Chapter 232 To Pursue or Not?

He decided to target me instead?

Sensing Lu Tianzi's approach, a bemused expression appeared on the face of the scholarly expert.

But he was only puzzled for a moment, nothing more. Apart from that, he could not be deigned to even turn his head to look at Lu Tianzi.

He had heard stories about how this Nanlu Tianzi was capable of challenging Origin Core realm martial artists while being at the Essence Condensation realm.

He had heard tales about how this Nanlu Tianzi crushed an entire camp's defensive formations within the blink of an eye.

The scholarly expert had no choice but to admit that these were truly impressive feats.

However, even hearing about Lu Tianzi's incredible achievements was not enough to shake his confidence in himself.

After all, he was not like any other Origin Core martial artist.

He is Longshao Wenqin, the personal disciple of the Dragon Cauldron Overlord!

He had yet to make his move on Nanlu Tianzi, yet the latter actually dared to challenge him?

Overestimating himself!

With a single thought, Wenqin willed the bronze cauldron behind him to move into Lu Tianzi's path, blocking him from approaching Wenqin from below.

But Lu Tianzi was not fazed by that.

In fact, it could be said that this was exactly what he wanted.

From the start, his target was not the scholarly expert Longshao Wenqin, but this mysterious bronze cauldron!

Having put away the Torrential Sabre, Lu Tianzi drew out a sword from his spatial ring. Unfortunately, the Sword of Ivory Rock had shattered during the fight with the God of Pestilence, so he would have to make do with a spare sword that was only at the Primary Essence Condensation rank.

Even so, that did not affect Lu Tianzi as he confidently pierced out towards the bronze cauldron.

Returning Wraith Sword!

Bang-!

Lu Tianzi's aim was perfect, and the tip of the sword struck the bronze cauldron head on. As though shrouded by some form of energy shield, the cauldron immediately sent out a powerful shockwave upon impact.

Wenqin frowned as he sensed the bronze cauldron sent flying straight towards his back from the clash. However, even without him doing anything, the bronze cauldron rapidly decelerated, stopping just short of hitting him on the back.

On the other hand, the powerful shockwave from the bronze cauldron struck Lu Tianzi as well, sending him straight back to the ground.

This time, the impact was too great. Lu Tianzi was no longer able to maintain his balance in the air, and was sent tumbling down helplessly.

Fortunately, he was at least sent into the midst of the Scarlet Moon Army soldiers.

"Tianzi!" Nanlan Qianxue called out in shock. "Juncheng, get him!"

She was too far forward, and was tangled in combat with the Dragon Cauldron Army soldiers. Thus, she could only hope that Juncheng could cushion Lu Tianzi's fall somehow.

"I'm on it!" Juncheng needed no reminder. When Nanlan Qianxue asked him to help, he was already on the way towards Lu Tianzi.

However, even that was too late.

The shockwave that struck Lu Tianzi was far too strong, sending him down with such speed that no one would be able to help him in time.

Bang-!

A small crater formed as Lu Tianzi smashed into ground, the impact causing him to cough out a mouthful of blood.

Gritting his teeth as he endured the pain, Lu Tianzi climbed back to his feet, his eyes fixed upon the bronze cauldron as he did.

Not a single scratch.

The countless energy threads were naturally still present as well.

That alone was bad enough, but cracks had also appeared on his sword after that clash!

It was as though what he just did nothing but to hurt himself, similar to using an egg to strike a rock.

"Squad Leader Nanlu! Are you all right?" Juncheng asked worriedly as he rushed over.

"Yeah, I am fine," Lu Tianzi nodded before wiping the trace of blood off the corner of his lips.

"Just what the hell is that cauldron? To think it endured your blow without problem!" Juncheng followed his gaze and looked up as well.

Lu Tianzi had no answer.

The shockwave earlier had been far beyond what he had expected, and he had received injuries that were by no means light.

Considering that, this bronze cauldron was sure to be an exceptional treasure, far beyond anything he had seen up till now!

Since he could see this, Elder Mingxin naturally could tell as much as well.

"Stop the pursuit!" Elder Mingxin immediately ordered.

"Are you crazy?" her partner immediately questioned through voice conveyance. "If we stop here, just how are you intending to report to the higher ups? It is one thing if you are fine with shouldering the blame, but don't drag me down with you!"

"Can't you tell that the opponent is far stronger than we thought?" Elder Mingxin retorted. "If we continue pursuing, we will only incur even heavier losses!"

"So what if they are strong? Did you forget that we are right outside of our main camp? We just have to slow them down long enough for our reinforcements to arrive!" her partner did not back down either.

"Ignore the earlier order, continue the pursuit!" her partner did not wait for Elder Mingxin's answer, immediately passing down his order before glaring at Elder Mingxin. "Cowardly woman, if you don't even have the guts to pursue the enemy in such a situation, then leave the battlefield! You don't belong here!"

Elder Mingxin felt a surge of anger rising up within her, but chose to turn to her subordinates instead of continuing to argue with her partner. "Those who trust in me, stop the pursuit!"

"You…!" her partner gritted his teeth in rage. "Whoever stops will be reported to the General later! Those who don't wish to be punished, don't you dare stop! And this goes for you as well… Elder Mingxin!"

Sparks flew as the two Origin Core realm experts stared down each other, neither willing to back down.

While the two Origin Core realm experts were arguing, the soldiers below were even more conflicted.

First they were ordered to pursue.

Then they were asked to stop.

Immediately after, they were told to pursue, then to stop.

Now, they were being told to pursue again?

So were they supposed to continue pursuing the enemy or not?

For the majority of the soldiers present, they had no problems deciding. After all, the bulk of these soldiers were from the Nine Suns Sect.

Who should they listen to if not their own sect elder?

After all, punishment from the Generals might be scary, but in the end, they would all have to return to the Nine Suns Sect after the war.

If they offended Elder Mingxin here, their lives ahead could really turn for the worse!

Because of that, the soldiers on the ground immediately broke into two factions. Those of the Nine Suns Sect and some others halted their steps, while the rest continued to chase.

Just like the rest of her fellow sect members, Nanlan Qianxue immediately stepped back.

Without her leading the charge, the strength of the Scarlet Moon Army was immediately softened, giving the retreating soldiers much more breathing room as they steadily broke away.

"How pathetic," Wenqin scoffed as he retreated as well.

"Look at what you have done! Even the enemy is mocking us!" Elder Mingxin's partner berated her before giving further orders. "Charge! Do not let them escape! We just have to slow them down until reinforcements arrive!"

The pursuing soldiers on the ground had originally been feeling quite uncertain about obeying orders. After all, their strength level was not on par, and they could not see any way of stopping the enemy.

But upon hearing that they did not have to personally stop the enemy's retreat, the morale of the soldiers on the ground rose once again, and they charged forward with a renewed vigour.

Even some who had stayed behind earlier strengthened their resolve and started to give chase. Of course, none of the Nine Suns Sect members made a move.

Faced with such a situation, Elder Mingxin could not help but feel slightly conflicted.

Was her decision truly the correct one?

This could potentially end up implicating all the soldiers on the ground, letting her Nine Suns Sect become the sinners of this battle!

But at this moment, Lu Tianzi's voice sounded across the battlefield. "Stop chasing! It's a trap!"

Elder Mingxin turned to look at Lu Tianzi in surprise. It seemed that at least this talented youngster shared her sentiments.

"Ignore the cowards! Chase down the enemy!" an order was passed down immediately.

Damn him!

Lu Tianzi cursed in his heart as he glared at the Origin Core realm martial artist in the air, only to be completely disregarded as the other party did not even bother returning his gaze.

Just like what they had been ordered to do, nobody heeded Lu Tianzi's words as they continued the pursuit.

They might not be able to break the defences of the retreating soldiers. But with their presence, the Dragon Cauldron Army was forced to remain in a defensive position. This slowed down their retreat significantly, effectively buying time for reinforcements of the Scarlet Moon Army to arrive.

Things were looking good as they chased the enemy down the mountain and into the Rockfall Plain.

But that was where the situation took a sudden turn for the worse.

Weng-!

A complex emblem of light abruptly appeared right under the feet of the soldiers, catching everyone by surprise.

Everyone who joined the pursuit immediately stopped in their tracks. Looks of shock appeared on their faces as they realised just what was going on.

It's a trap!

Just as they had expected, World Origin Energy in the surroundings rapidly gathered as a killing formation buzzed to life, encompassing every single one of the pursuing soldiers.

"Retreat! Get out of the area!" the Origin Core realm martial artist of the Scarlet Moon Army cried out in shock, but it was already too late.

Before anyone could react, countless earth spikes shot up from the ground, firing straight into the air.

The unfortunate ones were immediately impaled from below, while others got by with just a few scratches. But that was just the initial wave.

A second wave soon followed, and then a third.

As if that was not enough, the earth spikes that had shot up earlier started to fall back to the ground, making it a two directional attack.

Coming from both above and below, they were like deadly jaws of an enormous beast, clamping right down on the soldiers of the Scarlet Moon Army.

Faced with such a situation, these soldiers found themselves completely powerless to resist!

"Run!"

"Stop blocking!"

"Help! Don't leave me!"

Chaos ensued as the soldiers frantically scrambled to escape the area, not hesitating to step over one another if that was what it took.

Even up in the air, their Origin Core realm leader did not have the luxury to help them out.

After all, he was flying right above them. The earth spikes that had shot up into the air were headed straight for him!

While this alone was unable to threaten his life, it could certainly cause some serious injuries should he make a single misstep.

There was no helping it.

Rather than save the lives of those nameless soldiers on the ground, keeping himself at peak condition was certainly more important!

As expected, even though it took him all he had just to fend off the earth spikes, he eventually managed to escape the area of effect of the killing formation.

But the moment he left the area, his eyes went wide in horror.

"Watch out!" Elder Mingxin called out from afar.

From the banks of safety, she could see the entire tragedy play out from start to finish. Of course, she could clearly see exactly what her partner was in for next.

Right there waiting for him was none other than Wenqin, with his right arm raised at the ready.

In order to escape as quickly as possible, the Origin Core realm expert of the Scarlet Moon Army had taken the shortest distance out of the killing formation. Unfortunately, this seemingly logical decision had also allowed Wenqin to read his move perfectly.

"Die."

Wenqin thrust his arm forward like a spear. At this distance, even blocking the attack would have been difficult, not to mention dodging it.

"In your dreams!" the Origin Core realm expert called out as he drove his Slaughter Essence to the limit, summoning forth the very limits of power that he possessed in a bid to block the attack.

An admirable effort, but it was all in vain.

Stab-!

Wenqin's arm pierced right through his opponent's defending arm and proceeded straight into his chest, skewering the two parts together as Wenqin's hand protruded out from the back of his opponent.

The soldiers below were too busy escaping to notice, but silence fell upon those who were watching from afar.

Just like that, an Origin Core realm ally had been killed before their eyes!