Chapter 40: Cooperation

After announcing the matters the Li family sought, Li Shilian led Li Zhirui and the other person away from the auction house.

Some cultivators watched the three of them leave without any attempt at concealment, their eyes flickering with hidden thoughts, seemingly harboring ulterior motives. However, considering the presence of two Foundation Establishment cultivators, they ultimately chose not to follow.

Yet, not everyone was so cautious or able to suppress their greed.

In an unobserved corner, two Foundation Establishment cultivators with similar appearances followed them.

"The Hu Sha brothers?" A cultivator noticed this scene, a look of surprise crossing his face. "I wonder if those three from the Li family will even survive."

These two were the renowned Hu Sha rogue cultivators of Yunping Province. Because they were brothers and had obtained a shared opportunity, they had mastered a combined strike technique of terrifying power. Consequently, although they were only in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, many middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators had died at their hands.

Even if the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Li family were quite capable, trying to retreat unscathed while carrying a Qi Refinement "burden" would likely be difficult.

"Uncle Shilian, someone is following us!" Li Shiren faintly sensed a trace of aura and immediately informed Li Shilian.

Li Shilian had already noticed. A murderous intent surfaced in his eyes as he said coldly, "Since they want to follow, let them follow."

This would also serve as an opportunity to demonstrate the Li family's strength, preventing people from constantly thinking the family was merely strong on the outside but hollow within, and thus treating them with contempt.

The two did not hide their conversation from Li Zhirui. Faced with this sudden turn of events, Li Zhirui remained extremely calm—or rather, he had long anticipated such a situation.

Setting aside whether their identities had been exposed in the private room, the matter of requesting the purchase of a third-grade demon beast before leaving was enough to attract greedy cultivators. After all, why would anyone come to an auction to buy a third-grade demon beast without bringing enough spirit stones?

The spirit ship sped forward, yet it failed to shake off the Hu Sha brothers. In fact, after entering the sea area, the two stopped concealing their presence, making it clear they intended to intercept and kill the three members of the Li family.

"Why must you two fellow Daoists persist in following us this far?" Li Shilian said with a look of helplessness.

"Hahaha! Since you know you can't escape, why not surrender obediently? We brothers will grant you a dignified death," Xiao Hu, acting arrogantly, said with extreme insolence, showing no respect for the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Shilian and Li Shiren.

Li Shilian sighed deeply and said, "I feel pity for you two fellow Daoists; decades of hard cultivation are about to go up in flames today."

"Hmph! With just the two of you, you think you can kill us? You're dreaming!" Xiao Hu sneered. He drew the Tiger Soul Blade and lunged forward like a tiger descending a mountain, charging at Li Shilian with immense tiger-like strength.

"To be a cultivator yet practice secular saber techniques—how utterly ridiculous!" Li Shilian's fingers moved rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, a flying sword condensed from earth and stone took shape. It exuded a heavy yet piercing aura, striking first and using the power of mountain rock to send the attacker flying.

However, Li Shilian did not press his advantage, because the other "Great Tiger" had moved. He also wielded a Tiger Soul Blade, but instead of slashing, he released points of black light that transformed into ferocious *chang* ghosts, surrounding Li Shilian.

"That Tiger Soul Blade in your hand has actually integrated a tiger demon's essence?" A hint of surprise appeared on Li Shilian's face. To think such a precious dharma treasure had fallen into the hands of rogue cultivators like them.

"Die!" As Da Hu activated the dharma treasure, the Tiger Soul Blade, shimmering with cold light, turned completely black. Wisps of baleful aura emerged from the blade, flowing into the *chang* ghosts to enhance their strength.

For a moment, surrounded by a large number of *chang* ghosts, Li Shilian could only barely hold his ground. His precarious state caused Da Hu to burst into loud laughter.

Unfortunately, his momentary advantage blinded him. He failed to realize that Li Shilian's disarray was entirely a ruse to protect Li Shiren and prevent him from being disturbed while setting up a formation.

But now, the time bought for Li Shiren was sufficient.

Li Shiren threw out a formation disk, and the formation flags were set in their positions. As he rapidly executed hand seals, a second-grade Golden Wind Grand Array was completed in just a few breaths, trapping the Hu Sha brothers within.

"Not good!" As soon as the formation was set, Da Hu knew he had been tricked. Moreover, this formation was extremely powerful; if they were trapped deep within, both brothers would likely lose their lives here.

"Second Brother, use the Hu Sha Dual Strike with all your might!" Da Hu knew this was their only chance to escape. If they couldn't break the formation with this, they were doomed.

Through their connection as brothers, the Hu Sha brothers merged their essence, qi, and spirit into one. They raised their Tiger Soul Blades simultaneously, pouring in all their cultivation and merging with the large number of *chang* ghosts. Instantly, an incredibly powerful blade light slashed toward the formation.

"Jin Yu, fan the wind!" Li Shiren's expression changed slightly as he summoned the Jade-Beaked Eagle. The eagle gathered mana in its wings and gave a sudden flap toward the formation. A violent wind rose, even stripping a layer of earth from the deserted island.

Under Li Shiren's manipulation, this powerful gale was integrated into the Golden Wind Grand Array, transforming into countless wind blades that shot toward the blade light in an attempt to weaken it. Unfortunately, the effect was minimal.

"Attack those two cultivators!" Li Shilian, watching from outside the formation, suddenly spoke.

Li Shiren understood instantly and shouted, "Jin Yu, Divine Shock Cry!"

Simultaneously, Li Shiren manipulated the formation, using the golden wind to create a hundred different weapons. The momentum took the form of a White Tiger, carrying the terrifying force of a Beast King descending a mountain, lunging toward the Hu Sha brothers.

At the same time, a piercing cry that shook the heavens exploded within the formation, echoing endlessly through the gale.

This was a rudimentary combined strike technique that Li Shiren and the Jade-Beaked Eagle had deduced, but even so, its power was extraordinary, forcibly striking the two brothers out of their profound state of concentration.

As the combined strike driven by their momentum was broken by their separation, its power plummeted, and it was ultimately reduced to ash amidst the boundless wind blades.

The moment the two were separated, Li Shiren raised his hand to send a wave of unstoppable golden wind, preventing them from approaching again.

"Damn it! This man is so powerful, so why have I never heard of his name!" Da Hu said through gritted teeth.

If he had known earlier that Li Shiren was a formation master, and that an ordinary Golden Wind Array could exert such terrifying power in his hands, he would never have followed!

Unfortunately, there is no "knowing earlier" in this world, nor is there medicine for regret. Since they dared to follow, they should have been prepared to perish upon failure.

Though they saw no hope of survival, the Hu Sha brothers were unwilling to accept their fate and refused to go quietly, continuing to struggle desperately.

However, their strength grew weaker and their injuries more numerous; it was nothing more than a futile struggle before death.

Soon, the two died with resentment, their wide-open eyes filled with regret and indignation.

After briefly tidying up the battlefield, Li Shilian piloted the spirit ship, turning it into a passing meteor to carry the other two back to Great Banyan Island at maximum speed.

He was worried there might be more cultivators hiding nearby!

This was also the reason why Li Shilian had not personally intervened, leaving Li Shiren to face the Hu Sha brothers alone; he wanted to guard against potential enemies.

Fortunately, aside from the Hu Sha brothers, no other cultivators blocked their path, allowing the three to return safely to Great Banyan Island.