Lin Jingxing gave a few more instructions regarding the intelligence on the demon army before hurriedly leaving to prepare for the pre-battle meeting.
In the courtyard, Shi Tou picked up the spirit meat again and began to devour it, but this time, his eyes held a more solemn expression.
Jiang Li wiped her longsword, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight; Su She, meanwhile, opened a book and quietly studied it, as if searching for a way to deal with the demons.
Xiao Chen looked at the three of them, then looked out the window. On the streets of Sunlight City, cultivators were busy reinforcing defenses and moving supplies. The tense atmosphere in the air was even stronger than before.
He knew that the battle three days later would be a bloody one, and that they had no way out.
As night fell, the city lord's mansion in Sunlight City was brightly lit, and the council hall was already bustling with activity.
When Xiao Chen, Jiang Li, Su She, and Shi Tou arrived, the hall was already packed, with the leaders, elders, and core disciples of various powerful forces all gathered.
The air was thick with a solemn yet orderly atmosphere. Clearly, everyone understood that tonight's meeting concerned the life and death of Sunlight City and even the entire Xuanqiong Realm.
The four of them attracted a lot of attention as soon as they stepped into the hall. However, unlike usual occasions, no one in the hall showed any disdain.
The stories of Jiang Li, who fought four peak-stage Creation Realm demons alone during the day, and Su She, who crushed powerful enemies with his righteous spirit, had already spread throughout Sunlight City through word of mouth among the surviving cultivators.
Now everyone knows that these four cultivators from other regions are all exceptionally talented geniuses, and no one dares to belittle them as "cultivators from other regions" anymore.
Xiao Chen's gaze swept quickly across the hall, finally settling on the main seat at the very front of the council chamber.
Sitting there was a stern-faced middle-aged man dressed in a black brocade robe, with a jade pendant engraved with a dragon pattern hanging from his waist.
Although he did not deliberately release any pressure, he possessed a terrifying aura, as if he were not an ordinary person, but a war god who looked down upon all living beings.
"That is Senior Lin Zhen," Jiang Li said softly to Xiao Chen, her tone filled with admiration.
Even though the other party deliberately concealed his aura, the peak Nirvana Realm cultivator's presence was enough to put pressure on her.
Xiao Chen nodded, understanding dawning on him. This was the most powerful figure in the Xuanqiong Realm, Lin Jingxing's father.
He led Jiang Li and the other two forward, cupped his hands in greeting to the main seat and the surrounding cultivators, and said respectfully, "Junior Xiao Chen, Jiang Li, Su She, and Shi Tou greet all seniors."
Lin Zhen raised his eyes to look at the four people, his gaze as tangible as a physical object, slowly sweeping over them. When it landed on Jiang Li and Su She, a barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He could see that Jiang Li was only at the late stage of the Creation Realm, and Su She was only at the middle stage of the Creation Realm, yet they were able to unleash combat power that could crush even the peak of the Creation Realm. Such talent was extremely rare, even in the history of the Xuanqiong Realm.
"No need for formalities, please sit down," Lin Zhen said, his voice steady and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority, yet without any arrogance.
Xiao Chen and his companions thanked him and found a seat in a corner of the hall.
As soon as Shi Tou sat down, he couldn't help but yawn. He had never been interested in these kinds of meetings, and he was even more interested in watching the elders in front of him seriously discussing defense plans.
The troop deployment was tedious and boring. He whispered to Xiao Chen, "Senior brother, how long is this going to last? It's more interesting to go out and practice a couple of punches."
Xiao Chen patted his shoulder helplessly, signaling him to calm down. This pre-battle meeting was of great importance and could not be taken lightly.
Jiang Li and Su She listened very attentively, occasionally exchanging glances and whispering their opinions on the defense plan.
Su She even took out a scroll he carried with him and wrote down information about the demon forces and weak points in their defenses mentioned in the meeting, in preparation for future responses.
The meeting lasted for more than an hour, during which Lin Zhen and the leaders of various forces finalized the defense plan: centered on the three gates of Sunlight City.
The Liuyun Dao Sect and the Lin Family respectively guarded Chaoyang Gate, Zhenmo Gate, and Wangyue Gate, while other smaller forces were stationed at various points along the city walls, forming a strategic defensive network.
Lu Mingyuan and other peak-stage Creation Realm cultivators serve as a mobile force, ready to support various battlefields at any time.
Xiao Chen and his three companions were assigned to Wangyue Gate to assist Lin Jingxing in defense, using their combat strength to fill the gaps in Wangyue Gate's defenses.
After the meeting ended, Lin Zhen stood up and announced the adjournment, but did not leave immediately. Instead, he waved to Xiao Chen and the other three: "Young friends Xiao, Jiang, Su, and Shi Tou, come here for a moment."
The four men stepped forward. Lin Zhen looked at them, his serious expression softening slightly, and his tone becoming gentler.
"Thank you for your help during the day. If it weren't for you, the Moon Gazing Sect would probably have been breached by the demons. Your strength far surpasses that of other cultivators of the same level, and your future is limitless."
"You flatter me, senior. This is what we should do," Xiao Chen replied, cupping his hands in greeting.
Lin Zhen smiled, gave a few more brief instructions on the defensive points of Wangyue Gate, and then let them communicate on their own.
At this moment, the other cultivators in the hall also gathered around. The core disciples of the various forces, at the behest of their elders, took the initiative to walk towards Xiao Chen and his companions, their faces beaming with warm smiles.
“Brother Xiao, I am Li Muran, a disciple of the Xuantian Sect. I have long heard of your deeds, and seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved!” A young man in a blue Daoist robe spoke first, his attitude respectful.
"Junior Sister Jiang, I am Luo Mingxuan from the Liuyun Dao Sect. Your heroic feat of defeating four demons with a single sword during the day is truly admirable!" Another handsome cultivator bowed to Jiang Li, his eyes full of respect.
Immediately afterwards, disciples from other factions also stepped forward to greet them, some offering spiritual fruits that were specialties of their sects, and others warmly inviting them to visit their sects in the future, their words full of goodwill.
Even the disciples of the Nanli Sect who had previously interacted with Xiao Chen and the others took the initiative to step forward and exchange pleasantries with the four.
Stone was a little bewildered by the scene. He scratched his head, looked at the pile of spiritual fruits that had suddenly appeared in his hand, and asked Xiao Chen in confusion, "Senior brother, why are they so enthusiastic?"
Xiao Chen understood; these disciples had obviously come to make friends on the orders of their elders.
After all, the talent displayed by the four of them was too monstrous. Jiang Li and Su She, with a cultivation level below the peak of the Creation Realm, were able to crush demons at the peak of the Creation Realm.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, breaking through to the Nirvana Realm and even surpassing Lin Zhen is not impossible.
The various factions are taking the initiative to befriend each other now in order to establish goodwill in advance and pave the way for the future development of their sects.
He smiled and said to everyone, "Fellow Daoists, you are too kind. It would be the best fate for us to fight side by side and resist the demons together in the future."
Jiang Li and Su She responded in a gentle yet measured manner.
Su She even chatted with several other cultivators who shared a love for literature and the Dao, discussing everything from poetry and songs to the spirit of righteousness, which drew praise from many of them.
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