Chapter 26 The Asura Hell of Armored Formations (Bonus Chapter 2 with 8k Nutrient Solution)

As the students in Training Hall No. 3 dispersed, a fierce leveling challenge was taking place in the martial arts arena.

The first batch of students who were allowed to advance in the rankings are taking turns on stage to challenge the defending disciples.

Most of this group are aiming for C level from D level, or B level from C level. Only a few stubborn individuals will choose martial arts as their first step in the B level to A level advancement.

The two thirteenth-realm teachers sitting on the viewing platform would glance at the arena for a while, and then look at the list of opponents in their hands.

"Xun Zhiya of the Legalist school, after only two years in the academy, is already able to challenge the first-class level. She is truly a formidable young talent." Zhu Rong, the teacher of the thirteenth realm, exclaimed. "As expected of a disciple personally taught by the Sage Yu, I see that she has already completed the Zhou Tian Test and the Five Elements Life Technique. All that's left is this year's martial arts challenge, and she will be a first-class disciple."

Another instructor in charge of the proceedings, Mu Wu, glanced at the list with one eye open and one eye closed: "Gu Gan is also unexpected. This kid cultivates both martial arts and magic, which should be more difficult than for ordinary people, but he passed the first two so quickly, leaving only martial arts."

"He's not having a good day," Zhu Rong said with a smile, glancing at the viewing platform on the third floor. "I think none of the disciples aiming for the top rank are having a good day."

Mu Wu also looked up at the third floor and saw his student Kong Yiyi about to go over Nian Qiuyan to beat up Cang Shu. His usually cold expression turned into a smile.

"Although the selection of disciples to defend the arena is based on a combination of voluntary application, overall ability, and internal selection to prevent them from holding back during the promotion rounds, it's still rare to have the strongest fighters all together," Zhu Rong said, shaking his head. "Nian Qiuyan from the Fang family is unparalleled in divination, with no one of his generation able to match him. I heard that his divination skills influenced the selection of the disciples to defend the arena this time."

Mu Wu nodded and said, "Nian Qiuyan's divination against the odds already determined whose name we would receive when we drew the disciple lots."

Zhu Rong pointed at the list in his hand and said, "Isn't this a bit too much?"

"The academy stipulates that as long as divination cannot directly determine the final result and cause significant casualties or losses, it is not restricted. Among the students, he is the only one who can perform divination against the odds to the extent that Nian Qiuyan did," Mu Wu said with a smile. "He is a rare talent, and the Fang family protects him very much."

Finally, he added, "Besides, everyone in the academy knows a little bit about divination. If divination is to be prohibited within the academy, then we might as well just make the Fang family disappear."

Zhu Rong looked over and said, "I didn't say that."

Mu Wu glanced at Cang Shu upstairs and said, "Isn't your student here too?"

“If he wants to come, I can’t stop him.” Zhu Rong sighed, leaning back in his chair. “You know, these days students are all wilder than the last. Don’t let his gentle appearance fool you, when he gets angry he’s even more fierce than me. You can’t reason with him.”

Mu Wu nodded in agreement: "They're all the same."

When the topic of students' wild tempers came up, the two of them couldn't help but glance at Mei Liangyu, who was playing with the wind-listening ruler with his head down. After exchanging another look, Zhu Rong said solemnly, "If I were Elder Chang, I would definitely expel him from the sect eight hundred times over."

Mu Wu continued to nod in agreement: "He really doesn't follow any rules at all. Even students like you and me would put on an act, but this kid not only doesn't, he'll also stab you twice when he leaves, saying you're in his way."

“If Mei Liangyu’s talent were even slightly lacking, I don’t think Elder Chang would have tolerated him.” After saying this, Zhu Rong suddenly remembered another disciple of Sage Chang Gen and asked curiously, “By the way, what’s the background of Elder Chang’s second disciple? I’ve been so busy the other day that I haven’t had time to find out about it.”

"A princess from Qingyang Kingdom, daughter of Nangong Ming," Mu Wu introduced simply, but every sentence was crucial. "As it stands, she is currently a person of average skill."

Zhu Rong touched his eyebrows. "As expected of Elder Chang, his disciples are always so extraordinary. Speaking of which, it's unbelievable that Nangong Ming's daughter is a practitioner of Ping Shu."

Nangong Ming was also completely baffled as to whether Yu Sui was a person of Ping Shu.

He had tested Yu Sui's talent several times without any results. Yu Sui didn't show anything special, and even occasionally acted rather dull. Apart from being sweet-talking and good-looking, Nangong Ming couldn't find any other merits in Yu Sui.

Mu Wu said, "As the successor he designated, he must have extraordinary abilities."

Nangong Ming probably never imagined that he would be spoken to like that one day.

As the two chatted, the list of upcoming matches came from outside. They glanced at it and then posted it on the arena.

Then everyone saw:

Challenger: Legalist, Xunziya.

The defending champion: Mei Liangyu, a Taoist priest.

Challenger: Gu Gan, a renowned expert.

The defender: Bingjia, Kong Yiyi.

“It’s him again.” Ji Meng looked at Xun Zhiya’s group’s name and saw that she had matched it with Mei Liangyu. He sighed and said, “Have we been at odds with Mei Liangyu lately or something?”

Gu Gan also frowned slightly and said to Xun Zhiya, "You'd better be careful, this guy is notoriously belligerent."

Although he didn't want to admit it, Mei Liangyu was the most difficult one to overcome in today's martial arts leveling challenge.

Xun Zhiya looked very serious, his gaze focused, and it was unclear whether he had heard what he said.

The two walked together toward the arena.

Mei Liangyu, standing by the viewing platform on the third floor, put away his Wind Listening Ruler. Kong Yiyi pointed at Gu Gan and said, "This kid's been making quite a splash lately!"

"Be careful," Nian Qiuyan said gently.

Kong Yiyi reached up and covered the back of her neck, twisting her neck: "What are you afraid of? Tell me my fortune and see who wins and who loses."

Nian Qiuyan smiled slightly and said, "You can only consult the oracle three times a day, but you know without even consulting the oracle that you will win this kind of thing."

Kong Yiyi turned her head and winked at him: "I love hearing you say things like that."

Mei Liangyu and Kong Yiyi instantly flew to the arena below. The circular arena was divided into five parts by the barrier, so what people saw were five arenas where people competed one-on-one.

The rules seem simple: just knock the defending champion off the stage.

However, achieving this is somewhat difficult.

The defenders were almost all disciples of the ninth realm.

Challengers, however, may be at the seventh or eighth level; a difference of just one level can sometimes be worlds apart.

As soon as Gu Gan stepped onto the stage, he saw Kong Yiyi, dressed in fiery red, turn around. She had braided her long hair into a braid that hung over her left shoulder, and wore delicate silver rings on her wrists. When she raised her hands to her hips, she slightly raised her chin at Gu Gan, revealing her pride.

According to the rules of martial arts, the two sides in the ring must not exchange any words.

No one spoke, only exchanged glances before simultaneously channeling their five elements. Kong Yiyi's wrist rings suddenly tightened, gripping her sleeve. She clenched her fist and used the Wind Control Technique to launch a lightning attack. Gu Gan did not dodge but instead raised his hand to catch the punch.

Kong Yiyi moved lightly, but the force that landed on Gu Gan was as heavy as a mountain, making him stagger each time she hit him.

Both of them were equally fast and swift. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen that Kong Yiyi was on the offensive from the beginning, while Gu Gan was on the defensive.

Looking at Kong Yiyi and Gu Gan's group from the audience, Teacher Zhu Rong stroked his chin and said, "Not bad, they can hold out for a while using only physical skills."

Mu Wu said, "He is a dual cultivator of magic and law, an eighth-level sorcerer. Of the 186 judgment techniques of the Legalist school, he must know at least 86. If he knows the high-level judgment technique, then he will win this match."

“High-level Judgment Star is the nemesis of Kong Yiyi’s military strategy, but I don’t think Gu Gan can do it yet.” Zhu Rong said with a gossipy smile, “He was Zhu Lao’s student in the School of Names and was well cared for, but he was not well received in the School of Legalism and his studies were not as smooth as in the School of Names.”

Gu Gan and Kong Yiyi fought faster and faster, their afterimages becoming so blurry that it was almost impossible to see what they were doing. Kong Yiyi gave Gu Gan no chance to create distance, and she practically stuck to him as she fought.

Outsiders could only see Gu Gan being relentlessly beaten by Kong Yiyi, but only Gu Gan himself could feel the increasing pressure from Kong Yiyi. His five senses were gradually being affected. There was an inexplicable, fierce wind in his ears, and although there was no blood, he could smell a heavy stench of blood.

When Kong Yiyi struck another head-on attack, Gu Gan saw blood splattered everywhere.

During the brief pause, Gu Gan was punched back to the edge of the ring by Kong Yiyi and almost fell. At that moment, his world was swallowed up by black and white, and the bright red martial arts arena turned into an ancient battlefield of black and white.

Black smoke drifted across the wilderness, corpses littered the land, blood flowed like rivers, and the city, consumed by flames, was now ablaze with ashes.

A sense of desolation, fighting spirit, and resentment overwhelmed Gu Gan. Standing amidst the corpses strewn across the field, Gu Gan frowned and focused. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of tattered armor that made a crisp sound. The armor writhed, and withered bones reached out from beneath it. Skeleton warriors clad in blood-stained armor burst forth from the ground.

Ancient battlefield with its armored soldiers.

Gu Gan glanced at the skeleton warriors constantly emerging from the earth, but instead of being nervous, he smiled.

He hadn't launched a counterattack for so long because he was waiting for Kong Yiyi to unleash her military formation.

Military illusions are among the most deceptive and deadliest forms of illusion.

It's not your average illusion; sometimes it's a scene recreation with half of it being "real," making it even harder for the victim to break free and escape.

Amidst the skeletal warriors, the bloody wind of the ancient battlefield violently whipped the hem of Kong Yiyi's red dress. As she raised her hand, the silver ring on her wrist jingled crisply: "The Three Armies."

At this moment, she is the commander-in-chief on the battlefield, giving orders to the three armies.

The skeletal warriors charged forward with swords, attacking Gu Gan from all directions.

Kong Yiyi used this advanced weapon technique to try and end the battle quickly, but she did not underestimate her opponent. Considering the rumors about Gu Gan, she knew that this person was quite strong, and using advanced weapon techniques to fight him was a sign of her seriousness.

Gu Gan formed a hand seal, and golden energy surged around his body. The five elements enveloped his entire body, and with a spin, he flew like an arrow towards Kong Yiyi behind the three armies.

The skeletal warriors' swords seemed too sluggish against Gu Gan's speed, clashing together with dull thuds. Gu Gan's movements were unpredictable, perfectly dodging every attack, leaving the skeletal warriors far behind, and carving a path through the enemy ranks.

Kong Yiyi looked at Gu Gan, who had broken through the defenses of the skeletal warriors, and said, "Fire the arrows."

The half-collapsed city sent countless ignited arrows flying towards the battlefield ahead.

Like stars falling from the sky, streaks of sparks were drawn in the smoke of battle. Gu Gan, who was as insignificant as an ant amidst the rain of arrows, refused to admit defeat. He inhaled the golden energy of the Five Elements and exhaled, "Follow the Tiger."

Famous people, nine schools of thought, techniques, words and phrases.

The Nine Schools of Arts of a Disciple of a Famous School possess the ability to materialize the Qi of the Five Elements, yet they are bound by the constraints of "Famous School".

Everything in the universe has a name.

Once you know its name, you give it meaning and determine its life or death.

Even the most famous sayings can "kill" the lowly skills of others.

Gu Gandao used the word "tiger" to describe the golden energy of the five elements, which transformed into a giant, transparent tiger, seemingly as tall as the sky, with golden flames burning in its eyes. It raised its head and let out a deafening roar, shaking down a rain of arrows from the sky.

Seeing this, Kong Yiyi raised her eyebrows slightly. The ability to summon such a massive physical manifestation of qi with words was indeed not to be underestimated.

We need to finish this quickly.

"Soldiers and generals." Kong Yiyi raised her hand and pointed at Gu Gan, closing her eyes as she gave the order, "Six kills."

She no longer planned to form a battle formation, because Gu Gan was a disciple of a famous family. If he had cultivated the Six Eyes of a famous family, breaking the formation would only be a matter of time. Kong Yiyi, who intended to finish the battle quickly, went directly into the final killing stage of the armor formation.

The millions of skeletal warriors chasing Gu Gan suddenly turned into dust and scattered, their armor falling to the ground. Gu Gan braked abruptly, his expression wary. The earth trembled, splitting into several cracks. The five elements of energy rising from the cracks were black. They quickly gathered and materialized into a giant skeletal warrior.

The skeletal warriors, towering as the sky, wielded massive black swords. The light emanating from their eyes beneath their armor was as blinding as daylight. Gu Gan, standing on the ground, felt an intense sense of oppression, his hair standing on end. Under the skeletal warriors' blinding gaze, he had nowhere to hide, and even moving was incredibly difficult. He desperately wanted to escape, but the invisible killing intent on the ancient battlefield blocked his path, rendering him unable to move.

At this moment, Gu Gan was like an enemy general who had lost thousands of troops. He had become Kong Yiyi's defeated general and was about to be judged and executed by the enemy.

The skeletal warriors, holding their long black swords aloft, stared intently at Gu Gan. Moonlight pierced through the smoke of the ancient battlefield, scattering across the blades and reflecting countless withered bones. The battlefield was filled with a murderous intent, and the howling wind carried the cries of the dead soldiers as they executed their last enemy.

Firstly, by killing with weapons.

As the blade drew near, it flashed across Gu Gan's composed face.

The black longsword suddenly slashed towards Kong Yiyi behind her.

How could this be!

Kong Yiyi opened her eyes, her expression one of astonishment, but she reacted quickly, immediately dodging to the side and riding the wind to the top of the pile of corpses, looking at Gu Gan behind the skeleton soldiers from afar.

Although Gu Gan was still bound by his murderous intent and unable to move, he met Kong Yiyi's surprised gaze with a half-smile and said, "Secondly, execution for betrayal."

This is the first disciple of a renowned master to be able to use the words and techniques of a master to turn her soldiers against her.

Kong Yiyi snorted, and as the skeleton warrior swung its second strike at her, she leaped into the air, passing directly through the skeleton warrior and shattering it.

With the White Bone Warriors scattered, Gu Gan was freed. But soon Kong Yiyi came to him. The long arrow that had been broken in mid-air and fell to the ground was now flying up and caught in Kong Yiyi's hand as it flew towards Gu Gan.

The blood-stained swords and knives that had fallen among the piles of corpses on the ground were used by Kong Yiyi to fly towards Gu Gan. Each sword and knife carried the hatred and killing intent of the dead soldiers. They were decisive and never retreated.

Gu Gan inhaled the five elements' energy from the ancient battlefield, expanding the scope of his word-based judgment and turning all the swords and arrows that had obeyed Kong Yiyi's orders and were flying towards him against his will.

The battlefield was ever-changing. Countless broken arrows and swords suddenly turned around and attacked Kong Yiyi from behind. Amidst all the swords moving in the opposite direction, Kong Yiyi bravely charged forward. She gathered her strength and punched Gu Gan, blasting him out of the enemy formation.

Gu Gan, who was already standing on the edge of the ring, was knocked off the stage by Kong Yiyi's punch.

He quickly regained his balance and looked up at Kong Yiyi, who had emerged from the ranks of soldiers. Kong Yiyi raised her hand to wipe her face, which had been scratched by a broken arrow, and gestured to him with her chin, indicating that he was a defeated opponent.

Gu Gan smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "I admire you."

He wasn't determined to succeed in the armor challenge today, but rather came to test his strength. Just now, in the armor formation, Gu Gan had already gotten the answer he wanted by being able to turn a ninth-level sorcerer against his own side.

Kong Yiyi glanced at the blood on her fingers and snorted, "You're not bad either."

The two teachers in the audience were writing their evaluations of the competition.

On the third-floor viewing platform, Cang Shu leaned against the railing with both hands, his dark eyes darting around as he looked from Gu Gan to Kong Yiyi.

"Gu Gan's strength is deeper than I thought, to be able to hurt her," Cang Shu said softly.

Nian Qiuyan smiled and turned to look at another arena match: "Don't underestimate Gu Gan, he hasn't used his full strength yet."

Gu Gan stepped down from the stage, stretched his wrists, and asked Ji Meng beside him, "How is Xun Zhiya?"

“Look.” Ji Meng gestured for him to see for himself, his expression not good. “It’s been a stalemate for a while now. No matter what trick Xun Zhiya uses, Mei Liangyu can retaliate with the same trick. It feels like he’s mocking people.”

Gu Gan frowned upon hearing this.

Many people around were discussing the battle between Mei Liangyu and Xun Zhiya.

At this moment, Xun Zhiya on the stage was surrounded by golden five elements energy. She distanced herself from Mei Liangyu, who was engaged in close combat, and frowned while still in the air, saying, "Thunder Punishment."

The blue lightning roared deafeningly, and five bolts of thunder flashed, knocking Mei Liangyu back several steps.

Legalists say that human nature is inherently evil.

Therefore, these 186 Legalist adjudication techniques are essentially forms of punishment.

All the Legalist judgment techniques that Xun Zhiya had used before were returned to him by Mei Liangyu. At this moment, Xun Zhiya used the only Legalist Heavenly Secret Technique he knew, Thunder Punishment.

Five bolts of lightning, like long snakes or dragons, crackled and burned Mei Liangyu's five elements. They kept a close watch on Mei Liangyu's every move, preventing any of his attacks.

Mei Liangyu stood still, glancing at Xun Zhiya's five lightning strikes. Blue lightning flashed in his cold black eyes, and the lightning lines moving in front of him seemed to be the Legalist sages judging him from above. He slowly looked at Xun Zhiya and said in a low voice, "Lightning strikes."

This time, his attitude and demeanor were completely different from when he sparred with Yu Sui last night.

He wasn't underestimating his opponent, nor was he mocking him. Like Kong Yiyi, he intended to end the battle quickly, so he chose the fastest method.

But this was a fighting arena, not a life-or-death duel. Every time Mei Liangyu responded with the same technique, it was quick, ruthless, and accurate. He found the weakness and broke through with one blow. But Xun Zhiya was also stubborn. She was not convinced, refused to admit defeat, and refused to give up.

Xun Zhiya was nearly knocked off the edge of the ring several times, but he stubbornly returned to the center each time.

Lightning flashed across the martial arts arena, instantly brightening it as if it were daytime, as if one were staring directly at the sun's brilliance. Many people in the spectator stands instinctively reached out to shield their eyes or closed them.

People heard the deafening roar of thunder clashing, as two kinds of thunderbolts fought and devoured each other.

Xun Zhiya stared at Mei Liangyu in shock, unable to believe it. If he had used the Judgment Technique before, it could be said that it was Mei Liangyu's talent in the Five Elements Life Technique. But how could he also use the Legalist Heavenly Secret Technique?

He is clearly a disciple of the Ghost Daoist school, so how could he know the Heavenly Secrets of the Legalist school!

Xun Zhiya's mind went blank, and Mei Liangyu didn't give her a chance. With a wave of her hand, a bolt of lightning struck Xun Zhiya off the stage.

Xun Zhiya, exhausted from his battle, was sent flying without any protection as his Five Elements Qi dissipated. Before people could react from the lightning, Gu Gan leaped off the viewing platform and rushed to catch the falling Xun Zhiya.

Seeing Xun Zhiya covered in sweat and extremely weak, having been struck by lightning that had shattered her last elemental energy defense, Gu Gan held her in his arms and cast a cold glance at Mei Liangyu on the stage.

Mei Liangyu found his glance quite amusing; his originally indifferent eyes and brows had taken on a hint of malicious provocation as Gu Gan acted.

It was as if to say, "If you're not convinced, then come up and fight for her."

Gu Gan suppressed his displeasure, withdrew his gaze, and carried Xun Zhiya away.

Neither of the two teachers from the Thirteen Realms who were recording the incident said anything. As long as Gu Gan didn't actually run up and fight Mei Liangyu, they wouldn't interfere with this kind of provocation between students.

Zhu Rong scratched his head and said, "I don't think anyone will be able to pass the Climbing Rank today."

He knew that Mei Liangyu and Kong Yiyi and the others weren't deliberately causing trouble, but these people were the kind who, once they stepped onto the stage to fight, were already determined to win.

Mei Liangyu and Kong Yiyi went back to the third-floor viewing platform together.

Kong Yiyi said, "How come you even smoke girls!"

Mei Liangyu walked ahead without turning her head: "Then let me be whipped down by her lightning punishment?"

Kong Yiyi jogged up and said, "That's right, there are no men and women in the martial arts arena."

It was almost noon, and the sunlight was shining brightly. The blue light reflected from Study Hall No. 3 enveloped the area, making it look like a vast sea to the naked eye.

The Yin-Yang Five Elements field designated by Jing Yunkui is located in the Yin-Yang family.

The Yin-Yang and Five Elements field, located in the west at sunset, is a huge circle that reflects the ever-burning stars. All the stars in the world are contained within this "circle".

When I first arrived, it seemed to be only the size of a lake.

There are quite a few buildings around, and the martial arts arena is right across from the Yin Yang Five Elements arena.

On his way here, Yu Sui saw Xing Chun walking towards the martial arts arena. Xing Chun was looking down and using the Wind Listening Ruler to transmit messages. Yu Sui called out, "Senior Brother Xing Chun!"

She greeted him first, and Xing Chun couldn't pretend he hadn't seen her, so he replied, "What are you doing here?"

"Today the teacher said we have to go to the Yin Yang Five Elements Arena to undergo a trial," Yu Sui said with a smile. "Will it be difficult?"

Xing Chun shook his head: "Some basic trials, not difficult, don't be afraid."

Yu Sui asked again, "Are you going to have dinner with my senior brother?"

"Oh, your senior brother has to defend the arena today, so he probably won't have time to eat with me. I was also planning to go check out the martial arts arena." Xing Chun pointed, "It's over there, quite close to you."

"Oh, okay? Then let's add each other as friends on the Listening Wind Ruler, Senior Brother Xing Chun? You're busy, so if I encounter something I don't understand at the Yin Yang School, can I ask you first?" Yu Sui asked obediently, taking out the Listening Wind Ruler.

Xing Chun didn't think much of it and took out the Wind Listening Ruler to touch it to her: "It's fine."

“Huh, it seems like it wasn’t added,” Yu Sui said.

"Let me see." Xing Chun leaned closer to look at her Wind Listening Ruler, somewhat puzzled. As he got closer, Yu Sui skillfully tossed him a Five Elements Light Core.

"Try adding it again." Xing Chun, oblivious, touched it again with the wind-listening ruler.

"That's all for now." Yu Sui waved the Wind Listening Ruler and said goodbye to Xing Chun. "I'm going to do my trial mission now. Goodbye, Senior Brother Xing Chun."

Xing Chun waved to her, thinking to himself how adorable his junior sister Mei Liangyu was, as he walked towards the martial arts arena.

Yu Sui returned to the Yin-Yang Five Elements Field, where the others had already gone down into the Star Sea and were waiting for her below. Yu Sui took a few steps and stepped into the Five Elements Field, only to feel as if the world had turned upside down. They seemed to be standing on the stars, in the vast Milky Way universe, where all they could see was a night sky lit up by stars.

Xue Mushi scratched his head and asked, "How do we do it?"

Wei Ren pointed to the star chart in front of him and said, "Within the scope of the Five Elements and the Sixty-Four Hexagrams, which trial would be better to choose?"

Xue Mushi had a look on his face that said, "I'll listen to you."

Li Jinshuang said, "You can choose whatever you want, I don't like to offer opinions."

Wei Ren went to look at Yu Sui. Yu Sui looked around, but no one spoke. So she had to say, "Let's talk about military strategy. Li Jinshuang is the most skilled. We'll be confident if we choose the one she's best at."

“Then let’s go with the military strategists.” Wei Ren adjusted the star chart and then discovered something interesting. “Heh, there’s a protection mechanism from the Yin-Yang School. It’s probably prepared for those who practice martial arts. The strength of the military formations in the trial will be adjusted according to the lowest level in the team.”

After saying this, the other three looked at Yu Sui.

Yu Sui slowly raised his hands and said, "Oh, I didn't have time to say it just now. I'm not a sorcerer anymore. I have the Five Elements Light Core. I'm a ninth-rate sorcerer."

"You have it?" Wei Ren raised an eyebrow slightly. "When did you get it?"

Yu Sui said, "Last night."

Wei Ren laughed and said, "Did Elder Chang peel off your senior brother's light core and give it to you?"

Yu Sui widened her eyes slightly: "Do you have a problem with my senior brother?"

“He plays magic every night to disturb my mind, making me have nightmares every time I try to sleep. I have a lot of complaints about him.” Wei Ren said this with a slight grit of his teeth.

Yu Sui said honestly, "My senior brother also said that you throw poison into his room every day."

“They crawled there themselves, I didn’t throw them.” Wei Ren said, stepping aside to gesture for Yu Sui to come over to the star map. “Since you say you’re no longer a practitioner of the Plain Arts, what level are you in the Nine Streams Arts?”

Yu Sui chuckled, "One realm, perhaps."

That's the truth.

Wei Ren raised his head and gestured: "That's still the weakest among us. You go and activate the armored formation. It's a first-level armored formation. We can get out in less than a quarter of an hour."

"Okay." Yu Sui came to the star map and placed her palm on it as instructed.

Yu Sui also thought that this trial would be very simple. After all, Li Jinshuang and Wei Ren were both fifth-level sorcerers, and Xue Mushi was also a fourth-level sorcerer. Ordinary trials within the scope of the Five Elements Life Technique would not be difficult for them.

Therefore, her attention was focused on the other Five Elements Light Core.

As Xing Chun entered the martial arts arena, Yu Sui could see what it was like inside. There were more people than she had expected. When Xing Chun walked past the viewing platform, Yu Sui could also see the disciples still fighting on the arena.

She saw Gu Gan, who was holding Xun Zhiya with an unfriendly expression, and Mei Liangyu, who was standing on the stage with a disdainful look.

I overheard the people around me gossiping about the fight that had just taken place.

Yu Sui thought to himself, "Wuhu is so lively."

Xing Chun went up to the third floor and met up with Mei Liangyu and the others. He asked, "Are you done fighting?"

“Wei Kun hasn’t yet,” Cang Shu replied. “The two of them just finished fighting.”

"I just heard that you beat up Xun Zhiya?" Xing Chun looked at Mei Liangyu in surprise. "Your relationship with Gu Gan has really worsened."

Mei Liangyu said casually, "What do I have to do with him?"

Xing Chun said, "When I first arrived, I met Nangong Sui. She was doing her introductory trial at the Yin-Yang Five Elements Field next door."

Mei Liangyu turned her head to look over, and Xing Chun said again, "Isn't she very close to Gu Gan? You are her senior brother and you see each other often. She'll probably be in a difficult position if she's caught in the middle."

“Sheng Fei doesn’t think she’s in a difficult position, so why should I have this concern?” Mei Liangyu said, her gaze slightly fixed on Xing Chunyi’s shoulder. “What do you have on you?”

"Huh? What?" Xing Chun looked around, not noticing anything.

Nian Qiuyan and Kong Yiyi also looked over.

Yu Sui sighed inwardly, thinking that her senior brother was so sensitive it was annoying.

Before Mei Liangyu could discover it, Yu Sui preemptively crushed the Five Elements Light Core hidden on Xing Chun's body.

Xing Chun lifted his clothes and searched for a long time but found nothing unusual. He asked suspiciously, "Are you making fun of me?"

Mei Liangyu didn't answer, but only said, "Be careful lately."

Xing Chun turned to Nian Qiuyan and asked, "Really?"

Nian Qiuyan nodded.

Xing Chun asked again, "Did you consult a fortune teller?"

Nian Qiuyan laughed and said, "I'll reserve one for you tomorrow."

Xing Chun looked back at Mei Liangyu: "Then weren't you just playing me?"

Mei Liangyu changed the subject: "What did Nangong Sui say to you?"

Xing Chun took out the Listening Wind Ruler and said, "She said she wanted to add the Listening Wind Ruler as a friend so she could ask me questions if she didn't understand something in the future, so I agreed."

Mei Liangyu said lazily, "You're from the Yin-Yang School, what questions could she possibly have to ask you?"

Xing Chun said, "Don't be so domineering. What if someone wants to study Yin Yang School outside of it? Then they can ask me a lot of questions. My main disciple knows much more than you, an outsider."

Mei Liangyu was completely baffled by what she said: "Since she is an external cultivator, how could I not understand what she can learn? You, as a main cultivator, cannot teach other Yin-Yang techniques."

Xing Chun: "It's not that she can't learn it if she wants to!"

Nian Qiuyan said gently, "Then you can argue again when Nangong Sui says she wants to learn."

Xing Chun and Mei Liangyu asked in unison, "Who's making noise?"

Nian Qiuyan: "..."

Yu Sui shattered the Five Elements Light Core and then entered the armored formation.

As the cosmos receded, before they even opened their eyes, the four of them could smell the heavy stench of blood. Ashes from the burning war brushed against the faces of the living. Suddenly, a thunderclap shattered the smoke. Yu Sui opened his eyes and saw corpses strewn across the land.

The scene before them, resembling a hellish landscape, plunged the four into silence.

Lightning flashed in the sky, and the reeds swaying by the river were stained red with the blood of the dead. The reed catkins flying into the sky were like sparks.

A gigantic armored warrior stood guard at the city gate, sword in hand. Its eyes were like the blazing sun, impossible to look directly at, and wherever it gazed, the earth burst into flames.

Evil spirits are born from the flames, picking up the swords and blades left behind by fallen soldiers, and continuing to guard their cities.

The armored formation is a hellish battlefield.

The killing intent raged across the battlefield, and the overwhelming sense of oppression was suffocating, causing the four to tremble all over, their heartbeats and breathing to become heavy.

Yu Sui wiped away the ashes that flew onto her face, leaving a trail of black ash on her fair cheek.

She could hear her own heartbeat.

"This is... a first-level military formation?" Xue Mushi asked hesitantly, seemingly incredulous.

“Just look at the city's garrison commanders; this can't possibly be a first-level military formation.” Wei Ren wiped his face and asked Li Jinshuang, “You should know, right? Could this be a fifth-level military formation?”

“No.” Li Jinshuang had already gripped the sword hilt with one hand, her eyes fixed on the city-guarding general in front of her, who was filled with killing intent. “There is a city-guarding general, and it is a special-grade armored formation, with a level thirteen or above, the Saint realm.”

Yu Sui looked at Li Jinshuang and said, "This is the sentence I've heard you say the most."

The other three looked towards Yu Sui.

Yu Sui could tell what they meant from their expressions, and raised her hand, saying, "I really am at the first level."

[Author's Note]

My family and kids don't want to stay up late, so I'll make up the missing 2,000 words tomorrow. Also, I'll remove the phrase "10,000-word update" from my vocabulary.

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!