While I was busily communing with the Spirit Engraved Pillars and settling the business with Tian Yu Di, the ten invading sects were far from inactive.

I didn't even realize that it had already been noon, the sun shining brightly over the plaza and enveloping the place in searing heat. Don't blame me. I was busily placing my spirit consciousness in the Spirit World created by the nine Spirit Engraved Pillars to seal Tian Yu Di inside. For some reason, I had the feeling that they were sealing far more than Tian Yu Di.

After all, even though I had already freed Tian Yu Di, the Spirit World remained intact. The nine Spirit Engraved Pillars in the Spirit World continued to pulse and throb with vast amounts of qi, almost as if it was holding something back.

Unfortunately, I was too preoccupied with the current crisis in Nine-Tailed Fox Sect to investigate it. This was a few minutes ago, while I was still negotiating with Tian Yu Di. As I said, it had just turned noon, and the sun was at its zenith.

Despite the scorching rays of the sun shining down upon Tushan City and Nine-Tailed Fox Sect's main sect grounds, shadows began to approach from all directions.

Shi Jing Yun, the representative from Dark Fiend Valley Sect and overall commander of the combined forces of six out of the seven Valley Sects, along with Cloud Sky Mountain's Wu Tuo, Divine Shadow Sect's Liang Yang Zu and Dark Asura Sect's Yuan Tian Ya, had appeared.

"Master Yuan, did you succeed in eliminating Lang Xie?" Wu Tuo immediately asked the moment he caught sight of Yuan Tian Ya. He was evidently most concerned over the fate of the vice-commander of Blood Blades, not because of any concern for the latter's wellbeing, but because he was worried about the threat Lang Xie might pose to their invasion.

Shi Jing Yun was similarly concerned, and despite staying quiet, he gazed intensely at Yuan Tian Ya.

"Lang Xie escaped with severe injuries," Yuan Tian Ya replied indifferently. He was being shadowed by his subordinate commanders. "For the time being, he is no longer capable of fighting. I assure you, he currently will not be able to interfere with our next assault on Nine-Tailed Fox Sect."

"Lang Xie will always be a threat as long as he is alive!" Liang Yang Zu interrupted furiously. Evidently he did not share Yuan Tian Ya's confidence and was clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles had turned pale. "He is the most terrifying martial artist in Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. As long as he is alive, even if we eliminate Nine-Tailed Fox Sect, he will continue to haunt us in future. He will definitely return stronger than ever and seek revenge on us."

"No," Yuan Tian Ya disagreed confidently. "Lang Xie can no longer threaten us. No matter how strong he is, even he can't fight against the masters above us." He glanced at the heavens, his expression cool and calculated. "This operation against Nine-Tailed Fox Sect was ordered by the people from above. If we really are unable to eliminate Lang Xie, then the higher-ups will naturally send their elites to deal with him."

The moment everyone heard his assuring words, they relaxed. It was true. With the backing of the Martial Arts Alliance, Lang Xie wouldn't pose any threat to them.

"There is still the problem of the royal family, though," Liang Yang Zu remarked, his expression still grave despite relaxing a fraction at Yuan Tian Ya's assurance. The Dark Asura Sect Leader nodded, equally serious.

"You're right. That's why the Martial Arts Alliance has ordered us to attack. We are to hold nothing back this time, and are to employ our full fighting strength to take Nine-Tailed Fox Sect." Yuan Tian Ya sighed heavily. "There has been movement in the royal family, and they may send the Imperial Guard anytime, regardless of whether the Diet reaches a decision. The Martial Arts Alliance wants to avoid that, and to finish this invasion before that happens."

Wu Tuo nodded, his face darkening. "Once the Imperial Guard mobilizes, then it's too late for us. Too late for the Martial Arts Alliance."

"That's why we've to succeed in this assault." Yuan Tian Ya gritted his teeth. "It's do or die. If we fail, then we lose everything."

"We won't let that happen," Shi Jing Yun declared quietly. "We'll definitely defeat Nine-Tailed Fox Sect."

"If only things will be that easy." Wu Tuo sighed heavily and wiped the perspiration from his face as he glanced at the heavily guarded entrance.

"What, losing your nerve, Wu Tuo?" Liang Yang Zu smirked. "You're the last person I expect to get cold feet."

"You're mistaken." Wu Tuo scowled, and glanced at the survivors of his Cloud Sky Mountain. Despite their huge numbers, there was a significant number of them missing. They were obviously casualties sustained when they tried assaulting the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect before. "I was just wondering if all this is worth it. Whether it's worth losing so many of my subordinates to take this sect."

"Of course it is!" Yuan Tian Ya hissed. "The Martial Arts Alliance promised us first priority if we succeed in taking them! We get to claim whoever and whatever we want! The other sects who didn't participate will only get the leftovers!"

"We all made our resolve when we decided to do this," Shi Jing Yun said, his tone low yet audible. "There is no turning back."

"I'm not suggesting that we turn back." Wu Tuo grimaced and turned back toward the entrance, his shoulders sagging. "I'm not having second thoughts. I'm just..questioning if all this bloodshed and sacrifices are really necessary."

"It is," Liang Yang Zu replied coldly. "It most definitely is."

Easy for him to say, since it would the bulk of his subordinates doing the dying and not him. The hypocritical bastards.

*

While the forces of the ten sects gathered outside Nine-Tailed Fox Sect, we were far from idle. The Blood Blades were rushing to their positions, getting ready to conjure their battle-automata and prepare for the latest wave.

The sentries had reported heavy movement among the enemy, and Sect Lady Zi Da Ji concluded that the Martial Arts Alliance had grown impatient, and were preparing for one final assault. They were ready to throw the entirety of their forces to break through our defenses.

One of the Blood Blades members jogged toward the plaza, catching sight of the glowing Spirit Engraved Pillars and my stationary figure at the foot of one of them. He was escorting two ladies, who were struggling to catch up with him.

"Fei Wu? What is he doing at a time like this?" Tang Qi Hong grumbled when she spotted me. "Doesn't he realize that our sect is in terrible crisis at the moment?"

"Isn't that exactly why he's doing his best to help us solve this crisis?" Tong Xue countered calmly.

"How?" Lian Rou asked, genuinely baffled. She cast a sharp glance at the jogging Tong Xue, who was several paces ahead of her. "Do you know something we don't?"

Tong Xue turned his head slightly to grin back at her. "I know a lot of things that you don't."

Lian Rou sent a qi blast at him, but Tong Xue easily dodged her strike. She muttered an oath. "Stop playing around and tell us!"

"Shouldn't you already know?" Tong Xue raised an eyebrow as he corrected his trajectory. "Fei Wu is hoping to find some Spirit Formations or new martial arts that would help us. hmm, I guess it's too late to unearth new martial arts now, as we won't be able to learn them in time for the final battle, but Spirit Formations are another thing altogether."

Unfortunately, Tong Xue was completely wrong, but I couldn't blame him. I didn't tell him the truth behind my attempt to commune with the Spirit Engraved Pillars. I didn't tell anybody. Not because I didn't trust them, but because they would be horrified if they knew.

I was essentially making a pact with a demon, after all. Truthfully, it almost cost me my life, but everything worked out in the end, so I guess that was worth it.

At that time, though, I was far from completing my end of the deal with Tian Yu Di, so neither my friends nor I knew that. Yet.

"There are a lot more enemies than before," Tang Qi Hong remarked as she cast a worried glance at the outside of the sect. Even though the bullk of the milling Blood Blades blocked her view, she could see the encroaching forces of the ten invading sects. Worry spiked in her heart, and she picked up her pace. "Will we really be all right?"

"Lord Lang Xie, Lady Hai Rong and Sect Lady Zi Da Ji will definitely be able to protect Nine-Tailed Fox Sect!" Lian Rou assured her fiercely. "Trust in them! They will lead Blood Blades to victory against these despicable bastards!"

"Lord Lang Xie is missing, and Instructor Hai Rong is injured," Tong Xue reminded her bluntly. But Lian Rou remained stubborn.

"Even Lady Da Ji alone will be able to handle all of them by herself!" she insisted.

"I hope you are right." Tang Qi Hong's worried eyes were riveted on the inexorable, approaching enemy forces. "Or Nine-Tailed Fox Sect is doomed."

*

"Sister Su, you've finally arrived. Everyone is waiting for you." Wu Tuo smiled brilliantly when he spotted a lady leading a delegation of Snow Valley Sect toward them.

Su Bai Xue nodded arrogantly as she approached them. While Shi Jing Yun commanded the other six of the Seven Valley Sects, she commanded Snow Valley Sect. Snow Valley Sect, after all, was one of the eight major sects of the Martial Arts Alliance, and this possessed a prestige and status above the other six Valley Sects.

That was why they operated differently and independently of Shi Jing Yun and the other six Valley Sects.

It was also the reason why none of the other nine invading sects complained when she arrived late. With her higher status, she had the right to come anytime she wanted. While technically the various sect leaders or commanders were in charge of their respective sects, officially Su Bai Xue was the overall commander of the invading forces.

"Fatty Wu, aren't you guys a little too early?"

Su Bai Xue's lips curled into a mocking smile. Wu Tuo merely laughed politely.

"It's impolite to keep a lady waiting."

"You certainly know your manners." Su Bai Xue nodded in approval. She then glanced around and frowned, her brow crinkling her snow-white skin. "Where is Di Shi Jiu?"

"He's still pursuing Lang Xie," Liang Yang Zu replied darkly. "He won't rest until he confirms Lang Xie's death."

"I see." Su Bai Xue turned her frosty gaze on him. "What about Blood Shadow?"

Liang Yang Zu didn't flinch, meeting her pale blue eyes with his own dark, shadowy orbs. "Blood Shadow should be with Di Shi Jiu at the moment."

Su Bai Xue tilted her head, her expression unreadable. Anyone close to her would know that she was concealing her impatience very well. "Do we need to wait for them?"

"No." Liang Yang Zu snorted icily. "Don't worry about them. I'll lead Divine Shadow Sect by myself."

"All right." Su Bai Xue's shoulders relaxed a millimeter. "Then let's begin."

"I'll take point." Cloud Sky Mountain's Wu Tuo cheerfully stepped to the front, his bloodlust increasing tremendously. He held up a hand, and a thick phalanx of Cloud Sky Mountain Sect members gathered around him. "Iron Hammer Formation!"

The entire group of them linked up, placing their hands on the backs of the martial artist in front of them. In a few minutes, they gathered into a wedge-like formation and coalesced their qi, solidifying it into a shimmering but steely grey aura that shrouded them like armor.

Marching forward in disciplined ranks, the Cloud Sky Mountain Sect's Iron Hammer Formation charged inexorably like a battering ram, getting ready to smash the gates.

They were met with a storm of heavy firepower. The Blood Blades atop the fortress walls protecting the main sect grounds of Nine-Tailed Fox Sect poured down a withering hail of Mauler bolts and plasma. Initially, the fierce bombardment ricocheted off the Iron Hammer Formation, the dense, steely aura protecting the Cloud Sky Mountain martial artists and rendering them impervious to the projectiles.

The martial artists from the other nine sects unfortunate enough to be near the Cloud Sky Mountain Sect members were struck and killed by the ricochets, or maimed grievously, screaming in pain as they collapsed. Despite the collateral damage to their allies, Cloud Sky Mountain Sect did not falter. If anything, their pace increased.

"Don't let them in!" the Blood Blades Sergeant in charge of the wall shouted. He was Jing Wei, the guard in charge of security, but today his skills would be sorely tested like never before. He shouted orders into his comn-bead, directing all fire into the unstoppable human battering ram formed by the Cloud Sky Mountain Sect members.

Responding to his instructions, the Castellax battle-automata controlled by the Blood Blades present all turned their primary weapons on them, unleashing a hurricane of bolts or a barrage of superheated plasma. The Iron Hammer Formation began to crack gradually, the formerly impenetrable defensive qi that protected them shattering. Dozens of Cloud Sky Mountain Sect disciples went down, cut apart by Mauler bolt rounds that detonated in their bodies, spraying their comrades with blood and viscera. More were disintegrated outright, the volatile plasma consuming their bodies and incinerating them into ash.

Even so, Wu Tuo and his surviving subordinates refused to stop. Charging at the head of the formation, Wu Tuo withstood a punishing barrage of blows from a devastating hail of bolts and plasma, blood streaming down his face. The subordinate behind him vanished, engulfed in plasma, and charred burns appeared on Wu Tuo's back. Without so much as a grimace and ignoring the fiery agony that lanced through his body, the chubby martial artist roared and dove headfirst at the gates. The Castellax battle-automata tried desperately to track him, but he vanished from their sights, and they had to content themselves with scything down huge numbers of stumbling and staggering Cloud Sky Mountain Sect members.

But for every one they killed, two more appeared to take his place, bellowing bestially as they surged forward at the expense of their comrades, refusing to let their sacrifices be in vain.

And then Wu Tuo reached the gate. With an inhuman snarl, he shouldered the thick metal and ceramite plating, cannonballing into the double doors like a battering ram. His first charge didn't have an effect other than leaving a small dent, but Wu Tuo tried again, smashing his fist against it. The dent deepened, but not too significantly.

Then the survivors of Wu Tuo's Cloud Sky Mountain reached him. Throwing their hands out, they infused their leader with qi, and as one, the entire group barreled into the gates, reconstituting the Iron Hammer Formation.

No, this time it was a different formation. It was probably the Mountain Ram Formation. Not that I knew – I would only be able to tell after watching vids way after the incident happened. For now, what was important was that after they conjured the new formation, Cloud Sky Mountain mercilessly battered the gates with their combined strength.

This time, the effect was a lot more noticeable, the dent caving in much deeper than before. Wu Tuo and his subordinates rammed it again, and with a terrifying screech, the sturdy doors that protected our sect for centuries finally gave way.

The metal ruptured, the ceramite plating broke, and the gates vanished, turning into rubble as Wu Tuo stumbled inside, the first trespasser to set foot inside our sect. His subordinates flooded in, covering their leader as the Blood Blades moved in to meet them with fire and blade. More of them died, exploding or incinerated as the projectiles lanced into them.

But they were replaced by a neverending gush of reinforcements. And this time, Cloud Sky Mountain wasn't alone.

Snow Valley Sect. The six of the other seven Valley Sects. Divine Shadow Sect. Dark Asura Sect.

Led by their respective commanders, the other nine sects rushed in to plug the gap, making use of the heavy sacrifice that Cloud Sky Mountain had paid, and flooded into the sect. countless martial artists died, throwing themselves against a meatgrinder that mercilessly spat them back out in pieces or ashes.

But they kept coming. And they kept dying.

However, as powerful as the Blood Blades were, their ammunition was limited, and their qi would not last forever.

Nine-Tailed Fox Sect had been breached at last. Much faster and earlier than even my most pessimistic estimates.

*

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Halfway up Flame Volcano, Zi Shou De and the six Great Elders were descending with haste, toward the foot of the mountain.

They had seen the breach in defenses, and knew it was a matter of time before Nine-Tailed Fox Sect was doomed. There was no time to call an evacuation, and nowhere to flee. The passageways were infested with demons, and all the Blood Blades were engaged in a desperate defense of the sect. None of them were available to escort the civilians safely through the tunnels. And unlike the greedy, corrupt humans who were invading the sect, the demons could not be reasoned with or negotiated with. They would cut down the hapless civilians like a thresher with hay.

Zi Shou De glanced at Luo Zhi Chang with an ominous expression.

"Still no news from Lang Xie, correct?"

"No news indeed," the chief Great Elder replied wearily.

"My wife?"

"Fighting at the frontlines. She's leading the defense herself." This time it was the second Great Elder who replied.

Zi Shou De's shoulders sagged visibly, but he maintained his calm fa?ade.

"She'll buy us some time."

"Time to do what?" the third Great Elder asked. Despair was written over his face – not just him, but all the Great Elders. "With respect, Sect Leader..Nine-Tailed Fox Sect is doomed."

"Not yet." Zi Shou De refused to give up. He then caught sight of the glowing Spirit Engraved Pillars and frowned. "Fei Wu..what is he doing?"

"That boy.." the fourth Great Elder inhaled deeply. "He's the future hope of our sect. If we can get him to escape..escape with your daughters, and with the younger generation of the sect..as long as they stay alive, then perhaps they can rebuild Nine-Tailed Fox Sect and restore it to its peak..no, even surpass the current Nine-Tailed Fox Sect!"

"He survived the underground passageways." The fifth Great Elder nodded. "If anyone can make it out through it, it'll be him."

"We'll send the civilians too." The sixth Great Elder was under no illusions of their safety. "Perhaps Fei Wu will be able to protect them somehow."

"Or maybe Fei Wu will be able to pull a miracle," Sect Leader Zi wishpered quietly. Oi, aren't you expecting a bit too much from me? What do you think I am, some sort of messiah or God? I wasn't a protagonist from a xianxia story..okay, maybe I am. But even I couldn't do the impossible.

In any case, I was still absorbed in dealing with the stubborn Tian Yu Di at the moment. My eyes were closed tightly and my senses sealed off from the outside world. I was still seated at the plaza where the nine Spirit Engraved Pillars were, powerful waves of qi emanating from my body for some reason (perhaps because I was trying to break the seals holding down Tian Yu Di at that moment).

Hence I was completely unaware of Zi Shou De and the others' arrival.

"Father!" Tang Qi Hong hurried over when she spotted her adopted father swiftly approaching the plaza. She glanced at me nervously. "I don't know what Fei Wu is doing, but we've been unable to snap him out of his trance."

"There is no need to." Zi Shou De took a deep breath, and then made his decision. He turned to Tong Xue, the only Blood Blades member present. "All people who can fight, prepare to defend Fei Wu with your lives. Let's gamble on him."

Bloody hell, don't gamble on me! It will be a sure-lose bet!

"Are you sure this is wise?" one of the Great Elders asked anxiously.

Luo Zhi Chang sighed heavily and stared at Zi Shou De. "You've already heard the news. The ten sects have breached our defenses and are invading our main sect grounds right now. They're already inside the sect. I strongly suggest that we evacuate the younger generation and the civilians through the passageways immediately.."

"And get eaten by demons?" Zi Shou De stared at him sharply. "You saw the reports. There are thousands of them down there. An entire column of humans moving through the passageways will draw them to the evacuees like moths to a light."

After my report, the Great Elders had sent probes and a few preliminary scouts there, and confirmed that there was a much greater number of demons hidden underground than my estimates. Zi Shou De knew thoe tunnels were no longer an option.

"Gather the outer sect disciples," Zi Shou De ordered, continuing after taking a breath. "This is where we'll make our last stand." He glanced at my stationary form. "It's all or nothing now. We can only pray Fei Wu found something that might overturn this situation."

Why they were placing so much faith in me, I had no idea. Perhaps it was the way all nine Spirit Engraved Pillars were glowing. Maybe it was the tremendous amount of qi emanating from both the Spirit Engraved Pillars and my body. Either way, they were not mistaken. At that moment, I was fighting for my life against Tian Yu Di.

"Cheng Ping, rally the outer sect disciples. You're most familiar with them, so you should take command." Zi Shou De tapped his comn bead, and then frowned when he didn't get a response. "Cheng Ping? Do you read?"

Cheng Ping finally replied, but not through the comn bead and instead through his physical appearance. He emerged from the abandoned storeroom that I had first exited from after my perilous trek through the underground passageways, his figure all bloodied. There was a single spear protruding from his chest and he staggered unsteadily.

"Did you think I wouldn't know about the underground passageways below the sect?"

A familiar voice sneered, turning everyone's blood in their veins cold.

Blood Shadow emerged from the abandoned storeroom, strolling almost leisurely as he twirled a blood-colored spear. He laughed when he saw the ashen expressions of the Great Elders.

"Oh, Luo Zhi Chang and the other Great Elders..hmm, there are a few of you I don't recognize, but the ones I remember are all largely here." his grin widened. "Good! Very good! I can finally take my revenge today!"

"You.." Zi Shou De began, his expression darkened.

"Ah, my apologies." Blood Shadow bowed mockingly. "You must be the current sect leader. I am Yan Chi, a former Blood Blades of Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. I don't care about you, but I want their lives." He jabbed a finger at the Great Elders. "They conspired with Lang Xie and Hai Rong – those two traitors – and murdered him when he was cultivating. They killed my master. As long as you allow me to settle this grudge with the Great Elders, I will let the rest of your sect live." He chuckled. "But I can't say for sure that the other ten sects will spare your miserable lives."

"As long as I live, I will not allow you to harm a single member of my sect," Zi Shou De declared in quiet determination.

Blood Shadow shrugged indifferently. "If you want to die that badly, that I don't care. It's not like I have any attachment left to this sect anyway."

"You dare! You bloody monster!" Luo Zhi Chang shouted. "Zhao Shi! Where are you?"

The other Great Elders were trembling in fear. They recognized that this Blood Shadow was different from the other invaders, the martial artists who were razing their sect. Even if Yuan Tian Ya, Shi Jing Yun, Su Bai Xue and Wu Tuo reached their position, they would most likely spare the lives of the sect leader and Great Elders.

After all, they needed to capture these veteran blacksmiths alive so that they could forge Spirit Armaments for them.

The Great Elders knew that as long as they didn't die, they would still be able to cling onto the hope that they would one day see Nine-Tailed Fox Sect rise again to dwarf the other sects in the Martial Arts Sect.

However, Black Shadow was different. He held a grudge against them and clearly wanted to slaughter them for revenge.

Furthermore, his appearance through the passageways meant that Nine-Tailed Fox Sect's route of evacuation had been compromised. The civilians and younger generation couldn't go that way now. Never mind the demons – even if we survived the demons, the other sects would surely be waiting at the exits to capture us. And we couldn't stay too long in the passageways or we would eventually be overwhelmed by the demons.

Of course, later we found out that the ten sects had sent significant numbers of scouts into the tunnels and ended up waging a war against the demons inside. They suffered massive casualties, and were forced to retreat, but that information was of no use to us now.

"Yan Chi!" a familiar voice shouted. It was Chief Elder Hai Mo. He was supporting a hobbling Hai Rong as he strode toward us, his eyes narrowed sternly. "Do you really intend to destroy Nine-Tailed Fox Sect? Nine-Tailed Fox Sect raised you, and you grew up here ever since you were young! Do you really have no compassion?"

"Elder Hai Mo.."

For the first time in ages, Blood Shadow faltered, his bloodthirsty eyes softening. He faced Hai Mo squarely.

"You're the only person I respect in Nine-Tailed Fox Sect." he raised his blood-colored spear. "Every single one of my Spirit Weapons were forged by you back then. This is also the reason why I spared Junior Hai Rong's life – because she is your wife. If she wasn't married to you, I would have killed her. but I let her live out of respect for you!"

Beside Hai Mo, Hai Rong snorted derisively. "You don't have the ability to kill me, so don't make excuses."

"Like I said, I will not hurt you, your wife, the inner sect elders or Sect Leader." Blood Shadow's eyes gleamed murderously. "But I want the lives of the Great Elders!"

Swoosh!

Blood Shadow conjured a hail of crimson spears, and just like Gilgamesh with Gate of Babylon, he had all of them float above him, their deadly blades pointed toward the six hapless Great Elders. The old men all fell to their knees helplessly, knowing they were doomed.

"I won't let you!" Zi Shou De shouted as he charged forward, only for Yan Chi to draw a whip and lash out at him, knocking him off his feet and sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Father!" Tang Qi Hong ran to his side, and was relieved to see that he was still alive. It seemed that Blood Shadow was someone who kept his word, after all. Which was more than what I could say for some people.

"Die!" Blood Shadow sneered and launched his crimson spears at the six trembling Great Elders.

It was at this moment that I finally opened my eyes, my normally brown pupils gleaming an eerie red the color of blood.

Rising to my feet, I turned to Blood Shadow with a smile.

"Oh, hey," I said in what sounded like a remarkably flippant tone, considering the circumstances. "We meet again."