293: Chapter 740 The Brother and Sister's Trip

The atmosphere of an impending great battle enshrouded the entire Canglan Domain.

Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi churned restlessly, and the wind across the four fields carried a stern, killing intent; all native Cultivators tightened their minds, waiting for the moment when the prodigies of the myriad Realms would knock on the boundary and contend on the battlefield.

Especially the young generation of Canglan Domain's new generation, every single one of them rubbed their fists and wiped their palms, their Battle Intent boiling, having long since prepared to bathe in blood to defend their land and temper themselves.

Beneath the high platform of the sea of clouds before the Formation, crowds gathered, and Spiritual Qi shone brilliantly.

The top direct Disciples of major Sects and the peerless prodigies cultivated by ancient aristocratic families gathered here in full.

They were all prodigious talents of Canglan Domain, famous at a young age, with profound Foundations and extraordinary innate talent. In the past, each occupied a territory, competing against one another without yielding an inch, full of arrogance.

Filled with youthful vigor and in the prime of their youth, there was not a shred of cowardice in the depths of their eyes, only sharpness and certainty.

"I heard that the prodigies of all Realms outside the domain have all come out, each boasting invincibility at the same Realm. Today, I must experience it properly!"

A Sword Cultivator in white stood with hands behind his back, his long sword sheathed, his gaze frosty, fully displaying the sharpness of youth.

"Haha, well said! Previously, the extraterrestrial army was suppressed by the Formation and fled in panic, already losing their sharpness!"

"This time, they are regrouping and returning only to invite their own humiliation!"

A youth beside him, dressed in flaming Dao robes, laughed aloud, the fire Spiritual Qi around his body burning and leaping, his Battle Intent soaring,

"The Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array locks and suppresses the Nascent Soul; no matter how high their cultivation is, they will drop in Realm once they enter. In same-Realm combat, how could we, the Prodigies of Canglan Domain, lose to others?"

"What is most reassuring are the rules of this Formation! Fair suppression, contending with same-Realm Foundation, competing on talent, Bloodline, Foundation, and Heart-Nature, rather than a pile-up of plane cultivation!"

A female Cultivator spoke softly, her gaze clear and bright,

"When it comes to life-and-death combat and hard-hitting clashes at the same Realm, those extraterrestrial prodigies might not surpass us."

Everyone gathered together, chatting and laughing while cheering each other on. The atmosphere before the Formation was warm and impassioning, filled with the unique vigor and backbone of youths.

Everyone was certain that this grand battle of the myriad Realms crusading against Canglan Domain would be an excellent Opportunity for Canglan Domain's new generation to make a name across ten thousand domains.

Right in this bustling and noisy atmosphere, a Wen Rou and otherworldly rosy light slowly broke through the sea of clouds and steadily landed on the open space before the Formation.

The rosy light receded, and Zixia's figure slowly emerged.

She wore a plain and elegant flowing-cloud long dress, her slender figure standing out of the dust, her brows and eyes Wen Rou like water, surrounded by a faint clear radiance, and her temperament was Wen Rou and tranquil, yet the faint plane charm circulating around her body indicated that she was by no means an ordinary Cultivator.

As Yuan Chen's Dao Companion, she personally escorted her pair of children to the front of the Formation at this moment, solely to watch them step into the trial and temper their growth.

By her side, two youthful figures stood quietly, with upright postures and ethereal temperaments, forming a sharp contrast with the noisy youthful prodigies around them.

They were precisely Yuan Yun and Yuan Luo.

The two of them were only a little over ten years of age, yet they had long since shed the greenness and playfulness of children, possessing a calm and introverted disposition and a Heart-Nature far surpassing Cultivators of the same age.

Younger sister Yuan Yun had a slender figure and wore plain green attire, her brows and eyes cold and aloof, her gaze calm like water. She had always been calm, rational, and thorough in handling matters, naturally carrying a prudence and certainty surpassing her age.

Older brother Yuan Luo wore spotless white clothes, with a handsome face and a Wen Rou temperament. He looked gentle, but deep in his eyes lay a formidable sharpness and backbone; his Heart-Nature was steady, and he never acted rashly or aggressively.

As Yuan Chen's offspring, they bore the myriad Realms' top-tier Top-tier Divine Beast Bloodline, innately possessing the talent and Foundation to suppress their peers. Cultivating since childhood under the nourishment of Canglan Domain's top-tier resources and Dao traditions, their Foundation was polished to be incomparably solid, and they had long since stepped into the Peak of the Nascent Soul Great Perfection Realm.

Zixia raised her eyes, her Wen Rou gaze gently falling upon the brother and sister before her, her tone soothing and solemn as she began her final admonitions before departure.

"Yun'er, Luo'er."

Her voice was soft, yet every word penetrated their hearts, ringing in the ears of the two,

"Today, the myriad Realms passages are fully open. Refining the heart in troubled times and tempering the Dao through the flames of war is an indispensable trial on your path of growth."

Yuan Yun lowered her gaze slightly, her posture upright as she respectfully saluted, "Rest assured."

Yuan Luo beside her followed closely behind, his posture submissive and his tone steady, "My sister and I know our limits, and we will certainly not fail Auntie's entrustment."

Watching the steady appearance of the two children, Zixia's lingering attachment in her eyes dissipated slightly, though she still patiently exhorted:

"Extraterrestrial Cultivators have campaigned across the myriad Realms for years, possessing rich combat experience and ruthless Heart-Natures. Even if their cultivation is suppressed by the Formation, their combat methods are by no means comparable to ordinary Cultivators. After entering the Formation, remember not to underestimate the enemy, not to advance rashly, and not to take greedy risks for merits."

"No matter what kind of battle situation you encounter, first stabilize yourselves, then deal with the opponents. Preserving yourselves is always the top priority."

Yuan Yun nodded gently, her cold and aloof gaze resolute, "Auntie, rest assured, my brother and I know what we are doing."

Yuan Luo also seriously chimed in, "That's right, Auntie. We know the dangers of the battlefield and will never act rashly. If we encounter an enemy we cannot defeat, we will immediately retreat and guard, never lingering in battle."

Seeing that the two answered properly and possessed steady Heart-Natures, Zixia finally let go of most of her misgivings completely, slowly stating the core reason why she dared to let the two enter the Formation to fight, her tone calm, resolute, and full of confidence.

Zixia continued to speak slowly, her voice clear and bright, reaching into everyone's ears:

"As for you brother and sister, you are now at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Great Perfection Realm, with perfect Dao Foundations, pure Spiritual Qi, and flawless Foundations, only a step away from the Soul Transformation Realm. Among the same-Realm tiers, your cultivation Foundation already stands at the very top."

"More importantly, you are not ordinary Nascent Soul Cultivators; you bear the Top-tier Divine Beast Origin Bloodline, possessing formidable Physical Bodies, Heaven-Defying secret arts, Heaven-Defying innate talent, and same-Realm suppression. Bloodline Power, Physical Body strength, Divine Soul Foundation, and natal secret arts—every single item far surpasses ordinary prodigies of the myriad Realms."

"Entering the Formation this time, all extraterrestrial Cultivators will be suppressed to the Nascent Soul Realm. Looking at all the invading myriad Realms new generation, opponents who can truly contend with you are few and far between, practically non-existent. The vast majority of extraterrestrial prodigies are simply no match for you in same-Realm combat."

"In such a battle situation, you occupy all favorable conditions of heaven, earth, and people. As long as you respond steadily, there will be no threat to your lives; you need only peace of mind to undergo trials, polish your battle techniques, and accumulate slaughter experience."

Hearing this, a trace of fresh Battle Intent that youths should have finally flashed across Yuan Yun's eyes, yet she remained steady and restrained as she turned to look at the brother beside her, speaking softly, "Brother, the time has come. The myriad Realms army is pressing down on the border, and this is precisely the moment for us to temper ourselves and protect Canglan Domain."

Yuan Luo nodded slightly, a faint sharpness flashing across his brows and eyes, "Mm."

The brother and sister once again bowed deeply to Zixia in salute, their postures submissive and their tones solemn, "Auntie, as we enter the Formation for trial, we will definitely guard the territory of Canglan Domain, stabilize our own Dao Hearts, and return safely."

Wen Rou waved gently, her eyes filled with expectations and trust, "Go. I will wait for you outside the Formation to return. Remember, stability comes first, and act according to your heart."

As the voice fell, two ethereal figures soared into the air simultaneously.

The green-robed maiden had a light figure, walking upon the wind with Spiritual Qi restrained and calm like water; the white-robed youth had an upright posture and steady steps, with hidden sharpness and an extraordinary bearing.

One still and one moving, the two figures turned into two streaks of light, resolutely charging into the vast battlefield shrouded by the Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array.

Outside the Formation, voices boiled and Battle Intent soared to the heavens. All the prodigies craned their necks in anticipation, quietly awaiting a heaven-shaking and earth-shattering duel among the myriad Realms prodigies.

Yet the instant they stepped into the Formation, the scene rushing toward their faces caused Yuan Yun and Yuan Luo to be stunned simultaneously.

In the hinterland of the Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array, heaven and earth were vast, the sea of clouds was clear, and Spiritual Qi was abundant. Formless array patterns slowly circulated, stabilizing the rules and order of the entire heaven and earth.

Yet casting one's gaze across the four fields, thousands of miles of mountains and rivers and tens of thousands of miles of Void Realm were completely empty, devoid of human traces.

There was no extraterrestrial army sweeping across the sky, no hostile prodigies with soaring slaughter intent, no tense opposing battlefield stance, and not even a trace of alien aura or unfamiliar battle qi could be detected.

The entire lethal battle Formation was dead silent and empty, with only the long wind brushing the clouds and Spiritual Qi flowing, quiet unlike a battlefield about to start a war.

Yuan Yun's steps paused slightly, reining in the standby Spiritual Qi around her body, a clear trace of doubt emerging between her brows as she turned to look at the brother beside her, speaking softly, "Brother, something is wrong."

"Outside the Formation, the battle clouds are clearly dense, the myriad Realms passages are fully open, and the armies of major Cultivation Worlds are poised for action. Logically speaking, the fire of war should have already flown and slaughter should have broken out everywhere inside the Formation by now. How can it be so quiet?"

His gaze swept across all directions, and his Divine Sense quietly unfolded, carefully probing the surrounding one hundred miles of Void Realm, yet still gaining nothing, "Within a hundred miles, there is not half a figure nor half a wisp of enemy breath. Could it be that the extraterrestrial Cultivators did not enter at all?"

Yuan Luo stopped and hovered in the air, his cold and aloof eyes slightly furrowed, his slender brows twisting into a faint thought.

His Heart-Nature was even more steady and meticulous, and he never easily jumped to conclusions when encountering matters. He slowly urged his own Divine Beast Divine Soul, expanding the probing range to a distance of thousands of miles, meticulously screening every inch of the Void Realm.

After a moment, he slowly withdrew his Divine Sense, his tone calm yet carrying a bit of doubt, "Within a thousand miles, there is indeed no trace of any extraterrestrial invaders."

"Yet the heaven and earth anomalies cannot be fake, the myriad Realms passages are already stable, and the armies of the major extraterrestrial factions are indeed pressing down on the border. It is impossible for them to temporarily retreat."

Hearing this, Yuan Luo became even more puzzled, "Then why is the Formation completely empty? Could it be that they fear the power of the Formation, still harbor misgivings, and dare not step in?"

Yuan Yun shook her head gently, her gaze calm as she analyzed, "Impossible. The other Realms have long since figured out the situation of the Formation; it's impossible that only this Cultivation World is the weakest, right?"

The brother and sister stood atop the sea of clouds, conversing in low voices and meticulously deducing. Their overflowing Battle Intent and expectations fell completely flat at this moment, leaving only a stomach full of doubts in their hearts.

They had originally thought that stepping into the Formation would mean facing all kinds of myriad Realms prodigies head-on, launching a hearty and thorough same-Realm duel. Yet now, the huge battlefield was empty, and not even half an enemy could be found.

Just as the two were pondering and deducing, several streaks of light swept over from the distant horizon in succession, moving extremely fast and arriving before the two in a flash.

It was the subsequent native prodigies of Canglan Domain entering the Formation.

Several people landed and stopped, looking at the empty and dead heaven and earth within the Formation. The Battle Intent that had originally been full on their faces completely froze, replaced by identical astonishment and doubt.

The leading Sword Cultivator in white frowned deeply, speaking out in confusion, "What is going on? Where is the battlefield? Where are the extraterrestrial Cultivators? We hurried and rushed into the Formation, preparing to meet the external enemies in battle, why can't we even see a shadow of a person?"

The flaming youth beside him was full of bewilderment, "I thought we could face slaughter directly as soon as we came in, and specially accumulated our battle power in advance, preparing ourselves for a bitter battle. As a result, the entire array domain is completely empty; this is simply too strange!"

A female Cultivator looked around and guessed softly, "Could it be that the extraterrestrial army has not completely crossed the Realm yet, and only the passage has opened, so people haven't had time to come in yet?"

"Impossible." Another person immediately rebutted, "The passage has been stable for a long time. According to the marching speed of the myriad Realms' forces, they should have already fully stepped into the array by now. There is no reason for any delay."

A group of prodigies gathered in one place, speaking one after another, filled with doubt and incomprehension. The originally fervent Battle Intent now completely turned into full astonishment.

Everyone could not figure out why the battlefield, which was clearly about to erupt into an epoch-making war, had become so dead silent and empty.

Yuan Yun looked at everyone's puzzled expressions, turned her head to look at Yuan Luo, and asked in a low voice, "Brother, what do you think?"

Yuan Luo's gaze was calm as he swept his gaze across the surrounding heaven and earth, slowly speaking and analyzing with clear logic: "There are only two possibilities."

"First, the extraterrestrial Cultivators have not all flooded in. It is only a small-scale, tentative entry, and they have deliberately concealed their traces, hiding in some corner of the array to ambush us at an opportune moment, wanting to catch us off guard."

"Second, they did not stay in the shallow array domain at all, but instead penetrated deep into the heartland of the Formation, heading even towards the direction of the two-Realm rift with an ulterior motive."

Yuan Luo nodded slightly, acknowledging the deduction, and then asked, "What should we do at this moment? Should we stay behind in the shallow array domain to wait for the enemy, or actively explore?"

Yuan Yun pondered slightly and spoke decisively: "Waiting is useless. The shallow array domain is empty and barren, and continuing to stay will only waste the Opportunity for the trial in vain. Rather than passively waiting, it is better to actively penetrate deep into the array to investigate."

"If the enemy is hiding in ambush, we can find them out by actively exploring; if the enemy has all penetrated deep into the heartland, we must follow up and investigate to figure out their true purpose."

A flash of approving brightness crossed the depths of Yuan Yun's eyes, and she said calmly, "I have the same thought. Rather than waiting idly in place, it is better to actively explore."

The two exchanged a glance, needing no further words, as a tacit understanding had already been reached.

Afterward, Yuan Luo turned to look at the surrounding bewildered Canglan Domain prodigies, and gently exhorted them: "Fellow Daoists, the situation within the array is bizarre and hides oddities. Everyone must not act alone. You can stay behind in the shallow array domain in groups, stabilize the defense line, and quietly wait for movements. My sister and I will penetrate deep into the heartland to investigate, and we will return once we figure out the situation."

Hearing this, the group of prodigies nodded and agreed one after another.

"Alright, then we shall trouble Senior Brother Yuan Luo and Senior Sister Yuan Yun to go and investigate! You must be careful!"

"If you discover the enemy's traces, transmit a message immediately, and we will rush to support you right away!"

Yuan Luo nodded slightly, saying no more, and soared into the air side by side with Yuan Yun, steadily gliding towards the deepest part of the Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array and the direction where the two-Realm rift was located.

The brother and sister maintained a steady and unhurried speed, without any rash advancement. Investigating meticulously all the way along the path, their Divine Sense remained spread out, staying vigilant against all unusual movements around them.

The entire heaven and earth remained empty and uninhabited, with no traces of slaughter, no Spiritual Qi fluctuations, and an abnormal quietness.

Half an hour later, the brother and sister finally reached the outermost border of the Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array, and faced the giant two-Realm rift that spanned across heaven and earth, pitch-black and profound.

The pitch-black rift was like a tear in heaven and earth, endlessly profound, continuously exhaling and inhaling chilly Void Realm airflow, and faint, unfamiliar, distant Heaven and Earth Dao Yun that did not belong to Canglan Domain slowly flowed out from the depths of the rift.

Standing here, one could clearly feel the subtle aura field of the clash between the two Realms, one side being the warm and mellow Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi of Canglan Domain, the other side being the strange, ethereal Dao Yun of the extraterrestrial Realm, distinct and clearly separated, yet intertwining with each other.

Yuan Luo stopped before the rift, looking at the deep, pitch-black opening: "Could it be that the Cultivation World here hasn't sent anyone to attack us?"

Yuan Yun gazed fixedly at the deep rift with her eyes, and said coldly, "Unclear."

Yuan Yun looked at the deep, unknown rift, a flash of bold contemplation sweeping across the depths of her eyes, and turned to look at her brother: "Brother, then the depths of this rift are the passage leading outside the myriad Realms."

"Rather than continuing to waste time waiting idly in the Canglan array, we might as well pass straight through the rift, step into the extraterrestrial territory, and take the initiative to explore."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the air instantly became a bit heavier.

Actively crossing Realms and stepping into the unknown extraterrestrial Realm was undoubtedly an extremely bold move; if one wasn't careful, it would mean falling into the enemy camp and being surrounded by enemies on all sides, with perils far exceeding the trial within the array.

Hearing this, Yuan Luo did not immediately agree, nor did he directly refuse, but instead gazed at the depths of the rift with a calm look, carefully sensing the aura fluctuations on the opposite side and prudently deducing the risks within.

Seeing her brother silent in thought, Yuan Yun continued to speak calmly, analyzing the pros and cons with clear logic: "Brother, I know you are concerned about the dangers. But if you sense carefully, on the opposite side of the rift, there is no towering aura of slaughter, no heavy coercion of an army stationed there, and no array momentum of those main forces like Wuchen and Soul Domain."

"The aura on the opposite side is very gentle and ethereal, and the texture of the Spiritual Qi is warm and pure. It is completely different from those Cultivation Worlds where slaughter is biting, and there is a high probability that it is not a main invading plane of the myriad Realms."

"Moreover, we carry the teleportation Magic Treasure given by Dad. Our Physical Bodies are formidable, our self-preservation ability through secret arts is extremely strong, and we are at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection Realm. Even if we encounter danger, it is enough to protect ourselves and escape."

Yuan Luo listened quietly to his sister's analysis, his calm and clear eyes still prudent, and asked softly in counter: "Do you know what cross-Realm exploration means? Once you step into the extraterrestrial Realm, you will be separated from the protection of the Guiyi Boundary-Suppressing Array, placed in a completely unfamiliar heaven and earth, without array power blessing or local advantage. Once you encounter a formidable enemy, the retreat path will be dim."

Yuan Yun nodded calmly, her tone steady: "I know the risks. But the path of cultivation is inherently exploring the mysteries step by step and acting in a Heaven-Defying manner. If one blindly fears the unknown and clings stubbornly to safety, one will never be able to break through the shackles and advance the Dao."

"Father was able to suppress the myriad Realms and establish a foothold across all domains precisely because he dared to face the unknown head-on, dared to charge into desperate situations, and dared to explore the secrets of heaven and earth. As his offspring, we should not be trapped in one corner of heaven and earth, shrinking back in fear and hesitation."

Yuan Luo looked at his sister's steady, resolute, and unarrogant or impetuous appearance, and the concerns in his heart gradually dissipated.

He knew that his sister's Heart-Nature was steady and her thoughts were comprehensive, and she was by no means a person who acted rashly to show bravery. This proposal was a decision made after careful consideration, rather than a youth's momentary impulse.

He focused his mind once more, carefully investigating the heaven and earth aura on the opposite side of the rift, and after a moment, he spoke slowly: "What you said is correct. There is no army slaughter aura on the opposite side, and the Spiritual Qi is warm and pure. There is a high probability that it is a remote extraterrestrial small Realm, or a special alien territory, and the degree of peril is limited."

"Since that is the case, then we shall cross the Realm to investigate. But remember, do not enter deep, do not be greedy for Opportunities, and do not provoke powerful enemies. With the purpose of investigation and probing, once peril is sensed, we will immediately return to Canglan Domain and never linger in battle."

A flash of brightness crossed Yuan Yun's eyes, and she nodded heavily: "Alright! Listening to Brother, we will investigate securely and act according to circumstances!"

The brother and sister reached a consensus and no longer hesitated, rising side by side with light postures, and steadily stepping into the pitch-black and profound two-Realm rift.

The moment they passed through the rift, the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi suddenly changed.

Canglan Domain's mellow and warm native Spiritual Qi completely disappeared, replaced by a strange Spiritual Qi that was extremely pure, fresh and ethereal, carrying a faint fragrance of vegetation. The Spiritual Qi here was gentle and delicate, nourishing the Divine Soul, with no aura of slaughter and violence, and no heavy oppressive feeling of martial arts contention, completely different from the auras of all Cultivation Worlds in the myriad Realms.

Raising their eyes to look, the entire heaven and earth was clear and transparent, the dome of heaven was light azure as if washed clean, the earth was covered with exotic flowers, rare herbs, and millennia-old trees, and the mountains and rivers were picturesque with charming scenery, everywhere exuding an aura of peace, tranquility, and overflowing vitality.

There was no war, no dispute, and no slaughter here, resembling an isolated paradise cut off from the world.

"Such clean Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi." Yuan Luo sighed softly, his gaze sweeping around, "This territory is too special; it is by no means a slaughter Cultivation World like Wuchen or Soul Domain. Instead, it is more like an alien heaven and earth focused on natural vitality and vegetation Dao Yun."

Yuan Yun nodded slightly, her calm gaze investigating: "The Spiritual Qi is pure, the Dao Yun is gentle, the vitality is flourishing, and there are no martial arts slaughter traces. Investigate carefully."

The two slowed their pace, lowering their own Spiritual Qi fluctuations, and proceeded slowly along the ancient path among the forest, meticulously exploring this unfamiliar extraterrestrial heaven and earth.

All around, ancient trees towered into the sky, and flowers and leaves fluttered about. A gentle breeze blew through the forest, birds chirped and flowers smelled sweet, quiet and beautiful. The deeper they went, the more the two marveled at the flourishing vitality of this place, where the Heaven and Earth Dao Yun was pure and flawless, extremely suitable for nourishing the Divine Soul and warming the Dao Heart.

Just as the two were steadily investigating, a slender and light figure suddenly flashed past from the depths of the dense forest ahead.

That was a young girl who looked extremely pretty and spirited, with a slender and graceful figure, skin white and smooth like jade, brows and eyes delicate like a painting, a head of light green long hair lightly fluttering in the wind, and a pair of slender, translucent pointed ears growing by the sides of her head, with an ethereal, refined temperament untainted by worldly dust.

She was dressed in a light green gauze skirt with light steps, resembling an elf of the forest, surrounded by a faint spiritual light of vegetation around her body, pure and gentle.

Sensing the auras of Yuan Yun and Yuan Luo, this elven girl's entire body suddenly stiffened, and extreme panic and fear instantly surged into the depths of her eyes. Not daring to stay even for a moment, she turned and transformed into an emerald-green stream of light, her figure flickering as she fled at extreme speed towards the depths of the dense forest.

"Someone!"

Yuan Luo's gaze stirred, instantly locking onto the other party's trace.

"Should we catch up and investigate?" Yuan Yun turned to ask her brother for his opinion, maintaining composure throughout without rashly pursuing.

Yuan Yun pondered slightly and spoke decisively: "Pursue. This place is unfamiliar, with no one to guide the way, and we cannot figure out the situation of this territory. Catch up to her, find out the background of this place, and we will be able to judge the subsequent advancement and retreat."

"Alright."

The brother and sister moved in response to the words, their postures ethereal as they soared into the air, following the trajectory of the other's flight and steadily pursuing upward.

The elven girl's movement technique was agile and ethereal, light and swift, skilled at shuttling through the forest and concealing her form, with extremely fast speed. Yet her cultivation was only at the Golden Core level, which had a heaven-and-earth difference compared to the Nascent Soul Great Perfection Foundations of Yuan Yun and Yuan Luo.

The brother and sister did not need to urge their full strength, merely executing basic movement techniques, and they steadily locked onto the other's trace, approaching step by step, neither too fast nor too slow.

Within a mere few breaths, the emerald-green figure that was originally fleeing was steadily caught up by the two, blocked in front and behind, cutting off all retreat paths.