Chapter 13: Breaking the Array

“The Fire Dragon Cave in the Thunder Abyss: that is a forbidden land. Legend says that those who enter find death nine times out of ten!”

“Senior Brother Mo Chen, we live and die with Senior Brother Ling Tao. Moreover, he saved our lives. No matter how dangerous the dragon’s den or tiger’s lair might be, we must go and rescue him!”

“Well said. We are all apostles of the Holy Tabernacle; we share both ruin and glory! Let’s go!”

The two spoke as they stepped onto their flying swords and took to the sky.

At that moment.

Above the Thunder Abyss, thunderclouds descended periodically. Though intermittent, the storm seemed endless: each strike released a deafening roar.

Deep within the abyss below, a figure was surrounded by layers of spiritual Qi. It rippled like a tide, constantly vibrating and surging.

Every time a bolt of heavenly lightning fell, his aura spiked. Deep within his Dantian, the sixth Spirit Pearl was finally becoming increasingly brilliant, tempered by the majestic power of the lightning and nourished by the energy of thousands of Spirit Stones.

The heart-wrenching pain of the cultivation process persisted throughout.

When the largest thundercloud in the void finally descended, Lu Jin, who had endured immense suffering with a face of absolute determination, suddenly opened his eyes.

“Great Derivation Dragon Transformation Art… Dragon Skin, condense!”

Buzz!

Spiritual power saturated his surroundings. Brilliant light radiated outward as a terrifying fluctuation gathered on the surface of his body. The defensive Dragon Membrane was gradually drawn into his skin, causing his flesh to take on the luster of lightning!

The final bolt of thunder crashed down. The lightning flooded his body: part was devoured by the Heaven Burial Coffin, part entered the Endless Dantian, and the rest transformed into tiny lightning snakes that roamed beneath his skin.

The Great Derivation Dragon Transformation Art had five stages: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, Minor Success, and Great Success. Each stage corresponded to a specific part of the body: Skin, Sinew, Blood, Bone, and Organs.

The Initial stage was for tempering the skin.

The Dragon Membrane that Lu Jin had previously condensed was the first layer of the three skin-tempering tiers. The second tier was Dragon Veins; the third was Dragon Scales! At the Dragon Scales stage, the skin could manifest scales, providing defensive power equal to that of a true dragon.

Now, the power of lightning roamed through his skin. The luster of the Dragon Membrane became even more brilliant, reaching a point of blinding radiance that made him look as if he were plated in lightning.

Boom!

As the lightning power finally condensed within his Dantian, the sixth Spirit Pearl manifested completely. His aura followed naturally, reaching the sixth stage of the Spirit Pearl Realm!

“Continue!”

Lu Jin was not yet satisfied. The powerful aura of the sixth stage was pleasing, but he did not stop. He threw another pile of Spirit Stones into the Heaven Burial Coffin!

Inside the coffin, spiritual power flooded back. Tidal waves of force tore at his flesh while the heavenly tribulation tempered his will. The Great Derivation Dragon Transformation Art repaired his battered body… Within the violent lightning tribulation, a complete metamorphosis was taking root.

…

Some time passed.

Two figures appeared at the edge of the Thunder Abyss. They were Mo Chen and Zi Xuan.

“The lightning tribulation here is too powerful. Senior Brother Mo Chen, with our current physical strength, we cannot endure those bolts!”

“Strange! The power of the lightning here is so intense; I don’t recall encountering such conditions here before.”

“The Fire Dragon Cave is deep within the abyss. We cannot rush over there now. If we force our way in, it will be a path to death!”

“Wait… who is that over there? Such a familiar aura…”

Mo Chen suddenly looked toward a nearby spot. A familiar fluctuation caused him to frown.

“It’s the Poison Sword Ten-Absolute Array! Someone is secretly setting up the Poison Sword Ten-Absolute Array!”

“If I’m not mistaken, the person hunting Junior Brother Ling Tao is Chen Jiang, an Inner Sect Elder from the Demon Slaughter Peak! His specialty is using this array for assassinations!”

“Is Elder Chen Jiang really trying to assassinate Junior Brother Ling Tao?”

“Chen Jiang is an Inner Sect Elder of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and an expert in toxins. The Blood Moon Ancestor needs such ruthless people. He might very well be a member of the Blood Messengers!”

“In that case, we’ll break this array first!”

“The formation isn’t complete. We’ll join forces and destroy it immediately!”

Their eyes turned cold as they scouted the area. Finally, they found the core of the Poison Sword Ten-Absolute Array.

Swish! Swish!

They exchanged a determined glance. As they moved, two flying swords were unleashed, carrying majestic spiritual Qi as they slammed directly into the array!

Boom!

The sudden explosion startled Luo Jiu and his group.

“Who dares to break my array!”

He roared and rushed out, his eyes filled with freezing killing intent.

“The Poison Sword Ten-Absolute Array is an evil method. Are you setting up secret traps here to harm people!”

Mo Chen’s voice was like thunder as he manipulated his flying sword in a frantic assault!

“You dare break my array? You’re looking for death!”

Luo Jiu leaped into the air and threw a punch, his strength as a first-grade Jindan expert fully revealed!

“Impudent!”

At that moment, Zi Xuan thrust her sword. Her powerful sword Qi instantly shattered Luo Jiu’s punch. Luo Jiu was shocked: he never expected this young woman in her twenties to possess such combat power. He dodged away immediately.

“What? The second grade of the Jindan Realm?”

Luo Jiu’s heart hammered against his ribs; things were taking a bad turn. Among his group, he was the strongest; the other elders hadn’t even reached the Jindan Realm. They were no match!

“The situation has changed! Send the transmission talisman immediately!”

Buzz!

He didn’t hesitate and sent the signal. Their attitude toward Mo Chen and Zi Xuan shifted instantly.

“May I ask which experts you are? We have no grievances with you. Why break our array?”

Mo Chen shattered the gathered energy core of the formation with a single sword strike, his voice cold.

“Break!”

Boom!

The Poison Sword Ten-Absolute Array, which had taken them half the day to assemble, exploded!

The terrifying aura swept through the area, even startling Lu Jin, who was still cultivating beneath the Thunder Abyss.

At this point, a seventh Spirit Pearl had already condensed in his Dantian. His cultivation had settled at the seventh stage of the Spirit Pearl Realm! Hearing the massive explosion outside, he stopped and soared into the air, exiting the abyss.

“Huh? That’s… someone is helping me deal with Luo Jiu and the others?”

When he emerged from the abyss, he saw Luo Jiu and his group being suppressed by a young man and woman. Since people rarely came here, Lu Jin was quite surprised.

However, he was happy to watch the show.

“Who exactly are you? Why did you break my array!”

Luo Jiu’s voice was freezing. The other elders began to gather around him, preparing to face the enemy together!

“Speak! Were you the ones who forced my Junior Brother Ling Tao into the Fire Dragon Cave?”

Zi Xuan questioned them with a chilling voice.

“Ling Tao? Fire Dragon Cave? We know nothing of this! You are being too reckless!”

Luo Jiu’s gaze was lethal. “Since you broke my array, you must pay compensation!”