Chapter 445: Five-colored Formation Flags

Fan Xingkong was furious.

"Your strength is negligible? You effortlessly drove a sword five *zhang* deep into the ground. Among everyone present, only a few cultivators who reached the fourth stage of Core Formation could possibly do that! The others simply couldn't do it!"

Suppressing his anger, he said, "Young Master Jiang, this elder will not let you help for nothing. Successfully slay one beast king, and this elder will bestow upon you a formation banner." As he spoke, he pulled out a tattered, finger-length, ethereal small formation banner from his sleeve. Despite its small appearance, it exuded a profound and mysterious aura. It was clearly no ordinary item.

"This is the Five-Color Formation Banner, a treasured artifact that has been stored in our Giant Sect's treasury for many years. Simply infuse it with spiritual energy to activate it. Some banners possess illusory effects, others offer defensive power, and some can even be used for direct attacks. For every beast king you slay, I will give you one! If you perform exceptionally well, I will give you all five! What do you say?"

Jiang Fan pondered for a moment, then asked, "How powerful are these formation banners? If they're too weak, it wouldn't be worth risking my life against a beast king."

Fan Xingkong secretly snorted. "He's truly someone who won't make a move without a guaranteed reward!"

He said nothing more. He took out a small fiery-red formation banner and threw it towards the surging tide of beast kings rushing towards the base of the mountain. The small banner immediately grew larger as it flew. In an instant, it transformed into a massive banner, ten *zhang* tall. Long fire dragons spewed from the banner, incinerating the approaching horde of demonic beasts. Even a hundred *zhang* away, Jiang Fan felt waves of intense heat. His eyes widened in surprise: "An attack comparable to a fourth-stage Core Formation cultivator?"

Unlike ordinary talismans, formation banners are magical artifacts capable of being used multiple times for array formations. They are immensely useful for slaying demonic beasts on the front lines. Jiang Fan was somewhat tempted. However, he hadn't lost his head. The Giant Sect's deplorable reputation is well-known, isn't it? Why would they give such valuable treasures to an outsider like him, instead of their own disciples on the front lines who are fighting beast kings and earning merit? Anyone with half a brain could tell that Fan Xingkong intended to exploit him. Once the beast kings were driven away, he would immediately go back on his word.

Yet, Jiang Fan did not refuse. He feigned excitement and said, "Excellent! It's a deal then." He immediately drew his Mourning Frost Sword and prepared for battle.

Fan Xingkong's lips curved into a slight smile, and he sneered inwardly, "Fool! Don't you even look in a mirror? Do you think you're worthy of our sect's most precious treasure? This was prepared for Jin Zhongming!" Outwardly, he expressed gratitude: "Rest assured! This elder always keeps his word!"

No sooner had he spoken than the beast tide at the base of the mountain reacted.

Xuan Jia let out a wicked chuckle: "Is that all the tricks you have, Giant Sect Elder stationed here?" It suddenly opened its mouth and inhaled sharply. Then, with immense force, it exhaled! A visible hurricane was conjured out of thin air. It swept up ice and snow for hundreds of *zhang* around, surging against the overwhelming inferno.

On the distant mountaintop, everyone was instantly lifted off the ground by the hurricane! Jiang Fan's expression shifted slightly. He plunged his sword into the ground, barely managing to withstand the hurricane. The Giant Sect disciples and deacons, each employing their own methods, either dug their feet into the ground or clung to rocks on the ground. A few deacons, relying on their powerful physiques, directly resisted the hurricane. Even so, two weaker disciples were unfortunately swept into the hurricane. The hurricane was filled with rapidly swirling shards of ice. Their fate upon being caught in it was obvious. Before Fan Xingkong could even attempt a rescue, both instantly disintegrated into bloody mist, leaving no trace of their bodies.

Jiang Fan was secretly alarmed. "Is this a sixth-stage Core Formation demonic beast? Its strength is far greater than that of the fifth-stage Core Formation Silverwing Thunder Roc from before!" And if the mountaintop was affected to such an extent, the fate of the flames descending from the sky was predictable. In an instant, they were swept away by the hurricane. Had Fan Xingkong not intervened in time, even the formation banner would have been blown away.

"Hmph! A mere sixth-stage Core Formation demonic beast dares to act so presumptuously in my Giant Sect's sacred land!" Fan Xingkong roared. "Deacons, follow me! The rest of you disciples, guard the mountaintop!" As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan understood his meaning, drew his sword, and descended the mountain with him.

Xuan Jia chuckled: "I'll handle that Giant Sect Elder! The rest of you, deal with the others!" It stared at the diving Fan Xingkong, showing no fear whatsoever.

Fan Xingkong's thick beard trembled: "Arrogant!" Immediately, his muscles bulged, and a breathtaking force gathered in his fist as he slammed it fiercely towards Xuan Jia! The punch landed. Jiang Fan, not far away, felt a powerful shockwave radiating towards him. He hastily employed his movement technique, barely managing to stabilize himself. The other deacons were not so fortunate; they were instantly scattered and flung against the icy mountain.

Jiang Fan was secretly astonished. "As expected of the Second Elder of the Giant Sect. What appeared to be an ordinary punch possessed astonishing power. They were merely affected by the residual force of the punch, yet they could barely control their bodies. He couldn't imagine what would happen if someone were directly hit by that punch."

Xuan Jia laughed loudly, and layers of ink-black patterns suddenly spread across its enormous black turtle shell. They overlapped, resembling a powerful protective array. Fan Xingkong's terrifying punch immediately shattered several layers of the array, but it also expended much of the punch's force. When it finally struck the turtle shell, a fierce, prolonged clang, like the resounding of a golden bell, swept through the surroundings. All nearby beast kings were knocked to the ground by the vibration. The hundred-zhang-tall Mount Bugui trembled violently, thick layers of ice and snow cascaded down, and rocks constantly rumbled and collapsed. Yet, Xuan Jia remained unharmed, sneering: "The Second Elder of the Giant Sect is nothing special!"

At the same time, Xuan Jia suddenly extended its hideous head, striking Fan Xingkong like a black lightning bolt. Fan Xingkong's expression changed. He shielded himself with his arms, but was sent flying like a cannonball, slamming into the cliff face. "You beast!" Fan Xingkong exclaimed in irritation. This turtle demon's attack wasn't particularly powerful, but its defense was ridiculously high, making it a natural nemesis for body-cultivating martial artists like himself. He, a seventh-stage Core Formation cultivator, was surprisingly unable to subdue a sixth-stage Core Formation beast! Gritting his teeth, he charged forward again, issuing orders: "Everyone, attack!"

The deacons immediately unleashed their full physical strength. The result caused Fan Xingkong's heart to sink. He saw that the other beast kings also possessed extremely high defensive capabilities! The few deacons who charged forward could not effectively harm their opponents. Instead, due to their numerical disadvantage, they were surrounded.

At this moment, Fan Xingkong saw Jiang Fan, his eyes lighting up slightly. "Young Master Jiang, what are you waiting for?" he urged. Among them, only Jiang Fan was a cultivation practitioner specializing in magic. He was the only one who wouldn't be countered.

Jiang Fan nodded, gripping Mourning Frost. He chose the weakest, a fourth-stage Core Formation demonic beast, and charged towards it. "Take this! Heaven and Earth Starfall!"

However, the demonic beast merely cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Fan, then lashed out fiercely with its tail. With a dull thud, Jiang Fan was instantly sent flying, crashing into a patch of white snow and falling motionless. Blood trickled from his lips, and his eyes were tightly shut. He had been killed in a single blow!

Fan Xingkong cursed in rage: "That's it? Useless!"

Xuan Jia roared with laughter: "Brothers, don't let them escape! Kill them all!"

The beast kings and the Giant Sect cultivators immediately erupted into a chaotic battle. They remained completely unaware. Jiang Fan, who had been lying motionless on the ground just moments before, quietly opened his eyes.