Chapter 577: Who is the Traitor?

"Everyone, stop wasting your strength. What my Profound Mystery Sect has set up here is the legendary Seven Star Earth Element Array. It'd be a miracle if you could break through it."

Tang Zhao stood there, his figure ramrod straight. A smile played on his lips as he scanned the crowd, like an emperor reviewing his subjects.

"What? The Seven Star Earth Element Array?"

The Array Master from Profound Sound Valley immediately cried out in alarm.

"Master Xuanmiao, what exactly is this Seven Star Earth Element Array? Is it really that terrifying?" Many people turned to look at her.

Master Xuanmiao's face was pale. "I've only ever heard of the Seven Star Earth Element Array," she said. "It's an extremely powerful Seventh-level Trapping Array. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to trap people. Once activated, it envelops the very world around us, forming a unique space. Its might is terrifying. Unless you are a Tier Eight Martial Emperor with the power to shatter a realm, even a Tier Seven Peak Martial King couldn't dream of escaping."

The color drained from everyone's faces.

Everyone present was from a major power and was thus incredibly well-informed. They all understood the hidden meaning in Master Xuanmiao's words.

The power to shatter a realm... what did that imply?

When a Martial King breaks through to the Martial Emperor realm, they gain the ability to create Domain Realm barriers. However, not just any Martial Emperor can create these barriers. Most must undergo long, arduous cultivation just to achieve it.

Master Xuanmiao's meaning was clear: even an ordinary Tier Eight Martial Emperor, if they hadn't mastered the power to create barriers, might not be able to escape this grand array if they were trapped inside.

"Everyone, I believe by now you understand how terrifying this Array is," Tang Zhao said, a smile playing on his lips. "Out of the kindness of my heart, I will give you one last chance. If any of you wish to live, you need only bring me the head of anyone from Gale Light Academy. I promise that I will consider giving you a way to survive in the end."

"This includes the people from Gale Light Academy. You can do the same. Kill a companion to trade for your own life."

Tang Zhao said with a smirk.

In an instant, the people from the various major powers all turned to look at Ye Xuan and the others from Gale Light Academy.

Ge Puzi said coldly, "Sect Master Tang Zhao, you have some truly fine methods."

Tang Zhao smiled. "The same could be said for you, Vice Director Ge. Your Gale Light Academy issued a mission, and your students killed so many disciples and experts of my Profound Mystery Sect. Today, even if I, Tang Zhao, were to spare you, the rest of my Profound Mystery Sect would never agree."

"Hahaha, Ge Puzi, so your day has finally come! The suffering I endured at your Gale Light Academy—today, I will repay it to you a hundredfold!" Duan Tianlang and Leng Wuji sneered, their laughter filled with malicious glee.

In a mere moment, the tables had completely turned, filling the two men, who harbored a venomous hatred for Gale Light Academy, with immense excitement.

Ye Xuan scoffed. "Is that so? I'd love to see how you, Duan Tianlang, will make us suffer a hundred times the agony of the Seven Evil Demon Pill."

The moment he heard the name Seven Evil Demon Pill, Duan Tianlang's scalp tingled. His eyes turned bloodshot as he roared in fury, "Damn it! You damn little animal! Even if I cut you into a thousand pieces today, it wouldn't be enough to satisfy the hatred in my heart! I will torture you day and night! I'll burn you with fire, drown you in water, pierce your body with poisoned needles, and make you suffer endless agony! AAAAAHHH!"

Duan Tianlang's crazed, ferocious expression made everyone shudder, wondering what kind of torment he could have possibly endured at Gale Light Academy.

Tang Zhao frowned at Duan Tianlang for a moment, then turned back to the crowd and smiled. "I wonder, what do you all think of my proposal?"

For a moment, the eyes of the experts from the major powers flickered, their thoughts unreadable.

Ge Puzi scoffed. "Tang Zhao, do you take everyone for idiots? It's obvious you set up this Array today with no intention of letting anyone leave. Forget us from the major powers; even the ordinary citizens of Ancient Yang City are all doomed to die today. Don't you find your own proposal laughable?"

"This so-called 'path to survival' is nothing more than becoming your slaves, controlled by you for all eternity! We'd even be forced to become traitors to our own factions on your command. Do you really think anyone here would want a life like that?!"

The hearts of the experts from the various powers sank. Ge Puzi was right. Having laid such an Array, Tang Zhao had no intention of letting them leave alive—unless they submitted to him. But if they submitted to the Profound Mystery Sect, they would inevitably be forced to attack their own factions. To most of them, that was a fate worse than death.

Ge Puzi said coldly, "We may be trapped now, but there are so many of us. Are you telling me we should be afraid of your Profound Mystery Sect alone?"

At this, Ge Puzi turned to the crowd and said coldly, "Everyone, I believe you've all seen the Profound Mystery Sect's true colors. If we stand together here today, I refuse to believe they can do a thing to us."

Hope sparked in everyone's eyes, and their spirits lifted.

Seeing this, a flicker of light passed through Yan Song's eyes. He quickly said in a deep voice, "Brother Ge's proposal is exactly what I was thinking. Everyone, if we unite, I refuse to believe the Profound Mystery Sect is all-powerful."

"Any power that doesn't want to submit to the Profound Mystery Sect, rally to me and form a united front."

"That's right, everyone gather together and fight the Profound Mystery Sect to the end."

"Hmph. There are so many of us here. If Tang Zhao thinks he can devour us with a single Array, he'd better be careful not to bite off more than he can chew."

The many powers present immediately began to gather towards Yan Song.

Ge Puzi's expression suddenly changed, and he shouted coldly, "Everyone, don't trust the Nine Yang Sect."

Everyone's movements paused, and they looked towards Ge Puzi.

Yan Song roared angrily, "Ge Puzi, what is the meaning of this?"

Ge Puzi's expression was grim. He shouted in a low voice, "Everyone, I suspect the Nine Yang Sect is colluding with the Profound Mystery Sect!"

Hearing this, everyone's expression changed dramatically, and they moved slightly further away from Yan Song.

Yan Song's face turned livid. He roared in fury, "Ge Puzi, at a time like this, you're still trying to sow discord? What are your true intentions? I, Yan Song, may have initiated this operation, but my Nine Yang Sect has always been honorable and just! How could we possibly commit such a heinous act?!"

"Is that so? Then can you explain the Martial Kings from your Nine Yang Sect at the Array Bases?"

Yan Song's expression changed abruptly. He shouted coldly, "Array Base? What Array Base?"

Ge Puzi said, word by word, "The Array Bases of this Seven Star Earth Element Array."

Everyone's expression changed drastically as they looked at Yan Song.

A flicker of panic crossed Yan Song's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and roared, "Ge Puzi, what are you trying to achieve with all this nonsense? Martial Kings at the Array Bases? I have no idea what you're talking about, so how can I possibly explain it? You, on the other hand… from the way you speak, it seems you knew about this Seven Star Earth Element Array all along. Why didn't you say anything before? Why wait until we're all in mortal danger to speak up?"

"Or could it be that the fight between your Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect was a conspiracy from the start, designed to lure all of us other powers here and then wipe us out in one fell swoop?"

Everyone was startled and cast cold glances at Ge Puzi and his people. What Yan Song suggested was not entirely impossible.

Ge Puzi frowned. 'I can't very well admit that I did know about the Seven Star Earth Element Array, can I? I only stayed quiet to force the Profound Mystery Sect to expose themselves.'

Yan Song sneered, "Hmph. Cat got your tongue, Ge Puzi? Everyone, don't listen to his nonsense. If we stand together, we can certainly overcome this crisis!"

Everyone looked suspiciously between the two men, unable to tell who was telling the truth.

Just then, Ye Xuan's cold laugh rang out. "Everyone, I believe you are all well aware of the conflict between my Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect. Think about it. If Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect were working together, why would I have just killed the Profound Mystery Sect's Evil Kill?"

It dawned on everyone. That was right. If Gale Light Academy and the Profound Mystery Sect were really allies, then how could they explain Ye Xuan killing Evil Kill just moments ago? They had all seen it with their own eyes.

Ye Xuan continued with a sneer, "Since Vice Sect Master Yan claims you aren't allied with the Profound Mystery Sect, why don't you kill one of their experts to prove it to us? Then we might believe you."

Yan Song's face was livid. "You think I don't dare?" he said coldly. "Fine, I'll kill one right now…"

The moment the words left his mouth—

BOOM!

A terrifying surge of Profound Energy erupted from Yan Song's body. In a flash, he shot into the crowd of experts from the major powers, striking out with his palm toward the Sword Sect's Elder Jian.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

At the same instant, the Martial King experts from the Nine Yang Sect also moved, turning and launching a ferocious attack on the crowd.

It wasn't just the Nine Yang Sect's experts. The red-robed Fairy Cai from the Bright Moon Empire, Cai Yan, and the Martial Kings under her command also launched a sudden sneak attack on the experts from the other powers around them.

In an instant, endless Profound Energy seethed. A terrifying outburst, like a volcanic eruption, swept out in all directions.

"Watch out! Yan Song, what are you doing?!"

"Damn it, Fairy Cai, what are you doing?!"

"Bastard!"

A series of furious roars rang out. The Martial Artists from the major powers closest to Yan Song, Cai Yan, and the Martial Kings of the Nine Yang Sect and Bright Moon Empire had no time to react. The sneak attack hit home, and they were sent stumbling backward, violently coughing up blood.

BOOM!

Fortunately, Ge Puzi and his group had been watching Yan Song's every move. The moment Yan Song struck, Ge Puzi and Elder Dong moved as well, intercepting them. As a result, the Nine Yang Sect's sneak attack was not nearly as effective as they had hoped.

Those ambushed by Cai Yan of the Bright Moon Empire were not so fortunate. Shrill screams echoed amidst the brutal sneak attack. Several Martial Kings from the Profound Sound Valley and the Sky Empire were cut down, perishing in an instant.

Having succeeded with their strike, the members of the Nine Yang Sect and the Bright Moon Empire didn't hesitate for a second. They all flew over to Tang Zhao, joining the Profound Mystery Sect's ranks.

"Sect Master Tang Zhao, I am ashamed we were not able to accomplish more," Yan Song said with a smile, clasping his hands in a salute.

The red-robed Fairy Cai Yan's painted brow furrowed. "It's all that damned Gale Light Academy's fault," she said sullenly. "If not for them, our surprise attack would have eliminated at least half of our problems. Now, we didn't even achieve half the intended effect."

The members of these three factions stood together, chatting and laughing as if they were the oldest and closest of friends.