NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Siege of Blackwood Hollow
Recap:
Long Tianyu took the bold step of founding the Crimson Rebirth Court, gathering up those overlooked and cast aside by the Long Clan. After realizing just how deep the betrayal from the Dragon Council ran, Tianyu got word that forces aligned with Shen, along with some foreign mercenaries, were on their way to Blackwood Hollow. A showdown was on the horizon.
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The hills shook beneath the weight of anticipation.
Dozens of banners, each emblazoned with the Shen insignia, appeared on the horizon. Cloaked figures draped in red and violet robes advanced in a tight formation, their Qi distortions shimmering like mirages above them.
The atmosphere was thick with a palpable sense of danger.
Tianyu stood tall on the outer stone wall of the hollow.
Next to him, Qin Yao held her bone-forged spear tightly.
Behind them, the newly established Crimson Rebirth Court—thirty-one seasoned cultivators—prepared in silence.
> [System Alert: Blackwood Siege Event Triggered]
> Wave 1: Shen Disciplinary Division
> Wave 2: Foreign Vault Hunters
> Wave 3: Unknown Elite Commander
> Defense Objectives: Hold for 12 Hours
A timer flickered to life in Tianyu's vision. The battle was officially underway.
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"Positions!" Tianyu shouted.
Qin Yao swiftly moved to the west flank, accompanied by seven hybrid fighters.
Three formation masters began to inscribe defensive glyphs along the main path.
Tianyu took a deep breath, pulling fire Qi into his lungs, and stepped forward.
He raised his hand, and the **Dragon Pulse Barrier** flared to life, enveloping the hollow in a blazing dome.
"Let them come," he thought.
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The first wave hit just as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Disciplinary disciples from the Shen Clan, their faces obscured by blood-masked helmets, charged in wielding cursed blades and flame-ward talismans.
Tianyu was the first to strike, leaping into their ranks like a storm of fire.
> [Skill: Flame Dragon Step Engaged]
> [Skill: Dragon Claw Impact Critical Strike!]
A dozen soldiers soared back, their armor charred and weapons splintered.
Behind him, Qin Yao unleashed a whirlwind of spears, her eerie crimson aura slicing through three attackers in one swift motion. The line held strong.
But the second wave came crashing in without a moment's pause.
Lucien Cross had returned, this time fully armored, leading a squad of **Vault Hunters** skilled in spirit assassination and aerial suppression.
"Suppress the rogue leader," he commanded.
Dozens of flying cultivators plummeted from the sky.
Tianyu shouted, "Aerial suppression! Group Sigma, intercept!"
Nine of his elite flyers—mutated light cultivators armed with stolen techniques—shot into the air, colliding mid-flight with the Vault Hunters in a dazzling storm of light and flame.
> [Special Buff Activated: Homefield Morale Boost]
> All Crimson Rebirth Members gain +15% speed and defense for 1 hour.
Lucien descended directly toward Tianyu. "You surprised me last time.
Let's see how much you've grown."
Tianyu grinned back, "You'll regret coming back."
The two clashed in the sky—blade against flame, spirit runes against dragon fist.
Lucien unleashed a six-chain strike, but Tianyu blocked it and countered with a full-body combustion burst.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Flame Soul Detonation - Short-range blast, ignores spiritual armor]
Lucien took the hit head-on, spinning in midair with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
But before he could react, a massive dark wave swept over the battlefield.
A third presence had arrived.
The flames flickered.
Even Tianyu felt it—cold, ancient, and foreign.
From the rear emerged a figure cloaked in void-black robes, his face obscured by a demonic mask of ash and jade.
> [Unknown Cultivation Signature Detected]
> Analysis: Demonic-Eastern Hybrid. Estimated Realm: Semi-Transcendent
Lucien's expression shifted.
"You brought **him**?"
A Shen general knelt, "Lord Marrow insisted."
Tianyu landed back on the cliffside, "Who is he?" Lucien replied grimly, "He doesn't serve the Vault.
He serves something much older." The figure raised a hand.
The skies turned ominous, and gravity twisted in a strange way.
A bone dragon, crafted from cursed Qi, emerged from behind him.
> [Hidden Boss Raid Triggered: Bone Marrow Warlord, Lord of Forgotten Contracts]
Tianyu's system lit up with urgent red alerts.
> Optional Quest: Survive Lord Marrow's Dominion (30 Minutes)
> Reward: Unlock Flame Soul Armor (If Survived)
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Tianyu faced his people, many of whom were hurt, and his flame barrier was starting to crack.
Yet, their determination remained unshaken.
"This is what rebirth looks like," he declared.
"Ready flames."
They nodded in agreement.
With a surge of energy, he stepped forward, his aura bursting forth, and drew a sword engulfed in dragon fire.
"This is where we stop running.
CRIMSON COURT, DEFEND!"
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Teaser for Chapter 11:
As Lord Marrow's bone dragon descends, Tianyu must awaken the Flame Soul Armor to survive. In the midst of the turmoil, a spy within the Rebirth Court reveals their true identity.