"Give you a way out?"
Lu Fan glanced at him and said with a smile, "That probably wouldn't be appropriate! After all, you've already made a move, and you're their hope. If I really let you go, what will they think?"
As these words were spoken, the Holy City Patriarch chuckled awkwardly, "Their business is their business, and it has nothing to do with me. Little brother, you wouldn't want to make another enemy, would you? It's better to do me a favor!"
Gu Tongtian stood frozen, looking at the scene before him with disbelief. He never imagined that his own patriarch would say such a thing; it was simply insane and hard for them to accept.
"As expected, in times of danger, everyone only looks out for themselves!"
Lu Fan shrugged and said, "However, for the Holy City Patriarch to say such a thing is indeed disheartening!"
"This is also a last resort. I hope little brother can understand!"
The Holy City Patriarch's voice rang out again, his gaze becoming even more solemn. Things had reached this point, and he could no longer afford to be concerned about anything else; survival was paramount.
Although Lu Fan had just broken through to the Heavenly Lord realm, the strength he displayed was far beyond what ordinary people could contend with. A single misstep would undoubtedly lead to immense trouble.
"Even the Holy City Patriarch is begging for mercy, and you people of the Holy City still haven't knelt down!" City Lord Xue Luo's voice rang out, carrying a resolute force.
They now had the upper hand and didn't need to be overly cautious. More importantly, the Holy City was ultimately nothing in their eyes.
The many experts of the Holy City exchanged glances, their eyes rippling with uncertainty. They didn't know what to do. Even their patriarch was so terrified; no matter how great their abilities, how could they possibly be greater than the patriarch?
"Little brother, how about this: you let us go, and we will follow you until you become a god!" the Holy City Patriarch said earnestly, his gaze turning back to Lu Fan.
"That's not a bad idea!"
Lu Fan nodded and said with a smile, "This way, I'll have many subordinates, and no one in the entire Desolate Ancient World will dare to defy my will!"
"Great Sir, your divine abilities are vast, and we naturally admire you greatly. How could we dare to disrespect you!" the Holy City Patriarch's voice rang out again, his expression becoming even more serious.
"Don't listen to them, they definitely have ill intentions!" City Lord Xue Luo interjected, her brow furrowing slightly.
"I'm telling the truth!"
The Holy City Patriarch repeatedly said, "After all, things have come to this point, why would I lie? This is a matter of life and death. I can even hand over my essence spirit!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Holy City Patriarch produced his essence spirit, his expression solemn, without any hesitation.
Seeing this, everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected the Holy City Patriarch to be so direct.
The essence spirit was a life for a cultivator. Handing it over to someone else like this would undoubtedly cause endless turmoil and lead to a fatal disaster.
"You are indeed sincere. If that's the case, I shall accept this essence spirit!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly and directly took back the essence spirit, his eyes becoming even colder, as if all the laws of heaven and earth were within his grasp.
Gu Tongtian stumbled and fell to the ground. He never imagined that the Holy City Patriarch would surrender so readily and without any scruples, as if that life wasn't his own.
"How could this be!"
Gu Tongtian was filled with disbelief and resentment. At least in his opinion, Lu Fan wouldn't lead them. How could a green-behind-the-ears youngster lead them to glory?
"Even the Holy City Patriarch is being so sensible, do you still want to rebel?"
Lu Fan smiled faintly, his gaze falling on Gu Tongtian. "Hand over your essence spirits immediately, or I won't show any mercy!"
Gu Tongtian intended to resist, but in that instant, the many experts of the Holy City, one after another, handed over their essence spirits without any hesitation.
Even the Holy City Patriarch had submitted. They were merely a disorganized mob and could not possibly be Lu Fan's match. Handing over their essence spirits was the wisest choice.
"You..."
Seeing this, Gu Tongtian was completely stunned, and naturally, he couldn't believe that things had turned out this way.
"What, do you intend to oppose me alone?"
Lu Fan looked at Gu Tongtian, the corners of his mouth curving up, looking quite meaningful.
Gu Tongtian's face darkened, but he dared not reply again. Instead, he slowly took out his essence spirit, saying, "Things have come to this point, and it's beyond saving. How could I not know what's good for me!"
"That's for the best!"
Lu Fan nodded and then pocketed Gu Tongtian's essence spirit, appearing completely indifferent, as if everything was under his control.
Gu Tongtian's mouth twitched, but he was helpless. Things had come to this point, and it wasn't what he had wanted. However, since it had happened, there was no need to say more.
"City Lord Xue Luo, the Holy City will not be an enemy of the Four Great Cities in the future, so you don't need to worry too much!"
Lu Fan said, "In the Desolate Ancient World, the Five Great Cities still exist!"
"Your current strength is probably only one step away from becoming a god. Even if you want to control the entire Desolate Ancient World, I'm afraid no one will be able to stop you!"
City Lord Xue Luo smiled and said, "So, whether the Four Great Cities are separate or not, it's no longer important!"
"I will not force anyone, nor do I wish to become the master of the Desolate Ancient World. My goal is to become a god!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "However, the Holy City will still be under my control!" Su Dan Novel Network
City Lord Xue Luo nodded, quite satisfied with this outcome. This way, their plan had been successfully completed.
It was just that the path taken this time was truly shocking. Lu Fan had turned the tide single-handedly, catching them off guard.
Even the Holy City Patriarch had appeared, yet he still lost in the end, which was enough to show how powerful Lu Fan's strength was.
After this great battle, the people of the Four Great Cities gradually departed. With things having reached this point, there was no longer anything to worry about.
At the same time, everyone could clearly feel the aura of the Holy City growing stronger. With Lu Fan presiding over it, the entire Holy City was radiant.
The only one unhappy was probably Gu Tongtian. He was originally a city lord, but in the end, he could only submit to another, and he was naturally unwilling.
The Holy City, under the night sky, appeared exceptionally beautiful, with vibrant colors in the sky, stirring the imagination.