Jun Changxiao was trapped in the Sacred Fire Judgment, so the Eternal Ancestor Sect was basically leaderless.
Hua Meigui could also lead them in battle, but she had long since fused with her husband and couldn’t command at all.
At this time, Yuan Gongzi stepped forward, revealing his Vice Sect Master identity token for the first time.
That’s right.
He was the Vice Sect Master, not the Supporting Sect Master.
Actually, long ago, Jun Changxiao had entrusted him with this heavy responsibility.
The burden of Vice Sect Master wasn’t light. Without the Sect Master’s absolute authority, he still had to handle many internal affairs and trivial matters—he could be called the sect’s number one nanny.
Fortunately, Yuan Gongzi had conscientiously fulfilled his duties these years, performing impeccably.
Of course.
After becoming Vice Sect Master, he managed internal affairs and finances even more strictly, especially targeting the Spirit Beast Hall and Ah Zi, reaching an outrageous degree.
Don’t say Yuan Gongzi deliberately bullied people—mainly, the beast race and human race had completely different styles of conduct. They couldn’t be too indulgent; strict limits were necessary to achieve diligence, frugality, and good household management.
Ah Zi didn’t understand his painstaking efforts and held resentment in his heart.
Especially since everyone had just smashed their bowls, so why was the Spirit Beast Hall the only one blamed!
Bullying beasts too much!
As it happened, the Sect Master wasn’t at the sect right now, and everyone was busy watching the trembling World-Protecting Grand Formation in the firmament, so why not…
The Purple Scale Demon King’s evil thoughts arose. He casually picked up a brick from the ground and tiptoed closer.
“Whoosh whoosh!”
With each step he took, years of grievance and suppression uncontrollably surged in his heart, all his power infusing into the brick’s most lethal corner.
One step.
Ten steps.
Getting closer and closer to Yuan Gongzi.
“Swish!” Ah Zi leaped up with a bound, pulling the brick in his hand back, brilliant light flashing as it revealed his ferocious face.
Damn Yuan Feng!
Take this Hall Master’s brick!
Honestly, when the Purple Scale Demon King made his move, he had already thought of the consequences—worst case, he’d turn himself in at the Discipline Hall!
He’d rather be punished than not smash down—how much anger must he have suppressed!
“Swish!”
As Ah Zi leaped up and swung the brick to strike, Yuan Gongzi happened to change into his new school uniform, transforming his loose hair into a slicked-back style while wearing the eye-catching identity token.
He saw it.
Especially saw the six characters “Eternal Ancestor Sect Vice Sect Master”!
What the hell!
When did this guy get promoted? And he’s actually Vice Sect Master!
Having lived in the Eternal Ancestor Sect so long, the Purple Scale Demon King naturally knew that whether it was “vice” or “acting,” the position was definitely higher than his Hall Master rank!
What to do!
Strike or not strike!
Just as the Purple Scale Demon King fell into brief conflict, Yuan Gongzi seemed to sense something. He turned around, looking at Ah Zi flying toward him: “What are you doing?”
“Gah!”
Ah Zi instantly froze mid-air.
“Uh…” His ferocious expression relaxed, his face trembling with a smile: “Nothing!”
He’d wimped out!
Didn’t dare make a move!
“Why are you holding a brick?” Yuan Gongzi asked suspiciously. The identity token hanging at his waist flashed with brilliant light, which scared Hall Master Zi terribly. He quickly raised his head, lifting the brick high and roaring: “Let’s get them!”
However fierce he’d appeared before, that’s how wimpy he appeared now.
No choice.
This guy was the Vice Sect Master.
If he smashed down, things would definitely blow up!
Yuan Gongzi didn’t think much of it, his expression serious: “You’ll get your wish soon.”
“Are you certain?”
Taixuan Elder inquired again.
The World-Protecting Grand Formation could help the Eternal Realm resist much damage. Closing it now meant they could only rely on the sect’s strength.
“Certain.”
Yuan Gongzi confirmed.
Truly speaking, making this decision, he bore tremendous pressure.
Undeniably, the World-Protecting Grand Formation could resist damage, but it would continuously cause casualties among warriors from various races. If the final result was still being breached, even causing heaven and earth order to collapse, might as well just take a gamble!
“Very well.”
Taixuan Elder obeyed the Vice Sect Master’s order.
“Sect Master…”
Yuan Gongzi raised his head to look at the firmament, thinking: “Am I doing the right thing?”
Right or wrong was no longer important. What mattered was that the Eternal Ancestor Sect currently needed someone to command the overall situation, to direct them to battle for what came next.
“Hall Master Xue!”
“Present!”
“Prepare for battle!”
“Yes!”
“All sect members listen up—prepare to go to war!”
“Yes!”
Actually, Yuan Gongzi didn’t need to specifically transmit combat orders, because when Red Hair Male bombarded the World-Protecting Grand Formation, they had already prepared.
“Sizzle sizzle!”
On the main peak, Li Qingyang clenched both fists tightly, lightning coiling around his hands. The Thunder Ridge Beast obediently crouched beside him, eyes flashing with radiance, clearly ready for battle like its master.
Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji, and the others were the same.
They were fully armed, with their life contract beasts standing beside them.
To be precise, whether Eternal Ancestor Sect leadership or disciples, all were eager to charge out and kill, rather than watching helplessly as warriors from various races died to reinforce the formation.
From this point alone.
Yuan Gongzi’s decision to close the World-Protecting Grand Formation was correct, was what everyone hoped for.
“Sigh.”
He Wudi jumped down from the tree, shook his shoulders: “This battle must be high-profile.”
He realized the severity of the situation. Once the formation closed, for the sake of the sect and the Eternal Realm’s living beings, he must charge out without hesitation and annihilate all invading enemies!
“Creak.”
Ye Xingchen gently opened the door, gently closed the door, gently walked out.
He thought doing this could avoid waking Jie Lingyao, but didn’t know that just after walking out of the courtyard, that woman’s voice came from behind: “Be careful.”
“…”
Ye Xingchen stopped, didn’t turn around: “Mm.”
“I don’t want the child to be born without a father.” Jie Lingyao lowered her head.
“Don’t worry.”
Ye Xingchen said: “I’ll return alive.”
Fearing that staying longer would affect his mindset, he strode out of the courtyard.
This life made him understand the meaning of reincarnation and rebirth—not only love, but also the purest friendship. For the Eternal Ancestor Sect, there was no reason to retreat.
At the courtyard’s end on a mountain stone, Xiao Zuiji was wiping his streaming light shield. Seeing Ye Xingchen walk out, he jumped down and smiled: “Junior brother, today you and I should be able to kill to our hearts’ content.”
“Mm.”
Ye Xingchen’s face also showed a smile.
The two walked side by side toward the main peak, one gradually putting on the three-piece Lu Bu set, the other donning tech-filled battle armor.
In a trance.
Time seemed to return to the past, back to when they first left the sect together for external training.
Though unwilling to deliberately and affectedly describe it, the atmosphere at the Eternal Ancestor Sect right now was truly too solemn, even somewhat oppressively heavy. Especially constantly accompanied by dark BGM, it really made people worried about what would happen next.
“Swish!”
“Swish!”
Su Xiaomo, Li Fei, and others successively landed on the main peak.
Leadership and disciples were ready for battle, even ready to die in battle.
“Xinyao.”
After everything was ready, Taixuan Elder said seriously: “Sever the World-Protecting Grand Formation’s connection with the plane origin.”
“Yes!”
Shangguan Xinyao raised her hand. After brief hesitation, she still pressed the stop button on the planar light screen.
“Buzz—”
In an instant, the plane formation eye severed its connection with the World-Protecting Grand Formation. The entire Eternal Realm seemed to suddenly lose power, falling into brief darkness.
“Swish swish swish!”
“Swish swish swish!”
At the same time, the branch formations of all major cities failed. Warriors from various races who were prepared to sacrifice froze in place.
“Thank you for your dedication.” At this moment, Yuan Gongzi picked up the amplifying megaphone: “From here on, please leave it to us.”
“Kill—”
Zhong Yi raised his sword and roared.
“Swish swish swish swish!”
“Swish swish swish swish!”
Instantly, countless points of light flew up to the firmament from above the Eternal Ancestor Sect, countless warships traversed the void, countless mechas jetted flames—the scene presented made the plane’s living beings’ blood boil.
Eternal Calendar, a certain year.
Facing nearly all of Tian Mohuang’s forces besieging them, the Eternal Ancestor Sect resolutely chose to take the initiative to attack. Historically called—the Opening Battle of the New Era!
—