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Chapter 1213: Chapter 1075: Counterattack_2
However, the Flood Dragon was still a seventh-rank Devil Beast. Although it had become lazy and indulgent in recent times, its strength remained formidable.
But Li Chengshuo wasn’t fighting alone; he had Yue and Howling Moon with him, both at the Integration Realm as well. Together, they quickly subdued the Python Flood Dragon.
She didn’t intend to kill it outright but wanted to capture it alive, bringing it back to the family as a breeding beast to contribute to the clan’s development.
That Python Flood Dragon, even after being subdued, felt the oppressive force of the Beast Control Ring and still spewed curses, "You fools! Let me go immediately! Otherwise, when the Python Flood Dragon tribe starts searching for me, you’ll all be dead without a doubt. But, if you release me now, I can let bygones be bygones and pretend none of this ever happened."
"Ha!"
Li Chengshuo snorted coldly. It had clearly underestimated them, speaking arrogantly even while begging for mercy.
"You should be grateful for the Dragon Blood in your veins. Otherwise, how could you possibly still be alive right now?"
With that, a trace of white light manifested at Li Chengshuo’s fingertip and swiftly pierced into the Python Flood Dragon’s body.
"Arghhh!"
The Python Flood Dragon let out a piercing cry of agony, fear etched onto its face.
The method just employed allowed it to experience the sensation of death up close.
"Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I have something very important to report to you!"
"Speak!"
The Python Flood Dragon wasted no time revealing the Devil Beasts’ schemes. It had no choice but to align itself with the cultivators before it if it wanted to survive.
If it were to die at the hands of these cultivators due to the Devil Beasts’ plotting, even if it were later rescued, its life wouldn’t get any easier. Being enslaved by humans was considered an unforgivable humiliation among Devil Beasts, and other Devil Beasts would surely ostracize and bully it mercilessly.
"The Python Flood Dragon tribe and the Eagle Clan have already located the Secret Realm portal. They’re planning to send a sizable force to seize the entrance the next time it appears, enabling them to leave this cursed place for good."
Li Chengshuo was startled upon hearing this. If the two major Devil Beast tribes in the Secret Realm acted together, the cultivators stationed at the family stronghold would likely be unable to hold their ground!
Fortuitously, they had learned of the Devil Beasts’ plans ahead of time. The Li family could turn the tables by devising a more efficient countermeasure to deal with the beasts within the Secret Realm.
"I didn’t expect you’d be so useful. I’ll spare your life for now," Li Chengshuo said purposefully.
Ignoring the fear-driven pleas of the Python Flood Dragon, she immediately contacted Jiang Fengwu, relaying the information and her strategy without delay.
"Hmm?"
Jiang Fengwu, in the midst of fighting Devil Beasts elsewhere, changed his expression upon receiving the news.
If it hadn’t been for Li Chengshuo’s inadvertent discovery of the Devil Beasts’ plot, the ordinary cultivators stationed at the Li family’s stronghold could never have withstood the combined assault of the two Devil Beast tribes.
Although the Li family kept a fair number of cultivators stationed at the stronghold, both for security and as a precaution against potential sneak attacks, many were resting or recovering from injuries while maintaining vigilance over the area.
"There’s still over a month before the portal opens. Preemptive preparations are necessary."
After all, these two Devil Beast tribes commanded over twenty Integration Realm beasts each. Once united, their combined numbers could easily reach forty Integration Realm beasts, or perhaps even more.
Considering the subordinate forces under their command, the number of Integration Realm Devil Beasts would likely exceed fifty.
Faced with such overwhelming numbers, even with the Mountain Protection Array as an advantage, the Li family would still struggle to prevail.
Thus, Jiang Fengwu abandoned the current skirmishes and returned to the stronghold to develop a plan, determined to deliver a crushing surprise to the Devil Beasts.
"Old Ancestor, why have you returned?"
Jiang Fengwu didn’t hide anything, explaining the situation and cautioning, "This could very likely turn into a fierce battle, so make sure you’re mentally prepared."
The stronghold, once quiet and idle, instantly became a hive of activity, with clan members busily rushing to and fro.
As time passed, more and more clan members returned to the stronghold, bringing with them various techniques and resources.
To avoid alerting the Devil Beasts, the clan members frequently piloted the Void Spirit Ship outward.
...
"Have you noticed? Ever since entering the Secret Realm, after leaving the stronghold, we haven’t seen any Li family cultivators around."
"Not just that, but high-ranking Devil Beasts seem to be appearing less often as well."
"Bah, with so many Integration Realm elders stationed here, it’s only natural that the Devil Beasts are being slaughtered relentlessly."
"No, I think it’s more likely that the Devil Beasts are hiding themselves, perhaps scheming some kind of plot."
Oddly enough, this guess wasn’t far from the truth—the Devil Beasts were indeed concocting a plan that would shock everyone!
"Instead of speculating, how about focusing on recovering strength, hunting more Spiritual Objects, and killing more Devil Beasts? That’s the real priority!"
Time flew by, quickly bringing them to seven days before the portal’s opening.
On the previous day, Jiang Fengwu had summoned all clan members back to the stronghold.
"Mother, what preparations have you made? Should we contact other forces and have their Integration Realm cultivators assist us?" Li Chengshuo asked with some concern.
She was among the last to return to the stronghold, as she had spent much of her time working to weaken the Devil Beasts’ forces.
"Rest assured, I’ve made thorough preparations. There’s no need for help from others, nor for them to take a share of the Spiritual Objects," Jiang Fengwu replied confidently.
Relieved by her words, Li Chengshuo trusted Jiang Fengwu’s judgment.
To lure the Devil Beasts into attacking, Jiang Fengwu and Li Chengshuo teamed up with several array masters to construct a Great Array that concealed their presence.
This was to prevent the Devil Beasts, upon noticing the Li family’s formidable defenses, from hesitating to strike. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
If the beasts balked, then all their meticulous planning would have been in vain.
Roar—
Four days before the portal’s opening, the Devil Beasts made their move!
Their first strike caused the earth to tremble and the mountains to shake as they attempted to destroy the stronghold itself. Without the protection of formations, the cultivators inside the stronghold would be powerless against them.
Jiang Fengwu’s expression darkened momentarily, but she was relieved that the mountain remained sturdy, thwarting the beasts’ ambitions for now.
"All clan members, stay hidden! Wait for my command before taking action!"
Of course, Jiang Fengwu had left a considerable number of cultivators out in the open as bait. They quickly fought back against the seemingly "unexpected" appearance of Devil Beasts.
"Kill!"
The leaders of the two Devil Beast tribes exchanged glances, their excitement and determination evident.
Given the power of the cultivators stationed at the Li family’s stronghold, even with the array supporting them, they couldn’t possibly fend off such a massive number of attacking beasts. It was only a matter of time before the Mountain Protection Array succumbed to the onslaught.
To prevent reinforcements from other cultivators, the beasts aimed to swiftly capture the stronghold and seize control of the portal.
"Mother, are we not going to attack yet?" Li Chengshuo asked urgently, staring at the shimmering protective barrier, rippling under the relentless assault.
Outside, at least ten thousand Devil Beasts were frantically attacking the formation, and the barrier’s defensive shield was beginning to wobble under the strain caused by several seventh-rank beasts!
Jiang Fengwu glanced at her and said, "Your temperament is far too impatient. Just wait a little longer. The more desperate they become, the more flaws they’ll expose. We must seize this one opportunity to even out the power disparity."
Li Chengshuo took a deep breath, realizing her mistake, and steadied her nerves.
Half an hour passed, and the protective barrier now teetered dangerously, as if it could shatter at any moment.
"Prepare!" Jiang Fengwu looked at the jubilant Devil Beasts celebrating their perceived victory.
"Three! Two! One!"
"Counterattack with everything you’ve got!"
The prepared array masters unleashed their spells simultaneously, activating dozens of hidden formations deep underground.
Energies erupted in a tremendous blast, engulfing countless Devil Beasts in an instant.
Enraged clan members, long stifled by the creatures’ relentless assault, finally vented their fury under Jiang Fengwu’s orders.
Arghhh!
In just the blink of an eye, the ground was littered with the corpses of Devil Beasts.
