SFS Chapter 143 Defense Plan
Chapter 143 Defense Plan
The moment the shadow disappeared, the world seemed to fall silent.
After the crack closed, the dark clouds in the sky gradually dissipated, and the long-awaited sunlight shone through the gaps in the clouds onto the earth, gilding everything with a golden halo.
On the northern wilderness, withered yellow grasses swayed gently in the breeze, as if celebrating their survival.
The stench that had permeated the air had faded considerably, replaced by the fresh scent of earth and grass.
Zhou Ning slumped to the ground, panting heavily.
The Qingfeng Sword lay horizontally on his lap, its purplish-gold blade still warm from the battle. The sword spirit emitted a low hum, as if soothing its master's weariness.
His clothes were soaked with sweat and clung tightly to his body. The wound on his arm was still throbbing, caused by the gunshot wound from the shadowy figure.
Han Wei squatted down beside him, took out a clean cloth from his pocket, and handed it to him.
Zhou Ning took the cloth, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Young Master Zhou, is that thing... dead?" Han Wei's voice was still trembling slightly.
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"No. That was just one of the extraterrestrial demon's avatars, not its main body. It escaped back."
Han Wei's expression grew even more serious.
"If an extradimensional clone is this powerful, then the original body..."
Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "Therefore, we must be prepared."
He struggled to his feet, and Han Wei quickly helped him up.
The two walked back to Qingfeng City together.
The people in the city had already received the news and flocked to the streets.
When they saw Zhou Ning, some bowed, some kowtowed, and some brought him eggs and fruit.
An elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, walked shakily to Zhou Ning, tears streaming down his face.
"Young Master Zhou, you are our great benefactor. If it weren't for you, our Qingfeng City would be finished."
Zhou Ning helped the old man up and said softly, "Old man, there's no need to be so polite. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is simply our duty."
The old man took a copper coin from his pocket and put it into Zhou Ning's hand.
"These are my family's heirloom copper coins, said to ward off evil spirits. I have no use for them, so please accept them, Young Master Zhou."
Zhou Ning initially wanted to decline, but seeing the sincerity in the old man's eyes, he accepted it.
The copper coin felt heavy in my hand, with some ancient runes engraved on it, emitting a faint spiritual light.
Although it's not a particularly powerful ritual implement, you can feel the incense and prayers it contains.
"Thank you, sir."
The old man shook his head.
"Young Master Zhou, you're too kind. You saved our lives; what's a single copper coin?"
The people gathered around, some bringing eggs, some bringing cloth, and some bringing dry food.
Zhou Ning could not refuse, so he had to accept the gifts and then distributed them to the orphans and widows in the city.
Han Wei led him to the Demon Suppression Division's encampment and had the guards prepare hot water and food.
Zhou Ning took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and ate a hot meal before feeling some strength restored.
"Lord Han, what is the situation with the other rifts in the North?" Zhou Ning asked.
Han Wei said, "The rift west of Luoxia Town has been temporarily sealed by the brothers of the Demon Suppression Division. There's still no news about the rift over Cangmang Mountain. I've sent people to investigate, and we should have results soon."
Zhou Ning nodded.
"I'll go take a look at the Cangmang Mountains."
Han Wei quickly said, "You just finished a battle and need to rest. Let someone else go."
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"I don't trust anyone else to go. The extraterrestrial demon's avatar is too powerful; ordinary cultivators are no match for it. I'll go instead."
Han Wei knew he couldn't persuade him, so he had no choice but to nod.
"Then be careful."
Zhou Ning stayed in Qingfeng City for one night and left the next morning for Cangmang Mountain.
The scenery of Cangmang Mountain is even more desolate than when I last visited.
The village at the foot of the mountain was deserted; houses had collapsed and courtyard walls had crumbled, clearly indicating that no one had lived there for a long time.
The mountain path was littered with pebbles and dead branches, and a faint stench of decay permeated the air.
Zhou Ning climbed upwards along the mountain path.
After walking for about two hours, he reached the top of the mountain.
On the mountaintop, the huge black crack had disappeared, replaced by a scorched earth.
The ground was covered with cracks, and black mist lingered in the cracks, slowly dissipating.
Around the crack, there were scattered black fragments, exactly the same as those seen before.
"The crack has closed on its own?" Zhou Ning frowned, squatted down, picked up a fragment, and examined it carefully.
The fragments were icy cold to the touch, carrying a chilling aura, but most of the demonic energy within them had dissipated, leaving only a faint remnant.
He stood up and looked around.
On the mountaintop, besides these fragments, there were also traces of a battle.
There are several deep trenches on the ground, as if they were cut by a sharp blade.
Several large trees were cut in half, their cut surfaces charred black, as if corroded by something.
"Someone has been here and fought with the shadowy figure," Zhou Ning thought to himself.
He followed the trail of the battle.
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a figure appeared ahead.
The man was dressed in a white Taoist robe, sitting cross-legged on a large rock, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.
His face was pale and his breathing was weak; he was clearly seriously injured.
"Master Xuanzhenzi?" Zhou Ning walked over quickly.
Xuanzhenzi opened his eyes, saw Zhou Ning, and a hint of joy flashed in his eyes: "Young Master Zhou, you've come."
Zhou Ning squatted down, took out a healing pill from his bag, and handed it to Xuanzhenzi.
Xuanzhenzi took the pill, swallowed it, and his complexion gradually improved.
"Master Xuanzhenzi, what are you doing here? Where is the crevice in Cangmang Mountain?"
Xuanzhenzi sighed: "The rift has been sealed. It was sealed by me and a few of my disciples."
"But that shadowy figure... was too powerful. My three disciples... all of them perished."
His eyes reddened, and his voice choked with emotion.
Zhou Ning was silent for a moment, then patted him on the shoulder: "Daoist Xuanzhenzi, please accept my condolences. Their sacrifice will not have been in vain."
Xuanzhenzi nodded, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes: "I understand. Young Master Zhou, although the rift in the North has been temporarily sealed, the true form of the extraterrestrial demons remains. They will descend again sooner or later. We must be prepared."
Zhou Ning said, "Master is already contacting the major righteous sects to prepare to set up defenses in all directions. In the north, Han Wei and I will be in charge."
"The Southern Frontier is under the jurisdiction of Master Xuanzhen. The East Sea is under the jurisdiction of Qingcheng Mountain, and the Western Desert is under the jurisdiction of Kunlun Sect."
Xuanzhenzi nodded: "That's for the best. Only by joining forces can the major sects have a chance of winning."
After chatting for a while, Zhou Ning helped Xuanzhenzi down the mountain.
By the time they returned to Qingfeng City, it was already dark.
Han Wei arranged a banquet to entertain Zhou Ning and Xuanzhenzi.
During the meeting, the three discussed the defense plan for the northern region.
"I plan to set up outposts in Qingfeng City, Luoxia Town, and Cangmang Mountain, and station a team of cultivators and guards from the Demon Suppression Division at each outpost to monitor the movements of the rift day and night."
Han Wei pointed to three locations on the map.
"If any abnormality is detected, immediately notify other outposts and request assistance from Lanruo Temple."
Zhou Ning nodded: "This plan is good. But do we have enough manpower?"
Han Wei said, "The imperial court has approved the request for reinforcements, and a new batch of guards and supplies will arrive in a few days. The major righteous sects have also agreed to send disciples to assist in the defense."
Xuanzhenzi said, "Qingfeng Temple can send ten disciples to guard the Cangmang Mountain outpost."
Zhou Ning said, "There are only my master and I at Lanruo Temple, but my master will be stationed in the central command to provide support to various locations at any time."
The three discussed some more details and then went their separate ways.