Outside the sect, Bai Ye returned the youths who did not pass the assessment to their families. Facing the hopeful gazes of the others, she said, "The rest have passed the assessment; their relatives may enter with me."
"Sigh, my brat doesn't have that fortune. Time to pack up and head to the capital city."
"Brother Zhao, are you all moving away?"
"We have no choice; this damned demon disaster. Iron Pillar, your son did well to join Qingling Sect; he'll be under their protection."
"Young Zhao, take care on your journey!"
"Brother Bear, you too!"
"Be safe!"
Inside the sect, Li Sheng arrived at the martial arts arena and first encouraged the newly admitted disciples. He then informed the families of the disciples that they were allowed to move into the protective area of the Qingling Sect's formation to shield against the demon disaster. Everyone was overjoyed, bowing repeatedly to Li Sheng.
After dismissing them, Li Sheng gave some instructions to Bai Ye and Liu Hongfeng before turning to leave, entrusting the rest to them.
...
One day later.
Li Sheng emerged from the gathering room, exuding a fierce aura. Hearing the commotion, Bai Ye and Liu Hongfeng stepped out.
"Junior Brother, you broke through to the fifth rank?"
"Senior Brother, you..."
"That's right, I've broken through!" Li Sheng said cheerfully; with the demon disaster imminent, nothing made him happier than an increase in strength.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
"Congratulations, Junior Brother!"
"There's no need for pleasantries. Is everything arranged?" Li Sheng asked.
"Yes, the families of those disciples have all relocated. You needn't worry," Liu Hongfeng replied.
"I've arranged the training for the disciples, but we're still short on medicinal pills..." Bai Ye added.
"Leave the medicinal pills to me. Sister, here are some top-grade Vitality Pills and Bone Strengthening Pills. Take them."
"Junior Brother... this..."
"Sister, don't refuse. In this critical time, every bit of strength increases our chances of survival."
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Liu Hongfeng accepted the jade bottles.
Just then, a notification sounded.
**[Special Task Triggered: Survival War (Task Difficulty: Nightmare-Level)]**
**[Note: Special tasks are divided into three levels: Hell, Nightmare, and World.]**
**[Completing the special task will randomly reward a cultivation treasure location. Failure will result in no further special tasks for ten years.]**
**[Task Completion Conditions: 1. The sect must be established (within two months). 2. Over half of the disciples must survive.]**
"Another special task?" Li Sheng's expression grew serious, "And the completion conditions are too simple: establish the sect... over half of the disciples survive..."
"Senior Brother, what's wrong?" Bai Ye sensed something was off.
"The demon disaster has broken out!" Li Sheng said gravely.
"Huh?"
"The demon disaster has broken out?!"
Both were shocked.
"Gather all disciples back; halt the tasks of chopping wood and clearing grass. Starting today, they must not step out of the mountain gate."
"Sister, go remind the families of the disciples; they must not leave the formation from today onwards, or they will bear the consequences!"
"Understood!!"
Seeing Li Sheng's serious expression, the two became serious and went to carry out their orders. Watching them leave, Li Sheng took a deep breath. The previous hell-level difficulty had almost led to the destruction of Qingling Sect. Now, it had risen to "Nightmare-Level." Although the conditions for completion seemed simpler, the simplicity indicated the severity of the situation.
"We can't slack off... The fifth-rank spiritual-level techniques have been consolidated, and I have the materials for three Solid Blood Pills... I hope it's enough."
"Roundy!"
"Chirp chirp..."
A little creature appeared with a flash of white light.
"Observe the surroundings closely, and notify me at the first sign of trouble."
"Chirp chirp!"
With that, he headed towards the pill room.
Outside the mountain gate, on the left side of a low hill, dozens of temporary wooden houses had been set up, barely suitable for living. Some were busy cooking, while others reinforced the houses. As Liu Hongfeng arrived, everyone stopped their work and bowed.
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"Greetings, Elder Liu!"
"Yes, I have come to inform you all that the demon disaster has broken out. From today, you must not leave the area covered by the formation, or you will bear the consequences!"
Liu Hongfeng's expression was unusually serious, conveying an undeniable authority.
"Huh?"
"The demon disaster has broken out?!"
"Fortunately, we moved in time, but those who have already left..."
"Natural and man-made disasters... sigh." Old Chen lamented.
Meanwhile, Bai Ye gathered the disciples who were on tasks back to the sect. Just as she was about to look for her senior sister, she felt a warmth at her waist.
"The Black Xuan Stone?"
Bai Ye took out the Black Xuan Stone and reached out with her mind.
A message within caused her complexion to pale instantly.
After regaining her senses, she hurried to find her senior brother.
Li Sheng emerged from the pill room, two bright pills in hand, releasing a rich medicinal fragrance. These were top-grade Solid Blood Pills, and he was headed towards the gathering room. On the way, he encountered Bai Ye, who looked panicked.
"Senior Brother! Something bad has happened!"
"Slow down, what's happened?"
"The capital city... the capital city has been destroyed!"
"The capital city how... what? The capital city has been destroyed?!"
"Are you joking?!!!"
"Really! Senior Brother, the news from the Reverse Demon Alliance says that once you refine the Black Xuan Stone, you will be able to see."
Li Sheng took out the Black Xuan Stone from his storage bag, pricked his fingertip, and dripped blood into it. Just then, Liu Hongfeng arrived and, after a brief inquiry, her expression turned grave as she hurried to refine the Black Xuan Stone.
Li Sheng placed the Black Xuan Stone to his forehead, and a powerful consciousness surged forth.
Suddenly, his vision blurred, and his spiritual body appeared in a dim room. On one wall of the room, several messages hung.
—Half a day ago, the demon disaster broke out in Lingchuan City, and it is currently in a state of loss.
—Preliminary assessment indicates this demon disaster is at the city-destroying level.
—All allies are urged to evacuate Lingchuan City quickly. In three days, at the hour of Chen, the Spiritual Lord will open the discussion hall, and all allies around the Great Yan Empire may participate.
The three messages left Li Sheng silent for a long time. Exiting the dim space, his expression darkened.
"Preliminary assessment indicates city-destroying level..."
Just then, Liu Hongfeng also emerged, her face pale as she said, "Lingchuan City actually... actually fell!"
Li Sheng reflected on the nature of demon disasters, speaking solemnly:
"Demon disasters are categorized as ordinary level, which can be resisted by sixth-rank martial artists; dangerous level, which can be handled by fifth-rank martial artists; and city-destroying level, which can be resisted by fourth-rank martial artists."
"Lingchuan City has five or six one-star forces; logically, it should be able to handle a city-destroying level disaster, but..."
"Unless it's at the calamity level!!!" Bai Ye took a deep breath.
"A calamity level cannot be resisted by anything less than a master!" Li Sheng forced a smile, finally understanding why this special task was titled "Survival War."
"It really is as straightforward as it sounds; as long as we survive, living for two months counts as completing the task..."
"But facing calamity-level demons, how can surviving be anything but difficult?"
In that moment, Li Sheng's resentment towards the Great Yan and the Sacred Land reached its peak. All he wanted was to survive and develop; why was it so hard?
"There might be a change; after all, it's only a preliminary assessment." Liu Hongfeng comforted them.
Li Sheng took a deep breath, "Sister, Junior Sister, focus on your training and break through to the fifth rank as soon as possible! There may still be a chance..."