An oppressive aura descended like storm clouds threatening to crush a city. An immense pressure rolled in from the distance, bearing down on Merak Palace. The elite disciples inside all came out, while those with lower cultivation were quickly arranged to evacuate. The leaders had immediately sensed something was wrong and arranged an escape route through the mountain behind Merak Palace. As long as they weren't completely surrounded, they should be able to evacuate successfully.
But they hadn't been evacuating for long before someone rushed back to report.
"Palace Master... there are powerful experts guarding the back mountain as well! They won't let us pass at all!" a steward reported, having hurried back.
'It seems they've decided to go all out...'
