Vol. 1 - Ch. 204 - Retreat
This time, he would strike to kill.
Just as Shi Chenghou was about to act, several figures rushed over from the distance. They weren’t weaklings—two had reached the peak of the Blood Coagulation Realm, and the rest were mid-stage cultivators. It was Chen Tianyu and his group, who had raced here at full speed.
Upon seeing the black-robed intruder, the newcomers immediately surrounded him and launched a coordinated assault. With the Divine Tree standing behind them, they were fearless.
Shi Chenghou’s steps faltered. Though he was already a late-stage Innate Realm cultivator and had little fear of being surrounded, the situation had clearly changed.
Breaking past these people to reach the Blood Rice and burn it would now be close to impossible—especially since the Chen Clan’s totem still hadn’t made a move. His mission had been to destroy the Blood Rice. If he failed, then even if he killed a few of their cultivators, it would be meaningless.
Once again, he hesitated.
“Retreat!”
Shi Chengyu’s voice rang sharply in his ear.
Without further hesitation, Shi Chenghou turned and withdrew.
Some Chen Clan members tried to give chase, but Chen Xingzhen, who had just arrived, quickly stopped them.
Those two were far too powerful. If not for the support of the clan’s spiritual spring, their people wouldn’t have been able to hold the line—much less pursue enemies of that level.
Nearby, Chen Qingyu approached quickly. “Clan Leader, it’s the same people as last time.”
Though they had only exchanged blows twice, she had recognized them immediately.
“They must’ve come for the Blood Rice.”
Chen Xingzhen nodded slightly, already forming his own judgment. With only two intruders, it clearly wasn’t a full-scale attack. Their goal had to be the destruction of the Blood Rice.
Fortunately, the Divine Tree had warned them. Without it, those two might’ve succeeded. While they still had no idea what method the intruders would use to destroy the rice, it was obvious they had something special prepared.
“Clan Leader, what should we do now?” someone asked.
Chen Xingzhen fell into a moment of silence.
Those two were stronger than Qingyu—most likely late-stage Innate Realm cultivators. With strength like that, they could advance or retreat at will. For now, there wasn’t much the clan could do to counter them.
“Reinforce the defenses,” he finally said.
Around him, many clan members still looked indignant.
“Next time they show up, we’ll make them pay!”
“Do they think the Chen Clan is helpless? Outrageous!”
“I swear, I’ll reach the Innate Realm as soon as I can!”
...
Seeing that the attack had not crushed morale but instead ignited it, Chen Xingzhen felt deeply comforted.
True strength wasn't just about rising through cultivation realms. An indomitable spirit and the will to never yield—those were what led to true power.
[Name: Shi Chengyu]