Chapter 1166

"City lord, something terrible has happened! The third reconnaissance squad has reported that a great demon king is attacking from outside the city, and it seems a beast tide is about to break out!"

"What did you say?!" City Lord Zhang's pupils shrank sharply upon hearing this news, and he sprang to his feet so violently that he knocked over the table.

"Quickly summon the commander of the garrison troops and the two other vice city lords..."

The attack of the great demon king and the outbreak of the beast tide quickly alarmed all the high-ranking officials of Mu Xue City.

The atmosphere in the council hall of the city lord's mansion was as solemn as leaden clouds, and even the maidservants pouring tea and water were extra cautious, fearing they might offend a taboo and provoke the wrath of these important figures.

"According to the captain of the third reconnaissance squad, the number of demon beasts outside Mu Xue City is sparse—could it be because they have been summoned by the great demon king?"

"And there is not just one great demon king; among them are the Han Xiang Great Demon King, the Bai She Great Demon King, and two other great demon kings whose appearances were not clearly seen?" Vice City Lord Yao was deeply moved.

"Has the intelligence been confirmed accurate? Why hasn't the captain of the third reconnaissance squad come here to report?"

"After delivering the intelligence to the city gate guards, he collapsed from severe injuries and fell unconscious. What—could it be that Vice City Lord Ma has a way to wake him up?" Guard Commander Gong Sun asked, narrowing his eyes, sensing the ill tone in Vice City Lord Ma's voice.

"How could it be otherwise? That is four great demon kings, with the Han Xiang Great Demon King leading, having ravaged the icy plains for over a thousand years—no one knows how many Body Integration cultivators it has trampled to death. It is said to have already advanced to the late stage of Body Integration. Facing the Han Xiang Great Demon King, how could a mere reconnaissance squad possibly escape?"

"I think this squad captain is likely a spy bought by another city, fabricating false intelligence to deceive us and throw us into chaos!"

Gong Sun Commander angrily said: "Nonsense! Do you still doubt that the people I selected are fake?"

The council hall instantly became tense with swords drawn and bows bent, as the two Body Integration cultivators seemed ready to draw their weapons at the slightest disagreement.

The city lord, who had remained silent until now, spoke. He wields absolute authority in the city, and it is no exaggeration to say that Mu Xue City was built by his own hands: "Enough, Xiao Ma—this matter is undoubtedly true. Although demon beasts lack spiritual intelligence, the Han Xiang Demon King, after all, is an ancient demon of late Body Integration stage, so possessing some cunning is not surprising." "It let the squad captain escape on purpose, just to let us learn of this in advance, to provoke us."

Everyone fell silent. The city lord's words were as conclusive as a sealed verdict. Though all five present were Body Integration cultivators, facing four great demon kings and the raging, fearless beast tide, they still felt utterly inadequate.

"Since it has come to this, we can only meet it in battle."

The city lord rose and spoke in a deep voice: Mu Xue City is his life's blood; he could never simply abandon it.

"All city defenses on alert. Vice City Lord Ma, you are to summon cultivators from the city's sects, academies, and gangs—no restrictions on cultivation level; all must join the battle!"

"Gong Sun Commander, you are to mobilize the garrison troops and put the entire city on alert."

Orders were issued one after another. Though battle had not yet begun, everyone felt the tense atmosphere of an impending storm.

"Vice City Lord Yao, you take a few men to scout the enemy situation, determine the scale of the beast tide, and remember—do not approach the great demon kings!"

"!"

In the blizzard, Vice City Lord Yao, having received the order in crisis, prepared himself and led several bold confidants forward in silence.

The few confidants trembled with fear. Though they were brave, they were not suicidal. Once detected by the four great demon kings, not even Vice City Lord Yao could protect them—he himself would struggle to survive.

"Vice City Lord Yao, why not send a few Nascent Soul cultivators to scout instead? We'd better not go ourselves."

"Nonsense! What can Nascent Soul cultivators possibly see? Do you really want to flee the battlefield! If we fail to get through this beast tide, you and I may still have a chance to escape, but what about our wives, children, and elders? Are we to abandon them without a second thought?"

Speaking honestly, Vice City Lord Yao is also afraid—but what good does fear do? Sooner or later, we must face the beast tide. Gathering intelligence early and preparing in advance might still give us a sliver of hope.

"But..."

"Silence! We're approaching the beast tide!"

The few confidants were so frightened they dared not speak. They crept closer, their brows gradually furrowing, their hearts filled with unease.

Why is this beast tide so unnaturally quiet? The silence made their hearts creep with dread.

They summoned their courage and drew near, only to witness an unbelievable sight—so shocking that their heartbeats slowed by several beats.

The demon beast corpses piled up like mountains, the goose-feather snow almost burying the bodies and even masking the bloody stench. The demon beasts died with eyes unclosed, as if they had encountered an indescribable, immense terror.

"Is... is there internal strife among the great demon kings?" one confidant asked, stuttering, even finding the question laughable himself.

What kind of being could have slaughtered these demon beasts, and is it still here? Just thinking about it made their hearts leap to their throats— they dared not take even a single breath.

They landed silently, observing their surroundings with extreme caution, afraid to disturb that terrifyingly powerful enemy.

Several towering figures blocked their path. The north wind blew, dispersing the chill surrounding these figures, and everyone saw their true forms—a cold surge shot from the soles of their feet straight to the crown of their heads.

The corpses of the great demon kings.

"Quick, look! It's swimming through the snow—said to be the Northern Ice Whale King, a distant relative of the Kun Peng clan! It has been split in two!"

"That is the Saber-Toothed Tiger King, who once triggered a beast tide that destroyed Yong An City, where two Body Integration masters were stationed—including Vice City Lord Ma, which is how he escaped to our Mu Xue City!"

"That is the White Snake King, said to possess a peerless invisibility technique, having slain Body Integration masters through ambush!"

Suddenly, one confidant collapsed with a thud, trembling as he pointed at the massive figure blocking his way: "Han... Han Xiang Great Demon King—beheaded!"

Even after death, the Han Xiang Great Demon King continued to exhale cold air—a testament to its former terror.

Yet no matter how fearsome its legends, today it lies dead in the icy snow outside the city.

Vice City Lord Yao boldly stepped forward to examine the wound, his expression growing ever more solemn.

The wound was smooth as a mirror—whether it was the minor demons or the Han Xiang Great Demon King, all had been severed by a single sword stroke, with no second blow needed.

"This person... in the way of the sword... is worthy of being called supreme."

"Hurry and go save Elder Lu! He must still be alive!" The students stood guard at the city gate, anxiously urging the guards.

The guards exchanged bitter smiles. How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly survive after encountering a gnawing demon rabbit? By the time these children ran over, Elder Lu would likely have been reduced to bones by the demon rabbits.

Even if they had the ability to save him, now that the beast tide has attacked, the superiors have issued a death order: without the commander's token, no one may leave the city. They want to save him, but it's simply impossible.

Fang Zhi Ge, who once had great faith in Elder Lu, heard the news of the beast tide and instantly turned pale.

No matter how powerful Elder Lu may be, he could not possibly survive in the beast tide—our Nine Ghosts Alliance facing the beast tide is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Gong Che looked toward the snowy wilderness outside the city and suddenly exclaimed: "Quick, look—isn't that Elder Lu!"

Fang Zhi Ge shook his head: "How could that be..."

"Fellow students, the teacher has returned!" Lu Yang strode forward, carrying a sack of war spoils—all rabbits.

"Although the enemies were many, fortunately my life-preserving methods were more numerous, and I managed to survive by luck." Lu Yang said, still feeling the lingering fear.

(Extra chapter for Alliance Leader Shen Ying Lei Ming)