439: Chapter 439 Xu Ruyu: I'll stay behind to cover your retreat, you take the rest of the men and go.

Xu Ruyu quickly calculated a countermeasure in his mind.

In the current situation, although the strength gap between them was still vast, his side wasn't entirely without the power to fight.

Especially since Granny Liu was at the Half-step Saint Realm, and although Xiao Nianyin had not yet recovered her Peak strength, it should be enough if she were the one to take these Disciples away.

Combined with his Spiritual Artifacts and hidden strength, he could surely catch the opponent off guard; utilizing these advantages, it might not be impossible to stall them for a moment.

Moreover, Xu Ruyu never intended to fight them head-on from the start.

His plan was to use Spiritual Artifacts to blast a gap in the enemy's defensive line and create chaos, then throw out all of this Spiritual Qi; those people had already set their sights on his Spiritual Qi, so they would definitely scramble for it when the time came.

He would let Xiao Nianyin take the opportunity to escape with the Disciples while he and several Elders stayed behind to Cover the retreat.

His gaze quickly swept across the surrounding terrain, and he made up his mind; if he used Sleeve Universe to store the Disciples and then jumped down from the canyon, it shouldn't be a problem for Xiao Nianyin to protect them with her Saint Realm cultivation.

As long as they escaped the enemy's encirclement, the Hehuan Sect Disciples would have a chance to flee.

But the problem now was, how to create a Breakthrough point?

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath, his Divine Sense splitting into several thin threads, silently reaching out toward the Grand Elder, Fifth Elder, Granny Liu, and Xiao Nianyin behind him.

The Grand Elder was gripping his longsword, prepared to fight to the death.

Suddenly, Xu Ruyu's voice sounded in his mind: "Grand Elder, don't look back, and don't show any sign that anything is wrong.

Listen to me, I have a way for our Hehuan Sect Disciples to escape this death trap."

The Grand Elder's body jolted, but he quickly returned to normal.

Having lived for so many years, he was very shrewd; he knew that since Xu Ruyu was using Divine Sense transmission, there must be arrangements he didn't want the enemy to know about.

He maintained his desperate posture, but his mind was already focused on Xu Ruyu's words.

Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan was sneering, the short sword in her hand trembling slightly.

Suddenly, her brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed out.

She heard Xu Ruyu's voice: "Fifth Elder, don't speak, just listen to my arrangements."

Granny Liu gripped her short dagger, preparing to charge.

Suddenly, she felt a faint ripple of Divine Sense enter her mind.

She didn't look back, only nodding slightly, the movement so small it was almost imperceptible.

Xiao Nianyin stood behind Xu Ruyu, complex emotions surging in her heart.

Suddenly, Xu Ruyu's voice sounded in her mind: "Xiao Nianyin, don't move, listen to me first."

Xiao Nianyin was slightly stunned, then regained her composure.

Her gaze remained fixed forward, but her mind was entirely focused on Xu Ruyu's words.

Xu Ruyu's voice was very calm:

"I've done a secret count; in the enemy camp, there are two in the Early Saint Realm, one at the Half-step Saint Realm, thirteen Nascent Souls, over thirty Golden Cores, and nearly a hundred at Foundation Establishment.

On our side, the Grand Elder is at the Early Stage of Tribulation Transcendence, the Fifth Elder is at the Peak of Mahayana, Granny Liu is at the Half-step Saint Realm, Leng Ningshuang and the other two are at the Soul Transformation Stage, and then there's me.

If we choose to fight them head-on, it's not that our Hehuan Sect can't fight, but these Disciples will surely suffer heavy casualties.

Clearly, this is not a wise move."

The Grand Elder's expression became even more solemn, but he didn't speak.

Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan's lips twitched slightly, but she maintained her sneer.

Granny Liu's gaze grew even sharper.

Xiao Nianyin's hands tightened slightly.

Xu Ruyu continued: "Therefore, I've decided—we'll wait for a moment when the opponent is off guard, concentrate our strength, use Spiritual Artifacts to blast a path of blood, and have Xiao Nianyin lead everyone to take the Disciples and escape through the canyon.

Then, I'll stay behind to Cover the retreat."

As soon as these words were spoken, stormy waves surged in the hearts of the four simultaneously.

The Grand Elder almost cried out, but he gritted his teeth hard.

His eyes reddened, but he knew now was not the time for an argument.

He was the Grand Elder of the Hehuan Sect; he had to obey the Sect Master's orders.

Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan's hand suddenly tightened around her short sword, her slender knuckles turning slightly white.

Her lips were trembling, but she held back.

She knew Xu Ruyu was right; this was currently the only way to let these Disciples escape with their lives.

But she was unwilling.

Why should the Sect Master stay behind to die? Why?

Although Hua Xunhuan hadn't thought highly of Xu Ruyu before, after spending time together these days, she knew this young man had a charismatic personality unlike others.

If someone like him were to always lead the Hehuan Sect, it would surely be a great blessing for all the Disciples.

Granny Liu's gaze became even sharper, but her face remained expressionless.

Having lived for so many years, she had seen too much life and death.

She knew that sometimes, someone must sacrifice themselves.

But she hadn't expected the one to proactively offer sacrifice would be this young man, who was once looked down upon and even ridiculed by everyone.

At this moment, another emotion was also surging in Xiao Nianyin's heart.

She couldn't understand.

Xu Ruyu was only at the Qi Refinement Stage; what did he have to Cover the retreat?

His Spiritual Artifacts were powerful, but how long could he last against two in the Saint Realm and one in the Half-step Saint Realm?

One breath? Two breaths?

She couldn't help but ask via Divine Sense: "Xu Ruyu, you're just at the Qi Refinement Stage, what do you have to Cover the retreat?

Your Spiritual Qi can't deal with so many people!"