Jiang Shengxiang and Xiao Rong: "…"
How could they not be tired? Their legs were already numb!
Nan Yingying's lips curled upward, red lips slightly parted.
"What foolish children. Even now, you still don't understand the situation. Are you done talking? My Imperial brother is about to make his move!"
At her words, Nan Huoyu strode forward flamboyantly. A streak of searing flame burst forth from his palm, flickering and dancing, casting his cheeks in a fiery glow. His eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance.
Jiang Shengxiang hurriedly shoved Tang Xiangyin away. "Go quickly. If you don't leave now, it will be too late. You must wait until Ranran Xiānzhǔ comes to save us!"
Tang Xiangyin staggered a few steps, clutching the teacup in confusion.
Nie Rong and Jiang Shengxiang stepped forward together, shielding her.
Tang Xiangyin blinked innocently at them. "But isn't the formation Fairy Xiānzhǔ left perfectly fine? They can't get in!"
"This is not about the formation. Their identities are not ordinary. For them, breaking a formation takes but a single breath!"
Jiang Shengxiang did not turn back. His expression was grave, his beard fluttering, his eyes resolute with the determination of one ready to die.
"Tang Miss, take the people of Longyin Village and the nearby villages and flee. I, together with Elder Nie, will hold them off!"
It was only at this moment that Tang Xiangyin realized this was no joke. They were deadly serious.
Xiao Rong, his legs numb, cried out, "Xiao Tang, after I die, you must take care of those spirit plants. I can feel that they will soon take human form!"
"Yes, Rong-yé, don't worry. Once they transform, I will tell them your story!"
Tang Xiangyin nodded heavily. Urged on by the three men, she hastened her steps and fled.
Jiang Shengxiang cast one last lingering glance at Longyin Village, sweeping over every blade of grass, every house, every stone. A serene smile touched his lips.
"To be buried in my homeland after death—this is my greatest wish in life!"
Xiao Rong wiped away his tears. "Though this is not my birthplace, Grandma Zhang's cooking was so delicious. To die here, I too feel content."
Nan Yingying's brows furrowed slightly, a flash of impatience in her eyes. "Imperial brother, these old and young ones are too noisy. Hurry and shatter this formation, so everyone can enter."
Nan Huoyu's twin palms blazed with fire, his eyes shining brighter. "As my Imperial sister commands. I shall destroy this annoying formation at once!"
Every word of their exchange fell clearly into the ears of Jiang Shengxiang and Xiao Rong. Their faces changed drastically, and the two clung tightly to each other.
Nie Rong sighed. "You two have spoken so much. At this final moment, I should leave behind some last words as well…"
Boom!
Two blazing fireballs surged with overwhelming might, smashing into the glowing barrier of the formation. The whole sky burned crimson, lighting up the eyes of everyone present.
Nan Huoyu's lips curled arrogantly.
"What a pity. They must all have been burned to ash."
"Imperial brother, you are kind. To grant them a swift death is already more than these lower-realm people deserve. We should not waste more time on them!"
Nan Yingying smiled faintly, covering her lips.
Nan Huoyu nodded in satisfaction toward his sister. "You are right. Now the most important matter is to divert the miasma at once."
"Yes!"
The blazing flames faded from the fiery clouds. Nan Huoyu and Nan Yingying stood shoulder to shoulder, smiling as they awaited the dispersal of fire.
What was revealed, however, were the dumbfounded faces of Nie Rong and the others.
Nan Huoyu stiffened in shock. "They… they didn't burn to death?"
"How is that possible? Could it be they possess defensive spirit treasures?"
Nan Yingying's face was full of confusion as well.
Nie Rong glanced at the unused water-shield spirit treasure still in his hand, then silently tucked it away.
Xiao Rong and Jiang Shengxiang were still kneeling, looking equally dumbfounded.
Nie Rong patted their shoulders gently. "Rong-yé, Village Chief Jiang, are your legs all right?"
Xiao Rong and Jiang Shengxiang exchanged an embarrassed look. Together, they said, "They feel a bit sore."
"That is normal. After all, you've been kneeling so long without channeling any spiritual power. The soreness will pass."
Nie Rong lifted them both up.
Xiao Rong stared blankly at Nan Huoyu and Nan Yingying outside. "The formation… it wasn't destroyed?"
"Indeed. This formation is far sturdier than we imagined."
Nie Rong stepped closer, raising his hand to touch the barrier. His pupils widened in shock.
This was absolutely no mere spirit-treasure level formation.
"This is… this is an Immortal Formation!"
Outside, Nan Huoyu laid his hand upon the Immortal Formation. Too shocked, he muttered dazedly to himself.
"How could there be an Immortal-rank formation in the lower realm? In the Spirit Realm, I've only seen one such formation in my life…"
Nan Yingying rushed to his side. "Is this truly an Immortal Formation? Are you certain, Imperial brother?"
Nan Huoyu nodded firmly. "Without a doubt. Only an Immortal Formation could withstand my True Fire without suffering the slightest harm!"
Nan Yingying gazed at the array. "Such an ordinary-looking formation, and yet it is an Immortal Formation. This village is far too strange!"
"Indeed. For such a small village to possess so many treasures… just who are you people?"
Nan Huoyu suddenly realized. This village was not ordinary at all. East Sea pearls used for lighting was one thing, but now its guardian was an Immortal Formation. No wonder that strange girl behaved so oddly, with such simple-mindedness.
"This…" Jiang Shengxiang scratched his head blankly. "I only just learned this formation became an Immortal Formation. As for who we are… we are just simple, honest villagers!"
Xiao Rong nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, just honest villagers. What Immortal Formation? I don't understand a thing."
Then he paused, before suddenly shouting angrily. "You fools! You cannot even break the formation, and yet you dare posture before me? Spirit Realm cultivators? You are nothing but a bunch of useless trash!"
His sudden shift in demeanor caught Nan Huoyu and Nan Yingying completely off guard.
His words were so bold and domineering that Jiang Shengxiang was stunned.
Looking outside at the pair, then back at the formation, Jiang Shengxiang suddenly jumped up and shouted, "Yes, yes, you're nothing but trash, big idiots, stupid pigs who cannot even break a formation!"
Nie Rong sniffed. This man truly was a good brother. Their ability to change faces so quickly was exactly the same.
Nan Huoyu and Nan Yingying were both dumbstruck by the scolding.
In an instant, those lower-realm villagers who should have been kneeling before them were cursing at them without restraint.
Nan Yingying's pretty face twisted in fury. "Silence! And you dare claim to be honest villagers? What honest villagers would curse like you?"
Nan Huoyu: "…"
Did it matter whether they were honest villagers? The point was, they had been utterly humiliated.
With a sudden surge, blazing heat roared behind Nan Huoyu. "Imperial sister, step aside. Even if this is an Immortal Formation, I will forcibly shatter it!"
"Idiot… wait, did he just say he will forcibly break an Immortal Formation?!"
Xiao Rong, mid-curse, swallowed his words in terror, staring at the inferno gathering before them.