"So by looking at it this way, doesn't it mean that Xing Chen's mastery in the array formation is countless times more formidable than Old Zhong, who's a low-level Earth-rank Array Master?"

At the thought of this possibility, everyone looked at the black-clad youth with a hint of fear. What kind of unparalleled demon has appeared from nowhere? Not only is his Meridian Qi combat power explosively strong, but his skills in array formation are equally terrifying. It's truly a situation of comparing oneself to others and feeling despair.

Sensing the various emotional glances from all directions, Old Zhong wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He originally thought that even if his Meridian Qi combat power was inferior, he could still crush the young man called Xing Chen in array formation. However, he didn't expect that before he could even make a move, he was already utterly defeated.

In fact, when Old Zhong saw Yun Xiao positioning the Four Symbols, he was already certain in his heart. His three days of effort seemed like a big joke. Such a strange arrangement of the array flags in the Four Symbols, wasn't something that he, a low-level Earth-rank Array Master, could figure out.

But by this point, Old Zhong had already accepted his fate. After all, he knew that with his array formation talent, he might never be able to catch up to the young man called Xing Chen in his lifetime, so there was no need to waste any more effort.

"Huh? The Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array is broken, what are you all waiting for? Are you embarrassed to go in first?"

Just when everyone's thoughts were surging, a slightly puzzled voice suddenly came from somewhere. Then, as they came to their senses, they saw a black-clad figure flash into the courtyard gate, reminding them of the purpose of their trip.

Truthfully, Yun Xiao felt a bit strange. Logically speaking, these people came to Thunder King Valley to scramble for treasures. Why would breaking the Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array make them suddenly become so courteous?

In fact, these people were all awed by Yun Xiao's speed in breaking the array to the point that they couldn't react for a moment. Now seeing that black-clad figure flash and disappear at the courtyard gate, they all rushed forward impatiently, almost bursting the gate open.

Some quick-thinking people directly climbed over the courtyard wall instead, avoiding squeezing through the gate with the crowd. When they entered and saw the situation inside the courtyard, a feverish gleam involuntarily rose on their faces.

"There are... so many Thunder Trees!"

Seeing a total of five large trees arranged in some formation within the courtyard and sensing the faint Thunder Power emanating from their trunks, everyone no longer had any doubts.

They knew that the formation process of Thunder Trees wasn't something only Yun Xiao knew. It's said that Thunder Trees only have a ten percent chance of forming in places where thunderstorms rage in deep mountains and great lakes for years.

Yet now, perhaps due to the earlier Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array outside, these five large trees, continuously struck by Thunder Power for countless years, had all grown into Thunder Trees. What a shock!

"That Thunder Tree in the center probably has reached the Earth Rank Advanced or even the Heavenly Rank Low Level, right?"

Especially when some people moved their gazes to the giant tree surrounded by the other four, the fervor in their eyes deepened, because they knew perhaps the Thunder Tree within that giant tree was the most precious treasure.

Swish, swish, swish!

Thinking of this possibility, several cultivators who had rushed into the courtyard instantly forgot that it was Yun Xiao's array-breaking that allowed them to enter. In the face of such treasures, many people lost their rationality.

"Hmm? Something's off?"

Even Old Zhong, the low-level Earth-rank Array Master on the side, felt a stir within him. However, when his peripheral vision caught sight of the black-clad youth remaining motionless, the right leg he had just lifted to step forward immediately retreated.

By this time, Old Zhong already regarded Yun Xiao in a new light. Especially when he saw the slight disdainful sneer on the lips of the black-clad youth after retracting his right leg, he realized it was best not to act rashly.

As for the few who had rushed ahead, they did not have Old Zhong's meticulous and thorough thinking. Their target was clearly the tallest and largest giant tree, knowing that the Thunder Tree inside was the most precious treasure.

Boom, crash! Boom, crash! Boom, crash! Boom, crash!

However, just when these people were less than ten feet away from the giant tree, from the trunks of the other four large trees, a silver lightning the size of an adult's arm shot out instantaneously.

The speed of these four bolts of silver lightning was extremely fast, intertwining like a web of lightning between the four large trees and the central giant tree. Even if the four people wanted to react and evade, there was utterly no way to avoid it.

Bang, bang, bang, bang...

The strange sound of numerous explosions echoed continuously. Then the crowd watched in horror as the eight cultivators who had rushed to seize the Thunder Tree in the giant tree were all blasted into ashes by the Thunder Power, no longer existing on this continent.

Among those eight people, there were even two strong individuals who had reached the Peak of Qi Seeking Realm. In this group, they were considered exceptional, yet they couldn't withstand a single strike from the Thunder Power.

The four bolts of lightning from the tree trunks had only fired four bolts, but just those four bolts left eight Qi Seeking Realm cultivators with no power to resist. Such power abruptly halted the feet of those watching.

"This... is another special formation?!"

One must admit that Elder Zhong, being a low-level Earth-rank array master, has a rather solid understanding of formations. After those eight cultivators were turned to ashes, he murmured in shock, providing an answer to everyone's confusion.

"Elder Zhong, is this formation easy to break?"

One person, who seemed to know Elder Zhong and was the first to ask him to break the formation earlier, turned around and asked with a face full of anticipation.

"I..."

Elder Zhong initially had some confidence, but as soon as he caught sight of a certain black-clad youth, his shaky confidence instantly vanished.

"Haha, with Xing here, I shouldn't show off in front of experts!"

For some unknown reason, Elder Zhong put away his pride at this moment and pointed to the black-clad youth with a lighthearted remark.

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to the black-clad youth, recalling his method of breaking the formation outside and their expressions became complicated.

"Actually, this is a Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array with a twist, a combination of the bizarre with the proper, double arrays interlinked, layer upon layer!"

Seeing everyone's gaze on him, Yun Xiao didn't keep them guessing and explained what he had already discovered. As soon as he spoke, everyone sensed the residual aura of the eight who were turned to ash and sighed.

Judging by the black-clad youth's demeanor, he clearly noticed that the five large trees in the courtyard were part of a formidable formation. Yet, those eight were too eager, attempting to seize the treasure before Yun Xiao could speak. This was truly a classic example of greed leading to demise.

"The bizarre within the proper, the proper within the bizarre!"

Elder Zhong murmured, seeming to digest the information in Yun Xiao's words, which was undoubtedly a learning opportunity for him as a low-level Earth-rank array master.

"So how do we break it?"

The person who spoke earlier looked expectant, thinking that since the black-clad youth could break the bizarre Four Symbols outside, he should also have a way to resolve the proper one inside, right?

Little did he know, as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed the black-clad youth shooting a rather peculiar gaze at him, leaving him puzzled. He subconsciously touched his face, wondering if there was dirt on it.

"Actually, I'm also quite interested in that Soul-shocking Wood!"

Seeing that the person hadn't caught on, Yun Xiao couldn't help but show a bit of a wry smile. These words made everyone suddenly realize and chuckle internally at their own foolish ideas.

These people present were potential competitors; didn't they see that the eight before tried to act first to grab the strongest tree's Thunder Wood?

Some had already figured this out, but they didn't say it aloud. They were hoping, incorrectly, that the black-clad youth hadn't realized this either and would be eager to showcase and break the formation for everyone.

But it was clear that this youth saw everything like a mirror, making the previous person's question seem foolish. After all, who would make such a silly move as to give up the treasure to others?

Though the black-clad youth was incredibly strong, even those at the Peak of Qi Seeking Realm were no match for him. But under the allure of certain treasures, if everyone ganged up on him, he might still find it hard to manage.

In such circumstances, expecting him to break the formation under everyone's watchful eyes would be akin to handing over the treasure. Understandably, everyone's gazes became strange.

"Actually, breaking this bizarre yet proper Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array isn't as difficult as you might think!"

Yun Xiao surveyed the group, then remarked pointedly, "As long as you agree not to compete with me for the Thunder Wood in the largest tree, this proper Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array can be broken in a snap!"

Having lived two lifetimes, Yun Xiao was not like those green novices. He knew this was a layered Linked Thunder Array from the beginning, which is why he didn't hesitate much to break the bizarre Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array outside.

But breaking the proper Four Symbols Locking Thunder Array within would mean there's no danger left for the other cultivators. Yun Xiao wasn't afraid of trouble but didn't seek needless complications either. Since the solution was simple, why not ease the matter?

With these words, the courtyard fell silent. Many cultivators exchanged glances, unsure of what to do, but one among them quickly made a decision.