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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
This was a hopeless day for Sky Deer City. It hadn’t felt this bad even when the supreme experts of the Upper Realm attacked. Currently, the entire city was filled with a gloomy atmosphere.
Everyone was anxious and terrified, as they watched more people step into the void and leave. The orders of the supreme experts of the city to never cower in the face of battle were to no avail, since these fleeing people belonged to their own clans, and weren’t under the supreme experts’ control. Instead, the opposite effect occurred where the number of fleeing cultivators increased. They all left the city behind as if the Upper Realm wouldn’t attack as long as they were gone.
The number of people in Sky Deer City had already been reduced by half and it continued to decrease. It wouldn’t be long until the city would be completely abandoned. Eventually, only the experts from several clans remained, including the four War God Clans. They were like the backbone of the entire Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, unanimously deciding to never retreat but go all out against the Upper Realm.
Such behaviour was admired and respected by many, who felt that they deserved the reputation of being the four War God Clans. The other clans were so inferior compared to them. Their presence was reassuring, which helped improve their reputation by several times, be it in Sky Deer City or other places in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. Many cultivators began pledging their loyalty to them as well.
“We don’t deserve your respect. But, the Sky Deer City Army has been reduced to nearly half of its original number. When the city is breached, we may end up dying in battle. However, our clan is willing to protect Sky Deer City for the sake of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains!”
Several frightening figures stood on a tall altar at the centre of the city, each one possessing ancient auras. They all glowed brightly with strength. One of them had spoken, looking wizened yet possessing a bright and determined gaze like that of the sun. His energy was such that it was hard to look at him directly.
Standing below the altar were the occupants of Sky Deer City, looking extremely sombre as they listened. The feeling of reverence rose inside them. Compared to the abandonment of the city by the other clans, the behaviour of the four War God Clans was admirable and had moved them immensely. Even now, these four clans hadn’t given up on the city and its people. Their actions truly befitted their name!
[Is that the plan of our clan? What’s the difference between doing this and surrendering to the Upper Realm? Just for false glory and honour?] In the crowd below, a determined-looking figure looked stunned. It was Lin Wu, who looked extremely conflicted as he clenched his fists. He hadn’t been part of the retreating group and now felt lost after hearing the figure speak.
That figure was a True Daoist who held great authority in his clan. Lin Wu had heard his clan discuss how they were going to survive this disaster unharmed a few days before; they weren’t thinking of uniting the people to fight the Upper Realm. Rather, it was how they were going to escape unscathed without risking the clan’s reputation. Everything that had transpired had been led on by them, plus the news of the clans abandoning the city had been spread by them as well.
This made a chill run down Lin Wu’s spine as he suddenly understood why the forces of the Upper Realm looked down on the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains. The relations between every clan had become so rotten that they could be easily torn apart by rumours without any intervention from the Upper Realm.
[Is there any need to protect the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains when it has become this rotten?] Lin Wu laughed bitterly then became determined, his mind now clear after recalling everything he had done to survive and save Lu Luo.
[Song Chan should have accessed the Array Cores by now. When I acquire one, I’m going to leave this city to see Gu Changge. He may not break his promise at such a moment, since he does not need to anymore] Lin Wu looked towards the depths of the city with hope shining in his eyes. He no longer held any hope for Sky Deer City or the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.
The Upper Realm watched the upheaval within Sky Deer City like they were merely watching something entertaining. The experts from the various forces had already noticed the army and experts leaving the city, which intrigued them since the other side had already begun abandoning the city even before they could invade.
“How amusing. Is this the so-called Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains? They are descendants of exiles and have sin flowing through their veins.” An ancient being as tall as a tower sneered as he stood on the horizon. “I don’t think we need to attack them any longer since the city will fall apart on its own.”
Gu Changge didn’t expect the other side to do all this. While he had guessed that people would flee the city by some point, he didn’t anticipate that the other side would be so panicked and start running away. However, that would make invading the city much easier.
“Another half a month at most, and Sky Deer City will be conquered.” He narrowed his eyes, estimating the time Lin Wu would take to acquire an Array Core.
“What do you think of this?” He turned to the Sky Deer Goddess and raised his eyebrows. She had been silent in the past few days, not saying anything even after witnessing everything unfold in Sky Deer City.
“I’m protecting the city my Master entrusted to me, which has nothing to do with the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.” Her bright gaze landed on his face as she shook her head. She wasn’t sure how she felt right now about the many clans since she hadn’t known many of them. They had been united against the Upper Realm but had ultimately abandoned the city. Nevertheless, this scene still disappointed her, making her sigh.
She didn’t blame them, since the fate of the city didn’t matter to them. They still had somewhere to go after escaping as they could just move the entire clan to a new place, but the inhabitants of Sky Deer City could not do that. When the city gets breached, those inside would die. Conversely, the city would be breached if everyone fled.
In fact, currently, no one else was as dedicated towards Sky Deer City as she was.
“What a pity.” Gu Changge smiled and laid his hand on her cheek. “Without me, how are you going to protect Sky Deer City?”
She might be powerful but she was just a sole True Daoist. She could only fight against several Upper Realm beings who were at the same cultivation level. Once the city was conquered and the clans of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains left, she would be in an awkward position. Either she was going to stand with the city and die with it, or she was going to abandon the city as well. However, judging by her personality, she would choose the former.
She lowered her lashes briefly, looking depressed. “I’m useless because I can’t even protect Sky Deer City. The one thing my Master entrusted to me.”
If she hadn’t pledged loyalty to the Upper Realm, not only she would die but Sky Deer City would also be reduced to ruins. She couldn’t determine whether she was lucky or not right now. Since everyone knew she belonged to Gu Changge, they wouldn’t dare run rampant in the city even after invading it.
“I think my Master wouldn’t have expected that I would protect the city by pledging myself to a man who belongs to the Upper Realm.” The Sky Deer Goddess smiled lightly. It was unknown whether she was joking about herself or she was being sentimental.
“Then you should be grateful that you’ve met me.” Gu Changge smiled.
Her eyes glowed on her pale and flawless face as she made a noise of agreement. Suddenly, she pulled on his arm and pushed her face towards his to connect their breaths.
…
Half a month soon passed. Two figures sat opposite each other within a pavilion surrounded by rain, mist and arrays. They were Lin Wu and Song Chan. However, at this moment, Lin Wu looked gravely at her. “Did you get it?”
Song Chan seemed calmer in contrast, nodding her head in reply. “I did. but there are Array Cores in eight more places, with me only getting one of them. If the other places get triggered, many would be alerted.”
She had to be very careful due to her status as the Sky Deer Goddess. She didn’t dare make too much noise. She extracted a mysterious object sealed in a special bronze box from her sleeve as soon as she finished speaking, which exuded a powerful aura. Wisps of World Energy flowed along the gaps, making it glow brightly despite its indistinct appearance.
“You only got one?” Lin Wu frowned but then sighed in relief. “That will still work. We have to move fast though, so let’s go.”
He knew it didn’t mean much to Gu Changge be it if it was a single Array Core or several. As long as something happened to a part of the array, the entire array would be affected, resulting in a flaw.
Song Chan looked at him with a conflicted look. “Can I really see my Master after I follow your instructions?”
She knew that his actions were partly fueled by personal motivation. However, with the clans within the city being so corrupted, they wouldn’t gain anything even if they risked their lives to protect the city. Instead, they would most likely be blamed and criticised for being incompetent. Thus, it was best to follow her Master’s decision.
Lin Wu became confident. “Don’t worry. I’ve already plotted a way out for you after this. We can leave via a teleportation altar, which can take us straight to the edge of the Aether Abyss. I have a way to contact Gu Changge from there.”
He hadn’t forgotten the mark Gu Changge had left within him.
Song Chan nodded, reassured by his confident attitude. They belonged to the younger generation, thus wouldn’t draw too much attention.
After that, the duo left via a secret passage in the pavilion, concealing themselves as they rushed towards an altar.
…
Meanwhile, the supreme experts from the clans, who had stayed, stood on the city walls. They were surrounded by Chaos Qi, with the Life Force within them moving as violently as the ocean. They were about to challenge the Upper Realm to a battle, even though they knew they had no chance of winning.
“No matter what, we will have a legitimate excuse to leave after today. No one can blame us after this.”
Several beings with ancient auras talked among each other with confident sneers on their faces. They had already planned everything out. They were communicating using their divine sense, which caused powerful waves to manifest in the sky, emanating terrifying auras.
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