The moon rose in the eastern sky, casting a frost-like glow over the ruins of Donglin City, bringing an exceptional chill to the scene.

The once flourishing Donglin City was destroyed in an instant. Now, after the cleanup, the ruins provided a suitable place to set up camp for the remaining Heavenly Soldiers, people from the Dinghu Sect, and refugees released from the fragments of the Heavenly Mirror. However, the lingering stench of blood and the pervasive cold left the soldiers' hearts trembling with fear.

Though the battle with the Taiping Sect was brief, it was utterly gruesome. The number of civilians, Taiping Sect members, and Heavenly Soldiers who died was difficult to ascertain due to the final storm. It was only approximately estimated to be around four hundred thousand.

If it hadn't been for Jiang Li, who saved people with the Heavenly Mirror fragments and the Human Species Bag, and the Taiping Sect's Yellow Heaven, who rescued some of the people, the death toll would have been at least double.

Blood and resentment seeped into every corner of this land, and digging three feet into the ground revealed crimson soil. The bone powder, shredded by the storm, swirled in the night breeze, forming a dense haze, while larger bone fragments rolled along with the sand and stones, making a hollow and dense, strange noise under the night wind.

Here, death became a tangible, visible nightmare that entwined every survivor of the great war.

This area was now completely devoid of life, and even if Donglin County's city hall were to be rebuilt in the future, it would not choose this location. The lingering resentment, Death Qi, and Evil Qi were all greatly exceeding normal levels. Only in the current era of the Five Turbid Evil World would this not transform into a hive of evil spirits, spawning multitudes of Asura Evil Ghosts.

Even so, staying for an extended period was still not advisable.

Furthermore, even though no fourth-rank perished in this battle, all sustained injuries.

Especially Yin Tulong, the most stalwart of the fourth-rank, who fought against the Immortal of Colossal Spirit at the center of the storm, forcibly withstood the storm, and protected those nearby from his own faction, suffered the most severe injuries. It was only because he possessed the Dao Fruit of the Three Altars Sea Meeting Great God and the Five Lotus Body that he avoided a mortal threat.

At this moment, the little Daoist sat with a drawn face, eyes tightly shut, suspended mid-air in a cross-legged position, healing his wounds through meditation.

He was situated among the ruins of the county government, along with Tianxuan, Gongsun Qingyue and her disciple, Daoist Shen Hou from Yuxu Temple, and Tan Wuwei from the Mo Sect.

"This battle may have repelled the Taiping Sect, but it was a pyrrhic victory. Donglin City has become a land of deadly energy, and we cannot linger."

Shen Hou twirled his long beard, shaking his head and said, "Fellow Daoists, my junior brother has suffered serious injuries and cannot withstand the Evil Qi. Therefore, I plan to..."

"Shut up!"

Yin Tulong suddenly opened his eyes, rebuking in a loud voice, "I have not been wounded to the point of deserting in the face of the enemy."

"Eh..."

Caught off guard, Shen Hou's expression turned awkward, while Yin Tulong's face was severe, "Are just a few evil spirits trying to take advantage of us? Do you think I am afraid of them? If you are scared to death, then run back to your temple. I certainly am not."

The two parties lurking a hundred miles away, although concealed, could not escape the notice of the esteemed attendees.

Tianxuan was an expert in Yi Dao, and Yuxu Temple also inherited the superb divination art of Taiyin Divine Number. Although Yin Tulong himself did not excel in this skill, seeing Shen Hou, who had quite a stinky reputation, still living well implied he must possess deep proficiency in Yi Dao.

For the people present, those lurking with ill-intent would not have been a threat before the battle. But now, mostly everyone was injured, particularly Yin Tulong, who had sustained heavy wounds. If a fight were to break out, the enemy would surely target the easy prey.

Although Jiang Li had employed the Empty City Strategy to temporarily deter the two factions, it was uncertain how long this ruse would last.

Shen Hou was worried about this very point, hence his suggestion to take Yin Tulong back for healing. With his skills, coupled with the fact that the two from Yuxu Temple were not the targets, he would certainly be able to leave safely.

His proposal was not excessive, as the sanctuary had already exerted great strength, and Yin Tulong was severely injured for it. Departing now, no one had any right to criticize.

However, Yin Tulong himself was unwilling.

Others could not fault Yin Tulong, but he could not overcome his own pride. A Dragon Slayer Daoist who had been determined his whole life would not want to retreat like a Purification Envoy and return to Yuxu Temple at such a moment.

His words were indeed inconsiderate, but Shen Hou took it as nothing unusual, only showing a helpless expression, "Junior brother, I am hunted every day and have developed excellent survival skills. I am afraid of death, but I would not die here. What I fear is for your life."

While speaking, Shen Hou cast a glance at the others without showing it too obviously.

His words were not meant for Yin Tulong but rather for the ears of everyone else.

After such a statement, if the others did not react, it would show they lacked benevolence and might leave a negative impression on Yin Tulong. Whether Yin Tulong wanted to stay was one matter, but whether the others were benevolent, sympathetic to a fellow practitioner, was another.

This junior brother of his, despite his age, still acted like a rebellious youth, always handling matters in a contrary manner. If everyone else only thought about keeping him to face the enemy together, Yin Tulong might actually be inclined to leave.

But Yin Tulong's temperament may match that of a young man, his experience was solid, and he instantly noticed Shen Hou's intention.

Immediately, he raised his voice and declared, "Shen Hou, I want to cut our brotherhood ties."

"Fine, fine, fine. Once we get back, you can cut it however you want," replied Daoist Shen Hou, speaking as if to console a child.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.