72: Conscription Order

Lin Feng frowned slightly and pointed his finger. The sound transmission Talisman shattered, transforming into lines of urgent, spiritual energy-condensed text and a brief image:

"Star Luo Order: All Cultivators in the Eastern Sea Region listen! The Bei Ming Magic Sect is rampant, and the beast tide is pressing. In this time of crisis, the Star Luo Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion jointly issue a conscription order! All Cultivators above Foundation Establishment, quickly gather at 'Raging Wave City' to jointly resist the demonic disaster and beast tide! Those who disobey will be regarded as spies of the demonic Sect and killed without mercy!" — Jointly issued by the Elder Councils of Star Luo Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion."

In the image, it was the huge square of Raging Wave City, where countless Cultivators gathered with solemn expressions. Several Purple Mansion Cultivators with profound auras floated in the air, loudly proclaiming something.

The sky in the background of the scene was overcast, with huge demonic shadows and beast-like outlines vaguely rolling in the clouds, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.

At the same time, outside the Immortal Cave, the originally orderly market faintly echoed with even greater clamor, mixed with exclamations, discussions, and a premonition of impending storm.

Lin Feng silently pushed open the stone door of his Immortal Cave.

The outside light poured in, bringing with it clearer noise. He

saw that on the market streets, the flow of people was several times denser than a year ago, and most were hurrying, their faces filled with worry and fear.

In many places, conspicuous notices were posted, the content being that very "Star Luo Order." Some Cultivators dressed in Azure Sea Pavilion attire were loudly lecturing, mobilizing Loose Cultivators to respond to the conscription. The air was filled with the strong scent of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, and Magical Artifacts being bought and sold, as well as a sense of solemnity and unease that a great war was imminent.

"Conscription Order... Raging Wave City..." Lin Feng's gaze turned towards the northeast, which was the core of the Eastern Sea Region and also the center of the storm.

After a year of secluded cultivation, the outside world had already undergone tremendous changes.

The great ship of the Eastern Sea Region, under the double impact of the demonic disaster and beast tide, had completely fallen into tumultuous waves.

He stood at the entrance of his Immortal Cave, the sea breeze rustling his robes, his dark golden skin gleaming with a restrained luster under the sunlight.

Beneath the calm surface lay surging power and deeper contemplation. The path ahead: to be swept into this monstrous wave, or... to seek another way?

The slight creak of the Immortal Cave's stone door opening was almost inaudible amidst the background noise of the bustling market.

Lin Feng stepped out, his dark golden skin shimmering with a restrained yet powerful luster under the midday sun. The sense of strength brought by a year of diligent cultivation of the Ming Wang Purgatory Skill surged through his bones and muscles.

He was about to blend into the street's crowd, which was denser and more agitated than a year ago, to retrieve the custom-made flying boat from the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, when three figures, like specters, silently blocked his path.

The newcomers were all dressed in dark blue tight-fitting uniforms, with an emblem woven from stars and sea waves embroidered on their chests—the symbol of the Eastern Sea Region's Enforcement Hall.

The leader's face was as hard as rock, his aura had impressively reached the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and his gaze, like an eagle's, locked onto Lin Feng.

The two behind him were also Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, their eyes sharp, their positions subtly blocking all of Lin Feng's escape routes.

A chilling and oppressive aura instantly spread, and the surrounding Cultivators, who had been noisy, instantly fell silent as if their throats were choked, retreating one after another, their eyes filled with awe and sympathy.

"Lin Jiu?" The leading enforcement Cultivator's voice was cold and emotionless, not a question, but a confirmation.

In his hand, he held a Jade Slip, on which spiritual light flickered, reflecting a blurry image of Lin Feng when he registered at the "Listening Wave Pavilion" a year ago.

Lin Feng's heart sank, but his face remained calm: "It is I. May I ask what instructions you, Your Excellencies, have?"

"Instructions?" The cold-faced Cultivator's lips curved into a humorless arc as he raised a silver bracelet engraved with complex star patterns.

"By the 'Star Luo Order' jointly issued by the Star Luo Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion, all Cultivators above Foundation Establishment in the Eastern Sea Region are conscripted to jointly resist the demonic disaster and beast tide! Since Your Excellency is among those conscripted, immediately follow us to Guiyuan Island for assembly! This is a 'Star-Fixing Bracelet,' wear it for easy contact and positioning. Those who disobey will be considered spies of the demonic Sect and killed without mercy!"

Before he finished speaking, one of the enforcement Cultivators behind him had already stepped forward, activating a spell with his hand. With a "click," the silver bracelet automatically flew up and accurately fastened itself onto Lin Feng's left wrist.

The bracelet felt slightly cool against his skin, instantly contracting to fit tightly. A subtle sense of restraint emanated from it; although it didn't restrict movement or the circulation of spiritual energy, it felt like a cold venomous snake coiling around his wrist, clearly conveying a sense of being monitored and bound.

At the same time, Lin Feng also felt a faint but indelible Divine Soul imprint branded upon it.

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, his blood Qi instinctively surged within him, the power brought by the Ming Wang Purgatory Skill almost bursting forth to shatter this restraint! But he forcibly suppressed this impulse.

Resist?

In this heavily guarded market, facing three enforcement Cultivators, especially when they represented the will of the two great Nascent Soul Sects of the Eastern Sea Region, it was tantamount to seeking death!

More importantly, once labeled a rebel, not only would he be in danger, but the Lin family, far away in the West Flow Sea Region and already precarious, would likely be implicated!

"I obey the order." Lin Feng's voice was low, betraying no emotion.

"Only the wise submit to circumstances." The cold-faced Cultivator seemed satisfied with Lin Feng's compliance, or perhaps indifferent. "Follow me, the teleportation Formation will open immediately."

Without unnecessary words, the three enforcement Cultivators turned and left, and Lin Feng silently followed.

They passed through the anxious streets and arrived at a large teleportation hall built from massive coral reefs at the core of the market. The hall was heavily guarded, the atmosphere solemn, and several teleportation Formations flickered with stable spiritual light.

Lin Feng was led to one of the Formations marked "Guiyuan Island."

"Step in," the cold-faced Cultivator commanded.

Lin Feng entered the Formation.

A buzzing sound arose, and blinding white light instantly engulfed his vision, followed by a strong sensation of spatial tearing.

Moments later, the light dissipated, and the feeling of solid ground returned. A surge of Spiritual Qi, far richer and purer than that of the Sea Snake Market, yet mixed with a sense of solemnity, bloodiness, and countless other chaotic auras, washed over him. His ears were instantly overwhelmed by a clamor like a mountain roaring and a sea raging!

Guiyuan Island!

The second largest island in the Eastern Sea Region, and now the most important rear hub and troop assembly point for resisting the demonic disaster and beast tide!

Before him was an unimaginably vast bluestone square. As far as the eye could see, people swarmed, dense as migrating schools of sardines!

Countless Cultivators, dressed in various attires, were either alone, in groups of three or five, or arranged in square Formations. Their auras varied in strength, from the Late Stage of Qi Condensation to the Peak of Foundation Establishment, and occasionally, one could even sense the profound, sea-like Divine Sense of Purple Mansion Cultivators sweeping across the entire area.

The air was filled with the smell of sweat, Medicinal Pills, sea salt, the cold scent of metal, and a complex mixture of fear, excitement, numbness, and determination, indicating that a great battle was imminent.

"Quick! Alpha Company Three, gather over here!"

"Healing Medicinal Pills! High Grade Rejuvenation Pills, bulk discount! Last three bottles!"

"Seeking Formation Masters! Those proficient in the Three Talents Confinement and Killing Formation preferred! Excellent compensation!"

"Brother, forming a team? We took a mission to investigate 'Black Wind Gorge,' still need a strong hand!"

"Did you hear? Raging Wave City repelled another wave of demonic brats yesterday, but three Senior Purple Mansion Cultivators fell!"

"Damn it, when will these hellish days end..."

"For the Sect! For the Sea Region! Kill all the demonic brats!"

...