The days passed quickly and it was soon the day to leave the secret realm. Now that everyone has gathered at the teleportation circle, it is clear as day that the half-bloods suffered a tremendous loss. The human race were relaxed as they talked about their gains while what remained of the half-bloods huddled together in their own space. Only Tang Die Hua and Shang Yu Hong stood respectfully behind their master, Sheng Tian.
There was an hour left before the spatial gate opened and Sheng Tian couldn't help but notice that Du Ze wasn't here.
"Odd, even if he did plan to wipe out the human geniuses he would still need to leave through here. My soul sense is quite powerful and should be able to sense any disguise but he is not here anywhere"
He widened his search before giving up "Perhaps he succumbed to his injuries"
Bing Xue walked over to Sheng Tian "Hey"
She had a worried look on her face that was unlike her, but when you look around it is easy to spot her worries.
"Don't worry, the half-bloods wouldn't do much other than throw a tantrum and demand compensation, I think"
Then he pointed at the former princesses of their clans "If not then they can act as leverage and explain things"
This lightened Bing Xue's worries a bit. Assuming the negotiations go right of course, they wouldn't have to take responsibility for the deaths of nearly every genius of the half-bloods. The only things worrying her now are the higher ups of the Xuan Beast Alliance as well as the fact that Sheng Tian enslaved two prominent figures of the half-bloods.
"Oh right! Where's Xiao Hua?"
Bing Xue pointed and he saw Xiao Hua talking with a group of women. Her face was filled with pride and was most likely bragging about her gains and massive increase in strength.
"Please forgive my sister. You might have a drastic increase in customers after this"
Before Sheng Tian could answer however, an aura so dark and evil swept over them. Everyone felt it and turned towards the north where it came from. It was as if a monster from the depths of hell had been unleashed and was rapidly approaching.
Sheng Tian's pupils turned into slits "All women step back! Men! Form a phalanx around the women and the teleportation circle!"
After that large scale battle, everyone was convinced of his strength and moved quickly to follow his order. He made Bing Xue step back along with Tang Die Hua and Shang Yu Hong while he stood at the forefront of the formation.
He looked up at the sun's location in the sky "About thirty minutes left"
He looked to the north again. This time he could make out a small figure that was rapidly growing in size.
He turned to everyone behind him "Everyone listen! Du Ze has been corrupted by some evil force! He will be here in about five minutes, leaving us with twenty five before the gate opens! I will hold him off and you will all leave the moment the gate opens. Am I clear!"
The hundreds of people warily nodded their heads and readied their weapons. The aura they felt was nothing like they've ever seen and if Sheng Tian were to fall then there can only be one outcome.
They will all die.
Even the half-bloods had faces of despair and held their weapons tighter.
They waited in silence as the figure drew ever closer.
Four minutes...
Three minutes...
Two...
At last they could make out the figure that was approaching them. One of his wings turned into bat wings and looked badly mutilated, the other was pitch black and had very few feathers. His arms elongated and his skin was a sickly purple color. And his face, half humanoid and half black with demon-like features.
The ones at the front of the formation shook and everyone took a step back. Sheng Tian's face was solemn as he felt the strength of eight realms from Du Ze at the ninth realm of Foundation.
Sheng Tian's foundation might be stronger because he reached the thirteenth realm each time but it still might not do much to close the distance between their realms. At most he can try to stall by talking.
The new Du Ze landed slowly and began walking towards Sheng Tian at a slow and steady pace.
Twenty two minutes.
"So, what pills did you eat for this to happen to you?"
He stopped and took a good look at Sheng Tian. Du Ze's previously expressionless face contorted into anger.
"It's you!"
Twenty minutes.
"Hehehe"
He held his head in his arms and laughed a crazed laugh. Then he abruptly stopped and pointed at his face.
"You did this to me! You forced me to do this! And now I'm this hideous abomination"
He sneered "But my strength now can easily crush you like a bug. I'll pay back that humiliation you caused!"
Before he could gather energy for a strike, Sheng Tian hurriedly tried to stall for more time.
"You must know the consequences of what you've done! Your strength surely comes at a price and then there's the fact that you tried to kill every genius of the human race"
Fifteen minutes.
"Consequences? Price? All of that is too late now"
He pulled back his arm and lashed out with a simple punch. Dark energy covered his palm and tendrils of pitch black wisps seeped into the ground.
Boom!
The dust settled to reveal Sheng Tian with his hands crossed in a defensive posture. His arms were covered in scales that were gray in color and cracks appeared in some places.
"Cough!"
Everyone looked in horror as Sheng Tian spat out blood. Sheng Tian then took out the Devouring Sword and pointed it at Du Ze.
"You'll have to get through me if you want to pass through"
Twelve minutes.
At that moment, Du Ze smirked at Sheng Tian. He frowned and readied his sword.
"Are you stalling for time?"
"Flowing Phantom Draw Sword"
Without hesitation, Sheng Tian attacked knowing he couldn't stall for any more time now that Du Ze figured out his intentions.
Du Ze breathed out a concentrated beam of dark energy and obliterated Sheng Tian's attack. In an instant, he disappeared from his spot and reappeared right behind Sheng Tian.
"I have no intention to hurt anyone else. However I'll make sure you die a painful death"
His arm once again was covered in dark energy and it condensed into black scales.
"Die!"
Boom!
Sheng Tian was sent flying and crashed into dozens of trees in the distance.
Nine minutes.