Chapter 2147 2157

Chapter 2147 2157
After the chaotic dust settled from that brutal battle, Liam had sustained injuries from the Old Swordsman, while John and his crew had fallen back to treat their wounded teammates. In the frantic shuffle that followed, Liam had briefly lost track of them, never expecting that John would actually still be lingering here waiting for him.
"Brother John!" Liam hurried forward to greet him. "I thought you folks had already pulled out and left the island."
"Not a chance. I couldn't leave with a clear conscience until I thanked you properly in person," John replied earnestly. He turned and signaled to his wife standing nearby.
As she stepped forward, John suddenly straightened his posture, and right there in front of everyone, both he and his wife dropped to their knees before Liam.
Liam’s expression shifted instantly, and he lunged forward to haul them back to their feet.
However, John channeled a burst of inner source energy, locking his joints in place and holding himself rigidly against the ground.
"Brother, you saved my wife's life. I, John, have no way to truly repay that kind of debt," John declared, his voice ringing with absolute, unyielding conviction. "I know you've already reached the Permanent-Tier, and maybe you won't ever need help from someone like me. But mark my words—whenever you run into even the slightest bit of trouble, I will pull together every single person I can possibly rally and come to your aid!"
John was a man of fierce, old-school loyalty, and that loyalty wasn't an act.
Amidst the brutal, rigid hierarchy of the Myriad Tribulation Star, individuals with this kind of unwavering moral code were exceptionally rare; the vast majority of locals were driven by cold, ruthless self-interest.
Feeling a touch helpless against John's stubbornness, Liam shook his head and said, "Brother John, we were just watching each other's backs out there. When the Soul Pavilion attacked us earlier, you already pulled your weight..."
"It's not the same!" John interrupted firmly. "You are a brother I've claimed for life. So if trouble ever catches up to you, make sure someone sends word."
Knowing that John wouldn't budge unless he gave in, Liam conceded with a resigned sigh. "Alright. If I ever find myself in a tight spot down the road, I won't hesitate to lean on you."
Only then did John look fully satisfied. He stood up, dusted off his knees, and glanced over at Liam's hover-vehicle. "Are you folks planning on heading out now?"
"Yeah," Liam nodded. "Time to clear out of Promise Island. Phoenix City was just taken, and there's a mountain of administrative and reform issues piling up. I need to get back and hold down the fort."
"Good choice!" John agreed. "Mind if we tag along? We're heading back that way too, and our camp isn't far from the docks."
Liam naturally welcomed the company.
They had only been on the island for a few days and weren't fully familiar with every hazard it held. Having an experienced local like John leading the way would cut down their travel time significantly.
Before long, two hover-vehicles and a heavy motorcycle rolled out of the ancient clan's base, accelerating toward the Promise Island port.
Meanwhile, as Liam's group prepared for their return journey, Gwen and her contingent marched straight into the heart of Phoenix City.
Flanked by the elderly woman and several others, Gwen observed her new surroundings with keen curiosity.
Not long after she entered the gates, another familiar figure appeared at the city entrance. Slinging the Fate Soul Blade across her back, Wamiqa lifted her chin to study the towering fortress walls, muttering softly, "Pity I missed out on the fighting..."
With a cold, indifferent expression, she slipped past the gates and integrated into the bustling streets of Phoenix City.
Far away in the domain of the Soul Pavilion, a fleet of sleek flying transports was lifting off in rapid succession.
Simultaneously, all of the Soul Pavilion's affiliated factions across various sectors of the Myriad Tribulation Star mobilized. Their objective was singular and absolute: Phoenix City!
The Eight Great Powers possessed deep, terrifying foundations; when they truly unleashed their wrath, independent factions outside their circle stood zero chance of resistance.
The strike force they dispatched wasn't massive in numbers, but every single participant was strictly required to be at least a Flame-Tier master or possess Purple-Ranked Sharp Ghost combat capabilities.
Roughly half an hour later, the armada of flying transports broke through the clouds above Phoenix City, descending rapidly upon the outskirts.
The chilling, unmistakable banners of the Soul Pavilion and the Blood Clan cast an immediate shadow of panic over the entire city.
The news swept across the Myriad Tribulation Star like wildfire: the Soul Pavilion, infuriated by the deaths of two of its Permanent-Tier elders, was moving in to flatten Phoenix City.
Outside the city walls, as the vanguard of the Soul Pavilion and Blood Clan touched down, a towering, sky-piercing wave of sword intent surged into the heavens.