Chapter 283 Provoking Hatred

The venue buzzed with chatter as people had mostly gathered. A mentor representing the Holy Sanctuary briefly addressed the crowd from the stage, signaling for everyone to quiet down as the meeting officially began.

The Holy Sanctuary mentor stepped aside, and a middle-aged man with bristling hair and beard slowly ascended the stage.

He appeared to be around forty, with somewhat rough and dark skin. His long, hard beard bristled like thorns on his face, giving him an imposing presence even when not angry.

With his hands clasped behind his back, though he held no sword, one could feel that his entire body was a sword—a sword that had drunk its fill of blood, exuding a thirst for more!

The Undying Sword Demon, Yakelei!

Unlike the purely powerful Holy Sanctuary mentors, Yakelei's strength was overshadowed by the nearly overflowing aura of killing intent. A mere glance from his stern eyes swept across the room, and the previously noisy venue fell into complete silence, with all eyes fixed on him.

Yakelei walked slowly, but each step sounded like a muffled thunderclap, resonating directly in everyone’s hearts, wave after wave, each louder than the last.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The venue, capable of holding hundreds, varied in distance, yet everyone felt the same impact at this moment.

At first, everyone was merely drawn to him. By the fifth step, many in the back rows were already frowning. By the tenth step, even the strongest in the front row, such as Ye Dun and Zhao Ziyue, had furrowed brows and serious expressions. Those with lesser strength in the back felt their legs go weak, their hearts almost stopping with the rhythm of the footsteps, nearly collapsing to their knees!

Old Wang fared better; though his soul power was average, being a Worm God seed, his resistance to mental pressure was top-notch. He barely noticed anything, but Fantasi beside him looked quite flustered. If not for Old Wang and Hei Wu Kai supporting him on either side, he would have been the first to kneel in the entire venue.

Fortunately, Yakelei did not continue walking.

To be honest, the performance of these Holy Sanctuary disciples was much better than he had expected.

Strength was only part of it. Being able to withstand the pressure forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, at least the mental fortitude of these Holy Sanctuary disciples was absolutely solid. This encounter with the Nine Gods might just have a chance.

"This time, the purpose of your presence should be clear to all of you." Akeri spoke slowly, his overwhelming aura of killing intent slightly subsiding. Only then did many of the Holy Sanctuary disciples, who had been on edge, manage to breathe a sigh of relief.

"This is a confrontation between us and the Nine Gods, an innovative approach to resolving the lingering issues at the border..." Akeri's voice echoed around the hall, not loud but filled with soul power that carried his words to every corner of the venue, ensuring everyone heard him clearly: "The opening time for the Soul Void Realm has yet to be determined. According to the military exorcists' estimates, it should be within the next two days to two weeks. The rules for battle in the Soul Void Realm are simple—there are no rules..."

"...The eastern district of the Blade Fortress is designated as your activity area. You can use any training grounds or facilities there, but you must not enter other areas! Fundamentally, we encourage you to spar with each other, but do so within limits. Those interested can also seek out the instructors at the Blade Fortress; they've been idle lately, and this is a rare opportunity for you to improve."

"I don't know what your elders and mentors from the Holy Sanctuary have told you, perhaps they advised you to prioritize survival above all else, but listen carefully now: on the battlefield, those who fear death are often the first to die!"

Akeri's pace was deliberate, each word powerful, never dull: "Facing the Nine Gods, the Blade has never had a choice to retreat. In battle, weapons show no mercy. To survive, it's not about luck but the courage to fight to the death! There are no cowards in the military camp, and cowards are the most despised. The Holy Sanctuary may have its own ways, but here, you follow my rules. Anyone who fears death, drags their comrades down, or flees in battle... even if they somehow survive, I will make them regret ever being born!"

With that, he scanned the crowd with a stern gaze, clenched his right fist, and struck it against his chest, shouting: "Glory to the Blade!"

Swish!

All the Holy Sanctuary disciples immediately stood up, mimicking his gesture by striking their right fists against their chests, roaring in unison: "Glory to the Blade!"

The hall was instantly filled with a solemn and fierce atmosphere. Akeri glanced coldly around, knowing that while these people might sincerely shout 'glory' now, when faced with life and death on the battlefield, how many would still hold true to this moment's sincerity was uncertain. Words and actions always differ, but at least they must have this belief in their hearts—that was the purpose of his speech.

Akeri slowly lowered his hand: "There's one more thing."

Everyone turned to look at him as Akeri's gaze swept over the crowd: "Who is Wang Feng? Stand up!"

Old Wang had almost clapped and cheered for him, but being called out left him speechless. Damn, why me? I just want to stay low and survive...

But under the sharp gaze from the stage, he reluctantly stood up: "Reporting, I am Wang Feng."

All eyes immediately turned to him. Being suddenly watched by five hundred people would have made Fantasi kneel, but Old Wang only cursed inwardly, maintaining a calm expression.

"The inventor of the Fusion Rune." Akeri nodded slowly at him: "He is a rare talent for our Blade, and this time, he has been targeted by the Nine Gods."

He gestured for Wang Feng to sit down, then looked around at the others: "I am announcing a special mission on behalf of the Holy Sanctuary Council. After entering the Soul Void Illusion, everyone must do their utmost to ensure Wang Feng's safety. That’s all, dismissed!"

Old Wang was taken aback. The first part sounded quite pleasant; if five hundred disciples were to protect him, it would be as stable as a mountain. But...

Damn, brother! The Nine Gods offer rewards for killing me, and you ask people to protect me without any reward. The level of importance is completely disproportionate... They’re giving me a turbocharged four-wheel drive, while you’re just giving me a bicycle? Are you making fun of me?

This isn’t protection; this is just stirring up trouble for me!

Sure enough, before Old Wang could finish his thoughts, the previously indifferent gazes of those around him suddenly became somewhat playful, even angry...

Old Wang felt depressed. How could they not be angry? One moment, they were told that everyone must be fearless and not hold anyone back, and the next, a special situation is highlighted, creating a stark contrast. If this happened to him, he wouldn’t feel good or balanced either.

The Holy Sanctuary... Do they have a grudge against me, Old Wang?

But the problem was, he couldn’t really argue with what Akrai said. He was just repeating the words of the Holy Sanctuary Council, and it was for Wang Feng’s own good. What could he say?

The meeting mainly covered these points. After Akrai finished speaking, he left, and the room, which had been extremely quiet, immediately became lively again.

Most people were clearly more interested in things like the instructors of the Sharpness Fortress and the specific opening time of the Soul Void Illusion. As for Akrai’s emphasis on protecting Wang Feng, it was also a hot topic, but the enthusiasm behind it was clearly not pure.

"Actually emphasizing the need to protect him, isn’t this openly dragging us down?"

"Damn, one moment we’re told not to fear death and not to drag our companions down, and the next, we’re asked to let this guy openly drag us down. Is this mission a joke?"

"Ha, it’s just a task." Some people smiled faintly and said, "It’s optional."

"Exactly! Protect him? Why should we?"

"If you don’t have the strength, don’t participate. Coming here and getting special treatment, he must be some old guy from the Holy Sanctuary’s illegitimate child?"

People might not necessarily be concerned about Old Wang holding them back, but the differential treatment clearly gives off a sense of unfairness.

"Dragging us down? Might as well not go at all!" Others were chatting and laughing from a distance, but someone had already led a group to Old Wang's face, saying disdainfully, "Shame on us in Aurora City!"

It was people from the Judgment, quite a few familiar faces among them—Mu Mu, Shamo Dou, Andy... Cai Yunhe, who had been beaten up by Kela, wasn't seen, but there was an additional leader, the very one who had just belittled Wang Feng.

Aryu, the captain of the Holy Judgment team, with Mu Mu only being the deputy. He had been out training when they last faced Rose, originally planning to continue his training for another half year, but this time he was specially recalled by the Judgment for the Dragon City conflict.

"Who are you?" Old Wang, who had just been singled out, was still annoyed, staring at him with wide eyes.

"This is Captain Aryu of our Holy Judgment," Andy introduced briefly.

In Andy's heart, without Uncle Anbolin, there would be no today for him. To Uncle, he felt almost as close as to his own parents, but Uncle had invested so much emotion, only to be repeatedly used and deceived by Wang Feng.

Last time, not following Uncle's wishes and losing to him, Andy had felt some guilt, but now that guilt was completely gone. If it weren't for Uncle saying to let bygones be bygones, he would have wanted to drag Wang Feng out and beat him up right now.

He looked at Wang Feng with burning eyes: "Wang Feng, remember my words. No matter what you invent, no matter what achievements you have, if a person doesn't even adhere to basic integrity, that is a disgrace! And you, you are the greatest disgrace to Aurora City!"

There was actually someone who came forward to argue with him... Before Old Wang could show his strength, he heard them start bickering among themselves. Mapeier, her face slightly flushed, tried to dissuade, "Senior Brother, we are all disciples of the Holy Sanctuary, and we all come from Aurora City, let it go..."

"Mapeier, this isn't your business," Aryu glanced at her indifferently.

Mapeier seemed somewhat afraid of him, her lips quivered slightly, but she didn't dare to say more.

Just as she turned her head, she happened to see Wang Feng winking at her, and Mapeier's face turned slightly red, instinctively retreating backward.

Old Wang was amused; he hadn't expected that there would be someone in the Judgment who would speak up for him, and it was precisely the senior sister from the Judgment's Institute of Potions whom he had tied up himself last time. This girl was still as shy as ever, easily embarrassed, blushing bright red with just a little teasing.

Sigh, such a personality, staying home to take care of children would be better, why come to the battlefield to cause trouble? Is the neighboring Judgment so short of people that they need to rely on someone like her?