Taotie, fighting five on one, though thick-skinned, was starting to falter. He glanced back at Jun Ruo.
"How much longer does she need? If she doesn't hurry, I'm going to die here!" Taotie scrambled, fending off the attackers.
Jun Ruo's expression was grave. If Taotie couldn't hold on, the barrier wouldn't withstand the enemy's assault, and they would all perish.
"Great Protector, no sign of the sinner."
"Search for her. She must be here. We can't let her grow stronger, or else..."
"Or else you'll all die here!" Taotie interjected. "Scared? If you are, then scram! When Xiao Man appears, it will be your doom!"
"A mere beast dares to be arrogant before us!" The Great Protector scoffed. "Demon Subjugation Array! Today, we shall slay this beast."
Taotie had survived since the divine war not just due to his immense defense, but also his pragmatism. When he sensed trouble, he fled without hesitation.
Seeing he was outmatched, Taotie considered escaping. But a glance at the struggling common folk stopped him. "To risk my life for a bite to eat! Unbelievable!"
The five divine envoys formed an array, trapping Taotie within. Despite his desire to flee, the optimal moment had passed, leaving him no choice but to hold on for dear life.
"Xiao Man, if you don't let me eat a whole month's worth today, it'll be a shame for all my efforts!" Taotie roared. The sheer absurdity of his remark almost made Jun Ruo laugh amidst the tense situation.
"At a time like this, you're still thinking about food? No wonder they call you a glutton!"
"Jun Ruo, don't forget what you owe me in food!"
Jun Ruo's mouth twitched. He quickly nodded, "Hold on! When Xiao Man returns, I'll give you my share too!"
Hearing this, Taotie felt a surge of strength, though he still struggled under the pressure of the Demon Subjugation Array.
"This Demon Subjugation Array is fake. The real one is a hundred times more powerful. Don't be afraid, with your skills, you can break it!"
"If you're so capable, why don't you go up there!" Taotie charged wildly within the barrier, but it remained steadfast. Even worse, the barrier's power was draining his spiritual energy. Once it was depleted, he was doomed.
"Xiao Man, save me!"
Taotie couldn't take it anymore and shouted for help. The villagers of Sun Village knelt on the ground, praying for divine protection.
"Even if a Great Luo Immortal came today, he couldn't save you, beast."
"Dare to call me a beast again, and the first thing I'll do when I get out is eat you!" Taotie bared his teeth, blood trickling from his seven orifices due to the barrier's constriction. The five protectors, their eyes cold, continued to form hand seals, eager to finish the fight quickly.
Suddenly, several beams of light descended from the sky, engulfing all five protectors. The barrier trapping Taotie shattered instantly. Taotie plummeted from the air, crashing to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"What is that? What is that thing?"
The five, trapped by the light, were filled with terror. They tried to escape but were immobilized, unable to move. Thunderclouds gathered in the sky, plunging everything into darkness, as if the end of days had arrived.
"This is... the Desolate Plains Law!" Jun Ruo was shocked. He thought the Desolate Plains Law had lost its efficacy, but now it had intervened!
"What is the Desolate Plains Law?" Taotie, having climbed up from the ground and wiped the blood from his face, asked in confusion.
"It's equivalent to the rules of heaven and earth, but the Desolate Plains Law is the rules of this small world!" Jun Ruo looked towards the Ruoshui River. "The Law has awakened, which means she succeeded!"
"Does that mean we don't have to die?"
"It is they who will die!" As Jun Ruo spoke, a thunderbolt struck one of the protectors. Before he could even cry out, he turned into dust, his soul vanished, utterly annihilated.
"Great Protector, save us!"
The Great Protector turned to flee. With the Desolate Plains Law awakened, the situation was unfavorable. Retreat was the priority!
"Since you've come, you're not leaving." A voice echoed. The Great Protector's movement froze, and he instantly fell towards the ground like a broken kite.
"It's Xiao Man! Xiao Man is back!" The villagers, seeing Xiao Man appear in the air, standing on the back of a fire phoenix, descending like a deity, erupted in cheers, as if their salvation was assured with Xiao Man's presence.
The Great Protector picked himself up from the ground and looked at Xiao Man, his face contorted. "Xiao Man, even now, you refuse to confess?"
"Confess?" Xiao Man tilted her head. "What crime have I committed?"
"You destroyed the seal, released the Demon Lord, and colluded with the fallen gods. If you submit and confess now, my Lord is merciful and will spare your life!" the Great Protector urged. The awakening of the Desolate Plains Law was a significant disadvantage; survival was the immediate concern! Su Dan Novel Network
"Merciful?" Xiao Man laughed, her smile filled with mockery. "A traitor who seized the divine throne amidst chaos truly believes they are the ruler of heaven and earth?"
"Slandering my Lord is a great sin!"
"Your master is nothing more than a vicious dog that turned on its owner." Xiao Man extended her hand and pointed. A thunderbolt struck down, and another person turned to ash.
The Great Protector felt a chill run down his spine. "Wait. My Lord greatly admires your abilities. If you willingly submit and pledge allegiance, your future will be boundless, and you might even ascend to immortality!"
"The laws of heaven and earth on the Cangxuan Continent are already riddled with flaws. Unfortunately, your master's talent and abilities are limited, and he is powerless to mend them," Xiao Man said slowly. "Once the laws of heaven and earth begin to collapse, who do you think will be the first to be annihilated?"
"Who?" The Great Protector instinctively asked, regretting it immediately. How could Xiao Man say anything good about them?
"All cultivators, demonic beasts, and spirit beasts above the Nascent Soul stage will become targets for elimination."
The Great Protector swallowed. Above Nascent Soul? Wouldn't that mean their complete annihilation?
"Your master knows the consequences. That's why he's seeking a way out. However, his talent and abilities are limited; he is powerless to break the passage between the Cangxuan Continent and the Upper Continent. Even if he could open it, do you think he could take all of you with him?"
The Great Protector offered no reply, unsure how to answer. The Divine Lord was supreme, and they were his divine envoys, meant to serve him with their lives. Yet, they had cultivated diligently for a better life, not to go to their deaths!
Xiao Man gave the Great Protector a knowing smile and snapped her fingers. Those trapped by the Desolate Plains Law vanished instantly, erased from existence, leaving no trace behind.
"Great Protector, I will not kill you today." The fire phoenix, carrying Xiao Man, descended, looking down at the Great Protector. "Go back and tell him to wash his neck and wait. I will find him soon. I will reclaim everything he owes me, one by one!"