The once bustling and chaotic Hanshan Temple had fallen silent. A cordon line had been set up at the entrance, with over a dozen police officers standing guard, but not entering the temple.
This was because they had received orders: dangerous martial artist criminals had infiltrated Hanshan Temple. They were to assist the Su City office of the Martial Department in dispersing the monks and tourists within the temple, and were not to engage in combat.
Instead, as per superior instructions, if martial artist criminals appeared, they were to ensure their own safety and then evacuate Hanshan Temple.
"Why haven't the Martial Department people arrived yet?"
"The tourists panicked earlier. Probably traffic jams on the way."
"I hope they come soon. Otherwise, we'll be in danger if the criminals show up."
...
Several police officers stood at the temple entrance, conversing in low tones, their words laced with anxiety and unease.
Although they were all equipped with firearms, they knew well that even with guns in hand, they would be useless against powerful martial artists. They wouldn't be able to hit them, and the martial artists could kill them with ease.
In fact, before formidable martial artists, they wouldn't even have a chance to draw their weapons! Great Wind Novel Network
"They're here!"
Suddenly, a police officer spotted the whistling figures and realized what was happening.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
In the next moment, all eyes were drawn forward, and they saw the approaching dark silhouettes.
Fifty staff members from the Su City office, led by Chen Yong, arrived at the entrance of Hanshan Temple under the gaze of the police officers.
They wore black soft armor, carried sabers in their hands, and each wore a stern expression, exuding a palpable killing intent.
Seeing this, the police officers were shocked, realizing that the martial artist criminals in Hanshan Temple must be very dangerous, otherwise the entire Su City office of the Martial Department wouldn't have been mobilized.
"Thank you for your cooperation. You've worked hard."
While the police officers were still in shock, Chen Yong flashed forward and appeared before the leading police officer, letting out a long sigh of relief.
He had urged the driver to speed throughout the journey, fearing they would be too late.
Now that the cooperating police officers were present, it proved that the extraterrestrial enemies had not yet truly descended.
"It's our duty, Director Chen. You're too kind." the leading police officer replied.
"The mission is urgent, so no pleasantries. You can return. We'll handle the rest!"
Chen Yong shook hands with the leading police officer and continued, "Also, the matter at Hanshan Temple might cause public opinion online. Please help us manage that afterward."
"Certainly, Director Chen."
The leading police officer immediately nodded, then breathed a sigh of relief and gave instructions to his subordinates, "Retreat!"
With his command, the dozen or so police officers withdrew.
"Let's go in!"
Chen Yong wasted no more words. He waved his hand, taking the lead, and stepped into Hanshan Temple.
Following him was a middle-aged man named Lu Feng, who possessed the strength of a nine-star martial artist and was the strongest individual in the Su City office.
The other forty-eight staff members of the Su City office of the Martial Department followed behind the two, the entire operation proceeding in an orderly fashion.
"The Martial Department is fully armed. It seems the situation is quite serious."
"Of course, they've mobilized everyone!"
"Sigh... In the past, when major incidents occurred, it was the soldiers who took the lead. Now it's martial artists. They are true heroes, worthy of our admiration!"
As the dozen or so police officers departed, they couldn't help but discuss amongst themselves as they watched Chen Yong and his team enter Hanshan Temple, their eyes filled with respect.
"Hiss..."
Soon, Chen Yong and his team stopped in the courtyard of Hanshan Temple. Their expressions drastically changed, and they gasped in shock.
For they clearly saw an almost transparent large screen in the temple courtyard, emitting energy fluctuations that made their hearts palpitate.
Five indistinct figures flickered in and out of view on the screen.
Chen Yong and his team could not discern the appearance of these five figures, nor could they sense their strength.
Although Chen Yong and the others knew before arriving that the monitoring results from the office's detectors would be accurate, seeing the legendary screen and the figures flickering behind it still instilled an uncontrollable sense of panic.
"Divide into groups!"
In the next moment, Chen Yong was the first to regain his composure and shouted the order.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...
Following Chen Yong's command, except for himself and Lu Feng, the nine-star martial artist, the other forty-eight subordinates instantly split into six groups, with eight people in each group.
Once the extraterrestrial enemies descended, they would fight as a unit.
Moreover, they would form battle arrays during combat. This array incorporated the true meaning of the Bagua formation, allowing for complementary offense and defense, consolidating the strength of eight individuals into one, making it extremely suitable for team battles.
As the forty-eight staff members of the Su City office of the Martial Department completed their grouping, the five figures behind the screen became clearer.
They wore jet-black helmets that covered nearly two-thirds of their faces, leaving only their eyes visible, which held fierce glares.
Their black armor exuded a dazzling sheen, and the long spears in their hands were extremely sharp.
They looked at Chen Yong and his team as if they were looking at corpses.
Shua!
Shua!
Shua!
...
Seeing the five individuals behind the screen, including Chen Yong and Lu Feng, everyone's expressions changed once more!
Because they could clearly sense the auras of the five extraterrestrial enemies. All of them were at the peak of the nine-star martial artist realm!
"Five... five nine-star martial artists..."
"It's... it's over. We're all going to die here!"
Two of the more timid staff members from the Su City office of the Martial Department spoke in terror.
Beside them, their companions, though silent, were also deathly pale, their bodies trembling uncontrollably!
This was the manifestation of their fear!
Hearing the words of his two subordinates, Chen Yong raised an eyebrow. He then turned back and saw the terror on his subordinates' faces. He said in a deep voice:
"Comrades, I know many of you are very afraid.
Because this is your first time fighting extraterrestrial enemies, and their strength far surpasses ours!
But we cannot retreat!
Because our most important duty and mission is to resist extraterrestrial enemies!
If we retreat, who will stop them?
No one can stop them!
If we retreat, death will await the people!
If the Martial Department retreats, the nation of Long will face annihilation!
Our children, parents, friends, and all our loved ones will die under the enemy's blade!
Comrades, do not fear. Fear is the most useless emotion; it offers us no help, but instead prevents us from unleashing our true combat power!
Do not worry about your loved ones. If we fall in battle, our last words will be delivered to our families, and the organization will take care of our families!
Fight, comrades, fight with your lives and blood, and strive to hold on until Minister Yan arrives with reinforcements!"
"We swear to defend to the death!!"
As Chen Yong's words fell, all forty-nine staff members of the Su City office of the Martial Department, including Lu Feng, raised their sabers and roared.
With their shouts, their faces were no longer filled with the previous terror, but replaced by intense killing intent!
With bloodshot eyes, they gripped their sabers, staring fixedly at the five extraterrestrial enemies, ready to engage in a life-and-death struggle at any moment!
Just then, a mocking voice rang out.
"I am very curious, where does this group of natives get the courage to fight us?!"
As the voice faded, the figures appeared.
The five extraterrestrial black-armored warriors, all at the ninth stage of the nine-star martial artist realm, walked out from the screen. They looked at Chen Yong and his team as if dragons were looking down on ants.
...