Chapter 40: True Transmission of Array Combat

"Array, activate!"

Above the Skull Mountain Market, the fully restored Hundred Skeletons Return to Truth Great Array rumbled into motion, immediately startling Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan into pulling back their distance.

Seizing this opening, Lu Yuanchun transformed into a beam of blood light and sped across.

The array markings outside the great formation parted in response, allowing Lu Yuanchun to pass through, before immediately closing again; the speed of this action left outsiders not the slightest opportunity to exploit.

"Many thanks for Brother Lu's assistance."

Once inside the array, the blood light dispersed, revealing Lu Yuanchun's disheveled state; his face was deathly pale, bearing an expression of shock and uncertainty:

"Could it be that Brother Lu is actually an array master?"

If he were not an array master, how could he possibly reorganize the formation and resolve a situation that was originally certain death?

"You make me laugh, Senior Brother; it is merely a Ninth Grade array after all." Lu Yang smiled faintly. "I studied it for several days before I could slightly unleash the power of this great formation."

Lu Yang spoke simply, yet Lu Yuanchun's face was filled with solemnity.

Among the hundred arts of cultivation, the Dao of Arrays stands first!

A cultivator at the Late Stage of Qi Condensation and an array master at the Late Stage of Qi Condensation hold values that cannot be compared on the same day; the latter can almost be regarded as having reached the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation!

"Speaking of which, Senior Brother Lu seems to have gained quite a lot this time."

Lu Yang looked at Lu Yuanchun with a smile that did not reach his eyes, and under his gaze, the expression on Lu Yuanchun's face gradually stiffened, cold sweat immediately streaming down.

However, the next second, he regained his composure.

"Brother Lu, I have kept the 'Mysterious Yin Treasured Jade' for you for a long time; today, it is time to return the object to its owner!"

Having spoken, Lu Yuanchun directly took out a small box, opened the lid, and inside lay赫然 a white jade stone with seven orifices, resembling a human figure.

As the saying goes, those who recognize the times are heroes.

Lu Yuanchun was an old disciple of the Holy Sect after all; he naturally understood that if he did not hand over the treasured jade now, he would soon be sacrificed on the front lines of the Righteous and Demonic battlefield.

Moreover, since the Divine Martial Sect had deployed a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation, escaping alive was already impossible; thus, Lu Yuanchun no longer harbored illusions. Rather than keeping the treasure, it was better to hand it over publicly. On one hand, this counted as spending wealth to avoid disaster; on the other, it could shift the attention of the Divine Martial Sect and others onto Lu Yang.

"The Mysterious Yin Treasured Jade..."

Seeing this, Lu Yang nodded in satisfaction, then stored the small box in his storage bag, turned around, and looked calmly at the figure that had suddenly appeared outside the market.

It was a handsome young man holding a spear.

He wore a martial crown and scale armor, and the long spear in his hand was inscribed with dragon patterns; rather than a cultivator, he looked more like a general from the mortal world.

"A Ninth Grade array master?"

The young man's gaze was as sharp as a blade, seeming capable of cutting through the array's concealment to see Lu Yang, who controlled the formation directly: "I did not expect such an unexpected variable."

At the same time, 'Divine Fist' Wu Zhichong and 'Mountain-Moving Daoist' Duanmu Yuan approached, each bowing respectfully to the spear-wielding young man: "Senior Brother Ouyang, we failed in our task and have disappointed Senior Brother."

"It matters not."

Ouyang Haoze shook his head, his expression gentle: "Demonic fiends are cunning; it is normal for you two junior brothers to have been negligent. From now on, you may redeem your faults through merit."

Having spoken, he looked again toward the Skull Mountain Market, killing intent surging in his eyes.

"Our sect has planned for many years; we cannot tolerate the slightest accident. If possible, we should first eliminate the nails the Demonic Sect has left here, minimizing variables to the greatest extent."

The next second, Ouyang Haoze's figure flashed; the aura of the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation was fully released. In an instant, a pillar of vital energy rose straight up, manifesting earth-shaking battle cries, with faint images of countless armored soldiers and generals arranging formations standing behind Ouyang Haoze, bolstering his essence, qi, and spirit.

"Break for me!"

In that instant, thunderous sounds rolled through the sky, slamming directly into the Skull Mountain Market; a few cultivators with lower cultivation bases immediately vomited blood from this angry shout.

"Great Perfection of Qi Condensation."

Lu Yang controlled the array, his expression grave. The pinnacle of the Qi Condensation realm symbolized not just cultivation base in the various major sects, but also status.

Anyone who reaches the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation must be a True Inheritance disciple of their sect!

Although the Divine Martial Sect, located in the Northern Frontier, is far smaller in scale than the Holy Sect, it possesses several world-shocking great divine abilities that only True Inheritance disciples may cultivate.

"If he has mastered a great divine ability, I will immediately abandon the array and flee..."

While preparing to escape, Lu Yang moved to the edge of the array, confronting Ouyang Haoze across the formation: "I am Lu Yang; may I ask for your name, Daoist Friend?"

"Someone like you is not worthy of knowing my name." Ouyang Haoze sneered. "If you are sensible, surrender immediately; in that case, I might show mercy, merely abolishing your demonic cultivation without taking your lives. But if you choose to resist stubbornly, the day the array breaks will be the day not even a chicken or dog is left alive!"

"When will this cycle of revenge end?"

Lu Yang's smile remained unchanged, his tone gentle: "Although our sides differ between Righteous and Demonic, we have traditionally kept to our own waters and never infringed upon each other's rivers; why not give me some face?"

"Give you face?"

Ouyang Haoze burst into laughter, mocking: "What huge arrogance! You are merely at the Eighth Layer of Qi Condensation; even if I do not give you face today, what can you do about it?"

"Why must it be so?"

Lu Yang shook his head. "Since that is the case, then please, Daoist Friend, come and break the array."

"Seeking death!"

Killing intent flashed in Ouyang Haoze's eyes; all the pillars of vital energy transformed from his blood and qi converged. He clenched his fist and struck; at first glance, it seemed merely a mortal martial art.

However, seeing this, Lu Yang's expression tightened slightly; daring not to be the slightest bit negligent, he immediately sacrificed the Blood Sun Sword Pill, merged his body with the sword light, and slashed straight at Ouyang Haoze. In that instant, fist met sword; unparalleled sharpness and fist force exploded outward in all directions, blooming like sparks in mid-air.

Ouyang Haoze's figure moved like lightning; in the blink of an eye, he threw hundreds of punches.

The Divine Martial Sect differs from other cultivation sects; body cultivators dominate here, and most divine abilities focus on fists and feet, making their speed in close-quarters killing even faster than that of sword cultivators!

"Hail of Arrows Strike!"

Ouyang Haoze spread his arms as if drawing a great bow; subsequently, fist shadows flew like arrows, and in the blink of an eye, they submerged the position where Lu Yang stood.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amidst the explosive sounds, Lu Yang felt as if the spiritual energy around his body had been completely drained, replaced by endless fist shadows intent on crushing him into powder!

A thousand strikes in an instant, leaving no gap for counterattack; this was clearly a superior divine ability!

Although Ouyang Haoze spoke arrogantly, disregarding Lu Yang, when he actually fought, he showed not the slightest carelessness, going all out.

In that instant, violent shockwaves rolled and churned.

Under his fist shadows, Lu Yang lasted less than ten seconds before being pounded into fragments; the sword light shattered, and in the blink of an eye, he turned into a sky full of withered bones and remains.

The momentum of the fist suddenly stopped; Ouyang Haoze stood in the air, his brows slightly furrowed.

On the other side, above the market, the Hundred Skeletons Return to Truth Great Array operated; a figure condensed from void to reality, stepping out. It was赫然 Lu Yang, completely unharmed.

"Daoist Friend's fist might is unparalleled; I am impressed."

Ouyang Haoze did not respond; he struck again, still using the Hail of Arrows Strike. Lu Yang still resisted tenaciously, and still, after lasting more than ten seconds, was pounded into fragments.

However, in the turn of an eye, Ouyang Haoze saw Lu Yang's corpse turn into withered bones and remains, while the unscathed Lu Yang stepped out from the array once more, his wide sleeves fluttering, his style intact; he had not even lost a drop of true qi or magic power. He bowed with clasped hands: "Does Daoist Friend wish to fight again?"

"... he Hundred Skeletons Return to Truth Great Array truly lives up to its reputation."

Ouyang Haoze's expression was grave.

As far as he knew, this array ranked Seventh Grade; it contained one hundred skeleton soldiers. When a cultivator stood within the array, they could manifest their full combat power by borrowing the bodies of the skeleton soldiers.

In this way, it was equivalent to the skeleton soldiers fighting in place of the main body.

If they won, everyone was happy; if they died, it had no effect whatsoever on the main body. Moreover, as long as the array continued to operate, even if the skeleton soldiers were consumed, they could recover rapidly.

Under such circumstances, no matter how fiercely he attacked, it was futile, merely doing useless work. This was only because he stood outside the array and did not rush in; otherwise, once he entered the array, Lu Yang could summon all the skeleton soldiers to gang up on him directly. At that time, even a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation would have to shed a layer of skin!

(End of Chapter)