"Hurry, it seems that this large formation hasn't been fully activated yet. Let's focus our attacks on breaking this formation," the leader said, punching the formation's wall while speaking to his two companions.
Upon hearing this, the two companions immediately unleashed their most powerful martial techniques and began striking the formation's wall alongside their leader.
Their combined attacks caused a slight ripple in the formation, but it couldn't harm the core of the formation. The leader sneered and spoke again, "This is your last chance. Tell me how you found me, and I might let you leave the formation."
"Go to hell! You're just a B+ talent martial artist who got lucky with ancient martial techniques. Once we break the formation, it'll be your end," the man with a large sword, continuously hacking at the formation, disdainfully replied.
Chu Tian, standing within the formation, watched the three individuals. Without a word, he activated the formation.
Instantly, lightning roared within the thunderclouds, sparks flew, and countless lightning bolts emerged from the clouds, resembling silver snakes rolling within the formation. Before long, numerous Thunderstorm Swords surged out of the thunderclouds.
Seeing this, the three immediately stopped their attacks on the formation's wall and hurriedly went on the defensive.
However, the raindrop-like sword shadows rushed towards them relentlessly. Although they tried to defend themselves, their efforts were in vain. In just one round, the sword rain from the thunderclouds pierced through their bodies, turning them into unrecognizable corpses.
"People who act recklessly can't seize opportunities even if given the chance," Chu Tian remarked. Using his telekinesis, he removed the space rings from the corpses and checked them briefly. Aside from some materials from fierce beasts, there were thousands of level three spirit energy crystals.
After collecting them, Chu Tian dismantled the formation and turned his gaze to Liu Wei, who had emerged from behind a collapsed wall not far away. He glanced at the corpses on the ground and then asked, "How are you, Chu Tian? Did you get injured?"
"Thanks for your concern. Unfortunately, your excellent temporary hideout is gone," Chu Tian replied with a slightly apologetic expression.
Liu Wei remained calm and shook his head, saying, "It's okay; we can find another temporary hideout."
Chu Tian looked at the harbor. Since his position had been exposed, it was evident that someone had spotted him on his way here. Upon careful consideration, he realized he hadn't encountered anyone on the way to the harbor, as he had been flying in the sky.
With this thought in mind, a sinister idea crossed Chu Tian's mind – Liu Wei might be the mole.
Although Chu Tian didn't have a deep relationship with Liu Wei, he had felt that Liu Wei was a decent person during their few interactions. Now, it wasn't easy to jump to conclusions; he would have to wait and observe.
"Not far from here, there's an industrial area dormitory building. Few people go there, and there are only some C-level goblins left there," Liu Wei said, looking at the map.
Chu Tian nodded and followed Liu Wei to the indicated location.
Upon reaching the industrial area dormitory, Chu Tian extended his spiritual awareness but didn't detect any goblins or other monsters.
"It's relatively safe here. I stayed here for three days during a mission," Liu Wei said, heading towards the dormitory building.
Chu Tian followed behind but kept Liu Wei under the lock of his spiritual awareness.
Soon, after entering the dormitory, Liu Wei helped Chu Tian arrange a place to stay and then said with a smile, "You rest for now; I'll set up some defenses."
"It's alright, go ahead," Chu Tian nodded and settled into the dormitory that Liu Wei had prepared, closing the room door.
At this moment, Chu Tian's spiritual awareness suddenly caught Liu Wei sending a message through a communicator.
Current location: Third industrial area, dormitory building number four.
Target combat strength confirmed, A-rank or above.
This message was sent, and Liu Wei immediately deleted it.
Seeing this, a cold smile appeared on Chu Tian's lips. He had caught Liu Wei in the act of betraying him.
Shortly after, another message came in, and Liu Wei hurriedly took out his communicator.
Chu Tian saw the message: "After completing the mission, someone will deliver 50,000 level-four spirit energy crystals to you."
Liu Wei read the message and deleted it.
"I've got you now," Chu Tian murmured, taking out a level-four spirit energy crystal and beginning to replenish his lost spiritual energy. Simultaneously, he released all 108 Thunderstorm Swords from the shattered window, concealing them in the open space outside the dormitory.
With everything set up, Chu Tian began to wait for the assassin to come to him.
As for Liu Wei, he had never expected that someone would betray him for the promise of 50,000 level-four spirit energy crystals.
But upon reflection, he realized that he didn't have a particularly close relationship with Liu Wei. Twenty or so level-four spirit energy crystals were absorbed by Chu Tian, and he took out his communicator to check the Federation's missions. He discovered that there was no mission to capture him.
He then retrieved the communicator with the Nine-Headed Snake's logo and found his wanted poster there. The wanted poster had changed; it was now a joint mission released by the Federation and the Clinton Family. The first item on the mission list was anyone who could provide information about his whereabouts would receive 50,000 level-four spirit energy crystals and the opportunity to enter either the Clinton Family's Knight Academy or the Federation Combat Academy for training, regardless of their level. Graduates would also have the opportunity to enter the top ranks of the Federation military.
Seeing this, Chu Tian immediately understood that this was a golden ticket to a pinnacle life. After all, Liu Wei wasn't particularly outstanding in terms of talent, and his talent was quite ordinary, so it was understandable that he was tempted.
Chu Tian put away the communicator, took out a level-one spirit energy crystal, and began his cultivation.
About an hour later, a loud rumbling sound suddenly echoed. Chu Tian opened his eyes and saw a black Federation hybrid combat aircraft appearing above the dormitory building. The rear hatch opened, and a burly cyborg-like man emerged, carrying the latest Federation hybrid rifle, known as the "Godslayer" rifle.
The cyborg-like man aimed his rifle at Chu Tian as soon as he stepped out of the hatch.
Feeling like he was targeted by the Grim Reaper, Chu Tian stood up, and before the cyborg could fire, he activated his Flash Step, almost instantly appearing in the open space outside the dormitory.
The power of the shot created a massive hole, about five to six meters wide, in the dormitory building. Chu Tian was relieved that the shot hadn't hit him; the consequences would have been dire.
He had thought that the "Godslayer" level of weaponry was still under development, but now it seemed that the Federation had already deployed such weapons. Their power was more than enough to easily take down S+ ranked monsters.