As Qin Xiaozhi once again struck the pocket formed by purple true qi with a three-star bullet, the released energy sent Jiang Wuming crashing towards the ground. Jiang Wuming, with all haste, activated the Yin-Yang Bagua Diagram to shield himself.
However—
Even then, he couldn't resist the suction from the purple pocket and was once again pulled towards the purple vortex within.
When Jiang Wuming was still five meters away from the purple pocket, it exploded. The terrifying energy instantly shattered the Yin-Yang Bagua Diagram in front of him, then his protective true qi, before blasting him towards the ground, his body mangled and bloody!
Swish, swish, swish...
Simultaneously, the middle-aged man in the purple robe waved his hands rapidly, unleashing streams of purple true qi.
These purple true qi floated in front of the middle-aged man in the purple robe, converging to form something akin to a purple ocean.
The Purple Sea.
The middle-aged man in the purple robe could feel the threat posed by the God-Slaying Saber formed from true qi. After detonating the purple pocket, he immediately activated his defensive move.
BOOM!!
Immediately, a deafening roar echoed through the sky above the training ground.
The God-Slaying Saber, formed from true qi, fiercely struck the purple ocean, cleaving a gash directly into it, splitting the Purple Sea in two!
Although the God-Slaying Saber formed from true qi had become extremely dim, it had not vanished!
In this exchange, the middle-aged man in the purple robe was at a disadvantage!
Although the ‘Purple Sea’ was his most powerful defensive technique, his move had been too hasty, preventing him from unleashing its full potential.
Meanwhile, after Xia Xueqin broke through to the first stage of a four-star War God, she had descended into a state of madness. She unleashed a forbidden technique of her internal energy cultivation method, striking with all her might regardless of the cost, unleashing her peak combat power!
After slicing through the Purple Sea, the God-Slaying Saber formed from true qi continued forward, striking the middle-aged man in the purple robe. However, no blood splattered; instead, a deep trench was gouged into the ground, kicking up dust.
Afterimage!
That was the afterimage left by the middle-aged man in the purple robe!
While using the Purple Sea to block the God-Slaying Saber formed from true qi, he had sidestepped, evading the final residual force of the true qi saber.
However—
As soon as the middle-aged man in the purple robe stabilized his footing, another deafening sound rang out.
A three-star bullet struck him with pinpoint accuracy. It was blocked by his protective true qi, and instantly detonated!
From the rooftop of the distant teaching building, as Jiang Wuming was blasted away, Qin Xiaozhi’s sorrow and worry reached their peak. Yet, he maintained absolute composure, unleashing a god-tier shot that hit the middle-aged man in the purple robe.
But due to the limited power of the three-star bullet, it could not breach the middle-aged man in the purple robe’s protective true qi, nor could it inflict any substantial damage. It merely caused his body to sway slightly!
This outcome left Qin Xiaozhi disheartened and unwilling. He immediately adjusted the aim of his rifle, observing Jiang Wuming through his scope.
"Bang!"
Jiang Wuming, his body mangled and bloody, like a kite with its strings cut, fell onto the training ground.
This scene was captured by the surveillance cameras and simultaneously transmitted to the computer screens at the headquarters of the Martial Department and the Eastern Region Military Command’s combat operations room.
Thump!
In an instant, Qi Wufu, Qin Yuanzheng, and the others felt a jolt!
This was because they clearly saw Jiang Wuming, after landing, his body mangled and bloody, spitting blood foam from his mouth, his eyes slightly open but unfocused. His condition was dire!
Hangzhou.
War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute.
Li Lianyi’s body stiffened at the computer.
She looked at the少年 lying on the ground, his body stained with blood, and tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes, streaming down her pale face.
She, known as the Little Medicine Immortal, saw Jiang Wuming's unfocused and dimming eyes, and knew in her heart that these were signs of imminent death!
At the same time.
The training ground of the Donghai Martial Academy fell into deathly silence.
Everyone turned their gaze towards the少年 whose body was mangled and bloody!
"Wuming!!"
Immediately, the silence of the training ground was broken. Xia Xueqin let out a roar, transforming into a streak of light as she rushed towards Jiang Wuming.
Whoosh!
At the same moment, another figure moved.
To be precise, that figure moved first.
Dongfang Xiaoyao.
Shadow Phantom of the Zhanlong Hall.
Jiang Wuming's shadow.
She remembered Jiang Wuming’s orders and had remained silent at the edge of the training ground, witnessing the battle.
When Jiang Wuming was blasted to the ground, his body mangled and bloody, and his breath faint, she flickered and swept towards Jiang Wuming.
"Captain!"
Seeing Dongfang Xiaoyao rush into the training ground, Xing Tian and Huangfu Weixia awoke as if from a dream. They roared, their feet flashing as they followed Dongfang Xiaoyao.
However—
As soon as their figures moved, a voice suddenly rang out.
The voice came from the rooftop of the distant teaching building.
"Xing Tian, Huangfu Weixia, the two of you immediately return to the edge of the training ground and await orders—this is the Captain’s order, and it is also my order!"
On the rooftop of the teaching building, Qin Xiaozhi had, at some unknown time, stood up. His eyes were red, and he opened his mouth wide, speaking loudly to stop them.
But he did not stop Dongfang Xiaoyao.
Because he knew the significance of the young man to the girl!
The young man had led the girl out of the dark cage, shown her the light, and brought her a new life.
The girl was the young man’s shadow.
The young man was the girl’s entire world.
If the young man died, the girl’s world would collapse.
At that time.
Whether it was the Zhanlong Team or the Martial Department of the Dragon Country, the war against the extraterrestrial enemies…
All of this would hold no meaning for the girl!
Even more so, this world would no longer give her any reason to linger!
Qin Xiaozhi understood Jiang Wuming, and he understood Dongfang Xiaoyao, which was why he did not stop Dongfang Xiaoyao—at this moment, even if the King of Heaven himself came, he could not stop the girl from rushing into the training ground!
Huh?
Xing Tian and Huangfu Weixia, who had just entered the training ground, heard Qin Xiaozhi’s shout and their figures halted.
Then, Xing Tian’s eyes turned red. Gripping his battle saber, he cast a deep look at Jiang Wuming before turning back to the edge of the training ground.
Although he didn’t know why Jiang Wuming had ordered them to guard the edge of the training ground, he knew that Jiang Wuming must have his reasons for doing so, and he only needed to follow orders.
Furthermore, during his four years of following Jiang Wuming in the Zhanlong Hall, he had developed a habit, or even a conditioned reflex—if Jiang Wuming was not present, he would obey Qin Xiaozhi’s orders.
“Captain Qin, why didn’t you stop Xiaoyao…”
“She is the Captain’s shadow.”
Behind Xing Tian, Huangfu Weixia spoke with red eyes, but halfway through his sentence, Xing Tian interrupted him.
Huangfu Weixia’s expression changed, and he stopped speaking, silently following Xing Tian back to the edge of the training ground.
At the same time, Xia Xueqin had already reached Jiang Wuming’s side, bending down to support the blood-stained Jiang Wuming, her eyes red, her voice trembling as she called out, “Wuming!”
There was no response.
Jiang Wuming was spitting blood foam, his eyes had completely lost their luster, and his breath was so faint it was almost imperceptible, as if he could die at any moment.
Seeing this, Xia Xueqin’s heart felt as if it were being cut by a knife. Her hands trembled as she took out healing medicine from her embrace, crushed it, sprinkled it on Jiang Wuming, and then tried to give him the healing medicine, but it was impossible—as Jiang Wuming coughed up blood, he also spat out the healing medicine she had placed in his mouth.
This discovery made Xia Xueqin panic. Her heart broke, her hands trembled uncontrollably, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Just then, Dongfang Xiaoyao arrived in front of Jiang Wuming.
She said nothing to Xia Xueqin, nor did she call out to Jiang Wuming. Instead, she quietly crouched down, then grabbed Jiang Wuming’s blood-stained body, intending to place him on her back.
Xia Xueqin did not let go upon seeing this, and then saw Dongfang Xiaoyao cast her gaze towards her.
What kind of gaze was that?
Sadness? Indifference? Domination?
Even, it carried a fierce killing intent!
That gaze seemed to tell Xia Xueqin that if she didn't let go, Dongfang Xiaoyao would fight to the death!
“Hmm… he’s not completely dead yet. This little native’s vitality is truly tenacious.”
Just then, from the other side, the middle-aged man in the purple robe noticed Jiang Wuming’s faint breath and showed some surprise, followed by a cold laugh, “However, he won’t be able to last much longer.”
“I’ll hand him over to you. Have Doctor Li Xiaoman treat his injuries immediately.”
Hearing the taunts of the middle-aged man in the purple robe, Xia Xueqin let go of Dongfang Xiaoyao and said.
“Okay.”
Dongfang Xiaoyao replied coldly, then carried Jiang Wuming on her back and swiftly moved towards the entrance of the training ground to find Li Xiaoman!
Meanwhile, Xia Xueqin stood up, her eyes red, tears welling up, but her hands no longer trembled. She gripped her battle saber tightly, her killing intent reaching an extreme—she would fight the middle-aged man in the purple robe to the death!
“Dean Xia, General Jiang Wuming issued an order before the battle, demanding that we hold our ground!
Now, he is injured and unable to fight. You are the strongest force present, and the only one who can contend with the enemy. Please do not act rashly!
Otherwise, we will lose this battle, and everyone will die here!”
The next moment.
Just as Xia Xueqin was about to fight the middle-aged man in the purple robe to the death, the young man’s voice sounded again from the rooftop of the distant teaching building.
As a seven-star warrior, even with his qi channeled, his voice could not shake the heavens, but it was enough for Xia Xueqin and everyone in the training ground to hear clearly.
Hearing Qin Xiaozhi’s voice, the hatred and killing intent in Xia Xueqin’s heart instantly froze. She turned to look at the young man on the rooftop of the teaching building.
“Furthermore, I have a request. In the Zhanlong Team, if the Captain is absent or unable to command the battle, I will take over. I hope that from now on, I can command this battle in place of the Captain!”
The young man met Xia Xueqin’s gaze and spoke again.
“Alright.”
Xia Xueqin nodded slightly, her voice hoarse.
Firstly, she lacked experience in commanding battles.
Secondly, she was an emotional person, easily swayed by feelings over reason, making her unsuitable as a commander.
“Dean Xia, in the upcoming battle, you will serve as the first line of defense. Your objective is not to kill the enemy, but to resist and hold them back!”
Seeing Xia Xueqin agree, Qin Xiaozhi instantly stepped into the role of commander and issued orders directly.
“Dean Zhang and Deputy Minister Wu Zhipeng, you will serve as the second line of defense behind Dean Xia, assisting Dean Xia, but be sure not to approach the enemy!”
“Yes!”
Zhang Guanzhong and the three-star War God Wu Zhipeng from the Donghai branch instinctively accepted the order.
“Other two-star team members, retreat to the entrance of the training ground. You will serve as the third line of defense, with the purpose of protecting General Jiang Wuming! If Dean Xia, Dean Zhang, and Minister Wu Zhipeng fall, you will be responsible for holding back the enemy!”
Qin Xiaozhi issued his third command.
“Yes!”
The remaining four two-star War God realm teachers from the Donghai Martial Academy responded with an affirmation.
Qin Xiaozhi heard them and finally cast his gaze upon his father, Qin Linhai.
Qin Linhai also instinctively looked at his son.
This was the first time the father and son had looked at each other during the day’s battle.
“General Qin Linhai, you and your subordinates will continue to carry out General Jiang Wuming’s previous orders and guard the edge of the training ground. Regardless of what happens, you are not to enter the training ground to fight!”
The young man met his father’s gaze and calmly issued the order, his voice not pausing, his tone not unusual, everything so natural.
At the moment when the young man, hailed as the pride of the Dragon Country’s Martial Department, the faith of the younger generation of warriors, a hero and pride of the Dragon Country, suffered a severe blow and his life hung in the balance.
That young man, who was once labeled a deserter and the shame of the Qin family, stepped forward.
At that moment.
He forgot that his name was Qin Xiaozhi, and he also forgot that he was merely a seven-star warrior.
He only remembered two words.
Hold the line!!
…