Chapter 496: Desperate Situation
When they saw Fairy Yu annihilate a Golden Core Realm cultivator with a single sword strike, the four late-stage Golden Core Realm cultivators who were standing in the void were not angry but rather pleased. They had guessed correctly; Fairy Yu had indeed been preparing a sword intent earlier to attack them, but fortunately, they had avoided it. Using that sword strike had to have greatly weakened her!
"Don't be afraid. She can't unleash a second sword strike; otherwise, it will shorten her lifespan and she'll die," a late Golden Core Realm cultivator said to Senior Chi and the others.
"This demoness has plundered the lifespan of many cultivators in the Central Continent Empire, but along the way, she's also quickly depleting those lifespans. You will soon achieve great merit," another late Golden Core Realm cultivator tempted them.
Everyone was stunned. Even Senior Chi and the others hadn't heard of someone plundering lifespan before. "Even lifespan can be plundered? Is this the legendary first-tier empire? Each cultivator is so terrifying?!"
Whether you were a mortal or cultivator, lifespan was a gift from the Heavenly Dao. Cultivators contend with the Heavens for lifespan; they understood that much. However, plundering lifespan from cultivators... that was unheard of.
That Golden Core Realm cultivator's death had been a lesson for all of them, so despite how the Golden Core soldiers tried to tempt them, Senior Chi and the others remained unmoved.
Opportunities were indeed important, but nothing outweighed their life.
They had cultivated for hundreds of years before they were able to reach their cultivation of the Golden Core Realm. They finally achieved a certain status and respect in the cultivation world. They wouldn't throw all this way by dying. It wasn't worth it at all.
A late Golden Core Realm cultivator suddenly sneered. "A bunch of country bumpkins who overvalue their lives. They're truly fools. If there were other Central Continent Empire cultivators here, they would definitely not miss this golden opportunity for a chance at this fate."
Realizing that the soldier was trying to provoke them into acting, Senior Chi and the others exchanged glances. The soldiers' actions strengthened their resolve.
They shouldn't act hastily!
"It seems they are quite clever." Fairy Yu chuckled lightly and said to the four late Golden Core cultivators in the sky, "If you want to capture me and claim a reward, then come at me yourselves. Are you late afraid of a mere early Golden Core Realm cultivator like me?"
When the four individuals saw that Senior Chi and the others had no intention of making a move, their expressions turned dark.
Just as both sides were in a stalemate, a few figures flew in from afar.
"The demoness is here!"
Those figures were also Golden Core Realm cultivators, and they appeared surprised at the sight of Fairy Yu.
These Golden Core Realm cultivators wore different attire from the Celestial Soldiers. They were clearly from a different group.
The four looked toward the newcomers. "Are you from the Central Continent Empire?"
The Golden Core cultivators in the sky tightened their expressions slightly upon hearing her words. Had she really regained some spiritual energy in such a short time?
"Hehe, don't pretend to be mysterious. Using the Void Immortal Sword consumes your lifespan. Otherwise, how could a mere early Golden Core like you hurt us?"
Fairy Yu laughed. "Then come and try."
The Golden Core Realm cultivator fell silent immediately.
Suddenly, a female cultivator among the late Golden Core Realm frowned and said, "You used to be an outstanding disciple of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. It's said that the peak master of the Extreme Sword Peak used to hold you in high regard.
"But now, you have disappointed them by falling into darkness. How do your former friends and family view you? It's better to come with us to see Heavenly King Zhen and try to resolve the sins on you. Perhaps you can be spared. Surely you can’t go against all the Golden Core Realm cultivators in the Central Continent?"
Fairy Yu's expression didn't fluctuate one bit, but there was a hint of strangeness in her demeanor due to this statement.
A fleeting look of desolation flashed in her eyes, and she smiled lightly, "Follow you and see that old scoundrel Heavenly King Zhen? He's just as corrupt as the rest. Either you try to capture me now, or I'll kill you. Those are the only two options, choose one."
"Stubborn as ever. I suggest you stop trying to reason with her," one of the celestial soldiers said, "This witch has caused great havoc in the Central Continent, and she won't repent. Let's join forces to take her down. If we can't capture her alive, we can still receive a reward for her death."
The celestial soldiers had completely lost patience, mainly because they feared that the longer they waited, the harder it would be to deal with her as she regained her strength.
The expressions of people like Senior Chi turned strange. If the eight Golden Core Realm cultivators in the sky joined forces, and they joined in the fray... perhaps they could easily take down the woman. In that case, they would also have some credit.
"Have you made your decision? Will you join forces with us? We can share the credit," one of the celestial soldiers suddenly looked at Senior Chi and the others.
They hesitated for a moment, exchanged glances, and made up their minds.
"If you are willing, we can also contribute to the Central Continent," Senior Chi said with folded hands.
The situation had reached a conclusion.
The eyes of the cultivators on the ship looked at the Fairy Yu as if they were looking at a corpse.
With a dozen or so Golden Core Realm cultivators joining forces, how could she possibly survive?
It was clearly a desperate situation.