The energy utilized by various formations originates from the power of heaven and earth. The level of the array setter and the strength of the formation directly affect the degree to which this power can be harnessed. The same formation set by individuals of different levels can yield vastly different results. Although Guo Xingyue's array-setting skills are not unprecedented, he is undoubtedly among the top experts in the realm of cultivation. The Kanli Killing Array is one of the three ultimate killing formations in the cultivation world, and its potential power is naturally unmatched.
As soon as Guo Xingyue saw Ke Yeluo unleash his magic weapon in preparation to attack the formation, he immediately executed a series of hand seals, directing golden light to confront the massive hammer. The golden light shot swiftly toward the hammer, and just as they were about to collide, the thick golden beam suddenly emitted dozens of faint golden bolts of lightning, striking the hammer in succession. After a series of crackling sounds, the hammer's ferocity was slightly hindered by the lightning, and then the thick golden light accurately struck the hammer, producing a thunderous boom that shook the entire formation.
There were twelve demon cultivators in the human chain, six of whom were at the Integration stage or higher, while the others were also experts at the God Transformation stage. The combined energy of these twelve was immense, enough to crush mountains and drain seas. The magical tool released by Ke Yeluo was a rare treasure-grade artifact among demon cultivators, and its striking power was capable of rivaling that of ordinary Earth Immortals or Prosperity Immortals. If this had been any other formation outside of the three ultimate killing formations, it would have surely collapsed under this attack. However, unfortunately for them, they had encountered Guo Xingyue.
Guo Xingyue employed his strongest move within the formation—Moonset and Starfall. First, he used lightning to strike the magic weapon, disrupting its distribution of magical essence. Then, he cleverly utilized spiral true essence to neutralize a portion of the magic weapon's force, and finally relied on the power of the formation to clash directly with the magic weapon. Yet, the energy contained within the magic weapon was simply too vast. Although Guo Xingyue had diminished its power considerably, the impact of this collision still left the formation somewhat loose, revealing a slight flaw.
Guo Xingyue was already lightly injured, and the force of the impact was too violent. All of his true essence had been invested into the formation's eye, causing his nascent soul to be shaken by the force of the impact. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, exacerbating his injuries. He hastily took out a Returning Essence Pill to replenish his lost true essence, quickly executed a series of hand seals to repair the formation's flaw, and directed the formation to continue attacking the demon cultivators inside.
Ke Yeluo was also staggered by the impact and spat out blood, his injuries serious. However, as a late Integration stage expert, he had rich combat experience and a keen sense of awareness, quickly detecting the slight flaw in the formation. He withdrew his magic weapon, disregarded the other demon cultivators in the human chain, and swiftly leaped away, breaking free from the human chain to rush towards the formation's flaw. Guo Xingyue quickly commanded the formation to attack Ke Yeluo in an attempt to block his breakthrough. Dense beams of golden light shot toward Ke Yeluo, but he paid them no mind, enduring the strikes against his body. Relying on his powerful physique, he weathered the formation's assault, sustaining further injuries but ultimately breaking free from the formation's siege, escaping through the flaw.
Just as Ke Yeluo exited the formation, another figure closely followed him—Hao Chiping. Known for his caution, Hao Chiping had positioned himself at the end of the human chain and did not expend all his magical essence, keeping a significant portion in reserve for emergencies. In the collision between the formation and the magic weapon, he suffered the least impact, only sustaining minor injuries. Seeing Ke Yeluo break through the formation, he immediately took to the air, following closely behind.
Guo Xingyue, seeing that both Ke Yeluo and Hao Chiping had broken free, felt a mix of urgency and anger. He commanded the formation to launch a frenzied attack on the remaining demon cultivators. The remaining cultivators, already drained of their magical essence and heavily wounded, stood no chance against the formation's assault. Within moments, they were obliterated, leaving no trace behind. Once the demon cultivators in the formation were eliminated, Guo Xingyue executed a series of hand seals to disperse the formation, summoning the treasure that served as the formation's eye back into his storage bracelet. He instructed the dazed members of the Yixin Sect, "Take care of yourselves. I'm going to pursue them," and then mounted his flying sword, speeding toward the path of the demon cultivators.
Eradicating evil is a straightforward principle that Guo Xingyue understood well. If he did not take advantage of the moment to eliminate the two injured demons, they would undoubtedly return with reinforcements once they recovered. Though Guo Xingyue himself was injured, he had taken two Returning Essence Pills, temporarily suppressing his injuries. While this affected the operation of his true essence to some extent, it was manageable. Anxious and worried that the enemies might use teleportation to escape, he immediately accelerated on his flying sword, shooting through the air like lightning.
After flying for a while, Guo Xingyue spotted two figures in the distance, flying through the air. A wave of joy surged in his heart: fortunately, they hadn't used teleportation; let's see where they think they're going. Guo Xingyue's flying speed was far superior to theirs, and soon he closed the distance between them. The sound of his rapid flight sliced through the air, reaching Ke Yeluo and Hao Chiping's ears. They turned back in shock: it was Guo Xingyue chasing after them. Both were greatly alarmed; at this moment, they were heavily wounded and desperately needed a place to heal, too fearful to turn back and confront him.
Hao Chiping had sustained lighter injuries, primarily from magical essence depletion. Given his early Integration stage cultivation, if he turned back to fight Guo Xingyue, combined with Ke Yeluo, who was also injured yet still capable of fighting, the outcome was uncertain. However, first, Hao Chiping was naturally cautious (which could also be seen as cowardly), and he never engaged in ventures without absolute certainty. Second, he was completely unaware of Guo Xingyue's true capabilities and had already been terrified by his formation. So when he saw Guo Xingyue pursuing them, he abandoned his senior brother and hurriedly teleported away.
Seeing Hao Chiping abandon him to escape, Ke Yeluo was furious and enraged, cursing Hao Chiping inwardly. However, he was severely injured and not in a condition to fight back. Guo Xingyue's flying speed was simply too fast; if he kept flying forward, he would never shake off Guo Xingyue's pursuit. With no other choice, he spat out a mouthful of blood, forcibly mobilizing his magical essence, and also used teleportation to flee.