Vilitan lowered his head and chuckled, his voice like tattered cloth flapping in the wind within a dilapidated temple.
The Soul-Absorbing Array was an ancient formation recorded in the Celestial Tome, capable of helping him advance to the Lord realm without any side effects.
Thus, for the past two years, he had been studying array formations while simultaneously preparing the necessary materials. It was only recently that he had finally gathered all the components for the Soul-Absorbing Array.
Three pollution sources, one Soul-Absorbing Array, two years of time, and an unimaginably vast amount of natural treasures. He had poured in all his worldly possessions to barely construct this grand array.
But despite such a colossal price, the plan had failed. He had only taken half a step forward!
Vilitan’s face contorted. What was the use of half a step?
At this level, there was no such thing as steady progress and gradual breakthroughs.
Without the catalyst for breakthrough, he might not be able to cross that remaining half-step even in another two hundred years!
It was all that swordsman from Fengqing Village’s fault!
Vilitan's eyes blazed. What did he mean by "made a move, but not entirely made a move"? Was he being treated like an idiot?
"What kind of nonsense are you spewing!"
He gripped his scepter tightly, a terrifying surge of energy erupting within his body, as if he were about to charge up the mountain peak to fight Xu Mu.
Gray-White Eyes sensed the fury of the person below and shook his head slightly.
He felt some sympathy for the fellow, but the truth was, it wasn't his fault.
Therefore, if Vilitan were to attack him… it was impossible.
Vilitan would not attack him, because he dared not.
…
"I guessed it."
Gray-White Eyes sensed the disturbance below and said calmly.
He could perceive Vilitan's ability surging and then rapidly leaving his position.
Instead of coming for him, Vilitan charged towards the several second-tier ability users trapped within the array.
Seeing his choice, Charles and Shadow Xu Mu also nodded.
This was the most correct decision.
It was a simple logic: although the pollution sources were destroyed, the Soul-Absorbing Array remained. Vilitan's promotion failed simply because he lacked sufficient energy.
Thus, what was lacking needed to be replenished.
—Those ability users from the Demon Eradication Division were the best supplements.
Nine second-tiers, one third-tier, plus a few stray ghost monsters that had died, should be roughly equivalent to a third-tier pollution source. While the hope of breaking through remained slim, it was the only option.
He had to try. Even if he didn't, Vilitan wouldn't go mad and fight him.
Fight?
How could he possibly win.
…
As Vilitan made his move, Yin Zhongxiu also acted.
He knew very well that within this array, there was only one way to achieve victory: a decisive blow.
If he failed to kill, his unleashed abilities would become the opponent's sustenance.
His ability surged forth, shattering the red robe on his half-body. The man's face contorted ferociously, his muscles bulging outwards and suddenly expanding.
Hum!
A humming sound, as if from the immense force he exerted.
Even from hundreds of meters away, Xu Mu, standing on the mountain peak, could hear the tight grip of his hand on the spear shaft.
Then, the Yin attribute elemental energy within Yin Zhongxiu climbed onto the spear shaft. The moon in the sky resonated with it, bestowing a sacred moonlight.
Thus, neither the strange darkness nor the murky green could conceal the brilliance of this spear thrust.
From a hundred meters away, Vilitan felt locked onto by an extreme danger, and cold sweat broke out on his back.
Then, he spotted Yin Zhongxiu outside the array. His body leaned forward, his right arm pushing back for leverage.
In his hand, he held that bone-chillingly cold long spear.
"He still dares to attack first?!"
Vilitan gritted his teeth. He had intended to kill the second-tier ability users first, but he hadn't expected Yin Zhongxiu to attack him.
He was both surprised and enraged. Although he hadn't broken through to the Lord realm yet, he had at least taken half a step forward, his state was at its peak, and he was within the Soul-Absorbing Array. How could Yin Zhongxiu be his opponent!
At this thought, his black robe billowed, and the tip of his scepter spewed forth an elemental torrent, its power even more terrifying than before, more than twice as wide. It spanned across the sky, resembling a rainbow descending from the heavens after rain.
And at some point, Yin Zhongxiu no longer held the moonlight-drenched long spear in his hand.
Rumble…
People only heard a series of piercing sounds. Those with good eyesight, like Bai Pu, could even see the turbulent currents in space caused by the extreme speed.
Gray-White Eyes sensed the power of this spear thrust and slowly took a step forward.
He could naturally see this spear, and he saw it very clearly.
The sharp tip of the spear was condensed, holy moonlight, while its base flowed with a mercury-like Yin energy.
He couldn't help but marvel. What kind of pure Yin attribute element was this, to resonate with the moon?
…
Before the scepter, wind, fire, lightning, and thunder flashed.
Zero point one seconds later, the two collided.
Boom!
It was as if a meteor from the heavens had crashed into the vast ocean. The spear tip, shimmering with moonlight, tore a gap in the torrent. Yin attribute energy spread, corroding everything it touched.
Then, lightning roared, fire spread with hurricane force, water elements surged, and earth elements were indomitable… They merged together, engaging in the fiercest battle against the external enemy.
This encompassed almost all the elemental energies common to ability users.
Of the eight people controlled within the array, seven had awakened similar abilities. The remaining one was Bai Pu, who was of the perception type.
Yet, facing these, the spear thrust against the current.
Its moonlight shone brighter and brighter, the almost condensed Yin attribute energy wantonly corroding everything it touched. Wind, fire, lightning, earth, wood, and metal were all unable to resist it for even an instant. Then, in the next second, the spear completely pierced the torrent and, to Vilitan’s terrified expression, instantly reached the tip of the scepter.
Crack!
The brilliant crystal embedded in the scepter instantly shattered. Following that, the wooden shaft of the scepter also developed several cracks. The chilling moonlight crept onto the old man’s sleeves.
Then, the sleeves disintegrated, and Vilitan’s muscles and bones on half his arm were instantly dissolved by the moonlight.
He quickly let go of the scepter and retreated with all his might.
He had never expected Yin Zhongxiu’s spear thrust to be so terrifying. Even with his increased strength, he couldn't block the spear for even a moment.
"What kind of monster is this!"
Vilitan roared as he fled, his voice extremely hoarse. His scepter was a top-tier fourth-stage magical artifact forged using a forging method from the Celestial Tome.
It was equivalent to a golden core within a human body, capable of containing elements and abilities.
Furthermore, due to its unique internal structure, the stored elemental energy would not conflict. When released, the crystal would multiply their power.
And he had just activated the scepter at its maximum output. The elemental torrent, like rivers and seas, had been unable to stop that spear.
Turning to flee, Vilitan suddenly had some regrets.
The swordsman on the mountain had not made a move.
If he had known it would come to this, he should have killed Yin Zhongxiu while the Fool's ability was still active.
Vilitan's expression was grim. His scepter was gone, and the Fool's ability could only be used once a day.
So, how was he supposed to block this spear thrust now?
…