On the heavenly screen, the Green Cloud obscured the skies like billowing jade smoke. Dong Jinzi, his green robes fluttering in the wind, stood beneath the bright moon, forming hand seals rapidly. He continuously emitted beams of green radiance, darting forth like shuttles and swords, descending upon the cultivators below in waves of deadly attack.
The dozens of cultivators gathered in one place, joining forces to resist the enemy. Though facing an overwhelming tide of assaults, they showed no signs of panic in their expressions.
Above their heads hung three Dharma Treasures—a jug, a staff, and a lantern—all radiating bright light and resplendent rays, faintly enshrouding the entire mountaintop where they stood. Despite the wild sweeping of green energy and the razor-sharp Flying Leaves, none could penetrate this protective barrier.
Outside the array, three Daoists hovered in the air, their movements unpredictable. Each had sacrificed three dazzlingly radiant long swords, which soared and circled in the sky. The sword light faintly locked onto Dong Jinzi, striking every time his focus faltered, forcing him to defend against sudden attacks.
Dong Jinzi launched several more offensives but, seeing how he couldn’t break through the array, grew impatient and turned his attention toward the three sword-carrying Daoists.
However, whenever he pursued them, they led him in circles, narrowly avoiding him before retreating back into the array. Once he departed, they emerged again. After several cycles of this, Dong Jinzi grew increasingly irate.
By now, almost all the Medicine Mushroom in the shallow soil had been excavated by Dong Jinzi. These mystical herbs seemed to sense impending catastrophe and burrowed deeper underground, making it impossible for him to dig them out in a short time. Frustrated, he fixed his sights on the cultivators. Yet, he found these individuals consistently using array flags to fend him off, leaving him unable to strike effectively.
Dong Jinzi realized that continuing the battle would yield no result. With a heavy snort, he soared skyward and departed.
Watching him disappear as he flew away, the three Daoists let out long sighs of relief. Though the engagement lasted just an hour, the pressure they endured was unprecedented. Had Dong Jinzi lingered even slightly longer, their True Essence would have been completely exhausted.
The leader of the three stepped into the array and bowed respectfully to Shi Yiming, who stood at the forefront. He said, "Shi Family Sixth Son, your strategy is indeed brilliant. The three of us brothers combined with the formations created a stronghold, and that green-clothed strange man couldn’t break through."
Shi Yiming immediately returned the gesture with clasped hands and replied humbly, "This method is riddled with flaws; without the support of you seniors, we wouldn’t have succeeded."
The leading Daoist sighed with emotion and said, "Sixth Son, you are too modest. Without your planning to deal with this devil, we would’ve entered the treasure mountain to return empty-handed."
Those nearby all nodded in agreement.
Over these recent days, Shi Yiming gathered trusted companions and placed over ten sets of array flags throughout various locations on Thousand Ridges Peak. He also instructed cultivators with profound cultivation levels to search for Medicine Mushrooms. Should Dong Jinzi arrive to seize them, they were to fight defensively and retreat, hiding within the nearest array. After summoning reinforcements, they would rally together to counterattack, often forcing Dong Jinzi to retreat.
Over time, other cultivators on the mountain also began to imitate this tactic. Whenever Dong Jinzi came, they hid within their formations without emerging. When he left, they resumed harvesting Medicine Mushrooms. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel•fire.net
After Dong Jinzi flew away, he quickly descended upon another mountain peak. His face was dark with anger, frustration simmering within.
If it weren’t for the physical limitations of this mortal shell preventing him from utilizing his full array of Mysterious Skills, how could this group of juniors possibly withstand him?
On that day, after battling Zhang Yan for five consecutive days, he consumed over seventy Medicine Mushrooms to nourish his body, revealing just how weak the foundation of this mortal shell truly was.
Now, he only had a dozen or so Medicine Mushrooms left, and in just a few days, his agreed rematch with Zhang Yan would arrive. This left him utterly lacking confidence in victory. Standing on the peak with hands clasped behind his back, his brows furrowed deeply.
Having failed to defeat Zhang Yan in two consecutive attempts, he understood that if he continued relying on his current means, even prolonged battles wouldn’t guarantee he could take him down.
After pondering for a while in place, he couldn’t help but think, "Li Yuanba has tenacity and a tough physique. Even if I win, it would be a pyrrhic victory without any certainty of reclaiming his body. Fighting further will be in vain; it seems I must negotiate with Zhang Yan properly."
Having made up his mind, he did not wander elsewhere but instead sat atop the peak, watching the sun rise and set, the tides ebb and flow.
Five days soon passed. When the time arrived, he soared into the skies, riding the clouds and wind toward the agreed meeting place.
This time, he was the first to arrive. After waiting for less than half an hour, he saw Zhang Yan approaching from afar, riding the winds.
Not waiting for Zhang Yan to draw near, Dong Jinzi tidied his robes and took the initiative to speak, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, let us hold off on the fighting for today. I have something I wish to discuss with you."