114: Chapter 114 A Rescue Team Filled with Acquaintances

The spirit boat sped towards Outpost No. 7, and the expressions on the faces of the Lin Family members were somewhat numb. How long had it been since they arrived at the Grade B Base? Their identity as a rescue squad had certainly been thoroughly established.

“Clan Leader, is our Lin Family cursed when it comes to the words ‘emergency rescue’?” Ling Jin couldn't help but mutter in a low voice. “One after another, they won't even let us catch our breath.”

Third Elder took it in stride, chuckling. “The more capable one is, the more work they get! This shows that our strength has been recognized by the Azure Cloud Sect... oh no, it's been recognized by luck!”

Lin Cangchen silently calculated the Spirit Stone consumption of the spirit boat, thinking that if the contribution points for this mission were too low, he would definitely have to argue with that deacon. Even the fuel costs had to be included!

As the spirit boat flew over a hilly area, two somewhat shabby flying Magical Artifacts appeared ahead. One was the Liu Family's iconic, aged-looking leaf-shaped flying boat, and the other was the Zhao Family's even smaller, noticeably slower gourd-shaped artifact. The people on both artifacts looked quite disheveled, especially on the Liu Family's side, where many were still wrapped in temporary bandages, clearly forced back onto the road before their injuries had fully healed.

“It's the Liu Family and the Zhao Family!” Ling Yan recognized them immediately with his sharp eyes.

Clan Leader steered the spirit boat closer. As the two sides met, Liu Hanshan and the Zhao Family Ancestor, whose hair and beard were all white and whose aura was somewhat withered (the very ancestor whose Realm had fallen), both showed complex expressions—relief, embarrassment, and a sense of shared misfortune.

“Clan Leader Lin!” Liu Hanshan spoke first, his tone carrying a bit of urgency and helplessness. “We meet again... Sigh, we just received orders to divert and support Outpost No. 7.”

The Zhao Family Ancestor also sighed, his voice raspy. “Little Friend Lin... cough, Clan Leader Lin, my Zhao Family is the same. The situation ahead is unclear, and we... are willing to follow the Lin Family's unified arrangements.” He lowered his posture significantly. Having experienced the Family's upheaval and the hardships of the front line, this Old Ancestor had long since lost his former arrogance, knowing that clinging to the Lin Family's thigh was the only wise move now. Liu Hanshan also nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Clan Leader looked at the remnants of these two families (especially the Liu Family) and sighed inwardly. The Azure Cloud Sect really made use of everything, not even letting the wounded rest.

“Time is of the essence, two Clan Chiefs and Fellow Daoists. If you don't mind, please board my Lin Family's spirit boat. We can discuss while we travel,” Clan Leader invited. His first-rank middle-grade spirit boat had enough space to easily accommodate the twenty-plus people from the three families.

The Liu Family and Zhao Family naturally had no objections. They tucked away their shabby flying Magical Artifacts and boarded the Lin Family's spacious and comfortable spirit boat. Upon boarding, the Liu Family members couldn't help but heave a long sigh of relief, finally able to sit down and adjust their breathing for a moment. The Zhao Family disciples curiously eyed the Lin Family's spirit boat, which was clearly a grade higher in configuration, their eyes filled with envy.

The spirit boat accelerated again, flying toward Outpost No. 7. Inside the cabin, the heads of the three families gathered together.

Clan Leader handed the information Jade Slip to Liu Hanshan and the Zhao Family Ancestor for review, his expression solemn. “The situation is not optimistic. The Yinkui Sect excels at refining and controlling Puppets. Their Spells are bizarre, their demonic artifacts are malicious, and their overall combat strength is very high. The opponent has the advantage in numbers and high-end combat power, and they seem well-trained.”

After reading the Jade Slip, Liu Hanshan's face turned even paler. “This... this lineup is more than a level stronger than the group of demonic Cultivators that ambushed us!”

The Zhao Family Ancestor's brow furrowed. “A direct confrontation is definitely not a good strategy. My Zhao Family now... sigh, doesn't have much combat power left.” Several Zhao Family disciples behind him also looked ashamed.

“A sneak attack probably won't work either,” Clan Leader judged based on the information in the Jade Slip and his own experience. “While the opponent is attacking the outpost, they will surely have arranged sentries. We are many, and we will be discovered if we get close.”

“Then what should we do?” Liu Hanshan asked urgently.

Clan Leader pondered for a moment, a flash of decisiveness in his eyes. “For now, there is only one path. We must first find a way to contact the outpost, then concentrate all our strength into a single point to forcibly break through the demonic Cultivators' blockade and enter the outpost! Relying on the outpost's defensive Formation, we will hold out together and wait for reinforcements!”

He paused and explained, “An attack from both inside and out sounds good, but we are not in good shape, and those inside the outpost are likely at the end of their tether. Engaging in a field battle against these elite demonic Cultivators with scattered forces offers slim chances of victory. If we split up to harass them, not only is the effect uncertain, but if there are more demonic reinforcements nearby, we might end up being surrounded ourselves. It's better to join forces and stabilize our position first.”

Liu Hanshan and the Zhao Family Ancestor looked at each other, both seeing agreement in the other's eyes. This was indeed the most prudent and currently the only feasible method. Although the risk was still huge, it was better than being picked off one by one outside.

“We will do as Clan Leader Lin says!” the two said in unison.

With the plan decided, the spirit boat approached the area of Outpost No. 7. Looking from afar, a small fortress built into the mountainside was shrouded in rolling Devilish Qi. The protective light shield outside the fortress was flickering, clearly on the verge of shattering. Dozens of demonic Cultivators, dressed in uniform black clothing with bizarre Puppet motifs embroidered on their sleeves, were systematically taking turns attacking the shield. Their Formation was disciplined, balanced in offense and defense, and as expected, several sharp-eyed demonic Cultivators were scattered around the perimeter, vigilantly patrolling the surroundings.

“Tight security,” Third Elder clicked his tongue. “These demonic brats are much more professional than the ragtag bunch we encountered before.”

Clan Leader hovered the spirit boat in a safe airspace a certain distance from the battlefield. He took out a universal communication talisman and tried to input information. Fortunately, although the outpost's defensive Formation was nearing collapse, its basic communication function had not yet completely failed.

Soon, the communication talisman lit up slightly, and a weak but pleasantly surprised voice came through: “Are you reinforcements? We are Azure Cloud Sect Outpost No. 7! Our defense is about to be broken, we urgently need support!”

“We are the Lin Family of Luoxia County, the Liu Family of Black Rock Peak, and the Zhao Family of Qingshi Town, here on orders to rescue you!” Clan Leader responded quickly. “We plan to concentrate our strength to forcibly enter the outpost. Please be prepared inside to open a gap in the Formation at the right time to receive us as we approach!”

“Understood! We will cooperate!” the voice from the other side said excitedly.

Ending the communication, Clan Leader looked at the Cultivators of the three families behind him and said solemnly, “Everyone, life and death depend on this one move! Follow me, charge!”

“Charge!”

The spirit boat instantly accelerated to its limit, like an arrow leaving a bowstring, trailing a long tail of spiritual light. It ignored the warning signals from the perimeter demonic sentries and crashed directly toward the tottering protective light shield of the outpost!

“Enemy attack! Stop them!” In the demonic camp, a small leader from the Yinkui Sect at Qi Refining Perfection shouted. He immediately diverted a portion of his men, and various Yin Thunders, Bone Spears, and Ghost Fires were blasted toward the spirit boat!

“Full defense!” Clan Leader shouted, and the spirit boat's own protective light shield instantly brightened to the extreme. The Lin Family members also struck out one after another, using Geng Metal Fingers, Fire Snake Arts, and Green Vine Arts... desperately intercepting the incoming attacks.

The Liu Family and Zhao Family Cultivators also knew it was time to risk their lives. Ignoring their injuries and exhaustion, they threw out their trump card Spells and Talismans.

For a moment, the light of Spells flashed brilliantly in front of the spirit boat, and the sound of explosions was deafening. The spirit boat's protective light shield fluctuated violently, as if it would shatter in the next moment.

“Now!” Inside the outpost, the Cultivator in charge of the Formation saw the opportunity. At the moment the spirit boat was about to hit the shield, he manipulated the Formation to open a brief gap just large enough for the spirit boat to pass through!

“Swoosh!”

The Lin Family spirit boat narrowly avoided several fatal Demonic Technique strikes, darting into the outpost like a swimming fish!

“Bang!” Almost the second after the spirit boat entered, the gap instantly closed, blocking several following attacks outside.

The spirit boat landed heavily on the small square inside the outpost, kicking up a cloud of dust. Everyone on board had lingering fears; that moment just now was truly a brush with death.

Inside the outpost, dozens of blood-soaked and exhausted Azure Cloud Sect Cultivators and those from affiliated families gathered around. Seeing the reinforcements descending from the sky, the light of hope was rekindled in their eyes.

However, before they could celebrate for long, the furious roars of the Yinkui Sect demonic Cultivators and even more violent sounds of attack came from outside. The light of the protective light shield dimmed at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Clan Leader jumped out of the spirit boat, looking around at the tragic scene and the dense crowd of demonic Cultivators outside, and took a deep breath.

“Everyone, prepare for battle! Next is the real tough fight!”