Welcome to Ability Store-Chapter 115 - 114: The Battle of Normandy Defensive Line

Chapter 115: Chapter 114: The Battle of Normandy Defensive Line

Chen Xuan stood on the hillside, witnessing the battle alongside Xu Yuanqing and the Envoy Team members.

The cultivators’ participation had an immediate effect. Although the team of less than fifty could only operate on the battlefield’s edge, they managed to hold back a large number of demon fiends. Each of them displayed their supernatural powers; Talismans, Arrays, and various Five Elements Magic were used in turn, swiftly eliminating hundreds of demon fiends.

"So, did the cultivators from the Immortal Alliance meet your expectations?" Xu Yuanqing cheerfully took a sip from his wine gourd. "When it comes to dealing with demon fiends, every sect has its specialty... For example, the Ascension Platform is quite well-versed in array formations, making it very suitable for large-scale battles."

However, the true joy he seemed to derive wasn’t entirely from the cultivators’ performance.

The murmurs among the Immortal Alliance officials confirmed this point.

"This is fantastic; a place that constantly spawns demon creatures means the sects no longer have to fight fiercely over Grotto Heaven resources."

"Indeed... The work of the Immortal Alliance will become much easier too!"

"It’s truly because of the foresight of the Governor, who could immediately make the decision to allow Sect Leader Chen to establish a sect."

"That’s right, it’s all thanks to Sect Leader Chen."

They tried to lower their voices, but the sea breeze still carried their words to Chen Xuan’s ears.

Chen Xuan pretended not to hear their conversation and asked Xu Yuanqing alone, "In places governed by the Immortal Alliance, is it rare for such a large number of low-level demon fiends to appear?"

"Of course. There were several disasters when the Tang Dynasty’s vitality was waning, ravaged by demon fiends. But ever since cultivators took power, we’ve been the ones chasing demon fiends to kill them," Xu Yuanqing said with pride, stroking his beard. "You could nitpick a hundred faults in the Immortal Alliance, but when it comes to maintaining peace and freeing the world from demon fiends’ threats, the Alliance’s contribution is unrivaled!"

It was clear he took considerable pride in this achievement.

"And now, your contributions to the Immortal Alliance are unprecedented," Xu Yuanqing shifted the topic, patting Chen Xuan’s shoulder. "At the next governor rotation, would you be interested in serving at the Immortal Alliance Governor Office? I could be your reference."

Chen Xuan waved his hand with a smile, "Governor, you flatter me."

"Others say I like to act under the influence, disregarding rules, but I actually have my own judgments and don’t like to praise recklessly," he scoffed. "The various sects of the Immortal Alliance have done well to expel demon fiends, but they have become increasingly sensitive over resource distribution. There’s conflict between big sects and small sects, small sects and the newly established sects, even within sects between veterans and newcomers... The original purpose of the Immortal Alliance was to mediate these conflicts, but ultimately it can only cover one area while another leaks."

"Your message a month ago gave me new hope, and your subsequent actions not only didn’t disappoint but exceeded many people’s expectations. Regarding resource development alone, you’ve greatly aided the Immortal Alliance. Why wouldn’t you take a position at the Governor’s Office? Regardless of whether you are elected, the Immortal Alliance values talent greatly, and being young isn’t a problem."

Xu Yuanqing rambled on, clearly sincere.

But Chen Xuan was unmoved.

The Immortal Alliance’s control over the sects was limited, essentially a loose organization, with even less assistance than Hot Pepper Village when it comes to Ability Store. For other self-made cultivators, taking a position in the Immortal Alliance might be a great network opportunity, but Chen Xuan didn’t need it.

"How does the Immortal Alliance view loose cultivators?" He suddenly shifted to another question.

"Loose cultivators?" Xu Yuanqing frowned, "Aren’t they just Qi Sensers who couldn’t get into a sect? To the Immortal Alliance, they are no different from ordinary people. But... there is one exception."

"What kind?"

"Those who have defected from their sects. Their identities as sect members are stripped, making them a category of loose cultivators, though much more threatening. The sects usually send people to capture them, and as long as they notify the Immortal Alliance, we won’t interfere."

Chen Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. Could Jiu’s master fall into this category?

Based on the siblings’ description, this loose cultivator didn’t seem incapable.

"Is this situation common?"

"Not uncommon. Around the sects near Chang’an City, about ten such cases occur annually. Many people discover, after joining a sect, that their talent isn’t as extraordinary as imagined. With fierce competition, the resources they receive are pitifully scarce, hence the birth of defection," Xu Yuanqing curiously looked at Chen Xuan, "Sect Leader Chen seems to be quite concerned about this?"

Chen Xuan pondered and decided to take advantage of the amicable atmosphere to ask directly, "To be honest, Governor, I am indeed interested in understanding this aspect. A while back, our sect accepted two disciples. When investigating their background, we discovered they apprenticed under a loose cultivator..."

He had observed the other party long enough to conclude one thing: Xu Yuanqing was undoubtedly a person of integrity. Though a member of Ascension Platform, he always placed himself in the position of the Immortal Alliance Governor, considering the well-being of cultivators from all sects. He belonged to the old generation of cultivators. While not particularly caring towards ordinary people, he was far from loathing or rejecting them.

Xu Xuanling was also well-educated. She was not only courteous with fellow disciples but also dealt amicably with non-cultivators residing in the manor, such as the envoy translators or the temporary servants hired by Chen Xuan.

Such people were unlikely to plot a massacre against loose cultivators and Feng County civilians.

Indeed, after hearing the story, a shadow crossed Xu Yuanqing’s face, "Unbelievable! Even if the loose cultivator was a defector, legitimate cultivators should never take their anger out on common folk. Here’s what we’ll do: when we return to Chang’an, I’ll have someone investigate at the Feng County Government Office, to see if there’s a wanted record of a Ji-surnamed loose cultivator."

"That would be trouble for you, Governor." Chen Xuan immediately cupped his hands. Official intervention would undoubtedly be more convenient than investigating himself.

"Don’t worry, if this is true, I will see your disciples receive justice!" Xu Yuanqing promised emphatically.

At that moment, the roar of cannon fire interrupted their conversation.

The battlefield’s situation suddenly changed.

Several battleships that had rushed onto the beach opened their side decks on both sides, akin to a goose suddenly spreading its wings to incubate eggs. Ten or so larger demon fiends crawled out from the ship’s belly; they were like a mix of crabs and sea scorpions, equipped not only with iron armor on their backs, but also with two naval cannons!

The cannon fire they heard earlier was indeed caused by these demon fiends!

Many small shrimp-like creatures clung to them, using their pincers and numerous legs to reload the cannons, firing a shrapnel burst in under thirty seconds.

Even more astonishing was the white flag with a red cross hanging on these demon fiends’ iron armor, indicating they belonged to the United Kingdom’s army!

As Chen Xuan saw these demons, his mind instantly linked them to tanks. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Armored, armed with cannons, rampaging on land, if this wasn’t a tank, what was? The main difference was that its power didn’t come from machinery but from a three-meter-tall, ten-meter-long immense living creature!

It finally dawned on him why the sea demons, despite their ability to swim, needed a fleet of sailing battleships capable of diving—the latter were both warships and transport ships. After the British retrofitted the demons with steel, their weight drastically increased, necessitating transport by ship to the other shore.

Firearms, once again firearms!

Chen Xuan felt a complex surge inside him.

The ability users always love to draw their guns for a showdown, and now even the human-demon war had entered this realm. The appearance of tanks on the battlefield at this moment was undeniably ahead of its time... a mobile artillery platform delivering shrapnel strikes that could devastate densely-packed troops from hundreds of meters away.

The cultivators of the Immortal Alliance were no exception. They remained vulnerable flesh and blood; no matter how fast their reactions, they couldn’t dodge the hail of pellets spraying at them. They were barely acquainted with artillery, and when they saw large demon fiends, their first reaction was to form ranks and fight, not retreat swiftly.

After a round of fire from more than twenty cannons, two cultivators lost their lives on the spot, while seven or eight were severely injured in the shrapnel barrage, ripping a gap in the line they had managed to hold.

Xu Yuanqing couldn’t sit still any longer, "Not good! What is that weapon? Sect Leader Chen, let’s discuss your disciples’ affairs later; I must go now to lend them a hand!"

As the Alliance Leader of the Immortal Alliance, he wasn’t obligated to ensure the safety of each sect’s cultivators. Demon Slaying inherently carried certain risks, and whether participants advanced or perished depended entirely on individual abilities. However, Xu Yuanqing’s unwillingness to stand by stemmed from this being the Immortal Alliance’s first battle upon reaching foreign lands; to suffer defeat at the outset would disgrace the Alliance.

Chen Xuan also quickly followed, "I’ll go with you!"

"Splendid, with Sect Leader Chen’s support, we shall send these demon fiends scattering in defeat!" Xu Yuanqing shouted enthusiastically.

The two dashed to the seaside, Xu Yuanqing taking the lead. He threw a wine flask into the air, from which the wine endlessly spattered out. Then he drew a stack of Array Talismans, casting them seemingly at random—

"Array: Drunken Army Breaker!"