First Battle Against Monsters

Within the formation area, the ground had caved in, forming a massive hole. A foul, fishy stench permeated the air from within it. Moments ago, dozens of outer sect disciples had plunged into the abyss, their fates unknown.

Bai Lan pulled Xue Linglong and Li Yunxi back, retreating steadily. While she couldn’t concern herself with the survival of others, she was resolute in protecting Li Yunxi and Xue Linglong.

After all, they were the first friends she had made in this world, aside from her master, Bai Yiren, and her two senior sisters.

“Heh heh, ha ha, what a feast! Human women are truly delicious; I’m practically addicted.” A chilling voice echoed from the collapsed pit a moment later.

Following the voice, a demon beast resembling a centipede crawled out of the sinkhole. Its body was a pale blue, and when it reared up, it stretched nearly twenty to thirty meters long, indeed looking like a colossal centipede.

Clutched in its mouth was half the body of an outer sect disciple, dripping with blood. Its maw was exceptionally wide, capable of devouring over a dozen ordinary humans in a single bite, or so it seemed.

The creature’s head was particularly hideous. While its overall appearance hinted at a centipede, it was certainly not one.

Sea Abyss Worm, a Tier 3 demon beast with peak Golden Core cultivation. It is a notoriously brutal sea demon from the deep sea. This was the information that flashed before Bai Lan’s eyes.

However, the moment this information appeared, a sense of dread washed over her. She quickly scanned her surroundings, noting only one early-stage Golden Core cultivator guarding the area. How could an early-stage Golden Core practitioner possibly contend with a peak Golden Core demon, especially one that was a sea demon?

“A Sea Abyss Worm? All outer sect disciples, retreat beyond the defensive formation! This fiend is formidable, beyond my power to defeat. Inner sect disciples, activate the Heavenly Water Lock Demon Formation!” The early-stage Golden Core inner sect disciple’s expression shifted drastically upon seeing the creature. She swiftly surveyed her surroundings.

Upon realizing there was no backup, she immediately deployed their most potent tactic: a combined formation. Individually, they stood no chance against this formidable foe.

Upon hearing the words “Sea Abyss Worm,” the inner sect disciples’ faces also paled. They, too, understood the creature’s fearsome reputation. As for the outer sect disciples, they were already fleeing the formation area.

The Sea Abyss Worm had conveniently blocked the entrance to the core area, making retreat into it impossible. Furthermore, all powerful disciples, deacons, and elders were currently engaged with other strong enemies. Drawing the Sea Abyss Worm into the core would undoubtedly lead to a nightmare.

“Trying to run? No chance! My little ones, go forth and devour all these humans!” The Sea Abyss Worm’s mission was to raid their home, to take advantage of Luo Yan and the others being entangled by powerful sea demons, and to slaughter as many newly inducted outer sect disciples as possible.

After the Sea Abyss Worm spoke, a multitude of smaller Sea Abyss Worms surged out from the sinkhole it had emerged from. These creatures were mostly Tier 1 or Tier 2, corresponding to the human Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment realms, though the majority were at the Qi Refining stage.

Their appearance was similar to the Tier 3 Sea Abyss Worm, but their size was significantly smaller. A Tier 1 Sea Abyss Worm was only two or three meters long, yet even this was a terrifying presence for the outer sect disciples.

With so many low-tier Sea Abyss Worms appearing, the remaining inner sect disciples couldn’t possibly stop them. It was already their limit to contain the Golden Core Sea Abyss Worm.

The inner sect disciples had already surrounded the main Sea Abyss Worm, rapidly forming hand seals. A brilliant blue barrier instantly formed, binding the Sea Abyss Worm in place.

“Hmph! Trying to trap me with a simple formation alone is useless! My mission is to slaughter all your outer sect disciples, to ensure your Luoshen Sect has no successors, ha ha.” The Sea Abyss Worm had no intention of escaping; instead, it mocked the surrounding Foundation Establishment disciples and the Golden Core disciple.

“Despicable! When did you sea demons learn such shameless and vile tactics?” The early-stage Golden Core female cultivator angrily rebuked.

“Heh? Despicable? When have you humans ever dealt with us demon beasts in an honorable manner? So, when we demon beasts use a stratagem, it’s despicable? Enough idle talk, I have no time to reason with you humans.” The Sea Abyss Worm sneered, then opened its mouth wide and spewed a torrent of purple venom. The toxic liquid shot forth like arrows, striking the blue barrier from all directions.

Unfortunately, the formation blocked every single one. The Heavenly Water Lock Demon Formation required twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators to activate successfully. Once deployed, it could indeed trap a Golden Core demon beast, but only for a limited time.

“Hmph! Sisters, let’s slay this demon.” The Golden Core female cultivator, having run out of words, led the other Foundation Establishment disciples directly into the formation.

They couldn’t simply keep it trapped. They needed to resolve this quickly to aid the outer sect disciples. The Golden Core female cultivator was growing desperate.

Every second they lingered here meant more casualties among the outer sect disciples.

Indeed, to escape the pursuing Sea Abyss Worms, the outer sect disciples scattered in disarray, without any plan.

Most were facing sea demons for the first time. Forget fighting; the moment these monsters charged, their legs turned to jelly, rendering them unable to move. All that was left was a shriek before they were swallowed alive by the Sea Abyss Worms.

These Sea Abyss Worms particularly relished devouring their prey alive. However, some outer sect disciples mustered their courage, uniting to confront the Sea Abyss Worms rather than fleeing.

“Sisters, running is futile! We only have a chance at survival if we gather our courage and fight these creatures together. Our sect elders are battling powerful sea demons and cannot come to our rescue.” At this critical juncture, the princesses took on a leading role.

They spearheaded the counterattack against the Sea Abyss Worms. After all, with their Qi Refining third and fourth stage cultivation, they weren’t entirely without a fighting chance when united.

There were approximately five to six thousand Sea Abyss Worms, a number roughly equal to the outer sect disciples. Therefore, escaping these creatures seemed nearly impossible.

Even Bai Lan and her two companions, despite being the fastest, were eventually overtaken by the Sea Abyss Worms. Three Sea Abyss Worms, with strengths ranging from Qi Refining third to seventh stage, were hot on their heels.

The lower-tier Sea Abyss Worms possessed limited intelligence, obeying only the commands of their king. Thus, upon catching up to Bai Lan’s trio, they immediately lunged forward.

“Linglong, Sister Yunxi, prepare for battle.” Bai Lan quickly halted, simultaneously drawing her Cold Soul Sword from her storage bag. She instantly turned and charged towards the three Sea Abyss Worms.

She was buying time for Xue Linglong and Li Yunxi to prepare. She possessed combat experience, but the other two did not.

Without battle experience, a rash charge would undoubtedly lead to death.

Brandishing the Cold Soul Sword, Bai Lan’s entire body exuded chilling frost. She unleashed a sword art that resembled dancing snowflakes. This was the Snow Divine Sword Art, a family heirloom of the Xue Clan.

Although she had mastered the profundities of the Luoshen Sword Art, in a life-or-death crisis, Bai Lan instinctively relied on her most practiced and ingrained techniques—the skills of her clan. Prioritizing safety and efficiency, she chose the sword art she knew best to confront the enemy.

“I… but… I’m scared.” Li Yunxi watched Bai Lan charge alone to fight three Sea Abyss Worms. Though deeply worried, she was utterly terrified herself.

Bai Lan’s Snow Divine Sword Art was incredibly fluid, barely managing to hold back the three Sea Abyss Worms. The three creatures, bewildered by Bai Lan’s elusive movements, thrashed and bit wildly in confusion.

Xue Linglong hesitated for only a moment, then spoke to Li Yunxi.

“Sister Yunxi, I’m going in too.”

With that, Xue Linglong also drew her personal sword. Her eyes gradually shifted to a pale gold, and then something peculiar occurred.

As Xue Linglong charged forward, she, too, unleashed the Snow Divine Sword Art. Her movements perfectly mirrored Bai Lan’s, and she performed it with scarcely less skill than she did.