Chapter 303: Chapter 262: Gathering of the Prodigies

In a single night, Great Desert City transformed from unmatched prosperity into utter devastation. That night, the whole city boiled over—so too did the entire Yunxi Martial World shake.

The Demon Dao’s surprise attack on Great Desert City made a massive commotion in a short time. All forces suffered attacks to varying degrees. The city rushed and roared through the night.

It wasn’t until dawn that the fires within Great Desert City were completely extinguished, and only then did calm slowly return. On Beidou Bang’s side, it was likewise a sleepless night of turmoil, yet Gu Zhan took no part in the aftermath. He’d fought two battles the previous day and was weary; after returning from Mo Jingzhou’s place, he retired early for rest.

Early that morning,

In a small courtyard, Gu Zhan sat drinking porridge while listening to Tian Yu’s report on the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s casualties from last night.

Just then, a guard entered to announce that the Dragon King summoned him.

Finishing his porridge, Gu Zhan went to Beidou Bang’s temporary headquarters.

When he arrived,

the hall was already filled with many high-ranking members. However, compared to previous days, the number was fewer, and the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

"Greetings, Palm Seal!"

"Greetings, Palm Seal!"

The gathered leaders all stood at Gu Zhan’s arrival and saluted respectfully.

Gu Zhan cupped his hands toward the assembly, then offered another salute toward Mo Jingzhou.

"No need for such ceremony. Be seated."

Mo Jingzhou indicated the seat just below the chief position.

Last night, Gu Zhan had already received the Dragon King’s Order. Now even before the Protectors Xiao Chen and Yun Wei, his status was higher; naturally, his seat was second only to Mo Jingzhou’s.

Once Gu Zhan was seated, Mo Jingzhou looked to Dubhe Sub-Branch’s Squad Leader Tan Lang and said, "Tan Lang, Palm Seal has just arrived and doesn’t know the details. Report to him once more."

"Yes, sir."

Tan Lang rose, saluted Gu Zhan, and said, "Palm Seal, just now I finished tallying the casualties from last night’s Demon Dao raid. Allow me to report in detail."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly.

Tan Lang spoke heavily, "For this ambush, the Demon Dao had prepared long in advance; all escape routes were set up beforehand. Aside from those killed on the spot, most of those Demon Dao who entered the city last night escaped unharmed.

The assault on our Beidou Bang last night was led mainly by the Ghost King Sect, with its Sect Leader, Yunzhong Jun, and Grand Elder, Ghost Fang, diverting the Gang Leader and Protector Xiao, while taking aim at our younger generation for targeted assassinations.

Because of the Demon Dao’s careful plotting and preparations, last night’s strike cost us dearly among our second-generation disciples—four Fifth Realm Great Cultivators perished, all in key positions, highly respected and cohesive. Their primary targets were third-generation disciples: among thirteen prominent third-generation leaders, aside from you, Palm Seal, only five survived. Seven were killed,

All of them were outstanding third-generation disciples; their cultivation reached Dao Realm, the younger just twenty-four or five, the older in their thirties. They were members the gang spared no effort nurturing—within years, they’d have become the backbone of Beidou Bang. Their loss is grievous, and the blow to morale is dire."

At the main seat, Mo Jingzhou sighed lightly and said, "Thank heavens you made it through. Had something happened to you, the blow to Beidou Bang would have been fatal. It is only because you killed Xiao Xiangzi and Ghost Fang that some spirit was preserved and the harm tempered."

Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly. "And the other factions? How are they faring?"

Tan Lang saluted. "Just after dawn, news from other factions arrived. Among them, our Beidou Bang’s losses were relatively minor."

Mo Jingzhou let out a bitter laugh. "I can’t decide whether to feel fortunate or helpless. The reason our losses were light wasn’t our superior caution, but that Beidou Bang lacks many outstanding young experts worth the Demon Dao’s bloody efforts.

Last night’s Demon Dao raid focused on young geniuses with two aims: one, the young generation is the Righteous Dao’s future—eliminate these prodigies and the Righteous Dao’s next generation withers; the second goal is for the imminent war with Demon Dao.

Today’s Martial World is driven by young disciples who command respect and reputation, acting as the crucial link between generations. Now, with these young talents widely assassinated, not only is the younger generation demoralized; the older generation is shaken as well. The Demon Dao’s move is to pull the rug out from under us!"

Gu Zhan’s eyes narrowed further,

He understood the logic in Mo Jingzhou’s words.

The fighting of Martial World differs from the calculated tactics of armies. In the Martial World, when strength is close, everything depends on a surge of momentum—victories won in one breath.

Demon Dao’s style is very different from the Righteous Dao—they’re never united; many of their factions disregard even appearances. Thus, in the wars between Righteous and Demon Dao, Demon Dao holds the weaker hand. But this ambush has flipped things: the Righteous Dao’s morale has plummeted, while Demon Dao’s morale surges. Such ebb and flow, for the Righteous Dao, bodes ill.

Gu Zhan said in a deep voice, "Now that the situation is unfavorable, should the war between Righteous and Demon Dao be postponed? The Martial World’s morale is too volatile—a major battle now would be a disaster."

Mo Jingzhou shook his head. "I fear not only can it not be delayed, it will very likely be brought forward."

"Why?" Gu Zhan asked, puzzled.

"First, delay begets change," Mo Jingzhou said. "This war gathers all of Righteous Dao Martial World. Strike with one surge, the second time weaker, the third exhausted—if delayed partway, it goes against us. Second, last night the Demon Dao burned their bridges. They didn’t merely assassinate; they abducted a great many people, too."