163: Chapter 163 First Victory: The Purification Battle of the Spirit Devouring Stronghold in Zhongnan Mountain

Section 1: Pre-battle Reconnaissance: The Tacit Cooperation of Flowing Cloud Qi and Pyramid Qi Energy

The morning after the celebration banquet at Taiji Villa, the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces' 'First Battle Reconnaissance Squad' was ready to depart. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng was dressed in a plain white Taoist robe, a bamboo sword slung across his waist alongside a specially made 'Flowing Cloud Qi Energy Recording Talisman' capable of mapping the stronghold's terrain and Qi Energy distribution in real-time. Amir wore Anti-Spirit-Devourer Alloy Light Armor and carried a Qi Energy reconnaissance device. In his hand, he held a 'Qi Energy Sensing Staff' specially made by the Pyramid traditional martial arts Team; the gem at the tip could change color based on the concentration of Spirit-Devouring Energy, ranging from pale green to deep black, corresponding to five Ranks from safe to dangerous.

"According to intelligence provided by the Technical Department, the first Spirit-Devourer stronghold on Zhongnan Mountain is hidden in 'Black Wind Valley.' It was originally a training ground for ancient martial arts sects but was occupied by the Spirit-Devouring Organization three years ago and converted into a 'Spirit-Devouring Energy Production Stronghold,'" Zhang Qiming synchronized the intelligence via a Qi Energy communicator. "Satellite monitoring shows three layers of Puppet defense lines on the periphery and an 'Artificial Qi Energy Generator' in the core area. It is the same type of core equipment used by the previous Dark Qi Messenger and requires the Origin Qi Energy of the fusion jade to be completely destroyed."

The reconnaissance squad took 'Qi Energy Gliders' to Black Wind Valley—equipment customized by the Technical Department for the Allied Forces. The wing surfaces shimmered with a pale silver anti-Spirit-Devourer luster, allowing them to glide using Leyline Qi Energy with extremely low noise, making them difficult for Puppets to detect. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng controlled the glider, adjusting direction with the valley's air currents. Pale white Flowing Cloud Qi entwined the wing surfaces like silk threads, enhancing gliding stability while shielding the squad's Qi Energy fluctuations to avoid detection by the stronghold's Qi Energy detectors.

"The entrance to Black Wind Valley is ahead!" Amir lowered his voice as the gem on the Qi Energy Sensing Staff turned from pale green to pale blue. "The concentration of Spirit-Devouring Energy is rising; there should be 'Sentry Puppets' on the periphery." The two steered their gliders into a dense forest near the valley entrance. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng took out the 'Flowing Cloud Qi Energy Recording Talisman.' After injecting Qi, the talisman paper floated into the air and unfolded into a translucent map, beginning to plot the valley's terrain. Amir quietly approached the entrance to probe with his staff—the gem suddenly turned pale purple. He immediately retreated into the woods. Behind the rocks at the valley entrance, two 'Lurker Puppets' glowing with black light were hidden. Their metal joints were entwined with pale black Spirit-Devouring Energy, staring forward motionlessly.

"The Puppets' Qi Energy cores are in their necks, exposed on the outside," Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng used Flowing Cloud Qi to mark the Puppets' positions on the recording talisman. "We'll circle to the side, use 'Flowing Cloud Silk' to bind their joints, and then use the Qi Energy spikes of the sensing staff to attack the cores to avoid triggering the alarm." With tacit cooperation, Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng's pale white Flowing Cloud Qi flew out like ribbons, precisely binding the Puppets' leg and arm joints. Amir took the opportunity to rush out, the spikes of the Qi Energy Sensing Staff injected with Pyramid Qi Energy, stabbing fiercely into the cores in the Puppets' necks. With a 'sizzle,' the Puppets' black light instantly extinguished, and they collapsed heavily to the ground without sounding a single alarm.

Going deeper into the valley, the reconnaissance squad found the stronghold's defenses to be tighter than expected. The second defense line was a 'Patrol Puppet Group,' with ten Puppets roaming in a squad, each equipped with a 'Spirit-Devouring Energy Sprayer' on its arm. The third defense line was a 'Qi Energy Electric Net,' with a pale black electric grid shrouding the core area. 'Monitoring Puppets' floated between the grids, providing 360-degree monitoring. The 'Artificial Qi Energy Generator' in the core area glowed with a piercing black light, surrounded by five 'Guard Puppets' with Qi Energy intensity at the Early Stage of Dark Qi—stronger than the heavy Puppets encountered before.

"There is an 'Origin Qi Energy Interface' at the bottom of the generator," Amir used the reconnaissance device to zoom in on the generator's details. "It should be used for injecting Spirit-Devouring Energy. We can inject the Origin Qi Energy of the fusion jade here to completely destroy it." Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng added, "The grid's nodes are in the four cardinal directions—East, South, West, and North. They must be destroyed simultaneously to shut it down; otherwise, it will trigger a self-destruct sequence." The two synchronized the gathered information with the Allied Forces. Chen Wu replied over the communicator: "Proceed as planned. The main force will arrive in two hours. Set up 'Flowing Cloud Markers' in the valley to guide us around the Puppet defense lines."

Section 2: Practical Deployment: Allied Forces Division of Labor and Global Martial Arts Fan Support Team Assembly

Two hours later, the main force of the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces arrived at the assembly point outside Black Wind Valley. Chen Wu held the fusion jade, pale gold and pale green Origin Qi Energy flowing over its surface, injecting a faint Origin Qi Energy into each member's weapon to give them a 'Spirit-Devouring Energy Purification' function. Master Xuankong and Granny Yao stood at the front of the group, their golden Zen Energy and pale green Nature Qi intertwining to form a 'Protection-Purification' dual-effect Qi Energy shield covering the entire assembly point. Mu Qing adjusted the portable Five Elements Formation device, five jade pendants glowing with five-colored light, ready to set up a defensive array at any time. Ling Shuang and Wang Lei checked their Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Halberds and alloy blades, the Origin Qi Energy on the edges glinting coldly.

Even more heartening was that the Global Martial Arts Fan Support Team had also arrived as promised. Old Zhao brought 200 Construction Site Traditional Martial Arts Team members, each holding a 'Qi Energy Reinforcement Hammer' capable of quickly building defensive fortifications during battle. Fifty white-collar workers from the London Office Traditional Martial Arts Squad wore special 'Qi Energy Protective Suits' and carried 'Portable Healing Kits,' responsible for the preliminary treatment of the wounded after the battle. Ten children from the Egyptian Pyramid traditional martial arts Team, led by Amir's younger brother Karim, held 'Qi Energy Signal Sticks' to relay combat commands within the valley. Even Mr. Zhang, who had previously rushed the stage, brought ten 'Martial Virtue Oversight Team' members holding 'Qi Energy Restraint Ropes' to subdue scattered Puppets and prevent them from escaping.

"Assigning tasks now," Chen Wu stood before a temporary sand table, pointing to the map of Black Wind Valley. "Group One: Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng and Amir will lead ten martial arts fan signalers to guide the main force through the valley, avoiding Puppet defense lines and marking the grid node locations. Group Two: Master Xuankong and Granny Yao will lead the martial arts fan medical team to establish a 'Temporary Healing Station' outside the valley to purify Spirit-Devouring Energy from the wounded while using Nature Qi to monitor Qi Energy changes in the valley. Group Three: Mu Qing and Ling Shuang will lead the martial arts fan engineering team to destroy the four grid nodes. After shutting down the grid, they will set up a Five Elements Formation outside the core area to prevent Puppets from breaking out. Group Four: Wang Lei and Lu Feng will lead the martial arts fan combat team to clear the peripheral and second-layer Puppet defenses, clearing the way for the core battle. I will lead the hidden masters to attack the core area directly and destroy the Artificial Qi Energy Generator."

After deployment, each group set off in sequence. Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng and Amir took the signalers and quickly entered the valley following the previously set 'Flowing Cloud Markers.' Pale white Flowing Cloud Qi guided the way ahead, and children like Karim held signal sticks, leaving 'Safe' or 'Dangerous' marks at key intersections. Wang Lei and Lu Feng led the martial arts fan combat team toward the patrol Puppets of the second defense line. Wang Lei's alloy blade, injected with Origin Qi Energy, split a Puppet's armor in one stroke, while Lu Feng's Qi Energy Armor-Piercing Gun hit the cores with every shot. The martial arts fan members were not to be outdone, using 'Qi Energy Restraint Ropes' to bind scattered Puppets and prevent them from reassembling. Mu Qing and Ling Shuang circled near the grid nodes; Mu Qing's Five Elements Energy was injected into a node, his pale green Wood Qi slowly eroding the black electric grid energy, while Ling Shuang's Armor-Piercing Halberd seized the chance to split the node's alloy shell, completely destroying the grid.

The global live broadcast, through 'Qi Energy Cameras' on each group, transmitted the battle footage worldwide in real-time. The comment section was full of cheers: 'The Martial Arts Fan Support Team is so impressive!', 'Wang Lei's strike was so cool!', 'The grid is about to be destroyed, keep going!' Data from the Technical Department showed that online viewers surpassed 320 billion. The topic 'Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces First Battle' topped the trending lists in 60 countries. Countless martial arts fans synchronized their Qi Energy in front of their screens to pray for the Allied Forces. Some overseas fans even organized 'Remote Qi Energy Support,' using the 'Qi Energy Resonance' function of the traditional martial arts APP to enhance the Qi Energy purity of the Allied Forces members.

Section 3: Core Combat: The Might of the fusion jade's Origin Qi Energy

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After the power grid was successfully destroyed, Chen Wu led the hidden masters to charge into the core area—five "Guardian Puppets" immediately surrounded them, their arm-mounted "Spirit-Devouring Energy Cannons" aimed at the Allied Forces, with black Qi Energy gathering at the muzzles, ready to fire at any moment.

"Everyone, be careful! The Qi Energy of these Puppets is corrosive!" Chen Wu shouted, raising the fusion jade above his head. Pale gold and pale green Origin Qi Energy erupted like a waterfall, forming a massive barrier of Qi Energy that blocked the Puppets' cannon attacks—the black Spirit-Devouring Energy landed on the barrier and was instantly purified into pale gold Origin Qi Energy, merging into the barrier and making it even stronger.

"Origin Qi Energy can purify Spirit-Devouring Energy!" Master Xuankong shouted in surprise, injecting golden Zen Energy into the fusion jade. The range of the Origin Qi Energy expanded instantly, covering the entire core area. The black Qi Energy of the five Guardian Puppets began to recede rapidly, and the Spirit-Devourer runes on their metal shells gradually faded.

"Now is the time! Attack their cores!" Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng injected Origin Qi Energy into his bamboo sword, which swept past like a beam of white light, precisely piercing the core of one Puppet; Mu Qing's Five Elements Energy condensed into spikes, simultaneously attacking the core of another Puppet; Granny Yao's Nature Qi entangled the Puppets' joints, rendering them unable to move.

The most shocking part was the fusion jade's purification of the "Artificial Qi Energy Generator"—Chen Wu walked to the generator and placed the fusion jade onto the "Origin Qi Energy Interface" at the bottom. Pale gold and pale green Origin Qi Energy surged into the generator through the interface, and the black Spirit-Devouring Energy inside was drawn out like a tide, forming a black vortex of Qi Energy on the surface of the generator.

"Everyone, inject your Qi Energy together to accelerate the purification!" Chen Wu shouted. The hidden masters simultaneously injected their Qi Energy into the fusion jade, and the intensity of the Origin Qi Energy tripled instantly. The black vortex began to shrink rapidly, gradually transforming into pale gold Origin Qi Energy that merged into the fusion jade.

"No—!" The voice of the Dark Energy Envoy suddenly came from within the generator, his phantom image appearing amidst the black Qi Energy. "I won't let you destroy the generator!" The phantom condensed a black Qi Energy fist and smashed it toward Chen Wu—Chen Wu was already prepared, condensing the dual Origin Energies in his palm. The pale gold and pale green fist shadow collided with the black fist shadow. With a "bang," the black fist shadow was instantly purified, and the Dark Energy Envoy's phantom let out a scream and completely dissipated.

As the last trace of black Qi Energy was purified, the Artificial Qi Energy Generator made a "click" sound, and its shell gradually lost its black color, revealing the pale gold Origin Qi Energy core inside—it turned out that the foundation of this generator was actually a piece of "Origin Qi Energy Stone," which had been forcibly modified by the Spirit-Devouring Organization and injected with Spirit-Devouring Energy.

"We can modify it into a 'Temporary Qi Energy Station'!" Mu Qing said excitedly. "By nourishing it with the fusion jade's Origin Qi Energy, we can provide Qi Energy supplies for subsequent cleanup operations." Chen Wu nodded and placed the fusion jade on top of the generator. The Origin Qi Energy wrapped around the generator like silk threads, beginning to repair the modified parts.

At this time, the battle on the perimeter had also ended—Wang Lei and Lu Feng led the Martial Fan combat team to clear all Puppet defense lines, destroying a total of 32 Puppets and capturing 5 (which could be used to research Spirit-Devouring Energy modification technology); Old Zhao's engineering team built "temporary defensive fortifications" at the valley entrance to prevent a counterattack from the Spirit-Devouring Organization; the medical team of the London Workplace traditional martial arts Squad successfully purified 15 members who had been grazed by Spirit-Devouring Energy, with no serious injuries reported.

When Chen Wu announced, "The clearing of the Black Wind Valley stronghold is a success," thunderous cheers erupted throughout the valley. The Martial Fan members hugged each other, and the hidden masters also revealed smiles of relief.

Post-Battle Summary: Cleanup Results and Qi Energy Station Foundation

After the cleanup, the Allied Forces held a "post-battle summary meeting" in Black Wind Valley—Zhang Qiming, with members of the Special Department, was examining the captured Puppets. "In the cores of these Puppets, there are 'Spirit-Devouring Energy memory chips' that can record their operational instructions. We can use these chips to find the locations of other Spirit-Devouring Organization strongholds."

Granny Yao was studying the purified generator. "Its Origin Qi Energy reserves are very rich. After being modified into a temporary Qi Energy station, it can provide Qi Energy supplies for 1,000 people simultaneously, with a purification range of 1 kilometer, enough to cover the entire Black Wind Valley."

Chen Wu stood in front of the generator and said to the Allied Forces and the Martial Fan support team, "The first battle was a victory, but it is not my credit alone; it is the result of everyone's joint efforts—the hidden masters' inheritance of energy techniques, the passionate support of the Martial Fan members, and the intelligence guarantee from the Special Department are all indispensable."

He specially mentioned Xiao Juan, Karim, and the other children: "You used signal sticks to transmit instructions; although you didn't fight directly, you bought us precious time. You are also heroes of the Traditional Martial Arts Allied Forces!" Hearing this, Xiao Juan excitedly raised the Qi Energy Signal Stick in her hand and shouted at the camera, "In the future, I will continue to follow the Allied Forces to clear more Spirit-Devourer strongholds!"

In the global live broadcast's "Post-Battle Summary" special, the audience was moved by the growth of the Martial Fan members—Mr. Zhang showed his "Qi Energy Restraint Rope" used to subdue the Puppets in front of the camera: "I made mistakes because of my impulsiveness in the past, but now I am very proud to be able to contribute to the fight against the Spirit-Devourers! In the future, I will continue to uphold martial virtue and help more people."

Old Zhao, with his engineering team, showed the defensive fortifications they had built: "These fortifications use the 'traditional martial arts Qi Energy Reinforcement Method,' which is three times stronger than ordinary fortifications. In the future, we will follow the Allied Forces to build defenses for every cleared stronghold and protect the Traditional Martial Arts Home."

At the end of the meeting, Chen Wu, the hidden masters, and the Martial Fan representatives jointly laid the foundation for the "Black Wind Valley Temporary Qi Energy Station"—they injected the fusion jade's Origin Qi Energy into the ground, and the pale gold and pale green Qi Energy formed a Taiji totem on the ground. The generator's Origin Qi Energy stone slowly rose and landed in the center of the totem, emitting a soft light.

"This is the world's first 'traditional martial arts Origin Qi Energy Station'," Chen Wu said to the camera. "In the future, we will build such Qi Energy stations in every cleared stronghold, letting the Origin Qi Energy spread across the globe and allowing the protective power of traditional martial arts to cover every corner!"

A New Journey: The Prelude to Global Cleanup

When leaving Black Wind Valley, the sun had already set, and the Allied Forces and the Martial Fan support team returned along the mountain road to Taiji Villa—in the team, the hidden masters were exchanging battle insights; Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng was teaching Amir the "advanced techniques of Flowing Cloud Qi," and Mu Qing was discussing "optimization plans for Qi Energy fortifications" with Old Zhao; the Martial Fan members were sharing interesting stories from the battle, while Xiao Juan and Karim were chasing each other in the team with their signal sticks, their faces full of the joy of victory; the Flower Girl, holding the inheritance grass, walked beside Chen Wu. The eight-colored petals of the inheritance grass echoed the light of the fusion jade, and the vitality Qi Energy wrapped around the team like silk threads, dispelling the chill in the mountain forest.

The final image of the global live broadcast lingered on the temporary Qi Energy station in Black Wind Valley—the generator's Origin Qi Energy stone glowed with pale gold light, and on the surrounding ground, the handprints of the Allied Forces and Martial Fan representatives were neatly arranged, forming a "traditional martial arts Protection" pattern; in the distant valley, the lights of the Martial Fan engineering team were still flickering as they perfected the defensive fortifications; in the night sky, Daoist Priest Yun Qingfeng's Flowing Cloud Qi, like a pale white ribbon, wrapped around the Qi Energy station, as if guarding this hard-won victory.

The bullet comments were filled with lines of neatly arranged text: "The first battle is won, Black Wind is cleared; Origin Qi Energy protects the firmament; Global traditional martial arts gather with one heart, stepping on the journey again to slay evil and malice!" 320 billion viewers lit up their screens simultaneously, forming a "river of victory light" that crossed borders, intertwining with the light of the Black Wind Valley Qi Energy station, illuminating the journey of the global cleanup of traditional martial arts.

Chen Wu held the fusion jade in his hand, and the dual Origin Energies in his Dantian slowly circulated—he knew that the victory at Black Wind Valley was just the beginning; in the future, there were more Spirit-Devourer strongholds waiting to be cleared, and stronger Spirit-Devourer enemies waiting to be confronted.