The disciples of more than 300 sects in the Tang Dynasty charged at the door leading into the demon portal under Zhou Yiyuan's eyes. The reverberating sound of the war drums accompanied their charge.

They charged toward the edge of the two worlds where the barrier energies were clashing. They were like helpless little boats floating towards the raging seas.

Even though Youzhou Demon was a subdued demon portal, it was only recently abandoned for the time being. It was unlike Qiuling Demon Portal that was converted into a hunting ground. The oppressive force of this demon portal was more powerful and terrifying than Qiuling Demon Portal.

However, it was still much weaker compared to demon portals that were active such as the Sword Guild Demon Portal.

For all the new disciples who have just entered the various sects, this demon portal was suitable for them as they were in the stage of explosive power spurts. In fact, the longer they stayed in these types of demon portals, the stronger they would become as they endured the oppressive force for longer periods of time.

As soon as they entered the demon portal, the space before them seemed to become more spacious and expansive. The rain began to fall ceaselessly!

There was a storm going on within the Youzhou Demon Portalheavy raindrops fell from the sky, beating down over the entire land within the portal. The rain fell as if it was about to wash this realm of all the blood and slaughter.

As a portal was opened, the land inside the demon portal would rain without stopping. This was the natural rule of the demon portal as if to wash away the invading aura from the other world.

Once they entered the Youzhou Demon Portal, everyone appeared in a prehistoric forest. Due to the clashing forces of the two worlds, demonic energy had invaded the area. The trees here were terrifyingly tall, some reaching up into the skies. Some trees had the ability to move and would attack any living thing that approached them.

There were close to 2,000 disciplesneither a large nor a small number of people.

As they charged into the demon portal, they began to spread out in the dense forest. The first round was a Hunting War and everyone's target was resources. The only requirement was to traverse 6,000 miles within the forest and strive to be first. The resources at the Resource Stations were limited. If one was too slow, there might not be any resources left.

The rain beat down on the ground of the forest. There was mud everywhere.

Huang Ying gripped the longsword of excellent quality in her hand. Her expression was serious. As the senior disciple of the team, she bore heavy responsibility as she needed to protect the young and fresh disciples behind her.

Even though this Resource Battle was considered a practice run, as long as they were in the demon portal, there was a chance of death!

Huang Ying could not afford to be careless. Hence, she needed to use her experience with the demon portal to good use. 'Seven in, seven out' was the mantra. She needed to circumvent any potential huge threat they might encounter such as demon swarms!

Huang Ying cast a look at the five people behind her and began to organize the team formation. A good team formation matched with tacit understanding would help them work well as a unit. This way they would be able to attack powerfully and defend well.

As a spell disciple, Ni Wen was extremely precious and therefore was placed in the middle. Geshu Yuehua and Liu Bubai protected her. Jiang Linglong was stationed close behind Huang Ying.

The team moved ahead in a single-file formation with Fang Lang in the rear position. This was because Fang Lang's power was the most formidable. This was not merely based on his sword cultivation or his martial arts mastery. If he was attacked, his survival ability was also much higher than Ni Wen.

The rain became heavier. The rainwater continued to fall unceasingly onto the ground of the dense forest.

Everyone used the spiritual energy in their bodies to keep the rain at bay and away from their bodies. They slowly made their way.

The whole way, they did not encounter any demon beasts infected by demonic energy. Despite this, Huang Ying did not relaxshe continued to lead with her wealth of experience.

Swish, swish, swish!

Huang Ying, Fang Lang and the others raised their heads. They saw the officials from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review carrying a disciple who suffered severe injuries away.

Blood fell along with the rain, staining the earth. The atmosphere became a degree colder. All that was heard was the sound of the rain falling.

"It looks like a team has asked for help" said Huang Ying.

"They might have encountered some demon beasts as soon as they entered the demon portal. Some might be dead, others injured This is a normal occurrence in the demon portal. Let's move on."

Ni Wen, Liu Bubai and the others were extremely wary. This was not the Imperial Examinationthis was not poetry writing in the academies or a duel between cultivators with rules.

In the demon portal, even if they did not encounter powerful warriors of the demon world, the beasts that were infected with demonic energy were still extremely difficult to deal with.

Even Jiang Linglong was serious and solemn.

As they pressed ahead, their team finally drew the attention of a few demon beasts in the forest.

A demon beast shaped like a wild wolf with red eyes bared its teeth at themit was surrounded by dark energy. It leaped out from the forest with knife-like claws held high!

Alerted, Huang Ying gauged the situation and quickly relaxed. It was merely one beast and not a huge problem.

"Who wants to take it?"

Huang Ying did not kill it. She planned to let the others have a practice run.

"I'll do it!"

Geshu Yuehua answered loudly. Her eyes lit up and her canines were partially revealed as she smiled. She trembled with excitement and enthusiasm. She wanted to fight!

After that, she raced ahead.

Fang Lang who swayed at the rear looked as though he had just seen a bun fresh out of the oven. His eyes were so bright, it was almost scary.

Fang Lang stepped out with his Spirit Steps. He shot through the stormy rain like an illusion. He then stepped heavily and sent muddy water flying several feet into the sky.

He unsheathed the Obsidian Sword and used the Sword Draw Technique. The wild wolf who recently entered the second class was instantly sliced in half!

Fang Lang's movements were fluid and the strike was completed in one breath.

"I said I'd do it!" Geshu Yuehua complained through gritted teeth.

Fang Lang swung his sword to get rid of the blood and said, "You'll definitely get the next one."

Geshu Yuehua came to a halt. She seethed with hatred.

Huang Ying took the heart of the wild wolf then led her team ahead quickly as the smell of blood attracted more demon beasts.

Ni Wen's expression was extremely serious. She had condensed several spells that could be fired at an instant.

Liu Bubai held his thick and heavy broadsword. He wore the Golden Dragon Armor given by Fang Lang. His expression was extremely stern.

Jiang Linglong wore a veil and gripped her White Frost Blade, keeping up with the team.

Throughout the journey under Huang Ying's lead, everyone pressed ahead at high speed like a troop of soldiers. They would occasionally encounter two to three demons at a spaced-out interval.

However, Huang Ying never attacked. It would always be either Fang Lang, who was always ready to go, or Geshu Yuehua, who would shout loudly and race up ahead.

Geshu Yuehua seemed to be competing with Fang Lang. She would slaughter the demons in a rage until she finally dropped the demon to the ground with one punch. She was about to brag to Fang Lang when she saw Fang Lang cast a side glance over.

With a flash and ring of his sword, he cut through the demon's head. The slash cleanly ended the demon's tragic existence.

He stole her kill!

Geshu Yuehua was shocked! How could he be so shameless!? This was clearly her kill!

However, Fang Lang was feeling happy inside when he saw the progress of his mission. He was even happier because he had stolen this kill.

Geshu Yuehua was about to blow her top from anger. However, there was nothing she could do about it. She swore to herself silently she must kill the demons first, giving Fang Lang no opportunity to steal from her!

As they continued to move ahead, they found they did not encounter as many demons as they thought they would. Fang Lang was bored out of his mind. Huang Ying smiled and said, "Demon beasts are not very intelligent and they act on instinct. Hence, as we move in the demon portal, attention to little details can help avoid unnecessary conflicts with the demon beasts.

"I've entered the Sword Guild Demon Portal seven times. So I have some experience under my belt. My seniors have taught me some tricks. The sect elders will also give you pointers when the time comes."

Everyone nodded their heads.

Fang Lang was the only one who wore a dark expression. He had found the culprit! It was the leader who used her experience in the demon portal to avoid the demon beasts!

Fang Lang looked at the mission that was far from completion and felt a little anxious. He secretly planned to leave to hunt demons while everyone was resting when they reached the Resource Station.

....

Round, fat droplets of rain fell rapidly from the sky above, falling into the mud on the ground and mixing with the puddles. The water rippled as a splash of water as high as a foot shot into the air.

Lin Muzhe wore a bamboo hat as her Donglu's Sword League robe clung tight to her slender body. She stood on a tall tree branch. She reached out a hand to a dead tree branch and a jolt of sword intent cut through it. The branch fell to the ground and did not stop moving.

After Lin Muzhe had collected ten demon hearts, she left the Donglu's Sword League disciples. She did not need to stay with them because she was confident they would be able to reach the Resource Station.

This was because they would not encounter any demon beast horde.

Heavy rain continued to fall, beating down on her bamboo hat. Lin Muzhe looked out at the curtain of rain, her pretty eyes were a little despondent.

After a long time, she took the sachet by her waist. There was half a jade pendant inside it. There was the word 'Yun' written on the pendant.

There was another half to this jade pendant. The other half of the pendant had the word 'Zhe' on it. 'Zhe and Yun', Lin Muzhe and Lin Yun.

Lin Muzhe suddenly recalled the sniffly boy who used to follow her around. They had made a promise to stand at the peak of sword mastery together. However, her brother's death came unexpectedly. She still felt extremely heartbroken and was filled with sorrow.

She closed her eyes. She did not know whether it was tears or the rain that was flowing down her cheeks. When she opened her eyes, Lin Muzhe had a stern and cold expression. A jade box appeared in her hands.

"The Sword Guild is about to be destroyed

"That person gave me a Beast Dispelling Pearl. This Resource Battle will be the beginning of the end of the Sword Guild.

"Fang Lang I will have your life. A life for a life."

Lin Muzhe opened the jade box. A cloudy pearl laid quietly inside the brightly colored jade box. As the jade box remained open, the pearl continuously emitted an extremely pungent smell.

It was a smell that even the heavy rain was unable to mask.

This was the Beast Dispelling Pearl. It was made of the energy center of a demon beast that was in a realm higher than the sixth class and it had the ability to drive out and control demon beasts.

"Roar!"

"Awooo!"

"Swoosh, swoosh!"

As the scent of the pearl spread out, the sounds of the demons could be heard from all corners of the forest in the rain.

Within the dense forest, every single tree was shaking from the demon beasts' activity.

Lin Muzhe's tall and slender figure was perched on top of a tree. She turned her head to look at the demonic figures that appeared within the forest.

Lin Muzhe's expression was cool and indifferent.

"It's a shame that this is the outer boundary of the demon portal, the demons here aren't too powerful"

However, it should be enough to deal with those from the Sword Guild.

A couple of tender shoots, how could they survive a demon swarm?

Boom!

An explosion of blade energy manifested as Lin Muzhe transformed into a stream of light and shot out into the sky while holding the jade box.

The rain continued to pour down relentlessly.

Suppression, the sensation of feeling crushed and also an uneasiness permeated.

Huang Ying frowned and made everyone stop in their tracks. She looked toward the depths of the forest. Something felt wrong

An unusual silence enveloped them!

The demonic-energy-infected foliage that had been swaying slightly were tightly bunched up right now. It seemed as though something frightening was near!

"Something's not right."

Jiang Linglong had her veil on. A serious glint flashed in her star-like eyes.

"That's right It's too quiet. I I smell something dangerous," said Geshu Yuehua as she narrowed her eyes and bared her canines.

"Old Liu. Protect Little Wen."

Fang Lang took out the Blooming Lotus Sword and the Obsidian Sword. His features became stern.

He stared intently at the ground. There were ripples in the puddles caused by the pouring rain.

Growl!

Suddenly, a loud roar rang out from the depths of the forest.

A thick and extremely strong demonic energy began to surge. It was like numerous surging waves that kept beating down in quick succession, too numerous to keep track.

It was like the dam walls was breached and a world-ending tsunami was about to destroy everything!

"It's a demon swarm!!!" Huang Ying's pupils were constricted. Goosebumps erupted all over her skin. In an instant, her entire body seemed to go cold.

D*mn!

How could there be a demon swarm!?

This was the outskirts of the demon portal. It was impossible there would be a demon swarm. Someone must have deliberately caused this!

"Sh*t!" cursed Huang Ying.

She swung the sword in her hand fiercely and the signal talisman appeared in her hand. The situation was not right. She needed to immediately crush the talisman!

More than 1,000 demon beasts stepped out from the depths of the forest. The rainwater continued to gush down, splashing muddy water everywhere. It was a shocking mess!

Geshu Yuehua was no longer arrogant and wild. Her body trembled non-stop. There was fear and terror reflected in her eyes. "What's going on!? Isn't the Resource Battle being watched in the palace? Even the Emperor could be watching this battle. How could anyone dare to incite a demon swarm!?"

Huang Ying had no answers

Jiang Linglong's eyes darkened. Her tone was extremely solemn. "The palace is watching the match through a rune. It can be manipulated to show previous scenes so that it doesn't show us.

"The person who lured the demon swarm must have used the Beast Dispelling Pearl. That item is not something most people would be able to get their hands on.

"Someone is working undercover." Jiang Linglong's words were cold.

Huang Ying could not understand the motive behind this. "This is the Resource Battle. Isn't the Minister of Rites supervising the entire round? How could he let such a thing happen?

"Besides that, there's no need to lure a demon swarm, if I crush the signal talisman, the warriors of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review will arrive to help. Is it possible they used the extremely precious Beast Dispelling Pearl just to force us to forfeit the competition?"

Fang Lang wielded the two swords. His expression was extremely stern as he spoke up suspiciously. "What if someone sabotaged our signal talismans?"

As soon as she heard Fang Lang's words, Huang Ying's expression instantly paled. She looked at the signal talisman, gritted her teeth and viciously crushed it.

After that, the color her face continued to drain because even with the power of her nineth-grade sword intent realm, she was unable to crush the signal talisman. This talisman was so solid that it did not seem like a normal talisman!

If she could not crush it, how would they call for help!?

"It seems that there might be a problem with this Minister of Rites" said Jiang Linglong coldly.

This might all be happening because of her.

She did not expect someone to be as reckless and bold as this.

With a quiver of her long lashes, Jiang Linglong flicked off a raindrop. She could see the approaching demon swarm when she looked into the depths of the forest!

A mysterious figure wearing a bamboo hat was standing on top of a tree in the midst of the rain. After that, the figure took out a pearl from a jade box, gently throwing it up and hitting it towards them.

That pearl tore through countless raindrops as it shot through the dense forest toward the air above Fang Lang and the others.

Boom!

In an instant, the pearl exploded. The essence instantly seeped into the raindrops and fell on the bodies of Fang Lang and the others.

"Lin Muzhe!"

Huang Ying recognized the other party. A cold killing intent flashed in her eyes.

The Donglu's Sword League!

It was the Donglu's Sword League once again!

As the frenzied roars broke out, beast after beast materialized behind Lin Muzhe's body.

Lin Muzhe gently raised her headher attractive face was revealed from under the bamboo hat. She wore a cold, ruthless expression.

"Die."

She did not retreat. In fact, she stepped out under the curtain of rain and transformed into a stream of light as blade energy surged around her, shooting towards Huang Ying!

As long as she could keep Huang Yingthe fourth-class sword intent realm leaderoccupied, that group of new Sword Guild disciples would definitely die! Fang Lang would definitely be torn to shreds by the demon horde!

Huang Ying was so furious that her lips were quivering. She let out a shrill scream. Even as her voice reverberated, none of the warriors from the Imperial Court of Judicial Review rushed over.

Ding!

Huang Ying brandished her sword and it clashed with the sword in Lin Muzhe's hand. Sparks flew out in all directions!

Lin Muzhe was pretty strong. Huang Ying would have to use all her might to face her.

Mighty sword intent rolled out. The countless raindrops seemed to transform into sharp swords that shot towards Lin Muzhe.

The two of them were instantly entagledin a vicious fight!

"Run!" Huang Ying turned around to shout at Fang Lang and the others with bloodshot eyes!

She had failed them as their leader!

In the demon swarm, there were demon beasts of the peak third-class realm. Fang Lang and the others would not be able to defeat them!

As for making an escape there was no time for that!

Fang Lang and the others were drenched in the scent of the Beast Dispelling Pearl. There was no way they could escape!

Geshu Yuehua trembled. She was terrified. Were they going to die here!?

Ni Wen and Liu Bubai could not stop shivering. This was the first time either of them had encountered a threat like this. Their hearts were filled with unimaginable terror!

All of a sudden, an icy blue arrow pierced through the crystal-like raindrops, brushing past Geshu Yuehua's cheek and causing her to feel a chill inside. It struck a demon and sent it flying backward.

"If you want to live, then fight!"

When they turned back, they saw a figure taking heavy steps that sent the puddles splashing.

It was Fang Lang dressed in his white robes. He strode boldly ahead, shooting arrows as he went!