527: Fortress No. 93

The light from the teleportation array gradually dispersed, and Xu Qing and others found themselves in Ninety-Third Fortress.

The architectural style of this city was distinct from Eighty-First Fortress City; it was entirely cast from dark gold Chaos Divine Iron, its city walls covered in defensive array patterns, emitting a faint cold glow in the Chaos Sea.

Moreover, there were many sword and saber marks on the walls, indicating it had clearly endured numerous battles.

"Fellow Daoists, you've come a long way; it must have been arduous."

A middle-aged man in Daoist armor came forward, cupped his hands, and saluted.

This person's aura was profound; he was clearly a powerful expert at the One-step Dao Ancestor realm, the acting Deputy City Lord—Dao Ancestor Tie Yue.

"Dao Friend Tie Yue, you are too kind." Xu Qing returned the greeting, "As newcomers, we hope for much guidance."

Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen also smiled and nodded, "Dao Friend Tie Yue, how is the situation on the front lines?"

"The situation is not optimistic." Tie Yue sighed, "City Lord Gu Mang has already led three Deputy City Lords and several supporting Dao Ancestors to the Ruin River Ancient Mine. They are currently using the 'Nine Swords Demonic Path Array' to confront the Black Crystal Blood Flame Clan."

He made a welcoming gesture, "You two must be tired from your journey. Why not rest at my residence, and I will explain in detail."

"Very well!" Xu Qing nodded.

As newcomers, it was best to understand the situation first. From Tie Yue's expression, the front line did not seem to be at a dire stage yet, otherwise, he would not have invited them to rest... Inside the side hall of the City Lord's residence, a banquet had already been prepared.

Various rare Dao fruits and Chaos Sea specialties filled the jade table, and in the center, a bubbling 'Xu River Green Carp Soup' exuded a rich aroma, containing various Dao rhyme powers.

"How many powerful experts has the Black Crystal Blood Flame Clan sent this time?"

Xu Qing picked up a piece of translucent fish meat, asking as if casually.

As one of the five Peak clans among the Tianyang aliens, and considering the rarity of the ruin river sand, the lineup sent by the Black Crystal Blood Flame Clan this time must be extraordinary.

Tie Yue said with a solemn expression: "The Black Crystal Blood Flame Clan has dispatched thirteen Dao Ancestors this time, including a Three-step Dao Ancestor."

"A Three-step Dao Ancestor?" Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen's jade chopsticks paused.

Even Dao Ancestor Gu Mang was only a Two-step Dao Ancestor.

"Indeed." Tie Yue nodded, "Fortunately, the City Lord obtained the 'Nine Swords Demonic Path Array' back then, which can temporarily contend with them."

Xu Qing pondered, "Have you requested reinforcements?"

"That's precisely the most troublesome part." Tie Yue smiled bitterly, "Besides our Ninety-Third Fortress, Ruin River Ancient Mines have also appeared near Thirty-Seventh and Fifty-Fifth Fortresses simultaneously."

"Those two ore veins are larger in scale and have already attracted dozens of Three-step Dao Ancestors to contend for them. Coupled with several other Three-step Dao Ancestors currently in secluded cultivation, our reinforcements here... may have to wait a bit longer."

"This..."

Xu Qing and Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

This situation was too peculiar, almost like a meticulously planned conspiracy. However, the emergence of the Ruin River Ancient Mine was something even a Four-step Dao Ancestor couldn't interfere with, unless... a Five-step Dao Ancestor made a move?

But the Five-step Dao Ancestors between the Human Race and the Tianyang aliens were few and far between, keeping a close watch on each other. This possibility was minuscule.

Ultimately, they could only attribute all of this to coincidence.

During the banquet, Tie Yue further elaborated on the situation of the Ruin River Ancient Mine.

That ore vein stretched for tens of thousands of miles, and the ruin river sand in its core area was of extremely high purity. If not for its small volume, it might even have given birth to Ruin River Crystals.

Ruin River Crystals were excellent things; they were crucial for a Five-step Dao Ancestor's three bodies to return to their origin.

After three rounds of drinks, Xu Qing and Xuan Zhen departed together.

As dusk deepened, the sky above Ninety-Third Fortress glowed with the dark purple aura characteristic of Chaos.

Xu Qing and Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen walked side by side down the corridor, their elongated shadows cast upon the bluestone ground.

Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen's fingertips unconsciously caressed his divine ring, a hint of solemnity etched between his brows.

"Dao Friend Xu, do we... truly have to go?"

His voice was a few shades lower than usual, his gaze occasionally sweeping towards the Chaos Sea outside the city.

There, vaguely visible, terrifying murderous intent intertwined. His gaze seemed to perceive the situation at the Ruin River Ancient Mine, a scene of rivers of blood.

After all, he was only a One-step Dao Ancestor, while the Black Crystal Blood Flame Clan had a Three-step Dao Ancestor, completely not on the same level.

Xu Qing continued to walk slowly, his azure Daoist robe fluttering gently in the night wind, "Didn't City Lord Tie Yue say? Once the reinforcements from the other cities arrive, they will activate the teleportation domain gate and send us directly over."

"This..." Xuan Zhen's steps faltered slightly, a hint of hesitation, "Do we really have to go?"

Xu Qing turned his head, a playful smile on the corner of his lips, "What, is Dao Friend Xuan Zhen afraid? Are you perhaps going to disobey orders?"

"That's a Three-step Dao Ancestor!" Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen's fingers paused, his body trembling slightly.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake and hastily added, "Naturally, I am not disobeying military orders... As a Human Race, one should act for the Human Race!"

His expression was solemn, and he spoke with conviction. Although he was afraid of death, he could not bear the crime of being a deserter; it would not only ruin his own reputation but also implicate his Sect.

Xu Qing suddenly stopped and turned around.

The moonlight cast dappled shadows on his eerie face, but his eyes shone astonishingly bright, as if a galaxy flowed within them.

"Don't worry!" He suddenly said, "Once we get there, as long as you don't seek your own death, and don't betray the Human Race..."

After a slight pause, Xu Qing said indifferently: "For the journey to the Ruin River Ancient Mine, I guarantee you'll return alive."

Xu Qing's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a reassuring certainty. His thought was simple: coming from the same city, help where he could!

Dao Ancestor Xuan Zhen was stunned.

He recalled the incident back then, when Lei Xiao and others were deeply besieged, it was Xu Qing himself who went to the Chaos Ancient Mine and brought them back.

"I..." Xuan Zhen's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, finally cupping his fists solemnly, "I rely entirely on Dao Friend Xu's care. On this journey, this old Daoist will follow Dao Friend's lead."

Xu Qing waved his hand, his azure Daoist robe fluttering in the night wind, then his entire person disappeared at the end of the corridor.

A few days passed in a flash.

Ninety-Third Fortress successively welcomed powerful reinforcements; fourteen Dao Ancestors from seven fortresses arrived one after another, each a powerful expert renowned in their own region.

Even more exhilarating was that Main City Number One sent the famous 'Five Thunder Elders'.

These were five white-haired old men, who were blood brothers, inseparable since childhood, cultivating Five Elements thunder techniques.

Although they were all only Two-step Dao Ancestors, they mastered the 'Five Thunder Combined Strike Technique', and together, they were enough to contend with a Three-step Dao Ancestor.

"Open the teleportation domain gate."

The Gold Thunder Elder, who was in charge, spoke in a hoarse voice, even declining the welcoming banquet prepared by Dao Ancestor Tie Yue.

These five Seniors had always acted decisively, especially in matters concerning the Human Race, and thus deserved respect.

Xu Qing and Xuan Zhen, who were already prepared, naturally had no objections.

Inside the teleportation hall, the Five Thunder Elders stood in a Five Elements formation, and thunder light continuously evolved beneath their feet.

Xu Qing noticed that the breathing frequency of these five old men was completely identical, and even the amplitude of their sleeve movements was precisely the same. No wonder they could unleash such an astonishing combined strike technique.

The Gold Thunder Elder noticed Xu Qing and nodded slightly at him.

"Go!"

As Tie Yue activated the spell, the teleportation domain gate burst open.

Amidst the blinding silver light, the figures of over twenty Dao Ancestors gradually blurred.

When their vision cleared again, they had appeared inside an ore cave.