Chapter 82: Are You Saving It for the New Year?

Jiang Yan flew swiftly atop his sword, narrowly evading Fox Third Madam’s razor-sharp claws time and again.

This won’t do—at this rate, I’m bound to die here...

From what he could see, whether it was the fleeing demons or the cultivators who had come for training, they were all hopelessly weak!

This was the rhythm of total annihilation!

I need to think of something...

“Master, you’re about to break through!” Suddenly, Xiaoxue’s cheerful voice rang out in Jiang Yan’s mind.

Jiang Yan asked mentally, “Xiaoxue, when you say ‘soon,’ just how soon do you mean?”

“Master, at the current rate your spiritual power is accumulating, it’ll take no more than half the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.”

Half a stick of incense—about fifteen minutes. Good, I can hold on for a while longer.

Jiang Yan’s heart stirred as he sensed the spiritual energy of each of his elemental roots quietly climbing toward saturation within him.

Now, the key was to push each of his spiritual roots to the fullest.

“You little rat, since you dared attack me without hesitation, don’t you dare run!” Fox Third Madam’s crimson eyes fixed on Jiang Yan, murderous intent radiating from her.

“Big Sis, if I don’t run, am I supposed to just let you slaughter me? We’re enemies—if I don’t kill you, should I invite you to stay for the New Year?” A mocking smile curled Jiang Yan’s lips, his tone taunting.

Fox Third Madam flew into a rage at Jiang Yan’s words. “You men! Hmph, when you fancy me, you’re all heart and soul, but when you don’t, you hurt me without a second thought? Since you’re so glib, I’ll rip your tongue out!”

“Big Sis, don’t flatter yourself. I’ve never liked you, not from the start.” Jiang Yan felt thoroughly disgusted—this fox demon was truly full of herself!

“Argh! I’m going to kill you! Die, die!” Fox Third Madam lunged at Jiang Yan in a frenzy.

Jiang Yan’s movements were ghostlike as he dodged lightly, appearing to spar with Fox Third Madam, but in truth, he was secretly absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy and converting it into his own power.

This dual-focus cultivation method was a first for Jiang Yan. Not only did he manage it, he seemed at ease as he did so.

Six different colored lights swirled around him.

“Senior Sister, look—is that spiritual energy surrounding Jiang Yan?” Upon hearing this, Hua Ling’er’s beautiful eyes darted toward Jiang Yan, her breath catching as she took in the sight.

“Jiang Yan... he’s actually cultivating?” Hua Ling’er blurted out in shock.

Wang Xingzhi, holding an ornate gem-encrusted fan, couldn’t resist his curiosity. He flew over on his sword, a playful look on his face. “Junior Sisters, is that boy really so remarkable? Able to cultivate even while fleeing for his life?”

Hua Ling’er’s gaze was firm as she looked toward Jiang Yan. “But after all, he is Jiang Yan. Such miracles are his alone to create.”

Wang Xingzhi noticed the way Hua Ling’er looked at Jiang Yan and teased, “Hua Junior Sister, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to him?”

“Senior Brother Wang, this isn’t the time for such talk. We should be thinking about how to eliminate that fox demon.” Hua Ling’er smoothly deflected the question, though her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, showing her shyness.

“Senior Sister Hua is absolutely right,” Fan Jingwen’s voice rang out from the side. No one knew when he had silently arrived, riding his sword, a solemn nod accompanying his words.

He glanced at the demons still desperately fleeing through the streets, his heart filled with pity, though he knew they could scarcely protect themselves as things stood.

Bai Tao, watching Jiang Yan suffer Fox Third Madam’s relentless assault, grew anxious. “Qi Yu, what should we do? Jiang Yan’s in real danger.”

Qi Yu, seeing Jiang Yan’s peril, stiffened with worry but quickly calmed himself. “Young Master, why don’t we set up a formation to trap that fox demon?”

Bai Tao’s eyes lit up with hope. “Qi Yu, you know formation arts? What kind of formation?”

“Young Master, this formation requires twelve cultivators working together to cast it. I learned it from a manual Master gave me. It’s called the ‘Twelvefold Killing Array.’ Its power is determined by the cultivators’ strength—the stronger we are, the more formidable the array.”

Hearing his explanation, Bai Tao urged, “Great! Let’s set it up right away.”

“We’re still short on numbers. Let’s ask those cultivators over there.” With that, Bai Tao and Qi Yu flew toward Fan Jingwen and the others.

They explained to Fan Jingwen and Wang Xingzhi that they needed twelve cultivators for the array. Both immediately agreed to join.

Fan Jingwen and Wang Xingzhi were both at the advanced Foundation Establishment stage.

Qi Yu then explained the array formation and each person’s proper position in detail.

Since Qi Yu would be joining the array, Bai Tao had to ride on the little dragon’s back.

The little dragon felt a bit disgruntled—being used as a mount was a humiliating experience for a dragon. Still, given the circumstances, he grudgingly set aside his pride.

The little dragon carried Bai Tao, who in turn hugged Xiaobai and Heihua.

To any observer, it looked as though Bai Tao and company were bullying this petite dragon hatchling.

Bai Tao, embarrassed, said to the little dragon, “Elder Dragon, thank you for your trouble!”

“This is a special case—otherwise I’d never agree to carry you. Don’t you dare tell anyone about this.”

“Don’t worry, Elder Dragon. I’d never breathe a word.” Bai Tao certainly wasn’t about to admit that a grown man like himself had to ride such a tiny dragon—there was no dignity in that...

Not that he’d ever tell Elder Dragon how he really felt.

Qi Yu and the others each rode their swords in twelve different directions, forming hand seals as they unleashed their spells at Fox Third Madam.

Twelve beams of light shot straight at the fox demon’s massive form.

In an instant, a giant net of spiritual energy descended from the sky, trapping Fox Third Madam. Her body was frozen in place, arms suspended midair, unable to move an inch.

Seeing this, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but sigh—at last, his teammates had gotten their act together!

With Fox Third Madam immobilized, he finally had the opportunity to rapidly gather spiritual energy.

He didn’t know how long Qi Yu and the others could hold out, but he knew he had to seize every second.

Jiang Yan attached a Flight Talisman to his flying sword, just in case he lost his balance and fell while entering a meditative state.

He then stood on the sword’s tip, calming his mind to cultivate. Spiritual energy gathered around him in torrents, drawn as if by a powerful magnet.

With Fox Third Madam trapped, the fleeing demons finally had a chance to breathe.

They scrambled to solid ground, looked up, and witnessed Jiang Yan’s strange behavior.

“What’s that human cultivator doing?”

“He’s cultivating?!”

“In the middle of all this? He’s got some nerve!”

“Thank goodness Fox Third Madam’s been trapped! I hope these cultivators can finish her off for good.”

...

Just moments ago, they were running for their lives. Now they stood still, chattering among themselves. It could be said their nerves were just as strong.

Suddenly, one of the twelve beams of light snapped. A male disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect was violently thrown back, blood spurting from his mouth.

Qi Yu shouted, “Quick! Someone fill the gap!”

No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Zixuan of the Violet Profound Sect dashed over on his sword and quickly filled the missing position with a fresh beam of light.

Several other Violet Profound Sect disciples stood watch, ready to substitute at a moment’s notice.

The injured disciple was quickly caught by Hua Ling’er, who gave him a healing pill without delay.

Sweat beaded on the foreheads of those maintaining the array; some even had pale lips, but in their hearts they knew that perseverance would bring victory—they could not slacken for an instant.

Fox Third Madam cackled mockingly. “Hahaha! Little rats, you’d best give up now. This paltry array can’t hurt me. Don’t bring misery upon yourselves!”