Chapter 272: Xuan Zi's Strategic Retreat
"That's right." Ye Yulin nodded firmly, his expression growing even more serious. "Just now, while patrolling from above, I noticed a suspicious figure lurking atop that mountain ahead. I have every reason to believe that this person has ill intentions."
After his martial soul's second awakening, Ye Yulin's vision had greatly improved. Even distant objects appeared crystal clear, and with the aid of soul tool telescopes, he could see even farther.
Ye Yulin was highly invested in protecting the Sun Moon exchange students.
These students were the future elites of the empire, and once they matured, they would significantly strengthen the nation's forces.
Who knew?
Among them, there might even be a student worthy of becoming his disciple.
If he found such a student, he could pass down his knowledge, ensuring that his skills and legacy continued for generations.
Jing Hongchen clenched his fists upon hearing this.
"This mountain pass is a critical location on our return route from Maple Leaf City to the Sun Moon Empire.
If someone set up an ambush here, it would make perfect sense.
If I were planning an attack, I'd choose this spot too."
Jing Hongchen's brows furrowed deeper.
"But… who could it be?"
The Sun Moon Empire had many enemies.
Which faction had sent this person?
The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.
Turning to Ye Yulin, he said, "Prepare yourself. You and the two elders stay ready, and have the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Battalion on high alert.
If possible, capture this intruder alive.
If not, ensure the students' safety until reinforcements arrive."
He worried that this might be an Extremity Douluo from a hidden sect.
Such individuals were known for their unpredictable temperaments.
And an Extremity Douluo was no ordinary foe.
Even on the entire Douluo Continent, there were very few at this level.
The requirements to reach this stage were immensely strict, and only a handful had ever achieved it.
The Sun Moon Empire, since its founding, had never produced an Extremity Douluo.
Even though the Holy Spirit Cult had some, they were not truly part of the empire they were merely allies of convenience.
If the enemy was indeed an Extremity Douluo, their entire group would be at a disadvantage.
"Understood." Ye Yulin nodded, though his expression remained grim.
"The two elders and the Evil Monarch Battalion are already positioned above.
Step back.
We don't want you caught in the crossfire."
"Alright."
Jing Hongchen didn't hesitate he immediately led the students back to a safer distance.
Meanwhile, Ye Yulin quickly coordinated with the others, giving instructions before moving in on the mysterious enemy.
"In battle, the first strike often decides victory."
Xuan Zi Notices Something Is Wrong
From his vantage point, Xuan Zi noticed that the Sun Moon students were falling back.
"Strange… why are they retreating?"
Normally, in a situation like this, they should be rushing toward the empire as quickly as possible.
But instead…
It was as if they sensed a great danger ahead.
Xuan Zi frowned.
"Could it be that they already know about my ambush?"
"Impossible. The only person I told was Yan Shaozhe and there's no way he'd betray me."
Just then, Xuan Zi caught a flicker of gold and silver light.
His expression darkened immediately.
"Not good I've been discovered!"
"That's the Sun Moon Divine Needle a weapon designed by Ye Yulin. If that's here, it means Ye Yulin himself is here too!"
Retreat.
Xuan Zi knew that going head to head with Ye Yulin was not an option.
Without hesitation, he activated his flying soul tool and soared into the sky, quickly escaping the mountain's range.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted behind him.
A golden silver beam tore through the mountain, shaving half of it away.
Dust clouds billowed, and rocks were hurled into the air by the sheer force of the blast.
Had Xuan Zi reacted even a second later, he would have been caught in the destruction.
As he escaped the blast radius, a deep voice rang out from the sky.
*"A man with such skill is rare.
Who are you?"*
Ye Yulin had arrived.
Behind him, the two elders and the Evil Monarch Battalion had fully encircled Xuan Zi.
All eyes were locked on him, filled with suspicion.
Xuan Zi Decides to Retreat Completely
Seeing his situation, Xuan Zi knew:
"My entire plan has failed."
He couldn't unleash his full strength without exposing his identity.
And if he couldn't go all out, there was no way he could defeat them all.
Without hesitation, Xuan Zi waved the two black flags in his hands.
The Saint Spirit Banners trembled, unleashing a swarm of vengeful beast souls into the air.
The atmosphere turned ice cold.
The beast souls shrieked, surging toward Ye Yulin's group.
Xuan Zi didn't feel any guilt about using these spirits.
They were just soul beasts, after all.
If they had been human souls, he might have hesitated.
But against soul beasts?
"Humans and soul beasts have always been mortal enemies."
Ye Yulin's Response
Ye Yulin's face twisted in anger.
"An evil soul master?!"
His killing intent surged.
*"If that's the case, you must die!
Evil soul masters are monsters they must be eradicated!"*
"Attack!"
In an instant, his group unleashed a storm of attacks.
Soul rings flashed, and energy blasts erupted through the air.
The vengeful spirits were instantly obliterated.
Xuan Zi engaged in battle, but as the fight dragged on, he realized…
"I have no choice but to go all out."
"If I keep holding back, I might actually die here."
Shifting Focus: Bei Bei's Growing Unease
Far away, Bei Bei looked up at the sky.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, heavy and oppressive.
*"Looks like it's going to rain soon.
I wonder what the weather is like where Xiao Ya is…"*
His expression darkened.
"Xiao Ya… where are you?"
Then, he noticed something strange.
The clouds were moving too fast.
No matter where their group went, the storm seemed to follow them.
As if…
It was chasing them.
At that moment, a deep, authoritative voice boomed from within the clouds.
*"Yan Shaozhe…
It's been years since we last met…
I never expected you to become the Martial Soul Department's Dean."*
Suddenly, the storm clouds began to change shape.
(End of chapter.)
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