Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi arrived in front of the tower's entrance. The former's body was billowing with azure energy dotted by blossoming lotus while the former had his frame decked in crimson energy with his blade also taking in the same color.
The moment they landed on the ground, the gaping maw stopped spouting more gargoyles. Instead, another unidentified creature radiating a different type of energy stepped out of it.
It was huge like a stone golem but made of flesh. The foreign energy that seemed to clash with the two Core Formation elders' spiritual energy matched their intensity.
Its grotesque form of a patchwork of writhing muscle and sinew made them recall those from the Evil Factions who loved to create monstrosities from their experiments.
Nevertheless, this was another thing entirely. Its eyeless face turned toward them as a gaping maw splitting open to reveal rows of jagged, bone-like teeth.
The ground trembled faintly beneath its weight as it took a lumbering step forward, its oppressive aura clashed violently with the elders' spiritual energy.
Yan Chen's azure energy flared brighter, the blossoming lotus patterns swirling around him like a protective storm. Although the [Blossoming Lotus Breathing Technique] didn't provide him with a lot of benefits, cultivating it to the fourth layer enhanced most of his spells and techniques.
On top of that, the store products like the Card Talismans and Sticker Seals added a layer of enhancement to his strength.
His longsword hummed as he channeled his spiritual energy into it. The blade glowed with a sharp, cutting light as he used Core Projection on it.
"Elder Zhao, this one's no mindless beast. It's at least Core Formation strength, maybe higher."
Zhao Jianshi's crimson energy surged in response, his saber igniting with an intense bloodlust that seemingly warped the space around him. He wildly grinned as his sharp eyes focused on the new threat before them.
"Good. I was getting bored with those winged pests. Let's see what this thing's made of."
Like Yan Chen, the general trait of Core Formation Stage cultivators, the Core Projection, was fully exerted by him.
Behind them, the combined forces of Azure Gale, Crimson Vale, White Ember, Verdant Sky Pavilion and the other defenders held their positions, their attacks slowing as they knew they'd only slow them down if they helped out.
Yu Qingyan ordered to clean up the remaining gargoyles. After shattering another group with her flute, she hovered above, her Verdant Wings beating steadily as she observed the golem with narrowed eyes.
She pulled up her Viewing Jade again, typing in an update for those who were watching her thread.
[Unusual Tower Sighting - MistyRain]
[New entity emerged from the tower entrance. A Flesh Golem with Core Formation-level strength. Elders Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi were about to engage it.]
The moment she tapped send, the golem let out a guttural roar, its fleshy arms swinging downward with terrifying force.
Yan Chen darted to the side, his [Azure Gale Steps] carrying him in a blur of wind as he slashed upward, a crescent of azure energy slicing into the creature's arm.
The attack carved a deep gash, but the wound writhed and began to knit itself back together, the foreign energy pulsing stronger.
"Regeneration," Yan Chen muttered, his expression tightening. "This won't be quick. We have to find its core."
Zhao Jianshi charged in from the opposite side, his saber slashing in a bloodthirsty arc, cutting through its flesh like tofu. However, it stopped halfway before the golem writhed and yanked it out of its body.
It staggered and issued a pained bellow. It then retaliated with a sweeping backhand that sent a shockwave through the space, hurtling toward the elder.
Zhao Jianshi raised his saber to block, the impact driving him back several feet as his boots skidded across the cracked earth.
"Resilient bastard," Zhao Jianshi growled as he steadied himself. "We'll need to hit it harder."
Yan Wei, who just finished cleaning up their side with the other Azure Gale disciples, clenched his fists. "The elders are holding it off, but that thing's not going down easy. Chen Suyun, ready a [Windstrike Talisman]—we'll support when they signal."
Chen Suyin nodded, her fingers trembling slightly as she pulled the talisman from her pouch. "Got it, Young Master. Should we call Zhou Rui's team too?"
Yan Wei glanced toward the Crimson Vale disciples, where Zhou Rui was directing his group to reinforce their formation. "They're not done yet. Let them focus on their side first."
Above, Xue Biyu directed the White Ember ship's cannons to fire a salvo at the remaining gargoyles circling the tower, ensuring the elders had room to maneuver. The blasts lit up the night sky, scattering the creatures into ash and shadow.
"Keep the pressure on!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the din. "Don't let them swarm the elders!"
Yu Qingyan descended slightly, her flute raised to her lips.
She played a sharp, piercing note, and a wave of verdant energy rippled outward, striking the golem's flank. The attack didn't deal much damage, but it distracted the creature, giving Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi a brief opening.
Yan Chen seized the moment, his longsword flashing as he unleashed a torrent of wind blades—[Myriad Tempest Barrage]. The azure energy spiraled toward the golem, tearing into its chest and exposing a pulsating core of dark, shimmering light within.
"There! That's the core!"
Zhao Jianshi didn't hesitate. He roared, channeling his full Core Formation Stage power into his saber.
The blade erupted into a pillar of scarlet phantom as he performed the technique manual the Crimson Vale acquired from the store, [Scarlet Phantom Blade Art – Scarlet Destruction].
He swung his blade downward with all his might, the attack struck the exposed core dead-on before flesh covered it again.
The flesh golem let out a deafening shriek. Its body convulsed as the core cracked and splintered, foreign energy leaking out like black mist.
The golem staggered, its movements slowing, but it wasn't finished yet.
With a final surge of strength, it slammed both fists into the ground, sending a shockwave of jagged earth and dark energy toward the elders. Yan Chen leaped into the air, his wind techniques propelling him out of harm's way, while Zhao Jianshi braced himself, his saber cutting through the wave to shield himself while Core Projection protected most of his vitals.
Yu Qingyan's voice rang out, amplified by her spiritual energy. "Elders, fall back! We'll seal it now!"
Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi retreated swiftly, their breaths heavy but their resolve unshaken.
She and the rest of the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators converged over, each one holding a flag or a formation disk.
They aimed at the gigantic door of the tower, pushing it close, leaving the crumbling golem alone and desperate.
The creature pounded against it to no avail and when it understood that it couldn't retreat anymore, it roared before charging through the pressure of the activated formation.
Yan Chen and Zhao Jianshi jumped in again, finishing it off.
As its body collapsed into mangled flesh, a large dark stone, quite similar to the ones they found in the gargoyle's body, was left behind.
Yu Qingyan landed nearby, her Verdant Wings folding away as she pulled out her Viewing Jade. "We did it… It's closed. The threat is secured. However, this isn't over. This tower isn't going anywhere…"
As much as they wanted to rejoice, Yu Qingyan's words rang true.
Whatever was inside the Tower, it could still come out again.
Elder Tang, Qianmeng and the other inhabitants of the Faguang City despaired.
Their quiet life as a small city within the Southern Wu Kingdom and Eastern Abyssal Domain was about to change.
The defenders regrouped. Their faces are a mix of exhaustion and triumph.
Yan Wei and Chen Suyin joined them, the former grinning despite the fatigue etched into his features. "Second Elder was amazing out there. Zhou Rui, you'd better step up your game—next time, I'm taking the lead."
Zhou Rui, overhearing from his position near the formation discs, shot back with a laugh, "Keep dreaming, Yan Wei. My saber's still sharper than your wind tricks. Read my comment under your thread. Let's have a rematch!"
The banter eased the tension and the night settled over the Jade Hollow Plains, the tower now a silent sentinel.
Suddenly, something unexpected happened: a jade token flew out of Yu Qingyan's spatial bag, and a ray of light shot from it, disappearing into the tower.