Standoff

Hidden firing + intimidation combat techniques.

This is almost the nemesis of Song Xianzong's current situation.

Upon seeing Zhang Xuezhou's finger touch the trigger, Song Xianzong's instincts, like those of a wild beast, swiftly kicked in.

"He's still alive!"

It was almost unbelievable to Song Xianzong that an armor-piercing bullet had failed to kill the enemy.

Looking at the bloodstains on Zhang Xuezhou's chest, he found it hard to imagine how the other party could still unleash a deterrent fighting technique after being shot and bleeding, and even be flying backwards at a rapid pace.

"Walk!"

After flying backwards for a few seconds, Zhang Xuezhou had rejoined the others.

He winced in pain and glanced at Song Xianzong, his grip on the rifle he held steady without wavering even slightly.

As he urged everyone to leave, Song Fengying quickly cut the ropes binding him.

"Don't run outside! My grandfather has set up rocket launchers and explosives in several other locations. Only this firing range won't be detonated because it stores a large amount of ammunition!"

As everyone was about to pass through the electronic door, Song Sijia, who was struggling on the ground, let out a faint sound.

"What?"

Zhang Xuezhou's body trembled.

"That's a method he used to target the high-level users of the other major Lineage. Only he has the controller, and only he knows where it's set up," Song Sijia gasped. "Unless he detonates the explosives outside, we can't escape from here!"

"So we're going to stay here?" Zhang Xuezhou asked, his face grim.

"Our alert has been sent out, and the Sequence Committee should be arriving soon. If you can wait here, you can at least avoid a wave of explosions that could appear out of nowhere!"

Song Sijia pressed her neck down tightly, her voice high-pitched and hoarse.

The brief encounter with Song Xianzong clearly caused severe damage to her throat, and the fear of facing death still lingered in her eyes.

Song Sijia was equally surprised that Song Xianzong was still conscious at this moment, which made her heart sink to the bottom, completely unaware of how the situation had developed to this point.

But if she wants to survive, she needs to stick close to the group in front of her, instead of leaning on her grandfather who has already killed many Lineage members.

Dragon Might Combat Technique was her trump card to restrain Song Xianzong, and Zhang Xuezhou, who was not far from her, possessed the same ability.

If they could coordinate well, they could almost completely control the aging Song Xianzong, and with seamless teamwork, they might even be able to kill him.

"Patriarch Song, can we please have some peace for a while?"

The foot that was about to step out of the electronic door was pulled back.

Zhang Xuezhou, carrying a rifle, slowly moved towards Song Sijia.

Facing the formidable Song Xianzong at the indoor shooting range and the potential for total annihilation in an explosion while escaping outdoors, Zhang Xuezhou ultimately chose to stay after much deliberation.

Song Sijia has no reason to lie about this matter, and verifying her statement will only require a short wait.

Zhang Xuezhou spoke in a low voice.

"I have no ill intentions towards you; I'm just trying to protect myself," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"I want to protect myself too!"

Nearly 100 meters away, Song Xianzong also responded in a low voice.

Zhang Xuezhou felt helpless, and Song Xianzong also felt bitter.

If he cannot survive, he has no reason to cling to this world, nor will he harbor any pity.

Seeing his once most beloved son raise a gun at him without hesitation and even direct the rocket launcher to take aim, Song Xianzong's many senses of order collapsed.

He disliked this way of dying and found it difficult to accept.

For Song Xianzong, his current thoughts are nothing more than the most basic survival instinct.

"I can't save you," Zhang Xuezhou said helplessly, "But can you let me go?"

"What do you think a person is thinking when they are drowning?" Song Xianzong asked in a low voice.

"Blank!"

"It may be a blank slate, but a drowning person will instinctively grasp at any possibility of survival, even if it means dragging rescuers and bystanders down with them!"

Song Xianzong's deep voice clearly revealed his current madness.

Even if Zhang Xuezhou was just passing by, he wouldn't mind dragging him down with him when he was at his wit's end.

From the moment Ziwen made his decision and then retaliated, there was no going back.

According to the rules of the Sequence Committee, someone with such chaotic consciousness as him would inevitably be eliminated.

But Song Xianzong did not want to die.

Even though he was mentally prepared and knew that he would eventually face this day, all his composure crumbled the moment he faced death.

"You can't kill us. My Dragon Might Combat Technique can temporarily control you, and his fighting technique can also control you for a short time. You..."

Song Sijia squeezed her throat as she stood up, making a low, high-pitched sound.

Her expression as she looked at Song Xianzong was complex, but the thought of survival also occupied Song Sijia's mind.

Song Xianzong was beyond saving in his old age and was no longer a pillar of support for the Song family. Song Sijia was also unlikely to side with Song Xianzong.

Song Xianzong's current situation is extremely dangerous. As the other party said, both the rescuers and the bystanders will die together. Even if Song Sijia stands with Song Xianzong, the possibility of her being killed is still extremely high.

Song Sijia would not entrust her life to such a possibility.

Her face was pale, but her eyes held a hint of fervor.

If it's inconvenient for you to speak right now, you don't have to!

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at Song Sijia helplessly.

He hoped to have a chat with Song Xianzong to buy some time, rather than resorting to threats and killings.

Winning this kind of fighting brings him no benefit, while losing means the complete annihilation of his entire family.

Even if there was a possibility of limiting Song Xianzong, Zhang Xuezhou was unwilling to take the risk.

He placed his left hand on his chest, and the faint glow of the Supreme Purity True Technique continuously shone, repairing the wound on his chest.

Zhang Xuezhou wanted to thank Song Bu'er for teaching him how to dodge gunfire. Although he didn't learn how to quickly dodge gunfire, at least Zhang Xuezhou was wearing a high-quality bulletproof vest.

This vest saved his life.

The "Stop the War" technique also had a possible effect; Song Xianzong's bullet penetrated his bulletproof vest and lodged in the sternum, but did not pierce his body.

However, Zhang Xuezhou's ability to retaliate was limited; even the rifle he was carrying was just for show.

If circumstances allow, he hopes everyone can stand and chat.

He could either wait for the Sequence Committee to arrive, or wait for the rocket launchers and bombs that Song Xianzong had set up to be detonated, and then he could find an opportunity to leave.

"I..."

After being criticized by Zhang Xuezhou, Song Sijia's face showed a slight anger and she was about to speak again, but when she saw Song Xianzong gradually standing up, she quickly suppressed her emotions of family ruin and death, and even tried to move closer to Zhang Xuezhou.

"You will all come with me!"

Song Xianzong spoke in a low voice, his eyes filled with a hint of death and a resolute determination.

It would be difficult for him to completely eliminate Zhang Xuezhou and the others, but a mutually destructive fighting style would ensure his survival until the end and also eliminate this potential threat from his side.

This is the confidence of a Sixth Sequence individual.

As he murmured, his black gloves rapidly transformed into a striped hat.

When Song Xianzong put the hat on his head, Song Sijia's body trembled involuntarily.

"That hat contains asbestos, which can offer some protection against intimidation-based combat techniques," Song Sijia whispered.

"They even have equipment? Isn't this just bullying poor people?!"

Zhang Xuezhou's heart tightened, and he quickly started another topic.

"I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I think you have a possible way to survive. Would you like to hear it?" Zhang Xuezhou asked quickly.

"Explain!"

Are you familiar with Professor Ren Yisheng's research on mental longevity?

"Ren Yisheng?"

"His research includes something called Mental Strengthening, which should allow your consciousness and body to age in sync, fundamentally solving your problem!"

Seeing Song Xianzong's unfriendly expression, Zhang Xuezhou spoke repeatedly.

"Ren Yisheng lives in the Academy District, Canglan Academy is far from here. I won't live to see that day," Song Xianzong said somberly. "You should all be on your way too..."

"I'm Professor Ren Yisheng's student. If you don't have enough time to go to him right now, it's the same if you come to me!"

Zhang Xuezhou pointed to himself and introduced himself with great solemnity.

"I, Zhang Xuezhou, am Professor Ren Yisheng's only student currently conducting research. It was Professor Ren who recommended that we come here to practice shooting," Zhang Xuezhou said solemnly.

I don't believe you!

"Then you should trust my marksmanship. I learned Professor Ren's Mental Strengthening, and after only two days of practice here, I've already gotten quite a bit of a feel for it. Mental Strengthening plays a part in that; that ability is extremely beneficial to our brain's learning capacity. But you should know that shooting practice is only an auxiliary function; prolonging mental clarity is the ultimate goal of Mental Strengthening."

Song Xianzong shook his head slightly, but when Zhang Xuezhou mentioned that he had practiced his marksmanship for two days, he did find a glimmer of hope in his otherwise hopeless state.

Zhang Xuezhou's marksmanship was somewhat raw, but his casual blind firing was something that would put even seasoned gun enthusiasts to shame.

If this ability comes from Ren Yisheng's research on Mental Strengthening, then he could certainly give it a try.

As long as he can maintain a relatively normal level of consciousness, regardless of what he has done in the past, he has a way to survive.