Chapter 224: Time is Almost Up · Double Kill

Chapter 224: Time is Almost Up · Double Kill

"This is just too strange!"

Cao Mingjie meticulously inspected every item in the palace: "How could such a grand palace contain absolutely nothing?"

"Even though they set up such a complex sealing formation outside, were they just protecting this odd pearl?"

"Hey, there seems to be writing on the tray."

He suddenly noticed an unfamiliar Ancient Ling Script character carved beneath the pearl.

"This looks like the same script as the stone tablet at the entrance."

Ma Wenbo leaned in upon hearing this: "But we don't understand Ancient Ling Script."

Yu Zhenyang added, "I've never even heard of this before either."

"It's precisely these differences that highlight the depth of cultivators from major sects—they possess more hidden knowledge and have time to study ancient texts."

"Unlike us, who spend every day scrambling to earn spirit stones while barely finding time for cultivation."

In truth, ordinary cultivators simply lacked access to such resources.

In some major sect's Scripture Pavilion, even obscure books gathering dust might contain ancient texts long lost to the outside world.

These invisible accumulations could sometimes prove decisive during critical moments.

Xiao Chen had always valued this and planned to expand his knowledge when opportunities arose.

The only question was which sect would welcome newcomers most readily.

"I think I recognize this character."

Qiu Fanghui, who had been examining the palace's surroundings, suddenly spoke: "If I'm not mistaken, it's likely the character for 'rooster.'"

"Huh? Fellow cultivator Qiu, how did you figure that out?" Ma Wenbo asked curiously.

Qiu Fanghui coughed lightly: "Look at the bronze door knockers shaped like the Celestial Rooster Announcing Dawn. The Huabiao Pillar outside bears a Golden Rooster Standing Alone sculpture. Inside, the vases, screens, incense burners, and eight-cornered palace lamps are either pure white or adorned with rooster patterns or characters."

"These details must relate to the palace's central artifacts."

He added hastily: "Of course, this is just my speculation."

Xiao Chen reexamined the surroundings and found the pattern indeed matched.

This theory was intriguing—if the palace followed a fixed theme, it might conceal profound secrets.

He pocketed the pearl: "Let's head straight to the next palace and see for ourselves."

By now, other cultivators had crossed the narrow path and entered the palace area.

Most were from major factions or possessed formidable strength.

Over half chose to follow the main road toward the core region.

The remaining half, noticing the complex sealing formations in the side halls, ventured deeper.

Only a few solitary cultivators cautiously kept their distance from Xiao Chen's group of five.

"Look! The Huabiao Pillar on the right bears a Celestial Dog Devouring the Sun sculpture!" Cao Mingjie exclaimed.

"Monkey Fishing for the Moon on the left! There's a pattern!"

"Shh!" Ma Wenbo pulled him back. "Walls have ears!"

Still, excitement rippled through the group.

If secrets truly lay hidden here, rushing to the core might have been a mistake.

"Golden Light Technique fellow cultivator, which formation shall we break first?" Yu Zhenyang asked.

"Start with the right", Xiao Chen pointed. "We'll move leftward to avoid backtracking."

"Excellent suggestion!" Qiu Fanghui eagerly agreed first.

Using the Yin-Yang Separation Formation, the group opened the second palace. The interior layout mirrored the first, with an identical pearl resting on the final tray.

"This one should represent 'dog,' right?" Ma Wenbo sketched the Ancient Ling Script character, making three copies to distribute.

"Hold onto this for now—we haven't completed the set", he said, handing one to Xiao Chen and Qiu Fanghui.

"Let's focus on opening all twelve palaces first."

Qiu Fanghui nodded: "Golden Light Technique fellow cultivator's plan is wise!"

...

The complex sealing formations and increasing number of arriving cultivators slowed progress.

By the time they collected the third pearl, all nine remaining palaces had cultivators attempting to breach them.

Some teams even stationed guards to monitor their surroundings.

"Trouble—those over there are from the Eight Great Clans!" Cao Mingjie identified. "I saw their leader in the West Market—he's from the Mu Clan."

"Let's explore the side halls first", he suggested, avoiding conflict.

Ma Wenbo squinted into the distance: "There's a lone cultivator on the main road. Shall we drive them away?"

"These pearls might seem useless now, but they could prove valuable later."

Yu Zhenyang, unusually decisive, asked: "Golden Light Technique fellow cultivator, what's our move?"

He glanced right, anticipating Xiao Chen's command.

By now, Yu Zhenyang had abandoned independent decision-making—cultivation world hierarchy dictated deference to strength.

When Xiao Chen opened his mouth, a sudden 'whoosh' interrupted him.

A sword formation diagram flew forth, transforming into a simple sword array enclosing the five.

Ninety-nine cyan sword qi surged from all directions.

"Primordial Earth, Protect!" Yu Zhenyang and others scattered, activating talismans.

Too late—the array's range trapped them all.

"Move quickly! Leave no one behind!"

Three cultivators emerged from the nearest palace, activating spiritual artifacts to reinforce the formation.

"Qiongtai Fire Lotus!" Xiao Chen calmly activated his protective technique, then slashed his finger outward.

A streak of Soaring Cloud sword qi pierced the formation, but the Third Stage formation shrugged it off effortlessly.

Interesting. The enemy had real skill to dare ambush a larger group.

Cyan sword qi clashed against Xiao Chen's fire lotus, showering sparks.

"Yin births Yang, Yang births Yin—reverse the Five Elements!" Yu Zhenyang reversed the Yin-Yang Separation Formation, attempting to disrupt the array.

Cao Mingjie and Ma Wenbo flanked him, chanting: "Mystic Turtle Bearing Armor, Sitting Like Mount Tai!"

A mountainous illusion shielded them as they deflected sword qi.

Qiu Fanghui activated two Mysterious Iron Puppets, holding two more in reserve.

"Stop them!" The blue-robed cultivator roared. "Sky Net Locking Cloud Chain!"

Golden chains bound Xiao Chen, suppressing his true mana.

The red-robed female cultivator chanted: "Heavenly River Reversal!"

Water surged beneath Qiu Fanghui, trapping him and his puppets in a massive water sphere.

The green-robed cultivator raised a wooden sword: "Azure Lotus Blade!"

The formation's cyan sword qi transformed into azure lotuses bombarding Yu Zhenyang's group.

"Boom!" The mountain illusion shattered under the onslaught.

Yu Zhenyang discarded the formation disk, reinforcing defenses with a new talisman and spirit shield.

Xiao Chen remained bound. Qiu Fanghui floated trapped in water.

Their situation turned dire—three Golden Core Late Stage cultivators had outmaneuvered them.

Yu Zhenyang inhaled sharply. Body cultivators struggled against formations, their strength useless against this entrapment.

Breaking the formation was their only hope to unleash Xiao Chen's true power.

He gritted his teeth and unfurled the formation disk again. "Junior Sect Brother Er, Junior Sect Brother San, buy me half an hour!"

Activating the formation disk required immense true mana and spiritual sense. Yu Zhenyang knew he'd be completely unable to defend against enemy attacks afterward. Worse, he could already predict the enemy would focus their assault on him as the breaker. If anything went wrong, the sword array would tear him apart on the spot.

But this was the only chance Yu Zhenyang could think of.

"Hmph, resisting stubbornly", the blue-clothed cultivator sneered. He then pulled out a deep-blue leaf from his robes. "Biluo Thousand Leaves, known as Frost Ning, go!"

With a flick of his wrist, the leaf floated midair, its trajectory unpredictable. It dodged Cao Mingjie and Ma Wenbo with precision, sticking itself onto Yu Zhenyang's last remaining spirit shield.

Without a sound, the shield's glow extinguished. Ice crystals enveloped its surface before the shield shattered and fell to the ground. Without spirit shield defense, Yu Zhenyang would collapse immediately.

Though he knew this wasn't a sustainable solution, he had no choice but to abandon breaking the formation again. He retrieved a backup spirit shield and deployed it. The rapid consumption of true mana left Yu Zhenyang's face pale.

Looking around, he saw many witnesses to their battle, yet everyone ignored them. It seemed no one would come to their aid.

"Absolutely pathetic. This level of skill dares to come to the Relic to die", the blue-clothed cultivator said arrogantly. "Let's wrap this up. Looks like we can still check out the palace."

The red-clothed female cultivator glanced behind. Another Mu Clan squad was nearly done dismantling the palace's sealing formation.

"Tch, annoying. They always give us the hardest targets", she muttered.

"This guy actually brought four puppets. After killing the other four, you better come help me", she added.

The blue-clothed cultivator raised his eyebrows. "Oh, you encountered the strongest prey again?"

"No problem, we'll definitely help this time", he replied.

The green-clothed cultivator interjected, "Time's almost up. Finish this first."

He increased his true mana output, causing the number of azure lotuses in the formation to surge.

Yu Zhenyang's group turned ashen. The enemy still had reserves. This time, they might all perish.

"Indeed, time's almost up", Xiao Chen said, watching the distant Huo Clan cultivator with a smile. He had noticed earlier that these three and the Huo Clan cultivator all bore matching embroidered patterns on their collars. He deliberately avoided drawing his flying sword, testing their strength with sword qi instead.

If he destroyed the formation directly, the Huo Clan would rush to reinforce. Then the palace's sealing formation would need re-breaking. Now, with the sealing formation nearly dismantled, they could save time post-battle.

His strategy was meticulous.

"Crack! Crack!"

Before the blue-clothed cultivator's disbelieving eyes, Xiao Chen reached out and shattered the chains binding him.

"If you three commit suicide now, I'll promise to leave your corpses intact."

The red-clothed female cultivator reacted instantly. "Something's wrong. He's a top-tier body cultivator. Restrain his power burst together!"

She threw a talisman: "Frostlight Moon Burial!"

A phantom moon appeared, freezing the surroundings. The temperature plummeted, the moon drifting downward as if frozen in time. The cold current seemed to freeze even heavenly qi.

Yu Zhenyang felt his joints stiffen. Cao Mingjie felt as if naked in a frozen wasteland, his blood slowing like it would freeze.

The blue-clothed cultivator sneered again. "Arrogant talk."

"If you commit suicide now, I'll promise not to scatter your bones."

He threw a talisman: "Filthy Spring Corrupted Earth!"

The talisman became a murky spring, turning the formation's soil into toxic mire. This move countered body cultivators particularly well. The soft ground offered no leverage, absorbing impact.

The green-clothed cultivator tossed a dry branch into the formation. The formation solidified, better resisting explosive surges.

Though Xiao Chen's barehanded destruction of the Sky Net Locking Cloud Chain showed his Body Cultivation prowess, the trio remained calm. Their coordinated response was well-practiced.

If today's opponent were any other elite Body Cultivation cultivator, they'd have no choice but to concede.

Unfortunately for them, they faced Xiao Chen.

"Oh ho, interesting."

Xiao Chen leisurely drew his Wind-Thunder Pair Swords. "You even prepared talismans against body cultivators. Came prepared, huh?"

"Must say, among enemies I've met, you're not the dumbest."

"Pity you're still not smart enough to know not to provoke the wrong people."

He gripped a flying sword in each hand and shouted: "Soaring Through the Clouds!"

Blinding sword beams obscured everyone's vision.

The blue-clothed cultivator's heart lurched. He immediately raised a defense spirit shield. The red-clothed female cultivator, startled, retreated behind him, deploying a protective body aura.

The green-clothed cultivator, as formation master, gripped his sword and manipulated formation energy to weaken the sword beam.

The next moment, the merciless beam pierced the formation.

"Huh? No backlash?"

The green-clothed cultivator stared at the shattered formation, confused. Normally, as the formation master, he should suffer backlash from forced destruction. Yet he felt no true mana disruption, not even his own true mana.

Wait, something's wrong!

He looked down. A cross-shaped wound split his dantian. Through the torn flesh, his golden core lay sliced into four pieces.

"My golden core shattered?"

Realizing this, he felt his strength drain. His body split along the cross-wound into four pieces.

The surrounding cultivators froze at the fallen green-clothed cultivator.

"Boom!"

A distant Huabiao Pillar severed by the sword beam collapsed, jolting everyone awake.

The blue-clothed cultivator swallowed hard. He hastily threw another defense spirit shield while chanting a defensive spell.

This is insane! This opponent wasn't just a top-tier body cultivator, but also a top-tier sword cultivator.

No, even top-tier sword cultivators couldn't do this. He'd never heard of a golden core cultivator slicing another's golden core through a formation. It defied all reason!

"Qing!"

The red-clothed female cultivator cried out, her eyes reddening. She pointed at Xiao Chen: "You dared kill Qing! I'll make you pay with your entire clan!"

Yet she stayed behind the blue-clothed cultivator, rapidly retreating toward the Mu Clan squad for aid. She instantly judged that without the formation and their companion, they couldn't fight the five opponents alone.

Her retreat freed Qiu Fanghui and the four Mysterious Iron Puppets from encirclement. But now, Yu Zhenyang's group could only stare at the fallen green-clothed cultivator, minds blank.

"Se-Senior Sect Brother", Cao Mingjie stammered, "that golden core technique cultivator's swordplay is terrifying."

Though the sword beam hadn't targeted him, proximity made him feel death's shadow. Xiao Chen could've sliced his spirit shield and golden core alike. Facing such a threat, Cao Mingjie felt genuine fear.

"Hiss!"

Ma Wenbo inhaled sharply. "At least Heaven-Tier sword technique!"

His eyes brimmed with awe and regret. He'd once tried learning sword techniques but abandoned them for various reasons. Witnessing Xiao Chen's brilliance, he felt unparalleled admiration.

Yu Zhenyang said nothing, patting his juniors' shoulders. He understood their feelings completely, especially Ma Wenbo's awe toward swordplay, which he'd already experienced himself.

"Heartlight Severance!"

Now that he'd started, Xiao Chen decided to end it quickly. He channeled his Wind-Thunder Pair Swords again.

If "Soaring Through the Clouds" was a grand, formation-breaking technique, "Heartlight Severance" excelled in one-on-one combat, especially against protective mystic light.

"Crack!"

The spirit shield shattered.

The blue-clothed cultivator tensed but felt no impact.

"Ahh!"

A shriek erupted behind him. The retreating red-clothed female cultivator had been cut in half at the waist.

In duels, Xiao Chen always followed a habit: strike the softest targets first. The blue-clothed cultivator had two spirit shields and defensive spells. The red-clothed female cultivator only hid behind one, crying. Naturally, he chose the weaker target first. One strike, one kill.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end