Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: The Killing Formation

Countless powerhouses have flocked to Qingzhou City, all debating the origin of the one who inscribed the character "Dao" on the Small Martial Dao Stele. The sensation caused by this event is enormous—though it only concerns dominance in a single realm, such potential makes countless prodigies tremble. Many speculate that this person must be a disciple taught by some ancient expert. The impact of this matter is profound. Powerhouses understand the importance of the first realm, making the Small Martial Dao Stele invaluable in their eyes. To cultivate to such an otherworldly level in the first realm ensures great achievements in the future. Some even link the events at the Spirit Pagoda to "Dao," suspecting they might be the same person! On this day, the entire Mysterious Domain is abuzz. It's rumored that "Dao" likely obtained an otherworldly treasure in the Spirit Pagoda, and inscribing first place must have yielded another treasure! The possibility of two supreme treasures ignites greed in many powerhouses, prompting numerous factions to seek out terrifying Heavenly Evolution Masters to track down this person. "Dao is too terrifying—surpassing Martial Emperor! Just how逆天 (heaven-defying) is his cultivation in the Body Forging Realm?" "Terrifying indeed, but it's said Dao's cultivation is not high at all. The gap between him and Martial Emperor is vast. Don't forget Martial Emperor inscribed his name at age ten," someone shakes their head, skeptical of Dao's prospects. "The opening of the Star Palace will surely be lively. Martial Emperor will come, and I expect Dao will too. I hear creatures from many Ancient Divine Mountains have emerged, along with descendants of terrifying great sects. It's truly an era of a hundred schools of thought contending." Whispers fill the Star Academy. Hearing the surrounding discussions, Daoling's heart stirs. He still doesn't know what treasure he obtained from the Small Martial Dao Stele and plans to return to examine it closely. "I hope it's a divine ability," he mutters, clenching his palm in anticipation. The divine abilities he currently masters are incomplete: the Yin-Yang Palm is only入门 (introductory), and the Three Transformations Golden Body lacks its most crucial technique. If he can't find the final transformation, he must seek a powerful divine ability. Arriving at Lingshan, Daoling frowns, his gaze fixed on two figures ahead. These two creatures emanate霞光 (auspicious light), their auras vast and fearsome. "I told you he just left! What else do you want?" Lin Shishi's pretty face twists in pain, her eyebrows furrowed. Blood stains her palm, and her sword lies on the ground, dull and lifeless. "Hmph! If you don't explain clearly, you won't survive today!" A creature shrouded in faint azure light snarls, malevolence flashing in its eyes. They've come daily, but Daoling's cultivation chamber always bore a "closed for seclusion" sign. They dared not barge in, for the palace is protected by a killing formation. Patience exhausted, they fear punishment from their master if they delay further. The threatening words make Lin Shishi's face tense, but just then, a cold voice emerges, relaxing the少女 (maiden)'s mind. "I wonder if you two can even leave here alive?" This sentence freezes the faces of the two creatures, their冷漠 (aloof) eyes bursting with icy chill. Since arriving at the Star Academy, no one has dared speak to them like this. "Please don't act rashly," Lin Shishi whispers, her large eyes fixed on the approaching youth. She can sense the creatures' power and grows anxious. "Are you alright?" Daoling's gaze falls on Lin Shishi's bloodied palm. He clenches his fist,怒火 (anger) surging. He never expected these creatures to injure her. "I'm fine, really," Lin Shishi forces a smile. For some reason, Daoling's aura makes her feel safe, easing her anxiety. "It's my fault for letting you get hurt." Daoling's face fills with apology, his gaze turning凌厉 (sharp) as he stares at the two creatures. The azure-cloaked creature speaks coldly: "Lad, if you'd come later, she'd be dead. Come with us—our master wishes to see you." Lin Shishi's large eyes widen, tension returning. These creatures are mere servants; their master must be terrifying beyond imagination. Daoling says nothing, striding forward. Astral winds howl around him, sending bamboo leaves flying and overwhelming pressure ahead. "Lad, you're courting disaster!" The azure creature's face darkens as it warns. "A mere servant, yet so arrogant. I want to see what you're capable of!" Daoling roars, his aura surging. Golden light swirls, lifting massive rocks from the ground. "Court death!" The azure creature rages, its hair standing on end. Though a servant, it prides itself on being treated with respect even by descendants of great factions. This nobody's insolence enrages it. It flicks its wrist, producing a cyan leather whip coiled in dazzling azure light, exuding a ferocious波动 (wave). As thick as an adult's arm, the whip still bears spots of blood—evidence of its use. Wielding the whip, it sends overlapping shadows of violence surging. The whip, like the sinew of a ferocious beast, cracks the air with enough force to shatter a mountain. Daoling strides forward. As the whip descends, his arm turns bronze, forming a claw. With a fierce aura, he grabs the whip mid-air. "I knew you had physical body divine abilities, but—!" The azure creature snarls. The cyan whip suddenly transforms, summoning a虚影（motion blur） of a dragon that roars through heaven and earth, its aura dreadful. "A treasure refined from a dragon's sinew," Lin Shishi mutters, clutching her hands. This is a rare treasure, its attack ferocious. Can Daoling block it? " But this thing doesn't belong to you." Daoling sneers. His blood qi erupts, golden runes flowing over his arm. He forms a fist seal and smashes into the dragon虚影（motion blur）. A flood of golden runes surges forth with a golden fist, smashing the dragon虚影（motion blur） apart as if it might explode. Simultaneously, Daoling charges, blood qi roiling. His fist aims for the azure creature's palm. The creature dares not clash directly, knowing Daoling's physical might. The cyan whip snaps back, the dragon虚影（motion blur） reforming with even stronger aura, its mouth gaping to swallow Daoling's arm. Daoling halts, spreading his arms. His bronze skin exudes powerful blood qi, dotted with starlight,沉重 (heavy) and suffocating. His explosive aura surges, his hands like divine gold as he tears open the dragon's mouth, charging in like a peerless beast. "Break for me!" Daoling roars, infusing the dragon's body with runes and starlight. Under immense pressure, the dragon虚影（motion blur） shatters with a crash! "What? His energy is so heavy—could he be nearing the Forming Stage?" The azure creature panics. The Forming Stage is beyond their reach; only their young master, a prodigy hailed as able to contend with ancient凶兽 (ferocious beasts) in the Yunling Realm, has touched it. What is Yunling? It means creating all things. Those who reach the Forming Stage are peerless prodigies in Yunling, capable of incredible creation—something requiring both talent and ancient techniques held only by great clans. The azure creature roars, feeling its body about to burst. Daoling's blood qi is not only vigorous but also carries a可怕 (terrible) pressure, forcing it to cough up blood and fly backward. Daoling seizes the cyan whip and tosses it to Lin Shishi: "Thanks for the compensation, but it's not enough!" Lin Shishi beams, clutching the treasure with delight. Her eyes curve into crescents—this is a rare treasure indeed. "You..." The azure creature's face twists, unleashing bone-chilling killing intent. "Suppress him now! He's too arrogant!" Both creatures hail from the Ancient Divine Mountain, looking down on outsiders. Killing someone is trivial, but this lad dares to use its treasure as compensation for the maiden. The silent youth speaks coldly: "Our young master has long seen your不凡 (exceptional) cultivation. You've passed the test and can become our young master's battle servant. The might of the Ancient Divine Mountain needs no explanation—being the young master's battle servant is your fortune. Cherish it." Hearing this, Daoling looks at the youth coldly: "I too see your young master's不凡. He might qualify to be my battle servant." "WHAT?!" The azure creature gasps, pointing at Daoling in trembling rage. "You... you dare to defy heaven! You're seeking death!" The creature is enraged. The Ancient Divine Mountain is a terrifying force, ancient and底蕴 (heritage) profound. Every creature from there is treated with respect by all factions. Yet this lad threatens to take their young master as a servant—has he gone mad? The youth's face freezes, icy cold. "You brought this upon yourself. Don't blame me for wanting to die!" "Kill him now! No more talk!" The azure creature roars. They were given a great killing formation before leaving—enough to reduce Daoling to blood. The youth flicks his sleeve, releasing nine blood-red flags. Each flag bursts with dazzling bloodlight, spreading a cold killing intent. The nine flags flutter, instantly growing to ten feet tall. They plunge into the ground around Daoling, forming a dreadful killing formation. Killing intent floods forth like a tidal wave, rumbling ominously. "Not good! It's a killing formation!" Lin Shishi's face pales. This is a fearsome formation, designed to slaughter强敌 (powerful enemies). Once activated, it will not stop until Daoling is reduced to blood.