Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor-Chapter 1232: The True Intent of the Strange Spirit

Nightfall descends!

Inside Gushan City, with its four gates wide open, everywhere were some tired figures. However, although these human cultivators were weary, every face carried an excited smile, continually boasting to familiar companions about the number of strange spirits they had slaughtered today.

The daytime battle had long ended, with the alien spirit army outside the West Gate nearly annihilated, ultimately leading the human cultivators to split into two groups from the West Gate, passing the North and South Gates, directly charging into the middle of the alien army outside the East Gate.

In fact, after the two major alien spirit leaders led their armies to the West Gate, the central forces outside the East Gate were merely in name, with only one Ninth Rank Intermediate alien spirit holding the fort.

When numerous human cultivators attacked from both sides, these alien forces outside the East Gate had no idea what had happened, and the final result was predictable.

The morale-peaked human cultivators crushed the alien army outside the East Gate as easily as cutting through melon and vegetables.

In fact, this time Yun Xiao didn't even need to take action; just relying on Duan Gen and several other Middle Stage Earth Bending Realm experts working together, they beheaded the Ninth Rank Intermediate alien beneath them, and the Spirit Crystal was eventually seized by Duan Gen.

In this battle, the human side achieved a complete victory, while the alien spirits were routed like a collapsing mountain.

Even the alien spirits cherished their lives; those left scattered and fled, and the numerous human cultivators didn't chase too far. After reaping abundant spoils of war, they all returned to Gushan City to rest.

Although many cultivators on the human side were also killed by the alien spirits in this battle, this is the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield; is there ever a day without death?

Moreover, they all knew that if they defended as they had before, the city gate might be broken tomorrow, and then no human cultivator would survive.

Since entering the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield, it had been a long time since the human side achieved such a victory, even when they retook various cities, they only drove the alien spirits out.

But today, the alien army outside Gushan City was nearly exterminated, with each surviving human cultivator possessing several or even dozens of Strange Spirit Crystals in hand.

These Strange Spirit Crystals are the best trophies after victory, energy crystals that greatly enhance one's power more than a Vein Demon Demon Core.

With these crystals, not only can they quickly recover to peak condition, but their strength can also see a significant boost.

It's known that vein demons are different from strange spirits, and except for special forces like the Spirit Fighting Commerce, the human side generally does not slaughter vein demons recklessly.

Moreover, during this strong alien attack, many vein demons came out from the Yin Sha Mountain to fight against the alien spirits, acting as potential allies to the human side. Taking their demon cores would indeed be unkind.

But the Spirit Crystals are different. Everyone is responsible for killing alien spirits, and obtaining Spirit Crystals is the best reward, moreover, earned through one's fierce battle, which carries extraordinary significance.

Since the alien spirits had been terror-stricken, there was no need to close the city gates. This perhaps marked the most relaxed night for the human cultivators in Gushan City in these months of alien spirit rampage.

"Hey, do you know why we achieved such a great victory today?"

"I heard some things—it's said a significant figure arrived in Gushan City!"

"That great figure is extraordinary, seemingly having killed Elder Liao to seize the position of power holder!"

"Brother Meng, do you know who that great figure is?"

"Of course, that great figure's identity is not minor; his honored name is Yun Xiao, have you heard of him?"

"Ah! It's him?!"

"..."

In almost every place in Gushan City, after the human cultivators calmed down, discussions like this erupted.

And through the spread from word to word, everyone knew of the young hero who slain two Ninth Rank Advanced alien leaders—who he actually was.

Many human cultivators in Gushan City came from various parts of the continent, and a year ago, Yun Xiao's reputation was well-known; although he disappeared for nearly a year, it did not hinder these cultivators from digging up the stored memories from their minds.

Even those cultivators indifferent to Yun Xiao exchanged their faith for that rugged young man after this grand victory.

They believed, under his leadership, the name of Gushan City would surely resonate throughout the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield.

...

In the grandest great hall of Gushan City, at this moment sat or stood some imposing figures, where naturally, sitting at the highest spot, was Yun Xiao.

At this moment, Yun Xiao undoubtedly won the hearts and minds of Duan Gen and the others, even though Liao Qiguang had controlled Gushan City for two or three months, during which he only focused on defense, and the city's walls were on the verge of being breached.

At this critical juncture, a heroic youth seemingly bestowed by the heavens appeared miraculously. After slapping Liao Qiguang, who used public power for personal vendettas, to death, he proceeded to kill two major alien spirit leaders, shattering the morale of the alien spirit army, leading to an unprecedented victory for the human side.

Duan Gen and the others standing below had yet to calm their minds; they were somewhat puzzled about why Yun Xiao summoned them here, but at this moment, they clearly did not dare to speak first.

"What do you all think of today's great battle?"

After a long silence, Yun Xiao finally spoke. As soon as he uttered these words, even Xu Hongzhuang glanced at him, not knowing what he meant by asking this question.

"Lord Yun Xiao, this is an unprecedented victory. I believe the morale in other cities will definitely soar upon hearing the news of our great victory in Gushan City!"

A middle-stage Earth Bending Realm expert named Qi Shanhe could not conceal his excitement as he replied directly to Yun Xiao's question. His words made several nearby individuals nod slightly.

"Do you all think the same?"

Yun Xiao, without confirming or denying, asked again. This second question carried an odd hint that Duan Gen and the others could detect, and even Qi Shanhe stopped speaking.

"The gains and losses at a single city like Gushan, in the grand scheme of the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield, are nothing more than a drop in the ocean. If this is enough to make you relax, it truly disappoints me!"

Yun Xiao shook his head slightly, with a tone not only of disappointment but also a hint of worry. As he rightly said, Gushan City was just a small city in the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield, and the victory today wasn't enough to change the status quo between humans and alien spirits fundamentally.

The Ninth Rank Advanced alien spirits are already considered the strongest in this battlefield, but what truly worries Yun Xiao are those alien spirits who have reached the Heavenly Spirit Rank. Against such alien spirit experts, he isn't confident he could contend.

"What plans does my lord have next? We will follow any command!"

Duan Gen processed things quickly and knew that this new power holder of Gushan City was likely very different from his predecessors, so it was best not to try guessing his intentions.

"The alien spirits are ruthless, and they never talk about any reasoning with humans. Why do you think that this time neither side sent out their Heavenly Rank experts to participate in this battle?"

Yun Xiao's thoughts seemed to jump, suddenly bringing up another topic that surprised the group, though they each had their own ideas.

"It should be because both the alien spirits and we humans feel there's no assured victory with a single strike and want to prepare thoroughly before putting everything into one decisive battle!"

Duan Gen's explanation should be considered the mainstream understanding of the situation. Many top Heavenly Rank experts on the human side thought similarly; perhaps this was the only way to explain it.

However, as soon as Duan Gen finished speaking, Yun Xiao slowly shook his head and said, "I mentioned earlier that alien spirits never reason with humans, so how could there be this bizarre tacit understanding?"

When it comes to understanding alien spirits, likely, no cultivator on the entire Tenglong Continent could surpass Yun Xiao. In his past life as the Long Xiao Battle God, his main enemies were those formidable alien spirits.

Due to unknown reasons, the vast majority of alien spirits harbor extreme hostility towards humans. Whenever they encounter a human expert, the result is always a fight to the death.

Therefore, in Yun Xiao's view, this subconscious tacit agreement between the alien spirits and humans this time seems very peculiar, differing greatly from his consistent understanding of alien spirits.

"If this tacit agreement was intentionally orchestrated by the alien spirits, then there's only one possibility!"

Before Duan Gen and the others could respond, Yun Xiao seemed to ponder for a moment and then said to himself, "It seems the alien spirit side has a major figure whose strength has not fully recovered, and they need to use the Slaughter Spirit Battlefield to buy time or even absorb power!"

As he said the last sentence, Yun Xiao suddenly stood up, clasped his hands together as if corroborating this idea, causing Duan Gen, Qi Shanhe, and others to change their expressions dramatically.

"This..."

This was the first time Duan Gen and the others had heard of this notion. If Yun Xiao were merely speculating without basis, they might have dismissed it, but what he said was logical and compelling, leaving them no choice but to believe.

As Yun Xiao said, it's impossible for alien spirits to adhere to human notions of morality and tacit agreements. The persistent absence of Heavenly Spirit Rank experts in battle, if claimed to be due to fear of human Heavenly Rank experts, seemed implausible.

Moreover, they had all heard of the destruction of Impermanence Island, where even the chief and deputy Island Masters, both dignified Heavenly Rank Cloud Realm experts, were killed. Imagine the strength of the alien spirit side.

With Lingyun Realm experts like the Meng brothers, unless opposed by alien spirits stronger than them, they couldn't even escape. This already explained a lot.

"Since we guessed their intentions, we certainly cannot let them succeed!"

Yun Xiao's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and with these words, Duan Gen and the others could sense a touch of hostility from the young man. Reflecting on the day's victory, they suddenly felt a sense of excitement and anticipation.