Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 497 Comeback
"Disciple greets Sect Leader." On the bow of the ship, Hong Haoran, dressed in purple, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the great formation. Zhao Botao quickly bowed and respectfully greeted him.

"Why did you withdraw from the formation?" Hong Haoran did not turn around, his voice was calm, yet it possessed an indescribable air of authority.

Zhao Botao, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, immediately tensed up upon hearing the question. He lowered his head, maintained his bowing posture, and secretly swallowed.

"I was advancing as planned, but we were ambushed by Murong Hai, a Golden Core cultivator from the Murong family, leading the enemy army. We were dealing with the array's restrictions, and our spiritual energy was already depleted. When the group saw the enemy Golden Core cultivators move out, they immediately lost their composure and fled the array. I could not stop them, so to avoid further casualties, I had no choice but to order them to withdraw from the array first."

"Have all three thousand of your troops retreated outside the formation?" Hong Haoran's voice remained calm and composed.

"At that time, the entire team was scattering in all directions, and I didn't notice how many people had actually escaped. After leaving the formation, I waited outside for a while and regrouped the scattered members. Most of the disciples of our sect had already escaped safely. After that, I was summoned, and I don't know how many more people escaped afterward."

As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of light shot over and landed on the spirit ship, revealing a burly man dressed in the attire of the Beast Taming Sect. He quickly walked to the bow of the ship and bowed to Hong Haoran.

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, all members of the Second Brigade have now retreated outside the formation. According to what I understand, they were attacked by the enemy army led by Murong Hai, which is why they retreated."

The man paused slightly, glancing at Zhao Botao: "However, according to the cultivators of the second brigade, after Junior Brother Zhao issued the order to retreat, Song Xian of the Hunyuan Sect still led his disciples in a desperate resistance and successfully repelled Murong Hai."

"Only after the enemy cultivators fled back to the mountain gate in a sorry state did Song Xian lead his sect disciples to calmly withdraw from the formation. Now all the members of the second brigade have gathered on the east side of the formation, waiting for the sect's next instructions."

Zhao Botao bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground. Upon hearing this, he clenched his fists, his face paled slightly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Upon hearing the report from the burly man, Hong Haoran remained silent, and a profound silence fell upon the bow of the ship.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators behind him all glanced at Zhao Botao, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

“Now that the enemy’s counterattack against the Second Battalion has been repelled, there is no need to send reinforcements. Zhao Botao, you will immediately return to the Second Battalion and continue to lead your troops to attack the formation.”

"Yes, disciple obeys." Zhao Botao was as if he had been granted a pardon. He immediately raised his head and responded in a booming voice. He then gave a sharp look at the burly man beside him before leaving the spirit ship.

Hong Haoran then issued several more orders, and the people on the bow of the ship obeyed and went off.

"Zhao Botao fled the formation without asking for permission or receiving authorization. Why did the sect leader still order him to lead the second battalion to attack the formation after such a desertion? I think it would be better to replace him with someone else." After everyone left, Song Zhongping spoke slowly.

"Now is not the time to settle scores. Punishing him now would be pointless. The most urgent task is to take this place. We can deal with other things later. Giving him another chance now will surely make him cherish it and fight to the death. Besides, the second brigade is just a feint to disperse the power of the array's restrictions and to tie down the Murong family's forces. We didn't expect them to be able to reach the defensive light barrier of the array anyway."

………………

Inside the Murong family's mountain gate, Murong Hai had returned to the array altar, where Murong Teng, Murong Yun, and another Golden Core cultivator, Peng Xuan, were waiting.

When Murong Teng looked at him, Murong Hai felt both ashamed and embarrassed. He knew that Murong Teng must have seen the battle between the two sides clearly through the array plate. Now, meeting his gaze felt like being interrogated.

As a Golden Core cultivator, he was helpless against a Foundation Establishment cultivator despite using all his skills. He couldn't help but underestimate anyone else in this situation.

It's easy to imagine how Murong Teng views himself at this moment.

"Xu Xiansheng has led three Golden Core cultivators and thousands of Beast Taming Sect disciples to attack from the south of the great formation. You should recover your depleted spiritual energy first, as there will be a fierce battle later. No matter what, we must defend the mountain gate." Murong Teng only glanced at him before looking away.

Murong Yun's expression was solemn: "Since the main force of the Beast Taming Sect is in the southern team, we should focus our formation and restrictions on that team. We don't need to pay too much attention to the other teams."

"I propose using array formations to restrict the southern forces of the Beast Taming Sect, and then sending people to block the advance of their eastern and western forces," Murong Hai said, trying to hide his embarrassment.

While the group was discussing, Song Xian had already led the Hunyuan Sect disciples out of the great formation. Outside, the Beast Taming Sect cultivators who had fled earlier had not gone far. They were regrouped, but they no longer had the same tense and ready-to-go demeanor as before.

Although they still stood in formation, it was obvious that the entire team was loosely organized and had low morale.

Upon seeing the Hunyuan Sect members emerge from within, the Beast Taming Sect disciples immediately began whispering amongst themselves, their clamor instantly filling the air.

Most of the people's eyes were focused on Song Xian, and their expressions varied, mostly showing admiration and surprise, with some even expressing praise.

Although they scattered and fled the moment Murong Hai launched his fierce attack and did not join the battle against him, they all witnessed the scene of Song Xian leading the Hunyuan Sect disciples in battle.

People always have respect for the brave.

The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect are also human. They naturally respected Song Xian for standing up against a powerful enemy in a time of crisis, especially since Song Xian's performance was so amazing.

Many people witnessed him using the Taiyin Netherfire to fight against Murong Hai's magic weapon. How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator be able to stand on equal footing with a Golden Core cultivator?

"Sect Leader Song, you've finally returned safely. How are you? Are you injured?" A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect greeted them, his gaze somewhat evasive, whether out of shame or something else, he appeared very enthusiastic and concerned.

Song Xian's expression was stern, and his cold gaze swept over the Beast Taming Sect members: "Where is Fellow Daoist Zhao? Where did he go?"

"Senior Brother Zhao has just been summoned by the sect leader and is away answering questions." At this moment, several other Foundation Establishment cultivators also came forward to greet him.

Perhaps because they felt guilty, or perhaps because they were impressed by the strength he had just displayed, the group seemed much more friendly and approachable than before.

"Sect Leader Song's divine might is invincible. He actually fought against the Golden Core cultivator Murong Hai without being at a disadvantage. I have truly broadened my horizons today."

"I had long heard of the strength of Sect Leader Song, which few among his peers could match. As the saying goes, seeing is believing, and today I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."

"How many people in the world can fight against a Golden Core cultivator with only Foundation Establishment cultivation and remain undefeated!"

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect praised his performance, but they didn't mention a word about him abandoning the Hunyuan Sect cultivators and escaping the formation alone.

Song Xian ignored them and turned to Lin Zixiang, instructing him to arrange for the injured disciples to rest and recuperate in the rear.

In this battle, not only did the Hunyuan Sect lose four or five hundred disciples, but two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Shen Su and Li Tai, were also killed. The casualties were considerable.

Shen Su died in a battle with a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Murong family, while Li Tai died under the restrictions of an array.

The group, having been met with a cold shoulder, were somewhat embarrassed and unsure whether to discuss with Song Xian how to settle the Hunyuan Sect disciples or return dejectedly to the Beast Taming Sect. Just then, a streak of light shot towards them from afar.

"It's Senior Brother Zhao."

"Senior Brother Zhao is back."

While the group was at a loss, they saw Zhao Botao return and felt as if they had found their pillar of support, so they hurriedly went to greet him.

After Zhao Botao landed, he first discussed a few words with the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect, and then quickly came to the Hunyuan Sect members. Perhaps feeling embarrassed, he coughed slightly, straightened his expression, and looked solemn.

"Fellow Daoist Song, our sect's leader has ordered us to continue attacking the formation. There is no time for your disciples to rest; we must enter the formation immediately."

Song Xian glanced at him expressionlessly without replying.

Just now, inside the great formation, as the leader of the team, he abandoned the Hunyuan Sect members without hesitation and only cared about escaping. It is clear that he did not regard the Hunyuan Sect cultivators as his own people who fought alongside him.

At that time, Murong Hai was clearly targeting him, but Zhao Botao ordered the withdrawal of the formation without thinking. It is estimated that he was glad that he was not being targeted and wished he could use the lives of the Hunyuan Sect members to delay Murong Hai's pursuit.

They actually have the audacity to try and persuade us to continue the attack; they are utterly shameless.

Although Song Xian despised Zhao Botao's cowardly and shameless behavior, he did not criticize him, because he knew that criticizing Zhao Botao would be useless and would not change anything.

Arguing is the most pointless thing to do; it not only does nothing to help the situation, but it also invites unnecessary trouble.

But Lin Zixiang, standing to the side, didn't hold back. He bluntly and coldly replied, "Captain Zhao, didn't you see that our disciples are either dead or injured, and those who remain have very little spiritual energy left? How can they continue to attack the formation?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "Captain Zhao," undoubtedly expressing his dissatisfaction and contempt, because no one had ever used this title to address Zhao Botao before.

Although Zhao Botao was quite shrewd, he couldn't help but blush slightly at this moment. He didn't respond to Lin Zixiang, but looked at Song Xian and put on a sincere expression.

"Fellow Daoist Song, how about this? Our sect's disciples will lead the charge, followed by your sect's disciples. As for your sect's injured disciples, we'll send them to a safe place to rest and recuperate; they don't need to enter the formation. What do you think?"

Seeing that Song Xian still did not answer, he raised his voice: "Fellow Daoist Song, this is the order of our sect leader. Our sect's Uncle Xu has led the majority of the troops into the formation to support the first battalion. The sect requires us to cooperate in attacking the formation."

Although Song Xian was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to obey. If he disobeyed the Beast Taming Sect's order now, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Even if he is in the right, if he disobeys orders at such a critical moment, his chance to form his core at the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate will not only be ruined, but he may also be purged by the Beast Taming Sect afterward.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Senior Brother Zixiang, gather the disciples and continue the attack with Fellow Daoist Zhao."

"Sect Leader Song is a man of great principle. I will certainly petition the sect to commend your sect afterwards."

Zhao Botao breathed a sigh of relief. He had led his troops out of the formation without asking for permission or receiving orders. If this were investigated, he would definitely be in big trouble.

Therefore, when he heard the burly man who had never gotten along with him make a roundabout complaint to the sect leader Hong Haoran on the spirit ship, his heart jumped into his throat and he broke out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, Hong Haoran was magnanimous and did not hold him accountable for leaving the formation without permission. Instead, he ordered him to continue serving as the captain of the second battalion and continue the attack.

He knew in his heart that this was an opportunity for him to redeem himself through meritorious service.

If even the Hunyuan Sect can't be dealt with, let alone redeeming oneself through meritorious service, once the matter reaches Hong Haoran, both old and new scores will definitely be settled together.

...............

Soon, the team was reorganized and entered the formation one by one.

The Beast Taming Sect members walked in front, with Song Xian leading the Hunyuan Sect disciples behind. Unlike before, the resistance was significantly less this time. They walked for quite a while before encountering an attack from the array's restrictions.

After withstanding several waves of restrictions, the team was almost at the defensive light barrier of the formation. Because they had not encountered frequent attacks from formation restrictions along the way, their journey had been very smooth.

"Ahead lies a powerful defensive light barrier. If we can break through this barrier, we will be the ones to achieve the greatest merit, and the sect will reward us handsomely. Everyone, follow me!"

Zhao Bode was excited because he knew that the reason they were able to proceed so smoothly was because the Murong family's garrison had focused its main forces on dealing with the Beast Taming Sect's southern forces, so they had not encountered much resistance along the way.

It's even possible that the Murong family's elite troops stationed at the mountain gate have all withdrawn, leaving only a small group of people to maintain the operation of the great formation.

If that's the case, it would be a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself within the sect. Although the defensive light barrier of the third-tier high-grade array is powerful, it is not difficult to break through it with the strength of several thousand cultivators if there is no one guarding it.

If he can lead the team to be the first to break through the Murong family's mountain gate, his previous crimes of desertion and fleeing without a fight will not only be wiped clean and no one will mention them again, but he will also be rewarded and promoted for this achievement, and may even be able to enter the cabinet.

Just as he was ambitiously leading the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect toward the defensive light barrier, a large number of cultivators surged out from inside; it was the Murong family's mountain gate guards who had been mobilized.

Zhao Bode looked closely and, not finding any of the Murong family's Golden Core cultivators, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Since he had previously withdrawn from the formation without permission, he naturally could not desert again this time. Even if he was facing a Golden Core cultivator, he had to continue fighting. Fortunately, no Golden Core cultivators appeared.

He glanced back at Song Xian and saw him calmly directing the Hunyuan Sect disciples to form a battle formation to meet the enemy. Instantly, he felt an indescribable sense of relief.

With this powerful figure who can rival a Golden Core cultivator, we have even greater confidence.

---------------

---------------

P.S.: (I've been feeling really down lately, and I've had a lot of personal things to take care of, so updates might be a bit inconsistent. Just letting you know in advance.)
(End of this chapter)