A massive army is pressing in.
Blood Luo immediately used a secret technique to send a message to the other two Body Integration Yao Sages guarding the Sect:
"Scarlet Eye has fallen! You two, investigate immediately! Beware of hidden experts!"
The old site of Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion, amidst a scene of ruined walls.
The two Yao Sages, whose aura was equally fierce, were startled upon receiving the message.
They were 'Golden Wing' and 'Black Tortoise', one renowned for unparalleled speed, the other for astonishing defense.
The two Yao did not dare to delay, immediately leading a large group of Yao Cultivators to cautiously search the area where Scarlet Eye had fallen and its surroundings.
Their Divine Sense swept over every inch of land repeatedly, but they found no trace of any Human Race experts.
"Strange... no Human Race expert's aura was detected."
"Scarlet Eye died mysteriously. The Sword Qi and Fist Intent remaining at the scene are unusually sharp."
Golden Wing Yao Sage mused.
They reported the findings back.
Blood Luo Yao God at the front line received the message, his brows furrowing even deeper.
"No expert found?" A hint of suspicion flashed in his crimson eyes. "Could it be... an old monster skilled in stealth made a move?"
After a moment of thought, a bloody light flashed in his eyes, and he made a decision.
"Give the order!"
Blood Luo Yao God transmitted to Golden Wing and Black Tortoise, "Since you can't find him, then force him out!
You two immediately gather your subordinates and launch a full assault on the Secret Realm in the rear mountain!
The Secret Realm is the last refuge for those remnants. Once the Secret Realm is in distress, the hidden person will surely appear to rescue them!"
To ensure nothing went wrong, Blood Luo Yao God then said to Elder Wang Situ, whose figure was shrouded in a black robe beside him:
"Elder Wang, I'll leave this front line to you for now. I will personally return to the Sect!"
"I want to see which immortal dares to kill under my very nose!"
...Inside the rear mountain Secret Realm, the atmosphere was still somewhat heavy due to Soaring Heaven's provocation.
Suddenly, Elder Mu Yan and Elder Dugu Jiu opened their eyes almost simultaneously, their expressions becoming extremely solemn.
"Not good!" Elder Mu Yan's clear, cold voice rang out, with a hint of urgency.
"The Formation outside the Secret Realm is under fierce attack! The Yao Race... has launched a general offensive!"
No sooner had her voice fallen than the entire Secret Realm space trembled slightly, and the rumbling sounds and roars of Yao Beasts from outside were faintly audible.
The light within the Secret Realm also flickered, clearly indicating that the ancient Restriction supporting the Secret Realm was under immense pressure.
The Yao Race's general offensive meant that even the last sanctuary might not be safe!
Soaring Heaven no longer cared to confront Chen Yuan, his face pale as he looked outside the Secret Realm, his knuckles white from gripping his sword hilt.
Chen Yuan felt the commotion outside, his eyes slightly cold.
He looked at Xu Nuo, who also had a solemn expression beside him, and said in a deep voice, "It seems they are here for me."
Xu Nuo's heart tightened, and she looked at Chen Yuan, "Then you..."
Chen Yuan gave her a reassuring look, then his gaze swept over the frightened crowd present, finally resting on Mu Yan and Dugu Jiu, his tone calm yet earth-shattering:
"Two Seniors, the Secret Realm Restriction probably won't hold much longer. Instead of waiting for death, why not... take the initiative to attack?"
As soon as Chen Yuan finished speaking, before the two Elders could respond, Soaring Heaven, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumped up and shouted sharply:
"Chen Yuan! Are you crazy?! Take the initiative to attack?
Outside are tens of thousands of Yao Race soldiers, and at least two Body Integration Yao Sages!
Revered Master and Elder Mu are both severely injured. How is attacking now any different from seeking death? What are your true intentions?!"
His voice was stern, as if Chen Yuan had proposed some heinous suggestion.
Chen Yuan glanced at him coldly, his tone filled with undisguised sarcasm:
"Then, according to Sect Heir Ling, what should be done? Hold fast and wait for reinforcements? Heh, not to mention when reinforcements will arrive, are you so sure that this crumbling Secret Realm Restriction can last until then?"
His gaze, like lightning, swept over Soaring Heaven's hand, which trembled slightly from fear:
"Or perhaps, Sect Heir Ling believes that hiding in this turtle shell, watching fellow Disciples exhaust their last bit of spiritual energy, then having the Formation broken by the Yao Race and being slaughtered like pigs and dogs, is the best strategy?
To think you are the Sect Heir of Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion, yet you turn out to be a coward who fears death and lacks any courage!"
"You... you're talking nonsense!"
Soaring Heaven's sore spot was hit by Chen Yuan's words, making his face flush red and his body tremble with anger, yet he couldn't find words to retort for a moment.
Elder Mu Yan and Elder Dugu Jiu exchanged glances, both seeing fatigue and helplessness in each other's eyes.
How could they not know that holding fast was a poor strategy?
But their injuries were severe, and with Yao Sages eyeing them from outside, taking the initiative to attack indeed had slim chances of success.
Finally, Elder Mu Yan sighed softly and made a decision:
"Young friend Chen, your courage is commendable. But currently, the disparity in strength between us and the enemy is too great; a rash attack might lead to disaster.
The urgent task is to concentrate all our strength to reinforce the Secret Realm Formation. The longer we can hold out, the greater our hope of awaiting reinforcements."
Dugu Jiu also said in a deep voice, "All Disciples, listen to my command: stabilize the Restriction!"
With the Elder's command, even though the Disciples were fearful, they could only grit their teeth and obey.
Soaring Heaven glared fiercely at Chen Yuan, then also turned to join the ranks of those maintaining the Formation.
Instantly, streaks of spiritual light illuminated various parts of the Secret Realm. All surviving Disciples poured their spiritual power unreservedly into the ancient Formation patterns supporting the Secret Realm.
Mu Yan and Dugu Jiu, moreover, forcefully gathered their true essence, sitting at the core of the Formation's eye, guiding the converging power.
However, the Yao Race's offensive from outside was far more ferocious than imagined!
"Boom—!!!"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, the entire Secret Realm space shook violently, as if about to flip over!
The light curtain supporting the Formation flickered unsteadily, emitting a wail of unbearable strain.
Mu Yan and Dugu Jiu, at the core, bore the brunt, their faces turning pale.
And the surrounding Disciples with lower cultivation, like fallen leaves swept by a gale, screamed as they were sent flying by the backlash of the Formation, crashing into the rock walls, their bones broken and muscles torn, instantly losing their combat ability.
With just the first wave of attack, the Secret Realm's defense was already on the verge of collapse!
Xu Nuo was also fully channeling her spiritual power; at this moment, she was drenched in sweat, her pretty face pale, and her delicate body trembling slightly, clearly greatly exhausted.
Chen Yuan watched from the side, his brows tightly furrowed, slowly shaking his head.
At this rate, it wouldn't last much longer.
He walked to Xu Nuo's side, ignoring the chaotic scene around them, and gently supported her somewhat unsteady body.
Flipping his palm, a Medicinal Pill exuding rich vitality and pure medicinal power appeared in his hand, which he unceremoniously placed into Xu Nuo's mouth.
The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering her mouth, and a warm current instantly surged through Xu Nuo's limbs and bones, greatly alleviating her exhaustion and fatigue.
"You..." Xu Nuo looked at him in astonishment.
Chen Yuan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "No need to try so hard. Trust me, those outside are nothing but a bunch of weaklings; I can cut them down with ease. Conserve your energy, and I will defeat the enemy."