786: Meeting an old friend again

"Immortal Master Yao!" That Golden Core general named Tieshan hurriedly came forward, so excited that he was incoherent. "You... it's wonderful that you could come! The City Lord and the other lords are currently in the City Lord's Manor discussing the next defensive deployment! Please follow me, I will take you there!"

Yao Delong's gaze swept over the exhausted and wounded defenders on the city wall, whose eyes reignited with hope because of his arrival. He nodded slightly, "Mhm. Lead the way."

Under Tieshan's extremely respectful guidance, Yao Delong walked with his hands behind his back, with Qiong Shuang following closely behind.

Wherever the two passed, all the soldiers on the wall, whether fighting or resting, subconsciously stopped their actions and watched that tall figure with awe and fervor.

Yao Delong!

To the veterans of Biqiu City who had experienced that tragic Beast Tide, this name meant—the undefeated God of War! The symbol of hope!

His return was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly injected into this city that was nearing its limit!

Under Tieshan's almost fanatical worship, Yao Delong and Qiong Shuang walked through the streets, which were tense but had gained a trace of confidence due to his arrival, towards the City Lord's Manor in the center of the city, the symbol of supreme command.

The closer he got to the grand and solemn meeting hall, Yao Delong's keen Divine Thought captured several familiar auras.

Mu Long! That steady and heavy aura carried a faint sense of blockage in the Meridians of his left arm.

Liu Tiezhu! Still as tough and reliable as a rock.

Han Tianzheng! The aura of the City Lord of Biqiu City carried deep exhaustion and worry.

And one more... blazing like fire, sharp and exposed! The corners of Yao Delong's mouth curled up slightly; it was the Peak Master of Chiyan Peak—Senior Martial Uncle Ji Yanshuang! She was also here presiding over the situation!

When Tieshan respectfully pushed open the heavy doors of the meeting hall and led Yao Delong inside, the hall, which had been filled with a heavy atmosphere, instantly fell silent!

Everyone's gaze focused simultaneously on the tall, pine-like figure at the door!

"Benefactor Yao?!" Mu Long stood up abruptly, his face instantly filled with unbelievable surprise!

He strode forward to meet him, "You... you actually came to Biqiu City?!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement. Liu Tiezhu followed closely behind, cupping his fists deeply to Yao Delong, his eyes full of gratitude and awe.

Yao Delong remained composed, nodding slightly to Mu Long and Liu Tiezhu: "City Lord Mu, Uncle Liu, I hope you have been well." His gaze then swept across the hall.

At this moment, the person sitting in the main seat of the hall was precisely that fiery-figured and powerful Peak Master of Chiyan Peak, Ji Yanshuang!

She was dressed in a fiery red, tight-fitting Daoist robe that outlined her breathtakingly proud curves. Her long hair fell over her shoulders like burning flames, and her beautiful face was originally locked in deep gravity and worry.

When she saw clearly that it was Yao Delong who had entered, her tightly knit brows instantly smoothed out, and her eyes, which were like frozen lava, suddenly burst with dazzling brilliance! A scorching aura seemed to become a bit more active along with it!

"Delong?!" Ji Yanshuang's voice carried a hint of surprise, but even more so, the joy of relief. "Why are you here? Could it be... the Sect sent you to support us?!" Her tone was urgent and full of expectation.

Yao Delong cupped his fists and bowed to this Senior Martial Uncle, his voice calm: "Senior Martial Uncle Ji, it was not the Sect's deployment. This Disciple passed through White Cloud City and heard that Biqiu City was facing a great disaster. Since I have old friends here, I came to see if I could offer a little help."

Han Tianzheng, who was seated below Ji Yanshuang, hurriedly stood up upon hearing this and gave Yao Delong a deep bow, almost reaching the ground! His voice carried inexpressible gratitude:

"Benefactor Yao! You were already my life-saver! During the last catastrophe of Biqiu City, it was thanks to you turning the tide! Now... now that the Beast Tide has risen again, I have troubled you to deign to come once more... Speaking of which, as this City Lord, I am truly... truly ashamed beyond words!" This iron-blooded City Lord actually had faint tears shimmering in his eyes at this moment.

Yao Delong raised his hand slightly, and a gentle force lifted Han Tianzheng up: "City Lord Han, you overstate it. The Yao Race's movements this time are of a strange scale and must have a plot. This is not the responsibility of the City Lord alone." His gaze turned to Ji Yanshuang, getting straight to the point: "Senior Martial Uncle Ji, I wonder how the battle stands at present?"

Ji Yanshuang took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in her heart, and her expression became solemn again: "The situation is very bad! Behind this Beast Tide, there is a true Yao King presiding over and commanding! Dozens of small cities and towns in the surrounding area are also being subjected to fierce attacks of varying degrees at the same time. The reinforcements from the Moyang Sect and the Ba Xia Dynasty have been forced to scatter everywhere, exhausted from the constant travel!"

She stood up and pointed outside the hall, her tone carrying a hint of irritation and confusion: "The most bizarre thing is that over the past month, the Beast Tide has launched several extremely fierce attacks, and our defensive forces have been heavily consumed, but the Yao King presiding in the rear has never appeared! It's as if... it's waiting for something!"

"A Yao King presiding..." Yao Delong nodded thoughtfully, a cold light flashing through his eyes. This was definitely no ordinary Beast Tide!

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall: Ji Yanshuang, Han Tianzheng, Mu Long, Liu Tiezhu, and several Nascent Soul generals sent by the Ba Xia Dynasty. The lowest was the Nascent Soul Realm, which could be considered the core strength of Biqiu City.

Yao Delong pondered for a moment and then cupped his fists to Ji Yanshuang: "Senior Martial Uncle Ji, please continue to preside over the next defensive deployment. If the Beast Tide rises again..."

His tone was flat, yet it carried a kind of powerful confidence that put people at ease: "This Disciple will simply take action. At that time, I will naturally draw out that Yao King who is hiding its head and showing its tail behind the scenes."

As soon as these words were spoken, the sound of people gasping in cold air instantly filled the hall!

That was a Yao King comparable to the Void Refining Realm!

However, Ji Yanshuang's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, and her face instantly blossomed with unhidden surprise and trust!

"Good! Good! Good!" She said the word 'good' three times, flames dancing in her eyes. "That is excellent! I was previously hesitant to go to the front lines to investigate with all my strength because I was wary of that Yao King in the shadows and couldn't gauge its depth! Now that I have your word, Delong, this Senior Martial Uncle can rest easy!"

She knew all too well how much of a Prodigy this martial nephew of hers was! Back then, in the Spirit Transformation Realm, he dared to clash head-on with a Void Refining expert!

Now that he himself had stepped into the Void Refining Realm, his combat power was so terrifying that it was simply immeasurable! Dealing with an ordinary Yao King? It would be a piece of cake!

In the time that followed, Ji Yanshuang acted with thunderous efficiency, quickly adjusting and arranging the detailed plan for the next wave of the Beast Tide, with everyone performing their duties in an orderly manner. Because they had Yao Delong, this stabilizing force, the originally oppressive and hopeless emotions were swept away, and morale soared!

After the meeting ended, Ji Yanshuang was about to step forward to catch up with Yao Delong and ask about the Sect's affairs.

Just then.

A gentle voice, like an orchid in a secluded valley or the sound of a clear spring, rang out:

"Benefactor Yao..."

Everyone looked towards the source of the sound.

At the side door of the meeting hall, a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in goose-yellow martial attire was walking gracefully towards them.

She was tall and well-proportioned, with an exquisitely clear face like finely carved white jade.

Her willow-like eyebrows were curved, and her eyes were as clear as water, carrying the gentle and quiet temperament unique to a young lady from a prestigious family. She seemed out of place in this murderous battlefield, yet strangely brought a sense of tranquil strength. She was precisely the jewel in the palm of City Lord Han Tianzheng—Han Ruyi.