Just as Lin Xuan and his companions were about to emerge victorious, an unexpected turn occurred.
It would be strange if there weren't any unexpected events, after all.
Another wave of beast army troops surged in, instantly increasing the pressure and reversing the situation.
Everyone was shocked, as the beast army's attack on the Cloud Smoke Sect was already an unexpected event.
The main forces of the beast army were concentrated in the North Continent, and their presence here was isolated and unsupported.
Yet, no one expected there to be reinforcements.
They found it all too eerie.
This wasn't entirely their fault, as these actions had been secretly orchestrated by the beast army. The beast army had been in a stalemate with the Emperor Heaven Sect in the North Continent for a long time, unable to break through the human defenses. Thus, they had been searching for a new breakthrough.
In recent years, they had been secretly laying the groundwork in the South Continent, including the beast army Lin Xuan had encountered in Autumn Wind City.
This attack on the Cloud Smoke Sect was, naturally, the beast army believing the time was ripe. No more sneaking around—it was time for a major assault to announce to the world that the beast army would eradicate every human.
Personally, I have no fondness for the beast army. Mainly because there are no beast-eared maidens. That's too bad. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. The beast army really deserves to die.
One of the three great generals of the beast army, the Black Horn General, has already arrived in the South Continent. Everything was part of his scheme. Soon, he will lead the beast army in a blitz across the South Continent.
With the reinforcements, the battle intensified once more, and casualties continued to escalate.
Lin Xuan broke through again during the battle, but even so, he was no match for the beast army.
Unable to hold out until the end of the battle, Lin Xuan passed out due to exhaustion, though his life was not in danger. The Seven Stars Sword Sect would naturally rescue him.
This defeat also struck a blow to Lin Xuan, making him doubt himself for a moment. However, he quickly rallied and experienced another growth in his mental state.
In the end, despite humanity's victory, many paid with their lives, including the sect master of the Cloud Smoke Sect.
This time, humanity had been caught off guard by the beast army.
Su Luo closed her diary.
"Completed diary. Reward: Constitution +1, Strength +4, One level of cultivation increased. Current cultivation: Nascent Soul Perfection."
...
The next day, Su Luo was summoned to the Black and White Court. This was just an ordinary courtyard.
She was called here because, as the newly appointed Seventh Son, she needed to meet the other Seven Sons.
It was a time for introductions, or perhaps to see if Su Luo was qualified to sit in this position.
As soon as Su Luo entered the courtyard, a wave of pressure hit her head-on.
Scanning the area, the other six Seven Sons were casually seated in the courtyard, simultaneously exerting their pressure on Su Luo.
Each of them looked like they weren't to be trifled with.
Among them, Situ Ye's eyes were red, and he was the most forceful in his pressure.
Despite this, Su Luo felt nothing and walked in leisurely, "Such a warm welcome. I didn't prepare any gifts for you, my apologies."
Qing Bukuang couldn't help but give Su Luo a second look. To face the pressure of all six of them simultaneously and remain unaffected was no small feat.
He withdrew his pressure and said amicably, "You've passed. As a new Seventh Son, you are indeed quite good."
Seeing Qing Bukuang withdraw his pressure, the others followed suit and returned to normal.
Qing Bukuang's approval meant that Su Luo had passed the test of maintaining her composure under such pressure.
After all, the Heavenly Demon Grand Ceremony would bring even stronger pressure from the Demon Lord.
Su Luo casually took a seat, "Sorry to disappoint, but let's get down to business. Time is precious for all of us."
The seven of them formed a circle.
"There's nothing much. We just called you here to get to know each other," Qing Bukuang paused before continuing.
"I'm Qing Bukuang. I don't have much to boast about, but as the leader of the Seven Sons, I manage. My cultivation is at Golden Core Perfection."
Arrogant yet self-deprecating, that's the vibe.
"Liao Duci. I specialize in poison. If you need something to knock someone out, come find me. Prices are negotiable."
Su Luo chuckled. She had suffered quite a bit from Liao Duci in the past.
His so-called knockout drugs were laced with poison. When you knocked someone out for nefarious purposes, your, um, little buddy would suddenly rot away.
Quite despicable.
Su Luo had dealt with Liao Duci by disabling him and setting up a formation to keep him alive. A sword was programmed to stab him multiple times every day.
Then she restarted without hesitation.
"Xu Wuliang. Boundless strength."
Su Luo respected Xu Wuliang. He was born with immense strength, which only became more pronounced after cultivating the demon path. He had even mastered the "Heavenly Demon's Hand" skill.
The "Heavenly Demon's Hand" is a difficult technique to learn even within the Heavenly Demon Sect, and it's incredibly powerful.
"Situ Ye."
Situ Ye didn't want to say much.
"Cui Baiquan."
"Shan Gui."
These two didn't speak much not because they didn't want to, but because Qing Bukuang didn't allow it.
The weak have no right to talk much.
"Su Luo."
Su Luo didn't want to say much either.
Qing Bukuang wasn't having it, "Don't you have anything more to say?"
Though he was smiling, it was a commanding smile, leaving no room for refusal.
"Then let me entertain you all," Su Luo didn't want to be placed in the same rank as Cui Baiquan and Shan Gui.
Entertain them?
Su Luo suddenly launched an attack. Everyone instantly reacted, but to their surprise, Su Luo punched herself.
Just as everyone was confused, Liao Duci collapsed.
Su Luo finished her performance and tidied up her attire, "See, I punched myself, yet he fell. This is what we call, 'Harm yourself, harm others.'"
It's just a simple technique of sharing pain, but no one will understand it.
While it would have been possible to knock out one of them with brute force, the effect wouldn't have been as impactful.
This method was more striking and left them puzzled.
After all, the unknown breeds fear.
Situ Ye examined Liao Duci and found that he was completely unconscious.
Situ Ye took out a metal rod and started pounding on Liao Duci, trying to wake him up.
However, it was no use. Liao Duci remained unresponsive.
Hmm. Qing Bukuang couldn't help but take Su Luo more seriously. Liao Duci was heavily poisoned, and even he wouldn't dare to touch him lightly.
Yet, Su Luo had knocked him out without showing any signs of poisoning.
Interesting.
Qing Bukuang felt he had met a worthy opponent.
Situ Ye asked, "How did you do that?"
He wanted to get revenge on Su Luo, so he needed to figure this out.
"Want to know?"
Situ Ye nodded.
"Are you stupid? Why would I tell you?"
Being mocked in front of everyone, Situ Ye couldn't take it. He immediately drew his weapon.
However, Qing Bukuang stopped him.
"Stop. I don't want to see the Seven Sons lose another member. If you have any issues, deal with them after the Heavenly Demon Grand Ceremony, understand?"
"Fine." Situ Ye, under pressure, reluctantly put away his weapon and sat back down.
There was nothing more to discuss. Su Luo had clearly earned her place as the Seventh Son.
Qing Bukuang said, "This meeting is over. Before we part, let me say one last thing. Don't embarrass me during the Heavenly Demon Grand Ceremony."
The others nodded. Su Luo, however, said, "Then I'll say one thing as well. Don't try to tell me what to do. That's all. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"
"I di—"
Situ Ye's words were cut short as Su Luo backhanded him, sending him flying to join Liao Duci on the ground.
"That settles it."
Su Luo left.
Qing Bukuang didn't stop her. Instead, he found her arrogance rather admirable.
It reminded him of his younger self.
But remember, being arrogant requires the capital to back it up.
He admired her, but arrogance in front of him was unacceptable.
For now, everything was focused on the Heavenly Demon Grand Ceremony.
Later, he would make sure Su Luo understood her place.
Don't worry, Su Luo, there are many ways to crush you. Heeheehee...