"Old Yan, do you know how… fantastical it is to evacuate the entire population of Xichuan?"
Wang Jiwan gradually calmed down from the joy of sealing Jiang Wuya, and began to seriously consider the feasibility of the next course of action.
Xichuan had a population of over 83 million, a large portion of whom lived in deep mountains and old forests, lacking even a decent road. Their access to information was incredibly limited.
Many people were unwilling to leave the mountains, not because they didn't want a better life, but because they couldn't leave the land their ancestors had lived on.
And now Yan Shouyi wanted the entire population of Xichuan to leave their homeland. Who would cooperate with such a plan?
Yan Shouyi knew the difficulty of this task, comparable to Yu Gong moving mountains.
But if they didn't do this, these people would be devoured by the death aura and become nourishment for the divine tree.
He said in a deep voice, "Old Wang, I know this is difficult, but we have no choice. To strive for something even when it seems impossible is the belief our ancestors have upheld… So, regardless of the outcome, we must try."
Everyone silently watched Yan Shouyi. When Yan Shouyi decided to evacuate the Xichuan populace, he was actually sending another very important signal.
They, the Xuanmen cultivators hidden within the ordinary world, were about to appear openly in the common people's perception.
Nowadays, when people hear about ghosts and monsters, demons and spirits, or vengeful spirits, they just laugh it off, considering it feudal superstition, mere fabrications of ignorant ancient people to scare children.
But when Yan Shouyi and the others appeared before the public, all secrets would be revealed.
Not only did ghosts exist in this world, but there was also a group of cultivators who walked in the darkness, protecting the people!
"Go!"
Yan Shouyi shouted, "Go and show the common people our abilities, lead them away from this land. It won't be for long… It won't be for long! We will eventually defeat Jiang Wuya and return their homeland to them!!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was greatly inspired, and some had even been waiting for this day.
No longer needing to hide themselves, they could openly slay demons and eliminate evils, and act with chivalry!
Wang Jiwan quickly devised a plan: Yan Shouyi would use all his connections to secure official assistance to swiftly evacuate the urban population. As for those living in remote areas who were difficult to relocate, the Xuanmen cultivators would personally enter the mountains, demonstrate their abilities, and persuade them to leave.
The authorities couldn't possibly be unaware of the existence of people like Yan Shouyi. There was some interaction between them, but they generally maintained a certain tacit understanding, living as if in parallel worlds that did not interfere with each other.
But this time was different. If they didn't join forces, tens of millions of people would die in suffering, and no one could bear such consequences.
After the preliminary plan was formulated, everyone began to get busy.
Yan Shouyi glanced at Daqing Mountain behind him and estimated the speed at which the death aura was spreading. The conclusion was that within a month, the death aura would engulf the entire Xichuan.
It was still a fierce battle.
"Sigh."
He sighed and looked at Liu Yiren, who stood nearby with a worried expression. He walked over and asked, "How many sect leaders did you manage to rescue?"
Liu Yiren replied, "We brought back all who were alive at the time, but they were seriously injured. Old Jin is working with the ancient physicians to treat them. We don't know how many will survive in the end…"
"What about Old Yu?"
"Jiang Wuya took his heart. We brought back his body," Liu Yiren sighed. "Old Jin said he could help the Celestial Master with a replacement heart, which would allow the Celestial Master to wake up, but only to wake up."
Yu Lumen, without a heart, with Old Jin's help, could at most wake up to speak a few words. He wouldn't even be able to walk, and could no longer participate in the action against Jiang Wuya.
Although the outcome was somewhat different from what he had imagined, Yan Shouyi was already satisfied with this result. He comforted Liu Yiren a few words and planned to visit Yu Lumen after he woke up.
At the same time, Yan Shouyi also learned from Chang Shan and Ling Xiaoxiao that Yan Nanfei, Yan Guchao… all the male members of the Yan family had sacrificed themselves in Daqing Mountain.
Hearing this devastating news, Yan Shouyi could not calm down for a long time. This was the first peer of his generation who had truly died by his side.
"We will remember the contributions of the Yan family. When everything is over, we will record their stories and erect statues and tombstones for them."
After Yan Shouyi dealt with some matters, the sky had already brightened.
He silently walked to the outside of the camp, gazing at Daqing Mountain, where black energy was soaring, his eyes filled with determination.
Wang Jiwan, holding his phone, came to Yan Shouyi's side and said, "Old Yan, the call from upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
Yan Shouyi turned his head and looked at Wang Jiwan in surprise. He was now the sole spiritual pillar of the Xuanmen. Besides his father, Yan Chou, who else could be considered "upstairs"?
Wang Jiwan added as an explanation, "The highest person in charge."
Only then did Yan Shouyi understand. He silently took the phone and began to discuss the matter of evacuating the Xichuan populace with that person.
…
The third day after the Battle of Daqing Mountain.
The authorities issued an urgent document to evacuate all the people of Xichuan.
Upon the release of this document, the entire world was in an uproar. People speculated whether Xichuan had experienced a nuclear leak, and widespread panic ensued.
The fifth day after the Battle of Daqing Mountain.
The authorities released a video. The main speaker in the video was a man who appeared very young. In the video, the man demonstrated astonishing techniques such as palm thunder, cloning, and telekinesis. He then explained the entire sequence of events to everyone, mentioning the term "Xuanmen" for the first time to the public, and revealing the truth about the divine tree of Daqing Mountain, urging everyone to leave Xichuan as soon as possible. Finally, he announced his identity – a descendant of Lu Ban, the leader of the Min Jiao, Yan Shouyi.
The sixth day after the Battle of Daqing Mountain.
People began to question the authenticity of the video, believing it to be a huge joke or a conspiracy. Numerous experts appeared to explain the "flaws" in the video. However, that afternoon, disciples from various sects and descendants of the Min Jiao appeared directly among the common people, their abilities unhidden, personally bearing witness and delivering a strong shock to the public's worldview.
The eighth day after the Battle of Daqing Mountain.
Daqing Mountain was completely shrouded in death aura. No one doubted the authenticity or severity of the matter anymore. The evacuation of the population from the main urban areas of Xichuan began to proceed in stages.
The ninth day after the Battle of Daqing Mountain.
Some busybodies traveled thousands of miles to Daqing Mountain in Xichuan, preparing to witness the divine tree. However, they were stopped by the stationed and blockading army outside Daqing Mountain. Later, still unwilling to give up, they sneaked into the mountain again, only to be discovered by disciples of the Maoshan Sect, who scared them back home with a palm thunder strike.
…
…