Chapter 500

Chapter 500: One Against Two

Fang Lie, being a Core Inner Gate Disciple with formidable combat power, relied on his Eighth-rank altar treasure for protection. This was more than sufficient to withstand the encroaching Black Flames.

All Nine Fang Lies gathered atop the altar. Shielded by its protective barrier, they calmly surveyed their surroundings.

The Black Flames proved troublesome, blocking all forms of perception. Neither the Twin Eyes of Heaven and Earth divine skill nor ordinary divine sense could penetrate beyond several dozen meters.

Their enemies however lurked freely within the darkness, poised to strike. Under such disadvantageous circumstances, even Fang Lie’s prowess might lead only to bitter defeat.

Not being foolish, Fang Lie recognized the peril. He urgently propelled the altar toward the city’s direction. Yet something felt amiss – though engulfed by Black Flames on all sides, he couldn’t pinpoint the issue. Normally, traversing a thousand miles would take mere moments at his speed, yet now he remained trapped within the flames’ domain after prolonged flight.

As confusion gripped him, an ethereal melody drifted through the air. Haunting and elusive, its mysterious allure demanded attention, compelling listeners to strain their ears.

Fang Lie proved no exception. Upon hearing the first notes, he unconsciously held his breath. The mesmerizing song gradually overwhelmed his senses, plunging him into trance-like stupor.

In this bewitched state, Fang Lie forgot the ongoing battle entirely, his consciousness adrift like an unborn child’s.

Nearby, Black Flame Demon King and Blue Butterfly Demon King exchanged satisfied smiles.

"Blue Butterfly’s Enchanting Song never disappoints," Black Flame remarked. "This supposedly mighty junior fell like ripe fruit."

Ceasing her melody, Blue Butterfly preened: "Save those stubborn bald devils and sword cultivators with millennia of discipline, none resist my song. This hot-blooded youth stood no chance unless he were some freak of nature."

"True enough," Black Flame chuckled. "Let’s claim our spoils. This pup’s powerful treasures and divine skills suggest bountiful loot."

Withdrawing his Black Flame Hell domain, the demon king approached the entranced Nine Fang Lies. Blue Butterfly followed, purring: "Another profitable harvest, it seems."

Meanwhile at the city lord’s mansion, the Three City Lords observed through scrying arts, expressions incredulous.

"Fang Lie defeated so easily?" Flower Sword exclaimed. "Where’s his famed prowess?"

Immortal Wulian sighed: "Not all possess sword cultivators’ iron will. He’s but an inexperienced youth facing a ten-thousand-year Demon King’s enchantment. Even we might succumb carelessly."

Immortal Qingning interjected worriedly: "Should we intervene?"

"Save him?" Flower Sword scoffed. "His undying nature makes death irrelevant. This is our escape opportunity!" The sword cultivator barked orders: "Stop gaping! Break through now!"

He boarded a pre-loaded Flying Boat crammed with hundreds of followers – clearly prepared for flight. The vessel immediately sped away from the demons’ location.

Seeing this, Immortal Qingning sighed: "Family obligations bind me. Forgive us, Fang Lie." He too embarked on his escape vessel.

Immortal Wulian hesitated, then followed suit without even informing Mi Qing. With their leaders fleeing, the remaining cultivators scrambled after them – Flying Boats and sword-riders forming a massive exodus from the city.

Outside the city, Fang Lie’s Fire Bird still desperately blocked the demon army, yet these creatures didn’t attack the Human Tribe cultivators within the city walls. The cultivators easily flew through the sea of flames.

Upon encountering the demons, both sides instantly erupted into fierce combat.

Ground-based demons frantically unleashed their personal divine skills, bombarding the sky with overwhelming attacks against the airborne Human Tribe cultivators. Swarms of flying demon beasts converged from all directions like dark storm clouds, blocking the cultivators’ path.

Though numerous Seventh-rank Great Demons existed among them, none were true Demon Kings. Their strength fell far short of the Three City Lords who’d regained their breath.

Though bearing heavy injuries, each City Lord possessed life-saving high-grade spirit pills. Even the gravely wounded Flower Sword used such pills to regenerate his Arms, restoring 60-70% of his combat power. The other two City Lords recovered about 80% of their strength. Wielding powerful treasures, they now rivaled Demon Kings in battle prowess!

With these three leading the charge, ordinary demon beasts stood no chance.

Immortal Qingning swept his Arms, releasing clusters of green thunder pearls. Terrifying Yi-wood Divine Lightning detonated amidst the demon horde, each explosion slaughtering hundreds. Thousands of these thunder pearls tore a bloody path through the dense ranks.

Immortal Wulian guarded the left flank, conjuring massive five-colored lotus flowers spanning thousands of meters. The spinning petals shredded any approaching demon into unrecognizable fragments. A dozen such lotuses formed an impenetrable barrier.

Flower Sword defended the right side. Despite his flawed character, his sword arts inspired terror. Mere flicks of his wrist produced swirling blossoms – lotuses, plum flowers, peonies – transforming the sky into lethal garden. Even Seventh-rank Great Demons kept distance, knowing slightest contact meant dismemberment.

Led by these Three City Lords, the Human Tribe cultivators advanced rapidly. Within fifteen minutes, they’d carved through dozens of miles of demon forces. At this rate, freedom loomed within the hour.

The following cultivators gained heart from this progress, pressing forward urgently behind their leaders.

Flower Sword sighed in relief upon seeing the surviving multitudes. "Our losses were heavy," he declared solemnly, "but we saved most. While we bear some fault, primary responsibility lies with Fang Lie!"

This blatant attempt to shift blame for the city’s fall left Immortal Qingning frowning silently. Immortal Wulian merely curled his lip, though inwardly he scoffed: ‘Fool! Fang Lie died fighting Demon Kings. These survivors owe him their lives. Accusing him of crimes? Mo Sect would never permit this. Even West Kunlun wouldn’t dare!’

Receiving no support, Flower Sword snorted and fell silent.

"Master—" a disciple suddenly called.

"Silence!" Flower Sword barked. "Can’t you see I’m fighting?"

"But Master," the disciple persisted weakly, "the demon army retreats! Our breakout may no longer be necessary!"