Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 315 The Demon Cult Attacks Xihai City

The leader exuded a chilling aura. His equally eerie mask was engraved with mysterious patterns, as if concealing an ancient and sinister power. His black robe fluttered in the wind, like the wings of death dancing in the darkness. He held a pitch-black cane, inlaid with several dark red gems. With every slight movement, the gems flickered with a cold light, as if telling an ominous prophecy.

Behind him followed closely four black-robed figures, their robes depicting the four great beasts: Qiongqi, Hun Dun, Tao Wu, and Tao Tie. The Qiongqi figure bared its fangs and claws, as if ready to leap from its robe and devour everything in the world; Hun Dun resembled a mist, faintly permeating an aura of chaos and destruction; Tao Wu's appearance was menacing, brimming with stubborn cruelty; and the Tao Tie figure was the most striking, its enormous maw seemingly insatiable, symbolizing boundless greed. A black dragon coiled across the leader's robe, its scales vividly lifelike, each one as if forged from the deepest darkness. It exuded a majestic and terrifying aura, highlighting his supreme position among the black-robed figures.

Looking more closely, the other black-robed men's robes had subtle differences in color and pattern, as if they were a strict division of classes.

The seven figures standing behind the man in the black robes depicting the four ferocious beasts were luxurious works of art. Carefully woven from the finest silk, each fiber seemed infused with a mysterious energy, flowing with a dreamlike glow in the dim light. Their collars were embroidered with intricate magical runes in golden thread. The lines of the runes were delicate and flowing, as if telling the mysterious legends of an ancient magical world.

Each rune, like a brilliant star, shone at the collar of the black robe, a testament to their nobility and power. At the hem of the robe, a breathtakingly brilliant, colorful embroidered scroll slowly unfolded. The scroll depicted mythological scenes: gods battled fiercely in the clouds, their artifacts unleashing devastating power, their light illuminating the entire sky. Heroes battled demons, their courage and fortitude vividly displayed. Every character's expression was so lifelike that one could almost hear their cries. These scenes symbolized the exalted status and legendary experiences of the high-ranking black robe bearers. They seemed to have stepped out of these myths, imbued with an innate arrogance.

The eight people in the middle wore black robes of a thicker, more textured material, their surface shimmering slightly like the mysterious light of stars in the night sky. Their cuffs were embroidered with delicate dark red patterns, which snaked upwards like vines, dotted with tiny thorns, as if hinting at the hardships and pain of growing up.

Each vine, seemingly alive, climbs along the cuffs, symbolizing their continuous growth and progress in their pursuit of power. On the back, a large golden diamond pattern is embedded with a blue gem. The gem's deep, azure blue resembles the heart of the ocean or the endless night sky. When light shines on the gem, it reflects a captivating brilliance, signifying that Black Robe holders of this rank have attained a certain level of strength and status. They are the backbone of the Black Robe organization, their eyes revealing confidence and ruthlessness, their hands tightly gripping their respective weapons, ready to fight for their goals at any time.

The ten figures at the back, dressed in pure black, lacking much ornamentation, appeared plain and understated, like shadows swallowed by darkness. A thin gray line encircled the edge of their black robes, like a yoke or a restraint, signifying the lower status of those wearing these robes. On their chests sat a small, silver, circular badge engraved with simple geometric patterns. While seemingly ordinary, these patterns symbolized their entry level and served as their identification within this mysterious organization.

Among these ten men was one man still in custody: Man Jiawen of the Nine Emperors Pavilion. At this moment, Man Jiawen resembled a trapped, wounded beast. He lay unconscious, his body limp and lifeless on the ground. He was covered in blood, the dried blood leaving dark red marks on his black robe, like flowers of death blooming in the darkness. His hands and feet were tightly bound, the ropes digging deep into his skin. The red, swollen marks showed his struggle, revealing the cruelty of his captors.

The black-robed leader, leaning on a cane, stood before the crowd. He raised his head slightly and peered through the aperture in his mask toward West Sea City, his eyes revealing greed and ambition. He spoke in a low, hoarse voice, a curse resonating from the depths of hell: "Today, we will seize control of West Sea City. This city will be ours, the first step in our grand plan." His voice echoed through the woods, each word like a pebble dropped into a tranquil lake, stirring up chilling ripples.

A man wearing a high-end black robe beside him bowed slightly. His movements were respectful and flattering, and there was a hint of fanaticism in his tone: "Chief, we have waited for this moment for too long. The wealth and resources of Xihai City will be at our disposal. Our power will surely be at its peak and unmatched." His eyes flashed with excitement, as if he had already seen the scene of them ruling Xihai City.

The leader nodded slightly, his eyes hidden behind the mask swept over the people behind him, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "This operation must succeed, not fail. We are the messengers of darkness, and we will bring destruction and rebirth to this city." He slammed his crutch heavily on the ground, accompanied by a dull sound, as if beating the drum of attack, and also like a death sentence for Xihai City.

Then, with a powerful wave of his hand, he left two black-robed men to guard Man Jiawen, and the rest of the group surged toward Xihai City like a black tide. The remaining two black-robed men stood beside Man Jiawen, their eyes vigilantly observing their surroundings, their hands tightly gripped. The cold gleam of their weapons flickered in the dim light, like the eyes of a venomous snake waiting for its prey in the darkness.

On the other side of the woods, Xihai City was still bustling with activity. Inside, the market was bustling with people, and the cries of vendors rose and fell, forming a unique symphony.

"Fresh fruit, sweet and juicy, just picked!" a fruit vendor shouted with a broad smile on his face. He expertly arranged the colorful fruits on his stall and enthusiastically greeted customers. His eyes sparkled with a passion for life and anticipation for business, and every movement was full of energy.