The few from the War God Hall were blocked and unable to go support Xia Bin. While fighting, they tried to persuade—even threaten—their opponents.
Xu Lin and the others remained unmoved. No matter what was said, they would not let them pass.
Both sides held back somewhat in their clash. Neither intended to kill; they were wary of each other's identities and left room for retreat.
With no one to support him, Xia Bin quickly fell into a disadvantage. He was no match for Xiong Jun after his bloodline had been stimulated.
Scratches spread across Xia Bin's four-word battle armor. The dark-gold claws left him in a miserable state—he didn't dare clash head-on at all.
He was stronger than Guan Yue, the second-in-command of the War God Hall, a demigod with the potential to one day reach Quasi-God rank.
But as a beast-spirit master who relied primarily on physical combat, he was severely disadvantaged against Xiong Jun's terrifying claws.
Though stronger than Guan Yue, he fared even worse against Xiong Jun.
Of course, this was also because Xiong Jun was now at peak Quasi-God level—far surpassing the power of a demigod.
On the other side, after taking the Bloodline Pill, the Myriad Demon King's strength had also risen to the Quasi-God level, though not yet peak.
His bloodline was inferior to Xiong Jun's, so the pill's effect being weaker was only natural.
Even before this, he had already held a slight advantage over Zang Xin. Now, having reached mid-stage Quasi-God cultivation, he completely suppressed him.
After the previous fighting, Zang Xin had little strength left. Facing the Myriad Demon King in this state, he was utterly powerless.
"Ahhh—!"
Zang Xin cried out in pain as a thick tree branch pierced through his left shoulder, blood pouring out.
The Myriad Demon King flicked his arm. The branch trembled violently, power erupting and shattering Zang Xin's left arm completely.
Zang Xin was blasted sideways. The agony of losing his arm twisted his face; his complexion turned deathly pale.
Vines surged toward him from all directions, forming a withered-wood cage that trapped him within.
"Life-Reaping Ghost Thorns!"
The Myriad Demon King activated another of his innate abilities.
Ten branches materialized before him and shot toward Zang Xin, their tips sharp as spears and brimming with lethal force.
Zang Xin sensed the deadly crisis and tried to dodge—but his weakened body failed him.
The branches pierced through his chest, abdomen, and throat.
His body trembled once.
His expression froze—filled with unwillingness.
Zang Xin, Passion Douluo, one of the two sect masters of Tang Sect and a demigod powerhouse, fell.
Yu Guanzhi opened his mouth, intending to stop it—but no sound came out. He could only watch as Zang Xin was slain.
After killing Zang Xin, the Myriad Demon King scanned the battlefield before flying toward where Lin Yi and Long Yeyue were fighting.
Yun Ming was harder to deal with. Even in his heavily injured state, he still gave off an extremely dangerous aura.
Better to handle the easier target first—kill that woman, then assist Lin Yi.
Lin Yi had no desire for help. He alone could kill Long Yeyue.
But Yun Ze had already ordered a swift resolution. With assistance, things would proceed faster, so he did not refuse.
With Lin Yi and the Myriad Demon King attacking simultaneously, the already heavily wounded Long Yeyue fell into even greater peril.
"Haha! Good! A fine death indeed!"
Watching from a hidden space, Qian Gu Dongfeng burst into laughter.
He had not appeared before the others, choosing instead to observe in secret, hoping to act as the oriole behind the mantis and perhaps reap some benefit.
Originally, he had intended to intercept and assassinate the fleeing Yun Ming and Zang Xin midway. Now, that seemed unnecessary.
While praising the strength of the Dragon-Phoenix Hall, he also felt wary. Their power had exceeded his expectations.
"My teacher is calling," Gu Yuena said to Yun Ze.
"See what she wants," Yun Ze replied.
Gu Yuena answered. Leng Yaozhu's anxious voice came through immediately:
"Nana, you must not kill Yun Ming! I'm begging you—please don't kill him!"
Gu Yuena frowned, exchanging a questioning glance with Yun Ze.
The phone volume was high enough for Yun Ze to hear. He shook his head slightly.
Let Yun Ming go?
Impossible.
Of everyone present, Yun Ming was the one who absolutely could not be spared. He had to die today.
Gu Yuena hesitated, carefully considering how to respond in a way her teacher could accept.
"Nana, can you hear me?" Leng Yaozhu asked urgently. Watching the live broadcast, she was frantic.
She had been in Mingdu yesterday but left early this morning for Xingluo City to assist in investigating a council member's death.
Upon arriving and learning of this event, she immediately called Gu Yuena to save Yun Ming.
"Teacher, I hear you. But I can't do that. Yun Ming is someone the Dragon-Phoenix Hall must kill."
Gu Yuena chose honesty. There was no gentle way to phrase it.
"No—!"
Leng Yaozhu cried out. The usually composed powerhouse lost her poise completely. Only on the matter of Yun Ming would she become so uncharacteristically emotional.
After ending the call, Gu Yuena sighed softly.
After this, her teacher-disciple bond with Leng Yaozhu would likely come to an end.
"I never expected my teacher to have such deep feelings for Yun Ming…" she murmured helplessly.
If not for this call, she would never have known of their emotional entanglement.
Yun Ze chuckled softly.
Plans never unfold exactly as expected.
After Yun Ming's death, how would Leng Yaozhu view the Dragon-Phoenix Hall?
If she chose to become their enemy, so be it.
"Sister Yue! Brother Ming! Leave quickly! If you stay, you'll die too!"
Yali's voice rang out, choked with sobs.
Guan Yue and Zang Xin's deaths had shaken her deeply. She feared Long Yeyue and Yun Ming would follow.
"I'm not leaving! At worst, I die today! We of Shrek have never feared death!"
Long Yeyue roared.
The headband of her battle armor had been destroyed. Her long black-and-white hair whipped in the wind.
She was furious, resolute in her willingness to die.
Her armor was shattered in many places, nearly ruined. A tree branch had pierced her abdomen, leaving a horrifying blood hole.
"Members of the Dragon-Phoenix Hall, Long Yeyue is under the protection of Federation Three-Star General Chen Xinjie."
"I hope you will show mercy. If something happens to her, Chen Xinjie may go mad—and when that happens, who knows what he might do."
Yu Guanzhi spoke urgently.
Others he could ignore, but Long Yeyue had to be protected.
She was Chen Xinjie's former lover.
"Chen Xinjie is commander of the Sea God Legion. His strength rivals Yun Ming's, and he has a violent temper," Gu Ming added, clearly addressing Yun Ze and the others.
If possible, he did not want the Dragon-Phoenix Hall to provoke Chen Xinjie.
As for the past between Chen Xinjie and Long Yeyue, he didn't know the details—only that it piqued his curiosity.
The Myriad Demon King and Lin Yi both subconsciously looked toward Yun Ze.
Kill—or spare?
The decision rested with him.
(End of Chapter)