Chapter 957: Golden Roc Retreats

The great earth trembled violently as the towering giant approached Profound Ancient City.

The giant, named Gu Tian, slowly sat down, finally revealing his face above the clouds. His features were gentle, his eyes perpetually narrowed in a benevolent smile, like that of a kind middle-aged man.

Yet no one present truly believed this colossal member of the Giant Spirit Race was a benevolent figure. His immense power and the fact that he had reached this stage meant his hands were undoubtedly stained with blood.

"Heh, still unwilling to give up?" Gu Tian chuckled. "So many have already died in Profound Ancient City. Must you slaughter every last human being here?"

"If that is truly your intention, then go ahead. I won't stop you. I'll simply watch as you massacre the city."

At these words, a fierce glint flashed in the Golden Roc Ancestor's eyes.

The city's protective grand formation was already on its last legs. At most, three or four more full-force attacks would completely shatter the formation base.

The overwhelming aura of a body integration realm cultivator surged forth, enveloping the entire city in Old Monster Golden Roc's oppressive pressure. His wings blotted out the sun, transforming him into a ferocious demonic bird.

Inside Profound Ancient City, the residents sank into despair upon hearing the Giant Spirit Race's offer of assistance.

"No! Aren't we vassals of the Giant Spirit Race? Why are they standing by and watching us be slaughtered?"

"Why isn't that Giant Spirit Race expert helping us? Why doesn't he stop the Flying Spirit Clan's ancient ancestor?!"

"What have we done wrong? I don't want to die!"

"..."

The city descended into a cacophony of wails and lamentations. Li Qing felt a chill run down his spine, unable to understand why the Giant Spirit Race expert wasn't intervening to stop the Golden Roc Ancestor. He had already prepared for interdimensional travel, ready to escape the moment the formation shattered.

The Golden Roc Ancestor spread his wings, blotting out the Heavenly Light and plunging the entire city into twilight, as if night had arrived prematurely.

He was gathering his power, preparing to launch his assault on the city.

At that moment, Gu Tian, still seated on the ground, casually spoke, "The humans here can perish if they must, but you must not harm a single guest elder of the human race in Giant Spirit Royal City."

"I've also heard that on the distant Heavenly Origin Continent, humans hold dominion, with great ascension realm experts stirring the winds and clouds, shaping the fate of the world."

"If you slaughter all the humans here today, tomorrow another human powerhouse might come seeking retribution against your Flying Spirit Clan."

In just a few words, the killing intent in the Golden Roc Ancestor's eyes diminished significantly. He growled, "Are you threatening me? The Flying Spirit Clan has no shortage of great ascension realm experts in the spirit realm. What do I have to fear?"

Gu Tian's words were no exaggeration. The human race on Tonggu Continent was indeed weak and could only serve as vassals. However, this didn't mean the humans in other regions were equally vulnerable.

The human race had endured in the spirit realm for countless years, after all, and possessed its own reserves of strength and power.

Gu Tian shook his massive head and said, "You are the renowned Golden Roc Ancestor. I wouldn't dare threaten you. If you truly fear nothing, then strike as you please. I was merely speaking casually."

These words left the Golden Roc Ancestor in an awkward position. If he backed down now, it would be a loss of face.

Finally, Gu Tian offered him a way out. "In my opinion, let's just drop this matter."

"Why would a great power at the body integration realm bother with mere mortals?"

The Golden Roc Ancestor retorted, "Do you expect me to simply withdraw and return empty-handed?"

Gu Tian laughed heartily. "I know you still have some anger to vent. How about this? Hear me out."

"Fellow Daoist Gu Tian, speak your mind." The Golden Roc Ancestor retracted his wings, hovering in the sky as he stared directly at the colossal giant.

"Lingxu, come out and talk," Gu Tian said with a gentle smile, his voice carrying far into the Profound Ancient City. "You've caused such a commotion. You can't just hide inside the city forever. It's simply unacceptable."

Soon, City Lord Lingxu soared through the air, flying directly out of the city.

Upon seeing City Lord Lingxu, a fierce glint returned to Golden Roc Ancestor's eyes.

As the strongest cultivator in the Profound Ancient City, Lingxu couldn't help but feel intimidated by the threat posed by the body integration realm old monster standing so close.

"Greetings, Senior Gu Tian! Greetings, Senior Golden Roc!" Lingxu took a deep breath and bowed respectfully, his voice humble.

Gu Tian waved his hand dismissively. "Spare the formalities, Lingxu. Do you know who interfered in the matters between Wild Bull Ridge and the Flying Spirit Clan?"

City Lord Lingxu chuckled bitterly. "Senior Gu Tian, I've remained within the city walls for years, rarely venturing out. How could I possibly know such things?"

"If I truly knew who committed such heinous acts, I would personally capture them and deliver them to the Flying Spirit Clan for judgment."

But Golden Roc Ancestor remained unconvinced, his fury burning. "Who can tell if your words are true or false? Your Profound Ancient City has so few divine transformation cultivators. Round up every divine transformation cultivator who entered or left the city recently. I'll soul-search and soul-refine them one by one to identify the accomplices who helped kill my disciple!"

This "better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free" attitude was naturally unacceptable.

Profound Ancient City had few divine transformation cultivators. If they were allowed to be killed off one by one, the city would likely cease to exist. Losing so many divine transformation cultivators would create a critical gap in the city's leadership, a blow too devastating to bear.

"Why such heavy killing qi?" Gu Tian asked. "Over the years, the human race has made significant contributions to the Tonggu Continent, especially on the Two Realms Battlefield."

"How about this? Lingxu will compensate your Flying Spirit Clan for their losses."

"Furthermore, the Heavenlight Secret Realm is about to open. The human race has four slots this time, and Lingxu has already submitted the names of the chosen cultivators to my Giant Spirit Race. The selection is final."

"We must all work together inside to fight the Tree Demon Clan. Let's put aside our grudges and cooperate harmoniously!"

The mention of the Heavenlight Secret Realm momentarily startled the Golden Roc Ancestor. At first, he didn't understand why Gu Tian would bring it up.

But he quickly realized the implication and sneered, "Very well. I'll let this matter rest for now. I await your human race's compensation!"

With a grand sweep of his wings, he declared, "Let's go!"

At his command, the vast swarm of Flying Spirit Clan warriors surrounding Profound Ancient City took to the skies, departing with him.

"Senior Gu Tian, thank you for resolving this crisis today!" Lingxu exhaled deeply as the Flying Spirit Clan forces withdrew.

Gu Tian slowly rose to his feet, shaking his head. "It was no trouble, but you'll need to put some thought into the compensation afterward."