One Table, One Man Hold Back a Hundred Elites; One Tea, One Formation Repel Sword Immortals

"Formation Eye One, Ao Sheng's avatar is in position."

"Formation Eye One, they're here! I saw Frostsky Weasel, Xu Xiaoshou, and another woman... She looks familiar. I'll check."

"Formation Eye One, they stopped above the cliff. I'm currently beneath Blackwater Ravine. Dao Hall Master, I request permission to engage. I'll go out and test them first!"

"Vermilion Bird Vein, Yu Zhiwen in position. Recall Ao Sheng. Xu Xiaoshou isn't someone you can fight alone."

"White Tiger Vein, Xi in position! Ao Sheng's avatar, wait where you are for reinforcements. Do not attempt to rely on your own strength..."

"Formation Eye One, I'm out! Frostsky Weasel can't kill me instantly. I have rock-element profundity. If I stall them for another round, the Red and White Robes' reinforcements will arrive."

"White Tiger Vein, Xi in position! Ao Sheng's avatar, please wait..."

"Bang!"

"What was that sound?"

"Hm? What happened? Was that an explosion?"

"White Tiger Vein, Xi in position. Everyone, remember to report your location before speaking, or it'll be too chaotic... Formation Eye One, report your location! Formation Eye One, report your location!"

"Bzzz..."

"White Tiger Vein, Xi in position. Ao Sheng's avatar, speak!"

"Bzzz..."

"White Tiger Vein, Xi in position. Ao Sheng, what happened? Speak!"

After those two demands, the Heaven Group combat communications channel fell silent.

Everyone waited for Ao Sheng's avatar, the one who had gone out to "test them," to speak. Yet now, even Ao Sheng himself had vanished without a sound.

Azure Dragon Vein, atop the Azure Dragon Golden Pagoda.

Ao Sheng, the newly appointed head of the Spirit Division, suddenly had his eyes bulge wildly as veins rose on his temples. Then blood burst from his seven orifices.

"Aah!!!"

Clutching his head, he let out a shrill howl from his throat. His body curled like