Mo Fenghuang, a fellow member of the Mohist school, keenly noticed the changes in the mechanical beast and the seal formation. As Mo Li’s soul was being guided towards the Mo Xuan Realm, he was gradually losing control over the mysterious automaton.
This was not the crucial point!
The critical issue was that, for some unknown reason, the "Great Array for Instructing the Virtuous" was also collapsing!
How could this be allowed!
Mo Li had risked his life precisely to control this sinister, mysterious automaton within the formation, but if the formation crumbled, all his efforts would be for naught!
"The Guiding Light of the Mo Xuan Realm is siphoning the essence of the formation!"
The spiritual light of the Mo Xuan Realm was meant only to receive Mo Li's soul, but beneath the local formation lay the very essence of the Mohist spirit, which the light naturally drew in as well. Who could have foreseen that this essence was the very key sustaining the formation's operation!
Mo Li’s eyes snapped open. Without hesitation, he shook his head, exhaled sharply, and managed to break free from the range of the guiding light.
"Li!"
He abandoned the chance to be received into the Mo Xuan Realm without a second thought!
The moment Mo Li left the sphere of the guiding light, the black-tinged luminescence dimmed immediately, vanishing without a trace. The celestial vision above also disappeared instantly.
The cave returned to its previous state, as if nothing had ever happened!
The mechanical beast let out an angry, mournful cry! Within its bone joints, it sounded as if air bubbles were bursting, and with sharp pangs, countless drops of black ichor sprayed out.
It writhed and contorted, appearing to be in unbearable pain. Mo Li’s severed head floated precariously amidst the giant beast’s thrashing. Yet, his expression showed no panic; he remained perfectly composed.
"Do... not... fear... As long as he cannot leave this formation... he cannot cause... any great disturbance!"
He mumbled with difficulty, his brow deeply furrowed, using all his strength to suppress the monstrous automaton!
"Li!" Mo Fenghuang wailed tragically. Ignoring the obstruction of the formation, she lunged forward, but Feng Zikang lightly tapped the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious.
Mo Li nodded to him in gratitude. The serpent-like, headless automaton thrashed violently within the formation, expanding its form to slam against the cavern ceiling and burrow into the earth below, roaring in fury. Shaken by its frenzied impacts, the stalactites on the ceiling began to break away, plummeting down with resounding crashes.
"Brother Zikang... take Fenghuang... go quickly... I can't hold on much..."
If this continued, even if the Great Mohist Array could hold, the cave itself might not last. If it collapsed, while Feng Zikang might not fear the crushing weight, having a whole mountain fall on him would certainly be troublesome.
"Then I'm leaving. This is up to you!"
There was no time for false sentimentality. Feng Zikang was not one to linger unnecessarily. He called out, made a swift decision, hoisted Mo Fenghuang up, and retreated rapidly.
Just then, an unexpected change occurred!
From within the formation, the mechanical beast suddenly gave a muffled groan, emitting a sound of grinding metal as its constituent bones violently scattered!
"Did it die?"
Surely, the automaton hadn't self-destructed out of sheer rage?
Feng Zikang quickly glanced back, only to see Mo Li’s head drifting aimlessly in the air. Below it, a golden-yellow core pulsed, expanding and contracting, radiating an intense glow.
"Zikang... hurry... it's going to..."
Without Mo Li needing to finish, Feng Zikang was already charging toward the cave entrance at his fastest speed.
"Boom!"
The instant he burst out of the cave mouth, a massive concussion erupted behind him, and a wave of searing hot air slammed into his back. Feng Zikang activated his Vajra Indestructible Divine Ability and didn't stop, sprinting onward, yet still feeling the force of the impact leave his back numb and his entire body severely shaken!
"The automaton self-detonated?"
Only after racing a hundred zhang away did Feng Zikang manage to land on his sword light and look back, sucking in a sharp breath.
The thirty-six interconnected peaks of Mangcang Mountain would have to be renamed.
For Wolf Fang Peak, the third summit of the thirty-six rings, was now flattened into open ground!
The power of that self-detonation was truly terrifying!
Mo Li’s fragmented remains were, naturally, vaporized. Feng Zikang’s face was grim, his heart filled with oppressive gloom. He glanced at Mo Fenghuang in his hands, casually tossing her onto the sword light, wishing he could find some cannon fodder to hack at, just to vent the rage boiling inside him.
That wish was easily fulfilled.
A rolling mass of black clouds surged across the horizon, accompanied by a sound like muffled thunder.
"Who dares cause trouble among the thirty-six interconnected peaks of Mangcang Mountain? Are you tired of living?"
A gigantic, indigo-blue Thunder Duke’s face materialized from the clouds. Its eyes glowed like burning coals, its cheeks were a murky blue, and a shock of white hair grew atop its head. When it spread its form, it stood nearly five zhang tall, covered in dark fur, clad in golden armor—it was a Great Silverback Ape. As it spoke, lightning flickered between its teeth, truly a majestic and imposing sight!
Just as Feng Zikang was stewing in frustration, seeing someone dare challenge him, he offered no reply, simply slashing out with his sword.
After all, what power could a mere demon from the thirty-six interconnected peaks possess?
The giant ape was startled, snatching up a convenient shovel to block the strike. However, the sword light sliced through it mercilessly, continuing downward toward its massive head. The ape hastily dodged sideways; its golden helmet was split open down the middle, leaving a bloody gash! Half of its proud shock of white hair was also sheared away!
This infuriated the ape, which shrieked and roared, "Who exactly are you? Do you know I am the Grand General patrolling the first nine peaks of the thirty-six interconnected ranges of Mangcang Mountain? If you injure me, you disrespect the venerable Old Lord White Bone Divine Monarch, so I warn you..."
"And so what?"
Feng Zikang appeared before it like a phantom. With a mere flick of his iron sword, the blade pierced the giant ape's throat.
Blood sprayed!
The giant ape, being a creature of extreme yang energy, possessed abundant vital blood. With its main artery pierced by the sword, crimson plasma gushed out, staining Feng Zikang’s battle armor with bloody splatters!
He paid it no mind; instead, he threw his head back and laughed maniacally. Bathed in the rain of blood, the gloom in his heart finally receded by a fraction.
The giant ape gargled in its throat, flailing uselessly in the clouds, unable to reach Feng Zikang's body. Feng Zikang watched its painful contortions coldly, utterly unmoved.
The ape’s blood dyed the ground beneath its feet a vivid red, still spouting forth incessantly.
"Truly detestable!"
An inexplicable wave of disgust surged through Feng Zikang. This resilient monster had stirred the violent intent in his chest. He brought his sword down with full force, cleanly severing the ape's head, which was the size of a boulder. It tumbled into the dust, dragging a bright, crimson ribbon of blood behind it.
The headless torso struggled for a moment before finally collapsing to the ground, motionless.
A radius of ten zhang was now soaked crimson!
Feng Zikang laughed wildly, his eyes filling with a bloodthirsty killing intent!
His pupils glowed scarlet!
"Kill! Kill kill!"
Feng Zikang, nearly lost in madness, failed to notice the ground slick with blood beginning to ripple strangely, as if something was trying to break through the soil!