Chapter 303

Chapter 303: The Armies at the Gates

In Qingtian City, streaks of dazzling runes were imprinted in the air, and a thick radiance enveloped the entire giant city.

Above the radiance, formation patterns emerged, and lines of light slid down, displaying a splendid scene.

This Second Level formation was originally set up by a great figure of the Qinyuan Sect, and now it had been activated in advance.

On the city walls, the descendants of the Lu Family all wore serious expressions as they gazed towards the vast plain in the distance.

One old man with white hair and a face utterly aged sat upright on a large red chair; his deep eyes held a faint glimmer of light; he was exactly the Ancestor of the Lu Family.

Since Lu Haotian, that family head, had been slain on the spot by Zhou Luo, the entire Lu Family had not elected a suitable family head.

Now, he, the Ancestor, reluctantly took charge personally to face the enemies.

Compared to the other senior members of the Lu Family beside him, who were full of anxiety, the Ancestor of the Lu Family maintained a calm expression without the slightest emotional stir.

There was no way around it.

If even he, the Ancestor, panicked, the entire Lu Family would truly be like fish on a chopping block.

"Is there still no news from the Zhang Family?" he asked in a heavy tone.

An old man in rich garments beside him respectfully replied, "Ancestor, there is not yet."

The Ancestor of the Lu Family narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "That Zhang Family sure knows how to run fast."

Now with the great armies pressing at the borders, the Zhang Family as an ally avoided appearing, clearly unwilling to get mixed up in this affair.

He did not know that Zhou Luo had already reached a secret accord with the Zhang Family; he only understood that without the help of the Zhang Family, relying solely on this Second Level formation, it probably could endure for long.

It was just like before when the Lin Family was trapped; whether death came early or late, it was bound to happen eventually.

They had no more turning points left.

As this thought crossed his mind, the Ancestor of the Lu Family sighed inwardly.

The roles of offense and defense had reversed; if he had only acted decisively earlier and seized the Lin Family sooner, it would have been better.

But there was nothing to be done about it.

Some time ago, he chanced upon a chance for a breakthrough, so he chose to enter Closed-Door Training and dispatched Lu Haotian to lead the Zhang Family forces in attacking the Lin Family.

For people like him, whose lifespans were dwindling, if an opportunity arose, they would not willingly abandon it.

Originally, he had planned that The Great Battle would last at least two or three years, conveniently giving Lu Haotian experience, and after he broke through to mid-level Foundation Establishment, they could crush the Lin Family decisively.

But he never expected that Zhou Luo would emerge half-way.

Moreover, the opponent had publicly beheaded Lu Haotian.

This caused the Lu Family to lose an arm on its own; as one side weakened, the other strengthened, and the Lin Family’s momentum became unstoppable.

Now, cultivators from the Lin Family were heading this way, and besides them, there were people from the Wang Family and the Li Family.

The Ancestor of the Lu Family knew that there was likely no room for negotiation left.

He stared at that azure sky, his gaze deep, and flitted a trace of regret.

Earlier, he had sent people to attempt reconciliation with the Lin Family, agreeing to give up a city.

This already represented the utmost sincerity.

But they would not back down, determined to annihilate them.

At this moment, they could only rely on the defensive grand formation to fight desperately for survival.

Boom—

Just then, fierce whistling sounds tore through the sky from the horizon.

One massive flying boat after another broke through the clouds, coming into view.

The flying boats emitted piercing spiritual light, their surfaces inscribed with visible runes. Formation patterns surged forth, coalescing into an extraordinary imposing aura.

Upon them, cultivators rubbed their palms in readiness, rising battle spirit emanating from their ranks.

Zhou Luo and the Lin Family Ancestor each stood upon a flying shuttle, weaving through the clouds to oversee the battle.

"They’re here!"

Seeing this, members of the Lu Family stiffened instantly, gripping their magical artifacts tightly with resolute expressions.

For if one flourishes, all flourish; if one falls, all fall—their family faced imminent destruction, leaving them no choice but to stake everything.

The Ancestor of the Lu Family lifted his gaze toward the white clouds above, his sharp eyes fixing on Zhou Luo amidst that shifting sea. Fury blazed within him.

It was he who had extinguished the Lu Family’s future, rendering all their efforts futile.

If that man could be eliminated first, perhaps a sliver of hope might yet remain for the Lu Family.

Sensing that piercing stare, Zhou Luo remained unflustered. A faint smile curved his lips. "That Ancestor of the Lu Family seems quite eager to kill me."

Beside him, the Lin Family Ancestor’s eyes flashed coldly. "If he dares emerge, he won’t return easily," he declared.

Zhou Luo chuckled lightly, then shifted his gaze to the far horizons.

At the edge of this vast plain, faint silhouettes were still discernible among the gathered throng.

These were spectators drawn to witness The Great Battle—some from small family forces, some loose cultivators, even visitors from Immortal City.

Within the Immortal City, Yao Yuan Pavilion held considerable renown.

As its Master Manager, Zhou Luo naturally attracted those curious to catch a glimpse.

Of course, the foremost aim of these onlookers was undeniably to seek their share amidst the chaos.

It was widely known: the Lu Family’s territories and accumulated wealth were substantial. Were they truly breached, the Lin Family alone could scarcely devour it all.

Even with the involvement of the Wang and Li Families, opportunities to scavenge benefits surely existed amidst the turmoil.

This held especially true for bandits whose very existence relied on pillage, and loose cultivators adrift like rootless weeds.

To gain power, such individuals required taking grave risks. Without contending, they would likely possess nothing at all.

Moments later, the flying boats halted in the air before Qingtian City.

Lin Xi emerged.

Today she donned a long, azure-blue gown intricately embroidered with golden threads. Her hair was coiled high, held by an exquisite hairpin adorned with a sparkling gemstone casting an alluring gleam.

Her long tresses cascaded sleekly, perfectly complementing the pin, lending her an air of noble grace.

Her refined and dignified face radiated an aura of understated grandeur, drawing repeated glances, particularly from the loose cultivators observing covertly.

All knew the Lin Family now had a new family head – a woman.

Few had deemed this woman worthy of much attention.

For all understood well: she was merely the figurehead; true family authority rested firmly with Zhou Luo.

Yet witnessing her now, the onlookers abruptly perceived the unexpected.

This woman defied any expectation of frailty; her very presence exuded a formidable poise, easily outshining all females in her vicinity, fully deserving her title of family head.

Lin Xi regarded the scene ahead coolly, her gaze frost-laden.

Though she no longer practiced dual cultivation with Zhou Luo, over twenty years of such practice had smoothly advanced her cultivation to the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Recall: by secular world reckoning, she was only just entering her sixtieth year.

Within the cultivation world, this age remained strikingly youthful.

Following this trajectory, it was highly plausible she could achieve Foundation Establishment before reaching a century.

Thus, she possessed the capability—and crucially, the resolve—to govern the Lin Family without utter dependence on Zhou Luo.

Now, leading the assembled forces, she fixed her gaze like winter frost upon the Lu Family members gathered opposite.

"Break the Formation!"

A voice both crisp and resonant rang from her lips, amplified by spiritual energy to echo across the plain.

A team of formation masters guided their flying boat forward. Wielding formation disks, they set to work dismantling the barrier.

Others positioned themselves protectively around the experts, shielding them from Lu Family disruptions.

As battle commenced, Lu Family disciples watched silently, poised to surge forward at any command.

But the Ancestor of the Lu Family remained silent, showing no movement at all.