Following closely, Jiang Chen glanced over his shoulder.
Not only had the demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, who were in the Dao Comprehension realm, already arrived, but there were also over twenty demonic cultivators and demons in the Inquiring Journey realm charging fiercely towards Gu Ran. These latter ones trailed noticeably, moving at a slower pace.
Jiang Chen mused, 'In the original plot, Gu Ran would've used the formation to dispatch those Dao Comprehension realm foes. Only after their fall would these Inquiring Journey realm opponents have dared to approach. Had things played out as before, this arriving group would be paralyzed with shock and dread, letting Gu Ran flaunt his prowess without moving a muscle.'
'But this time is different. Now, it's my turn to upset the pattern.' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen's face as he retrieved a transmission jade token. Quickly, he messaged Ji Mingxiu, signaling him to send someone to dispatch the approaching Inquiring Journey realm adversaries.
He then calmly shifted his focus to Liu Xiong below.
"Young Master Gu, I can't let you face such danger!" Liu Xiong's voice was laced with urgency.
His face reflected deep concern as he spoke, "Once you're inside this mountain peak, there's no returning. Seek a different escape route!"
With these words, he seized Gu Ran and flung him far away.
"No!" Gu Ran's protest was futile against Liu Xiong's strength. He found himself hurtling several kilometers distant.
From behind, mocking voices erupted, "Still hoping to flee? Such foolish fantasies!"
"Comrades, to arms! Rip this old man apart!"
"Heh heh heh..." The air grew cold as one by one, the demons and demonic cultivators of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect unleashed their malevolent laughter.
With a surge of murderous intent, they bore down on both Liu Xiong and Gu Ran.
"Damn it!" Gu Ran's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, he invoked his concealment ability, disappearing from sight.
One demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect exclaimed, "Where did that young runt go?!"
"How did he vanish? Even my senses can't trace him!"
"Quick, launch an area-wide assault. Force him into the open!"
The experts of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect were taken aback by Gu Ran's sudden disappearance. Without missing a beat, they unleashed a barrage of attacks on his last known location.
"Do not harm the prodigious talent of our Heavenly Gu Society!" With a battle cry, Liu Xiong, undeterred by the impending danger, hurled himself towards the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators who were in hot pursuit of Gu Ran.
Boom, boom, boom!
Liu Xiong, wounded but resolute, single-handedly countered the expansive onslaught of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect.
"Damn it!" spat a demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect.
"He's obstructing us, and while we're distracted, that young one's likely fled!"
"Take down this old fool first!"
Faces of the experts from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect darkened, their animosity wholly focused on Liu Xiong.
"Face me, you demon-infested vermin!" Blood spurted from Liu Xiong's lips, yet his spirit remained unbroken. He taunted and jeered at his foes without ceasing. "Come, all of you! I have the strength to end each one of you!"
Knowing Jiang Chen had his back, Liu Xiong felt invincible and held nothing back.
"It's infuriating!" a demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect seethed.
"Even at death's door, you dare to spout such nonsense. Today, I'll skin you alive and swallow you whole!"
One by one, the infuriated demons and demonic cultivators surged forward, targeting Liu Xiong.
With Jiang Chen's guidance fresh in his mind, Liu Xiong made a split-second decision and sprinted towards a fissure in the mountain behind him.
"Seize him!" another demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect commanded.
"Seeking refuge inside the mountain? He's just asking for death!"
"Together, we'll trap him!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Uproarious laughter echoed from the members of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect. They believed Liu Xiong was rushing towards his own doom and eagerly chased after him, murderous intent in their eyes.
In that instant, Liu Xiong seemed to slam into a radiant barrier. Luminescent ripples surged from his point of impact, yet his momentum remained unbroken as he darted forward.
Guided by Jiang Chen's insights, Liu Xiong was well-prepared to navigate this formation.
The demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, on the other hand, were left in the dark.
Witnessing the shimmering ripples, they mistakenly believed them to be a result of a secret art Liu Xiong had deployed.
Consequently, a contingent of nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators, devoid of caution, fervently charged after Liu Xiong.
In a fleeting moment, all nine assailants crashed into the formation.
Bang!!
The dense aura of their demonic presence immediately activated the formation's defensive mechanism.
Boom, boom, boom!
A formidable energy burst forth from the formation, relentlessly assailing the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators.
From the midst of the chaos, a voice cried out, "Ahh!!"
"What is this?!"
"How could he possibly erect such a formidable formation in this place?!"
"No, I don't want to die, please no!"
Their anguish was palpable as, one after another, the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators released tormented shrieks.
Among the attackers, three demons from the Nether Soul Demon Clan met their untimely demise instantly. The remaining six, gravely wounded, teetered on the edge of death.
But as they sought the strength to escape, Liu Xiong, who they believed to be fleeing, astonishingly pivoted and lunged at them with heightened vigor, his tactics evidently premeditated.
Clutched in his hand was a fan, its essence infused with the Great Dao of Fire. A sweeping gesture, and he ensnared the six severely wounded Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators.
"No! No! Spare me!" From amidst the flames, the chilling pleas resonated, only to be silenced abruptly in the following heartbeat.
In a swift sequence of events, Liu Xiong, with the aid of the formation, effortlessly eradicated all nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators.
"Holy Son Jiang Chen's foresight is truly unparalleled!" Liu Xiong gazed at his hands, a surge of elation overwhelming him. The realization of his remarkable accomplishment was hard to grasp. "I... I've really taken down nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators with just that formation! This is incredible, truly incredible!"
However, such an outcome was precisely what Jiang Chen had anticipated.
After all, in the initial storyline, even when armed with only the power of the Inquiring Journey realm, Gu Ran had used the formation to turn the tables and decimate the majority of the demons and demonic cultivators.
From a distance, a hidden Gu Ran bore witness to Liu Xiong's spectacular counter-attack against the nine Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators and demons. His eyes bulged in astonishment, and rage made his body quake.
'How is this possible?!' Gu Ran thought in shock.
'Why is that mountain peak fortified with such a formidable formation, and why does it specifically target demonic cultivators and demons?!'
'How was Liu Xiong privy to this secret, readying himself in advance for their folly?'
'Could it be... it's the puppet master of the Heavenly Gu Society orchestrating this from the shadows?'
'Darn it! The Heavenly Gu Society again, and that elusive villain!' Anguish consumed Gu Ran. He too had glimpsed the faint luminescence encircling the mountain peak, sensing treasures inside that might offer an opportunity to turn the tide.
He, Gu Ran, was meant to harness those formations to dispatch the nine Dao Comprehension realm adversaries!
Nine entire Dao Comprehension realm demonic entities! Had he taken them down, it would have been his ticket to break through to the Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm!
But Liu Xiong's intervention had robbed him of this monumental chance!
'Aargh! It should have been my ascent to the Dao Comprehension realm!' Gu Ran's inner voice wailed, the pain so deep it felt like his heart was bleeding.
Just then, notifications from the System echoed within Jiang Chen's consciousness.
[Ding! You've successfully achieved slight alteration in the plot; Protagonist Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 1000 points!]
[Ding! You've gained 2000 Villain Value points!]
Following closely, Jiang Chen glanced over his shoulder.
Not only had the demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, who were in the Dao Comprehension realm, already arrived, but there were also over twenty demonic cultivators and demons in the Inquiring Journey realm charging fiercely towards Gu Ran. These latter ones trailed noticeably, moving at a slower pace.
Jiang Chen mused, 'In the original plot, Gu Ran would've used the formation to dispatch those Dao Comprehension realm foes. Only after their fall would these Inquiring Journey realm opponents have dared to approach. Had things played out as before, this arriving group would be paralyzed with shock and dread, letting Gu Ran flaunt his prowess without moving a muscle.'
'But this time is different. Now, it's my turn to upset the pattern.' A subtle smile graced Jiang Chen's face as he retrieved a transmission jade token. Quickly, he messaged Ji Mingxiu, signaling him to send someone to dispatch the approaching Inquiring Journey realm adversaries.
He then calmly shifted his focus to Liu Xiong below.
"Young Master Gu, I can't let you face such danger!" Liu Xiong's voice was laced with urgency.
His face reflected deep concern as he spoke, "Once you're inside this mountain peak, there's no returning. Seek a different escape route!"
With these words, he seized Gu Ran and flung him far away.
"No!" Gu Ran's protest was futile against Liu Xiong's strength. He found himself hurtling several kilometers distant.
From behind, mocking voices erupted, "Still hoping to flee? Such foolish fantasies!"
"Comrades, to arms! Rip this old man apart!"
"Heh heh heh..." The air grew cold as one by one, the demons and demonic cultivators of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect unleashed their malevolent laughter.
With a surge of murderous intent, they bore down on both Liu Xiong and Gu Ran.
"Damn it!" Gu Ran's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, he invoked his concealment ability, disappearing from sight.
One demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect exclaimed, "Where did that young runt go?!"
"How did he vanish? Even my senses can't trace him!"
"Quick, launch an area-wide assault. Force him into the open!"
The experts of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect were taken aback by Gu Ran's sudden disappearance. Without missing a beat, they unleashed a barrage of attacks on his last known location.
"Do not harm the prodigious talent of our Heavenly Gu Society!" With a battle cry, Liu Xiong, undeterred by the impending danger, hurled himself towards the Dao Comprehension realm cultivators who were in hot pursuit of Gu Ran.
Boom, boom, boom!
Liu Xiong, wounded but resolute, single-handedly countered the expansive onslaught of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect.
"Damn it!" spat a demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect.
"He's obstructing us, and while we're distracted, that young one's likely fled!"
"Take down this old fool first!"
Faces of the experts from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect darkened, their animosity wholly focused on Liu Xiong.
"Face me, you demon-infested vermin!" Blood spurted from Liu Xiong's lips, yet his spirit remained unbroken. He taunted and jeered at his foes without ceasing. "Come, all of you! I have the strength to end each one of you!"
Knowing Jiang Chen had his back, Liu Xiong felt invincible and held nothing back.
"It's infuriating!" a demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect seethed.
"Even at death's door, you dare to spout such nonsense. Today, I'll skin you alive and swallow you whole!"
One by one, the infuriated demons and demonic cultivators surged forward, targeting Liu Xiong.
With Jiang Chen's guidance fresh in his mind, Liu Xiong made a split-second decision and sprinted towards a fissure in the mountain behind him.
"Seize him!" another demonic cultivator from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect commanded.
"Seeking refuge inside the mountain? He's just asking for death!"
"Together, we'll trap him!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Uproarious laughter echoed from the members of the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect. They believed Liu Xiong was rushing towards his own doom and eagerly chased after him, murderous intent in their eyes.
In that instant, Liu Xiong seemed to slam into a radiant barrier. Luminescent ripples surged from his point of impact, yet his momentum remained unbroken as he darted forward.
Guided by Jiang Chen's insights, Liu Xiong was well-prepared to navigate this formation.
The demons and demonic cultivators from the Burning Blaze Ancient Sect, on the other hand, were left in the dark.
Witnessing the shimmering ripples, they mistakenly believed them to be a result of a secret art Liu Xiong had deployed.
Consequently, a contingent of nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators, devoid of caution, fervently charged after Liu Xiong.
In a fleeting moment, all nine assailants crashed into the formation.
Bang!!
The dense aura of their demonic presence immediately activated the formation's defensive mechanism.
Boom, boom, boom!
A formidable energy burst forth from the formation, relentlessly assailing the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators.
From the midst of the chaos, a voice cried out, "Ahh!!"
"What is this?!"
"How could he possibly erect such a formidable formation in this place?!"
"No, I don't want to die, please no!"
Their anguish was palpable as, one after another, the Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators released tormented shrieks.
Among the attackers, three demons from the Nether Soul Demon Clan met their untimely demise instantly. The remaining six, gravely wounded, teetered on the edge of death.
But as they sought the strength to escape, Liu Xiong, who they believed to be fleeing, astonishingly pivoted and lunged at them with heightened vigor, his tactics evidently premeditated.
Clutched in his hand was a fan, its essence infused with the Great Dao of Fire. A sweeping gesture, and he ensnared the six severely wounded Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators.
"No! No! Spare me!" From amidst the flames, the chilling pleas resonated, only to be silenced abruptly in the following heartbeat.
In a swift sequence of events, Liu Xiong, with the aid of the formation, effortlessly eradicated all nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators.
"Holy Son Jiang Chen's foresight is truly unparalleled!" Liu Xiong gazed at his hands, a surge of elation overwhelming him. The realization of his remarkable accomplishment was hard to grasp. "I... I've really taken down nine Dao Comprehension realm demons and demonic cultivators with just that formation! This is incredible, truly incredible!"
However, such an outcome was precisely what Jiang Chen had anticipated.
After all, in the initial storyline, even when armed with only the power of the Inquiring Journey realm, Gu Ran had used the formation to turn the tables and decimate the majority of the demons and demonic cultivators.
From a distance, a hidden Gu Ran bore witness to Liu Xiong's spectacular counter-attack against the nine Dao Comprehension realm demonic cultivators and demons. His eyes bulged in astonishment, and rage made his body quake.
'How is this possible?!' Gu Ran thought in shock.
'Why is that mountain peak fortified with such a formidable formation, and why does it specifically target demonic cultivators and demons?!'
'How was Liu Xiong privy to this secret, readying himself in advance for their folly?'
'Could it be... it's the puppet master of the Heavenly Gu Society orchestrating this from the shadows?'
'Darn it! The Heavenly Gu Society again, and that elusive villain!' Anguish consumed Gu Ran. He too had glimpsed the faint luminescence encircling the mountain peak, sensing treasures inside that might offer an opportunity to turn the tide.
He, Gu Ran, was meant to harness those formations to dispatch the nine Dao Comprehension realm adversaries!
Nine entire Dao Comprehension realm demonic entities! Had he taken them down, it would have been his ticket to break through to the Early-stage Dao Comprehension realm!
But Liu Xiong's intervention had robbed him of this monumental chance!
'Aargh! It should have been my ascent to the Dao Comprehension realm!' Gu Ran's inner voice wailed, the pain so deep it felt like his heart was bleeding.
Just then, notifications from the System echoed within Jiang Chen's consciousness.
[Ding! You've successfully achieved slight alteration in the plot; Protagonist Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has reduced by 1000 points!]
[Ding! You've gained 2000 Villain Value points!]
