Chapter 577: Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy-three: Depletion

After telling Tang Luo about the attack, the Sixth Elder Tang Gaomin learned that the Great Elder intended to stabilize the injuries of several Martial Ancestors here and then head back to the clan for reinforcements. He then looked around.

This place was a hill in the floodwaters, once known as Mang Hill, a low mountain east of Xiling. Now with Xiling turned into a lake, Mang Hill had become an island in the midst of its waters, abounding with trees.

“We can’t leave directly,” Tang Luo said to the Sixth Elder Tang Gaomin. “There is nowhere to hide on such an island. Plus, the Great Elder needs to keep infusing Geng Metal Qi into the Martial Ancestors, causing formidable fluctuations in spiritual power. If the Mi Clan comes back, given the injuries of the Martial Ancestors, they won’t be able to activate the Xuanji Jade. It’s too dangerous.”

It’s important to note that not only were several Martial Ancestors poisoned, but also the Great Elder Tang Siyuan. Although his profound cultivation and abundant Geng Metal Innate Qi made his condition seem not so severe, his combat power was sure to significantly weaken, especially his Extreme Sharp Finger Force which would greatly decrease in potency without the added effect of the Innate Qi.

Identifying the problem wasn’t the tricky part, the key was how to solve it. After listening to Tang Luo’s words, both Tang Gaomin and the Great Elder Tang Siyuan, not far away from them, wore grave expressions. They certainly had considered all that Tang Luo mentioned, but using Sky-picking Hand to fly all of them would only increase the risk of exposure. That dazzling golden light would stand out in stark contrast, significantly increasing the danger of being discovered.

“Let me check on the Martial Ancestors’ conditions,” Tang Luo, realizing the gravity of their situation, knew they had to make a decision quickly. Just as he was about to approach the Great Elder’s direction, he was held back by his arm.

Turning his head, he found the Sixth Elder shaking his head, “The poison gas hasn’t dissipated, it’s best if you don’t go up.” If Tang Luo fell due to poisoning as well, calling for reinforcements would become even more challenging.

“It’s alright, I am immune to all poisons.” Tang Luo gave the Sixth Elder a comforting expression, replying.

Steel-like body, Inner Qi Circulation, Void Stomach. The fifth-grade Undying Battle Body had given him not just a crisp and strong physique but also some astonishing abilities that were almost like cheating.

He walked over to the Great Elder, probing the pulse of one of the unconscious Martial Ancestors and infusing Ghent Earth Innate Qi into it. His face immediately lit up.

While Ghent Earth Innate Qi was unable to contend with the rampaging force within the body of the Martial Ancestor, it could restrain their movements as it appeared that the force greatly detested this particular Innate Qi and chose to avoid it.

“Great Elder, I have a solution,” Tang Luo said excitedly: “You focus on adjusting your internal Qi, I’ll guard the hearts of the Martial Ancestors. We can figure out the rest once we’re back in the clan.”

Tang Siyuan, showing a hint of joy, immediately stopped infusing Qi and sat cross-legged, stabilizing his internal state. He had been busy infusing Qi into the Martial Ancestors that he could feel the poison in his own body beginning to rampage again.

Seeing that the Great Elder’s complexion was gradually returning to normal, Tang Luo turned to the Sixth Elder and said, “Sixth Elder, we need to depart as soon as possible. Mi Clan is likely to return.”

People should never harbor a trace of wishful thinking. If there is a chance for things to go south, no matter how slim that chance is, it will inevitably happen.

If Mi Hai becomes aware that no one is tailing his Luan Bird Carriage, he will realize that the Curse Master has obtained a significant advantage. He will definitely double back.

When that time comes, it would be too late to leave. Tang Luo was desperate, with a faint hint of a phoenix’s cry echoing in his ears; the worst-case scenario was about to become a reality. He quickly activated his Undying Battle Body, the shadow of the Great Mighty Dragon enveloped several Martial Ancestors, holding them under his armpits — two on one side, three on the other.

Upon hearing Tang Luo’s actions, the Great Elder abruptly opened his eyes, gave a glance to the Sixth Elder, and the three of them hurriedly ascended into the sky, flying northwards.

Shortly after everyone had left, a silver Luan Bird Carriage arrived at the island. Four Luan Birds of green and red colors screeched towards a location in the forest. Mi Hai, who had returned, landed in the forest, noticing traces of disturbed soil.

As he stomped down, three bodies of Tang Clan’s Martial Ancestors bounced up from the ground. Looking at the three who died tragically, Mi Hai felt a deep sense of remorse.

…

North Mountain Settlement, Qingyun Peak, Medicine Hall Headquarters

When Great Elder Tang Siyuan and his party returned to North Mountain, the entire high echelon of the Tang Clan was alarmed because their appearance was shockingly disastrous.

Out of the four main branch squads, only five out of twelve Fierce Realm powerhouses returned. And each of them was unconscious, their bodies wrapped in toxic fumes.

Even the unnaturally strong Great Elder had his face turn green, his condition extremely critical. Even Sixth Elder was slightly poisoned on the return journey.

Strangely, Tang Luo, the one with the lowest cultivation among them, appeared completely unscathed, leaving the Tang Clan’s pharmacists quite astounded.

After a whole day and night of isolated treatment, the Tang Clan’s pharmacists had finally managed to control the rampaging poison fog within the Fierce Realm warriors. However, the Martial Ancestors were still unconscious, seemingly in deep slumber.

Even the Great Elder Tang Siyuan fainted during the treatment and hadn’t regained consciousness.

As for the Sixth Elder Tang Gaomin, while his exposure to the poison was light and he hadn’t lost consciousness, he began to feel drowsy, his eyelids heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds.

Tang Luo, the only one awake among them, was summoned by the Clan Head and others to the Broken Cloud Peak headquarters to inquire about this mission’s situation.

But before Tang Luo could thoroughly explain the situation, a rushed report from the Wind Media Department arrived.

“Urgent news from the Department Head. Over fifty Martial Ancestors from the Mi Clan alliance are heading towards Yuxi Ridge. Twenty of them are from the main branch of Mi Clan, led personally by Sect Head Mi Hai and Supreme Elder Mi Yang. Also, there are thirty Martial Ancestors from Bai, Cao, and Wan clans. Sect Head Tang Sen has already set off with eighteen Martial Ancestors from the main branch and twenty fierce realm warriors of the clan, rushing towards Yuxi Ridge while requesting reinforcements from the headquarters!”

No one could have expected that the Mi Clan’s attack would come so quickly. Thankfully, the four Martial Ancestors who escaped using the Xuanji Jade had already returned to the clan. Otherwise, the Tang Clan’s primary martial force wouldn’t have enough manpower to match the Mi Clan.

However, despite the warriors from the main branches being equally matched, it would be very challenging for Fierce Realm warriors to face the direct descendants of other Sects, which might explain why Sect Head Tang Sen had immediately requested for reinforcements.

Upon hearing this sudden news, everyone in the council chamber couldn’t help but furrow their brows. Only the Clan Head Tang Zhi remained composed, responding to the Wind Media messenger, “I see. After you go back, tell Department Head Tang Feng to pay specific attention to the lake islands occupied by the Mi Clan in the west. Report immediately if there is any movement.”

After the Wind Media messenger left, Tang Zu, the Head of the Clan Affairs, asked in a low voice, “Does the Clan Head think that these fifty Martial Ancestors do not represent the entirety of Mi Clan’s forces, that they still have other tricks up their sleeves?”

“That’s right,” Clan Head Tang Zhi nodded, standing to go to the sand table in the middle of the council chamber. Pointing to a few lake islands on the southeast of Yuxi Ridge marked with small green flags, he explained to everyone present, “Although fifty Martial Ancestors is a formidable force, it won’t be easy to break through the fortifications set up by the Sect Head. After all, without the assistance of a large number of transcendent squads, it all boils down to the individual abilities of the Martial Ancestors.”