Chapter 158: Activating Seven Layered Array Formations
Suddenly, a flurry of activity in the distance snapped him back to the present. His heart skipped a beat as he saw not just the Iron Hammer Sect cultivators approaching, but two additional groups – the Wyvern and Fox tribes! This wasn’t part of the plan. A cold sweat prickled his skin.
‘An alliance with the beasts? No…that can’t be…’ he thought, his mind racing. ‘The Iron Hammer Sect must have formed an alliance with the Shadow Blade Sect!’
It was the only explanation for the presence of these powerful beast species.
The Shadow Blade Sect, known for their stealthy tactics, were likely lurking in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
Anxiety gnawed at him.
Had he made a grave mistake? He was the one who had indirectly set this catastrophe in motion, feeding the Iron Hammer Sect misinformation about Jiu Lan’s injuries.
Thankfully, he knew the Palace Mistress was probably closer to full strength by now, but facing a combined force of cultivators and beasts was a daunting prospect.
A wave of self-doubt crashed over him.
Maybe his formation traps wouldn’t be enough.
He had tailored them specifically for the Iron Hammer Sect, and a three-pronged attack was something he hadn’t anticipated.
He cursed inwardly. Had his eagerness to seduce Jiu Lan blinded him to the bigger picture?
But there was no time for regrets. He had to at least try and contain the situation.
Taking a deep breath, he activated the outermost layer of formations – the Spirit Sense Disruption Array.
The approaching forces would be met with a confusing distortion of spiritual energy, their ability to sense and coordinate their attacks hampered.
As the Iron Hammer Sect cultivators, accompanied by the ferocious Wyverns and nimble Fox cultivators, drew closer, their initial confidence faltered.
Whispers of unease crackled amongst their ranks.
The normally vibrant flow of spiritual energy felt disoriented, making it difficult to pinpoint locations and gauge their opponents’ strength.
“What sorcery is this?” bellowed a burly Iron Hammer Sect Elder, his voice laced with frustration. This wasn’t how they envisioned a weakened Jade Lotus Palace camp.
The Wyvern leader, a creature resembling a colossal bat with razor-sharp talons, let out a guttural shriek. “There’s something… wrong!” he screeched, his words lost in the growing chaos.
Meanwhile, the Fox tribe leader, a magnificent Nine-Tailed Fox with fur the color of burnished copper and eyes that glowed with an unsettling intelligence, remained silent.
Her keen senses, honed over millennia of evolution, picked up on a presence – a hidden threat lurking within the camp.
A predatory glint flashed in her golden eyes as she crouched low, preparing to pounce and unveil the true source of the disruption.
Unlike the others, her fox senses, far superior to those of humans and most beasts, detected a faint fluctuation in the air – a signature of formation techniques.
A sly grin stretched across her vulpine face. This wasn’t some mystical sorcery, but a cleverly crafted trap.
Wang Li watched from the shadows, his heart pounding in his chest. The first layer of his defenses had bought them some time, but the real test was yet to come.
He had to act fast, adapt his strategy, and hope his formations could hold against the combined might of the Iron Hammer Sect, the beast tribes, and the unseen Shadow Blade Sect.
The battle for the Jade Lotus Palace camp had just begun.
A collective gasp rippled through the Jade Lotus Palace camp as the Spirit Sense Disruption Array kicked in. The normally tranquil morning air crackled with tension.
The beauties, both young disciples and mature elders, emerged from their tents, a flurry of flowing robes and worried whispers.
Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, fully recovered from her battle with the White Bone Sect Devil Queen, emerged from her tent, a storm brewing in her emerald eyes.
Her gaze fell upon the approaching horde – Iron Hammer Sect cultivators, their brutish forms accompanied by the magnificent yet terrifying figures of Wyverns and Fox cultivators.
Despite the grim situation, Jiu Lan exuded a calmness that belied the tempest within. With a flick of her wrist, she unsheathed her Emerald Willow Blade, its polished surface reflecting the harsh sunlight.
“Members of the Jade Lotus Palace!” Her voice, though calm, carried a steely resolve. “We face a combined attack from the demonic Iron Hammer Sect and the savage beast tribes. Today, we fight not for glory, but for survival. Be ruthless, be relentless. Show them the true strength of our sect!”
Her gaze swept across the assembled disciples and elders. Elder Shan Yiran, a beauty with eyes as sharp as the daggers she wielded, and Elder Jin, whose youthful visage belied her considerable experience, stepped forward.
“Elder Shan Yiran,” Jiu Lan directed, “take your disciples and engage the Wyverns. Don’t let them breach the camp’s perimeter.”
Elder Shan Yiran bowed. “As you command, Palace Mistress.” Her eyes glinted with a fierce determination, mirroring the glint in the daggers she held tightly.
Jiu Lan turned to the stunning Elder Feng, famous for her mastery of illusionary techniques. “Elder Feng, neutralize the Fox tribe. Their cunning tactics require a cunning opponent.”
Elder Feng offered a confident smile. “Leave the foxes to me, Palace Mistress. Their illusions will find no purchase against mine.”
Jiu Lan nodded lastly to three other elders, each formidable cultivators with years of experience etched in their faces. “Elders, engage the Iron Hammer Sect cultivators. Remember your training, but above all, remember we fight for the survival of our sect!”
A chorus of “Yes, Palace Mistress!” resonated through the camp, the response filled with unwavering determination.
Jiu Lan’s gaze lingered on her disciples, young faces etched with fear and resolve. “My disciples,” she said, her voice softening slightly, “you are the heart and soul of the Jade Lotus Palace. Fight with your hearts but fight smart. And remember, mercy is a luxury we cannot afford today.”
Then, her voice hardened once more. “As for me, I will handle the Soul Integration Realm experts. None of them shall interfere with your battles!”
A gasp escaped many lips. Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, alone, against three Soul Integration Realm cultivators – the leader of the Iron Hammer Sect, the Nine-Tailed Fox, and the Wyvern Lord? It seemed a suicidal proposition, yet they saw in her eyes a burning determination that could not be denied.
Jiu Lan surprised them once more. With a flick of her wrist, she activated the White Bone Sect’s existing defensive array. It wasn’t as sophisticated as the formations Wang Li had set up, but it would provide a much-needed boost to their defenses and empower their attacks.
A warm glow emanated from the ground, enveloping the entire camp. The beauties of the Jade Lotus Palace felt a surge of strength course through them, a testament to the activated array.
Meanwhile, Jiu Lan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity. A faint sense of an unfamiliar yet powerful formation hummed beneath her own. It was a layered structure, intricately designed, unlike anything she had encountered before. This wasn’t something the White Bone Sect had left behind.
A ghost of a smile touched her lips. Someone, it seemed, was looking out for the Jade Lotus Palace. Whoever it was, Jiu Lan was grateful. With these additional defenses, they had a fighting chance.
Meanwhile, unseen and unheard, Wang Li remained cloaked in invisibility. He focused intently on his layered formations, activating them strategically as the battle unfolded. The Spirit Sense Disruption Array continued to disorient the attackers, while the Illusionary Maze Array threw them into further chaos.
His eyes flickered towards Liu Xue, a flicker of concern crossing his face. She was bravely fighting alongside Elder Feng against the Fox tribe, her movements graceful yet deadly. He activated the Binding Chains Array around her, a hidden safety net in case she was overwhelmed.
The initial confusion caused by Wang Li’s formations had given the attackers pause. The Wyverns, their leathery wings flapping uselessly against the Sonic Disruption Array’s disorienting barrage, slammed into each other in mid-air. The Fox warriors, known for their swift movements and cunning traps, found themselves entangled in the Earthbound Trapping Array’s invisible binds. Even the Iron Hammer Sect’s prized Human Corpse Puppets, imbued with demonic energy, were quickly disabled by the Essence Devouring Array, their movements sluggish and hesitant.
But as the battle raged on, the attackers started to adapt. The astute elders of the Iron Hammer Sect, sensing the presence of multiple formations, focused their attacks on the faint fluctuations emanating from the formation disks. Human puppets and expendable beastmen were sent forward, their sacrifice revealing the locations of the array’s eyes, the critical points powering each layer. With a sickening crunch, formation disks shattered under concentrated blows, deactivating specific portions of Wang Li’s defenses.
Wang Li watched with a grimace. He knew his formations wouldn’t last forever, but he had hoped for a bit more time. Still, they had served their purpose. The Jade Lotus Palace beauties, empowered by the White Bone Sect’s array, had inflicted significant damage on the attacking force. Despite being outnumbered three to one, the sheer skill and elegance of their fighting style kept the battle in a precarious balance.
