Chapter 192: Chapter 153: Severely Injured, Bounty

The twelve flying swords crashed into the phantom image. The lotus shattered on impact, but it bought Song Changsheng time to react.

"You think you’re the only ones with an array, huh!"

Song Changsheng’s eyes widened in fury as a hazy glow emanated from his body. The Yin Yang Two Elements Formation activated, and an invisible domain expanded outward.

The Spirit-Slaying Gourd at his waist instantly flared with brilliant light. A dense torrent of Yin and Yang Qi, like a black-and-white waterfall, spewed from its mouth, connecting with the domain formed by the Yin Yang Two Elements Formation.

A Tai Chi Diagram materialized above Song Changsheng’s head. The twelve flying swords struck it as if hitting an invisible barrier and were immediately repelled.

’This move again! When did he set up the array?’ This was how Qii Feiyun had been defeated by Song Changsheng before. Now, as the scene replayed itself, he still couldn’t see when the array had been laid.

’We underestimated this guy. No wonder the Third Elder gave the kill order. His talent for arrays is even more terrifying than Song Xianming’s.’ Watching the slowly rotating Tai Chi Diagram, Liu Yunfeng’s expression grew solemn. He, too, couldn’t see how his opponent had managed the array formation.

"Who cares what array it is? Are we supposed to be afraid of him?" Huang Liqun’s eyes flashed with a vicious light. Even now, the memory of the earlier scene made him break out in a cold sweat. ’I was so close, just a hair’s breadth from death!’

His words instantly resonated with Qii Feiyun and the shifty-looking cultivator.

But Liu Yunfeng, acting uncharacteristically, stopped them. He sneered and said, "The Little Four Symbols Formation has extremely low consumption. We can afford to wait, but Song Changsheng can’t. Once his Spiritual Power is nearly depleted, taking his head will be effortless, won’t it?"

"Senior Brother Liu is right," the shifty-looking cultivator quickly agreed. "He’s already a fish on the chopping block. There’s no need for us to suffer unnecessary casualties." Song Changsheng seemed to have an endless supply of trump cards, and he had no intention of becoming a sacrificial pawn at the last second.

On second thought, Qii Feiyun and Huang Liqun realized he was right. Once Song Changsheng’s Spiritual Power was exhausted, he would be much less of a threat.

Thus, the group maintained the array and entered a standoff with Song Changsheng.

Seeing that they weren’t rushing to attack, a hint of regret flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes as he quietly put away the Celestial Thunder Shock Talisman he was holding.

This Tier Three Talisman was incredibly powerful. Using it would certainly break the Little Four Symbols Formation, but it would be difficult to inflict lethal damage on Liu Yunfeng and his men. To maximize the results, he had to wait for the right opportunity.

Since the enemy wanted to wear him down, Song Changsheng was happy to play along. Although maintaining the Yin Yang Two Elements Formation consumed a great deal of energy, he had the Lotus Platform continuously supplying him with Spiritual Power, so he could hold on for a while.

Seizing this opportunity, he activated his Eye of Truth again and began searching for a flaw in the Battle Array.

The most direct way to break the Little Four Symbols Formation was, of course, to heavily injure or kill one of the four array masters. With Song Changsheng’s current strength, however, that would be difficult.

Therefore, he could only resort to a cleverer method to break the Battle Array.

With the help of his Pupil Technique, he analyzed the Little Four Symbols Formation piece by piece. Eventually, he truly found a flaw.

It was a nexus point between them. If he could sever that point, he could break their interconnected energy for an instant. If he could seize that moment, he would have a chance to escape with his life!

By now, he had used up more than half of his Spiritual Power. He decided to simply dispel the array and conserve his energy.

Seeing the Tai Chi Diagram dissipate, a look of joy spread across Qii Feiyun’s face. "He can’t hold on any longer!"

"Brat, your Spiritual Power must be almost gone. What tricks have you got left?" Liu Yunfeng sneered, the iron ruler hovering above his head as he looked at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng’s expression was placid. Holding his long spear, he said calmly, "Even without Spiritual Power, I have more than enough strength to kill you."

"Sharp-tongued brat." Liu Yunfeng’s gaze turned cold. He immediately sent the iron ruler smashing toward Song Changsheng’s head. If it landed, it would undoubtedly splatter his brains.

Song Changsheng took a deep breath. Without using any Spiritual Power, he gripped his spear shaft and smashed it toward the iron ruler.

CLANG—

As the long spear and iron ruler collided, the veins on Song Changsheng’s arm bulged. The blood and qi in his body surged, and the faint roars of a tiger and a dragon echoed as his skin became enveloped in a bloody light.

Then, to the group’s horror, Song Changsheng knocked the iron ruler flying back, while he himself only staggered back a short distance.

’How is that possible? He repelled a Spiritual Artifact with his Physical Power alone?’ Liu Yunfeng’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He wasn’t an idiot; he could clearly tell that Song Changsheng had just used pure physical strength.

"A frog in a well knows nothing of the vast world," Song Changsheng sneered. He had only just begun cultivating the Five Beasts Body Refining Technique. ’Once I reach the Great Success stage, I’ll be able to fight Spiritual Artifacts with my bare hands. What’s this little display in comparison?’

"Come, fight me!" Song Changsheng roared, charging straight for Huang Liqun, the weakest in cultivation.

"Arrogant!" Enraged by the taunt, Liu Yunfeng swung his iron ruler at Song Changsheng’s back. Not to be outdone, Qii Feiyun and the others pressed their attack in unison.

But Song Changsheng fought like a man with a death wish, ignoring their attacks. He protected only his vital spots, focusing all his ferocity on Huang Liqun.

Song Changsheng’s physique was powerful, and he wore the Profound Celestial Battle Armor close to his skin. Though their combined attacks left numerous wounds on him, none were fatal.

Huang Liqun, on the other hand, was terrified by this suicidal fighting style. He thought Song Changsheng was trying to take him down with him and began to panic.

A chaotic mind makes one prone to error, and Song Changsheng seized this rare opportunity.

"Gourd Spirit Slayer!"

The long-dormant Spirit-Slaying Gourd bared its fangs once more. An Invisible Blade shot straight into Huang Liqun’s mind. Because the group’s energies were linked, Huang Liqun wasn’t killed, but he was severely wounded.

Song Changsheng pressed his advantage, thrusting his long spear to finish him off. Liu Yunfeng and the others naturally couldn’t just stand by; they scrambled desperately to save Huang Liqun.

But this was exactly what Song Changsheng wanted. With a sudden twist, he thrust the tip of his spear toward a specific point in the void.

CRACK

A web of cracks appeared in the air. Qii Feiyun felt the energetic link between himself and Liu Yunfeng instantly sever, and his face fell.

’The Little Four Symbols Formation... is broken.’

Although Liu Yunfeng re-established the connection as quickly as he could, Song Changsheng had already used Fleeting Shadows to escape the Battle Array’s confines, carrying the Luwu Bell as he fled swiftly into the distance.

Unwilling to let him go, Liu Yunfeng launched the Little Four Symbols Formation’s final attack. The phantoms of the four Holy Beasts merged into a kaleidoscopic stream of light that shot straight for the center of Song Changsheng’s back.

The stream of light was so fast that Song Changsheng had no time to react.

PUH—

The stream of light bored straight into Song Changsheng’s body. He stumbled upon the Lotus Platform, instantly feeling a chaotic power rampaging through his meridians. He coughed up a large mouthful of blood, his aura instantly flagging.

But Song Changsheng didn’t dare to linger for even a moment. Instead, he pushed his remaining Spiritual Power to its absolute limit and fled at top speed.

On the other side, Liu Yunfeng and his men were in poor shape after unleashing that final attack. Their Spiritual Power was almost completely drained, and yet they still hadn’t managed to stop Song Changsheng.

The severely wounded Huang Liqun had already fallen unconscious. Qii Feiyun’s face was grim as he asked, "Senior Brother Liu, what now?"

"We’re still tens of thousands of miles from Luoxia City. He’s been severely injured by my attack. He can’t have gotten far!"

Liu Yunfeng sneered and took out a Jade Token. He would mobilize all of the Lieyang Sect’s nearby forces to hunt down Song Changsheng. Not only that, but he would also issue a bounty. Even if it became a war of attrition, he would see Song Changsheng dead!

——————

「Meanwhile」 A great battle had just concluded at Fengxi Port.

After parting with Song Changsheng, Song Xianyun had piloted the Flying Ship toward Fengxi Port, with Yu Chengbo and his men in relentless pursuit.

To stop him, Yu Chengbo’s group had paid a heavy price, even using another Tier Three Attack Talisman. The Flying Ship was heavily damaged, allowing Yu Chengbo and his men to catch up and engage them in a chaotic battle.

Song Xianyun was quite powerful, but he was quickly overwhelmed while fighting one against three. Fortunately, at the critical moment, Song Luzhou and Song Lutong arrived with Spiritual Artifacts to join the fray.

The two sides fought a bitter battle through the night, which ended with both suffering heavy losses. Song Luhuai’s group retreated past Fengxi Port and returned to Ling Province.

As for Yu Chengbo and his men, they received a message from Liu Yunfeng and turned back to join the hunt for Song Changsheng...