Chapter 772: Great Annihilation Netherflame
Zhang Yi's timely intervention thwarted Gao Changkong's attempt to kill Zhu Zheng.
The situation was growing increasingly unfavorable for him.
Unable to breach Zhang Yi's defenses—especially under the effects of [Echo of Time] which allowed Zhang Yi to anticipate all his attacks—Gao Changkong found himself at a severe disadvantage.
Echo of Time, being the superior ability to Meditation Seal, completely suppressed Gao Changkong's predictive capabilities, sealing away his foresight techniques.
Not to mention Zhang Yi's absurd defensive prowess.
With Blizzard City's entire combat force converging on their location, it was only a matter of time before the Reincarnation Squad faced annihilation if this dragged on.
Taking a deep breath, Gao Changkong made the decision to abort the mission.
"Retreat!" he commanded through the comms system to all Reincarnation Squad members.
They had come so close to success, only to fail at the final moment!
Countless rehearsals had led to this day.
Yet fate had other plans.
They had accounted for every variable within Blizzard City—except for Zhang Yi, this outsider from the Outer City.
Though disappointed, they obediently regrouped as ordered.
The superhuman commonly known as [Martial Arena]—whose real name remained obscure—opened a dimensional portal.
Gao Changkong cast one last profound glance at Zhu Zheng before shifting his gaze to Zhang Yi.
"Zhang Yi, you win this round! I underestimated you. But next time won't be so easy!"
Zhang Yi remained silent while Deng Shentong stepped forward, gripping his sword as he glared at the spatial gateway.
It undoubtedly led somewhere outside the city—the Reincarnation Squad's prearranged escape route.
"Do you really think you can escape?" Deng Shentong growled.
Gao Changkong regarded Deng Shentong with undisguised disdain—not out of deliberate contempt, but simply because he no longer saw this former rival as a threat.
"Deng Shentong, you should thank Zhang Yi for saving your life. Without him, you'd already be dead."
Deng Shentong's face flushed with anger, but he restrained himself—aware he stood no chance against Gao Changkong in his current state.
His eyes darted to Zhang Yi, silently pleading for intervention.
Not one to mince words, Zhang Yi flexed his right hand as dark flames from Holy Judgment wreathed his fingers.
"I'm quite adept at spatial manipulation myself. Care to wager whether you'll escape under my watch?"
What others couldn't accomplish, Zhang Yi could—including destroying their spatial passage.
Gao Changkong's brow furrowed slightly.
Just then, two figures materialized midair—Ji Yushen and Sun Luxuan.
The two had been locked in fierce combat within Ji Yushen's [SOLO] domain this entire time without either gaining the upper hand.
Only upon receiving Gao Changkong's order did Ji Yushen finally deactivate his ability.
Assessing the situation, Ji Yushen strode forward with sword in hand to stand before the Reincarnation Squad.
"Captain, take everyone and go. I'll cover the retreat."
His squad members' faces twisted with anguish.
Being the rearguard meant staying until the spatial gate fully closed—a guaranteed death sentence in hostile territory.
Yet no one protested further.
From the moment they joined this operation, each had been prepared to sacrifice themselves.
Every Reincarnation Squad member had risen from the bottom under Gao Changkong's personal tutelage.
And every one of them harbored deep resentment against Blizzard City's injustices.
Had circumstances differed, any of them would have made the same choice without hesitation.
Gao Changkong didn't refuse Ji Yushen's offer.
Placing a hand on his vice-captain's shoulder, he said gravely, "You'll always be my brother. Be my bravest brother now."
Ji Yushen took a steadying breath. "Yes, Captain!"
From his pocket, he produced a Compound-5 tablet and swallowed it without hesitation.
Zhang Yi couldn't suppress a sigh. "Again? You people really love your performance enhancers, huh?"
Though he'd always disdained these self-destructive one-time boosters, witnessing their use in life-or-death battles never failed to send chills down his spine.
Compound-5 worked frighteningly fast, burning through the user's life force at an alarming rate—overdosing meant certain death.
But with death already accepted, Ji Yushen held nothing back.
Towering green flames erupted around him, instantly transforming the surrounding kilometer into an inferno of emerald fire!
Zhang Yi, Sun Luxuan and Deng Shentong hastily retreated, unwilling to risk contact with the mysterious flames.
Hundreds of nearby soldiers weren't so lucky—engulfed before they could react.
Screaming, their orifices spewed green fire as flesh and organs burned away, leaving only intact uniforms and weapons draped over charred skeletons.
"Great Annihilation Netherflame!"
Ji Yushen slowly raised his massive green greatsword, eyes and body now radiating the same eerie emerald flames.
When a captain-level combatant goes all-out, even the bravest would tremble.
Gao Changkong led his squad through the portal one by one—unopposed, as none dared challenge the death incarnate that was Ji Yushen.
"KILL...THEM...ALL!!"
Ji Yushen's maniacal laughter echoed as a condemned man's final revelry.
Fear nothing, and nothing in this world can bind you.
The inferno raged indiscriminately, slaughtering everything in its path.
Recognizing the danger, Zhang Yi subtly positioned himself behind the others—no sense risking his life against a dead man walking.
"I'll go protect Commander Zhu. You handle this guy."
He turned to leave, only for old man Sun Luxuan to grab his arm with a knowing smile.
"The Reincarnation Squad's gone. The commander's safe now. Young man, let's face this together."
Zhang Yi's expression darkened, but he reluctantly nodded.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zheng had already evacuated the combat zone under Lan Xincheng's protection.
His first act upon reaching safety? Activating his satellite phone to contact distant Shenjing Region headquarters.
"This is Zhu Zheng of Jiangnan Region. Execute Code: [Tiger]."
Back on the battlefield, facing the death-embracing Ji Yushen, the trio remained vigilant.
"We must contain him," Sun Luxuan warned. "Otherwise, he'll reduce Blizzard City to rubble."
"Understood!" Deng Shentong immediately activated his Great Void Illusion Realm, attempting to disorient Ji Yushen with hallucinatory techniques.