Following the first people belonging to the sects locked up in the capital city of the Sky Empire running away, it did not take long before more people began trying to run away without caring about the disciples and elders who had to remain in the capital city and would be punished.
In the end, close to half of the Domain Lord Realm Experts from these sects ended up escaping over the next few weeks, causing the Soul Ascension Realm Experts to jump in and ensure that the rest of them had no chance to run away. Killing one of the escaping Domain Lord Realm Experts as an example to the rest.
The main reason why they didn't do this sooner being that it would inevitably cause the morale of the rest of the Domain Lord Realm Experts to drop if they knew that they were not allowed to leave the capital city and might end up dead if they tried.
Although they had already been told that they could not leave the capital city, it was different when they saw a Domain Lord Realm Expert being executed for attempting to leave.
Be it the remaining Domain Lord Realm Experts of the sects or the Domain Lord Realm Experts from the different kingdoms. None of them dared to have any thoughts about trying to leave the capital city!
...
"This should be the start of the Star Shattering Sect's territory..."
At the same time that the situation in the capital of the Sky Empire became increasingly unstable following the death of the Domain Lord Realm Expert trying to leave the capital city, Xu Bao arrived at the edge of the Star Shattering Sect's territory with an exhausted look plastered all over his face.
Over the past few weeks, Xu Bao had been through several life and death situations during what he had thought to be a peaceful journey that should at most take a week.
From encountering a random demon beast at the Peak of the Domain Lord Realm that happened to have just woken up and was out looking for a light snack, to a small strike force of Domain Lord Realm Experts belonging to one of the invading empires who just happened to be about to cause chaos in the kingdom he was flying through.
No matter what it was, he seemed to have become a magnet for trouble over the past few weeks as he couldn't catch a single break. Even with his strength being comparable to the Late Stage of the Domain Lord Realm, he was still in half-dead state when he finally reached the borders of the Star Shattering Sect.
"Haaa... I hope I can reach the Star Shattering Sect without encountering any problems inside their territory..." Muttering this to himself as he stared down towards the small outpost bearing the symbol of the Star Shattering Sect located close to the border, Xu Bao didn't waste any time as he flew into the territory of the Star Shattering Sect.
Even if his current state was not optional, he also understood that any time wasted would increase the chances of the different independent sects being destroyed by anything from the sects under the major kingdoms to the people from the invading empires.
Screeeech-!
However, just at this moment, a terrifying high-pitched screech suddenly echoed out behind him as a bird the size of a small castle appeared behind him filled with killing intent as it stared directly towards him.
"This- How come this bird is still after me!? It's already been five days!" Recognizing the large bird as none other than the Peak Domain Lord Realm demon beast that he had encountered over five days earlier; Xu Bao could not help panicking as he wasted no time in increasing his speed and escaping in the direction of the Star Shattering Sect.
Although he really didn't want to show up with a demon beast chasing after him, he also understood that he was nowhere near strong enough to deal with such a powerful demon beast by himself.
For now, he could only hope that the Star Shattering Sect wouldn't hold it against him that he showed up with such a large demon beast when coming to visit- n)-o./V-(e//l--B--I-/n
Of course, that was only if he could reach the Star Shattering Sect before the bird demon beast had a chance to catch up to him-
Swish-!
And looking back towards the bird demon beast that was now getting closer and closer to him with each passing second, Xu Bao could not help feeling that might end up becoming bird food before he had a chance to reach the Star Shattering Sect and get help from them...
Do I have to contact Senior Xuan and ask for him to come over and help...?
Feeling a bit embarrassed as he thought about this, Xu Bao could not help looking down at the communication talisman that had somehow managed to make its way out of his interspatial ring and into his hand.
Screeech-!
Looks like I don't have a choice if I want to continue staying alive...
Hearing the now happy screech of the bird demon beast as it was almost close enough to grab hold of him with its claws, Xu Bao could only push down his embarrassment as he activated the communication talisman.
Back in the Star Shattering Sect, Xuan Hao could not help frowning as he noticed someone trying to contact him through his communication talisman just as he was about to break through to the Small Success Realm with his Dao of Space.
"Oh? It's Xu Bao... What could he want?"
However, after noticing the person contacting him was Xu Bao, his annoyance changed to curiosity as he wondered what the strongest person among the independent sects wanted.
Not long after that, he became aware of Xu Bao's current dangerous situation and the fact that he was actually at the borders of his sect's territory. Even though he was curious about why Xu Bao had suddenly come to his sect's territory, he decided to suppress his curiosity for now. For now, the most important thing was to ensure that Xu Bao didn't end up being eaten by the bird that had managed to somehow find itself inside the territory of his sect.
Considering that the bird demon beast was at the Peak of the Domain Lord Realm, it was not something that Feng Chen, Shu Yao or Zu Fei had the strength to deal with. Meaning that only the winged lion demon beast and the rabbit demon beast were strong enough to deal with this... But... Given that Xu Bao was not too close to the sect, and it would take time to reach him, they weren't fast enough...
"Looks like I will have to make a move... Oh well, I guess I can use the opportunity to stretch my muscles after spending the last few weeks locked up comprehending the Dao of space..." Shaking his head as he muttered this to himself, Xuan Hao took a step forward-
Rumble~
Causing the space inside his cultivation room to twist and turn as he soon appeared outside the Star Shattering Sect in the sky above the city at the base of the Ninth Star Peak.
"Hm~ Ah! There he is!" Locking on to the location of Xu Bao with his divine sense in the next second, Xuan Hao took another step forward and disappeared before anyone had a chance to notice his appearance in the sky above the city.
...
SCREEECH-!
At the same time, the bird demon beast had finally managed to catch up to Xu Bao, as its large claws descended towards him with terrifying speed-
BAAAANG!
Only barely giving him enough time to block the claws before they had a chance to bury into his exposed back.
Whoosh-!
Bang!
Flinging him thousands of meters away before ultimately crashing into the ground.
"Haaa... Damnit, my strength is already exhausted to the point where even a single attack is enough to defeat me..." Standing up with great difficultly as he muttered this to himself, Xu Bao helplessly looked up at the castle sized bird demon beast that was now descending towards him at an even greater speed than before.
Even though he had blocked the attack just now, he understood that it had taken all of his strength. If he tried to do it again, he would undoubtedly end up dying...
"Oh, looks like I arrived just in time."
However, just at this moment, a familiar voice sounded out beside him as the bird demon beast rapidly descending towards him suddenly froze mid-air.
"S-Senior!"
Not paying any attention to the bird demon beast, Xu Bao turned around and happily called out to Xuan Hao who had just appeared beside him.
As for the bird demon beast-
Ptsh-!
It didn't even have the time to realize what was happening as its body was cut up by Xuan Hao's domain the moment he appeared. Instantly killing it.