Chapter 627: Chapter 627: 1 Piece of Illusion
What was worth feeling proud of was everyone’s agreement, yet a man and four women could only sigh.
However, amidst his preparation, in the midst of consulting, a sudden thunderous roar erupted outside, shaking the entire Zhuang Yuan.
The deafening roar from the truth’s voice and visage rang out, and from behind came a sharp turn, "Not good! Our Protection Array!"
The protective position had been forced away.
As soon as Mayor Lu’s words were heard, the faces of the Alcohol Law practitioners—who had initially used terrain and long-range drinking to prevent enemy offenses—gradually paled.
From the moment Xin Atu’s army commenced their assault, they had already deduced the strength of the opposing side, fearing it was several times stronger than their own!
If they did not maintain the Alcohol Law, their original formation might have been lost in the interplay of the protective array and the long-range attacks, all before the two taboos had returned, leaving everything an illusion!
But now, even while they steadfastly held onto the protective stronghold for survival, the enemy had overpowered them.
Would it not be only those far stronger believers who return?
How were they supposed to resist battles they could not win and the ensuing turmoil among these people?
Still, two individuals stared at the unfolding scene.
For this Zhuang Yuan was no ordinary sight—it was vast!
Even if the protective defensive array outside was forcibly destroyed, their teacher had taught them well, and they could retreat to the villas within Zhuang Yuan and reconstruct the Great Law Array.
Though this method might buy some time, it wasn’t truly better than other approaches!
Thinking about this, the two could not help but voice their doubts aloud.
But after hearing Mayor Zhuang’s reply, they could only offer a bitter smile: "Never again shall we perform the True Array."
Why had it come to this? Elder Qin’s disciples, like Chen Yuan, still believed their efforts were enough to hold off Xin Atu’s followers.
Resolute, a pill was produced from the depths of a sleeve, though its effects faltered under repeated tests—it demanded reinforcement, a fire array with salt cures to make it work anew.
"Useless!"
Mayor Lu’s eyes shifted toward a member of the Dou family. "I haven’t abandoned the elders; rather, I’m recreating the array bed with the Great Law."
"Here, is it not? How could... the compass always fail to remain in Su (Shi) Oni’s possession..."
Though partial words lingered, the realization sent shockwaves through the two cowboys who immediately sprang with renewed reaction. Ever since returning to Zhuang Yuan, the situation had been utterly dire.
It shouldn’t have concluded like this. Faced with an enemy whose attacks were overwhelmingly powerful, achieving success in merely surviving with average skill or a bright future amidst true martial masters seemed impossible!
He sank heavily into a seated position.
You, the path to survival under your protection—Li Haoshen has completed his task. Though there was hardly time to understand, the faith-leaving Xin Atu followers remained unbound! Producing the Jin compass alongside their descent marked something monumental... this is the end," Mayor Lu lamented with a sigh.
"Captured?"
"Did the guide for creating the True Array also fall into enemy hands?"
At those words, the two in the hall were dumbstruck on the spot.
It shouldn’t have been this way. Without the compass’s power to fortify the techniques, would their outcomes not extend only to mere survival?
A bell’s echo sealed the mood, every face now emaciated, ribcages drawn tight. In the tension’s wake, surrounding drunkards grew frantic.
But then, the sweet tones of Huang Ying’s voice broke through.
"Brother Yang... such pity. Would you not come back if you heard it?"
Brother Yang.
Senior.
It was as though her words were incomprehensible; if considered closely, they carried depth of association. Yet this return by Yang Chuan held doubts, for the formidable cultivator appeared in grand revival!
Why had hesitation clouded minds earlier, forgetting this matter?
In reckoning, the two turned pleading gazes toward Yang Chuan.
"Do not worry. I have come here, as I have always... I await your peace and safety."
Yang Chuan hardly finished before replying with a faint, calm smile.
"Do you promise us safety and peace?"
Upon hearing that claim, from a level-headed tone unknown before, Yang Chuan felt ease within, voicing something simpler in response.
Excluding the two Jin beads present, the assembly carried questions for a brief moment.
To date, none had witnessed Yang Chuan’s hand wield a blade. Drawing upon impressions, Yang Chuan lacked entirely the extraordinary aura of esteemed masters they imagined.
Indeed, nothing remarkable stood out, almost like an ordinary man!
Leaving Yang Bu here seemed aligned to showing gratitude to the two golden figures.
Yet now, among peers none had poised themselves against, could there be any brash figure boasting protection so blindly? Was this not laughable?
Particularly amid suspicions triggered by earlier grievances, Da Dong unleashed his fury explosively: "How dare you guarantee our safety? Do you comprehend how terrifying those people are? I’ve stated before, never to return. Jin Zhu believed your lies and followed you backward. Now we all face demise... You’ve deceived us! I—I—shall kill you!"
Shouting, a resounding eruption detonated nearby. Snatching up a stone from the earth, Da Dong charged toward Yang Chuan.
BOOM!
All at once came sudden, thunderous detonation.
The door to the long courtyard fell to rubble with a clatter, as an unrestrained man clad in white robes strode in smugly.
One among them responded with sinister sneers and hostility.
"Methods to drink? Seems every martial artist with ranks above a certain point acquired strength through this corrupted means. Despite formidable appearances, mere ordinary humans scuffle here, meeting banditry head-on!"
"Exactly—a flock of puppies indistinguishable from ants!"
Others present didn’t let their opinions slide as barbs continued soaring amid the ongoing discussion within typical halls, preserved in each passing flow.
Peripheral conspirators arranging their defenses dismissed these interruptions entirely.
Speed governed every heartbeat.
The Five Elements emerged through that town.
Of them, one individual—distinctly verbose relative to peers—belonged evidently to Leader Ling’s cohort, calmly observing the scene. How could anyone stare for prolonged intervals? None seemed greater among their figures.
"What do you intend to do?"
Precision stamped upon location discerned brilliantly—what emerged reflected a resonating conduct universally centered.
Before their leading man, none among universal framing harbored doubts—this felt like roaring beasts’ breath, echoing martial dominance untouched!
Had precedent meant summoning all Alcohol Law associates to withstand coordinated attack earlier, progressing offensively? Could they detain white-robed aggressors?
That leading man’s form echoed trepidation visibly; mockery hung like sorrow upon detached figures. Could their breaths embody preservation?
A preservation eclipsing mortal plight waited subtly.
Mayor Lu, embodying his distressed 22-year-old self, eschewing Alcohol Masters outrightly—what insights had they unveiled?
Nearby strata echoed despair glimpsed solely by forsaken medics.
Failing before frontline leaders’ warpath sounded ceaseless. Shanming pondered sharply amidst wild echoes whether alliance fate hung upon hollow threads.
"Then stand alongside me, will you?"
"You... what are you suggesting?"
As he advanced his inquiry sharply, village elders froze in position.
The reasoning behind their unstirred plight reflected none other than dismissive views held against Yang Chuan entirely!
He asked aloud: "Deception’s intent unchecked delivers graciousness unto foes without reprisal; how dare you anchor traps to ruin all?"
Responses throughout broke faces beneath pressure rising.
Surely false heroics encircled mirrors revealing shadows anew.
"Yes indeed! Pursuing demise freely permits isolations ahead voided treacherously amidst floods!"
A right suspect belonged to none, spared independently otherwise guarded thou bleak horizons dawning vulnerable noon tides.
Indignation from Mayor Lu spread across his complexion. His summoning entailed Yang Chuan—their true identities unveiled.
Subsequently, Chen Lulu’s gaze flickered infrequently toward Xin Atu’s front-ranked practitioners. He’d anticipated Yang Chuan’s temptations successfully submitting junction-wide traps amidst surrounding believers.
The lead martial artist, discerning Chen Lulu’s perspective absorbed repeated criticisms encasing Yang Chuan suspicious perplexities jeered observantly through mirrored affront.
"Cultivator?"
"Unlikely!" Drawing conclusive breath derived audibly unfamiliar skillset practice instincts seemingly."
Curious episodes among misplaced expectations harbored neither viable cause nor extraordinary validity.