Chapter 1690: Reentering the Earth Grotto

"The current prosperity and stability of humanity were bought with their blood and sacrifice. Without them, chaos would have long reigned..."

Zhang Xuan was not a sentimental person. Since transmigrating, partly due to his previous life, he had felt a certain indifference towards this world. However, when he saw all the students at Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy bravely charge forward in battle, and countless master teachers in the Subterrune disregard their lives, his heart was profoundly moved.

Initially, the Zhang Clan hadn't left a good impression on him, but seeing the countless tombstones before him, a faint sadness resurfaced.

Indeed, the Zhang Clan's status as the continent's foremost family wasn't solely due to their strength and profound heritage. More importantly, it was their unforgettable contributions of suppressing the Subterrune for tens of thousands of years.

Without them, humanity could not have prospered and developed to its current state.

Boom!

Lost in thought, he suddenly felt the ground shake. Waves of dense malevolent energy surged from underground.

As soon as it reached the surface, numerous tombs immediately emitted a crystalline glow, like luminous stones. The malevolent energy, colliding with this light, gradually dissipated.

"If the malevolent energy can surge up, the seal below must be failing soon. Let's go and see!"

Having been to the Subterrune before and knowing the implications of such a situation, Zhang Xuan didn't hesitate. He called out to Luo Ruoxi and hurried forward. A moment later, they arrived before a massive stone statue.

The founding ancestor of the Zhang Clan.

He touched its palm.

With a flash of light, he and Luo Ruoxi vanished from their spot, reappearing an instant later in a place filled with malevolent energy and darkness.

After walking for a while, a massive city appeared before them.

This Subterrune was clearly larger than the one beneath Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, and the city within it was even grander. Various formations around it were activated, their power swirling violently.

Upon entering the city, they immediately saw countless Zhang Clan disciples standing grim-faced in formation at the front, ready for battle at any moment.

"Clan Head!"

The elder in charge, seeing him arrive, hurried over to greet him.

"How are things?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"Not very optimistic. The Foreign Tribes have launched over a dozen assaults since yesterday. Both sides have sustained heavy losses. Although they've suffered more casualties trying to break the seal, this kind of relentless, suicidal charge... I fear we can't hold out much longer!"

The elder's face was filled with worry.

"What about the seal?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"We don't know right now. Our people were guarding it before, but it's been taken by the enemy. We can't get close!" the elder replied.

"The seal taken? Doesn't that mean disaster? With so many experts in the Zhang Clan, how could it have fallen?" Eyebrows jumping, Zhang Xuan's scalp tingled with disbelief.

The reason the Foreign Tribes couldn't launch large-scale attacks was precisely because of these seals.

The spatial seals left by Ancient Sage Qiu Wu were incredibly profound. Humans could enter, but the Foreign Tribes could not exit. Normally, guarding simply required staying outside the seal and eliminating any who managed to escape.

If the seal was taken by them, wouldn't the Foreign Tribes be able to come out as they pleased?

How could they fight now?

They couldn't possibly win!

"I was the one who ordered the Zhang Clan members to temporarily retreat!"

Before the elder could answer, a faint voice sounded. Zhang Xuan quickly turned and saw his father, Sword Saint Xing, and his mother, Sword Saint Meng, striding towards them.

Zhang Xuan frowned.

"The seal left by Ancient Sage Qiu Wu has been completely breached. Rather than pointlessly sacrificing ourselves there, it's better to hold the city. There's a grand formation here that can reduce our losses!"

Sword Saint Xing nodded.

"Completely breached?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

"Yes, this time the Foreign Tribes have come fiercely; it seems they won't rest until we're dead!" Sword Saint Xing explained, then waved his hand. "Follow me!"

Following behind, they ascended the city wall.

Standing on the observation deck, he looked out and saw countless Foreign Tribesmen, neatly arrayed like an army, amidst rolling waves of murderous aura.

Although they stood still and weren't charging, they exuded an intense oppressive presence.

Various tents and temporary fortifications were set up around the army. It seemed the enemy also knew that the city walls were easy to defend and difficult to attack, and they didn't intend to charge directly.

"With the seal broken, the Foreign Tribes will come endlessly. They must be waiting for reinforcements. Once more gather, this Subterrune truly won't be able to hold!"

Seeing that the enemy wasn't attacking, Zhang Xuan guessed their objective and frowned.

"I know that, but... the Zhang Clan has fought the Foreign Tribes for countless years and knows their overall strength. For 108 Subterrunes to be attacked simultaneously, even if the Foreign Tribes are powerful, they couldn't truly achieve that! If they could, humanity would have been wiped out long ago!"

Sword Saint Xing smiled.

Humans and the Foreign Tribes were sworn enemies.

If they possessed the power to attack so many Subterrunes simultaneously, they would have long since surged out. How could they have remained trapped in a place of exile like the ancient battlefield, enduring suffering?

"Father, do you mean... they don't actually have such overwhelming strength, and these so-called attacks are just a facade?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Not necessarily a facade, but their reluctance to charge immediately is, firstly, because they're waiting for reinforcements, and secondly, they must be apprehensive and want to wait for developments in other Subterrunes! While they wait, we must also wait. Once the other Subterrunes achieve victory, we'll be safe here. However, if... the other Subterrunes are breached, then this place will also become very dangerous!"

Sword Saint Xing nodded.

"Indeed!" Zhang Xuan fell silent.

Although he didn't know the exact nature of the passages within the Subterrune, if the enemy managed to break through even one, humanity would face a huge crisis.

"If we're guarding like this, the other Subterrunes must be doing the same... Wait, could it be a feint to lure us away?"

A sudden thought struck Zhang Xuan, and his pupils contracted.

"Lure us away?" Sword Saint Xing was puzzled, and the other Zhang Clan elders were also full of doubt.

"You arrived early, so you might not know, but the Temple of Confucius has appeared and could open at any time... Now, with all the major Subterrunes being attacked simultaneously, it's drawn almost all the master teachers to suppress them. While they seem to be waiting for reinforcements, could they be intentionally tying down the Master Teacher Pavilion and the various clans, preventing us from having the energy to enter the Temple of Confucius?"

Zhang Xuan voiced his thoughts.

The Foreign Tribes had engaged in battle with humans many times. They surely knew that even if they charged head-on, fighting against humanity would inevitably be a costly victory, sacrificing many of their own. If that were the case, what good would taking over the Master Teacher Continent do?

If everyone was dead, there would be no one left to enjoy even the best things!

Although the Temple of Confucius and the Heavenly Tome of Time and Space were important, obtaining them wouldn't require these ordinary Foreign Tribe soldiers, would it?

Their reluctance to attack immediately... could it be intentional, to tie down the continent's numerous master teachers, with their true objective being the Temple of Confucius?