She said no more. Turning around, she faced the towering, solemn Temple of Light, Verdict Temple, Heavenly Oracle Temple, and the highest temple of all.
She raised the sword in her hand.
It was not a standard-issue divine sword of Xiling, but an ordinary-looking longsword with a red carp swimming along its blade.
"Xiling Divine Palace."
Her voice was not loud, yet it was like a cold boulder crashing into everyone's hearts.
"Today, it shall be erased from existence."
Almost at the same moment, beyond Green Gorge.
The remaining five hundred thousand Xiling protector cavalry formed a vast battle formation, like a golden ocean radiating grim divine light.
Yet before them stood only a dozen or so people.
Led by Li Manman, nearly all the disciples of the Academy's Second Floor were present.
Some sat, some stood, each in a different posture. Some were refined and gentle, some lively and uninhibited, some cold as frost, yet without exception, all radiated an aura that made hearts tremble.
Before the army, several Xiling temple knight commanders wore grave expressions. They could feel the pressure emanating from that seemingly flimsy line of defense, as though heaven and earth were collapsing upon them.
"Academy, are you truly going to defy heaven?" A temple priest boomed, trying to overwhelm them with his presence.
Li Manman slowly took a step forward. His movements were as slow as ever, yet everyone's gaze was drawn to him.
He smiled gently and said in a mild tone, "Heaven? You do not represent heaven. What the Academy protects is the human world, not a cage.
"All the Academy seeks is for the human world to be as it ought to be."
"Arrogant! Form up! Charge!" the temple priest roared repeatedly.
The golden flood began to surge. The earth trembled, and