During the previous days, it was true that over 400 members of the [Seven Souls Palace] occupied the central area of the Palace's grounds, also known as the guest area. And when He Delan crossed them, in an attempt to dialogue with the [Brave Wolf Gang], something that seemingly went awry, it was also true that not more than a hundred of the [Seven Souls] sect-members were present.

Tao Xuegang's words about the attempting to escape allies of the [Seven Souls Sect] leaving the towers were true. As well as the fact that it would not serve them much, as close to half of them died to a mix of attacks from the southern towers freed [Void Palace] members and the constant bombardment. Tao Xuegang wasn't mistaken about Kongbai Meili's strength either, and his thoughts about her clearing the area were correct as well. To this latter effort, yet another half died.

But even with that taken into account, it turned out that Bai Qi's suspicions about a crazed attack, ones he shared just a few minutes ago, weren't wrong either. Maybe with the actors being not only the ones he assumed but indeed, it did happen.

And all of this raised a question. One that always entered the minds of anyone in such a situation; Just what the heavens is going on?!

Such a question entered not only Bai Qi's but all of his companions' minds right now. They had just dealt with over 20 people, but it was as if they had not, as less than a couple of thousand feet later, they encountered another group, now one of over 30, waiting for them.

And the four noted that the enemy now was acting under orders, not the coincidental meeting from before.

The close to twenty [Seven Souls Sect] members and a dozen of mixed cultivators from the smaller powers did not rush into close combat but started a barrage of techniques. With the strongest of them being a peak Warrior Lord, they could not do much harm even to Bai Qi, but that was under the provision that he wasn't hit or surrounded himself with a qi cover.

And when He Delan attempted to approach, all the thirty immediately scattered. With no aura to suppress them, and the reluctance of Bai Qi's companions to use movement techniques, it all promised to turn into a wild goose chase. With the goose actually fighting back as well.

Aware of that, Shen Kun and even Tao Xuegang planned to join the hunt to block them from different sides and deal with them, less they left a big group to their backs. But Bai Qi did not, carefully observing the situation.

Understanding the enemy's plan, Bai Qi quickly considered the options, and after weighing his own use for further advance, he decided to stay back.

{Seniors, go ahead. I will deal with them. They may try to avoid combat, but I can catch them anyway. Probably this is just the first group, as these enemies aren't trying to move anywhere, only dancing around the same spot. And one of them just ran away. I suspect to notify about us, so it's better to make haste.} Bai Qi quickly transmitted to the three of his companions, and not waiting for an answer, activated [Counting Steps to Heaven and Hell].

While leaving Bai Qi wasn't something Tao Xuegang would have liked to do, he agreed with the former's words. Thus, after motioning for Shen Kun and He Delan to follow, he started to move forward while shrugging the enemy techniques off with his bare body.

Bai Qi thought to himself as he appeared behind an unsuspecting 1st-level Warrior Lord and broke the latter's neck with a full-power punch of the [Bright Heavens] glove on his left hand.

***

The enemies had received some specific orders indeed, as otherwise, there would be no reason for them to remain around Bai Qi, even after Tao Xuegang and the other two left. And while it confirmed Bai Qi's thoughts about a slow down and tire off plan, it also turned out that his thoughts about the odds were overly optimistic.

Tao Xuegang's figure had just disappeared from sight, and Bai Qi had killed two enemies with ease as expected. But then he found himself hard-pressed to consider dealing with all the remaining ones.

Now all of the 31 cultivators concentrated their attacks on him, with only a few choosing to encircle him in close combat. This to block his movements while the rest continued to bombard with fire, ice, earth, and whatever else elemental missile technique they had.

And to make the situation worse, it was as if they did not care about hitting their own.

In such a situation, Bai Qi had only two choices, and as both required him to use qi, he decided to go with the offensive one. Indeed, what use was there of defending against the attacks if the enemies would stay here anyway?

*Swoosh*

Disappearing from the spot, Bai Qi escaped the encirclement.

Having missed his intended mark for a hundred feet, Bai Qi changed part of his plan. If he could not reach them with the technique, he would take a different approach. After grabbing a saber from the ground and infusing the maximum possible qi into his legs, Bai Qi dashed forwards, planning to attack the ones staying back.

*Swoosh*

As before, noticing Bai Qi's movements, most enemies darted to different sides while three remained to pin Bai Qi. Still, his speed was comparable to a Warrior Lord of the 7th level, and only a few of the enemies were on that or a superior cultivation level. Thus, although they did scatter, a pair of 3rd level Warrior Lords were not quick enough.

*Swoosh* *Slash* *Clang* *Slash* *Swoosh* *Slash* *Splatter*

One of them raised his halberd in time and blocked Bai Qi's first slash. Switching his target right away, Bai Qi slashed at the other one, and while the first slash went amiss, a back-hand continuation of it left a deep wound on the [Seven Souls Sect] disciple's chest.

And while Bai Qi would have hounded the wounded opponent until killing it, he was forced to turn around, blocking the three that stayed back and now attacked from behind.

*Swoosh* *Clang* *Clang* *Clang* *Swoosh*

While being attacked by two sabers and a glaive, Bai Qi still considered his options. But as the scattering ones resumed their barrage, he acknowledged there was nothing to consider.

Remaining back to allow the seniors from the Palace to proceed was a good plan, but dying here wasn't part of it.

***

Tao Xuegang had thought a similar thing as Bai Qi did, so when after less than a mile, Tao Xuegang saw a similar group, except this one led by four Warrior Kings, he was not surprised.

As the Palace Vice-head thought about what actions to take, the enemies started their bombardment, and then He Delan suddenly rushed forward.

"Now that we know they aren't moving from the spot much, I will deal with them. I will go after you later!" He Delan half-shouted before crashing into the prepared group of four that stepped forward to intercept her.

Tao Xuegang's thoughts raced as he himself raced away from the 2nd member of their team of four who stayed back.

***

The Vice-head of the [Void Palace], a Warrior Emperor and someone who had lived for over two hundred years, could not even guess that the leader he thought was someone not only young but also a simple Warrior Lord. The same one that had left the first prepared group of defenders they had encountered and that no one paid attention to.

And that black-cloaked man, with revealed cultivation of a 7th-level Warrior Lord, was now preparing yet another blockage. This time, with the plan to stop the approaching Warrior Emperor.

"The Vice-head's reserves are halved by now, so concentrate on sending an attack and then running away. Continue to hound him while he shrugs them off and open the maximum distance as soon as he makes any movement. You all have to survive, right? But if you do take him down, Sectmaster Linghun said he will give out an Earth-tier weapon or treasure from the Sect's vaults and five hundred medium spirit stones!" The man instructed a group of [Seven Souls Sect] cultivators with the occasional remaining minor power member.

From the side, it could appear to be strange. As the man was the weakest of all of the people present in the guest square, just a few steps from the courtyard targetted by Bai Qi and the others. But, everyone listened to him earnestly. And accepted each of his words, a very well thought mix of promised rewards and wishes for safety.

But as soon as everyone departed, the man suddenly ran off into the building. There, he pressed his hands on the, at the moment still and silent, obelisk before commanding, "It's time for the [Mortality Formation] to turn into a mortal one indeed."

*Glimmer*

In response to his words, the obelisk shone in a greenish hue, and as if blood cruising through veins, the glow continued to the lines drawn on the floor.

With that yet unknown change done, he laughed before raising his head towards the ceiling and exclaiming, "With this fifty as well the hundred sent via the entrance by now, the numbers should match even if all the Palace members retreated in time. Now, Vice-head Tao, Head Kongbai, and everyone else... Don't disappoint me. Become mortals! Kill and die, serve as our sacrifice!"

After the man left the room, it was the obelisk voice that suddenly sounded as the white stone glimmered in a dark hue, "This one is better than the last. But he is not of use, after all, HE is here. He has changed and grown stronger, but it is indeed him. This time, there will be no escape as in [Shuomen]. But, I need to help him reach me..."