NOVPUB"Correct!"
Enforcer Bao and a group of Nascent Soul Cultivators all watched Wang Ba in disbelief.
Even those like Tang Ji, Enforcer Jiang, Enforcer Li, and Xi Wushang, who had long held a considerable amount of respect for Wang Ba, couldn’t help but be dumbstruck at this moment.
Wang Ba’s expression remained unchanged, as the attention of the Nascent Soul Cultivators didn’t pose much pressure on him anymore.
He quickly said to Tang Ji,
"Martial Uncle Tang, ask him quickly how far he is from Hutou Pass, whether these thirty-plus Nascent Souls are together or if they are converging from different places, and from which directions they are coming..."
At the same time, he swiftly arranged, "Enforcer Bao, you must immediately call for reinforcements from the Sect. Although they are likely not to arrive in time, should there be any major changes later on, this can be our fallback."
Enforcer Bao was startled, not expecting that Wang Ba would even make arrangements for him.
After a slight hesitation, he recalled Wang Ba’s conjecture that had just popped into his mind.
Almost a perfect hit!
After only a moment’s hesitation, he saluted solemnly,
"Yes!"
Having said that, he was about to leave.
However, Tang Ji quickly threw a token to him,
"This is the activation token for Stage III of the Ghost Market; it takes some time to activate..."
Enforcer Bao blinked in surprise, then hastily caught the token with great care and flew toward the direction of the Ghost Market.
Meanwhile, Tang Ji immediately started making inquiries.
Having his whereabouts discovered, Song Dongyang didn’t deliberately store away the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone this time and quickly replied,
"From all sides! There are forces from Shi State, Lao State, and Wei State!"
"The most are coming from Lao State..."
"Damn it! More and more are coming from Lao State’s side!"
"We are still more than five thousand li away from Hutou Pass! The Qi cultivators with us are too many; we can’t run fast!"
Wang Ba’s expression darkened, and he immediately said,
"Tell him to abandon those Qi cultivators at once! Return with all his might!"
Tang Ji hurriedly relayed the message.
Through the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone, Song Dongyang anxiously responded,
"No!"
"Among these people are descendants of the Qi Royal Clan. The Immortal Ascension stage cultivators from Qi have distributed most of the state treasury’s resources by refining them into these people’s bodies! They must be brought back!"
As these words came out,
everyone on Yuhuang Peak felt a sinking feeling in their hearts.
Wang Ba was the only one frowning.
In his view, resources could be reacquired, but lost lives could never be brought back.
Even though Tang Ji tried to persuade him a few times, Song Dongyang exhibited an unprecedented level of insistence,
"If these resources are secured, it will definitely accelerate the progress of the Tribulation Crossing Raft. The Sect has gradually been operating at a loss in the construction of the Tribulation Crossing Raft; having been nurtured by the Sect for over a thousand years, we can’t easily give up at such a critical moment!"
"Moreover, as long as we hold out until the Immortal Ascension Elder arrives, it’ll be a great accomplishment."
"If I can reach the Teleportation Array, I will stay behind to cover the rear; all you need to do is receive these Qi cultivators on time!"
Hearing Song Dongyang’s words, everyone couldn’t help but be visibly moved.
Even Tang Ji, moved by the sentiment, looked towards Wang Ba and said in a serious tone,
"Right Enforcer, what do you think?"
Wang Ba glanced over the expressions of everyone and sighed inwardly.
For these Nascent Soul Cultivators who spent most of their time within the Sect, there was little difference between the Sect and their own family.
Especially since the atmosphere inside the Sect was harmonious, and the disciples were mostly close to each other.
Song Dongyang, as a Vice Hall Master, was willing to take personal risks and even stay behind alone to contribute to the Sect, which was evident.
In such a situation...
Wang Ba quickly pondered in his heart, and suddenly thought of something. He immediately looked up at Tang Ji,
"Guardian Tang, have those four from the Shanxiao Lineage exploded yet?"
Tang Ji was startled, not understanding what Wang Ba meant by suddenly bringing this up at such a time.
But he quickly replied,
"Not yet, the puppet’s reaction is still there."
"Are you worried something went wrong? Rest assured, I’m afraid they won’t die from the explosion, so I used some very precious special Thunder Seeds. Even a Nascent Soul mid-late stage Body Cultivator, if caught off guard, would meet their end!"
"And I planted plenty of them."
Wang Ba looked at Tang Ji with a bit of admiration, then quickly asked,
"Where are they now?"
Although Tang Ji didn’t understand Wang Ba’s intention, he still sensed their location and replied,
"They are almost at the vicinity between Xiang State and Yan State..."
Wang Ba’s heart was set, and he immediately said urgently,
"Guardian Tang, instruct Master Song to slow down immediately!"
"Slow down?"
Tang Ji and everyone else were full of astonishment.
"To, slow down?"
Some of the cultivators who had some trust in Wang Ba couldn’t help but start questioning.
"Yes! Slow down!"
"And also, immediately conceal their aura, making sure they seem to be of lesser strength!"
Wang Ba’s face showed determination as he quickly continued,
"Guardian Tang, everyone, we must leave at once!"
Just after Tang Ji had finished passing on the message to Song Dongyang, he was astonished at Wang Ba’s words,
"Leave, leave now?"
Everyone also couldn’t help but look at Wang Ba, completely confused.
Enforcer Li couldn’t help but ask,
"Right Enforcer, where are we headed?"
"To the Teleportation Array in Song State, to Hutou Pass! To welcome Master Song!"
Wang Ba didn’t hesitate and immediately answered.
Hearing Wang Ba’s words, everyone was stunned for a moment, then looked at Wang Ba with astonished expressions, not expecting the Golden Core Craftsman to have such courage.
However, Tang Ji also glanced at Wang Ba, and then swiftly said,
"Leave two to keep watch; let’s go!"
With that, he flew out first.
Wang Ba was right behind him, also flying out.
Tang Ji noticed Wang Ba and furrowed his brow, "Why did you follow? You’re just a Golden Core..."
