"Get back, all of you!"
With a furious shout, Yi Duling forcibly drove back the first few direct disciples who had rushed forward. One hand pressed against the Azure Heaven Sword Tower, while the other swept across, keeping all those children willing to throw their lives away outside the perimeter.
"It is not your turn."
Ling Bixia turned back and cursed as well, her voice already hoarse. "Cong Ming! Keep your people under control! Whoever takes one more step forward will be expelled from the Sword Palace!"
Fairy Cong Ming stood at the perimeter, her eyes rimmed red as she gritted her teeth and stopped her fellow disciples one by one.
She could stop the people, but not the hands reaching toward the Sword Tower.
No one dared move on Li Mingyang's side anymore.
The life force behind him was rapidly draining away, yet he stood perfectly straight, like a stake driven into the ground.
Mu Ci's hand still rested against the back of the Sword Tower. No expression could be seen on her cold, pale face, but her fingertips were trembling.
Yun Xuange's hair had already turned completely translucent.
He lowered his head and glanced at his hands. The Azure Heaven Sword Tower was still drawing the last traces of laws from within him, like a water pump that could never be filled.
He did not let go. He merely turned his head and looked toward Yu Ningsui, who stood beneath the steps.
His gaze toward Yu Ningsui clearly held farewell, as well as the calm acceptance of death. After all, once life force was poured into the Sword Tower, it would be exhausted.
But only for an instant. His gaze then shifted to Zichen and Mu Ci. "The Azure Heaven Sword Tower is the foundation of a life-bound