Chapter 587: Infighting

Chu State, a land that had been rent asunder just a moment ago, now fell into a dead silence.

Everyone’s gaze, without exception, turned to stare blankly at the Old Hall Master of the Azure Dragon Hall as he slowly rose from the mountainside, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Wen Yangxi was in a wretched state. Not only was he coughing up mouthfuls of fresh blood, but the right half of his body was shattered, revealing his mangled internal organs. Such injuries were fatal, even for a Golden Core True Master.

DOO—

True Essence materialized outside his body into a Spiritual Light Dharma Form, and the flute-like sound emanated from it.

His gaze toward Chen Che was filled with hatred.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Instantly, Meng Changtu, Meng Qianxun, Xiao Chan, Zhao Shifeng, and the other Golden Core Cultivators flickered, their Escape Lights streaking as they positioned themselves in front of Chen Che. Some crouched, some stood tall, some poised to lunge, and others focused their energy, Returning to the One. The rain of blood falling from the sky cast their auras in a grim, solemn light.

They blocked Wen Yangxi’s piercing gaze.

At the same time, the numerous Cultivators of Jinyun Valley all soared into the air, forming a sea of people behind Chen Che. The churning mass of figures was like a tidal wave, ready to surge forward at a moment’s notice.

A glance revealed that the forces of the White Tiger Hall and the Black Tortoise Hall were exhausted. The surprise and joy that had just appeared on their faces had turned to stunned disbelief.

They had expected reinforcements, not a half-dead Wen Yangxi!

“…”

Seeing this, a flicker of despair appeared in Wen Yangxi’s hate-filled eyes. He knew that even if he sacrificed the entire Azure Dragon Hall here, he might not be able to kill Chen Che. Moreover, they had lost the initiative, and with it, their advantage.

Torn between fighting to the death and retreating to fight another day, Wen Yangxi ultimately chose the latter.

He retracted his gaze, and with a thought, WHOOSH! Before everyone’s eyes, the Ming Snake Descendant flapped its wings, its body abruptly swerving as it flew directly away.

Wen Yangxi leaped onto its massive head and flew deep into Chu State without a backward glance, casting one last, profound look at Chen Che. At the same time, the Clawed Flood Dragon that had been facing off against the Little Chick immediately swung its body around and gave chase.

Everyone had been on guard for a last-ditch attack from Wen Yangxi, but seeing the two giant beasts flee, they instantly realized what was happening.

“The people from Mist Rain Tower are escaping!”

WHOOSH—

At the same time, the Mist Rain Tower Cultivators scattered throughout the mountains showed no desire to continue the fight.

They quickly retreated, some flying, some boarding Spiritual Boats, and others summoning Demon Beasts, all heading after Wen Yangxi without a backward glance. With even their Old Hall Master gone, they naturally had to leave as well.

“Damn it, don’t let them escape…!”

Seeing this, Duobao roared in anger. His Sword Pill unfurled, transforming into a streak of crimson light as he shot off in pursuit.

In fact, he wasn’t the only one.

The other Cultivators from the Star-Picking Sect and the Primordial Sect also roared as they gave chase. After suffering such a brutal ambush in Chu State for no clear reason, none of them could swallow their anger and let the enemy leave so easily.

Xiao Chan, Meng Qianxun, and the others started to give chase, but when they saw Chen Che standing his ground, they took two steps forward and quickly stopped.

DEE—

Just then, the flute-like sound suddenly grew frenetic.

The Demon Beasts that had been hovering in mid-air suddenly poured down like a flood released from a dam. The countless Demon Beasts rained down like a torrential storm, filling everyone’s vision.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

SHIIING!

The crimson stream of light that was Duobao shot forward, splitting the water like a drawn blade. It pierced straight through for a hundred li, instantly parting the tide of beasts. He was not alone; the streams of light from dozens of other Golden Core Cultivators followed close behind.

How could this tide of beasts, temporarily gathered by Wen Yangxi alone, possibly withstand the onslaught of so many Golden Core Cultivators?

It was like parting the clouds to see the clear sky; in the blink of an eye, Duobao caught sight of the Mist Rain Tower’s main force. The Escape Lights of the dozens of charging Golden Core Cultivators were like vicious dragons, preparing to sink their teeth into the tail of the Mist Rain Tower’s army.

However, at that very moment,

thirteen of the fleeing Mist Rain Tower Golden Core Cultivators suddenly stayed behind. They hovered above the jagged mountains, and as if they were mirror images of one another, they clapped their hands together in unison.

“Rise!”

BOOM—

Amidst the shouts,

a boundless pillar of light erupted from the lead mountain peak. The moment it appeared, it shot three thousand zhang into the sky. Simultaneously, pillars of light burst forth from the adjacent peaks as well.

Then, the thirteen pillars of light fanned out like a peacock’s tail, forming an enormous curtain of light that cut across this part of Chu State’s sky and earth.

DONG!

Less than half a breath after the light curtain formed, the crimson Escape Light Duobao was riding slammed into it with a thunderous crash.

Immediately after, dozens more Escape Lights crashed into it one after another.

A hurricane-force wind tore through the area, pulverizing mountains and trees. But the curtain of light remained completely motionless. It didn’t even ripple, its hardness unimaginable.

“What kind of Array is this?”

“We can’t break it?”

“The Thirteen Water Light Array… You can’t set up this Array in a short amount of time. Mist Rain Tower must have started laying this Array the moment they occupied Chu State, all to ensure a safe retreat.”

Jiang Shaotian stopped before the Grand Array, his hand stroking the curtain of light as he ground his teeth in hatred.

“They didn’t leave anyone behind to maintain the Array. This Grand Array can only last for three days at most…”

“Three days!”

Duobao’s eyes were bloodshot.

Through the curtain of light, Duobao could only watch helplessly as the Mist Rain Tower Cultivators moved further and further away.

Gone!?

They’re gone, just like that!?

He looked back at the devastation—at a Chu State where over seventy percent of the mountains had vanished. He saw the ground littered with flesh and blood, and the Demon Beasts, no longer controlled by the flute, scattering in every direction.

He saw the twenty-some Spiritual Boats that had been shot down, still burning, and the Cultivators crying out for help.

But when his gaze fell upon Chen Che, who had remained in place the entire time, his pent-up fury seemed to find an outlet.

“Chief Chen, why didn’t you give chase just now? You refused to fight! If we had managed to kill even one of their Golden Core Cultivators before they set up the Array, we could have taken out another twenty percent of Mist Rain Tower’s forces!”

Chen Che ignored him. He slowly turned, swept his gaze over the Cultivators behind him, and said, “Cultivators of Jinyun Valley and the Pill Hall, gather here. Saving our people is the priority. Those who still have strength, search for other survivors…”

“Yes, sir!”

The Jinyun Valley Cultivators were Chen Che’s private soldiers, so they naturally obeyed him. After glancing at Duobao, they immediately got to work.

The Pill Hall, too, had come to recognize Chen Che’s authority during his time as Chief. Without the slightest hesitation, they began searching for the others.

“Chen Che! I’m talking to you!”

Seeing that Chen Che was completely ignoring him, Duobao’s rage intensified. He took a step forward, his aura turning menacing as countless blood-red Flying Swords soared into the air with a series of metallic CLANGS.

Chen Che’s gaze sharpened. He turned to face him, his own Flying Swords surging forth as he spoke in an ice-cold, uncompromising tone:

“Duobao, say one more word, and I will kill you.”

‘Internal strife!’

Upon seeing this, the very same thought arose in the minds of everyone present.