Translator: Cinder Translations
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The Ironback Turtle opened its mouth wide, unleashing a column of water that shot into the sky.
The water column was instantly shattered by Su Qian's flying sword, dispersing into countless droplets that fell like rain.
However, the flying sword was also hit by the water column, causing its speed to plummet and its power to diminish significantly.
Su Qian, unwilling to expend his magic power, once again urged the flying sword.
Daoist Qingyan watched as Su Qian repeatedly struck at the Ironback Turtle with the flying sword, a smirk creeping onto her lips.
It was futile!
An ordinary cultivator in the early stage of the Golden Core could not break through the Ironback Turtle's defense; they would only exhaust their magic power in vain.
Given Su Qian's situation, it was impossible for him to maintain a prolonged attack; his aging body couldn't withstand it for long.
On the other hand, Daoist Qingyan, despite her injuries, had already consumed healing pills and magic-restoring pills, and as long as she refined those pills, her condition would gradually recover.
With this ebb and flow of strengths, and with the Ironback Turtle's assistance, she would soon be able to capture Su Qian easily.
Suddenly, Daoist Qingyan noticed that the formation barrier enveloping the valley was rapidly shrinking, converging on her position.
An ominous premonition crept into her heart.
She quickly halted her efforts to refine the pills and urged the Ironback Turtle to leave.
However, she was already within the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation. As long as the formation remained unbroken, no matter which direction she attempted to escape, she would always be within its bounds.
Daoist Qingyan realized this point.
Su Qian intended to trap her within the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation, using its power to drain her and the Ironback Turtle before ultimately capturing them.
Realizing this, Daoist Qingyan naturally refused to wait idly for her demise.
At this time, the area covered by the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation was only about two miles, and the Devouring Soul Formation was also within its range.
Daoist Qingyan instructed the Ironback Turtle to charge toward the western area of the Devouring Soul Formation.
The Devouring Soul Formation was crucial for Su Qian's longevity; he would be cautious about including it within the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation. Otherwise, activating the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation to attack Daoist Qingyan would undoubtedly cause irreparable damage to the Devouring Soul Formation.
The western area of the Devouring Soul Formation was designed to consume the vitality of scattered cultivators and wouldn't exert the same intense pressure as the eastern area, allowing her to move freely within it.
In an instant, Su Qian discerned Daoist Qingyan's intent. He gathered all his magic power and fully urged the flying sword, unleashing his strongest attack.
In an instant, the flying sword shone with silver light, its sword energy soaring like a falling meteor as it swiftly slashed at the Ironback Turtle.
The Ironback Turtle sensed the terrifying power of the flying sword and felt a surge of retreating instinct.
The might of this strike was overwhelming; its exposed limbs, head, and tail could not withstand the blow.
Just as the flying sword was about to strike the Ironback Turtle's head, it felt the threat to its life and pulled all its limbs back into its shell.
"Boom!"
The flying sword struck the turtle shell.
A clearly visible transparent shield lit up on the turtle's shell, making it difficult for the sword energy to penetrate inside.
The massive power unleashed by the flying sword caused the Ironback Turtle to be knocked backward, along with Daoist Qingyan, who was hiding beneath it, both tumbling back several dozen meters.
"Damn it!"
Daoist Qingyan cursed.
Seizing this opportunity, Su Wenshi rapidly contracted the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation to a radius of one hundred meters.
At the same time, both Su Qian and Su Wenshi had exited the formation's range, leaving only Daoist Qingyan and the Ironback Turtle trapped inside.
Outside the formation, Su Qian laughed loudly.
"Su Wenshi, well done! Activate the formation and attack Qingyan and the giant turtle to drain their magic power."
"Yes!"
Su Wenshi continuously formed hand seals in front of the formation plate.
The Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation suddenly stirred up powerful winds, like countless sharp blades, relentlessly swirling toward Daoist Qingyan and the Ironback Turtle.
The winds swept in from all directions. The Ironback Turtle retracted its limbs and hid inside its shell, which pressed down on Daoist Qingyan, providing her with solid protection.
After about half an incense stick of time, the winds began to gradually weaken.
Su Qian looked coldly at Su Wenshi and said, "Why has the formation's power weakened?"
Su Wenshi appeared fearful and replied, "Reporting to Ancestor, the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation is at the third level, and my cultivation is insufficient to maintain it for a long time."
Hearing this, Su Qian's face turned furious. "The Su family has nurtured you for over two hundred years, and this is all you can do! Give me the formation plate."
Due to exerting himself fully with the flying sword earlier, Su Qian's aged body was somewhat overburdened, causing his internal magic power to surge and a strange flush to appear on his face.
Su Qian did not want to expend any magic power.
However, with Su Wenshi's spirit power depleted, he had no choice but to personally activate the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation.
Under Su Qian's scolding, a flicker of killing intent flashed in Su Wenshi's eyes. Yet, his expression did not change at all. He gently tossed the formation plate toward Su Qian.
Su Qian raised his hand to catch the plate thrown by Su Wenshi and began to activate the formation.
Within the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation, the powerful winds surged once more, far stronger than before.
A thin shield of light illuminated the Ironback Turtle's shell, blocking the winds entirely.
As the winds continuously battered against it, the shield began to tremble, as if it would shatter at any moment.
Relying solely on the Ironback Turtle's power was ultimately insufficient to withstand the might of the formation.
The shield eventually shattered.
Winds swept in through the cracks of the turtle's shell, slicing at the Ironback Turtle's flesh like countless small knives.
The Ironback Turtle felt the pain and became agitated.
Daoist Qingyan sensed the Ironback Turtle's unrest and pointed at the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation barrier about ten meters away, shouting, "Charge at the barrier with all your might!"
The Ironback Turtle knew it could no longer sit idly by.
It stretched out its limbs, enduring the slicing winds that tore at its flesh, blood and muscle instantly turning to mush. Strongly resisting the intense pain, it exerted all its strength to leap, using its solid shell to collide with the formation barrier.
"Boom!"
The formation barrier shook violently, and the Ironback Turtle was sent stumbling backward by the recoil.
Outside the formation, Su Qian's face turned pale, blood surging within him.
The Ironback Turtle's power was immense, and its crash against the formation barrier nearly breached it. Su Qian had to mobilize all his magic power to stabilize the formation, which further strained his already burdened body, bringing him to the brink of collapse.
Inside the formation.
Before Daoist Qingyan floated a small green flag, emitting waves of green light that enveloped her.
The fierce winds that swept into the area of green light significantly diminished in power.
However, this green light could not completely negate the winds, and Daoist Qingyan had to raise a magical shield to support herself. This, in turn, rapidly depleted her internal magic power.
The reason Daoist Qingyan allowed the Ironback Turtle to counterattack was that she knew Su Qian could not maintain the Yin Yang Four Symbols Formation for long. She planned to retaliate when his physical limits were nearly reached.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
The Ironback Turtle continually slammed against the formation barrier, which shook violently, while its own injuries grew heavier, its breathing gradually weakening.
The winds flowed in through the cracks in its shell, leaving the Ironback Turtle's insides a bloody mess. Its limbs had lost most of their flesh, revealing stark, white bones beneath.
The Ironback Turtle was on the verge of death.
(End of the Chapter)
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