Book 5: Chapter 54: Four-way formation

Book 5: Chapter 54: Four-way formation

There was a bang and debris trickled down from above.

Ruan Zhan, Wan Li and Xiao Xia instinctively stepped backwards and looked up.

A small hole the size of a bowl had appeared in the roof. A vine had lowered itself into the room like a weirdly long arm and lifted Guan Zheng up into the air.

Are you the only ones who can make preparations? He looked down at Ruan Zhan from above. The spells you know are still far from sufficient!

Dont panic! Stay in position. Ruan Zhan ignored Guan Zhengs arrogant hollering and instructed calmly.

Hearing his voice, Xiao Xia calmed down and firmly stepped back to her assigned position.

When she had felt dizzy a moment ago, she understood Ruan Zhan had cast a spell. Although the three had indeed been standing in front of the altar when the wedding started, the moment Guan Zheng arrived Ruan Zhan had used a modified version of the space-warping technique to move them to their arranged positions. What replaced them at the altar were the enchanted vines he had prepared in advance.

It was clear Ruan Zhan was truly a genius in the Daoist arts. During critical moments, he was not only able to come up with a good strategy, he could also unleash more of his potential. Without a proper teacher, he was able to merge his fathers past teachings with his own understanding.

Controlling plants and animals was a type of witchcraft, something Ruan Zhan wasnt proficient in. However, he had used spells to supplement, along with the illusion technique he was very good at. This allowed him to create a false image that took advantage of Guan Zhengs attitude. It actually fooled Guan Zheng and caused him to suffer a loss from the get go.

However, our acting was pretty good. Wan Li said unconcernedly. We were just doing the voiceovers, but didnt you still fall for it?

Guan Zheng sneered coldly and started chanting again. A few seconds later, thumping noises rang out from the roof. The vines constricting Guan Zheng split apart piece by piece and fell to the floor, allowing him to quickly escape his restraints.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

He hung furiously from the vine coming through the roof and flung his other hand out. A strange red vine shot out from his sleeve and swept towards Xiao Xia.

Xiao Xia didnt move a muscle. Ruan Zhan had said as long as she remained in place, she could leave the rest to him!

The moment the red vine reached Xiao Xias waist, a black sword suddenly shot through the air and sliced the vine squarely in half. It was Ruan Zhan wielding the bloodwood sword.

That red vine seemed to be alive as it writhed in pain on the floor after being severed. The upper half curled up like a snake, the severed end pointed towards Ruan Zhan. The lower half fell from Xiao Xias waist and swiftly withered after wriggling a little.

Petty tricks. Ruan Zhan laughed lightly and stepped back into his original spot.

Really? Guan Zheng refused to admit defeat. Im taking her with me today. Are you able to stop me?

Dont write checks with your mouth that your ass cant cash. You should escape before saying anything. I wont hand my wife over, no matter what. Wan Li provoked him again.

She isnt yours. She will never be yours. Besides, I can easily leave whenever I want. Guan Zheng was incomparably arrogant. What can you do if I leave through the roof?

You can try. Ruan Zhan was still cool.

No need to try, you lot dont have the qualifications. Did you truly think I fell for your tricks? I was just playing around with you.

Playing around at hanging from the roof like a sausage? Wan Li laughed. You really know how to play.

Guan Zheng became enraged. He reached into his robes to pull out Gu insects, but before he could make the next move Ruan Zhan had already drawn a whirlpool-shaped symbol with his right hand, flicking it towards Guan Zheng before pointing at the ground.

Guan Zheng suddenly felt a strong force pulling him towards the ground. There was nothing to be seen, but he felt as if his feet were filled with lead. The force grew stronger and stronger, like there was an invisible whirlpool on the floor that threatened to swallow him. He was forced to grab onto the vine with both hands to prevent himself from falling.

He cried out and started chanting in a foreign language. The red vine from his sleeve also started shifting strangely. It tried to attack the three people below but was sucked away by the invisible force once it lowered itself. It was unable to reach its targets after repeated attempts.

Guan Zhengs arms seemed no longer able to keep him from falling. He hurriedly blew a sharp whistle. The red vine seemed to understand his command and suddenly shot backwards. It pierced the roof like a third arm and temporarily held him in place.

His father had taught him many things that he just kept in his head as theories without ever applying them. This time, after considering their manpower, the environment, their opponent and many other factors, he ended up deciding to use this formation.

Unfortunately, the four-way formation required four people. They only had three, and he was the only one with powers. He had done his best to make up for it, hoping to wipe Guan Zheng out in the end.

Thats the fourth point of the four-way formation? Guan Zheng scoffed disdainfully. Im not even afraid of the god of all things. Did you think a piece of wood and awhat is that?

Something your master left behind. Ruan Zhan responded.

Guan Zheng froze for a moment. The image of a beautiful, kind, fairy-like woman flashed across his mind. It actually spawned an indescribable sense of guilt in his heart. Yet it was just a fleeting thought and he swiftly recovered.

It seems you guys know everything.

Of course. If theres anything youve forgotten, Id be happy to remind you. Youre an old man after all. I have no idea how you maintained the appearance of someone in his thirties. Wan Li said.

My masters remnants are of no use against me either!

Is that so? Why dont you try breaking the formation? Ruan Zhan made an inviting gesture.

Before his voice fell, Guan Zheng suddenly leapt up like a frog, landing in front of Xiao Xia. He immediately flung out the same ball of vines he had used against Wan Lis illusion.

He didnt know how many traps had been arranged inside the octagonal building. However, he realized he had been too overconfident. Afraid it wouldnt be advantageous for him to remain here, he hurriedly tried to head downstairs. Outside in the wilderness, there would be a large amount of plants and animals. He would be like a fish in the water. It wouldnt be like the indoors where there wasnt even a single tree. He was a child of the woods after all.

The four-way formation required someone to hold each of the cardinal directions. Looking at the blood-red talismans on each of the four walls, he knew they empowered the formation. Just having four people stand in place would be useless.

This wasnt a formation that relied on physical means, but rather one of magic. It relied primarily on magic, sorcery, willpower and technique. To break it required breaking through one of the directions.

Of the four, Ruan Zhans side was undoubtedly the strongest. Although Guan Zheng believed his powers to be above Ruan Zhans, his pervious performance was sufficient to put him on alert. He didnt wish to force things. After all, he wasnt launching a desperate assault. He was just trying to relocate to better terrain.

As for the second side, despite Wan Li being an ordinary human, he had brute force and overflowing Yang energy. Furthermore, under his smiling expression hid extremely shrewd schemes. He also wouldnt be easy to deal with. If he wasnt able to break through within a few moves, Ruan Zhan would attack him from behind. That would be just as bad for him.

After thinking it over, Xiao Xias side was the only option. She was a weak woman with heavier Yin energy. She also had no powers. Although they would definitely have prepared for this, it was still undoubtedly the weakest link.

He didnt mind if Xiao Xias physical body was destroyed. He wasnt after that anyway. He wanted her soul to accompany him forever. As long as he didnt let go, she would never be able to leave! Therefore, he decided to attack Xiao Xias side.

His attack arrived in a flash!

He had assumed Xiao Xia would undoubtedly die. Instead, she had reached into the bag slung across her shoulders. The moment Guan Zheng hesitated, she knew he would attack her. Therefore, she had already taken the object inside out before he even made his move.

The moment the object appeared, it swiftly grew until it was half the size of a person in the blink of an eye. Therefore, despite Guan Zhengs attack having been fast, the ball of vines ended up striking the object in front of her.

It was a metal banner covered with streaks of rust. It shone faintly red and there was an amber talisman stuck to the pole. Guan Zheng knew Xiao Xia didnt have the ability to wield an object with such spirit power. Ruan Zhan must have put a talisman there in advance that caused it to automatically expand once it was taken out.

Although Guan Zhengs attack failed, the ball of vines struck heavily, causing Xiao Xia to take several steps back. She only stopped after slamming into the wall.

Xiao Xia! Ruan Zhan and Wan Li cried out at the same time. Ruan Zhan was even close to charging over from his position.

Im fine! Dont worry about me! Xiao Xias face was pale but she was stubborn. He definitely wont be getting out from my side!

The tattered banner? Guan Zheng said in understanding. A spirit-capturing treasure was actually used by you as a shield.

Did Si Ma Nan tell you about it? Ruan Zhan was expressionless. Unfortunately, you wont live to tell him. After we kill you, hell be next!