These two attacks by demonized locusts and flame infant demons were only the beginning. Over the next few days, more and more demon attacks took place across many provinces at an ever-increasing pace. It wasn't just Chen Wentian's territories but many others and included those provinces that didn't even have immortal overlords.
Ice fiends, swamp demons, goblins, trolls, reanimated skeletons, vampires…
The demon attacks were endless. It seemed as if all of the demon infestations hiding amongst the human population were springing up at the same time. It was as if they were all coordinating with each other or under the orders of some greater power.
Some of the attacks came from places where humans rarely set foot, deep within ancient forests or forbidden deserts. They gathered into large hordes before sweeping across human lands in a devastating tidal wave. Others popped out of their hiding places in the middle of cities and immediately caused mass panic.
Human losses quickly mounted. Large swaths of land were wiped clean of human life. Villages, towns, and even some cities fell. Many mortal sects were brought to the brink of destruction by the sheer volume and intensity of these attacks that came out of nowhere.
Those provinces that had immortal overlords fared better but only barely. Some immortals and their sects answered the desperate calls of the common mortals and fought back, sending out disciples to all corners of their provinces and beyond. Others simply ignored the pleas of their people and closed their doors. There were also immortal sects that simply didn't have the manpower to deal with all the attacks that were coming from all directions.
This issue of manpower hit Ten Thousand Flower Valley especially hard. Chen Wentian had to take care of Dragon Flower Province as well as several others on top. With the addition of Cloudy Mountain Province, Red Bamboo Province, Divine Blazing Province, and Glacier Province, it meant that he was forced to do the work of five immortals.
Aside from a few disciples in the frontlines, he had to handle most of the attacks all by himself. This led to him flying all across the land and teleporting across provinces, sometimes multiple times per day. And even then, there were many attacks he didn't time to handle and could only let the local mortal population handle it on their own.
He could have dealt with every demon attack if he sent out Jasmine, Chen Mo, and a few other immortal souls. But he didn't want to and he also couldn't. He still didn't know who and where the true enemy was. The last thing he could do in his current situation was to reveal his true strength.
---
Chen Wentian flew through the air, skimming the top of a vast forest of red bamboo as tall as three-story buildings. As the wind gusted around him, the bamboo groves dipped and waved like an ocean of blood. The red eventually gave way to white as red bamboo was replaced by rigid, thick growths of crystal bamboo.
A city soon came into view, rising above even the tallest bamboo. Its massive walls were not made of stone blocks but narrow strips of crystal bamboo that had been stacked on top of each other. The buildings that peeked over the walls were also made of the same material. Together, they turned the city a brilliant white that glittering in the sunlight.
This was Crystal Bamboo City, capital of Red Bamboo Province.
"Welcome, Lord Immortal!"
"Welcome, Lord Immortal!"
The guards atop the walls shouted greetings at him but he didn't slow down. He zoomed past and headed straight for the palace that sat in one corner of the city. It was a relic of the past when the city still had a royal family. The ruling dynasty that created it had long been defeated many generations ago. It was now occupied by the Zhou Clan and served as the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Flower Valley in this province.
"Master, welcome back." Zhou Ziyun walked up to him as he landed in the courtyard.
She wore a multilayered gown of deep blue that was adorned with gold and gems. Her hair was pinned up in an elaborate bun that was weighed down by more splendid jewels. Her eyes were filled with intelligence and her aura exuded confidence and maturity. She looked more like the queen of a country than the disciple of an immortal.
Chen Wentian cocked his head as he studied her, "What's with the outfit?"
"I had a meeting with the local noble clans today about recent demon attacks." She replied, staring up at him with twinkling eyes.
"And?"
She didn't elaborate and instead wrapped her arms around his waist, "Master, do you not like my outfit? Is it ill-fitting?"
"Heh, no. It actually fits you a little too well. But you let a horde of other people see it before me, especially men. Tell me, isn't that a little improper?"
"Not at all. This is merely my public outfit, while this…"
With a wave of her hand, several buttons became undone. The outermost layer of her gown fell to the ground. In its stead was an inner gown of sapphire blue that was much more revealing, so much so that he would not have allowed her to wear it outside where other men could cast their dirty eyes on it.
Her inner dress was skin-tight, proudly displaying every contour and curve of her fit body. For so much fabric, it managed to cover not much skin at all. Her shoulders were bare and so were her legs, with long slits that went up her thigh all the way to her hips. On top of it all, there was a plunging neckline that proudly displayed deep cleavage and barely covered twin peaks that threatened to pop out of hiding at the slightest movement.
"You like it?" Zhou Ziyun asked playfully, seeing the way he was still ogling her breasts.
"Yeah, I'll like it better when I take it off you."
"Master…"
He caught her lips before she could protest. He kissed her hard. A part of him missed her and another part was wanted to let out the frustrations from the past days.
She accepted him eagerly, willingly, letting him vent everything on her tender lips, at least until his hands started to roam beneath her dress.
"Master, not now! We are in the middle of the courtyard!" She admonished, pushing him away.
"So?"
"Scoundrel." She straightened her dress and then pulled him towards the great hall, "Come, you can tell me about the latest attack and then I will tell you about what I have discovered."
"Hey! When did I become a scoundrel? I think you've been hanging around Jasmine too much."
"Are you saying she is a bad influence?" She asked.
"Well, if the sock fits!"
"I'm going to tell her you said that."
Chen Wentian was left dumbfounded as Zhou Ziyun disappeared inside. He looked around and saw several female servants hiding behind corners and doorways, trying not to laugh. He coughed lightly in embarrassment and straightened his demeanor before chasing after his disciple.
---
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