At that moment, another streak of light shot toward Ji Wuqing, stopping just behind him. The aura that followed was formidable only slightly weaker than Ji Wuqing's own, yet equally steady.
"Humph," the newcomer sneered, his voice like rolling thunder. "The Demonic Sect grows more arrogant with each passing year. To dare utter such treasonous words in broad daylight…"
It was none other than Li Zhenghai, Ancestor of the Li Family. His arrival brought with it a ripple of relief that spread silently through the defenders.
One of the six black-cloaked figures turned his gaze toward the new arrival, eyes narrowing beneath the shadows of his hood. He examined Li Zhenghai like a merchant inspecting a rare item.
"Oh? The esteemed Li Family Ancestor… One of the loyal hounds of the Cloud Sword Sect," he said with derision.
"You and your family have long been on our list. And with the appearance of another Foundation Establishment cultivator among your ranks, you've become quite the threat indeed."
He smiled, but there was no warmth in it only cruelty. "Still, your presence here changes nothing. This market will be the cornerstone of our conquest."
Ji Wuqing narrowed his eyes, ready to speak, but the black-cloaked leader cut him off sharply.
"Enough of your meaningless stalling," he snapped. "You think I don't know you're trying to buy time for reinforcements? But it's too late for that."
With a wave of his hand, his voice echoed through the battlefield. "All of you, take out the Corpses. We'll shatter this array in one strike."
Ji Wuqing remained calm, his tone steady as he responded, "It's futile. The Cloud Market is protected by a High Grade Second Rank Defensive Array a layered formation tied intricately to the spirit veins of this land. Even you..."
His words trailed off, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of something the black figure was retrieving from his sleeve.
A talisman faintly glowing with a reddish silver hue, pulsing with ancient runes.
Li Zhenghai's expression changed instantly, his voice ringing with disbelief. "A Restriction Breaking Talisman?!"
Ji Wuqing's pupils contracted. 'So, they truly came prepared. To think they would expend something so rare just to break through…'
But even amid that thought, a sliver of relief flickered in his heart. 'Fortunately… we anticipated the worst.'
Silently, Ji Wuqing transmitted a message through his spiritual sense to hidden allies in the vicinity. Then he nodded toward Li Zhenghai, signaling him to ready for battle.
Li Zhenghai exhaled quietly, his face grave. "It can't be helped. The Demonic Sect has gone mad."
The black-cloaked leader chuckled at their expressions. "Speechless? Don't tell me you thought we wouldn't adjust our tactics after two humiliating failures. This time… you fall."
Without further delay, he activated the talisman.
"BOOM!"
An immense wave of spiritual pressure surged forth as all six Foundation Establishment cultivators released their Corpse Puppets grotesque, towering abominations infused with dark Qi. The talisman lit up like a flare in the heavens and slammed into the protective dome.
At first, nothing happened. The golden barrier shimmered, rippled and held.
Cheers and relieved cries rang out from the market's defenders below. For a moment, hope ignited in their hearts.
But only for a moment.
"Crack."
A thin fissure traced itself across the surface of the dome. Then another. And another. Within seconds, the golden array splintered like glass under a hammer shattering with a soundless explosion of light, vanishing into the ether.
Silence.
Then came the voice cold, triumphant, merciless.
"To all Corpse Refining Sect disciples plunder, destroy, and kill. Leave no stone unturned."
From the outer perimeter, waves of black robe disciples surged forward with savage cries. Screams echoed as they tore through the inner market merchants, guards, and innocents caught in their wake. Blood sprayed across the stalls that once bustled with life.
With that command, black-robed figures surged into the city like a tide. One of the six sped off toward the heart of the inner market with terrifying speed.
Both Ji Wuqing and Li Zhenghai stepped forward to intercept but froze as a tidal wave of killing intent crashed over them. Dense demonic Qi flared as the remaining five attackers formed a wall of death.
The black figure sneered. "Don't worry about him. He has a different mission. If it's a fight you want, then we'll be your company."
He raised his hand, a sickening aura wrapping around his palm. "Though calling this a fight is generous. Any last words?"
Ji Wuqing and Li Zhenghai exchanged no words. Their silence was louder than defiance.
The figure grinned wickedly. "Then die."
But before he could make a move, three strikes of dazzling spiritual energy tore through the air from three different directions, slamming toward the demonic cultivators and forcing them to retreat a few steps.
A stern voice echoed like thunder.
"You demonic bastards, how dare you defile this market with your filth!"
From behind, Bai Zhanjian, direct disciple of the Cloud Sword Sect, emerged with his sword glowing like a beacon.
To the right, Wu Sheng, leader of the Crimson Blade Gang, advanced with crimson killing intent blazing behind him.
And to the left, a refined yet cold figure stepped forward Cen Liangfeng, Elder of the Cloud Sword Sect and master of Wind-Step Sword Arts. His presence was like a blade sheathed in silence calm, but ready to cut through chaos.
.....
Meanwhile, from a distant rooftop, Lan Rui and Wei Xin watched the clash unfold, their faces etched with grave concern.
"Sister Wei…" Lan Rui's voice was low, his eyes fixed on the chaos unraveling before them. "What do we do now?"
Wei Xin's brows furrowed tightly. "This is worse than I anticipated. Six Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and maybe there are more hidden in the shadows."
"Not to mention the hundreds of disciples already running rampant through the outer district are now heading towards the inner market."
"The market are now in chaos, even though there is are reinforcement, that's just to deal with the Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator." After saying that, Wei Xin when silence for a moment.
Lan Rui clenched his fists. 'The Foundation Establishment Cultivator is not going to take care of us, they are too busy.'
Lan Rui look up for a while and sigh. Even with that he don't know if the five of them can hold the demonic sect Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
On the surface it's five versus five but in reality, it's more like 10 versus 5. The Second Order corpse although not as versatile as cultivator it's tough body make them harder to face head on.
"They're overwhelming the market faster than we can respond."