Chapter 693 213: The National Preceptor's Golden Arrow, a Terrifying Might

Yang Chuan took a few slow steps forward. "Marquis," he said, "you must die here today. Otherwise, every soldier of my Lingyun Dao will be annihilated."

"His Majesty treats us as his own sons, yet we harbored thoughts of rebellion. Today is the day we atone for our crimes."

Yang Chuan drew the weapon from his waist and slashed horizontally at the Marquis of Ren De.

This strike, infused with the Power of Battle Array, was immense enough to blot out the sky.

The Marquis of Ren De was alarmed.

Originally, half of Yang Chuan's soldiers had been swayed to the Marquis's side. But now, after Yang Chuan made his stand, another twenty percent of the troops had returned to his side.

In terms of the Power of Battle Array, he was now at a disadvantage.

But the Marquis of Ren De was, after all, a veteran of war-torn eras, and his mastery over the Battle Array surpassed Yang Chuan's.

Facing this sky-blotting strike, the Marquis of Ren De crossed his palms. With a single palm strike, he dispersed the condensed Sword Qi from Yang Chuan's attack.

His other palm, however, descended upon the crown of Yang Chuan's head.

"You're a traitor, too. I'll kill you first."

"CLANG!"

The sound of clashing metal rang out.

A blood-red longsword had intercepted the blow.

Shen Bai had appeared before the Marquis of Ren De at some point, unnoticed.

The Dharma Aspect, Sword Qi, Dao Text, and the Shadow and Water Flow Array swirled and shimmered around him, casting his figure in a terrifying, almost otherworldly light.

"Marquis, your opponent is me. All members of the Observatory, on my order! Coordinate with Yang Chuan and his men and eliminate the remaining enemy soldiers."

"Those who surrender will be spared. Those who resist will be shown no mercy!"

As Shen Bai's voice faded, members of the Observatory descended from the sky, joining Yang Chuan's forces to charge into the midst of the remaining rebellious troops.

The Marquis of Ren De glared at Shen Bai, grinding his teeth. "Shen Bai, you're hell-bent on taking my life. Why must you be so ruthless? If you let me go today, I can guarantee your safety in the Great Yue Country when the Great Zhou Country inevitably falls."

Shen Bai met the Marquis's gaze and said mockingly, "It's a little late for that, isn't it? What's the point of such talk now? If you really want to guarantee my safety, just obediently offer up your neck and let me take a swing."

The Marquis of Ren De forced Shen Bai back. "Since you're so eager to die, I will oblige you."

His outer garments shredded into pieces, revealing the sturdy armor beneath.

Just then, the old steward standing to the side suddenly clutched his neck and collapsed to his knees.

His face was a mask of agony, twisted and contorted as if he were suffering immense pain.

"Marquis, why does my whole body feel like it's being gnawed on by ants? What's happening to me?"

The old steward struggled, trying to speak.

But he was met only by the Marquis of Ren De's icy gaze.

"You've been nourishing a weapon for me. The time has come, and I am here to collect it. Of course you're in pain."

"A weapon?"

The old steward's eyes widened. "Marquis, you practiced that Cultivation Technique... you've been practicing the War Array Refining Method!"

The Marquis of Ren De sneered. "Of course. Why else would I have favored you so? This is the greatest contribution you can make to me. You've enjoyed your wealth and splendor; now it's time for you to die."

The words had barely left his lips when the Marquis of Ren De placed a hand on the old steward's head and pulled.

The old steward's body was torn to shreds, and from the gory remains, a long spear gradually condensed in the Marquis of Ren De's hand.

The spear was a horrific crimson, its surface etched with the faint outlines of meridians that still seemed to pulse.

Ma Yuan and the others were still locked in a fierce battle with the remaining soldiers.

The Marquis of Ren De's Battle Array Technique was terrifyingly effective, as expected of a veteran from that bygone era.

It would take them some time to defeat these soldiers.

Catching sight of the Marquis's weapon during a lull in the fighting, Ma Yuan roared in fury, "Lord Shen, that's a Blood Soldier! It's a forbidden art within the Battle Array Technique! He's nourishing a weapon with the flesh and blood of ordinary people! He deserves to die! Judging by that weapon's state, at least ten thousand commoners have died at his hands to create it!"

"Ten thousand lives?"

Shen Bai's gaze turned utterly glacial. "It seems killing you is the right choice after all."

"Anyone in this world can die, but I must live!" The Marquis of Ren De brandished his spear and charged at Shen Bai.

"Shen Bai, this spear still needs some young flesh and blood! You'll be the first to contribute to it for me."

A foul stench of rot and blood emanated from the spear, so strong that Shen Bai could smell it even from a distance.

Shen Bai continuously swung Cold Moon, unleashing streams of blood-red Sword Qi that condensed and shot straight for the Marquis of Ren De.

The Marquis of Ren De spun his spear, creating an impenetrable defense. Every bolt of Sword Qi that touched the spear was instantly nullified.

In the blink of an eye, he had closed the distance, coming right up to Shen Bai.

"Shen Bai, your head is mine!"

With a great roar, the Marquis of Ren De thrust his spear straight at Shen Bai's throat.

The ground around them fractured, great cracks spreading out as if the entire area was about to collapse.

Shen Bai shot out his left hand, clenching his fist around the spear's shaft.

He could feel the spear's vile, bloody aura trying to invade his body.

The light of his Flawless Ten Layers Body condensed, completely enveloping his hand and holding the noxious Blood Evil Qi at bay.

The next moment, the Marquis's spear vibrated violently, wrenching itself free from Shen Bai's grip and continuing its path toward his throat.

His eyes were filled with a murderous glint, as if he wanted to grind Shen Bai's bones to dust.

Seeing this, Shen Bai executed Divine Thousand Miles. With a blur of intersecting steps, he vanished from his spot.

His Instant Teleportation ability placed him directly behind the Marquis of Ren De.

Soul-Annihilating Sword!

Blood-red Sword Qi coated his blade as he thrust it straight at the Marquis's back, aiming for his heart.

"CLANG!"

The sound of metal striking metal rang out.

Shen Bai was slightly taken aback.

The Marquis of Ren De's armor had only dented inward slightly.