Chapter 53 The First Confrontation

Many cultivators led by three Core Formation Cultivators had entered the area within 10 miles of the Xia Family and unwittingly stepped into the Serpent's Embrace Entrapment Array. As they moved forward, they began to converse:

“This place looks so calm, but I feel a strange pressure,” A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator from City Lord Manor remarked, looking around warily.

"Stay alert. We don't know what traps this demonic cultivator might have set up. The enemy has a level 3 array protecting him. Do you have confidence to break it, Xie Xie?" Tie Tu looked at the one-eyed old man and asked.

The one-eyed old man, Xie Xie, scanned the shadows with his single eye. "I need to move closer to inspect it and deduce what kind of array it is before I can find a method to break it."

Tie Tu nodded, confident in the old man’s abilities. “Brother Sun, you stay behind. I’ll lead Old Xie to investigate the array ahead first.”

A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator nodded. “Leave it to me, Brother Tie.”

There were around 200 Cultivators joining this operation, half of them were false Core Formation Cultivators. They separated into four groups: one led by a Tang Family Ancestor, another by a Core Formation Cultivator from the Song Family, a third by a Core Formation Cultivator from the Yuan Family, and the main group led by Tie Tu, accompanied by two Core Formation Cultivators from the City Lord Manor. They spread out to attack from four directions, leaving no way for the demonic Cultivator to escape.

Little did they know, Shangguan Yi was watching their every move from a hidden vantage point, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Tie Tu and Xie Xie moved quickly through the shadows, activating their concealment techniques. They darted between the trees and boulders, minimizing their presence as they approached the protective array. Xie Xie’s keen eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of traps or hidden defenses.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Yi who was remained inside Xia Family. His gaze was fixed on the approaching figures of Tie Tu and Xie Xie. He had waited patiently for this moment, and now, as the two Core Formation Cultivators neared the protective array, he decided it was time to act.

Shangguan Yi activated the Polar Star Flame technique, his aura shifting as the cold, intense flames began to swirl around him. He moved swiftly like a meteor, taking advantage of Tie Tu and Xie Xie focused on the array. His target was the rear where a level 2 Core Formation Cultivator and a group of false Core Formation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators were gathered.

In less than a minute, a surge of flames suddenly appeared as Shangguan Yi materialized behind the group. The level 2 Core Formation Cultivator immediately sensed the imminent danger and locked his gaze on Shangguan Yi. However, Shangguan Yi was even faster; he blinked several times, and the intense flames surged forward, engulfing the Cultivators on the spot.

“Argh!”

“My body!”

“Help me!”

The attack was sudden and precise. The false Core Formation Cultivators and Foundation Establishment Cultivators were caught off guard, their cries of surprise and pain echoing through the night.

“Not good! Everyone, separate and don’t stay in groups!” a level 2 Core Formation Cultivator commanded. Before coming here, he had already been informed about Shangguan Yi, so he knew how to handle the situation.

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Everyone quickly separated, and at the same time, several techniques were activated and aimed at Shangguan Yi.

Several flame arrows were condensed and shot toward Shangguan Yi.

A wind vortex formed around where Shangguan Yi stood.

Several rays of energy fell from the sky toward Shangguan Yi.

Shangguan Yi didn't feel panic; once they were within his array, their lives and deaths depended on him.

At that moment, the ground shook as a massive black-skinned serpent emerged, protecting Shangguan Yi and separating the burning Cultivators from those who were retreating.

Taking this opportunity, Shangguan Yi activated his cultivation technique, the Everlasting Firmament Flame Technique, and began to refine the burning Cultivators. Meanwhile, the attacks that landed on the black-skinned serpent were ineffective; the serpent remained unharmed and continued to expand.

As the chaos unfolded, many Cultivators began to panic, their voices filled with fear and confusion.

"We need to regroup!" one shouted, while another yelled, "Don’t let him corner us!"

A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator, his expression grim and resolute, surveyed the scene. Realizing the severity of the situation, he gathered his courage and addressed the group, "Stay calm and follow my lead. We must break through this beast's defenses."

He then activated his technique with a burst of core essence, drawing forth his formidable spear. Striding confidently toward the black-skinned serpent.

Bang! Boom! Boom!

The sounds of clashing erupted as the level 2 Core Formation Cultivator charged at the black-skinned serpent. Techniques were unleashed with great force: fiery projectiles streaked through the air, sharp wind blades whizzed by, and torrents of water surged toward the serpent.

The black-skinned serpent, despite its vast size and defensive prowess, writhed and thrashed under the assault. Its black scales absorbed the elemental attacks, but it was clear that the combined strength of the Cultivators was starting to wear it down. The serpent's serpentine body twisted and coiled, its movements creating shockwaves that disrupted the attacks and forced some Cultivators to stagger.

Amidst the commotion, Shangguan Yi remained focused, his gaze sharp as he continued refining the burning Cultivators with his Everlasting Firmament Flame Technique. The ground around him crackled with core essence, adding to the chaos of the battlefield.

“Quick! Attack harder! It’s about to crumble!” a level 2 Core Formation Cultivator shouted.

Seeing the serpent on the verge of collapse, several Cultivators intensified their attacks, launching fiercer and more desperate assaults.

In just a few seconds, the serpent was nearly destroyed.

Many Cultivators felt a surge of excitement.

“Hmph! This is the rumored demonic Cultivator? He’s so weak!”

“No matter how strong he is, he’s doomed in front of us.”

However, as they celebrated, the ground shook again, and three more serpents emerged, splitting them into three separate groups.

Shangguan Yi suddenly appeared, targeting the group of Cultivators that lacked a Core Formation Cultivator for protection, and began to incinerate them.

“Don’t be afraid; attack together, everyone!”

Many Cultivators began activating their techniques.

But Shangguan Yi was faster. In just a second, he had already blinked many times.

“Argh!”

“What is this?!”

The intense flames interrupted their technique activation. Some Cultivators stopped trying to cast their techniques and focused on using their core essence to extinguish the flames. However, the more they used their core essence, the faster the flames burned.

Those who didn’t hesitate to activate their techniques found their efforts in vain. Before their techniques could fully form, they were consumed by the flames.

Shangguan Yi didn’t idle. He activated his cultivation technique and began refining them.

With his cultivation technique in effect, none of their techniques could be activated before being engulfed by the flames.

Many Cultivators, coming from different families, were thrown into chaos as the situation escalated. They were unable to act calmly and began to disarray.

Meanwhile, in another section of the entrapment, a level 2 Core Formation Cultivator, using his full strength, took the lead in attacking the serpent.

“Everyone, attack together!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The fiery spear struck the serpent countless times in the blink of an eye.

Boom!

The serpent was not a real creature but a creation of core essence. When destroyed, it dissipated into the air like smoke.

“Quick! Go and help the others!”

A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator led the effort to dismantle the second entrapment.

With attacks coming from both inside and outside, the serpent was destroyed in just a few seconds.

By the time the second entrapment was destroyed, Shangguan Yi had already finished refining.

At this point, no more than 20 Cultivators remained. Without any Core Formation Cultivators among them, they were like meat on the chopping block, unable to protect themselves.

A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator was particularly frustrated. He desperately wanted to confront Shangguan Yi and had tried to strike him over a hundred times, but every time he saw the chance, the serpent would separate them. Shangguan Yi had effectively prevented him from making any impact.

“Damn it, this coward,” he cursed.

“Everyone, take out your defensive artifacts and stay in group with me.”

Hearing this, everyone took out their defensive artifacts one by one. There were various types: armor, shelters, robes, carpets, fans, and ice walls, all of which were level 2 artifacts.

Dang! Dang! Dang!

At this moment, the ground shook, and three serpents appeared, entrapping them. Shangguan Yi, who had appeared a considerable distance away, began blinking his eyes.

A level 2 Core Formation Cultivator, who had been monitoring the area closely, noticed Shangguan Yi’s appearance and charged at him immediately.

“Hmph! Let me see how you’ll escape this time.”