CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 176: THE SNEAK ATTACK FORCES A RETREAT

A deep, resonant voice emerged from the roaring flames.

"Younger Brother Xie is not only accomplished in Artifact Refining and Body Refinement, but unexpectedly possesses such skills in Array formations as well."

The voice that flickered on the other side, accompanied by flashes of lightning, laughed. It was Cloud Celestial Thunder of the Yun Family, the Great Elder, known as Celestial Thunder Zhenren, who once lobbed a pearl at Shen Wang.

The firelight came from the high ranks of the Hundred Refining Sect, the Pavilion Master of the Body Refining Pavilion, Xie Weidong, known as the True King of Purgatory. His cultivation was at the mid-stage Golden Core level and, being a Body Refining Cultivator, his strength was even more formidable.

Phenomena formed from mana surrounded both of them, with thundering heavens or the True Fire of Purgatory in between their flames, filled with destructive power.

"Even if I’ve never eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run; people of the Hundred Refining Sect must learn a variety of skills to establish themselves within the sect."

Xie Weidong replied indifferently, "Everyone should spread out a bit; otherwise, the exhaustion will be too great. We might deplete most of our cultivation before even capturing anyone."

Cloud Celestial Thunder frowned, "Younger Brother Xie, can you not break the array?"

"The Dao Array is set according to the mountain’s terrain. To break it, we must first destroy the terrain, which is too vast here, and the mana consumption would be immense."

Xie Weidong explained, "If Tianlei is willing to do this grunt work, we can gradually destroy it inch by inch, obliterating the entire mountain, but it will take a considerable amount of time and effort."

Cloud Celestial Thunder pondered for a moment before saying, "Indeed, the consumption is too great. Let everyone spread out and investigate the situation cautiously. We are still unsure how many people are hiding within these ruins."

The numerous subordinates followed orders. After spreading out, the degree of change in the Power of Heaven and Earth nearby began to diminish, the pressure lowered, and they couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Tianlei, when will Profound Thunder Zhenren and the others arrive? We cannot delay too long. If that villain has many tricks or people, it would be unfavorable for us."

Xie Weidong asked with a hint of dissatisfaction. This time, it was not just about avenging his son; the Yun Family had lost more lives.

"Before we came in, I had already contacted him. His location is quite near, and he will arrive within half an hour."

Cloud Celestial Thunder assured.

"That’s good. Let’s first clarify the situation. That villain must be hiding deep within. When the time comes, we will capture him in one fell swoop."

Xie Weidong snorted coldly. This time, not only had two Golden Core level cultivators come, but they would also not give the villain any chance.

Having secretly drawn close, Shen Wang’s heart sank upon hearing this.

These guys are extraordinarily prepared.

I must deal with some first.

Watching as the people were forced to scatter because of the Dao Array, Shen Wang silently approached the nearest Foundation Establishment level cultivator.

This time, led by a Golden Core level, all subordinates were Foundation Establishment level. Quite a few Xie Family members were Body Refining Cultivators with thick skin.

Shen Wang prioritized attacking the Yun Family people; not only were they easier to kill, but his hatred for the Yun Family was also deeper.

It was early summer at that moment, not winter, so the Dao Array created unique weather phenomena with heavy rainstorms in small areas and mist enveloping large areas.

The torrential rain was bearable, but the occasional lightning strike was a significant threat. Even the smallest lightning could trouble a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and the Yun Family was no exception.

The thunder power consolidated by cultivators was still greatly inferior to Celestial Thunder, able to be resisted only at the Golden Core level or above.

Using the fog as cover, Shen Wang concealed his breath, hiding his cultivation with the Concealing Breath Technique, without the slightest fluctuation of Spiritual Power, as calm as still water.

As he approached someone, the Black Death Blade slashed through; the victim’s pupils contracted, having no time to dodge, was decapitated with a single cut.

Bang.

The headless corpse fell to the ground, blood mixed with mud flowing down the mountain.

Shen Wang grabbed the Storage Pouch and the victim’s weapon, disappearing into the downpour,

Crash.

Rumbling.

The rain poured, lightning flashed and thunder roared.

The comrade nearby was still warily watching for falling lightning, unaware that the companion barely a few zhang from him had already lost his head.

Cloud Celestial Thunder, leading the team, sensed slight disturbances. His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over and discovering someone lying on the ground, their head rolling down the mountain with the rain.

"There’s a sneak attack by a villain, be careful!"

Puff!

As his warning spread, in the dim light, another glint of cold light sliced through someone else, their head rolling away like a ball.

"Villain! Courting death!"

Cloud Celestial Thunder, not expecting two of his clansmen to be killed by a sneak attack even with him leading, immediately flew into a rage. His voice thundered as he shouted, and the Celestial Thunder Pearl already flew from his hand.

Shen Wang grinned, revealing his white, cold teeth in the dim rainy mist, without pursuing further, and quickly retreated.

The Celestial Thunder Pearl, as if guided, chased after with crackling sounds. Shen Wang’s eyes turned cold, and he swung his blade to counter.

Clang!

He was forced back by the Celestial Thunder Pearl, vanishing into the mists and rain.

The heavy and violent Celestial Thunder Pearl paused momentarily, the thunder power it unleashed blowing a massive crater in the ground.

With a splat, Cloud Celestial Thunder landed at the edge of the crater, filled with rage, scanning the place where the villain vanished, only to have lost the trace.

His Spiritual Sense pursued, but was disrupted by the chaotic Power of Heaven and Earth, only reaching within ten zhang from his body, unable to go further.

Rumble!

A burly figure landed beside him, the scorching and domineering crimson flames evaporating the nearby rain, preventing approach.

Xie Weidong’s gaze was sharp, the flames flickering: "How many were there?"

"One."

Cloud Celestial Thunder’s face was grim: "It seems to be the kid who escaped and injured my Yun Family members before."

Xie Weidong surveyed the situation, discovering two headless corpses and slightly astonished: "Quite skilled, to have killed two of the same level in such a short time."