Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 193 - 186: Encirclement and Suppression Part 2

Chapter 193: Chapter 186: Encirclement and Suppression Part 2

One place was the side of the manor. The formation became visible, easily repelling the ice hail and the surrounding insects. Wisps of white smoke continually drifted from the edges of the formation, and any insect that touched the white light of the formation instantly vaporized, without any resistance.

The other two places were the border guardians Hu Nan and those three.

On Hu Nan’s side, they also set up a formation, but it was a kind that allowed for easy position shifting. Moreover, each of their individual members had high cultivation, almost the same as that of the Spirit Heart Villa, and at the very least, they were all at the Innate level, showing a deep accumulation of prowess. Luminous Spiritual Light Shields linked together, blocking any splashing fluid.

"Their formation is different from ours," Ouyang Fei said in a low voice. "That’s the cost-effective Feather Death Formation, where the people setting up the formation need to input inner qi while constantly moving positions to create an internal flow within the formation. The effect isn’t much different from our formation, it’s just that it’s much more exhausting for the individuals involved. The consumption of energy is much smaller though."

Lin Xin nodded, clearly able to discern the secrets of it as well.

Looking at the other side, the ragtag trio who, at the moment, were standing back-to-back in one spot, lacked any formation. With a single sword stroke, they spread out a spray of white light, which seemed to be a special kind of Sword Qi, composed of countless tiny needle-like Sword Qi, weaving a net of it just like a wool sweater.

This net of Sword Qi was incredibly sharp, not only tearing the insects to shreds but also directly blocking the exploding fluids, without a single miss, although it seemed to be quite energy-consuming.

In the territory, each group also formed their own formations, with spheres of white, yellow, green, and pale red light shining - similar to the defensive formations at the manor. Some repelled the insects, some froze them, and others outright prevented them from entering.

The formations used were mostly identifiable by the special marks of the Golden Jade Sect’s production. Only one or two families had their own designed formations, but they didn’t seem to be comprehensive or detailed.

Time slowly passed, and the sky grew darker, but the hail showed no signs of stopping.

These Suppressors could afford the consumption of a few pieces of Spirit Jade. Seeing that the day was drawing to a close, they began to set up tents within the formations to prepare for rest.

Xiao Yi, Huang Kun, and the other Suppressors simply joined forces, connecting together, and ordered their subordinates to build a large ice house with the accumulated snow powder around them.

A group of people entered. The space was illuminated with items such as Luminous Pearls, and some fetched wine and delicacies from their storage bags, heating them before feasting heartily.

Xiao Yi and Huang Kun were the most respected and had the highest cultivation among the group, thus they had the most say. Their toasts could be heard over and over again.

"It’s getting late, shall we also build an Ice House to rest?" Ouyang Fei suggested.

"Good," Lin Xin nodded.

The people of the manor also began to pile snow powder to build Ice Houses. The cultivators were extremely efficient in constructing Ice Houses, and in beneath half an hour, a series of Ice Houses appeared at the foot of the Snow Mountain.

The reach of the Fire Spirit Formation’s array covered hundreds of meters, ample for the thirty people to spread out evenly.

Before long, a series of standard-sized Ice Houses had been built, each shaped like an inverted bowl with a small door at the bottom and a small window on the side to let sunlight shine through.

The Ice Houses were very close to each other, almost touching. Among them was the largest one, a hemispherical dome about seven or eight meters wide, supported on the inside by ice columns.

This was the largest Ice House that Lin Luo had built for Lin Xin to rest in.

Once everything was ready, everyone inside the formation took out their fire-starting Array Plates, infused them with inner qi, and with a sizzle, the surfaces of the Array Plates instantly ignited into large clusters of yellow flames, lighting the surrounding branches and dead leaves.

From the storage bags, they took out cooking utensils such as pots, pans, ladles, and jars. Together with the high-grade food, vegetables, meats, along with various medicinal meals and snacks, as well as water fortified with spirit deer essence.

The amount spent by the thirty-plus people of the manor on this single meal alone amounted to several dozens of Jade Money, an expense that would require sect disciples to undertake several missions to earn. In terms of Talisman Paper, they would have over ten pieces. For average powerhouses, this was an epitome of extravagance.

These expenditures brought equally valuable returns.

The inner qi and physical strength that the manor’s experts had just consumed was almost instantly replenished, and their condition quickly returned to its peak.

Lin Xin stood at the entrance of the Ice House, and through the thin red film of the Fire Spirit Formation, he could see the two groups of border Suppressors outside constantly moving and fighting, splashing fluids as they went.

Insects and ice hail continued to fall incessantly from the sky, but they dared not stop to rest. Once stopped, the formation would break, and the consequences would be unpredictable. In such a situation, it was difficult enough to pause for a brief respite, let alone build an Ice House.

Hu Nan didn’t bother with idle chatter or asking others for help. Instead, he contracted his defensive formation and rotated people out for rest. His men didn’t show any envy for the Ice Houses and formations of those in the territory, being well-disciplined and battle-hardened.

The other trio were already sweating from their foreheads. They faced much greater pressure as insects continuously threw themselves at them from all sides. With no one to relieve them, even the hail constantly falling from above added to their burden.

Their nets of sword strokes were indeed dazzling, but this spectacle was sustained at the cost of vast amounts of cultivation spiritual energy.

Lin Luo glanced at Lin Xin who gave a slight nod.

Only then did he speak up loudly.

"If you three are willing, you may enter our formation to rest for a while," he offered.

The leader of the trio gave a slight shake of his head and then produced something that resembled a black fig. With a light throw, it landed on the ground.

Poof,

Suddenly, the fruit exploded into a black fog that enveloped the three of them. Insects continuously rushed in, but no trace or sound of them could be detected. The black fog slowly expanded to over ten meters in diameter before it stopped swelling.

"It seems they’re well-prepared too," Ouyang Fei said with a smile.

"Naturally." Lin Xin looked towards Hua Lin, who was resting and adjusting his breath underneath a glint of red light above him. The red light sprinkled down like red yarn, protecting the space around him.

"Brother Hua, if you don’t mind, please join me inside my formation for a respite. How about we enjoy some wine and have a good chat?"

He transmitted his voice over to him.

"Thank you for the invitation," Hua Lin nodded. Although he wasn’t afraid of the insects, being alone definitely wasn’t as comfortable as being treated to Lin Xin’s good wine and meat.

He flew into the formation according to Lin Xin’s guidance and joined Lin Xin, Ouyang Fei, and Lin Luo in the largest ice house. Only a few people remained outside to guard the formation while the rest took their rest inside the ice house.

Suppressors from the Territory were doing the same, creating a stark contrast between the ease on this side and the hardship of the border suppressors.

"Brother Lin, it’s been many years since we’ve seen each other. To think you’ve become famous within the Sect as a Formation Talisman expert, I’ve heard much about you," Hua Lin said, his demeanor cold but he knew the basic pleasantries to say.

"Brother Hua, the same goes for you. Barely twenty years have passed and you’ve already stepped into Foundation Establishment. Your base is solid, your Alchemy Dao hopeful. If you become a Daoist Master in the future, then ’the sky’s the limit’," Lin Xin said with a smile.

The group sat down, each pouring themselves wine and gathering around a campfire. On a rack above the fire roasted a large, fat, oil-dripping, red-hued beef leg that was golden and browned at the edges, wafting a tempting scent mixed with various charred spices.

Strangely, the beef leg was huge, almost half a meter wide and over a meter long, exceptionally robust.

"If the Alchemy Dao were so easy, it wouldn’t have wasted the time of so many Foundation Establishment elders," Hua Lin replied, seemingly not good at joking. However, even his solemn response sounded earnest.

Lin Xin, at a loss, could only slice the beef into several pieces, seasoned with specially-made soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and Sichuan pepper, and served it in multiple plates.

Lin Luo also helped himself unabashedly, picking up a plate of beef and started eating with chopsticks.

"Teacher’s skills are still as good as ever, after so many years I still remember when you gave us extra lessons as kids and then barbecued snacks for us as compensation," Lin Luo said.

Hua Lin silently took a plate while Ouyang Fei, feeling slightly awkward, tried to lighten the mood, "If that’s the case, doesn’t that also make Brother Hua the Villa Master’s swordsmanship instructor? Wouldn’t that make him Master Luo’s martial grandfather?"

Hua Lin was startled, thought for a moment, then earnestly replied, "If you insist on putting it that way, I suppose it’s not impossible. However, I didn’t really offer guidances of sentiment. With Brother Lin’s intelligence, he could have easily reached substantial heights just by casually practicing and exploring from the manuals."

Lin Xin understood then the kind of person he was dealing with; this fellow was simply straightforward, unversed in the subtleties of variation, one who speaks plainly and directly.

For a while, the group simply enjoyed eating meat and drinking wine, followed by desserts.

Hua Lin, his attention drawn by the noisy fighting outside, appeared somewhat distracted. He noticed the ingredients and drinks Lin Xin’s side was using were the finest, at great expense, and this sparked some thoughts in him.

"If Brother Lin has the spare capacity..."

"There’s no need for formalities, Brother. I’ve already extended an invitation, but since the other party is unwilling, there’s nothing I can do," Lin Xin replied, shaking his head.

Hua Lin pondered for a moment,

"Alright then."

The atmosphere immediately grew somewhat stifled again.

After the feast, Hua Lin found an excuse to meditate within the formation.

Lin Xin, Lin Luo, and Ouyang Fei sat in the ice house, slowly heating wine, faintly hearing the voices and laughter of the Manor’s experts from other ice houses.

"If the Villa Master were here, the rest wouldn’t dare to let loose like this," Ouyang Fei laughed.

"Am I that scary?" Lin Xin touched his chin.

"Very scary." Lin Luo rarely cracked a joke, as serious as Hua Lin was.

"It’s hard to imagine what it would be like for you and Brother Hua to drink together," Lin Xin laughed.

The few of them drank and chatted, warming themselves by the fire, while the three border guardians outside continued their relentless fighting. Their black fog lasted for half an hour before dissipating, after which they persisted in a bout of intense combat until they took out another black fruit and exploded it, once again shrouding them in restorative black fog.

On the other side, Hu Nan and his group were taking turns fighting, growing increasingly exhausted, while Xiao Yi and the others from the Territory would occasionally come out to mock them.

The two groups had little respect for each other, a rivalry that had been brewing for a while now.

At this moment, one side rested in peace while the other still sweated and fought fiercely, creating a stark contrast in their hearts and thoughts. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)