Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

Chapter 400: Chapter 96 Where is My Reward?
 

The group quickly retreated to the steps on the right side and then launched a fierce attack towards the main gate.

Since there was no one guarding the main gate anymore, the Allied Forces stopped attacking the Lu Country cultivators and desperately tried to break into the Departure Palace.

“Wind and snow,” Chen Lingyun directed.

Yang Linhui quickly activated the Taoism Method, and a fierce wind and snow swirled near the main gate of the Departure Palace, blocking the path of the Allied Forces.

The Onmyojis immediately counterattacked, launching various spells trying to force a path through the storm.

“Lang Feiyun,” Chen Lingyun continued to direct.

Su Yunjin, who had slightly recovered her True Yuan, immediately pinched a Taoist Incantation and released the Southern Dipper Galaxy Secret Art; countless high-pressure water bullets shot through the wind and snow, carrying numerous tiny ice particles, pushing back the samurai who tried to withstand it.

“Thunder,” Chen Lingyun suddenly said.

“Hit who?” Xie Ruoxi asked anxiously. Just as she spoke, Yan Yu grabbed her arm again.

She quickly condensed a spell while Yan Yu held her arm, raised it, and with a forceful swing, shouted:

“Release!”

An opening had just cleared in the crowd on the opposite side where Shenyuan Simie had released three bulky Shikigami to block the onslaught of magic for the Onmyojis and force a path. However, a precise strike of Shenxiao Thunder went right through the gaps between the Shikigami, shattering it instantly.

Its body turned into a fluttering confetti, and the three Shikigami also exploded violently.

“Red Dragon,” Chen Lingyun snapped her fingers.

Liu Longtao released the Red Dragon Patrols the Heavens, and a giant fire dragon soared up, crashing towards the Onmyoji’s position. Suddenly, a pillar of light lit up within their ranks, blocking the fire dragon in midair and preventing it from landing.

Xiandao Jingyin activated a magic mirror to counter the Red Dragon Patrols the Heavens, Shenyuan Simie had just resurrected using the paperman death-substituting technique and hadn’t yet reached the frontline when the others, battling through the wind and snow, were beaten to death by several Sword Immortals— the closest one had almost crossed the threshold of the Departure Palace, nearly teleporting inside, when he was struck directly on the forehead by Zhao Yuanzhen’s White Bone Heart-Locking Hammer, instantly splitting his head open and falling dead.

Shenyuan Simie finally made it back to the frontline just in time to see Xiandao Jingyin defeating the fire dragon and then took Elixir Medicine to replenish his spiritual power.

“This won’t do,” he whispered. “Before, the Lu Country cultivators were defending in three different places, with their firepower spread out; now they are focusing all their firepower on the Departure Palace’s main gate, their magic’s range completely covers and concentrates, making it much harder to break through the defense.”

“Hmm,” Xiandao Jingyin had also realized this.

“This way, our casualties are too heavy,” Shenyuan Simie sinisterly said. “The Pear Blossom Courtyard swordsmen and the Superhero Alliance can preserve their strength. Isn’t this bad?”

“Do you want them to join the charge too?” Xiandao Jingyin immediately saw through his stirring intent.

“I just think that it shouldn’t only be our people who needlessly shed blood and sacrifice themselves,” Shenyuan Simie said with a smile.

“No,” Xiandao Jingyin decisively responded, “If they join the charge as well, how can we ensure that we enter the Departure Palace first later on? Not to mention, if anyone among them can’t restrain themselves and tries to get ahead into the Departure Palace, the agreement we had will immediately be void, and everyone will end up in a situation where they hold each other back, or even turn against each other violently.”

“So what?” Shenyuan Simie said with a sinister laugh. “If the situation really turns into a mess, we can just use our hiding techniques to fish in troubled waters, and it will certainly be more of our people who manage to enter the Departure Palace.”

“Even if we benefit more this time, what about next time?” Xiandao Jingyin still disagreed, “Lu Country is strong, and it takes a joint effort from three parties to prevail. If the alliance breaks now, how can it be united next time? You should not be concerned about the small immediate gain; can you consider the bigger picture? Don’t cause trouble for the big shots.”

Shenyuan Simie sneered coldly and, without a word, retreated back into the crowd.

Among the Four Great Demon Kings, Xiandao Jingyin and Kazuya Ichirou were typical representatives of the establishment, brainwashed loyalists by the big shots, always talking about “the greater good” and “national endurance,” which to Shenyuan Simie, seemed utterly foolish.

If I could rise to power…

Such thoughts sprouted from the bottom of his heart, like planting a seed of a poisonous tree, making some of his ideas uncontrollable.

The superheroes and Pear Blossom Courtyard swordsmen also projected long-range firepower from above the high ground.

But since the Lu Country cultivators had given up defending the three sets of steps and instead huddled behind one set, their harassment was greatly diminished.

“The casualties must be significant by now, but these Onmyojis seem to be able to keep their cool,” the Green-clad Sword Lee Kyung-joon said coldly, “It’s as if they are the loyal dogs of the Superheroes.”

“We should not make comments that are detrimental to unity,” Park Changmin said calmly. “What’s wrong with sacrificing their lives to charge for the Allied Forces?”

“Why do I remember someone proactively suggesting that we take the lead?” the Yoruba Sword Choi Seung-hyun said with ill intent.

Park Changmin didn’t bother with his disparagement, thinking, “I had anticipated that the Superhero Alliance would not agree, saying such things was merely to sell a brave reputation; how could a fool like you understand my thoughts?”

He turned to look towards the opposing Superhero front and indeed saw another disturbance beginning there.

Seeing that the Departure Palace’s main gate was now unguarded, the Onmyoji were completing the final charge, and many superheroes could no longer hold back. They surrounded Stevenson, the “Judge”, demanding that he tear up the agreement and let everyone charge towards the Departure Palace to get their share.

Stevenson naturally disagreed. The plan for the Onmyoji to enter the Departure Palace first and seek treasures was agreed upon from the beginning; there was no reason to backtrack on that now!

One must focus on the bigger picture!

But his heartfelt persuasions failed to convince his subordinates, the superheroes. These mercenaries did not like to follow a collective plan; they turned and began to disobey orders, leading the charge up the main steps of the Departure Palace.

Chen Lingyun, seeing this from above, immediately furrowed her brows.

In her plan, the Onmyoji had to enter the Departure Palace collectively first, so they would end up in a situation where none could defend themselves afterwards. Even if all Onmyoji insisted they acquired nothing, others would merely think they were in cahoots… But if the superheroes stirred things up, it could throw the whole plan into jeopardy.

“Magic Cultivators, pretend your True Yuan is insufficient and slow down the attack, let the Onmyoji enter the Departure Palace!” she almost immediately decided, loudly commanding, “Yan Yu, block those superheroes, don’t let a single one up!”

“Understood.” Yan Yu executed the Cloud Dividing Eight Trigrams Step, instantly rushing into the blizzard that engulfed the main gate, disappearing from sight.

Yang Linhui and Su Yunjin both began to reduce their force, causing the blizzard and floods to slowly recede, while Liu Longtao simply stopped using the Red Dragon Patrols the Heavens and just wielded the Ying Long Sword in a chaotic manner.

To Xiandao Jingyin watching, this clearly demonstrated a major blunder by the Lu Country Cultivators—what’s happening? Improper coordination of Elixir Medicine for sustenance, causing three Magic Cultivators to experience insufficient True Yuan simultaneously?

“Push forward the Shikigami in the front lines to block their firepower! Ninja Team, seize the chance to enter the Departure Palace first! Samurai, form up to protect!” she ordered swiftly.

The Onmyoji immediately pulled out their stored Talisman Paper, summoning a large number of Shikigami and pushing forward to block the Lu Country Cultivators’ path of attack.

Under the protection of the Samurai team, the agile Ninja Team was the first to enter the Departure Palace, searching the surroundings.

Xiandao Jingyin and Shinyori Simie also rushed into the hall, quickly surveying the internal environment, finally resting their eyes upon a cushion in front of a scroll on an incense table.

“Masao!” instructed Shinyori Simie, “Kneel on the cushion and pray for treasures.”

The Onmyoji named Masao did as told, kneeling on the cushion, bowing repeatedly and closing his eyes to pray.

Indeed, within moments, a female voice rose within the palace:

“Cultivator… Masao Yuto, pass through six trials, rank as the eleventh successful applicant, score qualified.”

“Now for the rewards, choose one of three: ‘The Essentials of Mixed Yuan Pill Refining,’ ‘The Secret Law of Samadhi True Fire,’ ‘Kan-Li Dragon and Tiger Breathing Scripture.’

Masao Yuto looked towards the two Demon Kings, Xiandao Jingyin narrowed her eyes, contemplating.

She, like Shinyori Simie, could somewhat understand the language of Lu Country, especially familiar with the naming by the Taoist Sect. ‘The Essentials of Mixed Yuan Pill Refining’ must be some Alchemy method, ‘The Secret Law of Samadhi True Fire’ is clearly an offensive Taoist Incantation, and ‘Kan-Li Dragon and Tiger Breathing Scripture’ is definitely associated with Cultivation… They must pick the third option then! After all, the foundation of cultivation is core!

“Choose the third one,” she said indifferently.

“Disciple chooses the third one,” Masao Yuto stated in Chongying language.

“Reward granted,” the Departure Palace’s female voice stated coldly, “Would you like to be transported out of the Mysterious Realm now?”

Masao Yuto: “???”

The reward was granted?

Why didn’t I hear a single word?

After a moment of silent trembling, he began frantically patting himself, checking if the Mysterious Realm had secretly tucked any scripture or secret scroll in his pocket.

“What’s wrong?” Shinyori Simie asked, frowning.

“I… I…” Masao Yuto fumbled for a while, sweating profusely, his face deathly pale, and his lips quivering, “I didn’t hear the content of the mental method… I didn’t receive the reward…”

“Nonsense!” Xiandao Jingyin’s face filled with rage as she shouted in reprimand, “Daring to hide the content of the mental method, do you wish to die? Masao! Even if you momentarily lost your way, think about your wife and children!”