Ambush

Xu Yan had just been planning to strike first and kill Tuoba Kan.

Rather than waiting to be slaughtered, it was better to fight to the death. Those aristocratic family members turned on others faster than flipping a page, especially within this immortal treasury where life and death were disregarded and no rules existed.

Xu Yan did not believe for a second that once the people from Nine Star Kui Island arrived in full force, they would speak kindly to a rogue cultivator like him.

The sudden appearance of these three demon cultivators disrupted Xu Yan's plans.

He gripped his Green Pattern Sword tightly, his thoughts racing as he weighed his options.

Of the three demon cultivators, the leader belonged to the Heavenly Fox lineage of Taihang Mountain. The other two had strange horns atop their heads, surging blood energy, and formidable physical strength; they were of the Kui Ox clan from Big Horn Island.

Of course, they claimed to be descendants of the ancient great demon, the Kui Ox, but in truth, the Kui Ox bloodline within them was pitifully thin. This lineage had fled from an outer province tens of thousands of years ago and pledged allegiance to the Taiyuan Divine Sect, serving at their beck and call—they were, quite literally, "beasts of burden."

The three demons stared at Xu Yan and his group with fierce, predatory eyes.

The scene suddenly deadlocked. No one dared to be the first to step into the Ancient Teleportation Array, because activating the ancient array required time. If someone were to launch a sneak attack from behind while one was fully focused, it would be no different from seeking one's own death.

"We claim three spots for this teleportation array."

Tushan Jing's voice was crisp, carrying a hint of indisputable authority.

Coming from an ancient aristocratic family, he was full of confidence.

Tuoba Kan curled his lip, his tone calm and relaxed as he said, "Fellow Daoist from Taihang Mountain, there is no rush."

Tushan Jing cast a glance his way, his tone ringing with steel. "Do not think that just because you are a disciple of Nine Star Kui Island, I would not dare to kill you."

His cultivation was at the fifth level of the Pulse Opening stage, his physical strength was formidable, and his mana was vast. The two Kui Ox demons beside him were also at the fourth level of the Pulse Opening stage. Had he not been concerned about Tuoba Kan's background, he would have already made his move.

"Fellow Daoist has a big mouth." Tuoba Kan looked over with gloomy eyes and sneered, "If Miss Jiu Yuan were here, that would be one thing, but you, a mere collateral branch clansman, dare to spout such nonsense?"

"You are courting death!"

Hearing this, Tushan Jing's temper flared instantly.

The words "collateral branch clansman" were the ones he hated hearing most; it was as if his fate had been sealed the moment he was born.

The bloodline oppression within these demon clans was far more terrifying than among humans. If one was a collateral branch clansman, unless they possessed peerless talent, they were destined to serve the direct line for their entire lives.

Boom!

His eyes twitched, and he slammed his foot into the ground, creating a massive crater in the hillside. Dust and smoke billowed as he charged toward Tuoba Kan with incredible speed.

Tuoba Kan narrowed his eyes, refusing to engage in a magical duel. He stepped into an escape technique and retreated, instantly concealing his form.

Tushan Jing struck empty air and looked around with a livid expression.

At this moment, Xu Yan suddenly spoke up: "In the northeast corner, ten zhang away."

Tushan Jing reacted quickly upon hearing this. He waved his palm, and a giant hand formed of mana struck out. The massive mana whistled, causing the very air to shriek.

Bang!

Tuoba Kan was forced to reveal his true form in a panic. A loud explosion erupted as the mountain rocks there shattered. He barely dodged the blow, breaking into a cold sweat. He then glared at Xu Yan with a dark expression and shouted sharply, "Half-Immortal Xu, we are both human! Why help these monsters!"

"Who are you calling a monster!"

Tushan Jing was enraged. Gritting his teeth, he lunged forward, his sharp claws tearing through the sky with a terrifying, piercing aura.

Tuoba Kan concealed his form once more, his presence vanishing without a trace.

Xu Yan's mind stirred. He stepped into his Chaos Step and flashed away. The Green Pattern Sword in his palm left his hand, splitting into six blades. Carrying rolling, dark Primordial Chaos Mana and the sword's own gale-force aura, they struck toward the southeast.

This strike blanketed the area, brimming with power!

Tuoba Kan was forced to reveal himself, his eyes wide. He slammed his hand onto his Qiankun Bag.

An earthy-colored jade ruler was summoned. He swung it with all his might, instantly gathering a torrent of mana that formed a massive shield, blocking Xu Yan's six killing swords!

"Xu Yan, once the people from my Nine Star Kui Island arrive, you will surely die! Stop now and leave, and you might still have a chance at life!" Tuoba Kan gritted his teeth and shouted.

"Fellow Daoist should worry about yourself first."

Xu Yan said coldly. His divine sense stirred again, and he split off four more Green Pattern Swords!

After reaching the second level of the Pulse Opening stage, his divine sense had improved, and this was his current limit.

The sky was filled with the whistling of flying swords, their sharp aura making the air hum. The swords descended upon Tuoba Kan's mana shield like a violent storm, clanging incessantly.

At the same time, Tushan Jing had already arrived, his pupils blood-red.

The two Kui Ox demons also flew over but did not attack, merely sealing off Tuoba Kan's retreat.

Tuoba Kan glanced sideways, his hair standing on end.

He regretted provoking these demons earlier, but unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world.

Tushan Jing did not hold back. His bloodline power erupted, the veins on his arms bulging. With both blood energy and profound qi surging, he delivered a terrifying palm strike that shattered the shield instantly.

He then closed the distance immediately and grabbed Tuoba Kan by the throat.

"Wait!"

Tuoba Kan shouted in terror. The moment the words left his lips, his neck was snapped by Tushan Jing, and he breathed his last on the spot.

Tushan Jing took the opportunity to snatch his Qiankun Bag, then kicked him away like a dead dog. The body fell from the high altitude, smashing into a puddle of blood and mud.

"Overestimating yourself."

A ruthless look appeared in Tushan Jing's eyes as he spat out the insult.

On the other side, Yan Qihu and Yao Yu flew over and landed beside Xu Yan, their expressions fearful as they swallowed hard.

Having killed the man, Tushan Jing ignored Xu Yan and began walking toward the Ancient Teleportation Array.

"Three fellow Daoists, please wait."

Xu Yan said in a calm tone, calling Tushan Jing to a halt.

The hostility in Tushan Jing's eyes had not yet faded. He sized Xu Yan up and said coldly, "Don't think I don't know what you're planning. Using my hand to kill this man is nothing more than fear that Nine Star Kui Island would cause trouble for you."

"Fellow Daoist has misunderstood me; I was going to make a move regardless." Xu Yan shook his head and smiled. "However, this man had already used a Gold Whistle Talisman to notify Huangfu Ziyang. That young master of an aristocratic family is at the sixth level of the Pulse Opening stage and has a group of capable disciples under him. I estimate they will arrive soon. If we use this teleportation array to pursue you three afterward, the trouble will be significant."

Hearing this, Tushan Jing's expression changed slightly.

"I observed the landscape and the wind currents; the teleportation array here can transport at most thirteen people. Rather than letting those Nine Star Kui Island disciples occupy the spots, it would be better to let others go first."

Xu Yan had used his Spirit Eye to carefully examine the area earlier. There were thirteen secondary peaks surrounding the main peak, and he estimated it could teleport thirteen people at once.

If the six of them left first, it was unclear who would be left to take the remaining spots.

Tushan Jing took a deep breath, his brow furrowed.

He was silent for a few moments before asking, "How long until your people arrive?"

"Calculating the time, at most an hour."

Xu Yan and his group had not traveled at full speed, but had observed the landscape and wind currents along the way.

After arriving in this stone forest, they had taken many detours. Just confirming the exact location of the Ancient Teleportation Array had wasted a lot of time, so it had taken nearly half a day in total. However, if one knew the exact location, it would not take long to arrive.

"Three fellow Daoists, why don't we set an ambush here together? If the first to arrive are the people from Nine Star Kui Island, we will execute them on the spot to eliminate future trouble. How about it?"

Xu Yan proposed his plan.

Previously, the people from Nine Star Kui Island had posted notices all over the city, and their people had scattered to search for the teleportation array. Only that young master and a few subordinates remained in the city.

Xu Yan deduced that if he intended to arrive as soon as he received the news, he would not be bringing many men.

If he intended to wait for everyone to gather before coming, Fang Che and the others would be able to arrive here first.