Chapter 600: Thirty six Sword Formation

"The sword artifact is connected with my blood essence," Maximilian explained to Bai Chengsheng. "It can only be used by me as long as I’m alive."

A faint smile formed on Bai Chengsheng’s face, hidden beneath his facial hair. "In that case, I must depend on you to break the outer array of the stronghold."

"M-me?" Maximilian raised an eyebrow as if Bai Chengsheng had said something completely ridiculous. "But I’m just at the Early Stage True Sage Realm. How can I possibly damage the array that even you, a Demi God, need a week to successfully break?"

Bai Chengsheng slowly moved his fingers through his beard, the smile on his wrinkled face now completely visible.

"If you pour your life essence into the attack, you will be able to destroy it," he declared, tapping Maximilian on the shoulder.

"Wh-what are you talking about, War Marshal Bai?" Maximilian murmured, his face turning pale. "If I do that, I will lose my life."

"You are only seventy-six years old," Bai Chengsheng scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "You can live for five hundred years with your current realm. As long as you break the array before even half of your life essence is consumed, you can regain your lifespan after another breakthrough."

He paused briefly before continuing in a coaxing tone, "Your contribution in this battle will be remembered in the history of Vyoman. I will personally make sure that you are hailed as one of the major heroes of the war against the beasts."

Seeing that Maximilian still had a reluctant look on his face, he continued, "I will take you in as my personal disciple and even make sure that you receive a spot for cultivation in the Lingtian Mountain."

The offer sounded too good to be true. If it were any other True Sage cultivator, they would already be kowtowing to Bai Chengsheng and calling him master.

However, Maximilian was already aware of all his schemes.

His lips bloomed into a wide smile as he declared with a deep bow, "I will give it my all, War Marshal Bai!"

"Good... very good," Bai Chengsheng laughed, repeatedly tapping Maximilian’s shoulder. "Follow me."

He dragged him along through the air with a mere sway of his hand as he reached closer to the wall of the stronghold.

Amidst the flight, Maximilian chuckled inwardly, ’This old fart keeps falling lower and lower. I gave him the chance to kill me on a silver platter by revealing that Vajra is connected with my blood essence, but instead of outright killing me, he is planning to consume everything out of me before getting rid of me. Once I destroy the array using my life essence, he will get both my sword and the Baihu Stronghold without even lifting a finger. Or that is what his puny brain is planning, at least.’

Vyomendra, who was standing at the head of the stone statue along with Vyaghra, narrowed his eyes at Bai Chengsheng, who arrived before the wall with a junior at merely the True Sage Realm.

"The human beside him is the commander of the fifth battalion," Vyaghra revealed, his tone calm. "He was the one who almost killed Chitra. But why has Bai Chengsheng brought him along?"

"Whatever that demon is planning, I will not let it happen," Vyomendra muttered, tightening his fists around him. "I will stop him even if I am consumed by the Soul Gnawing Gu."

"You mustn’t, Father," Vyaghra’s response came in an instant, a flicker of fear appearing on his face before he quickly returned to his usual cold demeanor. "The Tiger Clan cannot survive without a leader."

Vyomendra merely shook his head, his lips rising into a satisfied smile. It was the first time he had seen his son making such a clear expression. The fact that Vyaghra was worried about him made him truly happy.

Meanwhile, in the high air outside the barrier, Bai Chengsheng ordered Maximilian, "Break the array. I will protect you."

Maximilian almost felt tears welling in his eyes at such a caring nature from Bai Chengsheng. He gave a slight nod and began forming a series of hand signs.

From the sword beneath his feet, exactly thirty-six swords scattered out and flew high into the air.

They dissolved into a gigantic, vertical, circular formation, and numerous complex patterns began materialising above Maximilian. It was as large as the colossal wall of the Baihu Stronghold.

"C-cough-cough!" Blood splattered from Maximilian’s mouth before he could even fully invoke the array.

The array began blinking as if it were about to vanish due to insufficient power. He immediately formed another series of hand signs, rapidly increasing his Soulforce. Small cracks began appearing on his arms and cheeks.

The array surged with power again and completely materialised.

The battle momentarily stopped as all eyes shifted upward, towards the never-before-seen phenomenon.

"In-incredible..." Bai Chengsheng gasped, looking at the formation with parted lips, his emerald eyes sparkling from the reflection of the array. "Th-this is so profound," he murmured, unable to understand even the slightest pattern of the formation.

With heavy breaths and a barely audible voice, Maximilian whispered,

"Thirty-Six Swords Formation: Heavenly Judgement!"

From the formation, something sharp slowly emerged. As it moved further out, its true size and form were revealed.

It was a colossal sword, as wide as the diameter of the formation itself, slowly moving forward towards the Baihu Stronghold.

Each time it moved forward, it pierced through the air, sending bursts of wind outward in every direction.

Both humans and demi-beasts were left with gaping mouths, their limbs trembling at the sight above them.

"H-hahahaha!" Bai Chengsheng laughed out, his expression twisted into one of shock and delight. "It wasn’t an Epic Grade artifact. I-it’s a Divine Grade!" he announced with wide arms as he already considered the Vajra his own.

As the tip of the radiating white sword reached closer to the array, Vyomendra realised something. The barrier would not be able to withstand such an attack. And if that weapon were to fall into Bai Chengsheng’s hands, no one on the Western Continent would be able to stop him.

He had two options at that moment: retreat back to the inner wall of the stronghold and stay there like a sitting duck until another attack of such level or even higher was launched upon them. Or... face this attack head-on and destroy the artifact to remove any future trouble.

He took a deep breath, his fists tightening by his sides as he declared in a thundering voice, "Everyone! Retreat back to the inner wall!"

Heeding his command, all the beasts stationed at the wall abandoned their positions and rushed inward. Even the Greater Spirit Beasts clashing against the commanders outside the Stronghold retreated, heeding his command.

"Father, we should return as well," Vyaghra said, a hint of desperation mixed into his voice as the heavenly sword drew closer, just a few metres away from reaching the wall.

"Remember this, Vyaghra," Vyomendra murmured, his claws sharpening and his fangs jutting out as white fur sprouted on his body. He drew a pair of obsidian daggers from his storage pouch and placed them in Vyaghra’s hands. "You will become a great leader. I am and will always be proud of you." ℯℯ𝑙.

Vyaghra’s pupils shrank in horror.

"Father, you can’t do th—"

Before he could say anything further, Vyomendra struck the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

"Take him back to the inner wall," he ordered the Greater Spirit Beasts that had just returned from outside.

"B-but Clan Leader..." the beasts muttered, their eyes turning moist.

"Listen to the order of your Leader!" Vyomendra snapped with a deep growl.

"Y-yes, Clan Leader," the beasts reluctantly agreed. They grabbed Vyaghra’s unconscious body and retreated back to the inner wall of the stronghold.