Chapter 39: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

Only when the vibrations of the bronze bell ceased did Song Changsheng quietly breathe a sigh of relief. With a slight movement of his thought, the [Mystic Yang Heavenly Gang Array] slowly unfolded.

It wasn't that Song Changsheng hadn't considered monopolizing this grotto-heaven for himself, but he had his principles; as long as they remained unrighteous first, he would not be unfaithful.

"Hey, it's open! They succeeded!" Li Hu was the first to notice the array opening and let out a jubilant roar.

Smiles also appeared on the faces of Zhu Yiqun and the others. They had succeeded!

As the formation dissipated, the figures of Song Changsheng and Xu Yun were revealed. At this moment, Xu Yun's face was filled with deep shame; she had lost her way within the array not long after entering.

This entire breakthrough had relied solely on Song Changsheng.

She had originally felt some dissatisfaction that Zhu Yiqun had invited him alongside her, but now it seemed that if not for Song Changsheng, they might have returned empty-handed again.

"Fellow Daoist Song's attainments in the Dao of Formations are truly extraordinary. I submit to your superiority," Xu Yun said, cupping her hands in a respectful salute to Song Changsheng in front of everyone.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you flatter me. It was merely a stroke of luck," Song Changsheng replied hurriedly, stepping forward to help her up.

Just as he reached out, a warning bell rang in his mind. He looked up to see a streak of black-red blood light rushing toward them from the distance.

"Watch out..." Song Changsheng immediately let out a startled cry.

Xu Yun had not yet understood the meaning behind his words. She turned her head back in confusion, only for her eyes to widen in terror.

In the next instant.

*Splatter!*

Xu Yun's head exploded like a watermelon, flesh and brain matter spraying in all directions in a gruesome display.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden scene. It was Xu Yunhe, the sword cultivator, who reacted first. He drew the longsword from his back and shouted, "An ambush! Watch for sneak attacks!"

The crowd snapped out of their trance, summoning their magical artifacts and vigilantly watching the direction of the attack.

*Swish, swish, swish!*

More black-red lights flooded in from the distance like an overwhelming tide. However, Song Changsheng and the others were now prepared and blocked most of the attacks, with only two Qi Refinement Stage 7 cultivators sustaining minor injuries.

"This is the attack method of the Blood Demon Sect. This is a trap set by the Blood Demons!" Zhuang Yuechan said in an ethereal voice, cradling an antique zither in her arms.

Song Changsheng couldn't help but steal a glance at her. To recognize the Blood Demon's attack method at a single glance meant her lineage was far from simple.

"They're here!"

Li Hu let out a roar, his muscles bulging and taking on a metallic texture—the hallmark of a body cultivator, whose physical form could rival magical artifacts.

Following his shout, over thirty Blood Demon cultivators wielding various demonic tools surged out from all directions.

As the two sides clashed, various spells erupted in a brilliant display, momentarily painting the battlefield in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Song Changsheng had a precious gourd hovering above his head, with a Water Element Shield protecting his side. Thick water dragons roared across the battlefield, instantly swallowing two mid-stage Qi Refinement Blood Demons.

At the very front of the battlefield, Li Hu had transformed into an invulnerable iron man, charging wildly with Vajra Claws as if he were in an uninhabited land.

Zhu Yiqun also displayed his peak Qi Refinement cultivation, swinging a large black cauldron with brute force; anyone struck by the cauldron met a fate of broken bones and torn sinews.

The most dazzling, however, was Xu Yunhe. He moved gracefully through the battlefield with his sword, surrounded by sharp sword qi that prevented anyone within ten feet from approaching.

The most out of place was Zhuang Yuechan. She sat on the ground at the edge of the battlefield, her zither resting across her knees, her slender fingers gently plucking the strings.

The drifting melody spread across the entire battlefield. When the notes first reached the ears, they felt like the tinkling of spring water or the murmur of a brook—exquisstingly pleasant and intoxicating.

But as the tone shifted, it suddenly felt as if one were standing in the midst of a battlefield of iron and horses, possessing an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers.

This caused the blood in the veins of Song Changsheng and the others to boil, as if a surge of heroic passion were rising from their hearts, causing their strength to skyrocket as if they had taken drugs.

Conversely, the Blood Demons on the battlefield felt as if every note of the zither had turned into a murderous blade echoing around them, leaving them unable to defend themselves.

For a time, the two sides fought with equal prowess, neither able to gain the upper hand.

"Hmph, a bunch of useless trash!"

The Black Butler stood in mid-air on a flying sword, looking down at the chaotic battlefield with great dissatisfaction.

He flew into the battlefield and with a wave of his sleeve, two Qi Refinement Stage 7 cultivators instantly exploded into clouds of blood mist.

"A Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator!" Zhu Yiqun cried out in shock, his heart turning cold.

Li Hu, who was charging forward covered in blood, saw the Black Butler and his pupils shrank. He immediately retreated.

The Black Butler smiled coldly. "Trying to run now? Too late." He flicked his finger, and a streak of blood light pierced through Li Hu's much-vaunted physical body.

A look of resentment crossed Li Hu's face before he exploded, leaving nothing behind.

"Fellow Daoist Li!" Xu Yunhe's eyes nearly split with rage. He spun his sword and unleashed a dazzling, blinding streak of sword light with all his might.

"You dare attack this seat? You seek death." The Black Butler waved his hand, sending out a foot-long streak of blood light that swallowed the sword light and slashed toward Xu Yunhe.

Xu Yunhe tried to dodge, but found himself immobilized as if bound. Seeing the blood light approaching, he exerted every ounce of strength to slightly twist his body.

The blood light arrived, and blood sprayed.

Xu Yunhe's right arm was severed at the shoulder.

The Black Butler was about to finish him off when a large black cauldron came crashing down toward him.

Frowning, the butler flicked his finger, sending the cauldron flying back. Zhu Yiqun felt as if struck by lightning, coughing up a mist of blood.

At that moment, the zither music, which had completely transformed into sounds of slaughter, swept over them.

"Noisy."

The Black Butler let out an angry roar and waved his sleeve, striking out with a crimson blood light. As the light approached, a jade pendant at Zhuang Yuechan's waist glowed, manifesting an eggshell-like light shield around her.

The blood light was blocked for a moment, giving Zhuang Yuechan the chance to leap up and glide backward with a light touch of her toes.

"Trying to run?" The Black Butler smiled contemptuously and slowly extended his right hand. A massive, blood-colored hand materialized, reaching out to engulf her.

At this critical moment, a thick water dragon coiled around Zhuang Yuechan and pulled her sideways, causing the Black Butler to grasp at empty air.

Having escaped death, Zhuang Yuechan looked at the blood-colored hand with lingering fear, then turned to look at Song Changsheng, who had saved her life, her expression turning complex.

Song Changsheng had no mood to focus on her changing gaze. He summoned two magical artifacts to block his front and shouted, "Everyone, retreat into the ruins! I have a way to hold him off!"

Everyone looked at him in astonishment.

But there was no time to waste. Zhu Yiqun made a decisive call: "Listen to Changsheng! I'll cover the rear!"

With that, Zhu Yiqun took out a white jade pendant and crushed it. A brilliant streak of sword light immediately surged toward the Black Butler.

"A full-strength strike from a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator?" The Black Butler's pupils constricted, finally becoming serious...