“He’s gotten stronger again, hasn’t he?”
Even the Fox Immortal Lady, watching from outside the formation, couldn’t help but sigh as she observed Linghu Hongfei.
The last time he’d appeared was three years ago. Back then, he was already a First-Grade Venerable, towering over all the young talents of the Zuwu Star Domain. Now, a Second-Grade Venerable, he was even more untouchable.
No wonder the First-Grade Venerable sword guardian beast was so helpless against him.
“With two Boundary Swords collected, Linghu Hongfei can already open that gate,” Liangqiu Chengfeng remarked.
“Don’t worry, he won’t stop here. The more Boundary Swords he claims, the greater the power he’ll gain inside,” Wuming Xingyun said. “Linghu Hongfei aims to become a Holy Robe Boundary Spirit Master. He won’t quit unless he’s absolutely sure he can break through.”
“If I had my way, I’d rather he didn’t rush like this,” Master Liangqiu interjected. “His talent in boundary techniques is remarkable, though he rarely shows it. If he cultivated on his own strength instead of relying on external boosts, he could one day reach the Dragon-Pattern Holy Robe level. But if he forces his way to Holy Robe status with outside help, he’ll likely be stuck at the Insect-Pattern grade for life.”
“Master Liangqiu, don’t you dare try to talk him out of it,” Wuming Xingyun warned. “Our success hinges on this kid. If he doesn’t open that gate and go in, we can’t access that power either.”
“Even if Master Liangqiu wanted to劝, it’d be pointless,” Master Longxuan added. “Linghu Hongfei doesn’t care about boundary techniques—he’s obsessed with martial cultivation. Becoming a Holy Robe Boundary Spirit Master is just for fame. To him, claiming the title of the youngest Holy Robe Master matters more than reaching Dragon-Pattern status later. He’s relied on external aids since childhood, never truly honing his boundary spirit skills on his own. Even if he regrets it now, it’s too late—he’s got no way back.”
“Longxuan’s right. That’s why it’s such a pity,” Master Liangqiu nodded, then added, “But the last three swords? Linghu Hongfei won’t get them easily. Even with external help, he might not become a Holy Robe Boundary Spirit Master today.”
“Master Liangqiu, are the remaining three swords *that* hard to obtain?” Wuming Xingyun, Liangqiu Chengfeng, the Fox Immortal Lady, and Master Longxuan all turned to him.
Today’s plan was entirely Master Liangqiu’s design. Their understanding of the formation paled in comparison to his.
They only knew they couldn’t access the formation’s power alone. They had to suppress it, letting the younger generation break through. That was the only way to tap into its strength.
But the *why* and the deeper mysteries of the formation? They were largely in the dark.
“Unless someone’s strength defies the heavens, the last three swords are untouchable,” Master Liangqiu said.
*Rumble—*
As his words fell, the formation quaked violently.
The ground split and collapsed, thick smoke billowing upward.
The juniors perched on the peaks scrambled down, flocking behind Linghu Hongfei, faces tense.
They could sense it—something terrifying was emerging from the earth.
Sure enough, from the churning ground, a colossal figure rose.
It towered thirty thousand meters, a sky-piercing behemoth.
But it wasn’t a mountain—it was a monstrous entity.
Headless, it bore a vaguely human frame.
Yet its body stretched over thirty thousand meters—a true titan!!!
Compared to it, the array-laden peaks seemed puny.
And the juniors at its feet? Less than ants—mere specks of dust.
Worse, its aura was overwhelming, godlike, invincible.
It was Supreme Realm!!!
“Heavens, what *is* that?”
“Masters, didn’t we suppress the formation’s power? How can something this strong appear?”
The juniors weren’t the only ones shaken—even the Fox Immortal Lady and the others outside panicked.
A Supreme Realm being! Forget the kids—even they couldn’t face it inside.
Among them, only Master Liangqiu could stand a chance.
But suppressing the formation meant they couldn’t enter—only the juniors could. If they stepped in, their hold would break, and the monster’s power would surge exponentially.
This First-Grade Supreme was already weakened by their arrays—it wasn’t even its full strength.
In truth, it was a force none of them—perhaps no one in the Zuwu Star Domain—could oppose.
“This is the formation’s second line of defense. The last three Boundary Swords are hidden in that creature’s body. Naturally, it’s a tough nut to crack,” Master Liangqiu explained.
“What? The final three swords are guarded by *that* thing?”
Liangqiu Chengfeng and the others finally grasped why Master Liangqiu said Linghu Hongfei couldn’t claim them.
Forget Linghu Hongfei—no one could!
This challenge was absurdly daunting.
Likely no one in the Zuwu Star Domain could pull it off.
“Master Liangqiu, you said our gains depend on how much the juniors can take,” Wuming Xingyun pressed. “If Linghu Hongfei only gets two swords and opens the gate, the power he retrieves will be limited. Will it be enough for *us* to break through?”
Master Longxuan, Liangqiu Chengfeng, and the Fox Immortal Lady leaned in, concern etched on their faces.
This was critical—tied to their own breakthroughs in boundary spirit cultivation. They couldn’t *not* care.
“I don’t know how strong that power is—I can’t say for sure,” Master Liangqiu admitted. “Maybe one Boundary Sword’s worth, once he enters, will be enough for us to advance.”
The four exhaled in relief.
But before they could relax, he continued.
“Or maybe it’s weaker than we think. Even with four swords, the power he gets might not push us through.”
