Squad Deployment

The long-simmering war between the Xuanshao Sect, Yunxiao Sect, and Tianque Sect had finally erupted, shattering the delicate balance among them. Dark clouds filled the sky as battles ignited across the lands, with waves of disciples deployed to various battlefronts. Golden Core cultivators led the charge, commanding Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement disciples in increasingly intense clashes.

Within Yunxiao Sect, the atmosphere was more tense and hectic than ever. Wang Quan had been summoned to a designated area and assigned to a five-person team. As he observed his squadmates, a sense of unease settled in. He knew he was about to participate in a war that would shake the foundations of all three sects. Looking around, he recognized two familiar faces. One was Xiao Yan, a fire-specialist cultivator he'd fought in the outer sect competition; the other was the team leader, Xiao Fei, an inner sect senior whom Wang Quan had once met at the market when purchasing fire-related materials.

Wang Quan greeted Xiao Yan, who smiled and said, "Looks like we're fighting side by side this time, Wang Junior Brother." Though from the outer sect, Xiao Yan's eyes held a fierce determination.

Standing at the front, Xiao Fei cast a calm gaze over the group. His voice steady, he explained, "This mission is highly dangerous, and I can't stress enough the need for caution. Our target is to assist Elder Su Meng in attacking a major Xuanshao Sect toxic resource point owned by the Shen family. This toxic ground houses essential materials for creating poison pills and talismans, serving as a critical foundation for the Shen family's poison network. Xuanshao Sect will undoubtedly guard it fiercely."

The mention of the Shen family's resource point made Wang Quan tense. The Shen family of Xuanshao Sect was renowned for their mastery of poison, with sinister techniques that were as elusive as they were deadly. Recalling Shen Gu and the terrifying Shen Tuo, Wang Quan silently reminded himself to stay especially vigilant. A towering figure approached from the back of the team, the team's leading elder—Su Meng.

Su Meng was a body cultivator, unlike most of the other spiritual cultivators. Dressed in a simple cloth robe, his tanned, muscular frame exuded an imposing, mountain-like aura. Standing before them, his voice boomed like thunder. "Your task is to follow me and give it your all. The Shen family's poison techniques are vast and insidious. While my body cultivation makes me resilient, the Shen family's poison arts are tricky. You must stay coordinated—don't engage alone."

Each member of the squad responded solemnly, nodding in acknowledgment. Su Meng continued, "The Xuanshao Sect's resource point lies deep within the toxic swamp, where poison mist lingers year-round. I will clear the perimeter, and you'll follow to take down any defending disciples in the poisonous mist. Be on high alert, and retreat at the first sign of trouble—never underestimate these poison cultivators."

The squad set off, following Su Meng swiftly toward the Shen family's toxic resource point. As they reached the edge of the toxic swamp, the air grew stifling and acrid, filled with a decaying stench. A layer of pale green mist blanketed the swamp, casting an eerie glow that made their skin crawl.

Standing at the front, Su Meng surveyed the surroundings and spoke gravely. "The poison mist here is dense—if you hadn't taken your antidote pills, the poison would already be spreading in your veins. Double-check your pills and ensure your spiritual energy flows smoothly."

The group nodded, each holding an antidote pill in their mouth, ready for battle. Su Meng clenched his fists, releasing a powerful wave of spiritual energy. His muscles tensed as he punched into the mist, dispersing it with sheer force and revealing a group of Xuanshao Sect disciples guarding the formation within.

"How dare Yunxiao Sect invade our Xuanshao Sect's territory!" one disciple shouted angrily, summoning a poisonous scorpion puppet that glowed green as it leapt toward Su Meng.

Su Meng laughed heartily, his figure vanishing in a flash as he moved alongside the scorpion, striking it with a single punch. The puppet shattered into toxic mist, which scattered into the air, knocking the poison cultivator back several meters. He coughed up poisonous blood before collapsing lifelessly.

Wang Quan and the others advanced, joining Su Meng as they charged at the Xuanshao Sect disciples. The poison cultivators unleashed an array of toxic puppets and formations, filling the air with poisonous fog. Eyes narrowed, Wang Quan activated his Five Element Arts, forming a protective spiritual shield to block the mist. Summoning his Azure Sword Technique, he unleashed a blade of green energy that shattered one of the poison cultivators' defensive arrays.

Standing beside Wang Quan, Xiao Yan gathered fire energy between his hands, launching a fierce blaze that scorched through the poisonous mist, driving back the poison cultivators' defensive formations. The Xuanshao Sect disciples, caught off guard, were swiftly overwhelmed by the coordinated attack.

"Impressive work with the Five Element Arts!" Xiao Yan exclaimed as he surged forward, his flames countering the encroaching poison fog.

Wang Quan gave a faint smile, his gaze focused on the poison cultivators. His sword flashed as he struck again, blending his sword energy with the power of the five elements, slicing through their defenses and disrupting their flow of spiritual energy.

Seeing this, one of the poison cultivators turned pale, retreating in fear. "Impossible! How dare you Yunxiao Sect intrude here!"

Wang Quan sneered, his sword glinting as he thrust it forward. In an instant, his blade pierced the man's chest. The cultivator gave a strangled gasp before falling lifelessly to the ground.

At that moment, Su Meng stood at the center of the dissipating poison mist, signaling to the others. "The area is clear. Move forward—the main entrance to the resource point is just ahead!"

The squad nodded and advanced. After pushing through another section of dense mist, they arrived at the core of the resource point—a poison refinery cloaked in toxic energy. Mounds of poisonous herbs and materials could be seen through the haze, and the air was thick with a stinging, poisonous aroma. The Shen family disciples guarding the refinery exchanged fearful and furious glances as they prepared to defend their position.

With a powerful voice, Su Meng commanded, "Shen family of Xuanshao Sect, this resource point now belongs to Yunxiao Sect. Withdraw, or face annihilation!"

One of the Shen family disciples, a late Foundation Establishment poison cultivator, sneered defiantly. "You think you can take our Shen family's resource point? Foolish! Brothers, form the poison barrier—delay them until our elder arrives!"

At his command, the disciples retreated, forming a dense poison barrier around the refinery. Layer upon layer of toxic mist surrounded the area, forming a thick barrier that blocked their path. The suffocating poison seemed to sap the air itself.

Su Meng glared at the barrier, his body exuding a powerful spiritual force as he punched forward. The barrier trembled under the impact but did not break. Frowning, Su Meng turned to his team, saying, "Breaking this barrier will take time. I'll clear a path—stay close and prepare for battle!"