Chapter 1471: Retreat

The battle between Zhou Yuan and Yan Xu concluded, and this scene profoundly shocked the many powerful experts from both the All-Heavens and the Saint Race. They had personally witnessed a Saint being suppressed. This Saint was not comparable to the "watered-down" Saint previously killed by Chu Qing, Li Chunjun, and their allies. Instead, Yan Xu was a genuine peak-level Dual-Lotus Saint! An expert of this caliber was considered top-tier even among the numerous Saints of the Saint Race. Within the Saint Race, his status was second only to the seven Ancient Saints. Yet now, such a figure had been imprisoned and suppressed by Zhou Yuan, and judging by Zhou Yuan's stance, it seemed he even intended to kill him! The loss of a peak Dual-Lotus Saint was something even the massive Saint Race could not entirely ignore. It was precisely because they understood the significance of this loss that the experts from both sides present were so deeply shaken.

Among the Saint Race forces, a strange sound suddenly echoed throughout the entire oceanic space. Upon hearing this wailing sound, the main Saint Race army began to retreat like a tide. Evidently, after losing a peak Dual-Lotus Saint, they realized their attack had failed, and continuing would only result in greater losses.

Seeing this, the forces of Cangxuan Heaven erupted in earth-shattering cheers. Their gazes, fixed on Zhou Yuan's retreating back, were filled with respect and awe.

"We barely managed to deal with a 'watered-down' Saint here, and he's already able to suppress a peak Dual-Lotus Saint," Chu Qing remarked with a sigh, also gazing at Zhou Yuan's figure. Li Chunjun nodded in agreement. Although he had finally entered the Saint realm, he could still sense the gap between himself and Zhou Yuan.

"You two shouldn't talk like you're full when others are starving," Zuoqiu Qingyu's irritated voice came from nearby. "At least you've both entered the Saint realm, while for us, it's still a distant dream." Everyone gathered around. Li Qingchan, Lv Luo, and the others nodded in agreement, looking at Chu Qing and Li Chunjun with undisguised envy. After all, the Saint realm was also their lifelong pursuit, and these two had clearly reached it before them.

Chu Qing shook his head, his expression heavy. "There's no need to be envious. This breakthrough has, in fact, left me feeling somewhat hopeless."

"What's wrong?"

Everyone was startled by his words and looked at Chu Qing nervously, wondering if something had gone wrong with his breakthrough.

Chu Qing said mournfully, "Because I've discovered that even after entering the Saint realm, my hair still hasn't grown back. Can this even be salvaged?!"

Silence fell over the group. A few seconds later, led by Li Qingchan, several women clenched their fists and savagely pounded Chu Qing's bald head. This fellow was truly infuriating! For countless people in the world, they would be willing to enter the Saint realm even without hair, let alone just hair loss; they'd even accept having no scalp! Chu Qing was hammered furiously by them, and he clutched his head, emitting exaggerated yelps. This, however, significantly lightened the previously heavy atmosphere among the group, bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

"Quite lively here, aren't you?"

Just then, Zhou Yuan's laughter suddenly rang out. His figure had appeared in front of them at some point, and he was smiling as he watched the playful group. Chu Qing, Li Chunjun, Zuoqiu Qingyu, Li Qingchan, and the others immediately showed signs of joy upon seeing him.

"Congratulations to you two for entering the Saint realm," Zhou Yuan said with a smile to the group, then turned his gaze to Li Chunjun and Chu Qing. Chu Qing rubbed his shiny bald head and chuckled, "If it weren't for Junior Brother Zhou Yuan using the Creation Pagoda to enhance our foundations for several years, even if we were battered to death, we probably wouldn't have been able to touch the Saint realm." Li Chunjun nodded silently.

"It was all for our Cangxuan Heaven," Zhou Yuan said, waving his hand. He then fell silent for a few seconds before adding, "Also, regarding the four Sect Masters, please accept my condolences." Everyone else also fell silent.

On Chu Qing's uninhibited and handsome face, his smile faded slightly. He then sighed and said, "Forget it, those old men sought benevolence and achieved it. They knew very well that their potential was exhausted, and even with the Creation Pagoda, it would be difficult for them to enter the Saint realm. It was precisely because of this that they fought with their lives, aiming to weaken that female Saint and create opportunities for us." Li Chunjun's voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Now, with the All-Heavens in peril, such sacrifices are unavoidable. In the future, if it truly comes to the worst, we will follow them without hesitation." The others also nodded, their eyes slightly red.

"Cangxuan Heaven will not forget their contributions," Zhou Yuan said softly.

As they spoke, several streaks of light suddenly flashed forth. It was the nine Saints, led by Xuanzhu. The Saints cupped their fists towards Zhou Yuan, their eyes showing a hint of admiration. Zhou Yuan's ability to suppress a peak Dual-Lotus Saint was enough to elevate his reputation further among the All-Heavens.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, the Saint Race forces have retreated. What do you plan to do next?" Xuanzhu asked.

Zhou Yuan looked thoughtful at his words. After a few seconds, he let out a long breath and said, "I plan to abandon this place and lead everyone to retreat directly." Upon hearing this, the Saints were immediately taken aback. Xuanzhu also looked astonished. "Didn't we win? Why are we abandoning this place? This is an accessible subspace; if it falls into the Saint Race's hands, they could use it as a springboard to quickly approach Cangxuan Heaven."

Zhou Yuan's expression was somewhat grim. "From the intelligence Yan Xu revealed earlier, the Saint Race also dispatched the Thunder-Controlling Ancient Saint. However, that Ancient Saint first went to the defense line where Grand Exalted Wanzu and Grand Exalted Zixiao are located." Xuanzhu, Chu Qing, Li Chunjun, and the others' pupils immediately contracted upon hearing this. An Ancient Saint involved... then Grand Exalted Wanzu and Grand Exalted Zixiao's side was probably in trouble! Now, it was unknown whether the central spaces they were defending had been destroyed or occupied. If destroyed, that would be acceptable, buying some time, but if occupied, it would still be terrible news.

"There's been no news from that side for a long time, so it's likely they've fallen. And that Thunder-Controlling Ancient Saint, after succeeding there, will probably rush over to our side." Zhou Yuan pressed his lips together, his expression heavy. An Ancient Saint's intervention was something they absolutely could not resist. Holding their ground stubbornly would not be wise.

Everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere instantly became oppressive. The joy of repelling the Saint Race's attack vanished in an instant.

Finally, Zhou Yuan broke the silence. "Issue the order: begin the retreat, and also prepare to destroy this space." Even if they were to retreat now, they absolutely had to destroy this space. This would at least buy them a significant amount of time.

Xuanzhu and the others nodded, their expressions bitter.

As the command was quickly issued, the Cangxuan Heaven forces within the space became somewhat restless. Although they didn't fully understand why they needed to retreat, they ultimately followed the orders due to Zhou Yuan's immense prestige. At the same time, numerous Genesis Rune scrolls, imbued with immense power, were placed throughout the space, ready to be detonated and destroy it upon their withdrawal.

Zhou Yuan stood in the void, holding the Saint-Refining Gourd in his hand. He watched the large army beginning its orderly retreat and let out a soft breath. Hopefully, it's still not too late.