Chapter 2628: Heavenly Court's Turmoil (4)
Chapter 2628: Heavenly Court's Turmoil (4)
Yun Lintian smiled faintly. "I don't care about it much. If you think I haven't left anything behind for an emergency situation, you're going to cry soon."
Chun Yue frowned slightly. She had thoroughly investigated Yun Lintian's background and knew he deeply cared for Earth and its inhabitants. Why was he acting so unconcerned? Was he bluffing?
Yun Lintian's mind raced. If there was a betrayer beside him, this person would eventually reveal themselves sooner or later. He didn't care about it now.
Moreover, he didn't believe that Chun Yue would dare to harm Earth. It would be a direct provocation against him, and he knew she wasn't foolish enough to take that risk.
Chun Yue, sensing Yun Lintian's unwavering resolve, realized she couldn't delay him any longer. She had to act quickly before he decided to attack.
"Everyone," Chun Yue commanded, her voice sharp and authoritative, "stay here and delay him at all costs."
Without waiting for a response, Chun Yue's figure flickered and vanished from the hall, leaving behind stunned silence.
The Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Guards looked at each other, their faces etched with confusion and fear. They had just been ordered to confront one of, if not the most powerful being in the Primal Chaos.
Yun Lintian watched Chun Yue disappear, a cold smile playing on his lips. He was quite sure now that she was going to escape with Ren Yuan soon.
He turned his attention to the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Guards, his eyes blazing with golden light.
"Let's continue, shall we?" he asked playfully.
Yun Lintian didn't wait for Yu Huang to make a move and slashed out his sword.
"Rending Heaven!"
A colossal golden ray tore through the space, carrying unmatched might as it slammed into the barrier.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The entire Heavenly Court shook violently as if a great earthquake had struck.
The golden barrier, once seemingly indestructible, finally succumbed to Yun Lintian's relentless assault. It shattered into a million pieces, its golden light scattering like a shower of stars, leaving the Heavenly Court exposed and vulnerable.
The Heavenly Guards cried out in alarm, their bodies thrown back by the sheer force of the energy. Yu Huang was thrown off his feet, his body slamming against the wall with a sickening thud. He coughed out a mouthful of blood, his face pale, and his breathing shallow. The impact had severely injured him.
Xifang Shun and Ying Xue looked at Yun Lintian in horror when they saw this scene. As members of the Nine Heavens Realm, they were fully aware of how powerful the Heavenly Court's protective barrier was. When they saw Yun Lintian's previous two strikes could not bring the barrier down, they thought it would take a long time for Yun Lintian to break it.
It turned out he was just testing it all along...
After witnessing this scene, Xifang Shun and Ying Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they had not become Yun Lintian's enemies in the first place.
Yun Lintian stood amidst the chaos, lowering his sword, his gaze sweeping over the hall. The Heavenly Guards were scattered across the floor, their bodies battered and bruised.
Yu Huang lay against the wall, his face pale, and his breathing shallow as he suffered from the backlash of the broken barrier.
The gods and immortals in the hall were in a state of disarray. Some were injured, some were scared, and some were still in disbelief.
Suddenly, a figure stepped forward from the crowd. It was Erlang Shen, the strongest warrior of the Heavenly Court.
"Yun Lintian," Erlang Shen said, his voice booming through the hall, "let them go. They were merely following orders." Erlang Shen's body began to glow with golden light, his aura rising rapidly. He activated his third eye, and his strength surged, reaching the peak of the True God Realm, crossing the line of the Primordial God Realm.
The gods and immortals in the hall gasped in shock. They had never seen Erlang Shen unleash his full power before. It was a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Yun Lintian's eyes narrowed as he sensed Erlang Shen's power. He had heard of Erlang Shen's legendary strength, but he had never witnessed it firsthand. It was indeed impressive.
"So you are Erlang Shen," Yun Lintian said, his voice calm and steady, "I have grown up listening to your tales back on Earth. It's a pity that you have sided with the wrong person. Or I could say that you have chosen to serve the wrong master."
"Yun Lintian," Erlang Shen said, his voice resonating with a calm strength that surprised many in the hall, "I understand your position, but these people, they had no choice. They were merely following orders. Moreover, Ren Yuan, as the inheritor of the God of Heaven, holds a legitimate claim to the Heavenly Court. We are bound by duty and ancient oaths to serve him."
Yun Lintian's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered with a hint of curiosity. Erlang Shen's words were unexpected. He had anticipated a fierce battle, a desperate struggle against the legendary warrior. Instead, he was met with a calm plea, a reasoned argument.
"Honestly, I didn't expect this," he said with a chuckle.
"We were tools," Erlang Shen replied, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. "Tools wielded by a corrupt hand. These people deserve punishment, perhaps, but not death. Not when their actions were born out of fear, not out of malice."
"Oh?" Yun Lintian looked at Erlang Shen with interest. "What about you?"
"The moment I chose to attack the Divine Realm, I already knew my ending," Erlang Shen replied calmly. He took a step forward, his aura flaring momentarily before receding, a gesture of peace, not aggression.
"I offer you a trade," Erlang Shen declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "My life for theirs. Take me as your prisoner, execute me if you must, but spare these people. Without me, the Heavenly Court poses no threat to you. You will have your victory, and they will have a chance to redeem themselves under your rule."
The hall fell silent, the tension shifting, morphing into something new, something unexpected. The gods and immortals looked at Erlang Shen with a mixture of awe and gratitude.
Yun Lintian remained silent, his gaze fixed on Erlang Shen. He could sense the sincerity in his words, the genuine desire to protect his people.
"It seems you are indeed similar to how the novels have portrayed you," he said calmly. "Unfortunately, I don't think it's enough."