How could this be?!
Could that second-tier barrier-breaking talisman have been a fake?!
A brief look of disbelief flickered across the Ma Clan Patriarch's face he simply couldn't accept what was happening. But he recovered quickly.
Not even bothering to retrieve the yellow sand he'd unleashed, he clutched the black-and-yellow gourd tightly. Earthy yellow spiritual light surged around him as he instantly sank into the ground.
Something's wrong!
This formation was far more unusual than it appeared it was not something he could fight head-on!
Trapped within its boundaries, he couldn't even sense Li Ye's position anymore. Other than the ground beneath his feet, he'd completely lost all sense of direction.
It was as if the very fabric of space here had changed cut off from the outside world, forming its own sealed domain. And within this space, the formation could exert terrifying power beyond anything a Foundation Establishment cultivator could withstand.
For someone at mid-stage Foundation Establishment like himself let alone someone at the early stage escaping such a formation seemed almost impossible.
Li Ye had intended this all along drawing him into the formation and then striking when the time was right to kill him!
He couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. If he didn't make his escape while the talisman's residual power still lingered, there would be no second chance!
Although the Ma Clan Patriarch was known for his bad temper, his years of cultivation had not been in vain. His reaction was swift and correct.
But Li Ye had prepared for this scenario from the start. How could he leave such an opening?
And when it came to countering earth-based escape techniques, wood-element cultivators were especially adept!
Deep in the mountains, tree roots stretched endlessly through the earth and stone, interwoven like a vast net, deeply anchored.
The moment the Ma Clan Patriarch slipped underground, he realized it was no better than the surface perhaps even worse.
If the surface had slight vulnerabilities, the subterranean formation was rock solid. There was not a single gap through which he could flee.
He had walked right into the trap.
Thick roots came piercing from every direction, sealing off all paths of retreat and preventing any escape.
The formation shifted again. Domain power surged alongside, and the roots pressed inward like a tidal wave, crushing him tighter and tighter.
No matter how much spiritual energy he poured out, it was all for nothing. He couldn't resist the suffocating pressure and death was inevitable.
Before long, the surface trembled as the roots stretched and recoiled. All of the possessions the Patriarch carried with him were neatly delivered before Li Ye, who held the formation flag in his hand.
As for his flesh, bones, and blood?
Naturally, they had become nourishment for the Void Realm Tree.
"A second-tier peak-level wood-element formation with hints of third-tier traits… dealing with an earth-element Foundation Establishment cultivator like him was no effort at all."
Li Ye muttered with a hint of reflection as he began to inspect the old man's belongings.
The Ma Clan Patriarch had founded the clan himself rising from obscurity to a powerful family boasting three Foundation Establishment cultivators. He had every reason to be confident.
He came to this meeting believing his greater experience and cultivation stronger than Li Ye, who had just recently advanced gave him the upper hand.
But once Li Ye confirmed that the Ma Clan had not shared the Lava Palace secret with anyone else, he had no reason to hesitate.
With the patriarch dead, the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Ma Clan was barely stronger than Ma Ying nothing Li Ye couldn't handle.
This way, he could keep the secret of the Lava Palace hidden a little longer...
Until the formation eventually lost control and the underground fire veins erupted he'd see how much he could reap before that happened!
Sifting through the patriarch's storage pouch, he set aside the spirit stones and common materials.
Finally, Li Ye picked out a few items of real value.
One of the items was the Ma Clan Patriarch's treasure. After examining it for a while, Li Ye discovered it was a low-grade spiritual artifact, capable of both offense and defense with its yellow sand its power was quite impressive.
Another item was the command token for the clan's grand formation, along with various internal documents of the Ma Clan, and an extra fragment of the map that Ma Ying had left behind at the family estate.
Although Li Ye had already recorded his copy, possessing a more complete version might reveal further secrets within the Lava Palace.
Whether it's useful or not, there's no harm in keeping it!
As for cultivation techniques, inheritances, or any superior-grade artifacts they were nowhere to be found.
Which was understandable. As the clan's patriarch, he was unlikely to carry those things around. Even if there were extra top-tier artifacts, they were probably distributed to the clan's other Foundation Establishment cultivators long ago.
"Still, this is more than enough…"
Li Ye held the formation command token, eyes practically gleaming.
"All that's left is to eliminate the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Ma Clan and the entire clan's resources will be mine to plunder."
If the clan's treasury contained the pill recipes or techniques he needed, then he'd hit the jackpot.
"Time for the next phase."
Li Ye took out a piece of the Ma Clan Patriarch's clothing and put it on. As he walked forward, his appearance began to change.
His tall, imposing figure shrank. His back was hunched, his skin aged, wrinkles deepened, and his hair turned white.
In the blink of an eye, he had transformed into the exact likeness of the Ma Clan Patriarch.
Late at night.
Atop Mount Pingyang, there was a faint disturbance. A flash of silver light revealed a dull earth-yellow figure fleeing the mountain at high speed.
Moments later, the twin-layer defensive formation surged in response, tightening its seals and enhancing its power.
The movement was subtle, noticed by only a handful of individuals none of whom dared utter a word.
Not long after, a dull yellow light descended upon the small courtyard rented by the Ma Clan in the Sanhuai Market.
The sudden arrival startled the clan members.
"Patriarch!"
"What happened to you, Patriarch?!"
"Uncle!"
The Ma Clan Patriarch wiped away the green-tinged blood from the corner of his mouth, his tone both angry and anxious:
"That Li Ye dared to attack me using a formation! I barely managed to injure him and break out. There may be pursuers coming soon. Gather everyone We must evacuate and regroup elsewhere!"
This sudden turn of events shocked everyone present into stunned silence.
Li Ye did that?! And injured the patriarch this badly?!
Panic swept across their faces. They hurried to pack their belongings and followed the patriarch's orders without delay.
"Uncle… how could this happen? Didn't you have the Sand Gourd and the barrier-breaking talisman? How could a mere Li Ye hurt you?!"
The elder at the peak of Qi Refining supported the patriarch, clearly filled with regret.
If he'd known, he would've insisted on stopping his uncle from going, even at the risk of angering him.
"Enough talk. We must leave immediately…"
Without another word, the Ma Clan Patriarch summoned a flying boat and stepped inside, sitting cross-legged as if to begin healing.
The rest of the clan didn't dare delay. Led by the Qi Refining elder, they quickly gathered their possessions, boarded the flying boat, and departed from the market, vanishing into the mountains.
They flew for several hours nonstop, deep into the mountain range, nearing the Ten Thousand Beasts Range, before finally stopping at an inconspicuous hill.
The Ma Clan Patriarch stepped off the flying boat, still pale with green-tinged skin. He grabbed the Qi Refining elder and instructed:
"Take this set of formation flags and set up the defensive array. It will keep us safe."
"Also, send word back to have Yuquan come here in secret. Once I finish healing, we'll take the offensive and seize Mount Pingyang for ourselves."
"Until then, no one is allowed to leave this place!"
"Since Li Ye chose the hard way, attacking me in secret, it's time someone else ruled the Chidi Mountains!"
Seeing the patriarch's still-sickly face, the elder hesitated, but eventually took the flags and nodded earnestly.
"I'll handle it, Uncle."
The patriarch gave a slight nod, turned, and entered a mountain cave. A wall of earth rose behind him, sealing the entrance as he entered closed-door recovery.
The elder looked at the cave with concern but didn't dare waste another moment. He summoned the rest of the clan and began setting up the formation.
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