CHAPTER 650: 650 TASKS

Their speed was getting faster and faster. The demon beasts were incredibly fast. The distance between them was narrowing.

"Junior Brother Tan, it seems we really need to split up. Here’s a Sound Transmission Talisman, it’s for the Sect Leader. Keep one, so when either of us reaches the barrier, we can send a message immediately."

Tan Shaoting took the Sound Transmission Talisman, and the two of them split up. Although they were heading in the same direction, this would force the demon beasts behind them to divide as well.

Tan Shaoting had reached his maximum speed and noticed that the Third-rank Demon Beast, the Sword-toothed Leopard, wasn’t pursuing him. The ones following him were mostly Second-rank beasts, which reduced the pressure significantly.

However, things might not be going so smoothly for Wang Congshan.

After running for about two more hours, Tan Shaoting noticed a large number of demon beasts ahead.

Realizing that this wasn’t working, Tan Shaoting understood that trying to break through the demon beasts and reach the barrier was highly unlikely. So he decisively used the Sound Transmission Talisman.

"Sect Leader, this is Tan Shaoting. Senior Brother Wang and I are investigating the barrier to the Demon Realm, but I can’t get close. There are too many demon beasts. I’ve noticed that the highest rank is Third-rank, but there are just too many."

After speaking, Tan Shaoting released the Sound Transmission Talisman. He also sent one to Wang Congshan, knowing it was risky but necessary to inform him that he had already contacted the Sect Leader and was about to retreat.

Tan Shaoting then turned around and dashed forward, choosing a curved path instead of a direct confrontation. This proved somewhat effective, but the demon beasts noticed and more of them started chasing him.

After about one hour, Tan Shaoting received a reply from Wang Congshan, who was also heading back. He subtly mentioned that if they lured the beasts out of the mountains, people outside would be in danger.

Tan Shaoting had also considered this, and struggled with what to do. He knew it was impossible to deal with so many demon beasts alone. Even though the ranks were lower, there were simply too many.

He would be trapped here, and that would be dangerous. Ahead was an open area, and he was already exhausted. Now wasn’t the time to destroy the demon beasts.

He set up an Array, diving into it and drank two mouthfuls of Spiritual Spring Water before sitting down to cultivate.

After two Grand Circulations, he recovered his Spiritual Power. Sitting inside the Array, seeing the demon beasts surrounding it, he realized the danger he faced. Though his life wasn’t immediately at risk, escaping unscathed was unlikely.

Out of options, with only two mountains left before reaching the plains, he knew many people had already evacuated, but there were still densely populated cities nearby.

Though not a saint, he couldn’t bear causing so much harm to people by leading the beasts out. It would hinder his future cultivation due to future Heavenly Dao’s punishments.

So Tan Shaoting emerged from the Array, determined to hold on as long as possible, retreating back into the Array when necessary.

He swung his sword, battling the demon beasts, while quietly longing for the chance to obtain a suitable weapon.

After four hours, a pile of demon beast corpses over a meter high had accumulated.

Exhausted, he couldn’t even gather his trophies. Stumbling into the Array, he slipped into his space.

The demon beasts outside were relentless, ramming the Array. They were in a frenzy, furious that the cunning human had hidden. How could this be allowed?

Inside the space, Tan Shaoting drank two more cups of Spiritual Spring Water while clutching Spirit Stones to cultivate.

He needed to quickly recover Spiritual Power here, or he would suffer greatly.

He knew the Array was under attack, but could do nothing. He planned to visit the Array Sect and Divine Artifact Sect after this ordeal. Arrays were indispensable, and he needed a decent sword.

After three more hours, he was finally restored. The Array outside was crumbling, and he quickly emerged, without time to prepare an Array Plate, but he couldn’t let this one break.

Emerging, he was surrounded by demon beasts again. Tan Shaoting had the Heavenly Thunder Pearl in his hand but hesitated to use it. He needed it for the journey back and didn’t know how many he’d need in the future, making him reluctant to use it now.

Nevertheless, this battle wasn’t without benefit. Aside from the slain demon beasts, he realized he could now unleash Sword Qi, something he had only managed to do in his past life upon reaching the Golden Core Stage in the Cultivation World.

Tan Shaoting managed to find some amusement in his plight, wondering if the Heavens had set this as a trial for him.

After another four hours, he was so exhausted he could barely lift his arms. Completely worn out, he was covered in blood, not his own but that of the demon beasts.

There was a bit of good news: the number of demon beasts had decreased significantly, with only about two-tenths remaining.

Additionally, some of the demon beasts had begun to retreat.

Still, Tan Shaoting hurriedly resumed cultivation, wary of stronger demon beasts appearing. The continent placed no restrictions on them, making the emergence of Fourth-rank demon beasts very possible.

To survive, he had to maintain peak condition. This wasn’t a time for negligence.

After three more hours, he ventured outside again. Though some demon beasts remained outside pounding the Array, it took only one hour to completely eliminate them all.

Looking at the pile of demon beast corpses on the ground, Tan Shaoting casually waved his hand, filling three Storage Bags.

He thought about the more than ten Storage Bags full of demon beast materials already inside his space.

If he could leave here, he would exchange these for Spirit Stones.

After tidying up, he retrieved the Array Plate, noticing two cracks on it.

He sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to Wang Congshan, waiting a long time without a reply.

Having no other choice, he headed in the direction the Sound Transmission Talisman had indicated.

He couldn’t leave alone for several reasons: he had to find the Sect Leader’s people, Wang Congshan wasn’t detestable, and he wasn’t injured.

If he returned alone, he would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.

He extended his Divine Sense to the maximum, finding Wang Congshan after an hour. He looked truly beleaguered.

The Third-rank Saber-toothed Tiger was dead. What remained was similar to his own situation, being besieged by demon beasts, overwhelming in its own way. Ants could move mountains; there was truth to this saying.

Wang Congshan was already exhausted, thinking his end was near, unwilling and frustrated by this potential fate.

When Tan Shaoting arrived to slay the demon beasts, Wang Congshan cast him a grateful glance.

"Senior Brother Wang, take a rest while I hold them off," Tan Shaoting said.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Tan." Wang Congshan didn’t stand on ceremony; this was no time for politeness. He hurried into the Array to restore his Spiritual Power.