The formation shattered, exceeding everyone's expectations.
Facing an army of alien beasts several times their number, humanity decided on a full retreat.
A portion was led by Yan Jun, while another group intended to use Fuyao Zi's spatial gates for evacuation. However, their plans were disrupted by the Silver-Eyed Cat King, who possessed control over spatial forces.
The evacuation was obstructed.
In this critical moment, Elder Ge unleashed his ultimate technique, the Sky Curtain.
Instantly, a hemispherical barrier of light replaced the formation's position.
Rumble!!
Countless attacks struck the Sky Curtain but failed to shake it in the slightest.
This sight stunned everyone.
"It's Elder Ge's doing! We're saved! Elder Ge is amazing!"
"Elder Ge, what do you need us to do? We won't falter, even if it costs us our lives."
"Yes, Elder Ge, say something!"
"..."
However, Elder Ge had his own burdens. He was known as the foremost defender, and a significant reason for this reputation was precisely this Sky Curtain technique.
With the Sky Curtain deployed, the base returned to a state of calm as all the alien beasts' attacks were intercepted.
But only Elder Ge knew that he was merely holding on by sheer will.
Chi Yu and Jian Ku's hearts tightened upon seeing this.
They were aware of Elder Ge's ability; it had helped humanity overcome numerous crises in the past.
Chi Yu's eyes reddened. He said, "Everyone, retreat! Hurry back! Fuyao Zi, it's up to you!"
Fuyao Zi nodded solemnly and reopened the spatial gates.
This time, the Silver-Eyed Cat King did not interfere. Perhaps it was uncertain of the situation and dared not venture closer.
The others looked at Elder Ge, whose once graying hair was rapidly turning entirely white.
Many felt a pang of heartache.
Elder Ge was around the same age as Jian Shen and others, who appeared youthful, while Elder Ge looked ancient. They all understood the reason behind this disparity.
It was because Elder Ge had repeatedly employed techniques that consumed his lifespan, causing him to age prematurely.
This time, as he used such a method again, they realized that while the Sky Curtain protected them, it was draining Elder Ge's life force.
"Hurry, what are you waiting for?" Elder Ge commanded.
With tears in their eyes, everyone bowed deeply.
"Elder Ge..."
Fuyao Zi sighed at the sight and waved his hand, conjuring a strong gust of wind that swept them into the spatial gates.
As it was Lin Yu's turn, he stopped.
By now, very few people remained within the base.
Only Jian Ku, Fuyao Zi, Chi Yu, Elder Ge, and himself. Fuyao Zi would be leaving shortly.
Fuyao Zi looked at Lin Yu and asked, "You're staying?"
Lin Yu hesitated, wanting to speak but unable to. Of course, he didn't want to face danger; he had simply been too slow and was now at the rear.
Before he could explain his reasons, Chi Yu stepped forward and patted his shoulder.
He praised, "Well done! Truly a disciple of Jian Shen, unyielding and unwilling to retreat! Your presence here is timely too. With your clone aura, we'll have an easier time."
Lin Yu wanted to say that he actually wanted to retreat, but the words wouldn't come out.
Given the elders' praise, it would be inappropriate to leave now. Besides, he had means to protect himself.
With a sigh, he nodded silently.
Then, he ordered his clone to advance and provide cover, while his main body quietly retreated towards the rear, unnoticed by the others.
Outside the base, in the sky.
Countless alien beasts flew through the air, relentlessly unleashing their abilities and bombarding the Sky Curtain.
Long Qinglan gazed at the sky-blue light barrier below and exclaimed, "Magnificent! To think a Rank Nine human could unleash a defensive skill of this magnitude!"
In its thousand years of existence, it had never witnessed such a powerful technique.
The Golden Ape King nodded. "However, look at his hair turning white. Using this skill will undoubtedly be unsustainable. His lifespan is burning. We just need to wait for his life force to be depleted."
The Scarlet Snake King hissed, its gloomy eyes fixed on the humans within the Sky Curtain. A greedy desire to devour them arose within it.
These remaining humans were all powerhouses; devouring them would surely be immensely beneficial.
Just then, with a flash in the void, a Silver-Eyed Cat appeared beside the three beasts. It yawned and glanced downwards.
"I just went out to kill those evacuating humans, but Fuyao Zi was there in person. How boring. mere ants, and they even sacrificed themselves to protect them!"
The three beasts glanced at it but offered no response.
The Silver-Eyed Cat King felt a bit awkward. It scratched the void with its paw and vanished in a flash.
Below.
Within the Sky Curtain.
Elder Ge, seeing that everyone had evacuated, finally felt relieved.
"Retract!"
With a loud shout, the Sky Curtain rapidly shrank, then condensed into a smaller barrier, enveloping the remaining few.
Chi Yu observed this and asked, "Shall we go?"
Jian Ku quickly stroked his sword hilt, ready to fight if necessary.
Meanwhile, Fuyao Zi, who had just sent everyone away, was about to return when he discovered the void frozen. He found he could no longer open the spatial gates.
He felt a jolt of shock, followed by anxiety and anger.
"Vile creature, show yourself!"
"Human, I gave you a chance, yet you only led away some ants. How foolish!"
The Silver-Eyed Cat King's voice reached him, enraging Fuyao Zi further.
Elder Ge and the others were powerful, and Fuyao Zi believed their chances of survival against the alien beasts were not insignificant.
However, accidents could still happen, and they might perish.
This risk, he did not want them to take, nor could he bear for them to.
"Fine, you freeze space, and I'll freeze space too! If I can't go, you can't participate either. Let's just waste time here!"
With that, his eyes turned into a pair of rotating, crimson, peculiar flowers.
"Space Freeze!" he roared, and strange spatial energies instantly permeated a ten-mile radius.
Immediately, the space within ten miles solidified.
The Silver-Eyed Cat King was shocked to find it could no longer teleport away.
"Human, I will kill you today!"
"Come on!"
"Show yourself if you dare!"
"You come in!"
One person and one cat hurled insults at each other across the spatial divide.
Fuyao Zi stood within the Supreme Academy, while the Silver-Eyed Cat was in the distant void.
Neither of them backed down, their shouts growing louder and louder.
Soon, Zhou Yang heard the commotion and rushed over. Upon seeing the situation, he shouted, "Brothers, help Uncle-Master Fuyao Zi curse them back with all your might!"
"Vile creature, you come here."
"Beast, today you shall die."
"Vile creature..."
With curses of "vile creature" and "beast" hurled from both sides, the cat was thoroughly berated.
Facing the barrage from a group of people, it couldn't match their insults. In the end, it cursed and retreated into the spatial rift, covering its ears to block out the unwelcome sight and sound.
Now that the surrounding space was frozen, the enemy couldn't leave, and it couldn't escape either, leaving it trapped in this stalemate.