On the water surface west of Tianyi Lake, several red ships, each hundreds of feet in size, were floating.
Each large ship had multi-story pavilions built on it, making them look grand. Many cultivators shuttled through them, and it could be seen that each of these large ships had a scarlet flag planted on it.
These flags were not simple decorations; they gathered spiritual power fluctuations. The scarlet flags fluttered in the wind, releasing a red cloud that lingered in the sky.
It looked like patches of fire clouds, gathering and not dispersing.
This was the symbol of Yanhsia City, and these large ships were Yanhsia City's temporary camp in this area.
In a pavilion on the top floor of a certain large ship, there were more than a dozen cultivators discussing something. All of these people were at least at the Nascent Soul stage, and the Heavenly Wind Ancestor was also among them, but with a worried expression.
Sitting in the main seat was a middle-aged man wearing a purple robe and a purple crown. Zhang Ling also recognized this person, who was none other than the Third Elder of Tianmu City, Qin.
Qin, the Third Elder, said, "Fellow Daoists, although Yanhsia City has retained most of its combat power, it cannot be without a leader. The original City Lord Wei passed away a few years ago, and the Immortal City has not yet appointed a new city lord. Now that we have encountered a large-scale invasion by the alien demon race, I, Qin, will temporarily act as the city lord of Yanhsia City. Does anyone have any objections?"
"If Elder Qin is willing to take charge, we naturally have no objections. However, the alien demons are currently powerful, and it may not be easy for us to retake Yanhsia City." A loud voice replied.
Zhang Ling had also met the person speaking, who was the Red Cloud Hermit. He was originally an elder of Yanhsia City.
Yanhsia City originally had four Nascent Soul elders stationed there. A few years ago, the original City Lord Wei passed away due to the exhaustion of his lifespan.
A few days ago, Elder Kuyu, willingly stayed behind to cover the retreat and also perished.
In reality, the apparent controllers are only him and the Si Elder next to him.
But then again, the actual controller of Yanhsia City was originally Tianmu City. The original city lord was also appointed by the Tianmu City Council of Elders hundreds of years ago.
Now that Third Elder Qin is temporarily acting as the city lord, he naturally has no objections.
Third Elder Qin smiled and said, "I wonder if BrotherSitu has any objections?" He looked at a bald fat man with only a few hairs on his head sitting next to the Red Cloud Hermit.
This person didn't seem to care about these things, holding a wine gourd in his hand and pouring himself a drink. However, he still glanced at Third Elder Qin and said unceremoniously.
"I have no objections to who becomes the city lord. Just don't assign me too many trivial matters. I only care about fighting."
"Haha, BrotherSitu is still so straightforward." Third Elder Qin nodded, with no displeasure on his face.
This fat old man's name was Situ Xiong. He was originally a rogue cultivator, but his strength was not weak. He had cultivated several powerful divine abilities. He joined Tianmu City three hundred years ago and became an external affairs elder. He was then transferred to Yanhsia City to be stationed there.
For the past three hundred years, this person has rarely managed the affairs of Yanhsia City, focusing solely on cultivation. Now, he is only half a step away from the mid-Nascent Soul stage.
Third Elder Qin was silent for a moment, coughed lightly, looked at everyone, and said in a serious tone, "In that case, let's discuss our next task.
Now that the alien demons are powerful, their four late-stage Nascent Soul old demons have already been dispatched. We have also contacted the righteous and demonic forces and others. We are not afraid of them, but now that five immortal cities have been breached, the Continuous Mountain Array has been weakened, and we must remedy it as soon as possible. Our next task..."
The cultivators present, apart from the Red Cloud Hermit and Elder Sima who originally belonged to Yanhsia City.
There were also Third Elder Qin who had just been sent and two other early-stage Nascent Soul elders.
The remaining seven or eight Nascent Soul old monsters, including the Heavenly Wind Ancestor, were all ancestral masters of sects from several nearby countries that originally belonged to Yanhsia City.
Gathering together now is naturally to better cope with the war against the alien demons.
In the past few days, not only the Yanhsia City garrison was like this. Cultivators from other immortal cities have successively gathered towards Baichuan City.
In addition to the righteous and demonic forces, as well as the Linhai Immortal Alliance, successively sending support.
In just a few days, the number of cultivators gathered in Baichuan City has exceeded one hundred thousand, and is still increasing.
Of course, this is not all the foundation of these forces. Generally, the supporting sects can only dispatch at most half of their disciples.
This is still limited to the sect forces in neutral countries attached to the Twelve Immortal Cities.
This is also the greatest power of the Demon Elimination Order.
After all, the territories where these sect forces are located must also leave some cultivators to guard them.
At the same time, Zhang Ling also found the temporary camp of the Haoyuan Sect here.
The camp was also on the water, with several huge black stone platforms built, with some simple stone and wooden houses as temporary places for rest.
The sect's camp here was not large, covering only seven or eight li in area.
Of course, this was not because the Immortal City was neglecting them, but because the sect currently had few cultivators left to support them, only a thousand people.
This area was enough.
Zhang Ling swept his divine sense and found that many of the sect's disciples were injured, obviously from the impact they suffered in Yanhsia City.
As soon as he arrived at the camp, he immediately alarmed the sect's disciples. From a black stone pavilion, five figures immediately flew out.
The five people, four men and one woman, were all Golden Core elders of the sect. They wore uniform black and blue clothing and, upon seeing Zhang Ling, immediately paid their respects.
"Nephew and others, pay respects to Uncle Zhang."
Zhang Ling casually waved his hand and asked, "Is Senior BrotherTianfeng not in the camp?"
"Uncle Zhang, the Ancestor should be attending the Immortal City's pre-war conference now. He may not be back for a while. If Uncle has urgent matters, I can notify the Ancestor immediately." The only female cultivator among the five said with a smile.
This female cultivator had the highest cultivation level among the five, having reached the late stage of the Golden Core, and her identity was not simple, being a descendant of Senior Brother Tianfeng's(天风: Tianfeng) family.
If Zhang Ling remembered correctly, this woman seemed to be called Fang Ping'er. Senior Brother Tianfeng's(天风: Tianfeng) surname was Fang.
"No need, I don't have any urgent matters. I'll wait for Senior Brother to finish the meeting. Alright, you can all go do what you need to do. NephewFang, please take me to my residence first." Zhang Ling nodded and said.
Under the leadership of Fang Ping'er, Zhang Ling casually selected an empty two-story stone building in the camp and temporarily rested there.
After these days of rushing, and killing that evil loose cultivator half a day ago, Zhang Ling also felt a bit tired.
After meditating peacefully for more than two hours, Zhang Ling suddenly sensed something, opened his eyes, and walked out of the stone building.
"Junior Brother, you really came." Heavenly Wind Ancestor was standing outside the stone building, looking at him with a smile.
"Haha, Senior Brother, I suffered a minor injury before and spent a few days recuperating before rushing over." Zhang Ling welcomed Senior BrotherTianfeng into the stone building.
"Alas, Junior Brother, you didn't have to rush over. Just rest and recuperate. The war situation is not good now, and the danger is much greater than before. Several Nascent Soul comrades have already fallen. But since you're here, I won't say anything more." Senior BrotherTianfeng shook his head, looking somewhat troubled, but suddenly changed the subject, touched his chin, hesitated for a moment, and asked.
"Um... Junior Brother, I heard the Fire Spirit old man say at the conference just now that you killed a cultivator of the same rank in Black Wind City a few days ago. Is that true?"
"Senior Brother also knows about this? It was just luck." Hearing Senior Brother ask this, Zhang Ling didn't hide anything and simply explained the situation at that time.
Of course, he wouldn't say that he was strong and suppressed cultivators of the same rank, thus killing that pale-faced alien demon.
He just said that the alien demon was already injured at the time and his strength was less than half of what it originally was, which is why he was able to kill that person by luck.
"Even so, it's still amazing. I was a little afraid to believe it when the Fire Spirit old man said this at the conference just now." Heavenly Wind Ancestor naturally didn't mean to get to the bottom of it, but after hearing Zhang Ling's explanation, the smile in his eyes became even stronger, and he looked at Zhang Ling as if he had found a treasure.
Being able to kill a cultivator of the same rank, even an injured cultivator of the same rank, such a record among Nascent Soul cultivators is definitely something to boast about.
Seeing that Senior BrotherTianfeng seemed to want to ask something else, Zhang Ling quickly changed the subject. "Junior Brother came in a hurry and still doesn't know much about the current situation. I just want to ask Senior Brother about it."
Next, Zhang Ling and Senior Brother began to communicate in the stone building.
During this, Zhang Ling also learned about the current situation of Black Wind City.
After Black Wind City was breached that day, very few cultivators escaped. Apart from a very small number of low-level cultivators and more than a dozen Golden Core cultivators.
Most of the cultivators were killed by the alien demons that day.
As for Zhao Guangming, the Fire Spirit old man, and several other Nascent Soul cultivators, they all escaped, and no one was killed.
However, Zhao Guangming was seriously injured and has returned to the Demon Cloud Sect to recuperate. It seems that he will not be able to recover his combat power in a short time. Black Hawk Shangren was also unlucky and was chased by two Nascent Soul old monsters and fought a big battle. He was also seriously injured.
The Fire Spirit old man got rid of the enemy like him and has also come here to support, arriving just a day ago.
"Junior Brother, there are some things I want to tell you about the Battle of Heaven Conference that I attended earlier." After talking for a while, Heavenly Wind Ancestor suddenly said with a serious expression.
"Could it be that the Immortal City plans to retake the lost cities?"
"Hehe, Junior Brother is indeed smart. The Immortal City does plan to retake those cities. After all, the Twelve Immortal Cities are one. Losing five cities has weakened the Continuous Mountain Array. If it is not remedied as soon as possible, the consequences will be unimaginable. Just now, Third Elder Qin temporarily acted as the city lord of Yanhsia City and discussed countermeasures with us..." As Senior BrotherTianfeng said this, his expression suddenly changed, and he looked outside.
Zhang Ling also instantly sensed the aura of a Nascent Soul old monster outside.
The two looked at each other and stopped the topic first and walked towards the outside. Just as they reached the door, they heard a hearty voice from outside. "BrotherTianfeng, Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou),Qin is here to visit. The two fellow Daoists won't refuse me, will they?"
"Haha, Elder Qin(秦长老: Qin Zhanglao), what are you saying? I didn't expect the Elder to visit so soon after we separated. Please come in." Senior BrotherTianfeng welcomed Third Elder Qin in with a smile.
Third Elder Qin also had a smile on his face and specially looked at Zhang Ling, his expression changing slightly. He felt like he had seen him somewhere, but this young man was extremely unfamiliar.
After the three sat down and chatted casually, Senior BrotherTianfeng asked, "Elder Qin(秦长老: Qin Zhanglao) came to find my brothers, could it be that there is something important to discuss?"
"Haha, nothing important." Third Elder Qin shook his head and said, "But I want to congratulate BrotherTianfeng. Your sect's Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou) has made a great contribution."
These words made Heavenly Wind Ancestor confused and couldn't help but glance at Zhang Ling. "Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou), are you talking about my Junior Brother Zhang Ling?"
Zhang Ling pondered for a moment and immediately thought of something. "Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) is talking about the matter of encountering Fellow Daoist Lu(陆道友: Lu Daoyou) and Fairy Pu(朴仙子: Pu Xianzi) not long ago, right?"
"Haha, that's right. Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou) was able to easily kill that evil loose cultivator, which is a great contribution. I,Qin, am here with the Immortal City's reward."
Hearing Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) say this, Zhang Ling thought to himself that the Immortal City's efficiency was so high that it had discovered the reward in less than half a day.
"What, are you saying that the evil loose cultivator who attacked Clear Water Zhenren(清水真人: Qingshui Zhenren) last night was killed by my Junior Brother? This..." Heavenly Wind Ancestor's(天风老祖: Heavenly Wind Ancestor) face was also shocked, and he opened his eyes wide, as if he was seeing Zhang Ling for the first time.
Zhang Ling smiled bitterly and briefly explained to this senior brother.
A quarter of an hour later, the three walked out of the stone building. Heavenly Wind Ancestor watched Zhang Ling and Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) fly away, standing there for a long time without saying a word.
This Junior BrotherZhang really surprised him. The evil loose cultivator with considerable strength actually died in the hands of his junior brother.
Zhang Ling followed Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) and flew all the way for a while before entering Baichuan City(百川城: Baichuan Cheng). He came to receive the reward.
According to what Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) said just now, he killed that evil loose cultivator, which was considered a great contribution. In addition, he had guarded Black Wind City(黑风城: Black Feng Cheng) a few days ago and also killed an enemy of the same rank.
Although Black Wind City(黑风城: Black Feng Cheng) was not defended, it was still considered a great contribution. The Council of Elders decided that he was qualified to enter the treasure vault to take treasures.
They first went to the seventh floor of Baichuan City(百川城: Baichuan Cheng) and, through a secret teleportation array, directly entered the lower seventh floor underwater.
The seventh floor underwater was an icy environment. As soon as he arrived here, Zhang Ling immediately felt a chill filling the surroundings.
Walking out of the ice house where the secret teleportation array was located, there was a long circular ice passage outside. It was quite quiet here, and there were few cultivators coming and going.
The street was very wide, and the outside of the street was covered with a layer of blue ice wall. Outside was endless water flow. You could also see some water-attribute monsters swimming in it.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou), the deepest seventh, eighth, and ninth floors underwater in Baichuan City(百川城: Baichuan Cheng) are generally not open to the public. Only the elders of the Immortal City have the qualifications to enter. The seventh floor is where several elders of Baichuan City(百川城: Baichuan Cheng) practice quietly. The treasure vault is located there, and it is now used as a resource reserve for the war." Along the way, Third Elder Qin(秦三长老: Qin San Zhanglao) also introduced some of the situations here to Zhang Ling.
After walking for a while on the ice passage and passing through several layers of restrictions, the two came to an ice wall. There were also two cultivators, a man and a woman, standing there, who were Elder Lu(陆长老: Lu Zhanglao) and Fairy Pu(朴仙子: Pu Xianzi).
As soon as they saw Zhang Ling's arrival, Elder Lu(陆长老: Lu Zhanglao) and the two immediately bowed and thanked him. "We have been waiting for Fellow Daoist Zhang(张道友: Zhang Daoyou) for a long time. We, on behalf of City Lord Qingshui(清水城主: Qingshui Cheng Zhu), thank you for killing the evil thief."
"The two fellow Daoists don't need to be like this. I just did it casually." The actions of these two startled Zhang Ling. He and these two were cultivators of the same rank, and they suddenly lowered their posture and thanked him specially. This etiquette was not low.
Cultivators generally do not adhere to secular etiquette, especially two guys with Nascent Soul cultivation.
Zhang Ling felt that these two were too formal, giving him a feeling of being flattered.
