Chapter Three: The Heaven and Earth Six Directions Formation

His demeanor seemed to utterly disregard the two figures before him.

Senior Sister Liu was not one to indulge such arrogance. She lightly traced the blade with two fingers and thrust directly toward her opponent.

What appeared to be an ordinary strike was, in fact, infused with her internal energy flowing like a dragon. If her sword grazed the other, it would mean death or crippling injury.

The scholar, however, unhurriedly pulled out a paper silhouette from the fragrant book. With a casual flick, it transformed on the ground into a graceful woman.

The paper figure swirled her water sleeves, blocking Senior Sister Liu’s path.

Senior Sister Liu sneered coldly, changing her thrust into a fierce downward slash aimed at the woman’s head.

The slash was so swift it cut through the air with a faint roaring sound.

In an instant, the woman’s water sleeves were shredded, but almost immediately, they reformed. With a sudden flick, she struck Senior Sister Liu’s shoulder.

Caught off guard by this sudden turn, Senior Sister Liu lacked strength and was forced to retreat half a step.

Moments later, the two clashed again.

Senior Sister Liu held her long sword with a stern expression, effortlessly wielding a variety of sword techniques. Sharp sword qi surged around her, bending the nearby campfire as if bowing.

The paper-cut woman danced with her sleeves, each movement suffused with a faint purple spiritual aura. Her waist swayed lightly, shifting slowly at times, twirling swiftly at others, like a lively sparrow fluttering on a branch, always managing to evade the sword’s gleam perfectly.

For a time, their battle was evenly matched.

The scholar glanced at Gu Xian, who sat motionless, and asked curiously, “So calm—aren’t you worried about your companion’s safety?”

Gu Xian suddenly turned toward him, a warm smile on his face.

“Guess.”

Seeing that clear smile, the scholar’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

Before he could react, golden light suddenly flickered around the hall, on the ground and the roof. In six directions, three talismans each appeared, their spiritual light flowing. Suddenly, the script on the talismans peeled away, transforming into golden ropes.

In an instant, a golden cage formed around the scholar.

This was a Dao technique called the Heaven and Earth Six Harmonies Formation, used after invoking the Way.

The founding master was truly a prodigy, ingeniously fusing formation arrays with talismans to create a terrifying sealing method.

Shortly after entering the ruined temple, Gu Xian had arranged six golden-string talismans nearby. He had remained still just now to subtly guide the formation, binding his foe in one decisive move.

The scholar lightly touched the cage. Immediately, golden lightning crackled and arcs of light flickered, the aura terrifying.

Feeling the numbness spreading from his palm, the scholar sighed deeply.

“I underestimated you.”

With a sigh, he added, “It’s a pity this body is too weak, or I would have enjoyed a proper match with you.”

No sooner had he spoken than he collapsed to the ground, ethereal voices echoing around.

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