At this moment, Taichu Zhenren hesitated, pondering whether to let them return together.
After setting up an array on their way back, they could return here again, and then take another path to the city wall. Though the entire process would be slow, causing considerable delay, it would ensure their safety.
After all, no one knew if they might encounter humanoid lightning again. If they faced the Power of Heaven and Earth outside the wall again, Taichu Zhenren's team, because of Ye Tianfan, could directly hide within the Chaos Divine Pearl during danger.
But what about the other teams? If they encounter danger, they would perish directly. Although they might be able to resist other enemies, any attempts to resist the Power of Heaven and Earth would be futile, as they have experienced its might before.
Each sect suffered losses of at least half their members. The surviving half did not endure due to their strength but because the sacrificed half delayed for them, allowing them to survive.
Otherwise, given enough time, the Power of Heaven and Earth could annihilate them completely.
Taichu Zhenren hesitated here, concerned about this very issue. It's not indecision; if Taichu Zhenren made the wrong decision, both teams sent ahead might not return at all.
When the Taichu Sect safely returned, other sects would surely question why, when the elite from each sect explored outside the wall, only their Taichu Sect came back safe. And it's happened twice; last time only they survived, and this time again, only they survived.
It's obvious people would suspect Taichu Zhenren, suspect Taichu Sect, of playing tricks, reducing the strength of all sects.
Others might suspect Taichu Zhenren's initial purpose for gathering everyone outside the wall—if it was to weaken all sects, clearly he has achieved that. Hence Taichu Zhenren hesitates here.
It's not just Taichu Zhenren bearing the wrath of the other sects; the entire Taichu Sect would endure their anger.
After Taichu Zhenren shared his thoughts, the sect leaders began to ponder. Although following the original method would be quicker, it's relatively dangerous. Not just encountering the Power of Heaven and Earth, even encountering those external creatures outside the old town walls could easily lead to total annihilation.
This is no joke; it's reality. Not even Taichu Zhenren can compare to those creatures outside the wall. Less capable than him, these people facing those creatures would only be seeking death.
Thus, all sect leaders began contemplating this matter, wondering how they could minimize risks for their own sects.
After all, not everyone possesses strength akin to Taichu Zhenren.
If you're weak yet demand a safe return, you can only rely on others, not yourself. It's not looking down on you; it's the undeniable fact that your strength is lacking, unchangeable short-term, and if you insist on going it alone, only death awaits you.
Given there is only one Taichu Zhenren inside the walls, if he cannot deal with the enemies, thinking you can safely get past them is impossible regardless.
Thus, if everyone wants to return safely to their original location and minimize risks, following Taichu Zhenren is the only option, for only Ye Tianfan's Chaos Divine Pearl can protect them from great danger and ensure their peace in critical moments. Others lack this ability; unable to save others in crucial instances, they can only rely on luck. If they cannot escape danger, death is the only outcome; there's no other way.
Taichu Zhenren's intention is to let everyone follow them. Though it may waste time, it ensures maximum safety, minimizing danger. Though it cannot guarantee everyone's safe return at a hundred percent, it prevents worse peril, for Ye Tianfan has the Chaos Treasure Lotus, implying a safe passage. A safe passage means a significant safeguard for everyone's lives.
Though not a hundred percent safe, Ye Tianfan can ensure ninety-nine percent of the people present avoid danger.
Ye Tianfan is confident in his reaction speed despite potential danger. It offers far better prospects than going back alone, where formidable external creatures could pose direct lethal threats.
After hesitating, all sect leaders agreed to Taichu Zhenren's idea, acknowledging its slow and tedious process but ensured safety.
Once everyone agreed to proceed together, Taichu Zhenren chose a direction and started moving, leading cautiously.
This new path was entirely different; nobody knew what external creatures or dangers lay ahead.
Previously, they casually encountered a creature stronger than Taichu Zhenren. This path is longer than the last; the previous was a straight line, while this one forms an arc.
This new path is at least twice as long. Probability suggests encountering two creatures akin to the one before.
Probability dictates this possibility; they might encounter none, but they could also face ten or hundreds of such creatures.
Currently, all remains a mystery; nobody knows for sure, yet caution is undisputedly correct, and everyone can only exercise caution now.