Just Temporary

The Huyang Guards were all tense and fearful. Even though their commander was an Eternal True God, he couldn't help but tremble with fear at the sight of the 139 massive legion-type secret treasures. He was scared!

"What's our purpose in coming to Huyang City? Hahaha..." Laughter boomed from one of the enormous plant-type legion treasures, sending terrifying sound waves crashing into the Huyang Guards, who were thrown far away. The commander was also thrown back, not caring about his dignity.

"This is serious! These invaders mean trouble!" The commander realized the grave danger Huyang City was facing. "The Huyang Legion alone is no match for the 139 massive legion-type treasures! A force this powerful, not fearing Jiujang Hou's deterrence, is likely sent by the Shi Kingdom."

Anyone with knowledge could guess this.

A powerful force invading a Chaos State without permission would provoke the wrath of the Kings of Yu Nation! An act of aggression like this would be obliterated within a day. This was why the Heart Shadow Sect had previously been unable to find a foothold in the entire Origin Continent! The land of Origin Continent had long been divided among the various divine kingdoms and major forces. Only by representing the Shi KIngdom could the Heart Shadow Sect invade Jiujang Chaos State, making it a conflict between two nations.

The City Lord's Mansion was in panic.

"This is bad."

"It's the Heart Shadow Sect!"

"They're here with bad intentions and are likely to attack the City Lord's Mansion!"

The divine power avatars of the five family heads gathered together, watching the surveillance scenes of the entire city. They could see the overwhelming power of the Heart Shadow Sect's army.

"The Heart Shadow Sect once offended the Great Sage Jiuyuan, who personally attacked their sect. The three Chaos-level masters of the Heart Shadow Sect relied on their formation to barely withstand the Great Sage Jiuyuan. In that battle, one of the Chaos-level masters was killed, and the other two fled. Since then, the Heart Shadow Sect has completely declined and even split apart," said Ma Li Xiao with a frown.

The Lord of Huyang City nodded, "After their decline, the Heart Shadow Sect was taken under the protection of Liu Yin Hou, who has sheltered them to this day. Their attack today must be under Liu Yin Hou's orders!"

Liu Yin Hou was one of the most powerful Chaos-level figures in the entire Shi KIngdom. His path had always been one of blood and fire, one of dark calamity. He was never afraid of strong enemies. He sheltered the weakened Heart Shadow Sect, and even the Great Sage Jiuyuan didn't pursue the matter.

The Great Sage Jiuyuan had a good temper; as long as he wasn't provoked, he didn't seek out life-and-death battles.

"I've already reported the situation to the Marquis," said the white-haired elder. "The Marquis has ordered us to defend the City Lord's Mansion."

"Defend the City Lord's Mansion?"

"Only by relying on the City Lord's Mansion can we buy some time."

They all felt bitter in their hearts.

The entire Huyang City was like a massive mechanical secret treasure, with its core being the City Lord's Mansion! Even the likes of Blood Cloud and Yu Tianxu had never thought of attacking the City Lord's Mansion.

The special nature of the City Lord's Mansion was their only hope for holding out for some time.

Outside the City Lord's Mansion... they had no confidence at all in resisting the Heart Shadow Sect.

"Move the core members of the five families into the City Lord's Mansion."

"The Heart Shadow Sect might launch an attack at any moment."

The five families were in disarray.

Even with the protection of the City Lord's Mansion, they could only hope to hold out; the disparity in strength was too great.

The thousands of massive flying boats exuded an intimidating aura, and the 139 massive mechanical treasures hovering in the sky were so overwhelming that the Huyang Guards didn't dare approach, and none of the ten legions of Huyang dared to intercept them.

Suddenly, two divine power avatars descended—it was the Lord of Huyang City and Ma Li Xiao.

At that moment, all the massive mechanical treasures focused their attention on them, and the countless Eternal True Gods and Void True Gods within the thousands of flying boats looked on. The invisible pressure was immense, leaving the City Lord and Ma Li Xiao deeply uneasy.

"No wonder it's a sect founded by a God King. Even after its decline, it still has thousands of Eternal True Gods," the City Lord of Huyang City thought, astonished.

He wasn't surprised. At its peak, the Heart Shadow Sect had three Chaos-level masters, over ten thousand Eternal True Gods, and controlled three entire Chaos States. With the treasures left behind by the God King, its foundation was deep-rooted. It was only after angering the Great Sage Jiuyuan that the sect split and declined.

Even so, no one dared to underestimate the Heart Shadow Sect.

After all, the two Chaos-level masters in hiding could potentially make a breakthrough and no longer fear the Great Sage Jiuyuan, leading to the Heart Shadow Sect's resurgence.

"Members of the Heart Shadow Sect," the City Lord of Huyang City began.

The three-eyed man flew out from a flying boat, revealing himself with a smile. "Feng Yuqi of the Heart Shadow Sect greets the City Lord of Huyang City and Commander Ma Li Xiao."

"So it's the Sect Master of the Heart Shadow Sect," the City Lord responded. "Why has the Heart Shadow Sect come to Huyang City with such an imposing force?"

"Sigh."

The three-eyed man sighed softly. "Our Heart Shadow Sect has fallen to this point. We've searched the world, yet we've struggled to find a place to establish our sect. We've come to Huyang City merely seeking a temporary place to stay."

At this moment, the 139 massive mechanical treasures loomed over the City Lord and Ma Li Xiao.

No matter how pitiful the three-eyed man's words sounded, the City Lord and Ma Li Xiao dared not believe him.

If they were merely seeking a place to stay, why come with such a massive force?

"I ask that the Sect Master of the Heart Shadow Sect restrain your disciples so as not to disturb Huyang City," the City Lord of Huyang City said.

"I will do my utmost to restrain them," the three-eyed man smiled. "I won't accompany you any further. I need to settle my disciples. After all, there are many of them, and it's quite a hassle to arrange."

With that, he returned to the large flying boat.

The City Lord of Huyang City and Commander Ma Li Xiao exchanged glances and could only temporarily withdraw their divine power avatars.

Inside the flying boat.

The three-eyed man's expression turned cold as he sent out a mental command: "Proceed with the plan."

"Yes."

The thousands of large flying boats and numerous massive mechanical treasures began to move simultaneously, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Sect Master, I've always thought we should have struck the City Lord's Mansion with overwhelming force from the beginning," an elder communicated telepathically. At this point, the eighteen elders were each commanding a massive legion-type mechanical treasure.

"A large city like this, built over endless ages, has its core in the City Lord's Mansion. It's not easy to conquer," the three-eyed man replied. "Even if we did conquer it, the Heart Shadow Sect would likely suffer casualties. Our real opponent in this battle is not the hundred or so Eternal True Gods in the City Lord's Mansion but the army under Jiujang Hou."

"The Sect Master is right," an elder agreed. "We must preserve our strength. The stronger we are, the more Liu Yin Hou will rely on us. But if we engage Jiujang Hou's army and suffer heavy losses, our status under Liu Yin Hou will diminish."

"Exactly."

The three-eyed man continued, "The most powerful army in Jiujang Chaos State isn't in Huyang City but in Jiujang City. Jiujang Hou might even summon powerful Eternal True Gods from other parts of Yu Nation, so we must proceed with caution."

"Sect Master," a cold voice interrupted, "In war, sometimes you must strike with overwhelming force, killing them so severely that they are terrified. Only with sufficient slaughter and intimidation will Jiujang Hou's army truly fear us. You may not want the sect disciples to suffer too many casualties, but when fighting for a sect's foundation, you cannot be soft-hearted!"

"Our Heart Shadow Sect has fallen to this state. We must be cautious with every step and stay united," the three-eyed man was troubled by the fact that the sect's most powerful 'Elder Xinyan' disagreed with his approach.

"I'm just sharing my thoughts privately with the Sect Master," Elder Xinyan said, though he disagreed with the Sect Master.

Given his temperament, he would have destroyed the City Lord's Mansion at the first opportunity, even at the cost of some casualties, to completely seize Huyang City.

If Jiujang Hou dares to send an army? Then we fight! Fight until Jiujang Hou hesitates, until he feels the pain!

As for the deaths of sect disciples? It's all worth it for the future of the sect!

"The two ancestors support the Sect Master, so be it. Although Feng Yuqi is a bit soft-hearted, he is loyal to the sect," Elder Xinyan restrained himself due to the instructions from the two Chaos-level ancestors.

Inside the Dream Flower Pavilion, Luo Feng received a series of messages.

At this moment, the various forces within Huyang City were in a state of panic, sensing that a major upheaval was imminent.

"The Heart Shadow Sect's army has arrived in Huyang City? With 139 massive legion-type treasures? And thousands of Eternal True Gods?" Luo Feng was stunned, immediately calling to his servant, "Morosa, let's go out and see."

"What's the big deal?" Morosa, still eating, reluctantly stopped and followed his master outside. Mo Yu Qingyan and the owner of Dream Flower Pavilion also followed.

Whoosh!

Flying into the sky, Luo Feng looked into the distance. Despite the city's formation, he could still see the Heart Shadow Sect's imposing fleet of thousands of flying boats and numerous massive legion-type treasures.

"What a spectacle," Luo Feng marveled. "It's indeed a sect founded by a God King, still so powerful even after its decline."

The Heart Shadow Sect was a normal God King sect, once a formidable force with countless disciples.

The Duandong River lineage, on the other hand, seemed to find training disciples too troublesome, with each generation producing only one successor. The previous Duandong River even died in the Universe Sea, and it was only thanks to Luo Feng that the lineage continued, making him the 193rd Duandong River.

"The Heart Shadow Sect is here. Huyang City's situation will likely change dramatically," the owner of Dream Flower Pavilion was a bit panicked.

"They'll likely target the City Lord's Mansion first," Luo Feng said, suddenly alarmed, "This is bad."

"Master, what's wrong?" Morosa asked, while Mo Yu Qingyan and the owner of Dream Flower Pavilion were also puzzled.

"The Heart Shadow Sect's army is heading straight for the center of Huyang City. They're currently occupying the mansions in the Chaos Armor District," Luo Feng said quickly, "We need to go back quickly before they take over my mansion."

"Taking over mansions?" Morosa was shocked.

Immediately, Luo Feng, Morosa, and Mo Yu Qingyan boarded a flying boat and headed straight for Luo Feng's mansion, warping through space.

Within the Huyang City range, short-distance space warps were not difficult for Luo Feng.

Meanwhile, the center of Huyang City at the City Lord's Mansion was in chaos. The elites of the five major families had already retreated into the City Lord's Mansion.

"The Heart Shadow Sect is attacking?" Mo Li Feiyun and Diao Rongqi were among the core group of the five families, watching the chaos outside and realizing the dire situation.

"Our father and Senior Brother Gao Wu are preparing to fight," Mo Li Feiyun said worriedly.

"Don't worry, the City Lord's Mansion isn't easy to conquer," Diao Rongqi reassured her.

At this moment, the elites of the five major families, as well as most of the Huyang Legion and Huyang Guards, had retreated to the City Lord's Mansion, leaving only a few still guarding the three forbidden areas.

"The Heart Shadow Sect claimed they were looking for a place to stay, but now they're heading straight for the City Lord's Mansion," the white-haired elder observed.

"Are they going to start a war?" the leader of the Meiwu family asked anxiously.

"We have no choice but to face it," the City Lord of Huyang said.

As branches of the major families, they had come to Huyang City to enjoy life, not to fight to the death.

But since this was a conflict between two nations, they didn't dare to surrender.

In the City Lord's Mansion, including the core Eternal True Gods of the five major families and their vassal Eternal True Gods, there were only about a hundred Eternal True Gods! Even with the special advantages of the City Lord's Mansion, they were not confident they could hold out.

The City Lord of Huyang and Ma Li Xiao looked out into the distance, seeing the Heart Shadow Sect's army sweeping towards the City Lord's Mansion and the neighboring mansions in the Chaos Armor District.

"This mansion belongs to the Heart Shadow Sect now."

"Hurry up and move out."

"This mansion is now claimed by the Heart Shadow Sect."

Mansions were being seized one after another.

Among them was the mansion of the Zhu Clan, which occupied a vast area and was one of the largest mansions in the Chaos Armor District, much larger than Luo Feng's small mansion. It had been purchased by merging several mansions together.

"Members of the Heart Shadow Sect, this is the ancestral land of the Zhu Clan," the clan leader, Zhu Hu, personally stepped forward, accompanied by five Eternal True Gods from his clan. They were all very respectful and tried to appease the intruders. "The Zhu Clan is willing to offer treasures to preserve our ancestral land."

"Ancestral land? So what?" Suddenly, a giant golden eye descended, and its booming voice sent chills down Zhu Hu's spine. He could feel the threat of death.

"Move out quickly, or the entire Zhu Clan will be wiped out." The giant golden eye thundered, "And your so-called offering of treasures? Let me see. If the treasures aren't valuable enough, you don't need to move out; you can all die here."

The small old man Zhu Hu's face, marked with green secret patterns, twisted in frustration. The five Eternal True Gods behind him were filled with grief.

"Fine, we'll move," Zhu Hu could only endure, not daring to resist, and obediently offered up treasures.

"Whose mansion is that?" one of the massive legion-type mechanical treasures turned its attention to Luo Feng's small mansion.

"Uncle Master, that's Luo He Shenjun's mansion," a disciple reported.