122: Chapter 122 Relentless Attacks, Spirit Stones in Short Supply

"Stop."

High above in the air, Golden Core Master Wu Yong raised his right hand, halting the fourth Black Fiend Seal that was about to crash down.

He looked down at the four-colored light barrier below, which, though dim, still stood stubbornly. The rage in his eyes gradually receded, replaced by a coldness known as reason.

As a Golden Core Master, he could naturally see the clues of this Formation.

A fourth-tier Formation is indeed sturdy, but the Spiritual Qi required to maintain its operation is an astronomical figure. Gu Yan is merely a Cultivator who has just entered Foundation Establishment; even if his internal True Essence were more profound, it could not withstand such consumption.

What supports this turtle shell from breaking is Spirit Stones.

It is a massive, endless supply of Spirit Stones.

Golden Core Master Wu Yong withdrew the Black Fiend Seal and stood with his hands behind his back in the Void Realm, the turbulent Qi and blood within his body quickly calming down. The three consecutive strikes just now were a significant drain even for him.

"Since he is a shrinking turtle, then I shall peel off his shell."

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the five Black Fiend Sect Foundation Establishment Late Stage Disciples behind him who were already eager to try.

"You go."

Golden Core Master Wu Yong's voice showed no emotional fluctuation, yet it revealed a cruelty like a cat playing with a mouse.

"Attack in turns, do not stop. I want to see just how much family wealth this tiny Gu Family can afford to burn."

"We respectfully obey the Elder's decree!"

The five elite Black Fiend Sect Disciples responded in unison, their faces breaking into bloodthirsty, grim smiles.

In their eyes, this was not just a mission, but a carnival of beating a dog in the water.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Five figures dispersed, occupying five positions above Gu Garden.

There was no nonsense, nor any probing.

The first Disciple sacrificed a pitch-black long banner; the banner fluttered, and countless shrill, wailing spirits roared out from it, turning into a black river that tirelessly washed against the four-colored light curtain.

The light curtain shook violently, and the runes flowing on its surface became sluggish.

Before the light curtain could repair itself, the second Disciple's attack followed closely behind. It was a giant bone awl, spinning and drilling with a piercing screech, specifically targeting the weakest point of the Formation's light.

Following closely were the third person, the fourth person...

Fireballs, ice awls, lightning, and poisonous fog.

The colorful light of Spells exploded above Gu Garden, the roaring sounds continuous and unending, shaking the entire earth of Baifeng City until it trembled.

Although this kind of attack was not as heaven-destroying and earth-shattering as Golden Core Master Wu Yong's, it excelled in being dense and continuous, like maggots on a bone, giving the Formation no chance to catch its breath or recover.

Inside the martial arts arena.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

Gu Yan sat cross-legged at the center of the Formation, his ten fingers flying so fast that only afterimages could be seen. He had to constantly adjust the Spiritual Qi distribution of the Formation to repair the loopholes that were continuously being blasted open.

Sweat slid down his cheeks and dripped onto the scorching Formation Plate, instantly evaporated into white vapor.

"Spirit Stones! Quick!"

He did not look back, only roaring in a hoarse voice.

"Coming! The Spirit Stones are here!"

Jin Feiyan was no longer that elegant and luxurious chamber of commerce daughter. Her skirt hem was covered in dust, her hair bun was disheveled, and even her hands, which were usually well-maintained, had blisters worn into them.

She led a team of servants, carrying several heavy large chests, stumbling as they rushed onto the martial arts arena.

At this moment, everyone in the Gu Family had moved into action.

Shen Qingxue led the women and children to sort in the rear, Bai Linger was responsible for moving, and even the young Gu Fan and Gu Xuan were gritting their teeth, holding Spirit Stone blocks larger than their heads, running back and forth between the warehouse and the martial arts arena.

The box lids were kicked open roughly.

Clatter!

Jin Feiyan and several guards worked together to lift the chest, pouring the Low-Grade Spirit Stones inside, which were filled to the brim, all at once into the huge Spirit-swallowing trough at the center of the Formation.

A full one thousand Spirit Stones.

If it were in ordinary times, this would be a huge sum of money sufficient for a common Loose Cultivator to struggle for ten years, a fortune that could buy half a street.

But at this moment, they were merely fuel.

Hum—

A blinding white light lit up in the Spirit-swallowing trough; that was the Spirit Explosion triggered by the Spiritual Qi contained within the Spirit Stones being instantly extracted by the Formation.

Immediately after.

"Puff, puff, puff..."

After a series of dense and muffled soft sounds.

The originally crystal-clear Spirit Stones, which radiated an alluring luster, instantly lost all their color and luster. They became gray, white, and brittle, and with a gentle blow from the breeze generated by the Formation's operation, they turned into stone powder dancing in the sky.

One thousand Spirit Stones only lasted for less than ten breaths.

"Continue! Do not stop!"

Gu Yan's perception had long since merged with the great Formation, and he could clearly feel what kind of devastation the light curtain above his head was suffering. Every second, a massive amount of Spiritual Qi was consumed.

Another chest of Spirit Stones was poured in.

And was instantly turned into powder again.

On the ground of the martial arts arena, the gray-white waste stone powder had already piled up into a thick layer, submerging the ankles. Stepping on it produced a creaking sound; that was the sound of wealth shattering, and also the footsteps of the Gu Family's life countdown.

This speed of consumption was simply despairing.

Half an hour passed.

The attacks outside were still as violent as before, and even became more intense because those Black Fiend Sect Disciples had gotten into the mood.

But the speed of the Gu Family's team moving Spirit Stones from the warehouse slowed down.

It was not because they were tired.

But because... the warehouse was almost empty.

When Jin Feiyan rushed onto the martial arts arena again, she was only holding two Storage Pouches in her hands. She did not command the servants to carry chests like before, because there were no more chests to carry.

She walked behind Gu Yan, her steps as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

"Husband..."

Jin Feiyan's voice was dry, carrying a hint of undisguisable trembling and panic.

The Spell techniques in Gu Yan's hands paused slightly, but he did not look back, still staring fixedly at the runes constantly jumping on the Formation Plate.

"Speak."

"The warehouse... is empty." Jin Feiyan opened the Storage Pouch in her hand and gently poured the last three thousand Spirit Stones inside into the Spirit-swallowing trough. "This is the last batch, plus the private money gathered by the sisters and clansmen... it's all here."

She watched as those Spirit Stones were instantly drained of Spiritual Qi and turned into powder, her eyes turning red.

"According to the current attack intensity... we... can support for at most half a cup of tea's time."

Half a cup of tea.

This was the remaining lifespan of the Gu Family.

The martial arts arena was dead silent.

Only the roaring sound from the light curtain above, and the rustling sound of stone powder being stirred up by the wind under their feet.

Gu Yan slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, yet still terrifyingly clear.

Through the semi-transparent Formation light curtain, he could clearly see the figure standing with hands behind his back high in the air.

Golden Core Master Wu Yong was looking down with a playful expression, toying with a Jade Slip in his hand, seemingly calculating the time to break the Formation. He had no intention of attacking at all; he was waiting, waiting for the Gu Family to run out of ammunition and food, waiting for that turtle shell to break on its own, and then, like a cat catching a mouse, enjoying the prey's struggle before death.

This was a dead end.

Defending meant certain death.

The moment the Spirit Stones were exhausted would be the time when the entire Gu Family would be slaughtered.

Gu Yan took a deep breath, the cold air mixed with the dusty smell of stone powder inhaled into his lungs, allowing his scorching hot brain to cool down a little.

He could not wait any longer.

Since defending was a dead end, then he could only... seek survival in death!

He no longer injected True Essence into the Formation, but slowly stood up.

"Feiyan."

Gu Yan turned around, looking at his wife's face full of despair, and reached out to gently wipe away a smudge of dust on her cheek.

"Call everyone to the backyard. If the Formation breaks... you all should flee for your lives."

"Husband! What are you going to do?!" Jin Feiyan grabbed his hand, her eyes full of terror. "Don't do anything stupid! We still have people, we can still fight..."

"We cannot win."

Gu Yan shook his head, his gaze crossing over Jin Feiyan to look at Golden Core Master Wu Yong high in the air.

"A Golden Core Master cannot be overwhelmed by sheer numbers."

"If you want to survive, if you want to break this situation, there is only one way."

A flash of ruthless determination flickered in his eyes.

"That is... to make him die!"

Without waiting for Jin Feiyan to say anything else, Gu Yan violently broke free from her hand, his figure flickering and turning into a stream of light, actually rushing directly out of the martial arts arena, speeding towards the direction of the mansion gate!

At the same time.

Deep in his mind, he issued that call, which was perhaps the last time.

That was his last hope, and also the only trump card he dared to use for this risky move.

[System!]

[Open the store!]

[I want to redeem!]