256: Concealing the truth (two-in-one)

Above the sky, myriad Flying Swords soared, and Sword Qi surged!

Lin Shiming and Lin Xianzhi no longer concealed themselves and walked out openly.

Once caught in a Formation, even the most ingenious methods were difficult to hide.

However, a hint of worry still lingered in their eyes.

Especially Lin Xianzhi, who stared at the old man carrying a sword. This old man was clearly more than just a Sword Cultivator; he was also a High Grade Great Master of Formations!

"Wan Qing, are you so confident? Aren't you afraid we'll team up against you?" Lin Shiming also stared at Wan Qing.

"Haha, team up? Do you think I'm afraid of you teaming up?" Wan Qing spoke with a disdainful expression.

"If I don't even have this much confidence, how can I hope to reach the Immortal Master realm?"

As he spoke, he exuded an imposing aura, then looked at Lin Shiming with disdain:

"But you really have bad luck. I was just about to kill someone, and you delivered yourself right to my doorstep!" Wan Qing stared at Lin Shiming with a hint of bloodlust.

Immediately, all the myriad Flying Swords descended.

Sword Intent surged, and sword light ravaged!

The next moment, they transformed into a rain of swords, pouring down.

Of course, this descent was not just to kill Lin Shiming, but targeted all the Cultivators within the Sword Formation!

"How audacious!" The three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect also changed their expressions drastically.

The three of them simultaneously patted their Storage Pouches, and then three black coffins, ten feet long, appeared.

Various eerie Spirit Runes emerged on the coffins. The next moment, the coffin lids exploded, and three Natal Spirit Corpses appeared.

The three Spirit Corpses were extremely ferocious, clearly refined from powerful Yao Beasts. They leaped up, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, charging towards the Flying Swords in the sky.

Beside them, the three from the Spirit Beast Sect consisted of two old men protecting Xiao Wanhe, while three Late Stage Third-tier Yao Beasts instantly moved to the front.

Lin Shiming was also well-prepared. He threw something from his hand.

A Crushing God Plate, activated to its maximum, grew to the size of a small mountain, emanating a brilliant dark light. At the same time, the Purple Wood Mysterious Sky Sword Formation flew out with the Spirit Art, forming four defensive sword Formations that blocked above.

Protecting Lin Shiming within them.

Lin Xianzhi was even more direct. As soon as his Sword Lotus appeared, it cut through everything.

The myriad sword lights were swept into disarray by the Sword Lotus, turning into Spirit Light and disappearing.

"Half-step Sword Qi Coagulation!" The old man carrying a sword was also greatly alarmed!

Then, the old man carrying a sword also took out his Magic Sword. With a single activation, a small portion of the Flying Swords from the sword art flew into his hand.

Wan Qing's sword light was significantly reduced, but the remaining number of Spirit Swords was still enough for him to display considerable strength.

The main control of the Sword Formation was clearly with the old man carrying a sword. Under his control, a small portion of Flying Swords flew out.

They charged directly at Lin Xianzhi. The sky full of sword light began to collide with the Sword Lotus, and golden, dazzling sparks rained down like a scattered galaxy.

Especially the sword core formed by the Sword Qi Coagulation, its power was boundless; three to five hundred sword lights would disappear upon contact.

Seeing this, Lin Shiming also breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Xianzhi's strength was stronger than he had imagined, having completely reached the Peak Foundation Establishment level, even slightly stronger than the old man.

However, at this moment, under the continuous attacks from the old man's Sword Formation, he also appeared somewhat strained.

At this time, Wan Qing also controlled the remaining light swords, attacking the three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect, as well as their three Natal Spirit Corpses.

He still held the upper hand. The remaining Wan Wuyin also controlled many Sword Formations, confronting the Cultivators of the Spirit Beast Sect.

Xiao Wanhe of the Spirit Beast Sect was clearly only an ordinary Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator. Perhaps compared to a Loose Cultivator, he could contend with a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but his strength was far inferior. The Spirit Beast he controlled was only a Mid Stage Third-tier, though its potential was considerable—it was a Green-Eyed Golden-Eyed Tiger!

But Wan Wuyin's strength was also not inferior; his soft sword was extremely troublesome.

This allowed Lin Shiming to see another method of Cultivation for wood-attribute Sword Cultivators.

For a time, the battle was back and forth.

"Brother Wan, this is you seeking your own death!" Xiao Wanhe saw that the situation had largely turned around due to Lin Xianzhi's powerful presence.

He also snorted coldly at Wan Qing.

However, at this moment, Wan Qing remained silent.

The three Corpse Refinement Sect members hiding their true strength and leaving behind Natal Spirit Corpses was something he hadn't expected. Lin Xianzhi comprehending half-step Sword Qi Coagulation was also something they hadn't expected.

Lin Shiming, however, was staring at Wan Qing, but the next moment, his expression also changed.

He had just released a Spirit Devouring Ant to break through the Formation.

However, he saw an unimaginable scene: a monkey-like Yao Beast had already rushed into the San Yuan Mansion.

These guys from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect were clearly pursuing two objectives: either to kill everyone, or to monopolize the treasures!

The Formation was merely a cover; secretly, they had already sent Spirit Beasts to steal.

As for whether this Spirit Beast belonged to the Spirit Beast Sect, he didn't even consider it.

Since Wan Qing controlled the Myriad Swords Punishing Heaven Formation, it was naturally impossible for him to allow anyone from the Spirit Beast Sect to seize an opportunity!

No wonder Wan Qing was so arrogant and the old man didn't stop him. If the treasures were already taken, what did it matter if they didn't kill everyone!

Lin Shiming's expression changed rapidly, but then quickly disappeared.

The next moment, he took out a large amount of spirit seeds and suddenly scattered them on the ground.

Immediately, the sky was filled with Poison Flood Dragon Vines, which instantly resembled giant, malevolent Flood Dragons.

The Poison Flood Dragon Vines emitted a black mist. In an instant, the black mist surged like black Flood Dragons. Because these Poison Flood Dragon Vines were once planted in the swamp of the Horned Python, as they rolled, there seemed to be the roars of Flood Dragons, overwhelming Wan Qing.

Wan Qing was naturally not afraid of this; his Sword Formation was simply the best Magic Treasure to counter such wood-attribute Cultivators.

He even sneered, thinking, "Does this Lin Shiming even deserve to be called a Sword Cultivator? He doesn't even know this basic common sense!"

He took out the broadsword he carried on his back. As soon as the broadsword appeared, it sliced through all the Poison Flood Dragon Vines.

The sword light continued towards the three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect and their Spirit Corpses.

However, the next moment, to his surprise, the Poison Flood Dragon Vines, which had been chopped into segments, actually reassembled in the air and continued to bind Wan Qing.

Wan Qing, caught off guard, was bound by the Poison Flood Dragon Vines, and his sword light instantly paused.

If not for a light shield appearing within his body to envelop him, he might have been pierced by the Poison Flood Dragon Vines and poisoned to death.

One must know that Poison Flood Dragon Vines were not ordinary vines. These High Grade Third-tier vines were extremely threatening to a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and without precious detoxifying Spirit Medicine, one wouldn't survive for a moment.

Beside them, the three Natal Spirit Corpses, most enraged by the sword light, immediately charged forward as the sword light paused.

It was the old man carrying a sword who, with a wave of his hand, had a multitude of sword lights once again slice through the Poison Flood Dragon Vines, allowing Wan Qing to escape. Meanwhile, Wan Wuyin took out another Spirit Talisman, and the next moment, a wooden Puppet Sword Cultivator emerged, blocking all the claws and attacks of the three Spirit Corpses.

This Puppet Sword Talisman was clearly very powerful, its strength possibly not inferior to a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

For a time, the three Corpse Refiners also gained no advantage. The three Corpse Refinement Sect Cultivators also changed their expressions, knowing they wouldn't benefit. With a wave of their hands, hundreds of coffins appeared.

The lids of these coffins were almost instantly blown off, and they shot towards Wan Qing.

However, the next moment, the Spirit Corpses that crawled out of those hundreds of coffins actually rushed towards the periphery of the Sword Formation.

They were clearly the self-detonating Spirit Corpses that had breached Tianhe City that day.

However, the sword light in the sky trembled again, emitting a terrifying sword cry. Another endless wave of sword light, coming from the Nine Heavens, pierced into the bodies of those self-detonating Spirit Corpses, instantly chopping them into pieces of bloody flesh and droplets of blood.

High in the sky, Wan Qing breathed a sigh of relief. They had naturally studied the methods of the Corpse Refinement Sect, and now seeing that the three's methods had failed and he himself was protected, he finally relaxed.

Then, he glared fiercely at Lin Shiming, his heart itching with hatred.

If not for Lin Shiming, if not for Lin Xianzhi, not a single person here would have escaped!

"There's a problem with the Sword Formation; check your Spirit Beast!" At this moment, the old man carrying a sword, after taking a moment to unleash a sword strike, began to transmit a message to Wan Qing.

His eyes occasionally darted towards Lin Shiming, a flicker of surprise in them.

He was somewhat uncertain, yet also worried.

As if fearing Wan Qing didn't understand, the old man carrying a sword added again:

"When he drew the vines, the Sword Formation inexplicably opened a gap, but the poisonous mist blocked some of the senses!"

After saying this, the old man immediately re-engaged in battle with Lin Xianzhi.

"Good!" Wan Qing was also greatly alarmed. The old man's words made him instantly nervous.

He quickly sensed his Spirit Beast, but at this moment, Lin Shiming continued to control the Poison Flood Dragon Vines to launch sneak attacks!

For a time, Wan Qing could only dodge in the air. The broadsword on his back dared not pause for a moment, dancing around him like a waterfall of sword light. Under the surging Sword Qi, all the Poison Flood Dragon Vines were crushed to dust.

Even the poisonous mist was cut apart by the whirlwind.

Beyond the sword curtain, he also waved his hand to cast a spell, and the sky full of sword light continued to press down on Lin Shiming.

This, in turn, allowed the three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect to breathe a sigh of relief!

The Crushing God Plate and the four sets of Sword Formations above Lin Shiming's head continued to block the sword light without attacking, which immediately made Wan Qing's face turn ashen.

However, now, Lin Shiming could no longer hinder him.

He thought of his initial arrangements, and his mood immediately improved slightly.

He sensed the blood oath in his Sea of Consciousness.

His Spirit Beast seemed to be moving away!

This made Wan Qing let out an even longer sigh of relief.

The Myriad Swords Punishing Heaven Formation was not meant to cover the Purple Mansion Cave.

Otherwise, if the Purple Mansion Cave was destroyed, that would be truly foolish.

The Sword Formation was deployed with two intentions: if they could kill these people from the Spirit Beast Sect and Corpse Refinement Sect, that would naturally be good.

Those who could enter the Small World would surely have good harvests, and perhaps he would even have a chance to glimpse the secret arts of the two sects.

Of course, if their methods were not weak, but they couldn't get out for a while under the Formation's cover, he would have already released his cultivated Spirit Beast to empty the Purple Mansion Cave—that was the real goal!

His Heaven Treasure Spirit Ape was no ordinary creature; it was extremely sensitive to treasures.

It was precisely because of that Spirit Ape that he found this San Yuan Immortal Cave.

With his Spirit Beast safe, he completely relaxed and focused on the present situation.

The sword light in his hand became even more incisive. He even borrowed many sword lights from Wan Wuyin. He wanted to use the Sword Formation to achieve a thousand swords returning to one!

He wanted to kill Lin Shiming immediately!

In an instant, a terrifying spiritual might appeared. High in the sky, a hundred-foot sword light, like lightning, struck down towards Lin Shiming.

He could spare others, but at this moment, he had to kill Lin Shiming.

However, at this very moment, it wasn't Lin Shiming who moved first, but Lin Xianzhi beside him.

Behind him, his white hair suddenly billowed.

The Metal-attribute True Qi and Water-attribute True Qi converged and collided. In an instant, golden and blue colors filled the heavens and earth.

The immense Sword Intent forced the old man carrying a sword to retreat.

But the latter also unleashed a thousand swords returning to one.

Lin Xianzhi also unleashed a sword. This sword was the strongest sword of the Ren Water Geng Metal Art!

In a trance, countless Sword Lotuses appeared, each Sword Lotus displaying both golden and blue colors!

And the sword core was even more dazzling and radiant, like the sharpest Sword Qi in the heavens and earth.

"Shiming, watch closely. Let these people from the Ten Thousand Swords Sect know what Sword Qi Coagulation is, and what it means for one sword to break all techniques!"

With one sword strike, all the Sword Lotuses drew out their sword cores, and then the Sword Lotuses shattered one by one.

Only one sword core remained, condensed into a thread, slashing towards the two giant swords.

Boom!

A terrifying tremor shook the ears!

The sword light vanished into thin air, evenly matched!

However, only Sword Qi remained, crisscrossing up and down the heavens and earth, surging and ravaging indiscriminately, regardless of friend or foe.

At this moment, the three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect also placed their three Natal Spirit Corpses in front of them.

Even so, the Spirit Stones were cut beyond recognition by the Sword Qi.

The next moment, as if they had made a momentous decision, they directly controlled their Natal Spirit Corpses to the edge of the Formation. The next moment, the three Spirit Corpses exploded simultaneously.

A terrifying explosion occurred again. The spiritual energy storm and Sword Qi surged together, roaring like a tornado, lingering for a long time.

As the Spirit Light dissipated, half of the Sword Formation was also shattered, revealing the Immortal Cave of San Yuan Daoist.

However, looking at the grand mansion now, it had already been plundered clean.

There was no Spirit Light, no treasures!

"You good-for-nothing Wan Qing, to actually trap us and steal the treasures alone!" The three disciples of the Corpse Refinement Sect shouted in unison, filled with boundless rage.

They had fought desperately, only to find themselves ensnared by Wan Qing's scheme.

All the treasures had already been snatched by him.

What was the point of their efforts!

As the three of them roared, they also spat out a huge mouthful of fresh blood. With their Natal Spirit Corpses destroyed, they were severely injured.

The old man carrying a sword raised his sword high. The next moment, the sword light surged to its maximum, reaching the three Cultivators from the Corpse Refinement Sect.

The three Cultivators were instantly greatly alarmed, but they swayed, and a surging blood Qi rose to the sky. All three were Body Cultivators, but only two were Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Body Cultivators, and one was a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Body Cultivator.

The Foundation Establishment Early Stage Body Cultivator immediately died on the spot.

The remaining two, with a yellow escape light, instantly vanished.

They shed blood and fled far away!

"Who said we stole it! I think you stole it!" The old man carrying a sword's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, looking at everyone.

Especially the Spirit Beast Sect!

At this moment, if Lin Shiming hadn't known, he probably would have been fooled by this old man.

"Seventh Grand Uncle, let's go too!" Lin Shiming did not stay, and left directly!

Although the Sword Formation was broken, Lin Xianzhi was seriously injured. Especially that last sword strike, while glorious, also reversed the Ren Water Geng Metal Art, costing him several years of his life. His Seventh Grand Uncle might not care, but he did!

How many times had he warned his Seventh Grand Uncle not to reverse the sword art! But it was useless; at critical moments, his Seventh Grand Uncle would still fight with his life on the line!

Furthermore, Lin Xianzhi's True Qi was largely depleted, and he only recovered to a normal level after consuming hundred-year spiritual milk.

But continuing to fight would clearly yield no benefits.

Meanwhile, the old man carrying a sword was convinced that the Spirit Beast Sect had stolen it and charged at the two Cultivators from the Spirit Beast Sect.

Wan Qing, on the other hand, held his sword and charged at Lin Shiming and his companion.

Lin Shiming felt a little resentful that the old man was still putting on an act, but the next moment, a blazing sword light suddenly shot up from underground towards him.

This old bastard actually launched another sneak attack; his target was not the two Cultivators from the Spirit Beast Sect at all, but him!