through the rain of arrows and charged straight at the left flank of the shield formation!
Just as Zhao Tie, holding the shield, was about to adjust, another swordfish attacked from the blind spot on the right!
At that moment, Liang Cheng made a move.
His body moved like a dragon swinging its tail, taking two steps to the right. The sword was not drawn, but his left hand was held together like a sword, and the Xuan Yin sword energy shot out through the air!
puff!
The sword energy pierced the arrowfish's right eye with precision and exited from the back of its head.
The swordfish carcass fell.
The one on the left was also knocked away by Zhao Tie's shield.
"good!"
Zhao Tie let out a low growl.
Liang Cheng retreated to his original position, his gaze already sweeping over the next threat.
The battle escalated rapidly.
The bone-spiky arrowfish swarmed onto the city wall like raindrops. The team members each performed their duties, using shields to block arrows and swords to finish off the remaining enemies.
However, there were simply too many swordfish, and the sounds of fighting filled the air.
Ye Zhi Qiu moved like a swimming dragon; wherever his sword flashed, several arrowfish were cut in two.
His True Qi Realm strength was on full display at this moment; he single-handedly guarded the three-zhang-wide area in the center of the wall.
But the pressure is still increasing.
"Captain! We're almost out of crossbow bolts!"
The martial artist operating the crossbow shouted.
"Save your time! Wait for the big one!"
Ye Zhi Qiu shouted loudly.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a dull, drum-like thud suddenly came from the fog.
Boom!
The city wall trembled slightly.
"What is that?!"
Someone exclaimed in horror.
Thick fog rolled in, and the outline of a colossal creature slowly emerged.
It was a giant tortoise with a dark blue body and a thick shell on its back. The shell was over two zhang in diameter, its limbs were like pillars, and its head had a pair of small, scarlet eyes.
It is using its head, as hard as iron, to ram against the foundation of the city wall again and again!
"A peak-tier Tier 3 ferocious beast, the City-ramming Turtle!"
Ye Zhi Qiu's expression remained unchanged. "Crossbows, focus fire! Aim for the head!"
hum!hum!
All the remaining crossbow bolts were fired, but they bounced off the tortoise shell, leaving only shallow white marks.
The tortoise that crashed into the city had its head retracted into its shell and was completely unaffected.
Boom!Boom!
The impact grew louder and louder, and stones from the city wall began to fall in a rustling sound.
"At this rate, the foundation will collapse!"
Ye Zhi Qiu prepared to act, "I'll go down and take care of it!"
"Captain, no! The situation underwater is unknown—"
A martial artist hurriedly tried to stop him, but before he could finish speaking, Liang Cheng suddenly said, "I'll go."
Ye Zhi Qiu looked at him.
Liang Cheng stared at the giant tortoise below: "After each impact, its head will peek out halfway, and the second plate on its left forelimb is a slightly lighter color, which should be the reverse scale. If we attack its head and this area at the same time, we should be able to kill it."
Ye Zhi Qiu's eyes lit up. He knew that Zhen Gang was stationed at the rear and could not be moved rashly.
"Alright! Watch out, I'm coming from behind!"
Liang Cheng nodded, then jumped off the city wall!
"Young Master Liang!"
A gasp rippled through the crowd on the wall.
As Liang Cheng fell, his Dragon Steps moved like a dragon in flight. He drew his Blade with ferocity, channeling his Wind and Thunder Slash True Essence into the blade, causing it to crackle with blue-purple lightning. In his left hand, he held a sword hidden in his sleeve, ready to strike at any moment.
The ramming tortoise seemed to sense the threat, paused its ramming motion, and raised its head slightly—now is the time!
【Wind and Thunder Slash - Thunderclap】
[Mysterious Yin Sword Technique - Erosion of Essence]
Liang Cheng slashed out with his sword, the blade light like blue lightning, precisely striking the light-colored plate on the left forelimb of the tortoise. Almost simultaneously, his right hand wielded a sword with unpredictable and sinister movements, thrusting straight at the tortoise's right eye!
clang!
puff!
Two muffled thuds exploded almost simultaneously!
Liang Cheng's slash cleaved through the light-colored armor plates, the blade cutting half a foot into the flesh, causing green blood to gush out!
The sword's edge grazed the turtle's eyes, leaving a deep bloodstain on its head!
"roar-!!"
The ramming tortoise let out a painful roar, and then Liang Cheng pressed his advantage relentlessly, slashing and slashing until the tortoise's body suddenly stiffened and fell backward, creating a huge splash.
Liang Cheng used the momentum to leap back onto the wall.
"Junior brother, well done!"
Ye Zhi Qiu praised loudly.
"Young Master Liang is truly awe-inspiring!"
The people on the wall breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but cheer in unison.
No need to die!
The battle lasted for a full hour.
The second and third waves of ferocious beasts attacked one after another.
Besides the bony swordfish and the city-ramming turtle, there were also net-spitting jellyfish, third-tier iron-clawed crabs with shells as hard as iron, and even a few fourth-tier sawtooth sharks swimming in the distance, waiting for an opportunity to attack.
Ye Zhi Qiu's team began to suffer casualties.
A martial arts master was caught in the net of a jellyfish and dragged off the city wall. Although Ye Zhi Qiu managed to cut the net in time and save him, he was already unconscious.
Two martial artists at the True Qi Realm were injured by the Iron Claw Crab, suffering broken arms.
Liang Cheng and Ye Zhiqi became the pillars of the wall's defense.
Ye Zhi Qiu, with his True Qi Realm cultivation, forcefully suppressed and killed a fourth-tier ferocious beast, while Liang Cheng roamed around to finish it off, focusing on attacking the beast's weak points. As long as it wasn't a powerful ferocious beast, Liang Cheng mainly used the Broken Mountain Blade, using battle as training to improve his progress.
The two worked together more and more seamlessly, managing to hold onto the wall.
As the fourth wave of ferocious beasts retreated, the sky began to lighten, the thick fog dissipated, and countless beast corpses floated on the sea, turning the water a dark red.
Ye Zhi Qiu had finished collecting the demon cores and, along with the warriors, collapsed onto the city wall, panting heavily, the air thick with the stench of blood.
Ye Zhi Qiu then counted the number of people: a team of thirty, two seriously injured and six slightly injured, and everyone was covered in blood.
"Take him away for treatment."
His voice was hoarse.
Liang Cheng leaned against the wall, his sword stuck beside him, the blade stained with thick animal blood.
His right arm was grazed by the iron-clawed crab, but fortunately, he had achieved a minor mastery of the Hunyuan Gang Body technique, so it was just a superficial injury.
"How are you feeling?" Ye Zhi Qiu walked over and handed over a water pouch.
Liang Cheng took it and took a swig: "It's alright."
Ye Zhi Qiu shook his head and said nothing more.
He looked around the city wall.
The situation is even worse in other defense zones.
Some sections of the wall were breached by ferocious beasts, causing the wall revetments to collapse and resulting in heavy casualties.
Cries and groans could be faintly heard.
"This is only the first night." Ye Zhi Qiu's voice was low. "Beast tides usually last for several days or even months, with each wave stronger than the last."
Liang Cheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Those ferocious beasts have a layered attack strategy."
Ye Zhi Qiu was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
"The Bone-Spiked Arrowfish probes, the Ramming Turtle breaks through the wall, the Web-Entangling Jellyfish controls, and the Iron-Clawed Crab engages in close combat," Liang Cheng said slowly, "It's like something is directing it."
Ye Zhi Qiu's expression changed upon hearing this.
Driven by instinct, the ferocious beasts in the beast tide may cooperate with each other, but they would never have such a clear tactical hierarchy.
Unless there is a higher-level ferocious beast directing it from behind.
Fifth order?
Even sixth order?
"I will report this matter." Ye Zhi Qiu stood up. "You rest first, and you will be relieved in two hours."
He left in a hurry.
Liang Cheng sat alone on the wall, closed his eyes, circulated his internal energy, and recovered his strength.
At noon, the martial artists who were changing shifts arrived.
Liang Cheng followed Ye Zhi Qiu's team and temporarily withdrew from the city wall, returning to the temporary rest area inside the city.
The rest area was located in a warehouse district in the west of the city, with rows of simple shacks.
The seriously injured were taken to the medical tent, while the lightly injured were treated on their own.
The city lord's mansion distributed basic healing pills and food, but in limited quantities.
"We fought tooth and nail, and this is all we get?"
A martial artist was cursing and swearing.
"Be content, I heard the price of pills is going to go up later."
Just as Liang Cheng received his supplies and was about to return to the accommodations arranged by the Ye family, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
It's Yang Xian.
He was followed by three Yang family martial artists, each with a powerful aura.
"Liang Cheng, you did a good job last night."
Yang Xian gave a forced smile.
Liang Cheng looked at him without saying a word.
Yang Xian leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Defending the city is a protracted war, so be careful. We're all comrades defending the city, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
After saying that, he turned and left with his men.
Liang Cheng looked at Yang Xian's back with some doubt in his eyes. At this moment, Ye Zhi Qiu finished the handover, handed over all the demon cores, and then joined him.
"Let's go home first."