Jian Yin was taken aback. “The Lin Family’s Fog Array—so it’s real?”
Chu Tian, curious about the surrounding torches, asked, “What’s this Fog Array?”
Jian Yin hurriedly explained, “The Fog Array is a two-star killing formation. It’s a human-based formation set up by countless Golden Core cultivators. Each person acts as a formation core, allowing them to attack anyone trapped within the array. However, those trapped inside cannot harm those outside.”
“Why not?”
“This formation moves constantly, so it’s hard to hit anyone within it.”
Sure enough, the surrounding torches began shifting. Jian Yin, trembling with fear, stood frozen. Chu Tian, knowing Jian Yin was a coward, paid him no mind. Instead, he looked around with a smile and said, “Patriarch Lin, I’m sure you’re here too, aren’t you?”
As expected, the Lin Family Patriarch’s voice rang out angrily. “Boy, this is a two-star killing formation. Surely you understand the intricacies of such an array?”
Chu Tian knew well enough. Arrays were ranked by stars—one-star being the weakest, and each subsequent rank more powerful. Arrays were also categorized into types such as killing, trapping, and defensive. The Heavenly Star Sect, for instance, used a two-star defensive array, but this killing array was far more dangerous.
Yet Chu Tian sneered, “A killing array? Then go ahead and kill me!”
“Boy! Don’t be so smug. You’ll suffer soon enough!” The array began to operate once more.
Chu Tian chuckled mischievously. “If you won’t come out, then I’ll come to you!”
With that, Chu Tian left Jian Yin behind and charged toward one of the torches. However, by the time he reached it, the torch had moved, leaving the area empty. Jian Yin, who had followed, exclaimed in fear, “It’s useless! The people here move too quickly!”
Ignoring him, Chu Tian heard Lin Hu’s cold voice from the shadows. “Jian Yin! If you reveal the location of the ruins to me, I’ll let you go!”
Jian Yin was both terrified and tempted but, recalling his tether to Chu Tian, responded reluctantly, “Patriarch Lin, I—”
“I know. Your essence is bound to his Soul Stone. Don’t worry—I’ll deal with him!”
Jian Yin glanced nervously at Chu Tian. “I—I won’t betray you.”
Chu Tian, reading his expression, knew otherwise. However, with the Soul Stone in hand, Chu Tian wasn’t worried about Jian Yin causing trouble. Instead, he decided to use Jian Yin as bait to draw out the Lin Family members. Pointing his sword at Jian Yin, Chu Tian smirked and called out, “Patriarch Lin, since you know he holds secrets, what if I kill him?”
Lin Hu shouted angrily, “You bastard! Don’t you dare!”
Ding~ Rage Value +1
Chu Tian, grinning, taunted, “Why don’t you try me?”
Enraged, Lin Hu yelled, “Attack!”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Suddenly, several fiery dragons flew through the air, targeting Chu Tian. Using his Cloud Step technique, Chu Tian swiftly dodged. Lin Hu, unwilling to give up, ordered further attacks. But at that moment, Chu Tian vanished.
Lin Hu, puzzled, asked, “Where did he go?”
Jian Yin looked around nervously, equally confused. Only Chu Tian knew that he had used his companion spell to turn invisible for three seconds.
Chu Tian had already identified several targets—the Golden Core cultivators hidden within the array. Reappearing, he swiftly eliminated them. With each defeat, the array became unstable. Gradually, the fog dissipated, revealing more and more individuals.
Seeing this, Chu Tian was ecstatic. “Experience points, here I come!”
Like a god of slaughter, Chu Tian darted around, cutting down enemies. Furious, Lin Hu shouted, “Withdraw the array!”
As the remaining cultivators retreated, Lin Hu emerged, surrounded by heavily injured Golden Core experts. Fuming, he roared, “You bastard, I’ll kill you!”
Chu Tian, smirking, swallowed a mid-grade Spirit Elixir and taunted, “Patriarch Lin, if you don’t act personally, they’ll all die.”
Lin Hu extended his arms, his aura surging as flames coiled around him. Soon, a massive fireball materialized before him—a powerful fire spell. Jian Yin, terrified, froze on the spot. Chu Tian, however, dismissed his Fire Dragon Sword and grinned at the system. “Exchange for the Flame Sword from the Flame Set.”
Ding~ 1,500 shards consumed. Flame Sword obtained!
In Chu Tian’s hand appeared a new sword, brimming with vitality. Its faint red glow was visible even in the dark. Intricate fire lion patterns adorned both sides of the blade.
Holding a spiritual weapon for the first time, Chu Tian couldn’t help but feel exhilarated. His blood boiled as he thought, “With a 50% damage boost, let’s see how powerful this Flame Sword really is!”
Unconcerned about Chu Tian’s new weapon, Lin Hu roared, “Die!”
The fireball shot toward Chu Tian like a gust of wind, exploding upon impact. But Chu Tian had already leaped into the air, gliding gracefully. With a smirk, he slashed his sword, unleashing a powerful wave of sword energy.
“Flaming Burst Slash! Explode!”
At the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, Chu Tian could already kill late-stage Golden Core cultivators with ease. With the 50% damage boost, the devastating sword energy and explosive force left countless Golden Core experts dead before they knew what hit them. Lin Hu himself was blasted backward by the immense power.
Staggering to his feet, Lin Hu, eyes bloodshot, exclaimed, “How—how is this possible?”
Descending from the sky, Chu Tian admired the twin fire lions glowing on his sword. “What a fine blade!”
Excited by the prospect of completing the six-piece set, Chu Tian’s confidence soared. Jian Yin, dumbfounded, stood frozen, while the disciples guarding the city gates trembled in fear. Chu Tian pointed his sword at them, unleashing a wave of sword energy that obliterated every last one.
The system’s experience notifications kept coming until they stopped at 4.8 million. Chu Tian grinned. “Just 200,000 more for peak Foundation Establishment! Then I can unlock the Level 15 Growth Pack!”
Lin Hu, clutching his wounds, cursed, “You bastard! Mark my words—I’ll tear you to pieces one day!”
Ding~ Rage Value +1
As Lin Hu tried to flee, Chu Tian unleashed another wave of sword energy. Panicked, Lin Hu crushed a talisman, vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Chu Tian sighed in frustration. “A teleportation talisman, huh?”
Jian Yin quickly approached, fawning. “Brother, you’re incredible!”
Chu Tian shot him a glance and sneered. “I bet you were hoping I’d die just now.”
Jian Yin, panicked, stammered, “N-no! I wouldn’t dare!”
Chu Tian smirked coldly. “If I ever catch you scheming, I’ll annihilate your soul.”
Jian Yin, terrified, promised, “I wouldn’t—never!”
Satisfied, Chu Tian collected himself and led Jian Yin away. Outside the city gates, charred corpses lay scattered. Meanwhile, Lin Hu, back at the Lin Family estate, winced in pain as he slammed a table. “Damn him!”
Lin He, concerned, asked, “Father, are we just going to let this go?”
Lin Hu snorted. “Our Lin Family has thrived in Ghost City for a reason. Do you think some punk can walk all over us?”
“Father, what do you mean?”
“The City Lord has always wanted one of our family treasures. If I give it to him, he’ll definitely help us!”
Lin He, understanding, replied excitedly, “As long as we can get rid of him, anything’s worth it!”
Lin Hu nodded reluctantly and left. Meanwhile, under Jian Yin’s guidance, Chu Tian ventured deep into the Cloud Mist Mountain Range in search of the ruins. By the next day, they stood atop a canyon. Looking down, Chu Tian saw only dense black fog. He asked skeptically, “Is this the place?”