Daoist Competition

Luo Qingyu laughed and said, "Elder Chen, why worry? Back in the day, when that person laid down the ’Four Symbols God Slaying Formation’ at Three Pools, it was Junior Brother Zhang who broke through it alone. Master Meng even praised him for his great talent in arrays, so I think this formation won’t pose a problem for him."

Zhang Yan paid no attention to Elder Chen’s words. From the moment the four of them initiated, his eyes remained fixed on the formation, never leaving it.

As the four Heavenly Shuttles were slowly restrained, a slight gap actually opened up in the Qi Mechanism within the array. However, he could tell that the most suitable opportunity had not yet arisen, so he continued to wait patiently.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea passed, when Huo Xuan and the others felt their Mana waning, Zhang Yan’s eyes flashed. Without hesitation, he raised the Five Spirits White Carp Shuttle into the sky.

Instantly, a streak of golden light swept across the sky. Due to the rush of flying, a sharp whistle sounded as it ripped through the atmosphere.

The spirit shuttle struck fiercely at the formation, as if thunder erupted from thin air. The great array was hit hard like with a giant hammer, trembling violently. The four-color Earth Qi that originally circulated within was suddenly stirred into chaos.

Huo Xuan had initially thought Zhang Yan would need several attempts to grasp the intricacies, but the single peck of the Five Spirits White Carp Shuttle struck exactly at the formation’s weak point and worked instantly. Overjoyed, he shouted, "Everyone, don’t stop now!"

The other three were invigorated, increasing their offensive. After mere breaths, the great array could no longer bear the strain, and with a cracking sound, it declared its collapse. The Qi Mechanism collected within exploded as countless spiritual tides surged in all directions.

As the formation broke down, Luo Canghai felt as if struck by lightning. Array Power rebound into his heart, forcing the Essence Blood he held to spray out uncontrollably. His demeanor became instantly weary, slumping weakly onto the back of the White Python, gasping heavily.

By this time, he could no longer manage the four Heavenly Shuttles, which were stirred by an essence spirit and all rose into the air, attempting to follow the Qi Mechanism in various directions.

This treasure originally belonged to Mingcang, so Huo Xuan couldn’t allow it to escape. With a wave of his sleeve, a large blaze of red light flashed out, forcing the approaching red Heavenly Shuttle to fly backward.

The Heavenly Shuttle wasn’t yielding easily, screeching as it transformed into a Vermilion Bird covered in fiery feathers, still charging forward. But without human control, its power was greatly diminished, and after crashing twice, it was consistently repelled. After several more attempts, whether towards the sides or Heaven, it was trapped by the Flowing Flame Golden Flame. Soon, the fire invaded, and with a soft chirp, it became compliant.

With a gesture from Huo Xuan, the Vermilion Bird, like a young swallow returning to the forest, flew willingly into his hand. In an instant, it became a translucent jade-like spirit shuttle the color of blood. The shuttle was pointed at both ends, full in the middle, with a dot of red light inside where a tiny, agile firebird flitted.

At the North Position, Zhong Muqing saw the Heavenly Shuttle shake, transforming into a formidable Black Tortoise seemingly heading for the water. He smiled, extending two fingers to release a black mist that pressed onto its shell, instantly weighing it down.

He then pinched his fingers to cast a spell, chanting incantations repeatedly and channeling several spells onto it. The Black Tortoise immediately calmed down, ceased struggling, and with a flash of Spirit Light, transformed into a black shuttle that floated silently in the air. He captured it with a spell and held it in his hand.

Standing at the East Position, Luo Qingyu saw the Heavenly Shuttle attempting to escape eastward. He leisurely unfolded his five fingers, releasing Mana that turned into strands of green energy, entwining like a net across Heaven. The unsuspecting Azure Dragon formed by the green shuttle charged right into it.

He chuckled, then grasped his fingers together, pulling the green energy tight, squeezing the Azure Dragon’s body firmly. With a whimper, it transformed into a Green Treasure Shuttle.

As for Elder Chen, without even a glance, he rotated the horsetail whisk in his hand and scooped up a white Heavenly Shuttle within it.

Upon closer inspection, inside was a raging White Tiger, roaring and lunging, leaping back and forth but unable to escape, as if trapped. As the Mana attached to it depleted, it transformed into a White Shuttle amidst its roars, finally coming to rest.

In little more than a moment, the Four Symbols Celestial Shuttle Formation was jointly breached by the five, and all four Heavenly Shuttles were suppressed.

With the four shuttles gone, a sudden loud sound of water was heard, followed by a large water column, several dozen yards thick, shooting into the sky. Within it, a black-scaled giant python could be faintly seen climbing clouds and waves, twisting its body to flee into the clouds.

The python’s eyes were like large lamps, over seventy yards long, with claws under its belly as hard as gold and iron, appearing fierce to the extreme.

Huo Xuan and the others saw it escaping, and their bodies turned into rainbow glows, leaping through the air to intercept it in Heaven.

Zhang Yan raised his head to look and warned aloud, "Senior Brothers, be careful of this demon using the Death Replacement Technique. Do not let it escape."

Luo Canghai had indeed planned to use the shedding and substitution to escape through a gap, but this technique required the opponent’s unsuspecting conjecture to succeed. However, Zhang Yan’s words exposed it, and knowing he couldn’t escape, he turned aggressively to fight.

Huo Xuan remained calm, raised his hand, and summoned a Golden Spear in the air. The spear grew ten yards long, with a four-clawed Coiling Dragon etched on it. Auspicious light and magnificent colors shone, displaying a radiant appearance.

Luo Canghai seemed to recognize what it was, his expression changed suddenly, fear showing in his eyes. Before he could dodge, Huo Xuan made a virtual flick with his finger. The Golden Spear shot through like light, instantly piercing his body with a miserable howl, and falling from the clouds.

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)