My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

Li Xuancang withdrew his gaze and looked at the three of them with a solemn expression.

"Fellow Daoists, the imperial court cannot provide support, and this place is fraught with danger; it is not a place to linger. Let us leave now!"

Having witnessed the terror of the abyss firsthand, Li Xuancang knew that this was beyond his ability to handle, and he had to leave Liuyun County.

Knowing he was no match for them, he wouldn't stay and die in vain.

Upon hearing this, Huang Huayuan and the other two shook their heads.

"Lord Li, it is our duty to slay demons and monsters, and we will not leave."

Even though this place was extremely dangerous, Huang Huayuan and his two companions had no intention of leaving.

"Foolish! What can you do by staying here?"

Li Xuancang angrily rebuked, "How many resources did the Bi'an Division spend training you? If you sacrifice yourselves in vain, wouldn't that be a waste of the Bi'an Division's years of hard work?"

"Only by preserving our lives can we kill more demons and evil cultivators and protect more people. Sacrificing ourselves now would be meaningless."

Li Xuancang couldn't understand why the others were so rigid and didn't know how to adapt.

What difference did their staying behind to die make? Why couldn't they be more flexible?

After being berated by Li Xuancang, the group turned red in the face, wanting to retort but unsure how to begin.

"If you gentlemen are worried about the people, you can temporarily retreat to Liuyun County City. If the demons really break free, you will be able to rescue some of the people."

After Li Xuancang said this, the group exchanged glances and made a decision.

"Lord Li is right. We have been getting stuck in a rut. Let's return to Liuyun County and wait for our elders to arrive."

The group was persuaded by Li Xuancang.

A smile appeared on Li Xuancang's face, and the group then returned to Liuyun County.

When they returned to the county town, the army was already fully prepared and ready to go, waiting only for Li Xuancang's order.

"Lord Li, what's going on here?"

This scene puzzled Huang Huayuan and the others, so they asked Li Xuancang for clarification.

Li Xuancang did not hide anything and told him frankly.

"The imperial court has issued a military order, instructing me to immediately lead my troops back to Anzhou City."

Li Xuancang risked going to the abyss to see for himself what it was like.

Now that he knew the terror of the abyss demons was far beyond his ability to contend with, he obeyed Du Tianfeng's military orders and quickly withdrew.

Upon hearing that Li Xuancang intended to withdraw his troops, Huang Huayuan blurted out, "Lord Li, if you withdraw, what will happen to the millions of people in Liuyun County?"

The demons are about to break free of their seal, and the people need the protection of the army. Li Xuancang chooses to leave at this time. What will become of these people?

The actions of the Great Yan Dynasty were inhumane, completely abandoning the millions of people in Liuyun County.

"Military orders are absolute, and I have no choice but to obey."

Li Xuancang looked helpless; if he had a choice, he wouldn't have stood by and watched someone die.

His abilities are limited; even if he stays, he can't change the situation, so why should he stay and die?

"As for whether these people can survive, that depends on their fate."

In chaotic times, things are so cruel; human lives are often just numbers weighed by those in power.

"This, this..."

Huang Huayuan wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a single word.

He did not blame Li Xuancang, nor did he blame the Great Yan Dynasty.

There are indeed many times when choices must be made. Even a powerful force like the Bi'an Division often has to make choices, as it is impossible to protect every citizen.

"We understand. Take care, Lord Li."

The group did not erupt in hysterical anger; although their emotions were turbulent, they quickly calmed down.

Li Xuancang saved them many times, and the group was sincerely grateful to him, so they did not speak ill of him.

"Take care, fellow Daoists."

Li Xuancang also cupped his hands in greeting to the group, knowing that this parting might be their last.

Just then, Nangong Zhan rushed to Li Xuancang's side in a panic and whispered something in his ear.

"What?"

Li Xuancang's pupils contracted, and he hurriedly said to Huang Huayuan and the others, "Fellow Daoists, I have urgent business to attend to. Please come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xuancang left as quickly as the wind, leaving Huang Huayuan and the others completely baffled.

Li Xuancang quickly arrived at his tent, where Du Tianfeng was already waiting for him.

"Lord Du, what brings you here?"

No one expected Du Tianfeng to appear in Liuyun County.

Du Tianfeng made no attempt to hide anything and spoke directly.

"I received orders from the garrison commander to come and stop the demon from being born."

Du Tianfeng's words greatly surprised Li Xuancang, and at the same time, left him somewhat confused.

Du Tianfeng had just issued a military order for him to withdraw his troops, so why has he changed his mind now and even come here in person?

Du Tianfeng bears the heavy responsibility of stabilizing Anzhou City and cannot leave easily.

If they learn that he has left Anzhou City, ambitious individuals will surely seize the opportunity to cause trouble, and the consequences will be unimaginable.

Seeing Li Xuancang's confusion, Du Tianfeng offered an explanation.

"A great demon is trapped in the abyss. If he is freed, the entire Anzhou will become a living hell."

"The garrison commander has received news that Prince Fu has colluded with this great demon. We must stop the great demon from escaping at all costs."

It wasn't that Du Tianfeng was changing his mind; rather, the situation had changed, and he had to come in person.

Li Xuancang frowned and said, "My lord, even if you come in person, we are powerless to deal with the Great Demon. I just returned from the Abyss..."

Li Xuancang informed Du Tianfeng about the situation in the abyss, explaining that even with Du Tianfeng, a late-stage Qi Refining Realm expert, the overall situation remained unchanged.

Let alone the great demon who is about to break free, they are not even capable of dealing with the evil cultivators and demon servants in the abyss who are at the Gang Qi Realm.

The abyss's demonic energy was boiling, capable of suppressing everyone, but the demon servants and evil cultivators thrived in it.

They also have an overwhelming numerical advantage, making it unlikely that the others will win in a fight.

"well!"

Du Tianfeng sighed and said helplessly, "No matter what, we can't back down; we have no choice but to go all in."

Du Tianfeng turned to look at Li Xuancang and revealed his trump card to him.

"I have a Demon-Suppressing Nail. If I can drive it into the Great Demon's body before it breaks free, I can delay its escape and have a chance to postpone the arrival of the powerful Bi'an Division."

Du Tianfeng's personal visit was not without preparation.

Du Tianfeng's expression was solemn as he said, "Xuan Cang, whether we can succeed and save tens of millions of people in Anzhou depends on this battle."

This battle is fraught with peril; they must fight with their backs against the wall. Whether they succeed or not depends on Du Tianfeng and Li Xuancang.

Li Xuancang was not afraid of a battle, but he had no confidence in this battle. If he died in the abyss, who would take care of his family?

"Xuan Cang, don't worry, I have already informed the garrison commander. If you or I are to die in this battle, he will take your family to the Du family for protection and will never allow anyone to harm your family."

Du Tianfeng knew that Li Xuancang cared most about his family, and he went to great lengths to ensure that Li Xuancang would act without any worries.

The Du family was a prominent clan in the Great Yan Dynasty, even more powerful than the Pei family, and was located in the imperial city.

If Li Xuancang dies in battle, Du Tianhao will arrange for Li Xuancang's family to be sent to the capital and protected.