79: Shadow Pavilion Base

The Shadow Pavilion's stronghold in the Eastern Region was hidden within a continuous stone forest. The stone forest appeared ordinary on the surface, but was actually covered in concealment Formations. Without guidance from a Shadow Pavilion Cultivator, outsiders would never find the entrance.

Mo Chu carried Liu Shan and landed outside the stone forest. As soon as they stopped, two black figures flashed out from behind the rocks. Upon seeing the black hawk token in Liu Shan's hand, they immediately bowed and saluted: "Your subordinates greet Fellow Daoist Liu. Wei Feng has been waiting inside."

Liu Shan nodded and followed the two into the stone forest. Passing through layers of Formations, the scene before them suddenly changed—deep within the stone forest was a massive underground fortress. Torches illuminated both sides of the passage, and Shadow Pavilion Cultivators, dressed in black, patrolled with expressionless faces. Their aura was chilling and deadly, clearly indicating they were assassins who had experienced life and death battles for many years.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, I trust you are well." Wei Feng walked out from the main hall, maintaining his usual indifferent demeanor, but his gaze towards Liu Shan held a hint of seriousness. "I didn't expect you would actually dare to come."

"The Gu Family's army is pressing down, I have no retreat." Liu Shan got straight to the point, "Can the black hawk token mobilize all Shadow Pavilion forces in the Eastern Region?"

"Naturally." Wei Feng stepped aside to lead the way. "The Pavilion Master has ordered that all matters prioritize repelling the Gu Family. We can discuss the specific plan in the hall."

The main hall was simply furnished, with only a stone table and a few stone chairs. A map of the Eastern Region hung on the wall, with the Duan Yun Mountains circled in red.

Wei Feng pointed at the map: "The Gu Family has allied with the Li Family and Old Ancestor Wang, totaling three Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators. Among them, the Gu Family's Grand Elder Ancient Abyss has the highest cultivation, having reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage. The other two are the Li Family Old Ancestor and Old Ancestor Wang, both of whom are Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Accompanying them are approximately fifty Golden Core Stage Cultivators and over two hundred Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. Their strength far surpasses ours."

Liu Shan looked at the troop distribution on the map, his brows tightly furrowed: "A direct confrontation is hopeless; we can only ambush them."

"That's what I think too." Wei Feng nodded, pointing to a canyon in the middle section of the Duan Yun Mountains. "This place is called 'First Line Sky.' The valley entrance is narrow, with cliffs on both sides, making it suitable for an ambush. We can set up a Formation here to cut off their retreat, and then concentrate our forces tosiege the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators."

"The Nascent Soul Late Stage Ancient Abyss is the biggest threat." Liu Shan said in a deep voice, "This person's cultivation is unfathomable. He must be restrained by someone specifically, otherwise, no matter how many Formations there are, they won't be able to stop him."

A glint of determination flashed in Wei Feng's eyes: "Ancient Abyss will be handled by me. The Shadow Pavilion has a secret technique that can temporarily boost cultivation. Although there's a backlash, it won't be a problem to hold him off for a while."

"No." Liu Shan shook his head, "If something happens to you, the Shadow Pavilion members will be leaderless, and the ambush will surely fail. Mo Chu and I will join forces; perhaps we can contend with him."

He looked at Mo Chu, and a golden light flashed in its serpentine eyes, conveying the thought "no problem"—after this period of recovery, its power had far surpassed what it was before. Coupled with the Dragon Clan Bloodline's enhancement, even if it couldn't defeat Ancient Abyss, it could barely hold on.

Wei Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Alright. You and Mo Chu will restrain Ancient Abyss, and I will lead the Shadow Pavilion elites to surround and kill the Li Family Old Ancestor and Old Ancestor Wang."

"What about the Golden Core Stage Cultivators?" Liu Shan pressed.

"I have already issued orders. Cultivators from all Shadow Pavilion strongholds in the Eastern Region will arrive at First Line Sky within three days, totaling thirty Golden Core Stage Cultivators and one hundred and fifty Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators. With the Formations, they will be enough to tie down the opponent's Golden Core Cultivators." Wei Feng added, "Furthermore, I have invited a friend who might be able to help."

As soon as his voice fell, a light laugh came from outside the hall, and a red-clad figure gracefully entered. It was a woman of exquisite beauty, playing with a folding fan in her hand, and her aura was also that of a Golden Core Late Stage.

"Sister Ying, the person you were looking for is here." The woman looked at Liu Shan, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Is this the Luoxia Valley Master who can make the Shadow Pavilion use the black hawk token? Indeed, he is young and promising."

"This is Su Mei, theOP of 'Blood Fan Tower.' She has always cooperated with the Shadow Pavilion and is skilled in poison and Formations." Wei Feng introduced.

Su Mei cast a charming glance at Liu Shan: "Valley Master Liu, leave the Formations at First Line Sky to me. I guarantee that the Gu Family will not return."

Liu Shan cupped his hands in thanks, but secretly remained vigilant—this woman's smile was alluring, but deep in her eyes lurked a sharpness, indicating she was not to be trifled with.

"The ambush time is set for noon three days from now." Wei Feng made the decision, "The Gu Family is eager for revenge and is marching quickly. They will pass through First Line Sky exactly three days from now. Fellow Daoist Liu, what you need to do is lead them into the ambush circle."

"I'll find a way." Liu Shan nodded. The task of luring the enemy into a trap was the most dangerous; a slight misstep could expose them, but he had no choice.

After the discussion, Wei Feng arranged for Liu Shan to rest at the stronghold. As night fell, Liu Shan stood alone at the top of the fortress, gazing in the direction of Luoxia Valley in the distance, silently thinking: "Liu Zhi, Qingxue, await my news."

Mo Chu coiled at his feet, its serpentine eyes reflecting the moonlight, conveying the thought of "peace of mind." Its golden horn glowed faintly in the night.

Three days later.

Duan Yun Mountains, First Line Sky Canyon.

On the cliffs on both sides, Shadow Pavilion Cultivators and Blood Fan Tower Disciples were in position. The poison Formations and killing Formations set up by Su Mei lay dormant, waiting for their prey to step in. Wei Feng stood on the left cliff, holding a black short blade, his eyes as cold as frost.

Liu Shan and Mo Chu hid in the dense forest outside the canyon, waiting quietly.

As soon as noon arrived, dense footsteps and spiritual energy fluctuations came from afar, and the Gu Family's army finally appeared.

Leading them was an old man in a gray robe, with a withered face but eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He was precisely the Gu Family's Grand Elder Ancient Abyss. Behind him followed two other old men with equally powerful auras, presumably the Li Family Old Ancestor and Old Ancestor Wang. Further back was a vast procession of Cultivators, with black banners fluttering in the wind.

"Liu Shan is right ahead." Ancient Abyss suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse but carrying an oppressive power. "He thinks he can escape by hiding in the dense forest? How naive."

Liu Shan's heart tightened—the perception of a Nascent Soul Late Stage Cultivator was truly so keen!

He no longer hid, emerging from the dense forest holding the Thunderclap Saber. Mo Chu followed closely, its black scales glinting with a cold light in the sunlight: "Ancient Abyss, your opponent is me. If you have the guts, follow me!"

With that, he turned and rushed towards First Line Sky Canyon, with Mo Chu right behind him.

"Courting death!" Ancient Abyss laughed in extreme anger. "Chase! Don't let him run!"

The Gu Family's army indeed fell for the trap, pursuing them in a mighty throng into the canyon.

Liu Shan looked back, seeing that most of the Cultivators had entered the ambush circle. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he said to Mo Chu: "Act!"

Mo Chu let out a deafening hiss, its massive body slamming into the mechanism on the right cliff!

"Boom—!"

Giant rocks on the cliff rolled down, instantly blocking the canyon entrance!

Almost simultaneously, a rain of arrows erupted from the cliffs on both sides. The poison Formations and killing Formations activated at the same time, black poisonous mist permeated the air, and golden runes flickered. The Gu Family Cultivators were instantly thrown into chaos!

"Oh no! It's a trap!" The Li Family Old Ancestor exclaimed.

"What are you panicking about!" Ancient Abyss roared, his Nascent Soul Late Stage aura erupting, scattering the surrounding poisonous mist. "Break the Formation! Kill your way out!"

Wei Feng's voice rang out from the cliff: "Ancient Abyss, your opponent is me!"

A black figure descended like a ghost, a short blade carrying a deadly cold light, stabbing towards Ancient Abyss's back!

Inside First Line Sky Canyon, the slaughter erupted instantly!