Chapter 307: Killing

"Okay!"

Qin Sang hid Yun Youzi in the cave. After emerging, he looked back and saw Luo Xingnan openly pursuing him, making no attempt to conceal himself.

His spiritual energy depletion was merely a pretense. He had propelled the spiritual bamboo flying boat this far solely to create distance from Luo Xingnan and buy time; he certainly wouldn't wait until his spiritual energy was truly exhausted before stopping. However, the intermittent, sharp pangs from his Dantian were real, a result of the frequent use of spiritual pills and stones.

Qin Sang's face was faintly pale. He pressed his palm against his Dantian, ignoring the pain, then sneered. His figure flickered, and he vanished from the spot.

*Whoosh!*

Luo Xingnan sped forward. Just as he approached the mountain range, a flash of green light suddenly appeared within the peaks. Qin Sang, wielding the Jade Ruyi, soared skyward like a dragon emerging from water. The Jade Ruyi moved from its appearance to nearing Luo Xingnan in but an instant.

If it had been anyone else, suddenly subjected to a sneak attack by a talisman artifact, they wouldn't have had time to react and would likely have perished. Yet, facing the aggressive Jade Ruyi, Luo Xingnan showed no hint of panic. Instead, with a cold smile, he suddenly raised his palm, and a small, silver-white knife flew from its center.

The knife had a somewhat peculiar shape, somewhat resembling a dagger with a slightly upturned tip. A jade ribbon was wrapped around its hilt, and its silver light was dazzling. As Luo Xingnan waved his hand, the silver knife's hilt flicked, and like a swimming fish, it instantly sprang from stillness to motion, streaking forth unerringly to collide with the Jade Ruyi.

"Do you really think you're the only one with a talisman artifact? If you had escaped alone, I might have spared you the trouble and let you go," Luo Xingnan said with disdain and a mocking tone. "To think you could ambush me with a mere talisman artifact – what a pipe dream!"

*Bang!*

The two talisman artifacts collided. After the green and white lights clashed, they burst outwards in all directions, blindingly bright. Powerful fluctuations swept forth, actually slicing off a portion of a nearby mountain peak.

*Rumble...*

Massive boulders tumbled down, their sound reverberating through the air.

In mid-air, the green and white lights fiercely competed, neither giving way. They appeared evenly matched and locked in a stalemate, but before long, the green light emanating from the Jade Ruyi began to subtly dim. The difference lay in the two individuals controlling the talisman artifacts. Qin Sang's cultivation was a full level lower than Luo Xingnan's; as he channeled the artifact, the spiritual energy in his body was consumed like flowing water, and he inwardly lamented his situation. For Luo Xingnan, though the consumption rate was also significant, it was considerably less draining than for Qin Sang.

Luo Xingnan's face lit up with satisfaction; this was entirely within his expectations. With his cultivation advantage, even a prolonged battle would allow him to wear Qin Sang down. Furthermore, back in the cave dwelling, he had personally witnessed Qin Sang activate the talisman artifact to resist the Man-headed Owl. He knew the artifact's power was almost exhausted, meaning Qin Sang wouldn't last much longer. This was merely a desperate struggle!

However, Luo Xingnan did not lower his guard. He had not yet seen Shangguan Lifeng or Yun Youzi, especially Yun Youzi. The sight of the Flawless Pearl injuring the Man-headed Owl still made Luo Xingnan's heart pound when he recalled it, and he couldn't help but secretly congratulate himself for not having a direct confrontation with that old Taoist; otherwise, he would have been the one to take that blow. Although Yun Youzi seemed extremely frail, he might still have the ability to unleash another attack. Who knew if it wasn't a trap, deliberately disguised for him?

While fully channeling his talisman artifact, Luo Xingnan also remained vigilant, with the Yin-Yang Compass ready to strike. However, the anticipated scenario never occurred, so Luo Xingnan refocused most of his attention on Qin Sang.

The silver knife emitted a long hum, its white light growing increasingly intense, while the green light was forced to retract, losing ground, and the trembling sound of the Jade Ruyi seemed like a lament. Luo Xingnan grew impatient and roared, "Surrender now, and I might spare your life. If you continue to stubbornly resist, I will tear you limb from limb!"

Qin Sang ignored his words. Just then, he suddenly let out a muffled grunt, and spiritual energy surged wildly into the talisman artifact. Immediately after, the Jade Ruyi blazed with intense light, instantly pushing the silver knife back.

*Is this a dying surge?* Luo Xingnan, far from being surprised, was delighted, sneering inwardly as he immediately increased his spiritual energy to counter it. Unexpectedly, the Jade Ruyi's light grew brighter and brighter, showing no sign of diminishing. At the last moment, it suddenly exploded with a *bang!*

Turbulent energy scattered in all directions. The silver knife, facing the full force of the talisman artifact's explosion, was not severely damaged but was rocked uncontrollably by the chaotic currents. Luo Xingnan roared loudly, forcibly steadied the silver knife, and immediately urged it to continue the chase. At the same time, Luo Xingnan retracted some of his spiritual energy, flipped his palm, and aimed the Yin-Yang Compass at Qin Sang's retreating figure; a white light suddenly erupted. With this two-pronged attack, Qin Sang was sure to die.

At this critical juncture, a sword light suddenly flew back from within Qin Sang's body, bursting forth with immense sword qi, forcibly dispersing the Yin-Yang Compass's suction force. But immediately after, with a crisp clang, the Ebony Sword was struck squarely by the silver knife, sent flying high into the sky, spinning wildly like a headless fly, then falling feebly. Qin Sang seemed only intent on fleeing for his life, no longer having the energy to control his magical artifact.

The silver knife paused, then resumed its chase. Seeing that Qin Sang had exhausted all his tricks and had no chance of escaping, Luo Xingnan was overjoyed. His figure flickered, and he immediately gave chase, but unexpectedly, just as he moved, a sudden change occurred.

*Whoosh!*

An extremely cold black wind blew up from below. Six massive banners grew rapidly in the wind, forming a huge Demonic Ghost Banner Formation, instantly enveloping the entire area. Luo Xingnan was currently right at the heart of the grand formation.

Qin Sang had secretly deployed the Ten Directions Yama Formation long ago, but he had kept it dormant, hidden beneath the Jade Ruyi's light, using his own body to lure away the talisman artifact, only activating it at this precise moment.

The wails of ghosts pierced his ears. Luo Xingnan was startled and immediately activated the Yin-Yang Compass for defense. Although he had made some preparations, he hadn't anticipated Qin Sang to hide such a terrifying move. At this moment, he had two choices: one was to hastily recall his talisman artifact to defend him, and the other was to continue killing Qin Sang, believing that once Qin Sang was dead, the crisis would naturally dissipate.

Luo Xingnan remained remarkably calm and immediately made his decision. But unexpectedly, the power of the Ten Directions Yama Formation far exceeded his imagination. Within the eerie ghostly aura, powerful malevolent spirits lurked, easily tearing fissures in the Yin-Yang Compass's protective light. Then, incorporeal soul threads permeated every crevice, madly rushing towards Luo Xingnan, instantly engulfing him. His primordial spirit was scorched by the soul threads, and an agonizing pain that drove him mad suddenly struck him.

Luo Xingnan screamed. For a moment, both his spiritual energy and divine sense fluctuated wildly, becoming unstable. Giving Luo Xingnan no opportunity to recover, Shangguan Lifeng, who had been hidden in wait, finally made his move.

In the mountains, a stunning saber energy ripped through the void. Shangguan Lifeng, wielding a long saber, charged into the grand formation, unstoppable! Complementing the saber energy was the Ebony Sword, which had supposedly 'lost control' moments earlier!