The three Venerables dispatched by the Three Great Holy Lands this time were all disciples of the Secluded Immortal Palace. The three exchanged glances, smiled with untroubled ease, their white robes billowing, and advanced simultaneously. Though facing an impending battle—[Book (Book (Net (Hand (Typing (Update)— their demeanor was remarkably languid, as if they were merely strolling in a garden, showing not the slightest concern for the fierce aura emanating from their adversaries before them.

One side bristled with drawn swords, the other remained placid as wind and clouds; one clad in snow-white, the other in ink-black. It was the sharpest contrast imaginable, the two parties standing opposed as if born natural enemies.

“In your opinion, which side has a higher probability of winning this initial engagement?” Qiao Ying knitted her willow brows. “This is a battle of life and death; defeat means annihilation... It is not easy for our Holy Lands to cultivate experts; it often takes over a century. The forces arrayed before us are the mainstays of the Heaven-Seizing War, yet due to one flawed decision by Mo Wudao, they are now locked in this needless decisive battle... It truly pains me.”

“The decisions of the Holy Lands are beyond our jurisdiction, no matter our lofty status. The policies of successive Palace Masters have largely been the same. In truth, this time Mo Wudao was simply too unlucky to encounter such an unparalleled prodigy.” Qu Wuhui spoke lightly. “However, this battle is already a guaranteed win.”

Cheng Yinshao nodded in agreement. “Although the three opponents possess a strong, decisive intent to kill, and their presence is formidable and saturated with murderous intent—an aura that, against ordinary foes, could shatter morale and invite surrender purely through its intense impact—this very murderous aura is precisely what prevents them from perfectly controlling and concealing their vital energy. Once engaged in a high-level confrontation, their killing intent will naturally betray their precise location…”

He smiled pleasantly and continued, “…You must understand, in a decisive battle, much of the engagement occurs at such rapid speeds that the naked eye cannot follow. Fights are often dictated by instinct and the sensing of qi. While their imposing aura seems terrifying, it exposes their fatal weakness. Conversely, our three combatants exhibit perfect composure; this situation has not afflicted them. This battle was won before it even began! There is no need for worry.”

At this moment, the three figures from the Three Great Holy Lands stood in formation, their energies surging, poised to strike.

“It seems they have also perceived the enemy's weakness and will undoubtedly seek to counter speed with greater speed from the start, completely disrupting the enemy’s rhythm. That is the most correct approach.” Qu Wuhui nodded with satisfaction. “Even if our side sustains some losses in this fight, they will not be severe. As for the three opponents, I can already announce their guaranteed doom!”

Cheng Yinshao concurred. A sense of ease settled over all three of them. Though it was only the first battle, it was a good omen; a strong beginning would surely boost morale!

Just then, the three members of the Remnant Heaven Soul Devourers abruptly altered their original positions. The central figure stepped two paces forward, the one on the left retreated two paces, and the one on the right shifted diagonally outward.

These simple adjustments in distance formed a strange triangular battle formation among the three. Yet, this formation was not the typical cone shape; there was a subtle sense of spacing within it. The man in front stood tall and straight, his imposing figure seeming capable of supporting the heavens. The one slightly behind stooped slightly, resembling a leopard ready to spring. The man on the right stood with an awkward, sideways stance, and the murderous aura surrounding him seemed inexplicably muted.

This was an exceptionally bizarre formation! Such an arrangement had never before appeared in this world.

“This formation is odd, truly strange…” Cheng Yinshao frowned, then smoothed his expression. “However, it might not significantly impact the overall battle dynamic.”

Qiao Ying and Qu Wuhui both nodded in agreement. The resolution of a conflict, especially among high-level experts, renders military formations useless. All reliance rests solely upon the cultivator’s inherent strength. No matter how ingenious the layout, in the lightning-fast exchanges between masters, any reliance on form is just a laughable affectation.

Jun Moxie and Mei Xueyan exchanged a knowing glance, looked dismissively at the three Guardians analyzing the formation, and chuckled, “Three idiots!” Mei Xueyan smiled sweetly, like a blooming spring flower.

Nothing in the world is absolute. Formations that previously held no sway over duels might hold sway now, and certainly might in the future! These Guardians had no idea that this incredibly strange triangular formation was the Heaven, Earth, and Man Triple Kill Array, which Jun Moxie had summoned from the Hongjun Scroll!

Once this array was deployed, the three members not only perfectly layered their strengths but achieved a unity of mind and spirit where separation ceased to exist. The combat strength of any single individual was equivalent to the sum of the three! In essence, after their powers stacked, and executing coordinated attacks, their power level increased by a factor of nine! This was far more than a mere conventional military formation!

“Please—” Two low invitations echoed, and the six figures suddenly clashed in a whirlwind of motion. The battle immediately devolved into a deadlock! In a fight for life, everyone unleashed their killing moves without reservation!

White shadows flashed as the three Venerables of the Holy Lands attacked in concert, each launching at least a dozen strikes in an instant before closing the distance, engaging in an even more perilous close-quarters brawl! The three black-clad figures, however, made no immediate move to engage. Instead, they began a dizzying rotation through confusing positions, spinning like windmills. Crucially, the final landing spot for the three remained constant; they were simply swapping roles.

Bang-bang-bang sounds erupted continuously, and the center of the arena suddenly became shrouded in swirling dust!

The Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nethers’ eyes flickered, and he muttered to himself, “This formation… it’s strange… quite interesting…”

Within the dust cloud, the three burly men in black continuously rotated, darting in and out. No matter how they shifted, their landing spots seemed predetermined, never straying far from their initial standing positions. Attacks from the three Venerables of the Holy Lands were often met head-on by the leading figure, while the other two took that moment to launch ferocious joint attacks on another!

As the three dark figures spun, it was as if they were weaving an invisible, dense net around each other. This intangible net perfectly fused their energies and distributed them flawlessly among the three combatants, gradually amplifying their power with every exchange.

In the mere instant after the battle began, the situation had already swung from the Holy Land Venerables holding a decisive advantage to a dead heat, and then, as time progressed, they even showed signs of being gradually forced onto the defensive! The situation was growing increasingly grim!

“Not good!” Cheng Yinshao’s gaze sharpened, and he blurted out, “What is happening? How has this battle turned into this? Could that bizarre formation of theirs truly possess such profound mystery?”

“Strange occurrences happen every year, but this year is especially strange. A battle that was assuredly won has devolved into this state? Truly worthy of the strongest power on the Xuanxuan Continent; they certainly possess abilities beyond the ordinary!” A certain sinister voice sneered mockingly with a perverse tone. Cheng Yinshao turned to look, though he didn't need to; anyone present who could speak with that voice, in that manner, with such blatant ridicule, could only be the Fourteenth Young Master of Nine Nethers.

Upon looking, he indeed saw the Fourteenth Young Master silently arrive within a few feet of him, intently watching the fierce combat in the field. At such close quarters, for experts above the Saint Emperor level, distance was almost nonexistent. If Cheng Yinshao and the other two had launched a lethal sneak attack, even the Fourteenth Young Master would have taken a heavy blow. Yet, he dared to approach so closely; this composure was beyond mere skill or bravery.

Jun Moxie inwardly fumed: Hmph, bravery my foot. The man is simply insufferably arrogant, not sparing the three major experts even a glance, perhaps even hoping they’d attack. This young master doesn't possess that level of strength yet. If I did, I could be even more arrogant… yes, more skilled and bolder!

Cheng Yinshao seemed utterly unconcerned by the taunts, continuing to observe the field with a frown. “Whether looking at individual capability, overall combat power, or mutual coordination, the three Venerables sent by the Holy Lands have performed admirably, far surpassing their opponents. Even if we were to fight ourselves, putting personal strength aside, we might not fare better! But… with such perfectly synchronized teamwork, how could they be driven back like this?” “This is inexplicable! It makes no sense!”

“The Heavenly Saint Palace seems to be regressing further and further; it is truly pitiful. It is lamentable that the Guardians, reputed to be far stronger than the Saint Emperor level, exhibit such poor foresight. It seems the decline of the Heavenly Saint Palace is imminent!” The Fourteenth Young Master clasped his hands behind his back and continued his venomous mockery.

“So far, the only thing this old man has discerned is that the positioning of those three seems quite peculiar. As for anything else, I truly haven't grasped it. Brother Fourteen possesses discerning sight; I humbly ask for your guidance.” Qu Wuhui showed no anger, but rather sought counsel with humility. Such open-mindedness was the bearing of a true master.

“The fate of the three from the Holy Land is sealed; they are destined for utter ruin!” A dark light flashed in the Fourteenth Young Master’s eyes. He stated lightly, “Did I err when I said your judgment was insufficient? You only spotted that something was strange but failed to discern what the strangeness actually was.”

“If you observe closely, every offensive move made by the three men in black is unpredictable; this is the main factor obscuring your view. Although the battle array they operate is fixed, their movements are erratic, yet their inherent strength is far inferior to ours. Even their miraculous footwork cannot escape our eyes. If time permits, traces will surely emerge. It is through this method that I have managed to glimpse the profound secret of their array…”

“What secret?” -shushuw.com Member Typing-