Ye Fan watched the many powerful experts close in around them, and his expression instantly darkened.
"Everyone!"
Ye Fan stepped half a pace forward, pressed a finger against Ling Tian's neck behind his back, and shouted at the crowd, "Take another step closer, and don't blame me for resorting to desperate measures!"
A bearded elder from the Heavenly Wolf Sect raised the broad saber engraved with a wolf's head in his hand and viciously replied, "Have you truly made up your minds to protect this boy? Have you thought it through?"
Another old man at the side chimed in, "You are all still young. This strength of yours did not come easily. Do not stray onto the wrong path and bury yourselves here for nothing."
After some hesitation, Sky Shuttle also added, "Have him hand over the Blood Butcher Three Sabers, and today, we will allow you to leave alive."
The elders of the Five Emperors Sect, Nine Ring Sect, and Ancient Moon Sect all frowned upon hearing this. Clearly, they were unwilling to let Lu Feng, with whom they bore grudges, off so easily. Yet hearing Sky Shuttle emphasize the word "today," and considering the Blood Butcher Three Sabers more important, they all gave him this courtesy. Not one spoke in objection.
The standoff continued.
"Let them go!" Ling Tian suddenly spoke. His low voice carried a hoarse, savage ferocity as he pressed another small stone shard in his hand against his own throat.
A streak of crimson blood immediately trickled down.
He had clearly already prepared to die. While he could still maintain his final sliver of clarity, he wanted to protect Lu Feng and the others as best he could and see them leave safely.
This sudden development stunned everyone present.
Even Ye Fan's restraining fingers could