Chapter 1396: Towards Death
With Old Master Wu's command issued, Zhu Rong and Lu Wu's expressions immediately shifted.
"Old Wu, if we leave, how can you be their match?"
Lu Wu, his expression anxious, blurted out without a second thought. His booming voice, though lacking any spiritual augmentation, still carried far. Judging from his expression and tone, his words came from the heart; he was genuinely worried about Old Master Wu's safety.
"If you don't leave, will we then be a match for the Tong Continent Great Emperor?"
Old Master Wu countered without turning his head. His retort was sharp, easily misinterpreted as repaying kindness with ingratitude. Yet, he had his reasons. In such a dire situation, only the sharpest words and the most unyielding attitude could compel those present, including Lu Wu and Zhu Rong, to withdraw quickly.
Ordinarily, Old Master Wu would never speak with such abruptness. Unless it was a matter of principle, he never used such a tone or sharp words. But today, the situation was critical; a single moment of hesitation could mean death. He did not want any of those present to perish here, which was why he acted with uncharacteristic tyranny.
Lu Wu was thoroughly astonished by Old Master Wu's retort, as this wasn't the Old Master Wu he knew. At the same time, he was speechless, for Old Master Wu's counter-question hit the nail on the head. Even if they remained, they were absolutely no match for the Tong Continent Great Emperor. For a moment, he was so stunned by Old Master Wu's rebuttal that he couldn't utter a word.
However, Lu Wu did not immediately obey Old Master Wu's command to leave, nor did Zhu Rong move an inch. Though the expressions of the others present varied, they, like Lu Wu and Zhu Rong, remained rooted to the spot. Even after Old Master Wu declared that disobedience would be met with death, they still did not stir.
Zhu Rong spoke rapidly, knowing that this was no time for idle chatter. Thus, she could only express her thoughts and resolve with the utmost speed.
As her words fell, Zhu Rong moved to step forward and shield Old Master Wu, but he intercepted her with a hand. Immediately after, Yin Qi surged in Old Master Wu's hand, and Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire reappeared in his grasp.
"The boss's Death God's Attire is here! To see this attire is to see the boss! I now order you to immediately retreat from this place. If anyone dares utter another word of nonsense, don't blame me for abandoning old ties and showing no mercy!"
Old Master Wu's voice was cold, his demeanor utterly unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation. Zhu Rong's gaze fell upon Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire, and she dared not forcefully advance.
Lu Wu's face changed drastically. He too looked at Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire and instantly confirmed it was authentic; indeed, it was Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire, no mistake. He had been about to argue with Old Master Wu, but seeing Yang Haoran's attire, the words caught in his throat.
Zhu Rong was the same. She had still wanted to persuade Old Master Wu, but upon seeing Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire and hearing Old Master Wu's final warning, she could only abandon the thought.
"Understood!"
Though Zhu Rong was deeply reluctant, she dared not defy Yang Haoran's command. Even though Yang Haoran himself was not present, as Old Master Wu had said, seeing Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire was akin to Yang Haoran's personal presence. Since Old Master Wu held Yang Haoran's Death God's Attire, regardless of whether the order was personally issued by Yang Haoran, Old Master Wu's command represented Yang Haoran's. Of course, she dared not disobey.
One had to admit, Yang Haoran's foresight was truly meticulous. Had he not removed his Death God's Attire and entrusted it to Old Master Wu before departing, Old Master Wu's mission today would have been exceedingly difficult to carry out.
This situation arose not because Yang Haoran underestimated Old Master Wu's prestige, but because he underestimated the loyalty and courage of his subordinates. The reason he underestimated their loyalty and courage was entirely due to Xiao Kang's betrayal.
"Under. . . understood! " Seeing Zhu Rong accept the order, Lu Wu immediately responded as well. He was just as reluctant as Zhu Rong, but there was nothing to be done; he dared not defy Yang Haoran's command.
If even Zhu Rong and Lu Wu complied, there was naturally no need to mention the others present; they could only accept Old Master Wu's evacuation order.
"How noisy. You wish to leave? Have you asked for my permission?"
Just as everyone prepared to retreat according to orders, the Tong Continent Great Emperor spoke unhurriedly. As his words faded, he suddenly waved his hand, and a barrier formation appeared, instantly enveloping the entire Guardian District.
"This is bad!"
Old Master Wu and the others' faces changed drastically, especially Old Master Wu's. He had originally intended to intervene and prevent the formation of the barrier, because once it solidified, the hope of most people present tearing through space to escape would become a luxury. The reason was their inability to tear space within a barrier formation.
Furthermore, with the formidable strength of the Tong Continent Great Emperor, the barrier formation he deployed would certainly be exceptionally sturdy. Not to mention the others present, even he, Zhu Rong, and Lu Wu would very likely be unable to successfully tear through space within this barrier formation.
It was precisely because he considered this that Old Master Wu wished to prevent the barrier formation from solidifying, to keep the Guardian District from being enveloped. But the barrier formation appeared with astonishing speed, so quickly that before he could even act to stop it, the entire Guardian District was already enshrouded within it.
With the barrier formation encompassing them, none of those present panicked, but without exception, their expressions were grim, for they all knew what the appearance of this barrier formation signified!
"Today, the actions of your Jingling Continent Yin Division's Ninth District have told me two things. The first is that Yang Haoran, the Guardian of the Jingling Continent Yin Division's Ninth District, has rebelled. The second is that you foolish individuals have rebelled alongside Yang Haoran. As one of the five Great Emperors of the Yin Division, I naturally cannot tolerate anyone betraying the Yin Division. Not to mention Guardians, even Great Emperors are not exempt. Anyone who betrays the Yin Division, anyone who supports a Yin Division traitor, I will ensure their soul is scattered, making them vanish from this world forever. Today, none of you will leave here alive. Yang Haoran's Guardian District will be razed to the ground by my hand!"
The Tong Continent Great Emperor spoke coldly. Immediately after, he merely flicked his sleeve casually, and three individuals, a hundred meters away in the corresponding direction, were instantly struck by a heavy blow. They couldn't even react in time to dodge, and before they could utter a single scream, their bodies turned to dust.
This scene left the vast majority of those present wide-eyed and stunned. Although they knew there was a significant disparity in strength between themselves and the Tong Continent Great Emperor, they were still shocked by his power. To possess such destructive force with just a casual flick of a sleeve, without even having opened his Heaven, Earth, and Life Souls—to what astonishing degree would his destructive power reach if he truly became serious?
"Zhu Rong, Lu Wu, find every possible way to get them out, quick! ! !"
Old Master Wu was the first to react. While issuing orders to Zhu Rong and Lu Wu, he transformed into a surge of dense Yin Qi and charged towards the Tong Continent Great Emperor.
Zhu Rong understood Old Master Wu's painstaking efforts. She knew that Old Master Wu's current action was to buy them time with his life. If she didn't seize this opportunity, everything Old Master Wu did would be meaningless. So, she no longer hesitated, nor did she speak another unnecessary word, transforming her body into a surge of Yin Qi and shooting towards the distance.
"Everyone, follow me! ! !"
From amidst the violently churning Yin Qi came Zhu Rong's emotionless voice. Hearing her, the others followed closely behind Zhu Rong, Lu Wu included.
At this moment, Zhu Rong's spirits were extremely low. She knew that Old Master Wu's actions were nothing short of a suicide mission. Even if Old Master Wu now possessed a Ghost King's body, capable of coalescing and dispersing, he absolutely could not withstand the Tong Continent Great Emperor's assault. In her estimation, Old Master Wu would undoubtedly perish at the Tong Continent Great Emperor's hands within a few moves at most.
"Old Wu, rest in peace. I will soon join you!"
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