The Eastern Barren Land hung heavy with an air of tension and desperation as the Rejuvenation Pills were distributed with haste.


    Exhausted soldiers, teetering on the edge of copse, clung to a glimmer of hope as they received these miraculous pills.


    Yet, the supply of these life-saving elixirs couldn''t hope to meet the overwhelming demand surging through the barrennd.


    They were a rare and precious resource, and only the mightiest warriors could partake of their revitalizing power.


    As for the rest, the pills were dispatched to distant regions, a journey fraught with time-consuming challenges.


    Still, they clung to hope that the pills would arrive in time.


    In every corner of the barrennd, a deafening and horrifying battle raged on.


    People and soldiers fell in droves, mercilessly ughtered by the vile creatures known as Blood Whisperers, who unleashed their full fury, hell-bent on the annihtion of the barrennd.


    But amidst this chaos, brave souls fought with unyielding determination to protect their homes and loved ones.


    Before the formidable walls of Jade City, Huang Yin, a formidable Foundation Building realm cultivator, stood resolute and unwavering.


    Her domineering authority was matched only by the might of her presence as she traversed from one perilous corner to the next.


    With a mere wave of her palm, she obliterated hundreds of Blood Whisperers, creating a path for elite soldiers to rush to neighboring towns and viges, providing the much-needed support.


    Yet, the relentless assault took its toll on Jade City, leaving deep craters that scarred its once-pristine streets.


    Huang Guo and Huang Ruo had embarked on a frantic quest to secure reinforcements in the nearest town.


    There was no time for respite; every soul in the barrennd was dedicated to supporting one another in the face of this relentless onught.


    Zimo and his loyalrades ventured to the viges, offering unwavering support to the beleaguered residents.


    In this dire hour, the spirit of unity and sacrifice was their sole sustenance.


    Elder Su Feng, a steadfast sentinel, defended the northern town as an imprable shield.


    In the western barrennd, Elder Jie battled a group of Blood Whisperers with his hair hanging loose.


    Deep within Willow City, Biyu rode her horse with unmatched ferocity, her de slicing through Blood Whisperers in her path.


    Hermanding shouts echoed through the city as she led her troops, her long ck hair dancing in the wind.


    But then, an ominous presence washed over Willow City, sending a collective shiver down every spine. Panic and confusion gripped the hearts of the inhabitants.


    "What''s happening?"


    "What was that?!"


    These thoughts raced through their minds as Biyu, astride her dark horse, turned her gaze toward the source of the foreboding waves, her heart heavy with dread.


    "Something evil is happening in that direction," she thought.


    With determination etched on her face, she looked at her valiant soldiers who fought bravely by her side and issued amand, "I want a hundred soldiers to follow me now."


    Without waiting for her men, she spurred her horse forward, heading toward the malevolent presence.


    Her instincts screamed at her to confront and stop whatever was causing this evil aura.


    However, it was toote. A streak of blood erupted like a pir from the depths of the Jin mansion. The sudden appearance of this grotesque blood pir drew the attention of all.


    "Is that a pir of blood?"


    Everyone raised their heads, their faces etched with confusion. A hushed silence fell over the city as they stared at the eerie sight, a profound sense of foreboding weighing heavily upon them.


    Then, a horrifying shriek emanated from the blood pir, causing the hearts of those who heard it to skip a beat. A dreadful feeling washed over their souls.


    "This is a blood sacrifice," Biyu shouted, her voice filled with disbelief. "Who would dare to perform such a dark ritual?"


    Before anyone could process what was happening, the blood pir shattered into pieces, sending forth a dark and ominous cloud that rapidly nketed the barrennd.


    Bang!


    A fragment of the blood pirnded before Biyu, creating a cloud of dust that billowed into the sky. Her horse whinnied in fear, and she clung to the reins, fighting to stay upright.


    "What the hell?!" she screamed, confusion etching across her face.


    Before her eyes, a silhouette emerged from the crater left behind by the blood, a Blood Whisperer, but not just any—this was an exceptionally formidable one.


    The Blood Whisperer stood before Biyu, reeking of blood, wielding a blood-red sword that sent shivers down her spine.


    Whoosh!


    "What!" Biyu eximed, leaping from her horse by instinct.


    The newly empowered Blood Whisperer moved with astonishing speed, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. In an instant, it appeared where Biyu had just stood and struck.


    A beam of red light apanied the swing, slicing the horse in two, sending its lifeless body hurtling into the distance.


    The horse didn''t have a chance to make a sound before meeting its end.


    Wide-eyed and filled with fear, Biyu stood and analyzed the situation. "This is a Foundation Building realm Blood Whisperer," she realized, recognizing the perilous threat.


    "Formation!" she shouted, her voice heavy with determination.


    Quickly, she removed her nearly depleted spirit stone from the heart of her armor and swiftly reced it. Her soldiers rallied behind her, forming a parallel battle formation.


    Whoosh!


    The red-sworded Blood Whisperer turned its attention toward Biyu andunched another attack. Biyu stood her ground, took a deep breath, andmanded, "Shields up!"


    Boom!


    A cloud of dust billowed from the ground, and anguished screams filled the air as Biyu and her men were forced to retreat several meters from the devastating attack.


    Biyu''s sword trembled violently, some of the soldiersy broken, while others had limbs twisted at impossible angles.


    Despite their injuries, they quickly regrouped to face their formidable adversary.


    Meanwhile, throughout the barrennd, elite soldiers and powerful individuals faced simr threats simultaneously.


    It was then that people noticed a dark cloud enveloping the sky, casting the once bright day into an eerie darkness within moments.


    The entire barrennd was plunged into a profound, imprable obscurity that no one could have fathomed just a short while ago.


    With this sudden onset of terrifying darkness, the dread that had already taken root in the hearts of the people reached an unimaginable height.


    Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, those who could not join the battle in defense of their homes were engaged in actions that could potentially change the course of the battle.


    The question loomed—how soon would those efforts bear fruit?


    ****************


    [AN: Did anyone know what the ordinary people were doing?]