The moment Wei Wuying spoke those words, every member of the Xiaoyao Sect's face changed. They were all sharp-minded people, and Wei Wuying's statement was practically an admission that they were surrounded.
In an instant, the Xiaoyao Sect — from top to bottom — was struck with pale-faced shock.
Over on the Beiming Sect's side, every one of them stared at Shangren Tianming, obviously hoping to read some clue on their sect master's face.
Shangren Tianming's lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Xiang Wentian.
As the strongest cultivator in the Myriad Phenomena Territory, Xiang Wentian's instincts were naturally razor-sharp. Judging by Dan Chi's frantic haste, Xiang Wentian already believed him six or seven parts out of ten.
He was about to speak when, suddenly, several figures appeared on the roadside to the west.
These figures moved at incredible speed, and they were in a wretched state, hurtling toward the group in a desperate dash.
Everyone squinted for a closer look — they were people from the Sacred Sword Palace.
The one leading them was none other than the Sacred Sword Palace Master, Wang Jianyu. At this moment his hair hung loose and wild, his face caked with blood and grime. Several wounds gaped on his chest and thigh, making him look utterly wretched.
Behind him trailed a few others — all peak-power elders of the Sacred Sword Palace, including Wang Han, the palace's foremost genius.
The Sacred Sword Palace had brought over a hundred people here. Now only seven or eight remained. Every one of them was wounded, some lightly, some grievously — all clearly bearing the marks of a brutal fight.
The sight left everyone dumbstruck.
"Wang Jianyu — didn't you head back to the Sacred Sword Palace?" Xiang Wentian asked with a frown.
Wang Jianyu could only taste bitterness in his mouth. If he had simply left and returned to the Sacred Sword Palace when he had the chance, perhaps none of this disaster would have befallen him.
His mistake was that they hadn't left at all. Instead, they had lurked in hiding, intending to ambush and strike at the Dan Qian Palace people once they came out.
But shortly after they had settled into position, they were suddenly assaulted by an unknown force — a sudden attack that came out of absolutely nowhere.
Even with Wang Jianyu personally commanding the defense, there was no stopping it.
The Sacred Sword Palace members had been cut down like wheat before a scythe, their lives reaped one after another.
The survivors were all Spirit Realm cultivators. Under Wang Jianyu's protection as Palace Master, they had pooled their strongest power and barely carved out a bloody path, allowing them to fight their way back here.
The rest of the Sacred Sword Palace disciples had been virtually slaughtered to the last.
"Head back to the Sacred Sword Palace?" Wang Jianyu laughed like a madman. "As if we could ever go back!"
His tone was manic, laced with venomous hatred. His gaze swept across the gathered crowd as he shouted, "Where are the Dan Qian Palace people? Did they slip away?"
"Wang Jianyu — I'm asking you a question. Why are you bringing up the Dan Qian Palace? Look at the state you're in. Don't tell me you still want to pick a fight with them?" Wei Wuying of the Xiaoyao Sect said curtly.
Wang Jianyu flew into a rage. "You fools! Can't you see what's happening even now? None of us are getting out! The perimeter is sealed! We barely fought our way in — everyone else is dead!"
"What?"
"That can't be! The Sacred Sword Palace brought a huge force this time!"
"Believe it or not — it doesn't matter! Numbers are useless! The enemy is stronger than the Sacred Sword Palace, and we've been completely wiped out. You're next!"
Wang Jianyu laughed wildly, pointing at the crowd. "Weren't you all being such good people? Defending the Dan Qian Palace? Well, how about now? The Dan Qian Palace must have used some excuse to slip away! Now do you believe that the Dan Qian Palace colluded with outsiders?"
It was clear just how deep Wang Jianyu's hatred for the Dan Qian Palace ran. Even at a time like this, he still wanted to drag them down into the mire.
Shangren Tianming frowned. "Wang Jianyu, if you have something to say, say it — but stop pulling unrelated names into this. Just a moment ago, Brother Dan Chi was trying to convince everyone to leave. It's just that none of you believed him."
As he said this, Shangren Tianming felt a sudden twinge of regret. He had been convinced all along that Dan Chi had been misled by that mysterious person's rumors, that it was all sensationalist fearmongering.
But now it seemed that Dan Chi had gambled correctly after all.
"Sect Master, Palace Master Dan Chi said there was one quarter of an hour — there should still be a little time."
Shangren Tianming's aged face twitched continuously. "It's too late. It's too late. The enemy is already here!"
Xiang Wentian suddenly bellowed, "Everyone, stay calm! Sacred Hall personnel, prepare defensive formations — ready for battle!"
After all, these were well-trained Fourth-Rank sects. In short order, the Great Sacred Hall members began setting up their defenses with methodical discipline.
"Xiaoyao Sect — heed my command! Activate the Myriad Venom Xiaoyao Grand Formation and coordinate with the Great Sacred Hall's defensive system!"
Shangren Tianming also issued his orders: "Everyone, assemble! Deploy the Beiming Heavenly Sea Formation!"
But Wang Jianyu, his eyes bloodshot, burst into crazed laughter. "It's useless. It's all futile. This time, we're all finished — hahaha, every last one of us!"
Wang Jianyu had suffered a catastrophic shock, and his mind had snapped. He had entered a state of violent, uncontrollable frenzy.
"Wang Jianyu — either lend a hand like a sane person, or get the hell out of the way," Xiang Wentian snapped, his patience at its end.
He too was beginning to regret not listening to Dan Chi earlier — not retreating alongside the Dan Qian Palace.
A retreat might not have guaranteed they'd break through the encirclement, but it would still have been better than staying put and meeting the enemy head-on. Once they dug in here to defend, there would be no path of retreat. Either they held the line — or they fought to the death.