Eternal Swordmaster
Chapter 195 - 188 - Journey Part 2

Chapter 195: 188 Chapter Journey Part 2

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Elsewhere, near Lin Xin at the outskirts of the Fire Spirit Formation, any approaching ghost wolves were instantly incinerated into black smoke by the searing heat of the formation, which surprisingly also possessed an evil-repelling force.

On another front, the two teams of the Border Suppressors seemed much more relaxed. Compared to the previous insects, these ghost wolves, despite their agility and speed, were easier to handle as there was no need to guard against indiscriminate exploding fluids.

They all seemed more than capable; each ghost wolf was only about as challenging as an average internal martial arts expert. As long as they were cautious, they could easily stab them to death. As for their sharp fangs and toxin-filled resentment, to them, it was all run of the mill—the frontier had no shortage of such creatures.

Time gradually passed, and slowly, more than an hour had gone by.

The expressions of Huang Kun and others changed; their Spirit Jade was nearly depleted. Once the Spirit Jade was gone, the formation barrier wouldn’t hold for much longer.

At this moment, their Resentment Talismans were also almost used up. Some began to use magic artifacts with demon-expelling powers to attack, but to little effect.

Looking at the situation at Spirit Heart Villa, the counterattacking prowess of the Fire Spirit Formation made most ghost wolves avoid it, opting to attack other formations instead. Consequently, the ghost wolves near the Fire Spirit Formation were few, making it exceptionally easy.

"Villa Master Lin, we are nearly unable to hold on. Could we possibly enter the formation for a bit of respite?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Xin pondered for a moment.

"Tell them the method to enter the formation, let them approach and enter one by one."

Lin Luo nodded and began instructing his subordinates to transmit the method of entering the formation to the others.

Soon, the struggling Huang Kun and his subordinates started approaching Lin Xin, and seeing this, other teams from the interior also began moving in that direction.

One by one, the experts entered the formation, prompting an even more fierce assault from the surrounding ghost wolves.

Fortunately, the largest Ghost Wolf King had already vanished into the gray mist, obviously lured away by Hua Lin; otherwise, the people wouldn’t have been able to hold out for so long.

Huang Kun finally entered the formation and stood next to Lin Xin, somewhat awkwardly.

"Thank you, Villa Master, for your assistance. Otherwise, our losses would have been severe."

"Brother Huang, there’s no need for formalities. Since we are of the same sect, it is only right to aid each other," Lin Xin said with a smile. Just a few more people—though the ghost wolves attacked more fiercely—each hour cost one piece of Spirit Jade, something he did not regard as too great a consumption. With the Spirit Jade he carried, he could sustain it for days and nights.

"The Villa Master is most righteous..." Huang Kun hurriedly responded, their previous discomfort now turning into a plea.

Soon, Xiao Yi and the others also entered the formation. Inside the Fire Spirit Formation, hundreds of meters were crowded with most of the group, already becoming somewhat congested.

Hu Nan and the trio continued fighting outside, showing disdain for the seemingly evasive actions of the others.

"They are indeed nothing but pampered, afraid of death." The young lad behind Hu Nan spoke again, his words dripping with sarcasm and mockery.

"Such people from the inland territories, no matter how advanced their cultivation, are nothing more than lambs to the slaughter without their magical treasures. If your cultivation is on par with or slightly less than theirs, you can easily defeat them," Hu Nan said with a smile, effortlessly piercing a ghost wolf’s forehead with his sword, punctuating his movement with flickering sword lights, striking several wolves around him simultaneously, all pierced through the forehead and dissolving into black smoke.

No ghosts could approach within several meters around him.

The swordsmanship he employed was not flamboyant, nor did it waste any movements, exuding a sense of extreme precision, even sparing any excess energy.

It was succinct and efficient, his sword qi, unlike others’, did not spray outward but clung tightly to the surface of the blade.

The other disciples in yellow behind him followed the same succinct and efficient style, differing only in speed and strength, as if they were carved from the same mold.

"My father is right. I think we can form an alliance with those three by our side. If the people from the inland territories can band together, we needn’t ask for the unpleasant. Why not, we, the guardians of the border, combine our strengths," the young lad whispered.

Hu Nan glanced over at the other trio, his expression changing subtly.

He saw each of them fighting individually, not moving fast, but precisely enough to neatly dodge the attacks of the ghost wolves, as if they had practiced countless times with them. This precision in movement allowed them to easily move to the most advantageous position to deliver a fatal blow to a ghost wolf without much effort.

"It seems they don’t need us to join forces," he whispered, a glint in his eyes.

**********

On another side.

Having entered the formation and closely observed the situation at Spirit Heart Villa, Xiao Yi and Huang Kun were amazed; the consumption of the villa’s Array Plate was not evident, but they could see each high-ranking disciple was equipped with a Storage Bag—an item typically held only by leaders of other powers but was here possessed by everyone.

Spirit Heart Villa was wealthy to a degree that even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators might envy.

Several guardians, under the guise of inspecting the formation, walked a distance around it.

"Brother Huang, this formation’s power is impressive. Compared to our formation’s consumption, it surely uses more. After our entry, other ghost wolves will surely focus their attacks here," Xiao Yi said calmly with his hands behind his back.

"Indeed. Villa Master Lin is most noble; I certainly couldn’t make such a selfless gesture," Huang Kun murmured softly.

"There’s no need to thank him; Lin Xin is a deeply strategic man," Xiao Yi smiled. "I suspect his efforts at winning people over are aimed at competing for the leadership position in our large region."

"A leadership position? What use is there in winning that?" Huang Kun frowned.

"As the nominal leader, one can control the distribution of assignments. By doing so, he can ensure safer positions for his own people," Xiao Yi slowly shook his head. "There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Although we are from the same sect and have an obligation to help each other, each has long stood independently, akin to vassal princes— the consumption of Spirit Jade is certainly no small figure."

"What do you mean by that, Brother Xiao...?" asked Huang Kun, puzzled. After hearing this, he suddenly felt that something was amiss.

"An unprovoked contribution, I suspect Lin Xin definitely harbors an ulterior motive. Just be wary of him. If any signs show, we can also turn the tables on him!"

"Brother Xiao’s words are very true..." Huang Kun pondered and deeply agreed. "But how do we detect these signs?"

Xiao Yi stroked his chin’s beard. "Just little hints. We just need to watch his actions and be prepared; his scheming won’t stay hidden for long."

"What if we really discover his intentions?" Huang Kun asked further.

Xiao Yi thought of the disciples of Spirit Heart Villa, each having a storage bag, and instantly felt intense dissatisfaction. A hint of greed flickered in his eyes.

"If we discover it, then we’re already in the formation, with Lin Xin’s meager internal skills at the seventh level and our Foundation Establishment senior not present, who could they possibly withstand?"

"Brother Xiao is brilliant," Huang Kun suddenly realized and praised. "Thanks for the advice, but what if Villa Master Lin truly intends only to help us?"

"It’s unlikely. I’ve heard that the leadership position of the large area, once decided this time, may merge with the territories later. At that time, the large area will become the governing body, and the choice of leader would likely be based on the leader of this expedition. Hence, I believe his goal is very likely to win over people’s hearts to secure this position ahead of time," Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Looking at it that way, it does seem likely," Huang Kun frowned. He glanced at the other Guardians nearby, all of whom looked extraordinarily grateful towards Lin Xin, and he understood.

Xiao Yi himself had aspirations for the leadership position, otherwise, he wouldn’t have initially mingled freely with everyone. Seeing this scene, his heart burned even fiercer.

Still, he maintained his image in front of Huang Kun, putting on a facade of righteousness.

"Brother Huang, don’t worry. As long as we reap the benefits and throw out the troubles, keeping gains without losses, we can also make Lin Xin suffer a dumb loss,"

"Hahaha, Brother Xiao is truly a clever man; if I had met you earlier, we surely could have drunk three hundred cups at Fengbo Pavilion!" Huang Kun was amused. He had intended to get close because he knew of Xiao Yi’s profound cultivation, not expecting the other to treat him so courteously.

"I also have this intention. When we return, let’s set a date, and I will definitely come!" Xiao Yi laughed heartily and agreed.

While the two of them whispered, the rest were continuously examining everything inside the formation. The flowing red symbols and the grand umbrella of the Array Wall revealed to all the difficulty of the formation.

Among them, several experts in Formation Path, now seeing it were extremely impressed. The key Formation Talisman included was actually a combination of several formations’ essence, ultimately condensed. With such skill, one was nearly approaching the level of a Formation Talisman Master.

Meanwhile, Lin Xin stood at the edge of the formation wall, looking outward, slightly frowning.

"Teacher, how about I lead some men out for a charge? Just consuming like this isn’t a solution," Lin Luo said indifferently. He always maintained a calm and cold demeanor.

"No need, if it can be resolved with money, then it’s not an issue." Lin Xin unconsciously quoted a famous saying and, realizing it, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

"It’s just the beginning now. Brother Hua Lin has been gone so long without any action; in case of any incident, we also have sufficient reserves to respond. Your armor is ready."

"Of course."

"Have the other sets of armor ready too. Deploy them anytime as needed," Lin Xin thought for a moment, "Wait for the right moment and rest well."

"Understood," Lin Luo nodded, turned around, and went to find a place to rest.

Ouyang Fei frowned at the side.

"We haven’t even regrouped yet and have already faced two attacks; won’t it be even more fierce when we assemble?"

"No choice, the sect has ordered it, we must not defy," Lin Xin said lightly.

"What happens if we defy?"

"I don’t know, but those who defied either fell to demons or disappeared, their traces neither recorded nor rumored," Lin Xin shook his head, which is also why he was unwilling to rashly defy the sect’s orders.

How strong the constraints of the blood oath were, he did not know.

"From what I know, the sect mainly relies on the control of Sun Spring to restrain its members. Sun Spring is an essential resource needed after Foundation Establishment for cultivation, without which the cultivation may even decline. Regardless of demons or the Righteous Path, it’s the same. With such a foundation, what use is a blood oath anyway?"

Lin Xin didn’t answer. Ouyang Fei’s words he naturally knew too, but knowing was one thing—how strong the constraints of the blood oath were, perhaps he would have a chance to find out later.

While pondering, suddenly a figure darted from outside the formation—swift as a phantom—unnoticed by any spectral wolves.

As the figure approached, it revealed a familiar face, clad in black, holding a giant sword, with a perennial irreverent smirk at the corner of his mouth.

"Dongyue?!" He was stunned. How could Dongyue, who had disappeared, appear here?(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)