Chapter 258: Chapter 162: Where Did You Get the Muddy Water Round Shield?

In fact, not only was the Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers being tied down, but the Celestial Secret Pavilion and the Cyan Cloud Sect were also intercepted.

The Divine Fire Sect had mobilized in force this time, with two primary objectives.

The first was to use the Nine Directions Nine Heavens Demon Transformation Array to surround and kill a Golden Core True Man at Luoyan Mountain.

Their ideal targets were Master Yusha or Master Ming Yan from Li State.

Shattering the balance of power in Li State would very likely trigger internal strife.

Even if it didn’t ultimately lead to civil war, the other Golden Core True Men arriving as reinforcements would undoubtedly become concerned for their own safety, growing more inclined toward self-preservation in any future actions.

The second objective was to push the front line directly to Elemental Magnetic Peak, preparing to surround and annihilate the Lingyuan Sect.

The Divine Fire Sect also had a contingency plan that would allow them to easily break through the barrier of Wangyan Mountain.

Then, they could pin the remaining Lingyuan Sect cultivators in northern Hezhou and gradually pick them off.

And as for the other two sects from the south, it was anyone’s guess what price they would be willing to pay for a rescue.

The execution of the plan itself proceeded without any major issues.

Thanks to the pressure from the Soul-breaking Needle and the Four Great Wanderers, the entire area east of Wangyan Mountain, aside from Qingyang County, had been brought under control.

But what no one knew was that Xiao Chen, following the Array Deployment Map, had already dug up the fifth Array Plate.

Twilight fell, and the distant mountains were dark as ink.

Xiao Chen stood on a small hill, watching the sun disappear completely below the horizon, his heart filled with the satisfaction of a bountiful harvest.

In the three short hours since leaving Du Song Ridge, he had successfully unearthed three Array Plates and collected three hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones.

That was an average of ten thousand Spirit Stones per hour.

Although it was getting late, he decided to find the last Array Plate before even considering rest.

’But where did the other two go?’

As he traveled, Xiao Chen also wondered about the whereabouts of the other two Wanderers.

Partway through his flight, he suddenly spotted a bonfire burning on a nearby mountainside, its light standing out sharply against the night sky.

Looking from a distance, he could see what looked like a group of people dancing gracefully.

’Who would be in the mood to celebrate at a time like this?’

Curious, he drew a little closer, only to see a group of about ten naked female cultivators dancing seductively around the fire.

Nearby, several dozen cultivators were kneeling on the ground, while the bodies of about a dozen more lay a short distance away.

They wore similar attire, suggesting they all belonged to the same clan.

These people were all at the Qi Refining stage of cultivation. Some glared with rage, others wept silently, and still others seemed completely broken.

The only Foundation Establishment cultivator present was lounging on a large, prominent rock, watching the spectacle with great relish.

"Who?"

The Southern Wanderer felt an unfamiliar and powerful Divine Sense sweep over him, and he shot to his feet, instantly on alert.

He then saw a young man descend on his Sword Light, landing to shield the crowd of Qi Refining cultivators.

His gaze fell on the Donghua Wind Sword and hardened. "A Top Grade Magical Artifact. You’re Xiao Chen."

"Hmph. You should have stayed put in Qingyang. Daring to come out here... you’re truly courting death!"

"I was just looking for something to go with my wine. Since you’re here, your brains will do nicely."

Though his words proclaimed Xiao Chen had come only to die, the Southern Wanderer’s hands moved without the slightest hesitation.

As he spoke, a seal lit up in his palm, and a moment later, agonizing screams erupted from all around.

It turned out he had long ago used a Secret Technique to plant fire seeds within the bodies of these Qi Refining cultivators.

Now, activating the seeds, Demon Fire erupted from their Dantians, consuming their lifespans and Magical Power as fuel and turning each cultivator into a human torch.

Moreover, the flames followed a specific pattern, forming a simple Array right where they stood.

Instantly, they formed a pincer attack on Xiao Chen, with the Southern Wanderer at the front.

But that wasn’t all. Besides activating the fire seeds, the Southern Wanderer also produced two Talismans from within his robes and cast them out.

One exploded in mid-air, releasing a massive amount of Fire Spirit Power from which a Red Flame Tiger at the late Foundation Establishment stage leaped forth.

The other transformed into a diamond-shaped Magic Shield that circled around him.

Only after doing all this did the Southern Wanderer leisurely produce a Palm Leaf Fan and turn to Xiao Chen. "Didn’t see that coming, did you, boy?"

"You think I’d be enjoying myself here without being prepared?"

"Daring to get this close just for a few Qi Refining cultivators... Today, I’ll teach you a lesson on your sect’s behalf. A lesson in caution."

With that said, he waved his Palm Leaf Fan. The Array behind them immediately erupted, sending a blazing Fire Dragon surging forward, while the Red Flame Tiger in front lunged at the same time.

"A Demonic Remnant like you wants to teach others a lesson?"

Faced with this brazen assault, Xiao Chen remained utterly unfazed.

With his left hand, he produced the Fire-Storage Treasure Gourd and tossed it behind him. With his right, he threw the Muddy Water Round Shield out in front.

The blazing Fire Dragon at his back was instantly sucked into the Fire-Storage Treasure Gourd, while the Red Flame Tiger in front slammed into the Muddy Water Round Shield. Not only was the beast blocked, but its power was also suppressed by the elemental counter, and its momentum plummeted.

"The Muddy Water Round Shield!"

The Southern Wanderer stared at the familiar Spirit Shield, startled. "Where did you get the Muddy Water Round Shield?"

As he produced two more Flying Swords, Xiao Chen smiled and retorted, "Why? Are there that many Top Grade Magical Artifacts floating around?"

"Since you recognize whose Shield this is, why don’t you guess how I got my hands on it?"

The Southern Wanderer had already guessed the truth but found it difficult to believe at first.

Hearing Xiao Chen say this, any hope he had was finally extinguished.

Among the Four Great Wanderers, the weakest was the Northern Wanderer, followed by the Eastern Wanderer.