Chapter 498: Chapter 354: Foundation Establishment, Foes from the Secret Realm (Part 2)

"Who wouldn’t agree?"

It’s been over fifty years since their meeting. Though Qian Hua, with her status in the Hundred Stars Alliance, early on acquired a Beauty Pill, enabling her to maintain eternal youth.

Yet her face now bears traces of maturity and hardship.

Her demeanor remains aloof and cold, but her aura has faintly approached Late-Stage Foundation Establishment.

Qian Hua is now over a century old; a Foundation Establishment cultivator has a lifespan of three Jiazi, and Qian Hua has only over seventy years left.

Seventy years to become a Golden Core, difficult.

Qian Hua no longer has her previous composure; her words are more reserved.

Meanwhile, Zhong Heng appears as a gentle young man.

Wearing the uniform of an Array Master, his long black hair is meticulously tied into a bun, his robes neat, his cuffs straight, his gaze steady.

It seems as though as long as he is here, there will be no problems.

"Zhong Heng, I heard about your father recently..."

"Hmm."

Zhong Heng’s father, Zhong Dashan, passed away a few years ago, but Zhong Heng ensured Zhong Dashan lived the most comfortable days in the mundane world.

Zhong Dashan had other offspring, whom Zhong Heng also cared for, along with relatives seeking refuge, making the Zhong Family quite a landlord in the mundane world now.

However, there are no Spirit Root disciples in the entire Zhong Family; Zhong Heng does not mind.

Zhong Heng’s gaze slightly lowered.

Though reborn, Zhong Dashan remains his father, and to say he isn’t saddened would be false, but as a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a lifespan nearing two hundred years, these matters can no longer fill Zhong Heng’s heart.

This is the divide between immortality and mortality. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Suddenly, a sound of thunder erupted outside.

Both simultaneously looked outward.

This was not natural thunder.

"Ding————————"

A crisp explosion resounded, echoing across the heavens, transforming into a sound wave.

"Ah————"

"Ah!!!"

Some newcomers to cultivation within the market painfully covered their ears.

Blood flowed from their five apertures.

"Whoosh——————"

The sound of an Exotic Beast echoed.

"It’s an alarm! Something is attacking Three Clouds Market!"

Zhong Heng’s expression slightly shifted, he stood up immediately, pushed open the door, and looked outside.

Three Clouds Market has developed rapidly, now approaching a Cultivation City.

Its defense forces are not weak.

Above Three Clouds Market, there is also a Tier Five Array as protection.

"Who dares to offend my Three Clouds Market!"

Dozens flew skyward, it was the Law Enforcement Team of Three Clouds Market.

Simultaneously, one by one, Foundation Establishment True Cultivators within Three Clouds Market ascended into the air.

Outside Three Clouds Market, there were two slightly haggard figures.

One was an absolutely stunning woman, but her aura was unstable, with a trace of crimson at the corner of her mouth.

The other was an old Daoist with disheveled gray hair.

"Three Clouds Market?"

"Hahaha, found it, finally found it, the lair of the Outer Realm demons!"

Both faces appeared somewhat crazed.

"Scatter beans to create soldiers!" The old Daoist waved his hand, tiny golden lights akin to beans scattered down, transforming in the air into Golden Armor Warriors.

The aura of Golden Armor Warriors wasn’t shallow; they were at least Late-Stage Qi Refining cultivation.

Counting, there were over a hundred.

Leading them were over ten Golden Armor Generals at Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"Break!"

The woman in the black dress drew out a hairpin, which emitted a brilliant light, washing away all before it, even forcing Zhong Heng to take a closer look, yet the Tier Four Array was blasted open.

Over a hundred Golden Armor Warriors fell into the market like meteors.

The market instantly surged with firework-like chaos.

"Where is Master Black Crow..."

"The Master is not here..."

There’s no clear True Master backing Three Clouds Market.

In recent years, Three Clouds Market has gradually come under the control of the Hundred Stars Alliance.

Master Black Crow was invited by the Hundred Stars Alliance to be a titular Golden Core Independent Cultivator guarding Three Clouds Market along with four or five surrounding markets.

Yet, a Guardian Master cannot remain in one place indefinitely, and apparently Master Black Crow is not here now.

Otherwise, these two wouldn’t be so arrogant.

"This aura... Fake Core!"

Someone exclaimed.

Throughout the Qu Hong Cultivation Realm, there aren’t many Golden Core Masters. Each of the Nine Sects has three to four, each of the Three Major Business Alliances has four or five, totaling no more than fifty, and Three Clouds Market isn’t at the core of the Qu Hong Cultivation Realm, nor are there any Golden Core Masters nearby.

"Send for aid from Shallow Cloud Mountain!"

Shallow Cloud Mountain is the nearest, and nominally, the Nine Sects and Three Alliances are in a peaceful alliance of mutual support.

Shallow Cloud Mountain is Three Clouds Market’s best rescue option.

But within a few breaths, chaos had erupted in Three Clouds Market.

Those Golden Armor Warriors know no pain, no fatigue. Even cultivators at Great Perfection Qi Refining couldn’t gain any advantage in battle against them.

The Golden Armor Warriors seemed ordered to destroy Three Clouds Market utterly.

Within moments, fire, collapsing buildings, smoke, all appeared within Three Clouds Market. Even the cries of children echoed.

Three Clouds Market is a gathering place for Loose Cultivators, many of whom have families.

"What is the Law Enforcement Team doing!"

"Have we paid all this tax for nothing?!"

Someone exclaimed in fury but dared not take the risk themselves, only able to reprimand the Law Enforcement Team.

Then, in the next moment, something fell in front of him from above.

A head with wide, staring eyes.

The speaker immediately sank to the ground, and his face was filled only with terror.

That, that was... the head of the Law Enforcement Team captain, a Fake Core Cultivator.

Upon seeing, the Law Enforcement cultivators who had just risen into the air were now almost entirely slaughtered.

The old Daoist and the stunning woman both had crimson eyes, seemingly harboring a deep hatred against Three Clouds Market.

White and black lights emanated from them.

A beautiful witch’s ghostly image appeared behind the woman, emitting piercing demonic sounds that shattered the eardrums of countless cultivators.

The old Daoist formed seals, and rainbow-colored lights flowed in his hands, transforming into beams that bombarded Three Clouds Market.

"How is it possible..."

"Know that Law Enforcement cultivators have no shortage of Talismanic Magical Artifacts, and the Cultivation Technique is provided by the Alliance, their combat prowess is strong... how is it possible..."

The slaughter of the Law Enforcement Team threw Three Clouds Market into obvious panic.

"They aren’t Fake Cores..."

Zhong Heng’s eyes emitted white light.

"Not Fake Cores... then what are they?"

Qian Hua was taken aback.

"People from the Secret Realm, this feels special, like weakened Golden Core Masters, their strength between Fake Core and Golden Core..."

Zhong Heng muttered.

"I’ve already sent a distress message to Shallow Cloud Mountain and Gold Devouring Sect, but..."

"The Gold Devouring Sect is too far from here; they’re not skilled in Escape Techniques, and Shallow Cloud Mountain... they won’t come..."

Zhong Heng’s eyes were eerie.

"Master Zhong, let us leave first!"

"These two are exceedingly powerful, far beyond our ability to resist."

Upon seeing Zhong Heng, someone couldn’t help but say.

Three Clouds Market’s strength, truthfully, isn’t weak.

The Law Enforcement Team includes a Fake Core Cultivator and nearly ten Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.

Gathering forces from various shops and families could muster three or four Fake Core cultivators.

If there was only one enemy above, three or four Fake Cores combined might have a chance.

But now... each family fears losing their strength.

If Three Clouds Market is destroyed, it doesn’t matter; as long as they survive, they can rebuild eventually, there’s no need to fight to the death.

This is the most rational thought.

Zhong Heng said nothing.

The Divine Strategy Pavilion is geographically well-located, and soon three or four cultivators saw Zhong Heng and urged him repeatedly.

Even Qian Hua by his side disappeared, the Divine Strategy Pavilion was preparing to retreat as well.

Steward Song was originally a pillar of the Divine Strategy Pavilion besides Yunmiao Master.

Steward Song is absent now; the Divine Strategy Pavilion’s high-level combat power hasn’t matured yet, naturally opting to play it safe.

But...

What will happen to those Loose Cultivators who have greeted him warmly in the past...