This battle, though not widespread, was quite shocking. Each participant possessed the strength of the academy's strongest. Such a battle was rare even among the academies of the Great Yu Empire.
Glennie, an elite of the academy, couldn't intervene at all.
This fight made Lu Yin realize his own strength. He had the power to suppress someone like Willow, one of the strongest in the academy.
Looking at Bailei and Willow lying on the ground, Zhang Dingtian raised his knife, intending to finish them off.
Lu Yin quickly stopped him, "These people can be used as bargaining chips in future negotiations."
Zhang Dingtian was puzzled, "Chips? Negotiations?"
Lu Yin nodded solemnly, "You should know that these students came to Earth for a trial. Although the trial doesn't prohibit life-and-death situations, the backgrounds of these students who dare to participate are not simple. They are highly influential. We can use their lives to negotiate with the high echelons of the Great Yu Empire."
Bai Xue looked at Lu Yin, her eyes cold, "Use their lives to exchange for Earth's freedom?"
Lu Yin nodded, "The so-called planetary evolution sounds like it's about improving humanity itself, but in reality, it's just a way for the Great Yu Empire to recruit soldiers. Earth evolvers who aren't valued will be sent to the battlefield, whether it's the Great Yu Empire's battlefield or the human territory's extraterritorial battlefield, both of which are far more brutal than the trial. There, even those who can traverse the stars may not survive. These students can ensure more people on Earth stay alive."
Zhang Dingtian fell silent and put away his long knife.
Bai Xue's cold gaze flashed with a hint of sadness. Originally, they thought Earth was the universe's only intelligent life, but everything changed after they discovered a corpse on Neptune. Earth was just a primitive planet under the surveillance of the Great Yu Empire. What was the point of space exploration? They had just learned to walk, all under strict monitoring.
Now, they faced the most terrifying doomsday, not from mutant beasts or zombies, but from the Great Yu Empire. After the trial, who knew how many would be sent to the battlefield? Even someone as powerful as the Seven Saints might just be slightly higher-ranked soldiers.
Glennie was shocked as she looked at Lu Yin. She hadn't expected him to have such plans. Negotiating with the high echelons of the Great Yu Empire was tantamount to seeking death, but it might be effective. While she didn't know about the others, Willow had significant background, with family members even serving in the Imperial Court's Thirteen Squads.
"You're thinking too simply. The Great Yu Empire's iron-blooded military is renowned throughout the universe. They won't accept threats from natives," Bailei mocked.
Lu Yin looked at him, "You don't need to worry about that. Stay alive. You are all bargaining chips."
Bailei sneered. These natives had no idea about the Great Yu Empire's reality.
Bai Xue looked at Lu Yin doubtfully. Using students to threaten the Great Yu Empire might work, but this would place him in the spotlight, making it impossible for the empire to tolerate him. What did he rely on? No one would selflessly sacrifice for others. Bai Xue remained secretly vigilant of Lu Yin.
Boom!
A sudden explosion came from the north. Zhang Dingtian looked towards the north, his expression changing, "The Technology Institute, something's wrong," he said and quickly rushed north.
At this moment, two figures flew towards the west in the sky.
Bailei looked up at the sky, gritting his teeth, "Erde, Haidian."
Zhang Dingtian soared into the sky, spotting the two flying west. At the same time, two others flew west from another direction, following Erde and Haidian.
Zhang Dingtian's eyes turned cold, energy erupting from his body, spreading visible ripples. He raised his long knife, and the energy that shook the sky disappeared. The long knife at this moment made countless people feel a chill, a sense of ruthless sharpness rising from within, as if it would cut the world apart.
The clouds in the sky were invisibly torn apart, and the world fell silent.
Lu Yin was shocked. Was this a battle technique? No, it was the strongest strike.
In the west, Erde and the others turned their heads, their expressions changing. Zhang Dingtian had hidden his strength. This strike was terrifying, though not a battle technique, it was close.
"Don't hesitate, run quickly," Erde urged.
Not far away, Gres and Barraro were shocked, "This native is defying the heavens, run quickly."
Zhang Dingtian's eyes flashed with coldness, and he fiercely slashed out. Under the astonished gaze of countless people in Beijing, a huge slash crossed the capital, sweeping towards the west. The sky was cut open, the air distorted, and the sharp energy made everyone hallucinate that the sky was being split apart.
Erde, Haidian, Gres, and Barraro turned back simultaneously, trying to resist the slash.
In an instant, the slash was torn apart, turning into five waves of air and disappearing into the sky.
Erde's face was solemn, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Haidian's black robe was torn, revealing his scaly upper body, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth glaring in the sunlight.
Gres panted heavily, looking at Zhang Dingtian in surprise.
Barraro was the worst off, spitting blood, his originally green skin turning greener, with a slight crack on his body.
"Go," Erde urged again, rushing west.
Haidian reluctantly glanced at Zhang Dingtian, then flew west as well.
Gres and Barraro said nothing, closely following Erde and Haidian.
Zhang Dingtian stood high in the sky, exuding an aura that made the surroundings fall silent, countless people cheering with admiration.
Glennie was stunned. There was such a strong person among the natives, a cross-border powerhouse. In the Great Yu Empire's students, few could match him.
Lu Yin narrowed his eyes, Zhang Dingtian's strike stirred him. He wondered how strong his Heavenly Star Palm would be with three stars, and if he could defeat Zhang Dingtian.
Bai Xue let out a breath, smiling slightly. As expected of the leader of the Seven Saints.
Bailei and Willow were shocked. This was a cross-border powerhouse. They had underestimated Zhang Dingtian. If they had known he was this strong, they wouldn't have made a move in the capital.
Zhang Dingtian turned and flew north. There lay the Technology Institute, one of the most crucial places in Beijing.
Lu Yin and Bai Xue hurriedly followed.
Glennie also grabbed Bailei and Willow, chasing after them.
The Technology Institute was in the north of the capital. The corpse brought back from Neptune was initially kept there, but for some reason needed to be moved. At the moment of transfer, the top management of China, including No. 1, were present. Only they had the authority to order the transfer, but an explosion occurred, leading to doomsday.
One could say the Technology Institute was the origin of everything.
Bailei and Willow were fixated on finding Zhang Dingtian's residence and No. 1's office, completely overlooking the Technology Institute. Only Erde had realized its importance.
When they arrived at the Technology Institute, they saw wreckage everywhere and many bodies.
Zhang Dingtian clenched his fists, ordering the military to seal the area and search for survivors.
"Saint Hua, Director Lian wants to see you," a soldier reported.
Zhang Dingtian was pleasantly surprised, "The director is alive?" He quickly had the soldier lead the way.
A few kilometers away from the Technology Institute's ruins was a depression, the underground entrance to the institute, also sealed by the military. An elderly man in a white lab coat leaned wearily against the rubble, drinking water, with a beautiful woman in black professional attire by his side.
"Huansha, how is the director?" Zhang Dingtian asked urgently upon arrival.
The woman named Huansha replied, "He's fine, just a bit shaken."
"It's not a scare, just a twisted ankle. I'm not scared," the old man grumbled.
Huansha smiled, "Yes, yes, just a twisted ankle."
Zhang Dingtian looked at the old man, "Director, what happened?"
Lu Yin and the others appeared simultaneously.
Bai Xue looked at Lu Yin strangely. Just now, he had searched Bailei and Willow's storage rings in front of her, taking everything valuable, which made her feel odd.
Lu Yin acted as if it were natural. He had also fought in this battle and was very poor, so he couldn't waste anything.
Bailei and Willow's star energy crystals added up to one cubic meter, enough to roll the dice again. Thinking about it excited Lu Yin. He wondered what he would get this time.
Director Lian had Zhang Dingtian disperse the troops. Zhang Dingtian waved his hand, and Huansha was also sent away, leaving only Bai Xue, Lu Yin, and Glennie.
Lu Yin had Glennie leave, which she reluctantly did. Erde's departure towards the west clearly indicated he had discovered something, and she wanted to know what it was.
Lu Yin glared at her, and only then did she leave unwillingly.
Bai Xue, on the side, stared at Lu Yin, probably wanting him to leave too.
Lu Yin ignored her, curiously looking at Director Lian.
"And who is this?" Director Lian asked, looking at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin replied, "I'm here on