Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
Duke Qin is furious as Liu Sheng and Zhan Tian leave him to deal with the Stone Cave situation alone. Emperor Yu consults the National Preceptor about his hasty decisions and the refusal of help from the Star Hall Master. The National Preceptor accepts the daunting task of suppressing the first dangerous land. Meanwhile, Zhan Tian expresses concern to Liu Sheng about their current actions, but Liu Sheng dismisses his worries. Chen Xuan receives news that the army is heading to the Stone Cave and decides to send an avatar instead of going himself.
Two days elapsed!
Inside a guesthouse within Bright Moon Mansion, Chen Xuan presented the formation map, which contained the likenesses of two aged men, to his avatar. He also passed along Wu Guang's memories, stating, "Everything is in place. Once you infiltrate the Stone Cave, simply blend in with Wu Guang's forces."
"Understood, elder brother. Is there anything further you wish to impart?" the avatar inquired.
"If there is no necessity to intervene, then do not act. This applies not only to you but also to the avatars of those two old men," Chen Xuan instructed.
"What if the Stone Cave is compromised?"
"The same response applies!" Chen Xuan's resolve was unwavering.
"Hmm!" The avatar gave a nod. There was no need for him to question the reasoning; as long as Chen Xuan gave an order, he would comply.
"Why?" After the avatar departed, Gu Pengyou, adorned in a flowing white gown, slowly emerged from an inner chamber, her expression etched with bewilderment.
She could not fathom the rationale behind Chen Xuan's actions.
"I am uncertain!" Chen Xuan shook his head. For reasons unknown to him, he felt compelled to proceed in this manner. It was as if a vision flickered in the depths of his mind, yet it seemed utterly illogical!
This was precisely why, when Gu Pengyou questioned him, he simply replied that he did not know. It was not an evasion; he genuinely lacked the understanding.
"Very well, there is no need for you to trouble yourself over it. Let us depart. Since you are here, we might as well take a stroll," Chen Xuan offered a smile.
On this occasion, his visit to Bright Moon Mansion was accompanied only by Gu Pengyou. Ning Xin and Luan Ying had once again entered seclusion, while Ning Immortal and Xian Si expressed no desire to emerge. As for Lan Meng'er, she claimed she had not seen Xiao Qi in an extended period, prompting Chen Xuan to dispatch her to the Imperial City.
Ultimately, Gu Pengyou was the sole companion remaining.
"Alright, let us consider this a shared moment of relaxation," she conceded. She could sense that Chen Xuan was preoccupied with something. Since he remained silent, her only recourse was to offer her presence, which was all she could do.
Hand in hand, their deep affection evident, they exited the guesthouse.
...
Half a month vanished in the blink of an eye.
Chen Xuan held Gu Pengyou tenderly, still lost in a pleasant reverie. Abruptly, the disturbance caused by a Communication Spirit Talisman shattered the tranquility, jolting him awake. With a flick of his wrist, the Talisman zipped into his hand.
"Liu Sheng?" Chen Xuan channeled Spiritual Power into the artifact.
"Evacuate the Stone Cave. The Hidden Forest Abyss has fallen. Elements of the Tree-man Race and a portion of the Stone Race are now advancing toward the Stone Cave!" Liu Sheng's voice was laced with urgency.
"What?" Chen Xuan exclaimed, his drowsiness dissipating instantly.
The second most dangerous location, Hidden Forest Abyss, had been breached.
This... precisely as depicted in the projections by the Hall Master, the outcome was catastrophic!
"And the Stone Cave?"
"You must leave immediately. I am already en route." With the fall of Hidden Forest Abyss, the Great Yu forces had been compelled to retreat to the outermost defenses. Fortunately, Duke Liu arrived just in time to stabilize the situation.
However, it transpired that the Tree-man Race and a segment of the Stone Race had seized the opportunity to escape and were now hurtling towards the Stone Cave.
In such circumstances, if he were alive, action was imperative. As for Zhan Tian, he had been thrown into a state of frenzy by Hidden Kill and was incapable of diverting any attention. He was presently leading a contingent of elites in pursuit of these escapees.
Yet, among them, there were no fewer than three cultivators at the Mid-Eighth Layer of the Dao Realm. The least powerful among them was at the Mid-Eighth Layer of the Dao Realm.
Consequently, he had dispatched a message to Chen Xuan, strongly advising an early departure.
"Understood!" Chen Xuan rose without delay.
He had to personally venture to the Stone Cave to retrieve his avatar. As for Gu Pengyou, he safely dispatched her back to the Primordial Realm.
Fortunately, with the Rule of Space, the round trip only incurred an additional hour.
Stone Cave!
Chen Xuan displayed the Token Liu Sheng had previously provided, granting him smooth passage beyond the natural perimeter.
Within the encampment.
The avatar merged back into him, leaving Wu Guang staring in astonishment at the unfolding scene.
He had never imagined that the individual accompanying him within the camp during this period was, in fact, an avatar.
"Even your avatar possesses such formidable strength!" It was important to recall that mere days prior, his avatar had annihilated several members of the Stone Race at the Seventh Layer of the Dao Realm. His renown had surged unimpeded for a time!
Yet, this was merely his avatar.
"Have you not yet received the news?" Chen Xuan had no capacity for these trivial matters at present.
"What news?" Wu Guang inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Hidden Forest Abyss has been overrun. Great Yu was forced to fall back, though they ultimately managed to secure their position. Nevertheless, a number of elite cultivators seized the moment to escape and are now converging on the Stone Cave."
"What?" Wu Guang's countenance shifted dramatically. "I must ascertain the whereabouts of the Nineteen Prince and Duke Yuan!"
"They have likely been apprised of the situation already," Chen Xuan stated, seizing Wu Guang's arm.
Given the circumstances, it was impossible for them to be unaware.
They simply opted not to inform Wu Guang and the others, possibly to prevent widespread panic amongst the soldiers.
"Rest assured, the Chief Eunuch is also en route to lead the charge from both flanks, aiming to resolve this crisis definitively!"
"General Wu Guang, the Nineteenth Prince commands your immediate presence, without any delay!"
At this precise moment, a middle-aged man descended from the heavens, positioning himself outside the main command tent and proclaiming loudly.
Within the main tent.
Wu Guang and Chen Xuan exchanged a knowing glance.
Chen Xuan offered a slight nod of affirmation.
Wu Guang swiftly departed the tent, soaring through the air alongside the messenger, heading directly towards the Nineteenth Prince's Mansion.
"It appears my suspicions were indeed accurate."
It was evident they intended to concentrate their forces to decisively deal with the situation in the outer city.
"I too must make my departure!"
With that declaration, Chen Xuan discreetly exited the tent, eventually concealing himself a thousand meters beyond the outer perimeter of Stone Cave City.
The Nineteenth Prince's Mansion!
"I will remain here while you receive your orders from Duke Yuan."
Qin Qi, his expression grave, briefed the four accompanying generals.
He could not leave his post, as the Stone Race might exploit the opportunity to launch an attack, which would prove highly problematic.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
All four generals, including Wu Guang, responded in unified acclamation.
Beside them, Duke Yuan addressed Guan Yao, "Will you remain here, or accompany me?"
At this juncture, Guan Yao emanated a palpable, unsettling killing intent not by conscious volition, but as an uncontrollable consequence of having tread the Path of Slaughter for a mere insufficient duration.
