Fantasy World: I Can Travel To Cultivation World

Chapter 185 Defense Zone

Even with the most basic form of true essence, Luis's true vortex essence was far superior in quality to that of a late-stage foundation-building cultivator.

And that didn't even account for the added strength he gained from his ancient body-building technique.

For various reasons, Luis had now reached the level of a half-step Gold Core cultivator.

As he reflected on this, a Zhou family cultivator approached, trotting briskly. The man bowed respectfully and said, "Senior Luis, your seat is over there."

This Zhou family member, an early-stage foundation-building cultivator, had addressed him as "Senior."

Luis understood that this change in how others treated him was solely due to his strength.

If he were still just an early-stage foundation-building cultivator, he would be no different from the rest of the cultivators in the hall. He certainly wouldn't have been invited to sit on the high platform in the main hall.

It was clear to anyone with a discerning eye that only those with significant power or profound family backgrounds were given a place on the high platform.

Scanning the people seated there, Luis recognized several familiar faces: Zhou Minghao, head of the Zhou family; Yang Linyuan, head of the Yang family; and Wu Guangyi, head of the Wu family.

There was also one unfamiliar cultivator, likely a casual cultivator at the late stage of foundation building.

It was rare for casual cultivators to reach the peak of foundation building, at least in the Cangzhou region. However, on the battlefield of the Izumo Kingdom, such strength was far more common.

The unfamiliar cultivator in question appeared to have recently returned from the Izumo Kingdom battlefield.

Luis could sense an aura emanating from him, one that felt strikingly similar to Zhou Mucheng's—a murderous and sinister energy left behind from prolonged combat.

With such an aura, a mere glare from him could make an ordinary foundation-building cultivator's knees buckle.

However, the murderous aura had no effect on Luis.

He was a man who had battled even the most powerful zombies.

If he could withstand Zhou Mubai's aura, this casual cultivator's presence posed no threat at all.

The casual cultivator, dressed in a red Taoist robe with a head of fiery red hair, carried himself with a wanton and arrogant demeanor. Glancing at Luis, he chuckled and said, "It's said that Guang'an Prefecture now boasts not one but two truly strong cultivators. Aside from Mubai, we have another rising star. After seeing him today, I must say, the rumors don't do him justice!"

"Brother Zhang, you're absolutely right," Zhou Minghao replied with a smile.

"Of course, I am!" Brother Zhang—so named by Zhou Minghao—shook his head and continued, "Ancient cultivators and sword cultivators vary greatly in strength. While sword cultivators are often considered unmatched in offense at the same level, they're not invincible. The same holds true for ancient cultivators.

Take us, for example. Even as casual cultivators, some of us can rival sword cultivators at the same level!"

He paused, his tone turning darker. "And isn't that fellow Shen Jue a perfect example?"

At the mention of God Killer Shen Jue, the room fell into an uneasy silence.

It was clear that Shen Jue's name was a taboo topic. The devastation he had once brought to the families in this hall was etched deeply into their memories.

Luis stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Luis greets all the seniors."

"Take your seat!" Zhou Minghao said with a welcoming smile.

Luis bowed once more before taking his designated place. His seat, the second from the front, was positioned between Wu Guangyi and Zhou Minghao.

As he sat on the high platform, looking down at the rows of cultivators below, a peculiar feeling stirred in Luis's heart.

This seat wasn't just about strength; it was a declaration of status.

In the future, it would reflect the standing of each family in Guang'an Prefecture.

Before long, the Hartmann family had ascended to an exceptionally high position.

"My fellow comrades!"

The voice of Zhou Minghao, head of the Zhou family, resonated throughout the grand hall, instantly silencing the buzzing discussions among the gathered cultivators.

Luis sat on the high platform, his gaze sweeping across the dark sea of people below. He remained silent, observing the scene unfold.

As the chatter died down, Zhou Minghao nodded in approval and continued, "You are all aware that the entire Zhao family was annihilated six days ago. Today, my Zhou family, along with the Yang family, the Wu family, and the Hartmann family, has invited you here to discuss how we can resolve the corpse chaos on Lotus Island.

If anyone has suggestions, now is the time to speak."

His words fell like a stone into water, stirring another wave of murmurs among the crowd.

"Ahem!"

The subtle release of magical power rippled through the hall, making everyone tense slightly. The commotion subsided, and the hall returned to an uneasy silence.

"Ancestor Zhou," a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator stood and spoke with deference, "since we cultivators of Guang'an Prefecture have gathered here today, it's clear that we're willing to follow the Zhou family's guidance.

What should we do next? Just give us your instructions, and we will comply."

"That's right. The Zhou family leads, and we'll follow."

"Exactly!"

A chorus of agreement erupted from the hall, voices echoing in unison.

Zhou Minghao surveyed the crowd, clearly pleased with their response. With a satisfied nod, he declared, "In that case, I propose that the cultivators of Guang'an Prefecture form a coalition army, led by my Zhou family.

We will also invite a powerful monk from Guang'an Prefecture to command this army and eradicate the corpse chaos on Lotus Island once and for all!"

"Excellent! A brilliant plan!"

"Agreed!"

"That's the right decision!"

Voices of approval filled the hall as the cultivators nodded in agreement.

Luis, seated on the platform, observed the scene with a calm demeanor. He didn't need to look closely to know that the Zhou family had planted individuals among the casual cultivators to lead the cheers and steer the discussion.

Still, at its core, most of the gathered cultivators genuinely hoped to follow the Zhou family's leadership to survive this crisis.

The monks of Guang'an Prefecture weren't fools. Blind allegiance couldn't be earned by a few strategically placed voices—it was the Zhou family's strength and position that commanded this unity.

"Since everyone agrees to form a coalition, I hereby declare that the Guang'an Prefecture Coalition is officially established from this moment!"

With that declaration, Zhou Minghao continued, "Cultivators interested in joining the coalition can sign up with our Zhou family cultivators after this meeting. While we may not be fighting zombies on the Izumo Kingdom frontlines, we can still earn military merits!"

As he spoke, Zhou Minghao gestured toward the red-haired Taoist priest beside him and announced, "This is Taoist Zhang, recently transferred from the front lines by the Qianyuan Sword Sect. He will be responsible for recording everyone's military exploits."

Hearing this, murmurs of recognition and intrigue spread among the independent cultivators present. Many had experience on the Izumo Kingdom battlefield and were familiar with the Qianyuan Sword Sect's military merit system.

This system was widely regarded as the key to the rapid rise of the Ten Thousand Star Island cultivators within just four centuries. Without it, the immortal cultivation families would have continued monopolizing cultivation resources, leaving independent cultivators struggling to access even the spiritual energy required for basic cultivation—let alone achieving any significant progress.

As Zhou Minghao finished, Taoist Zhang rose from his seat, bowed to the crowd, and sat back down.

The audience regarded him with curiosity for a moment. As a cultivator who emerged from war, Zhang was clearly powerful, yet he was unfamiliar to most present. After a brief exchange of curious glances, attention drifted back to the meeting's proceedings.

Despite his unfamiliarity, the crowd placed their trust in the Qianyuan Sword Sect's reputation for fairness in recording military achievements. This trust formed the foundation of the sect's successful campaign against the Izumo Kingdom—something no one dared to doubt.

"Now, everyone, take a look."

Zhou Minghao waved his sleeves dramatically, and a vivid light-and-shadow map materialized in the air above the hall, capturing everyone's attention.

Luis's eyes focused sharply, immediately recognizing the light-and-shadow projection as a map of Guang'an Prefecture.

At the map's center was Lingbei Island, the very place where everyone now stood. The island was highlighted prominently, drawing attention to its significance.

Beyond Lingbei Island, the map depicted the surrounding territories. To the east lay Lotus Island, now overrun by zombies. Northwest of Lotus Island was Fengwu Island, the stronghold of the Wu family.

The map revealed a distinct T-shaped terrain formed by the Zhou family's Lingbei Island, the Wu family's Fengwu Island, and the zombie-occupied Lotus Island.

To the north of Lingbei Island, the Yang family's Jinwu Island marked another strategic location.

Farther away, directly west of Lingbei Island and at the rear of Guang'an Prefecture, lay the Hartmann family's Hartmann Island—the most distant of all.

In theory, if the zombie horde on Lotus Island intended to reach Hartmann Island, it would have to break through three critical lines of defense: the Wu family's Fengwu Island, the Zhou family's Lingbei Island, and the Yang family's Jinwu Island.

Given the current circumstances, this seemed an improbable feat for the zombie tide, especially with the Sun brothers' combat powers capped at the Perfect Foundation realm.

Inside the main hall.

Zhou Minghao continued: "According to the terrain, I divided Guang'an Prefecture into five defense zones, namely the Central Defense Zone, the Eastern Defense Zone, the Southern Defense Zone, the Northern Defense Zone, and the Western Defense Zone."