Chapter 1284: Broom Star

As the turtle shell completely closed, the cold current that had swept across the entire Nanhai Realm was isolated.

In just a few dozen seconds, the realm's temperature plummeted to over negative thirty degrees Celsius. Since the Nanhai Realm typically enjoys a warm climate year-round, its residents usually wear light clothing. This sudden drop in temperature nearly froze them to death in the streets.

Now, however, with the cold current unable to penetrate and the giant turtle itself beginning to fight, the temperature inside its body continuously rose. This caused the temperature throughout the Nanhai Realm to warm up, averting a tragedy similar to what happened in the Aurora Realm.

The Nanhai Monarch's decision to conceal the entire realm within the turtle shell was undoubtedly correct. In this enclosed space, everyone's survival rate significantly increased.

The residents of the Nanhai Realm didn't know what had happened; they were simply relieved that the cold current had vanished. Driven by fear, they scrambled to their feet and hurried home, for only home could provide them with a sufficient sense of security.

However, Chen Ling, atop the bell tower, looked exceptionally grim.

Chu Muyun had not sent a signal, which meant the Fusion Faction had failed to enter the Nanhai Realm before it sealed off.

They were stranded in the Forbidden Sea.

Chen Ling fully understood what it meant for the children of the Fusion Faction to be left in the Forbidden Sea under these circumstances. Even with Teacher Ye present, their chances of survival were virtually nonexistent.

Thump—!!

Chen Ling slammed his fist against the floor of the bell tower, his eyes bloodshot:

“Damn it…”

“It’s all because of me… it’s all because of me!!!”

If not for him, perhaps even if the war between humanity and the Calamities began, the Destructions might have ignored the Fusion Faction, who resided in the Mother Tree.

If not for him, the Fusion Faction wouldn't have been forced to leave their homes.

If not for him, Xiao Tao and Xiao Bai wouldn't have had to endure torture.

If not for him, perhaps the Fusion Faction could have sent someone else to infiltrate Nanhai, and there would have been a strong chance of successfully getting all the children inside.

Everything the Fusion Faction suffered was brought about by his own hands.

Chen Ling had only wanted to find a second home, a comfortable place where he could live peacefully. He had never imagined that he would bring such tragic suffering and utter ruin upon the Fusion Faction.

And yet… the children of the Fusion Faction had, from beginning to end, revered him as a hero.

A hero…

How utterly ridiculous.

Chen Ling felt like a jinx, bringing disaster to everyone around him wherever he went. His four senior brothers from the Ancient Treasury of Theatrical Arts kindly went to the Limitless Realm to rescue him, only to almost be killed by his own hands. Han Meng, upholding justice, wanted to help him clear his name but ended up imprisoned. He had stayed with the Fusion Faction for half a year, only for them to suffer ruin and death because of him.

Thump—thump—thump…

Chen Ling’s fists repeatedly pounded the ground beneath him, his face contorted in agony.

He dared not vent his anger fully, fearing a single punch might collapse the entire bell tower. He didn't even dare to let out a few cries of pain, as his voice might, in the next moment, attract the Pu family lurking in the shadows.

Those Nanhai Realm officers were right: he was nothing but a rat crossing the street, with a terrifying reputation as a Destruction but none of the corresponding power. He could use that reputation to manipulate the entire realm, but when true disaster struck, his intimidating facade was nothing more than a ridiculous toy.

Too weak… In the end, he was simply too weak!

“Found him!!!”

A thunderous roar exploded above Chen Ling!

Chen Ling snapped his head up, seeing figures from the Pu family rushing in from all directions. Their Shushendao aura converged like a beehive, and the surging air currents made Chen Ling's clothes flap wildly.

Seventh Tier, Seventh Tier, Seventh Tier, Seventh Tier…

Chen Ling's Shushendao was still at the Fifth Tier, and his Calamity-transformed combat power could suppress a Sixth Tier. However, against so many Seventh-Tier Shushendao practitioners, his aura was still far too insignificant.

Especially when the Eighth-Tier aura of the Pu family head pressed down, the entire sky seemed to change color. Surrounded by the Pu family members, the grand red theatrical robe atop the bell tower was like a red fish trapped in a vast net; there was no escape in any direction.

“We finally found you…” the Pu family head said calmly, looking at Chen Ling, who was trapped in the bell tower. “Chen Ling, today… you won’t escape.”

Chen Ling's gaze swept over the numerous Pu family members. He took a deep breath, and after a moment, slowly stood up, having composed himself.

He spoke hoarsely:

“The Forbidden Sea has already attacked, and you’re mustering such a large force to capture me instead of dealing with those Calamities?”

“Indeed, there’s an Abomination pressing in from outside, but isn’t there also you, a Scorn, inside?” the family head calmly replied. “A Scorn hiding within the realm is far more threatening than the Abomination outside.”

Chen Ling smiled.

From the perspective of the Nanhai Realm, the Pu family head’s judgment was indeed quite accurate.

“You think so few of you can contend with a Scorn?” Chen Ling’s smile slowly faded.

Seeing this, several of the older Pu family members felt a tremor in their hearts and instinctively wanted to retreat. They knew that the person before them was no longer a mere “bait” but a genuine Scorn. As Seventh-Tier practitioners, it was impossible for them not to feel fear.

“You can’t just unleash the power of a Scorn at will, can you?” The family head’s gaze was fixed on Chen Ling.

“If you were truly that powerful, you should have directly punched through the turtle shell from the inside when the Abomination attacked the Nanhai Realm, coordinating with it from within… That way, the Nanhai Realm would have been half-destroyed, and we wouldn’t have been able to surround you.”

Hearing this, Chen Ling knew that his attempt to use fear to deter them wouldn't work. The Pu family head was remarkably clear-headed, truly worthy of leading Nanhai’s foremost aristocratic family.

All escape routes were sealed. Chen Ling could only turn his attention to the last remaining hope: Audience Anticipation.

Since he couldn't break free with strategy, his only remaining hope was to unleash the Scorn.

With his current 65 Anticipation value, dying would allow him to release a small portion of the Scorn. Although a Stage 15 Scorn would be no match for an Eighth-Tier opponent, under the pressure of a powerful foe, Audience Anticipation would continuously decrease, and the released Scorn would grow stronger.

Eleven was a critical threshold; if it dropped below this value, Chen Ling would never be able to regain control of his body. However, the Scorn released at 11 would be equivalent to a Seventh-Tier level… If his goal was simply to escape the Pu family's pursuit, there was still a good chance.

Chen Ling quickly made his decision. Just as he was about to commit suicide to unleash the Scorn, a voice came from behind him:

“The esteemed foremost aristocratic family of Shushendao, bullying a junior like this… Aren’t you ashamed?”

Chen Ling froze, then sharply turned his head to look.

A figure wearing a white baseball cap was casually squatting on the bell tower window, the hem of his clothes gently swaying in the breeze. A slight smile played on his lips.