The freight lift carried one hundred approved fighters toward Floor Nine.
Nine hundred other crusaders stayed on Floor Five with water, guides, and a clear route out. Zhao Ba sat among them under orders to cause no more delays.
In the lift, Guang Ming asked every fighter to link into one formation.
Ling Yue did not join at once. “If this is only an encounter, why do you need our full strength?”
“Because the demon will not negotiate until he fears us.”
Wu Nian kept one hand free of the link. “My disciples are not yours to spend.”
“Your disciples came to save the world.”
“They came because I promised to bring them home.”
