"Hall Master Yun really is extraordinary," Zhai Ge said with a light laugh. "Then let us continue."
With that, his next attack locked onto the third person who had stepped forward.
His intention was clear. As long as Yun Jin wanted to save others, she would have to endure attack after attack. Previously, she had dodged and their strikes had often missed. Now, to protect others, she had no choice but to take them head-on. Was this not far more efficient than before?
Zhai Ge attacked the next person without restraint.
Yun Jin remained silent, blocking the strike once again.
"Hall Master…"
Watching Yun Jin grow weaker with each moment, the expressions of the onlookers changed. If it were not for them, she would not be struggling like this. She could have… waited for reinforcements. She could have survived.
But like this, she would die.
She would truly die.
"Yun Jin, you can endure more than I expected," Zhai Ge sneered. "Let's see exactly how many times you can take it."
Yun Jin took another hit. This time, she was clearly reaching her limit. Her whole body wobbled, and she dropped to one knee, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
She was close to collapsing.
"Attack with everything! Focus on that disciple! Yun Jin is about to collapse!" Zhai Ge shouted.
A torrent of attacks rained down. Yun Jin stood there, forcing herself to absorb them. She could not retreat. Not even a single step.
Watching Yun Jin struggle to hold on, a few of the onlookers felt their eyes sting. They had wanted to help, but instead they had become her burden. At this rate…
The Hall Master might truly die because of them.
Jiang Siwei watched as Yun Jin once again planted herself in front of a disciple. A flicker of confusion appeared in her eyes. Originally, she had been certain that her sole goal was to ascend, and nothing else could sway her.
Yet now…
She inexplicably blocked Kong Huai, fighting alongside him. This was the dumbest thing she had ever done. If she had some previous advantage, it could at least be traced, because she had indeed been favored unfairly.
But Yun Jin?
They were strangers. She had a bright future. What reason could she have to risk her life for them?
Jiang Siwei forced herself to remain calm. She asked herself: Even if Yun Jin died, could they survive?
The answer was no.
If Yun Jin fell, they would still be doomed. Zhai Ge would never let them live, not while he covered his crimes.
So…
Today was a dead end.
They were too weak. Even the slightest strike from Zhai Ge could cost them their lives.
But Yun Jin…
If she were not burdened by them, she might still have a chance to survive.
Jiang Siwei looked at Kong Huai calmly. "I have a secret technique. For a short time, it can break the restriction and allow us to mobilize a small amount of spiritual energy."
Kong Huai paused. "But what can such a small amount of power do?"
They were too weak.
And weakness was their original sin.
Jiang Siwei looked at him steadily. Slowly, she said: "It can… end our lives."
Kong Huai froze.
End… their lives?
Yes. With such little spiritual energy, they could harm no one, only themselves. While Zhai Ge focused on Yun Jin, the only thing they could do was end their own lives. Only then could Yun Jin be free from their burden, only then could she have a chance to survive.
At that moment, Kong Huai did not hesitate. He whispered, "Understood."
Jiang Siwei's expression remained unmoved. "Secretly inform those nearby. Whoever is willing, join us in death."
Death.
This was the only thing she could do for Yun Jin.
Kong Huai nodded.
They quickly relayed Jiang Siwei's plan to those around them.
At this moment…
Yun Jin was exhausted, the last arrow pulled taut. Everyone waited for her death, their gaze fixed entirely on her.
No one noticed Jiang Siwei's quiet maneuver.
Soon…
The plan spread. One by one, everyone knew.
No one refused. Determination appeared on their faces. This time, there was no escaping. Yun Jin could sacrifice herself to save them. They could also sacrifice themselves to free her from restraint.
"Your spiritual energy lasts only an instant. Pay attention to how your body reacts," Jiang Siwei instructed calmly.
Everyone memorized it.
The next moment…
A faint cyan light shimmered from Jiang Siwei's hand. Instantly, the spiritual energy that had been suppressed returned, just a trace.
This was what Jiang Siwei called the only hope. Without hesitation, they directed the remaining energy straight into their dantian.
The moment Jiang Siwei gathered wood-element spiritual energy, Yun Jin sensed it. She looked back, struggling to focus, and her pupils shrank in shock. These people… what were they doing?
Kong Huai spoke: "Hall Master, as it is said, clear water washes the head, turbid water washes the feet. Now, I make my choice."
His voice was hoarse, his gaze slowly losing focus.
Jiang Siwei closed her eyes, expression indifferent. She did not wish to waste words. She did not even understand why she made this choice. But a choice was made, and there was no room for regret.
Yun Jin stared, dazed, at the calm faces.
These were the same people she had scolded publicly as worthless.
Selfish, despicable.
Yet now…
They chose to end their own lives.
She knew exactly why.
And yet, Yun Jin could not accept it.
Why?
Why would they do this?
Kong Huai… Jiang Siwei…
The life force in their bodies was slowly ebbing away.
They were dying.
They never expected to survive.
"What nonsense, a group of useless pests," Zhai Ge cursed furiously, increasing the intensity of his attack.
Yun Jin did not move. She no longer needed to force herself to endure, she could have dodged.
Yet she remained still.
She simply watched them quietly.
Back in the capital of the Canglan Kingdom, she had once promised herself never to be powerless again. There is a saying that in life, things rarely go as planned.
But…
Yun Jin would not accept failure. She would insist on perfection.
She did not dodge. A flicker of delight appeared on Zhai Ge's face.
This Yun Jin was dazed at a moment like this. Perfect. Let her die.
The fierce attacks struck Yun Jin.
The next moment…
She would be completely overwhelmed.
Suddenly…
A wall of wood-element spiritual energy rose before her.
It extended outward, enclosing Yun Jin and those behind her within it.