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Chapter 198

Upon the clash with their unleashed energy, a thunderous explosion ensued, decimating an extensive area. Dozens of demonic practitioners were brutally crushed and torn asunder, their forms unrecognizable amid the carnage. The sheer power unleashed was staggering.

Crucially, multiple black spheres descended into Feiniao Valley, triggering explosions indiscriminately among the demonic practitioners of the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan. These ominous spheres were none other than the infamous Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs, crafted by the eccentric Sky-Shocking Ancestor centuries ago.

The might of a highest-grade Sky-Shocking Thunder Bomb rivaled that of an Absolute Realm master. Illustrating their potency, the Sky-Shocking Ancestor\'s creation had obliterated the Six Major Sects dominating the murim at the time.

Subsequently, the Sky-Shocking Ancestor concealed his whereabouts, and the devastating Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs had remained absent from the murim ever since.

The appearance of the long-lost Sky-Shocking Thunder Bomb, dormant for centuries, unfolded as a result of the Great Zhuge Family\'s fortuitous discovery of a secret manual left by the Sky-Shocking Ancestor. Devoting decades to its study, they successfully reconstructed the destructive bomb, employing it in the current conflict.

The strategic decision to unleash the Sky-Shocking Thunder Bomb yielded optimal results hundreds of demonic practitioners from the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan met their demise in the relentless bombardment, leaving the surviving practitioners, including Demonic Monarch-class and Higher Demons, maimed to varying degrees.

Despite the potential for total annihilation with more Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs, the Zhuge Family\'s limited stockpile prevented complete eradication of the demonic practitioners from the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan.

Crafting these bombs proved exceptionally challenging, with the procurement of requisite materials posing an additional obstacle. Nonetheless, the considerable damage inflicted stood as a significant achievement, given the constraints faced by the Zhuge Family.

While initially disoriented by the Eight Trigrams Cloud Array and the Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs, the demonic practitioners of the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan swiftly regained composure. Once they identified the locations where the Zhuge Family and smaller clans lay in ambush, they retaliated.

Going through the damaged Eight Trigrams Cloud Array, the demonic practitioners soared towards the ambush zones flanking Feiniao Valley. Though a daunting terrain for ordinary individuals, it posed little challenge for agile martial artists.

Using crossbows and an array of concealed weapons, martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans launched a relentless assault on the demonic practitioners of the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan attempting to ascend to the ambush zone. Numerous adversaries tumbled down the valley under the barrage of crossbows and hidden weapons.

Undeterred, the demonic practitioners pressed on, indifferent to the casualties. Amidst the onslaught, a few managed to breach the projectile onslaught and reach the ambush area. Responding swiftly, the martial artists deployed cylindrical-shaped hidden weapons, emitting sparks and releasing a barrage of tiny needles toward the approaching demonic practitioners.

The cylindrical-shaped hidden weapon, known as the Sky-Shattering Explosive Flying Needles, featured in the secret manual of the Sky-Shocking Ancestor. Demonic practitioners proved unable to evade the onslaught of tiny needles unleashed by these explosive projectiles, resulting in their descent to the valley floor, bodies riddled with needles.

Capitalizing on their geographical advantage and armed with hidden weapons and crossbows, martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans executed effective long-range attacks, gaining the upper hand against the comparatively formidable demonic practitioners from the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan.

Observing the escalating situation, the Myriad Poison Divine Demon and the Invincible Divine Demon swiftly directed the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons to intervene. Concerned about the escalating damage, they urged immediate action.

Responding to these instructions, the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons from the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan ascended towards the valley walls flanking Feiniao Valley. Despite the martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans firing crossbows and hidden weapons at them, it proved futile in impeding their advance.

Breaking through the barrage of crossbows and hidden weapons, the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons from both factions scaled the valley walls and launched an immediate assault on the martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans. In a last-ditch effort, the martial artists deployed the Sky-Shattering Explosive Flying Needles.

Had the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons been unaware of these needles, they might have suffered damage. However, having learned of the Sky-Shattering Explosive Flying Needles, the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons were well-prepared, implementing countermeasures against the imminent threat.

The Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons skillfully repelled the tiny needles unleashed by the Sky-Shattering Explosive Flying Needles, using a formidable wall of vajra qi to deflect the projectiles. While potent, the explosive needles proved unable to breach the vajra qi defense.

Following this successful defense, the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons swiftly launched a counterattack on the martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans. Despite attempts to defend, the martial artists found it impossible to withstand the enemy onslaught, resulting in a significant number collapsing under the relentless strikes from the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons.

Retreat! Retreat immediately! Zhuge Xian immediately ordered, seeing that the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons had intervened.

Responding swiftly to the escalating threat, martial artists from the Zhuge Family and smaller clans initiated a strategic retreat through a previously secured escape route. The pursuing Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons launched random attacks, claiming the lives of many from the Central Plains Murim Alliance.

However, a considerable number managed to evade the assaults, exploiting the limitations of the Demonic Monarchs and Higher Demons, who couldn\'t pursue in every direction. Shaking off the pursuit, the martial artists dispersed and moved according to pre-arranged instructions, minimizing potential damage even in the face of pursuit.

While some demonic practitioners from the Myriad Poison Sect and Invincible Clan pursued the retreating martial artists, the remainder temporarily exited Feiniao Valley to assess the extent of their losses. A grim tally revealed the death of seven hundred demonic practitioners. Four hundred from the Myriad Poison Clan and three hundred from the Invincible Clan, including one Demonic Monarch and six Higher Demons.

Beyond fatalities, over four hundred individuals endured major and minor injuries among the Myriad Poison Sect and the Invincible Clan. The toll on their forces was substantial.

Fury welled within the Myriad Poison Divine Demon Gal Cheon-Dok and the Invincible Divine Demon So Geuk-Sang as they directed their anger towards the Sky Beast Palace Patriarch Nam Hwa-Jin. Holding the Sky Beast Palace responsible for the damages, given its reconnaissance duties, they berated Hwa-Jin for not adequately checking for potential ambushes.

Although Hwa-Jin felt the accusation was unjust, he couldn\'t refute it, acknowledging the lapse in their reconnaissance efforts.

What will we do now? We suffered so many losses even before fighting with the Southern Sky Branch.

I will fight to the death, so dont worry too much about it. At the continuous questions from Cheon-Dok, Hwa-Jin said with a displeased expression.

Witnessing Hwa-Jin\'s response, Cheon-Dok\'s expression hardened, hinting at potential immediate action against him. Sensing the escalating tension, Geuk-Sang swiftly intervened, stepping in to diffuse the volatile situation.

Dont push the Sky Beast Palace Patriarch too hard, Myriad Poison Divine Demon. It\'s not as if he intentionally neglected his duties. Frankly, even for us, unraveling the Zhuge Family\'s array formations, regarded as the best in murim, would have posed a challenge. Moreover, who could have anticipated that the Zhuge Family had the capability to reconstruct the Sky-Shocking Thunder Bomb?"

In response to Geuk-Sang\'s words, Cheon-Dok tempered his anger and remarked, "Hmph, if the Zhuge Family possesses more Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs, the potential damage in future battles could be substantial. Shouldn\'t we devise measures to counteract this?

"It\'s probable that the Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs deployed this time was all they had. Had they possessed more, they could have obliterated us and still retained some. The absence of further use suggests they\'re depleted. Even if they have more, the quantity is likely limited. Our concern shouldn\'t be the Sky-Shocking Thunder Bombs but the Seven Saints."

"What the Invincible Clan Patriarch noted is valid. However, the concern over the Seven Saints might not be as pressing, unless all Seven Saints are assembled." Cheon-Dok opined.

"Even with the Heavenly Killer Sect Patriarch aligning with us, if we assume up to four Saints on their side, they still hold a numerical advantage," Geuk-Sang stated, emphasizing the less optimistic outlook in such a scenario.

"Even with a numerical disadvantage, leveraging the transcendental tool imbued with the authority of the Demon God could enable us to overcome our shortfall."

Still, we will be in trouble if we let our guard down.

"Don\'t concern yourself with such possibilities. It\'s curious, though. They could have inflicted more damage had all the Seven Saints been united this time. I wonder why they didn\'t act in unison," Cheon-Dok voiced his doubts.

"They are proud elders of murim, they wouldn\'t engage in an ambush operation that tarnishes their reputation. It doesn\'t align with their self-image."

You are right, they are people who value honor above all else. Cheon-Dok nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps, instead of a matter of pride, their actions were driven by a need to get rid of the Heavenly Killer Sect from Jiangxi Province," Hwa-Jin suggested.

The Heavenly Killer Sect?

"If there are more than three Saints, eliminating the Heavenly Killer Sect could be achieved by just the trio. While they could have inflicted considerable damage here, it\'s plausible they selected a location where their impact would be more decisive."

"The Sky Beast Palace Patriarch has a valid point. If they managed to eliminate the Heavenly Killer Sect, our ability to capture the Southern Sky Branch with our current strength would be challenging," Geuk-Sang acknowledged Hwa-Jin\'s perspective.

Cheon-Dok also concurred and suggested, "Let\'s assess the state of the Heavenly Killer Sect first. If they remain unharmed, we can proceed with our original plan to jointly attack the Southern Sky Branch. However, if the Sky Beast Palace Patriarch\'s speculation is accurate, and the Seven Saints have eradicated the Heavenly Killer Sect, we must reconsider our approach to the Southern Sky Branch."

I think that would be a good idea. Geuk-Sang agreed.

Exiting Feiniao Valley, both factionsthe Nine Celestial Demons Sect and the Sky Beast Palacedispatched a messenger to gather intelligence on the current state of the Heavenly Killer Sect.

* * *

A day after their demise, the Southern Sky Branch of the Central Plains Murim Alliance received word that the four members of the Seven Saints had perished in battle against the Heavenly Killer Sect.

The executives at the Southern Sky Branch found it difficult to accept this news, considering it inconceivable. Four Saints, particularly the esteemed Seven Saints, embarking on a joint mission and succumbing to a single faction of the Nine Celestial Demons Sectsuch a scenario seemed utterly implausible.

Despite rechecking multiple times, the unsettling truth remainedthe Four Saints were indeed confirmed deceased. The leadership of the Southern Sky Branch, particularly the patriarchs of the four Great Families to which the deceased Saints belonged, was profoundly shocked.

However, the urgency of the situation demanded swift action. With the combined forces of the Sky Beast Palace and the Nine Celestial Demons Sect converging on the Southern Sky Branch, the leadership immediately convened a countermeasure meeting.

In the meeting hall of the Ximen Family, five figuresWudang Sects Patriarch Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon, the Great Namgung Familys Namgung Jo, the Great Ximen Familys Ximen Guang, the Guangdong Jin Familys Jin Mu-Wei, and the Great Zhuge Familys Zhuge Bogathered to address the crisis.

"Let me extend my deepest condolences for the loss of the four Saints. The entire murim community undoubtedly shares in our sorrow. However, we cannot dwell in mourning indefinitely. It is our responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain by safeguarding murim," Patriarch Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon expressed solemnly.

"Wudang Sect Patriarch\'s words are true. We must unite to ensure the sacrifices of the four Saints serve a purpose. Let us give our utmost to halt the Nine Celestial Demons Sect\'s onslaught," Namgung Jo declared with a resolute expression, aligning with Hyun Cheon\'s sentiments.

The other three patriarchs also nodded in agreement.

I am very grateful that the four patriarchs have dealt with this resolutely for the cause of murim, even though it must be painful.

The four Saints who have passed would have desired the same. Moreover, in order to seek revenge, we must definitely overthrow the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.

"The challenge lies in our current power; facing both the Sky Beast Palace and three factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect poses a formidable difficulty," Zhuge Bo candidly acknowledged.

Numbers weren\'t the primary concern as they weren\'t far behind in that regard; it was the scarcity of martial arts masters. The Southern Sky Branch lacked martial arts masters capable of contending with the Divine Demons from the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.

Then, there is only one way out of this.

I share the frustration, but for now, it might be best to give up on Hunan Province and retreat.

In accord with Zhuge Bo\'s perspective, the other four leaders reluctantly nodded in agreement. It was not a moment for pride; facing the Nine Celestial Demons Sect\'s Divine Demons without capable martial arts masters would only result in losses for the Southern Sky Branch. Engaging in such a futile conflict served no purpose.

With this understanding, the optimal decision was to conserve their forces. Surrendering Hunan Province to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect became an unfortunate necessity, but it was a far more preferable outcome than sacrificing the strength of the Southern Sky Branch.

In essence, the Southern Sky Branch of the Central Plains Murim Alliance resolved to retreat to Hubei Province and initiated preparations for such a strategic withdrawal.