Chapter 1373: All Hope Is Lost

Several white-haired elders descended slowly from the sky, their bodies radiating a terrifying aura. They gazed at Chen Cangyun, who stood alone, and upon sensing no other presence around, their eyes revealed an even more pronounced mocking smile.

"Chen Cangyun, you dare to challenge us without any preparation? Such arrogance!"

"I thought you might have some allies, but it turns out you came alone. Underestimating us like this will cost you dearly!"

"Even though we are all at the peak of the Martial King realm, how can you possibly take on the three of us alone?"

Facing their scornful gazes, Chen Cangyun's expression was resolute and cold as he responded, "Enough talk. Let's fight!"

With that, he unleashed his full cultivation power. The immense spiritual energy of a peak Martial King stirred up a fierce wind, causing even the distant rolling river to splash with waves!

Seeing such a display, the three elders exchanged glances and laughed heartily.

"It seems he is determined to die. Let's grant him his wish!"

"Chen Cangyun, you dared to face us alone, bearing the brunt of this battle. That's quite commendable, worthy of a Martial King. But today, don't blame us for ganging up on you!"

Though their words were filled with praise, the malice in their eyes was unmistakable.

The three peak Martial Kings attacked simultaneously, their swords and blades carrying terrifying spiritual energy as they closed in on Chen Cangyun. The attacks intertwined like a net before his eyes, and within moments, dozens of exchanges had taken place, each second fraught with peril!

Even though Chen Cangyun was also a peak Martial King and had several trump cards up his sleeve, he was no match for the combined assault of three opponents of the same level. In just a few breaths, he began to show signs of defeat.

"Boom!"

A heavy blow struck his chest, sending Chen Cangyun flying dozens of feet. Blood spurted from his mouth, and his face turned pale.

"Pfft!!!"

Seeing the three elders closing in, Chen Cangyun's eyes flashed with determination. He swallowed a pill to temporarily suppress his injuries, then slammed his right palm on the ground, using the force to propel himself into the night sky and flee!

The three peak Martial Kings exchanged cold glances and immediately gave chase, their killing intent palpable.

"Trying to escape now? It's too late!"

"He managed to withstand our combined attacks for several moves before falling. Truly worthy of being the lord of Yecheng!"

"We cannot let the tiger return to the mountains!"

"Today, Chen Cangyun must be killed. Otherwise, even if we take Yecheng, we will never rest easy!"

Their figures shot into the clouds, chasing after the fleeing Chen Cangyun. The distance between them was only a few feet as they vanished into the pre-dawn sky, heading south.

...

Hundreds of miles to the south, in the bustling town of Qinghe, bathed in the morning light, thousands of young men gathered under a large locust tree at the entrance of the main street. Clad in armor and armed with swords and spears, their expressions were grim.

The old town mayor and the clan leader stood at the forefront, their eyes filled with determination.

After exchanging a quiet glance, the mayor stepped forward and spoke in a solemn voice.

"These are perilous times. Yecheng has been besieged for several days and may not hold out much longer. We must do everything we can to aid them, sparing no cost to protect Yecheng."

"Only by protecting the greater good can we safeguard our own homes!"

"After bidding farewell, everyone must set out immediately. No matter what, we must reach Yecheng in time! This mission is extremely dangerous, and participation is entirely voluntary. If anyone wishes to withdraw, now is the time!"

His voice echoed through the street, met with complete silence.

Whether it was the hunters and young farmers standing resolutely, or the women, children, and elderly on the sides with tears in their eyes, no one made a sound. Though their knowledge might be limited, everyone understood that there was no other choice.

Suddenly, someone raised their arm and shouted, and the cry soon spread throughout the town.

"Protect the greater good to safeguard our homes!"

"Protect the greater good to safeguard our homes!"

"Protect the greater good to safeguard our homes!"

Seeing the younger generation's passionate cries, the townsfolk couldn't help but join in, their voices filled with determination. The old clan leader's eyes reddened, and any further words seemed unnecessary.

Just as he was about to lead the town's able-bodied men to what might be their deaths, a sudden sound broke the air.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several streaks of light shot across the sky, like meteors about to crash, startling everyone. When they looked closer, they saw several figures hovering in the air, eliciting gasps of shock.

"Who are these people, able to fly through the air?"

"My heavens! Isn't that Lord Chen Cangyun?!"

"Lord Chen is bleeding from the mouth. He seems injured. Those other figures have terrifying auras—they must be powerful pursuers!"

"Have they come all the way to Qinghe Town? Has Yecheng fallen?"

...

Seeing the disheveled state of Lord Chen Cangyun, the townsfolk erupted in murmurs of shock and fear. Even the old clan leader and the town's martial experts clenched their fists in alarm.

In an instant, the entire street of Qinghe Town was on edge. Thousands of eyes looked up at the terrifying figures in the sky, their faces filled with awe and dread.

The mayor's expression shifted repeatedly, and he instinctively turned to look back in panic.

"Lord Chen has been chased all the way to our town? How could this happen?"

"What are we going to do?"

The old clan leader's face darkened as he stared at the figures in the sky, his tone grave.

"Those people are likely Martial Kings as well, which is why Lord Chen is injured and defeated. If even Lord Chen can't withstand them, Yecheng must have already fallen..."

"We are powerless to intervene in a battle of this level."

His words plunged the surroundings into dead silence.

Though the people of Qinghe Town were united, witnessing Lord Chen's defeat and hearing the clan leader's grim assessment filled them with despair. They clenched their fists tightly, their eyes fixed on the disheveled figure of Lord Chen in the sky, as if he were their last hope. Many silently prayed and urged him on.

However, Chen Cangyun was indeed at the end of his strength. Managing to escape the pursuit of three Martial Kings for hundreds of miles was nothing short of a miracle. Now, he had no strength left to turn the tide of battle, nor even to defend himself.

"Boom!"

Another blow struck him, sending Chen Cangyun crashing to the ground.

"Crash!"

Trees and houses toppled, and a deep trench was carved into the earth, causing the townsfolk to retreat in fear. The morale of Qinghe Town was shattered in an instant.

"It's over..."

Under the old clan leader's trembling whisper, the people of Qinghe Town turned ashen-faced.

Yet, Chen Cangyun seemed unwilling to give up. Gritting his teeth, he crawled out of the rubble, swallowed several more pills, and fled toward the foot of the mountain.

Seeing this, the three Martial Kings did not relent. Their killing intent unabated, they pursued him closely.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several streaks of light flashed by, as if the final act of this battle was about to unfold in Qinghe Town. Many, including the old clan leader, rushed toward the mountain without a second thought.

A sea of people surged forward, their footsteps causing the ground to tremble.

As the pursuers closed in on Lord Chen, he suddenly stopped at the foot of the mountain. The scene became a tense standoff, and the thousands of townsfolk following behind were on edge.

When they saw the door Lord Chen was leaning against, many couples' hearts sank.

Behind that door was Qinghe Town's schoolhouse, filled with children. A battle between Martial Kings was about to take place here, and the innocent would surely be caught in the crossfire.

Inside the schoolhouse was only the frail Mr. Yi, who stood no chance against Martial Kings. It was inevitable that many children would perish in the coming clash...

What could they do?

The tense standoff grew more intense, and the despair of impending doom spread across the faces of the crowd.

Meanwhile, inside the schoolhouse, Mr. Yi, who had been teaching, calmly set down his book. His tone was serene as he admonished the class, as if he could perceive everything happening outside without even looking.

"A true scholar focuses solely on his studies, ignoring the distractions of the outside world. Why are you all looking around? Have you forgotten my teachings?"

At his words, many of the children who had been peeking outside stood up in shame, bowing and apologizing. However, a few mischievous ones hesitated, exchanging glances before speaking up.

"Sir, you're right..."

"But there are so many footsteps outside. Something big must be happening."

"Sir, last night I heard my father say that the town might be going to war. With all the footsteps outside, has the fighting already reached us?"

As the children began to whisper among themselves, their faces filled with growing fear, the classroom buzzed with anxious chatter.

Clearly, it was impossible to keep the children focused on their studies now.

Finally, Mr. Yi slowly set down his book.

"These are matters for adults. You need not concern yourselves."

"Stay in the classroom and review your lessons. I will step out for a moment. Do not move from your seats."

"When I return, I will quiz you. Those who cannot answer will be punished."

Hearing this, the children immediately lowered their heads and began reading, their curiosity momentarily quelled as they became obedient once more.

Only then did Mr. Yi stand up, straightening his robes with the dignity befitting a teacher. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked steadily toward the courtyard gate...