Chapter 277: Coordination and Capture

In invisibility, Xu Jin swiftly circled the battlefield's perimeter, searching for an entry point or an opening.

As he observed the battlefield, Xu Jin was stunned to discover there were more than two sixth-rank experts.

The two sixth-rank alien experts he had just spotted were merely stationed on the outer perimeter, guarding or preventing any breakout.

Within the inner circle of the battlefield, his Mingji Star Pattern had sensed at least three terrifying sixth-rank auras.

This made Xu Jin grateful for his earlier caution.

Lucky he hadn't acted recklessly.

His Fish Curtain Golden Bell, anchored in the sixth-rank Earth Source Star Pattern, faced no pressure from attacks by fifth-rank ninth-layer experts and could even withstand a single strike from a mid- or early-stage sixth-rank expert.

But if two sixth-rank experts focused their attacks on it, the Fish Curtain Golden Bell would shatter.

So, no recklessness.

Under current conditions, Xu Jin's margin for error was far too low.

Forcing a direct breach from the perimeter would guarantee being surrounded and attacked.

But soon, Xu Jin spotted an opportunity.

As he moved swiftly, the patrol squad that had begun sweeping the ground with star-artillery like mine-clearing had ceased its large-scale bombardment.

Xu Jin guessed it was because his arrival had triggered a warning from the realm's heavenly will, making these aliens sense something amiss.

Hence their earlier large-scale ground-clearing bombardment.

But now, it had stopped.

Xu Jin now understood the heavenly will intimately.

This situation meant, nine times out of ten, these aliens had searched without result and concluded it was merely an illusion.

Unless one controlled over thirty percent of the realm's authority, such heavenly will warnings were always vague.

More importantly, not far away were Dong Zhao and his four companions—Xu Jin had just seen three human beings from this world; those auras were all distractions.

Unfortunately, the Star-Picking Order couldn't establish contact here.

Otherwise, Xu Jin could have contacted the Headmaster.

He could have had the Headmaster and others rendezvous with him, then act without restraint.

Nearly a thousand aliens surrounded this area; under the heavenly will's warning, even if Xu Jin was invisible, getting too close would make them sense a grave threat and react, exposing him.

Xu Jin estimated the distance: twenty li. Even if he expended all his energy to burst forward at top speed, it would take at least three to four breaths to reach them.

He could only rely on Star Patterns to clear a path.

Twenty breaths later, Xu Jin located the spot closest to where the star-energy fluctuation had previously erupted—roughly fifteen li away.

He could reach it in no more than three breaths—six seconds.

In invisibility, Xu Jin took a deep breath, gripped a sixth-rank-up Star Pattern he had nurtured in his left hand, then fully activated the Guicang Star Pattern, cautiously continuing his stealthy approach toward the center.

The later he was detected, the less danger he faced.

Fourteen li. Thirteen li.

At twelve li, a fifth-rank ninth-layer Golden Snake alien fifty meters to Xu Jin's left suddenly widened his eyes, his body instantly covered in fine golden scales, his gaze locking directly onto Xu Jin's hidden position, while starlight slowly rose around him.

Xu Jin knew he was about to be discovered.

In the next instant, before that fifth-rank ninth-layer Golden Snake alien could attack, a streak of starlight suddenly appeared—brilliant violet heavenly fire surged into the alien's chest, instantly reducing his body to charred carbon. Simultaneously, Lei Yi materialized behind Xu Jin, and in a flash, Xu Jin became a streak of lightning, stepping upon clouds as he shot straight toward Qing She Fortress.

Almost the moment Xu Jin ascended into the sky, he felt a sudden chill—five terrifying auras had locked onto him.

In the next instant, two of those five auras moved.

They were chasing him from behind.

In an instant, the sixth-rank expert reached the spot where Xu Jin had just launched his ambush.

He casually waved his hand, attempting to extinguish the violet flames on the Golden Snake alien's body.

But unexpectedly, he failed to put them out.

In the next instant, the sixth-rank expert became a streak of light and chased after Xu Jin.

At this moment, Xu Jin had already advanced ten li.

Just five li remained before he could successfully strike.

At that same instant, the sixth-rank fourth-layer Fire Ox alien directly ahead of Xu Jin sneered as he watched Xu Jin charging toward him.

"A fourth-rank first-layer reinforcement? How rare!"

With a wave of his hand, three fifth-rank late-stage aliens charged toward Xu Jin.

Roar!

The divine tiger roared.

The soul-shaking tiger's bellow caused those three fifth-rank late-stage aliens to freeze for a fleeting moment.

A spiral explosion of violet heavenly fire instantly consumed one of the fifth-rank ninth-layer aliens—but this was merely a casual flick of Xu Jin's hand.

He surged forward without slowing, breaking through the three fifth-rank late-stage aliens' blockade.

In the next instant, the sixth-rank fourth-layer Fire Ox alien's eyes widened in shock; he stomped the ground and shot skyward, his ox horns flicking as a torrent of flame engulfed Xu Jin from all directions.

At that same instant, inside Qing She Fortress, the commotion drew Dong Zhao's attention.

"Someone's breaking through the lines?" Dong Zhao frowned.

"Unlikely. Could the aliens be fighting among themselves?" Han Qing said.

"Infighting?"

Dong Zhao shook his head. Sixth-rank experts had already been mobilized—it didn't look like that.

"It can't be reinforcements," Tang Hui chuckled bitterly.

"You two recover. I'll watch for an opening. An enemy's enemy is a friend."

Dong Zhao stepped out of the Guiyuan Spirit Light Array and shot skyward at once—then saw a familiar figure.

"It's Xu Jin!"

In the next instant, Dong Zhao dashed forward at full speed toward Xu Jin.

At that same moment, Xu Jin unhesitatingly hurled the nurtured sixth-rank-up Star Pattern: Great Sun.

Instantly, the blazing light of the Great Sun engulfed the sixth-rank fourth-layer alien.

A sixth-rank-up Great Sun Star Pattern alone could severely wound this sixth-rank fourth-layer Fire Ox alien—but this one had been nurtured by Xu Jin.

Instantly, the blazing light of the Great Sun consumed the sixth-rank fourth-layer alien, reducing nearby fifth-rank aliens to ash as well.

This sight filled the approaching Dong Zhao with both shock and joy.

But he was forced to slow his speed.

The Star Pattern Xu Jin had launched showed no mercy to friend or foe.

Dong Zhao's slowdown gave the two other sixth-rank aliens nearby their chance.

Dong Zhao had come out alone.

Two against one—even if Dong Zhao unleashed a sixth-rank Star Pattern, they could endure it.

In the next instant, the two sixth-rank aliens charged toward Dong Zhao.

"Xu Jin, hurry over!"

Dong Zhao spat a mouthful of blood, once again using his blood to activate the sixth-rank star-weapon, the Locking Star Ring, while roaring at Xu Jin—he himself charged head-on toward the two sixth-rank experts.

This time, Dong Zhao didn't use a sixth-rank Star Pattern to intimidate.

He had no sixth-rank Star Patterns left; if he threw a fifth-rank one, even the last sliver of hope would be exposed to the aliens—he had to fight head-on.

Beneath the blazing light of the Great Sun, the sixth-rank fourth-layer alien turned to ash.

In the next instant, Xu Jin flashed forward and appeared behind Dong Zhao.

But Dong Zhao was simultaneously locked in a desperate battle.

Dong Zhao was only at the peak of fifth-rank ninth-layer; with the sixth-rank star-weapon Locking Star Ring, he could handle one sixth-rank expert—but two were far too many.

At that same instant, the two other sixth-rank aliens guarding the perimeter also rushed over from behind.

Xu Jin's mind raced—he had immense combat experience and instantly assessed the battlefield.

In the next instant, Xu Jin flashed forward and stood directly behind Headmaster Dong Zhao, whispering to him: "Headmaster, I'll launch the Star Pattern—you deliver the finishing blow."

"Conserve your strength."

Dong Zhao assumed Xu Jin was about to launch a sixth-rank Star Pattern. Sixth-rank Star Patterns were never common anywhere, and Xu Jin didn't have many—so Dong Zhao gave that warning.

But in the next instant, Dong Zhao saw Xu Jin hurl a fifth-rank-up Star Pattern.

He immediately wore a wry smile.

A fifth-rank-up Star Pattern couldn't even wound these sixth-rank aliens—how could he deliver a finishing blow?

But in the next instant, Dong Zhao was stunned.

A seemingly ordinary fifth-rank-up Star Pattern: Whip the Mountain unleashed an extraordinarily terrifying star-energy surge, directly wounding the sixth-rank third-layer alien so severely he spat blood.

Dong Zhao's combat experience was no less than Xu Jin's—perhaps even greater.

His grasp of battlefield timing was even sharper.

In the next instant, Dong Zhao's Locking Star Ring shot forth countless starlight threads, slipping into the body of the severely wounded sixth-rank third-layer alien.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Worm-like bulges, as thick as a child's arm, exploded one after another.

Under Xu Jin and Dong Zhao's coordination, the sixth-rank alien died instantly!

One down!

"Keep going!"

In the next instant, a nurtured fifth-rank-up Star Pattern: Fiery Light shot from Xu Jin's palm toward the sixth-rank fifth-layer Golden Snake alien.

Fire overcomes metal.

This was deliberately chosen by Xu Jin.

The blazing light erupted, instantly illuminating the hundred-meter surroundings as bright as daylight.

In the next instant, the starlight of the Star Lock Ring pierced in again.

Second kill!

The two sixth-rank barbarians who had just rushed in from behind froze upon seeing their comrades die one after another.

At the same moment, Han Qing, Tang Hui, and Liu Qingzhu also dropped Shen Wei's body and burst out of the Guiyuan Spirit Light Array.

Without hesitation, Xu Jin's Thunder Wings flickered forward; as he closed in, he let the sixth-rank expert's attack strike his Fish Curtain Golden Bell, trading damage for time.

The Fish Curtain Golden Bell trembled violently, covered in countless cracks.

Before it shattered with a loud bang, Xu Jin's Break Evil had already slammed into the body of this sixth-rank, fifth-layer barbarian.

Taking advantage of the moment the barbarian's soul was damaged, another cultivated fifth-rank-level Blazing Light Seal was launched.

In the next instant, the attack of the other sixth-rank, third-layer barbarian also struck Xu Jin.

Just as Xu Jin activated the Golden Bell Shield of the Chaos Star Fall, Master Dong Zhao's Star Lock Ring starlight shot toward Xu Jin, instantly enveloping him like a cocoon and taking the lethal blow for him.

At the same moment, Han Qing, Tang Hui, and Liu Qingzhu had already surrounded and attacked the sixth-rank, fifth-layer barbarian severely wounded by the blazing light.

In the next instant, another cultivated fifth-rank-level blazing light shot out from Xu Jin's hand.

It struck the sixth-rank, third-layer barbarian now entangled by the Star Lock Ring's starlight.

This coordination was simply perfect!

Trapped by the Star Lock Ring's starlight, the sixth-rank, third-layer barbarian couldn't even dodge Xu Jin's launched seal.

He could only take the blow head-on.

In the next instant, the Star Lock Ring's starlight surged into his body and exploded from within.

Third kill!

Just as Xu Jin and Dong Zhao turned back, Han Qing, Tang Hui, and Liu Qingzhu, working together, had just slain the sixth-rank, fifth-layer barbarian severely wounded by Xu Jin's seal.

Fourth kill!

The fifth- and fourth-rank barbarians surrounding them from all sides froze in shock.

Fear began to spread.

At this moment, Dong Zhao, Han Qing, Tang Hui, and Liu Qingzhu's expressions were indescribably exhilarated.

The repression of these past days exploded in this moment—only Liu Qingzhu's eyes held an indescribable sorrow.

"Kill!"

In the next instant, with Dong Zhao's roar, the five of them split up and charged toward the fourth- and fifth-rank barbarians surrounding them.

"Xu Jin, can you handle it?"

"Master Dong, let's compete!"

In the next instant, Xu Jin charged toward the mid-to-late fifth-rank barbarian.

Sixth-rank barbarians were deeply feared by Xu Jin.

But mid-to-late fifth-rank barbarians? Xu Jin now dispatched them with ease.

A single Break Evil combined with a spiral inferno of Brilliant Purple Heavenly Fire could slay mid-fifth-rank barbarians; some late-fifth-rank ones too—even if it didn't kill, it could severely wound.

Dong Zhao moved like a tiger descending the mountain; except for eighth- and ninth-layer fifth-rank barbarians, all others were wounded in a single clash.

Han Qing, Tang Hui, and Liu Qingzhu had fought alongside Dong Zhao for so long they knew exactly which opponents to target.

They specifically hunted early- to mid-fifth-rank or late-fourth-rank barbarians; with their own ninth-layer, fifth-rank cultivation bases, a single strike either killed or severely wounded.

Within mere breaths, they slaughtered the hundreds of surrounding barbarians, sending them tumbling and screaming.

Behind them, the three present-era human commanders who had been directing the battle furrowed their brows simultaneously.

The two blood-robed humans had acted the moment they saw the sixth-rank barbarians die.

Facing the over two hundred fourth- and fifth-rank barbarians guarding them, they clasped their hands and intoned, "The glory of the Blood God requires your protection."

With a low chant, those two hundred fourth- and fifth-rank barbarians, as if drugged, roared wildly and charged toward Xu Jin, Dong Zhao, and the others.

The two barbarians charged forward, but the two blood-robed humans turned and fled without hesitation, instantly dissolving into starlight and vanishing into the distance.

"Damn it!"

Liu Meng, the present-era human sent by the Heavenly Sun Star Temple, suddenly froze.

What the hell, you can actually do that?

These Blood God Cult bastards are too good at manipulating barbarians.

He squeezed the two sixth-rank seals in his pocket, hesitating.

Should he go in hard and then retreat?

Or just retreat outright?

After only a moment's hesitation, Liu Meng made his decision.

Right now, he had no need to fight to the death.

The two sixth-rank seals Grand Elder gave him were for his own survival.

Instantly, Liu Meng turned to flee.

But during those two or three breaths of hesitation, thunderous explosions flashed—far away, Xu Jin had already broken through the encirclement of the remaining fourth- and fifth-rank barbarians.

Xu Jin outright ignored the attacks from those fourth- and fifth-rank barbarians.

He let his reactivated Fish Curtain Golden Bell absorb them.

Xu Jin had only one target: capture these present-era humans!

In the center of the prior battle, Liu Meng saw a streak of thunderlight charging toward him; the aura radiating from its core was only fourth-rank, first layer.

Fourth-rank?

Not worth using a sixth-rank seal.

A fifth-rank-level one is enough!

In the next instant, Liu Meng casually launched a fifth-rank-level seal, ready to swat aside this charging fourth-rank.

After launching the seal, Liu Meng turned and fled.

But the moment starlight flared around him, Xu Jin burst straight through the exploding starlight of Liu Meng's fifth-rank-level seal.

Brilliant Purple Heavenly Fire burned straight through the radiance of Liu Meng's fifth-rank-level seal.

The moment Liu Meng realized something was wrong and turned back, a massive soul surge erupted.

Dream Shatter!

In the next instant, Liu Meng spewed blood from all seven orifices, froze like a statue, then plummeted straight from the sky.

Before he hit the ground, Xu Jin's Covering Moon Sword had already flown out, circling Liu Meng once—his limbs flew off.

Capture successful!

(End of Chapter)