Black clouds weighed heavily over the city, and monstrous demonic energy filled the heavens. That suffocating pressure felt as though it would swallow me whole. Terror gripped my heart; this power was certainly something I could never hope to contend with.
Lin Yu and the others were already so frightened that all the color had drained from their faces. Gone was any thought of making trouble for me, and they scattered in all directions like stray dogs. Just as I was about to turn and leave, I saw Wu Mengli hurrying over with several disciples of the Wu Family. Her white robes fluttered brighter than snow in the fierce wind, as cold and ethereal as a goddess descending from the highest heavens. "Kong Chen, what has happened?"
Wu Mengli's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of worry coloring her voice. "The Demon race has invaded!" I pointed at the pillar of black light and said in a deep voice, "This power is far too immense. We must notify the Patriarch immediately and prepare ourselves for battle!"
Wu Mengli looked in the direction of my outstretched finger, her expression turning grave. "It's too late! The Demon race has already begun their attack!"
No sooner had the words left her lips than that pillar of black light crashed down furiously, smashing hard against the Wu Family's Mountain-Guarding Array. The earth shook instantly, and the entire Wu Family estate seemed as though it were about to be turned upside down. The Mountain-Guarding Array trembled violently, bursting forth with blinding waves of light as it desperately resisted the erosion of the demonic energy.
"Everyone listen up! Follow me, and defend the Wu Family to the death!" Wu Mengli drew the longsword at her waist and shouted aloud. Her voice was crisp and forceful, like a peal of thunder that instantly ignited the fighting spirit of everyone present. "Defend the Wu Family to the death!"
The disciples of the Wu Family shouted in unison, every last one of them charging toward the Demon race without a backward glance. I did not hesitate in the slightest, drawing my longsword to fight side by side with Wu Mengli. The vanguard of the Demon race consisted of a horde of hideous-looking monsters. Their eyes were bloodred, their fangs bared, and they reeked of a sickening stench.
I swung my longsword, cutting down the monsters one after another, but more surged forward immediately, seemingly as endless as the sea. Wu Mengli's sword techniques were light and ethereal yet fiercely sharp, claiming the life of a monster with every single strike. At that moment, a familiar figure caught my eye.
"Dad!" I cried out in astonishment. I saw Kong Fang gripping a massive saber, hacking and slashing furiously at the monsters. "Chen'er, are you alright?" A wave of deep concern filled Kong Fang's eyes when he spotted me. "I'm fine, Dad. Why did you come?"
"The Wu Family is in peril, how could I just stand by and watch!" Kong Fang declared as he swung his saber to chop down a monster trying to launch a sneak attack on me. Warmth filled my heart; father and son fought shoulder to shoulder, carving a bloody path through the fray.
Yet the onslaught of the Demon race grew increasingly fierce, and the Wu Family's Mountain-Guarding Array was already on the verge of collapse, ready to shatter at any second. At this critical juncture, an elderly figure appeared before us... I looked closely and saw that the newcomer was none other than an Elder Wu of the Wu Family, who was also Wu Mengli's grandfather—Wu Yannian.
His hair and beard were completely white, yet he was full of vigor and vitality, and his sharp eyes seemed capable of piercing through everything. The moment he appeared, he released a formidable pressure that forcefully drove back the surrounding monsters. "Mengli, you all fall back for now. Leave this to me!" Elder Wu said in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable majesty. "Grandfather, be careful!"
Though worried, Wu Mengli knew she must not distract her grandfather at such a time. Elder Wu nodded, then turned to face the horde of monsters. A powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted from within him, sweeping outward like turbulent waves.
He formed hand seals and chanted incantations under his breath, sending golden runes flying from his hands to transform into a golden barrier that sheltered all of us behind it.
With the addition of Elder Wu, the battle situation finally stabilized somewhat. I knew that Elder Wu was a man of great virtue and prestige, commanding immense respect among the nearby immortal-cultivation families. His appearance now meant he had surely sent secret messages to those families, requesting their support.
True enough, before long, several streaks of light streaked across the sky—powerful experts from the other immortal-cultivation families had arrived to reinforce them. With their joining, the advance of the Demon race was finally checked.
The battle lasted for a full day and night, ultimately concluding with the retreat of the Demon race. Although the Wu Family had successfully repelled the demonic invasion, everyone understood that this was only temporary. The Demon race would not let the matter rest, and a greater crisis still lay ahead.
In the aftermath of the great battle, everyone in the Wu Family was busy clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded. Because of my outstanding performance in combat, I received praise from all corners of the Wu Family, and even Kong Fang, who usually looked upon me with cold eyes, wore a rare expression of gratified relief. "Chen'er, you've truly grown up!"
Kong Fang patted my shoulder and said earnestly, "You haven't failed your mother's expectations, nor have you brought shame to the Kong Family!"
I nodded, silently vowing in my heart that I must become stronger to protect the people I wished to protect. To elevate my strength, I plunged headfirst into the Alchemy Room, researching pill recipes and refining medicinal pills day and night. I knew that if I wanted to survive in these chaotic times, only by continuously enhancing my strength could I take control of my own destiny.
During one alchemical session, I accidentally discovered a method to boost my own strength, but this technique was extremely perilous; the slightest misstep could lead to cultivation deviation or even the shattering of my soul and body. I hesitated for a long time, but ultimately decided to take the risk, knowing full well that only by growing stronger could I protect Wu Mengli, protect my family, and protect the Wu Family...
The tongues of fire from the alchemical cauldron licked against the bronze vessel, and a fine layer of sweat seeped across my forehead. This was already my nth attempt at a breakthrough this month, yet every time, my cultivation technique reversed itself at the crucial moment, and my spiritual energy dispersed. I clenched my teeth, enduring the waves of sharp pain radiating through my meridians as I desperately tried to control the violent spiritual energy rampaging inside my body.
"Brother Chen, how are you holding up?" Wu Mengli's crisp voice rang out beside my ear, tinged with a hint of worry. I opened my eyes to see her standing at the doorway holding a bowl of fragrant ginseng soup, her brows filled with concern.
Ever since I began my secluded cultivation, she had frequently come to look after my daily needs, brewing soup, bringing meals, and helping me tidy up my room. I knew she worried about me, yet I least wanted her to see me in such a disheveled state. "I'm fine, just hit a slight snag with my cultivation."
I forced a smile, took the bowl of ginseng soup from her hands, and drank it down in one go. "Brother Chen, you mustn't push yourself too hard."
Wu Mengli looked at me with heartache, her eyes turning slightly red. "You haven't properly rested for days now; your body won't hold up if you keep going like this."
"Mengli, I must increase my strength as quickly as possible." I grasped her hands, my gaze resolute. "The Demon race is watching us like a tiger eyeing its prey; we cannot afford to sit here and await our doom. Only when I become stronger can I protect you, protect the Wu Family, and protect everyone we hold dear." Wu Mengli tried to persuade me no further, for she understood my determination.
She simply stayed quietly by my side, cheering me on and offering encouragement. Yet fate always loved to play tricks on people. Just when I thought I was about to break through my bottleneck, the unexpected happened. It was a thunderous, rainy night, and right at the critical juncture of my cultivation, I suddenly felt the spiritual energy within my body churn and surge wildly out of control.
I struggled to suppress it, but to no avail. A sea of blood filled my vision, and my ears were ringing with all manner of strange sounds as my sanity was swallowed away bit by bit. "Oh no, cultivation deviation!"
Terror gripped my heart, and though I wanted to stop, it was already too late. "Brother Chen!" Wu Mengli cried out in alarm, attempting to step forward and stop me, only to be repelled by a powerful force of energy. Darkness descended upon my vision, and I lost consciousness entirely.
When I awoke once more, I found myself lying on a soft bed. The room was very quiet, save for the sound of light breathing.
I turned my head and saw Wu Mengli slumped asleep beside my bed. Tearstains still lingered at the corners of her eyes, making it obvious she had just been crying. My heart felt as though it had been fiercely gripped by something, filled with guilt and self-reproach. I struggled to sit up, but the movement aggravated my injuries, and I could not help letting out a muffled groan.
"Brother Chen, you're awake!"
Wu Mengli was startled awake by my voice and jerked her head up. Seeing that I was awake, her face lit up with boundless joy. "You're finally awake, that's wonderful!"
"Mengli, I..."
"Shh, you don't need to say anything, just rest properly." Wu Mengli interrupted me, her eyes overflowing with heartache. "You've been unconscious for three whole days and nights; you scared me to death."
Only then did I notice how utterly frail my body felt, to the point where even speaking required effort. "Mengli, you've had it hard during this time." I grasped her hand, my voice raspy as I spoke. "It wasn't hard at all, as long as you're okay."
Wu Mengli shook her head, her eyes turning red once more. "Do you know how terrified I was while you were unconscious? I was afraid you'd sleep like that forever, afraid I'd never get to see you again..."
I pulled her into my embrace, gently patting her back as my heart filled with warmth and emotion. "Mengli, thank you for always staying by my side." "Silly, we are husband and wife; if I don't stay with you, who will?" Wu Mengli raised her head and laughed through her tears. "Alright, get some proper rest, and I'll go boil some porridge for you."
Just when I thought everything was turning for the better, Wu Mengli's expression suddenly altered drastically. She pulled a letter from her bosom and handed it to me with a heavy tone: "Brother Chen, I've received word that the demon army is pressing upon our borders. What... what should we do?"
I struggled to sit up, but Wu Mengli gently pressed me back down. "Rest properly, I'll read it to you."
Her voice trembled slightly, betraying a trace of despair. The letter had been sent by the elders of the Wu Family, stating that the demon army had already breached several border cities and was closing in on Rosy Clouds Valley, where the Wu Family resided. As a major power in the realm of immortal cultivation, the Wu Family naturally bore the brunt of the attack. The elders had already summoned all disciples to prepare for battle, but the demonic forces were overwhelming, and this fight portended more misfortune than good.
"How could this be..." I lay back down powerlessly, bitterness flooding my heart. I had striven for so long, wishing to grow stronger to protect Wu Mengli and the Wu Family, yet in the end, was I still powerless?
"Brother Chen, don't lose heart, we still have hope."
Wu Mengli gripped my hand tightly, her gaze unwavering. "The elders have already sent people to request support from the other sects. As long as we can hold out until reinforcements arrive, we still have a chance."
Watching her put on a brave face made me feel even more wretched. She was merely a gentlewoman, yet she had to bear such immense pressure while I could only lie in bed, entirely helpless. "No, Mengli, I cannot give up like this."
I took a deep breath, endured the pain in my body, and slowly sat up. "I'm going to the Alchemy Room." "Brother Chen, your body hasn't recovered yet, you can't be reckless!"
Wu Mengli anxiously tried to stop me. "Mengli, trust me, I'll be fine." I clasped her hand, my eyes resolute. "I have a premonition that I can refine a type of medicinal pill capable of helping us defeat the Demon race!"
Seeing the steadfast look in my eyes, Wu Mengli ultimately nodded. She knew that a fire burned within my heart—an inextinguishable flame.
Supporting my weakened frame with Wu Mengli's help, I made my way to the Alchemy Room. The familiar fragrance of herbs filled the chamber, bringing a sense of peace to my mind.
I sat cross-legged before the alchemical cauldron, closed my eyes, and recalled the knowledge regarding alchemy stored deep within my mind. A brand-new recipe gradually grew clear in my thoughts. This pill was called the "Demon-Breaking Pill"; it could drastically boost a cultivator's spiritual energy and even temporarily suppress the demonic aura of the Demon race.
I opened my eyes, a spark of excitement flashing within them. I knew this was our last hope!
I set to work refining the Demon-Breaking Pill, proceeding with utmost caution at every step, not daring to make the slightest error. Time ticked away second by second; my forehead was covered in sweat, and my body grew weaker and weaker, yet I dared not slacken in the slightest.
Finally, after enduring countless failures, I successfully brewed my first batch of Demon-Breaking Pills! With trembling hands, I picked up a pill, and a surge of potent spiritual energy radiated from it, instantly lifting my spirits.
"It worked! I succeeded!" I shouted excitedly, though my voice carried a trace of tears.
Right at that moment, a rush of hurried footsteps sounded, followed immediately by Kong Fang's anxious voice ringing out from outside the door: "Brother Chen! This is bad! The demon army has already breached the Mountain-Guarding Array and broken into the valley!"