First Immortal of the Sword

Chapter 1118 - Dumbass

The formation rumbled and boomed. Firelight dazzled the heavens, locking down and obscuring the entire Platform of Self-Severing.

The power emanating from the formation manifested as countless, dazzlingly bright, blood-red bolts of lightning. Their destructive power was shocking.

Moreover, the roaring of demonic gods rang out, and visions of shattering celestial bodies outlined an apocalyptic scene.

The Heaven-Slaughtering, World-Severing Formation!

This was the core, sect-protecting formation of the Demons’ Elysium. It was honored as one of the greatest killing formations in the Wilds, and it was enough to trap even Imperial Apex existences!

Now, when the formation circulated at full force, Su Yi found himself tapped atop the Platform of Self-Severing.

Boom!

Heaven and earth shook. Furious waves of lightning swept forth.

Blood-colored divine flame interwove, and it seemed intent on refining this entire stretch of heaven and earth until nothing remained.

“The power of this formation really is terrifying!” The Sixth Warden’s pupils constricted in obvious surprise.

“It really is impressive. I wouldn’t have guessed that we’d see a killing formation of this level in the long-ruined Dark and Gold Star Realm,” said one of the Executioners.

He, the other Executioners, and the Jailers were all stunned. Were they the ones trapped, there was no way they’d last long!

But before long, they discovered that something was amiss.

Su Yi was trapped in the formation, but although his predicament looked perilous, he avoided every potentially lethal strike just in the nick of time!

“Isn’t this guy a bit too strong?” Some of the Jailers gasped.

In their eyes, this formation was monstrously powerful, a cage reminiscent of purgatory itself. Were they trapped inside, they'd have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. It wouldn’t be long before they fell to its lethal attacks.

But Su Yi was displaying utterly unbelievable skill. He seemed to detect each lethal strike in advance, and he always remained just one step ahead!

And when he couldn’t dodge, he swung his sword and cut a path to life!

Watching him, it seemed as if he had precognition. It was like he could sense even the subtlest shifts of this unparalleled killing formation.

“Don’t forget that this is Su Xuanjun we’re dealing with. Not long ago, he single-handedly flattened Martial Heaven Peak, massacred the Abstruse Force Alliance, and intimidated the forces of the Studio of the Heart into retreating. Someone like him isn’t so easy to kill,” an Executioner said gravely.

Although he said this, he looked bewildered and uncertain, and he couldn’t calm down.

This was an unparalleled formation that could trap even an Imperial Apex cultivator, yet it couldn’t handle Su Xuanjun, who’d only recently reached the Profound Serenity Realm. Who wouldn’t have been surprised?

“Fellow Daoist Heavensdeath, might you explain why Su Xuanjun can perceive this formation’s secrets?” The Sixth Warden’s eyes suddenly flashed like lightning as he turned to face the Heavendeath Demon Empress. His boulder-like features contained a newfound chill.

The Heavensdeath Demon Empress’s expression shifted back and forth. Finally, she sighed. “I said it already. In his past life, Su Xuanjun once trespassed in the Demons’ Elysium. He was the only person to ever escape the Heaven-Slaughtering, World-Severing Formation alive. That incident led to uproar throughout the Wilds; everyone knew about it.”

She paused, then looked at the Sixth Warden and said coldly, “Besides, before we began this operation, I warned you that this formation could at most keep Su Xuanjun trapped. Talk of killing him with it would be no different from the ravings of a madman.”

The Sixth Warden promptly fell silent. He couldn’t argue; it was just as she said. She really had warned him about that earlier.

“Keeping him trapped is enough. As time passes, he’s sure to fritter away the power of his cultivation base until finally, he runs out of steam.” The Sixth Warden’s eyes flashed. “When that happens, capturing Su Xuanjun will be a snap!”

He’d only just said this when——

Boom!

The distant grand formation rumbled and boomed. A rain of light swept outward.

To everyone’s surprise, Su Yi was breaking through the layers of obstacles in his path as he attempted to break free.

Before the Sixth Warden could even say anything, the Heavensdeath Demon Empress’s expression shifted, and her voice boomed throughout the surrounding area. “Mo Yu, give it everything you’ve got. You can’t hold back any longer!”

“Got it!” Mo Yu and the other old monsters responsible for circulating the formation all voiced their ascent, and the formation’s power soared to new heights.

Within the formation, this influx of power impeded Su Yi’s attempts to break free. He had no choice but to retreat, and he soon found himself confined once more.

The experts of the Nine Heavens Pavilion inwardly sighed in relief.

“This formation really is quite strong. In the stars beyond the Wilds, this formation might not compare to World King-level killing formations, but it’s as strong as it gets beneath that level,” someone sighed.

“With Her Excellency Heavensdeath and the fellow Daoists of the Demons’ Elysium on our side, how could we possibly fail to take Su Xuanjun down?” another looked excited. As he spoke, he glanced appreciatively at the Heavensdeath Demon Empress.

Even the Sixth Warden’s expression had mellowed considerably. “Once we’ve achieved our aims, I’ll immediately undo the secret curse seal on the members of the Demons’ Elysium. Furthermore, I’ll give you the cultivation method for the Three Realms of the Path of Heaven’s Ascension, just as I promised, Fellow Daoist Heavensdeath.”

He paused, then stared intently at that face beautiful enough to dazzle everyone beneath the heavens. He said solemnly, Furthermore, when we return to the stars, so long as you’re willing, I can serve as your guide and help you continue your cultivation in the Nine Heavens Pavilion. I trust that with your talent and foundations, the three Heavenly Libationers will attach great importance to you. It might not be long before you too become a Warden!”

The Executioners and Jailers were immediately beside themselves with envy.

Becoming a Warden of the Nine Heavens Pavilion made someone a prominent figure even by the standards of the stars beyond!

But the Heavensdeath Demon Empress only whispered bleakly, “If possible, I just hope that in the end, you can leave Su Xuanjun a path to life.”

The Sixth Warden furrowed his brow, but in the end, he nodded. “So long as I get what I’m after, I can naturally agree to your request, Fellow Daoist.”

But it was then that yet another unexpected development arose within the formation.

One streak of sword qi after another swept through the air, condensing into a roughly ten-foot curtain of radiant sword qi atop the Platform of Self-Severing. No matter how the formation tried to destroy Su Yi, it couldn’t even shake the curtain of light.

Standing within it, Su Yi was like a coastal boulder; no matter how turbulent the waves, they couldn’t damage him in the slightest!

“This...” The experts of the Nine Heavens Pavilion were flabbergasted, and they found themselves at a loss for words.

“He.... He’s actually drawing on the power of the Nine Great Edicts contained within the Platform of Self-Severing. He’s used them to condense a barrier to block the Heaven-Slaughtering, World-Severing Formation’s explosive attacks.” The Heavensdeath Demon Empress’s starry eyes widened with disbelief.

The Sixth Warden’s brow furrowed. “Does that mean using the formation to fritter away his strength will no longer be possible?”

“Fellow Daoist, as you’re well aware, it was the progenitor of our sect who placed the Platform of Self-Severing. It contains the most ancient demonic glyphs of the Grand Dao. The power of the Heaven-Slaughtering, World-Severing Formation cannot possibly damage the platform, so it naturally cannot touch Su Xuanjun...” the Heavensdeath Demon Empress explained, her expression shifting.

The Sixth Warden snorted coldly, his eyes glinting like ice as he stared at her. “In that case, please take action personally. Enter the formation and subdue Su Xuanjun!”

The Heavensdeath Demon Empress stiffened, her starry eyes blazing with fury. “I cooperated with you to keep him trapped here. That has already been agony for me, but now you want me to kill him myself? You’re pushing me too far!”

The Sixth Warden said calmly, “Out of consideration for the lives of your sectmates, please do not refuse.”

His calm words contained a blatant threat!

The Heavensdeath Demon Empress’s face was ashen with fury. She gnashed her teeth so hard they almost shattered, and she looked frenzied.

The sight of her mad fury left the Nine Heavens Pavilion experts’ hearts quivering.

When she spoke, she enunciated each and every syllable. “If you push me too far, I can disregard even the annihilation of the Demons’ Elysium. Do you really want to try me?”

Her voice was sinister, and her murderous intent soared into the heavens. Her red dress fluttered around her, and her bewitching face was utterly cold.

The experts of the Nine Heavens Pavilion were all visibly stricken. If an Imperial Apex Emperor went all out, disregarding all reservations, not just anyone would be able to bear the consequences.

All eyes were instantly on the Sixth Warden.

After a moment’s silence, he said, “Very well. If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. I’ll just have to do it myself!”

He too was worried that if he pushed her too far, she’d throw all caution to the wind and turn on them. That wasn’t something he wanted to see.

The Sixth Warden soon reached a decision. “Give me a disc to control the formation, and I’ll go test Su Xuanjun for myself.”

The Heavensdeath Demon Empress took a deep breath, and the murderous intent billowing around her silently receded. She said nothing, but she flung a formation disc at the Sixth Warden; it seemed her anger had yet to fade.

The Sixth Warden didn’t care about that. He caught the disc, then shot toward the formation.

“Your Excellency, isn’t this a bit reckless?” One of the Executioners couldn’t help but ask.

The Sixth Warden paused, but didn’t even look at him. “I trust that Fellow Daoist Heavensdeath wouldn’t dare play games with the lives of her sect. Just wait here.”

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, he shot into the formation.

Boom!

The formation’s power was terrifying, but since the Sixth Warden held its formation disc, he wasn’t at all affected. He shot right in, and when he landed atop the Platform of Self-Severing, he shot toward Su Yi.

“Su Xuanjun, tell me: if I break your barrier of sword qi, how long will someone of your cultivation last within this killing formation?” the Sixth Warden said calmly, his gaze cool and imposing.

Within the barrier, Su Yi watched the Sixth Warden approach, but his gaze contained a hint of pity. “Although I dislike such schemes, watching as that demoness tricked you, and seeing you throw yourself into the net like a fool... I truly... can’t help but want to laugh.”

Here, the corners of his lips curved upward. Despite himself, he was grinning.

The Sixth Warden’s pupils constricted.

Tricked!?

He suddenly whipped his head around and gazed beyond the grand formation——

The Heavensdeath Demon Empress stood there daintily, a charming smile on her face as she waved at him and whispered, “Dumbass.”

Earlier, she’d seemed bleak, miserable, racked with sighs, and in poor spirits. When asked to take Su Yi down, she lost her temper and threatened to cause mutual destruction if pushed.

But now, she smiled like a flower in bloom, and her eyes sparkled. Her red lips were curved into an utterly smug grin.

Her demeanor changed so rapidly that the Sixth Warden almost dared not believe his eyes. His characteristically cold, indifferent expression shifted.

When the three Executioners and Five Jailers saw this, it was as if they’d been struck by lightning. They instantly realized that something was amiss, and their expressions shifted dramatically.

Has this blasted she-devil been acting this entire time!?