Maniacal laughter rang throughout the rear mountain. The pale blue-green formation of light spun rapidly, and the ground beneath the entire Yin-Yang Heaven Sect began shaking violently. A terrifying spatial vortex swirled up at the formation's center.
The surrounding rocks and trees were shredded on contact. The suction grew stronger and stronger, and even Yun Che, standing at the vortex's edge, felt his legs beginning to sink.
"He's insane! That old bastard really has gone insane!"
Yun Che gritted his teeth and steadied himself, turning to shout at Yue Mingsha and Perfected Person Jingyun, who were still retreating.
"Run! Get as far away from this vortex as you can!"
Zhang Tianyang lay on the ground, watching Yun Che struggle against the suction. He laughed wildly, coughing up mouthful after mouthful of black blood.
"Die with me! All of you can join me in death! Hahahaha!"
The spatial vortex's suction grew ever stronger. Buildings across the Yin-Yang Heaven Sect began collapsing in swathes, and many disciples who had not managed to flee far enough were swept into the vortex, vanishing without even a scream.
Yun Che clutched the Immortal-Splitting Saber, driving all his immortal power to its limit. Yet he could clearly feel the ground beneath his feet beginning to collapse, and his body slid uncontrollably toward the vortex's center.
Just then, two figures suddenly lunged forward from behind, each grabbing one of his arms. Yue Mingsha's voice was urgent.
"If we leave, we leave together! We're not abandoning you!"
Yun Che was startled. "Master, the Unknown Land is incredibly dangerous. We'll barely stand a chance of surviving if we go in. Let go of me!"
"Enough! You came in alone to save us. How could we leave you behind and save ourselves?"
Perfected Person Jingyun tightened her grip on his