"Where did they go?" Ming Zhitian asked again.
The leader trembled and said, "I... I don't know."
"Who is the Undead God Emperor?" Ming Zhitian asked.
"He is the lord of the Undead, who masterminded this invasion," the leader replied.
"What is his cultivation level?" Ming Zhitian inquired.
The leader shook his head. Ming Zhitian nodded, "Good, I understand."
Fei Jiang flicked his wrist, snapping the leader's neck. Mercy towards the enemy is cruelty to oneself.
Ming Zhitian glanced dismissively, "The Undead? I thought they were truly immortal."
"Marshal Ming, five thousand disciples have assembled. Please issue your orders," Fei Jiang said.
"Weapons: Twenty-three Sects and Thirty-nine Gates," Ming Zhitian stated.
"Yes!"
The Twenty-three Sects and Thirty-nine Gates watched the unending stream of people with astonishment. Even their three leaders possessed formidable cultivation, with one being a Divine Heaven realm expert! How was this possible?
In the dungeon, the captives looked out the window. "The Cultivation God Emperor has arrived. After three years, he has finally appeared. I had the honor of seeing his divine countenance at a chance banquet, and now he's here! I knew he wouldn't let us die."
Xiao Linglong, Hai Bubu, Xue Mingyuan, Chen Qi, and Dong Cheng crowded closer. Even the four Grand Sect Masters—Dong Qianyue, Nan Xingkong, Xi Zhenyao, and Bei Huangqi—also gathered.
"It is indeed Ming Xiu Shen. He's here, that's wonderful," Dong Qianyue was the most delighted. Unbeknownst to herself, she had become his devoted fan, despite being over a hundred years old.
Ming Zhitian channeled the 'Shu Jian Lu' and unleashed his fist-sword techniques, carving a bloody path. "Kill them all! Leave not a single Undead behind!"
Ming Zhitian loathed invaders the most. They left their own homes to invade others' territories. It was shameful, hence he showed them no mercy.
The five thousand disciples of the Suo Hai Wu Ge charged forward. In a short while, all twelve thousand Undead soldiers stationed at the Twenty-three Sects and Thirty-nine Gates were annihilated.
Although they suffered eight hundred casualties, this was considered the minimum expected loss. They all knew that if Ming Zhitian hadn't protected them with the 'Shu Jian Lu,' their casualties would have been over half.
Ming Zhitian grabbed five leaders and questioned them, "Where are the Three Kings of Disciples?"
They all claimed ignorance. Ming Zhitian shook his head, "I gave you a chance. Perish."
"Wait!" one leader exclaimed, recalling something. "There is a contingent of Undead at the northern fortress, about a thousand strong. They are under the command of Ben Ran Wang, one of the Three Kings of Disciples. Their leader might know."
Ming Zhitian nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent. Then I shall reward you... with a quick death."
He unleashed his fists! The five men's eyes widened as they were dispatched by the fist winds.
The dungeon was opened, rescuing ten thousand people. "Grand Sect Master!..." The four Grand Sect Masters bowed respectfully.
The disciples knelt and paid homage, "Disciples of the Twenty-three Sects and Thirty-nine Gates, we greet you, Grand Sect Master!..."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand, "Rise. Failure is not shameful. Here, I only have warriors who grow stronger with every battle, not the weak who are utterly defeated. You have all done exceptionally well. Keep fighting!"
"Fight! Fight! Fight!... Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Ming Zhitian was pleased. "Alright, you may go and organize your defenses to prevent the Undead from returning."
"As you command!... As you command!..."
"As you command!..."
"Marshal Ming! Where do we go next?" Fei Jiang asked.
Ming Zhitian looked into the distance. The more he couldn't see the Star Empress, the more he feared she was in danger, his heart filled with unease. "I need to go to the northern fortress. I am looking for a woman named Xing Chen. She is my martial aunt, and that is the purpose of my journey."