Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1321: Rescue from the Execution Ground

Luo Dan stood at the plaza's center, the blade held with care as he recited prayers for the condemned as per the ritual.

The sky burial rite was traditionally a ceremony of reincarnation arranged for those deceased.

However, this particular sky burial was intended for the living.

As dictated by the paramount chieftains of the West, the members of the resistance army were denied a quick end by a slit throat.

They were to be kept breathing as their flesh was meticulously carved away, then tossed into a cauldron for cooking, and finally distributed amongst the faithful to consume.

This was an act of extreme cruelty, designed to inflict not only bodily agony but also profound psychological humiliation.

The very banner the resistance army championed was the dismantling of chieftain aristocracy and the emancipation of the serfs.

Yet, in their demise, throngs of serfs would erupt in cheers, eagerly vying for their flesh and blood.

Deji, seated upon his chair, cast a sharp gaze across the surrounding area. To the monks under his command, he declared, "Maintain vigilance. The rebels are likely poised to make their move."

A monk nodded. "Rest assured, Khenpo. The instant they reveal themselves, our Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare will instantly crush them to dust!"

Deji inclined his head, a look of satisfaction on his face. "My sole apprehension is that they might not appear."

At that precise moment, Luo Dan, positioned before the sky burial platform, had already raised his blade.

A rebel fighter was brought forth, stripped bare, and then securely bound to the sky burial platform.

Luo Dan gazed down upon him with frigid indifference. The prisoner's eyes conveyed only defiance and scorn, devoid of any hint of fear.

Luo Dan proclaimed, "Allow me to send you on your journey to reincarnation!"

He elevated the polished long knife in his grasp, poised to bring it down upon the chest of the resistance fighter.

And in that exact instant, from amidst the kneeling masses, pairs of eyes abruptly transitioned to a sharp intensity.

"Boom!"

...

Suddenly, violent detonations reverberated throughout the plaza. The ground convulsed instantaneously, and the believers prostrate on the earth cried out in anguish, crumpling to the ground.

The explosions were alarmingly sudden. It was evident that explosives had been strategically placed around the plaza beforehand by unknown individuals. The entire area descended into pandemonium, with people and objects flung about in disarray.

Deji's countenance immediately turned grim. He recognized this as the work of infiltrators, spies planted by the resistance army amongst their ranks.

Moreover, those possessing the capability to deploy explosives surrounding the plaza must have occupied positions of significant authority.

He remained unfazed. Instead, he rose promptly and commenced issuing directives.

"Secure the perimeter of the plaza! Anyone attempting to approach is to be eliminated without hesitation!"

Beyond the confines of the plaza stood tens of thousands of devotees. Many were now gripped by terror due to the abrupt explosions, scattering in panicked disarray. Some instinctively surged towards the plaza itself.

The moment Deji's order was issued, the monk soldiers from Sangha Monastery and the private guards of the Yasha Langtai family immediately armed themselves, forming a barrier to obstruct anyone seeking to advance.

The crowd surged. Despite the soldiers' loud shouts, commanding everyone to keep their distance, those caught in the throng could not govern their own momentum.

"Rat-a-tat-tat!!!"

And these soldiers showed no consideration for such circumstances. They adhered strictly to their orders, opening fire immediately and dispatching any believers who dared to approach.

The initial rows of believers collapsed as if reaped wheat.

From within this very crowd, dozens of figures suddenly launched themselves forward, their weapons leveled at the monk soldiers and private guards, initiating a fierce counterassault.

The resistance army members who had been concealed amongst the populace had finally revealed their presence!

Luo Dan, in the midst of conducting the sky burial ritual, merely elevated an eyelid before returning his gaze downward. His thick wrist remained steady, unwavering, as he directly drove the knife into the chest of the resistance fighter.

Droplets of blood emerged, and a precise crimson line traced itself across his chest.

The entirety of the incision managed to circumvent major blood vessels, resulting in an exceptionally fine line of blood, akin to intricate artistry.

The fighter felt no pain—numbness had already claimed him from the biting cold. With his final reserves of strength, he cried out to his comrades who had arrived to his rescue, "Go! Escape from here! Do not concern yourselves with us!"

It was common knowledge that this situation was a deliberate snare set for them, yet they had arrived without a second thought.

The Prayer Festival was regarded as the most sacred occasion in the hearts of all esoteric sect adherents.

To display cowardice at such a juncture, refraining even from rescuing their own brethren, would result in the complete erosion of popular support within the Southwest Region.

Thus, today, even if defeat were inevitable, they had to demonstrate to all that they possessed the courage to declare war against oppression and injustice!

As the resistance army pressed their assault, Zhang Yi and his companions observed the unfolding events with detached composure from the periphery.

Pagyi Gesang remained seated, his mind completely tranquil.

Zhang Yi and his companions were merely observers of the unfolding events.

He had given his word to the Snow Mountain Divine Eagle that he would refrain from interfering with the opposition until the opportune moment presented itself, only to lend his aid when it was truly necessary.

Yet, at this juncture, the resistance forces found their offensive stalled by the formidable monk soldiers of Sangha Monastery and the loyal private guards of the Yasha Langtai family.

Their strength was insufficient. Even with the forces from the other three prominent families yet to fully engage, the resistance was already at a significant disadvantage.

The cacophony of battle cries echoed across the square as the two factions were locked in conflict.

Upon the sky burial platform at the heart of the square, the other sky burial masters appeared lost, uncertain whether to make their escape or to stand their ground.

Only Luo Dan continued his gruesome work with unwavering focus.

It was as though he were sketching a grid upon the fallen resistance fighter's body, etching crosshatching lines. Before long, the flesh was neatly sectioned into uniform, square portions.

With a casual gesture, he then deposited these meat portions into the large cauldron simmering with boiling water nearby.

Witnessing their comrade's demise in combat, the other resistance fighters, bound to the execution racks, wore visages of profound sorrow and anguish, their eyes blazing with hatred towards every noble lord seated at ease.

However, their current state rendered them powerless.

Each had endured a period of three to five days without sustenance.

For superhumans, prolonged deprivation of food, essential for replenishing energy, resulted not only in an inability to fight but also in extreme difficulty even to walk.

This was compounded by the hundreds of jin of chains that bound them.

Beyond the confines of the square, the members of the resistance army continued their desperate struggle.

"Awooo—"

A wolf's howl pierced the distance, soon followed by the yelps of numerous other wolves.

Following the sounds, Zhang Yi's gaze fell upon the vast, snow-covered plain where a pack of gray wolves was advancing, stirring up a swirling vortex of snowflakes.

Perched atop a colossal dire wolf, Drolma, wielding a long whip, charged forth with unbridled ferocity!

"He ought to make his move now, shouldn't he? If not, with just these fighters, they won't manage to save the prisoners held here,"

Zhang Yi mused internally.

As if on cue, the very next moment, the cry of an eagle resonated from the terrain behind the advancing wolf pack.

A golden radiance erupted from the horizon, akin to a magnificent sun.

Then, a figure cloaked in gold swiftly descended from the sky, heading directly for the sky burial platform.

It was a superhuman adorned with golden wings. His facial features were concealed by a mask, hiding his identity, yet his formidable presence rapidly permeated the entire snow-covered landscape, colliding with the defensive formations of the monk soldiers and private warriors.

A violent gust of wind swept through the area. Regardless of their inherent strength, these superhumans found themselves unable to withstand even a fraction of the wind's power.

The formation, previously perceived as impenetrable, immediately began to show signs of faltering.

Seizing this critical opening, the surrounding resistance combatants let out triumphant roars as they surged forwards, directly into the square!