33: A surprise attack from the shadows, a full-scale confrontation.

Under the frenzied urging of the Shadow Demon, the Shadow Cult launched an all-out surprise attack. Large numbers of Shadow Cult experts poured into the Beyond Heaven's territory like a tide, causing chaos wherever they went.

The first to bear the brunt was an important town of Beyond Heaven. The Shadow Cult experts divided into several small teams, attacking the town from different directions. They unleashed their eerie Cultivation Techniques, and black spiritual energy raged through the streets. Citizens fled in all directions, and screams were incessant.

"Protect the citizens, repel the enemy!" a Beyond Heaven commander shouted loudly. The Beyond Heaven Disciples quickly gathered and engaged in fierce combat with the Shadow Cult experts. However, the Shadow Cult's surprise attack was well-prepared, with many experts, and the Beyond Heaven Disciples gradually found themselves at a disadvantage.

"Activate the defensive mechanisms!" With that command, the new type of spiritual energy ballistae developed by Xiang Shaolong began to take effect. The ballistae fired beams of spiritual energy, accurately striking the Shadow Cult experts. For a time, fire shot into the sky, and the Shadow Cult's formation fell into brief disarray.

But the Shadow Cult experts quickly adjusted their strategy, dispersing to avoid the ballistae's attacks. At the same time, they used their Cultivation Techniques to try and destroy the ballistae. An Elder of the Shadow Cult, holding a black staff, chanted incantations. Black runes flew from the staff, shooting towards the spiritual energy ballistae. The runes struck the ballistae, creating a powerful impact, causing them to shake violently, on the verge of being destroyed at any moment.

"This is bad, we can't let them destroy the ballistae!" A Beyond Heaven expert, seeing this, quickly rushed forward. He unleashed a powerful Martial Skill, engaging in battle with the Shadow Cult Elder. Their spiritual energies collided, producing deafening roars.

Elsewhere in the town, Marshal of the Unruly led The Unruly in a counterattack. The Unruly moved like ghosts through the Shadow Cult's ranks, their sharp blades continuously reaping enemy lives. Marshal of the Unruly was even more valiant, his black halberd wielded with fierce power, each strike carrying immense force, sending nearby Shadow Cult experts flying.

"Hmph, you rat-like scoundrels of the Shadow Cult, today is your doomsday!" Marshal of the Unruly roared.

However, Shadow Cult experts continuously poured into the town. They seemed to be determined to die, attacking the Beyond Heaven Disciples and The Unruly recklessly. The situation grew increasingly critical.

Meanwhile, Qiao Feng, Fu Hongxue, West Gate Blows Snow, and Ye Gucheng, upon learning of the town's attack, quickly rushed to provide support. Qiao Feng led the charge, unleashing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. "Vast Dragon Regrets!" A golden Dragon-shaped palm print slammed into the Shadow Cult crowd, its immense power sending dozens of Shadow Cult experts flying, leaving large craters in the ground.

Fu Hongxue held his long saber, his eyes cold. The Saber Qi of Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossed, and any Shadow Cult expert who approached him was cut down by the fierce Saber Qi. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng's sword arts were exquisite and unparalleled. The two cooperated seamlessly, and as sword flowers flashed, Shadow Cult experts fell one after another.

"Everyone listen, hold your ground, don't panic! We will surely repel these enemies!" Qiao Feng shouted loudly, boosting everyone's morale.

Under the leadership of Qiao Feng and the others, the morale of the Beyond Heaven Disciples and The Unruly greatly increased, and they began to fight back with all their might. Both sides fell into a stalemate.

At the Beyond Heaven headquarters, Jun Xiaoyao was closely monitoring the battlefield situation through special means. He knew that this was only the first wave of the Shadow Cult's attack. If they couldn't repel the enemy quickly, Beyond Heaven would face a huge crisis once the Shadow Cult's subsequent forces arrived.

"Zhao Gao, has The Net detected the movements of the Shadow Cult's follow-up troops?" Jun Xiaoyao asked.

"Master, The Net's spies have sent word that a large number of Shadow Cult experts are heading in our direction, expected to arrive in half an hour," Zhao Gao replied with a solemn expression.

"Notify everyone to speed up the pace of battle. We must repel this wave of enemies before the Shadow Cult's follow-up troops arrive!" Jun Xiaoyao issued the order.

Upon receiving the order, Qiao Feng and the others knew time was short. Qiao Feng unleashed the strongest move of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, "Divine Dragon Swings Tail." A massive golden Dragon shadow roared out from his palm, charging towards the core area of the Shadow Cult. Wherever the golden Dragon shadow passed, Shadow Cult experts were sent flying, and for a time, no one could stop it.

Fu Hongxue also unleashed the ultimate Saber Qi of Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon. The Saber Qi transformed into a black lightning bolt, instantly killing several Shadow Cult experts. West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng unleashed their strongest sword moves. Their Sword Qi fused together, forming a powerful Sword Qi barrier that blocked all of the Shadow Cult's attacks.

Under the combined attacks of everyone, the Shadow Cult's first wave of attack was finally repelled. However, they knew that a greater crisis was imminent. In half an hour, the Shadow Cult's follow-up troops would arrive. Could Beyond Heaven prepare in this short time to meet an even fiercer attack? And would those forces that had not yet fully trusted Beyond Heaven extend a helping hand at the critical moment? Everything was filled with uncertainty, and the atmosphere of the entire Jianghu was tense to the extreme...