The conversation over here had clearly been heard by the people on the Wanxiang Region side. Each of them felt a jolt in their hearts, secretly shocked. They had believed that with only a handful of people from the Danqian Palace, a successful breakthrough was utterly impossible.
Yet who could have expected that they had actually broken through! This had truly exceeded everyone's expectations.
In that moment, everyone on the Wanxiang Region side was filled with bitter regret. Shangren Tianming, in particular, wished he could slap his own face.
He and Dan Chi had been such close friends. At the critical moment, simply because he had hesitated and failed to heed his friend's advice, he had missed the chance to break through.
Now, with four Sovereign Realm powerhouses pinning them down, they were like turtles trapped in a jar. If they wanted to leave now, it would be nearly impossible.
Frustration, regret—all manner of emotions flooded through their hearts in that moment.
What shocked them even more was that the four sects of the Chiding Central Region had actually let someone slip through their encirclement? For them, this was an absolute humiliation.
With this, even if they annihilated everyone here, the battle would be far from perfect.
His Majesty had sent them to suppress the Wanxiang Grand Assembly. What did "suppress" mean? It meant leaving not a single survivor—total suppression.
If even one person slipped away, the job would be incomplete—let alone an entire group breaking through.
Returning like this, they would have no way to hold their heads high when reporting back.
For this operation, every Fourth-Rank Sect had been dispatched, each with their own assignment. Among them, there was clearly competition.
As a result, their merits would undoubtedly be greatly diminished!
The Bamboo Joint Sect, responsible for guarding the southeastern sector, bore the brunt and carried the greatest responsibility.
Sect Master Leng, with his green robes and green eyebrows, already had a dark complexion, but now it turned even more ominous. He stepped forward, his gaze dark as still water, and slowly swept it across the Wanxiang Region's ranks.
"Who wants to live?"
The question came out of nowhere. On the Wanxiang Region side, everyone stared at him in bewilderment. Under the pressure of a Sovereign Realm powerhouse's aura, many had gone pale as ashes, unsure what this Sovereign Realm expert would do next.
"There is only one slot, only one chance!"
Sect Master Leng held up a single finger. "Who will tell me—which sect was the one that escaped? Remember, the first person to answer will be spared!"
These words fell upon the ears of the Wanxiang Region crowd like a bolt from the blue. In that instant, quite a few hearts began to race.
Their eyes held a flicker of curiosity, clearly wondering whether the offer was genuine.
The instinct for survival drove some to stir restlessly.
"I'll give you five counts. Take the chance or lose it." Sect Master Leng spread all five fingers and began counting. "One, two, three..."
From within the crowd, heavy, ragged breathing could be heard without cease.
Clearly, many were on the verge of stepping forward to seize this chance of immunity.
After all, the disparity in this battle was too great. If they fought on, death was certain. This chance to be spared was, without question, extremely rare.
However, to step forward now would mean becoming a traitor to the Wanxiang Region—branded with that label for the rest of their lives.
"I'll tell! I know!"
Just as everyone was still torn, a figure suddenly leapt out from the crowd. It was none other than Wang Han of the Holy Sword Palace.
Wang Han wore a dark expression as he strode out from the ranks.
Within the Wanxiang Region, a roar of jeers erupted. Though many had been tempted to step forward, they were ultimately outdone by Wang Han's sheer shamelessness.
In an instant, jeering rose from all sides.
Most of it was contempt for Wang Han's cowardice and fear of death—his willingness to become a traitor. A smaller portion, however, regretted that Wang Han had snatched the spot before they could, kicking themselves for not acting sooner.
"What is your name?" Sect Master Leng regarded Wang Han with cold indifference.
"Reporting to my lord—this humble one is Wang Han, a disciple of the Holy Sword Palace. I have always held deep admiration for the mighty Chiding Central Region. Now that I finally have the chance to pay my respects in person, this lowly Wang Han begs for the Central Region's masters to take me in. Even if I must serve as an ox or a horse, it would be a hundred times more remarkable than staying in the Wanxiang Region—a place with no future whatsoever."
Wang Han's tone was measured, and though he was nervous, he steeled himself and pressed on.
In that moment, all four Sovereign Realm powerhouses were stunned.
Obviously, Wang Han's voluntary surrender was something they had not anticipated.
In their view, the Wanxiang Region and their Chiding Central Region were locked in irreconcilable enmity. How could something like this possibly happen?
The other three Sovereign Realm powerhouses wore amused smiles.
"Sect Master Leng, this kid surrenders of his own will—and his aptitude actually seems rather decent. Bringing him back, he might turn out to be a rough gem worth polishing."
"Heh heh, Sect Master Leng, this kid is more adaptable than all the rest. You can tell at a glance that his comprehension is exceptional—he's fine material indeed."
Sect Master Leng's expression shifted slightly as he studied Wang Han. Then he smiled faintly. "Speak. Which sect's people escaped first?"