Chapter 216: Chapter 165: An Exotic Treasure Appears (Part 2)

He simply wasn’t qualified to compete for it. The moment he obtained the treasure, it would likely sound the death knell for the entire Song Clan. He didn’t dare gamble the lives of his whole clan on the integrity of the major powers.

Just as Song Changsheng was deep in thought, Yinn Shang and Niu Dazhuang, who were a step behind, finally caught up.

Both of them carried the heavy stench of blood, clearly having just come from a vicious battle.

And that was indeed the case. After the Beast Tide had collapsed that day, Yinn Shang had taken Niu Dazhuang to slay the "Beast King" that had gathered the horde.

That Beast King had already reached the peak of Tier Two. If not for the restrictions of this Small World’s Law, it would have likely already broken through to Tier Three. It was incredibly powerful.

The two had fought a bitter battle for a full day before finally managing to slay the Beast King amidst its Demon Beast guards. Then, they had rushed over without a moment’s rest. With an Exotic Treasure revealed to the world, who wouldn’t be tempted?

"I have been waiting for you two Fellow Daoists for some time." Song Changsheng immediately went up to greet them with a smile.

"Song Family kid, what’s the situation here?" Niu Dazhuang noticed something was off as soon as he got close and boomed the question at Song Changsheng.

"I have already observed it. The treasure is shrouded by this [Three Mountains and Three Talents Array]. Its rank is somewhere between Tier Two and Tier Three. It blocks Divine Sense, its defense is extremely strong, and its Attack Power isn’t weak either.

"We’re actually quite lucky. If this Array were in the outside world, it would have likely formed the more exquisite [Three Stars, Three Mountains, and Three Talents Array]. But since this Small World lacks a sun, moon, and stars, the Array has a flaw, which saves us a lot of trouble," Song Changsheng said with a relaxed expression.

Niu Dazhuang, however, just felt a headache coming on. He knew of the [Three Mountains and Three Talents Array], and it was precisely for that reason that he found the situation tricky. This Array was not easy to break.

Noticing his expression, Yinn Shang asked in a low voice, "Well? Are you confident?"

"If what that kid said is true, then this is really going to be troublesome. I need to go see for myself, just in case he’s misleading me." Now was not the time to bite off more than he could chew, so Niu Dazhuang didn’t dare make any guarantees.

Niu Dazhuang circled the three great mountains, even making a probing attack. By the time he returned on his sword, his face was grave.

"Fellow Daoist Niu, are you confident?" Hou Tianming hurried forward to ask, a bad feeling rising in his heart.

Niu Dazhuang glanced at him but said nothing, his two thick, dark brows just furrowed even tighter.

"Junior Brother?"

"It is indeed the [Three Mountains and Three Talents Array]. With my abilities, breaking it isn’t an issue, but it will take a great deal of time."

"How long?" Xia Qingxue asked, standing up.

Niu Dazhuang sighed. "At least half a month. We don’t have enough time."

The Space Tunnel is always present, but it can collapse at any moment. After the Qiantian Secret Realm was modified, the Space Tunnel became extremely stable, but the price was that each opening could only be maintained for a short period. Exceeding that time limit could cause it to collapse.

The Qiantian Secret Realm opens once every five years, and each time for only about twenty days. Seven or eight days had already passed since Song Changsheng and the others entered. They simply didn’t have half a month for Niu Dazhuang to squander.

Hearing this, Yinn Shang and the others were instantly deflated. It seemed there was no chance this time.

Hou Tianming couldn’t help but look at the silent Song Changsheng, a sneer on his face. "Didn’t you say you had a way? Why are you mute now?"

"I do have a way, but what does that have to do with you?" Even a clay doll has a bit of Fire Qi. After being taunted by him time and again, Song Changsheng had no intention of indulging him any longer.

"You!" Hou Tianming was instantly enraged.

Song Changsheng ignored him completely and turned to Niu Dazhuang. "I do have a method that can break this Array before the tunnel closes."

"Let’s hear it." Although Niu Dazhuang didn’t believe Song Changsheng’s skill in Array Formation surpassed his own, there were no other options right now.

"The foundation of the [Three Mountains and Three Talents Array] lies in the three interconnected great mountains. They are the pillars of this Grand Array. As long as we can destroy one of them, the Array will break on its own.

"After observing for a long time, I’ve found several hidden weak points. We can form a [Three Talents Array] of our own to attack a single point. That should be enough to destroy the outer barrier and, in turn, destroy one of the three great mountains."

Song Changsheng’s plan was actually not much different from what Niu Dazhuang had in mind—using an array to break an array. The one difference, however, was that Song Changsheng had found the Array’s weak points, making the process of breaking it much easier.

"You found weak points?" Niu Dazhuang’s eyes went wide, looking as if he’d seen a ghost. He had also made a full inspection but had found nothing. As such, he was highly skeptical of the truth of Song Changsheng’s words.

Song Changsheng nodded gravely and pointed to his own eyes. "I cultivate a certain Pupil Technique. I’m quite confident in this area."

"So that’s it. You lucky bastard." Niu Dazhuang’s face lit up with understanding, and he looked at Song Changsheng with a gaze full of envy.

As an Array Master, he was naturally aware that some Pupil Techniques in this world possessed strange abilities related to Arrays.

It was just that such Pupil Techniques were extremely rare. He had only ever heard of them, never cultivated one himself.

"In that case, let’s not waste any more time. Come with me and point out those weak points."

After Song Changsheng pointed out the weak points one by one, Niu Dazhuang impatiently began preparations for the Array Formation. The [Three Talents Array] required three people to unleash its full power.

Among the five people present, Niu Dazhuang and Yinn Shang were both at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, so they were natural choices. The last spot should have gone to Song Changsheng, but he unexpectedly gave it to Hou Tianming, reasoning that the other man’s cultivation was stronger.

After the Array was broken, proximity would grant the first chance at the prize. Hou Tianming also believed himself to be stronger, so he accepted without a second thought.

"You did that on purpose."

During the lull while the others went to break the Array, Xia Qingxue had appeared by Song Changsheng’s side at some unknown point, her voice cold.

Song Changsheng looked at her with an innocent expression. "What are you talking about? I don’t understand."

"You’d better know your limits. If Hou Tianming dies here, it won’t do anyone any good." Xia Qingxue completely ignored his pretense and, after speaking, flew into the air on her sword. She also needed to find a good spot to vie for the treasure.

Watching her departing figure, Song Changsheng’s gaze gradually turned cold. ’Of course I won’t let him die here. But he needs to be taught a profound lesson.’

BOOM—

Along with a tremendous roar, Yinn Shang and the others began their attack on the outer barrier.

Brilliance instantly flared from the peaks of the three great mountains as three streaks of light shot out, rushing straight for the trio.

Yinn Shang and Niu Dazhuang were powerful and easily blocked the streaks of light. Hou Tianming was slightly weaker, but with the aid of the Array, he also managed to fend it off.

He breathed a sigh of relief, and his courage grew, prompting him to quicken the frequency of his attacks.

Soon, a tear was ripped in the barrier. The three immediately abandoned the [Three Talents Array] and charged into the formation, beginning their assault on the nearest great mountain. As long as they shaved off the peak, the Array would be broken.

The process went very smoothly, but at the exact moment the mountain peak shattered, the Array gathered all its remaining power to unleash one final blow.

The power of this strike was on a completely different level. Relying on their formidable strength, Yinn Shang and Niu Dazhuang barely managed to block it. Even so, they still suffered minor injuries.

Hou Tianming was not so lucky. Without the boost from the [Three Talents Array], he could barely handle a normal attack, let alone the Grand Array’s final blow. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"No—"

The streak of light shot straight toward Hou Tianming, and he plummeted from the sky like a bird with broken wings.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng’s expression remained completely placid as he shot swiftly toward the valley.

Xia Qingxue gave Song Changsheng a deep look before following right after him, diving down.

With the treasure at hand, no one cared whether Hou Tianming was dead or alive. Yinn Shang and Niu Dazhuang merely spared a glance before they too dove toward the valley at top speed.

They were the closest, and they could already see a green vine swaying in the wind. The immense life force was radiating from it.

Just as they were about to succeed, Xia Qingxue’s figure abruptly appeared before the two of them. The aura she radiated made even Yinn Shang’s expression change!

...