What is this, you think you can contend with me? You're still too green!
He felt his chance had arrived and quietly moved closer to Linghu Xiaoxian.
Mo Qi glanced at Pang Qing, "Let's go. Don't just talk a big game; put your actions where your mouth is."
Then he walked to the right.
Pang Qing was stunned. No way!
You still want to make a comeback? No, I can't give you the opportunity.
I will always stand on the moral high ground and look down on you.
As long as I act flawlessly and without a trace, they will condemn you.
Thinking this, Pang Qing followed Mo Qi closely to the right.
As Mo Qi took his first two steps, a sudden inspiration struck him.
He was already intimately familiar with the formation methods and breaking techniques of the Qian Yuan Jin Guang Array.
As the saying goes, understanding one leads to understanding all. He had considerable knowledge of other formations as well.
Moreover, when he first entered the Ling Xiao Sect, he had studied the Heavenly Master formations.
These formations were numerous and varied, each with its own characteristics and mechanisms.
However, the principle behind the setup of all mechanisms was the same: they were based on the Five Elements and the Eight Trigrams, encompassing metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, and mountains. A good formation could fully utilize the terrain to launch attacks equivalent to a massive army, leaving no room for escape.
Human cultivation involved absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, turning it into one's own killing weapon. Formations, however, utilized this spiritual energy to a greater extent, making the very earth, mountains, rivers, and even the entire world one's weapon against an opponent when used properly.
Yet, the reason humanity has stood firm in the world from ancient times to the present is that humans can always seek fortune and avoid disaster. No matter what calamity befalls the world, humans can always find a sliver of hope, thus turning misfortune into fortune and continuing to thrive.
Formations were similar. No matter how intricate or powerful a formation was, there would always be a "gap." If one could grasp the key to the formation or happen to discover that "gap," one could find a way to survive through it.
Then, formations would no longer seem so terrifying to the world, appearing almost like discarded weapons.
In light of this, later generations innovated and expanded upon existing formations. Based on the principle of the Eight Trigrams evolving into sixty-four, and sixty-four evolving into four thousand and ninety-six, they continuously evolved and created more variations, more uncertainties, making the idea of seeking survival in the gaps increasingly remote.
The "gaps" still existed, but they became narrower and harder to find. Perhaps some places that appeared to be survival gaps were, in reality, fatal traps.
However, within a formation, all things were interconnected, one link leading to another. If one was extremely proficient in the principles of formations, one could infer much from little and understand ten things from one.
The lightning from that direction had already provided him with ample information.
He had a rough guess about where the water, fire, and wind would come from.
After walking a few more steps, an illusion of the movement of water, fire, and wind flashed through Mo Qi's mind, and he only pursued the wind!
As if guided by a divine stroke, he suddenly changed direction and walked straight ahead in his original path.
After only a few steps, he suddenly turned again, heading to the right.
The other three were bewildered, but seeing his focused, deep-thinking expression, it seemed reliable, so they followed him, turning left and right, not falling behind.
Suddenly, a gust of wind arose from nowhere, violently sweeping Pang Qing off his feet and sending him flying backward.
Pang Qing was greatly alarmed. He activated his Thousand Jin Drop divine ability, causing his body to sink rapidly. However, as the hurricane unleashed its power, shadowy currents flowed, and countless wind blades cut mercilessly.
The pain was excruciating for Pang Qing, leaving him instantly covered in wounds and bleeding profusely.
The Thousand Jin Drop lost its support, and his body was swept away, landing far away.
Upon landing, he was like a puddle of mud, his face ashen.
He was numb from the pain.
He remembered Mo Qi's words.
"If we die, we all die together."
Their current situation couldn't be much better than his own.
However, when he looked up, he saw something terrifying.
The other three were completely unharmed, walking forward calmly and composedly. Seeing that he had fallen behind, they even turned to look at him.
Xiao Bai and Linghu Xiaoxian were also filled with surprise. They had clearly felt a gust of wind just moments ago, as if it would tear their bodies apart, and they couldn't resist it. Yet, in the blink of an eye, only Pang Qing had been thrown out, while they stood firm!
What was going on? They hadn't exerted any strength!
Almost simultaneously, Xiao Bai and Linghu Xiaoxian turned their gaze to Mo Qi.
They realized that Mo Qi was behind this!
Of the four, the only different thing Pang Qing had done compared to the others was that he had eaten one fewer pill!
Thus, the answer was obvious: the problem must lie with that pill.
They finally understood that his feigned pettiness was merely a ploy to lure Pang Qing into a trap!
Pang Qing, with his petty mind, judged a gentleman by his own standards and indeed fell into the trap, even proactively moving to a forward position. Therefore, his severe injuries were his own fault.
Mo Qi turned his head and continued forward as if nothing had happened. Xiao Bai and Linghu Xiaoxian, fearing they would fall behind, quickly quickened their pace to follow closely.
Pang Qing finally understood that he had been tricked!
Enraged, he cursed loudly, "You despicable scoundrel, you shameless wretch!"
Mo Qi replied without turning his head, "Hurry and catch up. The formation has been broken. If you spout less nonsense, you can still pass. If you delay any longer, the formation will recover, and you'll be left inside to die."
Pang Qing was shocked. He took a deep breath and dashed towards the three.
Indeed, it was calm and peaceful. This time, he suffered no attacks and faced no obstruction, passing through with ease.
Pang Qing glanced at Mo Qi several times, wanting to lash out, even wanting to kill him.
After considering various possibilities, he decided to endure for the moment.
So, he silently followed the others.
The mist gradually dissipated, and before them lay a long, winding underground passage.
Cold stone walls, covered in moss, with water occasionally seeping from them and dripping onto the ground, creating eerily echoing sounds.
The group unknowingly entered a cave dwelling, and the scene suddenly opened up before them.
Before they could even carefully observe the cave's interior, a roar erupted, and a figure lunged forward, flailing its claws and teeth towards Mo Qi.
Mo Qi instinctively tried to dodge, but a white figure suddenly charged from behind and clashed with the attacking figure, or rather, began to tear at each other.
The attacking figure was covered in golden fur, possessed sharp teeth, and its body resembled a tiger. Its head was like a dragon's, with a pair of horns that extended backward like barbs.
The white figure was Xiao Bai, who had transformed into her true form and was lunging at the demonic beast.
Mo Qi looked at Linghu Xiaoxian, who had caught up, "What is this?"
Linghu Xiaoxian replied, "It's an ancient divine beast, a Bi An. I didn't expect to encounter one here."
An ancient divine beast meeting a dragon was like a robber encountering the local boss!
As the Bi An lunged at Xiao Bai with bared teeth and claws, Xiao Bai exhaled a breath of dragon fire. The Bi An was momentarily blinded by a halo of light. Xiao Bai seized the opportunity, turned her head, and bit down on the Bi An's neck.
The Bi An cried out in pain, struggled fiercely, raised its head and roared, its four limbs thrashing wildly, striking Xiao Bai's body several times and tearing off a few dragon scales.
Mo Qi cautiously stepped forward, collected the dragon scales, and put them into his storage bag.
Xiao Bai held on to the Bi An's neck without letting go. The Bi An let out a desperate howl and spewed out fireballs. Pang Qing, who had just caught up, failed to dodge in time and was engulfed in flames with a loud "boom."
Pang Qing was already covered in wounds. When he first arrived, he had deliberately hidden in a corner. However, not hiding would have been better, as he was now directly hit.
Pang Qing flailed his arms and legs, screaming as he beat at the flames on his body. The fire only burned brighter, and he instinctively rolled on the ground.
Linghu Xiaoxian, however, had no time to attend to Pang Qing. She raised her Golden Staff and struck the Bi An's head with a resounding thud.
Before the Bi An could even let out a cry, its head was smashed to pieces, and its entire body collapsed limply.
Xiao Bai then released her bite, transformed back into human form, and stood on the ground, swaying unsteadily.
Linghu Xiaoxian stepped forward to support her, and she finally managed to stand firm.
Seeing Mo Qi still on the ground picking up scales, Xiao Bai said somewhat indignantly, "What are you doing? If you want them, I can give them to you. I'll give you as many as you want."
Mo Qi said with a hint of grievance, "It's a waste not to pick them up!"
Linghu Xiaoxian also glared at him, "How can you be so indifferent? She was fighting for her life just now, and you were watching as if nothing was happening, picking up scales on the ground. You've gone too far."
Mo Qi's face was stern, and he said with a serious expression, "The reason I didn't intervene is that I believe you could handle it. If a dragon like you needed help from us humans to deal with another divine beast, I think it would be disrespectful to you."
Linghu Xiaoxian blushed and said somewhat exasperatedly, "Smooth talker. All those words are just excuses for your indifference and selfishness."