Harem Developing Villain

This time, it was a pack of Crimson-Winged Bats, their leathery bodies blurring as they descended from the blood-red sky.

These agile predators, masters of sonic attacks, unleashed their signature "Crimson Shriek," a high-pitched sonic blast designed to disorient their opponents. The barrier flickered again, tiny cracks appearing in its once pristine surface.

The onslaught didn't end there. From the dusty plains emerged a pack of Sand Serpents, their sinuous bodies writhing beneath the surface before erupting in a surprise attack.

And from the rocky cliffs descended a swarm of Rock Lizards, their razor-sharp claws scraping against the barrier as they attempted to scale its surface.

As if in a well-rehearsed performance, eight distinct beast hordes, a gruesome menagerie of ferocious creatures, surrounded the Jade Lotus Palace group.

Razortooth Tigers, Crimson-Winged Bats, Sand Serpents, Rock Lizards, these were just a few of the beasts drawn in by Wang Li's beast baits.

Each unleashed their most potent attacks – Earthing Stomps, Crimson Shrieks, Sand Blasts, and Crushing Claws – their combined assault resonating through the barren landscape.

Initially, the barrier held firm. Jiu Lan, a master of defensive formations, had imbued it with remarkable resilience.

However, the relentless barrage was taking its toll. After a grueling minute under this relentless assault, the first cracks, like spiderwebs, began to mar the barrier's luminous surface.

The once vibrant green hue started to flicker, a testament to its waning power.

Panic, a palpable entity, began to spread within the barrier. The female disciples huddled together, fear etched on their faces.

Even the seasoned elders exchanged worried glances.

The situation had escalated far beyond anything they had anticipated.

Their serene leader, Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, was nowhere to be seen, and they now faced a desperate fight for survival against a horde of enraged beasts.

Wang Li, hidden amongst the chaos, couldn't help but feel a surge of morbid satisfaction. His plan was working perfectly.

The barrier, overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught, finally shattered with a deafening crack. A wave of dust and debris erupted outwards, momentarily obscuring the scene. When the dust settled, the eight beast hordes surged forward, a tide of fangs and claws aimed at the exposed Jade Lotus Palace group.

Panic threatened to engulf the disciples, but their training and discipline kicked in. With practiced movements, they formed defensive positions, weapons gleaming in the harsh sunlight. Elders barked commands, their voices a steady counterpoint to the growls and screeches of the beasts.

Wang Li, cloaked in invisibility, weaved through the chaos. His Yin Attribute attacks, silent and swift, dispatched any beast that strayed too close to his beloved Liu Xue. He wouldn't risk her getting injured, not for his twisted plan. His movements were a blur, his strikes precise and deadly. Fortunately, his mastery of concealing his aura remained undetected by the Jade Lotus Palace cultivators.

The clash was fierce. The disciples, fueled by a desperate need to survive, fought with surprising ferocity. Their coordinated attacks, honed through years of training, took down beasts left and right. Powerful artifacts crackled with energy, unleashing devastating blows. Healing pellets were popped like candy, wounds closing as quickly as they appeared.

Despite their coordinated defense, the relentless assault of the beasts took its toll. Disciples sustained injuries, gashes and bruises blooming across their bodies. Yet, they fought back with unwavering spirit, their movements fueled by determination and the need to protect their comrades.

Elders, their experience a valuable asset, directed the younger disciples, filling the gaps in their defenses and preventing any casualties.

A young disciple sporting fiery red hair stumbled back, a gash blooming across her arm. Elder Ning, a youthful beauty with a mane of silver hair, rushed to her side, a worried frown etched on her face.

A quick flick of Elder Ning's wrist sent a shimmering green light towards the wound, the gash immediately sealing shut.

While some were injured, none were critically wounded. The disciples, through sheer grit and determination, were pushing back the tide of beasts.

Wang Li, watching from this closely, couldn't help but be impressed. The Jade Lotus Palace was truly a force to be reckoned with.

One by one, the beasts fell. The Razortooth Tigers, their earth-shattering roars silenced, lay unmoving. The Crimson-Winged Bats, their sonic shrieks no longer a threat, plummeted to the dusty ground. Soon, the battlefield was littered with the carcasses of the eight beast hordes, a gruesome testament to the Jade Lotus Palace's resilience.

Panting and bloodied, the disciples gathered around their elders, checking their wounds and congratulating each other on their survival. Each of them looked down at their palms, a faint blue light revealing their kill count etched by the laws of this world. A small smile played on Liu Xue's lips. Her kill count, though not the highest, was respectable.

But her real joy came from the knowledge that her invisible guardian, Wang Li, had silently protected her.

She knew he risked exposure for her sake, a confirmation of the deep bond they shared despite the clandestine nature of their relationship.

Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky like a celestial warrior. It was Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, her ice-blue eyes widening in shock as she surveyed the scene. The battlefield, littered with slain beasts, was a testament to the fierce battle her disciples had fought. Relief washed over her as she saw them alive, albeit injured.

The gruesome wounds, though not life-threatening, were a cause for concern.

"What happened?" she demanded, her voice laced with urgency.

The disciples, their adrenaline receding, recounted the harrowing events of the past hour. They spoke of the relentless onslaught, the despair they felt when the barrier shattered, and the desperate struggle for survival. Jiu Lan listened intently, her gaze flickering over the injured disciples.

"Good work," she said finally, her voice firm yet laced with emotion. "You fought bravely. Now, tend to your wounds."

Without further ado, the disciples retrieved their healing pellets from their storage pouches and began to tend to their injuries. The air crackled with nervous energy as they ingested the pellets, a silent prayer on their lips for a swift recovery.

Wang Li, a sly grin playing on his lips, watched the scene unfold with a sense of morbid satisfaction as the disciples and elders consumed the recovery pellets. Now, all he needed was a small opening, a chance to inflict a minor injury, and Liu Xue would be the perfect instrument to deliver those "special" recovery pellets. The stage was set for the next act of his twisted play.

Wang Li also knew forcing the issue wouldn't be wise. Injuring Palace Mistress Jiu Lan too severely could leave them vulnerable to opportunistic attacks from the roaming devil sects. Besides, his curiosity about this desolate world gnawed at him. What secrets did it hold? What were the other devil sects up to after their unexpected dispersion?

Maintaining his invisibility, he ventured out a short distance, his gaze flitting across the desolate landscape through the enhanced vision granted by his Heavenly Fate Pupils. The world stretched before him, a canvas of ochre sands and jagged rock formations, devoid of any sign of human civilization. Only the occasional pack of beasts disturbed the desolate silence.

He lingered for a while, his senses alert for any sign of movement. But the only sounds were the howling wind and the distant screeches of the beasts. Satisfied, he turned back towards the Jade Lotus Palace group.

Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, her ice-blue eyes sharp and focused, had gathered the elders for a briefing. "From my scouting mission," she began, her voice crisp, "I haven't encountered any traces of human settlements within a reasonable distance. This seems to be a truly desolate world, inhabited solely by beasts."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the group.

Elder Shan Yiran spoke up first. "And what about resources? Are there any resources we should take note of?"

Jiu Lan nodded curtly. "Indeed. There's a wealth of rare materials and herbs waiting to be harvested. However, they likely won't come easy. We'll need to contend with the beasts guarding these resources."

Elder Ning Changying, known for her calm demeanor and tactical prowess, chimed in. "Then our course of action is clear. We move further north, establish a fortified camp with proper defensive formations, and then lead the disciples in clearing the surrounding areas of beasts while collecting resources."

"An excellent plan," Jiu Lan affirmed. "Elder Jin, you and Elder Feng take point on the formation construction. Elder Zhu, you'll oversee the resource collection efforts with the disciples."

The elders, each a veteran cultivator with their own strengths, readily agreed. They had worked together for decades, their coordination honed to perfection. Now, they faced a new challenge in this untamed world.

"As for me," Jiu Lan continued, a glint of determination in her eyes, "I'll focus on taking down the most powerful beasts in the region. It's crucial we rack up a significant kill count. I have no doubt the devil sects are already slaughtering beasts with reckless abandon, trying to outpace us."

A collective nod of agreement followed. The Trial of the Slaughter was a fierce competition, and falling behind their demonic counterparts was unacceptable.

The plan laid out, a sense of renewed purpose settled over the Jade Lotus Palace group. They were no strangers to hardship and danger. Together, they were a formidable force, and they were determined to not only survive but also excel in this brutal trial.

Wang Li, observing their preparations from a distance, couldn't help but admire their efficiency.