Chapter 57: Regroup and Retaliate

Shangguan Yi retreated back to the Meditation Garden within the Xia Family estate. The serene garden, with its meticulously tended plants and calming atmosphere, was his sanctuary for replenishing his core essence. The battle had been intense, and he needed to restore his strength before facing the remaining enemies. He seated himself in the lotus position, closing his eyes and beginning the process of absorbing the essence pills, channeling it to restore his depleted reserves.

The scene shifted to the eastern part of the Xia Family. Tie Tu and Xie Xie stood with grim expressions, the news of the Song Family Ancestor's death and the significant loss of their cultivators weighing heavily on their minds. The remnants of their forces were scattered, their morale shattered by the devastating defeat they had just witnessed.

"We've lost another level 2 Core Formation Cultivator and many of our men," Xie Xie said, his voice tight with frustration. "This demonic Cultivator is far more dangerous than we anticipated."

Tie Tu clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with anger. "We underestimated him. But we still have our forces and the remaining Core Formation Cultivators. We need to regroup and come up with a new strategy."

Both Tie Tu and Xie Xie, with determined expressions, made their way toward the northern part of the Xia Family to regroup with the remaining forces. They knew they needed a cohesive strategy to counter Shangguan Yi's overwhelming power.

Meanwhile, in the southern part of the estate, the Tang Family Ancestor was leading his group in a hasty retreat. They were desperately trying to find a way out of the Serpent Embrace Entrapment Array. The serpents, however, moved with a life of their own, slithering and coiling around, blocking every possible escape route.

"Damn these serpents!" the Tang Family Ancestor cursed, his frustration evident. "We can't afford to be trapped here any longer."

A false Core Formation Cultivator from his group shouted, "Ancestor, should we try to break through with brute force?"

The Tang Family Ancestor shook his head, his eyes scanning the serpents with a mix of anger and calculation. "No, brute force won't work. These serpents are not just ordinary beasts; they are part of a powerful array. We need to find the core of the array and disrupt it."

As Shangguan Yi rested in the Meditation Garden, he was deeply focused on replenishing his core essence. Yet, his attention remained partially fixed on the battlefield through the Serpent Embrace Entrapment Array. Even as he sat in meditation, he channeled his core essence to control the array remotely, ensuring its effectiveness.

From his position, he could perceive the movement of the enemies and, with precise concentration, summoned serpents made of core essence. These serpents slithered and surged through the array, disrupting the retreating Tang Family Ancestor and his group. The serpents coiled around their paths, constricting their movement and causing chaos among their ranks.

The Tang Family Ancestor’s efforts to lead his group to safety were continuously thwarted. Frustration was evident on his face as he struggled against the serpents' interference. “Damn it!” he roared. “We must find a way through this obstruction. Push forward, no matter the cost!”

Despite their best efforts, the constant attacks from the serpents made it nearly impossible for the Tang Family forces to regroup and retreat efficiently. Shangguan Yi’s strategic control from afar was proving to be a significant hindrance, further isolating and weakening the enemy's already strained position.

At this moment, as Shangguan Yi continued to control the Serpent Embrace Entrapment Array, he also sent strategic instructions to the Xia Family Cultivators. With his core essence sufficiently replenished, he directed Xia Fu and his group to launch a decisive attack on the Tang Family Ancestor and his forces.

Stolen story; please report.

"Xia Fu, focus your assault on the weakest group among the Tang Family forces," Shangguan Yi instructed through a secure channel. "I’ve already isolated them from their main force and prevent a Core Formation Cultivator from joining the fight."

Xia Fu acknowledged the order with a determined nod. “We’ll hit them hard and fast. Make sure they can’t regroup or retaliate!” he commanded. His team moved with practiced precision, their faces set in grim determination as they prepared for the assault.

As they advanced, the Xia Family Cultivators struck with brutal efficiency, targeting the most vulnerable members of the Red Maple City group. The Red Maple City Cultivators, who were from various high-grade families, were initially caught off guard by the sudden and coordinated attack.

“We’re being attacked from both sides!” one of the trapped Cultivators shouted, eyes widening in alarm as he struggled to fend off the relentless assault.

“They’re exploiting the disruption caused by the serpents!” another yelled, frustration evident in their voice as they fought off the serpents’ relentless strikes.

The Xia Family Cultivators pressed their attack with ruthless aggression. Earth-type techniques were used to create barriers and shake the ground, while water-type techniques swept across the battlefield with powerful torrents.

Xia Fu, at the forefront, employed his Deathly Finger technique with deadly precision. With each thrust, he pierced through the defenses of his enemies. Despite their resilience, four Foundation Establishment Cultivators fell under the relentless assault, one of them falling to Xia Fu’s lethal touch.

However, the tide soon began to turn as two false Core Formation Cultivators took action and counterattacked.

“Hmph! Just a bunch of mere Foundation Establishment Cultivators dare to be such arrogant!”

As the Xia Family Cultivators pressed their attack, two false Core Formation Cultivators from various high-grade families stepped forward, their expressions were filled with sneering.

The first, a stout man with a commanding presence, raised his hand and unleashed a torrent of earth-based energy. “Mountain Crush!” he roared, sending a massive wave of boulders and debris crashing toward the Xia Family Cultivators.

The Xia Family Cultivators were buoyed by their success in killing four enemies. They shouted and launched their techniques at the two false Core Formation Cultivators.

“Yah! Attack them!”

“Don’t be afraid, press the attack!”

Several techniques were unleashed simultaneously. Water surged and earth rumbled as they tried to overwhelm the false Core Formation Cultivators.

However, the sheer force of the earth technique overwhelmed the Xia Family's water and earth-based attacks, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

Boom! Boom!

All the Xia Family Cultivators crumbled in the face of the Mountain Crush Technique.

Meanwhile, the second false Core Formation Cultivator, a woman with a determined look, conjured a series of sharp, high-pressure water jets. “Aqua Spear Barrage!” she called out, releasing a rapid volley of water projectiles. The spears cut through the air with incredible speed, intercepting and dispersing the Xia Family's techniques before they could reach their targets. Her barrage sliced through their attacks and forced the Xia Family Cultivators to scramble for cover.

The Xia Family Cultivators were taken aback as their coordinated techniques were neutralized by the standard but powerful attacks from their opponents. The man’s earth technique created a formidable barrier of rock and debris, while the woman’s water jets efficiently disrupted their offensive maneuvers. Despite their best efforts, the Xia Family’s techniques were rendered ineffective against the combined onslaught of the false Core Formation Cultivators.

“No! They’re too strong!”

“Our techniques are useless!”

Unease spread among the Xia Family Cultivators. Xia Fu’s expression grew grim as he assessed the dire situation.

“No! Their attacks are coming! It’s too late for us to dodge!”

Fortunately, at that moment, Shangguan Yi, from his position of control, used the serpents of the Serpent Embrace Entrapment Array to block and disrupt the counterattacks. The serpents surged forward, weaving through the chaos and intercepting the incoming strikes. Their timely intervention provided a crucial reprieve for Xia Fu’s group, preventing the casualties.

At the same time, another two serpents emerged and blocked the two false Core Formation Cultivators.

“It’s the Great Ancestor! We are saved!”

Xia Family Cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.

“Everyone, attack together! Don’t let the Great Ancestor’s efforts go to waste!” Xia Fu shouted, leading the charge against the remaining four Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

However, the remaining four Foundation Establishment Cultivators were not to be underestimated. Despite the combined efforts of the 15 Xia Family Cultivators, four of them managed to defend against the attacks. Still, one unlucky Cultivator fell to Xia Fu's hand.

Xia Fu, a level 10 Foundation Establishment Cultivator, had no trouble dealing with a level 9 Foundation Establishment Cultivator in one shot.

The remaining three Cultivators, felt the threat and attacked Xia Fu simultaneously. However, several attacks from the Xia Family Cultivators disrupted them.

Seizing the opportunity, Xia Fu used his Deathly Finger technique to eliminate another Cultivator. With this, a few moments later, another two more quickly fell as well.

Meanwhile, the two false Core Formation Cultivators managed to destroy the serpents and break free. This was anticipated by Shangguan Yi; normally, the serpents would be nearly unshakable against the attacks of false Core Formation Cultivators, but his control from afar had significantly weakened their effectiveness.

“What a good Xia Family! Die!”