Chapter 124: I Thought You Had Already Realized It

The gale howled, and the sandstorm churned up dust. Even at this moment, a torrential rain was falling, mingling with the sand to create the terrifying momentum of a water spout. Despite the heavy downpour, the sandstorm within the tempest remained starkly visible, its fine, abrasive grit causing excruciating pain upon mere contact.

"This world is becoming increasingly unscientific," Ji Huo muttered.

Xia Ningshang rolled her eyes at him, exasperated. "Monsters have already appeared; what nonsense are you spouting? What should we do now?"

Ji Huo said in a deep voice, "I can charge into the sandstorm. These grit particles cannot pierce my defenses."

"I know you have a thick hide, but how are you going to face the garrison army alone if you charge in? Not to mention there’s a Great Demon among them," Xia Ningshang said, her brows tightly knitted.

Ji Huo also frowned. He had a premonition that if he could cultivate his "Elemental Record" to the second level and complete the Earth-stage, he might be able to control these grains of sand. However, his cultivation points were currently stretched thin, and he was still lacking.

If a Grandmaster were present, they might be able to break through the sandstorm, but the Sword Saint, Bo Bo, was likely still being thrashed by his father and wouldn't be back anytime soon.

"Damn it, if only the Great High Priest were here; he is the most skilled at dealing with such demonic arts," Xia Ningshang murmured, reaching up to tuck a lock of her hair.

But the High Priest was out of the question. Even if she went back to call for reinforcements, she would likely be caught by her sister-obsessed brother, who would then come looking for Ji Huo with his Demon Dragon Spear in hand.

Ji Huo pondered for a moment, then silently recited in his mind: "System, is there any way?"

In his mind, the system remained as silent as a grave, offering no response. This was normal; over the years of communicating with the system, Ji Huo had come to feel that it was merely an emotionless gacha machine. It wasn't until he drew the "Elemental Record" that he vaguely sensed the system had been caught off guard, leading him to suspect its true origins.

He decided to test it again. Ji Huo coughed and silently recited: "System, you surely don't want us to fail in capturing the capital, do you? If we delay, the six hundred thousand living dead in the city will remain unchecked, which might hinder my brother's quest to slay the demons."

The System: "..."

Ji Huo continued lazily, "If my brother fails, all living beings in the Great Zhou will perish, and a climate-altering Great Demon will emerge. By then, the entire world will be finished, totally finished!"

One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds...

[Ding!]
[Side quest triggered: Use the gourd to break the Yellow Sand Formation.]

A new mission notification appeared in his mind. Ji Huo raised his eyebrows, his mouth curling into a smirk of successful scheming.

"A gourd? What gourd?" Ji Huo patted his body and suddenly remembered. He reached into his spatial backpack and pulled out a small, vermilion-colored gourd. It was the vessel he had used to contain the Daoist aura of the "Elemental Record," and he had tossed it into a corner of his pack after using it.

"How do you use this thing?" Ji Huo tried pointing the gourd's mouth toward the yellow sand and instinctively shouted, "Absorb!"

On the city wall, Zhu Pei laughed heartily. Although the sky full of yellow sand obscured his view of the army below, he could imagine their frantic, scratching-their-heads expressions.

"Ji Huo! Out of ideas, are you? Hahahaha! Come here! If you have the guts, come over! Come and hit me! Hahahahaha!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than the five massive sandstorm pillars before him shifted, rapidly shrinking and collapsing. The Flying Bear Army, previously completely shrouded from view, was once again exposed to Zhu Pei's sight, along with Ji Huo standing at the very front, holding the small vermilion gourd.

All the yellow sand had been sucked into the little gourd, which didn't even show a hint of change.

The smile on Zhu Pei's face froze. The Flying Bear Army stared at him expressionlessly, and the demon soldiers on the wall couldn't help but glance at their commander.

Ji Huo hung the gourd on his belt and sneered, "I have never heard such an unreasonable request! Flying Bear Army, hear my command! Attack the city! Beat the hell out of him!"

"Yes!"

The Flying Bear Army erupted with excitement and soaring battle intent! Even Lu Deshui kicked his fiery steed forward, roaring, "Charge! Screw them!"

"No! I'm a warlock! A warlock! Don't drag me into the charge!" Lü Shui shouted in a panic.

Zhu Pei was startled and took a step back, drawing a deep breath. His chest expanded, a flash of yellow light appeared in his mouth, and he spat it out with force. But this time, Ji Huo was prepared. Before the yellow light could even form into a sandstorm, he touched the gourd and called out calmly:

"Absorb!"

Instantly, all the yellow sand vanished into the mouth of the gourd.

"Impossible! This is absolutely impossible!" Zhu Pei’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hahahaha! What a treasure! Truly a fine treasure!" Ji Huo stroked the gourd affectionately.

Xia Ningshang’s mouth twitched; she felt as if this blockhead had just discovered a new toy.

[Side quest completed. Reward: 1 point.]

The system’s notification came slowly, offering a token point.

"System, why didn't you tell me earlier that you had such a good item?" Ji Huo thought to himself.

After a few seconds, he heard the system’s resentful response:

[I assumed you had discovered it long ago.]

Ji Huo: "..."

Seeing Ji Huo’s expression shift, Xia Ningshang didn't understand why, so she stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder. "Stop spacing out, you blockhead. If we don't move now, it'll be too late."

Ji Huo gathered his focus and nodded at her. "Right, let's end this battle together."

Xia Ningshang rolled her eyes, gripped his shoulder tightly, and the two transformed into a black dragon that soared into the sky. The black dragon roared through the air, and despite the demon soldiers firing volleys of arrows, none could pierce the dragon's aura.

When the black dragon charged straight toward Zhu Pei, the demon’s composure shattered. He roared and swung his mace. At that instant, a sharp glint flashed in Xia Ningshang’s eyes. Her Demon Dragon Spear executed a beautiful maneuver, ending in a direct thrust. A violent, surging demonic energy swept across, the spear tip striking the mace. A faint roar emanated from the Demon Dragon Spear, and the mace shattered upon impact!

"This! This spear!"

Zhu Pei’s pupils contracted. Before he could react to the shock, Ji Huo had already manifested a giant bear phantom over two meters tall. He grabbed Zhu Pei’s shoulders, and the bear phantom behind him did the same, pinning him in place.

"Heh!" Ji Huo grinned viciously. "My turn to beat you!"

With that, he performed a shoulder throw, hurling Zhu Pei straight off the city wall. Ji Huo gripped the massive body in mid-air, looking like two beasts plummeting from the heights.

"Boom!"

A massive crater was blasted into the ground, dirt and rainwater spraying everywhere. Simultaneously, Xia Ningshang leaped from the city wall, her Demon Dragon Spear spinning in mid-air, an aura of a dragon circling her. Finally, she inverted the spear and thrust downward.

"Roar!"

The black dragon dove from the sky. Ji Huo released his grip and dodged. The Demon Dragon Spear drove straight into Zhu Pei’s chest, and the spiraling black dragon followed, its winding, slender body piercing through the demon until it slammed into the ground, creating a deep crater.

Zhu Pei’s eyes were bloodshot, wide as copper bells, before his head finally slumped, his body reverting into that of a giant pig demon.

Xia Ningshang pulled back her spear, panting. Seeing the Flying Bear Army staring at her in stunned silence, she frowned and commanded with authority, "What are you all gawking at? Attack!"

"Oh! Attack the city!"
"Kill them!"
"Charge!"

Blood-red flying bears swarmed onto the city walls. Without their commander, the demon soldiers were no match for them, and soon the flames of war engulfed the entire rampart.

"Boom! Boom!"

It was unclear who had opened the city gates first, but the Flying Bear Army surged into the capital.

"Marshal!" Lü Shui, who had been slacking off until now, finally saw his chance and rushed over with a fast horse.

Ji Huo mounted the horse, reached out, and pulled Xia Ningshang up into his arms.

"Flying Bear Army, hear my command! Charge into the capital! Kill every living dead you see! Leave none alive!"

Ji Huo gave the order, and they rode straight into the city. Along the way, the living dead were cut down one by one, disappearing into the darkness in the blink of an eye.