In this fierce and fearless confrontation, the foreign forces each harbored their own ulterior motives, which greatly diminished their overall strength. This gave the Yi family members an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, and their cries of pain and near death were frequently heard. The situation gradually shifted in favor of the defenders of the nation's dignity.
"ah!"
"boom!"
A Knight of the Round Table and a Baloka follower were both struck hard. The former was seriously injured and flew back, where his companions immediately covered his retreat to allow him to recover. The latter, however, was left unprotected and was killed by a whip-like leg imbued with immense energy as he flew past Situ Wentian, the "enforcer" of the military.
The number of overseas personnel suffered heavy losses, with the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting in the loss of combat effectiveness increasing rapidly. On the other hand, the twelve "pseudo-Heavenly Level" members of the Yi family, led by the Yi family's Grand Elder Yi Potian and the newly promoted Heavenly Level Yi Zuojun, charged to the front line of the battle with a suicidal frenzy, leaving the chance of survival to other Heavenly Level members in the country, because they knew that their compatriots behind them would be the future support of the nation.
The situation was becoming increasingly favorable. The Chinese fighters fought with growing momentum, while the alliance of top experts from abroad appeared united but were actually divided, no longer harboring any intention to annihilate the Chinese Heavenly-level fighters, focusing only on protecting themselves from harm. If it weren't for the Pope's oversight, many of the foreign experts would have fled in disarray.
"Everyone, retreat! Snow Bear Warriors cover the rear!"
For the first time, the Pope's voice lost its usual composure. The loss of the Knights of the Round Table pained him, and even the Chief Judge was seriously injured by Yi Potian's "trading injury for injury, life for life" attack. The situation had spiraled out of his control, and he could not even cast spells to heal his subordinates. So he immediately and decisively issued a retreat order, and with a wave of his hands, he swept up the two children on the ground and disappeared instantly.
"Fuck! Why should we Snow Bear Warriors cover the retreat! Everyone, run! Don't worry about them!"
The one shouting was a snow bear warrior with an extremely dazzling golden punk hairstyle. He had fought off the resilient Chinese people and immediately issued an order that contradicted the Pope's decree.
As the leader of the Snow Bear Warriors, he has a responsibility to protect the safety of his subordinates. This operation is merely an alliance of mutual support and cooperation, not a matter of being someone else's servant. He will not allow Russia's deterrent force to be lost here.
We must advance and retreat together; of course we can't cover the enemy's retreat. Should the Snow Bear Warriors just die?
"Where do you think you're going! Die!"
The hot-tempered Yi'an was already completely covered in blood, unable to tell whether the blood on her head, face, and almost naked body was her own or that of the enemy. She stared wide-eyed, ready to give chase.
"Stop! Come back here!"
Elder Yi Potian roared. His rapidly contracting chest gushed blood from his lungs, each word accompanied by a spray of blood. The sight horrified Liu Daoqi, who was blinded by rage. His original intention to pursue and kill the enemy vanished, replaced by a deep sorrow for Yi Potian, and a profound respect that rose from the depths of his soul.
Watching the rapidly retreating enemy disappear into the wasteland, Elder Yi Potian was filled with sorrow. This foreign alliance, similar to the Eight-Nation Alliance, invaded China in the same way, resorting to any means to obtain what they wanted. The only difference from a hundred years ago was that back then it was for gold and silver treasures, but this time it was for a chance to survive.
A drop of bright red liquid slid down his cheek, soaking the dust on Yi Potian's imposing face and leaving a striking mark. It was unclear whether it was his tear or the blood of hatred.
"Elder..." The Yi family members rushed back to the Elder's side, but after that one address, they said nothing more.
"Father..." Yi Yang's eyes widened in horror, his face contorted with resentment, his teeth clenched, and the veins on his neck bulged under the bloodstains, exuding a bloody and ruthless aura.
"We can't chase them."
Yi Potian's tone was low and somber, conveying a heart-wrenching helplessness that everyone understood: "If we don't pursue them, they won't witness our deaths, and they won't dare to attack us easily in the future. If we do pursue them, they will surely know that our secret techniques will inevitably bring death, and without that threat, who can resist another invasion?"
"father……"
Yi Yang understood his father's meaning, but he was extremely unwilling. He still had the strength to kill a few more enemies. Staying behind would only mean waiting for his body to explode and die. This feeling of frustration burned in his heart. But he also knew that his father's reasoning was sufficient. If the enemy saw that the Yi family members were dying one by one, they would be free from future troubles. Then they could gather some top-notch ability users from abroad to attack. How could the few Heavenly Realm experts in the country resist them?
Almost every country with a long history has its own hidden forces. Who can guarantee that there are only so many top-tier individuals abroad? Putting aside other factors, the fact that Germany's Iceman was not among the invading forces speaks volumes about the potential dangers facing the country in the future.
Yi Potian's decision was a last resort. Even if it wasted the effect of the Yi family's life-saving secret technique, he was determined to deter the enemy.
If you can invade, I can invade. This is the true meaning of deterrence. The core leadership of any country will be terrified of mysterious and unknown forces, and thus will not dare to easily carry out "decapitation strikes" in the future.
“Zong Shen…” Elder Sun Woxing of the Sun family said in a low and firm voice, “Rest assured. Even if the Master does not return for the time being, my Sun family will ensure the safety of the Yi family. If we break this oath, may the entire Sun family be exterminated!”
The implication was that Yi Potian could leave in peace, and even if Lin Yao encountered misfortune at sea and never returned, the Sun family would do everything in its power to ensure the safety and survival of the Yi family. This was the greatest promise made by the aristocratic family, and also Sun Woxing's response to the Yi family's sacrifice.
"Elder Yi, the Pei family will always regard the Yi family as brothers and will never allow anyone to harm a member of the Yi family!"
Pei Tianzong gritted his teeth and uttered the promise in his heart with great difficulty. The actions of the Yi family members had deeply shocked him. Only by personally experiencing such heroism could one truly feel the spirit in the blood of the Yi family. It was a fearless spirit of sacrificing oneself for the country and the nation. A family with such a spirit must not be forgotten in the long river of history.
"The Hong family will definitely take good care of the Yi family members. As long as I am alive, I will never allow any act of slaughtering or harming the Yi family members to happen!"
Although Hong Qiuyi, the eldest elder of the Hong family, made a great promise, he left himself a way out: he would only care about his own life and leave the matter after his death to others, since the relationship between the Hong and Yi families could not be described as harmonious.
"The Yi family is a family of heroes, and they have always been patriotic guardians. I guarantee that the three of us and our disciples and grand-disciples will treat the Yi family as brothers and will never let them suffer any injustice!"
Liu Daoqi, a military officer of the highest rank, made a promise to his three brothers and their direct disciples and grand-disciples. Due to his special status, he could only make promises up to the level of disciples and grand-disciples; he was powerless to make any further promises.
Military rank-one leader Situ Wentian nodded forcefully, then lowered his head and didn't raise it again, as if in silent mourning. The other "enforcer," Li Xiaotian, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists tightly, and trembled violently. He no longer needed to express his opinion; his entire expression spoke volumes about his decision.
"Okay, I'm relieved."
The First Elder, Yi Potian, revealed a smile, but the bloodstains on his face made the smile look extremely tragic. "I hope that after we die, we can be buried in Shandong. The ancestors of the Yi family came from Ningyang County near Mount Tai. I hope that the Yi family ancestral graves can be rebuilt there. The old ones were dug up by someone, hehe."
The final request brought a pang of sadness to everyone present. Sun Woxing, Pei Tianzong, and the others knew that Yi Potian was referring to the "Destroy the Four Olds" period, but they were unaware of the details. They thought to themselves that with the Yi family's strength, even if they had moved away from their ancestral home many years ago, they could have simply sent a few members to guard the ancestral graves during the "Destroy the Four Olds" period. This situation shouldn't have occurred; there must be some inside story, but it was inappropriate to ask them directly.
"Yang'er, you've done a great job. You've worked hard all these years. I'm so proud of you!"
The First Elder, Yi Potian, felt the true energy within his body becoming increasingly chaotic and rampant. Knowing that time was running out, he looked at his son, Yi Yang, who was still filled with grief and indignation, and for the first time revealed his affection as a loving father.
"It's not hard work, I haven't done well enough." Yi Yang's tears flowed instantly, mixed with the blood seeping from the burst capillaries in his eyes. His whole demeanor immediately became relaxed, as if all the hardships and responsibilities were about to leave, and his life's struggles had yielded results. At this moment, he only focused on feeling his father's praise.
"Alright, elders and generals, please stand back a bit. It won't look good when we explode later. Don't get your bodies dirty."
The First Elder, Yi Potian, clasped his hands and looked around, sincerely thanking everyone for their promise to protect them. He also clearly conveyed the message of expelling them. Now it was time to give the Yi family their due. Even if the Yi family members died, they would die together. Their bodies exploding and dying would truly make them one.
The crowd remained silent, clasped their hands in a salute, and then flew away in unison, leaving the area far behind, leaving their final heroic sacrifice to the Yi family. To even glance at such a scene would be disrespectful.
After all the outsiders left, Elder Yi Potian beckoned the Yi family members to gather more closely. The expression on his face was no longer one of bravery and composure, but instead one of deep sorrow and resentment.
Finally, the Yi family was able to take off, and heaven took pity on him by letting him appear in the Yi family. But he died before his ambitions were fulfilled, and he had to take so many of the most outstanding sons of the Yi family with him. How could he be willing to accept this? How could he not be heartbroken?
Seeing the sorrowful expressions on the faces of his disciples, Elder Yi Potian composed himself and once again displayed his unparalleled aura.
"The Yi family is fortunate to have such outstanding children like you. Your sacrifices will bring glory to the entire Yi family and enable it to prosper."
"More importantly, your sacrifice will make an immeasurable contribution to this country. Although your compatriots will not know of your existence, as long as they are safe and happy, it will be the glory of the Yi family. You can go in peace now."