But.
Yun Jin lasted far longer than Zhai Ge had imagined. She seemed able to predict every move of her opponents, always evading deadly attacks at the crucial moment.
Originally, they had thought that eight mid-stage Mahayana against a single Yun Jin would be a crushing battle. But now, she was actually holding them off.
Zhai Ge's expression turned cold. What they were doing now could not be revealed to the world. Since it could not be exposed, it needed to be resolved quickly. If the fight dragged on, who knew what changes might occur?
Zhai Ge suddenly shouted loudly, "Hall Master, they haven't even used full strength yet. You must hold them off. As soon as I am free, I will come to assist you."
The eight mid-stage Mahayana froze briefly.
"Attack with full strength," the Blood Demon said coldly.
Indeed, they had not yet unleashed their full power. The main reason: true full strength often came at a cost. They were unwilling to expend such deadly moves on someone they expected to die anyway.
But Yun Jin was… unusual.
If that was the case, even if it came at a price, the battle had to be finished quickly, leaving no chance for her to turn the tide.
The next moment.
Their assaults grew even more ferocious.
Yun Jin's gaze remained calm. In Super Insight mode, she was always at her most composed. Any thread of survival she could find, she would seize.
But.
Even she had her limits.
Yun Jin barely dodged a wave of attacks, then glanced at the battle below.
Mingxin Hall disciples and the Evil Dao practitioners were already engaged in fierce combat.
However.
The Evil Dao were too well-prepared. They converged from all directions, and in sheer numbers, they held the advantage. Their combat strength also seemed superior to ordinary Evil Dao practitioners.
More importantly.
The sect disciples, who made up the majority of Mingxin Hall, clearly were not putting in their full effort. With these factors combined, the disciples were at an absolute disadvantage.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes, her voice echoing across the sky: "All those with talismans, ignite them immediately and evacuate at once!"
The disciples looked up at her.
Yun Jin seemed calm, even confident.
"Hall Master!"
"We will not leave."
"Such brazen Evil Dao, we would rather fight to the death!"
Voices rang out.
Yun Jin's tone grew colder: "If you stay, you will only hold me back. Now, by the Hall Master's order, all disciples, evacuate immediately!"
Her command brooked no argument.
The disciples hesitated for a moment.
"Deacon Hong Ye is waiting for you. Leave quickly," Yun Jin said.
The loose cultivators exchanged glances.
Lin Feng took a deep breath. "The Hall Master must have her own plan. If we stay, we will distract her. Ignite the talismans and leave at once!"
The loose cultivators all nodded. They activated their talismans and disappeared swiftly.
Zhai Ge watched expressionlessly, not intervening. His magical artifact could create short-term spatial barriers. Such a method was reserved for the most critical moments. He had long known these loose cultivators carried talismans given by Yun Jin.
But he had never intended to retract them. Their departure was expected, and in fact, made his task easier. After the loose cultivators left, Yun Jin looked at those remaining.
None of the sect disciples attempted to leave. They no longer carried talismans.
Yun Jin paid them no mind, her gaze coldly meeting Zhai Ge's. "Vice Hall Master Zhai, those who needed to leave have gone. Perhaps you need no longer pretend?"
She smiled faintly: "These eight mid-stage Mahayana seem insufficient. Why not join in yourself?"
Yun Jin said it plainly.
Zhai Ge's expression shifted slightly, a look of shock on his face. "Hall Master, I do not understand what you mean."
Among the disciples below, some stirred uneasily.
What did the Hall Master mean?
Did Zhai Ge deliberately summon these Evil Dao?
No, impossible!
They had always lived in an ivory tower, perhaps a little spoiled and arrogant, but colluding with Evil Dao?
They had never considered such a thing.
Kong Huai stared at Zhai Ge intently.
Could it really be the Vice Hall Master?
If so…
Then the sect he belonged to may have participated in this plot to crush the Hall Master!
Kong Huai's heart trembled. He recalled when the sect elder left, specifically telling them not to worry, that Yun Jin would not stay proud for long.
So this was their method?
To eliminate Yun Jin, even colluding with Evil Dao?
No, it was impossible!
Yun Jin let out a light laugh. Tai'a Sword descended at a strange angle, instantly striking a mid-stage Mahayana's dantian. The man flinched and dodged, barely avoiding the vital point but still taking severe damage. In the same instant, Yun Jin was struck by the remaining Evil Dao.
A long scar appeared on her arm.
She licked her lips calmly: "Vice Hall Master Zhai, you may refuse to admit it, but eight mid-stage Mahayana alone are insufficient to hold me."
Yun Jin laughed lightly and suddenly leapt out of the battle circle, a talisman appearing in her hand: "This talisman contains a sword energy of my master, Ji Wusi. Once released, one of you will die. Who shall I use it on first?"
Her smile was dazzling.
The eight mid-stage Mahayana hesitated, uncertain.
They all wanted Yun Jin dead.
They knew this talisman was her last means of survival.
But how many of these talismans did she have?
Moreover, as Yun Jin said, it was Ji Wusi's sword energy.
Whoever it struck would die instantly!
They did not want to die.
Yun Jin glanced at Zhai Ge with a smile: "Vice Hall Master Zhai, they are all afraid to move. What should we do? Perhaps you should make the decision for them."
Zhai Ge's expression darkened.
After a long pause, he said slowly, "Hall Master, you jest. How could these Evil Dao follow my command? However, this talisman of yours is rare. Even Ji Wusi would expend great effort to create one. Lord Ji still has to contend with many demons and cannot spare much. This must be the only talisman. Though there is only one, it is enough to eliminate one opponent. We just need to stall a little longer, and reinforcements might arrive. Once this difficulty is passed, with your growth, even if these Evil Dao escape, they will eventually be wiped out by you."
Yun Jin remained smiling.
Below, the expressions of some sect disciples shifted slightly.
Zhai Ge's words seemed to praise Yun Jin.
But two points were clear: first, she only had one talisman; second, a warning—if she survived, they would be the ones to die. It was forcing the Evil Dao to gamble everything.
Kong Huai lowered his head, clenching his fists slightly. He still tried to deceive himself. But it seemed some illusions could no longer be maintained.