The General Bureau's team was led by Jian Feng, a seventh-level realm cultivator in his forties. Even at the General Bureau's headquarters, he was considered one of the top experts.
However, compared to the Wu family's team led by Wu Qu, his temper and aura were much more restrained.
Facing Hei Zi's provocation, Jian Feng showed no reaction. Instead, Wu Qu spoke up, "Outside the safe zone, I wouldn't dare say, but within the safe zone, even dragons have to crawl for me!"
"You!"
The two immediately became confrontational, and the palpable tension could be felt even through the spirit barrier.
This was not a threat or intimidation. Seeing Hei Zi's continued refusal to retreat, even the General Bureau's Jian Feng couldn't help but signal his subordinates to prepare for combat.
The situation instantly became tense.
A moment later, two figures suddenly broke through.
"Huh? We're already earning blood crystals as soon as we enter?"
Everyone turned their gaze towards the cave entrance, where Old Wang stood with Elder Tie.
In such a tense situation, Old Wang not only felt no fear but was instead excited.
The presence of Hei Zi meant income, a primal reaction for the people of Red Coast!
However, he hadn't expected that the people of his own side ahead wouldn't greet him immediately but would instead look at Elder Tie.
"Senior? Why are you here?"
Upon recognizing Elder Tie, Jian Feng almost jumped out of his skin! Wu Qu was in a similar state, though his surprise was more pronounced, with a natural difference from Jian Feng's.
Only then did Old Wang realize the significance of the elder behind him. He couldn't help but clear his throat and quietly asked, "Senior, you even know the big shots from upstairs?"
Elder Tie chuckled, "Don't overthink it, young man. I've just lived a little longer and know a few more people."
After speaking, he subtly glared at Jian Feng. Although Jian Feng was confused, he shrewdly averted his gaze.
A subordinate stepped forward and asked, "Boss, why is Elder Tie here? Didn't he say he wouldn't come back after retiring?"
Jian Feng whispered, "How should I know! If I knew he would come, I would have taken leave today no matter what! However, what happened back then was just hearsay; no one ever heard him say that himself."
As they were speaking, Old Wang brought Elder Tie before the crowd. Now, due to Elder Tie's subtle hint, Jian Feng pretended not to see them. The Wu family, seeing the reaction of even the General Bureau's people, naturally remained silent.
This completely baffled Old Wang. What was going on? Weren't they just being enthusiastic a moment ago?
Old Wang rubbed his head and then looked at Elder Tie with confusion.
The latter quietly asked, "Can we go in now?"
Old Wang's expression changed. These were all influential figures present. Although he wasn't particularly afraid, given Red Coast's special status, he still needed someone to pave the way. It was important to be polite at such a time!
Just as Old Wang was about to respond, Jian Feng beat him to it and said, "We've already given you a chance! Kill!"
As the word "Kill" rang out, Old Wang hadn't even reacted before the spirit barrier was suddenly removed. Although the Wu family members were not a unified force, their reactions were remarkably synchronized, charging towards the Hei Zi inside almost simultaneously.
Everyone's faces were filled with murderous intent!
The first mutant beasts to bear the brunt instantly turned into masses of minced meat, a faint mist of blood hanging in the air, immediately creating a charged atmosphere.
"Damn it! Leave one for me!"
Old Wang could no longer hold back. With a shout, he immediately joined the fray.
While there were quite a few Hei Zi and mutant beasts, there were also many experts present. If the spoils were divided, one might not even get a single one! Moreover, seventh-level experts would be intercepted by corresponding high-level cultivators.
Opportunities like this, which guaranteed profit in blood crystals, were rare!
The battlefield almost instantly entered a white-hot phase. The Hei Zi who had been confronting Jian Feng only reacted after a long time.
They actually dared to act!
But according to past experience, as long as someone was guarding the perimeter, wouldn't outsiders refrain from charging in?
Before the doubt in Hei Zi's eyes subsided, Jian Feng's figure had already appeared before him.
"Since you didn't seize the opportunity when it was given, may you be reborn into a righteous path in your next life."
"Never!"
Although Hei Zi's strength was suppressed, he was ultimately a seventh-level realm cultivator. The moment they clashed, the people around them immediately scattered, with Elder Tie at the center, turning the entire cave into a battlefield.
However, several experts did not fully engage but guarded the only exit, preventing any Hei Zi from trying to take advantage of the situation.
Old Wang also suddenly noticed something was amiss. No one was guarding Elder Tie. Although most of the Hei Zi and mutant beasts were being held back, this didn't mean they wouldn't shift their targets.
"This won't do. If anything happens to him, my mission will be ruined."
After considering, Old Wang abandoned his current opponent and retreated directly to Elder Tie's side.
Elder Tie asked curiously, "Didn't you want to earn blood crystals? Do you need to snatch kills?"
Old Wang's expression faltered for a moment. Elder Tie's words were too professional. In that instant, he thought he was addressing a senior from Red Coast.
However, having been in Red Coast for so long, he knew almost all the elders, and even if he hadn't met them, he had heard of them. Elder Tie was clearly not among them.
So, he didn't think much of it and simply sighed, "What will happen to you if I leave? You are my mission."
Elder Tie smiled, "Don't worry. Although I look a bit old, I have the ability to protect myself. You don't need to worry about me."
Old Wang was skeptical, "Really? Senior, can you let me sense your aura?"
The weakest person present was at least at the third-level realm, and they were mutant beasts filled with beastly instincts. If Elder Tie's strength was below the third level, he would absolutely not dare to leave him alone here.
As they were talking, several mutant beasts were already being pushed towards them. Old Wang also seized the opportunity to take down a few targets.
This was much faster than hunting them himself. Old Wang hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise and completely forgot Elder Tie's words for the moment.
Seeing this, Elder Tie said no more. Unlike Li Chonglou, he couldn't control his aura at will.
The strength of the Hei Zi side was already suppressed due to the safe zone. Combined with the fact that the opponents were not weak, in just over ten minutes, the Hei Zi side completely collapsed.
Even the leading Hei Zi were battered by Jian Feng to the brink of death.
Seeing that the situation was lost, the leading Hei Zi shouted the order to retreat with his last ounce of strength.
The remaining six-level Hei Zi, with their injuries, fled without looking back. As for the mutant beasts, they had already been completely wiped out.