Chapter 43: Heavenfall City

The Great Qian Immortal Kingdom, one of the most powerful Immortal Path forces in the Nine Provinces, controlled two of them: Qian Prefecture and Shu Prefecture.

Shu Prefecture was divided into thirteen counties: Ancient Shu, Gaoyuan, Taihe, Xinghai, Guxi, Sanyuan, Nanyang, Luofeng, Taibai, Jiang Prefecture, Huaibei, Andu, and Lingfu.

Ancient Shu served as the heart of Shu Prefecture.

South of Ancient Shu, the Profound Pill Sect occupied the Profound Pill Mountain Range, which spanned three counties: Nanyang, Luofeng, and Taibai. Drawing strength from the mountain range, the sect's core influence lay primarily in Nanyang, with secondary footholds in Luofeng and Taibai.

Luofeng County, situated to the east, was home to the Golden Core Sect known as the Primal Beast Sect.

Taibai County, to the west, housed another Golden Core Sect: the Blood God Sect.

Taibai County was vast and dotted with numerous cities, Heavenfall City being one of them.

Positioned at the border between the Blood God Sect's territory and the Profound Pill Sect's sphere of influence, Heavenfall City wasn't particularly large, but it held strategic importance. Just outside its walls lay a mine that yielded Bloodflame Crystals, a crucial material for crafting high-grade Pill Furnaces. In essence, this was a rare and strategic resource.

The Profound Pill Sect contested every inch of this land with fierce determination.

Outside Heavenfall City, a massive Soaring Divine Warship materialized abruptly, decelerating from a blinding streak of light to a complete stop in an instant.

Then...

Over a hundred cultivators disembarked from the Divine Warship, landing safely on the ground.

With a gentle tremor, the warship reactivated, silently transforming into a streak of light that vanished into the distance in an instant.

Among the hundred-odd cultivators who disembarked was Han Yi.

"Alright, we're settling into Heavenfall City today. Everyone, form into the ten teams as previously assigned and await further orders."

"Move out!"

The hundred-plus cultivators stationed in Heavenfall City were led by Gu Yu, an Inner Sect Elder in the early Foundation Establishment stage.

Of the ten teams he organized, the captains of the first three were at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, while the remaining captains were at the Eighth Layer.

Their individual strength might seem unremarkable, especially considering the impending conflict with the Blood God Sect.

However, it's crucial to remember that these cultivators served as reinforcements, deployed to Heavenfall City for support. The main force remained stationed at the Bloodflame Crystal mine outside the city.

Furthermore, the Profound Pill Sect had stretched its forces thin, preparing for a full-scale confrontation with the Blood God Sect's invasion.

In Taibai County, cultivator brigades had been deployed to over a dozen mines and resource sites belonging to the sect. Reserve forces were also stationed in nearby cities, ready to reinforce besieged locations and prevent the Blood God Sect from cutting off the Profound Pill Sect's supply lines and escape routes.

Han Yi followed the column into Heavenfall City, his heart heavy with apprehension. This undeniably felt like the prelude to a full-scale war.

He was relieved, however, not to have been assigned to the mines, the most likely site of the coming slaughter. Strictly speaking, Heavenfall City was a second-tier stronghold, not a frontline battlefield—a small mercy in these dire circumstances.

What struck Han Yi as odd was how smoothly they entered the city. No cultivators from the Great Qian authorities intervened, nor did any unexpected incidents occur, allowing him to finally exhale some of the tension that had been coiled tight within him.

Yet, within Heavenfall City, a stifling atmosphere hung in the air, like a brewing storm. Cultivators occasionally peeked out from shops lining the streets, their faces grim, while mortals had long since disappeared.

According to Great Qian law, cultivators who slaughtered mortals faced the death penalty. However, if a mortal offended a cultivator and was killed, they were considered to have brought it upon themselves.

With the imminent clash between the Blood God Sect and the Profound Pill Sect looming and the Great Qian authorities' stance uncertain, mortals were naturally fleeing as far as possible.

For some time now, countless mortals had been relocating from cities along the Taibai County front line, desperate to escape the coming cultivator war.

Heavenfall City, the Profound Pill Sect's temporary encampment.

Before Han Yi could even settle in, he was summoned to a strategy meeting convened by Lu Su, the leader of his squad. Lu Su, an Inner Peak Disciple in his early thirties, was a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator.

Besides Lu Su, the squad consisted of four Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivators and five at the Sixth Layer. As a Sixth Layer cultivator himself, Han Yi blended into the background, unremarkable among his peers.

"Senior Brother Lu," one of the Seventh Layer cultivators asked, "could you provide more specific details about our mission?"

Lu Su shook his head. "No further details. Martial Uncle Gu instructed us to remain on standby and await further orders."

"But this is unbearably passive!" another Seventh Layer cultivator, who seemed to have a fiery temper, grumbled, his voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "Why aren't we taking the initiative instead of just passively defending?"

Lu Su's tone sharpened. "I don't know the Sect's reasoning either. Sect matters are beyond our understanding. We must follow orders without question. Under no circumstances should we act independently and risk jeopardizing the Sect's plans."

He raised his hand and pressed it forward, urging everyone to remain calm.

"In the meantime, everyone must be on high alert. No unauthorized departures, no deep meditation, and constant vigilance for any disturbances. Be wary of external threats."

"Report any concerns immediately."

"Let's be clear from the start: any violation of the rules will be punished according to the Sect Law, without leniency. Remember this well."

"Now, let's introduce ourselves. We have seven Inner Peak Disciples and three Outer Peak Disciples here. As fellow disciples and teammates during this critical time, understanding each other is crucial for effective coordination when enemies appear."

Although five members of this ten-person team were at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, two of them had secured Inner Peak slots and resided there, technically making them Inner Peak Disciples rather than Inner Sect Disciples.

In the Profound Pill Sect, only those who advanced to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining were considered Inner Sect Disciples.

The difference between Inner Peak Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples might seem trivial—just one character—but their status and responsibilities differed significantly.

"I'll go first. I'm Lu Su, an Inner Sect Disciple from White Tiger Peak. I'm at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining and specialize in Earth Attribute defensive spells. I'm not very proficient in offensive magic; the only somewhat offensive technique I know is the Earth Dragon Technique."

Lu Su trailed off, realizing his words might dampen morale. He quickly shifted his tone and added, "However, I fought in the Demon Cave War four years ago and have considerable combat experience. I've also mastered the Earth Shield Technique, which can withstand attacks from ordinary Eighth Layer Qi Refining cultivators. Defensively, I'm quite strong."

With that, Lu Su turned to a Junior Brother at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining beside him.

"My name is Cui Xingchen, a disciple of Pill Sword Peak on the Inner Peak. I'm at the seventh layer of Qi Refining and specialize in alchemy. In addition to that, I've also cultivated Pill Sword Peak's unique inherited technique: the Pill Sword Technique, which uses medicinal pills as swords."

As Cui Xingchen finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on Lu Su's face.

"Junior Brother Cui's Pill Sword Technique has already reached minor mastery. Even I would struggle against him. His combat prowess is likely the highest in our group."

"If we encounter enemies, I suggest we center our battle formations around Junior Brother Cui for maximum efficiency."

A hint of pride flashed in Cui Xingchen's eyes at these words.

Pill Sword Peak, one of the Nine Inner Peaks, boasts an inherited technique that ranks among the top three in combat effectiveness among all Inner Peak legacies.

However, the Pill Sword Technique—a unique Sword Control Technique—is notoriously difficult to master. Few Inner Sect disciples manage to achieve proficiency, dragging down the peak's overall ranking.

Amidst the crowd, the inconspicuous Han Yi glanced at Cui Xingchen, a trace of envy flickering in his eyes.

The Pill Sword Technique... It was one of the Inner Sect's core inheritances, only accessible upon reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining.

As a Sword Control Technique, it was particularly well-suited for Alchemists. Han Yi had originally planned to apply for this inheritance after joining the Inner Peak and reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining, intending to transition from his Fire Pill Profound Art to the Pill Sword Technique.

I wonder... how would my Sword Control Technique compare to his Pill Sword Technique at minor mastery? Han Yi suddenly mused.