"Should we run?"
Chi Ji asked, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
Xu Xian looked at Chi Ji and said, "Bear with this for a moment."
Then.
He knocked Chi Ji out and threw her into the skull behind him.
"Let's run," the little book spirit said, its expression anxious.
Xu Xian glanced at it and said, "Fine. Get ready. Let's do this for real."
Then, the little book spirit very reluctantly flew into the sky to observe the surroundings.
Xu Xian gave his hand a shake and brought out a sword.
The sword's name was Halt.
An immortal sword.
A new sword.
Most outsiders had never seen it, so there was no need to worry about being recognized.
The upcoming battle would be a tough one, so Xu Xian needed a sharp blade.
He lifted the skull with one hand and, with a few leaps, jumped onto the highest peak in the area.
He set the skull upright on the top of the slope.
As for him, he sat on a large rock with the sword across his knees, took out a jar of God-Demon Drunk, and drank alone.
On his body, the pillar of blood light was as thick as ink, shooting straight into the sky.
All around him, countless crowds surged like a great wave.
The mournful wind howled, the shouts were overwhelming, his ten-colored long hair danced wildly, and mouthful after mouthful of strong liquor went down his throat...
The tide of myriad beings continued to gather, only slowing their pace once they reached the foot of the mountain.
Those at the front had arrived but didn't dare to move rashly.
Those at the back continued to arrive in an endless stream.
The heavenly demons of the Demon Abyss ultimately did not find the courage to support the demon son Bai Mang.
They remained at their strongholds, staying put.
Lan Zhan, who had been appointed as the leader of the heavenly demons by Bai Mang, found an impeccable excuse for himself.
The demon son had given an order that without his command, no one was allowed to come or go.
The demons should obey the demon son's orders and follow his will.
The heavenly demons executed this order meticulously to hide their own cowardice.
They constantly told themselves in their hearts that they weren't afraid or cowardly, but rather that it was because this was the demon son's order.
That was all.
Soon, the area beneath the mountain was a sea of people—demons, beasts, spirits, and humans were all mixed together.
Ninety-nine blood-colored light beams surrounded the thickest central pillar, as if paying homage to their king.
In the sky, the blood sun hung high, and the Top 100 Merit Point Rankings floated.
On the earth, a killing intent was chilling, and the yin wind wailed.
Upon closer inspection, everyone who should have come and even those who shouldn't have were all there.
The Daoists, Buddhists, and Confucianists—the fish that had escaped the net had all gathered.
The Six Schools, Thousand Sects, and Ten Thousand Races stood in battle array.
The demon immortal bloodlines of the North Sea tribes, the descendants of the Eight Great Royal Tribes of the East Desolation, the spirits of the mountains and forests, and the disciples of the hidden sects...
They led their people to surround the entire hillside, staring together at the massive skull on the slope and the beautiful demon youth sitting before it.
A man more enchanting than a woman.
A demon more ruthless than a vengeful ghost.
The world was noisy; even if there were only the sound of breathing, the gathering of a million people made that breathing louder than spring thunder.
The world was also quiet; everyone held their breath and remained vigilant, even though there was only one person facing them.
But even if there was only one person, not a single one of them dared to let their guard down.
Because he was Bai Mang.
Many of them had witnessed his battles with their own eyes.
Slaughter.
One-sided slaughter.
He had always been alone, and he was still alone.
The only difference was that at this moment, there were hundreds of thousands, a million, or even more of them...
Every genius born in the entire province of Fanzhou over the last hundred years had come.
Regardless of affiliation or race, their gaze was unanimous: kill Bai Mang.
At least, until Bai Mang fell, this stance would not change.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend; this saying was personified at this moment in the Twilight Burial Realm.
Waiting.
Silent waiting.
Time moved forward second by second, refusing to stop for even a moment.
One hour passed.
Two hours passed.
Three hours passed.
More and more people gathered, and the empty wine jars in front of Xu Xian also grew in number.
He didn't know what they were waiting for.
Just as they didn't know what they were afraid of.
With so many people, even if each person just spat once, they could drown Bai Mang, yet no one was willing to stand out and be the first to stick their neck out.
It was clear just how much of a psychological shadow Bai Mang had cast over them during the past seven days...
In the Twilight Burial Realm, the resigned rogue cultivators occupied the highest peaks, staring from afar at the direction where the blood light rose.
Though they were bystanders, for some reason, they were inexplicably nervous.
They were also anticipating and waiting...
They discussed in low voices, constantly speculating.
"Why haven't they started fighting yet?"
"What are they afraid of?"
"With so many people, isn't there a single one with guts?"
"If you have guts, why don't you go?"
"I'm not Bai Mang. I don't have his ability..."
"To intimidate the Ten Thousand Races alone... in all the world, from ancient times to the present, I'm afraid only the one who founded the Wendao Sword Sect could do that, right?"
"No, at least the human race stood behind that person, but this one is truly all alone..."
The demons of the Demon Abyss were also among them, but they were even more nervous and panicked.
Every one of them was uneasy, especially the clever ones.
They knew very well that although they hadn't helped the demon son kill or kidnap anyone, they were still inevitably tied to Bai Mang's chariot.
They would rise and fall together.
If the demon son won, they would be safe.
But if the demon son lost, the demons would surely become the target of everyone.
Those who had previously been wary of Bai Mang would no longer hold back.
Even those tribes that had been swept aside by Bai Mang would vent their fury on them.
Could they hold them off?
The answer was obvious.
What would their end be?
It wasn't hard to imagine.
By then, they would likely be the ones fleeing in panic.
But could the demon son win?
To say he could would be self-deception.
There were a million living beings out there.
No matter how powerful or peerless the demon son was, how could he kill a sea of living beings?
How could he win?
They wanted to help, and their logic told them they should, but they truly lacked the courage.
Even if they did help, it would only be a drop in the bucket.
Of course, ultimately, it was because they were afraid.
They admitted it.
It wasn't shameful.
Therefore, they could only place their hopes on the demon son being able to hold out a bit longer in this unprecedented battle.
If he could drag it out until the time ended, that would be best.
Or they prayed that after the demon son died in battle, these million beings and various forces would fight frantically among themselves to seize the emperor's inheritance...
Clearly, the first scenario was difficult.
The second scenario, however, was highly likely to happen.
In short, time was running out for them.
Once the demon son died, the merit points would be transferred.
Whoever held the merit points would become the next "Bai Mang" and be hunted by the entire world.
But speculation was just speculation.
Until the final moment, no one knew what would happen.
"Can the demon son win?"
"You should ask if the demon son can survive."
"He can. The demon son definitely can."
"Heh..."
"If the demon son survives, the entire province of Fanzhou will belong to our demon race in the future."
...
Further away, the disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect couldn't help themselves and slipped out of the tortoise shell cave where they had been huddled for seven days.
Lu Yuan led the way.
Over a thousand people crowded onto the tortoise's back, also watching from a distance.
Compared to the other cultivators watching the excitement, the cultivators of the Wendao Sword Sect felt different emotions as they saw this scene.
Disdain.
Admiration.
Disdain for a million people surrounding one person.
Awe for one person facing a million people.
Setting aside their stance and race, as Zhang Yang put it, Bai Mang was a real man and a significant figure...
A disciple couldn't help but complain, "These people are truly shameless, so many of them fighting one."
But he was immediately rebutted heartlessly by a fellow disciple nearby.
"Do you think this is kids playing house? Who's going to fight you one-on-one?"
Those who had spoke from their hearts could only fall silent. It was indeed true.
But the disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect still couldn't help but empathize.
It wasn't because they were kind, nor because they were close to Bai Mang.
It was simply because the Wendao Sword Sect's position in Fanzhou, as well as their previous situation on the platform, was similar.
In Fanzhou, the Wendao Sword Sect was being plotted against by the whole world.
In the Emperor's Tomb, they had also been surrounded on the first day.
Therefore, they could better understand Bai Mang's situation and more easily step into his perspective, leading to their displeasure and contempt.
Xia Chu Yi asked weakly, "Can he... win?"
Lin Qianqian and Yao Xiaoxiao remained silent.
Xia Chu Yi didn't ask again.
She lowered her eyes, and the idea she had earlier about going to kill Bai Mang had unknowingly vanished.
Tu Kongkong said in a low voice, "He's a bit pitiful, like a dog."
This unprovoked comment made everyone laugh, though the laughter was tinged with helplessness and the detachment of bystanders.
Lu Yuan suddenly blurted out.
"He won't die."
"Hmm?"
Everyone turned to him with surprised looks.
This was the first voice that was so certain Bai Mang could win.
And it came from the usually taciturn Lu Yuan.
How could he win? They couldn't understand.
Lu Yuan glanced at everyone and suggested, "How about... we make a bet?"
"What's the bet?" Zhang Yang, who was wrapped in bandages, asked instinctively.
Lu Yuan said, "I bet Bai Mang lives. If he dies, I'll give each of you a hundred thousand merit points. Conversely, you give me a hundred thousand merit points?"
Hearing this suggestion, everyone became interested.
They were bored anyway, and it was rare to find something to do.
They signed up one after another.
They felt this was a good thing—money being handed to them. Only a fool wouldn't bet.
Tu Kongkong: "I'll bet."
Yao Xiaoxiao: "I'll bet."
Lin Qianqian: "I'll bet too."
Zhang Yang said weakly, "Can I bet fifty-five thousand three hundred? I only have fifty thousand..."
Soon, the pool of funds had accumulated to nearly ten million.
Xia Chu Yi was quite speechless and whispered a complaint, "What kind of people are these? A whole sect of gamblers. I wonder who they take after..."
Tu Kongkong asked, "Chu Yi, aren't you joining?"
Xia Chu Yi scoffed and immediately changed her expression. "I want to raise the stakes. I'll bet three hundred thousand merit points."
"Chu Yi, you're playing that big?"
Xia Chu Yi said with high spirits, "What do you know? Wealth is found in danger. My uncle said that one only gets a few chances to gamble in life. When it's time to act, you act..."
Lu Yuan smiled.
Lu Yuan was delighted.
He accepted all comers.
Although he had no interest in the Wendao Sword Sect's merit points and viewed money as dirt.
However, if he could win, it would also be a kind of fun.
What if he lost?
If Bai Mang died, he wouldn't survive anyway.
Paying? What money would he pay?
It was a business deal with everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Inside the Twilight Burial Realm, a chilling aura spread.
Several hours had passed, and the bystanders, the participants, and even the person at the center of it all were gradually losing their patience.
An atmosphere of irritability was also slowly spreading.
In the crowds covering the mountains and fields, the sounds of complaining, grumbling, discussing, and lamenting never ceased.
They either stood on their tiptoes or craned their necks, staring at the figure of the youth on the hillside.
The light in their eyes shifted between darkness and focus.
The expressions on their faces changed like the weather.
"Why hasn't he attacked?"
"Why isn't he running?"
"He's still in the mood to drink?"
"..."
Xu Xian was three jars in and was also gradually losing his patience.
He picked his ear and lightly tapped the scabbard of the sword across his knees with his fingertip.
He said impatiently, "What are you all waiting for? Didn't you want to kill this demon son? Come on! This demon son is right here. All of you, attack together."
Provocative.
Wanton.
Full of disdain.
Bai Mang was as arrogant as ever.
In the crowd, a conspicuous figure hiding among the masses shouted, "Bai Mang, you have committed countless evils and incited the wrath of both gods and men. Surrender now! You can't escape!"
Xu Xian shook his head and smiled.
"Hehe."
He gripped the scabbard and slowly stood up, then took a long stretch.
This frightened the person who had just spoken so much that they quickly shrank back into the crowd and lowered their head.
Xu Xian said lazily:
"In this world, even any random nobody dares to shout now."
"Tsk tsk!"
"It's good that you've all come. It saves me the trouble of finding you one by one."
He gripped the hilt with one hand and the scabbard with the other.
Holding the sword before his chest, in front of the world's crowds, he slowly drew it.
The sword light was chilling.
The youth stood with his sword, looking down on heaven and earth.
His gaze followed the tip of the blade as it slowly swept across the crowd.
Xu Xian said:
"Come."
"All of you, attack together."
"Today."
"This demon son shall build a Skull Pyramid of Myriad Beings right here with your corpses for future generations to admire!"
The world was desolate, with only the youth's voice echoing.
The mournful wind howled.
The crowds' gazes were sinister, yet fear also grew in their hearts.
They couldn't imagine how one person and one sword could possess such a powerful deterrence.
Xu Xian narrowed his eyes slightly, flipped the blade, and said in a light tone, "Cowards? If you're cowards, then get lost."
In the surrounding crowds, the geniuses of the various sects and the elites of the various races no longer remained silent bystanders.
Especially those in the top one hundred who also glowed with blood light.
They knew very well that Bai Mang would not let them go.
They also knew very well that in a one-on-one fight, they were absolutely no match for Bai Mang.
Right now, with a million living beings gathered to crusade against one person, it was the best opportunity to kill Bai Mang.
They were naturally unwilling to let it go.
And so... someone made a move.
Amidst Bai Mang's mocking words, someone was the first to charge out.
"Demonic scum, this divine son has come to meet you."
That was a descendant of a demon immortal.
The beast scales that hadn't fully receded still remained on his forehead.
He had a pair of bone-white claws on his hands.
He leaped out of the crowd and stepped onto the slope, heading straight for Bai Mang on the high mountain.
Where there was one, there were two. Where there were two, there were three...
Figures shouted as they rushed out, launching an attack simultaneously.
"I'm coming too."
"Count me in."
"Attack together."
"Bai Mang, die!"
A hundred pillars of light charged out almost at the same time.
Seeing this, someone in the crowd raised their arms and shouted.
"Fellow Daoists, what are you waiting for? Charge! Whoever kills Bai Mang will obtain the emperor's opportunity."
"Avenge the Young Sect Master!"
"Slay the demon!"
"Kill!!"
The previously silent crowd was instantly ignited.
The shouts of killing shook the air in an instant.
They began to charge.
Like a tidal wave, they surged toward the peak.
The sounds of slaughter were like waves, and the mountains and earth trembled.
Xu Xian held his sword and stood at the summit, quietly watching the sea of people covering the mountains surge toward him.
He remained unmoved.
His eyes turned cold, and he gave his sword a shake.
"Good timing!"
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