63 Chapter 1220: Listen to Me (2/2)
”Since I'll face death regardless of whether I help you or not, tell me, why should I free you?” Zhang Xuan shook his head.
Vicious harrumphed coldly. ”You don't have any choice in this matter. If you want to see all of the master teachers and combat masters who have accompanied you here dying before your eyes… feel free to turn me down!”
Following which, the black hole suddenly stirred, and a screen appeared.
It was Hall Master Xing and the others.
At this moment, they were still surrounded by countless Soulless Metal Humanoids. Those guarding the outer perimeter—Division Head Wei, Division Head Liao, and the others—had already sustained considerably injuries, and they seemed to be drained as well.
They had been chosen to participate in this expedition for the superior strength they possessed compared to their peers, but against so many puppets who felt neither pain nor exhaustion, it was inevitable that they were eventually worn down.
Hu!
At this moment, a mechanism suddenly whirred into action within the room, and a figure slowly walked out, heading toward Hall Master Xing and the others.
The figure was a Soulless Metal Humanoid as well, but it wielded strength far greater than the others in the room. Astonishingly, it was a Leaving Aperture realm intermediate stage puppet! Powerful zhenqi burst from its acupoints, seemingly flaunting the superior strength that it wielded.
”Your comrades already have their hands full dealing with the other Soulless Metal Humanoids. If I make a move as well, how many of them do you think will remain alive at the end of this?” The pair of eyes continued staring intently at Zhang Xuan, as if peering right into his thoughts, as it sneered coldly. ”You don't have much time left to make your decision.”
Following which, the Soulless Metal Humanoid on the screen dashed right into Hall Master Xing's group.
”Everyone, stand your ground…” Alarmed, Division Head Wei bellowed anxiously.
However, before he could finish his words, the Soulless Metal Humanoid had already sunk its palm into his chest.
Peng!
Division Head Wei was immediately sent flying into the wall, coughing up huge mouthfuls of blood.
His abrupt absence resulted in an opening in the formation. Before the others could move to close the opening, that fellow charged toward the second strongest of the group, Division Head Liao, to incapacitate him.
Kacha!
Under normal circumstances, even against a Leaving Aperture realm intermediate stage expert, as long as Division Head Liao exerted his full strength, he would at least have been able to withstand a few blows and buy some time. However, after the long battle with the Soulless Metal Humanoids, his zhenqi and stamina were already reaching their limits. As a result, he ended up caving in within a single blow, collapsing weakly to the ground.
In the blink of an eye, two members of their group had been incapacitated.
”You bastard! I'll kill you!” Seeing that two of his companions had been severely wounded, Zhang Jiuxiao roared furiously. Whipping out the two Saint intermediate-tier sabers he had, he began launching a barrage of attacks toward the Soulless Metal Humanoid.
However, seemingly expecting Zhang Jiuxiao's move, the Soulless Metal Humanoid raised its hand and tapped his finger forward.
Weng! The swords suddenly froze in midair.
With a flushed face, Zhang Jiuxiao struggled with all his might, but he found that he was not able to move at all. It was as if someone had glued him to the floor.
In the end, he was only a Primordial Spirit realm primary stage cultivator. As powerful as he might have been, the gap between him and a Leaving Aperture realm intermediate stage cultivator was simply too great.
After being pinned on the spot, the Soulless Metal Humanoid sneered coldly as it walked forward and struck Zhang Jiuxiao with its palm.
Padah!
Zhang Jiuxiao was immediately sent flying. However, while he was flying in midair, a brilliant light suddenly shimmered from his chest, and his retreating figure abruptly came to a halt. It seemed like some kind of protective amulet or the sort had been activated.
As an offspring of the Zhang Clan, he still had a few protective artifacts on hand in case he met with danger.
”Interesting… However, if you think that the amulet will be able to stop me, I'll have to say that you are being hopelessly optimistic!” Vicious scoffed.
Under his control, the Soulless Metal Humanoid bent its knees before abruptly leaping up. Then, with a series of fluid motions reminiscent of a musician playing a zither, a barrage of attacks was launched toward Zhang Jiuxiao.
Weng weng weng weng!
The activated protective amulet shielded Zhang Jiuxiao well, shielding him from harm. However, as the barrage of attacks continued, the radiance of the protective barrier gradually grew dimmer and dimmer.
No matter how powerful a protective barrier was, it was limited by the energy it harnessed. It might have been able to withstand a powerful blow or two, but too many times, it would eventually reach its limit.
Peng!
The protective barrier finally shattered, and just like the others, Zhang Jiuxiao was struck forcefully into the wall, sustaining severe injuries in the process.
After subduing the three stronger members of the group, the rest was simple. It did not take long for the three elders whom Wu shi brought over to be incapacitated as well. Other than the severely wounded Wu shi and Hall Master Xing, it could be said that their entire group had been wiped out.
With a cold smile on its lips, the Soulless Metal Humanoid slowly walked over to Hall Master Xing with its palm raised, seemingly ready to kill the other party at any moment.
Knowing that the two severely wounded individuals wouldn't be able to withstand the might of his Soulless Metal Humanoid's attacks, Vicious glanced at Zhang Xuan provocatively. ”How about it? Submit to me, and I can spare your comrades. As a Celestial Master Teacher, surely you won't watch your comrades die one by one before your eyes, right?”
The principles of the master teachers were not just mere guidelines. Rather, it was a faith that they embraced, and their state of mind was built upon this faith, giving them the strength to stand resiliently in the face of fear and despair.
However, if a master teacher abandoned their principles and watched idly as their comrades die before their eyes, it could potentially lead to a collapse of their faith and their state of mind, making it difficult for them to make any advancement in their cultivation in the future.
”Watch my comrades die before my eyes?” Hearing Vicious' words, Zhang Xuan abruptly burst into laughter. ”Of course I won't!”
”You…” Bewildered by Zhang Xuan's bizarre outburst, Vicious was just about to speak when the scene within the screen abruptly changed. The 'severely-wounded' Wu shi and Hall Master Xing abruptly leaped up from their positions to attack simultaneously.
Peng!
Their attack was extremely abrupt, and the Soulless Metal Humanoid was simply too close. As a result, before the Soulless Metal Humanoid could react, a massive hole was plunged through its chest, causing its ribcage to shatter entirely.
Vicious was completely taken aback by the course of events. At that moment, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke.
”How about it? Submit to me, and I can consider sparing your Soulless Metal Humanoid! As a person who once successfully trapped Kong shi, surely you won't watch your comrades die one by one before your eyes, right?”
”…” Vicious.