In the aftermath of the bloodbath that unfolded under the cloak of darkness, the once-ominous aura of the Celestial Heavenly store hung heavy over the outer city.
The corpses of the assassins from the Death Shadow Organization and their accomplished lay scattered across the narrow alleyways and hidden corners, their lifeless bodies serving as a grim testament to the store's unparalleled might.
Word of the swift and deadly operation spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of the influential clans whose members had contemplated betraying the city.
The Ding clan patriarch, Wei clan patriarch, and Xue clan found themselves caught between a sense of relief and a chilling realization of the immense power wielded by the Celestial Heavenly store.
The City Lords from other cities had secretly approached them with a proposal to betray their own city, had underestimated the force they were dealing with.
The lingering fear for the unknown expert hidden within the Celestial Heavenly store had played a pivotal role in their decision to reject the City Lord's proposition.
Now, as they witnessed the consequences of that choice, a cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
The Death Shadow Organization, once thought to be an insurmountable force, lay decimated.
Furthermore, the enemies plan to weaken the outer city's defenses had failed spectacularly, and the three clan patriarchs found themselves silently thanking their lucky stars.
But the night was far from over.
The night air crackled with tension as the twenty grade-2 Thunderbird beasts soared through the moonlit sky, their wings beating with a rhythmic thunder that echoed across the Baiyun city.
Each beast carried a contingent of hardened warriors, their faces painted with determination, ready to unleash chaos upon their unsuspecting enemies.
The barren landers, born and bred in the crucible of war, understood only one language – that of conflict.
To them, the concept of giving their adversaries respite or stepping back was alien; it simply did not exist in their lexicon.
Once marked as enemies, the choice was stark: either they perished in the pursuit or annihilated their foes completely.
As the Thunderbird beasts dispersed in various direction the ten neighboring cities and their respective lords had chosen the path of enmity, and the barren landers would not rest until the threat was eliminated.
The city lords, oblivious to the impending storm, continued to revel in the relative calm of Qianlong city.
Unbeknownst to them, a ruthless force was hurtling toward their territories, a silent tempest poised to shatter the peace they had come to enjoy.
Little did they realize that the barren landers had opted for a strategic assault, choosing the cover of night to catch their enemies off guard.
.....
Lingtian City, bathed in the serenity of the night, lay peacefully under the embrace of the moonlight.
The soft glow from paper lanterns illuminated the cobbled streets, casting a warm hue upon the ancient architecture that adorned the city.
Towering building and ornate bridges created a picturesque landscape.
As the inhabitants peacefully slumbered, the city's nocturnal activities unfolded. Some, exhausted from the toils of the day, surrendered to the embrace of dreams.
Others, fueled by lingering energy, sought solace with their partners or sought refuge in the labyrinth of the city's bustling brothels.
Lingtian, like any city with a heartbeat, thrived on the delicate balance between the tranquility of nightfall and the vibrancy of nocturnal activities.
A sudden cry of anguish shattered the night air, awakening the Lingtian guards from their stupor.
The captain's heart pounded against his chest, his once-confident demeanor now replaced by fear and panic.
With his mouth agape, he watched helplessly as the Celestial Heavenly soldiers decimated his men, their movements so swift and coordinated that the guards were left defenseless, mere pawns on a merciless battlefield.
As the battle unfolded, it became evident that the Lingtian guards were facing adversaries of a caliber beyond their wildest imagination.
The Celestial Heavenly soldiers moved with a martial prowess that transcended their cultivation realm, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
As chaos engulfed Lingtian City, a ripple of impending turmoil spread across the surrounding cities, each preparing to face the brunt of an unexpected onslaught.
The Thunderbird beasts, carrying the relentless Celestial Heavenly Soldiers, soared through the night sky, covering vast distances in a matter of minutes.
Their target, now, was the illustrious Qianlong City.
The journey had been swift, propelled by the powerful wings of the grade-2 Thunderbird beasts.
The Celestial Heavenly Soldiers, determined and formidable, were confident they would complete their mission before daybreak.
Qianlong City, the last bastion in their path, lay beneath them, sprawling and formidable.
With a resonant screech, the Thunderbird beasts announced their arrival, sending tremors through the city.
The dense network of well-trained guards, more substantial than those of the previous cities, scrambled to respond.
The Celestial Heavenly Soldiers, leaping off the backs of the Thunderbird beasts, divided into two groups with swift efficiency—
one to engage the guards and the other to eliminate the powerful forces within the city, ultimately taking control of the city lord's mansion.
Inside the opulent Qianlong City lord mansion, tranquility shattered with the urgency of a heavy footfall.
The city lord, nestled in the rare moments of rest, was abruptly jolted awake by the intrusive sounds.
Knock! Knock!
Initially irritated by the disturbance, the city lord demanded.
"What?" Her voice dripped with irritation, a stark contrast to the urgency outside her chamber.
"Master... We're under attack," her maid responded, panic evident in her voice.
"What!" The city lord sprang out of bed, appearing in the hallway in her white garment.
"Who would dare attack us?"
The maid, still reeling from the sudden onslaught, struggled to provide answers. The relentless barrage of questions left her stunned and overwhelmed.
Nevertheless, she performed her duty as the head maid, recounting everything she knew. As the city lord listened, a grave expression etched itself onto her features.
In the dimly lit hallway, the weight of the imminent threat bore down on the city lord. The serenity of her sleep shattered, she now faced a moment of reckoning.