Chapter 179

As the Five Elements Ancestor merged with the Dao, the murderous qi accumulated in the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation was greatly dispelled, and everyone's pressure was instantly relieved.

However, because the earth veins of Xifang Dalu were shattered, countless beings died tragically, and murderous qi continued to pour into the sword formation.

"We must sever the connection between the sword formation and the earth veins, otherwise we will share the same fate as the Five Elements Daoist and cannot escape this calamity."

Qiankun Ancestor shouted loudly; at present, much of the murderous qi in the formation has leaked out, yet we still have the strength to respond, but as time passes, the chance to break the formation grows ever slimmer.

Murderous qi continually replenishes the sword formation's losses, while Hongjun, facing the heavily wounded Luo Hu, is long unable to take down the formation diagram, causing the three to suspect whether Hongjun harbors ill intent.

Yang Mei swung his sleeves, countless willow branches and leaves entwined, reaching toward the Slaughter Immortal Sword suspended high above, and then extending layer upon layer of space to block the sword qi.

"Luo Hu, if you withdraw the formation and promise to clear our karmic debts after merging with the Dao, we will cease fighting, cooperate with you, and slay Hongjun."

Yang Mei's hand gripped the hilt of the Slaughter Immortal Sword; countless spaces compressed the blade, causing cracks to appear on its body, with constant risk of shattering.

Yang Mei no longer has any intention to break the formation, especially since Hongjun seems to be deliberately controlling the timing of the breach.

Upon hearing Yang Mei's words, Luo Hu's spirit stirred slightly; at this moment, maintaining the formation consumes a great deal of his mental energy, and he is severely wounded, so he naturally welcomes this.

"I cannot possibly withdraw the formation, for you are not trustworthy, but I am willing to open a path of survival for you, letting you depart."

"If I merge with the Dao, I can promise to dispel your karmic debts, and I will personally deal with Hongjun."

Luo Hu does not trust Yang Mei and the others, fearing that once the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation is withdrawn, he will be besieged by everyone.

But as long as Yang Mei and his companions do not cause trouble, the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation bolstered by the great calamity gives him confidence to deal with the Daoist Hongjun even if some murderous qi has leaked out.

Moreover, Yang Mei has already broken the Slaughter Immortal Gate, and the murderous qi of the Extermination Immortal Gate has leaked away; with only two gates remaining, Luo Hu lacks absolute confidence to withstand their combined attack.

Yang Mei noticed that Qiankun Ancestor and Yin-Yang Ancestor were at the end of their tether, worried about their old friends' safety, and directly agreed: "Alright, quickly open a path of survival."

As soon as his words fell, the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation left a small path within the Slaughter, Entrapment, Carnage gates for everyone to depart.

Without hesitation, Yang Mei and his two companions instantly retreated from the formation, leaving Hongjun alone to face the enemy.

"'Let us temporarily distance ourselves from this place; we have reached our limits and cannot linger.'"

"'First, flee for now; after we recover somewhat, we shall return here.'"

Yin-Yang Ancestor unfolded the Taiji Diagram; a golden bridge extended from it, the three stepped onto the bridge, and it conveyed them far away.

Only after they had left the influence zone of the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation did they stop; as Yang Mei landed, he spat out divine blood, his breath feeble.

Yin-Yang and Qiankun hurriedly supported him, asking with concern:

"'This Slaughter Immortal Gate is truly so perilous, able to wound you to such an extent; had I known, I should have entered instead, for with the Taiji Diagram in hand I could at least protect myself.'"

Yin-Yang Ancestor glanced at Yang Mei with slight worry, while Qiankun beside him nodded in agreement, saying:

"'That is so; Yin-Yang possesses the Taiji Diagram, entering the Slaughter Immortal Gate at least offers some means of self-defense; though your cultivation is high, your defenses are still somewhat lacking.'"

Yang Mei merely rolled his eyes, speaking in a displeased tone: 'If you did not truly think this Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation is so simple, have you forgotten our previous plight?'

"'Wanting to break a single gate alone without paying some price is impossible; were it not for the Five Elements, I would likely have no chance to break the formation at all.'"

Upon mentioning the Five Elements Ancestor, everyone fell into a brief silence; Yang Mei also wished to break the formation sooner, so that the Five Elements Ancestor would not depart from them.

However, the Slaughter Immortal Four Swords and the formation diagram, having nurtured a calamity within the earth veins, accumulated murderous qi that is truly terrifying.

Furthermore, with the shattered earth veins adding support, without the Five Elements Ancestor's sacrifice, Yang Mei fundamentally has no chance to break the formation. 'I feel that Hongjun that bastard did not exert his full strength.'

In the midst of everyone's silence, Qiankun Ancestor suddenly spoke.

"'Hn.'"

Yin-Yang did not speak, merely uttering a sound to show agreement with Qiankun's view.

Yang Mei, however, was burning with anger, killing intent permeating his gaze, and said: 'No need to feel; Hongjun certainly did not exert his full strength—I have observed his power for too long, how could I not know?'

"'But at that time, both you and I had reached our limits, with no remaining strength to participate; the death of the Five Elements Daoist is inseparable from his responsibility.'"

"'After we regulate our breath and quiet our qi, regaining some divine power, we shall then go outside the great formation to keep watch.'"

"'By then, whoever emerges from within, we can naturally settle our karmic accounts with him!'"

Yin-Yang Ancestor and Qiankun Ancestor glanced at each other and spoke simultaneously:

"'Good!'"

The three immediately sat cross-legged in place, quietly regulating their breath to heal wounds and restore divine power.

Within the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation, Hongjun at this moment appears somewhat disheveled; although the formation's murderous qi has leaked somewhat, with heaven and earth replenishing it, its power is gradually rising again.

The Slaughter, Carnage, Entrapment, and Extermination sword qi crisscross without cease, attacking Hongjun; each strand of sword qi is no inferior to a supreme divine ability, causing Hongjun also to feel somewhat hard-pressed.

Thus for a thousand years, until both felt that Yang Mei and company had long since departed, the victory or defeat would be decided solely between the two of them.

"'Daoist Hongjun, we are not the main characters of the great calamity; now that superiority is clear, why must we fight to the death?'"

"'As long as you abandon merging with the Dao, I also do not wish for another familiar face to vanish from this world.'"

At this moment, Luo Hu feels elated and triumphant, sensing victory within his grasp; with the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation in hand, he cannot see any possibility of Hongjun's victory.

"'I also need to thank you, Daoist, for previously holding back, allowing Yang Mei and the others to depart, thereby effortlessly securing the advantage.'"

Facing Luo Hu's words, Hongjun merely gave a light smile and said:

"'What Daoist Luo Hu says is quite correct; I too am thus—if you forsake merging with the Dao, I shall grant you your life.'"

"'The Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation is advantageous, yet not unbreakable; you believe you hold victory with this formation, yet you know not how exalted my immortal arts are.'"

Upon hearing this, Luo Hu slightly raised his brow and said:

"'Having come to this point, Daoist, are you still unwilling to relent?'"

"'The might of the Slaughter Immortal Sword Formation has only just begun to show; though you have pioneered the immortal path, how could you know the profundity of my demonic arts?'"

Having spoken, the Slaughter Immortal Four Swords trembled slightly, gathering all the calamity and murderous qi from the great formation and condensing it upon their blades.

Hongjun beheld it, instantly feeling the blades' sharpness fully exposed, murderous qi surging, causing his eyes to ache slightly.

The Slaughter Immortal Four Swords encircled Luo Hu's person, and the formation contracted along with the swords, until it enveloped only a radius of a hundred million li before ceasing.

And the murderous qi within the formation had already condensed to the point of causing dizziness.

(End of chapter)