Nie Jingnian remained silent, just drinking his wine quietly.
Jiang Zhong didn’t mind.
For his level of cultivation, having someone as skilled as Nie Jingnian cross paths with him was quite unexpected.
Being able to strike up an acquaintance was already a pleasant surprise.
At this moment, a martial artist stood up and walked out.
"Niu Zhen, where are you going?" Jiang Zhong couldn’t help but ask.
"Had a bit too much to drink, going out to relieve myself." Niu Zhen replied with a chuckle.
He was from the Mountain Guardian Boxing Hall, with strength somewhere between the Second Realm and Third Realm, not particularly strong, but he was jovial and well-liked.
Jiang Zhong frowned slightly, "Be careful, don’t slip off the city walls and fall to your death!"
"Hahahaha, you really know how to joke."
Niu Zhen laughed and cursed, didn’t bother putting on his coat, and stepped outside.
The gale blew rain into the room.
Some martial artists near the door grumbled as they went to close it.
Just then, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
The next moment, Nie Jingnian, who was slowly sipping his wine, shot out like an arrow from a bow.
Then he saw a massive black shadow circling in the mid-air, claws gripping a head, none other than the recently departed Niu Zhen.
Nie Jingnian’s face turned pale.
Because with his eye power, he could clearly see the massive black shadow was indeed a bizarre giant bird.
After Nie Jingnian rushed out, a shadow suddenly emerged from below the city wall, lunging at him with sharp claws aimed straight for his head, producing a piercing sound.
In a split-second escape, Nie Jingnian dodged the attack and then drew his dual swords to defend himself.
But what he saw next made his blood run cold.
Above the city tower, numerous shadows flickered, with countless giant birds circling.
"Quick, light the warning fires!" Nie Jingnian shouted.
Simultaneously, his dual swords danced swiftly, continuously striking at the giant birds rushing towards him.
Clang!
With a loud clash of metal, Nie Jingnian’s dual swords were caught by one of the giant bird’s claws, sparks flying, causing Nie Jingnian to grunt as he was nearly swept off the city wall by a tremendous force.
At that moment, an iron bullet suddenly shot through the air, striking the giant bird’s head.
Though it didn’t injure it, it successfully freed Nie Jingnian from his predicament.
The giant bird screeched, flapping its wings, and flew away.
Nie Jingnian, still trembling with fear, turned to see Jiang Zhong holding a massive slingshot, shouting towards him.
"Senior Brother Nie, get inside!"
Nie Jingnian darted back into the room, and someone quickly shut and barred the door, then fearfully asked.
"What...what was that just now?"
"Not sure, but it might be a flying exotic beast."
Nie Jingnian felt a heavy weight in his heart.
He didn’t reveal that there were countless giant birds circling just above everyone’s heads.
Saying such a thing would only incite panic.
"Have the warning fires been lit?" he asked.
Jiang Zhong nodded, "Lit them!"
Then he forced a smile, "No matter how fierce those feathered beasts are, they probably can’t break through these thick city walls."
Just as he finished speaking, loud noises came from above.
It turned out the roof tiles were being pried off by the giant birds’ claws.
Everyone inside turned pale.
"Don’t panic, these giant birds need to build up strength before they can attack."
Nie Jingnian had noticed that the giant birds kept circling in the air, only swooping down to attack when necessary.
The group barely managed to calm their nerves, drawing their weapons, ready for a fight to the death with the giant birds.
At this moment, a piercing bird call came from outside.
Someone peeked through the door gap to see a flash of a blade in the night sky, followed by a giant bird dropping to the ground.
Seeing the new arrival on the city wall, someone shouted joyfully, "It’s Master Zhao!"
"Master Zhao is here!"
Unconsciously, Zhao Ya had already become a pillar for many people.
When he stepped into the room, many felt their spirits lift.
Zhao Ya, holding the Meteorite Iron Saber, walked swiftly to the lookout to gaze outside.
But the night was dark as ink, and the rain obscured any view of the distant situation.
Zhao Ya looked grave, taking a deep breath, he said.
"Listen up, although these giant birds can fly, their speed isn’t particularly fast, and they always build up strength by circling before attacking. As long as you grasp this timing to attack, a Third Realm can take them down."
With that, Zhao Ya looked towards Nie Jingnian.
"Can you hold the defense?"
Nie Jingnian nodded without hesitation, "If I can’t hold it, I’ll offer my head!"
"No need for that, tonight will be a tough fight, act as the situation unfolds!"
With that, Zhao Ya once more dashed into the rain.
A giant bird immediately attacked, but with several swift flashes of his saber, its body fell.
And Zhao Ya had already vanished without a trace.