The gentle breeze stirred as silvery moonlight poured down from the night sky.
Nie Jiuxuan's forehead was veined with anger, but his eyes remained fixed on Lin Zixuan, calm and determined. His only hope now rested on the formation Senior Su had set up.
The ghost-eyed old man and the one-armed sword demon, feeling Nie Jiuxuan's silent defiance, let out frustrated breaths. Their auras darkened further.
"Vice President Lin," the one-armed sword demon began, his tone laced with contempt. "There's no shame in bowing to the Yang family. You're from the Lin family, destined for greatness. Guarding a mere pheasant academy is beneath you."
He raised his sword, the tip pointing at Lin Zixuan.
The ghost-eyed old man followed suit, his wicked gaze landing on Nie Jiuxuan. "You've stepped away from the Alchemist Association. Your best chance at survival is to join the Yang family and serve them. It's your only option."
Yang Teng and Yang Yi, watching from above, smirked. They knew Nie Jiuxuan was a genuine three-star alchemist, and having him in the Yang family would be a significant advantage.
"Nie Jiuxuan," Yang Teng called out, his voice booming. "This old man is right. Join us, and we'll reward you. The protection of the Yang family will let you walk unchallenged through the southwest."
But Nie Jiuxuan's pride as an alchemist outweighed any temptation. His admiration for Horn's alchemy had led him to leave the Association and oversee the alchemy society at Changsheng Academy. He could never betray that dedication.
"I, Nie Jiuxuan, am no coward," he declared, his voice resolute. "I will stand with Changsheng Academy until the end."
Yang Teng's face darkened. "Stubborn fool."
With a sneer, Yang Teng unleashed the terrifying pressure of his Sky Moon Realm power, shaking the ground beneath him. "If that Su family outcast doesn't show up, you'll all die here because of him!"
Receiving no response, he raised his palm high. "Then I'll kill a few of you to start."
A violent gust tore through the air as Yang Teng struck, sending a destructive wave of energy hurtling toward the ground. The sheer power cracked the earth, spiderweb-like fissures spreading quickly.
Nie Jiuxuan's heart raced, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Tang Yuxin and the others stood frozen, aware that a direct hit from such a powerful blow would obliterate them.
Just as Yang Teng and Yang Yi began to smile, Lin Zixuan activated the formation that Horn had set up before departing.
The ground beneath Changsheng Academy pulsed with energy, and an awe-inspiring wave shot into the sky. In an instant, Yang Teng's deadly attack was neutralized.
Then, a massive white tiger appeared, glowing under the moonlight, at least ten meters tall. It seemed to step on the very moon, its presence dominating the night sky.
Yang Teng and Yang Yi's confidence shattered.
"What kind of formation is this?" Yang Teng muttered, his voice trembling.
The white tiger's gaze fell on them, its presence alone sending their bones creaking under the pressure. Despite their strength, they could no longer hold their positions in the sky and were forced down, their bodies plummeting toward the earth.
As Yang Yi crashed into the ground, forming a deep crater, the white tiger's glowing form pounced on Yang Teng, its jaws closing around him, leaving only his head exposed.
Suspended in mid-air, Yang Teng struggled helplessly in the tiger's grip, his voice hoarse with desperation. "Lin Zixuan, do you really want an all-out war with the Yang family? Stop the formation, and we can negotiate!"
But Lin Zixuan's eyes were cold, the jade token glowing in her hand. "Weren't you the one threatening to send us all to hell? Didn't you say you would destroy Changsheng Academy? Now you want to negotiate?"
She clenched the jade tighter. "Embrace your fate, Yang Teng. You've earned this."
Before Yang Teng could respond, the white tiger bit down with a sudden ferocity. His body exploded into a mist of blood, leaving only his severed head to fall, bouncing into the crater beside Yang Yi.
Yang Yi, barely conscious from his own fall, looked at his brother's lifeless head and trembled in terror. He had witnessed his brother, stronger than he, torn apart in moments by a formation they hadn't even known existed.
"What is this… a seven-star formation?" Yang Yi muttered, his voice weak and fearful.
As Yang Teng's death sank in, Nie Jiuxuan's initial shock gave way to overwhelming joy. He raised his fist in triumph. "Senior Su is unmatched!"
Tang Yuxin's eyes gleamed with pride, while Lu Lin and the other students exchanged relieved glances.
Nie Jiuxuan turned to the ghost-eyed old man and the one-armed sword demon, who stood petrified, their faces pale. "Changsheng Academy isn't a place you can trample over so easily. I remember you siding with the Yang family. Planning to kill us, weren't you?"
With Yang Teng dead and the white tiger looming overhead, their spirits crumbled. The two men knelt on the ground without hesitation, their voices shaking as they begged.
"Mr. Nie, please! Spare us!"
They had chosen the wrong side, and now they feared there would be no escape from the retribution that awaited them.