Chapter 182: Night assault


    In today''s battle, the coalition of four sects had a slight upper hand, but they also suffered considerable losses themselves.


    Let''s set aside the Taiyi Sect for now; the other three sects, along with the Liu Family, were left in a state of mutual destruction, with heavy casualties on both sides. After the intense battle, the four sects began the grim tasks of collecting bodies, treating the wounded, and regrouping their forces. As the night descended, they finally managed to settle down somewhat by establishing temporary camps for rest.


    Five cultivators at the Foundation Building stage chose not to stay within the camp but followed Xu Yishan from the Forest Mountain School to a nearby sand dune, quietly waiting. On the other hand, the Liu Family and Green Bamboo Mountain retreated into Singing Sand City and started their own recovery process.


    Although the coalition forces temporarily retreated today, they suffered fewer casualties than their opponents. What''s more crucial is that they have the protection of Singing Sand City''s defensive Formation, which means even if the immediate situation is unfavorable, they won''t suffer a crushing defeat. They can fall back into the market area and rely on the protective Formation for defense, making it practically impossible for the enemy to break through and attack them.


    As night fell, the Elder from the Azure Bamboo Sect, who received a message from their sect, arrived at Singing Sand City. Initially, he was sent on orders to monitor the movements of the Forest Spring Watch. While the Forest Spring Watch remained motionless, Singing Sand City suffered an unexpected defeat.


    With the Elder''s arrival, they now had an extra person at the Foundation Building stage. One should not underestimate the significance of this difference; this individual might be the one to decide the oue of the battle.


    Both sides started to conserve their energy and prepare for the battle tomorrow. With the two sects still in good shape and the reinforcement from the Azure Bamboo Sect''s Elder, everyone believed that tomorrow''s battle would undoubtedly turn the tide and lead to aplete victory.


    Meanwhile, on the other side of the coalition forces, the five Foundation Building stage cultivators stood on the sand dune, enduring the cold wind, waiting silently until midnight.


    Finally, a figure descended from the dark sky and appeared before them. Surprisingly, it was the long-absent Gu Tanghai, a member of the Meng Zhang.


    Gu Tanghai''s gaze casually swept over Meng Zhang, showing no signs of anomaly. "Do you have the item?" Xu Yishan asked anxiously.


    "Thankfully, I''ve seeded," replied Gu Tanghai, taking out a seemingly unremarkable disc slightlyrger than a palm. This seemingly insignificant disc was, in fact, the central control hub for the protective Formation of Singing Sand City.


    When the cultivators from Twin Sess Valley withdrew, they took this Formation disc with them. Later, Green Bamboo Mountain had no choice but to call upon a Formation Master to create a makeshift substitute.


    Now, with the genuine Formation disc in their possession, they could deactivate the Formation''s control from the Twin Sess Valley and even reverse it to directly attack the cultivators from Liu Family and Green Bamboo Mountain.


    During a secret meeting at the Forest Mountain School, Xu Yishan had suggested seeking Gu Tanghai''s help and proposed certain conditions in return. If they defeated their opponents and reimed Singing Sand City, the benefits would be equally divided between the four sects and Gu Tanghai. He would also be responsible for the daily management of Singing Sand City.


    Originally, none of the four sects werefortable letting others control Singing Sand City. However, now they have handed over control to Gu Tanghai, a loose cultivator. As long as their interests are notpromised, everyone can ept it.


    Xu Yishan didn''t lie; Gu Tanghai indeed appeared in time and brought the decisive key to victory.


    Gu Tanghai didn''t exin how he obtained the Formation disc, and nobody pressed for further details.


    As dawn approached and time was running out, Gu Tanghai couldn''t afford to exchange pleasantries with everyone. He led them into action immediately.


    The main focus of this operation was stealth, so apart from the six Foundation Building stage cultivators, only a few elite members from each sect were brought along. Meng Zhang even took only one prominent disciple, Yang Xueyi, to apany him.


    Under the cover of darkness, they stealthily approached Singing Sand City. With the central control hub for the Formation in their possession, they effortlessly bypassed the defensive Formation and headed towards the heart of Singing Sand City.


    Inside Singing Sand City, most cultivators, from those at the Foundation Building stage to the lower-level Refining Qi cultivators, were meditating and restoring their energy for tomorrow''s battle. Only a few cultivators were responsible for guarding the market. With the protective Formation in ce, they were not worried about potential attacks.


    The infiltrating group managed to avoid the few guards and patrolling cultivators and reached the central location of Singing Sand City.


    Here stood a tall tower that was a critical position for controlling Singing Sand City''s defensive Formation. Green Bamboo Mountain and Liu Family hadn''t upied Singing Sand City long enough to fully understand its key areas. They had underestimated the protective Formation initially established by Twin Sess Valley, thinking that the makeshift Formation disc created by a few Formation Masters could rece the original one.


    Twin Sess Valley had dominated this region for years, and Singing Sand City, as its most important outpost outside the sect, held secrets that ordinary Formation Masters couldn''t grasp in a short time. Somehow, Gu Tanghai had obtained the information and immediately pinpointed the Formation''s crucial points.


    Silently, they subdued the guards and entered the tower. Gu Tanghai inserted the Formation disc into a restriction on the ground. After some busy activity, the control of Singing Sand City''s protective Formation fell into Gu Tanghai''s hands.


    Gu Tanghai allocated some of the control to the others present, and together, theyunched a deadly surprise attack on the cultivators from both Green Bamboo Mountain and Liu Family.


    Unexpectedly, the Formation that was meant to protect them became the instrument of their demise. Singing Sand City quickly descended into chaos as the powerful Formation unleashed its attacks on the two sects'' cultivators.


    With the bolstering power of the Formation, the cultivators from the four sects'' side gained tremendous strength, and they fought valiantly, driving their enemies back.


    The battle between the Foundation Building stage cultivators erupted in Singing Sand City and continued through the night until daybreak. Although the number of people on the side of the four sects was small, they had the advantage of controlling the Formation, which led to significant gains.


    Most of Liu Family and Green Bamboo Mountain''s Refining Qi stage cultivators died within Singing Sand City, with only a fortunate few managing to escape. Liu Family''s Elder, Liu Dajiang, and Liu Dahai were killed in the battle, while Liu Dahai''s timely escape saved him.


    Bamboo spear Elder died, and Azure Bamboo was heavily injured but rescued by someone named "Bamboo Sword."


    This battle truly showed Meng Zhang the terrifying power of a fully activated Second Rank Formation.


    [Read at /maxnkoga , without ads and support the work.]