A bolt of light sped forward from the far edge of the night. Closing in on the distance, it approached the outer vicinity of Tianxuan Cliff.
The newcomer dove into the thick fog of the cliff without hesitation. His momentum was bold, like the nine heavens" thunder that arrived with a sonorous rumbling.
It was Jun Moyan.
The Unrivaled Swordsman, who did not want to add another single moment of regret, had embarked on his journey, disregarding the cycles of day and night, finally arriving at Tianxuan Cliff!
According to the agreed time, the battle had actually ended long ago - more than half a month had pa.s.sed. An ordinary final battle could not possibly go on to this day. In fact, when Jun Moyan received Yutang"s word of the fight, it was already past the set day. Rus.h.i.+ng all the way to the cliff, he only did so because Jun Moyan clung onto a sliver of hope.
When he came close to his destination, however, Jun Moyan could easily see Yutang"s eastern line army camped around Tianxuan Cliff. Noticing that while the troops looked anxious, they did not look grieved. The recognition allowed Jun Moyan to come to an instant conclusion – the battle was yet to be over!
"If this is indeed the case, G.o.d has mercy! He doesn"t want me to have any more regrets!"
Nonetheless, after Jun Moyan charged into Tianxuan Cliff"s territory impatiently, he immediately charged right. Working seamlessly with his sword which erupted brightly in sword light, he then circled the cliff three or four times in exasperation.
There was no reason for him to do so except for the fact that Tianxuan Cliff had already transformed into a forbidden land.
Not only was Tianxuan Cliff blanketed thickly in fog, but its perimeter was also ringed by forty to fifty of Mr. Nian"s men and Mr. Nian himself. The formations, big and small, intersected and linked with each other; they were utterly secure. No matter how magnificent Jun Moyan"s swordsmans.h.i.+p was, he was an amateur when it came to formations.
Just as he entered the area, he was like a headless fly. Flittering around aimlessly, he immediately triggered many chain reactions of the formations. If it had not been for his exceptional skill, he would have been killed inside, dying with regret, instead of escaping in a flurry.
Jun Moyan was well aware of his own capacity. He knew that he would not be able to penetrate the inner part of Tianxuan Cliff, so he switched to circling the cliff, hoping that he would be able to come across a breach along the circ.u.mference. It was a pity that despite the several rounds he made, it was futile.
Actually, this was how it should have been. Mr. Nian was also a smart man. Although he did not know that Jun Moyan would come in a.s.sistance of Yun Yang, he was not oblivious to Yun Yang"s other three pillars – Ling Xiaozui, Dugu Chou and Heaven"s Inquisition, Gu Chaliang!
Mr. Nian"s ultimate aim in this battle was to kill Yun Yang. Naturally, he had to eliminate all possibility of Yun Yang obtaining aid. The formations set up along the perimeter of Tianxuan Cliff could both stop Yun Yang from escaping should he lose in the battle and hinder all attempts at a.s.sistance originating from outside the cliff!
The layers of formations were built on the premise of stopping Ling Xiaozui, Dugu Chou and Gu Chaliang, thus the powerful efficacy was fully justified. Even with Jun Moyan"s capability, he was actually powerless as well. The old man could only stand, gloomily wielding his sword.
Jun Moyan lamented inwardly. Could he have come so far in support only to be rejected at the entrance? Finally, he had the opportunity to see his late friend"s son caught in a lethal threat, thinking that the heavens had grace, but he could not even penetrate the outermost barrier. Was he looking at hopelessness in the eyes right after touching hope?
He made continuous attempts in a determined manner, relentlessly searching around, but there was no gap that made his entrance possible.
"Who made these formations? Why are they so secure? Isn"t this too lavish?"
Jun Moyan was extremely frustrated, in addition to the anxiety burning in his heart.
At dawn, Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou finally arrived, travel-stained and weary. Unfortunately, they were equally helpless against the unshakeable formations.
When the three old men first met, they were all ecstatic, thinking that they had gathered the three people whose cultivation base were the highest in this realm. They were invincible – practically indomitable!
Yet, the reality was that the three of them had been blatantly stopped outside the circ.u.mference by the series of interconnecting formations!
Despite their incessant attempts, the effect was minuscule. It was not even worth half of their effort. They could not help looking at each other, aghast and in shock.
Dugu Chou heaved a long sigh, "Everyone"s a master at their own field. The study of formations is unique. The collaboration between the three of us should have been able to take apart just about anything, but the linking formations here are like a part of the Tianxuan Cliff itself. It"s truly a challenge to break it!"
"I was here earlier and I attacked at the maximum of my capacity in hopes of shaking the foundation of these formations. It was like an ant trying to move a tree. When the three of us worked together, it got much better, but at least three days are needed before we can actually demolish the formations!" said Jun Moyan.
Ling Xiaozui frowned deeply and said shaking his head, "It"s too bad that Gu Chaliang"s gone to the Bound of Universe. His prophecies would have kept evil away and ushered in the good. He could"ve hinted us to target the weak avoiding the powerful. Even if we three can blow up the whole Tianxuan Cliff after three days, will Yun Yang be able to wait that long?"
The three men sank into silence. The helplessness was clawing at their insides, easily playing with their minds. Yet they were truly powerless. What could they do?
…
At the break of dawn on the next day, Yun Yang suddenly felt his sense of peace being ruffled.
Standing upon higher ground, he looked over to the back of the mountain instinctively. It was mostly foggy without much to be seen, but he could vaguely sniff a burning smell spreading over from afar.
It was the scent of flesh being charred. Was Mr. Nian cremating the Four Seasons Tower"s men?
…
In the cave, Mr. Nian stared at the bodies piled up by the entrance. His stoic face was pitiless. The ethereal grace he usually carried was no longer there.
Before his eyes were twenty-four corpses belonging to the Four Seasons Tower"s men. Other than the four men who had been turned into ashes by Ji Lingxi"s retaliation, all twenty-four others were here.
Strangely, there had been only eighteen who Yun Yang and Ji Lingxi had killed. How could there be twenty-four bodies?
Unless… the group who had not died from yesterday"s battle were all dead now. Only then it could sum up to twenty-four corpses!
This was, in fact, the truth of the matter.
Other than Mr. Nian, every one of the Four Seasons Tower who came for the battle had died. Everyone was bloodied, flesh and blood an indistinguishable mix.
Mr. Nian sat in a dazed stupor. In front of him laid the pieces of G.o.d"s Bones that were gleaming with a crystalline glow. It was incredibly radiant. Many among the pieces were still stained with their original owners" blood.
"n.o.body blames me… I do this – for the Four Seasons Tower…" Mr. Nian murmured. He said calmly.
Then, he took out a short sword and unhesitatingly cut open his arm. Blood gushed out immediately. No matter how proficient one"s cultivation base, cutting oneself in this manner guaranteed damage and bleeding.
Not a sliver of change tinged Mr. Nian"s expression. Like dismembering a mystical beast, he plucked a piece of his bone out and replaced it with a corresponding piece of G.o.d"s Bone.
As he repeated the operation, cold sweat dotted Mr. Nian"s forehead. It was apparent that the process was incredibly painful and unnatural.