Outside the city, a multitude of cultivators observed from a distance, their numbers forming a ring around the elevated terrain. Excitement and delight painted their faces with eerie grins, betraying an ulterior motive in their watchful eyes.
Within their ranks, a mysterious figure with a commanding aura addressed his subordinates. He wasn't only the leader of the group, but the commander who orchestrated this whole event.
As the leader of a force likened to two brigades, he declared, "This is the time we will rule the eastern region."
Cheers erupted, subdued to avoid detection. They weren't the typical bandits that would recklessly attack a city. Aware of warning talisman available to call immediate reinforcements, they wouldn't jump to the scenario knowing the case. Meticulous application of plan was applied.
Thus, the only applicable strategy was to attack at nightfall when everyone was unprepared. Furthermore, camps of different battalions had been dispatched at different entry and exit points, equipped with the instruments necessary for this invasion.
They were now at the first phase of their plan, to capture the city, and hostage the citizens. Only they wouldn't have insurance, but also secure people under their authority.
"Leader, what about after this? Can we indulge in the company of any woman we desire?" A lecherous figure with an unpleasant expression asked.
The commander, with a snort, replied tersely, "Do whatever you want."
Permission granted, the cultivators cheered, some mimicking lewd actions in their excitement.
Their excitement was painted at each of their faces, yet, unprepared for what would happen next in a few seconds.
However, the city began to empty. Initially crowded, the cultivators observing were unperturbed until panic set in as the city became devoid of people. Alarmed, they reported to their commander.
"Leader, the citizens have evacuated! The city is empty!" exclaimed one, gasping for breath.
"What?! Impossible! They weren't supposed to know we were here early!" The commander roared, rushing to a cliff for a better view.
His fury intensified when he saw no signs of life. Confusion gripped him, realizing the invasion was scheduled for the following week. This unforeseen early move left him seething with frustration.
"They can't have evacuated! They didn't pay for what we needed. Where are the cultivators from the other side? Why haven't they noticed their evacuation early? Don't tell me they are slacking off!"
Aware of how the leader would react, the hesitant messenger stammered, "The problem... we haven't been in contact with them for half an hour!"
Veins popped on the commander's forehead. "What?"
In a yelling tone, the messenger reported, "No contact for half an hour!"
The commander's nerves twitched. "This isn't what I planned!"
Before the commander could vent his anger again, another guy arrived, swimming through the crowd of cultivators that were flocking the whole forest.
It was a messenger from another battalion.
"Leader! Our battalion has been attacked. We need reinforcement!"
The commander realized his flawless plan had flaws. Regret filled him for warning the city, thinking they could rip them off out of fear before invasion. The situation unfolded differently from his expectations. However, he knew they couldn't even evacuate as they had already surrounded every route.
This wasn't what was supposed to happen.
"AHHH!!!"
"GWAKH!!!"
"HELP!!!"
The commander's focus snapped toward the origin of the desperate cry—a plea from his subordinates. What calamity had befallen them?
Driven by agitation, he vaulted onto the branch of a tree, leaping from one to the next. His subordinates trailed below, their pace unable to match his urgency.
After covering a kilometer in these frenzied bounds, he confronted the grim reality at the source—the lifeless forms of his subordinates, nearly 500 in number. Another 500 wailed in despair nearby.
In a reflexive turn, his attention honed in on the anguished screams. Two ominous auras mercilessly slaughtered his subordinates. Human figures, wielding supernatural power, effortlessly extinguished lives.
Overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation, he stood gaping, blood oozing from his mouth. Unanswered questions flooded his mind—what force possessed such destructive might, and who were these mysterious assailants? Little did he know that his destiny had taken a catastrophic turn when he plotted the assault on a city where Lucas and Felicity rested.
***
A heavy silence settled in the room.
Upon Felicity's revelation of the overwhelming number of bandits encircling the city, a collective shudder ran through the assembly. Knees trembled, hearts raced—the impending doom cast its shadow over them.
The challenges they faced were far from simple; the city stood on the brink of destruction.
Arthur, the city's landlord, gazed at Lucas with palpable anxiety, grappling with the words to convey his plea. The weight of unspoken requests hung in the air, and Arthur's uneasy expression caught Lucas's attention.
"Do you know something, Arthur?" Lucas inquired, prompting a slow nod from the troubled landlord.
"What's the context?" Lucas probed further.
Arthur revealed the Red Moon Castle's invasion announcement and their demand for payment. Hiring cultivators and seeking reinforcements from other cities were their attempts to safeguard the city, but the unexpected scale of the threat—ten thousand bandits—left them in dire straits.
Lucas, with a serious demeanor, listened as Arthur implored, "Lucas, I'm not asking you to sacrifice your life, but I know that you're powerful. At least let my people be protected until they evacuate."
Felicity's immediate reaction was disdainful. "Shameless. You dare to ask even though this isn't our problem," she roared.
"Felicity, you don't need to act that way," Lucas responded, his expression unwavering.
"I know I can't pay for your help, but please, I am asking this as... your friend."
Arthur mustered the courage to seek Lucas's assistance, aware of the potential offense but driven by the need to secure the citizens' escape.
Pearl, observing her father's distress, could only pity the man who had been jovial moments before.
Felicity's glare at Arthur revealed the transformation in her personality since the betrayal. A month of realization and change fueled her frustration, finding the friend's request infuriating.
"Don't listen to them, Lucas. They would just hinder your progress. The rule of this world is for the strong to swallow the weak. So their weakness is not your problem," Felicity asserted.
Lucas, deep in thought, paid no heed to her words, contemplating a proper solution to the unfolding crisis.
"Tell me, Felicity. What's the highest cultivation these bandits have?"
Felicity, momentarily speechless, questioned Lucas's intentions.
With a dismissive snort, she responded, "Whatever. General Spirit Realm."
The revelation left father and daughter bewildered—such power seemed insurmountable. Additionally, the sheer number of ten thousand cultivators raised questions about their origin.
"I see... Don't worry, Felicity. This won't hinder my progress; instead, it will hasten it."
A skeptical expression crossed Felicity's face. "What do you mean?"
Lucas smiled before unveiling his plan. "I will absorb their energies, akin to creating a philosopher's stone in alchemy. This number is enough to propel me to the General Spirit Realm."
'And also, I can reach the peak of the General stage in my third energy. This will be an unlimited source.'