The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

A misty, ethereal landscape hangs suspended on a precipice, while a wounded dragon lies hidden in the abyss.

A deadly trap lies hidden in Echo Valley, awaiting a swift and decisive strike.

It is said that Su Qingxuan, along with four fairies, sneaked into Echo Valley to temporarily evade pursuers.

Upon entering the valley, the scenery changed once again.

The gray fog here is a mottled mix of colors, sometimes pale gold, sometimes dark red, constantly shifting and changing.

The ground was covered with countless black rocks of varying sizes and shapes, piled up haphazardly.

The surrounding rock walls are twisted, as if they had been kneaded by a tremendous force, and are covered with honeycomb-like holes.

The strangest thing was the sound.

The soft sound of footsteps on the rocks was amplified, stretched, and distorted, turning into layers of echoes that came from all directions, making it difficult to discern their source for a moment.

Even the fluctuations of magical power seemed to be affected, running more sluggishly than the outside world, and there was a faint sense of resonance and dispersion.

"That's really strange."

Su Qingxuan felt the power of the pills within his body rapidly dissipating. The life-restoring power brought by the three treasures was also circulating wildly, and his injuries were recovering steadily and rapidly.

However, even healing requires more precise control here, to avoid unnecessary repercussions caused by fluctuations in magical power.

"This place is not suitable for a long stay, but we can temporarily make our way here."

As the pursuers broke in, we used the terrain to our advantage and picked them off one by one!

Su Qingxuan quickly made a judgment.

Although the environment of Echo Valley is strange, it affects both sides.

However, there were few of them, and he had just refined the Qian Yuan Creation Pill, so his condition was improving.

Instead, this complex environment can be used to deal with pursuers who are driven by greed and may not be united.

The five quickly chose a recessed area in the rock wall, in front of which were several huge, mirror-like black rocks. The scattered terrain allowed them to set up simple concealment and early warning arrangements.

Su Qingxuan seized the time and focused all his efforts on refining the medicinal power.

The four women each took their positions, adjusting their breathing while remaining vigilant.

Soon, the first group of four pursuers, led by the scarred monk, cautiously crept in from the valley entrance.

They were clearly wary of Echo Valley and dared not separate. The four of them stood back to back, vigilantly sensing the distorted echoes around them.

"Watch your step, don't make too much noise."

The scarred monk said in a low voice.

However, in this echo valley, even whispers were amplified and distorted, turning into muffled sobs coming from several directions.

Just as they passed a huge, mirror-like black rock, the smooth surface of the rock suddenly reflected the figures of the four of them clearly.

But in that reflection, five blurry shadows silently appeared behind them!

"Behind us!" One of them, with sharp eyes, turned around in alarm.

However, there was nothing behind him.

Just as their minds were captivated by the eerie reflection, a blazing True Fire of Trinity transformed into a fire phoenix and swooped out from behind another black rock directly in front of them, shrieking as it flew out!

At the same time, from a hole in the rock wall on the left, a sharp spear tip, like a venomous snake's tongue, pierced straight at a person's throat!

From the right, a sonic blade imbued with Buddhist light silently slashed down!

Behind them, several characters, radiating righteousness, coiled around them like chains!

The attacks came from four directions, accompanied by distorted echoes in the valley, making it seem as if dozens of people were attacking at the same time!

"Form a defensive array!" the scarred cultivator roared. The four hurriedly activated their magical artifacts to protect themselves, forming a small defensive array back to back.

Boom boom boom!

Flames, spear flashes, sonic blades, and chains of text bombarded the defensive light shield in succession, causing the shield to fluctuate violently.

The four reacted hastily, and their judgment was disrupted by the echo, causing their formation to instantly become vulnerable.

Just as the light shield flickered, a point of chaotic sword light appeared silently.

It pierced out from a crevice in the rock above their heads, aiming straight for the scarred monk's crown!

This sword strike was timed perfectly, precisely when the scarred cultivator was fully mobilizing his magic power, his old power exhausted and new power yet to be generated, his mind and spirit seized by the feint attacks from all sides!

The scarred monk felt his scalp tingle. At this critical moment, he unleashed all his potential, jerking his head to the side and simultaneously parrying upwards with his thick-backed cleaver.

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed through Echo Valley, transforming into a continuous, sharp reverberation that made people's eardrums ache.

The scarred monk's hand was split open, his cleaver nearly slipped from his grasp, and his hair was shaved off by the sword energy, leaving him in a sorry state.

But he ultimately managed to block the fatal sword strike.

However, he blocked it, but his companion on the left did not.

With the help of Lin Wanqing's text chains, the red-tasseled spear seized the moment when the scarred cultivator's defensive shield fluctuated due to the attack, and pierced his throat with a single thrust!

Another companion was also injured by Xiao Lingxi's Fire Phoenix and Xiao Lingyue's Sound Blade, and screamed as he retreated.

"Go!" The scarred cultivator was terrified and dared not linger any longer. He disregarded his companions and transformed into a streak of bloody light, fleeing desperately out of the valley.

Another injured monk tried to escape, but was overwhelmed by another attack.

In the blink of an eye, of the four-person team, two were dead and two escaped with serious injuries.

Su Qingxuan and his group of five quickly cleaned up the scene, retrieved the spoils of war, disposed of the corpses, and hid away again.

The medicinal power of the Qian Yuan Creation Pill continued to exert its effects within Su Qingxuan's body, and his aura steadily recovered. Although he was still far from being fully cured, he had already regained some of his combat strength.

"Echo Valley, it really is a wonderful place."

Su Qingxuan looked out of the valley, where the other two groups of pursuers seemed to have been startled by the brief battle and the mournful echoes, and hesitated to go deeper, with the sound of arguing faintly coming from them.

"They're scared." Chi Ying wiped the blood from the tip of her spear, her fighting spirit still burning in her eyes.

"It'll be soon." Su Qingxuan felt the increasingly smooth flow of magical power within his body, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Once we've fully recovered, it'll be our turn... to go find them."

In Echo Valley, eerie echoes still piled up in layers, as if countless ghosts were whispering among themselves.

Meanwhile, outside the valley, the remaining pursuers received a disheveled report from the scarred monk.

Faced with this eerie Echo Valley and the prey within, seemingly transformed and awakened.

Whether to advance or retreat, greed and fear are fiercely battling within them.

The hunt and counter-hunting in the Illusionary Demon Sea are only now beginning to unfold their most dangerous and bloody aspects...

Su Qingxuan and his four companions hid in Echo Valley, amidst jagged rocks and distorted echoes, like lurking hunters.

Previously, Thunder counterattacked, taking advantage of the terrain and swiftly annihilating a group of pursuers.

The scarred cultivator, severely wounded and fleeing, served as a somber alarm bell, thoroughly alerting the remaining two groups of people outside the valley.

Greed and fear swirled back and forth at the edge of the eerie, pale golden mist.

The remaining ten people gathered at the valley entrance, their faces filled with surprise and uncertainty, listening to the still-echoing sounds of fighting within the valley.

The sound was distorted and amplified, as if a massive army was fighting within it, sending chills down one's spine.

"Old Wang and his men... they're all gone just like that?"

A pale and thin cultivator's voice trembled. He was only at the early stage of the Heavenly Immortal realm and had originally come along to take advantage of the situation, but now he was trembling with fear.

"Wasn't Su Qingxuan critically injured and on the verge of death? How could he still..." another person chimed in, their eyes filled with obvious fear.

The leader was a cold-faced swordsman dressed in black, whose aura was at the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm.

He was the leader of another group besides the scarred monk.

He stared coldly into the swirling mist of the valley.

"The terrain inside Echo Valley is strange and can interfere with divine sense and distort sound magic. They must have set up an ambush there."

Boss Wang underestimated the enemy and acted rashly, falling into their trap.

"So...should we still go in?" someone asked in a low voice.

The cold-faced swordsman remained silent.

The acquired spiritual treasure promised by Ling Yunzi is indeed tempting, but one must be alive to obtain it.

The combat power and ruthlessness displayed by Su Qingxuan and his group far exceeded expectations.

At this moment, the enemy is lurking in the shadows, holding the advantage of terrain, and our own men are already fearful...

Just as he hesitated, a communication talisman in his pocket suddenly became hot.

He took out the trigger, and Ling Yunzi's voice, filled with suppressed anger and extreme seduction, rang directly in everyone's ears:

"Listen up, everyone! Su Qingxuan and his four companions are at their wits' end. They have only managed to survive by hiding in Echo Valley!"

I have already invited three top assassins from the 'Seven Kill Pavilion' to come; they will arrive in half a day!

Anyone who remains in the encirclement and ultimately helps the assassin pinpoint their location will receive double the reward!

Whoever obtains its head will receive not only a rare spiritual treasure, but also an opportunity for my master, the True Man Yuxiaozi, to impart his teachings!

Double the reward! Seven Kill Pavilion's top assassin! Jade Cloud Master imparts his teachings!

These words acted like a shot of adrenaline, instantly suppressing the fear in everyone's hearts, and reigniting the flames of greed.

The Seven Killings Pavilion is a notorious assassination organization in the Heavenly Realm.

A top-tier assassin, at least at the mid-stage of the Golden Immortal realm, skilled in stealth and combined attacks.

With them involved, Su Qingxuan is doomed!

For cultivators stuck at a bottleneck, Yu Xiaozi's teachings might be even more valuable than spiritual treasures!

"Let's do it!"

"Just surviving half a day is a great achievement!"

The crowd's breathing became heavy, and a fierce glint rekindled in their eyes.

The cold-faced swordsman also took a deep breath, suppressing his unease, and said coldly:

"Good! Since Brother Lingyunzi has made all the necessary arrangements."

We will lock the valley entrance here and form the "Eight Gates Spirit Locking Array".

The inside and outside were completely isolated; not even a single communication flying insect was allowed to enter or leave!

We await the arrival of our fellow Daoists from the Seven Killings Pavilion!

If they don't come out, fine, but if they try to force their way out before the assassins arrive...

Let them know how powerful we are!

Everyone responded enthusiastically and immediately got to work.

Each took their assigned position and set up their battle flags.

Streams of spiritual light rose up, weaving together into an invisible net.

The exit of Echo Valley was faintly shrouded in mist.

This formation combines offense and defense, and is particularly effective at trapping and confining enemies.

It was clear that they had made up their minds to kill Su Qingxuan and the other four.

Completely locked in this desolate place, awaiting the arrival of the Seven Killings Pavilion's god of death.

Inside the valley, Su Qingxuan, who vaguely sensed the changes outside the valley through the holes in the rock walls and the distorted echoes, slowly opened his eyes.

The Qian Yuan Creation Pill truly lives up to its reputation as a secret treasure of the Dan Ding Sect, further enhanced by the accelerated nourishment and replenishment provided by the three treasures.

In a short time, the severe damage to his internal organs had stabilized, and he had recovered 30-40% of his strength.

The Chaos Golden Core resumed its stable rotation, absorbing and releasing pure magical power.

Although it is still far from its peak, it is already capable of fighting.

The four women have mostly recovered.

"They've set up a blockade at the valley entrance; it seems they're determined to trap us here and kill us."

Among the four women, Xiao Lingyue possesses the abilities of "clairvoyance" and "clairaudience".

Its divine sense was extremely sharp, and it detected the fluctuations in the array at the valley entrance.

"Hmm... Ling Yunzi has promised a huge reward again, and... he mentioned assassins from the 'Seven Kill Pavilion,' who will arrive in half a day."

Su Qingxuan found it in the storage bag of the scarred cultivator's companion.

The message talisman that had not yet been destroyed informed everyone of its contents.

That was a message sent by Ling Yunzi to the group.

"Seven Kill Pavilion!" Xiao Lingxi's expression changed slightly.

"These hyenas, hiding their heads and tails, will do anything for money."

A top-tier assassin... at least a mid-stage Golden Immortal, and skilled in coordinated attacks.

The combined power is comparable to that of a peak Golden Immortal, and... it's impossible to defend against.

A fighting spirit surged in Chi Ying's eyes, yet a sense of solemnity remained:

"Under normal circumstances, with the combined strength of the five of us, we would have no fear of him."

But now we're still injured and trapped here..."

Su Qingxuan, however, calmed down, and a cold smile even appeared on his lips:

"Half a day... is enough. They want to starve us out and wait for the assassins to come and collect our heads."

Little did we know, this half-day was precisely our opportunity.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings: the bizarre, mirror-like black stones and the twisted rock walls:

Although Echo Valley is treacherous, it is also an excellent whetstone and barrier.

The external array locks the spirit, but it also temporarily isolates it from interference from more minor enemies.

"The Seven Killings Pavilion assassins haven't arrived yet, and that rabble outside the valley thinks they can rest easy once they form a defensive formation..."

He looked at the four women, his eyes flashing with a sharp, sword-like light:

"We will use this half-day to make this Echo Valley a burial ground for those greedy people!"

Let those assassins from the Seven Kill Pavilion see what kind of graveyard they're about to enter!

"What are your plans, young master?" Lin Wanqing asked.

"Let's turn the tables and take the initiative," Su Qingxuan said slowly.

"Their formation appears to be meticulous, but it requires manpower to maintain the key points of the formation, especially outside Echo Valley where the spiritual energy is chaotic."

Maintaining the formation requires even greater effort, and one must also be constantly vigilant about the valley.

We will not go out.

"Not going out?" Xiao Lingyue asked, puzzled.

"Yes, we won't go out and launch a direct attack." Su Qingxuan nodded.

"I want to make them 'fearful'."

Lingxi, how many more pills or talismans do you have left that can create illusions, sounds, or have a slight offensive effect?

"No need for force, just seek quantity and unpredictability."

Xiao Lingxi pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up:

"Yes! I have quite a few failed attempts at refining 'Illusionary Sound Pills' and 'Mist Talismans'."

There were also the "Exploding Flames" I made as a trial run before. They weren't very powerful, but they made quite a racket and there were a lot of them!

"Okay!" Su Qingxuan said.

"Wanqing, with your pen, add the most subtle mental runes such as 'surprise,' 'fear,' and 'doubt' to these talismans and pills to disturb your mind."

It doesn't need to be strong; just a trace, enough to resonate with the environment of Echo Valley, is sufficient.

Lingyue, you used the Buddhist technique of "telepathy" to subtly guide and attach the lingering fears and anxieties that naturally arose in the valley to these points.

"Chiying, you're in charge of ambushing them at the key echo refraction points in the valley. Once they're thrown into disarray, listen to my command and launch a precise attack!"

"Does Your Highness intend to... use a feint to wear down and harass the enemy, creating panic and throwing them into disarray?"

Lin Wanqing already understood.

"Not bad." Su Qingxuan sneered.

"Human hearts are greedy and suspicious."

In a place like Echo Valley, their fears are amplified by unseen enemies and the ever-present eerie noises.

Formations need stability, but morale is easily shattered.

We must plant the seeds of fear in their hearts and let them take root and sprout on their own.

Su Qingxuan paused, then declared with boundless confidence: "Our tactics are a sixteen-character strategy."

When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue.

"Hmph... When the Seven Kill Pavilion assassins arrive, they'll find a flock of frightened birds, while we..."

Su Qingxuan paused again, his voice turning cold: "Then we should wait in comfort and allow our condition to fully recover!"

At that time, whether to fight or retreat will be up to us!

With the plan finalized, the five immediately took action.

Xiao Lingxi took out a large number of low-level talismans and waste pills.

Lin Wanqing picked up her brush, her brush tip gathering subtle divine sense as she quickly sketched almost invisible runes of intent.

Xiao Lingyue sat cross-legged, her appearance solemn and dignified, chanting subtle scriptures and mantras.

The invisible power of Buddhism spread like ripples, creating an extremely subtle resonance with the lingering fear and resentment that had accumulated in the valley over the years, left behind by countless wrongly entered individuals.

And then, thread by thread, it was drawn and attached to those talismans and pills.

Crimson Tassel, like a nimble cat, disappeared into the shadows and holes of the rock face. The Demon-Slaying Spear concealed all its light, leaving only a chilling killing intent within.

Su Qingxuan himself found a mirror-like black stone where the echoes were most concentrated, sat down cross-legged, and began to fully circulate the "Great Celestial Immortal Technique".

Accelerate the operation of the three treasures to refine the remaining medicinal power of the Qian Yuan Creation Pill.

The Chaos Golden Elixir slowly rotated, becoming more solid with each rotation. The damaged meridians healed rapidly under the immense medicinal power, and the aura steadily and firmly climbed upwards.

About half an hour later, everything was ready.

Outside the valley, the Cold-Faced Swordsman and his companions were fully focused, maintaining the "Eight Gates Spirit Locking Array," their divine senses scanning the valley entrance with unwavering vigilance.

Within the valley, only an incessant, unsettling, and eerie echo reverberated.

This kind of "dead silence" is more oppressive than fierce fighting.

Sudden--

"Whoosh! Snap!"

Deep within the valley, a spark appeared, followed by a not-too-loud explosion.

But under the influence of the Echo Valley, it was immediately stretched and distorted, turning into a series of muffled "bang bang bang... boom boom..." sounds.

The explosions came from different directions, as if several explosions had occurred simultaneously.

"What's going on?" Everyone outside the formation was shocked and immediately focused their divine senses on the scene.

But all they could "see" were a few charred rocks and a faint wisp of smoke that spread rapidly, mixed with a strange smell (the effect of the Illusionary Sound Pill and the Mist Talisman).

A blurry shadow seemed to flash by in the smoke.

Accompanied by extremely faint, panicked whispers (fearful remnants guided by telepathy).

"Be careful! This might be a test!"

The cold-faced swordsman shouted sharply, but a hint of doubt also flashed through his mind.

This attack... is too weak; it doesn't seem like something Su Qingxuan and his group would do.

Before they could think it through, another "crackling" sound came from the other side of the valley, like rocks rolling down and being shattered by an invisible force. The echo amplified it to the point of sounding like a mountain collapsing.

Immediately afterwards, a mournful sound, like a woman crying or a ghost wailing, drifted in, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, elusive and hard to discern.

"Playing tricks!" a burly man with a bad temper shouted angrily.

"If you're so capable, come out and have a real fight!"

His roar was amplified and distorted in the Echo Valley, echoing back as if countless people were mocking him.

Next, a series of inexplicable noises and disturbances began to emanate from different directions within the valley:

Sometimes it's the crisp sound of metal clashing.

Sometimes it's a series of indistinct syllables, like a mantra.

Sometimes it's the sound of an object rushing past, cutting through the air.

Sometimes, even a sweet or fishy smell wafts out on the wind...

Each commotion was small, but it became eerie and unpredictable, with its location difficult to discern, thanks to the echo valley.

The cold-faced swordsman and his companions were initially able to remain calm.

But as time went by, one false alarm after another, one futile attempt after another, to scan the source of the emptiness with divine sense.

Their minds and spirits inevitably began to be depleted and they became anxious.

Maintaining the formation already requires concentration, but now it requires constant distraction.

To deal with these "harassments" that may or may not be true.

The combined drain on their magical power and mental strength left them overwhelmed.

Even more deadly are the lingering fears that Xiao Lingyue, guided by the Buddhist secret technique "telepathy," have attached to the movements and stillness.

Like invisible spores, they silently seeped into the minds of some with weak wills as their divine sense probed.

The sallow-faced, emaciated monk began to tremble involuntarily, feeling as if something was watching him from behind.

The other person kept looking back, suspicious and feeling that their companion's gaze was off...

Panic, like a transparent plague, silently circulates with every breath.

The light of the Eight Gates Spirit Locking Array flickered almost imperceptibly and rhythmically due to the fluctuations in the mind of the person in charge.

"Stay calm! It's all an illusion! It's a tactic to wear down the enemy! Don't panic!"

The cold-faced swordsman shouted sternly, and sweat was also visible on his forehead.

He was well aware that this was a scheme, but the scheme precisely targeted the weaknesses of human nature.

Even knowing it might be fake, in this environment, those repeated, nerve-wracking sounds...

But you can't help but pay attention and be on guard.

But being attentive and on guard is itself the biggest drain on one's energy.

One hour, two hours...

The "harassment" within the valley seems endless, with ever-evolving new forms.

Sometimes there is a long period of silence, a silence that drives people crazy;

Sometimes the sounds would suddenly come in rapid succession, leaving people overwhelmed.

The people outside the valley went from initial wariness to anxiety, and then to exhaustion and numbness.

She also became somewhat neurotic due to prolonged tension.

The formation was no longer functioning smoothly, and several obvious weak points had appeared.

Inside the valley, Su Qingxuan's aura had gradually recovered.

And it climbed to a level close to the late stage of Celestial Immortal!

He absorbed more than 80% of the medicinal power of the Qian Yuan Creation Pill, and his meridians, heart, dantian, and qi sea were also fully repaired, and the Chaos Golden Pill's light became more subdued.

The four women were also in high spirits, having recovered eighty or ninety percent of their cultivation.

Su Qingxuan opened his eyes, his gaze bright and clear, all traces of his previous weakness and listlessness vanished.

He sensed the spirit-locking array outside the valley, its light slightly disordered and its aura already fluctuating.

He also listened to the detailed reports from Xiao Lingyue inside the valley, transmitted through her "Heavenly Eye," about the location and status of those people outside.

"It's almost done."

Su Qingxuan stood up and transmitted his voice to the four women.

"The 'Shock Gate' and 'Death Gate' positions in the formation are where the energy is most chaotic, and the guardians are already mentally exhausted."

Lingxi, concentrate your remaining 'Exploding Flame Spears' and bombard the solitary rock three zhang outside the 'Gate of Shock' to create the biggest commotion.

Wanqing used the Spring and Autumn Annals brush to write the character "破" (break) with all her might, remotely amplifying the explosive flames and interfering with the array runes.

"Lingyue, as soon as the explosion occurs, immediately use the strongest 'Great Brahma Mantra' to cover the 'Gate of Death' area, shaking its mind!"

"Red Tassel." Su Qingxuan looked in the direction where the red tassel had disappeared.

"The moment the guardian of the 'Gate of Death' is captivated by the chanting, that is the moment for your surprise attack."

I'll cover your retreat and slay their leader!

"Yes!" The four women answered resolutely.

next moment--

Outside the valley, at the "Gate of Shock," stood a cultivator who was already agitated by various auditory and visual hallucinations, constantly cursing under his breath.

They are forcing themselves to maintain their formation.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of dozens of dazzling red lights suddenly illuminating behind an inconspicuous solitary rock in the valley!

"Here we go again! It's never going to end..." he muttered impatiently, thinking it was just another minor scuffle.

However, this time—

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dozens of explosive flame particles were empowered by Hao Ran's "Break" character and exploded simultaneously!

The explosion was far louder than any before.

Even more terrifying was the impact and sonic wave of the explosion, which, given the unique terrain of Echo Valley,

Combined with the unstable nodes of the "Surprise Gate" formation at this time, the amplification was more than tenfold!

It was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, or like the earth's veins exploding!

The array's light barrier near the "Gate of Shock" distorted violently, flickering unpredictably.

The presiding monk was so shocked that blood gushed from his ears and nose, his head was buzzing, and he almost dropped the array flag in his hand.

The runes at the nodes of the formation flickered erratically, and it looked like it was about to collapse.

Almost at the same moment, a solemn and majestic chant, which penetrated the soul, descended like thunder from the heavens at the "Gate of Death"!

Xiao Lingyue's Great Brahma Mantra, which she had been preparing for a long time, is specifically designed to subdue evil spirits and can also intimidate those who are restless.

The two cultivators at the "Gate of Death" were already severely mentally exhausted from the prolonged tension and the various strange occurrences that had occurred earlier.

At this moment, struck by this sudden and powerful chant, he felt as if he had been hit hard. His vision went black, his mind went blank, and his internal magical power was thrown into chaos!

It's now!

From the shadows beside the "Gate of Death," a streak of crimson light suddenly appeared without warning!

With the red-tasseled spear becoming one with him, he concentrated all his restored killing intent and fighting spirit at the tip of the Demon-Slaying Spear.

It was faster than the eye could see, and it pierced straight into the back of the cold-faced swordsman, who seemed to be the leader and had higher cultivation, at the "Gate of Death"!

There was no echo from this shot, because the speed had exceeded the distortion and transmission of sound in the valley!

The cold-faced swordsman was caught off guard by the chanting and reacted a beat too late. He turned around in shock and only had time to hastily hold his longsword across his chest.

"Clang—Snap!"

The red-tasseled spear struck the weakest point on the spine of the longsword with perfect accuracy! The longsword snapped in two!

The spear tip, its momentum undiminished, pierced through his protective aura and penetrated his chest!

The military aura erupted suddenly, tearing apart his internal organs!

The cold-faced swordsman stared wide-eyed at the spearhead embedded in his chest, then looked up...

Su Qingxuan appeared above the "Death Gate" formation node like a ghost, appearing at some unknown time.

Su Qingxuan's expression was cold and stern. He gripped the Gentleman's Sword and unleashed a chaotic sword aura, refined to its utmost, slashing down from the sky.

It wasn't aimed at the cold-faced swordsman, but rather at the "Death Gate" formation flag that was shining brightly because of the host's fall!

"Sizzle!"

The array flag, along with a small section of the array base below it, was split in two by the chaotic sword energy!

The "Death Gate" of the Eight Gates Spirit Locking Array was broken instantly, and the operation of the entire array immediately became severely sluggish, with the light flickering violently.

The cultivators in the other locations all coughed up blood, suffering a backlash from the formation!

"Kill!" Su Qingxuan gave the order.

Lin Wanqing's righteous spirit transformed into chains that bound her.

Xiao Lingxi's Trinity True Fire swept across the land like a tidal wave.

Xiao Lingyue's Buddhist golden light dispelled falsehoods and vanquished evil.

The red-tasseled spear flashed out like a dragon in flight.

Su Qingxuan's sword energy surged forth.

The five men, like tigers among sheep, seized the opportunity presented by the backlash from the formation, the collapse of the enemy's morale, and their mental disarray.

Unleash a merciless harvest!

These pursuing cultivators were not a united front; most were driven by self-interest.

With their leader fallen, the formation broken, and powerful enemies descending like divine soldiers, where was the will to fight left?

They immediately started crying and screaming for their parents, scattering in all directions, wishing their parents had given them two more legs.

However, in the unique terrain of Echo Valley, the rout became even more chaotic.

Some people, in their panic, stumbled into the mirror-like black stone and were injured by the rebound of their own frantic attacks;

Some people were misled by the ubiquitous echoes and instead ran in the direction where Su Qingxuan and the others were;

Some, their minds corrupted, even swung their knives at their "comrades" beside them...

The battle, or rather, the one-sided reaping, ended very quickly.

In a short while, near the valley entrance, besides the mess and a few corpses, there was only an overwhelming stench of blood and a layer of gray mist tinged with red.

Su Qingxuan and his group of five did not pursue the scattered fleeing soldiers who had gone far away.

Quickly clean up the battlefield and take away valuable storage bags and magical artifacts.

They concealed their tracks once more and retreated deeper into Echo Valley.

They need a little more time to fully digest the gains from this battle.

To reach peak condition in preparation for the impending, truly formidable enemy—

The top assassin of the Seven Kill Pavilion.

The valley returned to its eerie silence.

Only the sound of the wind passing through the holes echoed with mournful sounds, as if mourning the carnage that had just taken place.

The blockade outside the valley had been broken, but Su Qingxuan and his group did not leave immediately.

The roles of hunter and prey have been completely reversed under the influence of bloodshed.

Now, they are hunters waiting for the next batch of "prey".

Meanwhile, in another part of the Illusionary Demon Sea, Ling Yunzi received news that the blockade had been broken and that almost all of his subordinates had been wiped out.

He was so angry that he almost crushed the communication jade talisman in his hand, his face turning ashen.

He bowed deeply to the three newly arrived men in black, whose auras were as cold as eternal ice.

"The three of you, I'm in your hands! You must tear Su Qingxuan to pieces!"

The three men in black nodded slightly, remaining silent as their figures blended into the surrounding gray mist like ink paintings.

They glided silently toward Echo Valley.

The real deadly threat has only just begun to descend.

It is:

The remnants of the army were routed, their blood still lingering; the cold blades silently brought death and life.

Who's in charge now that the hunting net is wide open? The startled birds have all revealed their true strength.