Chapter 355: Desperate Resistance

Chapter 355: Desperate Resistance

The Hengjue Mountain Range, stretching for thousands of miles, marks the boundary between the central and southern zones of the Northwestern Continent. Due to its rich resources, including numerous magical beasts and abundant medicinal herbs, many empires along this range have thrived, drawing heavily from its wealth.

However, these once-powerful empires now face catastrophe—a terror not even the combined might of many empires and forces can withstand. The Lion Ming Sect, like a swarm of locusts, leaves nothing but devastation in its wake, consuming all life as if it were mere crops.

The devastating news has sparked a mass exodus, with people fleeing even into the perilous Hengjue Mountains, filled with ferocious beasts. Crossing these mountains might be a near-certain death, but staying would mean facing certain annihilation at the hands of Lion Ming Sect.

Leading the escape is the Sky Snake Mansion and other central powers, who, realizing the futility of resistance against the overpowering Lion Ming Sect, have decided under Lüxin's leadership to move south and seek refuge with the Sky Alliance.

The Sky Alliance is located in the southwestern part of the Northwestern Continent, necessitating a perilous journey across the Hengjue Mountains. Amidst this treacherous landscape, Lüxin wipes the sweat from his brow, looking back with a tense expression. The sky behind them seems tinged with blood.

"Are the Lion Ming Sect's forces still relentlessly pursuing us?" Lüxin asks, turning to the Thunder Sect's leader, Lei Qiao, who appears gravely injured and pale.

"Yes, damn Lion Ming Sect," Lei Qiao responds bitterly. "They toy with us like a cat with a mouse, keeping their distance yet swooping in occasionally to slaughter."

Lüxin's face is etched with worry. Their current situation is dire, resembling a helpless mouse under the cat's paw, their fates hanging on the whims of Lion Ming Sect. The sect might currently enjoy the thrill of the chase, but their lethal intent could manifest fully at any moment, like a ravenous wolf baring its fangs.

"I've already sent word to Xiao Ze, hoping nothing goes awry," Lüxin sighs deeply.

"I'm sick of being toyed with. If it comes to it, we'll fight Lion Ming Sect to the death!" Lei Qiao declares, looking towards the blood-streaked horizon, sensing their enemies mocking them from afar.

"No!" Lüxin counters, having previously explained the risks. "Lion Tian is likely prolonging this game because he feels humiliated by the recent sect conference and now seeks to return the favor. By maintaining our current approach and staying vigilant, we might minimize losses until Xiao Ze can send help."

"But as you know," he continues, "the cat plays with the mouse because it poses no real threat. If the mouse truly harms the cat, it faces nothing but the cat's sharp fangs."

"If Lion Ming Sect were to strike with full force, not just you and I, but many others would likely perish."

Heeding Lüxin's counsel, Lei Qiao clenches her fists, the tension palpable. She understands the gravity of the decision, knowing it could mean senseless death for many.

Eventually, she relaxes her fists, exhaling deeply, "I understand."

Meanwhile, outside the Hengjue Mountains, Lion Tian, his aura almost tangible with murderous intent, looks towards the mountains with a savage smile.

"Fancy daring to mock me with Xiao Ze at your back. I won't let you off easily. Feel the pressure of impending death and break," he muses.

At this moment, Yunshan, standing beside him, interjects respectfully, "Sect Master Lion, perhaps it's time to end this cat and mouse game. They've reached the Hengjue Mountains, and any further south lies the Sky Alliance's territory. We wouldn't want any unforeseen incidents."

"Hmm? What are you implying, Yunshan? Do you think I can't handle Xiao Ze?" Lion Tian glares at him, his aura flaring up, causing even Yunshan to catch his breath.

Despite Yunshan's longer practice with the soul-devouring technique and his own advancements, he still falls significantly short of Lion Tian's madness-fueled power surge.

"Please consider carefully, Sect Master Lion. We're nearing the Sky Alliance's domain," Yunshan presses, biting back his fear. "Your strength has increased rapidly, but Xiao Ze is capable of holding his ground against you. If the prey escapes now, the regret will be unbearable."

Contemplating this, Lion Tian's face darkens with the possibility of his plans unraveling.

"Enough," he decides. "The game ends now. Let them taste true death."

Relieved by Lion Tian's decision, Yunshan exhales deeply. Engulfing the Sky Snake Mansion and Thunder Sect would indeed bolster Lion Ming Sect's strength, better preparing them for a confrontation with Xiao Ze's Sky Alliance.

Despite not having faced Xiao Ze directly, Yunshan is unnerved by his reputation for effortlessly crushing any opposition since his return to the Northwestern Continent.

"Members of Lion Ming Sect, hear my command," Lion Tian bellows, his voice fueling their fervor. "Kill all before you, hunt to your heart's content!"

With a chorus of manic affirmatives, a surge of crimson energy ripples across the landscape as the sect members descend on the Hengjue Mountains like ravenous wolves.

As Lüxin and Lei Qiao feel the distant tremors of battle, their faces blanch, sensing the impending storm. Gritting his teeth, Lüxin rallies his comrades.

"If you have any fighting spirit left, if you refuse to be devoured by these monsters, take up arms and fight!"

In what might be their final stand, Lüxin, always a strategist, chooses to fight back with all his might. For if he must die, he refuses to be prey to those monsters.

(End of chapter)

Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.

You can also buy the book if you are only interested in reading the novel.