Departure, the battle between good and evil

Long Chen drew that terrifying great blade, leaving everyone immersed in shock.

At this moment, Long Chen was like a Heavenly God, exuding a monstrous Aura.

"Dang, dang…" A rapid succession of bell tolls rang out, causing Cang Ming, who had been about to say something, to suddenly change his expression.

"Something has happened! Everyone, hurry to the Xuantian Plaza to assemble!"

After finishing his sentence, Cang Ming moved, vanishing before everyone's eyes, which startled them all.

Since coming to the branch, every time they heard the bell, it had only rung once, but this time, it had rung nine times in succession.

Although they did not know what had happened, such a rapid succession of bell tolls surely signified that a major event was about to occur.

"This is the emergency assembly signal. Everyone, hurry over!"

Long Chen hoisted the great blade onto his shoulder and ran a few steps before realizing something was wrong; the stone bricks beneath his feet were shattering one after another.

Only then did he remember that the great blade on his shoulder was terrifyingly heavy. Unable to withstand the weight himself, it was all being transferred to his feet.

Although he did not know how heavy this great blade was, he felt that it was definitely not much lighter than A Man's spiked club.

If he did not summon his divine ring, he would be unable to lift it at all. Even with the divine ring summoned, he could only barely wield it.

If he wanted to truly wield it, he would have to summon his Fengfu Battle Body. This great blade was simply too terrifying.

There was no time to ponder the great blade now, so he stored it directly into his spatial ring and led the others straight toward the Xuantian Plaza.

When Long Chen and the others arrived at the Xuantian Plaza, they were taken aback. The entire branch's thirty-plus Elders, one hundred law enforcers, and over two thousand Disciples had all gathered together.

Ling Yunzi, Cang Ming, and Tu Fang were also standing at the very front with serious expressions, watching the crowd.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ling Yunzi began, "I have some news for you: you will not need to venture deep into the Evil Path's territory for your trial this time."

Upon hearing Ling Yunzi's words, an uproar broke out among the crowd, and many people revealed expressions of extreme disappointment.

Over these two months of desperate cultivation, most Disciples had advanced to the First Heaven of Yi Jin, and more than half of the Heaven and Earth Alliance Disciples had entered the Second Heaven.

They had been frantically increasing their strength precisely so that they could go all out to slaughter Evil Path Disciples during the Evil Demon trial, temper their own will, and become true powerhouses.

Furthermore, the rewards for the trial were simply too tempting. Killing just a few Evil Path experts and exchanging their heads for points would allow them to trade for more resources at the branch; this was the fastest path to becoming a powerhouse.

Having worked hard to prepare for over two months, only to suddenly be told that the trial was canceled, was something no one could accept.

Watching the disappointed and even somewhat annoyed expressions of the crowd, Ling Yunzi smiled slightly. This batch of Disciples had much more backbone than previous generations.

If previous Disciples had heard this news, most would have secretly breathed a sigh of relief rather than feeling disappointed.

"I did not say that the trial was canceled. On the contrary, the trial is being moved up because the Evil Path has already launched an assault on our Righteous Path.

Evil Path Disciples have already entered the territory of the Righteous Path and have begun a full-scale slaughter against us.

Right now, all Righteous Path Disciples are gathering at full speed, because after the Evil Path invades, they will slaughter innocent civilians in large numbers.

Therefore, time is life. You do not have time to sort out your emotions. In a while, you will be departing."

The crowd could not help but be shocked. This was too urgent; they hadn't made any preparations, and it felt inevitably too abrupt.

"As cultivators, you need to be prepared for battle at every moment. Do you think the enemy will greet you before killing you, let you warm up, or allow you to make preparations? Stupid!"

Tu Fang looked at those somewhat bewildered Disciples and could not help but roar.

"This operation will not only involve our Xuantian Branch, but also Disciples from other Sects, with each responsible for their own area.

However, the battlefield changes in an instant, so you cannot be rigid. You must look out for and help one another, and you must not have any infighting.

And the commander-in-chief for this operation will be Long Chen. All Disciples must obey his orders," Ling Yunzi said.

Long Chen was startled. How did he become the commander? He wanted to earn points for himself; if he had to command everyone, how the hell was he supposed to earn anything!

Seeing that Long Chen was about to speak, Ling Yunzi said seriously, "The capable bear more responsibility, and you should not decline. Long Chen, as a Disciple of the branch, it is your duty to share the branch's burdens."

With such a heavy label placed upon him, Long Chen was immediately rendered speechless. He looked at Tu Fang and saw that Tu Fang was smiling at him.

"Long Chen, rest assured. As long as you perform well this time, the branch will definitely not treat you unfairly and will grant you the status of a Core Disciple," Tu Fang smiled.

Long Chen could not help but curl his lip. What was so great about being a Core Disciple? Wasn't it just living in a bigger house and having a higher salary?

Although he did not have such high benefits now, he could still live in a big house and eat dishes cooked by Qingyushao every day.

If he became a Core Disciple, wouldn't he have to move out? Long Chen felt the branch was too stingy, but Ling Yunzi had spoken with such righteousness that he could not refute it.

As if reading Long Chen's thoughts, Tu Fang said, "Long Chen, you must not underestimate the status of a Core Disciple.

In the past, it might not have meant much, but the Jiuli Secret Realm will open soon. It is said to be a space left behind from the ancient era.

It contains countless treasures and Legacies, and it is very possible to obtain a Heaven-Defying Opportunity that will allow your cultivation to soar!"

"Jiuli Secret Realm?" Long Chen was startled. For some reason, upon hearing this unfamiliar term, his heart began to beat wildly.

The Fengfu Star beneath his feet had begun to spin crazily, beyond his control, which made Long Chen feel somewhat shocked and uncertain.

The Fengfu Star had such a massive reaction; could it be related to this so-called Jiuli Secret Realm?

"You need not ask any more questions. Only Core-level Disciples can enter, and the spots are limited.

Therefore, you must seize this Opportunity. We all have high hopes for you. As for whether you can obtain the qualification of a Core Disciple, it will depend on your performance this time." Tu Fang patted Long Chen's shoulder and said earnestly.

This was naked temptation. Long Chen felt helpless in his heart. For some reason, he had an inexplicable premonition that there was something he wanted inside this Jiuli Secret Realm.

It was very likely related to the Nine Star Hegemon Body Art. It was a mysterious feeling, and Long Chen now had no choice but to agree.

"Thank you for your trust, Sect Leader. Long Chen will definitely do his utmost," Long Chen said with a salute. The temptation was impossible to resist, so he might as well stop being pretentious.

A smile appeared on Ling Yunzi's Face. "Good. From today on, you are the commander-in-chief of this operation. If anyone dares to disobey orders, you have the right to deal with them directly, including the power of life and death!"

Ling Yunzi's words filled the Disciples of the Heaven and Earth Alliance with excitement. Long Chen had actually become the commander-in-chief, and they felt incomparably proud.

"This will not do!" Suddenly, someone stood out and shouted loudly. Everyone looked towards the source of the voice; it was an Inner Sect Disciple.

"Sect Leader, we have long-standing grudges with Long Chen. If you let him serve as the commander-in-chief, wouldn't it cost us our lives if he were to use even the slightest underhanded tactic?" the Disciple shouted.

No sooner had the Disciple finished speaking than he was grabbed by a large hand and thrown directly away. That person was none other than Gu Yang.

That Disciple was one of his subordinates. After throwing him away, Gu Yang saluted Ling Yunzi and said, "Gu Yang has failed to discipline his subordinates properly. Please punish me, Sect Leader."

Ling Yunzi's eyes flickered slightly, but he showed no displeasure. He asked with interest, "Do you have anything you wish to say?"

One had to know that the person with the deepest grudge against Long Chen was Qi Xin, and since Qi Xin had already become a ghost, only Gu Yang remained.

Gu Yang shook his head and said, "There is nothing to say. I believe in Long Chen's character; he would not, and would disdain to, use such tactics!"

Gu Yang's words shocked everyone. Even Long Chen was somewhat surprised; he had not expected Gu Yang to say such things.

"That's right. We have no objections to Long Chen serving as the commander-in-chief." People did not expect that Lei Qianshang would also step forward.

This left too many people unable to wrap their heads around it. They were clearly mortal enemies; were they not afraid of Long Chen making things difficult for them?

One had to know that they were facing the vicious Evil Path Disciples this time. If Long Chen were to pull even the slightest trick, he could cause them to die in battle, and it would seem completely normal.

"Not bad, they are men of character." Ling Yunzi nodded, and a glimmer of appreciation appeared in his eyes. However, it was unclear whether he was referring to Gu Yang and Lei Qianshang being so open-minded and reasonable, or if he was saying that Long Chen was so powerful that he could make even his enemies submit to him, to the point that even his opponents had no doubts about his character.

"Big brother…" The Disciple who had been thrown away could not help but be anxious. Just as he was about to speak, Gu Yang waved his hand, stopping him. He turned his head and said to Long Chen, "I wonder if I may fight side by side with you." Gu Yang looked at Long Chen.

Long Chen looked at Gu Yang and smiled slightly. "If you are willing to entrust your back to me, I will naturally not betray your trust."

Gu Yang suddenly burst into laughter. "Good! My life, Gu Yang's life, is entrusted to you!"

The crowd was shocked. They had not expected Gu Yang to bow his head to Long Chen, and he had done so without the slightest concealment.

Lei Qianshang also wanted to say something, but he could not utter a word for a long time. Although he supported Long Chen, he still could not let go of his Face. He sighed; he could not be as open-minded as Gu Yang.

Long Chen turned to look at the crowd and said, "All previous grudges in the branch are written off. You all know what kind of person I, Long Chen, am.

As long as you do not betray me, I, Long Chen, am willing to shed my last drop of blood for any one of you.

This time, we are facing vicious Evil Path villains. I cannot guarantee that every one of you will survive, but I can guarantee that in the most dangerous moments, I will definitely stand at the very front."

There was no impassioned speech, only a simple, unadorned promise, yet it struck people's hearts like a heavy hammer.

It shocked their minds and reached the depths of their Souls, moving them and causing their hot blood to surge. Song Mingyuan, Li Qi, and the other Core Disciples felt their blood boiling, and they wished they could charge out right now.

Tang Waner looked at Long Chen, her beautiful eyes filled with adoration. When Long Chen was serious, he was a towering hero who commanded respect. She loved looking at Long Chen like this; this was the real Long Chen.

A smile appeared on the corner of Ling Yunzi's mouth. Long Chen was indeed a natural leader; without needing to deliberately incite them, he had raised their morale in an instant.

"Whoosh!" Ling Yunzi waved his hand, and hundreds of massive flying Demonic Beasts flew out and landed on the plaza. They were all Third Rank flying mounts.

"Depart!"