“It’s actually her? Situ Qingqing!”
Upon spotting Situ Qingqing, Fang Xi didn’t hesitate for a moment, acting like any ordinary passerby as he brushed past her.
However, after crossing paths, Fang Xi suddenly felt uneasy.
He noticed that around Situ Qingqing, several cultivators, presumably at mid to late Qi Refinement stages, formed a circle and headed towards the immortal’s cave district.
“Law enforcement cultivators? Instead of being open about their actions, they’re proceeding stealthily… Could it be a secret mission?”
Fang Xi’s scalp tingled with unease, instinctively moving towards the market exit.
Sensing that something significant might unfold, his first reaction was to flee and lay low in Great Liang for a few years.
But it seemed his response was too late.
Just as he reached the edge of the mist, a chill ran down his spine, prompting him to hastily retreat!
Buzzzz!The previously thin veil enveloping the market rapidly thickened, emitting powerful waves of spiritual energy. Numerous colorful runes swam leisurely within the dense fog like small fish, each carrying an aura of extreme danger.
“What’s happening?”
“That’s Qingzhu Mountain Market’s protective array - the tier-2 Skies Azure as Water Formation! Why has it suddenly been fully activated?”
A rogue cultivator anxiously exclaimed on the spot.
The formation of Qingzhu Mountain Market typically operated at its lowest power consumption, only activating fully during significant events.
Now, with the formation suddenly running at full capacity and sealing off the entire market, it was clear that something serious must have occurred!
Especially for hidden tribulation cultivators, they felt like ants caught in a hot pan, agitated beyond measure. “Where are the Situ people? Quickly come out and explain! Let us leave!”
“Everyone, please remain calm!” At this moment, a group of law enforcement cultivators dressed uniformly in dark black robes appeared, flying on their swords. Clearly members of the Situ Clan, they announced loudly using amplification magic from mid-air: “Today’s activation of the market formation is solely to apprehend tribulation cultivators. Fellow practitioners, kindly stay where you are and avoid any sudden movements!”
Within a fully operational tier-2 formation, even cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement could not fly using magical artifacts.
Only the authorized and recognized Situ Clan law enforcement team had such capability!
As Fang Xi heard this, he suddenly recalled his recent encounter with Situ Qingqing, his expression growing increasingly grave.
Soon, he observed the law enforcement cultivators encircling several buildings, including the Hundred Skills Pavilion shockingly among them.
Boom!
Ping! Pang!
The sounds of magical technique explosions and clashing magical items filled the air.
Suddenly, amidst another deafening roar, the entire Hundred Skills Pavilion collapsed into rubble.
From within the debris, several beams of light emerged, led by none other than Shopkeeper Qi Liu!
“Hmph, dare you from the Qi Clan engage against my Situ Clan?” bellowed the leader of the Situ Clan’s law enforcement squad, visibly enraged.
“Ha ha… The Situ Clan’s tyranny ends today! By order of the upper sect, all clans shall unite to confront you!” Despite bloodstains on his chest, Qi Liu controlled a copper bell artifact, firmly protecting himself and those behind him. His voice resonated far and wide, “Red Leaf Valley has been annihilated… your Situ Clan is next!”
Soon after, additional voices echoed simultaneously, “By decree of the upper sect, exterminate the Situ Clan!”
These calls originated from prominent establishments like Heavenly Talisman Hall and Mingqing Pavilion.
Cultivators in Late Stage Qi Refinement poured out from these buildings, joining the battle against the Situ Clan’s law enforcement team.
“These major forces have united to take action…” murmured an elderly cultivator, astonishment written across his face. “This sky… is about to change dramatically!”
To operate shops within Qingzhu Mountain Market, each establishment typically had backing from Foundation Establishment-level forces at minimum.
With multiple factions simultaneously challenging the Situ Clan, it meant they would face numerous adversaries of equal standing. Moreover… the mention of an upper sect’s decree sparked countless speculations.
“Yes… the winds of change are blowing, and this is our opportunity! Brothers, what are we waiting for? Let’s seize the chance!” A cloaked cultivator’s eyes gleamed with a blood-red aura, indicating he practiced some nefarious cultivation technique. After his exuberant roar, he charged towards an opulent building nearby.
For countless rogue cultivators, such chaos in the market was a rare lifetime opportunity that might never come again!
‘Damn… what a coincidence?’ Fang Xi felt incredibly frustrated.
He never anticipated that while purchasing medicinal pills, he would stumble upon the confrontation between the Situ Clan and these rebellious factions.
Fortunately, armed with his golden finger for survival, Fang Xi remained relatively calm. He carefully surveyed the scene and noticed that only the Situ Clan’s law enforcement team and the rebel forces were actively engaged in combat within the market.
In fact, rogue cultivators unaffiliated with either side comprised over eighty percent of those present! However, amidst the chaos caused by someone’s alarming shout, sporadic disturbances had already erupted, and greater turmoil seemed imminent.
Contrary to his actions in previous dreams, Fang Xi did not rush towards the Pill Cauldron Pavilion this time. Instead, he moved away from the crowd.
With his golden finger offering hope for longevity, he wouldn’t risk it all just for minor gains. Even if the Pill Cauldron Pavilion contained a Foundation Establishment Pill…he wouldn’t consider it!
After all, his cultivation base was still too low!
As he walked, Fang Xi activated his camouflage robe, minimizing his presence as much as possible. He also drew his ghost-headed blade and gripped the Bone Piercing Nail tightly, ready to act at any moment.
Once reaching the edge of the formation, far from the market area, Fang Xi stopped and began pondering:
“Earlier, Mingqing Pavilion was among the rebellious forces… As far as I know, Goddess Yunmeng has some connection to that pavilion… And Shen Haoran, he seems deeply involved with the Heavenly Talisman Hall… Chen Ping… Could it be that Situ Qingqing found clues related to the rebellion through Chen Ping?”
Despite the rebels’ fierce clamor, Fang Xi remained confident that the Situ Clan held the upper hand!
The evidence lay before them - the fully activated ‘Skies Azure as Water Formation’!
With this tier-2 formation’s assistance, even Foundation Establishment cultivators within it would suffer severe injuries!
Moreover, the key figures from various factions operating within the market were predominantly at Late Stage or Great Perfection Qi Refinement levels.
Rumble!
As expected, shortly after, dense clouds began swirling once again.
Countless restriction runes converged, transforming into numerous vibrant orbs that descended from the sky, precisely targeting the rebellious cultivators.
These colorful orbs may appear insignificant, but each strike equaled the full force of a great circle Qi Refinement cultivator!
Buzz!
Upon impact, Qi Liu’s copper bell artifact emitted a mournful sound, and a crack visibly appeared on its surface.
“Damn… Goddess Yunmeng, haven’t you taken action yet?” He glanced towards Mingqing Pavilion.
There, Goddess Yunmeng was manipulating a ribbon to conjure countless flower petals, entrapping Situ Qingqing and the law enforcement team cultivators.
Her cultivation base shockingly revealed her to be in the Late Stage Qi Refinement!
It became apparent that her previous level might have been intentionally concealed!
This woman must possess an exceptionally advanced concealment technique!
“Xi xi… Shopkeeper Qi, no need to worry; our reinforcements have arrived!” Goddess Yunmeng smiled radiantly.
As if responding to her words, the Skies Azure as Water Formation rippled intensely, dispersing layers of mist to reveal a translucent, multi-colored barrier.
Outside this restriction, a massive pitch-black sword, several meters long, was relentlessly assaulting the entire formation!
Controlling the giant sword was a burly man clad in black robes and barefooted, with unkempt stubble framing his face. His eyes gleamed fiercely, exuding an intimidating aura.
“Foundation Establishment cultivator!” Fang Xi instinctively shrank back upon witnessing this scene.
The black-robed man’s expression remained cold as iron. With a sudden wave of his hand, the colossal black sword hovered above the formation, its tip igniting with dark flames that radiated terrifying magical fluctuations.
“Sigh… After decades, Fellow Daoist Long has indeed advanced to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment!”
At that moment, a figure dressed in azure flew out from the market, standing aloft amidst the wind, their voice resonating throughout the area.
It was the Situ Clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivator!
Clad in a blue Daoist robe, the cultivator appeared gaunt, with a perpetually somber expression on their face. They declared loudly, “Fellow Daoist Long, now that you see me here, you must realize your plans have come to naught… Although humble, even at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment, I assure you, with this tier-2 formation, resisting you will pose no challenge!”
The appearance of this Situ Clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivator felt like a sudden splash of cold water on all the tribulation cultivators in the market, instantly dousing their fervor and swiftly halting the chaos.
Indeed, despite their potential for wealth through robbery, they were trapped within the clan’s formation, with a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding it. How could they possibly escape?
As rationality took precedence, the disorder gradually subsided.
“Wait, something’s not right!” Fang Xi’s hair stood on end.
“It seems the Situ Clan received information early, securing the advantage and even setting up a hidden ambush with a great Foundation Establishment cultivator. But that black-clad, barefoot man shows no sign of retreat; he must have another trump card!”
Just as Fang Xi pondered what this trump card might be, he spotted a blood-red glow soaring from within the market and striking the Skies Azure as Water Formation.
The blood-red glow burst open, revealing a paper talisman emitting silver waves that distorted the formation’s energy flow…
“That is…” Fang Xi voiced his suspicion, “a Forced Entry Talisman?! A tier-2 Forced Entry Talisman?! How is that possible?”
While tier-1 Forced Entry Talismans were relatively common, tier-2 versions were strategic resources, rarely seen in the markets. Their sale would inevitably generate rumors and intelligence spreading throughout the community.
At least, the Situ Clan should not have been caught off guard!
Yet, it was unfolding right before their eyes!
Buzzing!
A Forced Entry Talisman specifically disrupts formations, and when detonated from within, its power amplifies significantly!
In an instant, amidst the furious roars of the Situ Clan’s Foundation Establishment cultivators, layers of the Skies Azure as Water Formation crumbled. Countless wisps of mist dispersed, and the vibrant restriction runes shattered…
“The Situ Clan’s fate is sealed!” The burly man outside sneered, his massive pitch-black sword descending swiftly.
Boom!
The largest building in the market split instantly into two halves.
Initially stunned rogue cultivators now turned red-eyed, resuming their frenzied battles with renewed vigor. True chaos erupted, spreading uncontrollably…
Under the allure of immense profit, any rogue cultivator can become a tribulation seeker!
Such is the cultivation world!
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