Meanwhile, Yamazaki Hikariho, who had been sent flying by Zhao Xuanqi, immediately turned and fled without a word. The remaining Neon masters who had formed the encirclement followed close behind.
This battle hinged on the Harmony masters. Once they were defeated, the others were powerless to turn the tide. Only in a scenario of mutual destruction would they have been qualified to intervene.
All at once, the enemy retreated like a receding tide, and silence returned to the jungle.
Absolute silence.
The members of the Phoenix Army were utterly quiet, barely able to process what had just happened.
’Three masters on the level of the Sixteen Generals... repelled just like that?!’
’The terrible crisis that nearly wiped us all out... averted, just like that.’
’And it was all because Zhao Xuanqi showed up.’
All eyes fell upon that figure. Under the moonlight, he seemed impossibly tall, like an insurmountable mountain.
’Just how strong is he? Could he have reached a level comparable to the Military Commander?’
A peculiar glint shone in Hong Luan’s eyes. In that moment, any notion she might have had of competing with Zhao Xuanqi vanished completely.
’We’re not even on the same level anymore.’
Zhao Xuanqi watched Ning Yuanchen and the others depart but didn’t give chase. It may have looked like he had single-handedly forced the three great masters to retreat, but he knew the truth. If the two Harmony masters from the Phoenix Army hadn’t tied up his opponents, and if they hadn’t misjudged his strength, he could never have pulled it off so easily.
He couldn’t stop them from leaving, and besides, he had other matters to attend to. He couldn’t afford to chase them.
He turned and fixed his gaze on the members of the Phoenix Army.
At this moment, backed by the terrifying feat he had just accomplished, the pressure from Zhao Xuanqi’s gaze on the Phoenix Army was almost unimaginable.
Even Qi Hongxuan and Huo Ming felt their breath catch, and the joy they felt at the Neon forces’ retreat vanished without a trace.
Only then did they realize that while they had escaped the threat of the Neon Influence, Zhao Xuanqi was no ally of theirs.
’Out of the frying pan and into the fire.’
"We thank you for your assistance."
Qi Hongxuan cupped his fists toward Zhao Xuanqi as he spoke.
"Alright, spare me the pleasantries. I need you to return to Jinmen with me. Will you come willingly, or must I make you?"
Zhao Xuanqi said to Qi Hongxuan and the others, his expression calm.
Their mission, of course, was not as simple as a mere rescue. If conditions permitted, the best-case scenario was to "invite" these Harmony masters back to Jinmen.
After all, the situation in Jinmen was extremely complex. Without these masters to help counterbalance the enemy, the Martial Arts Association would likely face a great disaster and ultimately be forced to withdraw from Jinmen.
But if they could rally the strength of these masters, there might still be a chance to turn the tide in Jinmen.
’As expected.’
Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, Qi Hongxuan and the others exchanged glances, helpless, bitter smiles on their faces. The Neon Influence wanted to eliminate them, and the Martial Arts Association didn’t want them to leave so easily either.
’Still, being coerced by the Martial Arts Association is far better than being annihilated by the Neon Influence.’
’As for resisting?’
Everyone had witnessed Zhao Xuanqi’s fight. Qi Hongxuan and Huo Ming had no confidence that the two of them could lead the others in a successful breakout.
They had no choice but to bow to the circumstances.
"Mr. Zhao, you saved our lives. Since you’ve asked, how could we dare refuse?"
Qi Hongxuan said with resignation.
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