The so-called Array Formation is essentially about borrowing the power of heaven and earth.
Unlike refining oneself with spiritual energy, utilizing the power of heaven and earth brings forth immeasurable might.
But likewise, the greater the benefit, the greater the risk.
Array Formations can allow even an ordinary person to instantly kill a cultivator.
Correspondingly, one must have an exceptional understanding of the Array Formation, and also be prepared to pay the necessary price.
Not just the price for setting up the Array, but also the cost of knowledge.
If the person setting up the Array knows it better than the intruder, then there’s no problem.
But if the intruder knows more about the Array than the one who cast it, at certain moments, it’s possible to easily seize control of the Array from its creator.
And these certain moments often refer to the Array’s vulnerable periods.
For example, during the setup. If someone more skilled in the art spots the Array Core, they can naturally take it over with ease.
Just like what Xu Ping’an is doing right now.
When he located one of the Array Cores within the Ten Directions Blood Grudge Bone-Corroding Grand Formation, it took him almost no time at all to realize that the other party was completely unfamiliar with this Array.
Their clumsy movements, even stepping wrong in a few places—only the high tolerance of the Array allowed it to barely hold together.
This meant that as long as Xu Ping’an’s method of controlling the Array was more precise than theirs, he could effortlessly snatch away their control.
And he… did exactly that.
The Chaos Golden Eyes granted him the power to see through all illusions.
Countless years of learning in his dreams made him a master of unnumbered Array Formations.
So, he barely had to exert himself; with a slight lift of his foot, stepping onto a node, he seized the Array in an instant, directing the Baleful Qi condensed within the Array to engulf several people.
Miserable screams immediately echoed throughout the valley.
Hearing these sounds, the Sect Masters of the other sects in various directions couldn’t help but frown.
However, as the Blood Fiend Qi grew thicker, they were no longer able to make out what was happening in the distance.
All they knew was that the Array Core over there had activated normally.
“That’s… Five Flavor Valley over there, right? I’m guessing a few foolish disciples from Five Flavor Valley stepped wrong and fell into the Array.”
The fact that the Array Core wasn’t affected meant that everything was proceeding smoothly. Even if something unexpected happened, it was most likely just a minor issue.
As long as it didn’t delay killing Pei Qingxuan, all other minor problems could be ignored.
“Sect Master, the two Great Elders have yet to return. Should we keep waiting?”
A disciple of Bloodfiend Hall stepped forward to report. A faint unease surfaced in Qi Guan Xuehe’s heart.
“How odd. The Blood Fiend Qi has started to gather; that should mean the two of them have already dealt with the issue. So why haven’t they come back yet?”
Qi Guan Xuehe shook his head.
There was no time to worry about that now; the arrow was already nocked and could not be drawn back.
The Array was complete. As long as they killed Pei Qingxuan, even if both Great Elders died here, it would not matter!
Thinking this, Qi Guan Xuehe suddenly raised his voice.
“Blood Abyss in the darkness, grudge and baleful spirits are clear, bones pave the steps, souls form the bridge, ten directions without boundary, yin and yang suspended, the Nine Netherworlds open, ten thousand souls come forth—bone-corroding, heart-searing!”
“By my command, Ten Directions Blood Grudge Bone-Corroding Grand Formation, rise—!”
As the word “rise” left his lips, in that instant, the Blood Fiend Qi gathered within a radius of dozens of kilometers coalesced into clouds of blood mist.
Within those blood mists, one could faintly see countless different faces, yet all sharing the same look.
At the same time, the sky instantly turned blood red; even the sun overhead was completely obscured.
The Ten Directions Blood Grudge Bone-Corroding Grand Formation was officially activated. With its activation, this entire region was sealed off from the outside world.
Gazing at the scarlet clouds overhead and the rolling blood mist on the ground—
A smile appeared at the corner of Qi Guan Xuehe’s lips.
Beside him, the Bloodfiend Hall disciples could not help but cry out in excitement:
“Sect Master, it’s done! The Array is successfully activated!!”
“Hahahahaha~ Good! Very good! Pei Qingxuan, let’s see where you can run today!!”
Qi Guan Xuehe formed a sword seal with his fingers, chanting under his breath.
“One offering: the desolate mountain’s bones tremble.
Two offerings: the ancient fiend of the cold pool is startled.
Three offerings: broken souls at lonely graves are thrown into chaos…
Tenth offering: even Heaven’s Will is without mercy—ten thousand baleful spirits corrode the bones, the formation is complete, go!!!”
With each incantation, the entire formation was filled with wailing winds and ghostly cries.
The howls could be heard a hundred miles away; the sky was awash in blood-red, with snowflakes drifting down.
Xu Ping’an reached out and caught a snowflake.
The instant it landed in his palm, it turned into a drop of blood, its icy cold touch making his brow furrow.
The billowing blood mist condensed into a tidal wave.
At the crest, countless faces of wailing, vengeful souls could be seen, surging in a wave hundreds of meters tall, rushing straight toward the two figures fighting in the sky.
At this moment, both people hovering in midair noticed the blood wave bearing down upon them.
Seeing it about to arrive, Wu Xin Du Gu frowned, a hint of regret flashing across his face.
“What a pity… What a pity. Heaven is ever jealous of true talent.”
Saying this, he glanced at the woman before him. From today, there would be one less person in this world worthy of battling him.
However, Pei Qingxuan had no time to spare for the rapidly retreating Wu Xin Du Gu. A sharp warning pricked between her brows, as if a needle had stabbed her forehead.
That sense of impending death—of being on the verge of dying in the next instant—was something she had never experienced in all her years.
She knew very well: the Array had locked onto her.
No matter where she fled, it would be futile.
Her gaze dropped to the Golden Boat below.
Though the blood wave blocked her sight, Pei Qingxuan’s determination only grew stronger.
She could not die here. At least—not now!
If she died, demonic cultivators would surely go to the Golden Boat.
If they saw her husband, with his complete lack of cultivation, there would be no hope for him to survive!
With this thought, Pei Qingxuan bit down hard on her silver teeth, her willow brows rising sharply.
She raised her sword to meet the wave, shouting angrily:
“Phoenix Dances Nine Heavens!!”
As she spoke, she thrust her sword.
At its tip, flames suddenly gathered, swelling in the wind.
In a blink, it reached a hundred meters, sweeping across the sky.
The searing light burned the very air.
Within the raging fire, a blazing phoenix broke through the surging flames, raising its head and letting out a long, resonant cry.
“Clang! Clang!!”
With unstoppable momentum, it dove straight toward the crest of the blood wave!
Boom——!
The moment the Blood Fiend Qi collided with the sword energy, the two forces met in a flash, and wild winds erupted.
Flames soared, setting the sky ablaze!
Yet in the very next instant, under Pei Qingxuan’s gaze,
The fiery phoenix she had conjured lasted only two breaths before it was completely shattered by the crashing tide.
With a mournful cry, the phoenix was swallowed by the blood wave.
The wave formed by grudge and blood simply rolled over, then surged forth again, barreling straight at her!
Seeing her strongest sword art withstand the blood wave for only two breaths, a surge of despair flooded Pei Qingxuan’s heart.
She knew all too well: with her current strength, today would surely be the day her soul and body were both destroyed.
But she did not fear death. What she feared was—if she died, what would happen to her husband?
Yes!
No matter what, she had to withstand this first wave, find a way to get her husband out first!!
With her thoughts clear, a resolve to die surged within Pei Qingxuan’s heart.
Gripping the Nine Phoenix Sword, she prepared to burn all her spiritual energy and carve a path of blood.
But at that moment, a relaxed and reassuring voice sounded gently in her ear.
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