Chapter 18 · They Put Her on the Altar

The crowd didn't move like disciples anymore. They moved like wolves.

Gu Hanchuan's white flames carved a wall between Lin Wei and the sect, but his knees buckled. Blood dripped from his nose. His fire poison was eating him alive from the inside, and he was still burning hotter to keep them back.

"Sect Leader." Lin Yuan's voice cut through the snarls and panting. He stepped forward, hands folded, face calm. Like this was a tea ceremony. "You're wasting your strength."

Lin Wei pressed herself against Gu Hanchuan's back. She could feel his ribs heaving. His spiritual energy was shredding itself trying to hold the barrier.

"Step back," Gu Hanchuan said. His voice came out raw. "All of you. That's an order."

Nobody stepped back.

Lin Yuan tilted his head. "They can't. You know they can't. A pure Yin spirit root in full bloom—" He smiled. "You might as well ask them to stop breathing."

One of the outer disciples lunged. Gu Hanchuan's flame whip snapped out and the guy hit the ground screaming, clutching his arm. The smell of burnt flesh filled the courtyard.

It didn't stop the others.