Chapter 26: Response

Outside the Hengduan Mountains.

The six Corpse Kings wore varied expressions. The red-skinned one with twin horns stared at the pillar, gravity deepening in its eyes.

“With this guarding, we fear we cannot cross even one step.”

The winged Corpse King smiled confidently.

“We gathered precisely to deal with it. Watch me test.”

Wings slight flap—signal sent.

Behind the tide, black whirlwinds rose—closer: winged flying corpses, new type never seen.

Flying corpses circled sky, then like black drill plunged into pillar.

Instant—corpses rained, mottled black water splashed ground, enraged ground horde into mutual slaughter.

Winged King ignored, tone heavier.

“Influence vast—bypass impossible.”

Purple-robed Corpse King laughed.

“Barrier stops common wanderers—not necessarily us. Who volunteers?”

Words out—horned and winged silent.

They never considered.

Personal charge—if pass fine, fail trapped—no.

Mindless wanderers die countless no matter; incomparable.

Purple-robed unsurprised—knew of six, true effort less half; most “if take then take, else forget.”

“Remind you—this city unlike prior seizures. Holds power overturn us. Delay disaster.”

Purple-robed earnest.

“Source tide—we awakened minds. Human era over—trend. Nothing threaten us.”

Near-human Corpse King spoke, pupils pale white, chilling.

“Yougui, no careless.” Purple-robed.

“Command me?” Yougui turned.

“Too sensitive.” Purple-robed frowned—regained minds, but flaws; Yougui hardest.

“Enough quarrel. Gather not for human laughs.”

Last Corpse King—female, ancient armor bloodstained, out of place.

Spoke—silence.

Purple-robed lips moved, said nothing.

“Lishan, you try.”

Female faint, gaze to mountain-like Corpse King—hundred meters, thick arms, hunched, green beast face.

Lishan no words, slow steps—earth quaked to pillar.

All eyes—it extended arms, hugged to uproot.

Moment—heaven earth hushed, only watched.

…

Wei Qing City.

Several watched Hengduan: Su Qi, Mo Qing, Xu Cheng, Xi En, Bild.

Bild new, but strength, charisma won many supporters.

His source amp tech worked on Xi En.

Su Qi knew—instant core.

Now, watching mountain Corpse King hug pillar, Su Qi held breath, to crowd:

“Asked Zhang Shangzhen early—no worry Corpse Kings breach. But if frustrated, besiege—Wei Qing eventual resource starve.”

Xu Cheng frowned: “Such patience?”

Bild to him: “Mr. Xu, underestimate not leaders. Tide push—strength, wisdom no less city lord source users, even trickier.”

Su Qi nod agree: “Professor Bild right. Submitted proof—horde power rises every second. Passive wait—rest life trapped here.”

“Growth limit?” Mo Qing ask.

“Yes, far. Tide no end, growth no stop. We only hinder trend.” Su Qi.

“Plan?” Mo Qing again.

Though weaker, ties Zhang Yujun, Chen Zhao—Su Qi de facto leader.

Su Qi eyed crowd: “Send source users assassinate potential Corpse Kings. Tide—city awaken rate surge. Chance. Vs horde—only strike first.”

Unlike corpses, awakened source users gain power—Su Qi use to hit horde elites.

“But Corpse Kings tough.” Xu Cheng frown—common fine, Kings no—only city lord level.

Su Qi gaze Xi En.

Days—Xi En gold hair much white, aura steadier, restrained.

Met gaze calm: “I’ll pin them.”

Su Qi pleased: “Entrust you.” To Mo Qing, “City lord, mobile force, support all.”

Mo Qing deep: “Good.”

Bild spoke: “Source trait locator—sense positions anytime.”

Su Qi bright: “Professor, huge help.”

Bild shook head: “Aid only. Amp production increase—key.”

Su Qi neutral.

Xi En rose: “Test Corpse Kings first.”

Su Qi nod: “Careful.”

Words fall—Xi En dark light, skyward, Hengduan flew.

Black Tower top.

Zhang Yujun sensed, opened eyes—profound light tide-like surged.

“They act self—good.”

Slight comfort.

Meaningless—horde no threat. She could wipe easy, but outer reinforcements—conserve every strength.

Their resolve key.

Such mindset—later follow sect, perhaps main gate; least lower sect—brighter future here.

Zhang Yujun wrist flip, seal appeared—contact Chen Zhao.

“Senior brother, outer situation?”

Now, Chen Zhao sat meteor outer, earthy true light body—vacuum survivable.

Suddenly seal out, heard Zhang Yujun.

Replied: “None, but sense—not three days, they find here.”