Chapter 854: Re-eliminating the Three Protectors

This stone pillar, forged from extraterrestrial cloud iron, was incredibly hard and considered a top-tier power-based weapon across the entire Yingtou Continent. However, to Xu Yang, a weapon of this caliber was no different from a toy; he crushed it into smithereens with just one hand.

"Raging Sand Heavenly Vortex!!"

The brawny man had completely lost control. How could he accept that his most cherished magical artifact had just been crushed by Xu Yang? Without hesitation, he unleashed an even more powerful surge of his inherent energy.

Simultaneously, he recombined all the shattered sand, soil, and gravel using his unique cultivation method. All the fragments furiously merged into one, lunging towards Xu Yang's body.

"Since you dared to destroy my artifact, I'll turn your entire being into my new artifact!"

Xu Yang nodded thoughtfully. "So you have such a grand idea. I support your decision."

Xu Yang's sudden words momentarily stunned the man before him. His opponent had no idea Xu Yang would come up with such a method to evade the attack.

In that instant, Xu Yang, in an unknown manner, imperceptibly swapped places with the braided swordsman who was embedded in the golden light wall.

Seeing that the move had already been activated and couldn't be stopped midway, all the chaotic debris and fragments furiously swarmed towards the braided swordsman.

"No, Brother, stop! It's me!!"

The braided swordsman's cries erupted repeatedly. Unfortunately, his location was the very void space where Xu Yang had just been, which Xu Yang had already tampered with just before performing the spatial teleportation.

His voice couldn't reach any corner outside of this space; even if he screamed until his throat was raw, his brother wouldn't hear him.

Before long, all the fragments of the shattered artifact had completely devoured the braided swordsman, leaving him no chance of escape. His entire physical body had transformed into an incredibly solid magical artifact, with faintly visible cracked patterns on its surface.

"Hahaha, weren't you arrogant, kid? Now I'll use your body as an artifact to save my brother."

This big guy seemed a bit slow-witted. As he hoisted the human-shaped artifact onto his shoulder and was about to charge towards the golden light wall before him, he found that the one who walked out of the golden light wall was not his brother at all, but Xu Yang.

"No, how is this possible!!"

Xu Yang helplessly spread his hands towards the big brute before him.

"Aren't you looking for your brother? He's right there on your shoulder!"

"Didn't I just lock onto your true form's information? My Heavenly Concealment Ultimate Kill can't possibly make any mistakes, and my brother isn't inside that golden light wall!"

Yun Yixuan revealed a cold, mocking smile. "You idiot, your brother's spiritual aura and location were already called forth by Ah Yang, and the space you locked onto has also been modified by him. All the changes that happened here are completely undetectable by a useless person like you!"

The big guy carrying his brother completely lost control! He screamed frantically, like a madman, having completely lost his mind.

At this moment, he had only one thought: to kill all the enemies here and avenge his brother.

Little did he know, his brother hadn't died by anyone else's hand, but by the hands of his own ignorant and foolish brother.

Xu Yang couldn't be bothered to continue fighting with the big guy. He snapped his fingers in the void, and countless sword lights continuously emerged from unknown void defenses, instantly piercing through the body of the massive opponent before him.

In just a blink of an eye, two more of the Western Emperor's Thirteen Protectors were slain by Xu Yang and his companions. The remaining mustached man, who was confronting Yun Xiao, seemed to face an even more miserable fate.

At this moment, Yun Xiao was mounted on top of him; a sharp sword light had pierced through his shoulder, and he couldn't even lift his shield anymore.

"I never thought this ice crystal shield of yours was forged from human flesh and blood. You monster, you have no idea how many ordinary people in the Eastern Region have perished by your hand. Today, I shall let those unfortunate souls who died by your hand have their revenge!"

As Yun Xiao finished speaking, his aura exploded once more, forcing the mustached man beneath him to his knees.

"Let's play a game," Yun Xiao said. "If you can reach this ice crystal shield before you perish, I'll spare your life." With bloodthirsty mockery in his eyes, Yun Xiao, still mounted on the mustached man, began to encourage him to crawl forward, hoping he could complete this objective before he perished.

Unfortunately, with every difficult step he crawled forward, the weight on him doubled. And the wound, where Yun Xiao had pierced a bloody gash, continuously spewed blood.

Finally, the mustached man still couldn't complete this task and perished at Yun Xiao's feet.

In the blink of an eye, all three Protectors ambushed in Qizong Mountain were completely slain.

"Let me count. Eight of the Western Emperor's Thirteen Protectors are accounted for. There are still five, but I don't know where they're hidden."

As soon as Yun Yixuan finished speaking, he immediately ordered his Golden Knight Corps to act. They split into three groups on the spot and began searching the entire Qizong Mountain from three directions.

However, this time, the results greatly disappointed Yun Yixuan.

The mountain seemed to have been completely emptied; there were no resources or supplies whatsoever.

More importantly, in such a treasured land of Feng Shui, not a single trace of energy fluctuation could be detected anymore.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Special Envoy," a soldier said. "There is a large, deep pond in the back of this mountain, and it contains a strong scent of blood. We dared not approach it without your permission. Please decide for yourself, Your Excellency!"

Eager for valuable clues, Yun Yixuan immediately led everyone to the back of the mountain without hesitation. Once they all arrived within the vicinity of the blood pool, Xu Yang immediately discerned that terrifying energy fluctuations were hidden beneath it.

"If my judgment is correct," Xu Yang declared, "there should be a water dragon imprisoned beneath this pond!"

After Xu Yang's words left his mouth, Yun Yixuan and everyone in the Golden Knight Corps showed expressions of utter astonishment.

It was strange why the Western Emperor had withdrawn all his valuable resources from Qizong Mountain, yet deliberately left this incredibly precious water dragon beast in the pond.

"This seems a bit illogical," Yun Yixuan mused. "Ah Yang, are you sure your judgment isn't mistaken?"

Yun Yixuan had never fully trusted Xu Yang from the beginning.