Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1322: Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts)

The vast expanse before Sangha Monastery was truly immense. The execution platform, designated for the sky burial ritual, remained a considerable distance from Zhang Yi and his companions.

Even if the resistance army initiated a charge, there was no apprehension felt by those present.

Zhang Yi maintained an observer's composure, yet all his focus was fixed upon the golden-winged superhuman soaring through the heavens.

"Snow Mountain Divine Eagle."

Zhang Yi's voice was a soft utterance.

The sudden appearance of the Snow Mountain Divine Eagle immediately cast a graver shadow over the countenances of everyone gathered.

At this precise moment, the Lord of the Charnel Ground, who had been seated upright on the Dharma platform, finally rose to his feet.

"Sigh—"

A collective sigh seemed to echo in the ears of all observers.

The Lord of the Charnel Ground directed his gaze toward the figure high above. It was as though two formidable wills were engaged in an aerial clash. This was not a display of supernatural abilities, but purely the immense pressure exuded by two Epsilon-level superhumans, which caused the faces of most attendees to pale considerably.

Zhang Yi feigned intimidation, taking a half-step back, while his eyes meticulously scanned the assembled crowd. Indeed, beside La Min Ouzhu, he identified a towering individual, easily surpassing six feet in height. This person stood with arms crossed, betraying no hint of fear even when confronted by two Epsilons; instead, a glint of excitement sparkled within their eyes.

The Snow Mountain Divine Eagle unfurled its colossal golden wings. Instantly, countless golden rays erupted, akin to sharp blades, unleashing a barrage of indiscriminate attacks across the entire square!

The members of the Four Great Families, along with the venerable monks of Sangha Monastery, found themselves entirely within the sweep of these golden projectiles!

"Stop."

The Lord of the Charnel Ground's voice was unhurried. Confronting the fierce and overwhelming assault from the Snow Mountain Divine Eagle, he simply offered a gentle wave of his hand. Immediately, those terrifying, countless golden blades appeared to collide with an invisible barrier, halting their advance just outside the perimeter of the square.

"Jue Guo, if you wish to prevent numerous deaths here, then follow me!"

The Snow Mountain Divine Eagle proclaimed, then, with a powerful beat of its wings, ascended rapidly into the distance. Without a moment's hesitation, the Lord of the Charnel Ground sprang into the air. Transforming into a streak of golden light, he propelled himself forward, lightly stepping upon the bodies of his followers one after another in pursuit of the Snow Mountain Divine Eagle.

He understood that this duel was unavoidable. To refuse would leave everyone present defenseless.

As their figures vanished, a subtle smile curved the corners of Zhang Yi's lips.

"Is this not the perfect opportunity I've been waiting for?"

With the Lord of the Charnel Ground absent, the monks of Sangha Monastery would be powerless to impede his actions, whatever they might be. However, Zhang Yi had no intention of acting openly. After all, hidden from view, two other Epsilon-level superhumans remained in waiting.

Zhang Yi's gaze drifted towards the sky burial platform in the distance.

The surrounding conflict had already escalated to a fever pitch. The sheer number of explosives the resistance army had concealed around the square, combined with the massive, chaotic throng, rendered it exceedingly difficult for the peripheral monk soldiers and private guards to provide any meaningful support.

For a brief period, they actually managed to breach the vicinity of the sky burial platform. The surrounding sky burial masters were overcome with terror, yet Luodan remained utterly composed, continuing his meticulous and unhurried dismemberment of the resistance fighter's body.

In mere minutes, under his exceptionally skilled blade work, the captive's body was completely dissected. Only at the final stage did Luodan reach for a pinch of salt from a nearby dish, rub it between his fingers, and sprinkle it over the remains, which now consisted primarily of bones and internal organs.

Stung by the salt, the severed eyeballs within the gruesome cadaver appeared to roll twice. Luodan nodded in satisfaction before finally ending the man's suffering with a swift stroke of his blade.

Then, with unhurried movements, he stood and approached a large cauldron nearby, beginning to slowly stir its contents. Witnessing this gruesome spectacle, Zhang Yi couldn't help but muse internally: 'This chef is truly a ruthless individual.'

Just then, Liang Yue, standing behind him, lightly touched Zhang Yi's arm. Zhang Yi understood; Liang Yue was inquiring if it was time to act. Zhang Yi offered a faint smile, and within his right eye, the light began to subtly warp. The next moment, the chains, thick as a man's arm, binding the resistance fighters on the execution racks, shattered simultaneously with a deafening clatter!

They plummeted from the high racks to the ground, desperately attempting to rise. Each of them had just witnessed their comrade being brutally dismembered, their eyes burning with a terrifying intensity, as if they were poised to devour someone.

Their physiques were far too frail, having been subjected to potent drugs, rendering them incapable of utilizing their powers to any significant degree. Nevertheless, they persisted in their fierce struggle, hurtling towards the soldiers positioned on the sky burial platform.

While drugs could suppress abilities, one category of superhumans possessed an extraordinary resistance: the reinforcement-type. Their innate power lay in permanently enhancing their own physical bodies through mutation.

On the platform itself, numerous resistance fighters, now unshackled, seized the heavy chains at hand and wielded them as improvised weapons. Coordinating their strike from both inside and out, they joined forces with their liberators, engaging in a desperate battle against the private soldiers and monks.

"Boom!"

The eruptions that echoed throughout the square plunged the area into utter pandemonium. The prisoners' successful escape caused Deji's countenance to darken considerably.

He abruptly rose from his seat, addressing the heads of the other three families, including Pagyi, with an urgent command: "What are you still waiting for? Issue orders to your men immediately to provide support!"

Pagyi Gesang's face was etched with anxiety. "Khenpo, all our forces are positioned outside. We only brought a handful of guards for our personal security. We cannot spare any personnel!"

He had more than a dozen superhumans standing by his side, each one a seasoned and highly skilled combatant. Furthermore, with Zhang Yi and his contingent present, his safety was absolutely guaranteed.

However, in the face of the resistance army's aggressive assault, he was unwilling to court disaster. The emergence of the Snow Mountain Divine Eagle had made him cautious; a single misstep in leaving himself exposed could prove fatal.

This locale was the territory of Sangha Monastery. Allowing Deji's forces to confront the resistance army would serve the dual purpose of allowing them to fight and potentially weakening both sides.

La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso voiced similar sentiments, refusing to deploy their personal guards for reinforcement duties.

Despite the substantial troop presence on the periphery, no one had foreseen a sudden outbreak of chaos from within the core area.

Had it not been for the significant explosions that rocked the venue, the personnel stationed there would have been more than sufficient to quell any disturbance.

Moreover, with tens of thousands of believers caught in a state of panic, the external troops found themselves unable to breach the perimeter to engage the perpetrators.

Adding to the complications, Drolma was orchestrating the assault of the Snowy Region's wolf packs against them, necessitating the diversion of forces to fend off that threat.

The mutual restraint among the Four Great Families, each hesitant to commit their personal guards to the fray, created a crucial window of opportunity for the resistance army.

They swiftly advanced, fighting their way towards the vicinity of the sky burial platform.

Observing that the sky burial ritual could no longer proceed as planned, Luodan made a swift decision. He gathered his instruments, secured them at his waist, turned, and departed.

Upon glimpsing Luodan, the resistance fighters' eyes blazed with an almost unbearable intensity of hatred.

As the chief sky burial master, Luodan was directly responsible for the demise of countless resistance comrades, including esteemed leaders. His most infamous act was the utilization of human beings as culinary ingredients, fostering a disturbing practice of cannibalism among the elite circles of the Snowy Region.

When those in positions of power developed such tastes, those below were inevitably drawn into indulgence. This societal decay, originating from the top, had resulted in countless individuals becoming sustenance for others.

Luodan held the fifth position on the resistance army's meticulously compiled list of targets, ranking just below the revered chieftains of the Four Great Families!