Chapter 557: Personal Choice

"Oh dear, this is really a good suggestion—I also want to join the Abyss-Eradication Squad." A slightly frivolous voice rang out; Jiang Xiao strutted over toward Yuan Yao with his inseparable puppet companions.

Seeing this, Wei YanHong flushed with anger, pointing at Jiang Xiao and the others, his voice sharp with fury and a hint of indignation: "What are you trying to do?! This is betraying Tian Jiaocheng! Betraying our entire cultivation world!"

Jiang Shuai narrowed his eyes at Bian Chen and Feng Xuanji, "Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, are you really sure you want to join the Abyss-Eradication Squad?!"

Feng Xuanji's expression was indifferent; she spoke slowly, her voice icy cold: "I admit, I have betrayed Tian Jiaocheng."

But she shifted her tone, her gaze firm as she swept over the crowd: "But I have never betrayed the cultivation world!"

Wei YanHong snorted coldly, his tone biting: "Feng Xuanji, you're so candid! But in my view, betraying Tian Jiaocheng is betraying the cultivation world—no difference!"

"Exactly! You clearly don't trust Deputy Chief Yu's abilities, you're just looking for a stronger backer!" Immediately, those loyal to Tian Jiaocheng's Heaven's Pride chimed in, their voices full of contempt.

"A bunch of ungrateful traitors!"

"We're ashamed to be associated with you!"

Just as Feng Xuanji and her companions were about to become the target of everyone's criticism, Yuan Yao spoke up again.

"I'll give you fifteen minutes to decide whether to join my Abyss-Eradication Squad; after that, even if you want to join, we will not accept you."

Wei YanHong snapped, "Yuan Yao, you're so arrogant! Do you really think we, the many-human Heaven's Pride combined, can't beat you?"

"Exactly! Yuan Yao, don't go too far!"

"What nonsense is this Abyss-Eradication Squad?! We are the orthodox sect representing the cultivation world!"

"Yuan Yao, just how malicious is your scheme to poach people?! Once we leave the Boundary Abyss, I will definitely file a complaint against you with the Tian Jiaocheng elders!"

Cang Li let out a puff of laughter.

"Waiting for you to get out of the Boundary Abyss? By then the yellow flowers will be cold!"

Qian Yunzhou let out a soft sigh, "The Boundary Abyss has closed early; we'll be stuck here for a hundred years. Even if you seek the Tian Jiaocheng elders to back you, you might have to wait a hundred years—and you might not even make it out alive."

Cang Li raised his chin smugly: "Exactly, if you've got the guts, go file a complaint!"

The human Heaven's Pride members hearing this also became somewhat sober.

They looked at each other.

Meanwhile, the demon and monster clans were glad to watch the humans' internal strife.

Quan Li curled the corner of her lip, looking at Yuan Yao: "Yuan Yao, right? If you can think of a way to get us out of the Boundary Abyss, our previous alliance still stands."

Yuan Yao's face still bore a pallor; she gave Quan Li a slight nod.

"Good."

"Your Highness, should we still make a move?" a demon Heaven's Pride whispered to Quan Li's side.

Quan Li sheathed her giant bone blade, "Let's wait until she finishes handling the human internal affairs."

She didn't deliberately lower her volume, so all the Heaven's Pride present could hear her.

The Heaven's Pride had various thoughts.

Just now, before Yuan Yao woke up, this demon great princess Quan Li arrogantly wanted to drive out the humans and monsters; now that Yuan Yao has awakened, she is not in a hurry to chase them away.

This attitude is worlds apart.

Anyone with eyes can see that Quan Li either fears Yuan Yao's presence or is giving her face.

Cang Li pulled a chair from his storage space and had Yuan Yao sit down.

"Your body hasn't recovered yet; sit for a while."

"Thank you, Third Senior Brother."

Yuan Yao sat down.

She crossed her legs, smiling: "Time waits for no one—if you're going to decide, hurry up."

The human Heaven's Pride showed varied expressions—anger, conflict, hesitation, disgust.

Wei YanHong crossed his arms, sneering repeatedly: "Yuan Yao, we will never betray Tian Jiaocheng! You want to command us? Dream on!"

Another human Heaven's Pride scoffed: "Want us to join the Abyss-Eradication Squad? Pure fantasy!"

Yuan Yao raised an eyebrow: "Wei YanHong, even if you wanted to join our Abyss-Eradication Squad, we wouldn't welcome you."

"Yuan Yao, you bastard!" Wei YanHong seethed, gritting his teeth: "Who would even want to join your Abyss-Eradication Squad!"

"Then it's best you don't." Yuan Yao tossed off lightly.

"You—" Wei YanHong's face turned ashen; just as he was about to speak, Wei YanQing behind him clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Mmm… mmm…"

Wei YanQing gave Yuan Yao's group an apologetic look.

As time trickled by, no one chose to join the Abyss-Eradication Squad.

"This fifteen minutes is almost up; since you've made your choice, then we—"

"I! I want to join the Abyss-Eradication Squad!" a voice came from the human ranks.

A boy of about fourteen or fifteen pushed his way out of the crowd, his features refined and honest.

The boy was none other than the young master of Boundless Island, Gongsun Ji.

"Gongsun Ji?" Dong Jiao recognized him at a glance.

Gongsun Ji hurried to Yuan Yao's side, coughed sharply, and said somewhat guiltily, "This is my personal choice; it does not represent Boundless Island."

Upon hearing this, the other human Heaven's Pride fell into thought.

A girl with an embarrassed smile waved her hand while sneaking behind Yuan Yao's group, saying, "I'm also making a personal choice! It has nothing to do with my family or sect."

"I'm joining the Abyss-Eradication Squad too," Jiang Shuai suddenly said.

This statement stunned many of the human Heaven's Pride.

Everyone watched as he actually headed toward the Abyss-Eradication Squad, dumbfounded.

"Just now you were the one criticizing us the most, Jiang Shuai!"

"How did you defect so quickly now?"

Seeing this situation, the human prodigies glanced at each other.

"No collective punishment! No collective punishment! No collective punishment!" Someone shouted it repeatedly, not knowing who.

Immediately after, another dozen or so human prodigies ran toward Yuan Yao.

Gui Yan Hong saw this scene, and, furious from shame and anger, said: "You traitors, come back to me!"

But the more she shouted, the more prodigies joined the Abyss-Eradication Squad.

Gui Yan Hong was burning with jealousy, thinking: "She'll get you all killed!"

As her words fell, a beam of light filled with killing intent swept toward Gui Yan Hong's neck.

Gui Yan Hong's face changed in shock.

Fortunately, at that moment, Yu Jing stepped forward and blocked the attack for her.

"Who is it?!" Gui Yan Hong's voice trembled from fear.

Immediately afterward, she felt a dangerous gaze; looking up, she saw Xie Yan's eyes, cold and piercing like a venomous snake, fixed on her.

Gui Yan Hong involuntarily stepped back a few steps.

Xie Zixu wanted to kill himself!

Gui Yan Qing quickly shielded Gui Yan Hong behind him, staring coldly in the direction of Xie Yan.