80: Chapter 80 Crackdown on Cults! Operation Begins!

"Where are those cultists?"

Lin Wei stepped forward quickly, asking with concern.

Jiang Yun calmed the somewhat churning blood and Qi within his body.

Pointing at the pile of ashes and the charred pit in the distance, his tone was calm: "Thanks for the concern, Sister Lin Wei, I'm fine. That Cult Protector and his Vicious Beast have already been dealt with."

"De... dealt with?"

A steady middle-aged man nearby, dressed in the uniform of a City Defense Team captain, had a flash of astonishment in his eyes upon hearing this.

He carefully sensed the residual energy fluctuations at the scene; although the tyrannical Aura belonging to a Bronze Rank Nine Peak Vicious Beast was dissipating, it still made his heart palpitate.

Yet the young man before him only had slightly disordered breathing.

He had actually resolved such a powerful enemy alone?

It seemed what those students outside said—that Jiang Yun possessed a Bronze Rank Seven beast and turned the tide—was indeed true.

Seeing this, Lin Wei walked up to the leading middle-aged man.

She very enthusiastically introduced them to Jiang Yun:

"Jiang Yun, these are the Captains of our City Defense Team. This is Lin Hai, captain of the First Battalion; this is Zhang Meng, captain of the second; Wang Hai, captain of the third; and Zhao Qian, captain of the fourth."

Jiang Yun's gaze swept across the four men.

Finally, it landed on Lin Hai, the leader.

This man had a square face, eyes as sharp as an eagle's, a tall and straight posture, and naturally carried a blood-and-iron Aura from long years on the battlefield.

However, his features seemed somewhat similar to Lin Wei's.

His heart stirred slightly; Lin Hai, Lin Wei?

Both surnamed Lin—could they be related?

Lin Hai seemed to see the fleeting doubt in Jiang Yun's eyes.

He laughed heartily and spoke up: "Student Jiang Yun, remaining calm in the face of danger, saving so many classmates single-handedly, and even killing a Cult Protector alone—a hero comes from the youth, I, Lin, am impressed!"

His tone was sincere, with unconcealed admiration: "My name is Lin Hai, I am Lin Wei's Elder brother. I know about you saving my sister back then, and I'm here to express my gratitude."

Jiang Yun suddenly understood.

So they were siblings.

He then smiled and said: "Captain Lin! You're too polite, it was just a small effort."

Lin Hai smiled and did not continue that topic.

Instead, he changed the subject:

"Student Jiang Yun, the situation is urgent now, so I won't waste time on pleasantries. Our first mission was to come and rescue you, but another task is to clear out the cult members and take back the cult stronghold. Here, only you have fought that Protector; did you find any clues about the cult's stronghold?"

Jiang Yun pondered for a moment upon hearing this.

He decided to share the information provided by the Nine-Tailed Fox but concealed the source.

Pointing toward the southwest of the Core Area, he said solemnly:

"Captain Lin, I learned from the mouths of those cult members and the Cult Protector that their stronghold seems to be near an altar about ten miles southwest of the Core Area."

He didn't mention the magic core, nor did he mention Su Qingxue; he simply attributed the information to what he learned from the enemies.

At the moment, wiping out the cult was the primary task.

This information was crucial.

Lin Hai and the others' spirits were lifted!

With a clear direction, the operation could have progress and a goal.

"Good! Pass my order: everyone, target the Ancient Altar southwest of the Core Area! We must find the cult stronghold and wipe it out in one fell swoop!"

Lin Hai acted resolutely and immediately gave the order.

"Captain Lin, I want to go along!"

Jiang Yun immediately made the request.

Lin Hai frowned slightly and looked at Jiang Yun; although he appreciated his strength, the danger of this trip was unknown, so he hesitated.

Lin Wei also said worriedly: "Jiang Yun, your safety..."

Jiang Yun said no more and focused his thoughts.

"Roar!"

The extraordinary Fire Dragon Fish was summoned once again. Its powerful Bronze Rank Seven Aura, accompanied by a faint Dragon pressure, spread out. That solid flame power and the sense of oppression far exceeding its Rank made several experienced Captains feel shocked again.

"This Fire Dragon Fish... is so miraculous! It's definitely not a Common breed!"

Zhang Meng, captain of the Second Battalion, couldn't help but whisper.

Lin Wei's beautiful eyes widened even further.

A storm surged in her heart.

She had seen Jiang Yun's Fire Dragon Fish with her own eyes half a month ago; at that time, it was clearly only Bronze First Tier!

How much time had passed?

It had actually soared directly to Bronze Rank Seven?!

This speed of Cultivate was simply unheard of!

Even though she was mentally prepared, seeing it with her own eyes still brought an incredibly strong impact.

Seeing the Aura displayed by the Fire Dragon Fish.

The hesitation in Lin Hai's eyes vanished, replaced by a trace of decisiveness: "Good! Student Jiang Yun, stay close to the team, be careful, and look out for each other! Your strength can indeed become an important asset!"

Jiang Yun was delighted and nodded in agreement.

With the Gold Rank Three Lin Hai and several Silver Rank Captains traveling together, safety would undoubtedly increase greatly, and the chance of seizing the magic core would be higher.

However, just as the team was preparing to set out.

"Rumble—!!!"

An indescribable, terrifying energy fluctuation that seemed to originate from the world's Origin, like billions of thunderclaps exploding simultaneously, suddenly came from the sky over the inner part of the Misty Forest.

Everyone looked up in horror, only to see the clouds changing color in the far distance.

Half the sky was dyed in the deep, cold color of a starry sky, with countless ice crystals and starlight condensing into a giant beast phantom that circled and roared.

The other half of the sky was shrouded in dark red, blood-like Evil Qi and deathly gray energy.

A demon-god-like figure pieced together from countless skeletons loomed within it, emitting a Soul-freezing Aura of destruction.

Two completely different powers clashed, eroded, and annihilated each other wildly in the air!

Space distorted, and visible energy ripples spread out in circles like a tsunami, even from a great distance.

Jiang Yun and the others could also feel that world-destroying might, and the flow of spiritual energy in their bodies became sluggish!

"This... this is Amethyst-rank Experts fighting!"

Wang Hai, captain of the Third Battalion, said in a dry voice.

It was filled with shock.

"Could it be the Mayor and the others..."

Zhao Qian's face turned pale.

Just then.

A powerful Aura approached from afar, and a yellow light landed behind everyone, revealing a figure.

It was none other than Xiao Zhan, riding the Black Tortoise Dragon Turtle!

Xiao Zhan's face was solemn as he looked at the phenomenon in the distant sky and said in a deep voice: "An Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak Cult Elder has made a move, riding a mutated Soul-Eroding Demonic Skeleton Beast, intending to block the Mayor, Principal He, and the others from entering the forest's core. Old Li from the Beast Tamer Academy is joining forces with the Mayor, Principal He, Patriarch Su, and Principal Lei—the five of them are fighting it together!"

"What?! Five Amethyst-rank Experts against one person and one beast?!"

Lin Hai cried out in shock, and everyone else couldn't help but gasp, their faces filled with disbelief.

That Cult Elder's strength!

Was actually so terrifying?!

Everyone recovered from their shock.

They quickly bowed to Xiao Zhan, calling him Old Xiao.

Xiao Zhan waved his hand, his gaze sharp: "The cult's rebellion makes them the enemy of the Human Race; how could this old man sit idly by? I have come specifically to lend you all a hand in clearing out the cult stronghold!"

Lin Hai was overjoyed: "With Old Xiao joining us, this trip is sure to be a victory!"

Xiao Zhan nodded, and his gaze then fell on Jiang Yun. That gaze was deep, carrying scrutiny and also a hint of complexity: "You, must be Jiang Yun, right?"

Jiang Yun's heart skipped a beat.

From the reactions of Lin Hai and the others.

He had also guessed this Elder's identity.

It was likely the head of the Xiao Family.

The person known as the number one below amethyst rank.

However, Jiang Yun still cupped his hands and bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Junior Jiang Yun greets Old Xiao."

He was already prepared in his heart; if Xiao Zhan wanted to stand up for the Xiao Family Juniors like Xiao Ling and Xiao Yutian, he could only deal with it as it came.

To his surprise, however, Xiao Zhan looked at him for a moment and actually showed a hint of admiration on his face:

"Indeed, a hero comes from the youth, with extraordinary poise. You saved that boy Yutian; the Xiao Family will remember this favor. I have come today also to save you, which can be considered as returning that favor. From now on, the grievances between the Xiao Family and you are settled, how about it?"

Jiang Yun was slightly stunned, then understood.

This Xiao Zhan, who could be called the number one below amethyst rank, indeed had an extraordinary bearing and was not a protective or pedantic person.

He immediately nodded: "Old Xiao, you are too kind."

A satisfied look appeared on Xiao Zhan's face. He said no more and turned to Lin Hai, his Aura suddenly becoming sharp: "Captain Lin, since we already know the location of the cult stronghold from young friend Jiang Yun, there's no time to lose; delays lead to complications! Let the clearing operation begin!"

"Yes! Good!"

Lin Hai accepted the order solemnly and turned to shout: "All units, listen up! Target: the southwest altar. Advance at full speed!"

Immediately, led by Lin Hai and Xiao Zhan, the four Captains, Lin Wei, Jiang Yun, and dozens of elite City Defense Team members formed a powerful combat unit. Like an unsheathed sword, they galloped toward the southwest of the Core Area!

After traveling about seven or eight miles through the dense primeval forest, the terrain ahead gradually opened up.

Passing through an area of thick miasma.

The outline of an ancient and dilapidated circular altar, built from giant bluestones, suddenly appeared at the end of everyone's vision.

Around the altar, there were faint distorted shadows and ominous energy fluctuations.

Everyone looked toward the altar.

They saw many people from the Yuhai Cult surrounding and guarding that altar.

Jiang Yun's gaze was tightly locked onto that Ancient Altar emitting an ominous Aura.

He took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and a faint, imperceptible blue light quietly flowed deep within his pupils.

Manifestation of All Things Entries talent activated!

His vision instantly penetrated the thin black mist swirling around the altar, bypassed the patrolling cultists in black robes with hollow eyes and several mutated guardian Vicious Beasts emitting a foul stench, and landed directly on the very center of the altar.

There, it was not empty.

On a complex stand about half a person high, made of some dark metal, a dark red crystal about the size of a fist was quietly suspended.

Almost the instant his gaze touched that dark purple crystal.

A series of incredibly clear information streams appeared directly before Jiang Yun's eyes like an imprint.

[Name]: Ten Thousand Beast Origin Magic Core (Immature)

[Status]: Origin plundering at 87%, Origin energy highly compressed.

[Description]: An Origin crystal core condensed from the Aptitude Origin and life energy of thousands of Vicious Beasts and battle beasts. It contains extremely vast and mixed no attribute life Origin energy, but it is also filled with the residual resentment and chaotic consciousness of countless destroyed creatures.

[Enhancement]: This creation is in a highly unstable state, and the plundering process is nearing its end. Forcibly interrupting the ritual or improper contact can easily trigger a violent energy backlash or mental pollution.

[Special Tip]: It is determined that the total amount of pure Origin energy it contains is sufficient to meet the current stage evolution requirements for [Fire Dragon Fish] and [Wind Thunder Cloud Sparrow], and is expected to bring additional Rank upgrades... Seeing this information, Jiang Yun was overjoyed.

His eyes instantly became incredibly fervent, but even more so, they were solemn.

The data entries information confirmed the words of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

This magic core was indeed a huge Opportunity, enough for Little Fire and the Wind Thunder Cloud Sparrow to complete their first evolution!

It would even bring a huge improvement!