Though it was an exchange of hostages, Mandarava was a traitor to the Tian Can Tower, and Tian Can hated him to the bone.
He had long prepared to kill Fei Yan, wanting to make Mandarava suffer a lifetime of pain.
Thus, the moment the arrow flew out, Tian Can had already rushed towards Duan Dao.
It was simple, if Po Xiao discovered his move, he would immediately target Duan Dao. His task was to protect Duan Dao's safety.
"Old man, I knew you'd pull this trick!"
Ye Cang Tian sneered, his figure flashing, and with a flick of his hand, a silver light shot out, aiming directly for Duan Dao's back.
He had witnessed countless hostage exchanges, many of whom had assassinated hostages when they were careless.
Therefore, Ye Cang Tian had long been prepared.
Fei Yan and Duan Dao, feeling the attacks from both sides, instantly turned pale.
One was seriously injured and couldn't dodge, while the other's spiritual energy was sealed, making evasion impossible.
If Ye Cang Tian and Tian Can couldn't intercept in time, both of them were destined to meet their demise.
Clang! Clang!
The next moment, with two crisp sounds, Fei Yan and Duan Dao breathed a sigh of relief.
The arrow and dagger were deflected by Ye Cang Tian and Tian Can before they could hit their targets.
This was not the end. Ye Cang Tian and Tian Can turned around, blocking Fei Yan and Duan Dao's backs, and simultaneously unleashed a punch.
Boom!
Fist met fist, and the rampant spiritual energy exploded. Tian Can and Ye Cang Tian were both forced back several steps before they could stop themselves.
"Old man, are you trying to die?"
A chilling voice echoed, and the surrounding temperature seemed to drop several degrees, making everyone shiver.
Tian Can's sneak attack on Fei Yan had enraged Ye Cang Tian, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent.
"Hmph!"
"Po Xiao, don't speak to me in that tone!"
Tian Can cast a cold glance at Ye Cang Tian. While their recent clash of fists appeared even, he had actually suffered a slight disadvantage.
His qi and blood were somewhat turbulent, which made him even more wary of Po Xiao's strength.
It was merely wariness, however. After all, his side was comprised of the elites of the Tian Can Tower. If a real battle ensued, it was still uncertain who would win.
"Old fellow, are you intending to keep all three of us here today?"
Ye Cang Tian looked at him grimly, and Mandarava and Fei Yan beside him also became vigilant.
If a fight broke out, Po Xiao might be able to break through with his Earth-level strength, but the two sisters would likely perish here.
Fei Yan was already in no condition to fight, her spiritual energy not yet recovered.
As for Mandarava herself, her cultivation was stuck at the peak of the Profound level.
Although she was more powerful than the so-called elite fighters of the Tian Can Tower, their sheer numbers made her no match.
Moreover, if Ye Cang Tian managed to break through, Tian Can would surely turn back to deal with them, leaving her and Fei Yan with no choice but death.
"That's right, I intend to keep you here!"
Tian Can said grimly, glancing at Ye Cang Tian.
Now that the Dark Association's headquarters had likely learned that the Tian Can Tower was a force established by the Shinobi division, it would undoubtedly draw a full-scale attack from the Dark Association.
Since things had reached this point, he had nothing to hold back and would directly eliminate Po Xiao.
Firstly, killing Po Xiao would reduce the Dark Association's numbers, showcase his strength, and deter the Dark Association from acting rashly.
Secondly, even if they couldn't prevent the Dark Association's attack and the Tian Can Tower was destroyed, at least Po Xiao would be a scapegoat!
Lastly, if Po Xiao was killed, he would have ample time to consider whether the Tian Can Tower should leave this place and lie low for a while.
Otherwise, even if he wanted to leave, Po Xiao likely wouldn't permit it.
Considering all this, Tian Can resolutely decided to eliminate Po Xiao.
"Heh, Tian Can, you're still too arrogant!"
"Not to mention whether you can kill me today, even if you do, the consequence will only be the acceleration of the Tian Can Tower's demise!"
Ye Cang Tian's eyes were filled with disdain as he continued, "You must know that the entire ruin is in the palm of the Dark Association. Where can the Tian Can Tower possibly escape to?"
Although this statement was somewhat exaggerated, it was still a fact.
Within the entire ruin, many forces coexisted, but neither the Hidden group nor the Temple of Light could contend with the Dark Association.
Furthermore, every city had a branch of the Dark Association. This made it extremely difficult for the Tian Can Tower to escape to an unknown corner.
Unless they ventured into unexplored territories.
The risks involved there were even difficult for the Dark Association to overcome. If the Tian Can Tower went there, it would be akin to seeking their own death.
"This old man has no intention of escaping. What I want is to drag you down with me!"
Hearing Ye Cang Tian's words, Tian Can gritted his teeth and said fiercely.
Regardless of whether the Tian Can Tower could escape in the future, at least now he couldn't back down in front of Po Xiao.
"Very well, since you wish for death, I shall grant it!"
As Ye Cang Tian spoke, he took out a signal flare from the Dark Association and threw it into the air.
As the red light bloomed in the sky, shouts of killing and fighting erupted from all directions.
In a short period, the guards of the Dark Association branch slowly approached from all sides.
How could he not have made any preparations for today's transaction?
He had already arranged for the guards to lie in ambush in the surrounding areas, but he hadn't told Mandarava about it, fearing she might reveal a flaw.
This...
Seeing the guards of the Dark Association branch emerge, Tian Can's expression turned solemn.
They were surrounded. To break through, they would have to pay a heavy price, and it was uncertain how long it would take to recover their strength.
However, a direct confrontation was also not optimistic.
Judging by the aura around them, these were the elites of the Dark Association branch.
In terms of combat power, these elites were comparable to the guards of the Tian Can Tower behind them. In case of conflict, it would be at best a fifty-fifty match.
But here's the problem: this was only the strength of one branch of the Dark Association. There were many other branches of the Dark Association in the ruin.
And the guards of the Tian Can Tower behind him represented the culmination of decades of development for the Tian Can Tower.
Even if both sides annihilated each other, the Tian Can Tower would cease to exist overnight, and its foundation of decades would be destroyed.
With these thoughts, Tian Can glanced at Ye Cang Tian and hurriedly said, "Po Xiao, today is not the time for you and I to fight. In the future, I will surely lead the Tian Can Tower to flatten your Dark Association branch!"
"Heh, old fellow, do you take this lord for a three-year-old child, to be so easily deceived?"
Ye Cang Tian looked at him with contempt.
If the hostage exchange had proceeded peacefully before, and both sides had retreated, it would have been fine.
But since the other party had already revealed its fangs, and he had surrounded them, letting them slip away would be a mistake.
If word got back to headquarters, it could even be considered colluding with the enemy!
Therefore, this battle was inevitable!
As he spoke, Ye Cang Tian paid no attention to Tian Can's reaction and fired a second signal flare.
The next moment, the guards of the Tian Can Tower on the periphery, brandishing their weapons, charged forward. In a short period, they engaged in a fierce battle with the people of the Tian Can Tower.
The scene instantly became incredibly intense, with screams and the clash of weapons echoing incessantly.
"Po Xiao! I'll fight you to the death!"
Seeing the guards of the Tian Can Tower falling one after another, Tian Can's eyes turned bloodshot. He was truly heartbroken!
The next instant, he drew his katana, pointed it at Ye Cang Tian and the other two, and roared, "All members of the Tian Can Tower, exterminate Po Xiao and the other two at all costs! Kill!"
With a roar, Tian Can charged forward, leading the way towards Po Xiao, while the guards surrounding him rushed towards Mandarava and Fei Yan.
Upon seeing this, Mandarava didn't hesitate. She pulled Fei Yan and turned to flee.
It was unrealistic to expect her to defend against these guards while protecting Fei Yan. The best approach for her was to retreat into the main army of the branch guards, where they would be safe.
As for Lord Po Xiao, she had no need to worry about him.
After all, he was an Earth-level powerhouse.
...