Chapter 344 - 182: Investigation
Jiang Che pushed his Body Technique to its limits, closely following the main force rushing back as reinforcements.
At the same time, a warning came from Xiaohei!
He quickly diverted a sliver of his consciousness, instantly connecting to the soul bond he had established with Xiaohei!
His vision switched instantly!
Within the gates of the Cangyun Sect, once a place of peace and tranquility, war beacons now blazed and the heavens shook with the cries of battle!
Over a hundred figures in black, reeking of a sinister aura, moved like wraiths, wreaking havoc throughout the Sect!
They bypassed the core areas guarded by True Master Realm Elders, launching targeted surprise attacks on the poorly defended outer strongholds, the Medicinal Herb Garden, and even the disciples’ living quarters!
Although the disciples left to guard the Sect fought back desperately, they were steadily pushed back and suffered heavy casualties against these well-prepared Demon Sect elites!
What made Jiang Che’s heart tighten was the sight of five or six Demons from the Demon Sect, stealthily creeping toward the area of the Chief Courtyards!
Their target was self-evident!
’Courting death!’
Killing intent instantly surged within Jiang Che!
As he continued to race toward the Sect at full speed, he issued a command to Xiaohei through their soul bond.
’Kill them!’
"SKREEE—"
A high-pitched, piercing eagle’s cry, filled with fury and killing intent, suddenly ripped through the heavens!
The Shadow Iron Eagle, Xiaohei, had been circling silently high in the sky like a dark cloud.
The instant it received its master’s command, it beat its wings and transformed into a black bolt of death, diving from high amidst the heavens!
The few Demons from the Demon Sect who had just infiltrated the Chief Courtyard area had no time to feel smug about their success.
Suddenly, they felt a suffocating, terrifying pressure descend from the heavens!
They looked up in horror.
All they saw was a massive black shadow, moving at an unimaginable speed, instantly filling their entire field of vision!
"What the hell is that thing?!" cried the leader, a minor Demon Sect commander at the Early Stage of the Refining Organ Realm.
However, the only answer he received was a giant talon, gleaming with a cold metallic luster as if forged from pure steel!
"SPLAT!"
The minor commander couldn’t even mount a decent resistance. Before the iron talon, his prized Body-Protecting Qi was torn apart as easily as paper!
His entire head was crushed in a single grasp of Xiaohei’s talon!
The remaining grunts, all in the Bone Forging Realm, were scared out of their wits and immediately turned to flee!
But how could their speed possibly compare to Xiaohei’s?
Its figure seemed to distort in mid-air, as if melting into the shadows, before vanishing in an instant!
The next moment, blood-curdling screams echoed from every corner of the courtyard!
In just a few breaths, the entire infiltrating Demon Sect squad was utterly annihilated by Xiaohei, the slaughter bordering on torture.
...
Just as Xiaohei finished off the intruders, Jiang Che arrived back at the Cangyun Sect, following Sect Leader Xu Zhouzi, Xu Qingshan, and the other senior members of the Sect.
"Demon Sect Demons! Die!"
Seeing the Sect in utter chaos, Xu Zhouzi erupted in fury!
He flicked his Duster, and its thousands of silver threads transformed into an inescapable net, instantly enveloping a dozen rampaging Demons and shredding them into a mist of blood!
The heads of the other courtyards and the Elders also attacked, each filled with rage!
For a time, the might of the True Masters swept across the entire scene!
The Demons, who had been rampaging with utter arrogance just moments before, were scared out of their minds when they saw the Sect’s entire leadership had returned!
They abandoned the fight, each employing their own bizarre Secret Techniques to transform into plumes of black smoke and frantically flee in all directions.
Xu Zhouzi and the others gave chase, killing the majority of the invaders in a furious pursuit.
But the Demon Sect’s escape-focused Secret Techniques were remarkably cunning. The survivors even managed to give the True Master Realm experts the slip, vanishing into the mountain forests.
Jiang Che, however, did not join the pursuit.
Instead, he immediately rushed toward his own small courtyard in the chief’s district!
Arriving outside the courtyard gate, he saw several mangled bodies of Demon Sect Demons lying haphazardly near the entrance.
He kicked one of the bodies aside, threw open the gate, and rushed inside.
He found his younger sister, Jiang Ling, huddled in a corner of the room, hugging her knees. Her face was pale, and her entire body was trembling.
"Brother!"
The moment she saw Jiang Che, she let out a scream and threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears.
"Brother... I was so scared... Outside... there were people from the Demon Sect... killing people..."
"It’s okay, it’s okay now. I’m back."
Jiang Che held his sister tightly, feeling her body shake violently with fear. His heart filled with a mixture of lingering dread and boundless rage!
’Thank goodness...’
’Thank goodness I had the foresight to leave Xiaohei here!’
’Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable!’
’Xie Songnian!’
A glint of cold, murderous intent flashed in Jiang Che’s eyes!
’I’ll be sure to settle this score!’
Just then, a huge black shadow, about the size of a calf, flew in through the door.
It affectionately rubbed its fluffy head against Jiang Che’s cheek, letting out a series of "CHIRP, CHIRP" sounds as if seeking praise for a job well done.
It was Xiaohei.
Looking at the eagle, the killing intent in Jiang Che’s heart subsided slightly.
He took the largest, highest-quality piece of Top Grade Exotic Beast Dried Meat from his Poisonous Flood Dragon Bag, offered it to Xiaohei’s beak, and praised it while stroking its head:
"Xiaohei, you did great! You were amazing!"
"CHIRP! CHIRP!"
Receiving its master’s praise, Xiaohei seemed to grow even prouder and happier, nuzzling him more enthusiastically.
Watching this scene, Jiang Ling, who had just managed to calm down a little, also reached out and stroked Xiaohei’s feathers, which were as smooth as polished metal.