Chapter 38: A Web of Formation and Deception
The Shen Family Head, a man named Shen Long, a powerful cultivator in his own right, soared into the sky. He was a tall, imposing figure, his face usually a mask of cold arrogance, now twisted with a mixture of fear and disbelief. He wore ornate robes of deep blue, embroidered with golden dragons, and his long, black hair streamed behind him in the wind.
He had felt the tremors in his estate, the panicked cries of his servants, and the terrifying roars of the demonic beasts. Now, as he ascended, the full scope of the disaster unfolded before his eyes.
His estate, a sprawling complex of magnificent buildings and fortified walls, was under siege. Demonic beasts, their eyes glowing with malevolent energy, swarmed through the once-pristine gardens, tearing through the carefully manicured lawns and smashing the decorative fountains. His family's cultivators, normally so proud and powerful, were fighting desperately, their faces contorted with fear as they struggled to hold back the tide.
The scene was mirrored at the other four great family estates. The once-impregnable fortresses of the Dragon City elite were now battlegrounds, the sounds of carnage echoing across the landscape.
But what truly shocked Shen Long was the sight of the city itself. The massive gates, usually sealed tight against any threat, were wide open. A torrent of demonic beasts poured into the city, their dark forms silhouetted against the flickering flames of burning buildings. Yet, there were no defenders. The city walls, normally manned by hundreds of soldiers, were deserted. The streets, usually bustling with activity, were eerily empty.
Shen Long's mind reeled. This was not how a monster wave was supposed to happen. The beasts were supposed to attack the city walls, giving the defenders a chance to fight them off before they could reach the civilian population. But this... this was a nightmare. It was a slaughter.
He saw small pockets of resistance - desperate city guards, a few brave cultivators - but they were hopelessly outnumbered, overwhelmed by the sheer number of beasts. The city was falling, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
His heart filled with a cold dread. He realized that this was not a natural disaster. This was a carefully orchestrated attack, a deliberate strategy designed to cripple the city and its defenders. But who could have done this? Who had the power and the audacity to manipulate a monster wave in such a way?
His gaze fell upon the city lord's mansion, a beacon of light amidst the chaos. He saw figures moving on the walls, directing the defense. Among them, he recognized the two young cultivators who had arrived from the Lotus Blade Sect. Sanjeev and Aarav.
A wave of suspicion washed over Shen Long. Could they be responsible for this? It seemed impossible. They were just two young men, barely out of their teens. But something about their presence, their calm demeanor in the face of such chaos, made him uneasy.
The scene shifted, flashing back to two weeks prior. Sanjeev and Aarav stood before City Lord Wei and a council of his advisors, outlining their plan.
"The traditional defense strategy is flawed," Sanjeev explained, his voice calm and confident. "By concentrating all our forces at the city walls, we leave the rest of the city vulnerable. The monsters are intelligent; they will adapt and find a way around our defenses."
"But what do you propose?" City Lord Wei asked, his face etched with worry. "If we don't defend the walls, the city will be overrun! My people will be slaughtered!"
"Not if we control the battlefield," Sanjeev replied. "We will open the city gates, but we will also evacuate the civilian population. We will create a series of fortified zones within the city, protected by powerful formations. We will lure the monsters into these zones, where we can engage them on our terms."
A council member, a stout man with a skeptical expression, objected. "That's insane! You're suggesting we sacrifice the city to save it? Many innocent people will die if we open the gates!"
"We will not sacrifice anyone," Sanjeev said firmly. "We will evacuate them. We will create safe havens, impenetrable barriers that the monsters cannot breach. We will use the city itself as a weapon, turning its streets and buildings into a maze of death for the beasts."
He gestured to a detailed map of the city, outlining his plan. "We will create chokepoints, kill zones, and diversionary routes. We will use formations to amplify our power, to control the flow of battle. And most importantly, we will target the families."
"The families?" City Lord Wei asked, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"The great families of this city," Sanjeev explained, his voice hardening, "they are the key to its defense. They have the resources, the manpower, and the power to protect this city. But they choose to hoard their strength, to prioritize their own safety over the lives of their people. We will force them to fight."
"How?" a councilwoman asked, her voice filled with doubt. "They will never agree to fight in the city. They will hide behind their walls and let the city burn."
"We won't give them a choice," Sanjeev said, a hint of steel in his voice. "By opening the city gates, we will draw the monsters directly to their estates. They will have no choice but to defend themselves, their families, and their wealth. We will use the monster wave to weaken them, to expose their true nature."
The council members were shocked by the audacity of Sanjeev's plan. It was risky, unconventional, and utterly ruthless. But as they listened to him speak, they could not deny the logic behind his strategy. It was a gamble, but it was a gamble they had to take.
"It's insane," one of the council members muttered, "but it just might work."
"We have no other choice," City Lord Wei said, his voice filled with grim determination. "We have to trust these young cultivators. They are our only hope."
The scene shifted back to the present, to the chaotic reality of the monster wave. Shen Long watched in horror as his city burned, his family fought for their lives, and the plan of the two Lotus Blade Sect disciples unfolded before his very eyes.
Sanjeev's gamble had paid off. The first wave of the monster attack had been directed at the great families, forcing them to expend their resources and reveal their true strength. The city had been spared the worst of the initial onslaught, but the battle was far from over.
Sanjeev stood on the city wall, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. He could sense the ebb and flow of the battle, the shifting tides of energy. He knew that the second wave would be even more dangerous, more cunning.
He turned to City Lord Wei, who stood beside him, his face etched with a mixture of relief and trepidation. "What kind of monsters will we face in the third wave?" Sanjeev asked.
"The third wave..." City Lord Wei hesitated, his voice filled with unease. "They are the Demi-Humans. They are intelligent, cunning, and powerful. They can think and cultivate like humans. Their strongest warriors are on par with cultivators at the Maṇipūra Radiance stage."
Sanjeev's eyes narrowed. Demi-Humans. He had heard of them before, creatures of immense power and potential. If they were allowed to run rampant in the city, they could cause untold devastation.
But then, an idea sparked in his mind. The Demi-Humans were intelligent, capable of cultivation. They were not mindless beasts. Perhaps... perhaps they could be reasoned with. Perhaps they could be... recruited.
His divine disk, after its enhancement by Lord Krishna, could now hold a vast number of beings. Sanjeev estimated its current capacity to be around 40,000 individuals. He could use the disk to contain the Demi-Humans, to offer them a sanctuary, a place where they could live and thrive.
He turned to Aarav, who was standing nearby, his face grim with determination. "Aarav," Sanjeev said, his voice low but urgent, "I have a plan for the second wave. But it's risky, and I need your help."
Aarav, ever trusting of his friend, nodded without hesitation. "What is it?"
Sanjeev led Aarav to a secluded corner of the city wall, away from the prying ears of the city lord and his officials. He explained his plan, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation.
"I will use my disk," Sanjeev said, "to capture the Demi-Humans. I will offer them a place within my divine space, a place where they can cultivate and live in peace. We can use their strength to bolster our defenses, to protect this city. But it will be dangerous. The Demi-Humans are powerful, and they will not surrender easily."
Aarav listened intently, his expression thoughtful. He knew the risks involved, the potential for disaster. But he also knew Sanjeev's determination, his unwavering belief in the potential for good.
"It's a long shot," Aarav admitted, "but it's worth a try. If we can capture the Demi-Humans, it could change everything."
They approached City Lord Wei, who was watching the battle with a weary expression. "Your Excellency," Sanjeev said, "we have a solution for the second wave. But it requires your trust."
City Lord Wei, desperate for any hope, nodded eagerly. "Anything," he said. "Just tell me what you need."
Sanjeev explained his plan, his voice filled with conviction. City Lord Wei listened in stunned silence, his eyes widening with disbelief.
"You want to... capture the Demi-Humans?" he stammered. "But they are our enemies! They are the ones attacking our city!"
"They are attacking because they have nowhere else to go," Sanjeev replied. "They are being driven from their homes, hunted and persecuted. We can offer them a sanctuary, a chance to live in peace. And in return, they can help us defend this city."
City Lord Wei hesitated, torn between his fear of the Demi-Humans and his desperation to save his city. But Sanjeev's words resonated with him, his vision of a world where humans and Demi-Humans could coexist.
"I... I will trust you," City Lord Wei said finally, his voice trembling slightly. "But if this goes wrong..."
"It won't," Sanjeev said firmly. "I will not let you down."
With the city lord's reluctant blessing, Sanjeev left the city walls, venturing into the ravaged landscape where the Demi-Humans were waging their desperate battle.
He summoned his divine disk, the Sudarshana Chakra, and activated its capture function. The disk expanded, its golden surface shimmering with power. Soul chains, glowing with divine energy, shot out from the disk, snaking across the battlefield, targeting the Demi-Humans.
The Demi-Humans, caught off guard by the sudden attack, fought back fiercely. They were powerful warriors, their bodies honed by years of struggle and survival. They resisted the soul chains with all their might, their eyes blazing with defiance.
But Sanjeev's cultivation level was far higher than theirs. The soul chains, imbued with his divine energy, were too strong to break. One by one, the Demi-Humans were subdued, their struggles growing weaker as they were drawn towards the disk.
The capture operation took hours, a grueling test of Sanjeev's stamina and control. He had to maintain his focus, to control the disk and the soul chains, to ensure that no Demi-Human escaped.
Just as Sanjeev was about to capture the last of the Demi-Humans, a figure emerged from the shadows, launching a surprise attack. It was the strongest of the Demi-Human warriors, his eyes burning with hatred.
Sanjeev, his senses heightened by his cultivation, reacted instantly. He dodged the attack, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. The Demi-Human warrior, a hulking figure with the strength of a bull, roared in frustration.
"Why are you capturing our people?" the Demi-Human demanded, his voice filled with rage. "Why are you taking them away?"
"They are attacking the city," Sanjeev replied, his voice calm but firm. "They are killing innocent people."
"Innocent?" the Demi-Human scoffed. "Humans are not innocent. They are devils! They hunt us, they enslave us, they slaughter us without mercy!"
The Demi-Human lunged at Sanjeev, his fists crackling with energy. He was a formidable opponent, a master of his fighting style. Sanjeev, despite his higher cultivation level, was forced to fight seriously.
The Demi-Human warrior roared, his body transforming, his muscles bulging, his strength increasing tenfold. He had activated his animal spirit, drawing upon the power of a bull, his movements becoming a blur of raw power.
Sanjeev was pushed to his limits, forced to use all his skill and power to defend himself. He drew his sword, its blade gleaming with divine light, and engaged the Demi-Human in a fierce duel.
Finally, Sanjeev unleashed his ultimate attack, the Roaring of Nine Dragons. Nine spectral dragons materialized in the air, their roars shaking the very foundations of the earth. The Demi-Human warrior, terrified by the overwhelming power of the dragons, faltered. Sanjeev seized the opportunity and struck, capturing the warrior with a final surge of energy.
With the last of the Demi-Humans subdued, Sanjeev returned to his divine disk, bringing his captives with him. The Demi-Humans, disoriented and frightened, tried to attack him, but their souls were bound to the disk, rendering them powerless.
"You are now under my protection," Sanjeev announced, his voice echoing through the vast space within the disk. "You will not be harmed. You will be safe here."
The Demi-Humans looked at Sanjeev with suspicion and fear. "We would rather die," one of them snarled, "than become your slaves."
"You are not my slaves," Sanjeev replied. "You attacked the city, and I stopped you. But I am not your enemy. I am offering you a chance to live, a chance to rebuild your lives."
The Demi-Humans remained silent, their eyes filled with distrust. They had suffered too much at the hands of humans to trust anyone.
"The humans of that city," one of the Demi-Humans said, his voice filled with bitterness, "they capture us, they sell us into slavery. They use our women as... as playthings, and then they kill them. They are monsters."
Sanjeev was shocked by the brutality of their treatment. He had known that there was prejudice against Demi-Humans, but he had not realized the extent of their suffering.
"Why didn't you leave?" Sanjeev asked. "Why didn't you flee from this city?"
"Where would we go?" another Demi-Human replied, his voice filled with despair. "Everywhere is the same. Humans hunt us, kill us. We are weak, and we cannot fight them. We have nowhere to run."
Sanjeev felt a surge of compassion for the Demi-Humans. They were not the monsters they had been made out to be. They were victims, forced to fight for their survival.
"You can stay here," Sanjeev said, his voice filled with sincerity. "My disk can hold 40,000 people. There are five hundred million square meters of land within. You can cultivate, you can build a community, you can live in peace."
The Demi-Humans exchanged hesitant glances. They had never been offered such a chance before, such a glimmer of hope in their bleak existence.
"Why... why would you help us?" one of them asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"Because it is the right thing to do," Sanjeev replied. "Because you deserve to live. Because I believe in a world where humans and Demi-Humans can coexist."
The Demi-Humans were moved by Sanjeev's words, his sincerity, his compassion. They had never met a human like him before, a human who saw them as people, not as monsters.
Finally, their leader, the Demi-Human warrior who had fought Sanjeev, stepped forward. He bowed his head in gratitude. "We... we will accept your offer," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "We will stay in your... your disk."
In total, Sanjeev captured 22,435 Demi-Humans, offering them a new home within his divine space.
"You can cultivate here," Sanjeev told them, "and increase your power. You can build whatever you want, live however you want. This is your sanctuary now."
The Demi-Humans bowed down before Sanjeev, their hearts filled with gratitude and hope.
"There is no need for that," Sanjeev said gently. "I am not your master. I am your ally."
He then addressed the women among the Demi-Humans. "You do not have to fight," he said. "The men can be warriors, if necessary. You can focus on other skills, on building a community, on raising families. You will be rewarded for your contributions, just as the warriors will be rewarded for theirs."
The Demi-Humans were overjoyed by Sanjeev's words. They had never been treated with such respect, such consideration. They had found a true leader, a true savior.
With the Demi-Humans settled in his divine space, Sanjeev returned to the city, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment. He arrived at the city gate, where Aarav was waiting for him, his face filled with concern.
"Are you alright?" Aarav asked. "Were you successful?"
"Yes," Sanjeev replied, a smile spreading across his face. "I captured them all. The second wave is over."
Aarav relayed the news to City Lord Wei and the soldiers, who erupted in cheers. The city was safe, for now.
"But the third wave is coming," Sanjeev reminded them. "And we must be prepared."
Sanjeev began to plan the city's defenses, drawing upon his knowledge of formations from his past life. He worked tirelessly, creating intricate arrays of energy that would amplify the power of the city's defenders, turning the city into an impregnable fortress.
He laid out twenty formations at once, a feat that would normally require the skill of a fourth-level formation master. City Lord Wei, watching Sanjeev work, was astonished by his talent.
"Are you... are you a fourth-level formation master?" City Lord Wei asked, his voice filled with awe. "At your age?"
Sanjeev simply smiled, offering no explanation. His skills were a mystery, a power that transcended the understanding of this world.
The scene shifted, moving away from the city walls and towards the hidden chambers beneath the city, where the heads of the five great families were gathered once more.