The entire group stopped in their tracks as Austin unleashed his spiritual sense to scan through the temple in the distance.
A black fog seemed to have fully enveloped the temple and the sound of people drawing out their weapons and magic treasures echoed out from within the fog.
Men wearing black armors surrounded the mountain god's temple.
Among the horde was an old man clothed head to toe in grey robes that were in the same shade as his eyes. Time hadn't been kind to him and he looked ready to keel over at any moment.
"Don't give yourself too much credit.
You lost to us in the last battle and I slew dozens of your men.
Several thousand people from your force died at my hands back then.
You're merely a descendant of one of the losers who managed to survive. How dare you use that tone with me?"
The mountain god's booming voice echoed out from deep within the temple.
"Humph! Talking big has no use.
You might have been stronger back then and won the war but we're the one managed to still survive and thrive.
Meanwhile, your force collapsed and no longer exist.
Cut the crap and hand over Austin's parents immediately.
Otherwise, I wouldn't mind crushing the remains of your force,"
the old man in grey robes coldly ordered.
'So they came because of me!'
Austin's expression became cold and filled with murderous intent when he heard those words.
Even Yulia and the four elders turned to him in fear upon sensing his rage.
"Even if I'm the only one left, it means that the Heavenly Court still stands!
The Heavenly Court will one day rise again!"
Determination filled the mountain god's every word.
Laughter burst out of the old man.
"Did you not know? You're not the only survivor of the Heavenly Court! Bring them here!"
He gestured at the soldiers surrounding him.
Several soldiers in black armor dragged three people to the front of the temple, each one already halfway to the grave.
They were skin and bones and no patch of skin was left untouched of blood and wounds. They were still bleeding. They had been obviously beaten up recently.
Disgusting liquid oozed from some parts that had been infected, a garish contrast to pure white bones that were left exposed.
A lifetime of suffering left a bloody picture on the bodies of the three men.
"The three of the
stin murmured to himself.
His spiritual sense allowed him to figure out the mountain god's cultivation base.
Since the mountain god used to be Queen Siobhan's trusted subordinate, it went without question that he possessed great powers.
However, he lost most of his strength because he was sealed away for a long time.
Even worse than that was that the Earth was no longer a good place for cultivators. As a result, his cultivation base fell to the premium stage of Earth Realm.
Not long ago, Austin gave him many precious cultivation resources and thanks to those, he restored his strength to the premium stage of Mysterious Realm.
"Good. Very good. Since you seek death, I'll fulfill your wish.
Get the survivor of the Heavenly Court!"
Not a trace of emotion could be found in the elder's voice as he ordered his men into action.
"Clement, please stay in the temple with your wife and son. Austin will come to you.
As long as you don't take a step out of the temple, no one can lay a hand on you.
I'm afraid I can no longer continue to protect you.
Please apologize to Austin for me!"
Hogan Chang shouted towards the temple as he turned to face his enemies.
There was no way that he would hand over Austin's family but neither could he tolerate seeing his companions die before his eyes.
His choice was to fight his enemies and die with dignity.
Meanwhile, Austin and his companions stood in the distance and the people around the temple didn't spot them because of the spatial law released by Austin that hid their auras.