Chapter 402: The Return Journey
Upon seeing Gu Qingyang directly handing over the essence blood of the third-tier Demonic Beast to Wang Hong, several other Golden Core cultivators also held a portion and presented it to Wang Hong.
There were two reasons for this. First, they had just received assistance from Wang Hong, so it was a way to repay the favor. Second, they believed in Wang Hong's potential and wanted to establish a good relationship in advance, considering it an investment.
Anyway, this material wasn't that crucial for these Golden Core cultivators, so they preferred to build goodwill.
The secret realm was still several days' journey away from the Qingxu Sect, and to avoid any further attacks from the Demon Clan, the Flying Boat continued to speedily head back day and night. On board, everyone focused on healing their injuries and replenishing their Spiritual Power.
Occasionally, they encountered groups of Demonic Beasts along the way, and when possible, they avoided them. If confrontation was inevitable, they swiftly dealt with them using their formidable skills.
With six Golden Core cultivators and a hundred Foundation Building cultivators on the Flying Boat, dealing with ordinary Demonic Beast groups was relatively easy.
When they were just a day's distance away from the third defensive line, they established contact with the cultivators responsible for receiving them using long-range communication magic tools. They discussed the timing, location, and other details of their arrival.
The Foundation Building cultivators on the boat felt relieved when they saw how well the sect had prepared. Given their current strength, breaking through the Demon Clan's encirclement from the outside would have been extremely difficult.
At the same time, in the Demon Clan's rear camp, five third-tier Demonic Beasts that had been defeated and fled finally returned to the Demon Clan's camp.
These five Demonic Beasts had been poisoned with a strange toxin, and they had to stop midway to purge the poison from their bodies, which caused a delay.Ashen Roc was currently enjoying some wine with a group of Demonic Beasts while watching a lively display of frogs below.
A large group of frog-like Demonic Beasts moved agilely, jumping around with "plip-plop" sounds, occasionally emitting "croak! croak!" cries.
"Hmm! Their voices are short and resonant, like heavenly music, quite nice!" A white-feathered demonic bird at the head commented when it heard the wonderful frog calls.
"Hehe! The dance troupe sent from the West Zhou Demon Realm is indeed impressive. Not only is their dance skill high, but I heard the taste is also excellent," another beast, part-bird and part-beast, licked its lips and praised from another angle.
"Fellow Daoist, don't be impatient. These low-tier Demonic Beasts aren't worth eating. Before long, my third brother will bring back a batch of fresh Human Clan Golden Cores. I guarantee they'll be a delicious feast! " Ashen Roc said confidently at this moment, full of assurance about bringing back a tasty meal.
"Yes, we almost forgot about that. With Peng Ge's help, we'll definitely catch a few live ones."
"Right! Right! Let's save room in our bellies, we'll be enjoying a feast soon."
The group of Demonic Beasts below quickly complimented each other. At that moment, five disheveled Demonic Beasts rushed into the camp in a state of panic.
"You've come back just in time! Bring the captured Human Clan Golden Cores up here, let everyone enjoy them first, and we'll have a barbecue later!" Ashen Roc, who was currently enjoying a massage from a plump and sturdy beauty, didn't notice the anxious demeanor of the five Demonic Beasts.
"Report... Report to General Ashen Roc... They're... They're all gone!" one of the Demonic Beasts responded nervously.
Only then did Ashen Roc sense that something was amiss. He abruptly sat up straight, his imposing figure, and demanded in a stern voice, "What about the others? Where is my third brother?"
"They... they're all dead! Only the five of us managed to escape."
"What's going on? This can't be!" Ashen Roc roared, flapping his wings and turning the beautiful woman beside him into a pile of flesh.
The frogs, which had been happily jumping around just moments ago, now cowered in fear in the corners.
The five Demonic Beasts who had returned recounted the whole story in detail, inevitably adding some embellishments, highlighting their bravery in battle and portraying the enemy as despicable.
Though they exaggerated a bit, they still conveyed the general course of events accurately.
"Spread my command! Order all East Sea Demon Clan to pursue this Human Clan team with all their might. Not a single survivor should be left. Whoever helps me take revenge, my Peng Clan is willing to offer a 6,000-year-old Moonflower Grass as a reward."
After Ashen Roc issued the order, all the Demonic Beasts began to act, converging on the route taken by the Human Clan cultivators.
A 6,000-year-old Moonflower Grass was especially enticing and could drive all the Demonic Beasts to madness. Moonflower Grass absorbed the essence of the moon and had significant benefits for both Human Clan and Demon Clan cultivators. It greatly aided Human Clan cultivators in breaking through from Golden Core to Nascent Soul, and it was rumored to be effective for Demon Clan's tier advancement as well. A Moonflower Grass with a 6,000-year history was exceptionally rare.
Unaware of the chain reaction their battle had set off, Wang Hong and the others continued to rush back along their established route with all their might.
When they returned to the outskirts of the defensive line, the entire battlefront had become chaotic. The cultivators responsible for the reception had initiated an attack on the Demon Clan to disrupt their formation.
However, as soon as Wang Hong's Flying Boat appeared, the battlefield erupted as if it were boiling. Demonic Beasts who were previously engaged in combat unexpectedly abandoned their opponents and rushed towards the Flying Boat, leaving a group of bewildered cultivators behind.
Although the Golden Core cultivators who came to assist didn't know what had happened, many Demonic Beasts had turned their backs, exposing themselves to the cultivators.
How could they miss such an opportunity? Without hesitation, the cultivators directed their forces to chase after the Demonic Beasts.
Facing the sudden and intense siege, Wang Hong and his group were taken aback. They had no idea why these Demonic Beasts were acting as if they held a deep-seated grudge against them.
While they continued to defend themselves, the protective shield of the Flying Boat was quickly shattered once again.
Countless Demonic Beasts surged toward them, including numerous second-tier Demonic Beasts and dozens of third-tier Demonic Beasts.
Wang Hong seized an opportunity when the Demonic Beasts had not fully surrounded them. His figure flashed forward by several yards, but he found himself blocked by two second-tier Demonic Beasts. With a sweep of his Long Spear, the heads of the two Demonic Beasts flew out over ten yards, blood gushing like fountains.
He had planned this position in advance. In this direction, there were only these two second-tier Demonic Beasts, and behind them was a large open area, suitable for his next escape.
After killing two second-tier Demonic Beasts with a single strike, his figure disappeared once again. When he reappeared, he was already several yards away, leaving behind a shower of blood. Then, his figure vanished once more.
At this moment, nobody had the time to worry about others. They all used their most potent escape techniques, fleeing towards the direction of the city wall.
Just as Wang Hong had slain a first-tier Demonic Beast and prepared to move forward again, he saw a third-tier Rat Demon directly in front of him, waiting for him to fall into its trap.
Terrified, he quickly changed direction, dodging to the other side. A second-tier Demonic Beast tried to block his path but was sent flying by Wang Hong's figure as he brushed past it.
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