The Ten Rings suddenly burst with intense blue light. Following Xu Wenwu's movements, the rings flew from his hands, accompanied by a violent humming sound as they instantly shot straight into the sky. The Ten Rings dispersed, and visible ripples of air began to spread out in waves amidst their vibrations. Hong Fei shot a look at Big Head, who immediately understood.
Psychic Power spread out, controlling Yingli—who was currently just an ordinary person—to close her eyes. Seeing Xu Wenwu take action, the people of Ta Lo opposite them immediately stood ready. They swung their long staves, drew their bows, and a dazzling red light instantly appeared on their weapons. At this moment, Hong Fei's brow twitched slightly. Xu Wenwu suddenly chopped his arm downward.
The Ten Rings floating in the sky instantly surged in speed, crashing toward the ground like meteors. Facing the sudden intense pressure, the people of Ta Lo all looked up to the sky and let out loud shouts. Their staves thrust upward, and feathered arrows shot toward the heavens.
Red light rose from each of their weapons, and the individual glows quickly connected during their group combat, seemingly evolving into a large net in the blink of an eye. Meanwhile, the blue-glowing Ten Rings dispersed, and power was gradually applied following the downward pressure of Xu Wenwu's arms. One person against a group, evenly matched.
Even with the help of the Ten Rings, Xu Wenwu's strength was evident; after all, the Ten Rings belonged to him. During the standoff, Frank suddenly said beside Hong Fei, "Should we join in?"
"No rush, let him play for a bit first."
To deal with the people of Ta Lo Village, it wasn't necessary for Hong Fei's entire team to exert pressure; otherwise, it would be a complete and utter steamroll.
Hong Fei's gaze now passed over the crowd, crossed the lake, and landed on the jagged mountainside in the distance. That place was the polar opposite of the lush greenery elsewhere; there was not a hint of vegetation, and the rocks and soil were all black.
As his eyes focused, Hong Fei's vision quickly pierced through spatial barriers, and he clearly saw a massive gateway at the waist of the black mountains. It was a gate composed of layers shaped like scales, its surface occasionally flashing with red light, identical to the glow on the Ta Lo people's weapons. These were Dragon Scales.
The Guardian of Ta Lo is a white dragon, also known as the Great Protector Dragon. A long time ago, when monsters from other dimensions invaded Ta Lo, the Great Protector Dragon appeared for the first time. It bestowed extraordinary power upon the Ta Lo people, giving them the basic qualifications to fight against the invading monsters.
Then it shed its scales, which the Ta Lo people used to forge "Dragon Scale Weapons" possessing the Great Protector Dragon's power. With the support of dual powers, the Ta Lo people were finally able to confront the monsters head-on, but that was still far from enough. Finally, the Great Protector Dragon personally took the field and eventually sealed all the monsters away.
The primary material used to construct the seal was still the Great Protector Dragon's scales. Those monsters were the Soul-Eaters that made every Ta Lo person turn pale at the mention of them. Well, it suddenly reminded one of the Dementors and the Patronus Charm from the Harry Potter series. One wonders if there is some unknown connection between the Soul-Eaters and the Great Protector Dragon.
Even if another dimension did manage to invade Earth, it wouldn't cause significant damage. After all, when the Soul-Eaters attacked, the bald big shot was thriving without a care in the world. Still, that reasoning feels unfair. Ta Lo undeniably blocked threats that could have harmed Earth, and their efforts deserve acknowledgment. Even if their motives were purely self-preservation, Earth owes them respect as indirect beneficiaries. Master Hong would give them a chance to choose their fate.
The Ten Rings wielded by Xu Wenwu pressed down heavily on the Ta Lo people, their weight suffocating. Ying Nan, a renowned expert among them, had sharp eyes and deep experience. Seeing her people struggle against the Rings' onslaught, she turned abruptly to face Xu Wenwu. In a flash, she broke from the group, grabbing her longbow and nocking an arrow. The string twanged, and the arrow shot forward with a piercing whistle.
Xu Wenwu's gaze shifted, unflinching as he watched the arrow streak toward him. With a subtle motion of his arm, one of the Ten Rings returned to his defense. A loud clang echoed as the ring intercepted the arrow, sparks flying. The ring spun lazily in mid-air while the arrow clattered to the ground.
Ying Nan didn't falter. She drew her bowstring again, sending arrow after arrow streaking toward Xu Wenwu like falling stars. He countered effortlessly, using a single ring to deflect each shot. The reduction in pressure allowed Ying Nan's clansmen to regroup. While she kept Xu Wenwu occupied, Uncle Guang rallied the group for a counterattack.
After several strikes, the nine rings seemed to lose momentum, and Xu Wenwu seized the moment to recall them. Once the Ten Rings reunited, he swung his arms with renewed force. The Rings surged forward with a deafening clatter, their power tearing up chunks of turf as they advanced.
Ying Nan stowed her bow, her palms radiating a soft, flexible energy. Xu Wenwu's brow furrowed as he dispersed the Rings, scattering them outward. Alone, Ying Nan couldn't withstand the separated Rings. Uncle Guang and his fighters charged in to assist, but Xu Wenwu gave them no time to prepare.
The Rings struck with brutal speed, hurling Uncle Guang and his companions backward. Blood sprayed from their mouths as they crumpled. Only Ying Nan, using her gentle force, managed to deflect some of the Rings' power. Xu Wenwu crossed his arms, and the remaining Rings closed in from all sides. A series of impacts followed, and Ying Nan was thrown to the ground.
Xu Wenwu recalled the Ten Rings, standing tall and triumphant. Hong Fei nodded in approval. Big Head released Yingli's psychic seal at that moment. When Yingli saw the scene before her, her hands flew to her mouth in shock. Xu Wenwu turned to her with a warm smile, his voice soothing.
"Now they should listen to you properly."
Yingli shot him a glare, then hurried forward to help Ying Nan to her feet. Her expression was conflicted as she spoke.
"I'm sorry. I had no choice."
Ying Nan frowned, clutching her chest.
"What do you mean?"
Yingli glanced at Hong Fei.
"Even if I hadn't led them here, they would have found this place eventually."
By then, the result would only have been more terrifying. Ying Nan's gaze shifted to Hong Fei, but all she saw was a disarmingly friendly smile. His position in the group confused her.
"He's the leader?" she asked. "Yes," Yingli replied.
"Wenwu listens to him too."
"On what basis?"
Ying Nan pressed instinctively.
"Because he's the strongest," Yingli answered simply.
A flash of astonishment appeared in Ying Nan's eyes. Yingli added, "Let's talk. Believe me, this is the best way."
Ying Nan steadied her breathing and nodded, "I can believe you, but you still have to convince the others."
Yingli nodded, let go of Ying Nan's arm, and turned to walk toward the others. Watching Yingli run back and forth, Frank said, "Do you think she can succeed?"
"I don't know, what do you think?"
Hong Fei looked at Xu Wenwu. Xu Wenwu shook his head: "I'm not sure either. I don't have much understanding of Ta Lo."
Hong Fei: "Didn't you come in before?"
Xu Wenwu: "I did come once, but the situation I encountered then was the same as now. I left before I had even stayed for half a day."
"What if her lobbying fails?" Frank added.
Hong Fei didn't speak, just looked at Xu Wenwu. Xu Wenwu said without hesitation: "Since they refuse to be reasonable, then there's no need to pay them any more mind. We can directly do whatever we want to do."
Frank looked at him, then at Hong Fei, and said, "You two really are of the same kind."
Hong Fei blinked innocently. At this moment, an exclamation suddenly erupted among the Ta Lo crowd.
"Do you know what you are saying?!" an old man standing with Uncle Guang questioned loudly. Yingli looked troubled but said in a firm tone, "This is something that must be done."
"That is the seal personally placed on those dark creatures by the Great Protector Dragon! It is precisely because of its existence that the peace of Ta Lo Village has been guaranteed for over a thousand years. The reason our ancestors were able to live a paradise-like life here is all because of this seal. But listen to your own words just now—you actually want to join forces with outsiders to destroy it!"
"I don't want to destroy the seal; it's just a means, not the goal. Only by opening the seal can we completely kill the Soul-Eaters and solve the shadow they have brought us over the years once and for all."
"No! You are too arrogant. You have no idea how terrifying the Soul-Eaters are. Do you know how many warriors we sacrificed in the battle against them back then? Do you think that just by bringing back these few outsiders, you can accomplish something even the Great Protector could not do?"
"I think we can!"
"I think it's impossible! In short, it's a no. As long as I'm alive, no one shall think of actively destroying the seal!"
Hearing this, Yingli's face immediately filled with anxiety, her brows knitting tightly as she thought about how to continue persuading them. Ying Nan also spoke up from the side: "Yingli, I know you mean well, but this matter cannot be that simple. The stories about the Soul-Eaters are already legends; only that sealed gate confirms their actual existence. Now you want us to open it so easily; it's clearly impossible. We cannot gamble with the future of Ta Lo." Yingli said sorrowfully, "I know, I guessed as much before I came. But do you know that right now, there is a far more practical and terrifying threat watching you?"
Ying Nan unconsciously looked at Hong Fei, and the old man beside her followed her gaze.
Looking at Hong Fei and the others looking as casual as if they were out for a stroll, the old man immediately got angry. He leaned his cane heavily on the ground and said indignantly with his beard twitching, "Impossible! Today, either you take them and leave, or you beat me to death right here."
Hearing this, Yingli's heart instantly tightened.
However, before she could react, a clump of golden light had already arrived. A golden ring landed on the old man's neck and immediately began to contract, while simultaneously lifting him toward the sky. In an instant, the old man nimbly dropped his cane, grabbed the ring with both hands, and kicked his legs rapidly in the air.
Yingli spun around to face Xu Wenwu. He exhaled heavily, his gaze shifting to Hong Fei.
With a flick of his wrist, Hong Fei recalled the golden ring into his palm. A sly grin spread across his face.
"If they won't take the soft approach," he drawled, "guess it's time to serve them something hard."
He chuckled darkly.
"Almost forgot—sometimes I play the villain."