My Crazy Upgrade System-Chapter 93 - 92: Guard

No one was entirely clear on Yi Tianyun’s true strength, but since he could so easily slay that many experts, his own cultivation had to be high. They guessed he had likely reached the eighth or ninth level of the Core Formation Stage, putting his cultivation on par with their own.

While their cultivation levels might be equal, Yi Tianyun’s physique was undoubtedly stronger—that was the advantage of youth. As for these old geezers, their Blood Qi was insufficient. A prolonged fight would shave years off their lifespan, an outcome they certainly didn’t want to see.

After biding their time for so long, they had finally received some excellent news: Yi Tianyun was trapped in the Celestial Sinking Ruins.

Now, they were recalling the mole they had planted in Merak Palace, partly to demoralize their enemies, but also to avoid friendly fire in the coming battle.

"What a shame. Such a monstrously talented genius, yet he’s trapped in the Celestial Sinking Ruins. I don’t know how he got in, but even if he doesn’t die in there, by the time he gets out in three years, Merak Palace will be long gone!" Wentian Ancestor laughed. "Everyone else thinks your Merak Palace has some terrifying trump card, but do you think I don’t know the truth? Aside from a few old fossils, there’s no one left. What will you use to fight us?"

Wentian Ancestor continued to chip away at their morale, trying to make their hearts waver and instill the idea that not surrendering was a dead end.

"I’ll give you one last chance. Those who choose to surrender, I will treat well... but those who resist will find only death!" Wentian Ancestor’s gaze was icy as he swept it across them. He didn’t have much hope for Shi Xueyun and the others, but he could persuade the disciples with weaker cultivation, the ones who feared death, to come over.

The disciples exchanged glances, a hint of hesitation indeed appearing in their eyes. Facing the ancestors of three major powers, and with Yi Tianyun gone, how could they possibly resist?

Shi Xueyun gently closed her eyes, then let out a deep breath. "Whoever wishes to surrender may go. I will not blame you."

The words had barely left her lips when many exchanged uncertain glances. The Outer Disciples, in particular, backed away without hesitation. They were Outer Disciples, after all, and their bond with Merak Palace wasn’t deep. There was no need to lay down their lives for it.

As for the Official Disciples, many of them also felt their resolve waver. ’Should we stay here? Staying here is a dead end. It’s just pointless resistance.’

Anyone who wasn’t blind could see the situation around them; they were surrounded by so many experts. The six ancestors alone were enough to make one tremble; their combined power was several times stronger than the previous siege force.

Some Official Disciples hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to step forward, leaving Merak Palace to join the enemy’s camp.

The few elders all shook their heads but didn’t curse at them. A life was one’s own to decide; they couldn’t control their choices.

"What are you doing? Don’t you believe in the Palace Master and the others!?" a voice suddenly shouted from among the disciples. The first to speak was none other than Jiu Lingyun, the girl Yi Tianyun had brought back!

Jiu Lingyun stepped forward, her face flushed red as she pointed at the defectors. She was furious. In her view, once you joined Merak Palace, you should never leave.

The elders were inwardly shaken. They never expected the first to stand up would be this inconspicuous little girl, as if she were defending their dignity—the dignity of Merak Palace. Most importantly, she was someone Yi Tianyun had brought back. And now, at this critical juncture, she had chosen a side without the slightest fear.

The ancestor on the opposing side sneered. "What nonsense. Staying over there is courting death. Who wants to die?"

At this moment, someone came over and whispered something to Wentian Ancestor. He immediately sneered, "Oh, so she’s the one that brat brought back. No wonder she’s willing to speak up for Merak Palace... But this is reality. Once your life is gone, what’s the point of any of it?"

"Protecting the dignity of Merak Palace is more important! I will defend the Merak Palace that Young Master Yi wants to protect! Even if I die, I will stand with Merak Palace!" Jiu Lingyun’s eyes were filled with determination. Her cultivation wasn’t high, but her words carried immense power.

"That’s right! Merak Palace has treated us well! We’d rather die in battle than abandon it!"

"I’ve had no parents since I was little. Merak Palace raised me! I too will defend Merak Palace to the death!"

One by one, they were all stirred up. They recalled how well Merak Palace had treated them. Since the Palace Master and the others refused to surrender, they were even more unwilling to do so.

Those whose hearts had been wavering just moments ago now became resolute, inspired by Jiu Lingyun.

A peculiar light flickered in Shi Xueyun’s beautiful eyes. ’I never expected Jiu Lingyun to have this kind of ability... a bit of leadership quality.’

"Haha, a bunch of idiots! In a moment, I’ll show you what true hell is! Defend to the death? That’s bullshit!" Wentian Ancestor roared with laughter. "Go! Capture them all! And make sure you bring that little girl to me. I want to see just how unafraid of death you really are!"

At his command, they all charged forward. A sky-high wave of killing intent surged toward the palace.

The six ancestors attacked at once, their oppressive might bearing down instantly. Shi Xueyun and the others immediately drew their swords and rushed to meet them, not daring to let their guard down for a second.

Shi Xueyun and three of their own ancestors formed the vanguard, but they could only block four of the enemy ancestors at most. The other elders had to face the remaining two, but the difference in cultivation was too great; they couldn’t last long.

BANG!

One after another, Merak Palace disciples were sent flying, either gravely injured or knocked unconscious. The attacking disciples showed no mercy. The disciples who had defected, however, watched from a distance with cold sneers. They were certain they had made the wisest choice. If they had stayed over there, they would have faced certain death or capture, and the fate awaiting them then was unimaginable.

"Hehe, the ancestor ordered us to capture you. You were pretty tough-mouthed just now, weren’t you, little girl? When we drag you back, let’s see if you’re still so defiant..." The approaching disciple gave a sinister laugh, his expression vicious and exceedingly wicked.

Jiu Lingyun’s expression didn’t change as she held her longsword, ready to defend herself.

"I would rather die than be captured by you!" As she spoke, Jiu Lingyun brought the longsword to her neck, preparing to take her own life. But the thought that she would never see Yi Tianyun again, never be able to take care of her little brother, made tears stream down her face. Yet she had no regrets. She would never regret her choice.

"Trying to kill yourself? Not a chance!"

The disciple, at the fourth level of the Spirit Refining Stage, lunged forward. He was faster, and with a swift motion, he knocked the longsword from Jiu Lingyun’s hand and grabbed her arm. Instantly, Jiu Lingyun was immobilized.

The difference in their cultivation levels was too great; she was completely unable to resist.

"Let’s see you try to kill yourself now, little girl... Hehe, your face is a bit plain, but your figure isn’t bad." The disciple chuckled, licking his lips as he leered at her.

Jiu Lingyun’s face turned deathly pale. Her mouth moved slightly as she prepared to bite her tongue to commit suicide.

In that instant, a silver light streaked across the sky. The disciple was struck by the flash of light and sent flying. With a THUD, the disciple tumbled across the ground a few times and then moved no more.

What appeared before everyone’s eyes was a towering Snow Wolf. This was the very Snow Wolf that Yi Tianyun had arranged to stand guard here. His orders had been simple: protect Shi Xueyun and Jiu Lingyun. If they were in danger, it was to appear immediately and protect them!

The appearance of a Snow Wolf stunned many. Why was there a Demon Beast here? And its cultivation was as high as the seventh level of the Core Formation Stage!

AWOOOO!

The Snow Wolf threw its head back and howled. In response, a dense pack of Snow Wolves appeared all around. Their cultivation levels weren’t high, but they were more than enough to intercept those at the Spirit Refining Stage or Body Refining Stage.

At that same moment, Yi Tianyun, who was rushing back from a distance, heard the system’s notification.

"Ding! Successfully killed a Divine Forging Sect disciple. Gained 2,800 Experience Points, 600 Madness Value, and 50 Forging Proficiency."

Yi Tianyun was taken aback. ’Even though the Snow Wolf is far away, I still gain experience whenever it kills a Demon Beast or a person. This means I can literally level up just by staying at home and letting the Snow Wolf hunt Demon Beasts for me!’

But the experience wasn’t what was important right now. What was important was the realization that had just dawned on him: someone was attacking the palace!

’So those old fossils really did come knocking... Excellent. This time, I’ll wipe the slate clean!’ Yi Tianyun looked up. The snow-covered landscape not far ahead marked the territory of Merak Palace.

To avoid any unexpected trouble, he directly activated Madness Mode and sprinted forward. His incredible speed was no slower than riding the Snow Wolf!