"You don't want to mistakenly kill the innocent?" Xia Changtian suddenly burst into a long, mocking laugh. "So, you still plan on killing all of us?"
"Kill you? What's so strange about that?" Jun Moxie returned the sneer with a grin. "This Lord only wants to see if you have the guts to stand out, now that you've dared to act!"
"Hah, what is there to fear? This old man will be the first!" Xia Changtian stepped forward, his face grim, eyeing Jun Moxie askance. "I want to see just who dares to question this! Yes, there was a battle here, a brutal one! But this old man deliberately held back support, forbidding anyone from lending aid! So what? How do you intend to seek justice!?"
Standing to the side, the Thunder Holy Lord Ji Bowen let out a cold snort and also stepped forward. "This old man certainly did not approve of wasting precious combat strength supporting a bunch of Xuan Beasts! Allies? Reinforcements? They aren't worthy! If Lord Jun insists on seeking an explanation for them, then count me in as well!"
The two men simultaneously fixed their gaze on Jun Moxie, their smiles dripping with insolent mockery!
"And us!" Following behind them, forty or fifty others stepped out one after another! Each stood with their arms crossed, watching Jun Moxie with cold, cynical smiles. It was clear they were relishing his predicament.
Punishment? How laughable! Who could possibly punish two Holy Lords, five Holy Venerables, over twenty Saint Emperors, and more than twenty Saints all at once?
This group represented half of the Heavenly Saint Palace’s current strength! Who would dare claim they could wipe them all out?
The maxim that the multitude cannot be punished always holds true! Especially when dealing with a mere Lord of Evil like you? What right do you have to punish us? Do you even possess the capability?
We have guarded the continent for millennia! We are undeniably the greatest benefactors of this land! You, a mere youth, how much have you contributed to the common people?
And now, for a few Xuan Beasts, you intend to punish us? To kill us? Utterly preposterous!
Watching the growing number of people step forward, Gu Han’s heart sank lower and lower, finally hitting rock bottom! His vision darkened, and his body instinctively swayed.
He knew this matter could no longer be resolved peacefully! It had escalated completely!
From his observations of Jun Moxie’s temperament during this period, Gu Han had grasped something of the man. This individual never yielded to threats! With this kind of alignment facing him, anyone with even a shred of consideration for the greater good would have backed down, letting the humiliation simply fade away.
But Jun Moxie—was he such a person? Jun Moxie’s nature was to meet strength with greater strength; he had never compromised! Using such tactics to threaten him would only prove counterproductive!
Gu Han sighed internally in despair. If the defenders stationed at the Heaven-Seizing Battlefield had offered a legitimate excuse—say, they were truly unable to break out—followed by a sincere apology, perhaps with Gu Han mediating, there might have been a slim chance of calming the situation.
Even if Jun Moxie intended to settle scores later, Gu Han was certain it wouldn't be here and now.
But now, with so many standing up in unison, there was simply no turning back!
Gu Han was acutely aware that Jun Moxie must have had a reason for coming to this battlefield. However, it was definitely not for the sake of the world's populace! And certainly not for the sake of the Three Great Holy Lands!
If they truly pushed him too far, this man would spare no cost, not even the destruction of the entire continent, to avenge and vent his anger for his brothers!
Against a rogue force like this, yielding softly was the only correct approach. But these fools had already escalated things beyond repair!
The forty-seven figures opposite him stood with their arms crossed, gazing down on Jun Moxie with contempt. We humiliated you, so what? We offered no support, and what then? Do you truly dare to fight?
The consequence of this battle is the world’s ruin, the devastation of the populace! Based on what, Jun Moxie, can you shoulder that responsibility? If a true war erupts, and severe consequences follow, you, Jun Moxie, will be the prime culprit!
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Trying to posture and win popular support? Demanding satisfaction? Kid, you dream too sweetly for one so young!
Gu Han could clearly discern their thoughts just by looking at their expressions. At this moment, even Mo Wudao and the others could only sigh deeply, utterly speechless!
Idiots! Fools! They actually think they are benefactors... When has Jun Moxie ever cared about the common people? As for being the culprit... he cares even less about that!
Let them do as they please. That is Jun Moxie!
You are playing with fire!
It was understandable; Xia Changtian and the others simply did not know what kind of person Jun Moxie was. Had they known even a fraction of Jun Moxie’s past deeds, they would never have pushed things to this extreme!
If they had known that Jun Moxie once defied the entire world’s condemnation to slaughter ruthlessly for the sake of Guan Qinghan, Xia Changtian and the others absolutely would not have acted this way.
And that was before they had even pressured Jun Moxie!
Even then, Jun Moxie proceeded!
Now, it was even more certain!
"Is there anyone else?" Jun Moxie suddenly laughed strangely and asked calmly.
The remaining people exchanged glances, but no one else stepped forward. The Demonic Eye Saint Leng Tong stood within the ranks, his face showing indignation. They had naturally heard about the fighting over here; some had even watched. However, when they proposed sending aid, they were met with ruthless reprimands from the two Holy Lords!
Moreover, quite a few had suffered hardships trying to force their way through to provide relief!
Now that things had reached this point, they were filled with guilt and intense anxiety! If they were to descend into internal conflict at this critical juncture... it would certainly be disastrous! The safety of the entire continent might be ruined by this feud!
Leng Tong had once voiced this possibility. But the two Holy Lords remained unmoved. What could be done?
"What an imposing lineup!" Jun Moxie suddenly laughed and strode out!
Clang!
A sword cry split the air. A sword materialized abruptly, seemingly bursting forth from the void itself. Its edge gleamed with cold light, hovering silently in the air. A faint tinge of blood emanated from the blade, releasing a fierce killing intent and a magnificent sword aura that swept outwards!
The surroundings were already a fiery hellscape from the volcanic eruptions, the ambient temperature pushed beyond endurance! Yet, as this sword appeared, the world suddenly felt cooler! And a bone-chilling cold began to creep into existence!
Though the sword remained perfectly still, it captured everyone’s gaze!
Gu Han almost blurted out in shock. This sword was the demonic sword that had fought against the Cycle of Reincarnation! Even Gu Han felt profound dread towards its power!
With the appearance of this demonic sword, all of Gu Han’s remaining hopes dissolved into despair!
The continent was finished!
Jun Moxie had resolved to kill! This Slaughtering Demonic Sword was his ultimate killing tool! This battle was inevitable!
No matter who won or lost this fight, the losses would be staggeringly immense! Their strength against the foreign races was already strained; with this change, victory was without question...
They were doomed to fail!
"A fine sword!" Thunder Saint Lord Xia Changtian’s gaze turned frigid as he fixed it on Jun Moxie’s face. "It seems you are determined to go your own way today? Do you truly hold nothing for the safety of the realm and its billions of souls?"
"The safety of the realm, the common people of the continent..." Heh, hahahaha..." Jun Moxie laughed tragically. "My brothers came here precisely for the safety of the realm, precisely for the common people of the continent! But until the day they died in battle, they never saw the populace come to their aid! While my brothers fought bravely and shattered their bodies, the world's populace merely stood aside to watch the show! Hahahaha..."
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Jun Moxie laughed wildly, tears almost streaming down his face. "And now, you come to discuss the safety of the realm and the common people with me? Xia Changtian! Don't you think you are utterly shameless?"
Xia Changtian and Ji Bowen exchanged a look, both recognizing the meaning in the other's eyes.
They had miscalculated!
They certainly didn't hold Jun Moxie in high regard, but this battle had enormous implications! Ten thousand Heavenly Punishment Allied Forces were present here, all experts. If this fight truly broke out, it would mean absolute severance!
Then, regardless of what the foreign races did, this world would be over!
Originally, they believed that under the imposing banner of "the Realm's Safety," Jun Moxie would inevitably hesitate and not actually strike. But now, they realized they were wrong.
"Lord Jun! Would you permit this old man a word?" Gu Han sighed deeply, and without waiting for Jun Moxie’s reply, rushed to speak. "With a great enemy looming, internal war is ill-omened! Regarding today's events, I implore you to postpone them for my sake? Xia Changtian and the others made mistakes, but we need them in the imminent battle. Can we allow them to atone through service? After this Heaven-Seizing Battle, this old man will stake his life to ensure Lord Jun receives a satisfactory resolution!"
"No," Jun Moxie shook his head slowly but firmly. "My brothers died here; their remains are not yet cold! Their heroic spirits are nearby! They are watching me! They are waiting for me to settle things for them! I do not wish to keep them waiting anxiously."
"Lord Jun, please reconsider!" Gu Han stepped forward anxiously.
"Gu Han, if you cannot bear to see your own kin fall, you are welcome to join them in opposing me! Even if the Three Great Holy Lands and the Heavenly Saint Palace all attack together, I, Jun Moxie, will face you all! It matters not!"
Jun Moxie’s brow was cold, his gaze sharp. "But, while these people live, my conscience cannot rest!"
"For the sake of the common people, can you not endure this?!" Gu Han cried out in agitation.
"I, Jun Moxie, swear here and now!" Jun Moxie roared with a chilling laugh. "From this day forward, from this moment! Anyone who dares utter the phrase 'the safety of the common people' in front of me will die!"
Gu Han’s face flushed crimson with anxiety, but he stood firmly before Jun Moxie, refusing to yield an inch.
"Move aside!" Jun Moxie said flatly. "I will count to three. If you still do not move, I will immediately command all Heavenly Punishment warriors to engage the forces of the Three Great Holy Lands here and now in a fight to the death!"
Gu Han shuddered violently, his eyes wide with shock, unable to utter a word!
He believed Jun Moxie was entirely capable of such an act! This Lord of Evil, corrupted to the bone, defied all conventional measures.
"One!" Jun Moxie spoke the single word calmly. The Yan Huang Blood atop his head let out a cheerful sword hum, its surrounding sword light flaring brilliantly, the tip emitting a blinding white glow half a zhang long!
"Two!" Jun Moxie’s eyes were as cold as eternal ice, unchanging. The Yan Huang Blood hummed, and the direction of the sword light shifted, pointing straight at Gu Han's brow!
Gu Han’s face twisted with indecision, cold sweat running down his forehead. Jun Moxie might not care, but he could not afford not to!
"Three!" Jun Moxie shouted. "All hands, obey my command!"
"Here!" Mei Xueyan, the Bear King, Tiger King, Crane King, Ying Bokong, and Feng Juanyun stepped forward simultaneously!
Jun Moxie roared, slashing his hand downwards, crying out brutally, "Draw swords! Target everyone from the Three Great Holy Lands! Annihilate them—"
"Stop!" Before Jun Moxie could finish the last syllable of "kill," Gu Han shouted out, his body trembling. "This old man will withdraw!"
With that, he roared, "All people of the Three Great Holy Lands, do not make any rash moves! Follow me and retreat to the side! Any who dare move rashly will be executed without mercy!"
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At his command, the forces of the Three Great Holy Lands simultaneously withdrew from the field, their eyes fixed on Jun Moxie with undisguised apprehension! This lunatic actually dared to do it...
Only the original forty-seven individuals remained on the field! Facing the solitary figure of Jun Moxie across the expanse!
"Xia Changtian, Ji Bowen!" Jun Moxie roared. "Give me your heads as satisfaction! Little Eagle, my fallen brothers, their spirits are near! Watch me retrieve justice for you!"
A mournful wind howled across the firmament, and the entire earth and sky seemed to grow desolate and killing intent filled as Jun Moxie let out that great shout.
"Arrogant brat, this old man wishes to see whose head ends up being taken!" Xia Changtian sneered. "You all step back! I alone will test the methods of this Lord of Evil!"
"Not one person is allowed to leave! Every single person who advocated against aid must die!" Before his words faded, Jun Moxie launched himself into the air. Mid-flight, a dense cluster of black blades, faintly gleaming with cold light, suddenly materialized around him!
The Nine Nether Cold Blades!
The Yan Huang Blood howled as it charged forth! The sword light illuminated the vast, endless sky!
"Yin-Yang Escape Technique!" Jun Moxie yelled, suddenly vanishing in mid-air, leaving Xia Changtian, who was preparing to move, without a target.
"Five Elements Power! Erupt for me!" Another explosive shout followed.
Suddenly, countless fire dragons manifested between heaven and earth, encircling the entire arena! The intense heat made the very air in the space tremble.
Innumerable torrents of water swept up from the ground and poured down from the sky...
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With a deafening boom, a massive pit, hundreds of zhang in circumference, tore open in the ground! It was bottomless. And Xia Changtian and the others, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the chasm, suddenly plunged into it!
The walls of the pit instantly flashed with the color of hardened steel—the Metal Element! Confinement!
Immediately after, a ferocious roar echoed from the unseen location of Jun Moxie in the void, as if the entire world had suddenly gone dark. Endless, black flames descended like fine black snow, slowly covering the area spanning several hundred zhang!
Precisely covering the opening of the great pit!
Chaos Fire!
This was Jun Moxie’s first all-out, no-holds-barred fight!
Here, for the brothers who died for him, he attacked with full force, ignoring all consequences!
Attacking with absolute madness!