Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 465 - 450: Rescue

"Will the Celestial Calamity Envoy enter Shuizhou Demon City without participating in the battle?"

Shen Jun replied, "Theoretically, he won’t participate. Both sides have somewhat of an understanding that during formal battles, Grandmasters shouldn’t interfere with battles below them. But His Highness, the Celestial Calamity Envoy, is a Great Innate, and he can act freely. His power can easily kill a newly-promoted Grandmaster."

"I thought he couldn’t freely use the Divine Spirit’s power."

"I’ve heard from High-Level Demons that even a casual strike from the Celestial Calamity Envoy carries a hint of the Demon God’s power. Even though it’s minimal, anyone below a Grandmaster faced with it will certainly perish."

"I understand."

Zhou Leng wasn’t surprised at all, after all, that was a Demon God’s avatar. Even though it’s just a Great Innate, it cannot be compared to ordinary Grandmasters.

"By the way, I’ve heard there’s news of the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch circulating recently. All sides are investigating. If you’re interested, keep an eye out. However, I wouldn’t recommend getting involved, as many forces are vying for it, and I’ve heard Zhao He came from Xiongjing to Rucheng specifically for the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch."

"Hmm."

Zhou Leng’s heart skipped gently upon hearing about the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch.

Having just received Saint Zhao’s spiritual legacy, could he have the opportunity to obtain the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch?

Legend has it that the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch recorded many great secrets of Saint Zhao, including the method to ascend to sainthood. However, they were later stolen and have been lost to the world, without an owner to this day.

The Headless God can be disregarded, but the Six Volumes of the Eastern Monarch mustn’t be ignored.

After delivering the message, Shen Jun turned to bow respectfully to Mrs. Xiyang, who was wearing a suit and skirt behind the desk.

"Madam, I have conveyed my message to him."

"Do you think he will go?"

"Judging by his courage and valor, he will surely participate in the battle. With these kinds of Human Race Martial Artists, they seem quite normal usually, but once in a critical moment, it’s like they’re infused with adrenaline, they go completely wild."

Mrs. Xiyang sighed, "The spectacular scene of all cores exploding at once, vivid in my mind. Perhaps the reason the Blue Star Human Race can stand firm to this day is precisely due to such madness."

"You are right."

"How is the news of the Battlefield Shield Order?"

Shen Jun shook his head helplessly, "I’ve contacted everyone I know within the Demon Worship Sect, but can’t obtain it. Such high-level treasures truly aren’t in the hands of ordinary forces. If I remember correctly, the whole Blue Star Human Race seems to have less than a hundred slots, possibly only sixty or seventy."

Mrs. Xiyang sighed, "Forget it, I’ll make a trip to the Demon Purgatory myself to solve this."

"Madam, you’ve already ascended to Grandmaster, there’s no need to seek the Battlefield Shield Order anymore."

"Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t."

"Yes. About His Highness the Celestial Calamity Envoy’s assassination list..." Shen Jun asked cautiously.

"As long as those of high realms aren’t sent to assassinate Zhou Leng, the others can be sent freely."

"But I’ve heard that many powerful demons under the Celestial Calamity Army, in order to please His Majesty the Celestial Calamity God, are preparing to hunt Human Race prodigies."

"Inform me in advance, besides that, I’ll notify them that they can act freely elsewhere, but not in Rucheng."

"Understood. Also... The Huang Meng Sect has begun activities on a large scale again, don’t know what they’re preparing for. This mobilization scale is not smaller than the previous attack on Rucheng."

Mrs. Xiyang said, "I’ve also received word, but still unclear on what they’re up to. By the way, has that Zhang Xiaoxiao been captured?"

"No."

"Can’t even capture a Little Innate?"

Shen Jun replied, "She’s performed a desperate sacrifice, trading her entire lifespan for rapid advancement within five years. Plus, under Tong Tianxia’s careful guidance, her growth rate is baffling to us. However, her power is relatively low within the same realm, she’ll surely be caught."

"A desperate sacrifice, to avenge her grandmother?"

"Yes."

"She wants to kill Rao Mingxian?"

"Yes, they encountered and fought in the Tree-man World."

Mrs. Xiyang thought for a moment and said, "Tell Rao Mingxian, I’ll provide him with a magic heart and magic potion to accelerate his ascension. But he must kill Zhang Xiaoxiao, then Zhang Xinglie."

"Understood."

Shen Jun kept his head lowered, said nothing, and walked out of the office.

He understood well that Mrs. Xiyang was devising ways to provoke Zhou Leng, then seek opportunities to demonize and recruit him into her ranks.

"Her attitude towards Zhou Leng is far too favorable, could it be she’s taken a liking to Zhou Leng? So that’s it, then it all makes sense..."

Shen Jun suddenly realized.

Under the night sky, Zhou Leng stepped on the ground, running like the wind along the road.

He passed through Rucheng, crossed the Yangtze River, dashed over desolate ruins of old cities, and entered the Shuizhou Demon City base.

Entering the Martial Arts Brigade base, Zhou Leng donned a hood, first reported to the Hidden Martial Artist squad, then entered the anonymous group of Hidden Martial Artists.

Everyone in the group joined anonymously, making it impossible to see each other’s real information.

Zhou Leng glanced at the group names, half of which included animals, even cockroaches and centipedes, suddenly feeling balanced.

There are only a little over a hundred Shadow Warriors in the group, with less than fifty currently in Shuizhou Demon City.

Zhou Leng now promoted to honorary lieutenant colonel of the Martial Arts Brigade, claiming supplies with his lieutenant colonel status.

Ten demonized javelins and some custom weapons unavailable outside.

After leaving the warehouse, the captain of the Hidden Martial Artist group issued orders, dividing those in Shuizhou Demon City into three squads, each to complete different tasks.

Zhou Leng glanced at his squad’s mission.

The squad leader is a lieutenant colonel at the Bone Forging Stage, code-named Zhi Liao.

Apart from the Bone Forging stage Zhou Leng, there are four at the Blood Shock Period and three at the True Liquid Period.

Also, the only purely Innate squad among the Hidden Martial Artist Brigade.

Shortly, Zhou Leng arrived at the Martial Arts Dojo used exclusively for Hidden Martial Artists for assembly.

Nine people, all wearing black special hood, each registered their names.

Zhi Liao is the leader, and Monkey King is the vice leader.

The Blood Shock Stage includes Wood, Cowherd, Weaver Girl, and Wild Wolf.

The True Liquid Stage includes Free Wanderer, Blood Demon, and Madman.

Four at the Blood Shock Stage and two at the Bone Forging Stage look at the three Innate at the True Liquid Stage.

The three Little Innate at the True Liquid Stage are trembling.

The lowest in realm, but with the most outrageous names.

"In the future, try to come up with a more low-key code name. Joining the Hidden Martial Artist team isn’t about being flashy and arrogant."

"Yes!"

The three stand straight at attention.

Zhi Liao said: "This mission is simple. As the emergency Innate unit, patrol the vicinity of the Red Spot Forest and prepare for rescue. Yesterday, demons launched a major attack, and many convoys or other teams didn’t have time to return. They are our main rescue targets."

"Yes."

Nine people in black hoods, showing only their eyes and mouths, rushed out of the Shuizhou Base.

Just as they reached the Red Spot Forest, a flare burst out ahead—it’s a human distress signal.

"Go."

At Zhi Liao’s command, the nine people rushed over.

Through the forest, they reached a vast grassland.

A small convoy was besieged by thousands of demons.

A mixed team of Beastmen and Demons.

"Kill!" At Zhi Liao’s command, the nine Innates charged like wolves and tigers.

Among those thousand demons, only three were Innate. The nine charged back and forth three times, and the demon army was in disarray.

The rescued convoy was full of gratitude, and Zhou Leng and others led them towards the Shuizhou Base.

As they walked, Zhi Liao inquired about the situation.

"Demons started harassing Shuizhou Demon City a few days ago, why did you still go to the Dwarf World?"

"Not going would mean a penalty that could bankrupt us. Besides, the demons were just harassing then, not too many in number. Who knew they’d suddenly increase on the way back."

"How many batches of demons did you encounter?"

"Many batches. At first, they were small teams, which we could handle. Later the demons got smarter, formed large groups, and finally surrounded us here. We were close to the base when we sent the distress signal."

"Did you encounter other teams?"

"Our team was made up of several small teams combined. We are actually lucky; likely more than half the convoys to Shuizhou Demon City have been intercepted. Sigh..."

Everyone discussed the situation in Shuizhou Demon City, all looking worried.

Currently, demons are plundering everywhere in Shuizhou Demon City. Once they clear out various scattered forces, they may attack a specific base.

After escorting the group out of the Red Spot Pine Forest, the team was about to leave.

Zhi Liao stepped aside to take a call.

After the call, he quickly returned.

"A giant convoy traveling to the Giant World and several mining teams have been intercepted by demons. We are going to assist them, help this convoy last until reinforcements arrive. Move out!"

Everyone immediately followed.

As the team ran with all their might, Zhou Leng asked, "Captain, what’s the specific situation in Shuizhou Demon City now?"

Zhi Liao thought for a moment and said, "The situation is troublesome. You all know, each Demon City is an independent world but connects to many others, crucially with many rich mines."

"Therefore, in addition to large bases at the entrances, many worlds have established numerous mines, plantations, and a few fortresses in Shuizhou Demon City."

"Earlier, with demon harassment, ordinary small forces all withdrew, but many large mines and plantations within fortress protection, with tens of thousands of martial artists, are not afraid of such harassment."

"Since yesterday, that’s not the case. All—yes, all forces have entered the fortresses or bases." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Currently, the base hasn’t been attacked, but all fortresses are surrounded. The Seventh Division has already mobilized, reinforcements from other places have arrived, and the first sequence people have already rushed to fortresses for reinforcement."

"We are actually lucky."

Zhi Liao didn’t say much, but everyone understood his underlying message.

Those reinforcements heading to each fortress are in extreme danger and may not come back.

"Can’t retreat?" Zhou Leng asked.

"Retreating is never simple. The two nearest fortresses cannot retreat because once they withdraw, it would mean losing the connection."

"Some distant fortresses managed to retreat, some retreated halfway, only to be driven back by the demon army."

"Today I heard the Celestial Calamity Envoy is very powerful, he’s using ’besieging points to strike reinforcements’ strategy."

"Besieging fortresses, striking at reinforcements, is much easier than attacking the base."

"This tactic, in fact, is a half-open scheme; even knowing it, we cannot ignore the reinforcements."

Zhou Leng and others fell silent.

In this matter, there is truly no perfect solution.

Unless one can bear to watch so many people die trapped in a fortress.

As they ran, Zhi Liao said, "The demons we will encounter next will surely be tough. Be careful. They are not the chaotic demon armies you dealt with before, but the Celestial Calamity Army."

"You might not have heard of the Celestial Calamity Army; it’s newly formed. But this army has already swept through the Tree-man World."

"If nothing unexpected happens, humanity’s main enemy for the next several years will be the Celestial Calamity Army."

"Let’s hope we survive the second offensive of the Celestial Calamity Army."

"We will!" Zhou Leng said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.