CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 187 WANG XIU: WHY ARE YOU SO GENEROUS, FELLOW DAOIST? (4000)_1

In the woods.

Xiang Kunlun, the Chief Disciple of the Blade Sect, rubbed the back of his head. He looked at the formation runes rising around him, then glanced down at his feet, belatedly asking, "Have we walked into a trap?"

The others were speechless.

You’re only realizing that now?

The formation radiated lethal intent. Its terrifying aura pulsed with invisible, cold glints of light powerful enough to slay even celestials. It was unclear which prodigy had set it up, but its power was frightening. Even before being fully activated, it was enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

They had charged through every obstacle on their journey. Whether it was ancient variant species or world-dominating fierce beasts, nothing could withstand their combined assault. As a result, they had grown increasingly arrogant. Xiang Kunlun and the other young disciples had been shouting with excitement, recklessly pushing forward.

Wang Xiu had sensed something amiss and voiced a warning, but he was too late. Xiang Kunlun and a few other young disciples had already stepped into the formation. It activated instantly, enveloping the surrounding void.

Wang Xiu silently assessed the situation and spoke with a grim tone, "This formation is quite formidable. If we leave Senior Brother Xiang and the others inside alone, they’ll be in mortal danger. We’re going in to help them withstand it!"

He could feel the formation’s terrifying power; it could instantly slay even Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. Xiang Kunlun was a prodigy of Sanqing, and both his cultivation level and blade techniques were among the best of his generation, but even he wouldn’t last long against this assault. If they tried to break the formation from the outside, the people inside would likely be dead in moments. If they all entered to resist it together, however, it would be a different story.

Hearing Wang Xiu’s words, the disciples of the Sanqing Immortal Sect didn’t hesitate, charging into the formation as one. They then watched their surroundings with caution, their bodies aglow with radiant light, ready for whatever came next.

"It’s the Celestial Extinction Formation! Triggered by a formation plate..."

Among the crowd, a man in a silver robe recognized the formation’s details. His eyes blazed with brilliant light, and his skin, as smooth as jade, was covered in flowing runes. He was Xiao Yu, the Chief Disciple of the Formation Sect. His mastery of formations was unmatched, and his knowledge was vast from extensive reading.

After observing for a moment, Xiao Yu frowned. "Though this formation is strong, it’s not enough to deal with so many of us. It doesn’t seem like it was set for our entire group..."

Who would be foolish enough to think a single formation could annihilate all the prodigies of the Sanqing Immortal Sect?

Heh heh heh...

Just then, a stream of ink-jade light descended from the sky, unleashing a vast expanse of darkness that blotted out everything. The light coalesced into a figure dressed in black. He stood with his back to the group, letting out a cold laugh.

Shi Ming was inwardly ecstatic. Soon, he would kill the sole heir of the Divination Sect right here. The rise of the Peeping Sky Pavilion was finally within reach. His face twisted into a hideous grin.

But when he turned around, he found over a hundred figures standing there, staring at him with curiosity.

His entire body went rigid, and his scalp tingled.

Fuck! What’s going on? Why are there so many people here? How could the Sanqing Immortal Sect dispatch over a hundred people at this time? Could it be that this generation of the Sanqing Immortal Sect is full of hidden masters, a whole group of peerless prodigies capable of dominating their era? Impossible! Something must have gone wrong!

His mind was a chaotic, near-total blank.

He had calculated everything clearly before making his move. Even with opponents like Xiang Tiange and Li Zuoyue, who possessed countless sect-bestowed Magical Treasures and combat power beyond common reckoning, he was confident. Once the Celestial Extinction Formation activated, he believed he could kill Wang Xiu and escape unscathed, even if their group was larger by a dozen or so people.

But he had never imagined he would be facing over a hundred people!

What in the world is happening? Have I lost my memory? Isn’t today the seventh day of the Holy Realm’s opening, not the seventeenth?

While Shi Ming’s mind was reeling in confusion, he suddenly saw Li Zuoyue and the others quietly draw their Magical Treasures, looking ready to fight.

Shi Ming’s heart skipped a beat, and the hair on his body stood on end.

I’m such an idiot! I should have stayed hidden and controlled the formation from the shadows. Even if I failed, I could have retreated safely. Why did I have to come out and show off? Why did I want the heir of the Divination Sect to know who killed him? I just wanted to vent all the frustration and bitterness from the Peeping Sky Pavilion being suppressed for so many years! Well, look at this mess! If these hundred-odd people swarm me, I’ll be beaten to a pulp in an instant!

It was too late to run.

His eyes darted around wildly as he suddenly shouted, his gaze sweeping in all directions, "Who’s there? Who set up this deadly formation to ambush me? If you’ve got the guts, show yourself! Stop hiding!"

The crowd: "..."

Feigning a stern expression, Shi Ming continued to rant at the empty air, "What? You only dare to lay an ambush but not show your face? There is nothing I despise more in this life than sneaky cowards like you!"

DING!

[Detection of boastful claims nearby. Congratulations to the Host for gaining Mana +99!]

The woods remained silent.

Shi Ming was panicking inside. The hundred-plus people just stood there watching him without a word, making his skin crawl. He knew that if he showed the slightest weakness now, he risked being ganged up on and beaten to death.

He turned back to face Wang Xiu and the others, clasped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoists, did you see any suspicious figures around here just now?"

"Yeah, I did," Huang Yunchong nodded, gesturing with his lips. "You!"

Shi Ming’s body tensed. He forced a smile and said, "Fellow Daoist, please don’t joke. Just like all of you, I accidentally stumbled into this deadly formation!"

Li Zuoyue, leaning against his Sword Box, narrowed his eyes. "You set up this deadly formation, didn’t you?"

A cold sweat broke out on Shi Ming’s brow. His heart pounded, and his voice rose by several pitches. "How... How could that be? I’ve never even seen a Celestial Extinction Formation plate, let alone heard of one! How could I possibly set it up?"