Chapter 9: Counterattack (Part 1)

The professionals from the Seventh-Level Altar stepped in, their power unimaginable. This time, two such professionals attacked simultaneously—two giant palms landed one after the other on Miying City’s defense shields.
Two loud explosions followed. Different from the thunderous sound produced by Guo Shier’s Moon Blade, which shook the heavens and earth, the impact of the giant palms was at least half as intense. Though still loud, it lacked that terrifying force. Yet even with such sounds, one layer of the defense shield collapsed instantly, and the layer below wavered dangerously.
Guo Shier exclaimed happily, “Wow! Master might be able to break through their defenses!”
Just as the giant palms raised again, ready to strike once more, the last layer of the defense shield glowed brightly. In an instant, the city’s defense shields were restored, with four layers reappearing.
Everyone was stunned—this was infuriating.
The professionals inside the city cheered loudly. Guo Shier said with a wry smile, “I told you… it’s not that simple!”
Chen Tianyao said, “Unless we shatter all four layers at once, there’s no way to enter this city.”
Luo Jie and Qi Nanshan tried several more times together. They could even destroy three layers in one strike, but not four. If they continued attacking in this manner, with Guo Shier and the others joining in, it might take a few days to break through Miying City’s defenses. But by then, the Gu Mi family would mobilize all their forces for a final battle.
The cheers inside the city grew weaker. As Miying City’s defenses kept being destroyed and restored, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the entire defense collapsed.
Guo Shier sheathed his Moon Blade and said, “Master, that’s enough. Let’s leave for now. Hehe, I think their army will be here soon.”
Luo Jie said decisively, “Let’s go!”
The seven of them turned into seven streams of light, streaking across the sky before disappearing in an instant.
At that moment, Miying City’s fixed teleportation arrays activated, and countless altar-level experts poured out.
By the time they deactivated their defense shields and flew into the air, Guo Shier’s team had long vanished.
The Gu Mi family’s altar-level professionals circled above the city. Although the professionals inside cheered loudly, these elite fighters were filled with gloom. They knew their opponents simply didn’t want to fight head-on—not because they were afraid of them.

A few days later, Guo Shier and the others arrived at another city. This time, they didn’t fly over the city but landed directly.

Guo Shier said, “Let’s try to slip in.”

Chen Tianyao shook his head. “It’s very difficult. I believe they must have closed all entry and exit routes.”

Guo Shier smiled. “Let’s go take a look. If it’s closed, fine. Hehe, if nothing else works, we’ll just leave. There are countless cities on the Gumi Continent; we can keep trying.”

Chen Tianyao felt a chill in his heart. He thought the Gumi family was really unlucky to have run into such a group of people. He said, “That’s good. There are many big cities on the Gumi Continent, and I’ve been to most of them. Hehe, if we can’t get into this city, I’ll take you to find another place.”

The group strode confidently along the road toward the city. There were few pedestrians on the road, just a few who hurried by, looking somewhat panicked. When they saw Guo Shier and the others, they showed a hint of surprise. These people were unusually calm, acting as if nothing bothered them.

Luo Jie shook his head. “They must be fully prepared. It’s impossible to slip in.”

Guo Shier nodded. “Hmm, let’s go to the city edge first. I think I see people entering.”

A faint blue glow emanated from the defense shield, with countless runes appearing and disappearing. This city also had four layers of defense shields, so direct attacks were not easy. Of course, if there were no skilled fighters inside to support them, with Luo Jie and the others’ strength, they could break through the four layers of defense after a few days of attacking.

Seven or eight pedestrians hurried into the city, leaving a portal in the defense shield. As long as the guarding professionals cast a spell, the passage could be closed immediately.

Guo Shier said, “It’s not easy to slip in. Forget it for now. We’ll figure it out later…”

Chen Tianyao said, “Maybe I have a way. Just follow me. Hmm, it’s best to wear hooded cloaks.”

Guo Shier immediately took out black hooded cloaks and handed one to each person. He said doubtfully, “I’m not sure this will work.”

Chen Tianyao put on the black cloak, pulled up the hood to cover his head, and smiled. “I have a way.”

Luo Jie said, “Then follow Chen Tianyao. Let’s go!” The group followed Chen Tianyao straight toward the entrance. The professionals immediately grew nervous. One of them shouted, “Stop! Show your identity badge!”

Chen Tianyao smiled slightly, took out a golden badge, waved it lightly, and said, “I just returned from another place.”

As soon as the professionals saw the golden identity badge, they became respectful and said nervously, “Ancestor, greetings.”

This is the identity token of a guest patriarch. Guo Shier smiled inwardly—he already understood that Chen Tianyao had long been hired by the Gu Mi family to become a guest patriarch, which explained why he was so familiar with the Gu Mi Continent. No one dared to stop them, nor did anyone dare to examine the identity token closely. This golden token symbolized status; it represented the highest echelons of the Gu Mi Continent, and those grand masters and supreme masters didn’t dare question it. The group entered the city effortlessly, in a way that seemed unbelievable. It wasn’t until they reached the final defense barrier that Guo Shier said, “I have a bad feeling…” Luo Jie asked, “What’s wrong?” Guo Shier replied, “It seems too easy, unbelievably easy. Is the Gu Mi family really that incompetent?” Qi Nanshan said, “Regardless of whether they’re incompetent or not, we’re in now. Hehe, can we start acting?” Suddenly, Guo Shier looked up and shouted, “Look, the defense barrier…” The barrier suddenly changed from light cyan to bright red, casting the entire city in a fiery glow. Chen Tianyao’s expression changed drastically as he exclaimed in horror, “The defense barrier has reversed! It’s now for internal defense… We…” He turned to look back the way they came and saw that the passage had been completely sealed off, with those grand masters and supreme masters long gone. Chen Tianyao said bitterly, “It’s actually a trap!” Guo Shier also realized this, but he wasn’t panicked. He said, “Sooner or later, it would happen anyway. Master, let’s turn things upside down together!” Luo Jie laughed loudly, “Good! I’m getting impatient too. Let’s go all out—death or glory! Haha!” Guo Shier waved his hand, tearing off his cloak, and an altar appeared beneath him instantly. He sat cross-legged and said, “Old man, if we can’t get through this time, we’ll die here. Haha! If you don’t want to die, fight desperately with me!” Everyone else also summoned their own altars and unleashed their sacred treasures. Qi Nanshan flew into the air on his altar and shouted, “You brats of the Gu Mi family, come out! Haha! Let me see what kind of people you are!” Luo Jie also flew up on his altar. Chen Tianyao sighed, knowing he too had to fight desperately. Even if he surrendered, no one would accept him; he had no choice but to wholeheartedly follow Guo Shier’s team. He also flew into the air and unleashed his sacred treasure. Guo Shier said coldly, “Typical of the Gu family—abandoning an entire city, abandoning all its inhabitants… What a bold move!”

Once the defense shield reversed, the entire city was like being trapped in a transparent glass bowl, with no one able to escape. Those altar-level experts could teleport in at will, forming an endless army of professionals.
The Blood Woman emerged from Luo Jie’s altar, shouting excitedly, “Let me out!” She harbored extreme hatred for the Gu Mi family and couldn’t resist coming out to wreak havoc.
Luo Jie said, “Don’t go too far from my altar. Be ready to return at any time—don’t take risks!”
The Blood Woman giggled, her body turning into a blood shadow as she plummeted downward, quickly disappearing into the buildings.
Chaos reigned in the city. To lure Guo Shier and the others into this trap, the Gu Mi family didn’t evacuate any of their disciples; all professionals, regardless of rank, stayed in the city.
Watching teams of altar-level experts take off, Luo Jie remained calm, saying, “So many experts in ambush? Hehe, impressive!”