The Sect Master of the Mount Tai Sword Sect, whose cultivation was reportedly remarkable, spent the better part of the morning seated in the main hall, sipping tea and reading.

Feng Zikang, lacking patience, simultaneously cultivated his inner focus and kept a constant, vigilant eye on Liu Yuansu.

Huo Zhongguang, however, grew restless. "Junior Brother, how long must we wait here?"

"No need to rush," Feng Zikang chuckled. "I suspect there is something decidedly peculiar about this Sect Master of Mount Tai."

He vaguely sensed an aura about Liu Yuansu that held a faint resonance with Huo Zhongguang's own. The possibility—nay, the near certainty—that this Sect Master had visited the Demonic Abode on Dragon's Tooth Island, or that the Mount Tai Sword Sect held some connection to that accursed place, grew stronger with every passing moment.

They were not in a hurry, but someone else certainly was.

A harsh clack of a bronze lock being undone echoed from outside, followed by a creak as the main door swung open, revealing Liu Yue striding in with an air of arrogance. It was a shame that the fresh scars on his face somewhat undercut his imposing presence.

"Hey! You boy! Our Sect Master demands you bring that monstrous beast to see him!"

Feng Zikang had spent most of the morning tracking Liu Yuansu. He knew full well that the Sect Master was entirely unaware of his presence and certainly wouldn't summon him now. It could only mean they had gathered their forces and were preparing to confront him.

Naturally, he remained unhurried, rising slowly and even offering a polite nod to Liu Yue. "Then I must trouble Daoist Friend Liu to lead the way."

Liu Yue scoffed, taking the lead. He escorted Feng Zikang through the rear courtyard, around a thicket of bamboo, past another courtyard, and finally out the back gate into a small wood.

Feigning hesitation, Feng Zikang paused. "Daoist Friend, is your Sect Master waiting in such a remote spot?"

Liu Yue stammered a couple of times, growing increasingly impatient. "Just follow me and stop asking so many questions!"

He, along with Wang Shang, had recruited a total of eighteen disciples from the Mount Tai Sword Sect, led by Senior Brothers Shen and Yun. They had promised a reward of fifty spirit stones to set up the renowned Eighteen Coiling Sword Formation of Mount Tai in the small woods behind the sect grounds, intending to secure a fatal blow in a single strike.

Liu Yue was used to wielding authority derived from the Sect Master; even his peers dared not cross him. Senior Brother Yun frequently acted as his zealous enforcer. Senior Brother Shen, whose cultivation ranked among the best of his generation in the sect, had already reached the late stage of Qi Induction, and under Wang Shang's entreaties and material temptations, had agreed to participate.

Now, these eighteen men lay hidden among the trees, watching with predatory intensity.

Feng Zikang merely glanced around and instantly grasped the situation, a cold smile playing on his lips. He remained silent, following Liu Yue into a clearing within the small woods.

This clearing was precisely the center point of the Eighteen Coiling Sword Formation. Even before it was sprung, an undeniable chill and palpable killing intent radiated from the space.

Liu Yue himself shivered involuntarily and quickly retreated several paces.

Feng Zikang, conversely, felt a strange exhilaration. The sharp, piercing sword intent gave him a momentary flash of insight, clearing his mind. He deliberately stood still, feigning confusion.

"Daoist Friend Liu, why have you stopped here?"

"Hmph. Enough—" Liu Yue’s face split into a cruelly cunning grin. "Because—"

He leaped backward with lightning speed, putting several Zhang between himself and Feng Zikang in an instant!

"Because you are about to die!"

Before his words had faded, blazing sword light erupted from all directions, surging towards Feng Zikang like a tidal wave!

The so-called Eighteen Coiling Sword Formation was a technique conceived by Daoist Qingmu long ago. Observing the rugged paths of Mount Tai, its sheer cliffs like cut blades, and the winding, serpentine ascent of the eighteen switchbacks that seemed to coil around the mountain like a dragon’s binding rope, he derived a principle: complexity and variation could overcome simple, massive force. He created a sword art and divine ability that, when wielded by eighteen people in concert, could recreate the oppressive power of the eighteen coils locking down the mountain!

The resulting sword light, resembling chains, tightly enveloped Feng Zikang.

Never mind that he was merely a humble rogue cultivator; even Mount Tai itself would be forced to bow under the might of this sweeping sword energy!

"Good!"

Feng Zikang secretly praised the technique. While the disciples of the Mount Tai Sword Sect lacked moral character, their sword art and formation were undeniably substantial. He himself meticulously cultivated the Star Radiance Great Annihilation Divine Power, and the deeper he delved into its mysteries, the more he sought to gain enlightenment by observing the sword techniques of others.

This particular lock-and-bind move of the Eighteen Coiling Sword Formation possessed infinite power, and the profound sword principles contained within it were like a refreshing elixir to him, bringing immense satisfaction. He remained rooted to the spot, only his iron sword vibrating slightly, carving a faint, golden arc around his body.

Clang!

A sound of clashing metal rang out. The eighteen swords, now intertwined, formed a tight ring, their lock seemingly unbreakable. Yet, Feng Zikang had vanished.

Liu Yue, who had been basking in anticipated victory, was startled by this inexplicable outcome. How could this supposed death blow have failed entirely? Where, where had the man gone?

As shock gripped him, a gentle clapping sound came from beside him.

"Magnificent! The might of this single lock as the Senior Brothers execute the formation rivals heaven and earth! The Mount Tai Sword Sect truly lives up to its name!"

The man stood there, the small, still-snoring fox calmly resting on his shoulder, a faint smile playing on his lips—who else but Feng Zikang?

This time, Liu Yue’s fright was profound; his soul nearly scattered. He realized he had blundered by provoking this man, that Feng Zikang had been feigning weakness. If such a fierce sword attack couldn't harm him, wouldn't he now come for their lives?

The more Liu Yue feared, the less he dared to look up, his demeanor utterly broken.

"Oh? Daoist Friend Liu, why are you sweating so profusely?"

Feng Zikang patted his shoulder, causing Liu Yue to jump, yet the tone of the voice was remarkably mild, devoid of any killing intent.

"You—you—"

Did he not feel the slightest tremor when the Eighteen Coiling Formation was unleashed? Why was he still so polite?

"Th-they..."

Liu Yue became incoherent, pointing a trembling finger at his eighteen Senior Brothers whose swords were still locked in a complex tangle, unable to retreat. He was rendered speechless.

"Senior Brother Liu, are you perhaps showing me an exhibition of your sect's sword techniques? This formation is truly formidable; I am immensely impressed!"

"Ex-exhibition?"

Liu Yue looked at the calm, smiling Feng Zikang, then at his Senior Brothers three or four Zhang away, their faces flushed crimson. For a moment, he was utterly stunned.

Logically, this rogue disciple should not have been able to escape the lock of the sword formation so effortlessly. Even if he were at the Foundation Establishment stage, it should have been impossible!

Could it be... that the formation had somehow misdirected its attack, and the targets were never truly Feng Zikang?

At this moment, the eighteen Mount Tai disciples finally managed to break their lock, emerging with grim expressions and saying nothing. The three leading figures were Wang Shang, another man clad in brocade robes who appeared the eldest, and a third wearing dark silk—who, in Feng Zikang's estimation, possessed the highest cultivation among them.

The trio had overheard the conversation between Liu Yue and Feng Zikang and exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to proceed.

The notion that the sword formation had locked onto the wrong target was utterly preposterous. Not only was Feng Zikang a living, breathing person, but even if it were a fly, once locked by the vital energy of the Eighteen Coiling Sword Formation, it could never deviate from its intended target.

Yet, if they were to admit that their full-force ambush had failed to scratch the ordinary-looking youth, they themselves found that conclusion unbelievable.

Wang Shang, thinking quickly, realized that since their maximum effort had failed to eliminate Feng Zikang, a second attempt might not succeed either. The priority now was to stabilize the situation gracefully.

"Oh my! Junior Brother Yue, why did you bring the young brother here? A few of us were just practicing our sword formation, and we have made a spectacle for our guest!"

"Ah, ah." Liu Yue snapped back to reality. Regardless of the true reason, the immediate necessity was to gloss over the event. "Yes, yes! I thought since Brother Feng is a rogue cultivator and perhaps lacks many fellow sect members, I took the liberty of bringing him to observe our Senior Brothers practicing the formation, to show the camaraderie of the Mount Tai Sword Sect! For the abruptness, I beg the Senior Brothers' forgiveness!"

The other Mount Tai disciples recovered from their shock and chorused stiffly, "No blame, no blame! We were practicing the formation and were hoping Junior Brother could offer some pointers!"

"Is this young brother a friend of Junior Brother Liu? Truly, a hero emerges from the young! Our Eighteen Coiling Formation has not been perfected; we must ask the young brother for guidance..."

Their original plan had been to execute Feng Zikang on the spot for eavesdropping. Since that had failed, they now resorted to a torrent of convenient lies and overly warm greetings.

"So, Daoist Brother Liu was merely playing a trick on me," Feng Zikang chuckled dryly. "He said he was bringing me to see your Sect Master, which made my heart anxious. I never expected such a spectacular sword formation; it is truly an honor to witness!"

The group erupted in forced laughter, engaging in superficial pleasantries and introductions. The man in brocade was indeed Senior Brother Yun, and the one in dark silk—the highest cultivator—was Senior Brother Shen. The rest were unremarkable, and Feng Zikang had no interest in memorizing their names.

Seeing that the day's agenda was clearly derailed and noticing the increasingly obvious flaws in his fellow disciples’ excuses, Liu Yue grew worried they would expose the lie. He quickly urged Feng Zikang to return.

"Brother Feng, you have met our Mount Tai brethren. However, the matter of you harboring a demonic beast still requires our Sect Master's judgment. Let us return, and I will see if the Sect Master has time to receive you?"

He found this excuse tiresome himself. After all, the Mount Tai Sword Sect was not the ultimate arbiter of the cultivation world; handling the matter of a harbored beast was their own sect's business. Previously, he believed Feng Zikang was an ignorant, low-level rogue cultivator whom he could easily deceive. But after the sword formation incident, even though the details remained hazy and he couldn't gauge Feng Zikang's true power, the man had acquired a cloak of profound mystery. Repeating the excuse now sounded strained and awkward.

Fortunately, Feng Zikang did not press the issue, agreeing with a nod and following Liu Yue back toward his temporary lodging.

Only when the two were far out of earshot did the eighteen Mount Tai disciples erupt in voices filled with disbelief.

"Senior Brother, what in the world happened? We clearly locked onto Hua Bu Zi!"

"Impossible! Could he be a hidden master?"

"Nonsense! There is no way this fellow has reached Foundation Establishment. Even a master at that stage, entering our Eighteen Coiling Formation, how could he simply vanish without a trace?"

"Did the lock truly target the wrong person?"

"Bullshit! I've practiced this formation for decades; there's never been a case of it locking onto the wrong target!"

Wang Shang frowned deeply, conferring in low tones with Senior Brothers Shen and Yun, yet they could find no satisfactory answer, unable to comprehend what had transpired in that single instant.

"Junior Brother Wang, what kind of person did Junior Brother Liu manage to provoke? I find this Feng something-or-other quite unsettling!"

Feng Zikang was long gone, but their murmurs reached his ears word for word. A faint, sarcastic smile touched his lips.