Chapter 520: Great Formation Activation

Rumble! Above the boundless Origin Pond, hundreds of streaking figures soared past. Surging Origin Qi vibrated the void, emitting low rumbling sounds like thunder. The overflowing Origin Qi tore through the surface of the sea below, leaving trails in its wake.

These figures were, naturally, the disciples of Saint Genesis Peak.

They were pressing forward at top speed, but their worried glances constantly darted backward, betraying their unease.

Where their gazes fell, in the distant rear, the clouds seemed to part, revealing a vast and overwhelming surge of figures. Potent Origin Qi parted the sea, leaving it turbulent long after they passed.

Those were the pursuers from Sword Cometh Peak.

They were hot on the heels of the Saint Genesis Peak disciples, steadily gaining ground. Their aggressive posture made it clear they wouldn't rest until Saint Genesis Peak was eliminated today.

Kong Sheng, Zhao Zhu, and Bai Li Che led the vanguard. Cold smiles played on their lips as they watched the Saint Genesis Peak disciples flee before them.

To them, it was nothing more than a cat-and-mouse game.

Sword Cometh Peak's pent-up resentment from recent times could only be appeased by thoroughly toying with Saint Genesis Peak.

"Keep following them. I want to corner them until they can't breathe."

"Also, remember to be immediately vigilant if you see them approaching any islands."

Kong Sheng's calm voice resonated in every disciple's ear. He remained wary due to Yaoyao's presence, understanding her proficiency in Genesis Runes made it possible for her to set traps using the surrounding islands.

As a Saint Son of Sword Cometh Peak, Kong Sheng was clearly no fool.

The two factions, one pursuing and one fleeing, thus streaked rapidly across the sky above the Origin Pond.

Further behind, observers from the other peaks watched. They sighed at Saint Genesis Peak's harried escape, feeling a degree of sympathy and agreeing that Sword Cometh Peak’s actions were indeed excessive.

Time swiftly elapsed during the chase.

After nearly an incense stick's time, the Saint Genesis Peak disciples began to falter, their speed slowing and some falling behind.

Behind them, the Sword Cometh Peak disciples erupted in laughter, their eyes gleeful. They knew that once Saint Genesis Peak could no longer maintain their pace, this charade would be over.

Saint Genesis Peak would then be completely at their mercy.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan, you and Junior Sister Yaoyao should go ahead," Zhou Tai suddenly declared, observing the disciples' slowing pace. "Only with you two present can Sword Cometh Peak remain on edge!"

He knew that if they continued like this, Sword Cometh Peak would chase them until they were utterly exhausted.

"Exactly, you two go first; we'll fight them!" Lu Yan gritted her teeth as well. This desperate flight was too humiliating; she’d rather turn and engage them with all her Origin Qi than watch it dissipate in such a futile retreat.

"We'll fight them!"

Other disciples chimed in, their patience clearly at its breaking point.

Zhou Yuan's pace also gradually slowed. He looked at everyone, then with a wave of his hand, the group gradually came to a stop in the sky.

The moment they halted, Sword Cometh Peak's army immediately closed in. Their disciples fanned out like wings, forming a massive, airtight encirclement, trapping Saint Genesis Peak completely.

There was no escape.

Bai Li Che watched the grim-faced Saint Genesis Peak disciples mockingly, slowly drawling, "What? No more running?"

"What I said earlier still stands," Bai Li Che continued, unhurriedly, though his words carried a sinister undertone. "If you hand over Zhou Yuan, we of Sword Cometh Peak can let you go."

"Bah!"

However, his offer was met only with contempt from the Saint Genesis Peak disciples. Sword Cometh Peak was the very reason for their dire predicament, and it would be utterly foolish to trust their words.

Besides, losing one Origin Pond Ceremony was inconsequential, but if they truly handed over Zhou Yuan, it would not only be a blight on him but an indelible stain on Saint Genesis Peak itself.

"A pity, indeed." Bai Li Che smiled faintly at their reaction, then turned to Zhou Yuan. "Ordinary disciples may not grasp the situation, but I imagine Chief Zhou Yuan does, correct? Why not proactively admit your mistake? Perhaps that would offer some Saint Genesis Peak disciples a way out. What do you say?"

Zhou Yuan replied with an even tone, "Chief Bai Li, it's not wise to celebrate too soon."

Bai Li Che offered no comment, but the smile on his lips hardened, a chilling glint in his eyes. He sighed, "You refuse the good will, so you'll have to suffer the consequences."

"Since you refuse to be reasonable, then you have only yourselves to blame."

As his words ceased, Origin Qi surged within every Sword Cometh Peak disciple, and the entire situation became a powder keg.

In the distance, the observers from the other peaks sighed as they watched the unfolding scene.

Zhou Yuan, however, watched the tightening encirclement. He took a deep breath, turned, and exchanged a brief glance with Yaoyao. Both gave a subtle nod.

The next moment, their eyes slowly closed.

A pulsation began in their Divine Souls, located between their brows.

From a distance, Kong Sheng's pupils suddenly constricted at the sight. Sensing a subtle anomaly, he immediately bellowed, "Everyone, attack now! Eliminate them!"

At his command, countless Sword Cometh Peak disciples roared forward. Torrents of Origin Qi immediately streaked through the void, unleashing an overwhelming barrage upon the hundreds of gathered Saint Genesis Peak disciples.

"Fight them!"

All the Saint Genesis Peak disciples’ eyes turned red with fury. Pushed to this extreme, every heart seethed with anger and humiliation. Even if they stood no chance against Sword Cometh Peak, they vowed that if eliminated, they would at least take a few opponents with them.

"Junior Brother Zhou Yuan!"

Zhou Tai and the others likewise fixed their gaze on Zhou Yuan, awaiting his signal to launch their counterattack.

Zhou Yuan's tightly closed eyes slowly opened. He observed the Sword Cometh Peak disciples surging forward like a tide, then turned his gaze to his own disciples, who were a mix of anger and apprehension.

"I told you before: as long as you trust me, Sword Cometh Peak will find it far more difficult to eliminate Saint Genesis Peak than they imagine…"

"Now, Sword Cometh Peak, please accept this grand gift."

The moment his last word faded, his hands abruptly formed a seal, and potent Divine Soul power erupted from his brow.

Behind him, an even more formidable Divine Soul power burst forth from Yaoyao's smooth brow.

Invisible fluctuations swept outwards, enveloping the entire space.

Boom!

In that instant, countless disciples watched in astonishment as myriad beams of light suddenly erupted from the sky and the sea below. These lights connected with lightning speed, subtly forming mysterious Genesis Runes.

A barrier of light spread with astonishing speed, completely enveloping this entire sea region.

"No! It's a barrier!" The expressions of Kong Sheng, Zhao Zhu, and Bai Li Che all shifted. What horrified them most was that this barrier emanated fluctuations that sent a chill through even their powerful hearts.

"We've fallen into a trap!"

The same realization flashed through their minds.

They hadn't anticipated that Zhou Yuan and Yaoyao could erect a barrier even without nearby islands. Just how profound was their mastery of Genesis Runes to achieve that?

However, before they could react further, Zhou Yuan's low voice reverberated through the air.

"Heaven-Obscuring Barrier! Activate!"

As the command echoed, countless eyes watched in shock as a thick mist rose from the sea surface. The entire world seemed to be sliced apart and inverted in that moment.

Amidst the world's inversion, Zhou Yuan's gaze met those of Kong Sheng, Zhao Zhu, and Bai Li Che. A faint, cold smile played on his lips.

The grand feast, long prepared for Sword Cometh Peak, was finally laid out before them.