Chapter 452: Ambush During Escape
"Spatial Transfer!"
Seeing the warped spatial array in the sky and the group of Yuwen Tuo attempting to flee, Lin Langtian paused. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful gleam flashing in them.
Clearly, Yuwen Hao had realized the inevitable destruction of the Yuwen family and had thus set up a spatial array, intending to send his son away to preserve the Yuwen bloodline. Lin Langtian understood his intentions, but he remained indifferent. In his mind, the Yuwen family's demise was certain; even if a few escaped, they had no real chance of rebuilding the family. Not everyone had a "protagonist's aura" that would let them rise in the face of adversity.
Lin Langtian's thoughts, however, were focused on something else entirely. As far as he knew, the Stasis Divine Talisman was still in Yuwen Hao's possession. Yet during Yuwen Hao's intense battle with Jiang Shan, even when he was in a desperate situation, Yuwen Hao had never used the talisman, indicating it might not be on him.
As this idea took shape, Lin Langtian's gaze sharpened, fixing on the terrified young man in the sky, Yuwen Tuo. If the Stasis Divine Talisman wasn't with Yuwen Hao, there was only one likely possibility: Yuwen Tuo had it.
Aware that even with the talisman, he would struggle against Jiang Shan and Xu Lie's combined power, Yuwen Hao may have handed it to Yuwen Tuo as a means for the Yuwen family's future survival and potential resurgence. After all, the Stasis Divine Talisman ranked 13th on the Ancient Divine Artifacts list. Possessing it could allow the Yuwen family to regain a position of power.
Convinced of this possibility, Lin Langtian acted swiftly. A streak of silver light flashed from his hand, silently affixing itself to Yuwen Tuo. This was a mark from the Spatial Ancestral Talisman, allowing Lin Langtian to track them through space, even if the array succeeded in sending them far away.
"Trying to escape? It won't be that easy!"
Jiang Shan also realized Yuwen Hao's intentions and, with a cold snort, unleashed a powerful energy blast aimed straight at the spatial array. The Dark Tribunal was relentless, ensuring no loose ends were left behind. Although Yuwen Tuo himself posed no threat, he absolutely could not be allowed to escape.
The massive wave of energy tore toward the array, which would shatter instantly upon impact.
"Not on my watch!"
Yuwen Hao roared defiantly, throwing himself forward, prepared to sacrifice his life to defend the array. A golden battle spear materialized in his hand, its light growing fiercer as he spat blood onto the spear, infusing it with even greater energy.
With the last of his strength, Yuwen Hao charged forward, raising the blazing spear high before slashing through the air with the radiant "Golden Sun Strike," colliding directly with Jiang Shan's fearsome assault.
But despite his best efforts, Yuwen Hao was already badly injured. The Golden Sun Strike held for only an instant before shattering.
The overpowering strike continued, slamming into the spear and ringing out with a sharp metallic clang that echoed across the sky.
With a massive explosion, dark ripples spread outward, and the once-brilliant spear dulled, retracting back into Yuwen Hao's body in defeat.
Yuwen Hao staggered back, spewing blood as his face grew even paler. Despite wielding a powerful weapon, he was still no match for Jiang Shan.
"Father!"
From within the array, Yuwen Tuo's eyes filled with red, his face a mixture of terror and helpless fury as he watched his father fall.
"Have mercy, Jiang Shan! Isn't this punishment enough?" Yuwen Hao gasped, blood trickling down his chin.
"We do not show mercy to traitors! And that Stasis Divine Talisman… is it with your son?"
Jiang Shan's gaze hardened.
"Xu, stop the ritual! I'll keep Yuwen Hao busy," Jiang Shan ordered.
"Understood," Xu Lie replied.
With that, Xu Lie stepped forward, his hand gathering a dark beam of energy several hundred feet wide. The black energy shot toward the array with deadly precision.
The dark beam tore through the air with incredible speed, heading straight for the array. If it hit, the entire array would be obliterated instantly.
The beam neared in a flash. Within the array, Yuwen Tuo's face turned white with fear, realizing that not only was the array about to be destroyed, but he himself might not survive the blast.
Just as he thought all hope was lost, the spatial energy around him suddenly intensified. His body began to blur and twist as he was enveloped in silvery light.
Boom!
Yuwen Tuo's figure vanished into the warped space, followed quickly by his guards, all disappearing into the rift.
The onlookers watched, stunned, realizing that Yuwen Tuo and his group had escaped just in time.
"Hah! The heavens have spared my Yuwen family!" Yuwen Hao's relief was palpable as he exhaled, seeing his family's bloodline preserved.
Jiang Shan and Xu Lie, meanwhile, glowered. They hadn't anticipated Yuwen Hao managing to construct a teleportation array without anyone noticing. The escape of these few remnants was irritating, especially as the Stasis Divine Talisman was likely still with Yuwen Tuo.
"Yuwen Hao, you'll pay for this!"
Seeing the escape, Jiang Shan's expression darkened. He reached out, and his massive hand closed around Yuwen Hao like an iron vice.
Yuwen Hao, too weak to escape, felt Jiang Shan's crushing grip surround him, his immense power pressing down with unstoppable force.
Under the crushing weight of Jiang Shan's powerful assault, Yuwen Hao's body twisted, blood pouring from his pores, as if he were about to be reduced to a pulp.
"Ahhh!" The immense pain surged through him, forcing him to let out low growls of agony, and the blood streaming down his face made him look like a man encased in red. It seemed Jiang Shan, the Black Mountain General, was utterly enraged.
Without retrieving the Stasis Divine Talisman, even if he led the Tribunal Army to annihilate the Yuwen family, the mission would be seen as a failure. This was something Jiang Shan's pride could never allow.
Below, Lin Langtian watched Jiang Shan torturing Yuwen Hao without an ounce of sympathy. In this world, the victor reigns supreme. The Dark Temple's dominance over the Northern Profound Region came precisely because of their brutal ruthlessness.
However, Lin Langtian's attention was focused on the surviving remnants who had escaped. He was now almost certain that the Stasis Divine Talisman must be with Yuwen Tuo. Being Yuwen Hao's only and most beloved son, Yuwen Tuo had been the one Yuwen Hao had sacrificed his entire family to send away. The talisman, therefore, was very likely entrusted to him.
With this thought, Lin Langtian allowed himself a small sigh of relief. His foresight had proven valuable—he'd left a subtle mark from the Spatial Ancestral Talisman on Yuwen Tuo during the chaotic battle. Even if Jiang Shan couldn't track him, Lin Langtian could now locate Yuwen Tuo through that mark.
Taking this as a signal, Lin Langtian retreated to a hidden area, closed his eyes, and concentrated, focusing on the mark left by the Spatial Ancestral Talisman.
"Found him…" he murmured with satisfaction a moment later. A faint smile crossed his face as a vast surge of spiritual energy wrapped around him. The space around him distorted, and in an instant, Lin Langtian vanished, reappearing miles away.
…
Northern Profound Region – Boundless Mountains
In a secluded mountain range shrouded in mist, faint sounds of movement emerged as several figures appeared atop one of the peaks. Surveying the murky area around them, dense with natural toxins and energies, the young man leading the group frowned.
"Uncle Zhong, where are we?"
"This is the Boundless Mountains, Young Master Tuo," replied an older man beside him, loyal and composed. "Following the patriarch's orders, we must cross these mountains and make our way to the Eastern Profound Region, and from there on to the Chaotic Devil Sea. It's a place of disorder beyond the Dark Temple's influence, where we can start anew. You, Young Master, will be the new patriarch of the Yuwen family."
This man was Yuwen Zhong, a long-time servant adopted by the previous Yuwen family patriarch, and over the years, he had served the family with unshakable loyalty. Despite the Yuwen family's grim fate, his loyalty remained firm, dedicated to protecting Yuwen Tuo with the same steadfastness as ever.
"Leave the Northern Profound Region… to the Chaotic Devil Sea," Yuwen Tuo murmured, then looked to Zhong, fear clouding his pale face.
"Uncle Zhong… my father, the family… they're truly gone, aren't they?" he stammered.
In response, Zhong said nothing but lowered his head in silence. The Tribunal Army had mobilized an entire regiment against the Yuwen family—there was no way they could withstand such a force. Likely no one had survived, save for the few who had fled. The name of Yuwen would be erased from the Northern Profound Region.
Even in Zhong's silence, Yuwen Tuo understood the grim reality, his body sagging as despair filled his eyes. "Father… Mother… I'm so sorry…"
If it hadn't been for his careless slip about the talisman, the Dark Temple would never have attacked, and his family wouldn't have met this fate.
"Young Master Tuo, despair won't change anything now," Zhong said gently. "Your father sacrificed everything to save you. With you alive, the Yuwen family endures. Someday, fortune will change, and the Yuwen family will rise again. On that day, we'll bring justice to the Dark Temple."
These words seemed to strike a chord with Yuwen Tuo, and he gathered himself, nodding. "You're right, Uncle Zhong. My father saved me for a reason. I can't waste my life." His voice grew stronger. "I'll rebuild the Yuwen family, and someday, we'll make the Dark Temple pay!"
Gone was the young man's formerly arrogant demeanor, replaced with a look of determined hatred. Witnessing his family's destruction had transformed him.
Relieved to see this change, Zhong nodded. "The burden of reviving the family falls on you, Young Master. With my support and the Stasis Divine Talisman, we can establish ourselves in the Chaotic Devil Sea."
"Understood, Uncle Zhong. I won't let my father's sacrifice be in vain. With your help and the talisman, we'll restore the family," Yuwen Tuo vowed, his expression resolute.
"Remember, Young Master, we must be cautious. In the Eastern Profound Region or the Chaotic Devil Sea, we should avoid using the talisman carelessly. It could attract powerful enemies," Zhong cautioned.
"I understand," Yuwen Tuo replied solemnly. The lesson of the family's fall had taught him well.
Seeing his young master's resolve, Zhong smiled with pride. With Yuwen Tuo's renewed determination and the resources left by the family, they might indeed establish a new Yuwen family in the chaotic reaches of the Devil Sea.
"We should leave quickly," Zhong added, glancing at the dimming sky. "The Dark Temple's pursuers could find us at any moment."
"Yes, let's go," Yuwen Tuo agreed.
Yet, just as they were about to move, a faint, mocking voice came from behind a large tree nearby.
"Well, well… so the Stasis Divine Talisman is with you after all, Yuwen scum."
The sudden voice sent a chill through the group, and Zhong shouted, "Who's there?!"
A figure slowly emerged from behind the tree, his black robe and ghostly mask unmistakable. It was Lin Langtian.
Seeing the Tribunal uniform and the mask, Yuwen Tuo's newfound resolve wavered, his face draining of color as he muttered in terror, "The Tribunal Army!"
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