"Traitor!"
The moment this word flashed through everyone's minds, all the bizarre occurrences surrounding Sarl and his companions suddenly made sense.
Instantly, a gaping space opened up around them.
The crowd had regarded Sarl and his group with fear, shock, and even a hint of envy and jealousy. Now, their faces were etched solely with disgust and contempt.
Betrayal, wherever it occurs, is an act of profound disgrace, especially abandoning one's kind and tribe—such a grave offense, yet Sarl and her companions paid no heed to the sea of scornful stares.
"What's wrong with joining the alien race?"
Sarl smiled faintly as he spoke softly.
"Look at me now—how powerful I've become."
Sarl reached out toward the two guides, making a sweeping motion with his hand. A tiny, orange-red nebula silently exploded in his palm.
The guides' expressions instantly darkened as they darted aside without hesitation. Simultaneously, the void around them violently warped, crumpling like a piece of paper being twisted.
"This guy..."
The guides exchanged glances, each seeing alarm in the other's eyes as they stared at the rippled void. While ordinary people might not know, as veterans of the Interdimensional Battlefield, they understood all too well.
The Interdimensional Battlefield differed from the space of their universe. The solidity of its void was countless times greater than that of their universe's space. Otherwise, it could never have accommodated so many high-level powerhouses engaging in fierce combat here.
To destroy or shake the void here was not something ordinary people could achieve.
At least... they couldn't.
And the power Sarl had just displayed in that move was likely far greater than they had originally anticipated.
"No matter how powerful, she's still just someone else's dog..."
The round-faced fat guide's expression darkened as he sneered coldly, "Besides, with your talent, even if you weren't a dog, it wouldn't take long for you to reach that level of strength, right?" Moreover, Level 13—even Level 14—is within reach.
"But now? Serving as a lackey to a Level 13 beast? You might never break through Level 13 in this lifetime. Tss. Should I call you clever or foolish?"
The round-faced fat man's words sliced through the air like a sharp blade, cutting something clean.
Many in the arena, including Sarl and others, froze in shock. Upon reflection, it was undeniable. Every individual standing here was a once-in-a-decade prodigy, a super-genius among ten thousand in their star sector. Breaking through to Level 13 or even Level 14 in the future was not beyond the realm of possibility.
Why would anyone, for the sake of fleeting power, bear the stigma of being a traitor and serve as a lackey for alien races? Such servitude would completely seal off their own futures.
Commander-level alien beasts equated to Level 13—how could they possibly allow their own subordinates to reach Level 13?
Weighing the costs, the price was simply too high. Such betrayal was utterly unworthy.
For a moment, the gazes of those present toward Sarl and the others grew peculiar. What had been disgust and contempt now mingled with profound pity.
What a bunch of fools.
Sarl and his companions' faces twisted in agony, their expressions as grim as if they'd swallowed ten thousand flies in one gulp.
"So stupid."
Saya looked at Sarl with pity, all traces of envy vanished from his eyes.
"That dog's betrayal was utterly worthless."
"It proves there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Behind every enviable thing lies a price."
The stone-faced Tang Dun delivered this rather philosophical remark in his usual dull, monotonous tone.
Lu Sheng glanced at the two of them, but inwardly, he dismissed their reaction.
Stupid? He didn't believe it was because Sarl and the others were foolish. Facing a Level 13 Commander-grade beast, their mere Level 12 strength meant whether they became lackeys was never their choice to make.
Simply put, the moment they were lured away from the group by that Commander-grade beast, Sarl and the others were left with only two fates: active corruption or forced corruption.
The outcome was the same either way.
"Shut up!"
Yet clearly, the round-faced guide's words had deeply affected Sarl and the others.
Sarl roared, his once defiantly proud face now twisted by fury and murderous intent, his expression savage. Without a word, he lunged at the round-faced guide. The might of five Law Galaxies entering his body unleashed without restraint.
The orange nebula swirling around him seemed to burn, spinning wildly. Wherever he passed, the void rippled with long, trailing traces.
Those following behind Sarl now revealed their vicious natures, charging once more toward the crowd. Like savage beasts, they attacked with utter madness, holding nothing back.
The battlefield, which had calmed briefly, plunged back into chaos within moments—chaos even more intense than before.
"Damn it..."
Amid the crowd, Saya let out a startled cry, panic creeping into his voice. "These bastards are furious now. Guys..."
Saya turned to Lu Sheng and Tang Dun, seeking their counsel. " Should we fight or flee?"
Even as Saya spoke, some lower-tier Level 11 and 12 martial artists on the battlefield's edge had already begun scattering in flight. Saya himself was clearly itching to bolt.
Had he not been part of a small group with Lu Sheng, he likely would have hightailed it out of there long ago.
"I think..."
Tang Dun was about to offer his opinion. At that moment, a piercing scream erupted from one direction. Saya and Tang Dun turned toward the sound, their pupils contracting slightly.
A semi-transparent figure darted back from the distance, its ghostly face etched with panic and terror, screaming, "Beasts! All beasts!"
The next moment, Saya and the others witnessed it.
Those who had chosen to flee earlier were now returning at an even faster pace than their initial departure. Their expressions were utterly grim, a mix of shock and dread.
Immediately after, a dark tide appeared in their field of vision.