novelraw Chapter 168 : Chapter Formation Cultivation——Ji Yuan!
Chapter 168 : Chapter Formation Cultivation——Ji Yuan!
Chapter 168: Formation Cultivation——Ji Yuan!
Hu Li had already figured it out the moment he saw Ji Yuan rushing toward him.
“This guy is definitely not that simple, most likely a sinister old schemer!”
Three encircled one. Indeed, outside the west city wall, Hu Li had set up a formation. Under the siege of three people, an ordinary cultivator would usually think to escape from the open side first, avoid the encirclement and then reconsider their plan.
Once they stepped out of the west city wall, Hu Li would immediately activate the formation.
At that point, if they fell into that trap formation, it would be easy to handle.
However, Ji Yuan actually acted contrary to expectations. Not only did he not flee, but he charged directly toward Hu Li instead.
What did that mean?
It meant he must have guessed that there was a trap to the west!
Such a cautious person must not be underestimated in strength either.
Therefore, Hu Li ran right away. He didn’t clash head-on with Ji Yuan. Originally guarding the east, he turned and fled without the slightest hesitation.
Ji Yuan followed closely behind, exiting the city wall from the east.
But the moment he stepped outside the eastern city wall, Ji Yuan realized—something was wrong, a formation!
From all directions, thick black smoke pillars rose immediately. From the ground came a suction force that directly dragged Ji Yuan’s Thunder Falcon Boat down.
At the same time, the other two Foundation Establishment early-stage demonic cultivators also rushed over. Together with Hu Li, the three of them stood outside the formation in a triangular formation.
Hu Li couldn’t help but laugh and said:
“Fellow Daoist Ji, being able to anticipate the trick in the west does show some skill, but it’s a pity—I have set up formations outside all four city walls, north, south, east, and west.”
Ji Yuan had just put away the flying boat after landing. Before he could even reply, he felt the spiritual energy around him rampaging wildly.
They didn’t even give me a chance to talk—finally, I’m not a villain who dies because he talks too much!
A thought flashed through Ji Yuan’s mind. He immediately activated the Fivefold Protection Talisman array pasted to his chest. Before he could act again,
From the black mist in all directions, arrows of blood shot toward him.
Two ghostly skeletal hands extended from the ground, gripping tightly onto his ankles.
In an instant, a cold aura drilled into Ji Yuan’s body through his ankles, but fortunately, his vital energy was abundant, quickly neutralizing the chill.
From within the formation, black vines dripping with black blood stretched out, seemingly trying to grab his hands as well.
If they succeeded, Ji Yuan would be nearly instantly doomed!
“Go!”
Even facing such peril, Ji Yuan remained calm. With a thought, he activated a Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact-level flying sword, “Liushuang.” The sword flew out from his storage pouch, sweeping below him.
Wherever Liushuang passed, frost blossoms gently fell.
With a flash of sword light, the two ghost hands grabbing his ankles were instantly severed.
Freed, Ji Yuan’s body lit up with a water-blue protective shield, enveloping him entirely. The blood arrows from all directions were blocked by the “Sea Dragon Armor.”
Liushuang’s momentum did not diminish.
In just a blink, the black vines around Ji Yuan were completely shredded before returning to his side.
It floated beside him.
Before the enemy could strike again,
Ji Yuan reached out and pointed forward. In an instant, a water-blue dragon and a blood-colored flood dragon burst out from him, roaring continuously.
However, the two dragon-formed phantoms did not leave but remained around Ji Yuan, protecting him at the center.
The blue dragon was condensed from the first layer of 《Water Dragon Technique》, “Treading the Sea.”
The blood-colored flood dragon was released by Ji Yuan through the activation of the Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact “Blood-Remnant Blade.”
With the two dragon phantoms guarding him, the formation’s attacks were instantly repelled.
Ji Yuan gained a brief moment to breathe. While urging the “Sea Dragon Armor” for protection, he summoned another Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact, a Cold Iron Shield.
At the same time, he used Divine Sense to control the Liushuang Flying Sword, continuously slicing the ghost hands emerging from the ground.
Activating three Spiritual Artifacts and still able to cast techniques—
It was all thanks to his strong Divine Sense. Any other early Foundation Establishment cultivator simply couldn’t manage so many artifacts at once.
Of course, they couldn’t even produce three Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifacts in the first place.
It’s not that Ji Yuan couldn’t afford Upper-Grade Spiritual Artifacts; it was just that those consumed too much for someone at early Foundation Establishment.
The spiritual artifacts wouldn’t last long—more loss than gain.
Meanwhile, outside the formation—
A grim-faced Hu Li transmitted to the other two, “Looks like Sister Feng was right. This Ji Yuan is definitely the most troublesome one. Damn it, it’s bad enough he knows 《Water Dragon Technique》, but he can also control three Spiritual Artifacts at once. Is he even human?!”
The short man said in a deep voice, “Go in for the kill. If we delay too long, we’ll get nothing. Old Hu, keep the formation stable.”
As he spoke, he activated a powerful secret technique, with spiritual energy wildly surging in.
Above the formation, a black-gray tombstone slowly condensed into form.
A heavy pressure descended on all three of them.
“Good!”
Another black-robed man didn’t speak but took out a bloodstained straw doll from his storage pouch.
The straw doll was palm-sized, with dried black blood on its chest and brow.
He gripped the doll in his right hand and drew out a bone-piercing nail with his left.
Seeing this item, Hu Li couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
This straw doll was called “Life-Taker Doll,” a type of eerie Spiritual Artifact. If one obtained a person’s hair or flesh and buried it in the doll, then drove the bone-piercing nail into its brow,
It could almost directly shred the soul of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Though they didn’t have Ji Yuan’s flesh or hair, locking on with Divine Sense would suffice. At worst, it would just be a bit less effective.
To kill an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Just then—
In a blink of an eye, as Ji Yuan sensed the tombstone forming above his head, he also felt a Divine Sense lock onto him.
He instantly felt a chill down his spine.
“Not good!”
He ignored the tombstone above and immediately counterattacked with his own Divine Sense, erasing the imprint and sending a backlash along the trace.
Outside the formation, the black-robed man’s face turned pale. Before he could nail the bone-piercing nail into the Life-Taker Doll, he was so frightened he staggered backward several steps.
That Divine Sense—it was terrifying!
This guy had to be mid Foundation Establishment!
“There’s something wrong! Now!”
He hastily waved his hand.
The short man then activated the gray-black tombstone, releasing a massive wave of spiritual energy.
Ji Yuan finally moved.
The secret technique was far too powerful. Taking it head-on was impossible—even activating a talisman treasure wouldn’t be fast enough.
So he reluctantly took out a damaged clay figure.
This was a life-saving treasure he had purchased at an auction for 80 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, named “Substitute Clay Doll.” Its effect was extremely simple:
Once activated, it would mimic his aura and allow him to escape three li away.
The distance wasn’t far,
but in a deadly battle, it could serve as a temporary evasion tactic to dodge a fatal strike.
Like Ji Yuan’s current situation, locked on by a secret technique.
While it couldn’t ensure his survival in the long run,
For Ji Yuan right now, three li was enough!
He didn’t even need the full distance.
Activating the clay doll, he left a replica in place as his figure vanished instantly.
Just as he thought he had escaped the formation, he reached its edge—only to be blocked by a pillar of black mist.
The tombstone crashed down with a thunderous boom.
Ji Yuan swept back with his Divine Sense and discovered that the clay figure had not even lasted a moment before it was completely shattered by the tombstone.
Hu Li grinned and said: "Fellow Daoist, my 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』 isn’t something so easily broken through."
Ji Yuan’s figure gradually became solid from its illusory form, the dragon and flood dragon phantoms still circling around him.
"Oh?"
He looked up.
The short man was forcibly channeling the secret technique despite the spiritual energy falling short, still trying to crush Ji Yuan with the tombstone.
The black-robed man whose Divine Sense had been shattered by Ji Yuan still hadn’t recovered, his face looked grim.
Hu Li, meanwhile, was still controlling the formation and couldn’t make a move.
Ji Yuan had dodged the secret technique—not escaped.
He sent his Divine Sense into his storage pouch and retrieved two small iron boxes.
Under Hu Li’s shocked gaze, Ji Yuan said: "To give and not return is impolite. In that case, let me show you a formation of mine."
As he spoke—
The two iron boxes grew with the wind, and before the three of them could react, two even larger formations abruptly appeared, instantly enclosing the 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』.
Though Ji Yuan’s Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation and Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation were also Second-Tier Formations, even among Second-Tier Formations there were distinctions of quality!
And the current situation made it abundantly clear: Ji Yuan’s two formations were superior to theirs!
As the two formations enveloped the Thirty-Six Smoke Formation, they also naturally enclosed the three early-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.
"What?!"
Sensing this, the short man panicked on the spot, even causing the gray-black tombstone he had just summoned to fall again.
"A formation?! You know formations too?!"
Even Hu Li was startled.
The intelligence Feng Xiuxiu had provided earlier—damn it, as if being a young Foundation Establishment cultivator wasn’t enough, he’s also so proficient in formations?!
"Brother Hu, what now? Break the formation quickly!"
The black-robed man urgently sent a voice transmission.
Hu Li took a deep breath, suppressing his panic as he spoke in a low voice: "You two hold him off. I’ll break the formation!"
"Got it!"
Among the three of them, only Hu Li understood formations.
So the task of breaking the formation fell to him alone.
Ji Yuan had no idea what they were thinking. As soon as he deployed the two formations, he was already taking action.
The Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation contracted to shield himself, with mist enveloping the surroundings, isolating the effects of the 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』.
As for the Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation—Ji Yuan’s mind stirred.
"Fall—"
In an instant, countless stardust illusions materialized, covering the entire 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』.
From then on, Ji Yuan no longer needed to intervene.
Violent explosions rang out. The three demonic cultivators reacted swiftly, deploying their defensive methods as starlight scattered around them.
Some with protective shields, some with armored treasures.
"Boom—"
Countless explosions merged into a massive sound, brilliant light flaring up as though stars were being pulled down to earth.
South of the city.
Liu Yuan, who had just forcefully broken through the 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』 with sword technique, subconsciously looked northeast. He wasn’t the only one—
The other three mid Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators did the same.
Why? Because the disturbance was simply too great.
When Hu Li activated the formation to trap Ji Yuan earlier, Feng Xiuxiu and the others had already noticed.
Back then, they had felt confident.
But seeing this light now, along with the all-sweeping vortex—they couldn’t help but feel a bit shaken.
Was this Ji Yuan’s technique, or Hu Li’s?
They soon got their answer. Following the burst of brilliance, the black smoke vanished, and what appeared outside the east city wall was a mass of white mist.
Starlight twinkled within—nothing could be seen clearly.
Under the Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation.
Break formation with formation!
One strike, victory.
"Quick, hold him off! I’ll break the formation!"
The moment Hu Li felt the power of Ji Yuan’s formation, he was already panicking.
So were the other two demonic cultivators. After the first strike of the formation attack, they took the chance—before the next wave could gather—to dive down.
Two beams of black light pierced through the mist and disappeared.
Seeing this, Hu Li quietly stepped back and flipped his hand to take out a Talisman Treasure!
He poured all the spiritual energy in his dantian into it.
Within the formation, Ji Yuan naturally sensed the two Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators rushing toward him.
Before the next wave of stardust could coalesce in the Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation, he expanded the Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation. The mists of the two formations combined, instantly engulfing the two cultivators.
To their perception, Ji Yuan was clearly right in front of them, yet they could not seem to reach him.
Around Ji Yuan, the Liushuang Flying Sword swept through, leaving trails of frost.
"Swish—"
As the sword light swept by, Ji Yuan pointed again, and a water-blue dragon surged out from behind him, charging forward.
"Roar—"
A dragon’s roar rang out.
Treading Sea Dragon Roar activated. The two demonic cultivators felt a sharp pain in their ears and their reactions noticeably slowed.
Just then, water-blue light swept across—
A deep gash appeared on the short man’s chest armor. One more strike might break through completely.
Before they could move again, the dragon phantom was already above them.
The roaring dragon opened its jaws, gathering a thick beam of spiritual light in its mouth.
The two demonic cultivators activated defensive talismans and blinked toward east and west.
The short man also reactivated the gray-black tombstone, placing it in front of him. Wherever it passed, the formation seemed faintly to collapse.
Damn it, this thing is really powerful—almost on par with a Talisman Treasure!
"Boom—"
From the open dragon mouth came spiraling shockwaves, sweeping toward the two of them and forcing them into a defensive posture.
But with the formation assisting, no matter how they dodged, the Water Dragon Technique seemed to always strike true!
"?"
Ji Yuan felt slightly puzzled.
While focused on dealing with these two demonic cultivators, Hu Li hadn’t made a move—Ji Yuan could guess that the man was likely trying to break the formation.
But Ji Yuan wasn’t worried.
The fact that the Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation had shattered the 『Thirty-Six Smoke Formation』 in an instant already showed that while Hu Li was skilled in formations, he was only so-so.
To break this “Twin Star Formation,” he was surely dreaming.
So Ji Yuan left him alone, concentrating instead on eliminating the two early-stage Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators—before turning on him.
But now?
Just moments ago, Ji Yuan had clearly sensed the fluctuation of a Talisman Treasure.
And it was a familiar one—the Talisman Treasure: Sky-Escape Shuttle!
When he released his Divine Sense again, he could only catch a faint residual trace of the Talisman Treasure’s energy.
In other words, that guy had fled!
Using the Sky-Escape Shuttle, he had sold out his teammates.
Truly, better they die than him.
This also reminded Ji Yuan of what Li Changhe had said: that the Golden Core Real Person with the Sky-Escape Shuttle Talisman Treasure was easily bought.
As long as enough Spirit Stones were paid, he would help refine the Talisman Treasures.
And this time, Ji Yuan could see it clearly—that Talisman Treasure really was getting ridiculously common. Even random demonic cultivators he encountered had one.
He actually had a Sky-Escape Shuttle in his hand.
Well then, it was also fine—Ji Yuan had never known exactly how powerful this Sky-Escape Shuttle was, but now he had seen it for himself.
Its power was great; not only could it break through his two Second-Tier Formations directly to escape,
The key point was that it made extremely little sound or disturbance.
If Ji Yuan hadn’t sensed it through the formation, he probably wouldn’t have known the man had already run.
"Looks like next time I’m in danger, I’ll know how to use this Sky-Escape Shuttle myself."
As that thought flashed through Ji Yuan’s mind—
The two demonic cultivators activated techniques and talismans again, spiritual force rampaging wildly.
Ji Yuan truly felt the savagery of demonic cultivators.
In combat at the same stage, most righteous cultivators likely wouldn’t fare as well as their demonic counterparts.
"But unfortunately for you, the one you met today is me!"
In just a short moment, the Stardust Illusion-Kill Formation had accumulated a large amount of stardust again.
With Ji Yuan’s thought, the stardust manifested around the two demonic cultivators.
"Not good!"
They sensed the surrounding starlight and immediately panicked.
Just as their Spiritual Artifacts activated for defense—
Another massive explosion rang out.
Strike while the enemy is weak!
Though the enemy had many defensive means, Ji Yuan had no shortage of offensive ones either!
As the formation attacked, he casually threw out over ten Second-Tier Low-Grade Thousand Sword Talismans.
In addition, the dragon came again with a vicious Dragon’s Breath!
Simultaneously, Ji Yuan summoned another one of his Low-Grade Spiritual Artifacts—Mountain-Smasher Halberd!
Shatter to the utmost—Mountain-Smasher!
"Rumble—"
For a moment, the battlefield shrouded within the Stellar Whirl Cloud Barrier Formation looked as though thousands of techniques were raining down.
The ground was pierced several zhang deep!
Ji Yuan didn’t wait for the dust to clear. He swept the area with Divine Sense and instantly saw the situation inside the pit.
The black-robed demonic cultivator was dead—completely and utterly.
Only the short man remained, still barely alive thanks to the tombstone shielding him.
Seeing this, the Flying Sword Liushuang hovering beside Ji Yuan disappeared into the mist in a flash.
"—"
A water-blue sword light flashed.
Liushuang slipped through the crack in the tombstone and pinned the short man straight to the ground.
The entire battle had lasted no more than two incense sticks’ time.
Ji Yuan had executed two demonic cultivators with his formation!
Looking at the two corpses on the ground, Ji Yuan thought for a moment and decided not to waste them. He collected their storage pouches and several Spiritual Artifacts into his own pouch.
Destroying the corpses to erase traces was certainly one solution—
But feeding them to the 【Grave Mound】 was also a fine idea.
It was just a pity that one demonic cultivator had escaped.
If he had known earlier, he should have killed him back at Shanghe Market.
Now that the fight was over on Ji Yuan’s end, he withdrew the formations with a thought and summoned the Sky-Slicer Boat to lift off from the ground.
Looking south—
There, sword qi still raged across the sky, techniques flying back and forth, and even a Talisman Treasure flashing amidst it.
"Damn it, do demonic cultivators have that many Talisman Treasures?!"
Ji Yuan had previously looked into it—on the Water Dragon Sect’s side, only a small portion of mid Foundation Establishment cultivators had Talisman Treasures.
Most early Foundation Establishment cultivators didn’t have such things.
But now among the demonic cultivators fighting Liu Yuan, someone actually could afford to use a Talisman Treasure!
At that thought, Ji Yuan shouted loudly:
"Brother Liu, do not worry, a Martial Uncle from the sect is here!"
His voice boomed forth like rolling thunder.
But his body didn’t move an inch.