During this visit to Qingcun Mountain, Pan Qing and Pan Yang were well aware they would encounter many skilled peers, so they made substantial preparations in advance, even bringing several Protective Formation Flags.
Upon discovering that underground lay Spiritual Objects, and fearing others might covet them, the two joined forces to set up an array and placed Prohibition Tokens at every Array Gate.
It took them an hour to arrange all sixty-three Array Flags. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
Once the Great Array was complete, a streak of radiance immediately rose and transformed into smoke, stretching upward a hundred zhang and sinking downward a thousand chi, fortifying the area as if encased in iron.
This array, named the "Seven-Nine Linked Ring Formation," could fuse the Earth Qi and spiritual breath within the surrounding area of five li, compressing them into one. Even if someone attempted to attack, without a supreme Dharma Treasure capable of breaking arrays and destroying prohibitions instantly, it would be impossible to affect them.
Still, despite the arrangement being in place, Pan Qing let out a sigh and said: "Why does this feeling of unease still linger in my heart?"
Pan Yang felt an inexplicable agitation within as well. His rare display of raising his voice slightly made it hoarse as he replied: "Brother, you’re overthinking. Once we retrieve the Spiritual Objects, we will swiftly leave. Who could possibly know of this matter?"
Pan Qing cast a surprised glance at his younger brother, then nodded and said: "Perhaps I am overthinking."
"Wait," Pan Yang, cautious by nature, paused to ponder before saying, "Brother, your concerns are not completely unfounded. I ask you to remain here to guard the array. Hand over the Lingli Horn’s token to me—I’ll go and seek out the Spiritual Objects."
Pan Qing, lacking assertiveness, naturally agreed: "Very well."
He handed the token to Pan Yang, who calmed his mood slightly, then turned and leaped into the muddy hollow below.
Pan Qing seated himself cross-legged atop a tree branch, closed his eyes, and began breathing regulation to focus.
After roughly the time of a single incense stick burning, Pan Qing suddenly raised his head and opened his eyes, noticing a cloud of Green Cloud approaching from the horizon. Within moments, it was near.
Atop the Green Cloud stood a green-clothed youth. His gaze, sharp as flashes of lightning, swept downward. Though much of the wooden spiritual essence was obscured by the Great Array, to his eyes, it remained as strikingly vivid as a blazing sun in the deep night.
He snorted coldly before descending rapidly.
The Seven-Nine Linked Ring Formation below reacted to the intruder with cascading radiance rising to block his way.
Seeing this, a trace of disdain appeared on the green-clothed youth’s face. Without a word, he drove the Green Cloud above his head downward. Yet as the radiant haze countered, it transformed into layers of Cloud Light, overlapping tightly like tiles or fish scales. Amid its weave, talisman-like cloud patterns emerged that resisted the Green Cloud’s impact without yielding in the slightest.
Initially alarmed at the aggressive arrival of the green-clothed youth, Pan Qing now felt a sense of confidence upon realizing the array’s strength. He couldn’t help but mock: "Where did this foolish cur come from, thinking my Seven-Nine Linked Ring Formation is so easily broken?"
The green-clothed youth had rushed here, already delayed significantly. His urgent concern was that the body he sought might have been claimed by others, and his hurried actions betrayed his impatience. Upon hearing Pan Qing’s remark, his anger exploded, and he shouted: "Ignorant whelp, do you truly believe this array can hinder someone like me?"
With a fierce determination, he rolled up his sleeve and flicked out an object.
As soon as this item appeared in the air, it revealed details—eyes at both ends, pointed tips, and a belly resembling that of a fish. Upon its scales, black and white lines intertwined in a grid pattern, with sunlight triggering glimmers of rippling light. Fully revealed, it wriggled and swayed its neck-tail pairing before diving directly at the Protecting Array.
This treasure, called the "Five Spirits White Carp Shuttle," was a Mystical Artifact originally owned by the Xiao Family. Due to Zhang Yan’s ability to singlehandedly confront a hundred cultivators on the outer sea, the Xiao Family suspected he carried formidable protective Dharma Treasures. For this reason, they loaned it to the Hou Family.
Eventually, this artifact found its way into the hands of Hou Sanlang, who, in turn, gifted it to the green-clothed youth.
Forged from five types of Spiritual Objects, imbued with Yin Yang rotating principles, and designed to specialize in the destruction of Dharma Treasures and protective arrays, this treasure penetrated the Protecting Array with astonishing ease, as if encountering no obstruction.
Once within the array, both of its "eyes" emitted a furious, roaring sound akin to turbulent waves crashing or funneling sand through a sieve. It seemed to inhale the area’s Earth Qi and spiritual breath entirely, like a waterspout drawing power from its surroundings.
With the array deprived of its spiritual energy, it was akin to a towering tree severed at its roots or a bird abandoned without its nest. In mere moments, the dazzling radiance dimmed into obscurity.
The green-clothed youth let out a cold laugh and twisted his body. The Green Cloud descended once again, and as a booming crash echoed amidst falling foliage, the Great Array shattered completely.
Pan Qing, astonished by the youth’s astonishing strength, panicked and swiftly produced a smooth, radiant Jade Pearl. With a flick of his wrist, a golden light akin to a copper bell enveloped his figure for protection.