Chapter 1257: Ending the Farce

Chapter 1257: Chapter 1257: Ending the Farce

Although Pei Yan was quite troubled by the Bureau of Investigation’s performance this time, he showed no intention of blaming them. Firstly, Mei Simiao’s statement was truthful—the short time available had already consumed everyone’s time and energy to elevate their strength to the current level. More importantly, the Bureau’s agents usually handle small-scale conflicts, cross-dimensional incidents, and cases involving supernatural powers. Their combat scope is typically squad-sized. This kind of confrontation between two armies is outside the Bureau’s domain, and the current situation forced them into action, which makes it difficult for them.

"I understand! But this situation still needs improvement. Each of our supernatural beings is precious. In the upcoming battle, if possible, I definitely don’t want our people to just deplete their forces against an army like that. However, to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, we have to prepare in this area. I plan to find some arrays for joint attacks. If you could provide me with a detailed list of supernatural abilities from the Bureau, I can use artificial intelligence to screen out the most suitable combat strategies for our Bureau, then forward them to you for enhanced training based on the plan. What do you think?" Pei Yan suggested to Mei Simiao.

Logically speaking, the supernatural abilities of all the Bureau’s agents are confidential and not meant to be reviewed by any single individual. However, given the special circumstances and Pei Yan having fully gained the trust of the Bureau, his identity as the Team Captain includes boosting the Bureau’s combat power as part of his duties. Thus, Mei Simiao agreed without hesitation and promised to send the information over once the matter was complete.

Seeing the message he hoped for and the exposure of the team’s weaknesses, further fighting would be pointless before casualties occurred among his own people, so Pei Yan decided to end this farce.

Determined, he floated towards the enemy ranks, followed closely by a multitude of experts. With their participation, the stalemate quickly shifted, tilting the balance decisively in favor of the Divine Martial Guard.

Even with just one or two Tier Nine experts facing an attack from over three thousand Tier Six or Seven cultivators, they could only afford to avoid the confrontation. However, now, aside from Gu Shenghui, including Hu Jiu, there were six Children of Origin and more than thirty Tier Nine experts attacking together. The Immortal Palace disciples had been resisting stubbornly just moments before but suddenly felt the source energy around them uncontrollably turning against them, hampering their attacks while simultaneously subjecting them to massive pressure akin to a mountain upon them.

Meanwhile, Zheng Jia Ru and other close-combat specialists rushed into the enemy ranks, joining Hu Jiu in the assault. These individuals were already far superior to the Immortal Palace disciples, and now with the adverse abilities bearing down on the opponent, their effectiveness greatly diminished. Hence, wherever Zheng Jia Ru and Hu Jiu went, there was hardly an opponent to stand against them. Fortunately, under Pei Yan’s implication, they merely subdued without resorting to a massacre. Otherwise, the Forbidden Guard Office might have been flooded with blood.

Nevertheless, no one could guarantee pinpoint precision every time they struck. In the chaos, many disciples were severely injured or killed. The slaughter akin to wolves amongst sheep, combined with the Divine Martial Guard and the investigative group coalition’s assault, swiftly broke the Immortal Palace disciples’ resolve to resist.

"Immortal Palace disciples! This is your last chance. Obey the Spirit Lord’s orders and cease resistance, or face extermination!"

Listening to Pei Yan’s last warning, akin to a deity hovering in mid-air exerting control over the source energy below, suppressing the entire scene: examining their moaning comrades lying around and the retreating fellow disciples behind, those with resistance left exchanged glances. Ultimately, in sheer helplessness, they chose to lay down their weapons and magical treasures, opting to surrender to save their lives.

Thus, the battle officially ended as the Immortal Palace disciples ceased resisting. The Divine Martial Guard soldiers rushed in; they treated the disciples much less cordially than during the prior standoff. The Divine Martial Guard sustained losses during the clash, with over forty casualties not counting the injured. Now, with the opposition subdued, driven by new grudges and old grievances, the soldiers were noticeably harsher, kicking down the stubborn disciples, sealing their meridians, and deploying the Immortal Binding Rope to subdue them. Anyone slightly disrespectful was met with a rifle butt to the head, beaten nearly half-dead, and bound afterward.

"You Immortal Palace disciples are too audacious. The Embroidered Robe Envoy and the Divine Martial Guard Grand General plus the Spirit Lord personally issued orders, aren’t you listening? Do you intend to defy the heavens? Aware only of your sect, ignorant of the Spirit Lord! Today I’ll teach you a lesson and make you realize who truly reigns in this Daoist Realm and understand whose grace grants you your status!"

Pei Yan stood above the ruined Immortal Palace Guard’s streets, sternly rebuking them. The Immortal Palace’s disciples fell silent, not daring to refute. As he spoke, Pei Yan gestured behind him, immediately bringing in the captured Elder Chao from the Infinite Thunder Sect. Pei Yan pointed at him and said, "Don’t give me the excuse that you were worried about the Spirit Lord’s safety. You all know that if such matters truly occurred, the Immortal Palace would already be engulfed in turmoil! Look around, besides you ignorant fools, is there any conflict erupting inside or outside the Immortal Palace? The Mo Sect Elder’s persuasion fell on deaf ears. Yet here stands an Elder from the Infinite Thunder Sect; let me be clear: he merely questioned the Spirit Lord’s orders and this was his fate. Let him inform you of the right course of action now! Elder Chao, say a few words to your disciples."

"All, all Infinite Thunder Sect disciples heed the order, strictly obey the Spirit Lord’s directive, return to your residences, stay put, and await punitive measures." Chao Zimin harbored deep resentment towards Pei Yan, and certainly wouldn’t want to yield to him on his own accord. But he understood that failing to comply might not only cost his life but also consign his disciples alongside him as sacrifices. For the sake of himself and the sect, he had no choice but to cooperate.

Under immense pressure compounded by the orders from two sect elders, the disciples who had been observing immediately returned to their sect areas, quietly awaiting the outcome. Meanwhile, those captured wore expressions of despair, readying themselves for their eventual fate.

"According to your Spirit Lord’s command, you ought to be executed on the spot! But as I am not part of your Immortal Palace, and considering some were misled into involvement, the decision on your fates will still be left to the Spirit Lord afterwards." Now that Lin Ruxue’s objective to purge the Immortal Palace through Pei Yan had been achieved, Pei Yan chose to leave some room for resolution between himself and the Immortal Palace.