A hum—!
From the woods surrounding the village, streaks of brilliant light suddenly rose, forming a semi-circular dome in the sky.
Countless array patterns appeared, guarding the village on the ground, and dozens of powerful auras emanated from the woods, revealing them to be cultivators of the late, or even peak, second realm of the Yu clan.
“The third realm cultivators in the village are gone!”
Ji Yuan’s expression darkened. Only a handful of external cultivators remained in the entire village.
Those still in the village were either rogue cultivators or lone individuals. Cultivators belonging to various factions had already left without anyone noticing.
Suddenly, several streams of light shot into the sky. These were the third realm existences of the Yu clan. They hovered in the air on their weapons, their gazes fixed on the scene outside the distant woods.
Although he couldn’t see, Ji Yuan could imagine that the Immortal Extermination Valley was already in chaos.
The flames that illuminated the night like daylight, the deafening roars and shouts, and the powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy that could be felt from a great distance.
All of these indicated that the Immortal Extermination Valley had fallen into war!
“Everyone stay in your houses and do not go out!”
Elder Qing Liu looked down and saw many clansmen emerging. He immediately used his spiritual power to transmit his voice.
Upon hearing this, all the Yu clan members who had not embarked on the path of cultivation immediately returned to their homes and tightly shut their doors and windows.
Every household took out talismans and pasted them on the gaps of their doors and windows. Simultaneously, an array spread out, protecting the Yu clan members without cultivation.
Before long, clansmen with cultivation emerged and rushed to the edge of the village at full speed.
Yu clan members of the first realm, holding talismans and specially made array plates, guarded the edge of the village. Besides them, nearly thirty clansmen of the second realm, each wielding a magical artifact, flew out and landed in the medicinal fields outside the village.
Five third realm elders hovered in the air, their faces grim as they gazed towards the area outside the woods. The firelight reflected on their bodies, and waves of killing intent emanated from them.
A moment later, one of the Yu clan’s third realm elders let out a long roar. Following this, a large number of figures retreated continuously from the flames, eventually pouring into the woods protected by the array.
Ji Yuan leaped onto the roof and opened his spiritual eyes to see that those who had entered the array were from the four vassal races protected by the Yu clan, as well as humans and other beings.
This scene made him pause slightly, but he quickly realized that it wasn't that everyone had betrayed the Yu clan; some still believed in their own gods.
“As expected of the Yu clan, they can still muster such power even after being betrayed!”
Ji Yuan murmured, his tone filled with emotion.
This race, which had existed since ancient times, had fallen into decline and no longer possessed its former glory. Moreover, it had suffered betrayal from the beings it protected.
Yet, it could still muster eight third realm cultivators, nearly fifty second realm cultivators, and a large number of first realm cultivators.
Such a force was no weaker than some powerful sects, ranking among the top in a county, not to mention the existence of a powerful being within the clan comparable to a Golden Core great cultivator.
“Something is not right.”
Tang Muhuan stood beside him, his face grim as he spoke.
Before he could finish speaking, the great array that enveloped the entire forest and village inexplicably dissipated into the air. At the locations of some of the array foundations, dazzling spiritual lights erupted, and powerful fluctuations could be felt from afar.
Without a doubt, almost all the arrays set up by the Yu clan had been destroyed. Thousands of years of time were enough for the races and beings they protected to have thoroughly figured out all the arrays.
Countless figures appeared outside the woods, charging in without stopping, their killing cries and roars surging like a tide.
In less than a moment, both sides had lost over twenty cultivators. The entire forest was disfigured and had even turned into a raging sea of fire.
Several streams of light broke through the void, their powerful third realm auras unreservedly unleashed, targeting the Yu clan elders in the sky and the three third realm existences who had withdrawn their protected races.
The two sides inevitably clashed in the sky, unleashing powerful sorceries. Some landed in the village, instantly reducing large sections of houses to ruins.
“It’s time to go…”
Ji Yuan murmured. Although he wished to help, he knew that with his cultivation, he couldn’t make much of a difference.
He turned his head and his gaze fell on a small courtyard. He then saw Jiang Yunzhou smiling and nodding at them.
Their gazes met in mid-air. He then leaped off the rooftop. Lu Yin, who had awakened from her slumber, quickly flew over and landed on his shoulder.
Tang Muhuan appeared behind him silently, guarding the young man before him.
“Let’s go.”
Ji Yuan took a deep breath and looked at the little creature on his shoulder.
With Lu Yin leading the way, the two quietly passed through the village. As they approached the forbidden area of the Yu clan, they leaped into a well.
Using spiritual power to maintain a barrier, they took out a luminous pearl, and the well immediately illuminated with bright light. Before them, a quiet underwater passage appeared.
About a quarter of an hour later, following the passage at the bottom of the well, Ji Yuan and the other continued to move forward. After emerging from the water, they found themselves in an underground space.
The area was not very large, filled with damp moisture and a cold aura. If a being without cultivation came here, they would soon be frozen stiff.
After a short while, guided by Lu Yin, Ji Yuan found a dark cave entrance from which gusts of icy wind were blowing.
The two exchanged glances and then unhesitatingly walked into the cave entrance, proceeding through the complex underground passages. Fortunately, with Lu Yin guiding them, they did not get lost.
Another half an hour passed, and Ji Yuan’s eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, for not far ahead, he could see a patch of light.
He and Tang Muhuan took a deep breath and then cautiously moved forward. Despite Lu Yin’s assurances, they remained somewhat cautious, fearing that something unexpected might happen at the last moment.
When they emerged from the cave, they found themselves in a vast space.
This area was still underground, but it radiated a soft, bright light. Vibrant plants were everywhere, and even the figures of small animals could be seen.
“This is where I was born!”
Lu Yin sat on Ji Yuan’s shoulder and pointed at the underground forest before them.
It narrowed its eyes, its face filled with smiles, seemingly happy to have brought its friend back to its ‘home’.