Ch. 729 - The Suspended Elder

As those thick liquids condensed into orbs, they shattered in an instant, and from within jumped out one imp after another.

“So this is how these imps are created,” Xu Zimo said with interest.

“These are Ghost Oak Trees. If the evil energy becomes dense enough, they can indeed produce imps,” the Seven-Face Infernal Archon said. “But the production speed shouldn’t be this fast. One imp after another continuously… it’s a bit strange.”

The three walked forward to investigate.

The Seven-Face Infernal Archon looked at the soil beneath them, thought for a moment, and then said, “No wonder. They’re using sacred soil to grow the Ghost Oak Trees. Quite the expense.”

Many spirit herbs and treasures require special environments to grow. Ordinary soil isn't enough to cultivate them.

So special soils like spirit or sacred soil exist.

This kind of soil is extremely rare and is usually reserved for growing divine herbs. No one would waste it on a practically meaningless tree like the Ghost Oak Tree.

Because of the sacred soil, each tree could produce one imp per minute.

“Let’s go have a look ahead,” Xu Zimo said.

The three walked through the forest of Ghost Oak Trees, heading straight forward.

Finally, a massive valley appeared before them.

The valley was vast and boundless, larger than any Xu Zimo had ever seen.

The valley floor was unfathomably deep, and only one kind of plant grew along its edges.

Blood-red Western King Flowers.

The night sky seemed to be retreating slightly, with the faint glow of dawn appearing in the east.

With the rising light, the imps’ attacks weakened. When full daylight arrived, the imps would stop appearing.

Just as Xu Zimo was about to explore the valley floor, the sound of battle came from behind the forest.

He saw Order City’s city lord Hu Yanzhuo arriving, accompanied by the wine-gourd man and the cold woman.

When Hu Yanzhuo saw Xu Zimo and his companions, he was clearly startled.

“I haven’t had the chance to thank you for your great help to Order City,” Hu Yanzhuo said, bowing deeply to Xu Zimo.

“Is everything settled over at Order City?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Dawn’s about to break. Those imps won’t be able to stir up any more trouble,” Hu Yanzhuo replied.

“I wanted to come here and take a look. Waiting endlessly like this will only lead to our eventual collapse. We won’t hold out forever.”

He then pointed to the two beside him and said, “Let me introduce, these two are the helpers I invited. Li Changtian and Miss Lu Ming’er.”

“Just call me Xu Zimo. These two are my friends. They’re not talkative,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“You’re heading into Western King Valley too?” Lu Ming'er asked calmly.

“Doesn’t hurt to see a bit more of the world,” Xu Zimo replied.

“Then let’s go together. We can watch each other’s backs,” said Li Changtian.

“I heard you’ve been here before?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I came alone once to investigate and ended up surrounded by a few Bull Demons. I had to abandon it,” said Hu Yanzhuo.

Xu Zimo gave him a deep look. He had a feeling Hu Yanzhuo was hiding something.

According to what the innkeeper had said, the demon invasion had lasted nearly a year already.

Did Hu Yanzhuo really do nothing in that time? And why did he fall out with Supreme Order? These details were curious.

Xu Zimo didn’t care to involve himself too deeply, but gaining more knowledge was never a bad thing.

Western King Valley had no real paths. Everyone had to step on the blood-red Western King Flowers to descend.

“What’s the story behind Western King Valley?” Xu Zimo asked midway.

Hu Yanzhuo hesitated slightly, then replied, “It’s related to someone called the Western King. Thousands of years ago, the Western King was a swordsmanship prodigy who emerged suddenly in the Ninelands Region. He once challenged all nine major forces alone with just a sword. But he later lost in the battle for Heaven’s Will and came to live out his days in this valley. Some say he buried himself at the bottom, which is where the name Western King Valley comes from, along with these Western King Flowers.”

“I see,” Xu Zimo nodded.

He still felt Hu Yanzhuo’s expression was unnatural when speaking of the Western King.

As they floated down, they also observed the valley, occasionally climbing down the cliff walls.

Halfway down, sharp cries suddenly echoed from below.

Giant eagles flew up from the valley depths.

These eagles were pure white and several times the size of ordinary eagles.

Feathers, white as blood, drifted down gently. Their beaks were sharp and greenish-blue.

“Essence-Devouring Eagles,” Lu Ming'er said seriously.

“This many Essence-Devouring Eagles makes me think of one person. The Suspended Elder,” Li Changtian said clearly.

There was no time for discussion. The eagles charged toward them.

Everyone’s aura erupted as they engaged the birds in battle.

“Hold back a bit,” Xu Zimo whispered to the two demons.

They nodded quickly, reining in their strength so they wouldn’t accidentally obliterate the birds in one strike.

Sharp eagle screeches and shouts echoed in the valley.

Hu Yanzhuo called out, “The Essence-Devouring Eagles’ weakness is in their wings. Destroy the wings, and they’re easier to kill!”

Everyone nodded in response.

“Frozen Lands,” Lu Ming'er said softly.

A burst of icy energy radiated from her body, sending a powerful cold wave through the valley.

In an instant, everything around her was frozen solid.

Ice spread throughout the valley, freezing all the Essence-Devouring Eagles in place.

“Finish it quickly. I can’t hold them long,” Lu Ming'er said pale-faced.

Clearly, the move had taken a toll on her.

“Watch this,” Li Changtian said, nodding.

He tossed his sword into the air, and in a flash, it split into thousands of blades.

A storm of sword energy hovered above.

“Swordburst Nebula!” he shouted.

Countless swords rained down like a tempest, carrying immense energy.

The frozen eagles were unable to dodge and were pierced through, heads, wings, all run through.

As the ice melted, their corpses fell from the sky amid painful screeches.

“Would you all be willing to come down with me and destroy this Suspended Elder?” Hu Yanzhuo asked.

“If we succeed, once Order City is liberated, I, Hu Yanzhuo, will share all my family's business in Order City equally with you.”

Upon hearing this, Li Changtian and Lu Ming'er exchanged glances.

Order City was the largest in the Supreme Order Territory, one of the nine great cities.

The Hu Clan had long controlled Order City, and their businesses spanned the entire city.

It was hard to imagine just how vast that fortune would be.

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