The red iron chains vibrated ceaselessly, the entire space trembling in response, emitting bursts of grating metallic friction sounds that set one’s teeth on edge.
Those severed iron chains seemed to possess life of their own. Each time Chen Ping cut them, they would reconnect in an instant, growing even thicker and tougher.
“No, this won’t do. Going on like this isn’t a solution.”
Chen Ping panted heavily, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.
He had already launched nearly a hundred continuous attacks, but these eerie iron chains appeared endless. No matter how hard he tried, he could not destroy them completely.
Hu Mazi hid behind Chen Ping, his face as pale as paper, his lips trembling as he said, “Chen Ping, this formation is too sinister. Our attacks have no effect whatsoever.”
Chen Ping gritted his teeth. The Slay Dragon Sword in his hand erupted with dazzling light once more.
He knew this was no time to retreat. If those iron chains entangled him, the consequences would be unthinkable.
“Let’s try again.”
Chen Ping shouted loudly, pouring all the remaining immortal energy in his body into the Slay Dragon Sword.
The sword blade emitted a humming buzz like a dragon’s roar. A larger dragon-shaped sword shadow flew forth from it, sweeping towards the iron chains ahead.
“Boom.”
A deafening bang echoed as the dragon-shaped sword shadow collided with the iron chains, bursting forth with blinding light.
This time, Chen Ping’s attack had some effect. Several iron chains ahead shattered completely, dissolving into countless blood-red light spots that scattered through the air.
But before Chen Ping and Hu Mazi could rejoice, those scattered blood-red light spots recombined in the air. They formed more numerous, finer iron chains, resembling a vast blood-red fishing net that descended upon the pair.
“Not good.”
Chen Ping’s expression changed. He hurriedly held the Slay Dragon Sword horizontally before him, attempting to block the onslaught of these iron chains.
Yet the sheer number of iron chains this time was overwhelming, dense as a locust swarm crossing the land. It was impossible to block them entirely.
Several iron chains breached Chen Ping’s defence, coiling around his arm.
“Ah.”
Chen Ping uttered a pained groan.
Those iron chains seemed alive. Once they wrapped around his body, they began to absorb the immortal energy and life force within him with frenzied hunger.
Hu Mazi, seeing this, could no longer afford to fear. He formed hand seals with swift movements. A yellow talisman shot forth instantly, flying towards the iron chains coiled around Chen Ping’s arm.
“Break.”
Hu Mazi shouted loudly. The talisman exploded with dazzling light in mid-air.
However, the talisman’s effect was negligible. The iron chains merely paused for a moment before resuming their voracious absorption of Chen Ping’s power.
“It’s useless. Your attacks are mere drops in the ocean against my Blood God Soul-Trapping Formation.”
Xue Wuying’s voice echoed from all directions once more, laced with smugness and cruelty.
Chen Ping and Hu Mazi’s faces grew ever grimmer.
They could sense their inner power draining at an alarming rate, their stamina depleting with equal speed.
If this persisted, they would not need Xue Wuying to strike. Exhaustion alone would bring them down.
“Chen Ping, we… what should we do.”
Despair tinged Hu Mazi’s voice.
Chen Ping gritted his teeth, enduring the agony of his power’s loss, and said, “Don’t give up. There must be a way out for us.”
Yet even as he spoke, despair began to seep into Chen Ping’s heart.
He could feel the formation’s power far exceeded his expectations. It seemed to grow stronger by the moment.
Time ticked by, minute by minute, second by second. Chen Ping and Hu Mazi’s stamina and immortal energy ebbed away rapidly.
Their movements slowed progressively, their breaths growing heavier.
Finally, after holding out for nearly an hour, Chen Ping and Hu Mazi were utterly spent.
