The Reunion of friends

Chapter 79

Swoosh!

Dashing shadowy figures can be seen flying atop the lush trees as if they are the winds coming from the east. The long journey back has taken a toll at their stamina and energy but with the use of the gears on their body, they were able to persevere.

Shin Jiao and his group are now approaching the underground base near the town. A few miles from the base, they created a lot of array formations which would hinder the progress of the beast. On their way, they noticed that a lot of low leveled beast has already fallen in the traps and died. Some had entered the illusion array and is now trapped inside. Upon seeing this Shin Jiao just gave a wry smile and shook his head.

He already expected this as Shin Jiao created many huge array formation that would trap hundreds and thousands of beasts. His only hope is that no cultivators would go on their side, but that would be a pipe dream as right now as he approaches the base he noticed something.

"Sheesh, I didn't expect that there are cultivators that would fall for the illusion array in here." Shin Jiao thought as he saw a large number of cultivators who are trapped and is blindly walking and flying around.

Then with a wave of his hand a small object flew to his hand, this small fist size object is composed of a beast core surrounded by a silver metal casing, this is the power source of the array. Unlike conventional arrays using natural energies and spiritual stones, Shin Jiao's array uses technology-enhanced power cores which would boost an array many times stronger and would last longer than normal ones.

"What… what happened to the trap?" A cultivator suddenly asks when he noticed that the illusion is now gone and they were able to clearly see the forest.

"Did the elder break the array?"

"I don't think so… Look! He is also as clueless as we are."

The discussion between the cultivators because of their confusion began to increase. Then they noticed a man wearing a long black cloak standing not far from them.

"Who are you?" shouted a cultivator which made all of the cultivators quiet down and became cautious.

Seeing this Shin Jiao raised his hand to stop everyone from talking. Which made everyone in the area feel confused. But before they can react, Shin Jiao threw something to the elder looking guy. When the cultivator received it his eyes brighten up.

"This…" the elder lifted his head to look at Shin Jiao but he noticed that he is already gone.

The cultivators upon seeing the map on the elder's hand were scared and astonished at the same time. They never would have expected that there are massive arrays in this part of the forest. Then the elder immediately recorded the map in a jade slip and distribute it to other cultivators. The group decided to follow the map to go out of this part of the forest.

All of them understood that the traps laid in there are for the beast tide, and they were the unlucky ones who accidentally fell on it. But with the map, they are now aware that there is a part of the forest that is not to be trifled with.

But everyone didn't notice that Shin Jiao at that time is emitting no cultivation aura if they found out then it would cause a greater commotion among the cultivator factions.

…

Meanwhile as the fight between the tiger-like beast and World Nascent cultivators continues, the beast tide became sluggish in their advance.

Many of the beasts are now uncontrollable and are rampaging on the battlefield killing both cultivators and their kind alike. The remaining level 5 beast kings had no other choice, so they emitted their pressure and pushed the rampaging beast forward without any control anymore. Upon seeing this, the cultivators decided to withdraw from the fight and reassemble themselves at the final line of defense.

Then all of a sudden three silhouettes was thrown down like a comet towards the beast tide army, making three large craters after the loud explosion and killing hundreds of beast. Floating on the air are four figures, the beast Fen Hu, and the three world nascent cultivators.

"Keke… It seems that you three are wounded. This is not fun anymore… Since you have defeated my scale clones, I'll let you three go this time… I'll slaughter the town and kill all humans in there of course along with you three, Keke…" the beast Fen Hu said as its whole body was suddenly covered in black mist and like a ghost flew towards the beast tide army.

Seeing their enemy retreating, the three wounded cultivators heave a sigh of relief.

"It seems that if we can't still defeat that beast the town of Dis would fall…" Shanguan Lao said with a heavy heart.

Deep inside he is a bit unwilling to face the defeat, and he is also unwilling to retreat as his actual purpose in going to this place is to look for a rare fruit in the swamp which he really needs for his cultivation to be able to advance to the next stage. But since the swamp is already gone and the rare fruit's location is now unknown, his next goal is to find the plant essence. The plant essence would greatly boost his potential and strengthen his power.

The two cultivators are also a little bit depressed as they didn't expect that the beast is very powerful. When they experience the beast tide caused by the black dragon last time, they felt the same thing. It only means that the Beast leader is as strong as the black dragon from before. But what the current beast leader lacks is the firepower. Unlike the black dragon that was able to destroy the town of Haven in half, this tiger-like beast relies on technique and sneak attacks.

"Seniors do you have any idea on how we can defeat that bastard?" Shanguan Lao asked.

"Umm… There might be another way. But we need the help of many array formation experts." Zhao Long said after thinking for a while.

"We have to make a huge trap for that beast and restrain his movements." Taili Xi added as if reading the mind of his partner.

"Let's head back and prepare for the final battle tomorrow. Our wounds are not light and we have to find a way to heal these troublesome wounds caused by its claws." Zhao Long said as he turns around and flew towards the direction of the town of Dis.

They know that if they could not heal their wounds, they don't have a choice but to escape and fight another day. Which actually what they decided as they didn't want to sacrifice their own lives for the small town.

Shanguan Lao followed the two but he turns his head around and looks at the beast tide who once again slowly marched forward.

Now in the last line of defense, everyone is on tenterhooks after learning what had happened with the advance teams. But this time the number of cultivators in the last line of defense is twice the number of the advance team, so they are a little confident on facing the beast tide.

The night is dark and everyone has a gloomy face, as the number of deaths of the cultivators in the advance team as too numerous. Sometimes sobbing and crying can be heard every now and then among the cultivator groups.

At this time of the night, two figures can be seen sneakily entering the forest where there are no cultivators posted, the two figures are Qin Lou and Susu Ling. As the two protectors of Qin Lou are recuperating from their wounds, she decided to investigate the area where it is said to be rigged with array formation of many kinds.

"Sister Qin, are you sure that it is him?" Susu Ling asked as she rushed beside Qin Lou.

"Yes, I'm sure…" Qin Lou just said with anxiousness in her eyes.

"I also heard from the town today about this area. I also can't believe that a master in formation is present in the town. I thought it was Master Ju, but I learned that Master Ju was summoned back to the palace by the Emperor… But… Why do you think that this is Shin Jiao's doing?" Susu Ling said.

"I'm not sure actually… it's just a hunch." Qin Lou answered.

"Hmmm… what's that?" Susu Ling suddenly noticed something flickering.

Then they immediately ran to hide behind a tree.

Then three figures appear no too far from where there stood. There are three young women holding some weird lamps walking down a path. The young women are mortals who happily laugh while they are walking.

Then Qin Lou and Susu Ling heard what they are talking about.

"Hey, did you see the newly arrive, people, today?"

"Yeah, Elder Wan Bing picked 20 of them to be Shadow Guards. I wish I could join the Shadow Guards. Their life is so amazing, going hunting and training with master… I want to train with master too!"

"Well, that's true but Elder Wan Bing said that we don't have the ability to control mana or something. So we can just be workers in the field."

"Sigh… Well, I think one of the new recruits is cute… hihi…"

"Oh, I like the other one with his bulky muscles."

"Whatever, they are still mortals like us. I like master and the husband of Phoenix, they are cultivators."

"Che, you didn't know? Those who are chosen as a Shadow Guards would not be mere mortals anymore… You two just keep it a secret okay. But I heard that the first five, especially Phoenix is already high enough to rival a cultivator in the spirit refining realm."

"What? That's… Oh… I really envy them now…"

As the three girls chatted, Qin Lou and Susu Ling's expression changed as they listened while hiding behind a tree. They never would have thought that they would discover the other faction that the elders in the town discussed, and the secret that faction hides.

"Sister Qin, we have to tell this to the town. I think Shin Jiao does not belong to this group." Susu Ling whispered.

"You two! Get out from behind the tree slowly or I will open fire!" a woman's voice calmly said.

Qin Lou and Susu Ling had a disbelieving look on their faces. They didn't know how they were discovered, as the other party is just a group of mortal girls.

Ping!

A short that goes through the thick tree trunk made Qin Lou and Susu Ling jump in fright. Then Qin Lou scanned her spiritual sense and discovers a woman standing a little distance from where they are. What made her heart thump in anticipation is the thing that the woman is holding. It is an artifact that she had seen before.

Both Qin Lou and Susu Ling look at each other in the eyes and immediately understood each other's thought and what seems to be going on. Then the walk slowly out from behind the tree. When the three women saw this they feel scared and ran back behind the woman holding the gun.

"What are cultivators doing in this area? We have already given you a warning, right?" the woman stern voice said.

"Hey, you!.." Susu Ling wanted to lash out as she felt that the woman is too arrogant.

But she was stopped by Qin Lou who stepped forward and cupped her hands.

"This is just a misunderstanding… We mean you no harm sister." Qin Lou said.

"We are just looking for someone, a young man. He is a dear friend of ours and he also wields the same artifact just like what you are holding." Qin Lou added while pointing at the artifact on the woman's hand.

"An artifact? Oh, you mean this gun?" the woman asked.

Then Qin Lou now noticed the woman's peculiarity, as she stood there her body seems to be supported by a thin frame and a helmet-like thing is on her head, but her eyes are covered by something like what Shin Jiao always wears. With this, her conjecture becomes stronger as she knew that this woman is part of Shin Jiao's group.

"Hmmm… wait a minute. Stay there and don't move, if you do don't blame me for being impolite." The woman said.

"Base this is Qilin, over…" the woman said who seems to be talking to someone.

"I have two women intruders here. They seem to be familiar with our gears and they are looking for a young man who seems to be their friend. Please instruct the next action."

"Roger that. I'll escort them then." Qilin said on her headgear as she looks at Qin Lou and Susu Ling.

"What are your names?" Qilin suddenly asked.

"I'm Susu Ling and she is the famous alchemist Qin Lou." Susu Ling quickly answered with a smug look on her face.

"Alright, please follow us," Qilin said as she turns around and walks to the path.

"You three should go back to the farm now, I can see that the path is clear. I'll just escort them to the base." Qilin said to the three girls.

Not long later, Qilin guides the two women through a path that seems to be hidden by a formation. Then not long later they arrive in a door. Qilin then pushes something and waited for a while.

"Hey, what are we waiting for?" Susu Ling asked as she became a little impatient.

But Qilin didn't answer and just stood there like a statue. Qin Lou spreads her spiritual sense, but she was dumbfounded. It seems that her spiritual sense doesn't work in this place. Even Susu Ling had a surprised look on her face.

Then not long later they heard a sound.

Ding!

"What's that?" Susu Ling blurted out.

The door in front of them slowly opened and they discover a small room inside. Qilin immediately walks in and turns to look at the two beautiful women who had a look of reluctance on their faces.

"Well, get in! We don't have all day!" Qilin suddenly said in annoyance.

Without a choice, Qin Lou and Susu Ling walk inside the small room. Then they suddenly feel the room falling down. Qin Lou and Susu Ling activated their aura to protect them from the fall. When Qilin felt this, she glanced beside her and just shook her head.

"Sheesh… they truly are ignorant when it comes to technology." Qilin thought to herself as she smirked.

Seeing the smirk on her mouth Susu Ling wanted to lash out and punch the mortal woman. But Qin Lou is holding her hand to calm her down.

Ding!

Not long later the door opens and then they saw a familiar face standing not far from them. Qin Lou's eyes suddenly and her eyes began to be filled with tears. The feeling of being left and having left someone immediately filled her heart. She didn't know what to do as all she can think of right now is his handsome face looking at her with his warm smile.

Qin Lou slowly walks toward Shin Jiao seemingly in a dazed without minding the dumbfounded look on everyone's face. The people around them didn't expect that there would be two women who look like cultivators coming in this place.

Qin Lou just buried her face in Shin Jiao's chest and cried her heart out feeling aggrieved.