"Kill him! Kill him for me!"
A will, inaudible and imperceptible to humans, roared throughout the Hongdong Secret Realm.
"All beasts, go kill him!"
This will directly marked Yang Hong's position, and at the same time, Yang Hong's image and aura were transmitted into the minds of all the demonic beasts.
All demonic beasts, regardless of level, cultivation, or size, charged towards Linghou Mountain.
The demonic beasts did not stop at all along the way.
If cultivators intercepted them, they would avoid them if possible, and if they couldn't, they would directly ram into them.
They crashed into the intercepting people without any rationality; they didn't even use spells, nor did they dodge, they just rammed.
This turned out to be a great boon for many low-level rogue cultivators.
Such mindless fools were the easiest to kill.
However, except for a few stubborn, fearless individuals, the vast majority of cultivators hid.
They hid in safe zones and banded together for survival.
Anyone with a sane mind could tell that this was a demonic beast riot, and an abnormal one at that.
Interceping demonic beasts at this time, while it might offer some small benefits,
the greatest possibility was being crushed to death by the demonic beast army.
"The Hongdong Secret Realm this year is truly bizarre. Not only are there an excessive number of demonic beasts, but they also riot from time to time."
"Yeah, it started with a riot of third-tier demonic beasts, and it lasted for several days. If I hadn't run fast enough at the time, I might have been trampled to death by those massive third-tier demonic beasts."
"You encountered a riot of third-tier demonic beasts too? I encountered it in the southeast area of the secret realm. Where did you encounter it?"
"I was in the southwest area. You don't need to ask anyone else. I already found out that the riot was all over the secret realm,
and even the core area had a large number of third-tier demonic beasts rushing out."
Inside the [Barren City], a large number of cultivators who had not yet died were gathered.
It should be said that 99% of the cultivators who were still alive were concentrated here.
The [Barren City] was protected by special rules. Once inside, all spiritual energy of heaven and earth would disappear, and the true qi of cultivators would be temporarily sealed.
Demonic beasts also did not dare to approach here due to certain rules.
Combat was not allowed within the city.
Even if a body cultivator tried to bully others with their physical prowess, they would be attacked by the other cultivators.
Besides this reason, there was another reason: Barren City was one of the three teleportation points out of the secret realm, and it was the most important one.
For tens of thousands of years, Barren City had always been the largest and safest safe zone.
Therefore, nearly 99% of the cultivators were gathered here at this moment, and they were all safe.
Everyone was discussing one thing: the current demonic beast riot.
"Do you think there are still any arrogant individuals lingering outside at this time?"
"Heh, surely not. Unless they are idiots, everyone would have run back to Barren City or the nearest two safe zones.
If anyone couldn't escape, they've probably all turned into dust."
"Exactly. Under such a demonic beast riot, even Nascent Soul True Lords would have to avoid their鋒芒 (fengmang - sharp edge/prominence)."
"Nascent Soul True Lords with their immense power should not be afraid, but Golden Core cultivators probably can only hide and run."
"I don't know if Golden Core cultivators will run, but I just want to know if we can go out and pick up some benefits after the demonic beast tide has passed?"
At these words, there was a moment of silence, and all the cultivators' hearts burned with desire.
In the outside world, demonic beast riots happened frequently, and even demonic beast sieges were not uncommon.
Every time there was a demonic beast riot, some rogue cultivators would risk their lives by hiding in relatively safe areas, and after the demonic beasts passed, they would enter the areas where the demonic beasts had lived.
At this time, there was a very safe window. As long as they were not trampled to death by the demonic beasts before, they could gain a lot in the demonic beasts' living areas when they came out.
Spiritual herbs and spiritual fruits were just the basic gains.
Those with better luck could obtain more valuable demonic beast eggs and young demonic beasts.
Young demonic beasts, if properly nurtured, could become good helpers for cultivators.
Even if they didn't raise them themselves, they could fetch a good price when sold.
Thus, for a time, all cultivators were restless, including those sect cultivators who were usually aloof.
Such a large-scale demonic beast riot meant that the demonic beasts' lairs must be poorly defended, and it was the best time to reap the greatest profits.
The atmosphere quieted down,
but the cultivators' mouths moved, and their thoughts were all aligned. They were secretly contacting partners to prepare for a big score.
In the southeast corner of Barren City, Song Yuzhi and others were also discussing whether to venture out.
Jia Yuanchun: "Eldest Sister, let's not go out.
So far, we have collected seeds of 108 kinds of spiritual plants, 921 jade slips, and quite a few elixirs, spirit stones, and magic artifacts.
But we have also killed many people and offended many people. If we go out again, we will surely encounter danger."
Wang Xifeng: "Second Sister, I think you are worrying too much. With our current strength, we can traverse the Hongdong Secret Realm with impunity."
Compared to Jia Yuanchun's caution, Wang Xifeng had a bit of pride and disdain.
It had been a month and a half since they entered the secret realm, and they had killed over a thousand cultivators.
Among them were the most Qi Refining realm rogue cultivators, numbering 872;
they had also killed quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators. To date, 363 Foundation Establishment cultivators had been jointly ambushed and killed by them,
and even more than a dozen Foundation Establishment level nine sect cultivators.
This was why Wang Xifeng dared to be proud and arrogant.
Wang Jing: "Eldest Sister, I think we can go out and explore. Sometimes killing people is more profitable than killing demonic beasts."
Unexpectedly, the usually gentle Wang Jing also had such a violent and insidious side.
Song Yuzhi looked at everyone except Jia Yuanchun, who were all eager to try, and felt a bit helpless.
Her intention was also not to go out, but to obediently stay in Barren City until the teleportation array opened, and then safely return home.
As the eldest sister, she needed to be responsible for everyone; she couldn't act rashly on impulse.
Song Yuzhi: "Enough, stop arguing.
I've decided not to leave Barren City anymore. Yuanchun is right; we have offended many people.
Once we leave Barren City, we will definitely be attacked, even surrounded!"
"We cannot gamble with our lives. Our lives are not just our own, but also His Highness's."
The mention of Yang Hong by Song Yuzhi silenced the women.
They all thought of Yang Hong. Yang Hong's previous task for them was to leave the secret realm alive.
If they knowingly took risks and courted death now, it would be a violation of Yang Hong's command.
Upon realizing this, their restlessness immediately subsided.
"Eldest Sister, we understand. We will not go out."
"Yes, His Highness never asks much of us, only that we leave the secret realm alive."
"Right, His Highness values our lives so much; we cannot fail his expectations."
Song Yuzhi and the others had come to their senses, and so had many other cultivators.
After waiting for a day and a night, and no more demonic beasts passed through the four gates of Barren City,
the cultivators of Barren City immediately poured out.
As for whether they went to pick spiritual herbs, hunt demonic beasts,
or hunt cultivators, that was hard to say.