Lu Xuejing was not aware of the specific dangers that awaited her in Tianling Province.
It was only during her conversation with her mother, Lu Xi Chan, that she noticed a subtle sense of unease in her mother’s cold demeanor when mentioning matters related to Tianling Province.
In the past, whenever Lu Chief displayed such an expression, it signified an impending storm of bloodshed.
“Could it be that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is about to get rid of us after we’ve served our purpose?”
Li Fan felt a tinge of doubt in his heart.
If this were indeed the case, it seemed rather too hasty.
After the completion of the Locking Spirit Array, wouldn’t they even bother with a pretense of rewarding us? Or were there hidden motives at play?
“Regardless, Tianling Province is not a place I can go to.”
“Based on the power I witnessed in the Five Elements Great Subworld, the might of the Locking Spirit Array must surpass even Dao Integration.”
“With the situation unclear, it would be unwise to risk my life.”
“Besides, to understand what’s happening in Tianling Province, there’s no need for me to go myself.”
Li Fan’s eyes flickered with a subtle gleam as he settled down in the Transmission Plaza.
This was the mandatory transit point for anyone traveling to Tianling Province.
Most of the invited array masters would pass through here.
Sure enough, not long after, Li Fan spotted a suitable target from afar.
Le Wan, a Golden Core array master and one of the participants in the Locking Spirit Array competition.
Unaware of Li Fan’s hidden presence, Le Wan hurriedly activated the transmission array, intending to reach his destination.
Before he could leave, Formless Killing Intent had already silently locked onto him.
Li Fan trailed behind, maintaining the maximum distance required for Formless Killing Intent to remain active.
After half a day, Le Wan arrived at Tianling Province.
From afar, he saw a colossal Dust Crossing Boat suspended in the sky.
Cultivators were constantly flying towards it from all directions.
Le Wan’s face lit up with excitement as he flew forward, soon reaching the edge of the Dust Crossing Boat.
Holding a black-gold invitation, a beam of light swept across his body.
Le Wan was granted access through the protective barrier and landed on the Dust Crossing Boat.
“Le Daoist!”
As soon as he landed, acquaintances greeted him warmly.
Le Wan responded in kind.
The boat was already bustling with cultivators, mostly familiar faces.
Besides the contestants of the array competition, many first-rate construction and support personnel who had made significant contributions to the widespread use of the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array were also invited aboard the Dust Crossing Boat.
They were gathered together, creating a lively atmosphere.
“The Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array is complete. Facing the Five Elders Association’s aggressive assault, it will finally reveal its true power. Lu Chief’s invitation to witness this spectacle is truly a blessing for us.”
“Yes, finally able to witness the divine power of the Locking Spirit Array, all my years of hardship have been worth it.”
“I wonder if the Five Elders Association will be intimidated and simply back down. If they don’t show up, all our preparations will be in vain.”
“Haha, rest assured. Knowing the Five Elders Association, they will undoubtedly think we are bluffing as usual. Little do they know…”
“Daoist, be careful! Don’t say too much!”
…
Amidst the joyful atmosphere, the group waited for the arrival of the Five Elders Association cultivators.
It was only after ten days that their target finally appeared.
Without warning, a beam of white light descended from the heavens, illuminating a spot near the border of Tianling Province. It locked onto a hidden cultivator who was moving rapidly.
“Is this the Tianxuan Locking Spirit Array of your Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance? It doesn’t seem that impressive.”
“It’s just revealing my location. What can you do about it?”
Instead of panicking, the cultivator, not only remained unperturbed, but also stopped in his tracks, mocking the Dust Crossing Boat in the sky.
For a moment, the people on the Dust Crossing Boat were filled with righteous indignation.
“A mere Nascent Soul cultivator dares to act so audacious?”
“This person is taking the lead, he can’t be as simple as he appears.”
“Why isn’t the Alliance reacting? What are they waiting for?”
…
The Five Elders Association cultivator saw that the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was not responding to his provocation. He snorted in disdain.
In full view of everyone, he tossed an apricot-yellow array flag into the air.
Muttering under his breath, one hundred and eight monstrous creatures, each with a unique appearance, flew out of the flag.
The creatures’ bodies seemed to be composed of blue starlight, their ferocious faces bearing a hint of divinity.
“That is…”
“The Small Star Shifting Array?”
The cultivators on the Dust Crossing Boat, all skilled in array formations, instantly recognized the array the Five Elders Association cultivator was using.
They gasped in unison.
The one hundred and eight star beasts circled around each other in a Zhoutian formation, spewing out brilliant starlight that converged towards the center.
At the point where the one hundred and eight beams of light collided, a starry gate slowly opened.
Thousands of cultivators instantly poured out of the gate. They were all clad in the Five Elders Association’s battle robes, and the beams of light that descended from their heads confirmed their identities.
“How could they let them open the transmission gate?”
“What’s going on? What is our side doing?”
“Everyone, be at ease. This must be a strategy to lure them in.”
…
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s inaction in the face of the Five Elders Association’s invasion caused an uproar among the cultivators on the Dust Crossing Boat.
However, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance did not disappoint them.
Soon, the Locking Spirit Array in the sky began to act. Among the thousands of beams of light that were locking onto the Five Elders Association cultivators, streaks of golden light suddenly appeared.
The golden light was extremely thin. It flowed down from the sky along the beams, like sharp flying swords, ready to behead the Five Elders Association cultivators.
However, the Five Elders Association cultivators remained calm.
Just as the golden light was about to reach their heads, it abruptly stopped, suspended in mid-air.
The golden light flared up, emitting a disgruntled hum as it struggled to break free from its constraints.
But on the battlefield, it was as if an invisible giant hand was holding it down, preventing it from moving.
The golden light was rendered immobile.
“This…”
The Dust Crossing Boat fell silent in an instant.
The young array masters, witnessing the Locking Spirit Array’s attack being effortlessly blocked, all wore expressions of disbelief.
Some cultivators, as if realizing something, suddenly turned pale, their eyes darting around in panic.
They seemed ready to flee the scene.
At that moment, a deep voice echoed across the battlefield.
“Heavenly Venerate, please retreat.”
“According to our agreement, you should not be here.”
As the words rang out, Ji Hong Dao’s figure gradually emerged, standing before the Five Elders Association cultivators.
“Oh?”
A silver bell-like laughter echoed across the heavens.
“Is there anywhere in this world I cannot go?”
Only the voice could be heard, not the speaker. But all the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators on the scene were filled with fear.
“Longevity…”
“Heavenly Venerate?”
The thousands of Five Elders Association cultivators, however, showed no change in expression. It was as if they had known all along that the Longevity Venerate would appear.
They all wore the same expression, cold and emotionless, as they gazed ahead.
Li Fan, who was observing this scene from afar using the perspective of the heavens, was shaken to his core.
“That voice is…”
“Zhao Shijie?”