Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 433 Rescue
Dark clouds piled up over Yuanmen Town, and heavy rain poured down.

The muddy roads offered no foothold. The moat's waters surged, overflowing its banks and constantly washing over the mountains of monstrous corpses, filling the air with a nauseating stench of decay.

Despite the terrible weather, the monsters' fierce attack was not deterred in the slightest.

The roars were deafening, and several large, muscular ape demons led the charge, repeatedly ramming the city gate with their hard bodies.

"The city gate is about to be broken!"

A terrified scream echoed in all directions.

As expected, the heavy wooden door finally succumbed to the ape demon's relentless pounding and collapsed with a crash.

The soldiers hiding behind the city gate panicked and scattered in all directions.

Dozens of demonic beasts seized the opportunity to leap in, letting out joyful cries. Their scarlet eyes revealed a cruel and bloodthirsty gaze in the dark rain.

However, before they could run rampant, hundreds of arrows rained down like a storm, and all the monsters in the lead fell to the ground.

It turns out there was a barbican behind the city gate.

The walls of the barbican were filled with archers, ready for battle.

Nevertheless, as the monsters kept pouring in, a deep sense of despair arose in the hearts of the soldiers. Some kept drawing their bows and nocking their arrows, but their aim disappeared with their fear.

"Don't back down!"

A middle-aged cultivator with a cold expression shouted angrily.

Several cultivators who were slaying demons on the city wall rushed back to provide reinforcements. Master Liaoshen was the first to jump down from the barbican and throw out his Buddhist beads.

The Buddha's Jewel shone brightly, freezing most of the demons in place, unable to move.

"disease!"

Master Liaoshen roared, and sparks flew from the talisman in his hand as it flew into the horde of demonic beasts.

With a loud "boom," countless limbs and broken bones flew everywhere, a truly gruesome sight.

The monsters retreated in panic, but the monsters behind them refused to give way and instead roared as they continued to push their way in.

In just a short while, more than ten demonic beasts died from being trampled.

Meanwhile, even more monsters rushed into the small barbican.

"Master, we can't hold on any longer!"

Someone yelled.

The demonic beasts were fearless and relentless in the face of attacks from both cultivators and city guards. The barbican used to defend against the mortal army seemed to have no effect whatsoever.

Master Liaoshen, who was inside the barbican, felt the pressure directly and broke out in a cold sweat.

Perhaps the surrounding monsters were no match for him, but his magical power was being rapidly depleted.

Master Liaoshen gritted his teeth and replied, "Retreat first, retreat into the inner city!"

The design of Yuanmen Town is modeled after that of Pucheng. Behind the barbican, there is another city wall, which is also the last line of defense.

Upon hearing Master Shen's words, the other cultivators quickly turned and flew up the inner wall.

It was a pity that some of the soldiers who were blocking the gate were unable to retreat in time and were torn to pieces by the monsters.

"These bastards!"

One of the cultivators gritted his teeth, then lifted a huge rock and slammed it down.

The boulder contained magical power, and it smashed a deep crater into the barbican. The monsters suffered heavy casualties and howled in despair.

But they remained unmoved. Some of the lame monsters, already in a state of waiting to die, even scratched at the thick walls with their claws, leaving behind shocking bloodstains.

Before long, a flock of birds, whose shapes were indistinct, swooped down from the horizon.

The soldiers on the city wall fled in terror.

But how can the footsteps of mortals compare to the sharp eyes of demonic beasts?
Before long, another hundred soldiers and able-bodied men defending the city were killed.

"what!"

"Run!"

With the city gates broken, the soldiers on the city walls focused their attention on the barbican and had no heart left to defend the city.

Having suffered such a heavy blow, they could no longer hold on and flocked to the inner city.

Seeing this, Bao Daoyou, who was in charge of defending the city wall, pursed his lips and remained silent.

"Fellow Daoist Bao, retreat quickly!"

Someone reminded him, and Fellow Daoist Bao took out his last Explosive Talisman, threw it under the city gate, causing another roar, and then retreated expressionlessly.

"Master, the situation is hopeless, we must retreat!"

On the inner wall, several cultivators with insufficient magical power surrounded Master Shen and shouted anxiously.

Master Liaoshen shook his head: "No, if we run away, hundreds of thousands of people in Yuanmen Town will become food for the dead. Who can bear the consequences?"

"But if we stay, not only will we not be able to save them, we'll also get ourselves into trouble!"

Some people are already getting impatient.

Most of the others shared this sentiment. Master Liaoshen looked around and reassured them, "Let's hold out a little longer. At least until this section of the wall breaks through, and we also have reinforcements."

Where are the reinforcements?

Fellow Daoist Bao suddenly interjected, "Master, you don't actually believe that old bastard Xu Jin, do you?"

Master Liaoshen looked at him helplessly and explained, "Fellow Daoist Bao, Xu Jin is an upright man and comes from the prestigious Li family. He would not abandon the hundreds of thousands of people in Yuanmen Town."

Hearing Master Shen repeatedly mention the common people, Fellow Daoist Bao, who was already impatient, suddenly burst out: "The common people, the common people, Master Shen, do you really have the common people in your heart?"

"Everyone here knows that you want to gain the favor of Shengyi Sect by defending the city. We have no objection to you making contributions, but you can't gamble with everyone's lives."

Master Liaoshen's expression was solemn. He clasped his hands together and said sincerely, "It is true that this humble monk wishes to join the Shengyi Sect, but my desire to defend the city is also genuine. I hope you will not misunderstand."

"We don't know what you're thinking, and we don't want to know."

Fellow Daoist Bao interrupted sharply, "Yuanmen Town can no longer be defended. If you're going to die, don't take us with you. I'm leaving now. Who wants to come south with me?"

"I'm leaving too!"

"Take me one!"

As soon as Fellow Daoist Bao finished speaking, several people responded.

Master Liaoshen heard this and looked down at the densely packed monsters below. He felt a pang of disappointment. He opened his mouth, but Fellow Daoist Bao ignored him and flew into the air first.

The other monks followed closely behind.

The soldiers guarding the city who witnessed this scene immediately became agitated, shouting repeatedly, "The immortal masters have run away! The immortal masters have run away!!"

With the immortal masters in charge, even though the soldiers defending the city suffered heavy casualties, they still held onto a sliver of hope.

The fact that the immortal masters have retreated en masse is undoubtedly the final straw that broke their back.

Many people dropped their weapons and ran into the city like madmen.

In just a few breaths, the city wall defenses collapsed completely, and more and more monsters jumped up, then caught up with the soldiers and able-bodied men who had fallen behind, and slaughtered them in a frenzy.

Master Liaoshen watched this scene unfold, then looked up to the sky and sighed, "So be it, so be it. What's the harm in discarding a useless body?"

As he spoke, he tossed the prayer beads in his hand and began chanting a mantra.

Suddenly, raindrops hit my face.

Master Liaoshen opened his eyes and saw a water dragon rising outside the city, attacking the demonic beasts at the city gate.

Behind the water dragon, shouts of battle shook the heavens.

More than a hundred cultivators, wielding magical artifacts, soared through the clouds, unleashing a dazzling array of spells upon the beast horde, stirring up waves of bloodshed.

"Reinforcements have arrived?"

Master Liaoshen muttered to himself.

"Roar!"

Just then, a huge white-haired ape stood up from the horde of beasts, pounded its chest, and let out a thunderous roar.

Several cultivators who came to their aid were caught off guard, feeling dizzy and disoriented, and they fell from the sky. At the critical moment, a long rope stretched out from the clouds and pulled them back. A green figure soared into the sky, and the surrounding rain seemed to be summoned, defying the laws of nature and surging upwards.

In an instant, the rainwater condensed into five dragons that were as solid as water, circling around the green figure and roaring at the white-haired giant ape.

Not to be outdone, the white-haired giant ape raised its arms, seemingly ready to fight with its bare hands.

Li Xiangming's gaze was indifferent. With a slap of his hand, five rain dragons descended from the sky.

"Boom!"

The explosion was deafening, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

The white-haired giant ape vomited blood incessantly and retreated repeatedly. Its enormous body trampled countless demonic beasts to death before it crashed heavily onto the city wall, making another loud noise.

But then, the white-haired giant ape stood up.

No, it didn't stand up on its own!
Instead, an old hemp rope was put around his neck, and he was forcibly pulled up.

As Li Xiangming tightened his grip, the rope taut, and the white-haired giant ape's eyes glazed over. Its feet left the ground, and it was suspended high above Ape Gate Town.

Upon seeing this, the monsters below scattered in all directions.

The siege momentum crumbled instantly.

“Good skills!”

"Is this what a Foundation Establishment cultivator is like?"

"Master Li is mighty!"

Every cultivator who witnessed this scene felt their blood boil, and even their movements quickened considerably.

Soon, they reached the city gate of Yuanmen Town.

Xu Jin rushed ahead, repeatedly calling out, "Master Liaoshen! Where is Master Liaoshen?"

"I'm here!"

Master Liaoshen also noticed Xu Jin and waved in response.

Xu Jin landed on the inner wall, his face beaming with delight, and said, "Yuanmen Town has been breached by demonic beasts. I was wondering if the mage was alright? I've brought reinforcements."

Master Liaoshen smiled and said, "You've come at just the right time. If you had come any later, I might have really gone to the Western Paradise."

Xu Jin laughed heartily, then glanced to the side and asked in confusion, "Where are Fellow Daoist Bao and the others?"

Just as Master Liaoshen was about to answer, he suddenly stopped and his gaze fell on a green-robed youth who was slowly flying over.

"Master Liaoshen?"

Li Xiangming was quite surprised. He was still chasing after the monsters when he heard Xu Jin's call and couldn't help but come over to check. Sure enough, he saw the old friend he had met by chance on the Dai River.

Master Liaoshen was also taken aback. He never expected that the passerby who had inspired him to talk so much would be a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and that he would save his life as if a divine soldier had descended from the heavens.

Seeing that the two seemed to be old acquaintances, Xu Jin was even more confused.

Didn't Master Liaoshen say he had just arrived in Puxian?

How did I come to know Master Li?
When he asked Master Li for help, he didn't go into such detail.

I wonder if Master Li will have any objections to this?

Xu Jin felt a pang of regret.

Li Xiangming was unaware of all this. Although he was somewhat surprised that the city-guarding cultivator he had just spoken of was Master Liaoshen, he quickly regained his composure and introduced himself: "I am Li Xiangming, Li from Dangui Mountain."

"So it was a hero from the Li family of Dangui Mountain!"

Master Liaoshen gave a wry smile, then straightened his expression, cupped his hands, and said, "Liaoshen thanks Young Master Li for saving my life."

Li Xiangming nodded slightly and glanced around. The city walls of Yuanmen Town had been breached, and the barbican was littered with corpses and rivers of blood. What was remarkable was that Master Liaoshen still dared to guard this place alone.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Shen!"

Li Xiangming's eyes showed appreciation, and he continued, "The beast tide has receded, and it's estimated that it won't be able to regroup for a while. We need to head to the Maojing Mine immediately. Would the mage be willing to accompany us?"

After receiving a letter from his family, he already had the idea of ​​taking the initiative to rescue the Maojing Mine.

Xu Jin's arrival further strengthened his resolve.

Although Xu Jin was in charge of supervising the miners' road construction and was detached from the mine, he was unaware of Li Qianxiao's situation.

However, the siege of Yuanmen Town is enough to show that the situation in Daishan is critical, and the situation at Maojing Mine is not much better.

Li Xiangming immediately made a decision and ordered the selection of elites from the four demon-hunting teams—Golden Eyes, Crimson Flame, Evil Dog, and Black Cat—to form a coalition of over 120 cultivators and head to Mount Dai.

The reason for saving Yuanmen Town first is not because Yuanmen Town is important.

Rather, Yuanmen Town happened to be on his only route.

The beast tide here is not large, and there are no demon cultivators in the Bone Fusion stage leading it.

With his cultivation level, even if he were to make a move, it wouldn't take much time.

However, he cannot linger here, nor will he spare any resources to stay and guard Yuanmen Town.

Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed across Master Liaoshen's face.

The siege of Yuanmen Town has been lifted. He is waiting for the Shengyi Sect to send someone to take over Yuanmen Town so that he can gain a great merit.

With this achievement, he will most likely be able to join the Shengyi Sect and realize his grand vision of promoting the unification of Daishan and establishing a super sect.

But looking at Li Xiangming's young face, he felt a little hesitant for some reason.

Compared to Daishan, Dangguishan has much less potential.

But he inexplicably said, "I am willing to go with Young Master Li."
-
"Watch out over here!"

"Danger!!"

After leaving Yuanmen Town, Li Xiangming and his group continued north, encountering countless groups of demonic beasts along the way.

These hordes of monsters are not even worthy of being called a beast tide.

However, they are often led by one or more demon cultivators at the Spirit Awakening stage, followed by tens of thousands of half-demons and wild beasts, making them equally formidable.

Once the numerous hordes of monsters converge, they become a terrifying beast tide.

To prevent them from growing in number and wreaking havoc on living beings, Li Xiangming took continuous action, breaking up twenty or thirty groups of demonic beasts along the way.

However, even more hordes of monsters appeared before them.

Even Li Xiangming gradually felt his strength waning and had to order everyone to avoid some of the larger groups of demonic beasts in order to conserve their energy and magical power.

Xu Buxiu, who had been acting as the vanguard, flew back from the front and said with a solemn expression, "Hall Master Li, we have entered the heart of Shengyi Sect. Why haven't we seen any Shengyi Sect disciples driving away the demonic beasts?"

Li Xiangming was also puzzled. Shengyimen was a large and powerful family. It was one thing that they didn't support Yuanmen Town in the far south, but why didn't they dare to do anything about the monsters that were ravaging their territory?

At this moment, Master Liaoshen whispered, "The beast tide in Yuanmen Town is not that fierce. I'm afraid the demon beasts have withdrawn their elite forces to attack Shengyi Gate."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangming frowned.

According to past practice, even if the great demons launch a beast tide, they usually do not show themselves.

It's not that they're cowardly, but rather that they've suffered too many losses at the hands of human cultivators.

For human cultivators, the demonic beasts are impossible to eradicate completely, so the first choice for the cultivation world in the face of a beast tide is to carry out a decapitation operation, striving for a decisive victory in one battle.

Once the great demon is killed, the demon beasts will be leaderless and will soon be routed.

The cultivation world thought this trick always worked, but little did they know that the demon beasts weren't always stupid.

For nearly a thousand years, the beast tides launched by the demon race of Nanbin have almost never been accompanied by powerful demons.

Even if the cultivation world manages to defeat the first wave of beast tides, the second and third waves will follow, continuing to pose a huge threat to human territory if the powerful demons do not show themselves.

This is why ordinary cultivators panic and flee at the mere mention of a beast tide.

You can dodge the first day of the month, but you can't dodge the fifteenth!
However, every advantage has its disadvantage. Without a powerful demon overseeing the battle, the beast tide's offensive was greatly weakened, which actually increased the chances of the cultivation world successfully resisting the beast tide.

Shengyi Sect is a major sect in Daishan and even the entire Puxian County, with thousands of disciples. Although no Golden Core cultivators have emerged from it, there are more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect.

More importantly, the Lingyue Peak where Shengyi Sect is located is protected by a mountain-protecting formation.

Li Xiangming couldn't imagine how the beast tide could attack Lingyue Peak without the help of the great demons.

(End of this chapter)