Chapter 106: Gentle Words Fall on Deaf Ears

Suddenly, a thunderous sound of footsteps echoed from the opposite bank of the river.

A vast horde of demons gradually appeared within the sight of the cultivators. Countless fierce faces sent a shock through their hearts, prompting them to hurriedly draw out various magical instruments.

“This is way too many!” Junior Sister Chen exclaimed, her face pale with alarm.

Peng Yangrong remained silent, his brow slowly furrowing.

In terms of numbers, this demon horde was actually slightly smaller than the last one. Most were low-level demons in the Qi Refining stage, frightening in appearance but with fewer than ten at the Foundation Establishment level.

The irregularity of the situation made his heart tighten. After a moment of thought, he spoke gravely, “Disciples of the two peaks, form your formations!”

No matter what, the priority was to block this group of beasts ahead.

Such a scenario was not isolated; it occurred simultaneously across dozens of checkpoints, especially at some treacherous mountain passes. There, seasoned and formidable cultivators gathered, their faces grave as they watched the approaching demon horde. They exchanged glances with raised brows, each feeling a strange sense of being played.

Could it be that after a mere ten years without contact, the Heavenly Demon Sect had declined to such an extent?

Or perhaps those beasts suffered such a devastating defeat that they now harbored thoughts of recuperation.

…

On a steep cliff above,

dozens of cultivators had already arranged their formations in readiness, yet still found time for idle chatter.

“Old Crane, why are you so nervous?” Yang Shulong teased.

“The terrain at Soul-breaking Cliff is perilous; ordinary demons cannot scale it. Only those born with the ability to soar would consider passing through here. It has never been the main battleground of the Heavenly Demon Sect. You’re a proud elder of the sect—are you really afraid of a few low-level demons?”

He Lin laughed awkwardly, slightly withdrawing the numerous magical instruments clenched in his hands.

“Besides, we’re just here to support. Look at those people,” Yang Shulong nodded towards the front of the crowd, where a group of uniformly dressed cultivators stood.

The Little Dan Peak and Wonderful Dharma Mountain had mustered all their sect’s strength to barely assemble a dozen Foundation Establishment disciples. In contrast, that one sect had sent out twice as many—and still seemed to have reserves.

Truly a top thirty great sect, deeply rooted.

“Judging by this, Huayang Peak intends to push their ranking even higher this time. We can’t compare,” He Lin said enviously as he withdrew his gaze. Just as he was about to say more, a familiar spiritual presence suddenly reached out.

Startled, he turned his head and saw two faint figures in the forest along the mountain path.

“It’s Elder Lin…” Seeing the figure clearly, He Lin lowered his voice to warn Yang Shulong. “Why would he come here?”

The two exchanged looks. Though Soul-breaking Cliff was not far from the lower reaches of the Yellow Sand River, it still required three to four hours on foot. How could Elder Lin have arrived here before the demon beasts struck?

Though puzzled, He Lin didn’t attract others’ attention.

Elder Lin was discreet; it was clear he did not want his arrival known. After exchanging a glance with Yang Shulong, they quietly retreated towards the forest.

Fortunately, standing at the rear, no one noticed.

“Elder Lin, what are you doing here?”

Yang Shulong quietly asked as he approached. Elder Lin was holding Yu Huan’s hand and offered no explanation, merely turning and saying, “Come with me.”

“Go?”

He Lin’s eyes widened. “Where to?”

“Anywhere but here. We cannot stay,” Elder Lin replied calmly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of urgency. Traveling with Yu Huan slowed his pace, leaving little time.

He had even prepared himself to witness the demon horde’s attack, leaving behind only a field of corpses.

If that happened, Elder Lin would not hesitate to withdraw, abandoning this place of conflict.

Fortunately, that scene had yet to unfold, but there was no time for detailed explanation. He simply said, “There’s something strange about this demon calamity. You cannot hold this place.”

He had already walked seven or eight zhang away.

Glancing back, he saw He Lin and Yang Shulong still frozen in place. Assuming he understood their thoughts, Elder Lin sighed in frustration, “You have about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Hurry and gather your sect’s disciples. Anyone willing may follow; those unwilling can stay. Just do not delay.”

This was his greatest concession, even risking some exposure of his precognitive ability.

Unexpectedly, the two old men remained like statues. His brows furrowed in impatience. “Is it so hard to understand, or do you not believe me?”

“Uh…”

He Lin scratched his belly, smiling awkwardly. “Understood… Elder Lin means Soul-breaking Cliff will fall?”

Yang Shulong also stared at Elder Lin. “Though we do not know where you got this information, we trust your words.”

Yet neither moved an inch.

“…”

Seeing this, Elder Lin grew increasingly irritated. How had he never realized these old men were so stubborn? Faced with such a dire situation, why wouldn’t they flee?

He had no choice but to emphasize, “I mean you cannot hold Soul-breaking Cliff. Staying here serves no purpose except to waste lives.”

Before the elders could respond, Yu Huan sighed helplessly, patting her forehead.

She looked up and shot Elder Lin a glance as if he were a fool, muttering, “He seems quite clever…”

As if to validate her words.

The two elders smiled awkwardly. “Elder Lin, no need to say more. We understand your meaning.”

“So?”

Elder Lin raised an eyebrow.

“So we cannot leave.” He Lin shook his head.

“If you leave, the demon horde will flood into Taiyang Prefecture unopposed,” Yang Shulong said quietly, staring at his own shoes.

Elder Lin was silent for a moment before finally grasping the meaning behind their awkward expressions.

They were puzzled by his desire to flee but too embarrassed to ask directly, hence the forced laughter.

“What use is dying in vain?”

“As long as we can slay even one more low-level demon and buy our sect an extra cup of tea’s time, it won’t be in vain,” He Lin and Yang Shulong exchanged a glance, their expressions tinged with regret. “Thank you, Elder Lin, for your trouble in coming to warn us.”

With that, they turned and headed back toward the cliff edge.

Though it seemed Elder Lin’s goodwill was wasted, they did not dare openly criticize or forcibly bind him to stay and fight. Such a thing was beyond these two elders.

“…”

Elder Lin sighed again. He realized he had misjudged something.

He had underestimated the inexplicable sense of responsibility within these cultivators’ hearts. As a transmigrator, Elder Lin found it difficult to comprehend.

Three months into the sect, he had witnessed the internal strife and scheming—hardly the demeanor of noble heroes. Yet when facing demons, they all suddenly became so righteous?

Knowing the battle was futile, why insist on it?

After lingering a moment, he led Yu Huan down the mountain.

“Well then, it’s hard to persuade the damned with kind words.”

Their acquaintance was limited, not enough for Elder Lin to risk his life for them.

n.