The prior need to establish this formation had consumed his attention, and only now, with the array nearing completion, did Zhang Yang finally manage to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Damn it!!” Di Wanfang roared. He refused to accept defeat just like that, repeatedly raising his fan-shaped divine weapon to strike several times, but each attempt was futile, unable to breach the protective barrier around Zhang Yang.
This clearly indicated that the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation, established by Zhang Yang using the Tai Chi Staff, was now functional. Though it temporarily lacked offensive capability, its defense was absolutely airtight!
“Old Man!!”
Looking up and assessing the situation before him, Zhang Yang’s expression shifted drastically. Only then did he realize the Old Man was in utter disarray, heavily wounded and collapsed on the ground!
Zhang Yang felt a warm current surge in his throat, biting down hard on his teeth, sealing his lips to suppress the flow.
Immediately, Zhang Yang shifted the Tai Chi Staff in his hand a step forward, carving a deep gully into the earth.
Di Wanfang’s pupils dilated violently. He suddenly perceived that the world’s energy around Zhang Yang had become profoundly abnormal, as if all ambient energy was being controlled by these eight seemingly unremarkable staves, manifesting in endless variation outside Zhang Yang.
“Damnation!”
Li Jianyi and Zhou Gu, witnessing Di Wanfang’s failure, instantly understood that Zhang Yang had likely finished the fundamental structure of the formation. They could no longer concern themselves with Zhang Pinglu, swiftly flashing over to Zhang Yang’s position!
The two joined forces, gathering the surrounding heaven and earth energy, intending to strike with full power to break the formation while it was newly formed!
A pale white column of celestial energy condensed before the two Great Perfection masters. In an instant, it transformed into a blinding golden yellow, then morphed into a sword gleam, carrying the fierce assault of both men, rushing toward Zhang Yang!
“Go!”
Facing the incomparably sharp golden energy sword gleam, Zhang Yang uttered a soft call and pressed down on the Tai Chi Staff directly before him. The staff, about twenty centimeters long, slotted perfectly into the deep gully he had just carved, sinking into the earth!
This golden energy sword gleam, struck jointly by Li Jianyi and Zhou Gu, abruptly halted above the Tai Chi Staff in front of Zhang Yang. With a crisp shout from Zhang Yang, the golden energy sword gleam suddenly changed direction, striking Di Wanfang to the side instead!
Di Wanfang realized the golden energy sword gleam was heading for him, and in his haste, could only raise the fan-shaped weapon in his hand to defend!
Boom!!!
A tremendous explosion erupted. The moment the golden energy sword gleam collided with Di Wanfang’s fan-shaped divine weapon, Di Wanfang felt an overwhelming force transmitted through the weapon, instantly shattering his meridians!
Puff!
A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and Di Wanfang cried out in agony, sent flying backward.
With another heavy thud, Di Wanfang smashed straight onto the ground, instantly blasting out a massive crater.
Di Wanfang was already gravely injured; he could not possibly withstand the combined strike of these two Great Perfection masters. Crucially, even now, he couldn’t fathom how Zhang Yang had managed to deflect the attack onto him!
By forcibly employing the Demonic Sect’s Turtle Retreating Art, Di Wanfang managed to cling to a shred of life, lying there gasping in the giant pit.
“It really is the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation!!”
Li Jianyi and Zhou Gu’s expressions turned ashen, their faces filled with utter astonishment!
“Ah!!”
Hua Feitian, who was jointly holding off the greyish-white Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast with Zhang Hefeng, was distracted by Di Wanfang’s scream. The moment he turned his head to look at Zhang Yang, he failed to dodge a burst of poisonous mist spat by the greyish-white Three-Eyed Beast. With a sharp cry, he plummeted from the sky!
Zhang Hefeng urgently pushed away the greyish-white Three-Eyed Beast, instantly moving to catch Hua Feitian, then rapidly retreating far away to temporarily avoid the edge of the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast’s might.
Hua Feitian’s face turned livid. After being rescued by Zhang Hefeng, he immediately sat cross-legged, focusing all his energy on resisting the severe poison of the Three-Eyed Beast. However, the poison of the Three-Eyed Beast, chief among the Ten Great Poisons, was no ordinary affliction. Zhang Hefeng glanced at Hua Feitian and knew that the only path left for him was to fully combat the venom to avoid immediate death; effectively, Hua Feitian had completely lost his combat ability.
Li Jianyi and Zhou Gu exchanged glances, shocked that the situation had so abruptly taken a turn. Di Wanfang and Hua Feitian were now completely neutralized, incapable of fighting.
Of the five Great Perfection experts fighting together, two were lost in the blink of an eye. This drastic shift stunned Li Jianyi and the others.
The Zhang family of the Medical Saint could unleash such terrifying power under these circumstances—it was truly frightening.
The Tai Chi Staff, supplemented by the assistance of the spirit medicine—who knew what other means the Zhang family of the Medical Saint possessed? Their potential was utterly impossible to predict.
“Brother Zhang, Brother Li, we have no retreat path left. Zhang Yang must be slain here today!”
Zhou Gu shouted hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot. As the most zealous proponent for killing the two Great Perfection masters of the Medical Saint Zhang family, he could not bear to contemplate the vengeance the Zhang family would exact should they fail today.
“That is the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation, and besides Zhang Pinglu, that Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast is still fresh. We cannot possibly break Zhang Yang’s formation in a short time!”
Li Jianyi’s brow furrowed tightly. With the situation suddenly inverted, thoughts of retreat began to stir in his heart. Today, only Di Wanfang of the Demonic Sect was wholly committed to killing Zhang Yang; at least outwardly, Li Jianyi had not explicitly stated his goal to kill Zhang Yang. Should the Medical Saint Zhang family seek retribution later, his Li family would not be the first target.
“Zhang Yang appears weak; even with the Essence Blood Pill replenishing his inner strength, he cannot unleash the full power of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation in such a short span. Why don’t we first combine our strength to eliminate that greyish-white Three-Eyed Beast, and then jointly break the formation?”
Zhang Hefeng considered the situation briefly. Reluctant to abandon this opportunity, he offered his suggestion.
“No need. Since Zhang Yang is hunkered down in this formation, we can instead attack Zhang Pinglu and force him out!”
Zhou Gu was now singularly focused on obtaining the golden Three-Eyed Beast to refine his Gu beasts, so he would never pass up such a prime opportunity. He glanced at the heavily wounded Zhang Pinglu on the ground and immediately hatched a scheme!
“This…”
Li Jianyi and Zhang Hefeng exchanged a look, hesitating slightly.
“The situation is urgent, what are you hesitating for? Fine, if you won’t go, I will!”
Zhou Gu sensed the hesitation between Li Jianyi and Zhang Hefeng, then roared out, charging alone toward the heavily wounded Zhang Pinglu!
“Roar!!”
The Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast, noticing that Zhang Yang’s formation not only sheltered him but also the golden Three-Eyed Beast behind him, felt a surge of gratitude. Seeing Zhou Gu about to attack Zhang Pinglu, it acted without hesitation, stepping in front of Zhang Pinglu to intercept Zhou Gu!
Zhou Gu hadn't expected this Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast to be so tenacious; once it locked onto him, he had no chance to hold Zhang Pinglu hostage!
“What are you waiting for? Waiting for the Medical Saint Zhang family to come knocking on your door one by one for revenge in the future!”
Stuck in a stalemate with the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast, Zhou Gu shouted at Li Jianyi and Zhang Hefeng, his stance now one of complete desperation, determined to slay Zhang Yang here.
“Despicable!”
Zhang Pinglu rolled up his sleeves, wiping the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. He glared at Zhou Gu, who was deadlocked with the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast, and spat out an accusation. Then, he turned, snatched the Cold Spring Sword that had fallen nearby, held it against his own throat, and shouted loudly to Zhang Yang, “Yang Yang, you are forbidden to come out! If you step out, I will end my life right here!”
“Old Man!!!”
Zhang Yang roared, no longer able to suppress the warm current in his throat. He spat out a large mouthful of blood. The eight Tai Chi Staves he had placed trembled violently due to Zhang Yang’s emotional upheaval, and the protective barrier around him wavered correspondingly!
“Amitabha!”
At this moment, Master Shi Ming, who had been standing quietly on the sidelines, observing, could no longer remain passive. He called out a Dharma name and stepped forward, placing himself in front of Zhang Pinglu.
Master Shi Ming’s action caused Zhou Gu’s face to change abruptly. He hurriedly disengaged from the entanglement with the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast and jumped aside.
Li Jianyi looked at Shi Ming, his face darkening, and said loudly, “Shi Ming, weren’t you observing from the sidelines, not involving yourself in this matter?”
“Shi Ming, what are your intentions in intervening now!”
Zhang Hefeng stared at the suddenly involved Shi Ming. Shi Ming’s entry caused the current situation to shift again. If Shi Ming decided to help the Zhang family, they would become even harder to deal with!
“Amitabha, I respect the spirit of Benefactor Zhang and cannot bear to see him perish here. Therefore, today, this old monk intends to ensure Benefactor Zhang’s safety. I ask for your understanding.”
Shi Ming pressed his palms together, standing before Zhang Pinglu, and addressed Li Jianyi, Zhou Gu, and Zhang Hefeng. His meaning was clear: he intended to protect Zhang Pinglu’s safety.
“Shi Ming, aren’t you bringing shame upon Shaolin by intervening at this moment!”
Zhou Gu was so angry he nearly spat blood, trembling slightly as he looked at Master Shi Ming.
“Amitabha. It is understandable that all of you are here contending for natural treasures, but there is no need to threaten lives over it.” Shi Ming looked at Zhou Gu and smiled faintly, looking even more like the Maitreya Buddha statue in a temple than his usual benevolent self.
“If the circumstances were reversed, and Benefactor Zhou lay here facing mortal danger, this old monk would step forward in the same manner to guard Benefactor Zhou’s safety.”
Master Shi Ming continued, neither subservient nor arrogant, paying no mind to Zhou Gu’s accusation.
“Haha, you old ghosts, now you can’t use me to threaten my Yang Yang, can you!”
Zhang Pinglu let out a huge sigh of relief upon seeing Master Shi Ming emerge. He immediately lowered the Cold Spring Sword and laughed heartily at Zhou Gu, Li Jianyi, and Zhang Hefeng.
“Master Shi Ming, Zhang Yang will remember this kindness today!”
Zhang Yang looked toward Shi Ming and quickly offered his thanks. No matter what, with Master Shi Ming intervening, the Old Man’s life was secure.
“Roar!!!”
At this moment, the Great Perfection Three-Eyed Beast, almost forgotten by everyone, suddenly leaped into the air.