Lin Jingxing's voice was slightly hoarse, clearly moved by the scene before him.
“Father had long ago ordered the villagers on the border to move into the inland cities, but they…”
A cultivator from Burning Flame Valley sighed and continued, "Most of these villagers are elderly or low-level cultivators; the young people have all gone out to find masters."
"They said this is their root, the place where their ancestors lived, and they would rather die than leave."
“We’ve tried to persuade them many times, and even forcibly packed their luggage for them, but the next day they would sneak back…”
"The Lin family was also helpless."
Another prodigy from the Flowing Cloud Dao Sect added, "We can't just kidnap them. We can only send some low-level cultivators to protect them, but when faced with a surprise attack from the demons, those protecting cultivators often..."
He choked up at this point and didn't continue.
Xiao Chen listened silently, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He understood the villagers' deep attachment to their homeland.
It was an emotion etched into their very bones, yet this obsession appeared so fragile and so heartbreaking in the face of the ferocious demons.
"Pass down the order."
Lin Jingxing took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, and his tone became firm again, "First, properly bury the villagers' bodies."
"Then speed up and head to the next defensive line. We can't let the demons destroy any more villages, and we can't let any more people die!"
"yes!"
The cultivators responded in unison and began clearing the corpses from the village. Some cultivators took out shovels to dig pits, while others used their spiritual power to clean up the bloodstains on the ground. Everyone moved very gently, as if they were comforting the departed souls.
Xiao Chen and Shi Tou also went over to help dig the pit. Shi Tou didn't say a word, but just swung the shovel forcefully, venting his anger into the soil.
As Xiao Chen dug the pit, he cautiously observed his surroundings. He had a feeling that the demons hadn't gone too far and might be lurking nearby, waiting for the next surprise attack.
As night deepened, the pits in the village were gradually dug, and the bodies were carefully placed into them and covered with soil.
There were no tombstones, no memorial services, only the monks bowing silently, and faint wails in the night wind.
After burying the villagers, Lin Jingxing ordered the troops to set off again. Without stopping, the team quickly advanced towards the next defensive line.
The spiritual light flickered in the darkness, like a river of light carrying sorrow and fighting spirit, resolutely moving forward in the direction where the demons might appear.
As Xiao Chen and Shi Tou walked in the group, their fighting spirit grew stronger. They were not only fighting for their own safety and for training, but also to protect those who did not want to leave their homeland, and to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
The group hadn't gone far when a series of hurried footsteps came from behind. A scout in light armor caught up, panting and pale.
He knelt on one knee before Lin Jingxing: "Young Master Lin! Qingxi Village, thirty miles ahead, is being invaded by a demon clan team! The villagers are still resisting, and the situation is critical!"
"What?!"
Lin Jingxing's expression changed drastically. Having just witnessed the devastation of a ruined village, he absolutely could not allow another village to be destroyed!
He immediately raised his hand, his voice carrying an undeniable determination: "Everyone, full speed ahead! Rush to the aid of Qingxi Village!"
Before he finished speaking, he had already transformed into a golden streak of light and flew towards Qingxi Village.
Luo Qingyang and the other prodigies followed closely behind, and thousands of cultivators also unleashed their movement techniques. The spiritual energy intertwined in the night, like a moving sea of light, rushing forward.
Xiao Chen and Shi Tou quickened their pace, rushing past with the flow of people.
This was their first time facing the demons directly, and they felt both nervous and an overwhelming fighting spirit.
In less than half an incense stick's time, the outline of Qingxi Village came into view. Looking into the distance, flames soared into the sky from the village.
The screams of villagers and the roars of demons could be faintly heard, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and a nauseating stench.
"That's it!"
Lin Jingxing gave a low shout, increased his speed, and rushed into the village first.
Xiao Chen and Shi Tou landed and looked up to see more than a dozen ugly figures wreaking havoc in the village.
These demons were entirely grayish-black, with skin as rough as rock, and two curved, sharp horns on their heads.
A pair of scarlet eyes gleamed in the night, and its hands were sharp black claws, tearing at houses and chasing after fleeing villagers.
"Damn, this thing is so ugly!"
Stone frowned, unable to resist making a complaint.
"It's even uglier than the ferocious beasts we killed before!"
A nearby rogue cultivator overheard this and casually explained, "This is the lowest-level 'Horned Demon,' with most of them at the Refining Void or Integration Realm. They're not very bright and only know how to kill and devour."
When they encounter demons of higher realms, such as those in the Dao Proving Realm or Creation Realm, they will transform into human form, making them even more difficult to deal with!
Xiao Chen nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the horned demon horde. Among the dozen or so horned demons, there was one that was slightly larger.
Not only were its horns thicker, but its body was also covered with a thin layer of black scales. Unlike other horned demons, it didn't charge ahead.
Instead, they were quietly retreating, their eyes scanning the invading group of cultivators warily, clearly intending to escape in the chaos.
"That's just the squad leader!"
Lin Jingxing instantly locked onto the scaly horned demon and shouted sharply.
"Kill it first! Cut off the command of these horned demons!"
Before he finished speaking, Lin Jingxing had already transformed into a golden streak of light, surrounded by dragon flames. He condensed a cloud dragon palm in his right hand and slammed it fiercely towards the Scaled Horned Demon!
He knew very well that low-level demons mostly acted on instinct. Once the squad leader was killed, the remaining horned demons would be leaderless and easier to eliminate.
Upon seeing this, a flicker of fear flashed in the Scaled Horned Demon's crimson eyes, and it turned to flee.
But Lin Jingxing was too fast. The golden dragon palm caught up in an instant, slapping its back with a scorching heat!
"Bang!"
The Scaled Horned Demon was struck solidly by the dragon's palm. Its black scales shattered, blood splattered, and its body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into a large tree with a shrill scream.
Lin Jingxing gave it no chance to breathe. He flashed and landed in front of it. Golden spiritual energy condensed into a sword and instantly pierced its head.
"It's solved!"
With the death of the Scaled Horned Demon, the remaining dozen or so Horned Demons indeed lost their composure. Their previously frenzied movements became hesitant, and some even began to flee in all directions.
"Kill them! Don't let them get away!"
The cultivators took action one after another, some casting spells and others wielding weapons, launching a fierce attack on the horned demon.
These horned demons were not at a high level to begin with, and without a leader, they were no match for the cultivators' attacks.
Stone rubbed his hands together, charged forward, and punched a horned demon on the head. With a loud "bang," the demon's skull was smashed to pieces, black blood splattering everywhere. "Haha! This thing looks ugly, but it's not that tough!"
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