Assassination

As soon as Xu Yuan and Lou Ji entered the secret chamber, the motion-activated Inscription Lamp immediately lit up.

The central part of the Huizhou County City Protection Array formation is a cave about seventeen or eighteen zhang deep. It is rectangular in shape, with walls neatly repaired with special stone materials, and stone steps spiraling downwards at the edge.

By the light emitted by the Inscription Lamp, one could vaguely see the countless mysterious array patterns engraved on the bottom of the cave.

As they walked down the stone steps to the bottom, their footsteps echoed in the empty, desolate cave.

As he approached the bottom, Xu Yuan looked at the flickering array patterns and couldn't help but show a hint of admiration in his eyes.

The art of formations truly lives up to its reputation as a masterpiece of human ingenuity.

His Spirit Sight only glanced at it briefly, yet he sensed the immense power it contained.

"Sister, is the City Protection Array of Huizhou County really only of Grade A?"

Lou Ji's high-heeled Lotus Boots, adorning her voluptuous legs, clicked crisply on the ground as she approached the central hub. While channeling her Source Qi, she didn't answer, but instead asked:

"Is this the first time I've seen the central core of the City Protection Array?"

Xu Yuan watched as the surroundings gradually lit up, illuminating the entire cavern with thick array patterns:

"Previously, I mostly stayed in the military camp in Beifeng City and never went to the array's central hub."

"That's true."

Lou Ji murmured, multitasking as she checked the City Protection Array through the central control system while chuckling as she replied, "A mere county town is naturally classified as a Class D array. Class C arrays consume too many resources, and there are simply too many county-level cities. The imperial treasury cannot afford such a large expenditure."

As the art of formations has evolved to this day, countless sub-categories and branches have emerged, but they are generally divided into ten grades based on their strength and according to the Heavenly Stems sequence.

The six categories of Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, and Gui are the lowest. Ordinary people and wealthy merchants can have these engraved on their residences. Common examples include sound-avoiding formations and Spirit Locking Array.

Grades A, B, C, and D are the top four, used by the imperial court for military purposes. The City Protection Array of all levels of counties and prefectures within the Great Yan territory are all included in this category.

The defensive formations inscribed on Huizhou County, as an administrative unit at the county level, are classified as Grade D, the weakest of the weakest military-grade formations.

Even if it's weak, it's still a city's defensive formation, and its most basic requirement is that it can withstand powerful beings at the Mortal Shedding level.

This is the most important link in the system that the Great Yan Dynasty built to maintain stability throughout the world.

The City Protection Array began to be built bit by bit from the time the nation was founded, and today it covers all the cities in the entire territory of the Great Yan.

It can both prevent rebel attacks on the city and, to a certain extent, prevent high-level cultivators from causing trouble.

The experience of the ancients is...

However, when the time came, Xu Yuan felt that the ancients' experience was somewhat unreliable.

The ability of a Class D formation to defend against Mortal Shedding- level experts is purely theoretical.

Dealing with Mortal Shedding is indeed not difficult if the formation is intact and fully activated. However, if a powerhouse of that level really wants to cause trouble, who would be foolish enough to wait for you to fully activate the formation before making a move?

Moreover, maintaining the formation is also a problem.

Take now, for example.

Xu Yuan saw the look of disappointment and anger on his older sister's face.

With a possible assassination attempt looming, their purpose in coming to this small town in Huizhou County was actually quite simple.

First, the existence of the Heavenly Message Crystal can be concealed by the Communication Crystal of this city. If Feng Jiuxuan hadn't come here, it would have seemed rather strange for him to come directly to the rescue.

Secondly, they attempted to use the city's City Protection Array to defend against any potential assassination attempts.

However, judging from Lou Ji's current expression, their second objective has most likely failed.

Xu Yuan's tone was slightly serious:

"Is there a problem with the formation?"

"."

Lou Ji took a deep breath, turned her eyes back, and looked at him with a hint of helplessness:

"Changtian, if you hadn't killed those people, they would all be dead now."

Xu Yuan's heart sank slightly.

Well, it seems there really is a problem.

Moreover, judging from the heavy tone this woman used, the problems with the City Protection Array of Huizhou County must be quite significant.

Xu Yuan subconsciously thought of the Spirit Storage Pool.

The spirit storage pool is a supporting facility built for every City Protection Array. During peacetime, it continuously absorbs the Source Qi to gather artificial Spirit Liquid, and even artificial Source Crystal, storing them for wartime needs.

Officials in border cities mostly dared not touch this thing, after all, if a foreign race attacked, the Spirit Liquid Source Crystal stored in the spirit storage pool would be a lifeline.

However, in the peaceful areas of the Central Plains, this Spirit Storage Pool is a hotbed of corruption.

After all, a ruler might not see a war even after ruling for decades, while Spirit Liquid is a priceless treasure. Whether used for cultivation by oneself or one's family, or sold elsewhere, it's a good choice.

Thinking of this,

As Xu Yuan reached for his Sumeru Ring, he said, "If the Spirit Liquid in the storage pool is depleted, I still have a considerable amount of Source Crystal left in my Sumeru Ring, which should be enough to maintain this City Protection Array."

"The Spirit Liquid in the spirit storage pool is indeed running low, but that's not the problem."

Lou Ji interrupted Xu Yuan, pointing to the thick, glowing array patterns beneath her feet:

"The city's protective formation has a total of seventeen array hubs. All the Source Qi channels must pass through these hubs to reach all parts of the city. However, two of them are now completely unresponsive, and seven are in a semi-paralyzed state. Only eight hubs are functioning normally."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan, who had already learned some of the principles of the formation through his Fourth Sister, couldn't help but twitch his eye.

So this bastard is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Materials related to cultivation are all extremely valuable; given the City Protection Array of Huizhou County, it would cost at least several hundred thousand taels of silver.

Since there's no war and no need for the City Protection Array, it's better to just bribe the formation master to help lie, then use the money to bribe officials and superiors, and do some visible projects that benefit the people. I can even embezzle the rest of the money myself.

Win-win, oh no, win-win-win.

A world that benefits the country and its people, where no one will be harmed, has been achieved.

After figuring out the reason, Xu Yuan immediately asked:

"Shall we set off immediately and continue south?"

Nine of the seventeen array hubs are broken. Now, the entire City Protection Array of Huizhou County is like a sieve. Concentrating all the array's power into one point might pose a slight threat to the Mortal Shedding, but as long as the Mortal Shedding Realm experts patiently circle Huizhou County once or twice, it wouldn't be difficult for them to find dozens of weak points and break the array.

Staying inside, the City Protection Array offers no protection whatsoever.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yuan's eyes suddenly froze, and a strange look appeared in his eyes as he looked at Lou Ji.

He considered another possibility.

If they activate the grand formation here, and the people from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion dare to break it directly, that would be tantamount to rebellion.

In this era before the collapse of social order and morality, it would be unwise to place such a label on someone.

"No, we have to leave right now."

Lou Ji saw through Xu Yuan's thoughts at a glance and refused before he could speak, "Ordinary people cannot know my whereabouts, but Changtian, don't forget, that Holy Maiden knows very well that I am by your side."

"Tianyan shouldn't."

"Bang!"

Lou Ji's alluring phoenix eyes flashed with a smile as she raised her hand and flicked Xu Yuan's forehead.

Xu Yuan rubbed his forehead in pain.

Are you more awake now?

Lou Ji looked at him and asked with a light laugh:

"Sister, I'd also like to believe that girl won't, but right now we have to assume she will do it when formulating our countermeasures."

Xu Yuan remained silent.

Even with portable communication like the Heavenly Message Source Crystal, Feng Jiuxuan and Xu Changge's speed in getting from the Imperial Capital to here should not be as fast as those from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion.

If the other party dared to attack while Lou Ji was by his side, it would mean that there was someone in their group who could hold Lou Ji back.

As long as Lou Ji is held back, even if only Origin Beginning is left to deal with his Soul Condensation, it will be more than enough.

Lou Ji's voice was soft and melancholic:

"Changtian, I hope you will prioritize your life from now on. Don't think that being labeled a rebel is more important than the destruction of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion."

Xu Yuan nodded silently and asked:

"Since you're leaving, what about Li Yunqing and the others?"

"Their target is you. As long as I take you away, their safety is assured."

"No, Li Yunqing probably has some tricks up his sleeve. I think we can bring him along."

"." Lou Ji.

After a moment of silence, Lou Ji did not agree to the proposal:

"At my speed, I can get you away. If you're focused on escaping, those people probably won't be able to catch you."

Lou Ji had a high opinion of the Third Prince, but she was unwilling to gamble on any potential trump cards he might have.

Xu Yuan's eyes showed some regret upon hearing this.

Looks like I won't be able to scam that scoundrel this time.

Just as he was thinking this, Lou Ji suddenly asked telepathically:

"Changtian, is Luo Xiran really trustworthy?"

In this situation, she must eliminate all possible dangers.

"Believable."

Xu Yuan answered this question without hesitation.

With the original Strange Ghost now extinct, it's virtually impossible for Luo Xiran to replicate him to verify her life's work. Based on this alone, she won't watch him die.

"Good."

Lou Ji's voice was equally crisp and clear; after responding, she immediately said:

"Senior Luo, please protect Changtian's physical body. If a fight breaks out, I'm afraid I won't have time to protect Changtian."

The sound echoed in the empty, secret cavern.

After a moment of silence, Luo Xiran's gentle voice floated out from the Blood God Stone Pendant on Xu Yuan's chest:

"You don't need to remind me."

After saying that,

Just as Xu Yuan was wondering what was going on, a cool, silky sensation spread from the Blood God Stone Pendant on his chest, enveloping his entire body almost instantly.

Black Death Fungal Armor.

The familiar touch made Xu Yuan immediately realize that Luo Xiran was controlling the fungal carpet to form Fungal Armor around him.

However, Xu Yuan soon noticed the difference from before.

This cool sensation did not stop at the surface of his skin; it gradually penetrated into his body through various acupoints.

"This is."

"Your body is too weak, brat. If Chief Lou were to carry you at full speed, you would be seriously injured."

Alright, deep-sea acceleration fluid.

Xu Yuan understood and therefore offered no resistance.

As the fungal carpet continued to penetrate deeper into his body, Xu Yuan realized that perhaps because his body had undergone the transformation into Strange Ghost, he didn't feel much rejection towards the fungal carpet.

He even harbored a faint, instinctive intuition that he too could manipulate these fungal carpets.

The vast, secret underground chamber remained silent for a few breaths, then Luo Xiran's voice quietly rang out again:

"Alright."

Before he could finish speaking, a strong dragging sensation made Xu Yuan's vision blur.

When his vision returned, Xu Yuan realized that he had already come out of the secret room.

Above us stretched an endless expanse of azure sky, while below lay the bustling, vibrant Huizhou County.

Somewhat dazed, Xu Yuan glanced around and, realizing his location, silently tightened his embrace around his older sister's fair, swan-like neck.

It was another princess carry, but it's not the first time anyway.

and,

It's not shameful for Soul Condensation expert to be carried in a princess carry by a Half-Saint.

Back in the illusion, as a powerful being of the Origin Beginning, he had carried quite a few people in his arms, being the one carrying them.

After a brief pause in mid-air, Lou Ji instantly transformed into a streak of purple light and sped towards the horizon.

But this rapid movement lasted only a moment.

Xu Yuan's vision spun rapidly, then stopped abruptly. When he came to his senses, he realized that Lou Ji's figure had stopped at the edge of Huizhou County.

Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan felt no doubt and his heart sank immediately.

Lou Ji wouldn't stop for no reason.

And just as he thought,

In the next instant,

The bright sky suddenly darkened, and a dazzling ball of light, as bright as a star, shone from the top of a hill several miles away from Huizhou County!

In an instant, the ball of light transformed into a beam of light, tearing through the void and shooting towards Huizhou County.

And the trajectory it was traveling along was exactly where Lou Ji had just been rushing!

If Lou Ji hadn't suddenly stopped, she and Xu Yuan would have collided head-on with this long-planned beam of light.

The beam of light swept through the void, brushing past the two of them before shooting towards the distant horizon.

One breath

"Boom!!!!"

A fierce wind surged, and a loud bang echoed across the entire sky!

A moment of silence,

The earth-shaking tremors instantly triggered chaos in the county town below.

Discomprehending cries and terrified curses instantly filled every corner of Huizhou County.

Lou Ji, suspended in mid-air, made no movement, staring expressionlessly at the hilltop from which the beam of light was shooting.

There, a woman in a black dress wearing a mask slowly floated into the air, her long, slender legs appearing and disappearing as her dress fluttered.

Seeing this, Lou Ji pulled Xu Yuan off her and casually tossed him into the air.

"." Xu Yuan.

The emerald green pupils gradually tinged with a deep purple light, and a palpable killing intent began to linger around Lou Ji.

assassination

here we go.

Sunlight streamed down like a waterfall into the secluded alley and courtyard, landing on Li Yunqing and the alluring woman who were whispering sweet nothings to each other at the stone table.

The sudden, deafening roar startled Li Yunqing, who quickly pulled his hand out of the woman's open robe and looked up in the direction of the sound.

Upon seeing this, the alluring woman beneath him let out a soft, slightly panting moan:

"Your Highness, it seems those people have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunqing looked at the sky, then at the alluring woman beneath him, and smacked his lips:

"Tsk, almost done. It'll be ready soon."

Having said that, he prepared to continue their intimate encounter with his skilled hands. He quite liked what this woman had learned from that older brother, and he wanted to cherish her one last time.

"Thump!"

Before the thought could settle, a blur of motion crashed into the courtyard, collapsing a nearby pavilion and sending up a cloud of smoke.

Xu Yuan rubbed his head as he got up from the crater. Thanks to the protection of the Fungal Armor, he was not injured, but the rapid fall still made him a little dizzy.

However, he kept recalling the beam of light-like magic he had just seen, and the woman in the black dress.

The woman gave him a sense of familiarity.

Thinking about it,

He stood up and looked around.

Then,

"." Li Yunqing.

"." Xu Yuan.