I Want to Break My Contract With Him
With her hands and feet bound by heavy chains, Jiang Zhuoxue was escorted step by step to the front of the crowd by several disciples, who then pushed and shoved her toward the high Dragon-Slaying Platform.
The white veil before him was still so clean, and his clothes had only a few wrinkles. If it weren't for the two chains binding him, one might have to wonder whether he was a captured evil dragon or a fallen nobleman from some Aristocratic Clan.
The Limitless Sect members always remembered Jiang Zhuoxue's identity as a vicious dragon. After sending him to the Dragon-Slaying Platform, they immediately tied the iron chains binding his limbs to the four corners of the platform, leaving him standing under the hanging blades with no way to escape.
All the crowd had to do was hear Sect Master Wu shout, and they would see the blade fall, cleaving the evil dragon in two.
Those below were deeply moved by the sight. In particular, the young man from Peach Blossom Village, who had been arranged by Sect Master Wu to witness the execution, had already burst into tears the moment Jiang Zhuoxue appeared.
"Sect Master Wu really has a way with things, managing to make the evil dragon obediently surrender." A cultivator sitting next to Sect Master Wu flattered him, his eyes filled with greed for Jiang Zhuoxue.
However, some people raised objections. "Although it is beneficial to our reputation for Sect Master Wu to kill him so openly at the Dragon-Slaying Platform, wouldn't we lose the dragon's blood in the process?"
They hadn't forgotten that dragon blood was also a rare and valuable item.
Was Xuan Lin, who was beside Sect Master Wu, transformed into a dragon simply because he swallowed a few drops of dragon blood?
"There's no need for you to worry," Sect Master Wu explained, having anticipated their question. "I've tampered with the Dragon-Slaying Platform. The dragon's blood will all flow into the vessel below; not a single drop will be wasted."
The group relaxed, sitting upright in their chairs, looking like righteous people judging evildoers, but no one could see the stench beneath their facades.
Seeing that Jiang Zhuoxue had been locked up, the disciples of the Limitless Sect obediently withdrew.
The Dragon-Slaying Platform seemed about to begin operation, and Ji Fucang and the others below could no longer sit still.
"Let's proceed as planned today. Sang Ying will go up to rescue the people, while the rest of us cause trouble. We must get close to Sang Ying in time and then activate the Teleportation Array to leave this place," Ji Fucang whispered to his companions.
After listening, Jimo Qing added, "Even if we ultimately fail to save Jiang Zhuoxue, or if we fail to complete our respective missions, we cannot linger. We must get to Sang Ying's side as soon as she gives her hint. For everyone's safety, we will not wait for anyone. If you don't come over in time, you might be left here."
These words sounded rather cold, but everyone could understand them.
Now that Sect Master Wu powerful, this is their only chance to escape. They only dared to kidnap people because the Teleportation Array is lost and unknown to others.
If we fail today, the Teleportation Array will surely alert Sect Master Wu and the others. Then it will be even more difficult for them to use it for anything.
"Senior brothers, and the two senior brothers from Jimo, don't worry, we know what's important and will definitely not cause you any trouble," Lan Fusheng on behalf of Bai Kejin and Dong Fuzhu.
They were the least skilled among the group and were assigned the easiest tasks. Knowing their own limitations, they dared not try to be heroes at this time.
Dong Fuzhu assured them, "When my senior sister gives the signal, I will be the first one to rush to her side!"
Seeing her innocent and adorable appearance slightly dispelled the heaviness in everyone's hearts.
"What happened today is something Jiang Zhuoxue and I owe you all. From now on, if you ever do anything that does not violate the Heavenly Dao or harm the interests of all living beings, I will go through fire and water for you!"
"What are you saying!" Jimo Xuan rubbed his sister's head. He hadn't forgotten the little girl he saw when he returned to Rizhao City, lying on the bed covered in wounds, having protected the Jimo Household.
She probably didn't know that because of her, countless lives in the entire Jimo Household and Rizhao City were saved.
Based on this alone, Jimo Qing and Jimo Xuan would not abandon her at this time.
Besides the two brothers from the Jimo Household, Ji Fucang and Bai Kejin also quickly expressed their willingness to help. They weren't doing this out of a desire for anything in return from their senior sister!
Sang Ying naturally knew their feelings, but how could she pretend not to see such profound affection?
The banter quickly subsided, and the powerful figures on the platform finally couldn't hold back any longer and were about to slay the dragon!
Urged on by them, Sect Master Wu stood up with great spirit and addressed the dense crowd before him. "Gentlemen, today my Limitless Sect is honored to have you all participate in this grand event. The evil dragon before us has wreaked havoc on the Black Tortoise Realm, slaughtering Hundred Commander families in Peach Blossom Village. Although the Limitless Sect is not the number one sect in the Black Tortoise Realm, we are willing to seek justice for the innocent mortals!"
A cheer and applause immediately erupted within the Limitless Sect.
Sect Master Wu listened smugly for a while before waving his hand to silence them. "Without further ado, I will slay this evil dragon in front of everyone!"
"On my command, release..."
"Wait!"
A voice interrupted Sect Master Wu's unfinished words. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a female cultivator walking step by step in front of them.
Sect Master Wu frowned almost the moment he saw her. He adjusted his expression and glanced sideways at the person who had caused him so much trouble.
"It's you, Fellow Daoist Sang Ying. What, are you reluctant to part with your contracted dragon again?" His tone was full of sarcasm.
Almost as soon as Sect Master Wu uttered these words, whispers arose from below. People were astonished that this evil dragon was the female cultivator's contracted beast, and also worried that the female cultivator's sudden appearance was to cause trouble.
Although they didn't know the dragon's origins, they knew that they would benefit from its death. No one could take away what was rightfully theirs!
Having figured these things out, the group of invited cultivators couldn't help but glare angrily at Sang Ying.
"Sect Master Wu, you misunderstand. It's not that I'm reluctant to part with this evil dragon! He has killed so many innocent people. As a righteous cultivator, how could I tolerate him?" Sang Ying immediately positioned herself as a "righteous cultivator."
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, the expressions of the people below improved considerably.
Taking the opportunity, Sang Ying continued, "I stepped forward this time only to break the contract with this evil dragon. How could such a vicious creature be worthy of being my contracted beast?"
These words, which seemed to suggest a change of heart from darkness to light, immediately moved the cultivators present.
Seeing this, the others sitting next to Sect Master Wu smiled and advised, "Anyway, it's still early. That evil dragon clearly can't escape. Why not let this female cultivator settle this matter with him?"
If they could truly persuade this female cultivator to give up her Dragon Race contract beast, wouldn't that make them seem even more righteous and justified?
Sect Master Wu narrowed his eyes, seemingly trying to see through what Sang Ying was thinking.
After a moment of silence, he answered under the expectant gazes of the crowd, "Alright, young friend, since you have such a heart to abandon darkness and embrace the light, we naturally have no reason to refuse. Go now!"
He raised his chin, and the disciples guarding the Dragon-Slaying Platform immediately made way for Sang Ying.