First Yun’s words were very straightforward and very certain.

Everyone, not a word of rebuttal.

Because they all knew that was the truth.

Their cultivation was only between the Supreme 9990th Realm and the Supreme 9991st Realm; they were monsters who could exert power spanning two realms.

Plus, with the amplification from the High Grade Peak Holy Artifact obtained earlier, they now had the strength to easily fend off demon beasts of the Supreme 9992nd Realm.

If another prohibition is broken, and the demon beasts’ strength increases, they won’t last long.

"Since it’s no longer achievable, we can only leave," Ran Qi said directly.

Ran Qi was just that straightforward.

If there’s a battle to be had, he could stay and fight to the end.

If things are unfeasible and a battle cannot be won, he wouldn’t bother with the babble—he’d just leave.

"Hmm," Ye Liu nodded.

"You all leave first," First Yun said while punching a demon beast away.

"Hmm?" Everyone looked at First Yun in confusion.

Earlier he was the one who said with certainty that things were unachievable and that they’d have to leave.

Now, he wasn’t leaving?

First Yun said in a deep voice, "I’m a Demon Hunter, hunting demons is my duty."

"The people from the Five Great Academies and Black Cloud Academy are looking for trouble themselves—I can’t control that."

"But I can’t just stand by and watch the heavenly talents of the other two teams perish here."

"Once they’re safely away, I will also leave immediately."

The Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, although it’s a rare opportunity and even a once-in-a-lifetime chance for martial artists.

But with the drastic changes in the main situation here, they cannot withstand it any longer.

Continuing on will only lead to certain death.

Everyone could only choose to stop here.

"Heh," Hua Ruolian shook his head with a smile, "First Yun, I will accompany you once."

First Yun squinted, "You’re not a martial artist of the Demon Hunting Hall, no need to stay here and take the risk with me."

Hua Ruolian unleashed a Fire Blade, killing a demon beast in the attack, and said with a smile, "Though I’m not a martial artist of the Demon Hunting Hall, I’m still a martial artist of the Eight Palaces."

"Demon hunting is also my duty."

"Besides..." Hua Ruolian paused, then said coldly, "First Yun, you’re an opponent acknowledged by me, Hua Ruolian."

"I don’t want to lose an opponent for no reason."

"Otherwise, the future journey of martial arts will be quite boring."

"Me too," Zhangsun Chilie said with a hearty laugh.

"First Yun, I’ll accompany you as well."

"Thank you," First Yun gave them both a genuine look.

The three made their decision.

Ye Liu frowned, looking at Xiao Yi, "Brother Xiao Yi, how about you?"

"Me?" Xiao Yi was maintaining the Star Illusion Sword Formation with one hand while defending against the demon beasts charging from the Sword Dao Giant Gate with the other.

"Initially, I wanted to leave as well."

"However, I am also a martial artist of the Eight Palaces, and with Hua Ruolian saying what he did, there’s no reason for me not to stay."

Xiao Yi’s tone was light, with just a faint smile.

"You guy," Hua Ruolian laughed, "You’re indeed acknowledged as a lifelong opponent by that guy, truly impressive."

"If we can get out safely, I, Hua Ruolian, will consider you a friend."

Xiao Yi shrugged.

"Alright." Ye Liu shrugged too, "Brother Xiao Yi is not leaving, I’ll stay a while longer too."

"Back in the Thousand Wind Canyon battle, I couldn’t accompany you till the end, Brother Xiao Yi."

"This time, I’ll risk my life to accompany you."

"Ran Qi, what about you?"

Ye Liu looked at Ran Qi.

Ran Qi swung a long spear, rolling his eyes at Ye Liu, "You all make your reasons sound so compelling; if I leave, wouldn’t I become a scoundrel?"

"Fine, I’ll stay a bit longer too."

Everyone had made their decision.

...

Time slowly passed.

A whole hour later.

The heavenly talents in the teams of Lingg Hong and Ao Yinfeng had still not left.

Among the 15 teams that entered the main situation, only Black Cloud Academy and the Five Great Academic Palaces had teams composed entirely of their own disciples, not mixed with heavenly talents from other forces.

While the remaining 9 teams were each mixed with heavenly talents from other forces.

Hence, people didn’t pay attention to the Five Great Academic Palaces and Black Cloud Academy now—they only focused on Lingg Hong and Ao Yinfeng’s teams.

Yet, the heavenly talents in these two teams still hadn’t triggered the Cave Mansion restriction to leave?

"Something’s wrong," First Yun frowned.

"You haven’t called out the word ’leave’?" First Yun looked at the heavenly talents in the two teams.

At this point, the heavenly talents in these teams were still doing their utmost to maintain their respective Great Formations, holding back the tide of demon beasts.

The heavenly talents from both teams didn’t speak.

"You don’t want to leave?" Hua Ruolian asked with a frown.

The heavenly talents from both teams still didn’t answer.

Xiao Yi slightly turned his head and glanced over.

He, usually sharp-eyed, noticed clearly the flicker in their eyes.

In that flicker, there seemed to be a hint of ’asking for help.’

First Yun, staring at the heavenly talents of both teams, also noticed something amiss.

Just then, from behind Ao Yinfeng’s team, came a cry for help, "Vice Master Xiao Yi, save us, they’re..."

Clang...

A sharp sword was pressed against the neck of this heavenly talent.

"Shut up," Sikong Yu shouted coldly, "Either obediently help repel them, or if our Heavenly Hidden Great Formation gets breached, you’ll also end up in the belly of a demon beast."

Ao Yinfeng’s team originally couldn’t hold on for long.

But the Heavenly Hidden Academy team early on guarded at the side, allowing Ao Yinfeng to remain undisturbed by the demon beasts and persist in a state of comprehension, never waking up.

First Yun instantly realized, glaring at Guu Feifan, "Bastard, Heavenly Hidden Academy, you dare coerce other heavenly talents?"

"With no alternative, sorry," Guu Feifan bowed apologetically.

First Yun and others immediately darkened their expressions.

No wonder the heavenly talents from the two teams delayed leaving the main situation—they were under threat, unable to call out the word ’leave,’ and had to help resist together.

The situation with Lingg Hong’s team was quite similar.

Under the restraint of Xue Bai, Heu Youu, and others, the heavenly talents with intentions to retreat simply couldn’t utter the word ’leave,’ leaving them no choice but to stay and fend off the demon beasts.

Right at this time.

Bang... bang... bang... bang...

The prohibition before the chiefs of the Four Great Academies was broken in succession.

Boom...

The aura of all the demon beasts and puppets surged instantly, reaching the Supreme 9996 Dao level.

"Damn," Xiao Yi’s face changed.

"Damn it," First Yun gritted his teeth, "Let’s just grab the people and leave together."

Hua Ruolian and others nodded.

Xiao Yi contemplated briefly and nodded too.

Just as they were about to move, unexpectedly Black Cloud Academy and the Five Great Academies acted even faster.

After breaking the prohibition, the chiefs of the Four Great Academies did not remain in place but coordinated with the academy teams, moving laterally towards Lingg Hong and Ao Yinfeng’s teams.

With Mo Youu leading the charge, unstoppable, five teams moved laterally at an extremely fast speed.

Before Xiao Yi’s group could react, Mo Youu and the five teams had already defended in front of Lingg Hong and Ao Yinfeng.

"You now have two choices," Guu Feifan said coldly.

"One, you can leave, watching these heavenly talents unable to resist and end up in the belly of the demon beasts."

"Two, stay and defend together with us."

...

Third update.

Today’s update, done.