Chapter 197: Five Maidens Illusion Formation

“Go do what you must.”

“Yes, Master!”

The entire exchange was a soul transmission between Feng Xiu and Feng Qingyao; absolutely no third person could hear it. Given Feng Xiu’s profound cultivation, even Xu Yang would need to expend some effort to eavesdrop on him.

From the content of their conversation, it was evident that participating in this competition was merely a facade for the Northern Jin Empire’s grand plan. Their true intentions lay elsewhere; they undoubtedly had a larger scheme. And Feng Qingyao, who had previously deliberately made a killing move and requested to be disqualified, had become the most unpredictable, dynamic piece, no longer bound by the competition.

“Hmph, do you think our Cold Moon lineage only knows how to use enchanting tricks? Against men, enchantment is undoubtedly the easiest way for us to win, and precisely for this reason, we don't need to reveal more of our hidden abilities. But against you, it's time for us sisters to show our true capabilities.”

The leader of the Cold Moon team suddenly gave a chilling smile, her eyes revealing an extremely stern and icy aura.

In an instant, the five women simultaneously changed their footwork, quickly gathering towards the center, forming a very tight, special formation. Their stance resembled a semi-arc. Even the well-informed Xu Yang couldn't help but frown.

“Is this... the legendary Cold Moon Soul Devouring Array? Oh no!”

Even someone as powerful as Xu Yang instinctively furrowed his brows. Although this array was not a means of enchantment, it was the only team among the ten present with the ability to create illusions. The most terrifying aspect of this array was its ability to merge the mental power of five individuals. Once successfully cast, breaking free would require the support of even stronger soul power as a countermeasure.

And this was what Xu Yang was most worried about.

In terms of raw strength, with the sisterhood and Long Kun, who possessed formidable cultivation techniques, Xu Yang was confident that his team feared no opponent. But when it came to mental power, apart from Bai Lianxue, who had undergone special modifications and possessed the protective Deep Sea Blue Heart essence, the other girls, and even Long Kun, did not have this as a strong suit.

“Huh? What kind of formation is this?”

Long Kun opened his eyes wide and peered closely, but was decisively stopped by the battle-hardened Bai Lianxue.

“Don't look, close your eyes. This is likely a manifestation of a more powerful illusion. Focus your minds, defend!”

Casting illusions requires strong mental power as support, and it is also one of the most mentally draining techniques. It is impossible to sustain it for a long time.

However, the most terrifying aspect of the Cold Moon lineage happened to be precisely in this area.

Boom!

A dull thud echoed as the five beautiful women of the Cold Moon team simultaneously raised a palm towards their heads. An incredibly brilliant ice-blue moonlight quickly materialized. The moment the terrifying array phenomenon descended, everyone present instinctively felt a chill—a coldness stemming from the depths of their souls, akin to a solitary moon on a snowy night!

“Hahahaha, do you think closing your eyes will prevent you from falling victim? If that were truly the case, wouldn't the most renowned illusion techniques of our Cold Moon Empire lineage be rendered useless?”

The captain of the Cold Moon team chuckled softly, her two fingers constantly interweaving and forming hand seals. A very strange technique quickly unfolded. Under her guidance, special changes appeared on the faces of each of the four teammates behind her.

The leftmost girl unleashed a palm strike, and countless drifting snowflakes inexplicably descended upon the battlefield, each flake hitting the five members of Xu Yang’s team.

“Is that... touch-based illusion? My heavens, these are top-tier illusionary arts, lost for tens of thousands of years! It seems this generation's Empress of the Cold Moon Empire, Xue Jinghan, is truly no ordinary person! Such top-tier illusion techniques are cultivation methods never taught outside the Cold Moon Imperial family. It appears this team must be prodigies personally cultivated by the imperial family; they are truly extraordinary!”

Various discussions arose from the surroundings. Bai Lianxue and the other four instinctively furrowed their brows, and dared not open their eyes to look. They could only forcibly gather their concentration for passive defense. The strength of these five women's mental power was evident, and if they were easily enchanted, they would be toyed with by their powerful opponents.

Seeing this scene, Xu Yang instinctively glanced towards the Cold Moon Empire's contingent. To his surprise, the Empress did not look his way this time, but instead smiled, closed her eyes, and concentrated, seemingly completely confident in this match.

Immediately after, the other two girls from the Cold Moon team, as the mottled snowflakes descended, began to emit two completely different musical sounds to interfere with the souls of Bai Lianxue and the other four.

“What a terrifying team! A four-in-one illusion array affecting sight, hearing, smell, and touch. Unless there's an overwhelming disparity in cultivation realms, opponents of the same level simply cannot withstand it. Not to mention, the leading girl is also a master of the Nascent Soul realm!”

“According to legend, the pinnacle of the Cold Moon Empire's illusionary arts can cultivate a fifth realm, called 'Spiritual Perception'. Once this state is achieved, it can trap a person in a dream for their entire life, making it incomparably terrifying…”

Before this, the Cold Moon Empire rarely made high-profile appearances. As it was a matriarchal nation, they often weren't so ostentatious, and generally maintained a low-key development status.

Furthermore, the Cold Moon Empire lineage placed great emphasis on external cooperation. Being clever and adaptable was a major characteristic of the Cold Moon Imperial family's external relations. However, each new Empress, upon ascending the throne, would only establish one faction as a permanent ally during her lifetime. These were invariably the world's top inheritances. Moreover, they would unite with the leader of the allied faction to cultivate the next imperial successor.

After all, at the end of the day, women are still women. No matter how strong, they cannot defy the natural rules of heaven and earth.

Although the Cold Moon lineage's illusion techniques were unparalleled in the world, when it came to close-quarters combat, their raw strength would be at a disadvantage compared to other sword cultivators or wielders of highly aggressive cultivation techniques of the same level. Therefore, finding a stable patron was also the most important task for every Empress.

Boom!

A faint, muffled thud simultaneously echoed in the ears of Bai Lianxue and the other four. Immediately afterward, the same illusionary scene forcibly appeared in their minds.

Under a snowy night, a solitary moon hung in the sky. The surrounding atmosphere was bone-chilling. Within this illusionary dream, Bai Lianxue and the other four's combat power was astonishingly all restricted to the Golden Core Realm. And before them were precisely the five alluring and powerful female cultivators from the Cold Moon Empire.

“Hahahaha, do you realize your situation now? The illusions woven by our Cold Moon Empire lineage are not so easy to resist!”

Boom! Boom!!

Immense spiritual power relentlessly poured down, and within the illusion, Bai Lianxue and the other four were no match at all.

“What should we do? Sisters, Tuantuan is so cold!”