Tragic resolve! For the children

Opposite Li Yuan, two middle-aged men stood side by side at the very front.

The head of the Lin Household, Lin Tian!

The head of the Su Household, Su Zhiyuan!

Both wore utterly grave expressions.

"Brother Su, let's strike together! We can't let him gather any more power!"

Lin Tian watched Li Yuan condensing Sword Qi, his expression darkening slightly as he spoke.

He, too, had only received word a few dozen minutes ago that, for some unknown reason, Li Yuan had actually broken through to the Golden Core Stage!

Originally, Lin Tian and Li Yuan had been nearly equal in cultivation, both at peak Foundation Establishment.

Lin Tian knew better than anyone that although peak Foundation Establishment and golden core first stage seemed only one level apart, the actual difference was that between heaven and earth!

Both Lin Tian and Li Yuan had been stuck at peak Foundation Establishment for many years.

Even now, Lin Tian had not so much as brushed the threshold of the Golden Core Stage.

No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand how Li Yuan had suddenly reached the Golden Core Stage.

Although he was only at golden core realm first stage.

That was already enough to crush everyone present!

"All right!" Su Zhiyuan's expression was equally somber as still water. He circulated his cultivation method, and his presence surged.

The Lin Household and the Su Household had been friends for generations.

That morning, the two households had been holding a gathering when Lin Tian suddenly received word that Li Yuan had actually broken through to the Golden Core Stage!

Although both Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan had found it somewhat hard to believe at the time.

The matter was far too important.

To be cautious, the two had still arranged for most of their lineages' able fighters to evacuate first.

Lin Yu.

And the Su Household's eldest daughter, Su Ying.

Both had been forcibly sent away by Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan!

As long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood!

They could die.

But their lineages' bloodlines had to survive!

Now, however, Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan had no choice but to believe that Li Yuan really had broken through the barrier of Foundation Establishment and entered another realm!

"Let's strike together too! Interrupt him!"

At that moment, several more powerful presences actually shot skyward from behind Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan!

"We swear to defend our lineage to the death!"

"We swear to defend our lineage to the death!"

"..."

Several aged voices rang out in succession.

Hearing those voices, everyone on the Lin Household's side rallied!

"They're the Lin Household's elders! They've joined the fight too!"

"Who would have thought the Lin Household really had such deep reserves!"

"The rumors were actually true!"

The onlookers all cried out in astonishment.

The Lin Household really had several powerful elders hidden away!

At that moment, several people concealed among the crowd secretly wiped away cold sweat.

Fortunately, they had never let a moment of envy drive them to provoke the Lin Household.

With reserves like these, had they rashly attacked back then, not even their ashes would likely have remained.

"But judging by their presence, these people should only be at the Foundation Establishment Realm too."

"Yes. Even with their numbers, I'm afraid they're still no match for Li Yuan..."

A Foundation Establishment cultivator in the crowd shook his head as he spoke.

The difference between the Foundation Establishment Realm and the Golden Core Stage was no different from that between a firefly and the bright moon!

"Hmph. You overestimate yourselves."

Seeing everyone on the Lin Household's side attack, Li Yuan's expression did not change in the slightest. A mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Today, I'll let you witness the true strength of a golden core expert..."

He had gone so far as to make a deal with the Yin Mystic Sect and force his breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage, all for this moment!

"Break!"

As the Lin Household's attacks closed in on Li Yuan, the sword in his hand finally slashed forward!

The next second, everyone from the Lin Household who had launched that fierce assault instantly spewed blood and was sent flying backward!

Six whole Foundation Establishment experts.

Yet they had failed to withstand even a single move from Li Yuan!

"Is this the true strength of a Golden Core Stage expert?"

"How terrifying. The Lin Household and the Su Household are completely finished today!"

"Yes. It looks like Flame City will belong entirely to the Li Household from now on..."

Someone in the crowd sighed.

Who would have thought the defeat of the Lin Household and the Su Household would be so utterly decisive!

"Li Yuan, what exactly do you want!"

Dozens of meters away, Lin Tian struggled to his feet, only to cough up another mouthful of blood, his presence feeble.

"Heh heh, nothing much."

Li Yuan laughed sinisterly, watching everyone from the Lin Household with the teasing air of a cat toying with mice.

"I simply want your Lin Household and the Su Household to cease existing in this world after today."

At his words, both Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan trembled.

Naturally, they had long since prepared themselves to die in battle.

But they had never imagined Li Yuan would be vicious enough to wipe out both households entirely!

"Brother Lin..."

Su Zhiyuan and Lin Tian exchanged a look.

Each saw the resolve in the other's eyes.

If they did not rob Li Yuan of his ability to fight here.

Then everyone in the Lin Household and the Su Household really might be slaughtered by Li Yuan!

"For the children."

"For the children!"

The two spoke in unison, resolute.

The very next instant.

Two terrifying presences erupted from Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan!

"What's going on?" Sensing those two powerful presences, all the onlookers were startled.

"They're trying to burn their souls!"

"Burn their souls? That will leave permanent aftereffects!"

"They could even die outright!"

Everyone was utterly shocked. Burning their souls-no one had expected Lin Tian and Su Zhiyuan to go this far!

At the same time, several more immensely powerful presences erupted!

The Lin Household's elders had actually begun burning their souls as well!

Every cultivator on the Lin Household's side who remained at the scene also drove their presence to its utmost limit!

They were truly staking their lives on this battle!

For the younger generation of their lineage!

Even if it only bought them a little time to escape!

Even at the cost of their lives, they would hold Li Yuan here!

Seeing what the Lin Household's people were doing, Li Yuan finally showed a measure of gravity in his eyes. He shot forward and leaped into the air, black Qi surging in his palm.

The target of his attack was none other than Lin Tian, who was burning his soul!

"So fast!"

A trace of horror appeared in Lin Tian's eyes.

Even while burning his soul, he was still slower than Li Yuan.

With no time left to dodge, Li Yuan's palm strike was about to hit him!

Cruelty appeared in Li Yuan's eyes. This palm strike should render Lin Tian completely unable to fight!

Yet, the next second.

The palm strike did not hit Lin Tian.

Li Yuan's body suddenly froze in midair, unable to move!

To his utter terror, he discovered that he had completely lost contact with all the power within him!

At that moment, Li Yuan was like a lamb awaiting slaughter!

At the same time.

Everyone on the Lin Household's side felt a refreshing coolness seep into their hearts.

They discovered that their fiercely burning souls had actually calmed in an instant!

Everyone's spirits lifted!

And now, beneath everyone's shocked gazes.

A young, slender figure slowly emerged from the void.

"The Lin Household and the Su Household are not for mongrels like you to lay your filthy paws on..."

An indifferent voice rang out between heaven and earth.