Upon witnessing this scene, both Xiao Yichen and Chen Tianming showed expressions of utter disbelief.
“How can this be?”
“This should not be happening!”
Qi Tian said gravely, “It seems this grand formation is far more difficult to break than we imagined.”
“Again!” Chen Tianming declared. “I refuse to believe that a mere formation can withstand the six of us.”
Boom!
Chen Tianming struck with his sword once more. An immense sword momentum surged forth like a collapsing mountain or an overwhelming tsunami. A sword qi over a thousand zhang long erupted in dazzling brilliance, blindingly radiant.
This sword carried an unparalleled aura, as if it intended to cleave the mountains and rivers asunder.
The other divine sons present all changed colour upon sensing this supremely sharp sword qi.
“This sword is even stronger than the previous one. This Chen Tianming’s strength truly cannot be underestimated,” Qi Tian thought to himself.
Xiao Yichen narrowed his eyes and mused, “No wonder he is so arrogant. He does have some ability.”
The two quietly exchanged a glance, each seeing killing intent in the other’s eyes.
As for Wang Cong, his heart burned with boundless killing intent, yet he also felt somewhat helpless. “Chen Tianming’s strength is too great. The only way to kill him is to join forces with Qi Tian and Xiao Yichen.”
Wu Qinghao and Li Jian both wore solemn expressions.
“I refuse to believe this sword cannot split it open.” Chen Tianming’s face was full of confidence. He had absolute faith in this strike.
Though it was not his strongest technique, the power of this sword was boundless.
Boom!
The sword qi slashed into the golden mountain, instantly carving a massive fissure across its surface.
“Strike!”
Qi Tian shouted loudly. His hands moved in unison, and a heaven-obscuring palm imprint crashed down, containing vast yin-yang energies.
At the same time, Wang Cong activated the Saint King Bell and directed it towards the fissure, while Li Jian also cleaved at the crack with his blade.
Under their combined assault, the fissure widened considerably.
Yet, in less than ten seconds, the fissure began to contract once more.
“Heaven-Mending Art!”
Xiao Yichen roared and deployed the Heaven-Mending Art again. The contracting fissure rapidly expanded.
However, this state lasted less than five seconds before the fissure closed completely.
“What?”
The six divine sons were stunned, their expressions turning unsightly.
Chen Tianming’s gaze swept over the other five and he said coldly, “At this point, are you still holding back?”
“Do you not want the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance?”
“Let me tell you this: unless we break the grand formation on this mountain, none of us will obtain the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance.”
Xiao Yichen raised an eyebrow. “Chen Tianming, what do you mean?”
“You accuse us of holding back. Have you not done the same?”
“If you truly exerted your full strength, would the result be this?”
Wang Cong glared furiously at Chen Tianming. “I have even sacrificed the Saint King Bell. How dare you say I am holding back?”
Wu Qinghao was equally displeased. “That strand of primordial chaos qi is my trump card. I have used it. And you, Chen Tianming?”
Chen Tianming replied, “If this is the extent of your strength, then it only proves you are rubbish.”
“You—” Wang Cong and Wu Qinghao flew into a rage and nearly attacked Chen Tianming on the spot.
As divine sons of their respective factions, being called rubbish to their faces was utterly intolerable.
“Enough. Stop arguing.”
Qi Tian said, “From the two attempts so far, it is clear that the issue is not insufficient power on our part, but rather that this formation is extraordinarily strange.”
“Even if we all gave our full strength, we still could not break it.”
Chen Tianming asked, “Then what do you suggest? Are we simply to stand here and wait?”
Qi Tian turned to Li Jian of the Taichu Holy Land and said, “Brother Li, the Taichu Holy Land is renowned for its mastery of formations. I am certain you must have a way to break this grand formation, yes?”
Instantly, everyone’s attention fixed on Li Jian.
Li Jian answered, “To be honest, I have never encountered this formation before and cannot break it myself. However…”
“However what?” Qi Tian pressed.
Li Jian continued, “I have a method that might allow me to identify this grand formation and perhaps discover a way to break it. But…”
Chen Tianming snapped, “Stop hesitating and speak plainly.”
Qi Tian said, “Brother Li, feel free to say it.”
Li Jian looked troubled. “If I do this, I will suffer severe vital energy damage and the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance will be completely beyond my reach.”
Chen Tianming snorted. “Even if you do not do it, the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance will still be beyond your reach, because it is mine.”
“Hmph.” Li Jian gave a cold snort and shot Chen Tianming an icy glance.
“Chen Tianming, no one would take you for a mute if you kept quiet,” Xiao Yichen rebuked angrily before turning to Li Jian. “Li Jian, though Chen Tianming’s words are harsh, they are not without reason.”
“All of us who entered the Dragon Burial Nest this time came for the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance.”
“With your strength, the chances of obtaining it are slim.”
“You must be aware of this yourself.”
“In my view, you should help us break the formation. We will all remember your kindness.”
Li Jian fell silent. He knew his chances of securing the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance were indeed small, for Xiao Yichen, Qi Tian, and Chen Tianming were simply too powerful.
Yet he was reluctant to aid the others for nothing and suffer severe vital energy damage as a result.
Qi Tian perceived Li Jian’s hesitation and said, “Everyone, I have a proposal.”
“We cannot expect Brother Li to help us without compensation. Therefore, I suggest that each of us present Brother Li with a treasure.”
“Brother Li mentioned he would suffer severe vital energy damage. For his safety, we should all swear not to harm him and to escort him safely out of the Dragon Burial Nest.”
“What say you?”
The others spoke in unison.
“Agreed!”
Qi Tian smiled and asked Li Jian, “Brother Li, do you have any further concerns?”
Li Jian shook his head.
“Excellent.” Qi Tian extended his right hand, and an exquisite jade box appeared in his palm. The box floated through the air to Li Jian.
Qi Tian said, “Within this is a heaven-grade superior spirit pill. Are you satisfied, Brother Li?”
“My thanks to Brother Qi.” Li Jian quickly accepted the jade box.
In the distance.
Elder Longbrow said to Ye Qiu, “Damn it. I thought Qi Tian treated you decently, but now I see it was all an act.”
“The spirit pill he gave you earlier was only heaven-grade inferior, yet now he gives an outsider a heaven-grade superior pill.”
“Clearly, this Li Jian holds far greater weight in Qi Tian’s eyes than you.”
“Do not forget, I am merely pretending to be Dragon Bodhisattva,” Ye Qiu replied. “It is not that Li Jian outweighs Dragon Bodhisattva, but that Qi Tian is desperate for the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance.”
Elder Longbrow said, “Little brat, I will keep a close watch on Li Jian for you. Once his vital energy is severely damaged, I will find an opportunity to seize the treasures on him for you.”
Ye Qiu replied irritably, “If you want the treasures for yourself, just say so. Do not drag me into everything.”
At that moment—
