Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1170 - 1170 680 Main Force Makes a Move_2

Chapter 1170: Chapter 680: Main Force Makes a Move_2 Chapter 1170: Chapter 680: Main Force Makes a Move_2 Neither of them held back, both brimming with determination to make Emperor Jianwu and his party realize the overwhelming advantage they possessed and instill in their hearts an extreme sense of fear. They were aware that Manager Chen, in order to secure his footing within the Imperial Family Secret Territory, had once killed a significant number of people there, and the princes who had died at the hands of Manager Chen even reached double digits. As subordinates of Manager Chen, they dared not compare themselves with him in this regard. However, they did aspire to emulate Manager Chen’s past methods, and killing one or two princes, staining their hands with the blood of royalty, would also be something quite glorious to boast about later on.

Emperor Jianwu, Emperor Yonghe, and a few other Gold Core Realm experts exhausted all their powers to control the defensive array at the tomb’s entrance. They employed every technique they could think of, desperately strengthening the array’s resistance. However, when they had constructed the array, they had already exhausted all their means. The defensive capabilities of the array had its limits, and even though they constantly replenished it from nearby, it still couldn’t withstand the relentless attacks from Zhou Ping and Ma Deru.

In terms of cultivation realms, Zhou Ping, Ma Deru, and Old Pan were all at the Gold Core Stage Eighth Level, just a minor realm above Emperor Jianwu. Purely from this perspective, their advantage over Emperor Jianwu wasn’t considerable. But the problem was that all three were Manager Chen’s trusted aides. Manager Chen spared no effort in arming them, providing them with many magic items above the Half-step Nascent Soul level, which caused their strengths to double.

In contrast, the defensive array that Emperor Jianwu and the others had erected outside the tomb’s entrance didn’t even reach the Half-step Nascent Soul level; it was merely at the peak of the Gold Core Realm. Moreover, none of them possessed any magic items above the Half-step Nascent Soul level. As a result, in many respects, they faced a vast disparity with Old Pan and his company, possessing no advantage whatsoever in this battle of attack and defense.

The primary reason they were still holding on against the assaults of Zhou Ping and Ma Deru was that Emperor Jianwu and his party were painfully aware of one thing: if the defensive array were breached, they would have no way out and would be at the mercy of Old Pan and his group. Therefore, Emperor Jianwu and his party clenched their teeth and spared no expense to maintain the array, aiming to allow it to withstand as long as possible.

Emperor Wenzhi hurried over to Qi Tian’s side, only to find Qi Tian still immersed in cultivation. Just as he was about to rush forward to report the urgent situation at the tomb’s entrance to Qi Tian, Li Mijia stepped forward to block Emperor Wenzhi, preventing him from approaching and disturbing Qi Tian’s cultivation.

Emperor Wenzhi could not concern himself with other matters. Ignoring Li Mijia’s obstruction, he shouted toward Qi Tian, “Master Qi, this is terrible! Outside the tomb’s entrance, Manager Chen has sent three people whose strength is on par with Shen Ziyu. They are completely unreasonable and have dismantled all the prohibitions and arrays around the Saint’s Tomb. Now they have targeted the last defensive array at the tomb’s entrance. Emperor Jianwu and Emperor Yonghe are currently leading the defense there, but their abilities are limited and they likely won’t be able to hold out for much longer. We urgently hope that Master Qi can take action in time; otherwise, once Manager Chen’s men breach the tomb corridor, they will be upon us.”

Qi Tian was still recuperating from his exertions, not lost in deep cultivation. Otherwise, Emperor Wenzhi’s shouting might have inadvertently risked causing Qi Tian to deviate into demonization.

Qi Tian had been cautious of such a development from the start. When Emperor Wenzhi approached, he had already sensed it. Slowly opening his eyes, he sighed and said, “This time we ventured into the adventure with the cooperation of five imperial palaces, accompanied by five princes and over a hundred Gold Core Realm experts. I always thought that you would be the main force in this exploration. Only upon arriving did I realize, how come not one of you is able to solve any problems?”

Emperor Wenzhi bowed his head in shame. Not just him, but everyone present who heard Qi Tian’s questioning felt embarrassed and bowed their heads. Among them, Qi Tian had the lowest cultivation realm, yet paradoxically, every time they encountered danger, it was Qi Tian who had to take the lead and charge into the fray.

Qi Tian shook his head and said, “Well, since the situation has become so critical, I’ll accompany you to the tomb’s entrance to take a look.”

Emperor Wenzhi also breathed a sigh of relief; he was truly afraid that Qi Tian would abandon them at this critical moment.

Emperor Wenzhi believed that even if all of them died, Qi Tian might still have a great chance to escape alive when he was forced to face Pan and his two companions alone. With such a high probability of escape and without the burden of carrying them along, Qi Tian chose not to do so, which meant that he would not abandon them. This showed Qi Tian’s benevolence and care for his Immortal Slaves, something Emperor Wenzhi would engrave in his heart.

Soon, Qi Tian took Emperor Wenzhi to the entrance of the Saint’s Tomb. At that moment, the area around the tomb entrance was extremely dangerous. Emperor Jianwu, Emperor Yonghe, and the several Gold Core Realm experts they had brought with them were all in a very sorry state. Despite their numbers and being the defensive side, with a pre-arranged Defensive Array at their disposal, they were still struggling under the joint assault of Ma Deru and Zhou Ping. Had the tomb entrance not been so sturdy, blocking many of the attacks for them, they might have already suffered numerous casualties by now.

Qi Tian approached and said to Emperor Jianwu, “Alright, your task is completed. From now on, you can leave this place to me.”

Emperor Jianwu quickly said, “Master Qi, please be extremely careful. The three people who’ve come this time are all very formidable, none weaker than Shen Ziyu. It definitely won’t be easy for you to contend against the three of them alone. We can all stay here with you; should there be any need, just say the word.”

Qi Tian patted Emperor Jianwu on the shoulder and replied, “I appreciate it, but you all should take a rest to the side for now. Let’s see if I can handle the three of them by myself. If I can’t manage, then I’ll call on you for help.”

Emperor Jianwu was still very worried, but since Qi Tian had spoken to such an extent, it wouldn’t be good for him to say anything more. He could only obey Qi Tian’s order, standing with Emperor Yonghe, Emperor Wenzhi, and the others on both sides inside the tomb entrance, leaving the gap in the door clear for Qi Tian.

Within the tomb entrance, Qi Tian called out, “Those outside, listen up. Aren’t you looking for the murderer who killed Shen Ziyu? Stop your attack now; I’m coming out to meet you.”

Upon hearing Qi Tian’s shout, Zhou Ping and Ma Deru both ceased their assault. They had already gained full control of the situation and were not the least bit worried about Emperor Jianwu’s side attempting any tricks. A brief pause in their attack would not affect the advantage they held, and they also worried that if they continued, they might accidentally kill Qi Tian, the murderer, making it impossible to explain to Manager Chen. After all, a living killer was definitely more useful than a dead one, and they might be able to extract some valuable information from Qi Tian’s own lips.

Qi Tian waited until the assault from outside had stopped, then calmly walked out from the tomb entrance. With a leap, he crossed the slope in front of the tomb and stood atop a stone stele not far from the entrance.

He looked up at Pan, then at Zhou Ping and Ma Deru, shook his head, and said, “Just now, Emperor Jianwu told me that each of you was no worse than Shen Ziyu. I thought you might be incredibly powerful, but just now, with one glance, I realized Lord Jianwu was wrong. Each of you is worse than Shen Ziyu; not one of you matches up to him.”

Upon hearing this, the faces of Pan and his two companions turned very ugly. It wasn’t because Qi Tian was mistaken, but because he was spot on, hitting exactly where they least liked to be reminded of.