Chapter 859: Eye Techniques of Lethal Combat

So many second-rank high-level formation arrays, buried in ambush and interconnected, exploded in layers—even Xiao Diansi of the Jin Dan realm could barely withstand it for a moment.

When the smoke cleared, Xiao Zhenhai emerged, skin split and flesh torn, utterly disheveled—clearly badly wounded.

He was a Jin Dan, and even though he had suppressed his cultivation, his foundation still remained.

Had it not been for that, these numerous second-rank high-level formation arrays would have killed him several times over.

Xiao Zhenhai spat out a mouthful of blood, his face trembling.

"We've been tricked…"

Someone had laid an ambush with formations and calculated his downfall.

This was far beyond his expectations.

The study of formations is exceedingly difficult.

Even among some gifted formation masters, their formation skill usually lags behind their cultivation realm.

Eighteen- or nineteen-line formations—aside from true formation prodigies—can typically only be constructed by those at least at Jin Dan level, or by veteran formation masters who have lingered at Foundation Establishment peak for over a century.

Moreover, these formations had not been there before; they were clearly just now laid.

In this Long Wang Temple, who could have the ability to lay so many second-rank high-level formation arrays in such a short time, right under everyone's eyes, without leaving a trace?

His mind raced, running through every person present—but he could not guess who the mastermind was.

Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi had sufficient cultivation, but they had no time.

Xiao Tianquan, his good nephew, indeed had Foundation Establishment peak cultivation, but he lacked this level of formation mastery.

The remaining few were even less likely.

"No!"

Xiao Zhenhai suddenly remembered one person who had remained hidden, never revealing his form.

If anyone was behind this treachery, it could only be…

"Mo Hua?!"

Xiao Zhenhai's pupils contracted, disbelief flooding him.

That brat had only Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation and less than twenty years of practice—how could he have laid a second-rank, nineteen-line formation approaching Foundation Establishment peak?!

Not even the Twelve Streams or Eight Great Gates, let alone the Sida Sect, had seen such an unnatural formation prodigy in nearly a thousand years.

But once all impossibilities are eliminated, the only possibility left is the truth.

Mo Hua's appearance reappeared in Xiao Zhenhai's mind.

The casual, effortless way Mo Hua had waved his hand and said, "Just barely enough to get by…" now sent a chill down Xiao Zhenhai's spine.

"What a treacherous little brat—he hid his tricks so deeply…"

Xiao Zhenhai gritted his teeth.

At that very moment, Gu Changhuai's green wind blades and Xia Diansi's ice-blue sword light once again intertwined and slashed toward him.

Strike while the iron is hot.

Xiao Zhenhai, wounded by the formations and drained of strength, was the perfect target.

Gu Changhuai would not miss this opportunity.

Xiao Zhenhai's face darkened; he muttered a curse under his breath, dodged one wind blade, raised his sword, and unleashed Gui Water Sword Qi to clash again with Xia Diansi.

But wounded as he was, he had held the upper hand in previous direct clashes—now, this clash sent searing pain through his internal organs, and his spiritual energy showed signs of depletion.

Xia Diansi's icy spiritual energy was also eroding his meridians.

In an instant, Xiao Zhenhai judged the situation to be dire.

If he continued like this, his chances of survival were slim!

"No more holding back—I must end this quickly!"

Xiao Zhenhai's gaze turned dark and vicious.

Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi seemed to sense Xiao Zhenhai's desperate last stand; their attacks grew even fiercer, denying him any chance to recover.

But Xiao Zhenhai held a heritage advantage; after ten or so exchanges, he seized an opening to activate Water Shadow Step, confusing Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi.

By the time Gu Changhuai discerned the real from the illusions, Xiao Zhenhai had already retreated dozens of feet away.

After retreating, Xiao Zhenhai first shattered a talisman—a golden light enveloped his body—then his Gui Water spiritual energy surged violently, terrifying in its intensity, as countless water-colored spiritual chains coiled and solidified around him.

Golden Body for defense, Water Prison to subdue the enemy.

Xiao Zhenhai shattered the Golden Body talisman, intending to use its protection to forcibly activate the advanced control technique, Water Prison Art.

The first time he used Water Prison Art, surprise was key, so he did not waste time shattering the Golden Body talisman, fearing Gu Changhuai would become alert.

But he had already used Water Prison Art once.

Gu Changhuai, having been caught before, would surely be wary.

Therefore, if he wished to use it again, he must make thorough preparations—no侥幸, the Golden Body was essential.

With Golden Body protection, he only needed to endure Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi's sword qi and spell attacks while completing Water Prison Art, and he could decide victory in one blow.

Golden light shielded his body, spiritual energy flowed—Water Prison Art was coalescing.

Around Xiao Zhenhai, spiritual energy surged wildly; deep blue water force transformed into countless chains, layered and overlapping, floating all around him…

But Gu Changhuai seemed to have anticipated this.

He did not retreat; instead, he channeled spiritual energy and unleashed even more fine wind blades, attacking Xiao Zhenhai with full force.

The wind blades slowly eroded Xiao Zhenhai's Golden Body.

Xiao Zhenhai's expression remained impassive.

Before Gu Changhuai could break through the Golden Body, he had enough time to complete Water Prison Art.

But just then, Xia Diansi also drew a jade talisman, crushed it with slender fingers, and flicked her hand—a blinding red light shot straight toward Xiao Zhenhai.

It was this red light that caused Xiao Zhenhai's expression to change drastically.

"A rare artifact breaks the Golden Body talisman?"

Before the words had even faded, red light arrived—the Golden Body, already weakened by Gu Changhuai's wind blades, shattered instantly.

With the Golden Body talisman broken, Gu Changhuai's eyes flashed with sharp light; he immediately forged several even sharper wind blades and slashed toward Xiao Zhenhai.

Xiao Zhenhai's Golden Body art was shattered; his Water Prison technique had barely formed halfway—he had no time to dodge, and could only watch helplessly as Gu Changhuai's piercing wind blades tore through the air, slicing into his shoulder.

The wind blades carved through flesh, leaving a deep, gushing wound.

Xiao Zhenhai hastily retreated, swallowed a pill to suppress his internal injuries, his face twisted in agony.

A heavy veil of fury now covered his once-sneering, insincere expression.

For nearly a century, he had lurked in the shadows, never once falling into such dire peril.

Since mastering this peerless inheritance, he had killed whom he wished, never suffering such a crushing defeat.

Yet today, he had been outmaneuvered and suffered a catastrophic fall.

A surge of killing intent rose in Xiao Zhenhai's heart.

"Good, good—you're asking for death!"

His eyes fully opened, his irises drenched in crimson; he no longer held back his killing intent, unleashing every ounce of dark aura he had cultivated, pushing the Blood Prison Pupil Art to its utmost limit.

Xiao Zhenhai's two eyes became abysses of sin.

Countless cultivators he had slaughtered writhed within, pleading and crying out in torment.

"Danger!"

Gu Changhuai's face darkened; he quickly averted his gaze.

But this Blood Prison Pupil Art was different from before—its power had increased by more than a fold.

The killing intent was pushed to its extreme.

These blood-evil qi seemed to gain life, slithering like venomous snakes, spreading everywhere, infiltrating every gap.

Even though Gu Changhuai averted his gaze, the dark aura still slipped through his eye orifices, drilling into his spiritual sea, causing his soul unbearable agony—he froze, utterly motionless.

Xiao Zhenhai seized the moment, his figure flickering as he closed the distance, raising his longsword high.

"Gu Changhuai!"

Xia Diansi's face turned deathly pale; he immediately condensed sword qi to stop Xiao Zhenhai.

Xiao Zhenhai suddenly turned his head, his eyes crimson.

Xia Diansi, in her panic, failed to guard herself—she was struck dead-on by Xiao Zhenhai's pupil art.

She felt her spiritual sea turn icy, pierced by knife-like pain; blood trickled from her lips, her pupils dimming with shock.

Xiao Zhenhai sneered, "Don't rush—I'll kill you one by one…"

With that, he raised his sword, unleashing Gui Water sword qi, aiming to sever Gu Changhuai's neck first.

Just then, he heard another crisp voice.

Someone was calling his name:

"Xiao Zhenhai!"

Xiao Zhenhai had no intention of responding—he'd kill those he could first, that was safest.

But this voice was unusual.

It was that sneaky little brat who had never shown his face.

Also that unassuming little array master whose array skills were beyond comprehension.

And yet…

"How dare you call me by name…"

Xiao Zhenhai sneered, his eyes blazing red, turning to glance at Mo Hua.

Then he realized Mo Hua was staring at him with cold indifference.

Xiao Zhenhai was momentarily stunned, then laughed—his smile now laced with mockery.

"You little fool, daring to meet my gaze…"

But slowly, Xiao Zhenhai's smile froze on his face.

He noticed a thread of golden light emerging in Mo Hua's eyes, gradually spreading outward, growing blindingly bright.

"Is this… a pupil art?!"

Xiao Zhenhai instantly understood.

The Water Prison Sealed Casket was in Mo Hua's hands!

And before this, Mo Hua had already mastered its secrets.

He had learned the pupil art inscribed on the casket!

"And his pupil art… is golden?!"

Golden pupil art!

In that instant, Xiao Zhenhai felt unprecedented pressure.

He didn't understand why, but he dared not hesitate, nor dare to underestimate—he meditated on the "Blood-Colored Dao Prison Map" forged by his killing-driven dark aura, condensing every ounce of dark qi he had cultivated into his eyes, transforming them into a blood sea of hell to oppose Mo Hua's golden pupil art.

Pupil art confrontation—extremely perilous.

One thought, soul lives; one thought, spirit dies.

Xiao Zhenhai poured out every last ounce of strength, locking eyes with Mo Hua.

In the void, the crimson pupil art clashed with the golden pupil art, dark aura and golden light intertwining, tearing each other apart.

In but an instant, the divine sword emerged from its sheath, Jin Guang surging.

The blood qi collapsed, crumbling inch by inch.

Xiao Diansi finally gasped in horror.

Sword intent?

This isn't a pupil technique! This is… a sword scripture?

A spiritual sword… manifested through a pupil technique?

Am I using my eyes to directly clash with another's sword qi?

Xiao Zhenhai's heart turned icy; no sooner had he regained his wits than he realized the golden sword intent had pierced through his eyes and seeped into his spiritual soul.

A prison woven entirely of swordlight—golden—trapped him within.

The swordlight blazed brilliantly and razor-sharp, slowly flaying his spiritual soul.

And he, as if a heinous sinner, stood under the judgment of sword punishment.

The agony of his spiritual soul being sliced and flayed spread gradually; in his torment, Xiao Zhenhai suddenly understood.

So this is what torture feels like…

He wanted to resist, but could not.

He wanted to struggle, but lacked the strength.

Under such fierce, overwhelmingly oppressive sword intent, Xiao Zhenhai's spiritual soul trembled in terror, utterly unaware how to counter it.

He could only watch as his seven po and his life soul were slowly severed by the swordlight…

Mo Hua's eyes locked fixedly onto Xiao Zhenhai.

Deep in his pupils, golden light blazed with majesty.

Yet from the corners of his eyes, blood trickled down.

Though his spiritual soul was strong and his spiritual sense profound, this physical body was merely Foundation Establishment; to oppose a Jin Dan with a Foundation Establishment body placed unbearable strain on his eyes.

Just then, Gu Changhuai regained a sliver of consciousness.

He saw Mo Hua, blood streaming from his eyes, and Xiao Zhenhai, soul-shattered and wracked with pain, as if undergoing punishment, teetering on the brink of "loss of control," and his heart jolted.

Gu Changhuai, enduring the aftereffects of the blood pupil technique, mustered immense willpower to overcome dizziness and agony, forcing himself awake.

After recalling his spiritual sense, Gu Changhuai clenched his teeth, poured every ounce of strength into gathering his technique.

His body surged with spiritual energy, stirring a roaring gale; upon the wind, blades layered like fish scales, dense as wings, shimmering with radiant light yet brimming with lethal intent.

The Lingfeng Huayu Jue!

The Gu family's supreme Dao art.

This wind technique possessed immense power, but required prolonged recitation of the scripture to accumulate vast spiritual energy.

Since the battle began, Gu Changhuai had never had the chance to unleash it.

Now, with Xiao Zhenhai's pupil technique defeated, his spiritual sense damaged, and his malevolent energy backfiring, teetering on the edge of losing control, this was Gu Changhuai's only opportunity to cast this Dao art.

Vast wind-element spiritual energy converged.

After several breaths, the Gu family's supreme Dao art, the Lingfeng Huayu Jue, solidified.

Gu Changhuai's gaze turned cold; he pointed forward, and the wind blades around him surged like the wings of a blue phoenix, violently flaring into a raging storm that swept toward Xiao Zhenhai.

Xiao Zhenhai's spiritual soul endured the sword punishment, on the verge of collapse, yet still faintly sensed mortal peril; instinctively, he tried to dodge aside, seeking to escape this fatal strike.

At that moment, Xia Diansi also regained consciousness; seeing Xiao Zhenhai attempt to flee, she endured the searing pain in her spiritual sense, channeled spiritual energy into her short sword, and, using the sword-controlling method, forged an icy-blue swordlight that struck toward Xiao Zhenhai.

Her sword art was renowned for its danger and speed.

Now, though she struck late, she arrived first—directly piercing through Xiao Zhenhai's chest; ice-element spiritual energy spread, freezing his heart meridian in an instant.

Xiao Zhenhai's movements were encased in ice.

Almost simultaneously, the mighty wind blades forged by the Lingfeng Huayu Jue, like a blue phoenix flaring its wings, roared toward him.

Countless fine wind blades engulfed Xiao Zhenhai, slicing his flesh bit by bit.

The violent surge of spiritual energy forced Mo Hua and the others to retreat.

When the dust settled.

Xiao Zhenhai looked as if his skin had been stripped away—his flesh and blood a bloody mess, his meridians shattered.

On the brink of death, dazed and half-conscious, Xiao Zhenhai mustered his last breath, cast one final glance at Mo Hua, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word.

His eyes brimmed with fury and resentment.

All his life, he had lurked in shadows, planning ahead.

But one misstep, one misjudgment, had cost him his life…

A surge of rage rose in Xiao Zhenhai's heart; he spat blood, then expired.

This time, he was truly dead.

Those who had nearly exhausted themselves to the point of death all exhaled in relief.

Gu Changhuai's spiritual energy was nearly depleted; Xia Diansi was no better off.

Yet they immediately turned to Mo Hua, their expressions filled with concern.

Gu Changhuai said: "Are you alright?"

Mo Hua wiped the blood from the corners of his eyes, shook his head, and said: "I'm fine."

Yet as he spoke, Mo Hua's face was pale.

He had directly clashed pupil technique against pupil technique with Xiao Zhenhai; though he won, he still suffered some backlash.

Spiritual soul techniques are inherently a thousand wounds to inflict, eight hundred to endure.

Mo Hua's spiritual soul was strong, but his physical body was weak.

Using the pupil aperture to unleash the Divine Sword Art was manageable under normal circumstances, but when battling a powerful foe, the spiritual soul's lethal strikes placed far greater strain on his eyes than he had anticipated.

Worse still, Mo Hua felt his spiritual soul had sustained some damage.

This injury was not merely from the pupil duel with Xiao Zhenhai.

It stemmed from failing to properly recover after fighting the Great White Dog, then using the Divine Sword Art twice consecutively in the Long Wang Temple—accumulating spiritual soul damage that now erupted violently during his direct clash with the Jin Dan-level Xiao Zhenhai.

One side, Xia Diansi, having caught his breath, paused to think, his doubts mounting.

How had Xiao Zhenhai's eye technique been broken?

Why had his mind suddenly teetered on collapse, giving us this opening?

Why had Mo Hua's eyes bled?

What exactly had he done…

Xia Diansi gazed silently at Mo Hua, about to ask more: "Mo Hua…"

But Gu Changhuai interrupted: "This place isn't safe to linger. Let's leave first."

Xia Diansi fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

The situation was unusual—this was not the time to speak.

She could only suppress her doubts deep inside and temporarily hold off questioning.

After the grueling battles, not only Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi, but even Ouyang Feng, Hua Qianqian, and Xiao Tian had nearly exhausted their spiritual energy.

Before the great gate, the scene was a mess.

Xiao Zhenhai was dead; corpses littered the ground. From within the Bone Maze, a chilling, ominous aura emanated, and the surrounding crimson hue, for some reason, grew denser.

As if some "thing" were slowly awakening…

Gu Changhuai's eyelid suddenly twitched—he felt something was about to happen, and cried out: "Hurry, go!"

Everyone's hearts tightened. They seized Xiao Zhenhai's storage bag, checked their personal belongings to ensure nothing was left behind, then quickly seized the opportunity to slip out through the gap in the opened gate, one after another, leaving the Bone Maze.

But as they stepped beyond the gate, everyone barely exhaled—when they suddenly realized something was wrong.

The Bone Token was still inside.

This token was needed when leaving the Long Wang Temple, so it had to be pulled out and carried with them.

But once the token was removed, the maze's gate would shut.

Therefore, whoever pulled the token must have exceptional agility.

The moment the fishbone token was withdrawn, they had to instantly slip out through the closing gap.

Before Gu Changhuai could speak, Mo Hua said:

"I'll go!"

He had superior agility, and his slender, small frame made him perfect for this task.

Gu Changhuai was about to refuse, but found Mo Hua had already slipped back through the gate's gap into the Bone Maze—he was too late to stop him.

"Be careful!" Gu Changhuai could only frown and warn.

"Mm." Mo Hua replied.

Inside the Bone Maze, Mo Hua wasted no time—he went straight to the demonic bronze statue, studied it for a moment, then pulled out the fishbone token embedded within.

The maze's gate slowly closed.

Mo Hua prepared to leave.

But at that moment, a horrifying chewing sound arose.

Everyone's faces paled. They turned toward the sound—and saw, at some point, the transformed "Mr. Wu" had crawled onto Xiao Zhenhai's corpse and was devouring his flesh.

With the nourishment of the Jin Dan body, Mr. Wu's aura steadily rose.

Thick blood qi curled around him again; his scales grew blacker and tougher, his body swelled larger, brimming with terrifying power.

Gu Changhuai turned pale with shock, his voice trembling:

"Mo Hua, run!"

Mo Hua, startled, immediately activated his agility, trying to sprint toward the exit.

But the next instant, a terrifying blood shadow appeared behind him—a massive form casting a shadow that completely engulfed him.

Too fast!

Having devoured Xiao Zhenhai, the transformed Mr. Wu as a Yaksha was far stronger than before.

In an instant, he appeared behind Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's face slowly paled—he knew he could not escape.

In his final moment, he mustered all his strength and hurled the fishbone token through the narrowing gate gap.

His lips moved, as if whispering to them:

Run…

Gu Changhuai and the others' eyes bulged, their hearts pierced like knives—they wanted to rush in and save Mo Hua, but it was too late.

The slowly closing gate separated them.

They could only watch helplessly as Mr. Wu's bloody, monstrous claws reached for Mo Hua.

Vast crimson blood swallowed Mo Hua's slender frame whole…