"Furthermore, after the fighting starts, I will cover for you. You guys go first, don't worry about me."
At this moment, Wu Zhixiong stood tall and proud, his demeanor righteous.
"What? Sect Master, you...."
Seeing Wu Zhixiong utter such words, the surrounding elders were also moved.
Truly worthy of being the Sect Master of their Liehuo Sect!
Now that things had come to this, their Sect Master was not thinking about escaping, but about covering their retreat.
Such an action could only mean that Wu Zhixiong was truly prepared to face death!
He was truly good to his subordinates!
"Everyone, our Sect Master has made such a decision. Do we still need to be timid and afraid of a mere cultivator in the middle stage of Core Formation?"
Wu Long gritted his teeth, his expression resolute.
As the saying goes, if a ruler treats me as a scholar, I shall repay him with the loyalty of a scholar!
Although Lin Chen appeared powerful, his cultivation was still a step behind theirs. If they fought with all their might, they might still have a chance of survival!
"That's right, let's go together! I don't believe he can kill all of us!"
Following Wu Long's words, the others also expressed their agreement.
Indeed, all the cultivators present were at the late stage of Core Formation. Moreover, as the top ten inner sect elders of the Liehuo Sect, each of them had their own unique skills.
If ten of them fought with their lives on the line, would they still be afraid of not being able to defeat these two juniors?
Even if the opponent's formation was powerful, there was still a glimmer of hope!
"I'll go first, you cover the rear!"
Seeing that his words had an effect, a hint of coldness crept onto Wu Zhixiong's face.
Others might not know the power of the Eight Gates Encapsulation Formation, but he, as one of the participants in that incident, naturally understood its might.
If the formation had not yet taken shape, they could indeed have broken out easily.
But now that the formation was set, and the one who set it up possessed so many Grade Three Spirit Replenishing Pills, constantly replenishing their spiritual energy, the difficulty for them to break out of this formation had increased significantly.
And beside them, Lin Chen was lurking, watching covetously!
He had personally witnessed Lin Chen's combat prowess. The speed of his flying sword was definitely not something an ordinary person could withstand.
Even his own father, a powerful cultivator at the Half-step Nascent Soul stage, had died at the opponent's hands, which was enough to show how formidable Lin Chen was now.
Although they had many people, with the formation overhead and Lin Chen ready to ambush them at any moment, it was impossible to escape without casualties.
However, he also knew very well that if he, as the Sect Master, was hesitant, then the ten inner sect elders behind him would certainly not wholeheartedly protect him as he tried to escape.
Now, the only way was to use such a method to gain their trust first, and then find a way to escape himself!
Otherwise, once those people from the bottom of the valley rushed out, with attacks from both sides, he would have no chance of escaping!
Given what he had done to these cultivators, they would surely wish to flay him alive!
"Flame Mountain Crush!"
As Wu Zhixiong unleashed his palm strike, the morale of all the inner sect elders of the Liehuo Sect was completely ignited. They all unleashed their signature techniques and followed behind Wu Zhixiong, charging into the formation.
"Second Brother, you and I will cover the Sect Master's escape!"
Wu Long instantly turned and looked at Wu Hu beside him, a sense of resignation already settling in his heart.
He and his younger brother were orphans, raised by Wu Zhixiong since childhood, which had led them to where they were today.
Not only had they survived, but they had also become cultivators, and even reached the late stage of Core Formation, becoming esteemed inner sect elders of the Liehuo Sect!
They possessed a formidable reputation throughout the cultivation world!
If not for Wu Zhixiong back then, the two of them would have starved to death on the streets. Since things had come to this, it was naturally time for the two brothers to repay his kindness.
"Alright, Eldest Brother, we'll meet again in the next life!"
"Today, I shall personally experience how powerful a cultivator who can defeat a Half-step Nascent Soul stage expert truly is!"
Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Wu Hu nodded immediately, agreeing without hesitation.
Indeed, Wu Zhixiong's actions had deeply moved him.
Before speaking, the two brothers rushed to Wu Zhixiong's side, shielding him as they retreated towards the edge of the formation.
"Sect Master, today is a lost cause. My brothers and I are determined to cover your retreat with our lives. Please go first, and avenge us in the future!"
As they retreated, Wu Long looked at Wu Zhixiong and voiced his intentions.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Hearing Wu Long's words, Wu Zhixiong was genuinely surprised. He had assumed everyone around him was selfish and would abandon him.
Yet, to his surprise, even at this critical juncture, someone was willing to protect him at the cost of their lives. This indeed touched Wu Zhixiong.
"Indeed, please go first, Sect Master. My brothers and I will hold off Lin Chen."
Wu Hu nodded beside him, his face filled with determination.
"Very well. Since you two brothers are so loyal, it would be ungrateful of me not to go."
"However, I can assure you that with your loyalty, the three of us will definitely escape together this time."
Wu Zhixiong revealed a cold smile as he spoke to Wu Long and Wu Hu beside him.
He had originally planned to let everyone here perish to cover his escape, but he hadn't expected these two brothers to be so loyal to him!
This meant that if he took them with him, he would have two loyal guards by his side in the future, which instantly made Wu Zhixiong's heart waver.
After all, a single tree does not make a forest. If he escaped with Wu Long and Wu Hu, he would have someone to rely on for whatever he did in the future.
Moreover, and most importantly, both Wu Long and Wu Hu had considerable cultivation bases and were powerful fighters, ranking among the top experts in the Liehuo Sect.
With them by his side, even if Lin Chen tried to pursue him after he escaped, he would have a way to deal with it.
"Oh? Sect Master, are you sure?"
Hearing Wu Zhixiong's words, both Wu Long and Wu Hu were taken aback.
In their view, under the current circumstances, all of them here were already trapped like fish in a barrel.