Urban Extraordinary Immortal Doctor
Chapter 1353: Yin Yang Soul-Snatching Array

Chapter 1353: Chapter 1353: Yin Yang Soul-Snatching Array

Zu Hanjiao stepped into the Stone Array and immediately sensed something amiss.

In the vast space of the Stone Array, apart from the towering stone pillars scattered around, it was bare and desolate. There was no trace of the Foundation Establishment Martial Artist remains that Fang Bai had mentioned.

At the very moment Zu Hanjiao entered the Stone Array, Fang Bai’s figure darted out from the exit on the other side of the array.

Soon after, the stone pillars within the array began rapidly shifting, blurring Zu Hanjiao’s vision. The surrounding scenery transformed drastically, as though she had been thrust into an endless ancient wasteland.

Black and white clouds churned above in chaotic swirls, forming a colossal Yin-Yang image in the sky. Thunder roared, obscuring the heavens and sun, and Zu Hanjiao stood beneath it, feeling an oppressive suffocation.

Winds howled like knives and arrows, raging around her. Ferocious Spirit Beasts prowled in the shadows, countless Martial Artists roared as they battled fiercely. Her surroundings were littered with skeletal remains and shattered corpses, and dense bloodstains seeped into the ground, painting an apocalyptic hellscape.

Even though Zu Hanjiao was once a Foundation Establishment expert, seeing such horrifying illusions made her heart involuntarily quiver.

"Miss Zu, this ’Yin Yang Soul-Snatching Array’ was prepared especially for you. I hope you enjoy it! Hahaha... hahaha..."

Fang Bai’s mocking laughter rang out abruptly from outside the Stone Array, filled with ridicule.

"Brother Fang, what are you doing?"

Smart and astute as she was, Zu Hanjiao immediately realized Fang Bai might have seen through her plans upon hearing his words. Her delicate fists clenched tightly, her eyes gleaming with icy light, as she silently ground her teeth in frustration.

Fang Bai sneered, "Miss Zu, I know your strength is formidable... Frankly speaking, I’ve no intention of provoking you, but I also don’t want you to trouble me. I know this Formation won’t hold you for long, but it will give us enough time to get far away. From now on, let’s simply go our separate ways and stop meddling in each other’s lives!"

A deafening rumble was Zu Hanjiao’s response; Fang Bai knew it was her attempting to brute-force her way out of the Formation.

"Miss Zu, take your time in there. I’ll be leaving now. Farewell!"

With a burst of hearty laughter, Fang Bai’s figure disappeared into the dense forest, heading toward Linghu Lake.

"Fang Bai, don’t let me catch you! Or I’ll flay you alive, rip out your sinews, and grind your bones to ashes!"

As Zu Hanjiao sensed Fang Bai’s aura growing fainter and finally vanishing, she realized he had already left. Infuriated, she let out an enraged shriek.

She closed her eyes, refusing to look at the dreadful illusions around her. With her graceful palms in motion, her delicate fists flew as she unleashed her full power to attack her surroundings.

Zu Hanjiao had some knowledge of Formations and knew they must have an Array Eye. If the Array Eye was destroyed, the Formation would collapse.

Under normal circumstances, Zu Hanjiao could expend some time slowly locating the Array Eye and eventually break the Formation.

But her current state of shame and fury left her consumed by anger and an eager desire to kill Fang Bai. In her haste, she attempted to smash through the Formation with brute force.

Little did she know that Fang Bai’s Formation grew stronger the more it was attacked. The more violently Zu Hanjiao struck, the more realistic the illusions manifested by the Formation became, further distorting her mind. If she continued, she might fall prey to inner demons, suffer deviation, and see her cultivation level plummet.

Fortunately, Zu Hanjiao was once a Foundation Establishment expert, and her mental resilience far exceeded that of ordinary Martial Artists. After venting her anger wildly for a time, she ceased her reckless attacks.

"What a crafty Fang Bai! Not only did he figure out my cultivation level surpasses his, but he also calmly set up this Formation to ensnare me here... However, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will find you and exact my vengeance for today!"

Zu Hanjiao swore bitterly before sitting cross-legged, clearing her mind of distractions. Once the illusions faded from her view, she began closely examining the ’Yin Yang Soul-Snatching Array’ and contemplating methods to break it.

Having trapped Zu Hanjiao in the ’Yin Yang Soul-Snatching Array,’ Fang Bai knew the Formation could only hold her for three days at most. Thus, after escaping, he didn’t dare waste even a moment and immediately flew toward Linghu Lake with all his might to rendezvous with Xia Chenyu and Li Chenzhou.

His figure streaked like lightning, sweeping through the forest and leaping over streams. Within a mere hundred breaths, he had arrived near the agreed rendezvous point with Xia Chenyu and Li Chenzhou.

"Hmm? This other aura feels rather familiar... Could it be Fat Taoist Wu De? Why is he here at Linghu Lake? Could it be for the rumored Spirit Lake Ruins?"

Near Xia Chenyu and Li Chenzhou, Fang Bai also sensed Wu De’s Martial Artist aura. Encountering an old friend in a foreign land, he felt both surprised and delighted.

Quickly accelerating his pace, Fang Bai appeared moments later within the sight of Xia Chenyu, Li Chenzhou, and Wu De.

"Fang Bai, we’ve finally waited long enough for you!"

"It’s good to see you safe!"

"Haha... Brother Fang, didn’t expect to meet me here, did you? How about that? Surprised or not? Excited or not?"

Xia Chenyu, Li Chenzhou, and Wu De showed joyful expressions as they stepped forward to greet Fang Bai upon his return.

Back when Wu De and others accompanied Fang Bai to Shenwu Continent to search for the Huaxia Sect, their ship was attacked by Madam Linghu. Fang Bai had drawn her away alone to ensure Wu De and the others’ safety, allowing them to land successfully and find the Huaxia Sect while Fang Bai’s whereabouts became unknown.

Meeting again at Linghu Lake, Fang Bai and Wu De were genuinely elated.

"It’s unexpected that most family and friends we knew in the mundane world ended up congregating at the Huaxia Sect!"

Listening to Wu De’s account of the Huaxia Sect, Fang Bai felt bittersweet emotions—comforted yet also regretful.

Regretful that among the women he knew in the worldly realm, only Dongfang Rushi and the Dragon Maiden remained missing.

Fortunately, Fang Bai shared a spiritual connection with these women, and if anything had happened to Dongfang Rushi or the Dragon Maiden, Fang Bai would feel a stabbing pain in his heart and sink into melancholy.

Since that feeling hadn’t arisen, it indicated Dongfang Rushi and the Dragon Maiden were still safe, which was some solace.

"Let’s go! Let’s return to the Huaxia Sect!"

Thinking about the family and friends from the mundane world at the Huaxia Sect, Fang Bai’s emotions surged, and he was eager to reunite with them.

"Hold on... hold on..."

Wu De hurriedly grabbed Fang Bai as he was about to leave and whispered, "It’s said that beneath Linghu Lake lies Martial Artist remains. Aren’t you curious?"

Fang Bai sensed the pure and abundant Essence Energy emanating from Linghu Lake, which indeed felt unusual. He couldn’t help but feel intrigued and asked Wu De, "How long have you been here? Did you discover anything?"

Rolling his eyes, Wu De retorted, "I arrived only moments before Brother Li and Sister Chenyu. How could I find anything? Think about it—if the Martial Artist remains beneath the lake were so easily found, what would be the point?"

Fang Bai nodded with a chuckle and said, "That’s true! The most valuable remnants are often the most concealed, making them hard to uncover. I’ve heard that the Martial Artist remains below Linghu Lake might have been left by a Foundation Establishment expert. Not sure if it’s true."

Wu De rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Whether true or not, we’ll know after exploring! Why don’t I go with you?"

Li Chenzhou and Xia Chenyu exchanged smiles, thinking that despite just emerging from the lake moments ago, this Fat Taoist still wouldn’t give up on treasure hunting.

"If you want to go, go ahead. I’ll stay here with Chenyu."

Seeing Fang Bai’s interest, Li Chenzhou waved his hand casually.

"Very well. Whether it takes one or two hours or three to five hours, we’ll return regardless of the outcome."

Leaving these words behind, Fang Bai and Wu De plunged into the lake in succession, heading toward its deepest heart.