Since learning the full details of the great battle, the Chaos Giant Ape harbored immense fear towards the old man.
Even though the old man hadn't made a move in the truest sense, the ferocious beast race had been led by the nose like puppets from beginning to end.
After a moment, the Chaos Giant Ape, with a thoughtful expression, rumbled:
"Let's join forces to help the Fire Emperor and the Magic Vine suppress the Great Fiend bloodline first!"
"And we'll just let the humans evacuate?"
"That's the only way!"
The giant ape's gaze shifted as it said, "If we abandon the Fire Emperor and the Magic Vine and go alone, it's bound to be a trap!"
Its thoughts churned. If the other side truly had intentions, they could have evacuated the populace long before Chen Shu dropped the nuclear bomb, especially when the human beast tamers were retreating. There was no need to wait until now.
The current evacuation of humans seemed more like bait...
"You insisted on swallowing it back then, and now you've put us in such a passive position..."
The Sky Rabbit pouted, a hint of displeasure in its eyes.
"Sky Rabbit, put aside past grievances! We are united now!"
The Chaos Giant Ape stared directly at it, its eyes carrying a warning, and said:
"Don't forget, our enemies are not just humans, but also the Great Fiends trapped in the forbidden mist. Once they emerge, do you think they'll spare us?"
The Sky Rabbit fell silent instantly upon hearing this.
"Let's begin now!"
The giant ape looked at the Beast Emperors and said, "You must also contribute and help suppress their chaotic bloodlines!"
For a time, numerous Beast Emperors remained in the Dragon Abyss, not daring to act rashly.
...
"They didn't fall for it?"
At this moment, the old man returned from Sacred Imperial Island to the continent. There was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"It seems a thousand years of slumber haven't dulled your minds."
He shook his head and did not initiate an attack either. Instead, he had King Dark deploy barriers around the entire continent, continuing to wait silently.
Currently, the top combat powers of both sides maintained restraint.
Meanwhile, on the Divine Continent, the human evacuation was proceeding in an orderly fashion, without any chaos.
On the third day,
Ning Bufan returned to the continent.
"There are still a few matters to discuss with the two legendary figures, but they will arrive before the great battle commences."
"Mm."
The old man nodded, not showing any surprise.
Once the great battle began, anyone could fall. Naturally, the other two legendary figures would make their preparations in advance...
Ning Bufan's expression carried a hint of worry as he said,
"Old man, do you have confidence?"
"..."
The old man did not reply but remained in a long silence.
The combined assault of ten terrifying Fierce Emperors and thirteen legendary Beast Emperors was simply too formidable.
If he had absolute confidence, the old man would likely have initiated the attack by now...
Seeing the old man's silence, Ning Bufan understood what was happening, and his heart grew heavy.
"In this battle, until the very end, no one can say for sure."
The old man's expression was calm as he said,
"Moreover, even if we win, it won't represent ultimate victory..."
"..."
Ning Bufan's heart sank again. He couldn't help but think of the Great Fiends trapped by the forbidden mist.
The new era's ferocious beasts alone had already pushed humanity to the brink.
If the ancient Great Fiends were to re-emerge, humanity would likely have no room to survive...
Although humanity's strength was constantly increasing, it had always been like a small boat in the waves, liable to be capsized at any moment...
"Whether we can achieve true victory depends on Chen Shu's generation. All I can do is pave the most brilliant path for them..."
The old man gazed at the Starry Sky Ruins with a hint of solace, saying,
"I hope I can witness the day of true victory..."
"..."
Ning Bufan's eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.
Would the old man, who had guarded the Dragon Abyss for a millennium and was hailed as Blue Star's strongest, also perish?
At this moment, his heart grew firm as he said, "Old man, give me that drop of blood!"
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
The old man looked at him and said, "Once you use it, your contracted spirit will be equivalent to being crippled, and you will never have a chance to advance to the legendary realm."
"As you said, Chen Shu and the others are the hope of the future."
Ning Bufan smiled brightly and said, "I am the former principal of the Huaxia Academy. I am willing to be the one paving the way..."
"..."
The old man sighed, and at the same time, flicked his right hand, revealing a drop of mysterious blood.
"You don't need to act unless it's a critical moment!"
The old man frowned slightly and said, "You have the potential to advance to the legendary realm. You absolutely cannot act impulsively. Now is not your stage."
"I understand."
Ning Bufan nodded and carefully put away the ancient blood in his hand.
"Also, there's no need for you to act as if this is a farewell."
The old man looked at the younger generation before him and consoled, "As long as humanity's destiny persists, I will not truly perish!"
"Understood."
Ning Bufan nodded, but then seemed to recall something and asked,
"Old man, with the great battle about to begin, there might not be time. I boldly want to ask a question..."
"Since it's bold, don't ask."
"..."
Seeing the other's silence, the old man couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, "Go ahead."
"What is your true strength level? Beyond legendary?"
Ning Bufan had remained at the peak of the King rank for too long, but he had always been unclear about the legendary realm.
"Beyond legendary?"
The old man chuckled, "If I were at that level, I could probably quell this chaotic world with a mere wave of my hand."
"..."
Ning Bufan realized his words were a bit outlandish...
The old man glanced at him and said,
"Even though my strength far surpasses that of the past, I am still legendary. However, I can be considered a top-tier among legends."
"Got it!"
Ning Bufan understood instantly upon hearing this.
The old man offered no further explanation and said, "Alright, you are a spatial beast tamer. Go help evacuate the citizens."
Ning Bufan bowed respectfully and then turned to leave the main command center.
...
Half a month passed quietly.
With the complete evacuation of ordinary people, the entire Divine Continent became desolate, devoid of any vitality...
Shenzhou, as humanity's final defense line, ended up like the other continents...
At this moment, the old man issued another order:
[All defending forces withdraw and await orders at the Starry Sky Ruins]
Everyone was stunned. Despite their reluctance, they could only obey the old man's orders unconditionally.
"We still couldn't defend it?"
The various beast tamers, riding their contracted spirits, looked down at the continent where they had lived for thousands of years, their expressions tinged with sadness.
They had fought valiantly, poured in their utmost effort, and countless compatriots had fallen.
Yet, it seemed the outcome remained unchanged...
However, they didn't know that the situation had subtly shifted. At least now, humanity had transitioned from a ten-in-ten chance of death to a possibility of survival.
"Will we ever return?"
A Liang and the others also looked down at the continent, their eyes filled with solemnity.
Although the old man's explanation was that he was worried the great battle would affect them and thus ordered the evacuation, and that they could return safely after the battle ended,
This was actually the best-case scenario...
With the awakening of the ten Fierce Emperors, the old man no longer concealed the true strength of the ferocious beasts. He informed all the high-level beast tamers of it, hoping they would understand the gravity of the situation and cooperate with the evacuation work later.
At this time, the beast tamers finally realized the immense crisis humanity faced.
Over twenty legendary ferocious beasts joining forces, and among them were Fierce Emperors whose strength far surpassed ordinary legends.
This heaven-defying lineup, the mere thought of it was terrifying. Even the strongest individuals likely couldn't withstand it...
And if the old man lost,
They would only be able to survive by hiding in the ruins and would never be able to return to the continent.
"We will definitely return!"
A Liang's eyes held determination as he said, "If the ancestors lose, they still have us! We will fight our way back sooner or later!"
"That's right, it's just a matter of time."
Fang Si also nodded and said, "Besides, there's Chen Shu! Do you think this guy would let the ferocious beasts occupy his Nanjiang City?"
"That's true."
The moment everyone thought of Chen Shu, who was about to break through to the King rank, confidence surged within them.
Even if the old man failed, there was still the even more monstrous Chen Shu...
Humanity was merely a small boat in the ocean, yet it persistently resisted the waves, even attempting to conquer the sea...