The Array Flag Seal, Meng Jiangchu Appears!

Yet Li Guanqi did not know that the greatest clash between the two pavilions was unfolding right then! The moment Li Guanqi left, Tu Kui noticed that the faint dot of light belonging to Li Guanqi on the sect jade slip had disappeared. With utmost caution and stealth, he drew out a jade slip and transmitted the news. Buzz! Spatial ripples blended silently into the void. Boom! Four crimson array flags, each about ten feet tall, suddenly manifested in the void around the Great Xia Sword Sect! Swish! Several streaks of sword light exploded across the sky—signals released by patrolling disciples to warn of danger. Wu Bing and the others shot into the air in an instant, only to find the four array flags abruptly igniting in roaring flames, forming a terrifying barrier that spanned a thirty-li radius! The array curtain descended, crimson flames crashing down like a thunderous waterfall! The thin curtain of fire slammed down like a guillotine blade! In an instant, the square barrier severed mountains and rivers, leaving everyone staring up at the sky in shock! Sword in hand, Wu Bing charged upward, sweeping vast, surging sword qi across the void. Rumble! The sword light struck the fiery curtain, yet failed to stir even a single ripple... Wu Bing's face darkened instantly. Right now... the Great Xia Sword Sect was completely hollowed out! With Gong Ze and the others absent from the sect, he was already the strongest cultivator present. Crushing a jade slip, he discovered that spatial ripples could not travel out at all. The masters of the six peaks appeared one after another, their expressions exceedingly grim. Many tried to contact the outside world, only to find that messages could not be sent whatsoever. "It's no use, we can't reach the outside at all!" "What's more, this barrier has completely sealed the Guanyun Domain Boundary inside! With this, Xi Yunhuai and that woman named Yu won't be able to come out and help!" Indeed, the formidable power of the four array flags had actually sealed the entrance to the Guanyun Domain Boundary located within the Great Xia Sword Sect. Inside, Yu Hua and the others also underwent a dramatic change in expression, for she discovered that even she could not breach this power! Yu Hua attempted to circulate the Great Void Shadow Breath Concealment Divine Art and enter the void interlayer, her figure fading from sight... Swish! Hiss! Looking sullen, Yu Hua tumbled out of the void. A large portion of her shoulder was scorched, her fair skin blistered and burned. "This sealing barrier is no ordinary thing..." "Can you contact the Pavilion Master?" His face grim as death, Xi Yunhuai reached out to touch the flames emerging from the void and said chillingly, "These barrier array flags are definitely relics passed down from ancient times!" "Without the strength of the half-step Mahayana Realm, it's impossible to break through. It seals heaven and locks earth... Even the Guanyun Jade Pendant won't work!" Yu Hua knew Xi Yunhuai was an exceptionally formidable array master. Hearing him say this, she cursed in a low voice, "Tianji Pavilion... what ruthless methods!" "They want to use us to coerce the Pavilion Master!" Above Tianjian Peak in the Great Xia Sword Sect. Shen Lan narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings as she said in a cold voice, "If my senses are correct, the timing of these four array flags' appearance coincided exactly with Guanqi's departure, didn't it?" "The three disciples patrolling the outer perimeter have already been killed, but... isn't that a bit too coincidental?" At these words, everyone felt a chill in their hearts! None of them were fools; everyone understood what Shen Lan implied. Tu Kui felt a sudden jolt of alarm, but he feigned composure and kept his expression normal, looking around at the others with suspicion in his eyes just like everyone else. With no one speaking, he naturally was not going to stick his neck out. Wu Bing frowned and said gravely, "Surely that can't be. Everyone left in the sect now is an old hand." "Perhaps some other expert was secretly observing the sect's movements." The others nodded slightly as well; none suspected the old companions who had stood by them for hundreds of years. Shen Lan sneered and said in a heavy voice, "It cannot be a coincidence." "If it were a coincidence... the array flags wouldn't have appeared before the patrol disciples were killed!" "There is only one possibility: the enemy confirmed Guanqi was not in the sect without needing to go through the patrol disciples!" Hiss! Before her words finished echoing, sharp intakes of breath sounded from all around. Even Wu Bing caught on—Shen Lan's words made immense sense! As she spoke, Shen Lan's eyes inadvertently swept past Tu Kui. Ever since his recent emergence from seclusion, his strength had risen a little too quickly... Sensing Shen Lan's gaze, Tu Kui immediately said in displeasure, "Shen Lan, what's with the way you're looking at me?" Shen Lan sneered. "Nothing. I merely feel that Peak Master Tu gained quite a lot from this seclusion. For your strength to improve by so much?" Tu Kui said furiously, "Shen Lan! What do you mean by that?!" "You suspect me? Then investigate me! Bring out your proof!" Shen Lan turned around and sneered, "Getting anxious?" "Why react so defensively?" If she hadn't said that, it might have been fine, but Tu Kui was taken aback, suddenly realizing that several people around him were looking at him with strange expressions. Tu Kui's heart shook as he realized his reaction had indeed been excessive. In a deep voice, he said, "I apologize. Too much has happened recently, and I've become jumpy at shadows. Since you suspect me, I will submit to your inspection. Whatever you require, I will cooperate." These words visibly dispelled many people's misgivings. Wu Bing smoothed things over, saying, "All right, all right. Seniors, please don't argue. Let's think of a way to break through this seal first!" Winds howled through the void as a streak of lightning so fast it bordered on the absolute flickered and vanished within the emptiness. Li Guanqi slowed his pace, an amused smile touching the corners of his mouth. Soon, he received an unexpected transmission! Moreover, this transmission had come from a Great Xia Sword Sect disciple jade slip. "Li Guanqi, the lives of everyone in the Great Xia Sword Sect are now in my hands!" "Disband Guanyun Pavilion, and I will spare their lives!" Gu Yong's voice carried immense confidence, as if absolute victory had long been assured. An amused smile curved Li Guanqi's lips, and he murmured softly, "Heh, is that so?" "You certainly didn't take action personally, so who was sent instead?" "And... do you really think my father-in-law has already returned to the Meng clan?" Crack! Within the Meng clan domain, fine cracks suddenly spiderwebbed across Meng Jiangchu's body. Golden light burst forth, and his form abruptly shattered into pieces! At the exact same time! In the Pavilion Master's study within the Guanyun Domain Boundary, the clone formed by Li Guanqi smiled faintly, raising a hand to take out an array plate! Buzz! Dense plumes of dark green heavenly flame transformed into ferocious specters, roaring as they lunged out of the void! Boom! Boom! Boom! Deafening explosions erupted as the four array flags were suddenly ripped to shreds by four ferocious specters. Right after, a black-robed man crushed a scroll and shot backward in frantic retreat! A broad hand violently clamped down around his head, and boundless ghostly green flames condensed into dozens of steel spikes that savagely impaled his body! "Aaargh!" "Five Yang Ghost Emperor Meng Jiangchu! Why are you here?! Didn't you return to the Shenbao Domain after setting up the teleportation array?!"