"Fifth place in the Xuánqīng Palace Outer Sect Tournament, Wutong?"
Hearing the voice from behind, Wang Jianqiang looked forward and raised his brows.
Now this was a big catch.
Shoo!
Just as the thought flickered across his mind, the person ahead had already made a move.
With a wave of Wutong's hand, a small compass shot forth, in the blink of an eye appearing above Wang Jianqiang's head and then hovering in midair.
The next moment, boundless spiritual light burst out, radiating from the compass as its center, covering a region nearly a hundred zhang around Wang Jianqiang.
Caught in the spiritual light, Wang Jianqiang immediately felt a massive force squeeze in from all directions, as if trying to pin him to the spot.
His speed dropped by more than tenfold.
"He's been stalled by Senior Brother Wutong, hurry and kill him!"
The Xuánqīng Palace disciple who had called out earlier was overjoyed and took the lead in attacking.
The others weren't slow to react and quickly followed suit.
In an instant, more than ten fierce attacks descended upon him.
Water Sword Formation!
Wang Jianqiang tapped his fingers, countless sword shadows merged into the void.
The world surged like rising tides, sealing the surroundings.
Boom~
Boom~
Boom~
…
Waves roared endlessly in the void, as though crashing down upon the incoming attacks.
One after another, the strikes were erased midair.
The Water Sword Formation was ceaseless and unrelenting.
But at this moment, Wang Jianqiang's spiritual power was suppressed by seventy percent, and having been caught off guard by Wutong's ambush, he couldn't block every strike.
He took a hit.
Rumble~~
Amidst booming explosions, Wang Jianqiang was blasted backward.
His withered white hair scattered wildly, his robes torn to shreds.
"Damn weeds, you've pissed off Grandpa!"
Wang Jianqiang tapped his fingers again.
Sword shadows flashed, and a new grand formation emerged.
This formation was completely different from before.
Inside, countless swords filled the array, their edges sharp enough to chill the heart, each blade wreathed in blazing fire.
Shoo shoo shoo~
The endless sword qi seemed to gain consciousness, locking precisely onto each opponent.
Faces paled, panic flashing just as they prepared to defend.
Wang Jianqiang flicked his fingers again.
A ray of spiritual light merged into the formation.
Instantly, the gravity inside soared a hundredfold.
Aside from Wutong, who only bent under the pressure, everyone else collapsed to their knees—some directly sprawled flat on the ground.
The next instant.
A chorus of screams rang out.
Other than Wutong, Wu Yan, and Wu Feng—who barely managed to resist—the rest were shredded by the burning swords, torn into countless pieces, dead beyond saving.
Among the three survivors, only Wutong's state was relatively stable. Wu Yan and Wu Feng were severely injured.
"How can this old bastard be so strong?"
Wu Yan and Wu Feng were utterly dumbfounded.
Wutong too was momentarily stunned.
The decay around Wang Jianqiang was overwhelming.
He clearly looked like someone at death's door.
Normally, one at this stage would have long since lost their vitality, their strength plummeting.
Why was his power so terrifying?
Escape!
At that moment, the three simultaneously made the same decision.
They shot into the air, fleeing in three different directions.
"Trying to run?"
"Forcing me to get serious, huh?"
"Too late!"
Wang Jianqiang snorted coldly.
He pointed at the formation.
A green light merged into it.
Meanwhile, the three had already reached the edge of the array, blasting at it with all their might.
Boom~
The array trembled but didn't break.
"Once the complete Minor Five Elements Sword Formation is formed, it's far more than just a fusion of traits."
Wang Jianqiang sneered.
The Minor Five Elements Sword Formation could be split into five sub-formations: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
Each carried its own specialty.
The Wood Sword Formation excelled at binding foes, while the Metal Sword Formation was peerless in slaughter…
When fused, the five became a complete array.
Not only did it embody all their individual traits, but through endless circulation, each was amplified many times over.
With his suppressed state, the Wood Sword Formation alone might not have restrained the three.
But with the complete array? Its restraining power multiplied beyond measure.
The trio couldn't hope to break free.
"Gentlemen, rest in peace."
Wang Jianqiang pointed again.
Countless blazing swords rampaged.
Terror had just flashed across the three faces when their bodies were pierced through, sliced into halves, quarters…
Once the three were dead beyond doubt, Wang Jianqiang waved his hand, dispersing the array.
Then he collected all valuables from the corpses.
After a quick search, he couldn't help but grin.
Forget everything else—for foundation-establishing pills alone, he had reaped fifteen.
Whoever said "murder and arson bring gold belts" wasn't wrong.
This harvest was worth the effort.
Pocketing the loot, he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.
He flipped the jade stone in his hands, ready to examine it carefully.
After all, it was far too conspicuous—if he couldn't stash it in his storage bag, it'd be a hassle.
But as he studied the jade, he failed to notice—when his bloody fingers brushed against it, the stone absorbed his blood.
The next moment, it melted into his palm, forming an egg-shaped mark.
"What the hell?!"
Wang Jianqiang was stunned, but before he could react, a terrifying suction burst from the mark.
His spiritual power rushed uncontrollably into it.
"No way!"
Wang Jianqiang turned pale.
He tried to suppress the flow, but it was useless.
Thankfully, just as his spiritual power neared depletion, the mark finally stopped—whether sated or merciful, he couldn't tell.
He exhaled in relief.
Glancing at his palm, his expression turned bitter.
This wasn't some treasure—it was a damn overlord.
Useless so far, yet already wreaking havoc.
He swallowed a restoration pill, shaking his head.
Without calm refinement, the pill's effect was weak—his recovery would be slow.
And having just fought a massive battle, the area was far from safe. Others or beasts might come.
"Forget it, I need to find a safe spot to recover first."
His spiritual power was under ten percent; he was nearly powerless.
If he ran into anyone else, or a strong beast, it'd be trouble.
So he darted away quickly.
He avoided flying—besides draining too much energy, the sky left him exposed, an easy target. With his state, far too risky.
But fate rarely cooperates.
After only a few miles, four figures suddenly appeared to his side.
His heart skipped, and he instantly retreated, opening distance.
The four seemed startled as well, reflexively leaping back.
Once steady, Wang Jianqiang focused on them—then froze in surprise.
Liang Chen, Qian Yu?
Both were among the top ten of the Hehuan Sect's outer disciples, whom he'd seen at the tournament.
But why were Niu Shouren and Chen Jiaojiao with them?
Then it clicked—he recalled their earlier act of cutting ties with him.
So, they'd found a new backer. No wonder.
As Wang Jianqiang assessed them, they too recognized him.
"Wang Jianqiang!"
Four voices rang out in unison, filled with delight, as if they'd stumbled upon a priceless treasure.