Not only was Zhao Tianyi shocked, but even Li Yuansheng in the formation below felt his breathing quicken and his heart pound like a drum.
He had heard that Zhang Yu and Xiang Yu had a past connection, and although he had some guesses, he only thought that they were old acquaintances or had some past grievances.
But at this moment, Longqie, the fierce general of the Chu Army who was infamous for his ruthlessness and could severely injure the Peak Heavenly Immortal Shadow Kill with a single spear, actually bowed to Zhang Yu with such respect.
Moreover, the way he addressed him as "Master" showed a genuine sense of awe and respect that came from the bottom of his heart—it was absolutely not fake!
It's not as simple as just being old.
Judging from Longqie and tone, he clearly regarded Zhang Yu as a superior who needed to be treated with respect.
It even... gave Li Yuansheng an absurd yet irresistible thought.
Could these fearsome demonic War Souls... have once been under Zhang Yu's command?
Or perhaps, they have a very deep, unknown subordinate relationship with Zhang Yu?
"The great undertaking... is accomplished!"
A tremendous wave of emotion surged within Li Yuansheng, and he was so excited that he almost trembled.
If this is true, then there is the hidden support of Xiang Yu's terrifying power behind the scenes, or at least a commitment to goodwill.
The Li Family... no, the foundation Zhang Yu is about to establish will have no more worries, and he can even use this power to swallow the world whole.
The other Li Family Members present were equally dumbfounded.
Immediately, an indescribable sense of glory and ecstasy welled up in his heart.
Have a look!
This is our new head of the family!
Even these fierce and ruthless demons who struck fear into the hearts of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty had to treat him with utmost respect.
With such a patriarch, how could the Li Family not prosper?
What is there to fear from a powerful enemy?
Unlike the Li Family's excitement, Zhao Tianyi on the city wall was ashen-faced and ice-cold.
Just who exactly is Zhang Yu?
Even Longqie had to bow his head... Forest Moon City is probably truly doomed today.
As for Zhang Yu himself, he felt little pride in the face of Longqie's unexpected gift; instead, he felt somewhat conflicted.
He turned slightly to the side and waved his hand, saying:
"General Long, there's no need for such formality. My meager skills are unworthy of such a grand gesture from you, and I am hardly worthy of being called a 'sir'."
He knew that Longqie's respect was most likely directed at the "Rebellious Dao Seed" within his body.
The remaining ten percent might be out of consideration for the small favor he showed them when he released them in the first place.
"You are too modest, sir."
Longqie shook his head slightly, his voice still strong, yet carrying an undeniable seriousness:
"The adult bears the 'Rebellious Dao Seed,' carrying the Fortune and hope of the Human Race."
All those of my Human Race bloodline who know of this Dao Seed should treat it with respect; this is their duty.
Moreover, you, sir, have shown us kindness by rescuing us from our predicament.
Rebellious Dao Seed?
Human Race's hope?
Li Yuansheng, standing to the side, was even more bewildered.
These two words were completely unfamiliar to him, yet they conveyed an indescribable sense of weight and sublimity.
He vaguely understood that Zhang Yu's identity was far more complex than simply being "a descendant of the Li Family" or "the mastermind behind the Soul Refining Sect."
This "Rebellious Dao Seed" seems to involve some deeper secret concerning the entire Human Race.
No wonder Longqie would act this way... Zhang Yu, what exactly is he carrying on his shoulders?
Lying paralyzed at the edge of the pit, barely breathing, Shadow Kill struggled to raise his head, his ashen face filled with bewilderment and horror.
He naturally recognized Zhang Yu as well.
Several months ago, when vying for the Heavenly Dao Incarnation, this person shone brightly, using the advantage of the Formation Cultivation fight against a powerful opponent with the help of the Early Heavenly Immortal cultivation, leaving a deep impression on him.
However, although Zhang Yu was exceptionally skilled, his strength and level were still considerable, and Shadow Kill did not consider him an insurmountable obstacle.
However, at this moment, Longqie's respect, that "My Lord," and the words "Rebellious Dao Seed" and "Hope of Human Race" exploded in his mind like thunder.
He had witnessed firsthand how arrogant and ferocious these War Souls of Longqie were.
Apart from Xiang Yu, they regarded almost no one else with respect and treated living beings as worthless.
What exactly is Zhang Yu, that makes Longqie treat him this way?
What exactly is this "Rebellious Dao Seed"?
Human Race's hope? What is there to talk about then?
Shadow Kill felt as if a thick fog enveloped him, and Zhang Yu's figure appeared incredibly mysterious and imposing in his eyes, even carrying a hint of awe that sent shivers down his spine.
He originally viewed Zhang Yu merely as a promising but ruthless figure in a chaotic world, someone who needed to be wary of.
But now it seems that what this person is hiding is probably far beyond his imagination.
Whether I live or die today may really depend on the whim of this "Lord Zhang".
Zhang Yu felt countless shocked, puzzled, and awe-inspiring gazes around him, and he smiled bitterly to himself.
The "halo" brought by this "Rebellious Dao Seed" is not always a good thing.
He composed himself and steered the conversation back to the present:
"General Long, this man..."
He pointed to the Shadow Kill in the pit, "He's somewhat useful to me. I wonder if the general would be so kind as to hand him over to me for disposal?"
Upon Longqie Qi glanced at the weakened Shadow Kill.
He glanced at Zhang Yu, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded decisively. "Since he is of use to you, sir, I will obey. This man is to be dealt with by you."
Having said that, he sheathed his spear and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhang Yu again. "This humble general still needs to lead the army to pursue the remnants of the Holy Dragon, and it is inconvenient for me to stay any longer."
Longqie said no more, turned around and led countless War Souls away.
The suffocating, terrifying Sha Qi gradually dissipated only after the Chu Army's banners had completely disappeared on the horizon.
Throughout Forest Moon City, both the defending troops and the Li Family's army below the city seemed to have just woken up from a long nightmare, panting heavily, with many even collapsing to the ground in exhaustion.
Zhao Tianyi's face turned deathly pale. Looking at the Red Dress figure still standing in the air, as if nothing had happened, the last thought of resistance in his heart vanished completely with the departure of the Chu Army.
Even Longqie treated him with utmost respect, and the Chu Army deliberately avoided his sharp edge... What right did Zhao Tianyi have to resist?
He slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them a moment later, and with all his might, shouted a hoarse cry down at the top of his lungs:
"Open the gates... surrender!"
"The entire Forest Moon City... is willing to surrender."
The voice was filled with endless bitterness, dejection, and... a hint of indescribable relief.
As Zhao Tianyi gave the order to surrender, the heavy "Iron Wall Dragon Soul Formation" Light Screen that had enveloped Forest Moon City slowly faded away, like ice and snow melting.
Behind them, towering city walls and countless ashen-faced, bewildered soldiers were revealed.
"We won! We won!"
"Long live the Lord! Long live the Li Family!"
"Without shedding blood, we subjugated Forest Moon City; our Lord is truly mighty."
Below, the Li Family army, already utterly stunned by what had just happened, erupted in thunderous cheers.
The sound waves surged like a tide, soaring straight into the sky.
Countless fervent, worshipful, and awe-inspiring gazes converged on the Red Dress standing with his hands behind his back in the sky.
In their view, Zhang Yu subdued this fortified city, which had a million soldiers and was guarded by Heavenly Immortal Peak, almost single-handedly and without shedding a drop of blood.
What incredible achievement and power this is!
With a patriarch like this, how could one not have a bright future?
Amidst the deafening cheers, Zhang Yu remained calm and did not immediately enter the city.
He then turned his gaze to the edge of the deep pit below, to the figure struggling to sit up, his aura weakened. – Shadow Kill.
"And you?"
Zhang Yu's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced through the cheers and reached Shadow Kill's ears, "What are your plans?"
Shadow Kill struggled to raise his head, his face covered in dust and blood, and looked at Zhang Yu in the air with a complicated expression.
He understood that the other party Longqie not saved him out of pity.
His greatest strengths lie in infiltration, assassination, intelligence gathering, and control of information networks—abilities that are extremely valuable to any force aspiring to rise in a chaotic world.
This is precisely what Zhang Yu valued.
He forced a bitter smile.
He was now critically injured and on the verge of death. The Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty, to which he had served, had collapsed, and the fierce Chu Army that had been pursuing him had just left.
The "Lord Zhang" before them, who commanded such respect from even Long Longqie, was clearly no ordinary person.
Did he have any other choice?
Reject?
He would probably become a real corpse in the next moment, or be thrown back to the Chu Army.
Surrender?
Although it's humiliating, at least... I might still survive.
Even if Zhang Yu is truly, as Longqie claims, someone who is "the hope of Human Race" and "bears the Rebellious Dao Seed," perhaps joining him wouldn't be a bad way out?
Thoughts raced through his mind, but reality left him little room for deliberation.
The instinct for survival, along with a sliver of curiosity and a faint hope about the power and background displayed by this mysterious young man, ultimately overwhelmed their former loyalty and pride.
Shadow Kill took a deep breath and said in a hoarse but clear voice:
"A defeated general, a stray dog, Shadow Kill... I surrender."
"I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse, even through fire and water, without hesitation!"
He knew that from this moment on, he was no longer the leader of the Sacred Dragon Divine Dynasty's secret guards, no longer the fearsome "Shadow Kill," but a hidden blade under the command of the young "Lord Zhang."
He didn't know what the future held.
But at least he survived, and chose a path that was perhaps... not so dark.
Zhang Yu looked at the kneeling Shadow Kill below and nodded slightly.
Winning him over would be more valuable than conquering ten Forest Moon City.
Intelligence and assassination systems are indispensable eyes and ears, and fangs, for the future Divine Dynasty.