Signal for Help

Not long ago, that name shattered countless records single-handedly, ascended to the top of the Myriad Laws Ranking, and brought unparalleled glory and hope to the Human Race!

"It's him..."

Lin Jue's lips trembled uncontrollably, his eyes widened, and his eyeballs were bloodshot. It wasn't fear, but extreme excitement!

He used the last of his strength, letting out a hoarse, broken roar:

"It's Chen Fan! It's Chen Fan who topped the Myriad Laws Ranking!"

This roar, like a thunderclap from the heavens, instantly jolted all the compatriots who were still in Petrification state.

Chen Fan?!

That one who suppressed all ages, even surpassing the White Emperor's record... Chen Fan?!

In an instant, all the gazes directed at Chen Fan transformed from shock and confusion into fervor!

"Quick! Open the door!"

Lin Jue snapped out of his daze and frantically rushed toward the core of the formation. Ignoring the energy backlash, he used trembling hands to forcefully shut down the already crumbling protective shield.

The instant the light shield dissipated.

"Lin Jue, Human Federation, and all his brothers, welcome you all!"

Led by Lin Jue, the remaining twenty-odd Human Race Prodigies their deep, bone-revealing injuries and performed the highest salute among Martial Artists towards the ten-year-old child!

This scene left Shen Xuan and Su Qingyue, who had just jumped down from the ridge, stunned.

Chen Fan was taken aback, touched his nose, and then waved his hand. "Alright, get up, all of you. What kind of image is it with a bunch of wounded kneeling like that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Xuan, who was standing to the side, stepped forward as if he understood. He gently waved his folding fan, and a soft stream of cyan energy lifted Lin Jue, who was at the head of the group.

"My name is Shen Xuan, this is Su Qingyue, and that... is Tuo Bashan." Shen Xuan introduced them with an impeccable, gentle smile, "We came with Chen Fan."

Lin Jue and the others then noticed the three people behind Chen Fan, especially Tuo Bashan's towering figure and violent aura, which made them shudder.

This team's lineup is just too terrifying!

"Don't just stand there, let's go inside and talk." Chen Fan had already stepped into the Guardian Zone. He examined the intricate array patterns on the ground, now dimmed and lifeless due to energy depletion, and asked without turning his head:

"This place looks pretty sturdy. You guys have the advantage of being in a good location, so how did you end up being forced into this situation by those scoundrels outside?"

Upon hearing this, the excitement that had just appeared on Lin Jue's face instantly turned into bitterness and helplessness.

He followed behind Chen Fan and whispered, "This protective shield isn't invincible. Its defensive strength is closely related to the Qi and Blood we inject into it. Simply put, we need to nourish it with our own cultivation."

"The more people there are, the stronger they are, and the more stable the light shield will be."

He sighed deeply, "Originally, we had nearly a hundred compatriots here, taking turns to provide energy for the great formation, which was enough to protect ourselves. But... but our backbone, Senior Xiao, went alone to a newly discovered ancient ruin three days ago in order to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough before the next Origin Storm."

"Those beasts, the Bloodfang Race and the Demon Armor Race, precisely targeted the opportunity of Senior Xiao's absence to launch this deadly surprise attack!"

As they spoke, Lin Jue had already led Chen Fan and the others to the very center of the Guardian Zone.

Here stands a transparent crystal several meters tall. The energy radiance inside the crystal has almost been extinguished, and its surface is covered with cracks, as if it might turn into dust at any moment.

"This is the core of the formation, capable of slowly channeling the earth's spiritual energy, but it mainly relies on us Martial Artists as energy transfer stations, converting our Qi and Blood and injecting it into it." Lin Jue pointed to the nearly shattered crystal, saying with lingering fear, "A moment later, and the energy would run out, and we would all... would be destroyed and killed."

Chen Fan's gaze lingered on the crystal for a moment before he lost interest.

Where are you staying?

He asked.

"This way."

Lin Jue quickly led the way, showing them the only rudimentary facilities in the area: a dozen or so stone houses that could barely withstand the wind and sand and gather a faint spiritual energy, a sweet water source purified by an array, and...

A black stone tablet stands beside a water source, exuding an ominous aura.

"This is the Annihilation Stele," Lin Jue explained solemnly. "It will accurately display the time until the next Origin Storm arrives."

Everyone looked in that direction.

On the smooth, mirror-like surface of the stone tablet, a line of numbers composed of crimson light was relentlessly pulsating.

[Countdown to Annihilation: 04:58:12]

"With Chen Fan here, a mere Origin Storm..."

Shen Xuan appeared quite calm, but before he could finish speaking, he saw Lin Jue gazing worriedly into the distance, muttering to himself, "Judging by the time, Senior Fellow Apprentice Xiao should be back soon... However, the place he went to hasn't been very peaceful lately."

He hadn't finished speaking.

"Buzz!!"

The Annihilation Stele beside them suddenly began to tremble violently without warning!

Immediately afterwards, an extremely dazzling crimson light shot up from the top of the stone tablet, dyeing the entire basin sky with an eerie crimson!

The piercing, alarming siren wailed, echoing through the sky!

"Oh no! The storm has come early?!"

One of the surviving Prodigies cried out in alarm.

"No!" Su Qingyue's icy blue eyes were fixed on the stone tablet, her voice cold and urgent, "This isn't a storm warning!"

As soon as Su Qingyue's cold voice fell, Lin Jue's face turned ashen.

"It's... it's a distress signal!" His face turned deathly pale instantly. "Senior Xiao is in trouble!"

Before anyone could ask, he began to explain incoherently, "This Annihilation Stele is connected to Senior Xiao's natal jade tablet in our Guardian Zone! Only when he... when he encounters an unbearable burden will he burn his Life Origin to trigger this distress signal!"

As he spoke, the flowing blood light on the surface of the black, Annihilation Stele began to converge, eventually coalescing into an incomplete path.

A faint, blood-red light flickered violently at the edge of the map, as if it would be extinguished completely at any moment.

At the end of the map, three ancient characters, exuding a strong sense of foreboding, were prominently displayed in ancient script.

Soul-Devouring Abyss.

"It's too late... Senior Xiao's life force is rapidly fading away!"

Lin Jue gritted his teeth, as if he had thought of something. He suddenly turned around, slammed his knees heavily on the hard ground, and knelt down in Chen Fan's direction.

Thump! Thump!

Behind them, the twenty-odd surviving Prodigies who had just struggled back from the brink of death also knelt down in unison.

"Chen Fan!" Lin Jue cried out with all his might, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground. "Please, save Senior Xiao! If he falls, none of us... will survive the next Origin Storm!"

A deathly silence.

Chen Fan looked at the countdown to Annihilation on the stone tablet, which showed less than five hours to go, and then glanced at the dark mass of people kneeling in front of him. His brows furrowed slightly.