Chapter 672 - 69: Shrewd and Calculating

Before Li Ji’an could finish his words, the mid-stage Core Formation True Man from the Gu Family immediately snorted coldly, "Courting death."

Boom~

Above his head, a Vajra Bracelet slowly ascended, buzzing and rotating, emanating the might of a Middle Three Grades Magical Artifact.

"A mere early-stage Core Formation True Man thinks himself important?" The Gu Family cultivator urged the Vajra Bracelet, suddenly smashing it towards Li Ji’an.

He was an elder of the Gu Family, leading the team here with the intention to achieve merit.

This Fifth Grade Magical Treasure was his greatest trump card.

This strike was not just about killing Li Ji’an; it was also intended to destroy the outer layer of the Core Formation Dao Field’s array after killing him.

"To die under such a treasure, you can consider it an honorable death."

A Fifth Grade Magical Treasure is extremely rare in the Three Domains, usually a standard for the Saint Child and elders of major forces like the Joyful Union Sect and the Corpse Puppet Sect, while for secondary-level forces like them, it is almost a Clan’s Treasure.

Li Ji’an faintly smiled, lightly tapping the Coiled Dragon Staff on the ground.

Boom~

A ring of emerald green ripples began to spread from beneath Li Ji’an’s feet, instantly colliding with the incoming Vajra Bracelet, causing a massive roar.

The Vajra Bracelet not only flew backward but its brilliance visibly dimmed.

"How is this possible?" The Gu Family cultivator was shocked, staring incredulously at Li Ji’an.

True Man Fengyin was instead brimming with admiration, his face full of reverence.

Li Ji’an said nothing, again lightly raising the Coiled Dragon Staff and pressing it to the ground.

Buzz~

The same greyish-green ripples swept towards the Gu Family cultivator.

"Pft~" With scarcely any resistance, the Gu Family cultivator spat a mouthful of blood, flying backward.

Li Ji’an, now in the mid-stage Golden Core, possessed magical power much stronger than an ordinary mid-stage True Pill True Man.

Moreover, the Coiled Dragon Staff was a Grade Four Magical Treasure, and it resonated with his magical power, able to unleash one-tenth of its power even in the early Golden Core stage, and now able to exert three-tenths of its power.

The opponent could only unleash one-tenth of the Fifth Grade Magical Treasure’s power.

"You... your magical treasure... please spare me, Senior..." The Gu Family cultivator fell far to the ground, face full of terror.

However, before he could finish speaking, a sword light from Jiuyou True Man, pursuing from behind, had already arrived, beheading him in his grievously wounded state.

"Changqing Talisman Master?" Jiuyou’s silhouette then arrived, looking at Li Ji’an with curiosity.

"Si, don’t be rude. Senior Changqing is here to protect Xiaojiu." True Man Fengyin urgently cautioned.

"Senior?" Jiuyou True Man’s pupils slightly constricted, contemplating his senior brother’s words.

Then, he was suddenly startled.

The Changqing Talisman Master was also an Ascendant!

"Junior greets the Senior." Jiuyou hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities." Li Ji’an nodded slightly.

With an Ascendant guarding outside the Core Formation Dao Field, everyone on Funiu Mountain breathed a sigh of relief.

Several clan elders and other disciples of Funiu Ascendant were all inwardly shocked while looking at Li Ji’an at this moment.

It turned out Changqing Talisman Master was not cold-hearted and indifferent.

It turns out he didn’t need Xiaojiu to help him obtain Demon Beast Blood at all.

Xiaojiu’s actions seemed to have a deliberate showiness.

...

Now that Li Ji’an’s identity as an Ascendant was exposed, everyone had a new interpretation of Xiaojiu’s actions.

You can’t blame Li Ji’an for being heartless; after all, as an Ascendant, many people would naturally want to draw close and curry favor.

And Xiaojiu, being Funiu Ascendant’s most cherished disciple, likely knew the details of the Changqing Talisman Master, deliberately getting close wouldn’t be a strange thing.

If this were truly the case, the Ascendant’s wrath would not be something Xiaojiu could withstand.

Moreover, the fact that Evergreen Ascendant could still come to support Xiaojiu in forming his core shows his deep affections and loyalty.

As time passed, more and more external forces were infiltrating the surroundings of the Core Formation Dao Field.

However, the highest cultivation among them was only mid-stage Core Formation, and none could take half a step beyond the array in the face of Li Ji’an wielding a Grade Four Magical Treasure.

The situation naturally was perceived by the four Ascendants, and one Cyan Ox, mutually constraining each other at the Grand Array.

Funiu Ascendant was not surprised by Li Ji’an’s strength, but was surprised that he would stand up to protect Xiaojiu.

This time, Xiaojiu’s Core Formation, having been planned for many years, considered many special situations, but they had not foreseen Li Ji’an taking action.

If known earlier, it could have been easier.

The three Ascendants outside the array were ashen in the face of this sight.

Having received insider information, they had contacted Shanyuan Ascendant early on, offering enough benefits to ensure his neutrality.

Thus, with the three Ascendants here, the task was to be completed smoothly.

The events indeed developed as planned.

Who could have expected that the Changqing Talisman Master was concealing his cultivation?

As such, all the schemes came to naught.

"To continue this way is futile!" The Ascendant hidden in the fog spoke bluntly.

Cold Jade Ascendant and Mountain Shifting Ascendant remained silent.

Even if the three of them could hold off Funiu Ascendant and the Cyan Ox.

The pillars of their team could forcefully break through the Grand Array and Funiu Mountain’s defenses.

Yet they could not withstand the might of an Ascendant.

"Mountain Shifting Taoist Friend, if not now, when will that pawn be used?" After a moment of silence, Cold Jade Ascendant bit her silver teeth and said to Mountain Shifting Ascendant.

Mountain Shifting Ascendant frowned slightly at these words.

"So be it, then that pawn is completely wasted!"

"A pawn should have the awareness of a pawn." Cold Jade Ascendant’s face became icy, and her tone was extremely cold.

Mountain Shifting Ascendant looked once more at the advancing legion and finally nodded.

He took out a soul contract jade talisman and issued a command.

Surrounding Xiaojiu’s Core Formation Dao Field, the core of Funiu Mountain nearly formed a circle, with Li Ji’an standing at the forefront to face the allied forces breaking through the Grand Array. A fly couldn’t possibly buzz in.