Chapter 457

Chapter 457: The Terrified Pair

The instant the four giant beams of light descended, the surrounding space twisted. Immediately after, a brilliant radiance erupted, enveloping the entire area.

This Four Symbols Annihilation Formation was a top-tier formation, its four beams serving as both formation pillars and magical artifacts.

It was precisely this configuration that allowed the formation to unleash relentless waves of power, ultimately exhausting trapped cultivators to death under its ceaseless attacks.

One could attempt to strike those four beams.

Yet each beam was itself a Foundation Establishment magical artifact. To ensure absolute reliability, the elder employed high-grade Foundation Establishment magical artifacts.

Four high-grade Foundation Establishment magical artifacts, further bolstered by formation power, rendered each beam virtually as indestructible as a top-tier Foundation Establishment magical artifact.

Even Zhou Luo, after consuming the Sword Spirit Potion, couldn’t shatter them instantly.

It was then that the formation began its assault. All four beams, radiating distinct colors, struck simultaneously.

Fierce heavenly fire plummeted from the sky. Roaring winds sped forth. A boundless deluge surged without end. And resilient green wood slashed through the air like sharpened spears.

Each of these four attacks contained unimaginable power, unleashing overwhelming momentum.

Zhou Luo wielded the Cheng Sky Sword, parrying the barrage while his eyes darted among the four differently colored beams.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who’d swallowed a healing potion returned. Though his expression remained pale and his aura feeble, his earlier disarray was gone.

Zhou Luo’s earlier strike had gravely injured him. Had he not desperately flung himself backward, it would have severed his throat.

"I’ve traveled Jinyun Domain extensively, yet never encountered someone with power this monstrous," the middle-aged man watched Zhou Luo trapped within the formation, his voice still frail.

"Judging by his direction, he likely hails from Qingyuan Domain. But Qingyuan Sect is locked in war with Chimagong Sect. Where did this youth appear from?" The elder shook his head.

Even as he spoke, his aged right hand deftly manipulated luminous threads emanating from a formation control disk, coordinating the formation’s attacks.

The middle-aged man glanced at him, then toward the other fight, forcing a bitter smile. "This venture cost me dearly—one high-grade Foundation Establishment artifact destroyed. Zhu Zhi Feng will need to compensate me handsomely afterward."

"Rest assured. For the sake of Xuanming Jade Essence, Zhu Zhi Feng spared no expense. Compensation will come," chuckled the elder.

Their casual exchange revealed absolute confidence in victory.

This Four Symbols Annihilation Formation was the elder’s most prized work, the very formation that established his reputation.

It had slaughtered countless Foundation Establishment cultivators. He couldn’t fathom Zhou Luo escaping alive.

On the other side, Zhu Zhi Feng clearly possessed greater combat experience than Ye Qian. Bolstered by numerous potions, despite his withered lifespan, his seasoned tactics left him firmly in control.

"You are a disciple of Biquan True Sect. I shall not harm you. Leave now," Zhu Zhi Feng commanded Ye Qian sternly.

Even now, he sought to avoid irreparable conflict with Biquan True Sect.

In his view, Zhou Luo, being male, might share closeness with a female disciple, but unlikely held deep ties to the entire sect. Hatred toward men within Biquan True Sect was legendary across Jinyun Continent.

If possible, he wished Ye Qian no harm.

With Zhou Luo apparently contained within the formation, victory felt certain. He extended one final plea.

"You dare touch him? Prepare to die!" Ye Qian’s voice carried lethal intent.

"Why persist? I seek only the Xuanming Jade Essence," sighed Zhu Zhi Feng. "That Zhou Luo radiates vitality; he has time. I… do not."

Without hope of prolonged life, he’d never have risked this desperate endeavor.

Ye Qian did not respond. She continued to swing her sword, constantly unleashing her strongest attacks, trying to find an opportunity to gain the upper hand.

Boom—

Inside the formation, Zhou Luo swung his sword once more, unleashing a towering sword beam that shattered another formation assault.

His figure was engulfed by the brilliance of the entire formation.

"Add some more flames," said the middle-aged man, his expression fierce as he observed Zhou Luo’s seemingly effortless state.

The old man smiled faintly, replying confidently, "Don’t worry, at most within an hour, he will die in the formation from his exhausted mana."

But the next second, his right hand, which had been adjusting the formation plate, abruptly froze. Terror and shock spread across his aged face.

He raised his head, his eyes wide as he stared at the Four Symbols Extinction Formation, filled with disbelief.

In the formation, it was clear that Zhou Luo darted and weaved with agility, his Cheng Sky Sword occasionally striking the light column.

At the points where he hit, the column trembled slightly.

Though it appeared to be just a faint tremor, on the old man’s formation plate, fine cracks could clearly be seen spreading through the glowing lines.

"He is breaking the formation, how is it possible!"

His voice carried a hint of terror, and his entire being seemed struck by lightning, as if witnessing something dreadful.

Beside him, the middle-aged man also froze.

He was not a formation master, so the scene was unclear to him. Yet, upon the old man’s words, he said incredulously, "This is a first-level top-tier formation—how could he crack it?"

Even brute force couldn’t break a formation of this caliber, and let alone, the opponent was only at late-stage Foundation Establishment.

His very confusion mirrored the old man’s own puzzlement.

Crack—

As one of the light lines on the formation plate snapped and vanished, the old man’s lips quivered slightly as he spoke in a trembling voice, "Could it be that he is a formation master?"

In an instant, his mind reeled, and he found the situation unbearable.

How could someone so young, who had likely cultivated for just over a century, not only reach late-stage Foundation Establishment but also become a Second Level top-level formation master?

In that moment, the old man’s worldview seemed to collapse.

He stared in fear at the continuously fracturing lights, the stark reality seemingly screaming at him that this was the truth.

No matter how much he struggled to accept it, it remained unchangeable.

"This boy cannot be a loose cultivator," concluded the old man without hesitation.

Someone so prodigious must have a powerful backing, even if he wasn’t a disciple of the Wan Gu Sect or the Biquan True Sect.

Though he couldn’t fathom why Zhou Luo insisted on obtaining the Xuanming Jade Essence,

the old man, with his lifetime of experience, keenly sensed trouble brewing.

The middle-aged man beside him was rattled by these words. He wasn’t an idiot, so while this news stirred a tempest within him, a single thought instantly emerged in his mind.

"Flee quickly, so we’re not dragged into this crisis!"

Exchanging a knowing glance, both men conceived the same idea simultaneously. They stole a look at Zhu Zhi Feng, who remained unknowing in his battle, then turned back to Zhou Luo, who was on the cusp of shattering the formation.

Without further hesitation, they channeled their mana instantly and vanished on the spot as streaks of light.

Before departing, they warned Zhu Zhi Feng, "Pill Master Zhu, you’ve provoked a truly fearsome opponent!"

Zhu Zhi Feng, still engrossed in combat, had no clue what was occurring.

He only heard a loud crack, and the four light pillars promptly crumbled to pieces.

Zhou Luo strode out, cracking his neck.

He eyed the pair rapidly retreating with a contemptuous sneer and remarked, "That’s quite the sprint."