Chapter 867: Siege of the Crimson Fortress

Cultivators from Red Peak Immortal City fled in a wild panic.

But against the Fourth-Rank Beast King, the demonic forces, and the overseeing Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, they had no real chance of escaping the city.

A late Core Formation cultivator from Purple Light Sect activated the Blood Burning Secret Technique, hoping to flee using a Transfer Talisman.

Hovering above the city with arms crossed, the tall and striking Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain spotted this and smirked in disdain, appearing instantly in front of the Core Formation cultivator.

Then, with a swift kick from her pale, powerful leg, she struck out.

“Bang bang bang!!!”

Her casual move exploded like a raging dragon from the depths or an ancient volcano erupting, shattering the air in waves and ripping through the void.

The cultivator trying to escape with the talisman spat blood, his bones shattered, and he plummeted like a broken kite onto the city wall.

The gap between Core Formation and Nascent Soul was an insurmountable chasm.

Even though the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain had recently broken through to Nascent Soul and her divine abilities weren’t fully developed yet.

She could still crush any Core Formation cultivator with her raw power, pressure, and initial grasp of the void’s force.

He survived the blow only because she held back.

After all, a living Core Formation cultivator was far more valuable than a dead one.

They could be interrogated for Yue Kingdom secrets, ransomed for resources, or used as slaves and laborers.

Especially at the Core Formation level, most carried hidden opportunities and secrets.

Extracting those could yield impressive gains.

“The terror of a Nascent Soul is unmatched.”

Witnessing this, cultivators from Jiang Kingdom and Yue Kingdom in Red Peak Immortal City felt a chill of dread.

This Mirror Shadow True Lord, at late Core Formation, was someone they normally looked up to.

Yet before the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, he was like an insignificant insect, crushed in an instant.

Even with the Blood Burning Secret Technique and Transfer Talisman, escape was impossible.

“So this is the divide between Core Formation and Nascent Soul.”

Lu Qingxian watched the tall, agile Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, her dark purple hair whipping like a wild storm, gripping his Thunderfire Scepter tightly.

His knuckles turned white, even trembling from the strain.

As a Core Formation cultivator, he felt utterly powerless against a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Only despair remained.

Deep, endless despair!

Still, seeing the Fourth-Rank Beast King and demonic horde storming the city, he gritted his teeth and led Lu Xingyang, Lu Ziyun, and the others in a desperate attempt to flee, seeking any slim chance of survival.

Yet their struggles were futile.

As Lu Qingxian was about to burst from the city, a sudden chill swept over him.

It felt like a primeval beast was staring him down, freezing his magical energy and halting its flow.

“Nine Thunder and Fire Techniques!”

He quickly channeled his cultivation, letting Evil-Warding Golden Lightning and Thunder Yang Flame surge through him, weaving together as he activated the talisman in his hand.

After nurturing with Thunderstruck Fusang Wood, his Thunderfire body was just half a step from becoming a superior spirit body.

With his Thunderfire body, Evil-Warding Golden Lightning, Thunder Yang Flame, and top-grade Golden Core, he stood out even among early Core Formation cultivators.

He could even hold his own against some mid-Core Formation foes.

However…

He now faced a Nascent Soul True Lord!

Above the city, beside the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, a massive wolf shadow over thirty meters long appeared out of nowhere.

It loomed over all the Core Formation cultivators in the city.

Anyone trying to flee would trigger its roar and charge.

“Roar!!!”

The wolf shadow fixed on Lu Qingxian and let out a bellow, sending out rings of dark purple sound waves.

Like a floodgate bursting or a horde of beasts roaring, it hit him hard, leaving him dizzy, bleeding from every orifice, and flung through the air.

A Liang Kingdom Core Formation cultivator dashed forward, tossing out a chain artifact to bind Lu Qingxian, sealing his energy and confiscating his treasures.

“Brother Qingxian!”

Caught in the sound waves, Lu Xingyang and Lu Ziyun turned pale, blood streaming from their senses, and cried out in alarm at the sight.

After years together, their bond with Lu Qingxian ran deep.

Seeing him captured by the Liang Kingdom cultivator left them terrified and lost.

At the same time, several lethal attacks targeted them.

For Core Formation cultivators, the enemy aimed to capture rather than kill.

But for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment ones, they showed no mercy.

The goal was to strike fast, seize their artifacts and storage pouches.

Only at the end would they round up survivors as laborers or slaves.

“Thud thud thud!!!”

Just as the spiritual artifacts were about to strike Lu Xingyang and Lu Ziyun, a white light enveloped them, attempting to teleport them away.

“Hmm!?” A Liang Kingdom Core Formation cultivator on guard noticed and channeled his energy, unleashing an artifact to block and intercept them.

Though a third-rank talisman, the Substitute Talisman couldn’t evade a late Core Formation expert.

The group was halted mid-teleport, crashing to the ground, spitting blood, some passing out.

“Which faction are these from? They all have life-saving teleport talismans!”

The Core Formation expert eyed them, brows furrowed, then threw out a rope artifact to bind them all for later interrogation.

After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators with such rare talismans likely had powerful elders backing them, making them worth something.

They could be traded for resources or even turned.

Without Purple Light True Lord’s leadership, Yue Kingdom and Jiang Kingdom cultivators in Red Peak Immortal City were like scattered sheep, desperate to flee.

Liang Kingdom, with its Fourth-Rank Beast King and the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain, dominated the war completely.

Only a few Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators slipped away in the chaos; most faced death or capture.

Meanwhile.

Perched on the Golden-Winged Roc and racing toward the Yue Kingdom front lines, Lu Changsheng suddenly felt a stir and opened his eyes, gazing toward the front.

“What’s happening?”

His third-rank Divination Technique whispered of an ominous sign in the distance.

Lu Changsheng pinched his fingers to divine, checking if it involved him directly.

It wasn’t about his own danger on the way.

But those close to him were in peril.

Lu Changsheng’s heart tightened as he thought of his children and Chu Qingyi, Xiao Xiyue.

“Danger!”

“Danger!”

“Danger!”

Before leaving, he’d divined his children’s situations through blood ties.

All showed fluctuating fortunes, more peril than fortune, shrouded in war’s threat.

Now, the signs revealed that besides his son Lu Qingshan, daughter Lu Qingzhu, and Lu Lingxiao, his other children faced dire omens!

They teetered on the edge of death.

Lu Changsheng’s heart grew heavy.

“City Lord Wang, what is it?”

True Lord Xuanjian saw Lu Changsheng divining, heavenly secrets swirling around him, realizing he likely mastered divination techniques.

Not some fortune-seeking ability!

With dual cultivation, a second dantian treasure, two obedient fourth-rank spirit pets, and divination skills, his methods were astonishing!

“My children are in danger.”

Lu Changsheng’s face darkened.

Though Lu Qingshan, Lu Qingzhu, and Lu Lingxiao weren’t in immediate mortal peril, disaster loomed over them.

Especially his son Lu Lingxiao.

True Lord Xuanjian paused at the news.

For Lu Lingxiao, who’d come to aid, Heavenly Sword Sect hadn’t overburdened him but placed him in a less exposed post.

“Could it be…”

True Lord Xuanjian’s heart sank and he tried to divine, but with Nascent Soul True Lords in play and the Liang-Yue War at its peak, heavenly secrets were chaotic.

Unless he paid a steep price, useful insights were out of reach.

And he needed to stay sharp for the journey.

“City Lord Wang, stay calm. I’ll send word to True Lord Juejian to check on your son.”

True Lord Xuanjian took a deep breath, his expression grave, and messaged True Lord Juejian.

Though long-distance communication cost a lot, if the son of Dameng City’s lord and Yangming True Lord fell, things would complicate.

After a while, the response came.

True Lord Juejian reported that True Lord Yuanqi had been ambushed by True Lord Nine Spirits, his body destroyed, preventing True Lord Hunyuan from aiding Red Peak Immortal City.

He urged them to hurry to Red Peak Immortal City, as True Lord Ziguang couldn’t hold out alone.

“What!”

True Lord Xuanjian’s face changed.

He hadn’t expected the war to shift so quickly.

True Lord Yuanqi’s body shattered by True Lord Nine Spirits…

Yue Kingdom, already struggling against Liang and Yuan Kingdoms, had lost another Nascent Soul True Lord—how could they fight back?

Especially Red Peak Immortal City, guarded by True Lord Ziguang alone.

True Lord Xuanjian knew True Lord Ziguang well; hearing True Lord Hunyuan couldn’t help, he might abandon the city.

Though logical, the timing was dire.

“City Lord Wang, True Lord Yuanqi was ambushed by True Lord Nine Spirits en route to the front; his body is destroyed.”

“Red Peak Immortal City relies on True Lord Ziguang alone and likely won’t hold. Your son is stationed near there…”

With the crisis unfolding, True Lord Xuanjian didn’t hide the news or his analysis.

“Red Peak Immortal City!”

Lu Changsheng had visited outposts in the Chiyue Mountain Range before and knew many Jiang Kingdom supporters were there.

If it fell, his children would be at risk.

“How could Red Peak Immortal City fall so fast with True Lord Ziguang defending it?”

Lu Changsheng’s face hardened.

As a third-rank master of formations, he understood immortal city arrays; a Nascent Soul True Lord could maintain one against multiple foes for days.

Especially since, as True Lord Xuanjian said, the attackers included four Nascent Soul cultivators, but only True Lord Tiancang was experienced—the rest newly advanced.

And Red Peak Immortal City had True Lord Ziguang plus many Core Formation and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“I’m not sure; there might be other issues at Red Peak Immortal City.”

True Lord Xuanjian pondered, not wanting to speculate on True Lord Ziguang fleeing.

“Hmph, I suspect True Lord Ziguang feared we couldn’t arrive in time and abandoned the city to save himself.”

From his children’s divinations, Lu Changsheng realized Red Peak Immortal City had likely fallen.

Its swift collapse suggested Liang and Yuan Kingdoms had other tactics, but most likely, True Lord Ziguang had retreated.

Though Lu Changsheng understood the self-preservation instinct, with him and True Lord Xuanjian rushing to help, such a quick abandonment put his children in danger, stirring his anger.

If his family emerged safe, he’d let it go; if not…

“True Lord Xuanjian, this is urgent. I’ll head straight to Red Peak Immortal City at full speed!”

Lu Changsheng wasted no time, summoning the Misty Dust Banner, its glow enveloping him as he prepared to burn spirit stones for the rush.

He wouldn’t bring True Lord Xuanjian along; the latter couldn’t fit in his spirit pet bag or Heavenly Yuan Lotus, slowing him down.

True Lord Xuanjian knew the situation was critical and Lu Changsheng’s top-tier escape treasure and second dantian boosted his speed far beyond his own.

He didn’t object, pulling a bottle of Millennia-old Spirit Milk and restorative pills from his storage ring for Lu Changsheng: “Take these for your energy on the way.”

Though aware Lu Changsheng didn’t lack resources, he offered as a gesture, given the invitation.

“Thanks.”

Lu Changsheng accepted the pills, recalled the Golden-Winged Roc to his spirit pet bag, and fully activated the Misty Dust Banner, transforming into a streak of rainbow light that tore through the void toward Red Peak Immortal City.

“I hope we make it in time.”

True Lord Xuanjian watched him vanish, drawing a deep breath, hoping it wasn’t too late.

If more disasters struck and Yangming True Lord pulled back, it would be a mess.

After securing Red Peak Immortal City, the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain took control, planning to make it their base.

She immediately reported the victory to True Lord Nine Spirits.

“Excellent!”

True Lord Nine Spirits was overjoyed upon receiving the news.

With True Lord Yuanqi’s body destroyed and out of commission, and Red Peak Immortal City fallen, Yue Kingdom could no longer resist their Liang and Yuan forces.

“Spread the word across Yue and Jiang Kingdoms: True Lord Yuanqi has fallen, and True Lord Ziguang’s body is destroyed, though he escaped!”

True Lord Nine Spirits ordered a psychological campaign.

In immortal wars, morale was key.

Once this news spread, it would shake Yue and Jiang Kingdoms, sparking panic and driving many cultivators to flee or withdraw their clans.

Liang Kingdom could then turn and recruit from their ranks.

Yue Kingdom might deny it, but rumors spread fast while refutations lagged.

With Red Peak Immortal City captured and True Lord Yuanqi’s Nascent Soul weakened, how could they counter?

“Holy Maiden Youyue, hold Red Peak Immortal City and wait for Huangquan and Tiancang to return.”

True Lord Nine Spirits cautioned, ever vigilant.

From his intel, Jin Kingdom’s Yin Ghost Sect True Lord Mingsha was slain by Yangming True Lord.

Five Poisons Sect and Heavenly Corpse Sect seemed allied with Yangming True Lord, so they wouldn’t strike Jiang Kingdom.

In that case, Jiang Kingdom might fully commit to aiding.

Worse, he heard True Lord Xuanjian wasn’t at the Yue front; True Lord Juejian held it, suggesting Xuanjian might be fetching help—like Yangming True Lord!

Though Yangming True Lord’s Nascent Soul stage was likely early, his past feats in Mirage Domain of Vast Sands and silent takedown of True Lord Mingsha demanded respect.

“Understood, Ancestor.”

The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain acknowledged and efficiently directed her forces to repair walls, restore arrays, tally resources and captives, scout surroundings, launch psyops, and secure key points.

In Red Peak Immortal City’s prisoner camp.

All Core Formation experts from Yue and Jiang Kingdoms had their energy sealed, treasures confiscated, and were held for interrogation.

“Lu Qingxian.”

A middle-aged man in dark red armor, his face marked with bloody aura, around forty, looked at the pale, bloodied young man before him, recognizing a familiar air, and felt a mix of emotions.

This man was Li Feiyu, who had fled years ago and joined Asura Sect.

Sixty-eight years back, taken by True Lord Baifeng to a Myriad Beasts Mountain Range ruin explored by Qingluan True Lord, he triggered a restriction, survived, and escaped to Yue Kingdom.

Fearing ties to True Lord Baifeng and Purple Light Sect, and recalling his Asura Sect inheritance from Liang Kingdom, he slipped into Liang Kingdom and joined Asura Sect.

With his seventh-grade spirit root, the orthodox path offered little hope for Core Formation.

In the demonic path of Asura Sect, he saw a chance to advance.

Leveraging Earth Evil Heaven Bearing Technique and his connection to Jing Jueming, he entered Asura Sect as an outer elder.

But the demonic world wasn’t easy; through sixty years of trials and kills, he reached Foundation Establishment peak.

Core Formation remained out of reach until three years ago, when True Lord Incinerating Wither broke through to Nascent Soul, granting sect-wide rewards; he used his savings for a Blood Condensing Five Elements Pill and Asura Blood Pill Method to form a False Core.

At over 140 years old, delaying further was risky, especially with his demonic cultivation and past blood techniques.

Reflecting on his century of struggles ending in False Core, while his old friend became the renowned Changsheng True Lord with multiple Core Formation Dao companions and children, Li Feiyu felt a wave of regret.

He barely remembered Lu Qingxian, but from the name and background, knew he was his friend’s prodigy.

As a mere False Core elder in Asura Sect, he couldn’t help much—perhaps just ease the torture.

“Sigh.”

Seeing the resemblance and knowing Lu Qingxian’s efforts to reach Core Formation only to end as a prisoner, Li Feiyu sighed in pity.

He couldn’t bring himself to suggest surrender for survival.

After thinking, he decided to advise and try messaging Golden Sun Sect, where another of his friend’s prodigies, Lu Qingshan, was.

If Golden Sun Sect intervened with resources, they might ransom Lu Qingxian.

In Red Peak Immortal City’s main hall.

The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain removed seals from storage rings, pouches, and artifacts, assigning cultivators to sort them.

“What’s this?”

A cultivator spotted a luxurious box sealed with talismans in a storage ring.

From its look and seals, it was valuable; he pulled it out, carefully opened it, and a surge of intense, domineering, fiery yang energy filled the hall, drawing everyone’s eyes.

Even the Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain glanced over.

She raised her slender hand, and the thumb-sized piece of Thunderstruck Fusang Wood, marked with purple lightning and golden-red glow, fell into her grasp.

“This is…”

Though unfamiliar, as a Nascent Soul True Lord, she sensed its profound power—it was at least a fourth-rank treasure!

Incorporating it into a thunderfire artifact would greatly enhance its strength and potential!

“Where did this come from?”

The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain’s eyes turned cold and deep; she licked her red lips, curious how a mere Core Formation cultivator had such a rarity.

If from a secret realm or ancient site, she could send scouts.

A subordinate checked records and reported: “True Lord, this was from Lu Qingxian’s storage ring.”

“He’s a Core Formation cultivator from Jiang Kingdom’s Talisman Lu Family.”

“Talisman Lu Family?” The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain lounged in her chair, crossing her legs casually.

Her powerful, jade-like legs drew glances, though none dared stare.

She knew the name; years ago, she’d heard Jiang Kingdom’s Talisman Lu Family raised a third-rank Moonshadow Wolf in under a century, sending a guard to investigate who vanished.

With the Liang-Yue War and her Nascent Soul breakthrough, she hadn’t pursued it—until now, finding this top-tier treasure from a Lu family member.

Normally, she’d dismiss it, but given the Nine Nether Hound and Shadow incidents, she’d dug into Talisman Lu Family and knew they hid depths.

This Thunderstruck Fusang Wood confirmed her suspicions!

“Where is he? I’ll question him personally!”

The Holy Maiden of Beast God Mountain stood, her tall figure striking, patting her Moonshadow Wolf spirit pet as she prepared to interrogate Lu Qingxian about Talisman Lu Family secrets and this treasure’s origin.

“This way, True Lord.” A cultivator led her respectfully.

In the Chiyue Mountain Range.

“Red Peak Immortal City has fallen! True Lord Ziguang is slain—surrender to Liang Kingdom now!”

“Those who yield will be spared!”

With Red Peak Immortal City’s capture, Liang and Yuan Kingdom’s demonic forces swept like locusts, seizing outposts.

Though unsure if True Lord Ziguang’s death was true, the onslaught left Yue and Jiang Kingdom cultivators uneasy and chaotic.

Some fought back, others retreated.

Lu Lingxiao stood on his spirit boat, gazing toward Red Peak Immortal City, using the Emperor’s Aura Gazing Technique to assess the situation.

Days earlier, through the technique and Lu Qingxian’s warning, he’d sensed trouble looming.

Seeing disaster and demonic aura rising, he abandoned his post, leading his cultivators out of the Chiyue Mountain Range lines.

But the range stretched on, and with multiple boats carrying Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators, their escape was slow.

Now, feeling a flood of demonic aura sweeping the mountains, Lu Lingxiao’s heart sank.

“This is bad!”

He realized staying with them meant none would escape; abandoning them would doom the Qi Refiners.

“Young Lord, what is it?”

A Dameng Immortal City guest elder asked, knowing Lu Lingxiao’s uncanny ability to sense fortune and avoid disaster, which was why they’d followed his order to withdraw despite the risks.

“Everyone, scatter and flee. Together, we’ll all be caught.”

“What? Scatter?”

“Please, True Lord, don’t abandon us!”

The Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators on the boat paled, begging Lu Lingxiao to continue leading them.

Without him, they’d face enemies, allies, or beasts alone.

“I’ve already risked punishment to order this retreat; that’s as far as my duty goes. And sticking together won’t save you—going solo gives you a chance.”

Lu Lingxiao said firmly. He had compassion but wouldn’t sacrifice himself for others.

“Young Lord, is the danger that severe?”

A False Core guest elder from Dameng Immortal City hesitated, knowing abandoning them would mean many deaths.

“After leaving the mountains, regroup if possible.”

Lu Lingxiao’s golden eyes fixed on him, making the elder feel a weight, his energy unsteady.

He then deployed his escape artifact and sped away with Lu Mingfeng.

“Lingxiao, should we message your father?”

Lu Mingfeng, Lu Lingxiao’s longtime aide, knew his identity as Dameng Immortal City’s young lord and suspected the current lord was Lu Changsheng.

“I’ve already sent word to my father.” Lu Lingxiao glanced back at the Chiyue Mountain Range depths.

When disaster aura hit and Lu Qingxian’s message failed, he knew his brother was likely in trouble.

He lacked the strength to rescue, so he’d alerted Lu Changsheng first.

“Understood.” Lu Mingfeng’s heart grew heavy at the war’s rapid unraveling.

“They escaped fast.”

A Core Formation cultivator from Shadow Pavilion arrived at Lu Lingxiao’s former post, finding it empty, his eyes murderous as he stared in their retreat direction.

Though True Lord Minghai had canceled the bounty on Lu Lingxiao through Shadow Pavilion and Seven Killings Sect, the message took time.

Seven Killings Sect, with a foothold on the front, dropped it immediately, but Shadow Pavilion lacked one here, so the news lagged.

Worse, as a Shadow Sect branch, and with Dameng City’s lord capturing one of their Core Formation experts, Shadow Sect wouldn’t forget.

They dared not act near Dameng Immortal City, but with Lu Lingxiao on the Yue front and targeted, it was perfect.

So, even without the bounty, they’d pursue.

“Whoosh!” The Shadow Sect cultivator used a secret technique to chase Lu Lingxiao’s path.

With Red Peak Immortal City fallen, he moved freely in the Chiyue Mountain Range.

Lu Changsheng gripped the Misty Dust Banner, wrapped in colorful light, entering Yue Kingdom territory and speeding toward Red Peak Immortal City.

Pushing it this hard drained him greatly; reaching there nonstop would leave him nearly empty.

Though his Nine Calamity Sword, physical strength, and Qian Zhuyan let him fight on, his power would drop.

“Golden-Winged Roc!”

Once his energy waned, Lu Changsheng exhaled and summoned the roc again, activating several third-rank top-tier talismans to boost it.

He’d prepared many fourth-rank talismans for True Lord Zhenhai, but they were for attack and sealing, not speed.

“Screech!” The Golden-Winged Roc didn’t delay, crying out and spreading its wings to shred the void, surging forward in a wave toward the Chiyue Mountain Range.

Anything in its path—a Core Formation cultivator or third-rank beast—would be torn apart.

Time slipped by.

Lu Changsheng, sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the sprawling mountains ahead.

“The Chiyue Mountain Range!”