The mountains stretched on, and within a massive rift of a canyon, Xu Mu sat in meditation, a thin layer of dust settling on his shoulders.
Two full days had passed since the great battle. Those in the alliance were either recovering from injuries or resting, quietly awaiting the end of the competition. They no longer needed to earn points, as the combined score of Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue's alliance was enough for everyone to pass the next round, with their ranks well within the top five thousand.
On one side of the canyon, someone was using a magical cauldron to cook the flesh of a great demon, the aroma filling the air. Many were gathered around, waiting. Jiang Sheng and the others were also there.
"Have you seen Brother Mu Xu? Is he still studying the path of formations?" Jiang Sheng asked, also guarding the cauldron. While waiting, he hadn't seen Xu Mu around and so casually inquired.
"Do you even need to ask? Just take a look behind you, and you'll know," Qian Qian said, patting Jiang Sheng's shoulder and pointing to a corner of the canyon.
"Alas, ever since Ji Nian taught him formations, he's spent nearly all his time contemplating them, aside from eating and sleeping."
"Brother Xu Mu has extraordinary talent, he will surely succeed!" Jiang Sheng said with a clenched fist, looking at the meditating Xu Mu, full of confidence in him.
"I'm more worried he'll suffer qi deviation," Ji Nian said, walking over with Wan Yan Zhen Yao, his brow furrowed. "Alliance Leader Mu Xu indeed possesses exceptional talent, excellent aptitude, and strength, but the path of formations is not something achievable overnight."
"With Alliance Leader Xu Mu's talent, if given enough time, entering the path should be no problem at all. But now, with less than four days left, and him putting such pressure on himself..."
"Alas, sometimes, the deeper one's obsession with something, the more elusive it becomes. If you believe me, go wake him up. This will lead to no result." Ji Nian sighed repeatedly. He wasn't optimistic about Xu Mu and even feared the latter might suffer qi deviation.
Qian Qian and the others exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn. After much hesitation, Qian Qian stepped forward, scooped a bowl of soup, and then led everyone to the meditating Xu Mu, placing the bowl on the ground.
Qian Qian said softly, "Brother Mu Xu, please have some soup. You don't seem to have rested much these past two days. If this continues, your body won't be able to take it."
Xu Mu showed no reaction. Qi Lan, seeing this, also sighed and stepped forward to persuade him. "I think Ji Nian is right. Even the head of the Shangguan clan, a family of formation masters, took seventeen days to enter the path. It's normal for us not to enter it in two days. Please don't put psychological pressure on yourself."
"Eat your fill first, then study formations, okay?" Xu Jing Chu also approached, asking Xu Mu with a concerned expression.
The group stood in a line, taking turns to persuade him, but as before, no matter what they said, Xu Mu offered no response.
"Alas, it seems he's completely immersed. Prepare the pills for treating heart ailments. If he suffers qi deviation, timely treatment should prevent any major issues," Ji Nian chimed in.
The others agreed, and each took out their most prized pills from their spatial pouches. Their expressions were grave as they fixed their gaze on Xu Mu, as if ready to rush forward and force the pills into his mouth at the slightest hint of pain.
However, after a moment, Xu Mu not only didn't frown but calmly opened his eyes. He looked at the bowl of soup before him, picked it up without hesitation, and drank it down in large gulps. He even swallowed the half-cooked meat.
"Ah, so fragrant," Xu Mu said, standing up with a smile and patting the dust off his clothes.
"Giving up?" Ji Nian asked Xu Mu with surprise. "I thought you were too obsessed and would suffer qi deviation. It seems I underestimated you."
Qi Lan nodded, expressing relief. "Fortunately, you're alright. Otherwise, Qi Ye wouldn't be killed, and I would have lost a great helper."
"It's good you're fine. There are two days left, get some good rest. We've been watching the leaderboard for you; you're already in the top ten," Xu Jing Chu added.
"Top ten?" Xu Mu raised an eyebrow, opened his jade slip, and found that after killing Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue, his points had become nine million four hundred seventy-eight thousand, ranking him seventh.
"With so many points, you still haven't reached the top. This is outrageous," Xu Mu exclaimed. He looked up the rankings and found that apart from the top three, the point differences between the higher-ranked individuals were not significant, only hundreds of thousands or even thousands.
The top three were: third place, Qi Ye, with nineteen million eight hundred thousand points; second place, Jiang Tai Xu, with twenty-two million one hundred thirty thousand points; and first place, Ye Gong, with thirty-seven million six hundred thousand points.
"So many points, I wonder how many demonic beasts they had to kill," Jiang Sheng also marvelled.
"They didn't earn them by killing beasts, but by snatching them," Qian Qian said with a shake of his head. "There are a total of three hundred twenty thousand participants, and their points are increasing simultaneously. The combined score will be an unimaginable astronomical figure. Those ranked higher simply need to snatch points from others, leading to the current leaderboard."
Qi Lan nodded. "Precisely. The strong prey on the weak, and the stronger prey on the stronger, filtering upwards. The very top geniuses only need to defeat a few people, and their points will multiply by tens of millions, just like our Alliance Leader Mu Xu."
"With so many points, not only for this round, but converted to the next, you might advance without doing anything," Wan Yan Zhen Yao said with a smile.
"Are you guys trying to flatter me? Why does it feel so awkward?" Xu Mu looked at them strangely. He felt their behavior today was a bit off.
"We were just worried about you," Qian Qian said, patting Xu Mu's shoulder. "But it's good that you don't seem to have any emotional fluctuations from failing to learn formations."
Xu Mu smiled. "Who said I failed?"
Qian Qian was stunned. "Then perhaps you succeeded?"
Xu Mu nodded. "Of course."
Qian Qian froze, and the others were also taken aback. Only Qi Lan put his hand to his forehead and sighed to himself, "It's over, one of them has gone mad."
"Brothers, hold him down! I'll feed Alliance Leader Mu Xu an ancestral 'Ten-Complete Vitality Pill.' It has miraculous effects on mental blocks, curing the illness instantly!" Qi Lan said, taking out a pill the size of a night-blooming cereus and rushing towards Xu Mu, grabbing his chin to force it in. Qian Qian and the others were momentarily stunned before also moving to help.
"Are you trying to feed me medicine or smash me to death!" Xu Mu dodged aside, asking with a look of horror.
"He's suffered qi deviation, and so quickly too," Qi Lan clicked his tongue, then rolled up his sleeves with a solemn expression. "Brothers, it seems we'll have to put up a fight this time."
"Fight your grandma!" Xu Mu glared at him, then took out his formation diagrams and formation plate, walked to the formation's core, and closed his eyes.
"Don't disturb me. Once I complete this grand formation, you can do whatever you want!" Xu Mu said, fully immersing himself in completing the formation. He held the formation plate in his right hand, his left hovering in the air, like a free-swimming fish, his fingers acting as a brush, fluid and swift. He seemed to be setting up a formation.
"This..." The group looked at each other, bewildered, not knowing what to do.
"Is he really setting up a formation? His movements look a bit like he's performing a ritual," Qi Lan asked Jiang Sheng nervously, swallowing hard.
"How would I know?" Jiang Sheng shook his head, then looked at Qian Qian, who in turn looked at Wan Yan Zhen Yao... until finally, everyone looked at Ji Nian. He was the only one who understood formations among them.
But he was silent now. Ji Nian gazed at Xu Mu, watching the nimble movements of his fingers, sensing the subtle shifts in the heavens and earth. It seemed something was being completed.
"This... how is this possible?" Ji Nian raised a hand with difficulty, wiping his eyes, and then, panting, stared at Xu Mu in a daze. "The brushstrokes, the direction of movement, are all of the highest caliber."
"And he can actually sense the Great Dao of Space and replicate the formations within the diagram. He has truly entered the path of formations, in just two days!"
"What!" The crowd's expressions changed drastically upon hearing this. They immediately looked at Xu Mu in astonishment. Their alliance leader had grasped the path of formations, something others took three, five, or even a lifetime to enter, in a mere two days. And upon entering, he could already set up formations?
"How is this possible? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" Wan Yan Zhen Ze asked Ji Nian, his voice trembling. Though he meant no harm, the matter was too bizarre. The Hundred Clans Alliance, and indeed the entire Primordial Realm, had the Shangguan family as the most powerful force with the deepest foundation in formations. The current head of the Shangguan family, at the young age of thirty-four, was already a formation grandmaster of the Fourth Realm, destined to become a Domain Lord, and even the Half-Step Human King Realm would not stop him. This prodigy had taken seventeen days to enter the path of formations, so it was no wonder he couldn't believe it.
"He's already dumbfounded. Can't you tell if it's real or fake?" Qian Qian looked at the dazed Ji Nian and then at Xu Mu, who was setting up the formation, sighing incessantly. He thought he was already accustomed to the shocks Xu Mu brought, but even with psychological preparation, he was still startled every time. Qian Qian clicked his tongue. He was now curious about how many secrets Xu Mu's potential held that had yet to be uncovered. His physical body was peerlessly strong, his alchemy surpassed that of the Alchemy King Valley's Domain Lord, and that bow and arrow earlier were clearly no ordinary item. Now, he even possessed extraordinary talent in formations. What was Xu Mu's true identity?
As Qian Qian pondered with a frown, a bright light suddenly flashed before his eyes.
Hum!
A ancient humming sound emanated from space, causing everyone's minds to stop thinking. They felt as if they were wandering in spirit, their bodies swaying unsteadily, but in an instant, everyone stood firm again. The peculiar sensation disappeared, and as they regained their senses, they saw that under their feet, complex and mottled Dao runes had lit up, containing mysterious energy. These runes formed a large circle, covering most of the canyon, with only a few people not enveloped.
Xu Mu stood at the center of the spatial teleportation array, holding the formation core, and took a deep breath.
"Huff, it's finally done," he said with a smile. He turned to look at Qian Qian and the others, then loudly announced to all the alliance members present, "Everyone, the spatial teleportation array is complete. Time is short, and I will likely depart immediately for Sky Dome Peak for the final battle."
"If you still have the strength and your injuries have mostly recovered, and you are willing to come with me, please step into the array. I will take you there. I will not force those who are unwilling or unable to go. You can remain peacefully at Shou Ding Mountain."
After Xu Mu finished speaking, no one moved. After a few seconds, a burly man raised his hand and asked, "Alliance Leader Mu Xu, will Elder Wan Yan be going with you?"
Xu Mu glanced at Wan Yan Zhen Yao's leg and shook his head silently. He replied, "No. Commander Wan Yan's injury, while seemingly minor, is also quite serious, and it significantly impacts his combat effectiveness. As a brother, I cannot let him risk himself at Sky Dome Peak."
"Those unwilling to go with me can stay at Shou Ding Mountain. Brother Wan Yan Zhen Yao will continue to lead you." After Xu Mu finished speaking, the man nodded thoughtfully and slowly withdrew from the range of the spatial teleportation array.
"Alliance Leader Mu Xu, you are indeed a good alliance leader. Your strength is great, and you are also benevolent, securing much benefit for everyone. However, I sincerely apologize. Our current condition is poor, and we truly dare not risk going with you." A young master in fine robes bowed and said, while also withdrawing from the array.
"Me too. Although I am very grateful to you, this victory was hard-won. Sky Dome Peak will likely be even more difficult. I'm truly sorry, I really don't dare to risk my life and my chance of advancing." Another ability user also bowed and excused himself. As a result, more and more people gave their reasons, and some, not good with words, simply bowed and left without saying anything. Soon, only a few dozen people remained within the spatial teleportation array, and that was including Wan Yan Zhen Yao, his brother, and Xu Mu himself.
"Everyone has the right to choose their own path in life, and that applies here as well," Xu Mu said after a moment of silence, smiling and cupping his fists towards the departing cultivators. "Please rest assured, I will not hold any grudges against you for today's events. When we meet again in the future, I hope we will still be friends."
"And to the brothers who are staying, I sincerely thank you for trusting me, Mu Xu. So please rest assured, upon reaching Sky Dome Peak, even if dangers abound, I, Mu Xu, will absolutely not retreat. I will die behind you!"
"We pledge our lives to follow the Alliance Leader!" The dozens of people knelt down simultaneously and shouted respectfully.
Xu Mu nodded with a solemn expression, then took a deep breath and turned to Wan Yan and the others, smiling. "Everyone, you should go too. We'll see each other in the next round of the competition."
"Alas, I am truly ashamed," Wan Yan Zhen Yao said with a complex expression. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply took out a pill and handed it to Xu Mu, whispering, "This can numb your soul, allowing you to remain clear-headed even in extreme conditions, but the ensuing burden is immense. If you remain numb for too long without rest, you might even become a madman."
Xu Mu took the pill and nodded solemnly. "Yes, I will use it carefully."
"I believe you," Wan Yan Zhen Yao waved his hand, and then, along with Wan Yan Zhen Ze, left the array.
"You should go too. You're too injured to be involved in this," Xu Mu watched Wan Yan Zhen Yao leave, then turned to Qian Qian and Jiang Sheng.
"No, we're going with you! To kill Ye Gong!" Jiang Sheng said with wide eyes, but then he coughed violently, even spitting up blood. Seeing this, Xu Mu helplessly stepped forward, inserted silver needles into Jiang Sheng's back, and while treating him, frowned. "Your vital energy is weak, your bones and sinews are exhausted, your internal organs are damaged, and your dantian is dry. If you go with me, you might die before even seeing Ye Gong. It's best you stay here and recover!"
"What about me? I'm seriously injured, but my core has not been affected. I can still fight!" Qian Qian said urgently, his eyes pleading. They had fought their way from the upper reaches of the Earth Spirit Spring to its source, and then to Shou Ding Mountain to exterminate the three ghost kings. Having endured so much bloodshed and hardship, if he were to miss the final stage and not personally witness Ye Gong's elimination, he would regret it for the rest of his life!
"Are you sure you want to go?" Xu Mu asked Qian Qian sternly while draining the poisonous blood from Jiang Sheng.
"Sure," Qian Qian nodded, his eyes burning with determination.
"Alright, then be careful," Xu Mu nodded, agreeing to Qian Qian's request. At the same time, he had finished draining Jiang Sheng's poisonous blood, and the latter's complexion had improved significantly.
"Be good and stay here," Xu Mu said, patting Jiang Sheng's shoulder.
"No, if Qian Qian is going, I'm going too!" Jiang Sheng said stubbornly.
"Alas, why bother." Xu Mu said, shrugging helplessly. He then instantly moved his hand to Jiang Sheng's neck and, with lightning speed, knocked him unconscious. With a crack, the latter's vision went black and he passed out.
Xu Jing Chu saw this, steadied Jiang Sheng, and looked at Xu Mu with worry and reluctance. It went without saying that she knew her strength was insufficient to go to Sky Dome Peak, and she would only be a burden to Xu Mu and the others if she went. Therefore, she had to stay.
"Will we meet again?" Xu Jing Chu asked with a hoarse voice, her beautiful face looking pitiful.
"Yes, we'll see each other again in the next round," Xu Mu replied with a smile, pretending not to understand her meaning. Xu Jing Chu pouted, gave Xu Mu a resentful look, then helped Jiang Sheng and turned to leave.
Xu Mu smiled and said nothing more.
"If that's the case, then let's depart."
"Wait!"
Just then, a voice from above the canyon called out, stopping Xu Mu. Xu Mu looked up and saw that, without them realizing it, a ring of ability users had appeared above them, looking down curiously in twos and threes.
"Which faction do you gentlemen belong to? Is there something you need?" Xu Mu asked, his brow furrowed. If other factions were to attack, he might not be able to leave today. Furthermore, after the great battle, it was uncertain whether he would have the strength to go to Sky Dome Peak to kill Ye Gong.
"We were originally factions stationed elsewhere at Shou Ding Mountain. A few days ago, we were scattered by the Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue brothers, so we gathered together, wanting revenge. But today, we heard they have been killed." A young man said slowly from above the canyon.
"So we have come to verify if this is true. If it is, we want to know who did it and avenged us."
"It was me," Xu Mu replied calmly.
"It really was you." The young man smiled and continued, "Benefactor, to be honest, we brothers have been hiding here for a long time, and we could hear everything you said. Here, it seems only you struck me as extraordinary."
Xu Mu, praised by him, remained unfazed and clicked his tongue. "So, what do you wish to do now?"
The young man smiled and said, "We wish to repay your kindness."
"Since Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue are dead, and Benefactor, you are going to confront their backer, Ye Gong, then we brothers naturally cannot stand idly by." Another man with a powerful aura from above the canyon added, "Yes, we originally intended to deal with Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue ourselves, but you resolved them. Since we are idle, our brothers will accompany you to Sky Dome Peak to kill Ye Gong!"
"Go to Sky Dome, kill Ye Gong!" The crowd above the canyon shouted in unison, their voices like thunder.
Hearing these words, Xu Mu sincerely smiled. He nodded and then curiously asked, "May I ask how many people have come today?"
"Since we came to seek revenge against Wei Dao Xuan and Wei Dao Jue's army of a thousand, our numbers are naturally also around a thousand." A swordsman in red robes looked down at Xu Mu and then extended five fingers. "No more, no less, exactly fifteen hundred."
Upon hearing this number, Xu Mu's smile deepened. He repeatedly said "Good" and then gestured for them to come down.
"Since that's the case, please brothers enter the array quickly! Time is pressing, and we can discuss the specifics once we reach Sky Dome Peak!" The people from above the canyon exchanged glances, then smiled and leaped down.
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
A series of powerful auras descended from the ground like meteors, landing in the array. The array's light illuminated their faces, their auras surging. The people who were already there looked at the newcomers with complex expressions. They had not chosen to fight alongside Xu Mu, but now, he had welcomed a more capable and stronger allied force. Perhaps Xu Mu truly didn't need them.
"Everyone, after we flatten Sky Dome Peak, we'll see you in the third round of the competition!" Finally, no one else descended from above the canyon. Xu Mu laughed heartily and used the formation core to activate the spatial array.
Hum——
The formation was activated, and dazzling light illuminated the heavens and earth. The roaring sound was deafening, and everyone closed their eyes and covered their ears. When the light dissipated and the sound subsided, and they opened their eyes again, Xu Mu and the others were gone. All that remained was the extremely dim formation, having been used.
...