National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Zou Baixuan’s face flushed red with anger, veins bulging on his forehead.

His chest heaved violently as he gasped for air, the fury in his heart threatening to consume him entirely.

"When you chose to walk the path of a Martial Artist, you should have known this day would come.

In the current state of Blue Star,

whether you’re a Martial Artist or an ordinary person, no one can escape the fate of facing terrifying Evil Spirits."

Chu He lifted his head slightly, his gaze calm and profound.

His voice was steady and unhurried as he spoke nonchalantly,

as if narrating some ordinary matter that had nothing to do with him. "The only difference is whether that day comes sooner or later."

Zou Baixuan was instantly left speechless.

He knew in his heart that Chu He was right.

Back when they were choosing their specialized tracks,

their teacher had repeatedly warned them with a grave expression.

Once you become a Martial Artist,

though you might enjoy supreme status and glory and possess transcendent abilities,

at the same time, you must also bear immense pressure and danger.

The application to become a Martial Artist was distributed to students a full month in advance,

giving them ample time for careful consideration before it was formally submitted a month later.

It showed just how critical that initial choice of specialization was; it was a major decision that would shape their entire lives.

"If we kill all these hanged bodies, will we have a chance to leave?"

Yu Yingjie asked Chu He, his brow furrowed and a hint of determination in his gaze.

A spark of hope flickered in his eyes, exceptionally bright in the suffocating darkness.

"But there are just too many of these hanged bodies! How could we possibly kill them all?

Who knows how many poor souls the scoundrels of Xia Shui Village have fed to this tree over the years."

A female student said, her voice trembling.

Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes filled with fear and despair.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, looking as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

At this point, the area around the ritual grounds was impenetrably surrounded by the hanged bodies,

sealed as tight as an iron drum, with not a single gap for escape.

There was no path that would allow them to flee this terrifying place.

And on the great tree above, countless hanged bodies still hung in a dense cluster,

the corpses swaying gently in the wind like a swarm of resentful souls struggling in Hell.

"These hanged bodies are puppets at best,"

"Even if we killed them all, it would be useless.

We need to find the source of the Evil Spirit."

Chu He reminded them, his expression grave.

"Oh, you know everything, don’t you!" Zou Baixuan sneered, his face dripping with contempt.

The corners of his mouth lifted into a mocking smirk, ridiculing Chu He for overestimating himself.

Chu He, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard, completely ignoring Zou Baixuan’s provocation.

He slowly turned, his gaze fixed firmly on the great tree,

his eyes seeming to pierce through its surface, straight to the secrets hidden within.

Then, with composed and steady movements, he slowly took off his face mask and black baseball cap.

Seeing this, Lai Yu Yao hurried over.

With quick perception, she took the mask and black baseball cap from him.

Her eyes held a mix of concern and expectation; she had placed all her hopes in Chu He.

"Putting on an act again? You think taking off your disguise is going to solve this crisis?"

Zou Baixuan had completely lost faith and was starting to give up.

He snorted coldly, plopped right down on the ground, and casually propped himself up with his hands,

looking like a carefree tourist sitting on the grass during a spring outing.

However, his eyes were filled with anger and resentment toward Chu He—

it was an impotent rage born from fear and despair,

like a caged beast that could only vent its frustration by roaring.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Chu He began to walk slowly toward the great tree with steady steps.

In the grim, terrifying ritual grounds, his figure looked exceptionally lonely and resolute,

like a fearless warrior challenging the dark abyss.

With every step, he exuded an invisible aura that seemed to make the surrounding air grow heavy.

As if keenly sensing Chu He’s steady approach,

the crowd of hanged bodies dangling from the great tree

abruptly began to sway on their own, despite the complete absence of wind.

Their stiff bodies moved like manipulated puppets,

swinging in unison to block Chu He’s path,

intending to use their lifeless forms to build a wall of death and halt his advance.

Seeing this, Chu He simply gave his sleeve a gentle flick. The motion seemed casual,

yet it was as if he were silently conversing with the invisible wind Elves that moved between heaven and earth.

In an instant, a gale rose from nowhere, howling as it swept in.

This gale was like an imposing king,

carrying an undeniable, domineering power that instantly filled the entire space.

The hanged bodies, dangling tightly in mid-air by hemp ropes, their faces deathly pale and their eyes empty and lifeless,

were suddenly thrust aside as if by an invisible yet immense hand,

and sent flying uncontrollably in all directions.

Their bodies traced a series of utterly bizarre arcs through the air,