The furious warriors, hoping to overwhelm the armoured man with numbers, charged forward.
But every one who attacked was sent flying back.
They fell, groaning in pain.
“How is this possible?”
Everyone was stunned, unable to comprehend.
Even if the armour boosted combat power, it couldn’t be this overwhelming. Hundreds of Celestial Realm warriors attacking together had no effect and were injured instead?
“Save your energy. That armour isn’t an ordinary treasure. It’s part of this vast ancient array. He may not have high cultivation, but he can draw on the entire array’s power. At the same level, no matter how many of you attack, you can’t beat him,” Ling Xiao said loudly. “Unless someone with higher cultivation breaks this stalemate, or we crack the ancient array and take his armour.”
“No wonder they kept Five Elements Heaven warriors out. They planned for our resistance. Damn it.”
“Heh, a bunch of fools. Enjoy your time here. We’re leaving,” the first mate, who hadn’t left, mocked, watching their plight.
“You really enjoy seeing them suffer helplessly. Pretty dark,” the armoured man laughed.
“Yep, I love watching them struggle in vain,” the first mate admitted openly.
“Is that so? Today, your evildoing might catch up with you.”
Ling Xiao gave a cold smile.
Playing with arrays against him was like showing off in front of a master.
Though the ancient arrays here were formidable, these people hadn’t fully mastered them.
Ling Xiao could still find flaws and gaps.
While these weren’t enough to escape, killing the treacherous first mate was within his reach.
“You?” Before the first mate could finish, a beautiful plum blossom mark appeared on his throat.
With a look of disbelief, he collapsed backward.
It was a combined strike by Ling Xiao and Leng Mei.
Leng Mei’s strength and Ling Xiao’s knowledge perfectly aligned.
One found the array’s flaw, the other attacked.
Leng Mei, at late Four Symbols Heaven, killed the first mate, at peak Four Symbols Heaven, caught off guard.
It was only natural.
The first mate’s two accomplices didn’t escape death either. Each had a strange hole in their chest, like a giant awl had pierced through, blood gushing.
That was Ling Xiao’s Shadow Cone, invisible and deadly, easily killing two Three Talents Heaven warriors.
The armoured man stared at Ling Xiao, then burst out laughing, “I underestimated you lot, especially you, kid. You marked them from the start, didn’t you?”
“Correct,” Ling Xiao said calmly.
Suspecting the first mate’s scheme, he’d prepared, imprinting soul marks on him and his accomplices.
That was why his attack was so precise.
“Bravo!” The armoured man clapped. “How did you know he was trouble?”
“Simple. From the moment we entered the canal, I knew we couldn’t leave. This place is sealed by a special ancient array. The way out is likely in your Pixiu Island’s hands, right?” Ling Xiao countered.
“Impressive! Truly impressive! If your cultivation weren’t so low, I’d think you were some senior master in disguise,” the armoured man said, genuinely admiring.
“You flatter me. I realised too late. If I’d seen through your plan earlier, things might’ve been different. At least I took one down with me. Worth it,” Ling Xiao said coolly.
“You know our plan?” The armoured man was even more surprised.
“It’s not hard. I know producing Tianyuan crystals is tough, requiring a special environment. From the moment we entered, I understood. You need so many Celestial Realm warrior slaves to make Tianyuan crystals for you,” Ling Xiao said coldly.
“Hahaha, such a pity you’re not one of us. I’d befriend you otherwise. You’re right, but so what? Once you’re here, you don’t even have the right to die. You’ll be our slaves,” the armoured man laughed. “No, more like livestock. Birds lay eggs, beasts give meat, and you’ll use your Tianyuan power to produce crystals for us!”
“Bastards!”
The warriors were furious but helpless against the armoured man.
“Heh, you’ve got the energy to curse now, but soon you’ll be our obedient livestock,” the armoured man said, arms crossed, waiting.
Soon, a group arrived, all in armour, weaker than the armoured man, at Three Talents Heaven.
“Take them,” the armoured man ordered.
“Yes, Captain!”
As they walked, the armoured man said, “Pixiu Island is quite fair. This is a treasure land with ancient arrays, so Celestial and Cave Heaven Realm warriors can make Tianyuan crystals. Produce enough for Pixiu Island, and you can leave.”
“We can leave?” someone asked, surprised.
“Yes. Produce at least 100,000 low-grade Tianyuan crystals or equivalent mid-grade ones, and you’re free,” the armoured man said, his face full of mockery.
“How many can warriors like us make monthly?” Ling Xiao asked.
“For First Heaven warriors, one crystal a month is decent. Your Tianyuan power seems strong, maybe ten a month,” the armoured man said after a pause.
“Ten a month, 3,000 in thirty years, without turning any over. That’s still not enough,” Ling Xiao frowned. “You’re toying with us?”
“Exactly. So what? I’m telling you, once you’re here, forget leaving. There’s no chance,” the armoured man said disdainfully.
“Damn, Pixiu Island is vile!”
“We were fools to fall for it.”
“We’re done for.”
The warriors were furious but deflated, recalling the armoured man’s overpowering attack.
Especially Ximen Bo, once so smug, now utterly subdued since learning of the deception, not even bothering Ling Xiao.
