The woman released the vine bindings and led the people from China to a safe stronghold.

  There were some torches flickering there, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that the torchbearers were not from the countries they had agreed upon!

  Not only was there no breakout team here, but even more astonishingly, there was a defensive team!

  "Do you believe it now?" the woman said calmly. "Mobilizing so many countries to break out together does increase the odds, but it also means your plan is more likely to be leaked!"

  "For example, a certain country might exchange a spot in the competition for your plan."

  At this moment, a trace of despair flashed in the eyes of Zhu Yuan, Yuan Zhu, Hua Ziyan, Su Nuannuan, and the others.

  They hadn't considered giving up in the dire situation earlier, but now, just fifty meters from the stronghold, they truly felt what despair meant!

  "Alright, I've said everything that needs to be said. Now it's time to send you on your way." The woman stepped aside and said to Huo Qiman and Onoda Juro, "Give them a swift end; they are worthy opponents."

  Huo Qiman snorted coldly, "Kris, don't order me around!"

  Kris turned away indifferently, "Suit yourself, but your attitude towards me now will determine how miserably you die in the global championship!"

  Huo Qiman laughed wildly, "The more you say that, the more excited I get! No rush, just a few days until the championship begins. In the ring, I'll show you what despair truly means!"

  With that, Huo Qiman walked up to Zhu Yuan, sneered, and suddenly stomped on Zhu Yuan's knee, breaking it!

  "Captain Zhu!"

  Huo Qiman chuckled, "Fighting so hard only to find out your hope never existed—isn't it interesting?"

  "You've lost your chance in this championship, and the gap between us will only widen. I doubt you'll even keep your top five global position."

  "Even in today's world, the strong only get stronger, and the weak are eliminated. That's the lesson Ghost Star has taught us!"

  Zhu Yuan, with both legs broken, fell to the ground, closing his eyes in pain, unsure if the physical agony was worse than the despair in his heart.

  But moments later, he opened his eyes, filled with determination.

  He crawled on the ground, heading towards the stronghold fifty meters away.

  "Completing the mission is our duty..."

  Huo Qiman, enraged, grabbed Zhu Yuan by the temples, lifting him up, eyes wide, "Look closely, you have no hope left!"

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  Zhu Yuan's arms hung limply as he looked at Huo Qiman with a faint smile, "Huo Qiman, are you afraid?"

  "Afraid? What do I have to fear? I've killed over ten Chinese Martial Apprentices with my own hands!"

  Zhu Yuan's smile grew more triumphant, "You are afraid. If you weren't, why not let us compete? If you weren't afraid, why go to such lengths to block the entrance and involve more countries for fair competition?"

  "Huo Qiman, I can tell you, even if you kill us all today, one day, a Chinese person will pass through that portal and stand before you all, shattering your vile, despicable defenses!"

  "That's who we are, the hope in our hearts will never die!"

  With a bang, Huo Qiman crushed Zhu Yuan's skull in rage, roaring to the sky, "I, Huo Qiman, await that day! Come on, you bunch of cowards!"

  "Kill them all!"

  Immediately, someone stepped forward and killed three Chinese players.

  Onoda Juro stood in front of Yuan Zhu, who shielded Su Nuannuan.

  Juro sneered, "You ran back then. Honestly, I thought you'd give me a good fight!"

  Yuan Zhu stared at him, his hands trembling slightly.

  "But that sword just now proved you're no match for me!"

  "How dull. You're supposed to be top-tier among Chinese Martial Apprentices, yet you're so far from my level. Is there really no one in China who can fight? It's disappointing!"

  Yuan Zhu couldn't answer Juro's question; his mind was in chaos.

  When hope turned to despair, his anger vanished, and fear took over his mind again.

  At that moment, Su Nuannuan tugged Yuan Zhu's hand from behind.

  "Zhu, you were brave today," Su Nuannuan smiled at the flustered Yuan Zhu.

  Then, Su Nuannuan stepped in front of Yuan Zhu, coldly staring at Onoda Juro, "You ambushed us and outnumbered us, yet you boast here? I've never seen someone so shameless."

  "If Captain Zhu, Brother Yueling, and Captain Xu were at full strength, the outcome might be different!"

  Su Nuannuan looked at Onoda Juro, at Huo Qiman, at the witch, and said coldly, "Zhu is braver than all of you. Captain Zhu was right; you're the ones who are afraid, you're the cowards!"

  As soon as Su Nuannuan finished speaking, Juro flashed behind her.

  It was that piercing slash again!

  At the critical moment, Yuan Zhu shielded Su Nuannuan, the long blade piercing his chest!

  "Zhu..." Su Nuannuan was heartbroken, gently caressing Yuan Zhu's pained face.

  But moments later, a sharp knife also pierced Su Nuannuan's shoulder!

  Huo Qiman suddenly approached, "Don't kill these two!"

  Juro frowned, "Why not?"

  Huo Qiman sneered, "Didn't they say there are strong people in China? Fine, let's hang these two up!"

  Saying this, Huo Qiman found the video equipment on site, approached the camera, eyes wide, "There must be many Chinese watching! That woman said we're afraid? Hahaha, fine, I'll let the world see who's really afraid!"

  "Don't you have strong people? If you have the guts, come here and save them!"

  "I'm reasonable too. If you don't have anyone brave enough, send a high-ranking official, at least a major general, to beg us. Maybe we'll let them go!"

  "A bunch of cowards, a bunch of losers, hahaha!" With that, Huo Qiman shouted to his men, "Hang these two up, let everyone watch them bleed dry!"

  ...

  In Capital City, at the War God Temple training camp's offline base, Hua Tianchen slammed his fist on the table, shattering it into pieces!

  Hua Tianchen stood up angrily, ordering his subordinates, "Find out who leaked the information. Our warriors' blood cannot be shed in vain!"

  "Yes!"

  Another officer beside him sighed, pausing before saying, "This Dawn Operation failed, and there's no time to reorganize a similar offensive. Tianchen, we might not have another chance."

  Hua Tianchen didn't speak, knowing his companion wasn't being pessimistic.

  The Dawn Plan had been in the works for a long time, with multiple countries involved, but it failed due to leaked secrets, unable to break through enemy lines. Sending more troops would be sending them to their deaths.

  Hua Tianchen slumped in his seat, "The warriors did their best. It's my fault, my fault... How can I face our warriors, face the people of China!"

  "And Yuan Zhu and Su Nuannuan are still in their hands!" Hua Tianchen closed his eyes in pain.

  "That Huo Qiman is too much, using such despicable means," his companion said. "Tianchen, this needs to be reported to the higher-ups immediately, don't act rashly..."

  In the Jiang Zhong Military District Hospital, in a high-level ward.

  Jiang Kai gently pushed open the door.

  "Brother, where are you going?" Ying immediately noticed Jiang Kai's presence and chased after him to ask.

  As she approached, Ying was startled by Jiang Kai's expression, taking half a step back.

  Her usually gentle second brother had a face like frost, eyes bloodshot, nothing like his usual demeanor.

  "You... you watched the video this morning, didn't you..." Ying asked, "You're not planning to go... Brother, you can't go there now! Even if you go, you can't save Brother Zhu..." As she spoke, Ying's eyes reddened.

  She was worried about Yuan Zhu's safety, but more so about her brother's.

  Going to rescue them now was a death sentence!

  Jiang Kai was exasperated with his sister; he hadn't even said anything yet!

  Taking a deep breath, Yuan Zhu's expression turned serious, "Be good, don't tell our older brother, so he won't worry."

  "Brother!" Ying looked at Jiang Kai with red eyes, holding onto his sleeve, unwilling to let go.

  Jiang Kai held his sister's hand, and after a moment, gently removed it, "Ying, I'm not going to die!"

  "I'm going to make them pay!"

  Turning away, Jiang Kai didn't look back, heading straight to the login hall after going downstairs.

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