As Zhu Que retreated, Shen Yaying led the way, her Yu Hua Sword held with an unparalleled aura.
"Quickly invite the Patriarch!"
Zhu Que exclaimed, "We absolutely cannot let them leave, otherwise the Patriarch will surely blame us!"
The numerous men nodded, not daring to slack off in the slightest. They knew very well that if Shen Yaying left, the Patriarch would hold them accountable, and those guarding the divine sword would also be punished.
"There's no need to invite him!"
A faint voice sounded, and Shen Batian strode forward, accompanied by several elders radiating powerful auras.
"Dad!"
Shen Yaying was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected Shen Batian to arrive so quickly.
"You foolish girl, how could you do such a thing!"
The Shen family patriarch exclaimed, "Don't you know? Drawing the Yu Hua Sword will bring disaster to the Shen Clan, even causing unforeseen calamities."
"This cannot be avoided!"
Shen Yaying stated directly, "If we cannot do this, how are we worthy of being called an ancient clan!"
"Hand over the Yu Hua Sword to me, and I will reseal it. Otherwise, it will incur the displeasure of the Phantom Hall, and the entire Shen Clan will be in peril!" Shen Batian urged.
"Is the Shen Patriarch so afraid of the Phantom Hall?"
Lu Fan frowned, "In ancient times, the Phantom Hall was suppressed by the Five Great Ancient Clans. It should be they who fear us. Why must the Shen Patriarch be so?"
"You don't understand! We don't understand at all!"
Shen Batian shook his head, "Now, the Phantom Hall Master is about to complete his cultivation. Even if the Shen Clan acts, it will be useless!"
"Even if it means mutual destruction, the Shen Clan will never retreat!"
Shen Yaying declared, "Otherwise, wouldn't we be losing the integrity of our Shen Clan? If that were the case, how could we face our ancestors!"
"You are a good child, but you must understand that some things are not as simple as they seem!"
Shen Batian spoke, "Listen to your father and give me the Yu Hua Sword. As for your friends, I will never harm them!"
"Absolutely not!"
Shen Yaying shook her head. Having finally broken the seal of the Yu Hua Sword, how could she easily hand it over? Moreover, this matter was of great importance, and she would not back down even an inch.
"If that is the case, then do not blame me for being heartless!"
Shen Batian's expression turned cold, and he grabbed Lin Ke.
Just as Lu Fan was about to make a move, Shen Batian sneered, "Don't you dare act rashly. With just a little force, he will die a tragic death!"
"To think that the dignified Shen family patriarch would do such a thing, isn't it laughable!"
Lu Fan said coldly, "If you release Xiao Ke, I might still respect you a little."
"It's not important, none of this is important!"
Shen Batian shook his head and looked at Shen Yaying, "If you don't hand over the Yu Hua Sword, I will eliminate him. Isn't he your friend? Are you truly willing to watch him die before your eyes?"
"Dad, what is happening to you?"
Shen Yaying's eyes welled up with tears, "Why are you doing this? What unspeakable difficulties do you have?"
Shen Batian showed a look of helplessness, "Times have changed. We are no longer the Five Great Ancient Clans we once were. Listen to your father's advice. As long as the Shen family does not get involved in this, the Phantom Hall will surely spare our lives!"
"And what good would that do?"
Shen Yaying gave a bitter smile and placed the Yu Hua Sword at her throat, "Dad, if you insist on this, I can only accompany you in death!"
"Xiao Yin!"
Shen Batian's face changed dramatically. He had never imagined that Shen Yaying would act this way, catching him completely off guard.
"We implore the Patriarch to reconsider!"
The Shen clan elders cupped their fists, "Our Shen Clan's ancestral teachings dictate that the Five Great Ancient Clans are as one, united against the Phantom Hall. Now, with the young lady acting like this, it is a blessing to our Shen Clan. We implore the Patriarch to order us to fight the Phantom Hall together!"
"We implore the Patriarch to order us to fight the Phantom Hall together!"
The voices of everyone in the Shen family echoed, their eyes filled with solemnity.
As members of the Shen family, they possessed an innate sense of responsibility and were unwilling to live in disgrace, especially at this critical juncture.
Seeing the Shen family kneeling, Shen Batian stood frozen, unsure of what to say. He had never imagined that the Shen family would possess such fortitude.
"Good, very good!"
The Shen family patriarch nodded, "You are indeed descendants of my Shen family, and you do not fear death!"
He slowly released Lin Ke, and Shen Batian spoke, "Since you all are prepared to die, I, as the head of the Shen family, how can I stand idly by and be a coward who clings to life?"
"This is my father!"
Shen Yaying beamed with a smile. She knew that Shen Batian had agreed, that he would confront the Phantom Hall and would not shirk his responsibilities.
"To deal with the Phantom Hall, the power of the Five Swords must be gathered!"
Shen Batian stated, "Unfortunately, with your current strength, it is still too weak!"
"We are already Semi-Saints. Coupled with the combined power of the Five Swords, we can surely heavily wound the Hall Master!"
Long Yi spoke, "Why must the Shen Patriarch worry?"
Shen Batian shook his head, "You are too naive. The most formidable being within the Phantom Hall is the Hall Master. Even if the patriarchs of the Five Great Ancient Clans were alive, they would not be his match if they joined forces!"
The hearts of everyone present were shaken. The patriarchs of the ancient clans possessed immense cultivation. If the combined might of five of them was insufficient, to what level had the Phantom Hall Master reached?
"This is also why I tried to stop you!"
Shen Batian stated frankly, "According to normal calculations, we are destined to lose. This is why my Shen family was unwilling to join."
"Meaning, no matter what, we will lose?"
Lu Fan frowned. He could discern Shen Batian's underlying meaning.
"In ancient times, the patriarchs of the Five Great Ancient Clans personally controlled the divine swords to barely suppress the Phantom Hall Master!"
Shen Batian chuckled lightly, "Now, the Phantom Hall Master is about to break through the seal and cultivate to a higher realm. Our strength is simply not enough!"
"Even if we fight to the death, I have no regrets!"
Shen Yaying's expression was cold, "The Shen Clan must not be a coward. At this moment of life and death, we cannot betray the other four clans for self-preservation!"
"Even if we fight to the death, our sacrifices will not be in vain!"
Many experts of the Shen clan spoke, their righteous indignation fueled. At this point, none of them had ever considered retreating.
"Since you have made your choice, as the head of the Shen family, I am proud of you!"
Shen Batian's aura surged instantly, "No matter what storm lies ahead, we will face it together!"
The Shen clan members were instantly filled with passion. They could feel that the Shen Batian of the past had returned. The Shen Batian before them was no longer the one burdened by many considerations, but the one who would battle heaven and earth.
As they were conversing, a man rushed in with a report, "Reporting to the Patriarch, Meng Po of the Phantom Hall is making a scene outside, demanding to be let into the Shen Clan!"
"Hmph! They certainly have a lot of nerve!"