The Retreat Drum is a divine artifact from the mythological era, its origins said to be similar to the Ten Chaos Divine Artifacts.
Legend has it that in ancient times there was a divine court, within which were divine halls presided over by high-ranking officials who judged the merits and demerits of all races, determining the allocation and proportion of the world's fortune based on these judgments.
Once the judgment was complete, the officials would strike the Retreat Drum, and all beings in the halls, regardless of their strength or cultivation, would be sent back to their original worlds.
However, the so-called officials, divine court, and divine halls are merely myths and legends, never recorded in any historical texts; people believe it to be a story fabricated by bored individuals.
The history of the Nine Heavens World can only be traced back to the Chaos Era, and the mythological era predates Chaos, so naturally no one wants to believe it.
However, the term "Retreat Drum" is often used to describe those who are timid, cowardly, unambitious, and easily discouraged by setbacks, so some have researched the origin of this term, and thus this mythological story has been passed down.
People didn't know what "retreating drum" looked like, but when Guo Ran struck with his hammer, it was as if time and space reversed, and they were pushed back to their original positions. Their first thought was of the divine weapon from this mythical era.
"Continue!"
Just as people were still wondering and checking themselves for injuries, someone roared and charged forward again.
They all discovered that after inexplicably being pushed back to their original positions, their bodies felt perfectly fine, and they immediately charged forward again.
"Thump!"
Just as they were about to approach Long Chen, Guo Ran struck the retreat drum once more.
"Buzz!"
This time, everyone understood. A sonic wave spread, and everyone's movements instantly reversed; advancing became retreating, shouting became silence.
After the ripples spread, people were back in their original positions, exactly as before, as if they hadn't moved an inch.
"Pfft!"
Just as people were shocked, Guo Ran's armor inexplicably disintegrated, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Understood. This retreat drum isn't something to be struck lightly. Keep charging, let's see how many more times he can strike it." Seeing Guo Ran spitting out blood and his face deathly pale, the people knew that striking the retreat drum would come at a great cost.
They, on the other hand, suffered no loss except for retreating to their original positions and wasting some time.
"Guo Ran..."
Xia Chen and the others looked at Guo Ran with anxiety. This bronze drum of unknown origin had only been struck twice, and Guo Ran's vast, ocean-like dragon blood and dragon soul power was already depleted.
"Dong!"
Another drumbeat sounded, and the enemies retreated once more like a tide. Guo Ran could no longer hold onto his drumsticks, which slipped from his grasp, and he collapsed.
"Boom!"
Just then, Long Tianrui finally couldn't hold on any longer. Her wings exploded, and she was sent flying backward.
Guo Ran's retreat drum worked on everyone else, but it was ineffective against Long Biluo and Qian Jie.
Qian Jie sat cross-legged in the void, not attacking. The power of Qiankun around him had weakened considerably, perhaps because the Qiankun Cauldrons had reached a critical point in their fusion, drawing back some of his power.
"Kill!"
Guo Ran fell, and Long Tianrui was also exhausted. Countless powerful figures roared and charged again, this time, no one could stop them.
"Bitch, die!"
Long Biluo grinned as she rushed towards Long Tianrui, her five fingers like hooks tearing through the sky, aiming for Long Tianrui's pretty face.
"Am I going to die? I'm a little unwilling!" Long Tianrui sighed, slowly closing her eyes. At this moment, she had burned away her blood and soul; even if the Heavenly Emperor descended, he couldn't save her.
"Boom!"
Just then, a loud explosion rang out, endless starlight surged, and the Nirvana Space where Long Chen was located exploded. Those powerful figures who had just rushed in were directly blasted away by the terrifying power.
"Slap!"
A figure appeared before Long Tianrui, embracing her frail body, while simultaneously slapping Long Biluo across the face with his other hand.
A loud bang echoed as Long Biluo was sent flying like a meteor, the immense force obliterating her figure.
"Long Chen..." Meng Qi and the others exclaimed in shock.
"Boss..."
the warriors of the Dragon Blood Legion shouted excitedly; Long Chen had finally emerged.
Holding Long Tianrui, Long Chen was filled with both shock and rage. Long Tianrui's beautiful face had long since lost its luster; her eyes were utterly dim, and her body resembled burnt charcoal. He dared not move a muscle; the slightest movement would reduce her to ashes.
"Tianrui, you... why did you do this..." Long Chen's heart ached. This genius woman, whom he had only met once, had actually sacrificed her life for him.
Their encounter seemed like a cruel joke, yet Long Tianrui had remained utterly devoted.
She possessed astonishing talent and a bright future, yet she was destined to perish here. Long Chen's heart ached with unbearable pain.
Not only was Long Tianrui's physical body completely destroyed, devoid of any life force, but even her soul had been burned away.
"You... owe me a child... in the next life... remember to repay me..." Long Tianrui looked at Long Chen, her dim eyes flickering with a faint glimmer of light, and the corners of her lips curved slightly into a smile.
"Whoosh!"
The instant her lips curved into a smile, endless dust rose from her beautiful face. Her lips, nose, eyebrows, and forehead rapidly vanished, and then her entire body turned to ashes, dissipating into the world.
Long Chen half-crouched in the void, still holding Long Tianrui gently, as still as a statue.
"If you agree to my proposal, I can offer his head as a dowry." "
In the cultivation world, the strong are respected. If you don't marry a strong person, the children you have will only become stepping stones, ladders to climb over walls, or even food for others. What's the point of marriage then? Like a chicken laying eggs just to be eaten?"
"What's the difference between a relationship not aimed at marriage and children and being a scoundrel? Purely for physical stimulation and spiritual possession?"
For a moment, the scene of his first encounter with Long Tianrui replayed in Long Chen's mind, but she herself had already perished.
Long Chen had always rejected Long Tianrui because he thought she didn't understand love, always thinking about a powerful alliance, a bloodline fusion to produce the most talented child—no different from a transaction.
But, in that instant when their eyes met, Long Chen realized he might have misunderstood Long Tianrui. Perhaps everyone expresses love differently.
However, it was too late to understand now. She had perished, leaving with endless regret, and Long Chen's heart felt as if it were being cut by a thousand sharp blades.
"die"
Just then, a roar filled with endless resentment rang out, and Long Biluo returned once again, the Nine Li Divine Patterns on her palm trembling as she slammed her palm down towards Long Chen.