In the core mountain range of Shou Ding Mountain, a semi-circular canyon sunken downwards, a remnant of early spiritual ore excavation, was scattered with numerous ability users. They sat cross-legged, engrossed in healing their wounds. Though their faces were pale, they did not appear disheveled, and even held a hint of joy.
For they had, not long ago, personally orchestrated a bloodbath, single-handedly clearing Shou Ding Mountain. Even their injuries were a testament to the glory of victory.
"We must depart by day after tomorrow at the latest, or that brat might escape."
In the center of the canyon, on a raised stone platform, sat two young men in black brocade robes embroidered with dragons and tigers, their faces gaunt and somber. They bore a striking resemblance, for they were brothers: Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue.
"What's the rush? Isn't that Ling Shu already setting up the formation? We can rest assured and heal, lest we capsize in a ditch," Wei Daoxuan opened his eyes, looking towards Ling Shu who was busy setting up a formation, and said calmly.
In truth, the moment he learned of Wei Daolin's death, he had wanted to lead his men to Di Ling Spring to avenge himself on Xu Mu. But for the sake of something else, he had to put it aside.
"How much more do we need for the积分 task Young Master Ye Gong gave us?"
"Seven million short," Wei Daojue calculated briefly and then replied, a little helplessly. If not for this积分 task, they would have already avenged Wei Daolin, instead of waiting until now.
"Thirty million积分, still seven million short." Wei Daoxuan frowned upon hearing this. Such a colossal figure, even with their thousand-man alliance and control over the core, most opportunity-rich part of Shou Ding Mountain, required day and night diligence to accumulate. Thus, they could not avenge Wei Daolin immediately, as it would consume too much time. Obtaining积分 at Di Ling Spring was not as swift as at Shou Ding Mountain. It was for this reason that they had resorted to such drastic measures, robbing all forces on Shou Ding Mountain of their积分.
"We're ten million short. We can make it up at Di Ling Spring. It's no different than repeating what we did the past two days," Wei Daoxuan nodded, then his gaze sharply turned cold as he pointed at Ling Shu and asked, "I see Ling Shu has been busy for a while. How is his formation arrangement coming along?"
Wei Daojue responded indifferently, "Based on the estimated time, it should be completed in one incense stick's time. That's when his teleportation array will be ready."
Upon hearing this, Wei Daoxuan sighed and said with some worry, "He's finished so much earlier. I'm concerned something might go wrong. Should we have him pause and complete the formation when we're about to leave?"
Wei Daojue immediately waved his hand, chuckling dismissively, "Brother, you're worrying too much. Shou Ding Mountain has been blood-washed by us two brothers. Those who aren't dead have fled, and many have been eliminated. Who would dare to trouble us!"
"Moreover, the spatial array he's setting up is said to have been sealed in the formation map by his sect beforehand. He's merely helping to release it. Its scale is immense. Completing it early allows for thorough inspection of any flaws. After all, this is not something to take chances with. If we encounter spatial turbulence, none of our brothers will be able to return."
Wei Daoxuan nodded with a grave expression, "You have a point. It does need to be checked thoroughly in advance."
"Spatial turbulence is terrifying. Let alone you and me, even Young Master Ye Gong and the great elders of the Ye clan wouldn't be able to withstand it."
Wei Daojue nodded in agreement, and the two fell silent, resuming their healing. They were not severely injured, but it would still take them at least twelve hours to recover to their usual strength. Before the countdown of these twelve hours ended, they would do nothing but rest quietly.
However, the problem was, just because they didn't seek trouble, it didn't mean trouble wouldn't find them.
Wei Daojue, who had closed his eyes to heal, suddenly sensed something and abruptly opened his eyes, gazing towards the highest point of the canyon.
He saw only darkness.
But the sun had only just set.
Between heaven and earth, there should have been a murky gray. Yet, before his eyes was pure blackness. What was happening? Had the sky turned dark in an instant?
This thought flashed through Wei Daojue's mind for only a moment before he reacted.
"Enemy attack!"
Boom!
The canyon, the base of the two great ghost kings in the core of Shou Ding Mountain, was thus ignited by that single sentence. Countless ability users, who were recuperating, were startled awake, bewildered, not knowing what had happened.
Then, they looked up and saw countless tiny black figures.
Those figures were human, clad in green grass, descending into the canyon with perfect coordination, as if they had materialized out of thin air, making no sound.
But since they had been discovered, they began to make noise.
"Everyone, combine into the Tai Chi Eight Trigrams formation, target the two in the center, defend from all four directions, and charge!" Wan Yan Zhenyao roared. The descent of his subordinates, which had been slow, suddenly erupted with their abilities. They formed a formation in mid-air and unleashed their abilities according to the pre-designed plan. Before they even reached the ground, ferocious elemental power filled the entire canyon. Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue's subordinates, without even a chance to react to what was happening, were struck by a heavy blow.
"So many people! Which faction is attacking us!" Wei Daoxuan's expression was one of panic. He hastily extended his hands and exchanged a punch with Xu Mu, who descended from the sky. Instantly, his body was crushed by the power contained within the punch, and the stone platform beneath his feet shattered.
Bang!
Wei Daojue was also shocked, but as one of the three great ghost kings, he immediately unleashed a punch towards Xu Mu. However, it was also caught by Xu Mu's left hand.
Crack!
Wei Daojue's hand bones instantly shattered. His physical body, unable to withstand the pressure, began to crack.
Xu Mu's gaze was solemn, and he intended to press down further, but Wei Daojue and Wei Daoxuan simultaneously used their abilities, sending thick ghost mist surging upwards, repelling him.
"Brother Mu Xu, call us if you can't hold on!" Jiang Sheng shouted loudly while fighting. Including Qian Qian, Qi Lan, and Wan Yan Zhenyao, each of them found their respective opponents the moment they landed. The two in the very center had already been claimed by Xu Mu before they even touched the ground.
Everything had been meticulously planned. They had long estimated the opponent's strength. After all, this was the alliance that ruled Shou Ding Mountain. Even if many were injured, their overall combat power had to be stronger than theirs. Therefore, Xu Mu's side had to rely on superior numbers. This meant they lacked enough manpower. Wan Yan Zhenyao was responsible for command, while Qian Qian and Qi Lan had to deal with the other ability users. The two great ghost kings were left for Xu Mu, as he was the strongest. Even if he was outmatched, he was expected to hold them off until the main battle concluded, and then they would come to his support.
But what no one expected was that the actual outcome was completely different from the prediction. Xu Mu showed no intention of seeking reinforcements. From the very beginning, he had decided to deal with these two ghost kings himself, just as he had dealt with Wei Daolin and his four great ghost generals.
"Who are you people? Don't you know this is my Ye clan's territory!" Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue stood side by side, furiously shouting at Xu Mu. The ghost mist thickened, enshrouding more than half the sky, appearing to house some terrifying monstrous beings within.
"Two Great Ghost Kings, he is the murderer of Lord Wei Daolin! They are from Di Ling Spring!" From a distance, Ling Shu, who had just completed his formation, was surrounded by Qi Lan and Qian Qian, and shouted in terror while fighting, "What!"
Everyone was startled upon hearing this. The murderer of Wei Daolin had actually come to Shou Ding Mountain? The two great ghost kings were also stunned, disbelieving. Before they could seek revenge on Xu Mu, this person had come to launch a surprise attack on them? What a provocation!
"This is good, it saves us the trouble of traveling," Wei Daoxuan grinned ferociously and spat a cloud of poisonous mist at Xu Mu. Wei Daojue did the same. The ghost mist mixed with the poisonous mist surged forward, transforming into a ghost god wielding a trident, which rushed towards Xu Mu.
Xu Mu did not hesitate, nor did he have any intention of lingering in the fight. He directly took out the Fey Bow. The Fey Bow was currently wrapped in cloth, with only one eye exposed for breathing. Coupled with the chaotic battlefield, Xu Mu was not worried about outsiders recognizing it. As for himself, facing the charging ghost god, he pulled back the bow and instantly released it.
Rumble!
The illusory Great Dao Arrow condensed into a tangible form. The moment it was shot, a long series of roars echoed through space. The ghost god was pierced instantly, without any ability to resist.
"Dodge quickly!"
Wei Daoxuan's eyes were filled with terror. He pulled Wei Daojue, and they leaped downwards to dodge the sudden, incredibly powerful arrow. But at the same time, the arrow exploded. Threads of Great Dao rules were intertwined and then abruptly scattered, like strands of noodles that had been cooked but then returned to their original state. Everything touched by these Great Dao rules would be cut into pieces.
Crackling!
The Great Dao was chaotic and fleeting. The stone platform was pulverized. Wei Daoxuan lost half a leg. Wei Daojue, having been better protected, only suffered some concussive injuries. Just as they thought they had narrowly escaped, a dark golden light once again rushed towards them. Xu Mu's fist had arrived.
Bang!
Sizzle!
Blood essence surged, and abilities were mixed with Dao Origin. Xu Mu charged forward like a ferocious bull, as if smashing at the two without a specific target. He didn't aim deliberately, because although the impact radius of this punch appeared small, it actually encompassed a ten-meter area around Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue. Any creature within this ten-meter radius would suffer Xu Mu's punch. While this would disperse the pressure of Xu Mu's punch, it ensured a hit.
But could Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue withstand Xu Mu's punch?
Dong!
Xu Mu's punch landed, its sound like a thunderous bell. Wei Daoxuan and Wei Daojue used their abilities to try and meet the punch head-on. But the moment they made contact, both of them were sent flying backward, like white rabbits struck by a galloping wild bull, utterly unable to resist.
Puchi!
Wei Daoxuan spat blood and lay on the ground, having lost a leg. Wei Daojue's shoulders were shattered, and the intense pain made him cry out. Under a single punch, the two great ghost kings were severely injured.
The question remained: could the two of them, working together, withstand Xu Mu's punch? Clearly, the answer was no.