450: Chapter 450 Hua Xunhuan and his two companions escaped successfully, while Xu Ruyu held off the enemy alone.

Cang Songzi, Situ E, and Zhao Qian slowly closed in on Xu Ruyu.

Their auras pressed down like mountains, locking onto every one of Xu Ruyu's movements.

The remaining forces of the Jile Sect and the Tianshu Sword Sect stirred restlessly behind them, their eyes filled with greed and killing intent.

The Grand Elder struggled to stand and transmitted his voice, "Sect Master, this old one will not leave. I have lived for so many years; it has been enough. Let me stay behind and accompany you."

Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan also struggled to stand, blood still trickling from the corner of her mouth, yet her eyes held no fear, only determination: "Sect Master, I will not leave either. You go, you must go; we will hold them off. I have lived enough in this life; if I die, so be it, there is nothing to regret. It is you, Sect Master, who are the hope and future of our Hehuan Sect."

Granny Liu did not speak, merely shaking her head.

Her meaning was clear—she would not leave.

The three of them stared fixedly at Xu Ruyu, their eyes filled with the resolve to die.

They knew that Xu Ruyu only had Qi Refinement Stage Cultivation, and while he had endless tricks up his sleeve, facing three top-tier experts, there was absolutely no chance of survival.

If they stayed behind, perhaps they could block a move or two for Xu Ruyu, or perhaps delay them for a breath or two.

But Xu Ruyu did not look at them.

His gaze remained fixed ahead, staring at Cang Songzi, Situ E, and Zhao Qian.

Yet his Divine Sense, like an invisible, slender thread, extended silently and soundlessly, precisely penetrating into the minds of the three Elders.

"Grand Elder, Fifth Elder, Granny Liu, listen to me. Do not speak, do not let your expressions change, and do not let anyone see any clues."

The three Elders were stunned simultaneously.

They had not expected that Xu Ruyu could still divide his focus to perform a Divine Sense transmission in such a situation.

But those who had lived for hundreds of years knew restraint best.

Their footsteps did not stop, and their expressions did not change, as if nothing had happened.

Xu Ruyu's voice continued to resound in their minds, so calm that it did not seem like he was facing life or death.

"In a moment, I will fire the psionic rocket launcher at Cang Songzi. That shot will not hurt him, but it will be enough to create chaos. Take that opportunity to immediately lead all the Disciples and retreat toward the canyon. There is a secret passage in the canyon, and Xiao Nianyin has already arranged for reinforcements."

The Grand Elder's Divine Sense fluctuated slightly, wanting to say something, but Xu Ruyu's voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable, commanding tone.

"This is an order. As the Sect Master of Hehuan Sect, I order you—you must leave alive. As long as you are alive, the Hehuan Sect still has hope, and those Disciples will still have someone to look after them. If you stay, you will only be throwing away three more lives. As for me, I will not necessarily die. I have hidden cards you do not know about; it is not that easy for them to kill me. But you are different; you are severely injured, and staying behind would just be a burden. Do you understand?"

He said the last three words heavily.

A burden.

This jarring word was like a basin of cold water poured over their hearts.

The Grand Elder's Divine Sense trembled violently; he knew that Xu Ruyu was speaking the truth—the three of them were severely injured, their Qi almost exhausted; staying behind would not only fail to help, but would instead distract Xu Ruyu.

A mournful cry echoed within Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan's Divine Sense, but she bit her lip hard, not letting a single sound escape, and even forced a fierce Battle Intent onto her face, as if she were about to rush up and risk her life the next second.

She was acting, acting for the enemies to see.

Granny Liu's Divine Sense remained silent for a long time, and finally, only an aged, trembling voice came through: "Sect Master... take care."

"Get ready." Xu Ruyu's voice remained calm. "I will count to three. One... two..."

He did not count to three.

Because he had already pulled the trigger.

The muzzle of the psionic rocket launcher suddenly erupted with a blinding light!

That light was more dazzling than the sun, illuminating the entire cliff as if it were broad daylight!

A thick beam of light tore through the night sky, carrying the pressure of world-destroying power, and headed straight for Cang Songzi!

This shot was the last energy crystal Xu Ruyu had kept.

He could have used this crystal to threaten Situ E and Zhao Qian to buy himself more time.

But he chose another way—to use it to open a path of survival for the three Elders and the Disciples.

Cang Songzi's expression changed drastically!

He had not expected Xu Ruyu to strike suddenly, and even less did he expect that the target of this shot was him!

Although his Cultivation was profound, he had already witnessed the power of the psionic rocket launcher earlier—it was a force capable of threatening a Cultivator in the Soul Transformation Stage!

Even though he was in the Saint Realm, he dared not take it head-on!

"Scatter!" Cang Songzi shouted sharply, his figure flashing violently to the side.

Situ E and Zhao Qian also dodged to the sides simultaneously.

Although they knew this shot was not aimed at them, no one dared to gamble on whether that beam of light would suddenly change direction.

The others from the Jile Sect and the Tianshu Sword Sect were even more panic-stricken, fleeing in all directions.

Those Cultivators who had just been fighting for the Spiritual Artifact were now scattering like frightened rabbits, some even colliding and rolling into a pile.

The entire cliff instantly fell into massive chaos.

The sounds of explosions, exclamations, and screams rang out in unison.

The beam of the psionic rocket launcher slammed into the spot where Cang Songzi had just been standing, smashing the giant rock to pieces. The debris flew everywhere like shrapnel, and several Disciples who could not dodge in time were hit, falling down with screams.

Thick smoke and dust rose into the air, obscuring the moonlight.

"Now!" The Grand Elder turned abruptly, and Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan and Granny Liu moved simultaneously.

They endured the injuries on their bodies, stumbling as they rushed toward the canyon.

Cang Songzi dodged the shot, his face livid.

He saw at a glance the members of the Hehuan Sect frantically fleeing toward the canyon. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he shouted sternly, "Want to run? Cang Bozi, stop them for me! Do not let a single one get away!"