Chapter 378 – Million Demons, Army at the Gates

After Meow King lost to Lu Chen, the subsequent events went without saying.

Without Meow King, the strongest combatant of Barren Wilderness Academy, the others naturally stood no chance against Lu Chen.

Not only during the individual duels, but even in the later team competitions, Barren Wilderness Academy remained unable to defeat Lihuo Dao Academy.

Lu Chen alone could contend against all the participating students of Barren Wilderness Academy.

Thus, Barren Wilderness Academy’s eventual defeat was only to be expected.

In fact, even before today’s match began, external evaluations of this confrontation were almost entirely one-sided—all predicting Lihuo Dao Academy’s certain victory.

While victory was anticipated, the process differed greatly from expectations.

Many had assumed the clash would be a fierce struggle between titans, but the reality was a complete domination, devoid of any spectacle.

One could say that from the moment Meow King lost to Lu Chen, the entire student body of Barren Wilderness Academy had already lost their fighting spirit.

The level of power Lu Chen displayed was simply too despair-inducing, leaving them without a shred of hope for victory.

Under such circumstances, how could they possibly maintain the will to fight?

With the conclusion of this match, countless viewers watching on television came to know of Lu Chen, the Sword Cultivator from Lihuo Dao Academy.

In an instant, Lu Chen’s fame within the Immortal Alliance ascended to new heights.

Humans have always admired strength—even in Lu Chen’s previous life without a cultivation system, this held true, let alone in a place like the Immortal Alliance.

Meanwhile, the other three Dao Academies, after witnessing this match, found themselves under immense pressure.

This was especially true for the students of Clear River Dao Academy.

“Se-senior, can we… really defeat him?” Shiyue Yuanxi stared at Lu Chen, who had already returned to his academy’s rest area, his expression grim.

It wasn’t that he sought to embolden others and diminish his own side’s morale; rather, the more one understood, the more terrifying Lu Chen’s victory over Meow King appeared.

After all, at the Golden Core Stage, cultivators possessed two significant advantages: Protective Qi and the Dharma Body.

With these, even if another Golden Core Stage cultivator wished to easily defeat a Golden Core Stage Spirit Beast, it would be extremely difficult.

At the very least, one would need to find a way to break through the opponent’s Dharma Body and Protective Qi before inflicting real damage.

But how did Lu Chen accomplish it?

To be honest, Shiyue Yuanxi couldn’t comprehend it.

Yes, he had watched the entire match, yet even now, with Lu Chen back in his rest area, he still couldn’t discern the specifics of Lu Chen’s methods.

If he had initially mocked Meow King for freezing in fear from a single glance by Lu Chen, he now understood Meow King’s reaction.

Judging by how Lu Chen subdued Meow King with a single Sword strike, it was clear that while both were at the Golden Core Stage, they existed on entirely different levels.

If this was the case for Meow King, would Jiang Dongliu meet the same fate?

Though Shiyue Yuanxi was reluctant to admit it openly, inwardly he felt that even if Jiang Dongliu could fare better than Meow King, the improvement would likely be minimal.In his view, even if Jiang Dongliu could defeat the Meow King, it would be difficult for him to do so as effortlessly as Lu Chen.

When comparing them side by side, there was no need to say more about who was stronger between Lu Chen and Jiang Dongliu.

But people always cling to hope.

Although he knew there was a clear gap in strength between Jiang Dongliu and Lu Chen,

Shiyue Yuanxi couldn’t help but ask Jiang Dongliu.

In a way, Shiyue Yuanxi wasn’t seeking any particular outcome from Jiang Dongliu—

it was more about psychological reassurance.

A similar situation was unfolding with Jiang Dongliu at that moment.

Even Shiyue Yuanxi could see Lu Chen’s immense power.

Naturally, Jiang Dongliu could see it too, and in fact, he perceived even more than Shiyue Yuanxi did.

He was well aware that the Sword Intent Lu Chen had just displayed

was absolutely extraordinary.

However, the stronger the opponent, the more excited Jiang Dongliu became.

So much so that his usually carefree demeanor completely vanished, replaced by intense Battle Intent in his eyes.

He turned to Shiyue Yuanxi and said confidently, “Lu Chen is indeed strong—surprisingly so.”

“But before he appeared, I was already the strongest Sword Cultivator among the Four Great Academies.”

“The real challenger here is him.”

Hearing Jiang Dongliu’s words, both Shiyue Yuanxi and the other students of Clear River Dao Academy were deeply stirred,

as if greatly inspired.

Yes, this was the Sword Institute Chief they were familiar with.

The outcome was still uncertain—who could say what the final result would be?

As it was the crucial final stage of the competition,

after the match between Lihuo Dao Academy and Barren Wilderness Academy concluded,

there was a one-day break before the match between Profound Water Academy and Tianjiu Academy.

Although Tianjiu Academy performed quite well this time,

and even produced a rare genius like Xing Jiu from another race,

Tianjiu Academy only had Xing Jiu as their standout.

The remaining students from other races, while decent in strength,

were somewhat outmatched in a competition filled with prodigies from various academies.

In terms of student quality, Tianjiu Academy was inherently inferior to Profound Water Academy.

Moreover, Profound Water Academy had Shen Feiyang, a prodigy skilled in both talismans and ghost techniques.

In the end, Tianjiu Academy was eliminated at this stage.

However, whether it was Tianjiu Academy themselves or others,

they all felt that Tianjiu Academy had done exceptionally well.

After all, they had made history for their academy,

significantly raising Tianjiu Academy’s reputation throughout the Immortal Alliance.

At this point, the remaining schedule became very clear.

Once Lihuo Dao Academy and Profound Water Academy determined a winner,

the victor would earn the right to challenge the previous champion, Clear River Dao Academy.

Before the match between Lihuo Dao Academy and Barren Wilderness Academy,

most people would have given Lihuo Dao Academy and Profound Water Academy a 70-30 chance of winning.

But now, everyone believed Lihuo Dao Academy was almost certain to win this match.

After all, Lu Chen alone was enough to defeat the entire Profound Water Academy.

Just as public opinion was swirling,

Lihuo Dao Academy dropped a bombshell that took everyone by surprise:

in the upcoming match, Lihuo Dao Academy would only send Lu Chen to compete.

The announcement was nothing short of explosive,

instantly making Lu Chen and Lihuo Dao Academy the center of attention.

After hearing this news, most people’s first reaction

was that Lihuo Dao Academy was being far too arrogant.Arrogant to the point of looking down upon the other Dao Academies.

They believed that Lu Chen alone could secure victory over the other academies.

But for those in the know, this news came as no surprise.

After all, Lihuo Dao Academy’s move was simply to evacuate their students early from the Great Wilderness Pagoda—a place that would soon become extremely dangerous.

In fact, this decision was the result of discussions between Lihuo Dao Academy and the other academies.

As for why the other academies hadn’t made similar arrangements,

on one hand, they worried that if all of them acted this way,

it would prematurely alert the Great Thousand Mountains that the Immortal Alliance had uncovered their plans.

On the other hand, they found it difficult to persuade their students to leave the Great Wilderness Pagoda early without revealing the truth.

No one understood the stubbornness of these prodigies better than they did.

After all, they had once walked the same path.

Although the Dao Academy competition appeared to proceed as usual,

the Immortal Alliance had indeed made some adjustments.

For instance, while the final two matches were still held within the Great Wilderness Pagoda,

they were relocated to another area inside, under the pretext that Barren Wilderness Academy needed to renovate the Arena damaged by Lu Chen.

This excuse was entirely plausible,

unlikely to arouse suspicion from the outside or be detected by those with ulterior motives.

Beyond lulling the enemy into a false sense of security,

another crucial reason for the Immortal Alliance’s arrangement was to prevent panic within their own ranks.

Only by showcasing the Immortal Alliance’s strength could they deter those with hidden agendas from making reckless moves.

As the Dao Academy competition neared its end, preparations set in motion for this event began to surface gradually.

Wildlands Province, White Tiger Great Wall.

Similar to the Vermillion Bird Great Wall in Li Province,

the White Tiger Great Wall in Wildlands Province served to defend against and monitor the movements of the Forbidden Ten Thousand Mountains.

Although, from time to time, hordes of Demons would surge out of the Ten Thousand Mountains, attempting to breach the White Tiger Great Wall and invade the Immortal Alliance,

thanks to the wall’s formidable defenses,

these small-scale Demon attacks posed no real threat to Wildlands Province.

The Ten Thousand Mountains remained under the close surveillance of the Immortal Alliance.

However, not long ago, the White Tiger Army stationed on the Great Wall received some orders,

leading many Cultivators on leave to rush back to their posts.

Additionally, a significant number of Cultivators were temporarily recruited to bolster the garrison.

Clearly, something major was about to happen.

This tense atmosphere cast a heavy pall over the White Tiger Great Wall.

Many Cultivators gazed solemnly toward the Ten Thousand Mountains, as if awaiting something.

“Dong dong dong…”

As the tolling of bells echoed across the White Tiger Great Wall,

the once-quiet fortress erupted into commotion.

A flood of Cultivators ascended the battlements or took to the skies, peering into the distance.

At the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains, shadowy figures began to emerge silently.

Drawing nearer, these figures allowed those on the Great Wall to discern their identity—

a staggering horde of powerful Demon armies.

Their overwhelming numbers, blanketing the mountains and plains, sent a shock through everyone on the White Tiger Great Wall.After all, the vast majority of them only knew that something major might be happening.

But what exactly it was, they had no idea.

However, with the appearance of this million-strong demon army,

they finally understood the Immortal Alliance’s recent orders.

Faced with a demon army of this scale, they indeed needed to be on high alert.

Almost simultaneously with the emergence of the million-strong demon army, some people began to take action in Great Wilderness City, where the Barren Wilderness Academy was located.

Their goal was clear: the Great Wilderness Pagoda within the Barren Wilderness Academy.

However, they weren’t planning to immediately do anything to the Great Wilderness Pagoda.

Instead, following some pre-established plan, they used various methods to enter the Great Wilderness Pagoda or approach its surroundings.

When the time came, they would strike directly, stirring up chaos.

Just as the million-strong demon army appeared outside the White Tiger Great Wall, pressing at the city gates,

the students inside the Great Wilderness Pagoda, as well as people in other parts of the Immortal Alliance,

remained completely unaware, thinking everything was as peaceful and ordinary as always, with singing and dancing continuing unabated.

Inside the Great Wilderness Pagoda.

“Feiyang, Feiyang.”

Shen Feiyang, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder.

He opened his listless, dead-fish eyes and looked at the person who had woken him.

It was none other than Song Xiangnan, the lead teacher from Profound Water Academy for this trip.

Shen Feiyang looked at him and said weakly, “What is it, Teacher Song?”

Hearing this, Song Xiangnan said helplessly, “The competition is about to start. Why are you still so listless? Did you not sleep well last night?”

Shen Feiyang didn’t know how to explain.

After all, for cultivators, especially those at the Golden Core Stage,

staying up one night was nothing.

But Shen Feiyang was special. He was the type who, if he didn’t sleep well, would feel drained all day.

He completely lacked the vigorous energy a cultivator should have,

resembling certain middle-aged men whose bodies had long been worn out.

Shen Feiyang had actually consulted teachers at the academy about this.

The result was that they said it was due to Shen Feiyang’s unique physique and his high energy consumption, which made him prone to drowsiness.

As for why his consumption was so high, even without them saying it, Shen Feiyang understood.

Logically, knowing there was a competition today,

Shen Feiyang should have rested properly.

But since yesterday, Shen Feiyang had been feeling restless, as if something was about to happen.

This prevented him from resting well, leaving him looking drained.

Even if he had slept well, Shen Feiyang had little interest in this match anyway.

Why? What was there to say about a match he was bound to lose?

If Mu Xiaoye was the student who best understood Lu Chen’s strength,

then Shen Feiyang was the second.

He knew all too well how powerful this fellow student from Luocheng was.

Back during the Foundation Establishment Stage, he was far from being Lu Chen’s match.

Now that both of them were at the ‘Golden Core Stage,’

the gap between them hadn’t narrowed but had visibly widened.

At the very least, Shen Feiyang didn’t think he was much stronger than the Meow King from three days ago.

If even the Meow King suffered a crushing defeat at Lu Chen’s hands,

could he, Shen Feiyang, win?

Don’t joke about it.

Therefore, Shen Feiyang had a very calm mindset about this match.

After all, if you admit you’re useless, no one can pressure you into overworking yourself.As a result, compared to the nervous demeanor of his classmates around him,

Shen Feiyang was so relaxed that he could even fall asleep directly in the lounge.

It could be said that he formed a stark contrast with the other students around him.

After briefly responding to the team teacher with a few words, Shen Feiyang turned his gaze toward the Lihuo Dao Academy’s rest area across the field, where only Lu Chen was present.

Sigh, other schools are better. The competition hasn’t even ended, and they’re already on break.

If only I could have that kind of treatment someday.

With these thoughts, Shen Feiyang stood up directly and headed outside.

Because the competition… was about to begin.

(End of Chapter)